Chapter Fifty-Five: Getting Along

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The sound of rushing water echoed as Lu Zhe sat naked beneath the waterfall, letting the icy spring water scour his body to the bone. Drawing spiritual energy from a spirit pill, he transformed it into a warm current that coursed through his body, warding off the cold and preventing frostbite from the frigid temperature.

Beside him, Dieyu watched in puzzlement as Lu Zhe endured the waterfall’s assault. She absently turned the stick in her hands, on which was skewered a rabbit that Lu Zhe had hunted in the mountains.

Suddenly, as he cultivated beneath the falls, Lu Zhe detected a faint scent of burning. He snapped his eyes open, sniffed the air, and looked around. He soon discovered the source: the rabbit in Dieyu’s hands was charred black.

Emerging from beneath the waterfall, Lu Zhe wiped the water from his body, dressed himself, and approached Dieyu. He found her brows tightly knit in frustration and resignation as she turned the stick, her bright eyes reflecting her helplessness at the sight of the skinned rabbit, now burnt to a crisp.

Hearing footsteps, Dieyu looked up to see Lu Zhe standing before her, his gaze lingering in surprise on the scorched rabbit. Embarrassed by his scrutiny, a flush crept onto Dieyu’s cheeks.

Lu Zhe dragged a stone over and sat down. Extending his hand, he said, “Give it to me.”

Reluctantly, Dieyu handed him the stick. Taking it, Lu Zhe peeled away the charred outer layer and saw that the meat inside was still streaked with blood—she had not cooked it through.

Stripping away the burnt flesh, he set the rabbit back over the fire and began to roast it, his method far more practiced than Dieyu’s. The flames danced and licked at the meat as he skillfully turned the stick, and before long, a tantalizing aroma began to drift from the roasting rabbit.

Dieyu glanced at Lu Zhe, watching as the young man focused intently on the roasting meat. His hands gripped the stick, turning it with precision, and the small flames flickered in the depths of his clear, dark eyes.

She turned away, tossing a few dry twigs into the fire. The flames quickly devoured them, crackling as the branches split.

From far off came the soft rustle of wind in the treetops.

After a long silence, the savory scent of the rabbit permeated the air. As Lu Zhe rotated it over the flames, fat began to seep and drip, coating the meat in a glossy sheen that made one’s mouth water in anticipation.

Lu Zhe lifted the rabbit from the fire, sniffed it, and handed it to Dieyu. “It’s ready to eat.”

Dieyu took the stick, her appetite stirred by the sight and smell. She reached out to tear off a piece, but the heat of the meat scalded her fingers.

“Ah!” she exclaimed softly.

Lu Zhe turned at the sound. He saw Dieyu blowing on her right index finger, a look of surprise on her face. Understanding, he said, “Careful, it’s hot.”

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He stepped in front of her, gently taking her jade-like fingers and examining them. “See, it’s already red.”

With that, Lu Zhe blew softly on her finger.

For some reason, as he did so, a blush flashed across Dieyu’s face, vanishing almost instantly.

She withdrew her hand from his grasp, murmuring shyly, “It’s fine now.”

Lu Zhe nodded, stood up, and turned away from her. From his pocket, he took out a few wild berries and began to eat them quietly.

Dieyu studied her finger, rubbing it lightly before turning her attention back to the rabbit. After a steadying breath, she carefully tore off a piece from the leg and tasted it.

The moment the rabbit meat touched her tongue, Dieyu was amazed by its deliciousness. Though it lacked seasoning, its flavor was refreshing and savory—the skin crisp and tender, the meat inside smooth and succulent. The taste was so exquisite she found it impossible to stop.

Her appetite awakened, Dieyu tore bite after bite from the rabbit, devouring a whole leg in no time, her usual ladylike restraint forgotten. Only after she was full did she stop, smiling as she glanced at Lu Zhe.

He still sat with his back to her, eyes fixed on the forest ahead. Suddenly, he spoke: “Why haven’t you left yet?”

Dieyu was startled. Inwardly, she thought bitterly: If not for that green-robed man, who, after lifting my seal, imposed another—one that seals my spiritual power if I stray more than fifty paces from Lu Zhe, only to be undone if I return within that range—I would have left long ago. She had tried to break the seal by force, only to find its power so formidable it dwarfed the Red Crystal Seal many times over. Only her master at her sect might be able to lift it.

Despite her thoughts, Dieyu replied, “The nearest town is several days’ journey from here. Do you really want a defenseless woman wandering these mountains alone?”

Lu Zhe smiled. “Don’t try to fool me. If you could appear in these depths, you can leave them as well. You must be a practitioner above the Spirit King level.”

Dieyu was taken aback, hesitated, then said, “You’re right. I am.”

He turned to look at her. “So why stay?”

Dieyu stood, meeting his gaze. “Do you know why I came to these mountains?”

Lu Zhe shook his head.

“I was sent here to find the Red-Horned Crystal Dragon King,” she said.

Lu Zhe was surprised. “The Red-Horned Crystal Dragon King? Isn’t that the sixth-tier beast king described in the ‘Wonders of Creation—Beasts’ volume? It’s said to possess the strength of a Spirit Emperor and intelligence equal to a human’s.”

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Dieyu was astonished. “You know ‘Wonders of Creation’?”

“I’ve read a few pages,” Lu Zhe replied indifferently.

Dieyu nodded. “Then you must know about the ‘Red Dragon Horn’?”

Lu Zhe nodded. “According to the ‘Wonders of Creation—Objects’ volume, that should be the horn on the Red-Horned Crystal Dragon King’s head.”

Dieyu nodded. “That’s what I’m here for.”

Lu Zhe lowered his head in thought. “It’s said to be highly valuable in alchemy—when refined, it can greatly enhance the abilities of those with fire or wind attributes. Usually, people use the horns it sheds naturally, but the one on its head is said to be able to help someone advance a rank instantly.”

He looked up at her, incredulous. “You’re not planning to cut the horn off its head, are you?”

Dieyu waved her hand. “I’m not that reckless. I’m after a shed horn. Though not as powerful as the one on its head, it still contains immense energy and can be used for alchemy or to enhance abilities. That’s why I’m here.”

Lu Zhe nodded. “Then how did you end up lying in the mountains?”

Dieyu sighed. “I was overconfident and tried to fight the dragon king head-on. It sealed my spiritual core with a special technique, and that’s how I ended up here.”

Lu Zhe looked at her. “How are you now?”

She touched her brow. “My strength has returned, but…” She fell silent and glanced at Lu Zhe, embarrassed. “But this time, I plan to steal it.”

Lu Zhe nodded. “Then go ahead and steal it.”

Dieyu sighed. “You don’t understand. The Red-Horned Crystal Dragon King guards its lair day and night, never leaving its post. I tried to sneak in before, but was caught and forced to fight. If I try again…” She broke off, studying Lu Zhe with a strange look.

Lu Zhe shifted uncomfortably under her gaze, suddenly realizing her intention. “You—you’re not asking me to steal it, are you?”