Chapter Twenty-Nine: His Back

At the bottom of the pool, Zhu Yingtai heard Liu Ping’s voice and was instantly startled—was it really him? Her cheeks flushed, her heart skipped a beat, and she almost lost her grip on the incantation. She silently cursed: How did this fellow show up at such a precise moment? Could he be doing this on purpose? But hearing the confusion in his tone, it seemed he had simply chanced upon her by accident.

Yet she hadn’t expected Liu Ping to let go of the mystery of the unaccompanied clothing. He murmured to himself, “No one? Could it be someone fainted and sank to the bottom?”

The thought startled him; if that were true, something terrible might happen. The place was shrouded in mist, the bathhouse was large, and dusk was approaching, so the light was dim—this era had no electric lamps, so nothing was visible. All he could do was hold his breath and sense his surroundings.

“Found it,” Liu Ping whispered and immediately walked over.

Underwater, Zhu Yingtai opened her eyes and managed to see a pair of feet moving toward her. Her eyes widened in panic and anger—he really was looking for her! Did he want to flirt with her in the bath? Absolutely not! If he saw her naked, she’d never be able to marry. She must avoid such a fate. With a powerful kick of her long, pale legs, Zhu Yingtai left her spot.

Liu Ping walked about ten meters to the pool’s edge, probing around, only to find nothing.

“That’s odd. Was my intuition mistaken?” he muttered, frowning. “It shouldn’t be. I clearly sensed someone here just now… unless…”

As he spoke, Liu Ping’s expression suddenly changed.

Zhu Yingtai, trained in martial arts, had keen hearing and caught Liu Ping’s words. Panic surged in her heart: Had he discovered her? With his intelligence, it was possible.

His face grew grave. “Could there be some evil spirit at work here? Has the scholar already come to harm?”

Listening to this, Zhu Yingtai was speechless. How wild his imagination was! Yet she couldn’t help but worry—a sense of foreboding crept over her.

Still, Liu Ping found the explanation lacking. If that were the case, why hadn’t he sensed any yin or demonic energy?

“No, I must investigate further.” Liu Ping formed a hand seal and began to channel spiritual energy, chanting an incantation.

The Minor Five Elements Art.

The Five Elements—metal, wood, water, fire, and earth. The Minor Five Elements Art was an incantation based on them, doubling the sensitivity of the five senses.

“Found it.” Liu Ping’s gaze fixed on a certain spot. Although it was dark and he couldn’t sense any evil energy, something was undoubtedly there!

This made Zhu Yingtai inwardly wail. He’d found her again? She was on the verge of tears. Because of Liu Ping, her incantation had already been delayed, and now he was coming again? If she moved again, the spell might break, and all would be lost.

And if it failed now, she would not get a second chance. Even with martial arts, she couldn’t breathe underwater. If that happened… The thought made her face turn grim.

No, she must finish the Yin-Yang Profound Qi Concealment Spell before he found her.

She stretched out, kicked hard, and then glided slowly, propelling herself forward.

However, with his senses amplified by the Minor Five Elements Art, Liu Ping could clearly perceive something swimming in the water.

“What’s going on?” He frowned in confusion.

When he locked onto his target, he realized in astonishment—it didn’t seem to be a monster at all.

It was a person.

But how could it be a person? No ordinary person could stay underwater for so long.

Liu Ping said coldly, “Come out. If you don’t, I’ll drag you out myself.”

But how could Zhu Yingtai possibly obey?

Seeing her unmoved, Liu Ping snorted, pressed his finger to his lower abdomen, and muttered, “Power of the Heavenly Warriors, command!”

“Hei!”

With both hands, he thrust forward, raising a wave over a meter high, sending most of the bath’s water surging.

Splash!

A rush of water struck. Zhu Yingtai, submerged, was caught off guard. Though unhurt, she was jolted and, worse, her Yin-Yang Profound Qi Concealment Spell was interrupted. Choking, she swallowed some water.

Clutching her chest, curled up, her face flushed with shame and anger, Zhu Yingtai glared fiercely and cried, “Liu Ping! What exactly do you think you’re doing?”

Hearing her outburst, Liu Ping was dumbfounded. Seeing Zhu Yingtai just a few meters away, he stood blankly, stammering, “You… why are you… here?”

“Hmph! Why shouldn’t I be here?” Zhu Yingtai crouched in the water, only her head visible, eyes fixed on Liu Ping.

“S-sorry…” He could only apologize.

“Still staring!” Though Zhu Yingtai was angry, her greater emotion was embarrassment; her eyes brimmed with tears, almost about to cry. Seeing this, Liu Ping’s heart softened. He quickly turned away. “I didn’t see anything…”

“R-really?” Zhu Yingtai’s voice trembled on the verge of sobs.

