Chapter 102 Beauty in the Bath
Pushing open the side door behind the main hall that led to the bathhouse, a wave of damp, humid, and misty vapor, accompanied by an alluring fragrance, rushed forward.
The light inside was hazy and soft; several fist-sized glowing crystals were embedded in the dome and walls, emitting faint halos of light that, filtering through the rising mist, refracted an ambiguous and romantic atmosphere.
The floor of the bathhouse was paved with a single massive piece of warm jade, shaped like a blooming lotus. The running water in the pool was drawn from an underground Spiritual Vein hot spring, clear enough to see the bottom. Petals and several kinds of calming Spiritual Plant floated on the surface, swaying gently with the ripples of the water.
At this moment, the most eye-catching sight in the bathhouse was undoubtedly the graceful silhouette already submerged in the water.
The beauty in the pool had her dark hair tied up, yet a few mischievous strands, dampened by the steam, clung to her slender, fair neck and beautiful shoulder blades.
She seemed unaware of Xiao Ming's arrival, leaning forward slightly, extending her jade-like arms. Her fingertips gently toyed with the petals on the water's surface, and the water trickled down the smooth curves of her back, disappearing beneath her slender waist, which was slightly submerged in the pool.
Surrounded by swirling mist, her bare back glowed with the delicate, warm luster of ivory. Her shoulders were rounded, her waist slender and fragile, and further down, the breathtaking, full curves appeared faintly in the ripples, like a jade-colored lotus bud blooming quietly in the water, revealing extreme temptation amidst purity.
The water rippled gently, occasionally causing strings of crystal-clear droplets to roll down, adding a touch of vivid allure.
Xiao Ming walked silently, standing by the door to quietly admire this scene—an accidental beauty that surpassed anything intentional. The fire within him, which had slightly subsided, quietly reignited and threatened to burn even more intensely.
His Adam's apple bobbed, but he was in no rush to speak, merely slowly untying his outer robe.
The slight rustling sound eventually alerted the person in the pool.
Mo Qingzhu's fingertips, which had been toying with the petals, paused slightly. She did not turn back immediately, but the previously relaxed lines of her shoulders and neck tightened imperceptibly for a moment, and her earlobes quickly flushed with a faint pink hue.
Maintaining her leaning posture, her voice was softer and sweeter than usual, heavy with the humid mist: "Saint, you have finally arrived; Qingzhu has been waiting for so long!"
Xiao Ming tossed his outer robe onto the jade rack nearby, wearing only a thin undergarment, and paced to the edge of the pool.
Looking down at the beauty in the pool, he could take in the beautiful curves from her back to her waist and hips, and even see the hazy and moving scenery beneath the water.
Xiao Ming crouched down slowly, reached into the pool, and scooped up a handful of warm water, letting it flow through his fingers and sprinkle onto her smooth back.
"Oh, then this Saint must properly reward my Qingzhu!" His voice was low, a wicked smile playing on his face, as his fingertips traced the path of the water droplets, gently stroking her slightly cool skin.
"Mmm..." Mo Qingzhu's delicate body couldn't help but soften, letting out a faint, soul-stirring nasal sound.
She finally turned her head slowly, looking up at Xiao Ming.
Her pretty face, flushed by the steam, was movingly radiant, and tiny droplets clung to her long eyelashes as she said softly: "Qingzhu will serve the Saint in his bath..."
With that, she rose gracefully from the pool.
The warm water slid down her jade-like skin, outlining breathtaking curves.
She stepped onto the jade stairs in the pool, bringing with her an aura of mist and faint fragrance, leaning slightly in front of Xiao Ming.
The swirling mist blurred the boundaries, making the beautiful scenery close at hand even more impactful.
She lowered her eyelids, her long lashes trembling, hiding the shyness and deep-seated eagerness in her eyes.
Her soft hands, slightly damp and warm, rested gently on the collar of Xiao Ming's undergarment.
Her movements were very light, and as her fingertips undid the fastenings, they inevitably brushed against Xiao Ming's solid chest.
Each unintentional touch made her eyes burn a little hotter.
The undergarment slipped off, revealing his well-defined, smooth-lined chest and firm waist and abdomen.
Looking at the man before her whom she was so obsessed with, Mo Qingzhu's movements became increasingly gentle. The entire process was quiet and focused, with only their gradually deepening breathing intertwining in the mist.
Finally, there were no more barriers.
Xiao Ming stepped into the pool, and the warm spring water instantly enveloped him. He narrowed his eyes in enjoyment, stretching out his limbs.
Mo Qingzhu also re-entered the water, swimming obediently behind him.
She took a soft towel from the side, dipped it in the warm pool water, and began to wipe his shoulders and back.
At first, her movements were proper and her strength was excellent, earnestly cleaning every inch of Xiao Ming's skin, like a maid serving her master in the bath.
But the good times did not last long; Mo Qingzhu's movements, from some unknown point, quietly changed in meaning.
The soft towel that had been used for proper wiping had long since been discarded to the side.
Replacing it were her cool, yet exceptionally soft fingertips.
Her fingertips, sometimes heavy and sometimes light, lingered everywhere, sending waves of numbing electric currents.
Her breath, gently spraying against the back of Xiao Ming's neck, was warm and humid, merging with the rising mist in the pool.
What was most lethal was that Mo Qingzhu's pair of stunningly straight and slender jade legs quietly changed position in the water.
The warm pool water rippled from her subtle movements, and the side of her jade-white legs brushed against the back of Xiao Ming's knees and his outer thighs, now and then... The slippery sensation was clearly transmitted through the water, carrying amazing elasticity and a hint of tantalizing coolness.
Amidst the rippling water, one could vaguely see that long, straight jade leg, its lines so smooth and perfect that it resembled a work of art carved by the heavens. Every inch of skin, under the reflection of the misty steam and the water's light, radiated a luster that tempted one to sink into it.
Xiao Ming was made to burn with wicked fire by her bold and lingering teasing, his breathing involuntarily deepening, his chest rising and falling slightly.
His Adam's apple rolled, and just as he was about to make a move, he heard Mo Qingzhu behind him let out a soft moan, filled with some restraint and languidness. Pressing against his back, she said coquettishly: "Mmm-hmm... Saint..."
Her voice was coquettish to the bone, as if it could melt one away: "Qingzhu's legs... for some reason, feel a bit weak and sore..." With that, she looked up at Xiao Ming with a pitiful expression.
Upon hearing this, how could Xiao Ming not understand what this girl was thinking?
A wicked smile curled at the corners of his mouth, and he turned around abruptly.
Water splashed with a loud sound.
With a sweep of his arms, he lifted Mo Qingzhu's damp, slippery, and soft body entirely out of the water.
He laughed wickedly: "Alright, then this Saint will personally 'examine' you and give you a proper 'treatment'."
Carrying her, Xiao Ming took a few steps to the side of the pool, to the wide and flat warm jade platform, and set her down gently, letting her sit with her back against the cool jade wall.
Those long jade legs, which made one's blood rush, remained mostly submerged in the clear, warm spring water, appearing even more dazzlingly white. Droplets of water rolled slowly down her taut, delicate skin, tracing graceful arcs before disappearing beneath the rippling surface.
And on the jade platform, there was no longer any concealment; the peaks and the hidden valley, the beautiful scenery was completely exposed. In the hazy light of the hall, it shone with a moist and alluring pearlescent luster, intertwining with the misty vapor to form a stunning picture with immense visual impact.