The door had been treated with pine resin, releasing a pleasant pine scent as it opened, mingling with the cool night breeze from outside. The young nobleman had clearly changed into a different outfit—a black-gold robe with wide lapels and narrow sleeves, the hem of which revealed a pair of dark blue boots. The boots were adorned with intricately crafted, faintly visible coiling dragon patterns, so subtly rendered in matching dark hues that they appeared unremarkable and restrained at first glance, almost imperceptible unless examined closely. Yet, upon careful inspection, a faint, menacing grandeur gradually emerged.
The room was dimly lit, with only two palace lanterns placed at the northern and southern corners, their pink shades casting a hazy, ambiguous glow throughout the space. A woman in a peach-red gauze gown with a wide neckline knelt on the floor. As someone entered, she bowed deeply, her head lowered in submission, revealing only the elegant, swan-like curve of her pale neck from above.
Magistrate Tian’s face remained somewhat pale, but he forced himself to appear composed as he said, "Young Master, please rest first. I shall take my leave."
The young nobleman nodded and replied in a deep voice, "Thank you for your hospitality, Magistrate Tian."
Magistrate Tian fawned obsequiously for a few moments before departing. Before leaving, he turned to the kneeling woman and instructed, "Serve the young master well, understand?"
The woman immediately lowered her posture further, displaying even greater humility and caution, her demeanor utterly docile. In a soft, gentle voice tinged with a slight nasal quality, as if she had just woken, she replied, "Yes."
Her voice was pleasing, gentle as water, humble and submissive, though it carried a hint of nasal resonance. The young nobleman paid it no mind, and Magistrate Tian clearly did not either. After exchanging a final courtesy with the young master, he withdrew, carefully closing the door behind him.
The sound of footsteps gradually faded, but it was evident that at least twenty guards, all highly skilled and far from ordinary, remained stationed outside the room, vigilantly keeping watch.
The lantern flames flickered, casting a dreamlike haze over the room. At the center stood an extravagantly large bed—so immense it seemed less a bed and more like a raised platform, spacious enough to accommodate five or six people lying side by side without feeling crowded. It was draped in crimson brocade, with soft quilts and high pillows, adorned with red silk curtains and luxurious drapes. Before the bed hung a shimmering curtain of Eastern pearls, veiled by an outer layer of red gauze. Though there was no breeze in the room, the gauze curtains swayed gently as if stirred by an unseen wind, their motion exuding an opulent, ambiguous allure under the warm-toned lantern light.
The young nobleman in the black-gold robe casually lifted the gauze curtain and sat on the edge of the bed, leaning back lazily. His gaze fell upon the woman still kneeling by the doorway, and he said in an even tone, "Aren’t you coming over?"
His voice was low and husky, carrying a pronounced nasal quality, as if he were suffering from a chill, his breathing slightly labored.
The woman responded with a faint, mosquito-like "Mm," then, still on her knees and with her head bowed, she shuffled forward on her knees until she reached the young master’s side. Extending a pair of pale, delicate hands, she lifted one of his legs onto a small footrest and began gently removing his boot before moving to the other.
Suddenly, with a "thud," the young nobleman kicked her shoulder. The force was not heavy, but it was enough to knock her hands away. Startled, the woman trembled violently and immediately prostrated herself on the floor, not daring to lift her head.The young master sat on the bed, frowning as he looked at the woman. His expression was gloomy, seemingly filled with both anger and disappointment, yet faintly mixed with a trace of inexplicable relief.
No need to look any further. The man slowly raised his head, his gaze fixed on the ceiling.
It had been too fanciful from the start. If it were her, how could she have been captured so easily? Even if she were captured while severely injured, she would surely have escaped afterward. How could she possibly serve others so meekly and submissively, staying silent and cautious?
But that female assassin from earlier—her cold, sharp voice at the end, and her agile, superb combat skills...
At this moment, he was almost eighty percent certain of her identity!
Thinking of this, he couldn't help but feel annoyed. Had the heavy rain drenched his brain? Yet, despite this, he still hadn't sent his tracking experts to join the city guards in capturing the assassin. This feeling was subtle, making it hard for him to grasp his own intentions. Was it to avoid unnecessary trouble? Was it due to the twenty percent uncertainty? Or was it because he didn't want her to fall into someone else's hands?
