Volume 1, Chapter 38: Alone Together

Most of the time, a woman’s interest in a man begins with curiosity. The more mysterious and powerful a man is, the more he tugs at her heartstrings. And the more a woman seeks to understand him, the more easily she is drawn to his virtues.

Xu Ziyao had been captivated by Ye Tian’s profound martial arts skills from the moment they met. Coming from the prestigious Xu family, her standards were naturally high. She had certainly seen her share of talented martial artists, but she rarely had the opportunity to interact with men of such caliber. A man as exceptional as Ye Tian was something she had never encountered before. The various capabilities Ye Tian displayed had, without her realizing it, sent ripples through the tranquil lake of her heart. Furthermore, his generosity in teaching her the Kunming Fist only deepened this inexplicable sense of affinity.

Her greatest curiosity now lay in the origins of Ye Tian’s exquisite martial arts and techniques. It did not seem like the level of skill a young practitioner should possess. How had he managed to master his techniques to such a degree? To make matters more incredible, he was also proficient in medicine and alchemy. How could such a genius exist in this world? Where did he find the time to learn so many things? To be so young and yet possess such a vast, high-level mastery of diverse arts—it was simply illogical!

This curiosity drove Xu Ziyao, causing her to unconsciously track Ye Tian’s every move. Ye Tian noticed the change in her attitude, but he paid it little mind. Since he had committed to teaching her the Kunming Fist, he intended to do it properly; he couldn't allow her to train incorrectly and suffer an accident later. Consequently, he became even more diligent and thorough in his instruction.

Xu Ziyao set aside her distracting thoughts and began to focus on learning. She knew that such an opportunity was rare and not to be squandered. Guided by Ye Tian, her movements became increasingly precise and fluid. As the training deepened, she gradually found the rhythm of the Kunming Fist, as if she were merging with the very essence of the technique. Her strikes grew fiercer and more powerful, each movement accompanied by the whistling of the wind. Even the ground beneath her feet seemed to tremble in response to her vigorous efforts. Beads of sweat broke out on her forehead like broken strings of pearls, trailing down her fair, flushed cheeks before vanishing into the dry earth. Her loose clothing was soon soaked through, clinging to her frame and leaving nothing to the imagination regarding her toned, athletic figure.

Her waist was slender yet radiated strength, appearing to hold boundless energy in a single span. The muscular contours of her abdomen were faintly visible beneath her clothes, like a meticulously carved work of art, showcasing resilience and vitality. Her long, sturdy legs displayed elegant curves with every kick—a masterpiece of nature, radiating a captivating charm, with every stretch unleashing an explosive force. Ye Tian could not help but be drawn to her spirited posture.

Unnoticed, night fell like a great black curtain, shrouding Dragon Head Mountain. Xu Ziyao stopped, looking up at the ink-black sky, feeling a twinge of annoyance. She had been so engrossed in her practice that she had completely lost track of time. She had come for her grandfather’s sake, intending to verify if Ye Tian was truly the miracle doctor his reputation suggested. If he possessed the skill, she would find a way to bring him to the Xu family. If he were a fraud... but that seemed impossible now. A man with such profound martial arts would have no need to boast about his medical skills. Now, she only needed to consider how to invite him to her home.

However, it was late, and the mountain paths were rugged and dangerous. Attempting to descend now would be foolish and perilous. Xu Ziyao sighed in frustration; it seemed she would have to spend the night in this thatched cottage.

"Dinner is ready!"

While Xu Ziyao was lost in thought, Ye Tian had already prepared their meal. The ingredients had been carefully selected; while they appeared to be local mountain delicacies, they were actually the result of significant effort by the Li family to procure them. Such a constant supply of rare mountain goods was no simple feat.

Xu Ziyao ate with gusto, feeling deeply satisfied. She mused that the trip had been well worth it—not only had she learned a new martial art, but she had also enjoyed a full experience of mountain life. The beautiful scenery and delicious food only deepened her positive feelings toward Ye Tian.

After dinner came the time for rest. There was no electricity in the mountains, so their schedule followed the ancient rhythm of rising with the sun and sleeping when it set. In the pitch-black mountains, there was little else to do.

Xu Ziyao walked into the cottage’s only bedroom with a sense of unease. There was only one bed. This was not entirely surprising, as a man living alone would have no need for extra furniture. It wasn't as if the Li family had conspired to put her in this position; no one had expected her to stay the night, and she had brought no camping gear.

"You can sleep on my bed," Ye Tian said, gesturing casually to the only bed in the room.

A crimson flush spread across Xu Ziyao’s face, but her feminine reserve quickly brought her to her senses. *This is impossible! Even if there is only one bed... how can I sleep with him?*

She looked at him with instant vigilance. "You aren't harboring any ulterior motives, are you? Trying to sleep with me? I... I’m telling you, that is absolutely out of the question! We only just met today!"

While Ye Tian didn't look like a sanctimonious hypocrite, who could truly fathom the mind of a strange man? Xu Ziyao might not be a legendary beauty, but she was certainly striking in her own right. If Ye Tian had malicious intent, her virtue would be as fragile as a candle in the wind. She could not agree to this.

Ye Tian was left both amused and exasperated. He rolled his eyes helplessly. "Are you overthinking this? I swear to heaven, I have no such intentions. I’m used to meditating at night and don't sleep in the bed anyway. If you don't want to use it, sleep on the floor. It makes no difference to me."

Hearing this, the flush on Xu Ziyao’s face only deepened. She persisted, "Hmph, who knows if you’re telling the truth? Maybe you’re plotting something, waiting for me to fall asleep..."

Ye Tian quickly interrupted, "Stop dramatizing. I may not be a model of moral perfection, but I’m not low enough to take advantage of someone in such a situation. Besides, with your temper, I’d be worried about you kicking me off the bed in the middle of the night."

Xu Ziyao turned bright red. Was she truly just being self-absorbed? She glared at him. "I’ll believe you for now, but don't you dare try anything tonight! If I catch you doing anything improper, I won't go easy on you!"

Ye Tian shook his head wearily. "My dear lady, I have no interest in you. Just sleep in peace; you have to head back early tomorrow."

With that, Ye Tian turned and walked out of the cottage, leaving Xu Ziyao alone in the room.