Section 89: Terms of Exchange

Since Miss Cai has already forgiven Young Master Blue Ice, does Young Master Blue Ice have anything else to teach us? Single Yuanxi coughed and gave Blue Ice a warning look. Staring so openly at a young lady was exceedingly rude.
Although Miss Cai has forgiven me, I still feel indebted to her. May I ask Miss Cai to grant me a chance to make amends? I should like to invite Miss Cai to go out with me. Blue Ice hastily withdrew his gaze. His purpose could not, under any circumstances, be noticed by these people.
Cai'er? Single Yuanxi looked to Ouxinlai, still leaving the choice to her.
All right. Ouxinlai had already eaten her fill and was just thinking of going out for a walk to help herself digest.
Then please, Miss Cai. Blue Ice’s eyes lit up. He had known it all along: how could an ordinary woman like the one before him truly feel nothing for him? She had surely been pretending to be modest.
Let’s go. Ouxinlai glanced at Single Ziyao and gave her a small wink, signaling that she should not follow. She would handle what came next herself.
Though Single Ziyao was unwilling, she did not dare go against Ouxinlai’s wishes. She could only nod to show that she would not be coming along.
Blue Ice was greatly pleased by this. He was courting this woman, after all; if Single Ziyao came along too, standing between them like some great lantern, what would that amount to?
Ouxinlai and Blue Ice went out together, and the servant of the Single family hurriedly led out the white steed Ouxinlai had brought back the day before.
Ouxinlai took the reins. The white horse, very understanding, lowered itself so she could mount. Sitting on its back, she patted its head.
Though she had never ridden before, after yesterday’s experience Ouxinlai discovered that horseback riding was not difficult at all. In truth, she could already have mounted by herself with no trouble whatsoever.
But she had always been lazy, so she still let the white horse indulge her.
Seeing the way she got onto the horse, Blue Ice had long prepared himself, yet he still could not help but darken at the scene.
This horse had originally belonged to his master, so of course it was no common animal, but neither was it this human.
To think that such a spirited and intelligent horse should end up in the hands of someone like Ni Cai—what a waste.
A fine steed may exist, but sadly it has not met the one who can recognize its worth.
Perhaps he might find a way to ask Ni Cai for this horse in the future. Once it belonged to him, he would certainly treat it well.
The relationship between Ouxinlai and Blue Ice had not improved in the slightest, yet Blue Ice had already set his sights on her horse. Such presumptuous thoughts were truly unseemly.
Ouxinlai did not ride abreast with Blue Ice, but moved slightly ahead of him. The white horse walked at an unhurried pace, and whenever Ouxinlai wished to change direction, she would lightly touch its neck with her foot. So the horse’s path was certainly guided by her own will.
Miss Cai. Blue Ice drew in a breath. He felt that this endless silence would do nothing for their relationship, so he had to find a way to improve matters.
What is it? The scenery of the Vermilion Bird Kingdom was rather different from that of the Black Tortoise Kingdom. Gazing at the dazzling forests and sparkling lights all around, Ouxinlai had long since lost interest in Blue Ice.
Miss Cai, regarding my rashness yesterday, have you truly forgiven me? If not, I am willing to apologize to you again. Blue Ice found that when he faced Ouxinlai, his formerly glib tongue had suddenly grown clumsy.
If I say I’ve forgiven you, then I have forgiven you. Do you think I’m the sort of person who says one thing and means another? Ouxinlai raised a brow. Why did Blue Ice keep repeating the same few lines? Was he not tired of them?
A cough escaped Blue Ice. On the once-clear blue sky, pink petals suddenly began to drift down. They circled around Ouxinlai, fluttering endlessly. Then, from nowhere, a brilliantly colored butterfly appeared, beautiful beyond measure.
Those butterflies came in every hue imaginable: vivid red, bright blue, vivid green, and rich purple. More strangely still, their wings seemed coated in a luminous sheen.
As they beat their wings and rose, tiny glimmers scattered from those lovely wings, and under the sunlight they shone like shattered stars and diamonds, dazzlingly beautiful.
The butterflies seemed to recognize her, constantly circling around Ouxinlai. At that moment, she could truly be called the center around which all stars revolved. Everything beautiful turned about her alone.
Even though she now wore only an ordinary face, within such a lovely scene she had acquired a charm entirely her own.
Black Feather, who had been watching the spectacle with the attitude of a mere observer, suddenly froze. In the woman’s half-smiling eyes, there seemed to be a hidden vitality. Those pitch-black pupils were deeper than anything he had ever seen. Within those eyes there was truth, there was deceit, contempt, and arrogance as well.
Black Feather was startled. Could it be that this woman had already seen through the scheme between him and Blue Ice?
Impossible!
Blue Feather instinctively rejected that answer and no longer dared look at Ouxinlai too closely. He only concentrated on carrying out the task Blue Ice had given him.
