Chapter 17 The First Cultivation
After a while, it was finally over. Wu Guifang lay completely limp on the ground, without the strength to even move a finger.
Only then did a thoroughly satisfied Liu Ergou stand up and stretch lazily. His face was full of ease and pleasure, looking visibly better than before. For Liu Ergou, the night had still been somewhat lacking, but the pent-up frustration inside him had at least dissipated. Now, he felt clear-headed and refreshed.
He glanced at the sky and saw the sun slowly rising. I should check the time, he thought. In a little while, my sister-in-law will wake up. She'll worry if she finds out I'm not home.
With that in mind, Liu Ergou didn't dawdle, quickly pulling on his clothes. He turned to Wu Guifang and said, "Auntie, it's about time. I have to head home now, or my sister-in-law will start to worry!"
"I'm off!"
Although Liu Ergou announced his departure, his steps took him back toward Wu Guifang. Once he was in front of her, he took advantage of her distraction, shot his hand out, and gave her a hard pinch before leaving, thoroughly pleased with himself.
Watching Liu Ergou's retreating back, Wu Guifang couldn't help but spit in his direction.
"PAH! You heartless little scoundrel!" she cursed. "You put on your pants and pretend you don't know me! Last night you had me at death's door, and this morning all you can talk about is worrying your sister-in-law!"
Walking ahead, Liu Ergou heard her words and snickered. He turned around.
"Auntie, listen to yourself. I may be heartless, but my heart is full of you!" he called back. "Just give me a shout whenever you miss me. I'll come running, anytime!"
After that, Liu Ergou turned and left for good, leaving Wu Guifang alone in the haystack.
She rested for a long while before finally struggling to her feet, leaning on the wall for support. But as soon as she stood, before she could even take a step, her legs gave way, and she collapsed back onto the haystack.
"OUCH!" Wu Guifang cried out softly. Her mind involuntarily replayed the wild storm of the previous night.
She couldn't help but blush. I really didn't misjudge Liu Ergou. That boy is something else... he barely stopped all night. I almost didn't make it through! As she dwelled on the memory, her face grew even hotter. She dared not think any more about it.
Wu Guifang sat in the haystack for a good while longer before she managed to stand again with the help of the wall. She put on her clothes and limped out of the ruined temple, heading for home.
Meanwhile, Liu Ergou was on his way back. Although he had been busy all night, he looked bright and spirited, without a trace of fatigue on his face. In fact, he seemed even more refreshed than before.
As he walked past a stretch of wasteland, the sun had fully risen. The first rays of morning sunlight washed over his face. At that very moment, the memories of the Body Cultivation Technique suddenly exploded in his mind. A flood of information surged into his brain. Caught off guard, his vision swam, and he nearly fainted. However, he managed to grit his teeth and endure it.
He found a clean spot, sat down, and began to examine the memories of the Body Cultivation Technique. This technique, passed down from his great-grandfather, was truly mystical. It was divided into nine levels, and mastering each one would grant an incredible ability. The method of cultivation was also quite simple: at the first break of dawn, assume the Five Hearts to the Sky posture and absorb the first wisp of purple qi born from the rising sun.
After reviewing the information, Liu Ergou glanced around. Isn't this the perfect time to practice the Body Cultivation Technique?
Without hesitation, he immediately assumed the Five Hearts to the Sky posture. He began to cultivate according to the method described in his memory.
Just half an hour later, Liu Ergou successfully absorbed a wisp of the rising purple qi into his body. As the qi entered him, his physique began to change at a visible rate. His previously rough skin became smooth and fine, though his bronzed complexion remained. A thick layer of black grime, emitting a foul stench, appeared all over his skin. In his state of cultivation, however, Liu Ergou couldn't smell the odor.
Another half an hour quickly passed. The purple qi he had absorbed was now completely assimilated. Liu Ergou slowly opened his eyes.
The moment he did, a nauseating stench flooded his nostrils, almost making him vomit on the spot.
"Damn it, what's going on? It smells awful!" Liu Ergou complained, pinching his nose while he searched for the source of the smell. After looking around, he finally found it: the stench was coming from his own body. Seeing the thick layer of filth covering him, he felt sick. He was too grossed out to even consider what changes the Body Cultivation Technique had brought him.
Anxious for a bath, Liu Ergou took off running toward his home. A journey that would normally take him over ten minutes even at a full sprint was now covered in just five or six. However, he was in such a hurry that he didn't notice the change.
He rushed into his yard and, ignoring the early morning chill, quickly stripped off his clothes. Grabbing the ladle from the water jar, he began rinsing the grime from his body.
Just then, Xu Yulan heard the commotion outside. She got up and stepped out of the house to see what was happening, only to find Liu Ergou bathing. She froze on the spot, staring.
Her gaze swept over his broad shoulders, lingered on his well-defined eight-pack abs, and continued downward, eventually focusing on his manhood. The sight left her speechless. Don't look, don't look... she warned herself, but she couldn't control her eyes. As she watched, she felt a familiar flood surging within her. Her cheeks flushed a deep red, and she felt mortified, yet she couldn't tear her gaze away. It was as if her eyes were stuck there, and she was utterly captivated, unable to pull herself away.
Her world had narrowed to the sight of Liu Ergou.
As Xu Yulan stared, completely entranced, Liu Ergou suddenly noticed her. He realized his sister-in-law had come out of the room at some point and was now staring intently at a certain part of his body.
"S-Sister-in-law..." Liu Ergou stammered. "When... when did you come out...?"
Hearing his voice, Xu Yulan snapped her head to the side. Her cheeks were pink, and her entire body felt hot. Though her head was turned away, her eyes kept flicking back in his direction.
"I... I just came out," she said, her voice lacking confidence. "Er Gou, why are you bathing so early in the morning? And with cold water, too! Aren't you afraid of catching a cold?"
Liu Ergou pointed to a patch of grime still on his skin. "Sister-in-law, I don't know what happened!" he explained. "I woke up and my body was covered in this smelly, sticky filth!"
"Um, Sister-in-law, could you... help me scrub my back?" he asked. "I can't... reach it myself!"
As he said this, Liu Ergou couldn't help but blush. I'm a grown man, and I'm asking my sister-in-law to help me scrub my back... This is so embarrassing.
Xu Yulan was taken aback, not expecting him to ask her for help. She looked at the strong, muscular man before her and couldn't help but swallow. How have I never noticed how incredible my brother-in-law's body is? The sharp definition of his eight-pack abs and the raw power in his muscles made her gaze turn hazy.
"Ah, okay..." Xu Yulan heard herself agree. She moved forward slowly, and then, as if possessed, reached out a hand and gently caressed his abdomen.