The Azure Wave’s Embrace

Ji Xue’s voice didn’t register in Lin Mo’s mind; all he could hear was the violent drumming of his own heart.

Gulp—

That single swallow was like a boulder plunging into a deep pool, unleashing a tempest in Lin Mo’s soul.

It wasn’t just the shock of being caught off guard, but the liquid that flowed down his throat—cool, with a strange, sweet scent of herbs. It slid down his esophagus like a scalding stream, yet the moment it hit his stomach, it ignited a raging fire!

“Ugh!”

Lin Mo let out a muffled grunt, instinctively clutching his lower abdomen as cold sweat instantly beaded on his forehead.

His dantian was being violently battered and boiled by this sudden, overwhelming medicinal power!

The spiritual energy that had accumulated to its limit in his dantian felt as if a red-hot iron had been plunged into it, churning and vibrating violently. Each surge brought an indescribable searing heat that spread through his meridians.

The Azure Wave Spirit Gathering Pill! Its power had begun!

What was worse, accompanying the burning sensation of the rampaging spiritual energy, was an entirely different, yet equally torrential, numbing current that spread wildly from the depths of his dantian. It was like countless tiny fire ants gnawing and crawling through his blood vessels, between his bones, and under his skin, rushing straight to his head!

Lin Mo’s vision blurred, the tips of his ears burned, and his limbs felt as if they were steeped in warm honey, soft and numb. Yet, the searing heat grew clearer and more unbearable, finally coalescing into a sharp, primal, almost sanity-destroying craving!

An aroma, mixed with the unique sweet scent of a young woman and her body heat, rushed towards him. The fragrance was pure yet subtle, drilling into Lin Mo’s nostrils.

Even more fatal was Ji Xue’s appearance at this moment. Her silk nightgown was as thin as a cicada’s wing, and in the faint moonlight filtering through the window, it offered almost no concealment.

The fiery red of her dudou was clearly outlined, its full, rising and falling contours faintly visible beneath the thin gauze, creating a breathtaking curve. The white shorts clinging to her skin below were equally visible, together forming a harmless yet lethal torrent of temptation.

Inhaling the maiden’s fragrance, Lin Mo continuously closed the distance to Ji Xue. This close-up visual stimulation, intertwined with the lingering, seductive scent, became the most violent catalyst, instantly turning Lin Mo into a beast!

He completely lost his reason!

He!

Actually!

Grabbed Ji Xue!

“You, you, what’s wrong with you?!” Ji Xue was suddenly embraced by Lin Mo, her mind instantly thrown into chaos!

Since childhood, she had never been so intimate with anyone but her mother!

Lin Mo’s embrace looked rough, yet his movements were surprisingly gentle, as if he were afraid of hurting her.

Just moments ago, his expression and gaze had been so terrifying, like a beast wanting to devour her alive, but now he seemed like a docile little animal.

She wanted to push Lin Mo away, but the warmth and touch of being held tightly in his arms somehow made it so that Ji Xue couldn’t find the strength to do so, reluctant to retreat.

It had been a long, long time since she’d been held like this. The last time was more than a decade ago…

Though it wasn’t the same person, though it wasn’t her mother, Ji Xue felt a sense of familiarity.

Her teacher’s earnest teachings echoed in her ears.

‘As an Imperial Princess, you do not need such weakness!’

‘Emotions will only make you weak!’

‘Emotions will only leave you vulnerable!’

‘Your Highness, please remember, born into the royal family, you no longer have a choice.’

But Ji Xue just couldn’t help it.

Perhaps this was the reason she was always criticized as an unqualified princess…

She couldn’t completely sever her emotions, couldn’t turn herself into an unfeeling block of wood, couldn’t use everything around her, couldn’t view everything around her through the lens of profit.

What Lin Mo had done for her, on the surface, was for money, but in reality, she knew clearly that standing up for her, teaching her the small tricks of the Qi Condensation stage—Lin Mo had shown his true heart.

It was the lowliest, yet also the most precious thing.

Though she didn’t know why Lin Mo was hugging her, hadn’t she failed to thank him properly before? Verbal thanks were the lightest; she needed something more significant.

As a noble Imperial Princess, she shouldn’t be like this.

But who told her she had a broad heart?

‘This precious body is yours for the taking!’

