38 Gone Deep Enough

The day ended with the dark island vanishing from sight completely. It felt bitter for Sun Yin to watch it go away almost for the entire day. The wind was picking up faster than the earlier days of their travel, making them cut down three days off of the arrival time.

Then again, dark clouds were gathering over the skies beyond the mountains behind Fenglan. A storm must be cooking, causing the wind to pull them closer to Haiyang. Even though it was good for them, it would be terrible for the other passengers of the coming trips.

Once more, the sky had gone dark. Sun Yin and Lu Bang took dinner out to the decks while everyone enjoyed the security of the indoor dining hall. Needless to say, Sun Yin was taking advantage of the privileges that came with being a guest of honor.

Despite the dark clouds over Fenglan skies, the Haiyang ones looked clear. There were a lot of stars tonight compared to last night when the false Bride attacked them. Because she was always sleeping during the trip, Sun Yin decided against sleeping right after eating tonight. She wanted to experience the Haiyang skies on a ship deck, eating peacefully alone with a man.

It seemed specific, but she had everything she needed.

Seated on the floor of the deck, they enjoyed quite a picnic for dinner. Since they were cultivators who would be traveling around a lot, they had no high need for the elegance of chairs and tables. They could just eat quietly on the floor with a piece of cloth and a light for them to see the food.

"This is my first time to enjoy a cruise." Sun Yin hummed as she mused over the delicious food made by the chef for them. "Most of the time, I'm not allowed to leave the cabin in fear that spies from another kingdom would kidnap me." She chuckled lightly, trying to flush out every bad memory related to cruising.

"Did you"—Lu Bang feasted on his share as well—"get kidnapped or stay inside the whole time?"

"Both actually." She sighed. "None of them knew the spy was my own handmaid. Of course, I knew so I just let her take me like I wasn't aware." She played with a fried pastry ball, making it roll around the saucer. "It's hard to pretend you don't notice everything. It's hard to be black-bellied just to get a scenario you wanted."

"Can't help it. Those kings pretty much wanted submissive wives." The placid brother used his chopstick to hold the pastry ball in place. "Don't play with your food."

"This is the first time I met men who wouldn't fall for my beauty." She giggled as she pinched the ball with her chopsticks and brought it to her mouth for a bite. "There must be something in the water."

"How about you leaving a bad image for extremely beautiful women? Do you have any idea how the brothel houses suffered during and after your terrorism?" Lu Bang chuckled lightly as if trying to join Sun Yin in humoring themselves... even just slightly.

The maiden stopped her bite midway before pulling back and giggling. She waved her hand toward Lu Bang. "I like how you try to continue conversations now. Keep it up!"

He only sighed, dropping the snarky face. "I'm never gonna get used to it."

She hummed before continuing to munch on the pastry ball. After taking a bite, she stared at it. The filling was so firm that it refused to ooze out of the ball. A light pinch only caused it to rise. She then smiled and propped the pastry in front of Lu Bang. She smiled at the man who only frowned in response.

Bite. The male gave into her silent request. He swallowed the pastry ball before going back to his own food. Sun Yin only giggled as she picked a piece of meat and did the same thing to him again. He sighed and ate it. She picked up another food, bringing it to his mouth once more. Like clockwork, he kept on taking the food between her chopsticks. It happened four more times.

"Why are you trying to feed me?" Lu Bang chewed on the meat she gave him. "I can eat on my own."

"I was just wondering if you will accept them." She chuckled until she smelled the sauce near her nose. Her eyes that closed as she laughed were surprised by the meat in front of her.

Lu Bang was holding up his hand, returning the favor to her. "Hurry. This is tiring."

Sun Yin slowly opened her mouth wide enough to swallow the meat along with some part of his chopsticks. The male tried to pull his chopsticks back, but she refused to set them free. He ended up letting go of the sticks and snatching the ones from her hand.

He resumed eating using those. Sun Yin only smiled despite having food and chopsticks stuck in her mouth.

The night had crept on, and Sun Yin was seated on the floor next to the window. The curtains were drawn to let the moonlight in. She was peacefully seated in a lotus position when she felt something cover her shoulders. Her eyes did not open, but her perception during meditation was stronger than when she was active.

She could sense Lu Bang's energy from the robe placed across her shoulders. They just entered the Haiyang waters which were known for its cold to freezing temperature. With the window open, the night breeze trespassed into the cabin.

Lu Bang was preparing to sleep, but instead of lying down, he was just sitting at the edge of the bed. He was staring at Sun Yin's direction. Then he got up and sat next to her, but he was facing her.

"Is there something you wished to do, Lu Bang?" Sun Yin broke her meditation, opening her eyes and turning to him. Her reading turned up blank once again.

"Nothing really." He leaned on his arms behind him. He looked up at the moonlight. "Do you get more essence bathing in the moon?"

"Yes, my spiritual root feeds on moonlight more than anything else. Unlike most members of the Sun sect, who have either wind or fire roots, mine seemed to be a little special." She chuckled, looking up at the same celestial body. Before she knew it, she brought her gaze to a man who was not there anymore.

She shifted from her seat and saw Lu Bang pushing the bed towards her direction. The woman got up and waited for him to accomplish his little task. He placed the bed somewhere under the light she sought.

"I didn't mean to bother you. You should continue now." Lu Bang only scratched his head before lying down on the spot that was not lit by the moon.

Sun Yin only giggled before stripping to her supposed sleeping wear. She had also folded her clothes and placed it next to Lu Bang's robe which he had given her. Instead of continuing, she just lay next to the man, bathing under the moonlight still.

She pulled on his inner robe. "Lu Bang, this is so unfair."

"No one told you to strip that much."

He just grumbled as he sat up. He took off his inner robe and shuddered at the cold breeze in the room. He folded his robe and set it aside. He could be used to sleeping only in his pants, but he had not done it in the presence of a woman before.

Like what he feared, Sun Yin clung onto his back again. This time, her smooth skin pressed against his rough one. Her jade complexion grew whiter under the moon, letting her look more like a goddess that she was.

Her candle finger held unto his firm biceps while her lips pressed at the crook of his neck. Instead of a nervous feeling, Lu Bang was rather annoyed.

"I'm not supposed to be one receiving the kisses..."

"I doubt you have enough interest to do this to me." The woman laughed behind him. She pulled back and lay down the bed, gathering the blanket to her chest. "We need to rest, Lu Bang."

The male snorted in fury, feeling defeated for some reasons. He just lay next to her and rolled to his side, reaching out to hold the woman properly. Sun Yin moved closer against him, liking the feel of his moist, rough skin against her arm. She turned her head towards him, smiling at the man next to him.

Lu Bang felt warmth crawl across his face as the celestial beauty's face was too close against his. Too close that he could feel her breath on his face. Instead of giving in fast, he only closed his eyes and knitted his brows together.

"Turn your face away. You're too close—"

Lick.

His eyes shot open, but Sun Yin had already turned her back from him. She seemed to be giggling to herself as she hogged the blanket once more. Lu Bang only shook his head and closed his eyes, forcing the idea out of his head.

Sun Yin didn't possibly lick his lips, did she?

=== END OF VOLUME 2 ===