Chapter 14 Relaxation in Hot Springs After Study
Chapter 14: Relaxation in Hot Springs After Study
And so, Bai Li was forced to seriously study those strange texts and lengthy historical books at the desk. He couldn’t daydream at all, as Therese was watching him closely.
He didn’t dare move carelessly. The moment Therese’s foot shattered his illusion, it was fortunate that he had switched his real body away—otherwise, his head might have been split open.
Didn’t she say to go easy? You have no sense of restraint at all. If I had been a second slower in switching positions, it might have been the end for me.
But the person in question was sitting beside him eating a lollipop, her eyes never leaving him.
“Therese, aren’t you tired? We’ve replaced the lamp oil four times already, how are you still so energetic?” During this time, she had been watching him intently, only occasionally leaving to get some food.
“Oh, Prince Brother, have you forgotten? We vampires don’t need to sleep. With blood as nourishment, we can maintain abundant energy.”
Looking at that cup of “water” on the table, could he really sit here reading books after not eating anything for forty-eight hours?
Under Therese’s puzzled gaze, Bai Li poured some liquid from the cup onto the table. The colorless, transparent liquid immediately turned into crimson blood when it hit the surface.
Now he understood—the cup was the issue. He had thought it was water and drank it without hesitation all this time… Vivian had tampered with the cup, adding an illusion to it.
Now everything made sense. What puzzled Therese was why Bai Li looked so uncomfortable about drinking blood, something completely ordinary.
“Hmm? Does Prince Brother dislike the taste of blood? You can have Therese instead.” She leaned closer, nuzzling against Bai Li’s face, intentionally or not exposing her fair shoulders…
Bai Li hurriedly stumbled up, losing control and falling to the floor. Therese had truly given him a huge fright. Back in the Empire, with a child this young, a slight misstep could land him in prison for life.
“No, no, no, Therese, I, I just, well, it’s my old wounds acting up, it hurts a bit.” Even as he said this, he felt guilty.
But Therese actually believed his lie. He sighed—children are so easy to fool. But he still had a third of the books left to read. He couldn’t bear the thought of being fed nothing but sweets for a month; just thinking about it made him feel sick.
No choice. When you’re under someone’s roof, you have to lower your head.
…
By the time Bai Li finished reading these books older than himself by who knows how many years, three days had passed. This period felt like three years. Without the expected dark circles under his eyes, he now only felt like his head was about to explode from all the forced information crammed into his brain.
“The history books record…” Without waiting for Vivian to ask, Bai Li mechanically recited the material, seemingly intent on continuing.
“Alright, alright, I believe Therese wouldn’t go easy on you. Come with me, let’s find a place for you to rest a bit.”
“Wait, are you saying there’s more to do? Are you trying to kill me?”
“Are you still human?” Vivian couldn’t help but laugh. “It seems your role immersion and identity recognition aren’t enough yet.”
Ignoring Bai Li’s half-dead appearance, Therese approached, shaking him, finding no response.
“Sister Vivian, why isn’t Prince Brother responding? Could it be…?” Therese’s timid voice rose. “Did my attack cause internal injuries?”
“No, no, nothing like that. This guy is much tougher than you imagine.” While explaining, she dragged Bai Li toward the door. “Come on, get up. I know it’s been hard on you. I’ll take you somewhere nice that you’ll definitely enjoy.”
Bai Li finally stood up slowly; being dragged like this was indeed undignified.
…
At the northern border, Crossbow Fortress.
Link stood at the tower’s top, observing today’s wind direction. He put down his telescope and looked at the wind gauge beside him.
“East-northeast, about strength level three.”
After stringing his crossbow, he casually shot an arrow. A flying bird in the sky fell with the vibration of the crossbow.
With another wave of his hand, the arrow automatically flew back, firmly nailing the poor goose to the pillar beside him.
“The wind direction has changed? What’s that?”
Then, a rain of arrows mixed with howling winds shot from the tower toward an unknown target in the distance.
“Wind Speaker, is this how you welcome me?” The arrows landed near an armored person but were weakly broken.
“Sorry, I received no orders. I’m following the regular patrol protocol.”
“That’s fine, you’ve worked hard. Since I rarely have time, I came to see you.”
Link followed the wind and immediately appeared before the armored person, kneeling on one knee in salute.
The armored figure bent down to help him up, and they returned to the fortress together.
“Commander Cook, you’ve come to get clear about Frost Moon, haven’t you?”
The armored person, called Cook, nodded. “That’s right. Bai Li’s situation is too suspicious. I find it hard to believe there aren’t other secrets behind it.”
Cook’s giant sword struck the floor with a resounding thud.
…
“What is this place?” Bai Li looked at the blood-red pool below, instinctively feeling repulsed.
“You’ll know once you get in. You’ll probably be begging me to bring you back here.”
Bai Li didn’t want to respond to Vivian. He just wanted to close his eyes and get a good sleep—although he didn’t feel tired at all.
“Fine, do you want me to help you, or would you prefer Therese?”
“Help me with what?”
Vivian was exasperated. “You idiot, don’t you take off your clothes when bathing in hot springs?”
As she spoke, Therese had already appeared behind Bai Li.
“The formal clothes are a bit difficult to remove. Why not let Therese help you?”
Bai Li knew there was no escape.
“No, no, Therese, I can manage this much on my own…”
“Then hurry up.” Vivian pushed him into the changing room nearby.
By the time Bai Li had changed and come out, Vivian and Therese were already waiting for him below.
The dark red pool below seemed to be calling him. Though his mind rejected it, his feet involuntarily moved forward.
“Why are you dawdling?” Vivian reached out her hand, a soul chain hooked around his foot, and pulled him down.
“…Glug glug glug.”
He surfaced from the water, poking his head out and coughing up the water he had swallowed.
“Are you trying to kill me, dragging me down like that?”
Vivian remained nonchalant. In her view, it was Bai Li’s fault for being so hesitant.
“Oh please, this place is considered a sacred site of Rose Sanctuary, somewhat like those celestial pools where your Imperial Holy Knights are consecrated.”
Now Bai Li understood. The blood pool looked frightening, but since he now had vampire bloodline, soaking here gave him a particularly relaxing feeling.
It even removed the irritation from his heart; now he just wanted to stay here longer.
“Therese, why don’t you come closer?” Vivian asked with a smile.
She curled up in a corner, arms wrapped around her chest, afraid to move.
“Um, I’m afraid to move too much… I might float up…”
Hearing this, Bai Li saw her embarrassed expression and finally witnessed her discomfort.
But before he could laugh, Vivian threw a water ball that hit Bai Li squarely in the face, causing him to lose his balance and fall back in.
“Therese, it’s fine. Don’t mind this guy with his head full of perverted thoughts.” Vivian moved next to her, then used her soul chain to pull Bai Li up, perhaps thinking he couldn’t swim, though it wasn’t necessary at all.
“How am I full of perverted thoughts? It’s clearly you who’s inadequate and blaming others. I’m just stating facts.”
Bai Li spread his hands, sat on the other side, and closed his eyes to start enjoying himself.