‘This Imperial Princess will let you hug me as much as you want today! Hug me for as long as you like!’

‘You should be grateful to me, Lin Wan’er!’

‘This is a reward for an excellent subordinate like you! Right! It’s a reward, definitely not because I want to be hugged too, right?’

Ji Xue argued with herself internally, not knowing who she was trying to convince.

She seemed a bit greedy, a bit unsatisfied.

His breathing grew more ragged as he drew closer to the side of Ji Xue’s neck, seeming to be looking for something.

Though it was a bit embarrassing, Ji Xue roughly guessed what he was smelling. It must be her sachet!

After all, the herbs in her sachet were worth a fortune! Not only did they not clash and ruin the scent, but they complemented each other, making the fragrance richer, more fragrant, and long-lasting. It would never be annoying, but fresh and elegant, making one feel refreshed and happy…?!

Lin Mo! He… he wasn’t just smelling!

Those hands were not behaving at all! Like a piece of white paper being crumpled at will, the crimson blush on her face completely spread across the soft white paper.

The thick layer of fat couldn’t hide the scalding heat that surged to her cheeks.

Beneath the heavy makeup, a deep blush bloomed like a rose, spreading layer by layer to the tips of her ears.

‘Oh… oh! I get it!’

‘Right… right!’

‘Even girls shouldn’t be like this, right?’

‘Besides, our relationship isn’t that good, is it?’

Ji Xue had heard that when girls were close, they would check each other’s physical development, but… but this wasn’t checking, was it?

‘Oh! I know!’

‘It must be envy! Mad envy! Coveting this Imperial Princess’s proud assets, yet unable to obtain them!’

‘So, this… this… hiss, it must be… uh-huh~ a crude outburst of sour grapes!’

‘It’s the malicious act of destroying what you can’t have!’

‘Yes! That must be it!’

‘Hmph, hmph, hmph, hmph! Lin Wan’er, Lin Wan’er! You have your day too!’

“Lin Wan’er~” Ji Xue’s voice was filled with triumph, as if she had caught Lin Mo’s weakness.

But Lin Mo suddenly recoiled like a startled cat! He propped himself up, his face filled with terror!

‘Ha!’

‘This fellow must have realized his behavior was improper~ Look! That terrified expression! He’s probably already thinking about the consequences of offending the royal family~’

‘Normally—beheading!’

‘No discussion!’

‘But~ not only is she Lin Mo’s superior now, but their relationship is also much closer!’

‘She still needs to win Lin Mo over, to make him completely her subordinate.’

“I know you’re envious~ I know you desire it~ Though it’s not possible now, my royal family has a secret method, enough for you to obtain a size as proud as mine! I know you desire it now, so tonight, I’ll indulge you!” Ji Xue laughed.

‘Speaking of which, the royal family generally has to show its magnanimity, right? How to show it?’

Ji Xue’s understanding was simple and crude.

She directly tore off her dudou, displaying her assets completely before Lin Mo’s eyes!

To let Lin Mo know just how rich the rewards would be after pledging allegiance to her!

With a quick rip!

The fluttering red dudou slowly landed, and Lin Mo’s gaze gradually shifted from terror to a daze.

‘Hmph~ Shocked by my magnanimity, right!’

‘Let this Imperial Princess—’

‘Huh? What’s this? Why are Lin Wan’er’s pants so strange?’

‘Oh!’

‘Again!’

Remembering the farce with the cucumber, she instantly became a little annoyed.

‘Trying to scare me with this trick again?’

‘I’m telling you! Lin Wan’er, this Imperial Princess will not make the same mistake twice! Quickly put away your scary toy—’

‘Huh…?’

‘How…’

‘Eh?’

‘Eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh eh?!’

At this moment, Ji Xue’s expression completely collapsed, leaving only… terror!

‘A real one…?’

As her mind went blank, she suddenly felt a liquid drip onto her cheek.

Viscous, warm, and faintly red…

‘Blood…?’

She looked at Lin Mo’s face. At this moment, his mouth was full of unstoppable fresh blood.

“Quick… quick…” Lin Mo forced out words through gritted teeth.

“Hit… hit… me…”

Blue veins bulged, covering his forehead.

And the terrified Ji Xue never would have expected… Lin Wan’er… was actually… a man?!