Chapter 205: Touched

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

"I don't know how to tell you now, but you'll know in the future," Ye Mo said awkwardly.

Ning Qingxue relaxed, wondering if it was related to cultivation. She didn't press him when he seemed unwilling to elaborate; her curiosity was dulled by the many strange experiences she'd already endured.

After eating, Ye Mo packed up and asked Ning Qingxue, "Shall we leave today or tomorrow?"

Ning Qingxue hesitated. Seeing that Ye Mo genuinely sought her opinion, however, she felt pleased, even content to stay.

"Tomorrow night?" Ning Qingxue considered the nighttime forest trek, still finding the prospect frightening. She wanted to avoid repeating that experience.

Ye Mo nodded. "Okay, let's leave tomorrow morning."

He noticed her lingering apprehension and asked hesitantly, "How did you know I fell off the cliff? Were you scared when you came?"

Ning Qingxue nodded. "I was terrified for days, but after you taught me to cultivate, the fear subsided."

"Give me your hand," Ye Mo said, extending his hand.

Ning Qingxue nodded, stepped closer, and offered her hand.

Ye Mo took her hand, sensing lingering fear that gradually dissipated as he dispelled the remaining Yin energy. He breathed a sigh of relief. Even without his intervention, she would have overcome it through continued cultivation, but removing it provided him with greater peace of mind.

"You're incredibly brave. This place is full of hidden dangers. I don't know how you even got here," Ye Mo said, still concerned.

Ning Qingxue recounted her telescope sighting, her return to Ning Hai, and the attack she suffered en route.

Ye Mo frowned. The horrifying scream at the sky ditch? The unseen coldness? He'd never encountered anything like it. The world held far more unknowns than he'd realized.

He thought of Ning Qingxue, a young woman facing such horrors and venturing back into the Shen Nong Jia, and felt a surge of warmth. Most women wouldn't dare, let alone wander the forest alone at night.

Touched, Ye Mo hugged Ning Qingxue. "Qingxue," he murmured. Without her, he might not have awakened.

Cleansed by Ye Mo's chi, Ning Qingxue felt languid and comfortable. She relaxed in his arms, content to remain there indefinitely.

After a while, remembering Su Jingwen's bracelet, she said, "I took three beads. Could you make some replacements for her?"

Ye Mo stroked Ning Qingxue's hair and readily agreed. While ineffective against masters, the beads offered protection against ordinary attacks. Moreover, his skill had improved since he'd made the originals at Stage 1; now, at Stage 3, his creations would be far stronger.

Satisfied, Ning Qingxue enjoyed the peace and safety of Ye Mo's embrace, falling silent.

After some time, Ye Mo sensed she was asleep. He retrieved a folding bed, laid her on it, covered her with his jacket, and left the tent.

He used high-quality jade to craft a bracelet for Su Jingwen, employing twelve beads. His improved financial circumstances allowed for superior materials; the defensive capabilities far surpassed the original.

He then used remaining dark jade and Deep Sea Button Wood to create a necklace with potent evil-repelling properties. Though he wasn't afraid of evil spirits, even without his spirit sense, Ning Qingxue remained vulnerable. Fortunately, he hadn't left his protective box behind; otherwise, she might not have survived.

Dawn hadn't yet broken when he finished. Seeing Ning Qingxue fast asleep, he didn't disturb her. The past few days had been intensely stressful; she needed rest.

Ye Mo ventured out to search for the Spirit Sensing Stone and the Thousand Year Lotus Seed Heart Mo Kang had mentioned, but his search proved fruitless. He couldn't find anything.

However, he doubted Mo Kang's veracity. Perhaps his descent from the cliff hadn't taken the correct route; there appeared to be alternative paths.

...

Morning found Ning Qingxue refreshed. She awoke to find herself on a bed, covered by Ye Mo's jacket. Touched, she then worried about Luo Ying. If Ye Mo found her, would he disappear again?

Then, she thought of her aunt, and then the fact that Ye Mo had been in the tent with her. She quickly dismissed the thought; Ye Mo hadn't harmed her. He was a man of principle. Perhaps she admired that very trait.

Recalling Chi Wanqing's pursuit of education in England, and her grandmother's advice to pursue happiness, Ning Qingxue felt a dawning understanding.

"You're awake. Let's eat and—" Ye Mo entered the tent, then paused. The morning light illuminated Ning Qingxue, highlighting her beauty. Her loose hair framed her face, accentuating her allure.

Stunned by her beauty, Ye Mo stared. Embarrassed, Ning Qingxue looked down. She'd feared his arrival, yet deep down, she'd longed for his embrace.

Ye Mo gently gathered her into his arms. Ning Qingxue nestled close, her heart pounding. Her thoughts raced; she felt overwhelmed.

She could feel her rapid heartbeat; she wondered if he could hear it too, struggling to regain control, but her heart wouldn't obey.

Ye Mo certainly felt it, though he didn't understand the cause. She grew warm and soft in his arms. Even without experience, he understood what was happening. Her alluring scent filled the air, and the heat intensified, pushing him to the brink.

Ning Qingxue heard his ragged breathing, her heart pounding even faster. She tried to pull away, but lacked the strength. In the end, she clung to his waist. If he acted, she wouldn't object. She was his wife, regardless of whether the union was real or not.

Feeling her move closer, Ye Mo focused, exhaling slowly. Before finding Luo Ying, he couldn't do anything that might betray her.

"Qingxue, I made this last night. Take it to Jingwen," Ye Mo said, producing the bracelet, diffusing the tension.

Ning Qingxue felt relieved and grateful, yet a faint disappointment lingered. She couldn't quite explain her feelings. His shift in topic allowed her to quickly compose herself, sit up, smooth her hair, and accept the bracelet.

"It's exquisite," she exclaimed, forgetting their near intimacy.

Subconsciously, she glanced at his hand—only the bracelet. A slight disappointment flickered; he'd given her nothing.

She quickly adjusted her mood, examining the bracelet. Jingwen will adore this, she thought. It possessed a subtle aura of serenity.

"This is for you," Ye Mo said, presenting a necklace. "Let me help you put it on."

Ning Qingxue swiftly put away the bracelet, cradling the necklace. Her earlier thoughts shamed her. Of course Ye Mo had something for her! The protective box was a gift, even if unacknowledged.

"It's beautiful..." She counted fifty-two jade beads. This necklace far surpassed the bracelet in quality and beauty. The necklace felt comfortable and serene. "Ye Mo, thank you... This is the most beautiful gift I've ever received," she exclaimed, rushing into his arms again.

Ye Mo's recently quelled desire reignited. He looked down, seeing the glimpse of her cleavage. He couldn't resist reaching out.