Bathed in the gentle glow of the moonlight, Yun Che found solace in the stillness of the night, perched high on the pavilion that overlooked the estate lake. The waters below mirrored the calm that Yun Che sought, a stark contrast to the storm of recent events that had left their mark on his weary mind. The echoes of the intense battle on Xuyi's Island resonated within him, refusing to be silenced by the fleeting embrace of rest.
Having returned from the tumultuous clash, Yun Che prioritized the safety of those under his care—Retsu, Mio, and Xueli—before surrendering to the pull of much-needed rest. Cang Yue, having concluded her efforts to assist the city, joined him later. Her questions about the mysterious black-cloaked girl lingered unspoken, reserved for a time when the night would lend itself to quiet conversation.
The estate lake, a tranquil expanse below, seemed to mirror the stillness Yun Che sought in his solitude. Kon, in a room nearby, contributed to the night's symphony with his harmonious snores, the sounds of a well-earned and exhausted slumber. The night unfolded in quiet contemplation, each ripple on the lake below echoing the complexities of the battles fought and the challenges faced.
As Yun Che sat in contemplation, a small, radiant orb cradled in his palm captivated his attention. This was no ordinary sphere; it held the essence of Wrath, the colossal dragon that had threatened them not long ago. The orb, a manifestation of the dragon's dissolving form, pulsed with an ethereal glow, a silent testament to the power that had once surged within Wrath's metallic frame.
"What the hell am I supposed to do with this thing?" Yun Che mused aloud, his voice carrying a mixture of curiosity and uncertainty. The glow from the orb reflected in his eyes, casting a subtle illumination on his contemplative expression. The orb, a mysterious remnant of their battle, held secrets and potential consequences yet to be unraveled.
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[Ding.... Golden Isu Dragon Egg.]
[This is an Isu dragon egg formed after the defeat of Wrath. Somehow, it was returned to its original state after the host defeated it.]
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As Yun Che examined the radiant orb in his hands, a cascade of thoughts unravelled within his mind. "This is probably the egg Ares found and somehow weaponized it into Wrath. Hmm, a small egg becomes Wrath was something unaccounted for," he mused, his voice a quiet reflection of the puzzling nature of the artifact he held.
The enigma of the orb persisted, and Yun Che, attempting to make sense of its origins and purpose, decided to stow it away. However, as he made a move to store the radiant sphere, an unexpected occurrence unfolded. The orb, seemingly responsive to his intent, emitted a sudden and captivating glow, casting a warm radiance in the quiet night.
Caught off guard by the orb's unexpected reaction, Yun Che's gaze intensified, his curiosity piqued. The gentle illumination from the glowing orb painted intricate patterns on his face, creating an ethereal tableau of mystery and intrigue.
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[Ding… sufficient Radiant Saint Force has been deducted from the Host's Radiant energy pool to awaken the Egg,]
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In a bewildering twist of fate, Yun Che's voice echoed through the quiet space, a mix of confusion and awe. The egg, once a mysterious artifact, chose that precise moment to undergo a miraculous transformation. What was once an enigmatic orb now unfurled into a vision of wonder—a small golden dragon, no larger than a slender pipe.
This golden dragon, a celestial being emerging from the radiant light held within Yun Che's palm, captivated the senses. Its sinuous form was a dance of elegance, adorned with scales that shimmered and reflected light in a dazzling display. The dragon, untouched by the metallic modifications that had marred its previous incarnation, now radiated a pure, untarnished brilliance.
The creature's head bore small, majestic horns, and its eyes gleamed with an intelligence that surpassed the ordinary. Graceful whiskers extended from its snout, adding an extra layer of mystique to its ethereal charm. As it moved, the dragon weaved and coiled with a fluidity that left behind a trail of golden light, an otherworldly dance that seemed to defy the laws of nature.
Though smaller in size, the dragon commanded attention with a regal presence, its entire being bathed in a radiant golden hue that bestowed upon it an aura of divine magnificence. Absent were the wings, yet this absence only served to enhance the serpentine grace of its form. In the end, what stood before Yun Che was not just a creature; it was a living testament to the magic and enchantment born from the golden radiance cradled in his hand.
"What the…?" Yun Che's eyes widened in astonishment as a golden dragon, reminiscent of his small pipe-sized Azure Dragon from the inner world, coiled around his wrist.
