They collapsed onto the floor, tendrils of steam swirling in all directions, shrouding the room. Ryusa, prone on her stomach, urgently exclaimed, "Hold your breath!" her voice a near shout. "The air is contaminated!"
Zhihao understood, standing up to help the woman who was still struggling to rise. "Master, let me help you to get out of here!" With care, the man took hold of her underarms, and Ryusa was able to rise on her feet, where she began to take cautious, hobbling steps.
"My ankle," she whimpered, the pain evident from the twist in avoiding the mistake of a chemical reaction. "It's unbearable to walk!"
A mere few steps away, she stumbled once more, Zhihao supporting her with her arm draped over his shoulder, difficult to maintain balance. "I can't endure this..."
Zhihao watched her elegant face turn sour, she was in despair with tears about to burst out of her beautiful eyes. He realized that she not only had a sprained ankle but also injuries in several areas. Most of them were caused by cauldron splinters and bruises, like being exposed to extremely hot liquid.
He was late to save her, after all, too close to the explosion. As the toxin's density steadily increased, offering no signs of dissipating, Zhihao confronted a swift decision, finding it impossible to endure holding his breath for an extended period.
"M-Master, allow me to carry you!" he stammered, he stammered, compelled by circumstance. He had to save Ryusa at all costs.
Startled, the brunette woman turned to him wide-eyed, lost in thought as she contemplated her disciple's offer. "But I... I'm not light," she whispered and averted her face forward in embarrassment.
"It's alright, Master," Zhihao reassured with tenderness, wrapping one hand around her back and the other at her calves. "Your health is what matters the most."
Exerting himself amidst bated breath, Zhihao, despite his less muscular build, managed to carry her in his hands. Ryusa was surprised at his strength, locking both hands around Zhihao's neck in response.
Quickly escaping, he closed the entrance, fearing the smoke would break through. At least two doors would withstand its movement. Instead of placing her on the work chair, Zhihao laid her on a soft sofa next to the cupboard.
The space appeared reserved for intimate conversations, adorned with a beautifully carved red carpet and two single chairs facing each other across the table. Ryusa continued to whimper as she sat, while Zhihao knelt beside her.
"Thank you, Zhihao," said the disheveled woman. "You can leave me, come back again tomorrow."
"What?" Zhihao who was observing her ankle, turned to her face. "And leave you in this condition?"
"Apologize, Master," he added, still looking at Ryusa with concern. "As your student, I would never leave you like this."
"Moreover, I let you know that I am also a massage therapist," Zhihao uttered and shifted to her feet while bringing himself closer. "If you let me, I might be able to fix this sprained ankle."
Ryusa was not surprised at all, amidst her distress, she managed to muster a slight smile. "So, what your sister told me is true," she murmured. "That you can heal those foreigners in a short time with a massage."
Zhihao gasped, exclaiming, "Wait, she told you about that?"
"I'm amazed, to be honest," Ryusa chimed in. "And curious at the same time."
She took a breath, adjusting her stricken mood. "And now, I have that option," she turned to Zhihao, who was still kneeling beside her. "So, I want to know the truth myself."
Zhihao lifted at the corners of his lips, feeling trusted and not about to be put off for long. "Thank you, Master," he adjusted his sleeves before touching her foot. "Excuse me, it might be painful."
Ryusa closed her eyes, her cold and stoic demeanor now changed, and readied herself. Moans escaped from her lips as Zhihao worked on her ankle, searching for the right spot. Finally, with a single stroke, he cracked her foot.
"Ahhh!" The loud sound made the woman flinch, almost jumping as she straightened her form and threw her head upward.
Ryusa didn't know what she felt right now, it was like an illusion that clouded her mind. At first, when he touched her, the hurt appeared. However, when Zhihao rubbed it, the sensation changed to become more delightful. She can't believe it, she can't comprehend, how is that even imaginable.
The climax, when he decided to fix her ankle again, felt like being transported to another realm at that moment, so indescribably delicious that it almost rendered her unconscious. Gasping for breath, she unintentionally whispered, "Goodness me..." while limply leaning against the sofa.
[Make Smoke Screen Poison!]
[Mission Completed!
Reward:
Profession EXP: 300
Skill Obtained: Poison Maker
Benefits: (Have the chance to strengthen the effect) Increases success in making poison.]
[Congratulation! You have now become an Apprentice Alchemist!
You have 10 Points to choose which skill to improve.
Available skills: Chi Flow (1/3), Nimble Hand (1/3), Perseverance (1/3), Power Link (1/3), Pureness (1/3), Quick Reflexes (1/3)]
Zhihao froze on the spot, absorbing the details of the information he received. "So, I was leveled up?" he wondered. "Wait, I didn't know what to choose! This can wait, right?"
[Yes, you have time.]
Zhihao sighed, feeling relief, and turned back to his master who was still dull, averted her face from him. "M-Master, are you alright?" he rose while bowing deeply. "I'm so sorry if I did it roughly!"
"No," she answered with a fragile voice, "It's fine."
"But, how in the heaven did you do it?" she then turned around, displaying her blushed face that was bathed in sweat, soaking her hair clinging to her forehead. "This pain, turned into satisfaction?"
The man was wide-eyed, speechless at Ryusa's sensuous expression. He didn't understand what kind of magic was in him, a system that could not explain how it came from and worked.
"I... I do what seems the right way," he responded, flustered, not knowing what to answer. "Master, do you feel better?"
She chose to remain silent, her breathing labored as she tried to sit normally. Moving her foot to make sure, she stated, "What Meisha said wasn't a lie. I don't even feel the strain anymore."
Looking upward toward Zhihao, she uttered, "I'm much better now," still somewhat reserved. "But, can I ask you for a favor, Zhihao?"
The man replied, "Yes! What can I do for you, Master?"
Looking down, her embarrassment still evident and she whispered, "I still need you to heal the wounds caused by this splinter. Will you help me?"