Having experienced so much today and enjoying the comfortable temperature of the wooden tub, Li Ran's mind began to relax a bit.
He had accidentally let slip some words.
"You mean, you went on a date with the Sect Master?" Ah Qin's expression was filled with question marks, as if she doubted she had heard correctly.
"Ah, well..."
Li Ran's eyes shifted, "I meant 'the Sect Master arranged to meet me for a discussion,' which can be abbreviated as 'date.' It's not what you're thinking."
He wiped away a cold sweat.
This explanation was quite a stretch, and normal people probably wouldn't believe it.
Ah Qin said, "Oh, I see! You scared me for a moment. I thought it was the kind of date between a man and a woman."
"..."
Li Ran felt embarrassed, "How could that be..."
"Sect Master Leng, who has stayed away from men for centuries and forbids disciples from dating, how could she go on a date with a disciple? I really overthought it." Ah Qin patted her own head.
Not only did she believe him, but she even helped them come up with excuses.
Li Ran tugged at the corner of his mouth, "Yeah... hahaha..."
Apart from Ah Qin, probably no one else would believe such a feeble excuse...
Although Li Ran knew that even if he told her, she would never spread it, he still had to keep it a secret.
Because it was an agreement between him and Leng Wuyan,
"Be more careful in the future. It won't be easy to explain if someone overhears something."
...
Rakhasa Peak.
Wang, the steward, arrived at the Sect Master's residence under the cover of night.
"It's strange. It's so late, why would Sect Master Leng summon me specifically? I haven't made any mistakes recently either."
She walked to the door, feeling a bit uneasy, and knocked on the door.
Creak.
The door wasn't locked, revealing a crack.
Wang took a deep breath and pushed the door open, entering.
Inside, she saw Leng Wuyan sitting in a chair, supporting her chin with her right hand. Her gaze was unfocused, as if lost in thought.
A strand of hair hung down from her ear, partially covering her fair and delicate profile.
Wang was somewhat dumbfounded.
The Sect Master looks so good!
"It's such a remarkable beauty, but she's not interested in men. Such a pity for that appearance..." Wang sighed inwardly.
"Such a great beauty, yet uninterested in men. What a waste of looks," she thought to herself.
"I've seen Sect Master Leng. May I ask why you summoned me at this late hour? I haven't committed any errors recently," she respectfully said.
Leng Wuyan snapped back to attention and said, "I've reached a bottleneck in my recent cultivation, probably due to a lack of understanding of the mortal world. In order to refine my cultivation, I have a few minor questions to ask you. I hope you can provide thorough answers."
Wang hurriedly replied, "When it concerns the Sect Master's cultivation, I'll certainly speak openly!"
"Very well." Leng Wuyan nodded. "Do you remember what I asked you last time?"
Wang pondered for a moment, "About how to be in love?"
"Cough, it's about how to see through the mortal world!" Leng Wuyan corrected.
"Last time you asked about how to be in love—"
"Ahem, I meant how to see through the mortal world!" Leng Wuyan interrupted.
"Last time, you mentioned that being in love involves going on dates, listening to music, and eating sugar figurines... Apart from these, what else can two people do together?"
"Make love."
Wang provided the straightforward answer.
Leng Wuyan glared at her, "I wasn't referring to that physical aspect. I meant interactions that deepen the relationship between two people when their connection has already progressed further."
"Make love."
Wang replied confidently, "This interaction greatly deepens the relationship."
"..."
"Is there anything else besides that?" Leng Wuyan was struggling to keep her composure.
Wang thought seriously, "Is Sect Master asking if there has already been a date and the relationship is progressing, but they haven't reached the stage of sleeping together?"
"That's what I mean." Leng Wuyan nodded.
"In that case, it should start with holding hands," Wang answered.
"Holding hands?"
"Yes, at this point, physical contact is permissible. Start with holding hands, then move on to hugging and kissing. These actions symbolize different stages of a romantic relationship."
A faint blush appeared on Leng Wuyan's cheeks.
She and Li Ran had shared a sugar figurine, so she wasn't sure if that counted as an indirect kiss...
"I understand. You may leave now."
"Understood. May the Sect Master's martial path be smooth and prosperous."
Wang saluted and exited the room.
As she left the residence, she scratched her head in puzzlement.
Recently, the Sect Master has become increasingly peculiar. Did she truly ask about this topic for the sake of her cultivation?
"Could it be..."
"Is the sect planning to strictly monitor matters between men and women? Is the Sect Master using this information to analyze which disciple is in a romantic relationship?"
"That must be it!"
Wang concluded.
"Ah, it seems I can't secretly observe the Holy Son anymore..." She walked down the mountain with a dejected expression.
In her mind, the idea of Leng Wuyan being involved in romantic matters was far-fetched.
Thus, she hadn't considered it at all.
...
In her room, Leng Wuyan took out a small notebook and began to write earnestly.
Beneath "dates, listening to music, eating sugar figurines," she added "holding hands, hugging, kissing."
"Should I start with holding hands?"
"But how exactly should it be done?"
"If I take the initiative, it might seem too forward..."
Her charming face, illuminated by candlelight, blushed like a ripe apple.
<+>
If you want to see more of this story and don't mind paying $5 each month to read the latest post, please go to my
The current chapter in Patreon: Chapter 113: The Second Date and Li Ran's New Year Gift!