He shook off the thoughts, stood up abruptly, and strode toward the bath behind the screen. As he walked, he untied his outer robe and casually tossed it to the floor. Wearing only a plain white inner garment, his jet-black hair cascaded loosely and untamed down his back. His face was pale, his lips crimson, and his eyes held a bewitching charm, exuding an aura of roguish handsomeness.
She's just a woman!
The young master thought to himself, I just want to take back what belongs to me.
The lamplight flickered as the young master removed his inner garment, revealing his well-built shoulders and bare upper body. He walked into the room behind the screen, opened the door, and was immediately greeted by a rush of steam and warmth.
Chu Qiao kept her head lowered the entire time, never once looking up at the man. Yes, this woman in peach-red gossamer was none other than Chu Qiao. Just moments ago, a large group of city guards had gathered outside. No matter how confident she was in herself, she knew full well that even with an AK607 submachine gun, she stood no chance of breaking through such a heavy encirclement alive. Even if she managed to escape the room, there was still the vast city guard's residence, the entire defense system of Wupeng City, and the countless guards armed with bows and arrows hunting the assassin throughout the estate. Not to mention the man she had just fought on the corridor roof—he was definitely not someone to be trifled with.
In her haste, she had no choice but to resort to this desperate measure: hiding the unconscious woman, changing into her clothes, and attempting to blend in. As expected, her gamble paid off. City Guard Tian was successfully deceived, and the skilled man before her clearly had no interest in her.
A faint smile tugged at Chu Qiao's lips as she felt a surge of satisfaction. It would be best if this hypocritical man, who had repeatedly thwarted her plans, was indifferent to women, scolded her harshly, and sent her away. That way, she could swagger right out under the noses of the dozens of guards outside.
"You, come here."
Just as Chu Qiao was secretly rejoicing, a deep voice suddenly came from the doorway of the bath chamber: "Scrub my back."Chu Qiao's expression instantly became quite animated. She frowned, considering whether to sneak in now and take him out with one swift strike while he was unprepared. However, the man's next words immediately eased her tension.
"Then you may leave."
Better to avoid trouble than invite it. Chu Qiao promptly stood up cheerfully and, with the humility and deference expected of a slave girl, quickly followed with small, hurried steps.
As soon as the bathhouse door opened, a wave of hot steam rushed out, thick and blinding, making it difficult to see and even breathe. Chu Qiao frowned and was about to step inside when the man's deep voice came from within: "Take off your shoes."
Sure enough, a warm sensation spread under her feet—her shoes were already half-soaked. She quickly pulled her foot back, removed the wet shoes, and walked in barefoot.
The bathhouse was enormous, even larger than the outer bedroom, yet from the outside, one would never guess such a vast space lay behind a single screen. In the center was a bathing pool large enough to rival a swimming pool. On three walls stood four white jade-carved statues of beautiful women each, all partially clothed in seductive poses with alluring, captivating eyes. The steaming hot water gushed from behind these twelve statues, flowing into the pool, then spilling over the edges and spreading across the floor into surrounding drains, eventually exiting the bathhouse through pipes.
Chu Qiao estimated that manually heating water would hardly sustain such consumption. Moreover, the water was extremely hot, and with current technology, it would likely cool before even flowing in, making it impossible to produce so much steam. Clearly, the city guard's residence must have been built over an underground hot spring. This City Guard Tian was a man who knew how to indulge—he had tunnels dug underground to channel the spring water upward, spending lavishly to construct this luxurious artificial hot spring. The pipes transporting the water were made of bronze and iron, heated red-hot by charcoal fires. As soon as the water flowed in, it hissed and released massive clouds of white steam.
Around the bathhouse, a few palace lanterns flickered dimly, some bright, some faint, casting a weak, hazy glow. The walls were carved with reliefs, and upon closer inspection, Chu Qiao saw they depicted images of enchanting women—all uniformly unclothed, coyly covering key areas with various seductive poses that only made them more tempting.
Whether it was the high room temperature or something else, Chu Qiao's cheeks flushed, and she immediately lowered her gaze, not daring to look further.