"I apologize for using a bit of your energy to awaken myself," the golden dragon spoke, its voice echoing in Yun Che's mind.
"What?" Yun Che wondered, observing the dragon's aura, which differed significantly from the modified and metallic Wrath.
"I am the golden dragon created by my mistress to be her guardian. However, that man…" The dragon began its explanation before Yun Che interrupted.
"Mistress? Man?" Yun Che tried to piece together the dragon's story.
"You might know her as Huan Xuyi. I was meant to be the guardian of her home island, but somehow, I was corrupted by that man posing as her," the dragon explained.
Yun Che pondered for a moment before connecting the dots. "Ahh… so, Xuyi created you to protect her tomb, only for you to be corrupted by Ares?" He was impressed that Xuyi developed this dragon as a protector, only for Ares to weaponize it into creating the metallic colossal Wrath. No wonder she didn't kill it back then; she was finding ways to remove Ares's corrupted influence. In the end, taking the energy away for Xueli and defeating it was the way to release the dragon back to its original form. The fact that this dragon was designed to harness Radiant energy left Yun Che entirely impressed.
The dragon pondered for a moment before speaking, "Ares… yes… he used my mistress's power to corrupt me. You are the one who defeated my corrupted self. I thank you for setting me free. I have lived under the illusion of that man for thousands of years. When you shot that arrow into my head, it set me free. Now, can you bring me back to her?"
Yun Che contemplated the dragon's request, then reluctantly revealed the fate of the Moon Empress. "I am sorry, but she passed away three thousand years ago."
The dragon looked at him and then glanced downward, displaying obvious sadness. "I see. I have no means of surviving without any Radiant energy, and she was the one providing me with it."
"Why don't you live in my inner world? I have Radiant energy to sustain you," Yun Che offered, extending a solution to the dragon's predicament.
"Your energy is truly powerful, but you have a very limited amount. I don't wish to consume more than enough," the dragon declined.
"Ughh… you are right about it," Yun Che accepted the fact that he lacked the energy core to generate more Radiant Saint Force, but a thought crossed his mind. "Wait… you won't mind if I hand you over to her Radiant successor?"
"My mistress had a successor?" The dragon's small eyes showed interest.
Yun Che then explained. "She had two but only one radiant successor. Instead of protecting her former home island, why don't you protect her Radiant successor instead? She can give you as much energy needed for your survival."
The golden dragon showed interest as it spoke, "I see… then, I look forward to serving her successor."
"Do you have a name? It's not Wrath, right?" Yun Che asked.
"No, I refuse to be called Wrath as it was my corrupted self," the golden dragon shook.
"Why don't you let Xueli name you as you are going to be her guardian after all?" Yun Che suggested.
"Xueli… that's my mistress's name? I look forward to meeting her." With that, the golden dragon reverted back to its egg form to conserve energy. Yun Che believed this dragon wouldn't consume her like Wrath did, as it had reverted back to its original self. She might need to give it a bit of energy, but once she's ready to cultivate, she can raise the dragon into a proper protector.
Xueli's powers were slowly growing, and according to the system, her cultivation could start when she turned 16 years old, and at that time, the apple would accept her. It was for the best, as she wasn't ready to wield such power just yet. What Wrath did was truly despicable, as it consumed a lot of her energy. Thankfully, Xuyi's program was able to stop it from consuming more. If not, Xueli might have entered into a meltdown mode, probably engulfing this whole realm in a single massive explosion. They might have been able to survive, but Lin Xin would have suffered emotionally later, along with the population of this realm.
But they were just glad that didn't happen.
Yun Che was pleased to bury all those bandits underneath the piles of rubble. The mountain, once the hideout for hundreds of bandits, was entirely destroyed, and no one would know about it. The bandits were annihilated, and the Huan family came under new leadership. Peace was descending, and the city would flourish with new travelers without fearing the bandits anymore.
Currently, the city was undergoing massive reconstruction as Huan Bei took on the mantle as the new family head and used the Huan Family's treasury to fix the city, dissolving the barrier between the inner and outer zones. Destroying them was a good decision, although most of them survived the onslaught. He wouldn't have to worry, as those bandits would never be a bother anymore. With the city lord as the new patriarch, the bandits lost their backing and decided to disband.
