Mo Li liked water, but didn’t enjoy bathing in hot water.
Does it make sense for a fish to soak in hot water?
When Qin Lu first took in his disciple, he discovered that the child got especially anxious at bath time, clinging to the edge of the wooden tub and refusing to go in.
It was hot water!
Even warm water was considered hot!
Unfortunately, old Mr. Qin didn’t understand and thought Mo Li was afraid of water. After all, he had rescued the child from a flood. Such a small child, not even taller than the tub, being scared during a bath was understandable and heart-wrenching.
So he let the child stand in the tub and used a warm water towel to wipe him down.
Seeing the aunt next door scraping fish scales and salting fish, Mo Li: “…”
He jumped up and ran away.
There were plenty of naughty kids like that in Zhushan County, running naked down the street refusing to bathe… Tang Xiaotang tried it once. However, whether it was Tang or Mo Li, neither became the talk of the neighborhood.
Because Qin Lu’s martial arts weren’t practiced in vain. He could catch any mischievous kid in a flash; they couldn’t even get out the door, let alone run down the street.
Bathing was mandatory, even if it meant holding them down to do it.
Mr. Qin unknowingly bathed the fish for months until the fish understood what a bath was.
Though Mo Li preferred cold water, the divine doctor Qin Lu certainly wouldn’t let a three-year-old bathe in cold water, not even in the summer heat.
Mo Li had to bathe secretly and pretended to play with water when caught.
When Qin Lu saw Mo Li gradually returning to normal, transforming from a silent child who remembered nothing into one who could smile, talk, and secretly play with water, he felt relieved and completely missed the chance to learn the truth.
As “grown-up” Mo Li, relying on his deep internal strength, he had the excuse to bathe in cold water, even in the coldest winter. Qin Lu mistook this for him toughening up, thinking it was good for young people to endure hardship as long as it didn’t harm their foundation. So he offered a few words of advice and, satisfied, never asked again.
— Another missed chance to know the truth.
In any case, the master and disciple had misunderstood each other for over a decade; a few more instances made no difference.
No one knew that Mo Li disliked bathing in hot water.
When staying at inns, Mo Li always instructed the staff to fill the tub with hot water.
The reason? If he specifically asked for cold water, it would draw too much attention. Mo Li was someone who would shiver convincingly even after falling into an icy lake, fearing exposure of his identity to others, and ridicule from Meng Qi.
Afraid of hot baths, what a novel thing. Meng Qi would certainly understand immediately.
The doctor’s dignity must be maintained; otherwise, how could he later make the chubby mouse drink bitter medicine?
Mo Li’s arms were stiff as he stepped into this “Sweet Spring Bathhouse” establishment.
Lifting the thick curtain, he was hit with a wave of hot air.
It was like lifting the lid off a large pot in a kitchen.
The attendant at the bathhouse led the way diligently.
In this season, one could dump a bucket of cold water over themselves and be fine, so the bathhouse business naturally slumped.
The attendant had spoken very nicely in front of Qiu Jing, but it was all surface-level; it was to give Fengxing Pavilion some face. Today, there were no customers, and putting up a “closed” sign was the easiest thing. The pools were scrubbed daily, and a quick cleaning inside and out was done in no time.
“Please, young master, master.”
The attendant from Fengxing Pavilion was sharp-eyed and knew exactly whom to “please.”
He stayed close to Mo Li, almost as if he wanted to smooth the path for him.
“The theater troupe was hired externally and deemed unreliable, so they were sent away. Only an old qin player and a storytelling lady named Liu remain. Does the young master have any preferred songs? I can have them prepare immediately.”
Seeing Mo Li’s stern face, unsure if he was uncomfortable or displeased, the attendant quickly added, “Don’t worry, young master, the musicians will be behind a screen; you won’t see them, and they won’t see you.”
“Musical instruments, how can they withstand the dampness of steam? Won’t they go out of tune?” Mo Li frowned.
“This…”
The attendant’s face froze, and he instinctively looked towards Qiu Jing.
Qiu Jing, shaking her fan and smiling, said nothing.
The bathhouse attendant thought, well, this must be a tough character, even the master is watching the fun.
