Chapter 108

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Chapter 108: A Slip Beneath My Feet

"Boom!"

Ming He hung in mid-air at the pinnacle of the palace, her heart racing as Qin Chu Yi’s voice, icy and laced with murderous intent, reached her ears. Her first instinct was to flee. She had come to see Qin Chu Yi, but this was far from the scene she had envisioned.

Yet, the droplet of water behind her came swiftly, slicing through the air like a solid water sword, imbued with its owner’s fierce aura. It struck Ming He’s right ankle unexpectedly, the residual force propelling her off balance and piercing a small hole in her pristine blue clothes, leaving a trace of warmth from the pool.

Caught off guard, Ming He felt a twinge of pain and numbness in her ankle. She was half-standing on the glazed tiles when the droplet from Qin Chu Yi caused her foot to slip, sending her tumbling into the circular pool, splashing water like a soaring eagle landing.

Steam quickly enveloped her as she floated in the milky spirit liquid, gradually stabilizing herself.

Before she could devise an explanation for Qin Chu Yi, a sharp sound sliced through the air behind her. Instinctively, she stepped back to avoid it, her back now to Qin Chu Yi. Unaware of who had fallen, Qin Chu Yi would not hold back her attack. Ming He still felt a dull pain at her ankle from that droplet.

"Bang!" The displaced air stirred up splashes of water.

Qin Chu Yi did not cease her attack. Her brows furrowed in cold offense and severity. After missing her strike, she moved swiftly through the circular pool, pushing the intruder to the edge, her right hand pressing against the person’s neck, her eyes filled with murderous intent.

Realizing she had nowhere to retreat, Ming He sighed deeply. After mentally cursing Qi Qi a thousand times, she slowly turned to face Qin Chu Yi, feeling a bit flustered. "Sister Qin."

"It’s been a long time," Ming He said gently, leaning against the crystal-clear wall of the circular pool, her voice trembling slightly as she lowered her gaze, not daring to meet Qin Chu Yi’s eyes.

"Ming He, Junior Sister?" Qin Chu Yi’s intense murderous intent suddenly paused. Upon recognizing her face, emotions swirled in her eyes—surprise, joy, confusion—flitting through her expression. Her voice trembled with disbelief and wonder. "How did you end up here?"

She glanced at Ming He’s wet blue clothes, her right hand still on Ming He’s fair neck. The white deep garment had become thoroughly soaked in the pool’s spirit liquid, clinging closely to her body, revealing glimpses of her silhouette through the mist.

Yet remarkably, Qin Chu Yi remained unaware of this and showed no intention of withdrawing her hand. Instead, she had transformed her murderous intent into curiosity and confusion, pressing Ming He against the wall of the pool.

Seeing this, Ming He’s gaze flickered slightly. Meeting Qin Chu Yi’s sparkling eyes made her heart skip a beat. Noting that she showed no signs of letting go, Ming He decided to speak the truth. "I wanted to see you, so I came."

"You wanted to see me?" Qin Chu Yi’s heartbeat halted for a moment, then surged with a speed surpassing before, like fireworks bursting into bloom.

She smiled slowly through the rising steam, her smile radiant and starry. "Why do you want to see me?"

As memories surfaced of the events that had occurred in the Moonlight Courtyard at the Floating Cloud Sect, her smile slightly faded, and she glanced down, feeling a bit melancholic.

Ming He sensed that Qin Chu Yi seemed a bit downcast and thought it might still be because of her arrival. Flustered, she recalled her purpose in traveling thousands of miles to the Qin Clan and lifted her gaze. Her eyes shone brightly, seemingly grasping the meaning behind her emotions without any teaching, and she reached out to embrace Qin Chu Yi. The warmth of her breath brushed against Qin Chu Yi’s ear, blending with the heat of the spirit liquid in the pool, her gentle words striking straight to Qin Chu Yi’s heart.

