By the time Ye Tian arrived, the great He Bang was in the middle of eating her demon beast buns. Ye Tian sat down beside Rong Chen Zi, pulled out her handkerchief intending to wipe away his sweat, but in the end lost her nerve. She simply handed the handkerchief to him instead: “Senior Brother, you’ve spent half the night looking for her, and you must be exhausted. Let’s head back and rest.”

Rong Chen Zi accepted the handkerchief and gave a small nod: “Wait until she’s done eating.”

Ye Tian pursed her lips: “The problem is, is there an end to her eating?”

Rong Chen Zi finally gave this problem some thought as well. He patted He Bang on the head: “Let the attendant wrap up your demon beast buns and eat them when we get back, shall we?”

He Bang wasn’t actually hungry to begin with — she was purely craving — and upon hearing this she was agreeably sensible: “Alright then!” While the attendant was wrapping up the buns, she found something else to do. “Zhiguan, I’m thirsty.”

Rong Chen Zi had not yet responded when the attendant spoke up first. Having spotted that Rong Chen Zi was generous with his spending, he pushed the most expensive item: “We have the most authentic Yuyu wine right here, most suited for ladies to drink — would this young lady like to try some?”

Rong Chen Zi frowned slightly: “No drinking wine.”

The great He Bang was not the sort to be told what to do. She immediately asked the attendant: “Is it good?”

The attendant would say nothing else: “Naturally. Yuyu wine is a secret recipe from the late Empress Liu Song — smooth and fragrant on the palate. It’s our famous nectar and jade liquor right here!”

He Bang immediately turned on Rong Chen Zi with sparkling eyes: “Zhiguan~”

The final note carried three turns, and Rong Chen Zi shook his head with a sigh: “One flask of Yuyu wine.”

The attendant was delighted: “Right away! Please wait just a moment!”

Ye Tian’s eyes blazed: “Senior Brother! You can’t keep indulging her like this!”

But that river clam was all smiles, and suddenly lunged into Rong Chen Zi’s arms. Without warning, she cupped his chin in both hands and planted a firm smacking kiss on him. Rong Chen Zi had no time to dodge, and his face immediately flushed slightly: “Stop fooling around!”

But his voice carried three parts sternness and seven parts indulgence — how could there be even half a part of actual authority in it?

Ye Tian could only stomp her foot.

A moment later, the wine arrived. The great He Bang found the whole thing very novel — this creature had been living in rivers and seas for so long, she had never drunk wine before. She took the translucent, thin-walled white wine flask from the attendant’s tray and gulped down half a flask in one go, the same as drinking water.

Rong Chen Zi quickly grabbed it away: “Slow down.”

The attendant was full of anticipation: “And how does this young lady find the taste?”

That river clam smacked her lips for a moment. Her face, white as jade, bloomed with a three-month peach blossom, and her eyes resembled a lake where spring tides rose and fell: “Erm… I couldn’t quite tell.” She leaned against Rong Chen Zi, her voice dropping to a near murmur, “Zhiguan, let’s go back. I’m sleepy.”

Rong Chen Zi gave a quiet assent and was just about to rise when the creature toppled forward into his arms entirely — she had been floored by the wine.

He was both amused and exasperated: “Well then, we have ourselves a drunk river clam.”

That river clam’s burning hot face was pressing against his chest. She was already muddled with drink, but upon hearing the key words, she still paid attention: “Drunk… is drunk river clam tasty…”

Rong Chen Zi patted her on the head. Seeing her drunk as a dew-drenched begonia, even this principled and upright gentleman finally stirred with a trace of tender feeling.

Ye Tian had never seen that kind of expression before. It was utterly unlike the gentle warmth he had always shown her. Rong Chen Zi walked ahead carrying He Bang while Ye Tian tightly clenched her fists, her fingernails pressing into her palms.

Upon arriving at the Qiuyun Courtyard, Qingsu and Qing Ling had already returned first. Seeing the situation, they immediately prepared a fragrant bath and also had a hangover remedy on hand. Rong Chen Zi sent them off to sleep. He Bang was in such a state of drunkenness that he simply could not rest easy leaving her alone, and disregarding Ye Tian’s attempts to intercede, he carried her straight into his own room.

After rushing around for the better part of the night, Rong Chen Zi truly had some measure of weariness upon him, yet he still washed this river clam clean first. Fearing she might feel stifled inside her shell, he shifted her back to human form and settled her on the bed. Then he ran himself a bath as well, carefully washing away a day’s worth of dust and grime.

By the time all was said and done, it was nearly the fourth watch.

He lay down beside He Bang. That river clam wound herself around him like a water snake, her whole person draping itself over him. In a dazed murmur she said: “Zhiguan, I want to sleep with you!”

Rong Chen Zi took her right hand in his left and let her lie against his chest: “Mm.”