Above the bathing pool was a raised platform with a roaring fire beneath, heating a warm kang bed. The kang was covered with a whole white bear fur, flanked by fruits, wine, and meats. With one glance, Chu Qiao knew its purpose. The heated kang ensured the furs stayed dry even in the humid bathhouse, conveniently allowing men to engage in vigorous, health-beneficial activities with their charming young slave girls after bathing.
"Are you dead?"
A low voice drifted over, and even with its heavy nasal tone, it couldn't mask the formidable menace within.
Chu Qiao rolled her eyes coldly. Back scrubbing, huh? Just wait—I'll scrub a layer of your skin off!
Then, barefoot, she walked in.The closer she got to the bath, the thicker the steam became, making it harder to see. By the time she reached the edge of the pool, it was so dense she couldn't even see her own hand in front of her.
Chu Qiao groped her way forward, testing each step with her feet. The thick mist made it impossible to tell where the edge of the pool was. Suddenly, with a "splash," she stumbled, her feet slipping out from under her. She lost her balance completely and began toppling toward the water. Normally, she could have steadied herself with a quick sidestep, but considering the person in the pool was a martial arts expert she couldn't even gain an advantage over, she could only resign herself to falling into the vast bath, not daring to make any sudden moves.
However, at that moment, a slender hand shot out and firmly caught her by the waist. A powerful force followed, and with two deft pushes, Chu Qiao was set kneeling at the edge of the bath.
"I only asked you to scrub my back. Don't make a fuss."
A low voice echoed slowly through the steamy bathhouse. The man's tone was icy, laced with unmistakable disdain. Clearly, he had already decided that Chu Qiao's earlier stumble was a deliberate attempt to flirt.
Chu Qiao took a deep breath, suppressing the anger in her heart. She groped around and knelt by the pool, looking left and right but unable to spot the scrubbing towel anywhere. A light sweat broke out on her forehead, and her brows slowly furrowed.
A splashing sound came from the water. Though Chu Qiao couldn't see, she could sense the man in front of her had turned around. Through the hazy mist, she could even feel his sharp, impatient gaze. Since she had spoken during their earlier fight, to prevent him from recognizing her voice, she deliberately altered her tone—making it high-pitched, soft, and tinged with cautious flattery—and said, "May this humble servant first give the young master a massage?"
The man in front didn't respond, merely turning his head away as if giving silent consent.
Chu Qiao rolled up her sleeves and extended her pale, delicate hands, beginning to massage the young master.
An excellent agent must be able to flawlessly embody various roles in different environments. For a female agent, some sacrifices in appearance were inevitable when the job demanded it. As for massage techniques, Chu Qiao had received professional training in the modern era. Even after so many years without practice, her skills hadn't dulled. Soon, her unique, era-defying methods earned the man's approval—at the very least, she could tell from his gradually relaxing muscles that he was growing calmer.
Though she couldn't see his face, there was no denying the man had an excellent physique. Or perhaps "excellent" wasn't strong enough. His muscles were firm but not bulging and intimidating like a typical warrior's. Instead, they had perfect lines—sleek, athletic, neither too much nor too little. They carried the elegance of a scholar yet the rugged strength of a man. Just from his upper body, one could tell he was very tall, with broad shoulders, a narrow waist, and long legs—not an ounce of excess fat, clearly the result of regular exercise. And as proof of his martial prowess, Chu Qiao's shoulder still ached faintly from their earlier encounter.Using the nearby ladle, she scooped up hot water and poured it over the man's shoulders. The stream flowed slowly down his latissimus dorsi before disappearing into the steaming pool water. Chu Qiao's delicate white fingers worked diligently on his body, massaging with remarkable strength uncommon for a woman. Her wrist possessed substantial force, her acupoint targeting was precise, and her technique was highly professional. The man slowly took a deep breath, then leaned his head back slightly, actually resting it against Chu Qiao's thigh as if intending to take a nap.
Chu Qiao frowned deeply but could do nothing. She knew well this man possessed extraordinary skills—even if she gave her all, she might not escape unscathed. Even if she killed him by surprise, escaping the guards outside would be nearly impossible. Moreover, her mission tonight was to rescue Cai Qin, and she still didn't know where the woman was imprisoned. She didn't want to complicate matters. Suppressing her anger, she pressed on the man's shoulders and continued massaging slowly. Soon, she was drenched in sweat, feeling more exhausted than after a round of seven-form boxing.