Nevertheless, today's events lessened Xueli's ten-year gap to a six-year gap. Xueli would be ready when she turned sixteen instead of twenty. Until then, she had six years for her powers and body to mature.
"Yun Che…." Yun Che's thoughts were interrupted when a sweet voice resonated in his surroundings. When he turned around, he saw someone familiar.
"Xin'er….." Yun Che was shocked to see her in a sleeping Yukata. He was taken aback by how stunning she looked in her casual attire.
"What are you doing here?" Yun Che asked, puzzled by her presence.
"I couldn't sleep.... Retsu, Mio, and Cang Yue were kind of tired, so I just let them sleep. I should ask you the same question." She spoke as she gracefully made her way next to him. "I was quite anxious about Xueli.... I never knew she had that kind of power in her. Her voice… and everything… it all makes sense now…."
Yun Che supported her statement. "It is… she'll become a great person in the future. She was developing even before she was born in this world."
"I see.... That girl wanted to become just like you and the others." Lin Xin spoke.
"Yun Che…. For the past month, your presence in our lives has impacted me along with Xueli. I've never seen her smile so much in her life. You saved my life again and again…." She spoke again before the moonlight illuminated her, revealing her true beauty. Yun Che had to admit that this woman was stunning up close. Is this what they meant by a woman's charm being higher at night?
Lin Xin seemed anxious about something, but then she took a deep breath before taking the leap of faith. With her charm at its maximum, she spoke the words she wanted to say to him, "Yun Che…. I know this is a heavy question for you.... But let me say this…. Will you become Xueli's father? Become my husband…? A father to my daughter….? A father to my future children?"
"Xin'er… are you….?" Yun Che was rendered speechless. Is she proposing to him? Isn't the role supposed to be the man's role? But why is it so sudden? Doubts began to form, and he suddenly understood what Lin Xin was trying to do.
"Yun Che… when I look at you…. I feel the calm sea as you remind me of my late husband…. I don't care whether I become your concubine… I am fine if I do not become your wife… as long as Xueli has a father figure…. for the past few months with you have been exciting. I think I am in...." Before she could finish her sentence, Yun Che halted her words by raising his hand, speaking with a somber tone. "I know what you are going to say, but I have to stop you there…."
"Eh...?" Lin Xin widened her eyes in shock.
Yun Che took a deep breath before he revealed. "Xin'er…. You are by no means unattractive, and your charms might have an effect on me, but one thing I dislike about a woman's confession is when she delivers a halfhearted confession…."
"….." Lin Xin suddenly went speechless and narrowed her gaze, but Yun Che knew he hit a spot. Seeing her at a loss for words, he asked, "Xin'er….. Let me ask you this…. Do you like me?"
"Yes…." She replied instantly, then Yun Che dropped the bomb. "Do you love me?"
When she heard that word, the words were stuck in her mouth as if she couldn't utter them. Lin Xin was not a liar, and she couldn't lie, especially about the matters of her own heart. Then, Yun Che delivered another bomb. "Do you love me more than your husband?"
Lin Xin couldn't say a thing. Tears suddenly gushed in her eyes as she couldn't lie about her heart.
"You hesitated…." Yun Che spoke as he concluded. "The reason you confessed to me was because of Xueli. You knew that I was going to leave for cultivation one day, and it's because of that Xueli ran to the forest the other day. She heard that I was going to leave you and her right here. She became upset and ran straight to the forest without even thinking. If I didn't say those words, none of the events today would have happened."
Lin Xin remained quiet. She was unable to say anything. Then, he continued, "You wanted the best for your daughter…. And if I said yes to your first question, you knew that I would stay to look after you and Xueli… I admit that I would do that…. but that responsibility will bind me here. You want me to stay, but it will halt my journey and progress. Isn't it a little bit selfish on your part?" As he spoke, Lin Xin remained quiet. She was never good at lying and manipulating. She was the kind of woman that Yun Che likes, but is she manipulating him to stay? Is she even bribing him with her body?
Yun Che wanted her as a pure mother who loves her child, but to the point of sacrificing her love. Is this what she really wanted? She wanted a father for Xueli, but more importantly, she wanted Yun Che's love. If she couldn't give her own love to him, then what is the point of this confession?