Still, in Blue Ice’s eyes, even this side of Ouxinlai had become a beautiful sight. He nodded. So this woman was not as loathsome-looking as he had thought. In that case, all the better. One had to spend a lifetime facing the person one took in as a partner; if he could find her pleasing now, that would be the best outcome.
So this is your apology? Ouxinlai did not deny that the scene was beautiful and that Blue Ice had indeed put in considerable effort. Judging by it, his methods would surely work on most girls. Unfortunately, she happened to be one of the few who would not fall for such tricks.
Still, since Blue Ice had not drugged the flowers and butterflies, Ouxinlai felt a rare sense of ease looking at the lovely scene.
Thank you. I like it very much. She nodded at Blue Ice.
Blue Ice wilted. You... really like it? He could not see the slightest trace of joy or excitement on Ni Cai’s face.
Mm. Ouxinlai nodded. She truly did like it well enough. After all, she had not even spared a glance for the flowers Blue Ice had given her earlier. The reason she liked this scene was entirely because, this time, Blue Ice had genuinely been trying to please her without resorting to petty tricks that would only make her dislike him.
In that sense, Ouxinlai was actually rather easy to deal with.
Facing that beautiful scene, one man and one woman fell silent, while one horse and one serpent were likewise speechless.
The white horse lifted a hoof, wanting to nibble at the lovely petals. Their faint sweetness was rather pleasant. As for the little white serpent, it found the whole spectacle utterly boring. With its abilities, producing a sky full of brilliance would be child’s play.
Only, its powers had not yet fully recovered, so it would continue sleeping and cultivating.
Anything else interesting? Blue Ice intended to win her heart within a single day, so naturally he could not have prepared only this one thing.
Indeed, the programs that followed were quite varied. Ouxinlai stayed by Blue Ice’s side, playing her way through the day and even sampling all sorts of delicacies along the way. Time truly passed in pleasant ease.
By the time dusk was approaching, Ouxinlai had grown tired of playing and turned her bright, starry eyes to stare at Blue Ice without blinking.
Blue Ice felt his skin crawl under her gaze. He forced a weak smile. Why does Miss Cai look at me like that? Could it be that I have some problem?
Do you really want to save your master? Ouxinlai looked at him.
At her words, a spark flashed involuntarily in Blue Ice’s eyes. Is Miss Cai willing to lend a hand? Yet at the same time, another question arose in his heart: was Ouxinlai agreeing to help save his master because she liked him?
As long as you can do one thing for me, I can save your master. Of course, I have one condition as well. She nodded in reply.
All right. Whether it’s three things or three conditions, I agree to everything! Blue Ice felt he had been foolish. Right now, the most urgent matter was to get this woman to save his master. As for whether she liked him or not, there would be plenty of time later to prove it. Why was he so anxious?
Come with me. Ouxinlai gave the white horse’s belly a gentle nudge with her heel, and the horse, following her instructions, walked forward step by step. Blue Ice silently followed behind her, but as they went on, he began to sense that something was wrong. Ouxinlai was actually leading him toward a district of pleasure houses and brothels.
Go inside. Ouxinlai dismounted from the white horse and led the way into a brothel. Blue Ice frowned, but he could only follow wordlessly behind her into the fragrant establishment.
Miss Cai, what is your purpose in coming here? Is it that to save the master, you must obtain something from this place? If so, you need only tell me, and I will send others to fetch it. Why must you come in person? It is not good for a young lady’s reputation to come to a place like this.
He did not say the last sentence aloud.
Madam, if there are any new girls, bring them all up so I can choose. Ouxinlai called for the madam and said she wanted to pick a girl.
The madam had seen every sort of person under the sun. She only assumed that Ouxinlai was a playful young woman seeking excitement in a brothel. Such things had happened before, so she quickly accepted it.
After all, the customer with the money was king. So long as she paid, whether it was a man or a woman, she would do business without hesitation.
Soon the madam brought out a whole flock of coquettish young women, who stood alluringly before Ouxinlai and Blue Ice, displaying their charms. Most of their eyes, however, drifted toward Blue Ice. After all, a man as handsome as he was rather rare.
After glancing once, Ouxinlai chose one who seemed about right. You, step forward.
Yes, miss. The selected girl was overjoyed and stepped out from the crowd. Those not chosen could only feel disappointed as they left with the brothel’s attendants, heads lowered.
Aren’t you hoping I’ll save your master? I am very curious about the joining of man and woman. How about this: you and she consummate before my eyes, and then use whichever of the positions on this booklet you like. Then I will certainly save your master. What do you say? Ouxinlai tossed a thin booklet before Blue Ice.
Blue Ice had wanted a woman, had he not? Since lust had clouded his head, she did not mind satisfying him—and satisfying herself by finding him a woman to relieve his fire.
You may begin. Ouxinlai turned around and faced the large bed, indicating that Blue Ice and the woman could begin.
