Chapter 4: Repayment
Once they reached his middling quarters, Xu Qi turned to Xiao Yue again with a serious expression.
His eyes held a hint of the charm that had won her over.
"Senior Sister, I truly am in your debt," He repeated, his voice a warm caress in the quiet space. "Please, allow me to offer you a token of my gratitude."
Her cheeks flushed a delicate shade of pink as she considered his offer. Xiao Yue knew the implications of his words.
The tension that often accompanied such situations was something she hadn't thought about yet.
But there was something in Xu Qi's gaze that was earnest and respectful.
Finally, she nodded, a slight smile playing on her lips. "Very well, but remember, this is a rare indulgence. I expect nothing less than your full concentration and skill. Also…"
"Also?"
"... Nothing. Just do your best, Xu Qi."
"Of course! Let me prepare the room first, senior sister!" Xu Qi said eagerly, his heart racing as he tried to recall the massage techniques that could be considered 'sensual' but still respectful.
He knew that his words had to be chosen carefully to keep the atmosphere light and friendly, yet still convey his sincerity.
The room was already sparse, but Xu Qi managed to clear a space on the floor, laying out a soft silk blanket that he had acquired from a market in the floating city. He lit a few candles, the flickering light casting a warm glow on Xiao Yue's face as she sat down gracefully, her eyes closed in anticipation.
He took a deep breath and positioned himself behind her.
Rubbing the special medication that could relieve stress on one's body on his palm, his hands hovered over Xiao Yue's shoulders.
Even without touching her yet, he could feel the tension coiled within her muscles like tightly wound strings.
With a gentle touch, Xu Qi began to massage the knots of tension in Xiao Yue's shoulders, his thumbs pressing into her skin with a firmness that was both soothing and invigorating.
His movements were precise as he recalled his experience. Each stroke was calculated to release the pent-up energy within her body. He had learned the art of massage from a book he had read in his past life, but it was the first time he was applying it to someone of such a high cultivation level.
Could her body feel it? That was a question that he needed an answer.
"Am I doing this right, senior sister?" He asked, his voice low and soothing. He continued working his way down to her neck, his fingers kneading the tight muscles with a gentle yet firm pressure.
Xiao Yue let out a content sigh yet her eyes remained closed. "Mm, yes, just like that. Your hands have a healing warmth to them, Xu Qi."
Her words were like a melody that filled the small room, making Xu Qi's heart swell with a strange mix of pride and desire.
He continued his movements, feeling the tension in her body gradually melt away.
As he finally reached her neck, Xu Qi's touch grew more sensual, his fingers dancing over her skin with the grace of a skilled artist.
He could feel the warmth of her skin beneath his fingertips, and the soft moans of pleasure she emitted only served to fuel his own passion.
His thumbs traced the line of her jaw, moving to her ears and then back down to her shoulders, each caress sending a jolt of electricity through his body.
If he could feel it himself as his pants had started to get strained, he knew the woman receiving it even more so.
Weird as it was since he was focusing on not getting aroused but Xiao Yue's charms were just too much for an Earthling like him. She was a beauty that could be one in a million on Earth.
Imagine the self-restraint he had to do.
Xiao Yue's breathing grew shallower, her eyes fluttering open to meet his. The look in her gaze was a mix of surprise and something else, something darker and more alluring.
Xu Qi felt his own cultivation energy stirring, meager as it was, responding to the unspoken desires that hung in the air between them.
He knew he was treading a fine line, but the temptation was too great.
He leaned in closer, his breath a warm whisper against her ear. "Does it feel good, senior sister?"
His voice was a silken caress, and he watched as a shiver ran down her spine.
Xiao Yue's only response was a nod, her eyes half-lidded and her lips slightly parted.
Taking it as an invitation to continue, his hands moved down to her arms, his thumbs tracing circles on her inner elbow, and then back up to her neck.
Soon, his touch grew more deliberate, his fingers sliding through the soft fabric of her robe to trace the collarbone, teasing the sensitive skin just above the neckline.
He felt the energy between them building and somehow, he could feel the energy of Xiao Yue going berserk as it washed over him like a powerful surge atop the cliff. He held on though and braved it with a mix of desire and power.
He knew that the line between a healing massage and something more intimate was blurring but he was careful not to cross it, keeping his intentions as pure as the qi that flowed through his fingertips.
What he offered was a massage, not anything more than that. Maybe in the future, he could go further but for now, this was enough.
Xiao Yue leaned back into his touch, her eyes closed again, a soft smile playing on her lips. "Your hands, Xu Qi. They hold a warmth that could melt the coldest of hearts. It's amazing," she murmured, the words dripping with unspoken meaning.
He felt his own heart race in response, his fingertips lingering on the curve of her neck, feeling the pulse of her blood beneath her skin.
His massage continued for a long while. Each touch was more intimate than the last yet never straying into inappropriateness.
Or at least, that's what he thought.
The air in the room grew thick with tension, a strong force that seemed to coil around them like a serpent ready to strike.
Xu Qi focused on the task at hand, using the sensuality of his movements to build a connection that transcended mere physical touch.
Somehow he felt like he didn't just have his silver tongue in his arsenal anymore. His sensual touches too. And when he eventually cultivates the scroll, he'll probably discover more things that can help him in this dog-eat-dog world of cultivation.
"Senior sister…" He whispered again, this time, his lips pushed dangerously close to her ear.
Xiao Yue's body quivered as she glanced at him, her eyes fluttering open, "Xu Qi, don't be naughty. Your massage is heavenly comforting, thank you." She reminded him as her hand dropped on top of his joined hands wrapped around her navel.