Chapter 185: Is Cultivation Really That Lewd?
When Chen Yin woke up, it was already afternoon.
He felt unusually warm under the blankets, but when he looked, the bed was empty.
…Strange. Did I have a spring dream? He scratched his head, puzzled.
Then, seeing how late it was, he cursed. He was almost late for his appointment with Lian’er.
He quickly got dressed and tidied up the room.
Just as he finished, a knock came at the door.
“Big Brother, Lian’er is here!”
He opened the door, and there she stood, dressed in a light gray dress, her silver jewelry jingling.
“You’re on time.”
Chen Yin coughed, trying to sound like a stern teacher. “Come in.”
Lian’er entered, looked around curiously, and sat down at the table.
Chen Yin served her tea and pastries, then cleared his throat and began his lecture.
“The first step in cultivation is Gathering Qi. It’s about condensing your dantian and opening your meridians to the spiritual energy of heaven and earth…”
He explained the basics of cultivation.
Lian’er munched on a pastry, her eyes wide with attention, nodding seriously.
Chen Yin had been worried she wouldn’t understand, but seeing her focus, he continued.
“…That’s it for the basics. Do you understand now?”
Lian’er nodded seriously. “Not at all.”
Chen Yin choked on his tea.
He sighed. “Ask me if there’s anything you don’t understand.”
“I don’t understand anything.”
“…You could have at least pretended!”
Chen Yin facepalmed. Teaching Lian’er would be harder than he thought.
“Fine, if you don’t understand the theory, we’ll skip it. I’ll teach you the basic mantra. Try to sense the spiritual energy and guide it into your body.”
Lian’er listened attentively and repeated the mantra several times.
“Alright, now that you’ve memorized it—”
“I forgot it again.” Lian’er said with a blank stare.
Chen Yin’s fists clenched. He was getting angry. The mantra was only four sentences!
He recited it with her two more times, but she couldn’t remember it.
Finally, Chen Yin gave up. “…Fine. Close your eyes and follow my instructions.”
Lian’er closed her eyes and sat down cross-legged.
Chen Yin gathered a dense concentration of spiritual energy around her. It was so thick, even a child could sense it.
Lian’er’s brow furrowed in concentration.
…She’s getting it!
Chen Yin cheered her on silently.
Almost there…
“Grumble.”
Lian’er opened her eyes and looked at him with a pitiful expression. “I’m hungry…”
Chen Yin: “…” He was losing his mind. This was more stressful than fighting a horde of demons.
He pulled out some cakes. “Forget it. Just eat.”
Lian’er’s face crumpled. “No, Big Brother! If I can’t cultivate, the Grand Witch will be angry! Please don’t give up on me…”
I don’t want to give up on you, but I’m not a teacher. He sighed and patted her head. “Just eat. I’ll think of something.”
Lian’er’s face lit up, and she happily ate the cake.
Chen Yin sat beside her, deep in thought. Lian’er had good aptitude, but her simplemindedness was a problem. He had only a week. He couldn’t use conventional methods.
He looked at her. She was wearing a short, gray dress, a Wu Xuan Cave style that revealed her slender legs. The numerous pleats and folds gave it a skirt-like appearance. She was at the cusp of womanhood, radiating a natural, innocent beauty. Her cheeks were puffed out with cake, making her look even more adorable. She sensed his gaze and tilted her head curiously.
Chen Yin blushed and looked away.
…He had an idea. It was a bit inappropriate, but not quite dual cultivation. If Lian’er couldn’t guide the spiritual energy herself, he could do it for her. But that meant touching her, everywhere. It was too much for a sixteen-year-old girl.
After a long silence, he asked tentatively, “Lian’er, do you really want to learn how to cultivate?”
“Of course! I can’t disappoint the Grand Witch.”
“No matter the cost?” He glanced at her cautiously.
“What cost?” Lian’er blinked, confused.
“Well, for example, if there was a method that could open your meridians, but it required us to… kiss… would you still do it?”
Before he could finish, Lian’er kissed him, her movements swift and natural.
“What’s the big deal?” she said with a blank expression. “If the cost was not eating stir-fried pork for a month, then I would be hesitant…”
Chen Yin touched his lips, a mix of emotions swirling within him. “…Why are you so experienced? Have you done this before?”
“No, but it’s just a kiss. It’s not like it’ll hurt.”
“But…”
“I’ve heard you outsiders consider kissing a sign of affection, but we don’t have such customs here. Mouths are for eating. I don’t understand why you care so much about it.” She looked at him with a slightly disgusted expression.
Chen Yin’s worldview crumbled. She was right. Kissing had no practical purpose, only symbolic meaning. Mouths were for eating. Damn, she has a point.
He realized his common sense didn’t apply to this innocent mountain girl. In that case, he didn’t have to feel guilty.
“Alright, follow my instructions, and I’ll open your meridians.”
“Really?” Lian’er’s face lit up, and she lay down on the bed obediently. “Let’s do it, Big Brother!”
Seeing her lying there so trustingly, Chen Yin felt a pang of guilt. She’s too pure for this world.
He took a deep breath and rubbed his hands together. …Alright, you all heard her. I’m not taking advantage of her. She agreed to this. I’m a righteous gentleman. This is just a Master teaching his disciple. Is cultivation really that lewd?
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