"Then… are you injured?"
Queen Medusa's phoenix eyes brimmed with crimson mist, worry etching deep lines across her exquisite, normally proud countenance. Her slender hands fluttered ceaselessly over Xiao Jietian's form — tracing shoulders, pressing chest, searching for any hidden wound — heedless now of the priceless Nine-Colored Heaven-Devouring Python essence blood she had so fiercely coveted moments before.
In this instant, nothing mattered more than the man before her.
To her heart, Xiao Jietian outweighed any bloodline evolution, any promise of greater power.
She knew full well the terror of an eighth-tier peak Magical Beast — equivalent to a Nine-Revolutions Dou Zun, or even capable of crossing blades with a Half-Saint if its lineage ran deep and ancient. Yet judging by her understanding of him, Xiao Jietian's present cultivation could scarcely have surpassed Four-Star Dou Zun.
"How could I forget? Your humble servant is an alchemist of no small skill." Xiao Jietian smiled softly, catching those anxious jade hands in his warm palm. His voice was low and tender, carrying the gentle firmness of mountain winds. "The injuries have long since mended. That beast gained no true advantage over me."
He drew her closer. "To shield you from harm… no peril in this world could make me hesitate."
Medusa exhaled a shaky breath of relief. One delicate hand patted the generous swell of her chest as though to calm her racing heart. "You vow it — never again act so recklessly. If… if anything befell you…" Her words faltered; a flush crept up her snow-white neck like dawn breaking over snow peaks. Hastily she amended, "…what would become of your other sisters? They would grieve beyond measure."
Xiao Jietian gazed at the proud Queen whose eyes now shimmered only with concern for him, and warmth flooded his chest like spring sun melting frost. He drew her gently into his embrace, strong arms encircling her lithe, serpentine waist.
"Rest easy. I am not so easily felled. Hidden trump cards still slumber within me." He lowered his head, lips brushing her fragrant hair. "But to see Her Majesty the Queen worry so earnestly for my sake… every wound, every risk, suddenly feels worthwhile."
Medusa cast him a sidelong glance, feigning displeasure yet unable to hide the curve of her lips. "All sweet words and honeyed phrases." Then her tone grew solemn, regal once more.
"Your life belongs to this Queen. Without my decree, you are forbidden from dying. And should such danger arise again… you must summon us. One man's strength has limits; together we stand unbreakable. Do you understand?"
In the silence of her heart she whispered an oath: If you perish, this Queen shall follow you into the yellow springs.
Xiao Jietian laughed lightly, the sound warm as old wine. "Every word I speak comes from the depths of my soul. You, Cai Lin, are my most cherished treasure in this boundless world."
At those words, Medusa's cheeks blazed like sunset clouds. Normally such declarations would merely amuse her haughty spirit — yet now, after the storm of battle and the terror of nearly losing him, they struck straight to her core, sweeter than any immortal elixir.
She twined both arms about his broad waist and pillowed her cheek against the steady drum of his heart, quietly drinking in his warmth, his scent, the reassuring rhythm of life within him.
Xiao Jietian dipped his head. Their gazes met — hers upward, luminous and vulnerable; his downward, deep as ancient abysses. A spark leaped between them, electric and inevitable.
Medusa rose onto her toes, closing the final distance. Voice soft as falling petals yet laden with longing, she breathed:
"Kiss me."
Without a moment's hesitation Xiao Jietian claimed her crimson lips.
The kiss deepened swiftly, fierce and tender in equal measure, as though they sought to pour every unspoken fear and joy into that single union.
Medusa clung to him, body trembling faintly, channeling all the storm within her proud heart into the press of mouths and entwining tongues.
One of Xiao Jietian's hands threaded gently through her silken, serpent-black tresses, stroking with reverence; the other clasped her narrow waist more tightly still, drawing her impossibly closer, deepening the embrace until heaven and earth seemed to fade.
Then — sensing his palm begin to wander with bolder intent — Medusa abruptly returned to herself. A small hand pressed his in restraint. She retreated half a step, cheeks flaming anew.