He Bang shifted her hands and examined Rong Chen Zi nose to nose. He was born with a high nose bridge and deep-set eyes, his face somewhat lean. She studied him for quite some time, then suddenly leaned forward and gently licked him — from the tip of his nose up the bridge of his nose to his forehead. Rong Chen Zi closed his eyes slightly. That small tongue was as nimble as a cat’s, and the placid stillness of his heart suddenly gave rise to a faint ripple.

But he quickly composed himself and steadied his mind, keeping his spirit secure. She had drunk too much — doing anything now would not be good for her.

The great He Bang was thoroughly dazed, with only one thought in her head — He smells so good, I really want to bite him a little… This creature drooled another half a catty’s worth: “Zhiguan, you smell so good. Even better than green onion braised sea cucumber…”

Rong Chen Zi was both amused and exasperated: “Are lotus root powder balls good, or is green onion braised sea cucumber good?”

He Bang answered without hesitation: “Sea cucumber!!”

Rong Chen Zi stroked her head: “Boundless Buddha, has this poor Daoist finally managed to defeat lotus root powder balls?”

Thinking of it this way, he sighed again. If one green onion braised sea cucumber were to run up against ninety-eight lotus root powder balls, it would probably still lose…

The next day, Elder Liu did indeed come calling in person. He was already past sixty, but his spirit was hale and vigorous, and his salt-and-pepper beard lent him a distinguished air of wisdom. When people reach a certain age, they are always particularly afraid of death. This Elder Liu was no exception. His heart was set on learning some immortal arts, and he had on several occasions proposed honoring Rong Chen Zi as his master teacher — all of which Rong Chen Zi had declined on the grounds that he was not a member of the Daoist order.

One had to give this Elder Liu credit for his resourcefulness — he had actually come up with a rather cunning scheme.

Meeting Rong Chen Zi in the Qiuyun Courtyard, this Elder Liu’s eyes crinkled with smile lines at the corners: “This old man has failed in guiding my subordinates, and today I have committed a great offense!!”

Rong Chen Zi was still dressed in his white Daoist robes, properly attired, his manner composed and serene: “May infinite blessings arise. Your Excellency speaks too seriously.”

Elder Liu laughed heartily: “A Reverend of such magnanimity surely will not lower himself to be troubled by a mere household servant.” He linked arms with Rong Chen Zi as they walked, offering repeated apologies — he was amiable to the extreme. Rong Chen Zi naturally had no reason to take offense at a servant’s behavior, and did not dwell on the matter.

The group entered the Liu Mansion. Ye Tian and Second Senior Brother Zhuang Shaoqin had both spent a period of time in the Imperial Palace, and now felt that while these pavilions and garden towers were beautiful enough, they lacked a certain natural and innate nobility — nothing more than that. But that great He Bang had no familiarity with buildings on land, and walked along looking left and right the whole way, finding everything fresh and novel.

Elder Liu had his calculations, and first led Rong Chen Zi to be introduced to the inner household. The old Lady Liu in the household saw that he was born with the quality of gold and the appearance of jade, and that his every word and action was humble, upright, and principled. She already felt a degree of fondness toward him in her heart, but still privately discussed the matter with Elder Liu: “My son, I have only heard of this person’s abilities secondhand. This old woman is not at ease until I see them with my own eyes. We cannot afford to bring regret upon our granddaughter.”

Elder Liu naturally wanted to set his mother’s mind at ease: “This is not difficult. A few days ago, the Reverend Master Jiye came wandering through this area and is lodging at Xuanhan Temple. Tomorrow I will have someone invite him here to exchange a few techniques with Zhiguan Rong, to test his abilities — it will also set Mother’s heart at rest.”

A pleased expression immediately appeared on Lady Liu’s face: “My son has given this most careful thought. Very well then.”

Rong Chen Zi and his companions were settled in the Chenxiang Garden — a quiet and restful place. Rong Chen Zi occupied the main courtyard, while Ye Tian and He Bang’s rooms were connected to each other — a well-intentioned arrangement, so the two could look out for one another. But Elder Liu was a sharp and perceptive man through and through. He could see plainly enough how special both these young women’s relationships with Rong Chen Zi were.

This was using a cat to restrain a dog — the two women would watch each other, and neither would be able to slip away to meet with Rong Chen Zi in secret. He Bang had initially been unwilling, but being a guest here after all, and after Rong Chen Zi had spoken a basketful of gentle words to coax her, she was finally appeased.

When evening arrived, everyone had their meal and retired one after another. Ye Tian took the outer room — also as a way of keeping an eye on this He Bang. It would also prevent another incident of her going missing and making Rong Chen Zi run around searching for her again.