“Young master, you seem to be an expert in music, likely owning many fine instruments at home? Listening to music in mountain temples, by clear springs and stone streams, burning incense and reciting poetry is ideal. But those who come here are merchants, and those performing for money are struggling folks. They earn just enough for food, so they can’t care for much else. Not to be laughed at, but we at the bathhouse wonder how we are any worse than those pretentious pleasure boats? It’s not just about not having scholars and poets around; it’s about being free from the cloying atmosphere and debts of the flesh. Lying on a brocade bed with a courtesan, even if listening to the world’s best music, what does it matter?”
Mo Li didn’t expect one comment to prompt such a long response from the attendant.
Monk Yuan Zhi, however, was deeply moved, sighing that even with a fine instrument and great skill, being in a brothel was no different from being in a damp bathhouse. It was all unfortunate, all people struggling to survive.
Mo Li: “…”
He understood the logic, but musical instruments still go out of tune when damp.
The old monk was too easy to deceive.
If Meng Qi could succeed, so could others.
Looking down at the cloth bag in his hand, Mo Li’s thoughts aligned with the swordsman’s: if you can’t argue, just stay quiet.
Qiu Jing tapped the attendant’s shoulder with her fan, laughing as she walked over.
The other staff in the bathhouse looked at the attendant with envy and jealousy; he had gained the master’s favor!
In Fengxing Pavilion, being articulate was important, and even more so was the ability to dig up information.
Mo Li’s eyes were vacant. He realized that not everyone in Fengxing Pavilion knew Qiu Jing was a woman, otherwise, would they arrange for her to be in a bathhouse? Would the attendants directly bring them to a pool that could accommodate ten people?
Speaking of which, this pool was quite nice, with only half of it indoors.
Outside was a small courtyard surrounded by high walls and bamboo. The qin player’s screen was behind the bamboo, a considerable distance from the pool.
Steam rose, lingering among the bamboo leaves, creating a poetic atmosphere.
There were chairs and benches by the pool, some for lying down, some for leaning on, with parts submerged in water and parts at the pool’s edge. There were even small floating wooden trays.
“No private room?” Mo Li turned and asked.
The attendant finally seemed to notice the cloth bag and its contents, smiling broadly as he bowed repeatedly, “Of course, young master, this way please.”
Mo Li then stepped into an empty room with bamboo couches and low tables.
There was also an empty pool.
“Young master, you can put the person in the pool, bind their hands and feet, and leave their head above water. The slippery walls will prevent any escape.”
Mo Li: “…”
No need to torture the captive like this.
The attendant cheerfully opened a small side door.
Behind it, curtains hung to the ground, dividing the space with bamboo screens. Beyond them was a pool of clear water, surrounded by flowers and plants.
Though it was called a room, it was more like a pavilion with just a roof. There was a mechanism with wooden wheels that drew water up, which then flowed down from the pavilion’s eaves like a waterfall. The breeze made the whole place feel cool.
“This place has a spring, though the water is a bit hard and not suitable for drinking or making tea, it is perfect for bathing. Is the young master satisfied?”
Mo Li had only read about such mechanisms in books. A copper pavilion with hollow pillars that could be heated with charcoal in winter, keeping the interior warm despite the wind and snow. This setup was the opposite, with the hollow pillars filled with ice and a constant flow of water, keeping the heat at bay.
“Such ingenious craftsmanship, I never expected to see it here,” Mo Li said, genuinely surprised.
Whether ice or charcoal, the cost was enormous, usually reserved for royal residences or wealthy families. Run County was a small place, and the exterior of this Sweet Spring Bathhouse seemed ordinary, so how could it have such grand installations?
“The young master may not know, but it’s no longer the Chen Dynasty, where only the nobility could enjoy fine things. Nowadays, the wealthiest are the salt merchants from the Huaiyang region. Besides them, local business houses are also flush with gold and silver. Yet, despite their wealth, they can’t hold onto it, so they spend extravagantly.”
Mo Li was momentarily stunned, then understood the attendant’s implication.
The world was not peaceful, and having money alone wasn’t enough.
Money could hire guards and buy favors, but against true nobility and masters, neither money nor lives could be saved.
The attendant smiled broadly, “Our place is just a facade to attract customers, far inferior to a true flowing pavilion. It’s said that in Jiangnan, there are pavilions that can accommodate dozens of people, brightly lit at night, and resplendent with colorful embroidery. It’s even nicknamed ‘Earthly Cool Palace, Heavenly Moon Palace.'”