With a soft "plop," a drop of fragrant sweat slid from her forehead and landed on the man's nose bridge. Without opening his eyes, the young master said indifferently, "Take off your clothes."
"Ah?" Chu Qiao was momentarily stunned but quickly regained her composure, saying, "Young master, what do you intend?"
"You'd probably love for me to do something to you right now," the young master chuckled lightly, his voice carrying faint mockery and coldness. "Unfortunately, I'm not in the mood. I just haven't seen anyone wearing clothes in a bathhouse before. Just a friendly reminder so you don't die of heat."
"Thank you for your concern, young master. This servant isn't hot."
Though she knew it was a lie, recalling City Guard Tian's words, the young master didn't press the issue and fell silent again. After all, she was still an untouched pure official—though she had some tricks up her sleeve, her face was still rather tender.
Chu Qiao's expression turned grim. The steam in the room was thick, blinding her vision, so there was no need to keep up appearances. This man was simply too overbearing. Remembering how he had groped her on the corridor roof earlier, a cold smile curled at the corner of her lips. An idea sparked in her mind as her fingers slowly trailed downward from his shoulders. Her fingertips fluttered like butterflies, tracing lightly with a hint of flirtation, gradually moving across his shoulders, neck, well-built pectoral muscles, and then drawing circles up and down.
The man's lips curved into a faint smile, but he made no sound, clearly permitting such teasing.
Chu Qiao lowered her voice, speaking coquettishly, "Young master, this is the Qian Yun acupoint. It's excellent for relieving fatigue." With that, she clenched her fingers into a fist and suddenly drove her knuckles hard into his chest.
As expected, the man grunted sharply, his entire body arching, all laziness gone in an instant.
Feigning panic, Chu Qiao quickly knelt, bowing her head as she said in a flustered tone, "Did this servant press too hard?"
The man groaned several times, breathing rapidly. After a long while, he finally spoke in a hoarse, manly voice, "It's not your fault."
Then, panting heavily, he sat back by the pool's edge and said in a deep voice, "Damn girl, you really hit hard."
"Young master, are you referring to me?"
"Not you."Chu Qiao naturally knew who he was referring to, as that spot was precisely where she had punched him during their earlier scuffle. However, his tone sounded peculiar, almost as if he recognized her. Chu Qiao slowly furrowed her brows, her eyes narrowing slightly.
"Were you bought by Lord Tian from Xianyang City a few days ago?"
The man suddenly felt inclined to chat, graciously deciding to engage her in conversation.
It seemed the woman in the cabinet had indeed been recently purchased from Xianyang City—what a coincidence. Chu Qiao continued using her sickeningly sweet voice, replying, "Yes, young master, this servant was."
"Hmm," the man pressed on, "From which dealer were you bought?"
Chu Qiao only knew one slave trader in Xianyang City and immediately answered, "Boss Mu from the West Market."
"West Market?" At these words, the man in the bath suddenly perked up, turning around to face her and asking in a deep voice, "Then have you seen a woman—no, a youth, about your height, with quite handsome features and exceptional martial skills?"
Chu Qiao frowned and said, "Exceptional martial skills? If their skills were so good, how could they be captured and sold into slavery?"
"She was injured, seemingly quite severely, and seemed to have a companion with her."
The more Chu Qiao listened, the more alarmed she became, her brow tightening further. Tentatively, she asked, "There are many like that, young master. Do you happen to know the youth's name?"
"Her name is..." The man paused, thinking for a long moment before finally saying, "Never mind. She would probably use a false name."
"Then this servant wouldn't know," Chu Qiao replied lightly, even letting out a soft laugh before cautiously inquiring, "Who is the young master searching for? Ah, but someone of your status wouldn't have a slave as a friend. Is she a household servant of yours?"
The man immediately lost interest, turning away and falling silent. Behind the beautiful stone statue, steaming hot water continuously poured into the pool, making gurgling sounds. After a long while, Chu Qiao suddenly heard the young master murmur softly, "I'm hunting her down."
Chu Qiao's heart instantly turned cold, thinking it was almost certain that Daxia's pursuers had caught up. They were indeed formidable—to track her down like this, setting up an ambush in Wupeng City ahead of time and even locating Boss Mu's stall. If she hadn't managed to sneak onto the Zhan family's ship, she might truly have been in trouble. Now, she had to reconsider whether escaping the Zhan residence was wise. Rather than being captured by Daxia's forces, it might be better to stay on the ship temporarily and see what tricks Jing Han was up to.
