AUOF - 19

Sang Li carelessly dumped him on the ground and began gathering tools she could use.

The little paradise truly lived up to its name—it took less than half an incense stick’s time to walk through the entire cave. There weren’t any useful items around, so she only gathered some dry firewood to warm them later.

Not long after returning to Ji Hengyu’s side, the man casually said to her: “I need to bathe.”

At his words, Sang Li realized how filthy they both were.

They had been soaked in rain and rolled around in the mud for hours. Earlier, she had been too preoccupied with searching for supplies, but now, as she looked down at herself, she noticed that the dried mud clung uncomfortably tight to her skin.

But…

How was he supposed to bathe?

There was only a small lake here—surely he didn’t mean…

Her eyes widened: “Y-you want to wash in the lake?”

Ji Hengyu glanced at her sideways: “What else do you suggest?”

Sang Li strongly opposed the idea: “No way! After you wash, how are we supposed to drink the water?”

They didn’t know how long they would be trapped here—it wasn’t reasonable to use the same lake for drinking, eating, and bathing!

No, absolutely not. She couldn’t accept it.

Ji Hengyu seemed to realize the issue as well, remaining silent for a moment before saying: “Then find me a bathtub.”

A bathtub?

Where was she supposed to get such a large tub from? Did he think this was some kind of picnic outing?

However… perhaps… it wasn’t impossible?

Sang Li immediately thought of someone.

Her eyes flickered, and with newfound determination, she raised her voice: “Fine, I can help you find a bathtub, but you have to promise me one condition.”

Ji Hengyu lifted his eyelids lazily: “Oh?”

What came next felt bold and impolite to Sang Li. In the beginning, she wouldn’t have dared to even think about it, but times had changed. Now, she and Ji Hengyu were bound together—neither of them held superiority over the other.

Taking a deep breath, she spoke firmly: “From now on, you’ll listen to me!”

She expected Ji Hengyu, with his arrogant pride, to object or argue with her. To her surprise—

“Alright.”

Without hesitation, he agreed outright.

Sang Li froze on the spot.

Fearing he might misunderstand her meaning, she hurriedly ran over and carefully explained word by word what she meant: “You’ll listen to everything I say—whatever I say, you do it.”

His voice was calm: “Mm.”

Sang Li grew anxious: “If you don’t obey—”

“I will obey you.” He suddenly turned to look at her, his dark eyes reflecting her muddy face. When he focused entirely on someone like this, even playful words sounded sincere. “Entirely according to your will.”

Her throat tightened, unable to speak further.

An indescribable emotion filled her heart.

She realized that under certain circumstances, Ji Hengyu could indeed be very agreeable. But strangely, the more compliant he was, the quicker he agreed, the more uneasy she became.

“It’s nothing much—I just hope you won’t harm anyone recklessly later.”

Ji Hengyu gave a self-deprecating smile: “Me? Harm someone? Right now?”

Sang Li: “…” Alright, given his current state, he really couldn’t hurt anyone.

She puffed up her cheeks and turned to leave the little paradise.

As expected, the little Mirror Demon had been secretly following her.

It hadn’t noticed Sang Li yet and was busy playing in the grass, chasing butterflies and having fun.

“Big-Eye Junior!” Sang Li called out to it.

The newly named little Mirror Demon blinked its big, adorable eyes, accidentally inhaling a petal stuck to its head, sneezing several times before flipping over and running toward her.

“Can you help me find a wooden bucket in the city?”

“Woof!”

The little Mirror Demon readily agreed and dashed off to find a bucket.

While waiting, Sang Li idly wove a flower crown from wildflowers and grass.

By the time the flower crown was finished, the little guy had already flown back with a bucket in hand.

“You fetch some water and give it to that person.”

Sang Li pointed to Ji Hengyu, who was waiting inside.

Trusting her completely, the little Mirror Demon didn’t hesitate. It flew into the little paradise, hooked the wooden bucket with its claw, leapt into the lake, and filled the bucket with spiritual spring water, placing it at Ji Hengyu’s feet.

Sang Li was tense throughout.

But Ji Hengyu said nothing, asked no questions, and barely spared the little Mirror Demon a glance.

“Gurgle.”

Having completed its task, the little creature reverted to its lizard form and squatted in front of Sang Li, seeking praise.

She crouched down, stroked its face, and placed the woven flower crown on its head. “This is for you.”

This was the first time the little Mirror Demon had received such a gift.

Curious, it sniffed the flower crown left and right, opening its big mouth to bite it—but Sang Li stopped it—

“No, if you break it, I won’t play with you anymore.”

It immediately became obedient, carefully placing the flower crown back on its head.

Honestly, such a pretty accessory clashed horribly with its appearance.

But for some reason, Sang Li found this big-eyed junior both ugly and cute—uglier the more she looked, cuter the more she stared.

“If you stay out this late, won’t your mother come looking for you?”

It purred twice and lunged at her, licking her cheek.

Sang Li was knocked to the ground, laughing as she pushed it away: “I’m all muddy—it’s dirty!”

