185: You traitor, you bastard!

The moonlight, bright as silk, scattered over the exotic flowers and rare herbs in the Imperial Garden of the Imperial Palace.

The space subtly fluctuated, and two figures quietly appeared.

Chu Yuehua lightly tapped the ground with her toes, her plain white dress rippling out like water.

The moment she landed, she abruptly turned around, her pair of cold Phoenix Eyes staring directly at Qin Wushang, who followed closely behind, undisguised coldness hanging in the corners of her eyes and brows.

"Rebellious Disciple!"

Her red lips parted slightly, uttering two words like ice beads, her tone filled with intense accusation.

"Just now... you were quite pleased with yourself, weren't you?"

Qin Wushang stood steady, blinked upon hearing this, showed a hint of confusion on his face, and shook his head, "Revered Master, why do you say that? Your Disciple wouldn't dare."

That expression of his made Chu Yuehua feel a surge of anger.

She hadn't expected this brat to be so shameless, daring to be so intimate with Lin Ziyao in broad daylight.

She was even more surprised that she, a dignified Empress, would act on impulse and drag him back directly.

"Hmph!"

She gave a cold snort, stopped looking at him, turned around, and walked forward along the path paved with cobblestones.

Her slender jade fingers casually reached out and precisely plucked a purple Spirit Flower that was blooming brightly.

The flower's color was enchanting, seemingly emitting a seductive luster under the moonlight.

She applied slight pressure with her fingertips.

"Snap."

With a soft sound, the delicate petals shattered between her fingers. The purple sap stained her fair fingertips, releasing a sickly sweet fragrance.

Chu Yuehua frowned, seemingly quite displeased with the scent.

Her mind stirred slightly, and an invisible wave of power instantly spread out from her center.

"Buzz..."

In an instant, all the blooming purple flowers in the Imperial Garden, regardless of their value, were completely frozen, and then melted away into nothingness.

Her back was to Qin Wushang, and her voice remained cold.

"Lin Ziyao is just a Flirtatious Fox!"

"She usually pretends to be sweet and obedient; you'd better not be fooled by her appearance."

Qin Wushang looked at her slightly tense back, then looked at the purple color that had instantly vanished from the entire garden, and couldn't help but let a smile curl at the corner of his mouth.

The Vinegar Jar has been overturned!

He quickly took a few steps forward until he was close behind her, close enough to smell the cool, subtle fragrance in her hair and feel the warmth radiating from her body.

Then, without hesitation, he extended his arms and wrapped them around her slender waist, which was too thin to grasp fully.

Chu Yuehua's Delicate Body suddenly stiffened.

"Revered Master!"

He gently rested his chin on her thin shoulder, deliberately exhaling warm breath onto her sensitive ear, his voice low.

"Have you... not bathed in a long time?"

"Why do you smell sour!"

"Rebellious Disciple!"

Chu Yuehua's expression changed. She gave a low reprimand, and her elbow instinctively jabbed backward, but Qin Wushang, having anticipated it, gently parried it with his other hand.

She struggled briefly, finding that he was holding her extremely tightly with an inescapable force, making her voice turn several degrees colder out of anger.

"Let go!"

"No."

Qin Wushang was self-righteous, even pushing his Luck by burying his face in the crook of her neck and rubbing it, muttering, "Revered Master personally promised your Disciple."

"Could it be that the dignified Great Chu Empress intends to be someone who goes back on her word and betrays trust?"

"This Empress did not!"

Chu Yuehua vehemently denied it, but the roots of her ears uncontrollably flushed red.

"You let go first! That matter... can be discussed later!"

"No."

Qin Wushang countered, tightening the arm wrapped around her waist, practically pulling her entire body into his embrace.

"Your Disciple wants it now."

"Are you crazy! This is the Imperial Garden!"

Chu Yuehua was both anxious and embarrassed. She reached out to pry away the hand clamped around her waist, but it didn't budge. The heat emanating from his palm passed through the thin fabric, making her heart flutter in confusion.

"What are you afraid of?"

Qin Wushang chuckled, his breath brushing against her earlobe.

"It's late and quiet; no one will come. Or are you... perhaps hoping someone will see?"

"Nonsense!"

Chu Yuehua spat out, but stopped struggling forcefully.

She was silent for a moment, then subtly flicked her fingertip.

A Barrier, half-shimmering with the luster of moonlight, silently unfolded, enveloping the entire Imperial Garden and isolating all sound and prying eyes from the outside.

After performing this action, she seemed to find her confidence, and an excuse to change the subject.

