That night, it was indeed you

"Who could be so sordid as to constantly eye a young girl's rear and thighs?" Yang Kai retorted without mercy.

"You keep bringing this up," Meng Wuyou said, looking around anxiously as if fearful of being overheard. He clasped his hands and said, "Young Master Yang, let us not discuss this any further. This old man merely observed their development and had no intention of anything else."

Seeing his capitulation, Yang Kai ceased his relentless questioning and asked seriously, "Does the favor you need from me pertain to these matters?"

"Indeed!" Meng Wuyou's expression grew solemn. "Therefore, Young Yang Kai, you must tell me truthfully—have you ever had… ahem… relations with a woman?"

Yang Kai's face turned awkward as he sniffed and replied, "No!"

"Good!" Meng Wuyou's anxious heart finally eased. "Excellent! Young Yang Kai, you are truly commendable."

In this era, many young men had their first intimate encounters by the age of fourteen or fifteen. For impoverished families, early marriages were common, primarily to ensure the continuation of family lines. Even among the wealthy, it was not unusual for young masters to have several concubines before reaching maturity.

Only martial artists, dedicated to their training, tended to remain chaste until later in life, with some never engaging in close contact with the opposite sex. For those seeking the pinnacle of martial prowess, worldly pleasures were mere illusions; beautiful women, after a hundred years, would become nothing but withered bones. The summit of martial arts was their true pursuit.

Many male disciples of Lingxiao Pavilion indulged in worldly pleasures by the age of fifteen or sixteen. Although Meng Wuyou trusted Yang Kai was not such a person, he inquired cautiously.

"Does this mean I can indeed assist you?" Yang Kai scrutinized Meng Wuyou.

"If you cannot, then no one in the world could," Meng Wuyou said with a hearty laugh. "You've passed this test!"

"Earlier you mentioned the need for another's approval?" Yang Kai asked, puzzled.

Meng Wuyou's smile faded, his expression growing strange. He nodded and said, "Yes, it must satisfy her. If she's not pleased, the matter cannot proceed. I had previously found someone who met the criteria, but she was unwilling, so the matter ended there. Let's go, I'll take you to meet her. If it works out, it works out; if not… well, we'll see."

Having said this, Meng Wuyou sighed deeply, leading Yang Kai out.

Yang Kai hurriedly added, "Let it be clear that I am here to assist you out of gratitude. If she demands anything excessive, I won't agree."

"You insolent brat!" Meng Wuyou, already feeling troubled, was further vexed by Yang Kai's reluctance, thinking to himself that if the boy knew the favor he was expected to perform, he would undoubtedly jump at the chance, yet here he was playing coy.

As Meng Wuyou led the way, Yang Kai noticed they were heading towards the Confinement Dragon Gorge, the very place where he often practiced.

What could they possibly want there? He had never seen anyone at that location during his training. Confinement Dragon Gorge was a perilous place, seldom visited by anyone.

When they were about a hundred feet from Yang Kai's usual training spot, Meng Wuyou suddenly stopped and pointed ahead, saying, "Look there."

Yang Kai looked up and was momentarily stunned.

The place where he usually practiced now featured a young woman standing before the sunfruit trees he had planted. Dressed in a light green gown, she appeared lost in thought, unmoving as the wind whipped around her, her garments fluttering.

Her face was concealed by a veil, obscuring her true features.

On her forehead was a gem of a deep blue hue, enhancing her ethereal beauty.

Her slender form seemed delicate, yet her figure was graceful.

Her eyes, clear and innocent, resembled those of an unblemished child.

Seeing her, Yang Kai was reminded of that night under the moonlight, the beauty who had lain on his broken bed.

"It's her!" Yang Kai's gaze softened.

"You know her?" Meng Wuyou's demeanor turned cautious. His prized disciple had told him that she and Yang Kai had never spoken. How then, had they known each other?

"Is she the one who needs my help?" Yang Kai asked Meng Wuyou.

"Yes," Meng Wuyou confirmed with a nod.

"I will help!" To Meng Wuyou's surprise, Yang Kai responded immediately and decisively, leaving no room for his prepared arguments or tactics.

Meng Wuyou felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort, regretting having enlisted Yang Kai's help.

"Why are you agreeing so readily?" Meng Wuyou asked with suspicion.

"Isn't it what you asked of me?" Yang Kai frowned, puzzled by Meng Wuyou's sudden change in attitude.

"Yes, but your agreement was too swift," Meng Wuyou insisted, "You owe me an explanation."

"Do you or do you not want my help?" Yang Kai's patience wore thin.

"Yes, of course I do."

"Then why question it? Isn't my willingness to help a good thing?"

Meng Wuyou was baffled. Yang Kai's prompt acceptance seemed beneficial, yet he felt something was amiss.

Yang Kai walked steadily towards her.

The sound of his footsteps roused Xia Ningchang from her reverie. By the time she noticed him, Yang Kai had already reached her side.

Xia Ningchang was clearly startled, her demeanor flustered as she looked at Yang Kai.

Her previous encounters with him had been fraught with embarrassment, making her understandably nervous.

"Senior Sister Xia," Yang Kai addressed her, "What are you doing here?"

"I… I came to watch over the fruits for you. You haven't been here these past few days, and I was worried someone might pick them," Xia Ningchang explained hastily.

Yang Kai looked around and saw that all the fruits on the three trees he had planted were gone, except for three nearly ripened fruits on the last tree.

"These are your fruits. I've turned them into pills," Xia Ningchang said, handing him a small vial.

Yang Kai accepted the vial, finding it contained nine red pills, each radiating a rich Yang energy.

The pills were pure, unadulterated by any other materials. But how could such pills be made from just the sunfruit?

"Senior Sister, did you know I practiced here?" Yang Kai asked, wondering how she had known to guard the sunfruit trees.

Xia Ningchang's gaze flickered evasively. "I happened to see it."

"So it was you that night," Yang Kai said with a gentle smile, feeling warmth in his heart.