Chu Hanjin’s shoulders were not delicate but rather sculpted from martial training—sleek, lean, yet containing an underlying muscular strength.

This made his bones appear well-proportioned, striking a perfect balance between slenderness and muscle.

However, on his shoulder was a red, swollen bruise, seemingly from a scrape. The skin hadn’t split, but it was dark purple and looked terrifying.

Yue Lin took out some ointment from a jade bottle, rubbed it on his fingertips, and gently applied it to the wound. His other hand slowly gathered up Chu Hanjin’s hair, still wet from the water, revealing his smooth and fair back.

Chu Hanjin frowned. “What are you doing?”

“Getting defensive again?” Yue Lin chuckled mockingly. “I’m just trying to keep your wet hair from messing up the ointment. My intentions are as clear as day. What exactly are you imagining, Lord Yue Zhao, to think of me like this?”

His voice was low, carrying a strange teasing and flippant tone, utterly improper, causing Chu Hanjin to frown even more.

Rogue.

Still trying to twist the truth.

The spiritual spring emitted rising steam, and amidst the mist, the slightly rough fingertips brushing over Chu Hanjin’s flawless back made the usually ordinary spring water feel imbued with a sultry atmosphere.

Yue Lin glanced at the fragrant balm nearby. “So this is what you use for your baths. No wonder your skin is so smooth. When we were together, you used other things, and whenever you dressed, you always complained about feeling uncomfortable in certain places.”

A trace of suppressed irritation flashed across Chu Hanjin’s face.

“Back then, you used to say your body itched in some places,” Yue Lin leaned close to his ear, his breath warm, clearly enjoying himself. “I can’t even count how many times I undressed you to take a look.”

Knowing full well that Chu Hanjin was upright and elegant, Yue Lin intentionally provoked him.

The hot water reddened Chu Hanjin’s shoulders. Normally, he wouldn’t say anything rude, but now he couldn’t hold back, gritting his teeth, “You… get out!”

Yue Lin was in no rush, calmly undoing his robe and tossing it onto a rack. “Didn’t we agree to bathe together?”

Chu Hanjin unintentionally caught a glimpse of his body as Yue Lin disrobed. He had the typical build of a martial artist—tall and graceful in tight clothes, but once unclothed, his chest was firm with muscles, his waist narrow and strong. However, it wasn’t the kind of overbearing bulk that would seem off-putting. It was wild yet perfectly proportioned, undeniably… attractive.

Chu Hanjin, disturbed by his own thoughts, rubbed his forehead.

He had never felt desire for anyone, nor did he care about the fleeting appearances of the mundane world. But when he saw Yue Lin, for some reason, he instinctively examined him, feeling an extreme sense of familiarity.

A voice inside him told him:

It’s him.

The man from his dreams.

The naked body from his dreams.

It was definitely Yue Lin.

Once that thought hit him, the water in the hot spring seemed even warmer, making him feel uncomfortable all over. Not knowing how to handle the odd sensation, his elegant phoenix eyes lowered, and he turned his head to look at the other side of the rippling pool.

… It was all this man’s fault.

At Far Mountain Sect, body cultivation and spiritual cultivation were one. Recently, Chu Hanjin’s spiritual energy had been unstable because his once pure spiritual aura had been tainted by a body that had experienced worldly pleasures.

Chu Hanjin’s expression grew colder and colder.

Suddenly, there was the sound of water splashing. Yue Lin had entered the water and asked softly, “What are you thinking about now?”

Chu Hanjin glared at him. “I’m thinking that although I lost my memory back then, I still knew what I was cultivating. For over ten years, my spirit was connected with my body. How could I have easily discarded that and married you?”

Yue Lin’s gaze darkened as if a shadow had passed over it, his expression growing more displeased.

What puzzled him was that Chu Hanjin still hadn’t been convinced and was clinging to this fantasy of having been deceived. In Chu Hanjin’s mind, Yue Lin was the one who sweet-talked him, lured him into bed, and seduced him into submission.

Yue Lin licked his wet lips and said, “There were other reasons, but mostly, it was because we were deeply in love. The feelings were so intense that it naturally led to us being together.”

Chu Hanjin ignored the latter part of his statement. “What were the other reasons?”

Yue Lin looked him in the eye. “Want to hear how the first time happened?”

“…”

Chu Hanjin had been holding back for a long time. He slapped the water, splashing the spiritual spring’s mist everywhere, his killing intent palpable. “Must you say such shameless things?”

The steam thickened, reflecting Yue Lin’s half-smiling face and Chu Hanjin’s embarrassed, downcast expression.

Just as Yue Lin was about to speak, a voice suddenly sounded from outside the door. “Lord Yue Zhao?”

It was Chu Tong.

Another figure appeared just beyond the gauzy curtains in the corridor. “Junior Brother, did you use the medicine I gave you?”

Hearing Mu Lianchun’s voice, Chu Hanjin’s shoulders tensed. He instinctively glanced toward Yue Lin.

Yue Lin’s origins were mysterious, and there were already suspicions about him after they had descended into the Celestial Burial Pit together. If Mu Lianchun saw them bathing together and connected it to Chu Hanjin’s recent instability in spiritual energy, he would surely make certain assumptions—such as Chu Hanjin now being impure and having married another man.

Realizing the potential for a series of controversies and the shame brought on by bathing with Yue Lin, Chu Hanjin’s first instinct was to hide him.

The water stilled, and steam rose in thick clouds. Chu Hanjin was wearing a thin bathing robe, pure white like snow, which swayed gently with the water.

Mu Lianchun asked, “Did you use the medicine?”

Chu Hanjin replied, “I did.”

