Chapter 54: Kiss

In the quiet room, Yin Tianfang lay on the bed. Nuolan’s clear, beautiful eyes gazed silently at him, her breath fragrant and gentle. The pounding of his heart was audible in the hush, her large eyes blinking softly. Suddenly, Nuolan lowered her head and pressed a kiss to Yin Tianfang’s lips.

His eyes opened wide, an unfamiliar sensation flooding his heart. The faint fragrance at the tip of his nose, the soft, cool touch on his lips, made his breathing quicken. Before he could recover, Nuolan quickly rose, her face flushed red, and she hurried out of the room. Yin Tianfang was left feeling empty and bereft. Only after a long while did his emotions settle.

Recalling the moment, a slight smile appeared on his face, giving him an almost foolish look. It was his first intimate contact with a woman, and the feeling was indescribably wonderful.

Drawing in a deep breath, Yin Tianfang moved his stiff body a little. Suddenly, he froze, his expression shifting dramatically.

“Oh no, Little Dot!” He scrambled out of bed, dressed in haste, and rushed from the room. In the courtyard, Qingluo sat at the stone table, with Little Dot standing atop it, playing happily with her. Seeing this scene, Yin Tianfang’s anxiety eased.

He had left Little Dot in the forest, then collapsed and was brought back to the Xuandao Sect. No one but Yin Tianfang knew where Little Dot was. He had worried that something might happen to the creature, but seeing it safe and playing with Qingluo brought him relief.

Noticing Yin Tianfang awake, Little Dot fluttered its wings and landed on his head, chirping with delight. Yin Tianfang laughed, lifted Little Dot from his head, and stroked its smooth silver feathers, though a lingering concern remained in his heart. In the cave, he had been hunted by strangers, suspecting they were connected to Lin Tian. After their first failed attempt, they had not struck again. A few days ago, he had killed Lin Tian in a fit of anger, cutting off that lead. Now, he had no way of knowing which group was behind the pursuit. Yet since they had found the cave and slain the adult demon bird, it was clear they would not let matters rest—they would find him eventually.

“Who are they?” Yin Tianfang frowned, his face growing grave.

“What’s wrong?” A gentle, worried voice called out. Little Dot joyfully flew off him, darting into the newcomer’s arms.

“Heh, little rascal.” Nuolan cradled Little Dot, laughing softly as she stepped up to Yin Tianfang, watching his furrowed brow.

“It’s nothing,” Yin Tianfang relaxed his brow, asking, “Where did you go just now?”

Nuolan blushed, replying, “I went to inform Elder Xuan Yin that you’d woken up.”

“Oh,” Yin Tianfang nodded, his gaze flickering. Suddenly, he took Nuolan’s hand and led her toward the room. At the doorway, he plucked Little Dot from her arms and told it, “Go play outside for a while.”

With that, he tossed Little Dot outside and took Nuolan into the room, shutting the door behind them. Little Dot, having flown back, crashed into the door with a thud, slid to the floor, dazed. After a moment, it fluttered up again and pecked a small hole in the door, poking its head through to spy inside.

Inside, Yin Tianfang was excited and nervous, gazing at Nuolan, who looked confused, unsure why he was acting so secretively.

“Well, um…” Yin Tianfang scratched his head, looking at her and stammered, “Could I… kiss you again?”

Nuolan’s face turned as red as a rose. She looked at the burning passion in his eyes, lowered her head shyly, and after a long while, finally nodded.

Yin Tianfang’s heart soared. He gently placed his hand on Nuolan’s shoulder. Nuolan closed her eyes, her cheeks flushed, her face tilted up. Yin Tianfang felt his heart about to leap from his chest. Just as their lips were about to meet, Little Dot, who had been watching with rapt attention, was suddenly yanked away, and the door flew open.

Startled by the sound, Yin Tianfang and Nuolan froze and turned to the doorway. There stood three figures: Elder Xuan Yin, Qian Chuan, and Qingluo. Little Dot was held in Elder Xuan Yin’s hand.

Five pairs of eyes stared at each other. Little Dot, squeezed in the elder’s grasp, chirped loudly, snapping everyone out of their trance.

“Ahem, well, we didn’t see anything. You two carry on,” Elder Xuan Yin said, coughing awkwardly as he closed the door behind him.

Standing in the courtyard, Elder Xuan Yin released Little Dot, who squawked indignantly at him. Elder Xuan Yin only smiled.

The door opened. Yin Tianfang stepped out, closing it behind him, his face burning as he approached the others. Qingluo slipped into the room as Yin Tianfang emerged.

“Youth is a wonderful thing,” Elder Xuan Yin said with a smile. “This is, after all, the residence of outer sect disciples—too many eyes and ears about. In a few days, I’ll arrange new quarters for you.”

“I’ll build you a separate courtyard—quiet and undisturbed,” he added.

“Elder, is there something you needed?” Yin Tianfang asked, face still red, glancing at the middle-aged man beside Elder Xuan Yin with a hint of curiosity.

“And who might you be?”

“He is Qian Chuan, the Sect Master of the Xuan Sect,” Elder Xuan Yin replied.

Yin Tianfang was startled, quickly clasping his fists in salute. Qian Chuan studied him and nodded slightly.

“I have news for you,” Qian Chuan began. “In a few days, people from the Azure Cloud Sect will visit our Xuan Dao Sect. There has always been friction between our sects, and I suspect they believe their Second Elder, Yin Wushuang, was killed by someone from our sect.”

“They’ll come under the guise of an exchange, but I expect they’re really here to accuse us.”

Hearing this, Yin Tianfang was taken aback. At the mention of the Azure Cloud Sect, his feelings grew complicated.

“When the time comes, you and Nuolan can find a place to be alone—no one will disturb you. If the Azure Cloud Sect folks catch you, it’ll cause no end of trouble,” Elder Xuan Yin said with a grin.

Yin Tianfang’s face flushed again, embarrassed at having been caught earlier.

“Haha, well, we’ll leave you to it and not disturb you any longer,” Elder Xuan Yin laughed, departing with Qian Chuan.