In a grand, throne-like room adorned with ethereal designs and an otherworldly glow, a flash of light suddenly illuminated the space. From within it emerged Jiang Chen, his form materializing near a majestic throne-like bed. His sharp eyes darted around the room, scanning for any sign of Zi Xia. Not seeing her, he exhaled in relief, thinking to himself, "It looks like she hasn't returned yet."
But his relief was short-lived.
"Where were you?"
A cold, piercing voice rang out, freezing the very air around him. The sound sent an involuntary shiver down Jiang Chen's spine. His heart skipped a beat as he realized the voice came from just behind him.
Sweat began to bead on his forehead. His mind raced as he quickly wiped the sweat away with the sleeve of his robe. Though shaken, Jiang Chen was no novice; he was a man skilled in hiding his emotions. Composing himself, he turned with practiced grace, his face now adorned with an expression of reverence and awe.
With a soft thump, Jiang Chen dropped to one knee in a flawless 'Disciple's Kneeling' posture. His voice rang out loud and clear, carrying a mix of respect and submission.
"Welcome back, Master. Your disciple, Jiang Chen, has returned."
Zi Xia, standing behind him, exuded an aura of icy authority. Her eyes, cold as winter frost, bore into him, though a flicker of satisfaction danced secretly within them.
"I can see that you've returned," she said, her tone sharp and unyielding. "But I asked where you were. And how did you leave this place without my permission?"
Her gaze, stern and unrelenting, locked onto Jiang Chen. Yet, within her heart, her thoughts betrayed her frosty demeanor. "He called me 'Master' again... My disciple... my precious disciple... finally back from that den of shameless fools. But still, how dare he leave without telling me? Doesn't he understand the dangers? People are hunting him. No... I must reprimand him. I AM his Master, after all!"
Jiang Chen lowered his head further, his voice trembling slightly yet filled with sincerity. "Master, this disciple is shameless. Without your permission, I left this place. Please punish me as you see fit!"
His expression, a perfect mixture of respect, guilt, and faint reluctance, caught Zi Xia off guard. Her initial anger began to waver. She studied his face—his clenched jaw, the glimmer of remorse in his eyes, and the slight quiver of his lips. Finally, she let out a soft sigh.
"Stand up," she said, her voice still firm but tinged with a hint of exasperation.
Jiang Chen rose to his feet, his back straight and his face composed, though his eyes reflected unwavering respect. Zi Xia's gaze lingered on him for a moment, and despite her earlier irritation, she decided against interrogating him further. Her own mood had already soured after dealing with those insufferable people earlier.
She moved with the elegance of a goddess, her robe flowing like water as she ascended the steps to her throne-like bed. Sitting with regal poise, she crossed one leg over the other, the motion both graceful and commanding. Jiang Chen, unable to help himself, momentarily froze, mesmerized by the sight.
His thoughts spiraled. "How can someone be this graceful? This beautiful? She's like a celestial being descended from the heavens.. ahh shitt ,I am not a horny person but admiring a beauty isn't a sin right...."
Zi Xia caught the flicker of awe in his expression and noticed how his lips parted ever so slightly, as if he were about to speak but couldn't find the words. A faint blush threatened to rise on her cheeks, but she masked it effortlessly, maintaining her icy exterior. Internally, however, her heart fluttered. "This fool... even after everything, he still admires me. Hmph. At least he has good taste."
"Pour me some tea," she said abruptly, her tone clipped but not unkind.
Her words snapped Jiang Chen out of his daze, and he quickly moved to obey. His hands, slightly trembling from both nervousness and admiration, began to prepare the tea. As he worked, his mind raced with thoughts of her—how her coldness only added to her allure, how even in silence she dominated the room.
Zi Xia, observing his flustered movements, couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She hid her smile, but her eyes softened slightly. 'He's hopeless,'she thought, her heart warming despite herself.
As he handed her the cup of tea, Jiang Chen avoided her gaze, fearing that one look might betray his swirling emotions. Zi Xia, taking the cup with a slight nod, let her fingers brush against his ever so briefly, a fleeting contact that sent a jolt through both of them. She sipped the tea gracefully, her expression serene, though inwardly she delighted in the effect she had on him.
"Good," she said simply, setting the cup down. But her eyes lingered on him a moment longer than necessary. 'This disciple of mine… '
After a moment of silence, Zi Xia finally spoke, her voice calm but carrying a weight of authority. "So, can you tell me now where you were?"
Jiang Chen hesitated, his mind racing. What could he possibly say? Should he admit that he was off pursuing another woman—an older, enchanting beauty—just after accepting Zi Xia as his master? On the very same day, no less?
The thought made him grimace inwardly. But as he met her unwavering gaze, he knew lying wasn't an option. Her eyes demanded an answer, and he could tell she wasn't someone easily fooled.
More importantly, Jiang Chen realized that lying now might only cause trouble in the future. If he continued to act without her permission, the lies would pile up, and eventually, the truth would unravel. That could lead to distrust, something he couldn't afford.
Zi Xia wasn't just his master—she was his only true ally in this world. Deceiving her, day after day, didn't sit well with him, no matter how shameless he might be at times. And beyond all that, he genuinely needed her help. To grow stronger quickly, he needed her guidance, her protection, and her trust.
Jiang Chen took a deep breath, steeling himself to respond. This wasn't a conversation he could afford to mishandle.
"After you were gone Master,I was tired so I fell asleep in your bed...." Jiang Chen said but immediately regretted it 'shitt Wouldn't I sound as a creep and disrespectful disciple to her,sleeping on the same bed as her master ,on the very day I was accepted as her disciple...shitt.....'
Meanwhile Zi Xia after hearing this has blush on her face,looking behind her ,touching the bedsheet of her bed ,she has a _________ expression on her face.....which of course Jiang Chen didn't see as he was busy getting shitless in his own thoughts..