The little Mirror Demon ignored her protests, continuing to hug and wrestle with her.

The once quiet little paradise was now filled with laughter and playful noises, creating a lively scene.

The bathtub was placed behind a tree near the lake.

He was an ancient Kui clan member, with a constitution stronger than most. Combined with the nourishing effects of the spiritual spring water, the two grotesque wounds on his body began showing signs of healing in no time.

The commotion behind him was loud.

Ji Hengyu closed his eyes, vividly imagining Sang Li’s expression without needing to see it.

He resided in the Palace of Gui Xu, where even within the Gui Xu Sea beyond the mortal realm, countless people still sought to kill him. Even among his disciples, there was none he could fully trust. Thus, his quarters had always been solitary—day and night silent, empty, and devoid of companionship.

Since his immortal marrow had been damaged over three thousand years ago, Ji Hengyu hadn’t slept a single night.

When he needed rest, he summoned a doppelgänger to remain vigilant.

Now, in this tiny sanctuary within Wanshui Prefecture, amidst the constant sounds of laughter, he unexpectedly felt a sense of ease and drowsiness he had never experienced before.

Ease.

For Ji Hengyu, this word was not necessarily a good thing.

He opened his eyes, his gaze clear once more.

Ji Hengyu picked up his jade pendant, dripped a drop of blood onto it, retrieved a pill from within, swallowed it, and then changed into clean robes.

He slowly emerged from behind the tree and, after a brief silence as he observed the two playful figures, said: “I’m going to rest.”

His clear, cool voice reached her ears, reminding Sang Li of his presence.

She tilted her head up.

Since she was lying on the ground, her gaze first landed on his tall boots, then moved upward to the silver hem of his robe embroidered with ink bamboo, followed by his narrow waist and broad shoulders.

With his jet-black hair fully loose, his features appeared even more refined, like polished jade.

She blinked in surprise and quickly sprang up from the ground. “Where did you get those clothes?”

Ji Hengyu: “From my storage ring.”

Sang Li protested indignantly: “I have a storage pouch too, but it requires spiritual energy to open! How can you use yours?”

At this, Ji Hengyu gave a soft laugh. “Mine is a high-grade storage ring—it’s bound to me and doesn’t require spiritual energy to operate.”

Sang Li fell silent.

She couldn’t shake the feeling that there was a hint of smugness in his tone.

But the worst part was yet to come.

Before her eyes, Ji Hengyu began pulling item after item out of his ring—

A soft pillow, blankets, a teapot, a jade furnace for warmth, and, most outrageously, a box of nutty immortal snacks!!

Was he serious?!

Had he really come here for a picnic?!

She couldn’t help but glance down at herself.

After all this time, the mud had practically fused with her skin. Meanwhile, Ji Hengyu lounged by the lake, eating snacks, making her feel increasingly unbalanced.

Fuming, Sang Li marched over and confronted him: “If you had all these things, why didn’t you take them out earlier?”

Ji Hengyu: “You didn’t ask.”

“I...” She was left speechless, frustration knotting her throat.

Deep breaths, deep breaths. As a fox, she shouldn’t argue with humans.

After finally calming herself, Sang Li held out her palm toward him. “I’m going to bathe. Give me some clean clothes to change into.”

Ji Hengyu continued munching on seeds, casually tossing the shells into a nearby box lid. His long eyes swept over her twice before he replied, “No.”

“Are you refusing to give me any?!” Sang Li was furious. “You promised just half an incense stick ago that you’d do whatever I say! All I’m asking for is a set of clothes, and you won’t even give me that!”

The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt, her eyes welling up with tears. “And I even kindly had my little brother fetch a wooden bucket for you!”

“Little brother?” Ji Hengyu raised an eyebrow, glancing at the exhausted, sleeping little Mirror Demon beside them. His tone was teasing. “Your circle of friends is quite extensive.”

Sang Li pretended not to hear his sarcastic remark. “Are you giving me the clothes or not?”

“I already said no,” Ji Hengyu replied, feigning helplessness. “I only brought one set of spare clothes.”

“I don’t believe you unless you show me.”

“Show you, huh~” He drew out his words, dangling the jade pendant in front of her with a flick of his finger. “Here.”

Sang Li reached out to grab it, but he deftly evaded her grasp, leaving her clutching at empty air.

Unwilling to give up, she lunged again. Ji Hengyu seemed to be deliberately teasing her; every time she almost caught the pendant, he swiftly shifted it away. The dragon-encircled jade swung up and down in his hands, always just out of her reach.

She realized he was intentionally provoking her and stopped reaching, her face falling in irritation.

A smile played at the corners of Ji Hengyu’s eyes as he continued to swing the jade pendant. “Why aren’t you trying anymore? Don’t you want to see?”

Sang Li remained silent.

He probably found it boring too, preparing to put the pendant away.

Seizing the opportunity, Sang Li lunged forward in an attempt to snatch it.

He easily anticipated her move, raising his arm to evade her attack. But in the next instant, her body, having missed its mark, lost its balance and tumbled helplessly into his arms.