Volume 1, Chapter 41: Sisters Bathing Together

"What are you going to do?"

"Sister Qinghan wants Shiyao to go wash up so I can join her for a meal later."

How could Li Shiyao possibly be in the mood to eat now? Her mind was filled with Sister Qinghan. She had clearly prepared everything, yet her sister still didn't want her to suffer.

Dongfang Jue looked at Li Shiyao with some surprise. Had this girl been in a fight? Why was she so filthy? Although Li Shiyao was a bit of a ditz, she had always maintained the image of a pure and holy saintess. However, having snuck out for several days, it was inevitable that she would be covered in dust.

In the kitchen, noticing that Dongfang Jue had followed Li Shiyao away, Ye Qinghan set down a barrier as she chopped vegetables.

"Master, your disciple has a question that has been puzzling me, and I hope you can enlighten me."

"Hmm? Speak."

*[Is it about Li Shiyao? Could it be that even Qinghan doesn't know what’s wrong with her?]*

"I was chatting with Dongfang Jue earlier, and she mentioned that you bestowed two Primordial Treasures upon me. Knowing that everything you bestow is no ordinary item, I did not respond."

*[She recognizes Primordial Treasures? How is that possible?]*

*[The Ling-Shuang Sword and the sword box have both undergone transformation; they should be impossible to identify!]*

*[Is it some method or magical artifact I'm unaware of?]*

"Did she say anything else?"

"To prevent any slip of the tongue, I did not converse with her further after that."

"You did well. Keep the matter of the Primordial Treasures to yourself; this is certainly not something to boast about or show off."

"Disciple will remember. What about Dongfang Jue?"

*[If that's the case, I cannot leave Dongfang Jue be. At the very least, I must find out how many people know about this.]*

*[If the world finds out I possess Primordial Treasures, it won't be a matter that just two lives—mine and Qinghan's—can resolve.]*

*[When the time comes, if they want to condemn me, they will find a pretext; possession alone is a death sentence.]*

*[To be safe, I must carve a spatial anchor onto Qinghan. It is the only way to ensure her safety.]*

The rhythmic thumping of the knife stopped abruptly, then resumed. Ye Qinghan had heard a new term. A spatial anchor? What was that? Carve it onto herself?

Su Cheng’s mind was in turmoil, yet his hands continued to stir-fry the food with practiced ease.

*[But how do I tell Qinghan? Should I say, "Be a good girl, take off your clothes, and let Master carve a few words on you"?]*

*[With Qinghan’s temperament, wouldn't she fight me to the death?]*

Huh? Master, you actually judge a fox demon’s heart by the standard of a gentleman? Fight to the death?

If Master wishes, this disciple will start taking them off right now! I’m only afraid that it would be Master fighting me to the death!

*[No, no. I should first probe Dongfang Jue to see how much she knows.]*

*[If she truly threatens Qinghan, then I cannot let her leave.]*

Ye Qinghan turned her head to look at her master’s back. At this moment, she only wanted to take off her clothes and offer herself to him. Even in his heart, Master never considered himself, only his disciple.

"Qinghan, don't overthink it. Eat first; I will handle everything."

*[This fox head is probably letting her imagination run wild again.]*

Ye Qinghan stared blankly at her master, listening to him call her a "fox head."

"Okay."

The Lingxian Palace was lively for the first time. Su Cheng had cooked several dishes. With nothing else to do and unable to cultivate, he simply spent his time practicing calligraphy and learning to cook.

"Where are they?" Su Cheng looked at the empty courtyard, feeling dazed.

*[The Lingxian Palace has a protective mechanism; without the jade pendant, it's impossible to enter or leave without a sound.]*

"Qinghan, go find them and tell them to come eat."

Before long, Ye Qinghan found the two outside the Spirit Pool Palace, though Li Shiyao was still a mess; her white dress looked like camouflage gear.

"Didn't I tell you to go wash up? Why are you standing at the door?"

"Shiyao didn't know which one was the Spirit Pool Palace."

"Didn't I point it out to you earlier? This is it."

"But..."

Ye Qinghan didn't intend to let this filthy little ditz sit at the table with her master, so she dragged Li Shiyao into the Spirit Pool Palace. Dongfang Jue had nothing better to do, so she tagged along.

"Take off your clothes!"

"Uh..."

"Come on, come on, I'll join you."

Having helped in the kitchen, Ye Qinghan was covered in cooking fumes. Since she was already here, she thought she might as well bathe. If possible, she wanted to be fragrant when she next approached her master; he would surely like her more that way.

"Sister, Shiyao is shy..."

Oh, so you're shy? Then Sister Qinghan will help you take them off.

"Don't squirm. Look at how self-aware Dongfang Jue is!"

Beside them, Dongfang Jue had already stripped and was waiting...

After some effort, Ye Qinghan finally got Li Shiyao stripped, and both Ye Qinghan and Dongfang Jue couldn't help but gasp in admiration. Ye Qinghan considered her own figure to be top-