Steam-powered martial arts: My virginity cultivation technique has been broken.

As the bright moon hung high in the sky, Ku Ning and his group had entered the territory of the Nineteenth Pond. The surrounding trees became shorter and fewer until they turned into grassland.

Ku Ning looked at the moon overhead; there was a halo around it, so it looked like it was going to rain.

"Happy, let's rest, set up the tent and cook."

Having thoroughly enjoyed the thrill of driving, Yang Huanxi immediately stopped, took down the tent and pots and pans hanging at the back of the vehicle, and quickly set them up. In the howling cold wind, he used his spiritual power to keep the fire burning, and three simple yet delicious bowls of vegetable and lean meat porridge were ready.

The sheep called out happily, "Miss A'Luo, the food is ready. Would you like to come out to eat, or should I bring it to you?"

Aro poked her head out of the carriage: "I'll come myself."

She was really pent up.

The single carriage wasn't exactly cramped, and given the girl's petite frame, two people could easily fit in. However, there was only a small window to look out, so the only options were sitting or lying down, making it feel somewhat cramped both physically and mentally. The journey ahead was mostly uphill, causing the carriage to tilt, making both sitting and lying down uncomfortable—it was much more comfortable than riding a horse. Mainly, she wanted to see Ku Ning; ever since she had seen her face, she had never been able to forget her.

He was the first man she had ever met, and a few breaths were enough for her to remember him. She didn't have the usual concept of beauty and ugliness; if she did, she would judge by aura. Black true energy was evil, while primordial yellow energy was noble. Both had one thing in common: strength.

Ku Ning is the perfect love choice in every way. Coupled with the time they've spent together and his numerous rescues, he's the epitome of a prince charming for A Luo, who lacks social skills.

Alas, King Xiang had a dream, but the goddess had no heart. Ku Ning was a man who valued his career above all else. No matter how beautiful A Luo was, she was just a client. Besides, this escort mission was not easy to complete. Developing feelings for a client would affect his judgment, causing him to hesitate between doing what he should do and escaping what he should escape, which would only lead to trouble.

He didn't say much along the way, and aside from giving necessary instructions, he left most of the work to Yang Huanxi to communicate with.

All of this was interpreted as self-loathing by the naive A'Luo, who, already insecure, became increasingly withdrawn. If things had continued this way, their relationship would have remained merely that of ordinary business partners. However, within the temple, Ku Ning owed her a favor.

He watched A'Luo step out of the car, radiating a beautiful yet pure glow in the moonlight, like the Jade Rabbit transforming into Chang'e descending to earth. Ever since his third spiritual vision established a connection with the mysterious power in her eyes, that feeling of closeness had grown stronger and stronger, extremely difficult to suppress.

"When Avalokiteshvara Bodhisattva was practicing the profound Prajnaparamita..."

He silently recited scriptures to suppress his desires. He was a rebel and hated this feeling of being out of control. He felt greed for the fourth concubine, lust for Jiang Xiaoya, and with A Luo, he felt an invisible hand pushing him to be with her. Even if it was fate, he didn't want to accept it.

Lust at first sight is acceptable, but love at first sight is not. The former is under his control, while the latter is out of control.

In both his past and present lives, he has witnessed too many tragedies, all stemming from love. He still has heavy responsibilities; the great revenge for his master and himself remains unavenged. How can he indulge in romance?

Two people and a sheep sat around the fire, enjoying the music of the night, the rustling of the wind through the grass. The moon was gradually obscured by dark clouds, and rain began to fall, pattering on the roof like drumbeats, while the firewood crackled.

Yang Huanxi quickly finished his hot porridge in a few gulps. After they finished eating, he cleaned and tidied up the bowls. Seeing the somber atmosphere and that Ku Ning and A Luo were both staring blankly with their heads down, he suggested, "Miss A Luo, you often sing folk songs to celebrate in Fengcheng. I often hear them back in Fengcheng. Why don't we sing one?"

A Luo blushed: "I also live in Fengcheng, but I don't know much about Fengcheng's songs."