This made Liu Ping even more apologetic. “Absolutely. Quickly cover up, I’ll leave at once.”

“Alright…”

Just then, the door creaked open. Both of them froze.

“Who’s there?” Liu Ping called out.

“Oh? Students still bathing at this hour?” came an elderly voice.

“Master Li?”

“It is I.”

“What should we do…” Zhu Yingtai whispered in panic, nearly crying. If discovered, not only would her modesty be lost, the consequences would be unthinkable.

“Hide behind me,” Liu Ping whispered back.

“Alright.” Without hesitation, Zhu Yingtai shrank behind him.

Together, they slowly made their way to the pool’s edge.

Master Li, wrapped in a towel, entered the pool. “Ah, this feels wonderful. So there’s still hot water here. Liu Ping, you’re bathing so late too?”

“This is the students’ bathhouse. Why are you here, sir?” In ancient times, it was customary for only those of the same class to share a bath—such was etiquette.

“The teachers’ bath has no hot water, so I came here,” Master Li replied with a smile.

“I see…” Liu Ping shot a glance at the flustered Zhu Yingtai and whispered, “Quick, recite your spell.”

Zhu Yingtai nodded and quickly bowed her head, chanting silently.

Liu Ping, meanwhile, stood in front of her as a shield, making idle conversation with Master Li.

Watching Liu Ping’s broad back, Zhu Yingtai’s feelings were complicated. She gradually calmed and began to recite the incantation steadily. Seeing that Master Li had not noticed a thing, relief swept over her, and a faint smile touched her lips. Truly, a confidant—someone she could rely on. She recalled scolding him earlier and felt a pang of regret. Would he be angry? She had spoken harshly in her panic. After all, he hadn’t meant any harm.

Now, calm restored, a sudden thought flashed through her mind: If she really was seen and could not marry, marrying him… perhaps it wouldn’t be so bad after all?

Ah, what was she thinking! He was her dearest friend!

Her cheeks burned with shame, so red they seemed about to drip blood, making her all the more beautiful. But, unfortunately, Liu Ping, busy chatting with Master Li, was oblivious.

At last, Zhu Yingtai finished the incantation and tapped Liu Ping on the back. As if reading her mind, he handed her a towel.

She took it, wrapped herself swiftly, and left. Master Li was startled—there was a second person? On reflection, hadn’t there been two baskets of clothes earlier?

The bathhouse episode left things awkward between Liu Ping and Zhu Yingtai; they said not a word to each other afterward.

The next morning, Liu Ping rose early, absorbed the morning qi, and went to the market to buy a large wooden bathtub.

The tub was half as tall as a person—perfect for bathing. He also bought flower petals, fragrant herbs, and other bathing supplies, and had them delivered to the dormitory of Tianqi Academy.

Zhu Yingtai had just woken up when she saw a wooden tub being placed in another study room. Startled, she asked, “Fengchang… what’s all this?”

Liu Ping tossed some coins to the porter, who thanked him profusely and left. Shutting the door, Liu Ping turned and said, “I bought it for you.”

Zhu Yingtai was moved. “Why did you think to get this for me? Isn’t there a bathhouse already?”

Liu Ping shook his head. “I don’t want what happened last time to happen again. Now that I know your situation, I should take proper care of you. I overlooked this before and apologize for my neglect.”

“How could it be your fault?” Zhu Yingtai shook her head with a wry smile. “I’m touched, but I have to say—don’t you think I thought of this too?”

Liu Ping paused, puzzled. “What do you mean?”

She explained, “The academy’s hot water supply is limited. There’s plenty for drinking, but not nearly enough for bathing. Are we supposed to heat the water ourselves?”

“That’s all?” Liu Ping shrugged. “That’s a small matter. Hot water isn’t going to stump me.”

Zhu Yingtai brightened instantly. “Fengchang, do you have a way?”

“Of course,” Liu Ping replied. “A single talisman will take care of it.”

“A talisman? Right, why didn’t I think of that… Wonderful! But won’t it trouble you?”

“It’s no trouble at all. It’s a simple favor. Aren’t we the closest of friends? No need for such formality.”

Hearing this, Zhu Yingtai was even more moved. She couldn’t help but take Liu Ping’s hand. “Yes, we’ll be lifelong friends!”

If she’d been in her female form, Zhu Yingtai might have wanted to hold his hand a while, savoring its gentle warmth. But as a man, she thought better of it…

“Mm…” Liu Ping was about to say something when—knock, knock, knock—the door was suddenly rapped.