A romantic bath for two

Luo Yu was thunderstruck, his thoughts in chaos, and for a moment he was lost for words. Inwardly, he lamented: Yet another case of cultural differences between races! Reason doesn’t work here—what should I do? … Wait, I’ve got it!

Luo Yu seized the key point, raised his hand, and shouted, “Stop! Pause! Hold on! If you let him go, spare the Bamboo Grove Pavilion… and us, and vow upon your heart’s demon never to wreak havoc in the mortal realm again, I’ll undo your seal!”

The man’s hand slowed, his eyes narrowing as he scrutinized Luo Yu. “A fledgling, yet dares to boast so brazenly?”

Luo Yu retorted angrily, “Didn’t you see what the Bamboo Grove Pavilion brought me here for? Granted, I might be younger than you… well, much younger, but have you not heard that every inch has its use, and every man his strengths?”

The man frowned, pondering in silence for a long while.

Luo Yu pressed on, “It was the Celestial Court that imprisoned you before… but five thousand years have passed, and the Celestial Court is no more. Those who caught you back then are all dead—your enemies are all gone. As a descendant of the ancient divine clan, don’t you find it shameful to seek vengeance against human juniors with far less cultivation?”

As Luo Yu finished, the man’s face flushed red, then blue, then purple. If anyone else had spoken those words, he might have ignored them. But he considered himself and the phoenix both descendants of the ancient divine clan, equally noble in status. Yet here he was, being belittled by a mere fledgling—it was unbearable!

The man frowned, saying, “Presumptuous little phoenix, when did I ever say I would seek revenge?”

Upon hearing this, Luo Yu’s eyes widened in surprise. He wasn’t planning to trouble the Bamboo Grove Pavilion? Had everyone been worried for nothing?

Luo Yu glanced at the man clutched in the beast’s grasp, pointed, and shouted, “Then why are you still holding him? Why not let him go?”

The man was momentarily taken aback. He looked down at the man he’d pulled into his arms and furrowed his brow deeply.

After a long silence, he said coolly, “All others may go, but this one was disrespectful to me. I cannot let him off—he must pay with his body!”

Su Sangyi had struggled in the beast’s embrace until he was nearly spent; now, hearing that the beast wouldn’t seek vengeance on the Bamboo Grove Pavilion, he felt greatly relieved. He gasped for breath, too weary to argue.

Luo Yu was speechless: So after all that, nothing has changed!

Awkwardly, he said, “Well… forced fruit is never sweet. These things can’t be compelled, or it’ll only lead to mutual harm…”

The man scoffed disdainfully, interrupting, “Such mortal notions! For those of divine blood, one need only seize the nape with fangs—they will submit.”

Luo Yu was shocked again. He’d heard that large predators, in their mating, would bite the nape of the other to prevent escape or retaliation… Wasn’t this pure beastly behavior? Poor Uncle Su, being targeted by such a wild thing!

After a moment’s thought, Luo Yu tentatively asked, “Um, cough, so you… like Uncle Su?”

The man nodded with solemn dignity. “He is very beautiful. I am pleased with him.”

Uncle Su’s face flushed crimson, and he murmured in a voice as soft as a mosquito’s, “You… beast… shameless… absurd… indecent…”

Luo Yu couldn’t help glancing over at Uncle Su: black hair cascading like silk, a beautiful face like jade, usually so dignified yet exuding a refined scholarly grace. Now, injured and half-reclining in the beast’s arms, those phoenix eyes—usually so commanding—were half-lidded, adding a delicate, fragile beauty reminiscent of a sick Xi Shi… Truly, there was something to it.

Luo Yu stammered, “Since you like Uncle Su, you shouldn’t force him… You should cultivate feelings properly…”

The man’s expression darkened. “As for coupling, desire arises, act is done, and then it’s over. Why complicate things?”

Luo Yu was appalled: Truly, a beast without the slightest restraint! No wonder humans despised them—what other disgraceful acts had they committed?

He hurriedly said, “He’s injured and needs to rest. Would you not regret it if something happened to him? Think about it—why do humans value ‘mutual affection’? Because, well, if both sides are willing, it’s… uh, much better! More harmonious! Higher state of being! You’ve only ever known physical pleasure before, but if it’s mutual, you can enjoy both soul and body together… um, do you understand?”

Luo Yu stumbled over his words, deeply conflicted within: Why was he discussing such matters with a beast in front of so many people?

The man listened, looked down at the person in his arms, and after a moment’s thought, furrowed his brow. “Is this truly so?”

Luo Yu nodded vigorously. “I swear I’m not lying! Why else do humans seek compatible partners?”

The man was tempted. “Perhaps it is worth a try. If it truly brings supreme bliss, I shall thank you yet.”

Luo Yu breathed a sigh of relief and said awkwardly, “Then… perhaps you could put your clothes back on now…”

The onlookers watched this bizarre turn of events in stunned silence, exchanging glances, unable to speak. Was this sacrificing Uncle Su to save everyone, or just a stopgap? In this gathering, Uncle Su held the highest status, yet even he was powerless; the rest, no matter how many, were no match for a swipe of the beast’s wing. For now, as long as the beast didn’t cause trouble, everything else could wait until Elder Ning and the Sect Master awoke.

And so, under Luo Yu’s mediation, the crisis was inexplicably resolved, though the aftereffects were far from minor.