Mu Lianchun, supporting his injured back, slowly approached. “This medicine is quite strong; I was worried your wounds wouldn’t handle it well, so I brought a different one. But since you’ve used it already, next time, switch to this one.”

Chu Hanjin responded, “Thank you, Senior Brother. If your injury hasn’t healed, you didn’t need to come personally.”

Mu Lianchun sighed. “If it weren’t for Sect Master Xing Jiangxin always looking for trouble, I wouldn’t have snuck away.”

He settled by the side of the spring, looking ready to engage in a long conversation.

Chu Hanjin remained silent.

The water rippled gently around him. He leaned back against a stone slab, its inner surface smooth and polished, creating a blank space. His white robe faintly revealed a few strands of dark hair, but with the steam and stillness of the water, it was hard to make out clearly.

However, a slender hand suddenly gripped his calf.

Chu Hanjin maintained his composure and turned to Mu Lianchun. “Senior Brother, don’t dwell on it too much. There are some shady people within the Six Sects. We haven’t identified the true culprit yet. If Sect Master wants to vent, we have no choice but to endure. Let’s just focus on finding the real killer as soon as possible.”

Mu Lianchun sighed again. “Find the killer? How? Let anyone who wants to be Sect Master take it. I don’t want it anymore. It only fell to me because no one else was willing back then. Honestly…”

“Senior Brother, don’t say that.” Chu Hanjin’s tone grew serious, trying to console him.

The more composed Chu Hanjin appeared, the more frantic the movements beneath the water became.

That indecent hand moved up along his calf. The sensation was strange, but it wasn’t clear if it was searching for a grip or something done unconsciously.

The moist, warm feeling pressed against the length of his leg, creeping higher under his white robe.

The bizarre sensation made Chu Hanjin clench his fingers.

What… exactly was he doing?

Mu Lianchun sighed once more, placing the medicine bottle down. Realizing that chatting while someone was bathing wasn’t appropriate, he turned to leave. “I’ll go now. Don’t forget to change your medicine and take care of yourself.”

Chu Hanjin’s inner thigh itched terribly, but he forced himself to nod. “You take care too, Senior Brother.”

As Mu Lianchun disappeared behind the curtain, Chu Hanjin let out a breath of relief. A lock of dark hair broke the surface of the water.

To his dismay, Mu Lianchun turned back again. “Junior Brother, if you want anything to eat, let me know and I’ll have the kitchen prepare it for you. You always stay alone in the Moonlight Palace. It’s too quiet; it makes people worry.”

“……”

Chu Hanjin pressed his hand against the water. “Understood.”

He didn’t even know where he was pressing, but his palm came into contact with something incredibly soft and warm. Then his wrist was grabbed, and before he could react, his fingers were gently bitten, then sucked into someone’s mouth, lightly nibbled at the fingertips.

Mu Lianchun stepped outside the door.

Chu Hanjin yanked his hand back, causing a splash. “What are you biting me for!?”

Yue Lin emerged from the water, his wet black hair clinging to his face. Water droplets trickled down his sharp nose. His dark eyes were fixed on Chu Hanjin, as if savoring something. He stuck out his tongue, lightly licking his lips.

He said, “Tch, how unlucky.”

Running a hand through his wet hair, revealing his handsome sideburns, he added, “You and I are clearly bound as husband and wife.”

That statement only deepened Chu Hanjin’s sense of shame. He had always conducted himself with integrity, but now here he was, hiding a man in the pool just to keep a secret.

Sneaky and underhanded—what was this even?

Chu Hanjin, irritated, found a different reason to retort, curling his lips slightly. “Where exactly were you touching just now?”

Yue Lin replied, “Are you asking if I touched between your legs, or around your waist?”

“…You!”

Chu Hanjin was furious, standing abruptly and sending water splashing everywhere. His face was flushed red, even redder than a peony after the rain.

But it wasn’t real anger; it was more like a brief outburst, quick to come and quick to go. He got out of the water, changed into clean clothes, and paused as he walked toward the bedroom.

He called out to Chu Tong, “Where are the plum cakes that were on the tea table?”

Chu Tong blushed. “I ate them! Why is Lord Yue Zhao asking?”

Chu Hanjin was momentarily stunned. In truth, he was just hungry and had asked casually.

But he usually didn’t eat anything at night, nor did he snack often. The plum cakes were a special gift from the spring feast a few days ago, something he had left aside without thinking.

Chu Hanjin couldn’t bring himself to say he was hungry, but Yue Lin, now adjusting his clothes and following behind him, asked, “Are you craving something to eat?”

Chu Hanjin didn’t respond.

Logically, he shouldn’t be hungry.

After all, he had just eaten a bowl of spring noodles not long ago.

But for some reason, lately, his appetite had increased. Especially just now, the thought of those plum cakes made his mouth water.

Chu Hanjin flicked his sleeve. “I don’t want to eat anything.”

Chu Tong piped up, “There are still some in the jar. If you want them, I’ll go get them.”

Yue Lin asked for the exact location, then said, “You can leave.”

Chu Tong looked baffled. “Leave? Who are you to tell me to leave? Who do you think you are?”

Yue Lin promptly shooed him away. “If I tell you to leave, you leave. I’ve got something to talk about with Lord Yue Zhao.”

Under Yue Lin’s insistence, Chu Tong left grudgingly, his face full of displeasure.

Yue Lin took down the ceramic jar holding the plum cakes from the shelf and placed it on the tea table. He finished the task and said, “I got them for you.”

But he stopped suddenly.

To his surprise, in that brief moment, Chu Hanjin had already fallen asleep. His head rested on one hand, his dark hair spilling over his shoulders, his eyelashes gently lowered.

Increased appetite.

Craving for sour things.

Drowsiness…

Yue Lin’s grip on the plate tightened, a complicated expression flashing across his face.

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