Lost in thought, she was caught completely off guard when the man in front of her suddenly stood up. Chu Qiao had been massaging his neck at that moment, and his abrupt movement threw her off balance. With a loud splash, before she could even struggle, she plunged headfirst into the pool, sinking straight to the bottom. Her head struck the pool floor with a heavy thud. If not for the deep water and its buoyancy, the impact alone would have been enough to split her head open.
Dazed and disoriented, she suddenly felt a strong grip on her arm. Her body lifted effortlessly, as if someone were plucking garlic from the ground.
"Splash!"
"Cough, cough, cough, cough!"The water jets on both sides suddenly intensified, sending up massive sprays as white mist and steam billowed into the air, filling the entire bathhouse. Chu Qiao was helped up by the man, leaning against his arm as she coughed uncontrollably without any regard for decorum. A spy who had choked on water was no different from any ordinary person—her face flushed red, her neck strained, and her throat burned as if scorched by hot coals, leaving her unbearably uncomfortable.
The two stood in the center of the pool, warm water rising past their waists. The thick, white steam enveloped the bathhouse, making it nearly impossible for them to see each other.
The young nobleman could feel the woman in his arms trembling violently, as if she were about to cough up her lungs. She was quite tall but extremely slender; her arms had almost no flesh, yet they felt pleasant to the touch—her skin resilient, smooth, and warm.
Raising his eyes, he saw through the hazy white mist that the woman's clothes were completely soaked, clinging tightly to her body, accentuating her graceful and alluring figure—curvaceous and exquisitely shaped, with long, slender legs pressed firmly against him, full and well-toned. With just a gentle touch, he could tell she was no delicate lady raised in the inner chambers.
For some reason, a trace of tenderness stirred in the man's heart. He reached out and gently patted Chu Qiao's back to ease her coughing. Unexpectedly, as his hand landed, the thin gauze slipped away, and his palm came into direct contact with the smooth, soft skin of her back—like the finest mutton-fat jade, incredibly smooth and pleasing to the touch.
Chu Qiao stiffened, momentarily forgetting even to cough.
A shadow of gloom flickered in the man's eyes. Gripping her arm, he suddenly lowered his head and fiercely captured her lips in a deep, painful kiss.
In an instant, Chu Qiao was utterly stunned, both terrified and enraged. She felt the man's strong arms tightly envelop her, and before she could clench her teeth, his tongue deftly pried them open, invading with an intense, wild fervor. One of his arms held her firmly against him while the other pressed relentlessly against the back of her head, leaving her no room to escape—his dominance was absolute.
Overwhelming fear left her mind blank for a moment, but she quickly regained her senses. She lifted her leg and kicked fiercely at the man. In her haste, however, she forgot they were in water. The resistance not only prevented her from hitting him but caused her to slip and fall backward.
The man gave a wicked smile, his gaze seductive and sinister. Holding her, he fell into the pool with her. A loud "splash" erupted as huge waves of water surged around them.
Warm water rushed in from all sides, instantly flooding their ears. Their dark, disheveled hair floated wildly in the water, obscuring their vision. The man pressed down on Chu Qiao as they slowly sank into the meter-deep water. Flower petals scattered chaotically around them. Just as they were about to hit the bottom, he cupped the back of her head with one hand and her waist with the other, then fiercely kissed her cherry lips once more.
The young master's kiss was both skilled and frenzied, as if he were venting some pent-up emotion. His wild tongue roamed freely inside her mouth, savoring her sweetness and strength. One of his hands slowly crept upward from her waist. Frowning tightly, Chu Qiao could no longer afford to hold back and swung a fist to block him. But every movement was weakened in the water. The man withdrew the hand supporting her head and, with practiced ease, pinned both of her hands behind her back. His legs tightly clamped around hers, while his other hand continued its ascent—gliding over her soft waist, flat abdomen, and finally her full, firm breasts...
"Mmm..."
