Bad Ice Chunk

"Would the young master like to see this style as well?"

After selling a few of her prized pieces made of pearl-white lotus silk, the shopkeeper knew she had a wealthy customer and her smile grew even warmer.

"Your wife must also be from the Central Plains, right? Take a look at this one."

"Central Plains style?"

Li Mo studied the modest, tightly wrapped garment and said with a straight face, "I think it’s quite nice, but she probably wouldn’t like it."

"What about this one?"

"This Central Plains style hasn’t quite captured the essence—lacks a bit of refinement..."

"......"

The shopkeeper stared at the young man for a few seconds, secretly amused.

She then brought out a Southern Border style.

"How about this?"

Young Master Li Mo fell silent. It wasn’t a two-piece set but a one-piece, made of semi-transparent black butterfly silk.

If paired with those special stockings...

Of course, he was a pure-minded young man.

But as everyone knew, Li Mo was a genius with an excellent imagination.

And his mind was vivid—automatically conjuring up the effect of wearing it.

"Adapting to local customs is only natural."

"......"

Young Master Li Mo believed that an upright heart fears no shadows.

Buying clothing that aligned with Southern Border traditions was perfectly reasonable.

Well, he did keep a few normal pieces too.

The shopkeeper insisted on giving them as gifts—she just wouldn’t take no for an answer.

......

At the inn.

After soaking in the medicinal bath for nearly an hour, the steam and herbal essence had drawn out a delicate fragrance and flushed Ying Bing’s fair skin.

"He’s still not back..."

She knew it hadn’t been long, yet every second felt unbearably slow.

Just as she was about to wrap herself in her phoenix-qi robe and step out, the window rattled—Li Mo had returned.

"Did you buy them?"

"I had the shopkeeper pick some out for me."

"Let me see."

"Here."

Ying Bing had barely taken the bag when—

"There’s more. I wasn’t sure what you’d like, so I bought a variety."

And so.

A few minutes later, Ying Bing stared at the pile of bags stacked beside the bathtub, her phoenix-like eyes blinking slowly.

Alright.

This was just like him. Last time at the tailor’s, he bought so much that the 200-pound shop owner had to learn how to sprint like a martial artist.

Thinking this, she glanced toward the folding screen where the young man’s shadow sat rigidly at the table. Only then did she rise from the bath with a splash and open one of the bags.

The fabric felt familiar...

Ying Bing closed the bag, expressionless, and picked up another.

The second one...

The third...

Her grip tightened on the bag.

"Li Mo, these clothes you bought..."

Li Mo sat upright, unshaken. "Southern Border local styles. The shopkeeper said we should adapt to local customs, and I thought it made sense."

"But... so many..."

"Business must be slow for her lately. You know me—I can’t stand seeing people upset. She insisted on giving them, so I took them all."

Even when spouting nonsense, Li Mo’s tone was impeccably earnest.

"......"

Among this pile of clothes, barely any could be called "modest."

The "local customs" content was off the charts.

Is this how a gentleman interprets "adapting to local customs"?

"Wearing these might as well be the same as wearing nothing."

Ying Bing’s voice was soft but pointed.

"Sister, wear them?"

Young Master Li Mo blurted out without thinking.

Mostly because last time he used this trick, the ice block had actually eaten the food he fed her.

Behind the screen.

The silhouette of her graceful figure froze for a split second.

"......"

A moment later.

The frosty immortal emerged from her bath, her damp hair clinging to her fair neck, her moonlit skin glowing with a soft luster, her gaze as cool and distant as ever.

But she had draped her feathered robe over herself again.

"What are you thinking about?"

"There’s a martial art that lets one see through illusions. If one’s vision were sharp enough, could they see through..."

Li Mo was pondering the concept of the "Fiery Golden Eyes."

If he upgraded the "Monkey Seeks the Dao" technique, wouldn’t this be one of its abilities?

"Want to know?"

She studied the young man’s expression—righteous yet slightly guilty—and narrowed her beautiful eyes.

"!"

Young Master Li Mo stiffened.

Earlier, the hardest part of him had been his mouth. Now, that might change very soon.

This sudden question hit with the same lethality as the classic line:

"I bought a very sexy swimsuit."

As the youngest in the top ten of the Hidden Dragon Ranking, her title alone spoke volumes—aloof, untouchable, like the moon itself. Cold and sacred, seemingly within reach yet forever distant.

And now, fresh from her bath.

Wearing the clothes he had just picked out.

She stepped closer, her gaze deep, and whispered by his ear:

"I won’t tell you."

"???"

Young Master Li Mo never expected the ice block to actually turn mischievous!

This new, wicked version of her was doing it on purpose!

Now, the young man who had so eagerly embraced "local customs" was reaping what he sowed. He could only hurry into the bath, bending awkwardly to test the water temperature before submerging himself with a long exhale.

"The water’s a bit cold. Shouldn’t you change—"

"I’ll just heat it with my inner energy. Wastefulness is shameful."

"......"

Ying Bing sat at the edge of the bed, listening to the splashing water, momentarily dazed.

Only now did she realize what she had just done.

She glanced down at her collar, fingers curling slightly as a faint glow of qi flickered—she had quietly changed what was underneath.

"Just throw them away..."

Muttering to herself, she tossed the discarded garments into the basket.

Wait.

When they cultivated together, their minds linked. Even if she didn’t say it...

Before long.

Li Mo stepped out from behind the screen, using his qi to dry himself, only to find Ying Bing already seated, communing with the Jade Phoenix Spirit.

She’s already started training? He had hoped to ask her about it indirectly.

With his "72 Transformations" perfected, he no longer needed to commune with the Jade Phoenix Spirit. Tonight, he planned to refine the "Monkey Seeks the Dao" technique.

Just as he was about to step out for fresh air, her voice stopped him.

"Li Mo."

"Hm?"

"Some of my clothes... they’re not dry yet."

Their clothes never needed air-drying.

The "Li Mo Brand Dryer" came highly recommended by all who used it.

Li Mo nodded, picking up the basket. He intended to dry them while getting some air, but the garments inside looked familiar.

The pearl-white lotus silk undergarments—the most expensive piece he had bought.

Huh? Wait.

Weren’t these just purchased?

He turned back in confusion, only for the door to snap shut behind him.

She... wore them?

Young Master Li Mo lifted the garment.

"......"

"Tsk..."