227: Southern Xinjiang Trip with Fragrant Scent

He withdrew the hand stroking her chin, instead running it through her hair. His fingertips combed through her soft, long hair, his movements carrying a rare gentleness:

“This trip to the Southern Border was originally intended to bring us closer. When necessary, you will help me achieve a Cultivation Breakthrough.”

Hua Hanxiang’s eyes lit up. She immediately straightened up, looking up at him, her eyes sparkling with excitement:

“This Servant Girl thanks Master! As long as I can help Master, I will be happier than anything! Besides...”

She moved closer, lowering her voice, carrying a hint of ambiguity and suggestion:

“Besides... this Servant Girl’s body was prepared specifically to serve Master and aid Master in Cultivation.”

As she spoke, her warm breath almost slipped into Situ Jun’s collar. Her fingertips traced lightly upward along the Jade Belt at his waist. This time, there was no probing; instead, with a hint of certainty, she gently hooked the Jade Pendant at the end of the Jade Belt.

The cool touch of the Jade Pendant transmitted through her fingertips, yet Hua Hanxiang felt her body heat up. She looked up at him, the moisture in her eyes mixed with seduction, like warm-fired glaze:

“The Southern Border’s climate is humid and hot, which is best for nurturing Spiritual Qi. I heard the Hot Springs there can also help Cultivators regulate their Qi... If Master feels tired then, this Servant Girl will accompany Master for a soak, help Master massage his shoulders and neck, and then...”

She paused deliberately, her tongue lightly sweeping her lower lip. Her gaze fell on Situ Jun’s hand hanging by his side, and she gently placed her own hand over it, her fingertips intertwining with his and slowly locking tight:

“Then I will use this Servant Girl’s Spiritual Power to help Master sort out his Meridians. Master can rest assured, this Servant Girl has practiced the method of Guiding Qi; I definitely won't disturb Master's Qi flow, but only make Master feel... comfortable.”

As she spoke, her fingertips slid down the tassel, lightly brushing the fabric at his waist. Seeing that he didn't stop her, she grew bolder. Her other hand quietly covered the hand he had resting on his knee, the warmth of her palm transmitting through the cloth, carrying a deliberate hint of flattery.

The sunlight outside the carriage was bright, spilling through the gaps in the Carriage Curtain, falling on the stray hairs near her eyes, blurring into a soft, fuzzy glow.

She lifted her eyes slightly, her eyelashes trembling, genuine expectation mixed with the seduction in her gaze:

“Master, don't worry, this Servant Girl definitely won't delay Master's Breakthrough of the Bottleneck. If Cultivation requires absorbing anything, be it this Servant Girl’s Spiritual Power or Vital Qi and Blood, as long as Master asks, this Servant Girl is willing to give it all...”

Situ Jun’s fingertips paused in her hair. His gaze fell on the hand covering his own—her fingertips were pink, her knuckles slender, and even her fingernails showed a docile pink hue.

He suddenly flipped his hand and grasped hers, his thumb gently rubbing her knuckles. His voice was even lower than before, carrying a hint of casual indulgence:

“Oh? You're willing to give everything? Aren't you afraid of pain?”

Hua Hanxiang immediately shook her head and nestled further into his embrace, rubbing her cheek against his lapel, like a cat that had found refuge:

“As long as I can help Master, what is pain? Besides... with Master here, even if I feel pain, my heart will be sweet.”

As she spoke, she looked up at him, the moisture in her eyes shimmering, her voice so soft it sounded like she might melt into his arms:

“It is already this Servant Girl’s fortune that Master allows me to be his Pillow Companion; how dare I complain?”

Situ Jun watched her expression, the curve of his lips deepening. His fingertips lightly squeezed her small hand:

“You certainly know how to talk. Don't worry, your Master is not an Evil Cultivator; I won't take your Spiritual Power or Vital Qi and Blood.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the tips of her ears, which were slightly flushed from nervousness:

“However, the journey to the Southern Border is dangerous. What should be done if you disrupt my Cultivation?”