After transforming into human form, Qiongqi did not revert. He followed the group coolly to the Bamboo Grove Pavilion and plopped himself down on the edge of Uncle Su’s bed, refusing to budge—like a dog guarding its bone, wary and vigilant. Anyone who dared approach Uncle Su was met with a fierce glare, quickly wearing out Uncle Su’s patience.

That night, Qin Yue and Luo Yu stayed at the Bamboo Grove Pavilion and were fortunate enough to enjoy the sect’s most luxurious guest rooms.

Later, Luo Yu, in high spirits, slipped out to the courtyard, stowed away his celestial robe, and with a splash, dove naked and pink-bottomed into the hot spring.

The night sky was clear, the deep blue dome studded with brilliant stars, the Milky Way stretching across the horizon—particularly vivid at the turn of summer and autumn.

Luo Yu lounged against the smooth jade rim of the pool, half-closing his eyes, enjoying the curling steam and purple bamboo, sipping spiritual wine from a bamboo tray floating on the surface—utterly content.

“Twinkle, twinkle, little star, how I wonder what you are… up above the world so high, like a diamond in the sky…” he hummed, unable to restrain himself for a while. His singing soon lured Qin Yue out.

Qin Yue glanced at Luo Yu’s round shoulders just above the water, said nothing, and began to undress.

Luo Yu craned his neck, eyes glued to the beautiful man as he slowly shed his robe, revealing a chest as pale as jade. Luo Yu grinned foolishly, biting his lip with excitement: Though not as muscular as the wild beast, there was a subtle, refined elegance—any more would be too sturdy, any less too delicate… Ah, truly worthy to be my wife, what a blessing! Those legs—long, smooth, perfectly shaped… How I wish to touch… Why leave the underwear on? Take it all off!

He cheered himself on inwardly, but alas, the other party was oblivious and stopped there before slipping into the water.

Luo Yu watched with greedy eyes as his beloved approached, itching inside: Could he seize this opportunity to finally make a move?

He’d had this thought many times. Since their relationship was established, Luo Yu found himself increasingly fascinated by Qin Yue’s backside, sometimes reaching out to grope, only to be swatted away.

He’d even considered taking the initiative—pouncing and catching Qin Yue off guard—but every attempt inexplicably ended with him losing the upper hand. The closest call left his waist sore and teeth marks behind, at which point, in desperation, Luo Yu called a halt. Qin Yue’s face darkened, and he threatened sternly: “Never again.”

Now, Luo Yu was thoroughly excited. The atmosphere was perfect—how romantic would it be to make love right here? In the water! In a hot spring! Everyone said it was wonderful… Such a rare chance! Should he go for it or not?

He hesitated, burning with desire but lacking courage: What if he lost control again? Would the beautiful scenery at least have some distracting effect? Maybe Qin Yue was already swayed by the romantic setting—why else would he come over undressed? He knew precisely what Luo Yu wanted; this had to be a hint! How reserved you are, my dear!

Qin Yue had already settled nearby, leaning against the jade edge, tilting his head back to reveal a graceful neck and alluring collarbone, eyes closed in total surrender.

Luo Yu’s blood rushed to his head, his legs trembling with excitement. He sidled closer, heart pounding.

Cautiously, he reached out and brushed his hand over Qin Yue’s chest. Seeing no reaction, his confidence grew. He swallowed nervously, not wanting to startle him—after all, the feel of that skin was so entrancing, magnetic even, impossible to let go.

Luo Yu’s hand slid from chest to lower abdomen, then waist, then back, and his head followed, nuzzling Qin Yue’s neck, trailing kisses down to his chest, finally stopping at a small dark spot.

He remembered this was a mysterious weak point, one at which he had suffered defeat before—if he attacked here, Qin Yue would be unable to resist. Without hesitation, Luo Yu extended his little pink tongue and licked. Qin Yue, unable to withstand it, let out a sigh that was half relief, half suppressed moan. The sound sent a jolt through Luo Yu, who immediately pressed up against Qin Yue’s thigh.

With a shiver, Luo Yu retreated—his beloved hadn’t fully surrendered yet, and the preparations weren’t complete. He mustn’t rush it! Patience, patience!

Fearing a sudden reversal, Luo Yu hurriedly pounced, biting Qin Yue’s lips gently, his tongue swirling within. The beauty beneath him, displeased, slapped his bottom in warning. Chastened, Luo Yu slowed down, delicately tracing the contours of Qin Yue’s lips until he felt his body relax, then ventured between his teeth.

The hot spring water rippled, steam swirling, two figures—one large, one small—entwined, lips and tongues chasing, intimate and playful.

Luo Yu tried his best to deepen the kiss, wanting to leave Qin Yue breathless. But his tongue was too small, and he fell short of his imagined prowess. At last, Qin Yue grew impatient, responding with increasing vigor. Luo Yu soon found himself overwhelmed, just as he considered retreating for breath, strong arms seized him, pinning him tight.

He let out a series of soft, feline whimpers as his world flipped, and in the blink of an eye, the tables were turned—he was pressed against the edge of the spring, utterly vanquished by Qin Yue’s passionate kiss.

In a daze, Luo Yu thought: Failed again…? Wasn’t it going well at first… How did it end up like this…

Qin Yue, looming over him, kissed him fiercely, a hint of a sly smile at his lips: This time, he would not let go. Since Luo Yu had so foolishly offered himself up, how could he resist?

Author’s note: Please leave a long comment… T.T
It’s so empty on the right… T.T
Fellow Cultivators’ Chronicle 85—Fellow Cultivators’ Chronicle full free reading—85, Couple’s Bath updated!