Chapter Eighty-Three: Peeking at the Bath

Xiao Ding and Yue Yurou intended to have clam meat for breakfast, but found themselves unable to open the shells.

“In fact, we don’t need to open the shells at all,” Xiao Ding said, his eyes gleaming with a sudden idea as he turned to Yue Yurou.

“How can we eat the clam meat if we don’t open the shells?” Yue Yurou asked.

“We can just put them over the fire. Once they’re cooked, the shells will open on their own,” Xiao Ding replied with a chuckle.

“Oh, then let’s go outside and gather some branches,” Yue Yurou said, understanding his plan.

“No need, I’ll go. You stay here and watch over the mushrooms and the luminous pearls,” Xiao Ding said.

“We should also bring the bundles from the tree. Those mushrooms need to be stored in jade boxes, otherwise they won’t keep well,” Yue Yurou added.

Xiao Ding glanced around. The snake cave seemed quite secure; ordinary people wouldn’t dare enter. He agreed, “Alright, let’s go together.”

The two retraced their steps to the cave’s entrance. Xiao Ding stopped, listened for any movement outside, then cautiously approached the opening and checked their surroundings. Finding no one about, he and Yue Yurou slipped out of the cave.

They retrieved their bundles from the tree where they had rested the night before, and searched beneath the rocky hill for sticks. The men from Tianluo Gate had made a fire and roasted meat there last night; the sticks used to carry the snake had been left behind, so there were plenty scattered about.

With bundles and branches in hand, Xiao Ding and Yue Yurou returned to the cave, heading back toward the pool.

“Brother Xiao Ding, you start the fire and roast the meat. I’m going to bathe—don’t peek at me,” Yue Yurou said, her cheeks flushing. After so many days in the mountains, exposed to the elements, she hadn’t bathed at all and her skin itched.

“You want to go into the pool? There are giant clams in there; you might get caught! Best not go,” Xiao Ding cautioned.

“Don’t worry, I won’t go into the pool. I’ll just wash at the little creek,” Yue Yurou replied, touched by his concern.

“Alright then, go ahead. I promise I won’t sneak a single glance!” Xiao Ding declared firmly, though his mind wandered: I won’t sneak a single glance, but maybe two, three, or countless… Such a beautiful young woman bathing before me—how could a man resist?

“If you dare peek, I’ll never speak to you again,” Yue Yurou said, blushing even more as she opened her bundle.

Inside Yue Yurou’s bundle, besides the ashes of their fallen companions, were some of her master’s belongings. She took out a Taoist robe, carried it to the creek, and began to shed layer after layer of clothing.

The outer garments had been scavenged from corpses near the summit to ward off the cold. The snake cave, however, was warm, and with the hot spring, she wouldn’t feel cold even without them.

Xiao Ding arranged three stones in a triangle, built a fire in the center, and when the flames rose, placed the giant clams atop to roast.

Though he had promised not to peek, his actions betrayed him. After setting up two fires, he furtively glanced back at Yue Yurou.

The creek was shallow, only reaching her knees. She faced away from him, bent over, scooping water to gently wash her body.

Xiao Ding saw her delicate skin, slender waist, shapely hips, and long jade-like legs. His heart raced, and he quickly turned away, afraid he might lose control and do something he shouldn’t.

The giant clams, heated by the fire, soon opened their shells, foaming as they cooked. Xiao Ding noticed pearls nestled in their mouths. He grabbed two thick sticks and wedged them in the shells so they couldn’t close again, then reached in and took out the remaining luminous pearls.

He repeated the process with the second clam, harvesting more pearls. Counting them all, including the five from before, he now had eleven pearls, each the size of a longan fruit.

He’d struck it rich! Xiao Ding muttered happily.

The clams soon died from the heat, and after a while, the aroma of cooked meat began to waft through the cave.

He had closed the shells, as if sealing a pot to stew the meat.

Xiao Ding watched over the roasting clams, his mind itching to steal another glance at Yue Yurou, but in the end, he restrained himself. After all, when he had lived with those women on the deserted island, he’d seen plenty, and now his heart belonged to someone else. Thinking of Ling Cat (Qing’er), he lost the urge to peek.

“Brother Xiao Ding, did you sneak a look while I was bathing?” Yue Yurou asked, now dressed, approaching from behind.

“Absolutely not! Your Brother Xiao Ding is upright and honorable—a true man. I would never stoop to such things!” he declared, swearing by his integrity.

“I believe you, Brother Xiao Ding! Actually, even if you did peek, I wouldn’t be angry,” Yue Yurou murmured, cheeks glowing, her voice growing softer until she lowered her head, stealing a glance at his expression.

“Uh—” Xiao Ding felt awkward. Was this girl falling for him? He hoped not. His heart already belonged elsewhere; how could he let another in? He didn’t even know how to handle Er Niu back home!

“The clam meat is ready—let’s have breakfast!” Xiao Ding quickly changed the subject.

Using a branch, he lifted the two giant clams from the fire and pried them open with his knife; the aroma filled the air.

“It smells amazing! I can hardly wait!” Yue Yurou inhaled deeply, intoxicated by the scent.

Noticing some dirt inside the shells—some from the platform earlier, some from wedging the sticks—Xiao Ding said, “Before we eat, let’s wash off these bits of soil.”

He sliced the clam meat with his knife, washed it at the pool, and then he and Yue Yurou feasted together.

For those who roam the martial world, such considerations are often luxuries. Today, with water nearby, they could wash the food; without it, a bit of dirt wouldn’t matter.

After breakfast, Xiao Ding bundled the eleven luminous pearls together and tucked them into his chest. To him, these were treasures he needed close at hand. His chest bulged, and Yue Yurou couldn’t help but quietly laugh at the sight.

Xiao Ding found three or four empty jade boxes and packed the mushrooms inside, stuffing them into Yue Yurou’s bundle. They were for her to use in alchemy, and she didn’t carry much, so it was convenient.

They had only eaten the meat from one clam, and hadn’t finished it all. Xiao Ding wrapped the remaining giant clam in a piece of rag, placed it in the bundle, and filled all their water bottles.

Finally, he led Yue Yurou toward the cave’s exit.

As they passed the enormous snake’s shed skin, Yue Yurou tugged Xiao Ding’s sleeve, saying, “Brother Xiao Ding, should we cut off a piece of snake skin to take back? It’s tough—perfect for making armor. Ordinary blades can’t pierce it.”

Xiao Ding halted, hesitated a moment, then shook his head. “Let’s leave it. We’re already carrying plenty. Though the skin is good, it’s been dried too long and is stiff, hard to carry or soften back home.”

“Alright then. Let’s go,” Yue Yurou said.

They approached the mouth of the cave, checked their surroundings, and, seeing no one, slipped out, ready to leave. Suddenly, Xiao Ding stopped in his tracks.

“I just remembered something…” he said.