Soon, the fabric slipped from Dai Chengfeng's fingertips.
Liu Erlong's upper garment slid completely off her shoulders, following the lush contours of her body.
The pale black silk pooled at her elbows, revealing a vast expanse of skin as luminous as white jade.
Morning light filtered through the curtain gap, slanting precisely across the peak of that full, proud curve—gilding it with a faint golden halo that made the heart race and eyes burn.
Liu Erlong's breath hitched—but she held her languid, reclining pose, even lifting her chin slightly.
Her sidelong glance held three parts reproach, seven parts indulgence—and deep beneath, a flicker of unspoken anticipation.
"A woman in her thirties is like a wolf; in her forties, like a tiger…" Dai Chengfeng mused inwardly, watching her. "The ancients truly spoke no falsehood."
His fingers traced her rounded shoulder, drifting slowly downward, leaving a trail of tiny tremors in their wake.
"Is this what you call 'just looking'?"
Liu Erlong finally broke her silence—her voice even huskier than before.
Though her words sounded like an accusation, she didn't move, allowing his hand to roam freely over her skin.
"It is looking," Dai Chengfeng murmured, leaning closer until his breath brushed her ear, "and also… touching."
Before the last word faded, he lowered his head, pressing a kiss to the neck he'd just caressed.
Not hard—but unmistakably warm, damp, intimate.
Liu Erlong shivered faintly. Her hand, resting loosely on the silk quilt, curled inward, gripping the smooth brocade.
She closed her eyes. Long lashes cast delicate shadows on her cheeks, trembling slightly.
Dai Chengfeng's lips trailed along her swan-like neck, descending toward softer, fuller terrain.
"Mm…"
A soft, involuntary sound escaped her throat. At last, she raised her hand—not to push him away, but to rest weakly on his nape, fingertips sinking unconsciously into the roots of his short hair.
"Heh~"
Dai Chengfeng chuckled lowly. His kiss deepened; his touch grew bolder.
Inside the bed curtains, the air thickened with dim, sensual warmth—only the quiet sounds of skin meeting skin remained.
Just as Liu Erlong's mind began to blur with pleasure, Dai Chengfeng suddenly stopped.
He lifted his head—lips curving into a mischievous smile.
Propping himself up under her dazed, questioning gaze, he reached into his inner robe, rummaged briefly—and pulled out a small object, no larger than a palm.
It was smooth and rounded, neither quite jade nor rubber, its surface flawlessly polished. Within, faint golden veins pulsed like living capillaries, radiating a subtle yet pure energy fluctuation.
The haze in Liu Erlong's eyes vanished instantly—replaced by clear irritation. A flush bloomed across her cheeks, whether from anger or shame, even she couldn't say.
"Dai! Cheng! Feng!"
She nearly spat his name through clenched teeth, reaching to snatch it away. "Why are you pulling that thing out again?! Put it away!"
"Didn't we agree—just once?"
But Dai Chengfeng was quicker. He twisted his wrist, evading her grasp, and held the warm little object up, waving it teasingly before her face. His grin widened—equal parts coaxing and shameless.
"Erlong, last time was last time. This time, we're just… testing its effects."
"Look—this Soul-Warming Jade Marrow is rare. It nourishes meridians, soothes turbulent soul power—it's perfect for your post-training recovery."
"I went to great lengths to find even this small piece… and carved it into this shape myself, just for you…"
"For what?!"
Liu Erlong's fury flared. Her phoenix eyes widened, fixed on the jade-colored trinket.
It was so obviously… so clearly…
"Your mind is filled with nothing but these perverse tricks all day!"
Fuming, she yanked the fallen quilt toward herself, trying to cover up—refusing to look at his smug, triumphant face any longer.
But Dai Chengfeng caught her wrist—gentle yet unyielding.
He leaned in closer, forehead nearly touching hers, voice softening into a boyish lilt laced with deliberate coquetry:
"Erlong… my good Erlong… just try it once?"
"I promise—it's purely for therapeutic nourishment. No harm at all. Weren't you suffering from soul power instability due to the Asura Force lately?"
"This will soothe you perfectly."
As he spoke, his thumb stroked the sensitive inner curve of her wrist—skin there paper-thin, hypersensitive.
In his other hand, the "Soul-Warming Jade Marrow" seemed to pulse slightly as he channeled a thread of soul power into it. The golden veins within glowed faintly brighter, emitting a gentle, comforting warmth.
Liu Erlong was utterly worn down by his persistence.
He always knew exactly how to corner her.
"You…"
She turned her face away, avoiding his blazing gaze. Her chest rose and fell—the crimson sleep dress now half-slipped off her shoulders.
Biting her lip, she finally let out a tiny, almost inaudible hum from her nose:
"This time…"
"…How do you even use it?"
That was enough concession.
Dai Chengfeng's eyes lit up. "Simple—just infuse a trace of soul power…"
Liu Erlong stiffened almost imperceptibly.
Without another word, Dai Chengfeng carefully channeled a gentle stream of soul power into the jade marrow. The golden patterns within brightened softly, radiating a soothing, non-scalding warmth.
"Mm…"
Liu Erlong's body tensed sharply. "Dai Chengfeng! Th-this isn't right…"
Her face burned crimson. She tried to push his hand away—but her limbs felt strangely weak.
"Don't move," Dai Chengfeng murmured, pinning her restless hand with quiet authority. His voice dropped, calming. "Relax…"
"D-Dai… Chengfeng… t-take it… away…"
Her voice trembled, edged with pleading. Her phoenix eyes shimmered with moisture—her usual sharpness melted into endless spring water, rippling with vulnerability that made one's soul sway.
Dai Chengfeng's gaze darkened like midnight. His breathing grew heavier.
He didn't remove the jade marrow. Instead, he lowered his head and captured her trembling lips, swallowing her whimpers and protests whole.
This kiss was nothing like his earlier teasing—now it carried undeniable possession.
"Mmph…"
Liu Erlong surrendered completely.
At some point, the troublesome crimson sleep dress had been stripped to her waist, the quilt kicked to the foot of the bed.
Morning light brightened further, spilling golden threads through the curtains, cascading over the woman's flawless form—bathing every curve in a glow both sacred and seductive.
Sweat-damp hair clung to her neck; her snow-white skin flushed peach-pink. Every line of her body trembled and bloomed in the dawn light.
Seeing her like this, Dai Chengfeng's eyes softened with tender amusement. He nuzzled her damp forehead. "Alright, I won't tease you anymore."
"Up you go—I'll take you to the bathhouse for a soak."
Liu Erlong was too boneless to move even a finger. At his words, she only let out a vague, breathy hum from her throat—her silent assent.
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