Chapter Eighteen: The Monster

Jiang Li shuddered all over; in his past life, he was nothing more than a lowly servant, never having experienced such an intoxicating scene.

At this moment, the two girls had already embraced Jiang Li’s arms with their small hands. Qiuyue lowered her head and slowly sat beside him.

“Young master, what’s wrong? Didn’t you always bathe like this before?” she asked.

“Hmm, is that so?” Jiang Li racked his brain to retrieve memories.

Qiuyue and Su Yan nodded in unison. “Yes, young master. Back in the capital, we heard that you required several attendants to help you bathe.”

After searching his thoughts, Jiang Li found the answer.

The original master indeed had a few maidservants to assist with bathing in the capital, but all of them had perished in a storm.

As for Qiuyue and Su Yan, one functioned somewhat like a housekeeper, the other in charge of needlework; this was the first time either had been so close to Jiang Li.

“Alright, then let’s bathe,” Jiang Li said softly. Having traveled through time, using methods the original master wouldn’t have known was one thing—at worst, people might suspect he was hiding his skills. But if his habits changed completely, that would be harder to explain.

“Please extend your hand, young master,” Qiuyue said cautiously as she lifted Jiang Li’s arm.

Feeling the softness at his arm, Jiang Li let out a long, relieved breath.

A real man should be like this!

After a while, Jiang Li’s gaze drifted to the two women. After soaking for so long, their clothes were completely soaked, clinging tightly to their bodies.

Qiuyue’s beautiful legs shimmered faintly beneath the water, her pink bellyband enveloping a generous bosom…

What surprised Jiang Li even more was Su Yan, who usually appeared modest and unassuming, yet her chest was even more impressive than Qiuyue’s.

“What are you looking at, young master?” Qiuyue murmured.

Jiang Li grinned mischievously at her. “Of course, something pleasing to the eye.”

Qiuyue blushed deeply and lowered her head, unable to find words.

After a while, Qiuyue went to the shore to change her clothes. Casting Jiang Li a sideways glance, she clutched his garments and turned away.

Jiang Li looked toward Su Yan, wondering why she hadn’t left yet now that Qiuyue was gone.

“Young master…” Su Yan whispered.

“Yes? What is it?” Jiang Li asked, puzzled.

Su Yan cautiously leaned closer, lowering her head and avoiding his gaze.

“Thank you, young master, for saving my brother’s life.”

“You already thanked me back then,” Jiang Li replied indifferently.

Yet Su Yan remained still, her hands wrapping around Jiang Li’s neck.

“Young master, you told Lord Jiang’s spirit in the heavens that you had already fulfilled… that kind of thing.”

“But you didn’t do anything with me then. I don’t want you to deceive Lord Jiang’s spirit…”

“So, let’s finish what we didn’t complete that day…”

As she spoke, Su Yan raised her head, her ears flushed red as she glanced at Jiang Li and unconsciously leaned in.

The temperature in the pool was already warm, and with Su Yan pressing close, Jiang Li suddenly felt a flush of heat.

“Su Yan, this… now isn’t really the right place.”

“What’s wrong, young master? Do you dislike me?” Su Yan’s eyes flickered with a hint of disappointment.

Jiang Li reached out to stroke her hair gently. “Of course not. But this place isn’t safe right now.”

“Let’s wait until we reach that small town. Then we can finish it properly!”

Hearing this, Su Yan shyly nodded.

After soaking for nearly half an hour, Qiuyue returned with dry clothes, and after dressing, Jiang Li felt refreshed.

Once the three had left, Chu Chunqiu and Su Yang took Zhao Hua and two others to wash up.

Taking advantage of the time, Jiang Li surveyed the surroundings.

The sky was already darkening; it was time to find a place to camp.

With this thought, Jiang Li immediately took out the wilderness survival guide.

The book was detailed, covering everything from how to avoid wild animals’ paths to how to build shelters.

After some consideration, Jiang Li chose a sheltered gentle slope, with rocks behind and an open view ahead, allowing early detection of any approaching danger.

Having selected the spot, he set to work, clearing the nearby grass with a machete, piling it up, then burning it with dry twigs. He scattered the ashes around to deter crawling poisonous creatures from entering the shelter.

Qiuyue and Su Yan laid down some leaves and dry grass on the ground.

“Alright, we’re only staying here for one night, no need to make it too fancy,” Jiang Li said, lying down. The fresh scent of leaves immediately filled his nostrils.

When Chu Chunqiu and company returned, there was no need for Jiang Li to say anything; Su Yang and the others promptly bound Zhao Hua and the two others tightly with vines.

“Behave yourselves. Anyone trying anything funny won’t be spared,” Su Yang warned before taking up guard at the camp’s perimeter.

Chu Chunqiu scratched his head and then looked at Zhao Hua and the others.

“Well, gentlemen, the bed the young master and the ladies made is a bit hard, so you’ll have to bear with it.”

With that, Chu Chunqiu plopped down on top of the three.

“Ah, this feels great! You three actually have some use after all!”

“Ah! Big fool Chun, you’re squashing me!”

“Big fool Chun, get up! I can’t breathe!”

Chu Chunqiu chuckled and sat up to start a fire for roasting meat.

An hour later, after eating their fill, everyone divided their duties clearly.

Jiang Li, Qiuyue, and Su Yan would keep watch through the first half of the night. At midnight, Su Yang and Chu Chunqiu would each take turns guarding for one and a half hours.

As for Zhao Hua and the others, Jiang Li had never trusted them since seeing their true colors. If he didn’t need strong hands, those three would have been dealt with long ago.

Night gradually enveloped the wilderness. Unknown cries echoed in the ears as Jiang Li idly gazed at the stars.

“Young master, it smells so good!” Qiuyue suddenly said.

Jiang Li took a deep breath, puzzled. A mysterious fragrance had drifted over, though there were no wildflowers nearby.

“What is that? There are no wildflowers around here,” he said, rising cautiously, gripping a wooden spear and scanning the surroundings.

Without warning, a thick fog rolled in, shrouding the entire dense forest. Within the mist lay a strange, enchanting scent.

Jiang Li couldn’t tell if the fragrance came from the fog itself or something concealed within it.

“Why does this fog have a scent? Could it be miasma?” Jiang Li wondered aloud.

The wilderness survival guide did mention miasma—an often poisonous gas that, if inhaled excessively, could cause hallucinations.

Recalling this, Jiang Li slowed his breathing and carefully scanned around.

Suddenly, his gaze locked onto the distant grass.

For a fleeting moment, he thought he saw a pair of glowing red eyes…