Yun Che slowly moved closer to her. "Xin'er…. Your daughter is important, but if you force your heart to do this, it'll make you suffer one day. What you feel for me is not true love but a replacement love. You see me merely as a substitute for your husband. That's why I said your confession was a halfhearted one. In your heart, your husband still holds a place, and you are comparing me to him. I can't live with that sort of thing."
"Yun Che…I..." Lin Xin began to feel the guilt of trying to manipulate him.
He slowly placed his palm on her cheek, radiating warmth. Lin Xin didn't resist but relaxed her cheek against it. "Xin'er…. the wounds in your heart are too great. Not even a doctor like me can heal such a wound. It all comes down to you. You have to learn to let your husband go…. It might take a long time, but I won't tarnish his memories together with you. That wound will leave a scar but at least it won't be painful anymore. I want your love to come from your own heart, not a love made for you. You decide whether your heart is ready to love again."
With that, tears slowly welled up in her eyes before she lowered her head. She grabbed his hand slowly before shakily gripping it as if she didn't want to let it go. "..... I am sorry… Yun Che, I am really sorry. I …just wanted the best…for her…."
Hearing this, he smiled at her. "It is noble for you to want to give her a father, but doing this without consulting your own heart might affect her one day as well as your heart. One day it'll blacken, and it will be impossible for you to love again. You will turn cold before you even know it. One way you can heal your heart is by raising Xueli. Raise her to be the spectacular woman you and your husband dreamed of. You can't rely on me at all times. I can only help you two to stand, and it's time for you two to forge your path in life."
Hearing this, Lin Xin was about to cry, but she tried her best to hold it. Yun Che slowly walked up to her and pulled her into a hug. "Xin'er, it's okay to cry once in a while. I know you refused to let Xueli see your tears of loneliness and it becomes too unbearable for you. You want that loneliness soothed, and that's why you seek me. You just wanted someone to shoulder your burdens. I really wanted to make you my wife… not a concubine or a mistress. A wife worthy of my love and becoming the mother of my children. An older sister for Mio, Retsu, and Cang Yue. However, in this state, I can't accept you just yet."
"Yun Che…why… why am I crying right now….I just….. I just…." Lin Xin spoke between sobs, but Yun Che tightened the hug, creating a safe space for Lin Xin. With a soothing tone, he spoke, "Let it go…. Just cry…. It's okay…. Let it all out… your sadness… I will shoulder all of it…."
"*sniff….sniff…No…no… I don't…can't…. Waaaaaaaaaa!!!!" The dam holding her tears finally crumbled as she shouted her cries to the heavens. Because of it, her knees gave up, and she fell on her knees to the ground. Yun Che joined in and immediately tightened the hug. Compared to her first cry, this was the cry where she poured out all of her sadness and suffering. All her bottled-up feelings, her anguish, suffering, and anger….
Her husband's passing.
Xueli's despair
Her embarrassment and torture by her own mother-in-law
Her very own despair….
Xueli's near death…
She poured out all of it. She always kept a smiling expression, but Yun Che and others knew she was suffering from the inside. Mio and Retsu, as well as Cang Yue, sometimes tried to make her open up, but she was a tough nut to crack. This time, she actually cried her heart out. She didn't cry for Xueli but for herself.
Yun Che kept his cool as he hugged her as tight as he could, sealing the small pavilion with his barrier. If not, Xueli might sense her distress and immediately come for her. Her cries were loud, and she shouted everything to the heavens. She always pampered her daughter, but it turns out she wanted to be spoiled and pampered as well. Although he was confessed by her, it didn't feel right. He didn't want her to turn into a woman who seals her emotions, a woman who marries without a heart. If that happens, she'd rather turn into a breeding cattle, jumping from one husband to another as her love was easily replaced. She would be a used woman.
He wanted Lin Xin to turn into a loving mother to her child and a loving wife to her husband. If she let her pain go, she would learn to love again. However, her current feelings were not her real feelings. Her heart could change once she recovered her memories, and he didn't know her past life.
Every sob seemed to carry a piece of the heavy load she had carried for so long. Yun Che held her tighter, absorbing the weight of her sorrow. The pavilion, once a witness to so many emotions, now cradled Lin Xin in her raw vulnerability.