Hua Hanxiang immediately tightened her grip and nestled further into his embrace, gently rubbing her cheek against his lapel, her voice so soft it sounded like she might melt into his arms:

“Then this Servant Girl will submit to Master’s punishment. If Master wants to punish me by forbidding me to eat, or forbidding me to use Spiritual Power, I accept it all. Even if Master... even if Master wants to punish me by forbidding me to approach you, this Servant Girl will have absolutely no complaints, only hoping Master can give me another chance to redeem myself.”

As she spoke, her fingertips lightly tickled his palm, conveying a hint of coquetry, and a little cunning was hidden in her eyes:

“But since Master cares for this Servant Girl so much, you surely wouldn't truly punish me, right?”

Situ Jun looked at the slight cunning in her eyes and finally couldn't help but chuckle softly, his fingertips lightly pinching the back of her hand:

“You certainly know how to say things to please me. But following me from now on, you must learn more Skills to Protect Yourself.”

Hua Hanxiang immediately straightened up, her expression becoming exceptionally serious:

“This Servant Girl understands! If we encounter any trouble on the road, I definitely won't Drag Master Down. If any blind fool approaches, this Servant Girl will protect Master, even if it costs me my life!”

She spoke hastily, her chest slightly rising and falling. The seriousness in her eyes did not seem feigned.

Situ Jun looked at her, his fingertips lightly stroking the tip of her ear. Feeling that patch of skin instantly turn hot, he suddenly let out a soft laugh:

“Protect me? With your small frame, I doubt you could even defeat a Rank One Yao Beast.”

His words carried a hint of teasing, but no mockery.

Hua Hanxiang wasn't annoyed. Instead, she leaned closer into his embrace, following his words, her voice soft as if soaked in honey:

“But we have Master, don't we? Master is so powerful, he will certainly protect this Servant Girl. Besides, although I can't defeat a Yao Beast, I can serve Master tea and water, give shoulder and back massages, and also...”

She paused deliberately, her fingertips lightly tracing his wrist. The seduction in her eyes deepened, and her voice was tinged with ambiguity:

“I can also help Master Relieve his Fatigue when he is tired.”

The sound of the carriage wheels outside still rumbled. The mountain wind blew through the Carriage Curtain, bringing the fresh scent of grass and trees from the distant forest, but the atmosphere inside the carriage grew increasingly ambiguous and sticky.

Situ Jun held her hand, his thumb gently rubbing her palm. He didn't speak again, but the indulgence in his eyes reassured Hua Hanxiang more than any response—she knew she had played this move correctly.

A corner of the Carriage Curtain was lifted by the breeze, letting in a few strands of warm sunlight that fell right onto her face, coating her fair skin with a layer of warmth, making the flush at the corner of her eyes even more alluring.

Situ Jun lowered his gaze, watching the Pearl Hairpin on the top of her head, inserted diagonally into her Black Hair, swaying gently with the bumpy movement of the carriage.

His fingertips casually traced the pearl, his voice carrying a hint of lazy amusement:

“These are all Mundane Ornaments. After we return safely from the Southern Border this time, I will give you some Spiritual Artifact ornaments embedded with Formations.”

Hua Hanxiang was instantly overjoyed. She wrapped her arms tightly around his waist and snuggled further into his embrace, her voice soft like a plea:

“Thank you, Master! This Servant Girl will certainly help Master Return Victorious! In the future, if Master is thirsty, I will serve you tea; if Master is tired, I will massage your legs; and even at night...”

She paused, a flash of cunning seduction crossing her eyes, and lowered her voice even further:

“This Servant Girl can also keep Master company, so Master won't be lonely.”

Situ Jun didn't speak again, simply allowing her to lean against him.

The warm fragrance inside the carriage grew richer, mixed with the faint scent of cosmetics on Hua Hanxiang, intertwining with the Spiritual Power surrounding him.

The carriage wheels continued to roll forward, speeding toward the Southern Border, while the ambiguous atmosphere inside the carriage seemed to be brewed by the dust of the journey, becoming increasingly intense.