What do you mean by this? Blue Ice clenched his fists, for he had never encountered anything like this in his life.
Didn’t you already come to me prepared to sacrifice yourself? Since you do not mind sleeping with an ugly woman for the sake of saving your master, I’ve chosen one who is even better looking than I am to be your sacrifice. Isn’t that easier for you? You get what you want, and I get to see what I wanted to see. A win-win, isn’t it? Don’t try to act pure and innocent with me now. Hurry up.
After he had reached a small measure of mastery in balancing yin and yang, Ouxinlai had continued cultivating until today without breaking through.
According to the little white serpent, if she found a man to break her virginity, then by using dual cultivation and yin-yang balancing, she might be able to advance her yin-yang transformation by one level at once.
Ouxinlai did not mind losing her virginity. The problem was that she could not find a man she found pleasing enough to do it with. So she thought, perhaps it was not necessary for a man and woman to join physically in order to achieve the harmonizing of yin and yang. If she watched others make love, then stirred the tide of desire within herself and reached bodily fulfillment, might that also achieve the purpose of balancing yin and yang?
In any case, it was worth trying.
Blue Ice looked decent enough, not ugly, and the woman was also one of the more agreeable-looking ones in Ouxinlai’s eyes. Otherwise, she would never have bothered watching some man and woman copulate.
Stop staring at me. If you want to watch your master die, you may leave. Ouxinlai had an unyielding look on her face.
In truth, Ouxinlai did not think she was doing anything wrong, nor did she feel she was humiliating Blue Ice. Since Blue Ice had already decided to sacrifice himself for his master, what did it matter whom he slept with? In the end, he would still get the result he wanted. So what was there to be bashful about?
No regrets? Blue Ice could not deny that at first he had felt some resentment at having to take a woman like Ouxinlai. But he also knew that being able to think of such a method when facing her meant, from another angle, that he did not truly dislike her all that much.
It was just that Ouxinlai’s request dealt a severe blow to his pride, and so he glared at her with open fury.
Faster! Ouxinlai frowned, irritated by his indecision.
With gritted teeth, Blue Ice stepped forward, scooped the woman up, and carried her onto the bed. Then with a sweep of his hand, there came a ripping sound as the woman’s clothes fell away like shattered butterflies to the floor.
Blue Ice also stripped off his own clothes. Without any preliminaries, he thrust straight into the woman’s body. Though his roughness was a little much for her, she could not resist the fact that this man was far too handsome. So the woman hurriedly wrapped her arms around Blue Ice and relaxed her body to accommodate his movements.
The man on the bed began to move, and the sounds of passion between man and woman soon deepened into a more fervent rhythm.
Ouxinlai closed her eyes. Listening to the sounds of their union, she gradually felt something strange stir within her body. When her face flushed red and waves of heat began rising through her, she knew that she had already been aroused. She was very satisfied with this.
As the man and woman on the bed changed positions several times in their fevered embrace, the woman was so blissful she nearly swooned. Ouxinlai controlled her emotions, letting desire climb step by step until it reached a certain threshold. The warmth within her body deepened in turn. Then the yin-yang and eight-trigrams image seemingly hidden within her, black and white, suddenly began to turn.
Streams of clear energy poured into Ouxinlai’s body, blending with the warmth inside her to reach a certain balance point.
At last, a muffled groan escaped Ouxinlai’s lips, and the countless strands of spiritual energy in the air were drawn into her body. It was as though her body had become a vessel capable of absorbing spiritual energy, freely gathering it and expelling what was not needed.
With a thunderous surge, the eight-trigrams disc in her heart finally spun at high speed; the black and white colors turned into seven colors, and Ouxinlai exhaled a breath of turbid air. This method really worked!
The little white serpent had of course been watching Ouxinlai’s condition all along, and it had never expected her method to be truly effective. It shook its little snake head. Indeed, this art was destined for Ouxinlai. Who else had her talent, or such a flexible mind?
Enough. Having achieved her purpose, Ouxinlai opened her eyes and said indifferently.
Whether Blue Ice on the bed was hearing things or not, he felt that Ouxinlai’s voice now carried a touch more clarity and freshness than before. You say enough, but I have not yet had enough, he said coldly.
Ouxinlai nodded. I have seen enough. If you have not had enough, then continue. I’ll wait outside. When you’re finished, you may go see your master. She failed to catch that Blue Ice was taking his anger out on her. She assumed only that he was too heated to stop himself; men, after all, were understandable.
When Blue Ice saw that Ouxinlai truly stood up and was about to leave the room with utter composure, he clenched his teeth, withdrew from the woman’s body without the slightest hesitation, dressed himself, and strode over. Come with me!
Blue Ice knew that everything that had just happened must already have been seen by Black Feather. He only knew that he was furious now, so furious he wanted to smash something. As for why he felt this way, he had yet to figure it out.