As the last echoes of her cries faded, Yun Che gently wiped away her tears, letting his fingers linger on her cheeks. The moonlight reflected in her tearful eyes, and at that moment, they shared a silent understanding.
Yun Che kept his cool, sensing the shift in her, the unburdening of a soul that had longed for release. The embrace transformed into a moment of quiet solace, a shared acknowledgment of the pain that had been laid bare.
Finally, Lin Xin spoke in a shaky yet relieved voice, "Yun Che… I don't know why I'm crying like this… I just…"
He softly hushed her, "It's alright, Xin'er. Sometimes, we need to let it all out. You don't have to carry it alone."
With her head resting on his shoulder, she clung to the warmth of his embrace. In that shared vulnerability, a deeper understanding began to blossom, marking a turning point in the complex tapestry of their lives.
One day, Lin Xin will confess her love not as her current self but….as her real self. The one with all her memories and as a cultivator from the heavens.
The mother cried for what felt like an eternity, as if this were the first time tears had ever graced her eyes since arriving in this world. Even in her marriage, she never allowed herself the vulnerability of crying in front of her husband. But now, in the quiet embrace of the man who had become her anchor, she let it all out. Each sob was a cathartic release, and as the minutes ticked by, the weight on her heart seemed to dissipate.
For the first time, she felt the freedom to express the emotions that had long been concealed. She poured out her heart to the man who had repeatedly come to her rescue, and in doing so, she discovered a sense of liberation. The burdens that had seemed insurmountable were now nothing more than illusions. With each tear that fell, a spark ignited within her, a spark that hinted at a future fire waiting to blaze.
After wiping away her tears, she hugged him again, seeking the warmth of his body. There was a newfound sense of possessiveness—she yearned for the exclusive comfort she had witnessed the other three women experience every night. Though selfish, she allowed herself this indulgence, cherishing the moment with the man who had offered solace and support.
As the intensity of her emotions finally subsided, she tightened her embrace around him and spoke with a sincerity that resonated, "Thank you, Yun Che. This meant a lot to me. If my heart finally heals, will you listen to my confession again? When that time comes, there will be no doubts, no hesitations, no replacements, and no burdens. It'll be a confession that comes from my own heart."
His response was gentle but firm, "Yes, I'll be waiting for it. A confession coming from the real you."
The night unfolded in an exchange of words, the two sharing their thoughts within the comforting cocoon of each other's arms. Lin Xin, however, eventually decided it was time to retire for the night. The spark within her had grown into a rekindled flame, but her heart remained a work in progress.
As she prepared to leave, she cast him a sly smile and playfully suggested, "Yun Che, if you want, you can come and visit my room later."
His response was a mixture of surprise and amusement, "You're still going on about that? Haha... I have to turn you down. Those girls will kill me for touching you inappropriately."
Lin Xin blushed at his response but quickly countered, "I was merely jesting, but I was half kidding... Muuu... Can't blame a woman for trying."
Yun Che, however, took the opportunity to add a playful twist, hugging her once more and whispering, "Don't mind if I do after we get married." Lin Xin's cheeks turned a shade of crimson, and she reluctantly pulled away.
As she left, she shot him a final smile, to which he responded with a wink and a mischievous grin. Lin Xin felt better after baring her soul to him, realizing that she had to let go of the past and move forward. She glanced back at Yun Che, and a healthy blush painted her cheeks.
Her heart wasn't racing; it was calm and at peace. She had missed this feeling, a feeling reminiscent of her late husband. She turned away with a smile, feeling the strength to pick up the shattered pieces of her heart. She had given her heart once to the man who rescued her from the forest, and now.
In the quiet aftermath of Lin Xin's departure, Yun Che couldn't help but reflect on the complex tapestry of emotions that seemed to entwine their lives. A gentle kiss on his cheek lingered as a testament to gratitude, and he watched Lin Xin bow her head before disappearing into the manor, taking her first steps toward healing.
The moonlit pavilion was not as empty as it seemed, as the trio of eavesdropping companions revealed themselves with playful admissions of being caught.
"*Sigh….. how long are you three going to stay up there?" Yun Che spoke with a flat tone before Mio descended gracefully, using her web-like support, a mischievous "Eheeee… busted…" escaping her lips. Retsu followed, stepping lightly on the lake's surface, and Cang Yue, in her original appearance, joined them. Clad in their sleeping Yukatas, they looked as captivating as ever, a sight that softened Yun Che's heart.
