Chapter 68: Xia Qingwu Spars With Liu Xue
Meanwhile, Qingwu, brimming with youthful energy, turned to Liu Xue. "Senior Sister," she chirped, her eyes sparkling with excitement, "how about a spar? I'd love to see how much stronger I have become!"
Liu Xue wasn't expecting this sudden challenge, but a thrill ran through her. Sparring with Qingwu, an early Nascent Soul Realm cultivator, could be a valuable way to assess her own improved abilities after her cultivation breakthrough. "Sure, why not," she replied, a hint of a smile gracing her lips.
The two beauties rose, their movements filled with an eagerness to test their mettle. "We'll head to the fields then," Qingwu announced. "We can spar there."
"Excellent," Wang Li responded, draining the last of his tea. "We'll come to watch once we finish our tea."
With a final nod, Qingwu and Liu Xue disappeared through the council room doors, leaving Wang Li and Xia Bingling alone.
Wang Li's demeanor shifted subtly. The playful charm was replaced by a predatory glint in his eyes.
He leaned forward, his gaze lingering on Xia Bingling's alluring curves.
"You know," he began, his voice low and husky, "you have the most delectable figure I've ever seen. It's hard to resist you, especially when we're alone like this."
Xia Bingling met his gaze, a spark of amusement dancing in her eyes. "That bold, are we?" she replied, her voice a sultry purr.
Wang Li placed his cup on the table with a decisive clink. In a swift movement, he reached out and captured her arm, the heat of his touch sending a delicious shiver down her spine.
"Bold?" he chuckled, his voice laced with a hint of mischief. "Let's call it… appreciating the beauty in front of me."
He then pulled her closer, the silk of her dress brushing against his leg. Before she could react, he swept her off her feet and placed her on his lap, her breath catching in her throat.
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The audacity of his move caused a flicker of surprise across her face, but it was quickly replaced by a knowing smile. He was a dangerous game, this young man, but a thrilling one, nonetheless.
As he settled her comfortably on his lap, their bodies pressed intimately together, he leaned in further. The scent of her perfume filled his senses, a heady mix that only fueled his desires. He deliberately ground his groin against her curvy hips, a silent provocation.
His warm breath caressed her ear as he whispered in a husky voice, "I simply can't get enough of you, Xia Bingling. Your beauty, your passion… you intoxicate me."
Xia Bingling couldn't help but let out a soft moan, a mixture of pleasure and amusement swirling within her. This was a dangerous dance they were engaged in, a dance that could have far-reaching consequences. But for now, she allowed herself to get swept away in the current of his desire.
As their lips met in a passionate kiss, their conversation ceased, replaced by heated whispers and urgent touches. The air crackled with barely contained desire, the only sounds the rasp of silk against skin and the muffled moans escaping their lips.
They were oblivious to the world outside the council room. Lost in their own passionate whirlwind, Wang Li and Xia Bingling explored each other's bodies with a practiced ease. His hands roamed freely beneath her silken dress, igniting trails of fire on her skin. Her fingers, nimble and experienced, danced across his chest, their touch sending shivers down his spine.
The stolen moments in her room earlier that morning had been a mere appetizer. Here, fueled by the thrill of forbidden intimacy and the knowledge that they could be discovered at any moment, their desire burned with an even greater intensity. Stolen glances at the doorway, a quick gasp at the creak of a floorboard, only heightened their arousal.
Just as Wang Li was about to push things further, a sharp knock on the door shattered the atmosphere. Both of them froze, their breaths ragged, their faces flushed with desire. Xia Bingling, her hair a mess, scrambled off his lap and straightened her clothes with practiced ease.
"Come in," she called out, her voice a touch breathless, but otherwise composed.
The door creaked open, revealing a young maid, her eyes wide with surprise. "Matriarch," she stammered, "Apologies for the interruption, but Miss Qingwu and Senior Sister Liu are in the fields. They wanted to know—"
Xia Bingling cut her off with a tight smile. "Thank you, little Mei. Tell them we'll be there shortly." The maid, her curiosity piqued but her training holding firm, simply nodded and disappeared.
Silence descended upon the room once more, this time thick with tension. Xia Bingling walked over to the window, attempting to regain her composure. Wang Li, watching her, couldn't help but admire her ability to switch gears so quickly.
"Close call," he finally remarked, a hint of amusement in his voice.
