Welcome Gift

Xuan gazed at me suspiciously, of course their master would be more shocked than anyone else and it was totally understandable, he walked up to me keeping his gaze stern but I only bowed politely.

"Greetings."

"Why would anyone easily give up such a precious artifact like the flying dagger?" He questioned, going straight to the point and I only smiled in contrast to his aloof tone.

"My main mission was to get the dagger so my sect can become top but the prize isn't of use to me, I already have a precious artifact so I doubt ever making use of this." I genuinely stated.

"Our sects haven't been on good terms either so I'm hoping this would also serve as a start of a new friendship amongst our sects, your disciples are skilled and talented and getting on each other's throats would be a waste of teamspirit."

I could notice all gaze on me it felt like the ground should open and swallow me whole but I didn't know where I found the courage to keep talking, Xuan made it clear their secret wasn't meant to be linked and so this was the only alternative I could come up with to save their sect without them even realizing.

He seemed to contemplate on my words and gazed at me intently like he was searching for something.

"You mean this is your way of starting a new friendship?"

I nodded. "And I'll be pleased if you accept." Stretching the dagger forward, I really didn't care to think if I was doing the right thing, I just wanted to help out so if he doesn't agree, it'll be his loss and not mine.

There was silence for what felt like the longest minute before he reached out to take the dagger from me. I didn't miss the relieved expression in his eyes and he immediately masked it with a pessimistic gaze.

"Since you insist, then it's fine by me."

I smiled at his response and bowed once more before he walked away, Xuan still had his gaze locked on me and when I turned to look at him, a half smile crossed his lips and although he didn't say it, I knew that meant a silent thank you. I returned the smile before he turned away to leave with his master.

The rest of the disciples of different sects came forward to congratulate me and my teammates and after the boring session, I couldn't wait to go meet my master who was once again in a conversation with the celestial sovereign.

"Shanxia, let's go celebrate." Zhangjie excitedly said to me and I was about to decline when Bai QingQing nodded.

"Of course, this calls for a celebration and we must adhere to it."

I forced a smile and I gave up the idea of convincing them to let me leave. I wanted nothing more than to be with my master but I guess there's no escaping this one.

It felt like the whole day wouldn't come to an end as I was wondering when they would probably free me so I could go back to my masters hall.

It was late before I had the chance to return to my hall and it was thanks to Yang Fe or else I would have slept over and missed a day of not seeing my master, I missed him like a fat kid on a diet misses cakes, the inviting breeze that swept through me the moment I stepped in gave me the conclusion that there really was no place like home. I didn't even bother to change my clothes and headed straight to his room, knocking on the door and to my own surprise, it instantly opened like he had actually been expecting me. I could feel my heart skip a thousand beats as he came in view in front of me. Without waiting for him to speak I ran into his arms hugging him tight like someone was going to snatch him away any minute if I didn't hold on tight to him.

His arms encircled me and I just realized at that moment how home-like his arms felt.

"How are you feeling?" He asked and I didn't need to say a word for him to know what was going through my mind at the moment, just being back with him was all I needed and I've never felt happier.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who missed someone this much."

"You don't know how complete I feel right now." I said to him and he pulled me away making me gaze into those eyes that made my heart burst into tiny sparkles.

"Hope you enjoyed your little celebration?" He asked and I nodded with an honest smile. He doesn't look as weak as when he appeared in the water, he looked much better now so I assumed he stopped with whatever was making him overwork.

"You look better now, did you follow my tips?"

He chuckled lightly and nodded. "Of course, the last thing I want is to see you worried so I had to do something about it for your happiness."

I blushed slightly, lowering my gaze and he studied me for a while before finally speaking.

"You must feel tired, come with me."

He drew my attention back to him and only then did I realize he had only put on his translucent inner white clothing and the long pants, his long dark hair a little bit disheveled but made him look even more enticing and hard to resist, he held my hand leading me out of his chamber's and I only kept my loving gaze fixated on how bewitching he looked at the moment.

Walking across the hallway, he creaked one of the doors open and walked in, I trailed behind him with our fingers still interlaced and to my astonishment, he brought me to the huge bathtub, that same tub I was caught using after returning from getting Youlan her cakes, I remember that day very well.

My eyes widened at how decorated and splendid it looked, Jasmine flowers were decorated at each corner of the tub and and blue flamed candles lit the whole place up leaving a romantic aura and a warm feeling at the depth of me, the water below where decorated with pink petals and glistened softly like tiny sparkles from the little light that penetrated through the window.

"Did I overdo it?" He couldn't help but ask after noticing my stupefied expression and I immediately shook my head turning to meet his gaze. "You didn't, I'm just...you didn't have to stress yourself doing this, I…"

"How could I not?" He interjected. "I know very well how much you like this place and I also know you were hungry for a bath so I decided to arrange one for you." He genuinely said to me with a tender expression crossing his face.

I blinked at him, he's so distant and strict with everyone but in my case, he's a totally different person. What could someone like me have possibly done to gain this other side of my master?

"Don't think too much." He spoke up while pinching my nose tenderly, drawing me back to reality. "I'll be giving you a special treatment, tonight, I'll be the one to give you a bath, you look weak and that'll equally help me in giving you some strength."

My eyes widened at his words, It rang for a couple of times in my ear before I understood clearly what he meant, bathe me?!!

"You...you don't need to do that." I hesitated and a smirk formed on his lips.

"I know but I want you to take it as your welcome gift." He gestured with his brows for me to take off my clothes and I froze, my cheeks heating up already and I could feel the blood rush across my whole face, how can I?? It's not the first time I'd probably be standing naked in front of him but how does he expect me to do this??

"Do you also need help with that?" He asked and I immediately shook my head. "No, I'll do it myself."

I knew he only did that to tease me but as much I felt really nervous, the thought excited me same time I could feel my heart hammering against my chest, turning away from him, I slowly loosened the ribbons that held my gown in place and clumsily letting it slip off my shoulders.

I was left in just my undergarment and I shyly turned to look at him as his gaze raked through my body.

"Take everything of." He said and my pupils dilated further.

"Every... everything??" I stammered, he nodded while taking a step towards me and I immediately took a step back.

"I said I'll do it."

I watched his lips curl into a seductive smile as he came to a stop, waiting for me to take them off.

I turned away from him, obviously I couldn't turn around to look at him and feeling extremely shy, I loosened my hair so it could at least cover me from behind, I took of my undergarments and with deep breath, sub merged into the huge wide tub.

This time around, the water was a bit of a contrast to when I first tried it, it was warm and welcoming, easing my skin and making me feel all renewed.

I turned to meet my master's gaze and all of a sudden, I was actually starting to realize what I was getting myself into letting my master bathe me instead.

He sat at the edge of the tub and slowly beckoned me over with a finger.

I obediently swam up to him and lowered my gaze, burying my whole body under water till it stopped at my neck level but he tilted my chin up with his forefinger, making me gaze into his burning eyes which flickered with desire.

"Don't hide yourself." He whispered and I was suddenly pulled up, making me gasp as I wrapped my arms around his waist, meeting his gaze with a baffled one.

He smirked devilishly as those moonless dark eyes of his moved from my face down to my bare breast, which was now exposed to his heated gaze and he stared at me in a way that made my whole body tingle.

"Who says you can't have a pleasurable bath?"