"It's okay, it was expected after all," he reassured them, acknowledging their vigilant presence.
As they gathered around him, Yun Che couldn't help but smile, appreciating the genuine concern mirrored in their eyes. Cang Yue broke the silence, posing a question that lingered in the air, "Yun Che, is it okay to turn her down like that?"
Observing Lin Xin's retreating figure, Yun Che responded with a smile that held a trace of understanding. "She'll be fine. Her heart was in pieces, and she wanted me to pick them up. If I did, we might have had to settle down here. I am not ready. All I did was let her pick up and patch herself up. She, on the other hand, is not ready to love yet. Her love wasn't as strong as you three. One day for sure, she'll become your older sister..."
He paused, his gaze lingering on the tranquil waters of the estate lake. "Besides, I am not ready to settle down yet. I still have missions to do, levels to gain, and I have three fiancées here to look after. Right here, right now."
"Danna-sama…Yuu-kun… Yun Che…!!!" The enthusiastic chorus of his fiancées filled the air as they practically tackled him, each vying for their share of his attention. Yun Che found himself ensnared in a trio of affectionate embraces, their warmth and closeness creating a delightful chaos.
"Eheeeee…. but we're fine if you accept her. Lin Xin is like an older sister to us. We'll be real sisters if you do," Retsu chimed in, her words echoed by approving nods from Mio and Cang Yue.
Yun Che's smile persisted as he cast his gaze over the manor, contemplating the delicate intricacies of the relationships that intertwined in his life. "Maybe I will, but not yet. Matters of the heart can't be forced. Let her settle her own feelings and raise her child however she pleases. One day, when she's ready, I will listen to her once more, or more like we are going to listen to her confession." He harbored a silent hope that Lin Xin's memories would eventually resurface, unveiling her true identity and origin in the Realm of the Gods.
"It's okay… Danna-sama… Your heart is big enough for all of us," Mio reassured him, her words holding a gentle sincerity.
Yun Che affectionately patted Mio's head, responding with a soft tone. "Haha… but I only care for the girls you three accepted though. Anyway, I'll focus on what is in front of me for now. Let us worry about the others in the future. You three are my fiancées after all."
"But… there's still that Xia Qingyue…" Retsu suddenly voiced, and Yun Che's eyes widened in response. Unaware that both Mio and Cang Yue were present, Retsu continued, her tone infused with a hint of pity. However, the mention of Xia Qingyue disrupted the moment, catching Yun Che off guard. Retsu, perhaps unaware of the implications, brought up the name that carried weight in the Frozen Cloud Asgard.
Yun Che's eyes widened, a brief moment of surprise crossing his face. Xia Qingyue, the enigmatic figure associated with the Frozen Cloud Asgard, held secrets that Yun Che hadn't shared fully with his current companions other than Retsu and Kon. The unexpected mention of her name injected an element of curiosity and tension into the air, as Cang Yue, who was the first to react, expressed a mixture of shock and intrigue. "Xia Qingyue… you mean the Xia Qingyue of the Frozen Cloud Asgard? Do you have a relationship with her as well?"
"Danna-sama…. Are you keeping secrets from us?" Mio suddenly spoke with a sweet smile, but her aura sent shivers down his spine.
Fearing for his so-called life, he decided to come clean. It's now or later. "Yeah….ahhh…I guess you don't know…that she's my wife." He dropped the bomb now that Retsu let the cat out of the bag.
There was a moment of stunned silence.
"Wife?!? You never told us!!!" Mio and Cang Yue exclaimed. Retsu, on the other hand, just tilted her head sideways and made a light hum, acknowledging that she spoke without thinking. He sighed before making a mental note to give her a light flick on her forehead later.
"It means junior brother Yuanba is actually your brother-in-law?" Cang Yue asked with a shocked expression.
"Y-yeah.." Yun Che's response answered most of her questions. She had questions about Xia Yuanba before but pushed them to the back of her mind.
"Danna-sama! Why didn't you tell me about this?!" Mio exclaimed while holding both of his cheeks before turning towards Retsu, who turned her face sideways before raising her hand to pinch one of Retsu's cheeks, eliciting a very cutesy hurt expression. "And you?!? We're sisters!! You didn't tell me anything about this."