Xia Bingling turned towards him, a playful glint in her eyes. "Indeed," she replied, "but a thrilling one, nonetheless. Perhaps we should continue this… discussion later, when we have more privacy."
Wang Li grinned, the audacity of the woman both surprising and arousing. "An excellent suggestion," he conceded, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. "However, duty calls."
They rose from their seats, both pushing away the lingering tendrils of desire. Reaching for his discarded sword, Wang Li slung it across his back. "Shall we join the ladies in the fields, my dear?" he inquired, a hint of sarcasm lacing his voice.
Xia Bingling offered a wry smile. "Lead the way."
They emerged from the council room, their outward appearances composed, but the memory of their stolen intimacy tingling beneath the surface.
As they walked towards the training fields, Wang Li stole a glance at Xia Bingling. Her lips were slightly fuller, her eyes shimmered with a barely concealed hunger.
Reaching the fields, they found Qingwu and Liu Xue sparring under the warm sun.
Qingwu, her movements graceful and powerful, wielded her sword with newfound confidence. Liu Xue, her own skills honed to a sharp edge, parried and counterattacked with a calm precision.
As Wang Li and Xia Bingling approached, the sparring match came to a halt. Qingwu, her face flushed with exertion, beamed at them. "Mother! Wang Li! Did you see my new technique? I perfected it while fighting those Wind Lightning Wolves!"
Wang Li offered her a warm smile. "Impressive, Qingwu. Your skills truly did seem to have improved a bit and your attacks seem to resound your confidence in your skills. But Liu Xue does seem more experienced."
Xia Bingling placed a hand on her daughter's shoulder, her gaze flickering to Liu Xue. "And you, Liu Xue, you seem to be moving quite well as well."
Liu Xue offered a polite smile, a flicker of something unreadable crossing her features. "Thank you, Matriarch. The spar has been… enlightening."
The afternoon unfolded in a flurry of activity. They watched as Qingwu and Liu Xue sparred, offering occasional pointers and words of encouragement.
Later, they all sparred together, the air filled with the clash of steel and the lighthearted banter of friends.
As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of orange and red, they called a halt to their training. Exhausted but exhilarated, they gathered under a large tree for refreshments.
"It's been a productive day," Wang Li declared, wiping sweat from his brow. "Qingwu, your progress is remarkable."
Qingwu, her face flushed with pride, beamed. "Thank you, Li."
He then turned to Liu Xue, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "Well fought, Liu Xue. Your control is truly impressive."
Liu Xue offered a polite smile. "Thank you, Wang Li."
The atmosphere was pleasant, filled with a sense of camaraderie. For a moment, the tension that had been simmering beneath the surface seemed forgotten.
However, as Qingwu launched into an animated description of the spar, Xia Bingling couldn't help but steal a glance at Wang Li. His eyes met hers, a flicker of something unspoken passing between them.
A shiver ran down her spine. The memory of their stolen kiss, the heat of his touch, was still fresh in her mind. This dangerous game they were playing, this secret dance of forbidden desires, was exhilarating yet terrifying.
She knew it wouldn't last, that the web of lies and deceit they were both entangled in could unravel at any moment. But for now, she couldn't resist the allure of stolen moments, the thrill of the forbidden.
As Qingwu continued to chatter excitedly, Xia Bingling allowed a small, knowing smile to play on her lips. This was a dangerous path they were on, but for now, she was content to walk it with Wang Li by her side, even if it meant leading them both to a perilous end.
As the day drew to a close, casting long shadows across the Xia Family Manor, Xia Bingling issued a series of discreet orders. Several of her most trusted guards, men known for their unwavering loyalty, were summoned to her private chambers. There, in hushed tones, she outlined her plan.
"You shall travel to the Broken Sword Kingdom," she instructed, her voice firm and unwavering. "Our safehouses there hold three individuals – Wang Xiangyi, Wang Yaqi, and Wang Ruyan. Your task is to escort them safely to this manor."
The guards exchanged a silent glance, a flicker of unease crossing their features. Rumors about Wang Xiangyi's alleged demonic cultivation were rife, and the thought of bringing her into their midst was unsettling.
However, none dared to question Xia Bingling's orders. A curt nod was their only response, their loyalty overriding any doubts they harbored.
With nightfall painting the sky a dark canvas, the guards departed, their figures blurring into streaks of light as they soared towards the Broken Sword Kingdom.