"The Dragon Vein Baptism will be held tomorrow. As the Top-ranked Individual, you will have the longest time to bathe in Dragon Qi."

"You must calm your mind and focus, absorbing and converting as much National Destiny Qi as possible. Don't waste this once-in-a-lifetime Opportunity and let others benefit for free."

Her tone paused slightly when she mentioned "others."

"Dragon Vein Baptism? Luck?"

Qin Wushang was still holding her. Upon hearing this, he tilted his head curiously, his cheek inadvertently brushing against her hair.

"What is the connection between the two?"

He could feel the body that had been tense in his arms relax slightly due to this topic.

"The Dragon Vein is the Foundation upon which Great Chu was established, the place where National Destiny converges."

Chu Yuehua allowed him to hold her, her gaze directed toward the dimly visible Palace Flying Eaves deep within the garden, explaining in a steady voice.

"The so-called Dragon Vein Baptism is actually a Luck Empowerment, guiding the mighty National Destiny from the Dragon Vein to cleanse the Cultivator's Physical Body and Divine Soul, improving their destiny and fate."

"The more you absorb, the more prosperous your own Luck will become."

"In the Ancient Desolate Secret Realm, where Opportunities abound, a strong portion of Luck is often the greatest reliance for saving one's life and obtaining treasures, even attracting unexpected Good Fortune."

Qin Wushang suddenly understood, then thought of another question.

"If we all go to absorb the National Destiny, won't it harm the National Foundation of Great Chu?"

"No, it won't."

Chu Yuehua gently shook her head. A lock of Black Hair swayed with the movement, brushing past Qin Wushang's nose.

"National Destiny is like a great river; what you take is merely a ladleful of water."

"Luck is blessed upon your bodies. The stronger you are, the stronger Great Chu becomes. This is a mutually beneficial relationship."

"Even... even if you perish later, this portion of Luck will naturally return to the Dragon Vein. As long as the Dragon Vein remains intact, the Foundation will not be damaged."

"I see."

Qin Wushang sighed softly, but his arm restlessly rubbed gently against her waist.

"No wonder Emperors are called True Dragon Sons of Heaven; it turns out that such mysterious things as Dragon Vein Luck truly exist."

This world is ultimately different from Blue Star, bizarre and motley, yet possessing its own Laws.

"Hmph, now you know Your Master's... now you know the benefits of Great Chu?"

Chu Yuehua almost let slip a word, quickly corrected herself, but her tone couldn't help carrying a hint of imperceptible Petulance.

"Such profound National Destiny favor has been granted to you. Since you are a citizen of Great Chu and have received this grace, how can you not think of repaying it? Instead, you are so disrespectful to... to This Empress."

"Revered Master, you are wronging your Disciple."

Qin Wushang immediately cried injustice, but his voice was full of laughter.

"Your Disciple has always respected and loved Revered Master, honoring the Revered Master and the Dao, daring not to disobey."

"Serving Revered Master and relieving Revered Master of worries are inherently the duties and obligations your Disciple should fulfill."

His palm slowly moved up along the graceful curve of her waist, his fingertips skillfully hooking the exquisitely made silk Dress Sash at her waist.

"Therefore..."

He leaned close to her ear, speaking slowly in a breathy voice, his tone full of coaxing and teasing.

"To better fulfill my obligations, and to more deeply appreciate the Profound Mysteries of the Dragon Vein Baptism tomorrow... Revered Master, why don't you let your Disciple first..."

He pulled lightly with his fingertip. The silky sash came undone immediately, falling loosely.

Chu Yuehua felt a sudden loosening at her waist, followed by a chill that permeated her clothes.

Her whole body trembled violently, as if struck by lightning, instantly waking her from the ambiguous daze created by the warm embrace and low words just now.

"Rebellious Disciple!!!"

She spun around abruptly, her Pretty Face flushed crimson, whether from shame or anger, her beautiful eyes wide and round.

She grabbed Qin Wushang's Rebellious wrist, the force so great that Qin Wushang secretly gasped.

"What are you trying to do?"

Her voice trembled slightly from extreme shock and humiliation, completely lacking her usual cold dignity.

Qin Wushang, unafraid of death, grinned widely. Even as his wrist was held by her, his fingertips lingeringly traced the fabric on her now-exposed lower back.

"Revered Master, the Dragon Vein Baptism is tomorrow. Your Disciple wants to... explore the Dragon Lair first, to see if it's dangerous."

"Ah!~ Rebellious Disciple... you bastard!"