"I am sowwy…" Retsu bowed her head as she was the one dropping the bomb without thinking.
"Woah...settle down now. I only told Retsu, though." Then, he proceeded to relay everything about Xia Qingyue to Mio and Cang Yue while Retsu listened next to him. It was shocking enough that he was married at a young age, and Retsu filled in about his marriage on the day he arrived in this world. A marriage set for him without any agreement happened because of a promise between his late foster father and Xia Qingyue's father. He told them without hiding anything and everything about Xia Qingyue, including his ruckus during the wedding, how he pushed her away that night, and how he felt for her on that very day. He also told them why she became a cold-hearted beauty and cultivated for the sake of finding her mother.
As they listened, both Mio and Cang Yue were quite relieved that the marriage was based on a promise, not on mutual agreement, but Xia Qingyue still held the title of the 'first wife,' no matter how insignificant it might be. They were quite shocked by this development, and he had planned to tell them once they arrived at the capital city. She is also one of the reasons why he wanted to join the tournament in the first place, other than fulfilling his promise to Cang Yue. Never expected that he would tell them here. He also relayed to them about his wedding day and her departure that very night, including how he treated her.
Both Mio and Cang Yue sympathized with him as he was left on his wedding night and understood the true nature of the women from the Frozen Cloud Asgard. Retsu even told them how cold Chu Yuechan was before she was figuratively melted by them. Anyway, when they meet Xia Qingyue in the future, they will actually test her to see whether she is suitable to become his wife. If not, divorcing her might become a last resort as Mio and Retsu might go Yandere on her. They had to spend a lot of time just to become his fiancées, and some woman they didn't know about suddenly had a wife title.
More importantly, his first wife.
Thank goodness nothing happened that night, as Yun Che said, before adding that it depends on them whether she will be accepted or not. Even if they do, he really hopes there's no bad blood or such between them. He mentioned also that the day of the tournament is the day they would meet her. They will decide whether she could have the title or not.
Then, all three of the fiancées thought at the same time. If she departed on that night, it means Yun Che's virginity is still intact?
All three of them suddenly turned their heads towards him before started eyeing him just like a piece of meat. Yun Che's first time was still intact, and no one had claimed it yet. Retsu claimed his first kiss, and both Mio and Cang Yue lost that part. It means there is still a chance to become his proper first wife. Seeing he was eyed like prey, he suddenly had shivers before he spoke to his girls while keeping his guard up just in case these three would do something funny. It's enough that both Retsu and Mio raped his mouth back then. "Why are you three looking at me like that?"
"No…no… it's nothing. Hehe…. We'll get to meet her soon, Danna-sama," Mio spoke, eager to see whether Xia Qingyue was worthy of him or them.
"I am surprised you two accepted it just like Retsu." Yun Che was expecting more hostile reactions, perhaps thoughts of finding and confronting Xia Qingyue, but the calm response caught him off guard. Well, he was married against his will, and his wife left him on the same day—or was it the other way around?
"We know you like the back of our hand, Yuu-kun. You never lied to us. You might have some interaction with other women, but we know your intents and actions as clear as day. You spend your time with each and every one of us equally, something even the most powerful of men can't. That's why we love and trust you with our very lives," Retsu spoke with a reassuring smile.
"But…. Please don't keep any more secrets from us," Mio pleaded, her tone filled with sincerity.
"I promise…." Yun Che nodded, his smile holding a hint of mystery. There were secrets about his previous life that he wished to share with them, but he wasn't sure when the right time would be.
Then, Mio continued, "Besides, Danna-sama is never the type to make a move on women. They make moves on him. It's our duty as his future wives to protect him from those harpies."
"But…. That doesn't mean we accept her just like that. She must pass a series of tests to hold that 'first wife' title." Retsu spoke with a mischievous undertone.
Yun Che and the others sweat dropped. "I guess I have to let you ladies decide on that. Guess that title means a lot to you girls."
"Of course, Yun Che…. We don't know her, and she had that title. It kind of bothers us a little." Cang Yue justified, not expecting him to be married to Xia Qingyue. She had assumed he had an older sister who married earlier than him, so the idea of him having a wife caught her off guard.
"I knew it would bother you, and that's why I can't keep secrets from my beautiful future wives," Yun Che spoke with a sincere expression.
