Chapter 5 The Intruder

The serenity of the night intrigued Dongyue, who was taking a walk to calm his senses. He had just arrived in this strange island, and what could be the better way to satiate the explorer part of himself by finding his way around?

He hadn't expected anyone to be around. It was the sixteenth lunar day of the month, and the eight moons were slightly short of a full moon each. The snowy island was a breathtaking sight even at night. He was amazed by this white wonder, which in the past, he had only managed to see in pictures.

It was surprising how there was vegetation on the island despite it being filled with snow, contradicting what he had studied and researched as an explorer. When he had first tasted the snow with his taste buds, it had stung him bad, but the snow had tasted sweet. (It was like eating ice popsicles, but way more tasty than that)

The beautiful birds did not come out at night. He wandered further and just as he was approaching the bank of the stream, he saw the cursed proprietress pass him. 'What could she be doing at this time?' he asked himself. Back in Yilong, women were forced to adhere to extremely strict and traditional ideals. Women were not allowed out after dark, and even a woman of marriageable age was looked down on if she behaved rowdily or looked at a man. He had got to know these facts from books and what his mother had taught him.

It didn't seem the case in Muxue. Women were allowed freedom of speech, plentiful examples of which he had observed from the busy markets. However, none of the women had interested him as much as the veiled proprietress of the only inn in the small magical island. 

He thought the woman to be amazing to have such capability of handling such a big task at her young age. She didn't seem to be a day over twenty.

As he didn't encounter women much, he didn't know a woman's body was sacred. He saw Muxue Xiyu hastily remove layer after layer of her clothing. But on the other hand, it was his first time to see a naked woman, and he didn't know what to make of his virginal desires when finally, she stepped into the stream, without a stitch on her. Under the bright moonlight, the view of her back was as clear as day.

His heart pounded. In fact, it was pumping so hard that he thought his heart would have popped out of his chest. Then, she froze. She must have heard his footsteps. He realised that should at least be a gentleman and own up to his actions.

"Miss Muxue, we meet again."

In her fury, she turned around, forgetting she was bare. Her mind focused on only the fact why he had intruded her tranquility. And this time, it was personal.

Her eyes burned with rage, but at the same time, it was the first time he had seen her without a veil. His mouth fell open, gaping in awe at her beauty. He had never seen such a beautiful woman in his life, and before this, he only had the fortuity to spectate the upper part of her face. It turned out that when put together, her beauty was immeasurable!

Xiyu let out an ear-piercing scream. From the tip of her fingernails, magic manifested. The first spell on her mind was the quickest spell she could blast at Dongyue, fireball blast. Observing the ball of fire headed in his direction, the poor man could only dodge, and imagine his bewilderment to see a tree beside him catch fire.

"Miss Muxue, have mercy!" he cried out in surprise, and the next spell that she flung at him in her impulse turned out to be even more potent, a lightning strike. Unlike the fireball blast earlier, the lightning strike was an area of effect spell which would result in a five metre circle around him to be struck by lightning. There was no way he could avoid that.

As soon as she finished casting the longer spell, Dongyue saw the vegetation beside him sparkle with lightning. He looked down to see if he encountered any damage, but just then, he felt a surge of energy encompass his body.

'Shield? That doesn't seem right,' Xiyu said to herself. 'How could he have evaded my spell?'

He comprehended that he was still intact, and proceeded to take a step further towards her. Xiyu focused her anger again and called upon a more powerful spell, a meteor shower, which nevertheless had a shorter range. This time, as Dongyue came closer, the spell passed through him and dissipated harmlessly. 

"Miss Muxue? Can we perhaps talk?" He approached her slowly. 

Xiyu pouted and turned away, appearing like a jilted lover. Now just less than a metre away, Dongyue took off his outer robe and handed it to her. She realised she was still naked, and grudgingly accepted the robe. Maybe she was too used to stripping in the wild. But thinking of it now, it was awkward that a man from a different space had seen her in absolutely nothing.

She slipped his brocade robe over her petite figure, looking a bit confused at its foreign design that was unusual among their fashion. Now, how were these knots fastened at? She wondered.

"Let me help you," he whispered and kneeling down before her, he assisted her with fastening her robe. It was an intimate action, but the cold witch did not seem flustered. Since she could not possibly harm him, there was probably another way she could make him bring the secrets of what he had seen tonight to his grave. Should she kill him? But killing him wasn't the way of her ancestors. Or perhaps she should cut his tongue out with her dagger, she thought.

The robe hung loosely around her abdomen, and Dongyue leaned closer. 

"I need to come closer to tie the knots," he whispered. She relented and allowed him to do as he had requested. He breathed in her fragrance and placing an arm around her, fastened her robe.

He gazed into her eyes as their faces were on the verge of touching. Her eyes glimmered under the moonlight, invoking his virginal lust once more. Though he had never kissed before, he had seen his parents in such a manner, and in his ignorance, he thought of it as a sign of affection. Before she knew it, he had placed his lips on hers and stroked her smooth lips slowly with his rougher lips. 

Her body burned. The heat of the eight almost-full moons were torturous enough for her to endure, but having her first kiss stolen by a man who was undoubtedly charming was just too much for her. But she knew there was no way for her to defeat this man with her powers, since he could break through her force field and evade her spells. She had made the blunder of leaving her dagger with her heap of clothing, and was defenceless against his torment! But at the same time, she couldn't bring herself to stop returning his kisses. 

She had to put an end to this somehow!