"Because I like you, Sister, and I want to be with you all the time." Ming He slightly relaxed her grasp, her eyes sparkling with deep affection. "But you’ve been away from the Floating Cloud Sect for two months. I’ve waited for you a long time, and you didn’t come back."

"So, I wanted to see you." She chuckled softly, seeing Qin Chu Yi frozen in surprise, a smile curling on her lips. She then gently removed Qin Chu Yi’s hand from her neck and, in a swift motion, switched their positions, now pinning Qin Chu Yi against the wall of the pool.

"Sister, are you not happy to see me?" Ming He leaned closer, slightly bending down. Her bright eyes reflected Qin Chu Yi’s image, trapping her in her embrace as she refused to let go despite the surging spirit liquid behind them.

"Happy." Qin Chu Yi was still lost in the daze of Ming He’s declaration of affection, her mind hazy as she began to realize that she might be dreaming. The next moment, she heard Ming He’s low, probing question.

Is she happy to see Ming He? Of course, it was a happiness that words could not capture—a joy overwhelming, swirling around her heart. The elation made her feel as if she stood amidst swirling clouds, surrounded by a sea of stars, where the person she yearned for was within reach, brighter than all things in the world.

"Since you are happy, why aren’t you smiling?" Ming He tilted Qin Chu Yi’s chin upward with her hand, noticing the way her lips unconsciously curled into a smile in her embrace, shining brighter than the sun and the stars.

"I…" Qin Chu Yi murmured, raising her gaze slightly, finally realizing how intimate and ambiguous their position had become, her complexion flushing as red as a sunset.

She lifted her hand to push Ming He away but found her embrace firmly holding her, unyielding as a mountain. Qin Chu Yi’s gaze decisively followed down to her drenched white deep garment, the underlying meaning of conquest in her eyes crystal clear.

"Ming He!" Qin Chu Yi exclaimed in a soft mix of embarrassment and anger, her earlobes flushed as if they could bleed. In Ming He’s eyes, it was the most beautiful sight in the world.

"Sister, I’m right here!" Ming He pressed against her, refusing to let go, leaning forward closer. "Now that you’ve seen me, don’t you want to do something?"

"What?" Qin Chu Yi lowered her gaze, her thoughts flickering. A deeper blush spread across her fair skin, like winter snow tinged with the vibrant red of a summer sunset, concealing her radiant charm.

"Like this," Ming He whispered in her ear, then lifted her chin, her bright eyes sparkling as she leaned down to capture Qin Chu Yi’s red lips.

Unlike the turbulent currents of the Deep Sea, where she had only been concerned for Qin Chu Yi’s safety, now she kissed her simply out of desire, out of affection, and out of mutual feelings.

Mutual feelings.

Ming He repeated the phrase in her mind, her smile deepening and her brows lifting in joy.

Qin Chu Yi’s lips, once icy, reminded her of the sensations in the Deep Sea. Yet now they felt warm against her own. Was it because of the spirit liquid in the circular pool?

Ming He’s brilliant smile deepened the kiss as she refused to let Qin Chu Yi off easily. After all, when Qin Chu Yi had kissed her suddenly at the Floating Cloud Sect’s Moonlight Courtyard, she had shown no mercy.

Now it was her turn, and she certainly wouldn’t pull away easily.

"Mm…" Qin Chu Yi, still puzzled by Ming He’s words, was caught off guard as her red lips were captured. The familiar breath enveloped her, and her pupils contracted in shock, instinctively parting her lips to let out a soft murmur.

Ming He seized the opportunity, kissing her deeply, silencing Qin Chu Yi’s soft whimper within their embrace. The breath she exhaled caressed Qin Chu Yi’s face, making her legs weak as she struggled to stay afloat in the pool. She could only grip Ming He’s sleeve tightly to keep her balance.

Time seemed to stretch, and as Qin Chu Yi’s chest rose and fell rapidly, Ming He finally released her, smiling as she whispered in her ear, “Senior Sister, you’re very sweet.”