After saying this, a few more attendants knocked and entered, bringing seasonal fruits, chilled cakes, and tea.
The thoughtful hospitality made Mo Li suspect that Fengxing Pavilion was trying to recruit him in this way.
— They probably deduced from their intelligence that Mo Li and Meng Qi had been living “frugally” without enough to eat or wear.
Mo Li refused the musicians and singers, as well as the bathhouse attendants offering massages and entertainment. After sending everyone away, he stared at the flowing pavilion for a long while, unable to resist lifting the curtain and stepping into the courtyard.
The courtyard was densely planted with bamboo, and looking far, he could see other courtyards and hear the sound of water.
It was secluded, but if someone wanted to spy, they could easily climb over the walls and through the bamboo.
The bathhouse had no female guests, so there was no need for strict privacy. The outdoor pool allowed for both ventilation and moon-gazing, catering to those with refined tastes.
Even those concerned about their safety could simply have guards waiting outside the bamboo grove.
Mo Li, alone, wasn’t afraid of Fengxing Pavilion causing trouble. The bamboo was so dense that even a master of light-footed martial arts couldn’t sneak past his keen senses, but the swordsman was another matter.
Leaving him in the room risked someone using secret passages to abduct him.
— Mo Li thought Qiu Jing wouldn’t do this. Though she was a woman, she had the demeanor of a formidable figure in the martial world, a person of her word. But with so many under her command, who knew if someone would act on their own to gain favor?
As for leaving the swordsman by the pool, who would want an unrelated person watching while they bathed?
Mo Li glanced at the pool, then at the swordsman.
The swordsman knew what Mo Li was contemplating but enjoyed the spectacle, even hoping Fengxing Pavilion would make a move.
Unfortunately, his joy was short-lived as he was picked up in the cloth bag.
The swordsman watched in disbelief as Mo Li single-handedly lifted a bamboo couch from the room and placed it at the door leading to the courtyard.
Draping the curtain securely over the couch, Mo Li unwrapped the swordsman and placed him on it, facing the interior.
This way, he could see anyone approaching, making abduction difficult.
Swordsman: “…”
What kind of divine doctor is this? Doesn’t he realize this setup looks wrong?
Mo Li didn’t think so at all.
A gentleman harbors no illicit thoughts, and without anyone to remind him, Mo Li wouldn’t consider it otherwise.
The pool’s water came from a spring, not only with a spring at the bottom but also flowing out through the gaps in the rocks, always keeping the water clear and pristine. This feature greatly appealed to Mo Li.
When one soaked in the pool, they could feel the subtle flow of water constantly washing over their limbs.
Apart from the lack of spiritual energy, it was almost perfect.
Mo Li let his hair down, regretting that he couldn’t revert to his true form. He closed his eyes, letting the water slowly permeate every inch of his skin.
If anyone saw him, they would be astonished, as Mo Li was completely submerged in the pool, not even showing his head, as if he didn’t need to breathe.
From afar, the sound of musical instruments and singing could faintly be heard, melodious and pleasing.
Combined with the sound of the water flowing around the pavilion, it made one feel drowsy.
The water was Mo Li’s most familiar and relaxing environment, inevitably affecting him. Though he didn’t fall asleep, his vigilance waned slightly, causing him to miss noticing anything unusual.
— The bamboo grove swayed slightly, as if a breeze had passed through.
The intruder blended seamlessly with the surrounding atmosphere, like a part of the flowing water and gentle breeze.
Meng Qi had originally headed towards the noise of the musical instruments but suddenly stopped by the small pavilion, hesitating and then turning around.
In the bright moonlight, there was a vague shadow in the spring pool.
The water rippled, resembling a ghostly mirror that captivated the soul.
Meng Qi couldn’t help but move closer.
“Who is it?”
The pool suddenly surged, water splashing and drenching Meng Qi.
Meng Qi could have dodged but was stunned.
“D…Doctor Mo? Why are you here?”
“Isn’t it normal for me to be in the water?” Mo Li retorted.
Meng Qi opened his mouth, his mind buzzing, but his eyes remained fixed on Mo Li.
He had just glimpsed black scales appearing on Mo Li’s chest and arms, which vanished quickly as water droplets slid off. Anyone else would have thought it was an illusion, but Meng Qi had seen scales on Mo Li’s cheeks and neck before and knew what it was.
