Chaotic World Book

Zhao Changhe carried Tang Wanzhuang brazenly into the inner palace.

Inside the inner palace, there was a hot spring bath exclusively for the Emperor's use. In fact, Xia Longyuan himself had never used it; being untainted by earthly grime, he had no need to bathe. The only person who normally used this bath was the long since executed Empress, and even Huangfu Qing had never bathed there; theoretically, she couldn't come without being summoned.

Even though it had been rarely used, a large staff still maintained it daily, cleaning and changing the water. The place was shrouded in mist, walking into it felt like entering a wonderland, far more impressive than the Huaqing Pool seen during modern-day tours.

The palace maids, all clad in light gauze, watched trepidatiously as Zhao Changhe carried Tang Wanzhuang inside. Amid the wonderland's misty haze, they waited on their knees, with fruits beside the pool to serve, appearing extremely decadent and corrupt.

This was why people aspired to become the Emperor.

At this moment, Zhao Changhe in the palace was in effect no different from the Emperor himself—perhaps he even acted more like an Emperor than Xia Chichi. Since the "Empress Dowager" wouldn't listen to Xia Chichi, at best she had Xia Chichi copying books for her; but she belonged to him.

Yet Zhao Changhe felt that Xia Longyuan, an NPC who functioned during the day, had no such needs. Truthfully, Zhao Changhe didn't either; if it wasn't for love, it was meaningless. Otherwise, why would he need women from the palace when heiresses from prestigious houses in the Worldly Society were lining up to offer themselves to him?

After a glance at the timid palace maids in light gauze, Zhao Changhe felt no desire whatsoever and directly said, "All of you, leave."

The palace maids weren't sure whether to feel relieved or slightly disappointed, but they all bowed and withdrew.

Tang Wanzhuang, held in his arms, discreetly looked up at him, then turned her head and said, "Can you help me summon Bao Qin…"

A response came from outside, "Yes."

Zhao Changhe laughed, "What, you think I would indulge in corruption? Even if I were to indulge, I wouldn't do so in front of you."

Tang Wanzhuang didn't fully understand what 'corruption' meant, but she still got the context, then she said, "You mustn't degenerate… Huangfu Qing's hand hasn't reached every corner of the Imperial Palace yet, who knows how many spies from different families are lurking here…"

"Alright, alright..." Zhao Changhe said, amused yet exasperated, purposely teasing her, "Now that we're without attendants, what are we to do?"

Tang Wanzhuang bit her lower lip, turned her head and said, "You can put me down, and I… I, I can serve instead…"

Watching her coyly say such shame-inducing words with her cheeks blushing red, Zhao Changhe found it truly interesting. He sat by the pool with her cradled across his lap, and whispered closely to her ear, "I think… it's better if your subordinate serves the lead disciple…"

Indeed, the suggestion was more embarrassing to her than if he had commanded her to serve. Below the misty haze of the hot springs, Tang Wanzhuang's face turned red to the root of her neck as she twisted and struggled, "You, you… at a time like this, you're still joking about this…"

Her minor struggles couldn't possibly free her from his grasp, and as she struggled, she found her belt skillfully undone.

Tang Wanzhuang tried to cover herself in embarrassment, thinking to herself that he was just too adept at this…

Her slender hand was caught, and his lips kissed her ear as he whispered, "Are you hot? Let your disciple help you undress."

Tang Wanzhuang remained silent.

Had she layered enough clothes?

Still clad in a thick fur coat, she indeed started to feel warm amidst the steamy mists of the hot springs, her pretty face flushing—part shame, part heat.

Powerlessly, her hand was moved away, her fur coat fell open, revealing the plain white undergarment within.

"Rebellious disciple…" Tang Wanzhuang's heart panicked inexplicably. She tightly clenched her slim hands, holding herself firmly on the side, yet compliantly she didn't resist, allowing him to continue undressing her.

Zhao Changhe couldn't take his eyes off her.

He had experienced the forthright and seductive demonesses, but Wanzhuang was truly a unique sight. Moreover, in that moment, it was particularly beautiful…

She was already recognized by most as the world's foremost beauty. Although this "foremost" status might partially be due to her frail health and her status, the most significant factor was the unique aura she possessed within the Worldly Society.

And that aura, when it was desecrated, was most captivating.

His fingers skimmed past the clothing, brushing over her skin—chilled, smooth, like jade and cream. With just this touch, Tang Wanzhuang couldn't help but tremble slightly, and whispered, "Can you stop playing around, please…"

She knew this was toying, like one might handle a piece of artwork.

Zhao Changhe couldn't help but laugh, "I'm just checking to see if you've been properly cleaned…"

Tang Wanzhuang felt frustrated, "You…"

The next moment, clothes flew, tossed aside who knows where, as Zhao Changhe held her and with a "splash" jumped straight into the water.

The hot spring's warmth elicited a stifled hum from Tang Wanzhuang; any words she intended to say were swallowed back.

