Time-Traveling Love

Liu Bugun, with Xu Caitong, rode swiftly. Exhausted by their journey, Xu Caitong fell asleep in Liu Bugun’s arms. Since returning to the Five Dynasties, it seemed like trouble followed them incessantly. However, she was clear that both spirits and humans were after her for the Moye Sword. Now, she understood why the spirits were so desperate to seize her; only her blood could unlock the seal on the Moye Sword. Liu Bugun, in his effort to protect her, was exhausted. “Bugun, let me bleed a little,” Xu Caitong had said more than once. If she bled a little, the Moye Sword’s power would be unleashed, and the spirits’ pursuit would be in vain. “No, no way,” Liu Bugun refused. “Why?” Xu Caitong asked, puzzled. “I don’t want you to bleed. We’ll go to Yuyan Mountain; there might be a way,” Liu Bugun explained. By noon, they reached the small town of Bali Po in the north. Xu Caitong, waking up with groggy eyes, was lifted off the horse by Liu Bugun. They entered the Yunlai Inn, where an attendant quickly took the black horse to the back stable. Liu Bugun requested an upper room, and once the attendant left, he thoroughly inspected the room, checking under the bed, inside the wardrobe, and examining the walls and floor. Finding nothing amiss, he then looked out the window. The view was of the inn’s backyard, where only the stable stood with five horses, including the black one, munching on hay. While Liu Bugun checked the room, Xu Caitong jumped into the bath. The warm water evaporated her fatigue, and she lay limply in the tub, forgetting how long it had been since her last bath. The door creaked open, startling Xu Caitong, who covered her chest and asked, “Who is it?” Liu Bugun stood in the doorway, closing the door behind him. His eyes were filled with passionate love and desire as he looked at Xu Caitong in the bath. Their gazes intertwined, and she felt consumed by his desire. As Liu Bugun approached the tub, he lifted her face for a gentle kiss, his large hand caressing her skin. He undressed and joined her in the bath, which suddenly felt cramped. Xu Caitong’s face flushed a rosy hue, making her even more enchanting. His warm lips brushed her eyebrows, eyes, and kissed her passionately. Liu Bugun lifted her onto his lap, whispering in her ear as he kissed her neck, feeling her slight trembling. “I love you, Caitong, do you love me?” “I do, I love… you,” Xu Caitong murmured, dazed by his kisses, her arms wrapping around his neck, the fire of passion burning within her, her teeth gently nibbling his shoulder. “Caitong, will you be my wife for all eternity?” Liu Bugun asked, kissing her neck. “Yes.” The world seemed to spin beneath their feet, and Xu Caitong felt as if they were floating in the clouds, enveloped by his fiery love, willing to cling to him like ivy for life. When they finally got out of the bath, both felt a bit tired. Post-bath, Caitong looked like a lotus emerging from water, radiant with drops of water clinging to her hair, exuding a lazy charm. Liu Bugun hugged and kissed her repeatedly, helping her dry off and dress, then led her downstairs by the hand. When the two of them appeared, descending the stairs leisurely, all the diners in the hall paused their chopsticks, their gazes fixed upon the couple. The man was handsome, and the woman was charming, a match made in heaven, truly a loving husband and wife. “What would you like, sir and madam?” asked the waiter, wiping the table clean. Liu Buqun and Xu Caitong sat down, ordered several dishes and rice, and urged the waiter to serve the food quickly. Having traveled without much rest, Liu Buqun was genuinely hungry. When the food arrived, Liu Buqun ate with such gusto that Xu Caitong couldn’t help but laugh softly. “Is my eating so unsightly?” Liu Buqun asked, laughing at himself as he saw Caitong’s smile. “No, I just feel like we haven’t eaten for ages, despite not having much today.” “Caitong, I’ve been too hard on you,” Liu Buqun said apologetically, pausing his chopsticks. “What are you talking about? If I felt wronged, I wouldn’t have come back here,” Xu Caitong replied, putting a piece of vegetable into her mouth with a gentle smile. “Caitong, you’re so good to me,” Liu Buqun said, gripping her hand gratefully. “Let’s eat. Why are you saying all these things today? We need to rest after eating because we have to travel tomorrow,” Caitong withdrew her hand and glanced around, noticing everyone else was focused on their meals. “Alright, let’s rest after eating and prepare for tomorrow’s journey,” Liu Buqun agreed cheerfully, despite not having found any trace of Yuanming Mountain. They had inquired along the way, but no one had heard of it. Liu Buqun didn’t mind, thinking that someone must know about it since they were here, and perhaps a divine guide would appear.