Supreme God Emperor - V1C12
Chapter 12
Naked in the Bathing Bucket
At night, Patriarch Qin arrived with the four types of medicinal materials. The sight of them being loaded onto four carriages nearly left Mu Yun in shock. Was this some sort of joke? In his past life, the jasper spirit fruit, sapphire grass, liuhugo root, and blood prickly flower were exceptionally rare across countless vast worlds; how could they be so readily available in these three thousand smaller realms?
On the night of the full moon, the cold toxin in Qin Mengyao's body was set to strike. Tonight was the night of the full moon. Whether Mu Yun truly had a solution or was merely bluffing would soon be revealed.
Second Brother and other family members waited outside Mu Yun's courtyard, eager to witness what he could accomplish. Master Mo had hoped to observe Mu Yun’s techniques but was unceremoniously sent away.
In Mu Yun's courtyard, a large bathing bucket filled with clear water was heated by flames beneath it, causing the water to bubble. Mu Yun stood before the wooden barrel, holding various medicinal materials in both hands. On the opposite side, Qin Mengyao watched Mu Yun with uncertainty. Initially, she had believed that Mu Yun would use the four main ingredients to create a medicinal pill, but to her surprise, he was preparing a medicinal bath instead.
In terms of potency, a pill would usually be stronger than a bath. She had tried numerous pills before, all of which proved ineffective. Would Mu Yun’s medicated bath truly work?
Nevertheless, Mu Yun was indifferent to her thoughts. Although he had accepted the marriage contract proposed by his adoptive father the previous day, it didn't mean he was ready to marry the woman in front of him. The Qin family had chosen Qin Mengyao for the engagement largely because of her precarious health. If he managed to cure her and then proceeded with the marriage, the Qin family would undoubtedly see it as an immense favor, further strengthening ties between the Qin and Mu families.
"Get in!" Mu Yun instructed, watching as the water in the bucket changed color from the added ingredients. He turned to Qin Mengyao, who stood behind him.
"Alright!" she replied.
"Wait a moment!" Just as Qin Mengyao was about to step into the bucket, Mu Yun stopped her. "The medicinal bath needs to be in direct contact with your skin, so you'll have to take your clothes off!"
"What?" Qin Mengyao felt her face flush at Mu Yun's words. She had already faced a significant challenge by agreeing to let him treat her condition without witnesses, and now he was asking her to disrobe.
"You..." she began.
"What do you mean? Please understand, Miss Qin, this isn’t about your appearance. It's to help you, and we can even terminate our marriage contract without any issues. There’s no reason for us to be awkward about it! Otherwise, why would I be so invested in this?" he responded.
"You... fine! Mu Yun, whether you're pretending or genuinely skilled, I don’t know. If you can’t help me, you’ll regret it!" Qin Mengyao said, her frustration growing as she noticed Mu Yun's calm demeanor.
Over the years, since she was ten, every full moon brought about a painful outbreak of the toxin in her body. After enduring nine years of suffering, she was willing to grasp even the slightest chance of relief.
"Can you turn around?" she asked hesitantly.
"No!" Mu Yun replied firmly. "I’m a healer, and you’re my patient. You have to follow my instructions; if something goes wrong, it’s on you!"
Surprised by his assertiveness, Qin Mengyao bit her lip. She stepped into the bucket and began to remove her clothes, trying to focus on the task at hand and ignore the young man.
However, Mu Yun found it difficult to maintain his composure as he watched. The long skirt Qin Mengyao was wearing clung to her figure as it absorbed the water, revealing her curves.
Feeling the warmth of the medicinal water, Qin Mengyao gradually shed her clothing.
"And the veil too!" Mu Yun insisted.
"You..." With Mu Yun's unabashed comments, Qin Mengyao nearly lost her temper and considered jumping out to confront him. But then she thought, with everything else off, what was one last piece?
Taking a deep breath, she slowly removed the veil, revealing her face completely for the first time to Mu Yun. He was momentarily taken aback by what he saw.
The embarrassed crimson face, with a fairy-like jade complexion, sparkled like a spring blossom. Her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes hinted at a trace of bashfulness. Despite having been an immortal king for a few centuries in his previous life and encountering countless beauties, Mu Yun found his heart racing.
Such beauty was truly mesmerizing!
"Have you finished staring?" Qin Mengyao asked, feeling even more embarrassed under Mu Yun's gaze. This was her first experience standing before a man without any coverings. Although she was in a medicinal barrel, the herbs floating on top of the water did little to shield her modesty. Just a slight tilt of Mu Yun's head could reveal everything inside the barrel.
"No!" Mu Yun replied unabashedly, "A face so lovely shouldn’t be hidden beneath cloth every day—it’s such a waste!" He then took a step closer to the barrel.
"What are you doing?" she questioned.
"Healing, Miss!" Mu Yun said in a matter-of-fact tone, "Did you not notice that the water in this wooden barrel is bubbling? Yet you haven’t felt it at all?"
Indeed! Qin Mengyao was taken aback. In her earlier embarrassment, she hadn’t noticed the bubbling water at all.
"From now on, don’t speak; just do as I instruct!" Mu Yun continued, disregarding her shock as he positioned himself in front of the wooden barrel, various herbs in hand.
"I’m going to start adding the herbs now. If you feel too hot, just let me know!" With that, he began tossing different medicinal ingredients into the barrel.