Chu Qiao let out a muffled groan, resisting violently. Suddenly, she opened her mouth and bit down hard on the man's lip. The sharp taste of blood instantly filled their mouths. Yet, instead of retreating, her defiance only fueled his desire. He reached out and tore open the front of her garment, exposing a large expanse of her luminous skin.Chu Qiao's eyes flew wide open. She let out an angry snort, feeling the man's warm palm already touching the smooth skin of her chest, which only fueled her fury. With a deft small-seize technique, she broke free from the man's grip, then delivered a sharp backward elbow strike to his chest before leaping lightly out of the water.
"Whew!"
The prolonged breath-holding had flushed Chu Qiao's cheeks crimson. She gasped heavily for air when, moments later, a "splash" sounded as the man also emerged from beneath the surface.
"Come here!" A low, hoarse voice cut through the air, cold and laced with impatience. "Don't play these hard-to-get games with me!"
Hah, very well. Enraged to the point of laughter, Chu Qiao curled her lips into a cold smirk and narrowed her eyes slightly, like a hunter spotting prey, filled with deadly resolve.
Unfortunately, the thick mist obscured her expression completely. So when she began wading slowly toward him through the water, he mistakenly thought she had reconsidered and was obediently complying.
But at that moment, the woman's body suddenly coiled like a leopard's, launching into a mid-air leap from a standing position. Even in water, she sprang over half a meter high, then swung her arm while her right leg swept upward in a whirlwind kick!
"Bang!"
An even larger splash erupted than before. In his dazed state, the man took Chu Qiao's kick directly to the chest, sending him flying backward instantly!
Close behind, the enraged lioness pounced, overtaking him mid-air and landing in the water together. She immediately rained down ruthless punches upon the man's handsome face!
Everything happened in an instant. Though the man's skills were in no way inferior to hers, he had no time to react against such explosive assault. Thud after thud echoed continuously—his face had already absorbed several punches. Had they been on land, these blows would have shattered his nose bridge completely!
Temporarily stunned by the beating, unable to fight back or find an opening, the man swiftly resorted to an action utterly unbefitting his status. He shoved Chu Qiao away, scrambled to his feet in disarray, and made for the pool's edge.
"Trying to run?"
Chu Qiao spat out a mouthful of water and leaped after him again like an angered panther!
With speed, assault technique, and burning rage perfectly aligned at this moment, the man stood no chance to counter. After being pinned down once more by the formidable woman and thoroughly pummeled, he finally managed to climb out of the pool and bolted toward the bathhouse exit.
Chu Qiao wouldn't give him that opportunity. Since she was already exposed, she had to eliminate the root of the problem—or else, if he escaped, she would be the one to die.
She launched herself forward, wrapping her arms around the man's waist, and both crashed to the ground with a loud thud.
Now on dry land, the man quickly adjusted, no longer completely passive. Instead of retreating, he advanced. Within the dense white mist, two figures erupted simultaneously into a series of rapid attacks—close-quarters combat at its fiercest. Elbows collided, knees thrust forward, fists met fists, their speed and power nothing short of extraordinary.
Fully exposed now, Chu Qiao knew that if he succeeded in escaping, she would undoubtedly face certain death. Thus, she fought with desperate, life-risking ferocity.As for the man, he no longer naively regarded her as an ordinary slave girl. Fully alert, he unleashed his ultimate moves without holding back!
Without weapons, without assassination attempts, without sneak attacks—this was a genuine contest of true skill, devoid of any tricks or gimmicks. In the blink of an eye, it had become a life-or-death struggle!
Amid the clashing sounds of dozens of exchanges, their elbows, knees, legs, and feet had gone numb from the impact, and their hands had lost all sensation from the pain. Yet both stubbornly persisted, neither speaking nor attempting to shout. In this rapid-fire duel, there was no room for distraction—neither could afford to slow their assault for even a moment!
Both had bloodshot eyes. Suddenly, like bolts of lightning in the white mist, their figures charged toward each other. After a flurry of attacks at the peak of speed, their fingers simultaneously closed around each other’s throats in a mutual death grip!
Death had arrived! A stalemate!
Their movements were eerily synchronized—five fingers forming claws, gripping the other’s windpipe. The slightest move from either would mercilessly crush the other’s throat.
Then, with uncanny tacit understanding, neither made a move. Instead, they both slowly raised their other hands and gave a slight wave, signaling a truce?
