Chapter 16: Massage the jade beauty

Joseph wasn't sure when the conversation had gone from moonflowers and cultivation to… this.

He had been getting ready to leave the garden outside the Cultivation Hall when Yan Su—inner disciple, silver-sword bearer, and moonflower whisperer—let out a soft groan and arched her back with a wince.

"Stars above," she muttered, one hand pressing into her lower spine. "That sitting posture's going to be the end of me. Five hours cross-legged. I swear I just felt my soul crack."

Joseph turned toward her instinctively. "Back pain?"

Yan Su glanced over, brushing her braid over her shoulder. "Does it look that obvious?"

He hesitated. A flicker of memory rose from the depths of his reader's mind.

In Chapter 37 of the original novel, Wei Shen had earned the nickname 'Spine-Mender of the Southern Court' after relieving the back strain of three inner court jade beauties using a massage sequence said to have originated from the Nine Rivers Hot Spring Sect. His technique was revered for its balance of precision and qi-guided palm motion.

Joseph's face turned red immediately.

He cleared his throat. "Actually… I, uh, might be able to help."

Yan Su looked at him, blinking.

Joseph waved his hands nervously. "Not in a weird way! It's just—well, in my… past life, I worked at a hot spring spa. In the Southern Province."

He paused.

That had sounded a little too specific, but she didn't question it.

"I did a lot of… massage therapy," he said carefully. "For spiritual recovery. Muscle tension. That kind of thing."

Yan Su tilted her head, curious. "You're a cultivator and a massage therapist?"

"In my past life," he repeated quickly, tapping his temple. "I, uh, remember most of the hand sequences. Palm, thumb, joint pressure, qi guidance. I could help. I mean—if you want."

She blinked again, her lips twitching like she wasn't sure whether to laugh or be flattered.

"You're offering me a back massage. For free."

"I mean… you helped me today. Talked to me. Encouraged me. It's the least I can do."

There was a pause. Then she flushed slightly and looked away. "It wouldn't be proper. Not here. This is a public hall garden. Someone might—"

"That's why I offered to do it in my room," Joseph said quickly.

The words left his mouth before he could second-guess them.

Yan Su looked back at him, wide-eyed. "Your room?"

He held up both hands. "It's purely medical. If we do it here, it breaks sect rules on public display between disciples. Inner or outer."

Another pause.

She sighed. "You're technically not wrong."

Joseph nodded, trying not to sweat. "One session. Ten minutes. You'll feel like your spine's a newly-forged blade."

Yan Su studied him for a moment longer, then let out a breath. "Fine. But if I walk out sore, I'm reporting you to Elder Mu."

He gave a sheepish smile. "Fair."

****

Back in his dorm, Joseph lit a calming incense stick and gently cleared his small tatami mat with a folded cloth. Yan Su sat on the edge of his low bench, her outer robe loosened, arms folded across the front as she settled down on her stomach.

"This feels improper," she murmured.

"It's a bodywork technique," Joseph said, kneeling beside her. "Medicinal. Like bone setting or pulse reading."

"Mm-hmm."

He took a deep breath and let muscle memory—no, reader memory—take over.

Step One: Gentle palm pressure along the shoulder blade meridian.

He began softly, palms pressing and gliding in small, circular motions.

Yan Su let out a quiet breath. "That's… not bad."

Step Two: Focus on the lumbar line, press with thumbs in slow pulses while syncing with breathing.

He counted her breaths silently and adjusted the pressure.

A soft moan escaped her lips before she could stop it. "Ah—sorry. That just—keep going."

Joseph's face was bright red, but he focused.

Step Three: Qi tracing along the spine. Index knuckles in an upward sweep, guiding latent qi upward from the base.

She let out another moan, "AHH..". Her fingers curled slightly on the mat. "That's… wow. I didn't think outer disciples had this kind of training."

"I told you," he said, voice steady, "Southern Province. Spa work."

"You're wasted as a swordsman."

He didn't answer. His hands moved with smooth, deliberate rhythm. For ten full minutes, he followed every step, pressure point, and breath cue from the novel's description. She didn't speak again, only exhaled quietly as her tension melted away under his palms.

Finally, he leaned back, wiping his hands with a dry cloth.

"You're done," he said.

Yan Su didn't move at first.

Then she pushed herself upright, her braid hanging forward over one shoulder, eyes still half-lidded with relief.

"That…" she began, voice drowsy, "was the best thing I've felt since my last breakthrough."

"Happy to help," Joseph said, trying to stay casual.

"I was going to train more this morning," she said. "Now I want a nap. Or tea. Or both."

She stood and stretched, rolling her shoulders. "You weren't lying. I feel ten pounds lighter."

Joseph stepped toward the door, opening it politely. "Glad it worked."

She hesitated before stepping outside. "If you ever decide you're done with swords, the inner sect would kill for someone with those hands."

He flushed again. "That won't be necessary."

"Pity."

She gave a faint smirk and turned to leave.

"I would stay longer," she added, looking over her shoulder, "but I heard you've got a rather serious appointment today."

Joseph blinked.

"You've been summoned by the Elder Council, right?"

"How do you—?"

She winked. "Thin walls, remember?"

Then she was gone.

Joseph closed the door and leaned against it for a long moment.

He'd survived the conversation.

Survived the massage.

And now… came the part that wasn't so relaxing.

The Elders were waiting.