The heat from his palm spread too, hotter than the hot spring, channeling directly into her meridians.

Tang Wanzhuang's heart stirred. Until now, Zhao Changhe hadn't forgotten his true purpose—to heal her.

She turned her gaze, which she had stubbornly averted, and saw Zhao Changhe's tender and compassionate eyes.

As their eyes met and lingered, Tang Wanzhuang's vision gradually became hazy, even more ambiguous than the misty waters of the pool.

She struggled slightly for strength and sat up in his embrace, reaching out her slender hand to help scrub him as she muttered, "You haven't cleaned yourself properly…"

Zhao Changhe chuckled and said, "Then help me clean."

Tang Wanzhuang gently scrubbed and slowly leaned in with her red lips to kiss his neck, "It's you who insisted on playing... It was originally the concubine's role to serve the master…"

In the hazy mist, their breaths grew increasingly languid.

Zhao Changhe felt lost in thought, was this scene like a dream? Less real than the dreams he had in classrooms back then, more hallucinatory than the VR illusion of the Heavenly Book.

It could make someone fall into it, never wanting to wake up.

He even feared that he would wake up and return to the classroom.

...Why think so much, when Wanzhuang of this moment is genuinely in his arms, his to play with?

He lowered his head to find Tang Wanzhuang's lips and kissed them passionately.

Tang Wanzhuang stopped her movements and closed her eyes.

She could feel his muscles tensed up more than before, his embrace growing tighter, as if he wanted to meld her into his body. Lacking experience, she thought he was in high spirits, ready to breach the fortress, and said with some nervousness in a low voice, "Wanzhuang is frail, please be... gentle…"

Zhao Changhe breathed slightly heavily, murmuring lowly, "Wanzhuang…"

"Hmm?"

"Sometimes, I fear that all of this is but a dream."

Tang Wanzhuang was stunned, then wrapped her arms gently around his neck, spoke softly, "Once possessed, it becomes real."

Bao Qin scratched her head while standing outside, unsure whether to enter upon hearing the sounds. She felt something was off, why was it so quiet...

The damn bear wouldn't really be incapable, would he...

While she thought so, she heard her mistress let out a pained moan, melodious as the song of an oriole.

Bao Qin retreated a few steps and sat down on the couch outside where the palace maids waited, resting her head back and looking at the ceiling.

The mistress had finally grown up, much to Bao Qin's worry.

It seemed there wouldn't be anything happening tonight, time to sleep.

Surely they wouldn't ask Bao Qin to go in and wipe them down, the mistress never treated others that way. She wondered if that big bear would be so disgusting.

...

The big bear wasn't disgusting. In fact, they both didn't leave the hot spring pool that night.

No matter how many twists and turns, how tender the affections, the essence of the night still lay in healing.

After true Dual Cultivation of Yin Yang Harmony, coupled with both sides opening their hearts to cultivate together in unison, the effect was not on the same level as the superficial kisses and breath transference from before.

Of course, if they had used the Dual Cultivation Technique earlier, it would not have been of much use. Back then, they didn't have all the necessary herbs, and Zhao Changhe's own Rejuvenation Technique wasn't high level.

After Tianya Island, Zhao Changhe's Rejuvenation Technique had reached a rather high standard, almost possessing the ability to bring back the dying. Using the Power of Faith to manifest, he could pull back San Niang from the brink of soul destruction at the Ghost Gate, heal a body that had been mangled by a Divine Artifact like the Sea Emperor Trident rapidly. Actually, Tang Wanzhuang's illness was far from being as severe as San Niang's injuries at the time.

It's just that Tang Wanzhuang's ailment had been chronic and deep-seated, affecting every aspect. Even her physique was severely damaged, such top-tier fighters were even now sensitive to the cold, and all the hidden ailments within her body needed to be treated one by one... The complete cure and turnaround was comparatively more complicated and time-consuming, but the difficulty was not too great anymore – it was just a matter of perseverance.

Perseverance referred to physics.

The two of them were grinding from afternoon to night in the water, ending up so tired that they directly fell asleep in the pool.

This was the first time Zhao Changhe had collapsed with exhaustion after Dual Cultivation, but even in their sleep, they held each other tightly, each with a sweet smile on their lips.

When he woke up, it was with a start during the night, and upon opening his eyes, he found that the water in the pool was still warm, thanks to the geothermal springs, it wouldn't cool down.

The tender jade in his arms was still there, curled up sweetly in his embrace... This might have been Tang Wanzhuang's deepest sleep in years.

Zhao Changhe looked down at her and couldn't resist pecking gently on her lips again, "From a great dream awakened, still the same, how wonderful."

In that moment, he even forgot that his original goal after traversing worlds was to return home.

Like a droplet from the sky falling into the pool, blending into the water, indistinguishable once again.

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PS: Thanks to the great lords 'Running Hamster' and 'Red Crow' for their support