Mutual destruction? That would be foolish!
Almost simultaneously, they released their grip on each other’s throats and stepped back slowly, indicating a temporary ceasefire. After retreating, they would resume the fight.
Just then, a loud rush of water echoed—at this critical moment, the hot spring began refilling on a large scale.
In that instant, the retreating fingers shot forward again, poised to crush the other’s neck, only to feel the same pressure on their own throats.
In unison, they shot each other a cold glare.
“Despicable!”
Their voices rang out in perfect sync, spoken almost simultaneously.
But at that moment, the man suddenly kicked a wooden bucket by the poolside, his body swiftly sliding backward. He stood up, ignoring Chu Qiao behind him, and sprinted away at full speed!
This woman was truly a master of close-quarters combat—there was no point in engaging her head-on. As long as he could exit the bathhouse, the commotion inside would alert the guards outside, ensuring his victory!
However, Chu Qiao’s reflexes were incredibly sharp, and her calculations precise. She leaped up, her figure ghostlike as she pursued him!
Their gaze aligned! Their steps matched! Their movements mirrored! Even their chosen escape routes were identical!
With a loud “thud,” the bathhouse door finally slammed open! The man, enduring a side kick from Chu Qiao, managed to kick the door open.
Chu Qiao’s scalp prickled with alarm. She knew the noise would surely alert the guards outside. In at most three seconds, they would burst in, arrows flying, leaving her no chance of escape!
Her only hope was to eliminate the man within those three seconds, then both climb onto the extravagant bed and assume an intimate pose to deceive the guards!
Without time to ponder the flaws in this plan, Chu Qiao dashed forward, tearing off her cumbersome gauze dress as she ran, leaving only a short cotton top and revealing shorts.There was no other way but to charge forward. Kicking off the wall, Chu Qiao leaped into the air, using the momentum to crash heavily onto the man. After two rolls, she landed a solid punch on his back, sending them both tumbling onto the luxurious, soft bed!
By now, footsteps were closing in from outside. Either subdue him to slip past unnoticed or subdue him to take him hostage—all paths led to the same prerequisite. She had to overpower him, kidnap him!
In that moment, Chu Qiao even felt like she had gone mad.
Her wrists moved with practiced skill. In an instant, they exchanged over twenty blows. Her wrists were red and swollen, her elbows bruised. Finally, just as the footsteps reached the door, Chu Qiao accomplished this feat.
She had successfully kidnapped him, once again gripping the man’s neck, but the price she paid was her own neck being tightly seized by him!
The situation was eerily similar to before. Mutual destruction? Mutual destruction!
Outside, violent knocking erupted, accompanied by the anxious shouts of guards.
Inside, the flickering lamplight cast a hazy glow, yet it was still enough to clearly see each other’s faces.
At this point, the man and woman who had been wrestling with each other for half the night finally had the chance to lift their heads and see who the other truly was.
But the moment they did, their jaws dropped in unison. Staring wide-eyed like a pair of fools, they froze as stiff as mummies!
Bang!
A loud crash echoed as the door was forced open. Soldiers swarmed into the room, led by a young warrior who shouted, "Fourth Young Master! Fourth Young Master! What happened?"
Then, all eyes turned to the pair on the bed, and everyone adopted the same stunned, horrified expression.
The entire room was in chaos, as if a thief had just ransacked it. Water stains covered the floor, the carpet was disheveled, half the quilt dragged on the ground, and their clothes were scattered everywhere. On the grand bed, a man and a woman were entangled in an extremely intimate posture, both staring wide-eyed at each other before turning their gazes toward the door.
"Who told you to come in!!!"
Instantly, it felt as if a category-ten typhoon had swept through. Yue Qi and the others felt as though they were about to be blown away. The man on the bed, his dark hair standing on end and his face flushed red, let out a earth-shaking roar. The crowd turned ashen, and a few of the more timid even collapsed to the floor with a thud.
Within three seconds, the door was carefully closed again. Everyone was terrified, trembling like quails, with no trace of their usual expert demeanor left.
After a long, dazed silence, the only two people left in the room turned to each other and roared in unison:
"Why is it you?" ——————Dividing Line——————
Hehe, I didn’t update yesterday. Hope you can forgive me after this chapter
OpenNovel