"Wait… wait a moment…"
"What is it?" Xiao Jietian asked, curiosity mingling with lingering heat as he regarded her apple-red face.
"Did I not promise… that if the gift you bestowed upon me pleased me, then this Queen would offer you a return gift in kind?" Medusa's fingers nervously toyed with the sash of her scarlet robe.
Xiao Jietian stilled, then a knowing smile curved his lips as he took in her tightly wrapped figure. A guess kindled in his eyes.
He reached out, brushed a stray lock from her burning cheek, and murmured with delighted anticipation, "Then your humble consort eagerly awaits Her Majesty's gracious bestowal."
Medusa spoke no further. Instead she guided his hand to the silken tie at her waist. Voice barely a whisper, trembling yet resolute:
"Pull…"
Xiao Jietian obeyed with reverent slowness.
The sash parted. With the lightest of movements the grand scarlet robe cascaded downward like falling maple leaves, pooling at her feet.
His breath caught. Pupils dilated. Throat worked convulsively.
Never had he expected this — not after so many teasing refusals, not even after all his earnest pleas and half-joking "disciplinary lessons." Yet here she stood, offering herself willingly.
Medusa now wore a maid's nightgown of white trimmed in scarlet — delicate lace, scandalously short hem, ribbons designed for the swiftest untying. The contrast between her regal bearing and this submissive attire struck like heavenly thunder.
Under his burning stare she lowered her gaze, unable to meet it, fingers twisting the edge of the thin fabric. The blush consumed her entire face until it seemed blood might weep from her snowy skin.
After concluding the affairs of the Snake-People Tribe and returning alone to her chambers, she had glimpsed once more the garment he had gifted her long ago — the one she had always scorned and refused. Yet tonight, separated from him for too many moons, the ache of longing had overcome her pride. In a daze of yearning she had donned it, deciding to wrap herself as the most precious gift she could offer.
Xiao Jietian drew a long, shuddering breath. Desire and exhilaration warred in his gaze.
Queen turned maid — who under heaven could resist such temptation?
He seated himself upon the carved chair, instantly slipping into the role. A single finger crooked lazily.
"Come hither."
Medusa rolled her eyes in mock exasperation, yet remembering his recent sacrifice, she softened. She had glimpsed such play among mortal women; now she would indulge him.
She glided forward, sank gracefully to her knees before him in perfect subservient posture. Voice quivering with shy affectation, soft and coy:
"Master~ What command do you have for this lowly maid~?"
That single word — "Master" — falling from the lips of the proud Queen Medusa, paired with her enchanting, fox-like features, sent fire roaring through Xiao Jietian's veins. His breathing grew ragged; eyes reddened with want.
To forestall further teasing words that might shatter his control, he swiftly produced a convenient "implement" and gently but firmly sealed her lips.
"Mmm… mmm~~" Medusa's golden eyes widened in surprise. Muffled whimpers escaped around the obstruction.
Xiao Jietian stroked her hair with deceptive gentleness. Voice low and commanding:
"I speak. You obey."
Clad now as maid and playing the part in full, Medusa could only comply. Mouth sealed, she nodded earnestly at each instruction. When his tone grew particularly stern she would flash him a rebellious roll of the eyes — silent protest from a queen who refused to surrender every shred of dignity.
Only after a long, deliberate "lesson" did Xiao Jietian finally withdraw the obstruction.
Medusa gasped in relief, swallowing the gathered moisture, then wiped her lips with the back of her hand. Rising, she pouted like an aggrieved kitten:
"You rogue… how dare you block a lady's mouth so suddenly?"
"Merely the most convenient method at hand." Xiao Jietian chuckled, unrepentant. He knew he had pushed the boundary, yet the added intensity had only heightened the thrill.
"Hmph. Excuses, as always." Medusa huffed, delivering a light, playful punch to his chest.
"Oh?" Xiao Jietian's expression immediately turned grave. He leaned forward, voice stern once more. "Is this how a maid addresses her Master?"