She licked her lips and looked at Qin Chu Yi, whose flush had returned, the corners of her lips deepening in a smile. She fearlessly met her half-shy, half-annoyed gaze. “Isn’t this what you’ve always wanted to do?”

“When have I wanted to do something like this?” Qin Chu Yi’s gaze wandered, but she held her head high defiantly, proud as ever—if it weren’t for her slightly trembling body and flushed face.

Ming He let out a soft laugh, unable to contain her amusement, wrapping her right arm around Qin Chu Yi’s slender waist through the swirling spirit liquid.

In an instant, Qin Chu Yi felt as if she were surrounded by fire, shivers radiating from her waist throughout her body. She leaned against Ming He, trembling uncontrollably, her eyes openly expressing the affection she could no longer hide.

Ming He had no intention of stopping; she gently nibbled on Qin Chu Yi’s earlobe, her voice laced with longing as she watched Qin Chu Yi tremble more violently. The joy in her peach blossom eyes deepened, the rippling waves concealing a soft spring essence, even more enchanting than a day in spring.

“Senior Sister, you weren’t like this in the illusion,” Ming He said, meeting her passionate gaze as she undid the first button of Qin Chu Yi’s white garment, tenderly caressing her delicate collarbone, noting the ring of red marks forming there as she couldn’t resist kissing it lightly.

"Illusion?" Qin Chu Yi’s voice was clear yet melodic, filled with undeniable emotion as her brows lifted in surprise. "How do you know about that?"

She recalled everything she had done with Ming He in the illusion, her face blazing as she nestled deeper into Ming He’s embrace, softly whining, "Did you see everything?"

"Yes," Ming He chuckled, having seen Qin Chu Yi shy before, but never to the point of burying her face like an ostrich. A playful grin spread across her lips as she found joy in this reaction. "In the illusion, Senior Sister was quite passionate!"

She cupped Qin Chu Yi’s face, beaming, “How come now you’re even less proactive than in the Moonlight Courtyard at the Floating Cloud Sect?”

Ming He seemed to recall something, her eyes dimming. “Are you still feeling discomfort, Senior Sister? Do you need my help?”

"No need," Qin Chu Yi instinctively felt a hint of fear when facing her dark gaze. Trying to change the subject, she tightened her white garment and blinked, "Um, how did you find your way here?"

Ming He caught the flicker in her eyes, easily seeing through her thoughts. Yet she had originally intended to tease Qin Chu Yi.

She loved someone so openly, unafraid to proclaim her feelings to the world. Even if it meant dual cultivation, it would only happen after establishing a contract.

"I…" Just as she opened her mouth to speak, a voice rang out from the hall door. "Young Master, Miss Song from the Haoran Sword Sect wishes to see you."

"I understand. You may leave," Qin Chu Yi replied coldly, though her voice trembled with suppressed emotions.

"Understood."

The person paused for a moment, seemingly confused by the unfamiliar presence in the side hall but did not dare ask further, bowing politely before respectfully withdrawing.

“If you have something to attend to, Senior Sister, please go. I’ll wait for you,” Ming He said, lightly tapping her toes to fly out of the circular pool and standing at the edge, her gaze fixed on Qin Chu Yi’s uncensored, delicate figure as she emerged from the water.

Gentlemen return as gentlemen, contracts are just contracts; looking doesn’t mean anything inappropriate, as they are both falling for each other.

Ming He wore a playful smile, meeting Qin Chu Yi’s flustered gaze with a gentle demeanor. She watched as Qin Chu Yi channeled her spiritual energy to dry off the thin white garment on her body, then retrieved a red outer robe from the wooden rack in the hall and put it on. She exuded a dignified presence, remaining the lofty Young Master of the Qin Clan in the Central Region.

Ming He chuckled softly, channeling her spiritual energy to dry her own clothes first. Though the spirit liquid was hot, she disliked the feeling of being damp.

To her surprise, after several rotations of spiritual energy, her blue clothes showed no improvement, still dripping with water. Was her cultivation ineffective?

