Chapter 145: This Play

Chapter 145: This Act

Longque missed its strike, but seeing Sisi’s disheveled state seemed to satisfy it, and it snorted before lying back down.

Let you talk about my thing—now you can taste it yourself.

Zhao Changhe had instinctively saved her, and now stood dumbfounded, glancing at Longque settling back, then down at Sisi’s upside-down form in the water, his mind filled with ellipses.

That sensation just now… hmm…

“Splash!”

Sisi’s head emerged, glaring at Zhao Changhe with fury.

He studied her face; even after being submerged, there was no sign of her disguise peeling off—her skill was truly impressive. But her summer clothes weren’t as resilient; soaked through, everything was visible. The little bellyband was quite cute, surrounded by pale, tender skin, now heaving with indignation, a pleasing sight.

Seeing her glare, Zhao Changhe found it almost amusing. Why hadn’t she been so fierce when they were kissing earlier? Was it because the spot was different?

“What are you glaring at me for? I saved you, didn’t I? Or would you rather have taken Longque’s hit?”

Sisi gritted her teeth. “Taking Longque’s hit would still be better than taking Longque’s hit.”

“…Hearing your words is like hearing your words.” Zhao Changhe replied with a chuckle.

In any case, he felt this girl was quite open, and her current demeanor was all an act. Now, sharing a bath with her in this narrow tub, any man would feel his thoughts wandering. Since she seemed so unreserved, why hold back? He reached out and pulled her close. “Since we’re already playing in the water like mandarin ducks, how about giving me a hug?”

In the cramped tub, there was no escape. Sisi was helplessly embraced, grinding her teeth as her mind raced.

The script of the innocent maid should have shifted slightly when Tang Buqi gave her to him—flattering her new master, offering a little resistance to his advances, keeping him intrigued but unsatisfied, then using opportunities to pry for information. That would have been the proper approach.

But that wretched knife had ruined everything, fast-forwarding the script straight to this intimate bath. Now, any master would pull her close; how many gentlemen would toss her out? So, how should she play this?

Sisi finally made up her mind. Her tense body softened, and she leaned into his embrace, resting gently against Zhao Changhe’s chest, murmuring softly, “Sisi is already your woman, sir. Serving you is only natural…”

Her earlier boldness hadn’t fazed him much, but this simple, tender line stirred something in Zhao Changhe.

That allure, that shy, soft tone, and replacing “master” with “sir”—Zhao Changhe dared say few could resist it.

Sensing his reaction, she let out a light, teasing laugh. “But I’ve only been with you for less than half a day, sir… I know my master is a hero, skilled in martial arts for only a short time yet already at the fifth level of the Profound Barrier, ranking high on the Hidden Dragon List. Surely you wouldn’t be so eager to devour a maid you’ve just met… The heroic master I imagine isn’t like that…”

Zhao Changhe smiled. “Then what should he be like?”

Sisi shot him a glance that was both reproachful and coy, then whispered, “At least let us get to know each other a little more, for the sake of romance… Sisi will be yours eventually, sir. Why the rush?”

Seeing Zhao Changhe about to speak, she raised a finger to his lips, then leaned in to gently kiss his earlobe, her breath like orchid. “Let Sisi first attend to your bath, sir…”

With that, her delicate hands began to slowly rub his body, truly washing away his grime.

Zhao Changhe went limp, leaning back against the tub’s edge, saying nothing.

Even knowing it was all an act, he couldn’t help but think: if only he had a maid like this—every man would want one…

But alas, it was all false.

Her next words only highlighted the pretense: “Sir…”

“Hmm?”

“That blade, Longque—why does it attack on its own? Is there truly such a sentient weapon in the world?”

“Yes, there are many, not just it.” Zhao Changhe added a bit of praise for Longque: “Of course, one as formidable as Longque is rare.”

Longque: “…”

“Then…” Sisi continued rubbing him, her voice low. “Is it because of Longque that you’ve grown so strong in such a short time, sir?”

Zhao Changhe sighed.

So that was it.

This girl had approached him—and earlier tried to control him—because she found his progress inexplicable. That night, when he was learning the Acupoint Shifting Technique, she might have seen him from a distance outside the window, finding it even more unbelievable. He had just obtained that technique from the Maitreya Sect’s secret vault and mastered it the same day—no normal person could do that with just a manual. There had to be a secret.

She was probably too far away to see the golden foil’s role, so she could only guess. Initially, she thought to use the Bliss Technique’s effects to control him while he was still a novice, digging out all his secrets. But that plan was ruined. Now, she was attributing everything to Longque, assuming it was all connected.

That was likely the whole story. Whether she was at the Maitreya Sect or the Tang family, her real purpose had nothing to do with him—they just happened to cross paths.

He could also tell that this girl didn’t have much information. Anyone slightly knowledgeable, even Tang Buqi, would recognize the name Longque, but she didn’t. She had no idea what Longque signified or what it could do.

She was definitely not a girl from a powerful background. Why was she so desperate, crawling and scraping like this? He had thought she might be connected to the Thieves’ Guild, but her lack of knowledge didn’t fit.

Perhaps… he should find a chance to ask Ji Chengkong; he might know something.

These thoughts ran through his mind, but on the surface, he only paused briefly before Sisi heard him say, “Longque is indeed extraordinary and very important to me. But…”

Sisi pricked up her ears, expecting him to take the chance to touch where he shouldn’t, ready to endure it. Instead, Zhao Changhe didn’t make any move. He sighed. “Sisi, you’ve trained in martial arts too, haven’t you?”

Sisi knew she couldn’t deny it, so she said, “A little.”

“If you’ve trained, you should know that there’s only one path that suits you best… Did you notice my morning practice? I had many other blade and sword intents, once dazzled by them, but now I’ve gradually let them go, keeping only what fits me. Tang Buqi’s Azure Wave Sword is a fine blade, but I’d find it a burden if given to me—that’s the principle. So your keen interest in a broadsword like Longque is pointless. Why not tell me what you practice, and I might offer some advice?”

Sisi couldn’t help but lean back a few inches, looking up into his eyes.

Zhao Changhe’s gaze was earnest.

Sisi pursed her lips, then turned her head away with a sniff. “Poor little maid like me doesn’t have the luxury of choosing from all kinds of sword and blade intents like you, sir. I just ask when I see something nice…”

This was a clear evasion of the topic about her own training. Zhao Changhe stared at her for a moment, knowing it wasn’t yet time for them to reveal their cards. He didn’t press further, only saying, “I need to continue exploring the Blood Fiend’s secrets this afternoon. Do you still want to follow?”

Sisi hesitated for a moment, then gritted her teeth. “If you could tell me why you think someone else might be tainted by the fiend, then… then Sisi could serve you more…”

“No need.” Zhao Changhe cut her off directly, rising from the tub. “This is just a guess for now; I don’t want to say more and risk being wrong. I’m only waiting for Ji Chengkong’s reply. Once I have that one piece of judgment, I’ll tell you everything—what’s so great about that? Do I need to use this to tease you for some cheap thrills? You’re my maid. If there’s something between us, we can speak openly. Why scheme over a little pleasure?”

Sisi stared blankly at his back as he dried himself and dressed, biting her lower lip, long silent.