Gradually, Qin Mengyao realized that while Mu Yun appeared to be adding the herbs at random, there was an underlying pattern she couldn’t quite decipher. Additionally, he would frequently immerse his hands in the water. Although the boiling water didn't seem to affect her, she observed that each time Mu Yun withdrew his hands, they were flushed and he was sweating.
"Hot!" she finally exclaimed after half an hour had passed and the water had just started to feel warm.
"Wow…" Mu Yun exhaled, stretching his waist. The chilling energy from the Ice Phoenix Soul was indeed potent. After half an hour of adding and replacing countless herbs, it was only now that Qin Mengyao felt the heat.
However, this is just the beginning!
"From this point forward, there won't be any changes until the full moon reaches its peak. However, when it does, the cold toxin within you will fully unleash. Just remember, this time, don't try to resist it with your true essence."
Hearing this, Qin Mengyao was indeed a little surprised. The cold poison in her body was strongest when the moon was full, and even Grandpa didn't know about it. How did Mu Yun know it?
Mu Yun said earnestly, "All you need to do is focus on the source of the cold air in your dantian. Try to use your true essence to blend with it. This process may be quite painful, and I can't assist you during this time. However, once you succeed, your cold poison will completely disappear, and the poison will be eliminated after a few similar immersions!"
"All right!" Nodding, Qin Mengyao smiled faintly. Gradually, the bright moon rose, and Qin Mengyao sat in the medicine barrel, looking a little nervous.
"ow… ow…" Qin Mengyao frowned with a muffled grunt.
It has begun. Mu Yun realized that the real cold poison had emerged!
The so-called "cold poison" was actually the overwhelming chill emanating from the Ice Phoenix spirit. Mu Yun didn’t know why Qin Mengyao had contained the Ice Phoenix spirit, but he was well aware of the spirit's immense power and terror. Given Qin Mengyao's current ability, she was unable to resist it.
The medicated bath he prepared was merely to counteract the cold air emanating from the Ice Phoenix spirit within her. However, if she failed to fully integrate with the Ice Phoenix spirit, the cold poison would continue to recur. Only by thoroughly merging with the spirit could she genuinely control its power and gradually uncover its capabilities. This was also the sole method to eliminate the cold toxin from Qin Mengyao's body entirely.
"Hold on!"
As Qin Mengyao's expression grew more agonized, Mu Yun found himself shouting in concern. Gradually, the boiling potion began to settle, and Qin Mengyao's beautiful face turned increasingly pale.
At that moment, Qin Mengyao felt an intense cold spreading through her body, as if she were trapped in a frigid world blanketed by snow. The relentless chill assaulted her, making her want to succumb to sleep, indifferent to everything around her. It seemed determined to overpower her will and erase her very essence.
Just when Qin Mengyao felt on the verge of giving up, a hand appeared in front of her, lifting her from despair. That hand filled her with warmth and comfort, rekindling her will to fight.
In an instant, Qin Mengyao awoke. She saw a massive phantom resembling an ice sculpture before her, igniting a fierce fighting spirit within her.
"You have tormented me for nine years. Today, you will submit to me!" she declared to the imposing figure, feeling an overwhelming surge of power within her. The ethereal hand continued to provide her strength, allowing her to stand firm against the phantom without fear!
A resonant hum filled the air.
Qin Mengyao sensed something shatter within her dantian, releasing an icy wave throughout her body. This time, however, the chill felt invigorating. The cold poison transformed from a source of pain into a newfound strength!
With a deep breath, Qin Mengyao emerged from her haze. For the first time in nine years, she felt truly reborn. Yet suddenly, as she opened her eyes, a loud scream escaped her lips.
"What are you doing?!" she exclaimed in embarrassment, noticing that Mu Yun's hand was gripping her chest tightly. Without a word, she launched a punch toward Mu Yun's nose. Although he could have dodged it under normal circumstances, Mu Yun found himself unable to move at that moment.
With a dull thud, blood streamed from his nose, yet he still held on firmly, unable to release her. He was compelled to maintain his grip, intending to channel his power into her heart.
Despite the circumstances, Qin Mengyao found herself at a pivotal moment when the Ice Phoenix spirit fully merged with her, unleashing a wave of cold air. Unexpectedly, she felt a hand pressing against her chest.
"What are you doing?"
Two streams of nosebleed trickled down as Mu Yun silently lamented, "It’s not my fault; you’re the one who’s in trouble, Miss! You’re clearly seeking revenge!"
Upon hearing Mu Yun's words and feeling the powerful energy radiating from the palm on her chest, Qin Mengyao began to comprehend the situation.
"Pervert, can't you just get your hands off me!" she exclaimed, realizing Mu Yun had misunderstood.
"I’d love to, but you’re not letting me!" Mu Yun responded, feeling utterly defeated.
The chilling energy escaping from Qin Mengyao’s body had firmly anchored his hand to her chest, and given his current strength level, he was unable to pull away.
"I...I just need to better control this power. Just give me a moment!" Qin Mengyao said, slightly embarrassed.
She was acutely aware of how formidable the Ice Phoenix spirit was, and controlling it for the first time proved challenging at her current level.
"Can you please keep your hands still and not move?"
"Ouch, that hurts!"
"You idiot, if you keep fidgeting, I swear I’ll freeze you solid!"
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