"Mm." Hearing Gu He's words, Yun Yun fell silent for a moment before responding softly.
Gu He was roasting fish over the fire. Noticing Yun Yun's distracted expression, he raised an eyebrow and asked, "What's the matter? Are you impatient? If you hold on for another two days, I'll help you break the seal."
Yun Yun hesitated, her fingers tightening slightly before she whispered, "I... I want to take a bath."
It had been several days since she arrived in the Magic Beast Mountain Range without washing. Normally, even a single day without bathing would leave her feeling uncomfortable. Going this long without one was nothing short of torture.
But admitting something so embarrassing in front of Gu He was difficult.
This was also why she had been so eager to undo the seal—once freed, she could find a secluded spot to cleanse herself in peace.
Right now, however, the seal still bound her, and the dangers lurking in the Magic Beast Mountain Range made it impossible for her to venture out alone. In her current weakened state, even a low-level magical beast could spell disaster.
"You want to bathe?" Gu He blinked in surprise before chuckling. "You should've said so earlier. It's no trouble at all."
"After we eat, I'll take you to wash up." He handed her the grilled fish, his tone casual.
"Mm." A faint blush colored Yun Yun's cheeks as she nodded slightly.
She accepted the fish, tearing off a small piece with delicate movements. The way she chewed—slow, graceful—was oddly pleasing to Gu He's eyes.
Once she finished, she glanced up and found him staring. Her face warmed.
"You... why are you looking at me?" Instinctively, she wiped the corner of her mouth with her sleeve, thinking some grease might have lingered.
Gu He snapped out of his daze and grinned. "Well? How's my grilled fish?"
Yun Yun paused, then gave a small nod.
"Want more?" Gu He lifted the untouched fish in his hand.
"No, I've had enough," Yun Yun murmured.
With that, Gu He dug into his own meal.
The fire he used was his divine flame, so controlling its intensity was effortless. Combined with the seasonings he'd perfected from his past life's memories, the fish was undeniably delicious.
Soon, he finished the last bite, wiped his hands, and stood. "Let's go. I'll take you to bathe."
Without waiting for a response, he strode out of the cave first.
Yun Yun hesitated briefly before following.
When she caught up, she froze at his stance—arms outstretched, as if waiting for an embrace.
"You... what are you doing?" Yun Yun's voice wavered with embarrassment.
"Waiting to carry you, of course," Gu He said matter-of-factly. "You're too weak right now. The waterfall isn't close, and I won't risk you going alone." He stepped closer, arms still open.
Yun Yun's blush deepened. "Then... maybe we shouldn't go."
She turned to retreat into the cave.
"We're already out here. No backing out now." A smirk tugged at Gu He's lips as he decisively pulled her back.
A gust of fragrant wind rushed past him as her soft body collided against his chest. The impact sent a jolt through him, his heartbeat stuttering.
Yun Yun stiffened, her face paling before flushing crimson. "Y-You—what are you—?"
"What else? Taking you to bathe." Suppressing the heat rising in his veins, he slid an arm around her slender waist—and promptly lost his train of thought at the sensation.
"You... why aren't you moving?" Her voice, laced with flustered anger, snapped him back.
"Ah, my bad." Gu He's tone held no remorse as he tightened his hold. Then, with a light step, he shot into the sky, cradling her against him.
The wind roared around them, pressing their clothes flush to their skin. Yun Yun's borrowed white robe fluttered, the collar slipping to reveal a glimpse of snowy skin.
Gu He's pace slowed almost imperceptibly as he took an unnecessarily scenic route over the mountains.
Gritting his teeth, he forced down his stirring desires and glanced at the woman in his arms—only to find her clinging to him, her face buried against his chest.
Amusement flickered in his eyes.
Soon, they arrived.
"We're here," Gu He announced, though his grip didn't loosen.
Yun Yun pulled away the moment her feet touched solid ground, her cheeks burning.
Gu He gestured to the cascading water. "Go ahead. I'll wait here."
"Mm." She kept her gaze lowered, voice barely audible, before walking toward the falls.
At the water's edge, she paused, glancing back uncertainly.
"What's wrong?" Gu He called. "Don't worry, I'm right here. You're safe."
Yun Yun: "..."
After a beat, she whispered, "Could you... move farther away?"
Gu He: "???"
Only then did Gu He realize—she thought he'd peek.
'Am I really that kind of man?'
If he wanted to look, no amount of distance in these mountains would stop him.
"Look," Gu He reasoned, pointing at the thick mist over the water. "Even up close, that fog obscures everything. From here, its impossible to see anything. So relax."
Yun Yun stared at the mist, lips parted as if to argue, but no words came.
Sighing, Gu He retreated about ten meters.
"Happy? From here, I definitely can't see. But if danger strikes, I'll reach you instantly. Go on—it's perfectly safe."
"Don't look back!" Yun Yun warned.
"I wouldn't even dream of it," Gu He vowed. "I'll never peek!"
Hesitating a final moment, Yun Yun untied her belt.
The white robe pooled at her feet, revealing jade-like skin beneath cascading black hair.
Slender. Graceful. Every curve perfectly sculpted.
With a deep breath, she stepped into the water.
The moment her figure vanished into the mist, Gu He's soul power involuntarily stretched toward the falls—
And his mind blanked at the image it returned.
'Damn.'
Gu He wrenched his senses back, guilt gnawing at him.
Closing his eyes, he tried to purge the mental picture—but it lingered, seared into his thoughts.
Then a new worry struck him.
'What if a beast lurked beneath the water?'
Self-reproach flooded him. Of course he had to monitor the area—for her safety!
Thus, with solemn duty, he swept his soul power across the surface again and again, vigilant for any hidden threats.
This strictly protective surveillance continued for a full half-hour.
…
Yun Yun traced the fading scar on her chest—thanks to Gu He's pills, it was nearly healed. By tomorrow, it might vanish completely.
Finally clean, she moved to leave—only to hesitate at the sight of her discarded robe. The bloodstains and days of wear made it unthinkable to put back on.
Shrinking deeper into the water, she called out timidly, "C-Could you bring me fresh or new clothes?"
Gu He's soul power jerked back in panic. 'Had she noticed?'
"New clothes?" After a stunned beat, Gu He exhaled. 'No, she couldn't have.'
...Not that he'd been peeking.
Obviously.
He was guarding her.
Obviously.
Retrieving a purple robe from his ring, Gu He approached the bank and set it down.
"Here. I'll leave it here for you."
…
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