He swallowed hard, his fingertips trembling.
Mo Li wasn’t wearing clothes.
In fact, Meng Qi had seen Mo Li’s bare upper body before, but the feeling wasn’t as intense as now.
— His blood surged to his head. If not for his strong control, he might have had an inappropriate reaction on the spot.
The contrast of the white, slender body and the dark, shiny scales was otherworldly and exotic.
When the scales appeared, an abundant spiritual energy also floated, and the body beneath was the pinnacle of creation, the epitome of beauty.
It made one want to devour it whole.
Meng Qi realized that it was like admiring a breathtaking landscape painting; Mo Li’s normal appearance wouldn’t cause him to lose control, but the scales did.
As Meng Qi was lost in thought, Mo Li noticed his strange expression and, upon closer inspection, found a lingering aura of killing intent on Meng Qi.
It was this aura that had alerted Mo Li earlier.
“Did you kill someone?” Mo Li’s expression changed, worried that Meng Qi’s old illness had relapsed.
“Uh, yes, mm.”
Meng Qi responded vaguely, his mind in chaos, filled with the image of Mo Li’s appearance moments ago.
Mo Li realized this wouldn’t do, and Meng Qi needed medicine immediately.
He didn’t have time to find clothes to cover up, so he leaned against the edge of the pool, ready to take his pulse.
“Hand.”
Meng Qi instinctively extended his hand, then Dr. Mo raised an eyebrow and looked at Meng Qi expressionlessly.
Meng Qi looked back.
After a while, Meng Qi suddenly snapped back to reality and quickly withdrew his hand, cursing himself for being so stupid.
Having such thoughts, how could he dare to give his hand to the doctor?
What was this?
Blatantly telling Mo Li that he wanted intimacy?
Mo Li wasn’t as calm as he appeared.
Though he wasn’t dressed, he was still in the pool, and Meng Qi wasn’t an outsider; they occasionally saw each other changing clothes.
Except for their first frank conversation, Meng Qi usually showed no abnormal behavior. Mo Li had always thought that dragon veins were different from ordinary people, naturally having a subdued desire and not being eager about such matters.
Mo Li himself was like this, so he assumed Meng Qi was the same.
But now it was clear he was wrong.
Mo Li racked his brain, thinking about what was different this time that had stimulated Meng Qi.
As he pondered, his expressionless face made Meng Qi uneasy.
“Why is the doctor here? I heard from Piaoping Pavilion’s people that this bathhouse was their branch, so I came looking.”
“Here? This is Fengxing Pavilion’s place, how could it… wait, how many assassins did you capture?”
Mo Li instinctively turned towards Meng Qi, who knew that the confession he had extracted might be questionable, but he had come to check it out anyway, as he was supposed to meet the doctor in Run County. He hadn’t expected this embarrassing situation.
“Yes, I tracked them to their hideout and found that they were notorious criminals. Somehow, my illness flared up…”
Meng Qi was prepared to feign illness; as long as he could fool the doctor, bitter medicine was a small price to pay.
Mo Li’s eyelids twitched, and he suddenly said, “That night when we first arrived in Yongzhou at the Wild Market, you pretended to have an illness, claiming you had gone mad, but in fact, you wanted to spend the night with me.”
Meng Qi nearly bit his cheek.
“What exactly did you see just now that made you so agitated?” Mo Li pressed, not letting up.
Meng Qi’s face alternated between red and white, struggling to come up with an excuse while looking around for a distraction.
At that moment, he noticed a bamboo couch by the pool, with the curtain draped low, and a person seemingly lying on it.
Recalling that Mo Li mentioned this was Fengxing Pavilion’s place, Meng Qi became furious.
“How dare Fengxing Pavilion insult us? Sending someone to serve as a bed companion?”
In his anger, he forgot that Mo Li would never allow someone to sneak into bed.
A sharp burst of energy instantly shredded the curtain, causing the person on the couch to roll twice and almost fall to the ground.
Seeing things going awry, Mo Li intervened to dissipate Meng Qi’s force, otherwise, the swordsman with dislocated joints would be permanently crippled by the fall.
The swordsman wasn’t grateful at all, glaring at Meng Qi, ready to curse, but was silenced by the shocking conversation he had just overheard between Mo Li and Meng Qi.
— Serve as a bed companion?
— What kind of people are these? What does this have to do with him?