With a touch of regret, Yang Huanxi encouraged them, saying, "In this long, sleepless night, the heavens and earth compose music, and we should write lyrics for it. I'll start with a line: 'Nothing is more sorrowful than parting from loved ones, nothing is more joyful than making new friends.'"

A Luo also mustered her courage and sang: "I am a mountain dweller, fragrant as the Du Ruo, drinking from the stone spring and shaded by pines and cypresses, you think of me, yet doubt arises."

She was a femme fatale, unburdened by rigid rules. After finishing her song, she turned to Ku Ning and asked, "Chief镖头, can you do that?"

Ku Ning replied directly, "No, I used to be a monk. I only know how to chant scriptures, worship Buddha, and practice martial arts to strengthen my body. I don't know anything about these things."

A'Luo asked疑惑地问道, "What is a monk?"

In the area where the chief priest of Fengcheng resides, there are several temples and Taoist monasteries, all built with funds from outside merchants. However, there are few monks and Taoist priests inside, because Buddhism and Taoism are not popular in Wuzhou. The chief priest may allow them to exist, but the people will not believe in them.

Ku Ning looked at Yang Huanxi and said, "Tell her."

Yang Huanxi naturally understood what Ku Ning meant and explained, "A monk is someone who has left home to renounce worldly life, cut off the three thousand afflictions, cannot eat meat, drink alcohol, or marry a wife, and spends all day chanting Amitabha Buddha, which is quite boring."

A Luo thought to herself, "Was he like this before? No wonder he's so distant from me."

She tried to defend him, asking, "You're not the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) anymore, are you? He ate the meat in the porridge just now, and he also drank some wine before."

Ku Ning chuckled twice: "Amitabha, to be precise, this female benefactor, my ordination certificate hasn't been cancelled. Within the sect, I'm considered missing; I'm still a monk." This statement was somewhat exaggerated. Although he grew up at Baige Temple, he hadn't formally become a monk. The ordination certificate was only for convenience; it was said that he could receive full ordination once he had completed his monastic training and was willing to inherit his master's mantle. If he wasn't willing…

A'Luo gave an "oh," her expression visibly darkening: "Will the head镖师 (bodyguard/escort) still be a monk?"

Seeing her sorrowful appearance, Ku Ning felt a pang of sympathy and comforted her, saying, "After I finish some things, I will no longer be a monk."

He had A'Luo's emotions figured out: "How long will it take?"

Ku Ning shook his head: "I don't know. The road ahead is long and arduous, and I will search high and low for the truth. Some things can't be rushed. In this world, good people don't live long, while bad people live for a thousand years."

He remembered the woman from that night; she was definitely no more than thirty years old. This was a feeling he later confirmed in different places.

Ku Ning stood up, picked up his horse-slaying saber, infused it with his true energy, and drew a circle around the carriage. This circle contained the essence of the saber, and ordinary demons dared not approach it.

"I'm increasingly resembling the Great Sage. He became a bodyguard to transcend tribulations and attain Buddhahood, while I'm just seeking wealth; my spiritual realm is ultimately lacking."

The circle represents completeness, reincarnation, and endless life.

Drawing circles is a simple application of formation techniques by advanced martial artists, and it is also a relatively common and effective method. A powerful individual at the Martial King realm or above can even directly absorb the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to form an independent formation by drawing a circle.

"Let's rest here tonight and get up early tomorrow to continue our journey. A'luo is in the carriage, I'm resting in front of the carriage door, and Yang Huanxi is by the fire."

The two people and the sheep dispersed, and A'luo returned to the car. It was warm inside, with blankets and quilts laid out. A'luo looked at Ku Ning's shadow through the curtain. He was sitting against the car door, and if the wind and rain were to get stronger, they would blow onto him. She wondered if he was asleep, and if he was cold.

"Head镖师, how can you sleep like this?"

"We martial artists need to cultivate our concentration. Let alone sitting, we can fall asleep even standing or hanging."