The October night was utterly still and quiet, a bright moon hanging high above the treetops, clear and luminous in all directions. Rong Chen Zi lay on his side in bed, clad only in his white inner garment, covered with a quilt. Suddenly, from outside the door came the sound of light, nimble footsteps. With his keen hearing, Rong Chen Zi immediately turned and sat up. With a flip of his wrist, the sword that had been under his pillow was already in his hand.

By all rights, the Liu Mansion should have been extremely safe. So who was it? Was that mischievous He Bang alright? What about Junior Sister Ye Tian?

He furrowed his thick brows and rolled over to feign sleep.

The door latch was lifted, and someone peeked into the room, letting out a small self-satisfied giggle. Rong Chen Zi’s tensed muscles suddenly relaxed. His grip on the sword hilt under the pillow slowly loosened, and his voice carried reproach mixed with helpless resignation: “Misbehaving again — it will look improper if the hosts see you tomorrow.”

That great He Bang dove headfirst into his blankets. The deep of October already carried a slight chill, and she had gone barefoot and was wearing only a thin garment — her body cool and smooth as silk.

Rong Chen Zi paused slightly, then gently drew her close: “Put on more clothes when you come out like this.” He reached down and felt her feet. “And no shoes on again!”

He Bang demanded shamelessly from within his arms: “I want to sleep together with you!!”

Rong Chen Zi tried to pull her out, but she refused to budge. Instead, she went rogue and stripped off her own clothing: “You old rascal, if you drag me out of here I’ll wake the entire Liu household!”

Rong Chen Zi was both amused and exasperated. When he touched her skin it felt as warm and smooth as spring water. He swallowed several times before finally speaking: “Put your clothes back on.”

The great He Bang was still rolling about: “I want to sleep right here!”

The moonlight was like scattered silver. On the bed, her skin shone like snow and her hair fell like spilled ink. Rong Chen Zi picked up the thin garment she had thrown aside and held it out to her: “Put it on first.”

That river clam, seeing that he was truly going to send her away, conceded a fraction: “How about… I’ll let you touch my feet, and in return you let me sleep here, alright?”

Rong Chen Zi was both amused and at a loss. She proceeded to genuinely stretch out those dainty little feet of hers: “Touch away, I’m going to sleep!”

Rong Chen Zi had not yet said a word when she decisively lay down on the bed and fell asleep, clutching half the quilt. Those small feet rested on his knees. Rong Chen Zi let out a quiet sigh, and after a long moment reached out to touch the injury that had been left from the day before. The injury had healed quickly — now, touching it with his hand alone, there was no sign of anything unusual at all.

His fingertips traced over that inch upon inch of tender skin. Before long, a strange and difficult-to-endure itch stirred in his heart.

That river clam had already drifted into a light sleep when a heavy body suddenly pressed down upon her. She was roused from her sleep and naturally pushed back: “Old Daoist, you’re so annoying!”

In the dim light, Rong Chen Zi reached out and touched that skin as white as jade. Though he and this river clam had shared physical closeness on several occasions, he had never seen the curves beneath her feathered garments. Even before tonight, he had never once imagined what this body of hers actually looked like.

He reached out his hand, breathing heavily, his fingertips roaming over the snow-soft skin — so smooth it was utterly unlike a man’s roughness. He Bang reached down and felt a certain thing surging with fierce agitation, and nearly cried out: “You’re at it again!!”

Rong Chen Zi was not willing either. His breathing grew increasingly ragged, the veins at his temples pulsing violently: “Next time you must never…” The demanding presence below suddenly swelled in fury and charged forward. His breath grew heavy and turbid. “…undress yourself like this!”

He Bang twisted and turned, uncooperative. Her constitution was exceptionally delicate, and she was most averse to foreign intrusions. On ordinary days, a single grain of river sand that seeped in accidentally would prompt her to secrete nacre to coat it — so what about something of such magnitude as this? Rong Chen Zi held her shoulders to keep her from squirming, and at his most passionate, he leaned down to place a light kiss on her forehead.

Burning lips pressed against her brow, his firm body rubbing against her tender, smooth one. As it went on, she gradually began to feel something different — the sensation was so strange that her breathing began to slowly lose its rhythm as well: “Rong Chen Zi…”

Rong Chen Zi naturally sensed her yielding to him. He slowed his pace and loved her tenderly, while at the same time feeling all the more keenly the closeness and warmth of her body against his.

This bout of intimacy lasted rather too long. He Bang’s constitution was far too delicate, and she could not withstand such depletion. Rong Chen Zi had no choice but to pause and regulate his breath, using his primordial essence to replenish her.

This creature draped herself around Rong Chen Zi as he worked away, wearing the contented expression of someone who had eaten their fill: “So it turns out this is actually quite fun — to think I never tried this with Chunyu Lin before…”

Rong Chen Zi’s demanding presence below jolted abruptly — and immediately veered off course…