Ming He furrowed her brow in confusion and looked at Qin Chu Yi. The woman was impeccably dressed, leaning against a black stone pillar in the hall, watching her leisurely, a smirk curving her lips that conveyed a sense of amusement, as if relishing in the chaos.

Sensing Ming He’s intense gaze, Qin Chu Yi cleared her throat and said slowly, "This is the Red Fire Stone Heart Liquid, and spiritual energy alone won’t dry it. I’ll have someone bring you a change of clothes."

She instructed someone outside the hall, then turned back to meet Ming He’s questioning eyes. "Why can’t I dry it, but you can?"

She couldn’t understand. Did the Ancient Clan’s Young Master really have to overshadow her, an ordinary small cultivator, in this regard?

“I’m different from you,” Qin Chu Yi’s smile deepened in response to her slightly disgruntled gaze, feeling a sense of triumph as if she had regained an advantage. “I have cold poison in me; of course, I can handle it. The Red Fire Stone Heart Liquid is meant to suppress the pain from my cold poison.”

"Cold poison?" Ming He paused, surprised. "Has Senior Sister’s cold poison flared up? Why?" Despite having the Spirit Contract and True Essence of Ice, why would it still act up?

"Last time in the dark cave, I was affected by Mo She’s seductive poison. Though you helped me suppress it with your cold poison, the chill wasn’t completely subdued. I woke up to find symptoms of the cold poison acting up and hurried back to my family," Qin Chu Yi explained nonchalantly.

"Then why didn’t you tell me?" Ming He’s gaze turned dim. Clearly, she had the Star Lock; as long as she protected her heart with Star Power, suppressing the cold poison would be manageable. Why go through all the trouble?

She recalled the events of that day, her eyes flickering. “Was it because I…” rejected you?

Thinking of this possibility made Ming He tremble with emotion, feeling both distressed and guilty, cursing her own dullness and foolishness.

"Actually, it’s nothing. Although the Floating Cloud Sect and Qin Huang Mountain are far apart, it doesn’t mean anything to me," Qin Chu Yi said, not expecting Ming He to feel so down. She smiled gently, trying to comfort her but faltering under her earnest gaze, reluctantly admitting, "That situation that day… you seemed unwilling… I think you might really not have feelings for me."

She smiled, but the bitterness at the corner of her mouth could not be suppressed. As long as she thought Ming He might not like her, she couldn’t smile genuinely. "I am the Young Master of the Qin Clan; I have my own pride. Liking someone is my own affair; if you don’t like me…" I naturally won’t keep clinging to you.

She had always been the proud and tempestuous Qin Chu Yi, with pride hidden in her bones. The excruciating pain from the cold poison couldn’t bend her back, for in this vast world, there was only one Ming He.

Qin Chu Yi didn’t finish her sentence, but Ming He understood in an instant. Loving someone can feel humbling, and loving someone who doesn’t love you back feels even more so. Qin Chu Yi liked her, but would never put herself in a subordinate position.

So if she hadn’t come to the Qin Clan to find her, perhaps she truly would not return to the Floating Cloud Sect.

Ming He felt her hands and feet grow cold. The circular pool beside her still emitted steam, but she felt as if she were in an icy chamber, shivering deeply. For the first time in her life, she was grateful for her decision to follow her heart, glad she had traveled thousands of miles to reach the Qin Clan, even if she had faced life-and-death situations along the way.

That must be the trials a knight faces in search of their princess.

Qin Chu Yi was her princess, and she wanted to be Qin Chu Yi’s knight.

She knew that Qin Chu Yi didn’t need her protection, so being each other’s knights was more than enough.

In a life-and-death situation, standing side by side, facing everything together—that was the best image of a Dao partner in her heart.

"I like you," Ming He caught Qin Chu Yi’s words again, smiling brightly as she wrapped her arms around her waist without caring about her wet blue clothes, “Senior Sister, I like you just like you like me. Let’s establish a contract!”