"Danna-sama, Yun Che…Yuu-kun… We love you!!" All three of them tackled him to the floor, each hugging a piece of his body as he smiled. Then, he sighed, accustomed to these impromptu displays of affection. "Not again… you three sure are a handful."
"Then… I had questions about that black-cloaked girl. Who is she? She knew you that well, and she was able to control Retsu's Blood Hawk," Cang Yue asked, finally getting the chance to inquire about Jasmine. Yun Che looked towards Mio and Retsu, who nodded.
"Well, think of her as a guardian ally. She followed us everywhere within a safe distance, but won't hesitate to help us when needed. Still, she has problems helping women, though," Yun Che explained.
"Does she have a name?" Cang Yue curiously asked.
"None of us knew her real name, but you can call her Jasmine," Yun Che decided to tell Cang Yue about her, knowing that one day she would meet Jasmine under her own circumstances, especially as Cang Yue is Huan Xuyi's successor. Plus, he didn't want to keep any secrets that might cause Cang Yue to pry later.
"Jasmine. Will I see her again?" Cang Yue curiously asked, wanting to know more about this guardian.
"You will. She's a little shy. She'll show herself when she wants to," Yun Che smirked, knowing Jasmine was likely listening. He imagined her silently protesting that she wasn't shy at all.
"I see… then, can you tell her that I am grateful for her help?" Cang Yue asked.
"I am sure she already knows about it," Yun Che spoke with a smile, aware that Jasmine was eavesdropping. She didn't say anything, but secretly puffed her cheeks; helping was just her way of supporting Yun Che, Mio, and Retsu.
Lin Xin was listening in from behind the big tree at the edge of the lake. Ever since Xueli's kidnapped by Wrath, it causes her senses were getting stronger before she even knew it. She can see, hear and smell better as if she was developing an ability. What she didn't realized that her powers was slowly awakening as well. She was quite shocked of it. It'll be a matter of time the seal within her head breaks.
She had a small smile seeing that she had the approval of his other fiancees but she never knew he had a wife. Moreover, he thought that she wasn't ready to join his flock yet. It's true. She wasn't ready. She was confessing on a whim just now and with a lot of things in her mind, it won't end well for her. That Yun Che is really hard to crack. She gave him a chance to bed her but he refused. Most men will do everything to bed her but this one just bluntly refused her advancement. Plus, she is confessing to him with her current amnesic self. What happens if she remembers who she was? A divine cultivator like he spoke of. If she recovers, are her feelings going to be the same? Where else she could find a man like that? It even makes her wanted to double her efforts in the future. He wasn't helping her because he wanted her body. He was doing all of it to have her love. She observed him from a far like a schoolgirl in love as she held her hand on her heart and whispered to herself...
"One day…..one day…. I'll be yours…Yun Che" Lin Xin spoke as she retreated to the manor with her hands on her heart.
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Unknown realm, billions of light years away from Blue Pole Star
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The images of Yun Che's adventures didn't escape the watchful eyes of a few mysterious observers. Since the awakening of his bankai and the appearance of hollows on the planet, the Blue Pole Star had been under constant surveillance. Two enigmatic figures, their features concealed by hooded black clothing, stood amidst the sea of stars, their attention fixed on a spherical orb displaying images of Yun Che and his fiancée.
One of the hooded figures broke the silence, "This boy, he is too dangerous to be left alive."
"What do you mean? He is just an insignificant ant in a realm much smaller than a turtle. There's no use paying attention to him," the other figure retorted.
"Not with the prediction orb. This boy will have a lot of powerful members in his little family."
"Hmph, you worry too much about that ant. He will never grow to be much of a threat to us. A mere prediction is just a prediction. This is useless," the other figure declared before fading into the sea of stars.
Ignoring the dismissive remark, the remaining figure refocused on the prediction orb. As it concentrated, it witnessed the same prediction unfold thousands and thousands of times—a simulation of Yun Che's destined future. "Threat... this boy will be a powerful threat one day, a king with mighty sovereigns standing beside him."
The figure fixated on Yun Che's celestial silhouette before shifting its gaze to the figures standing by his side. With a voice trembling with realization, it saw...
The Celestial Monarch of Everlasting Twilight
The Divine Sovereign of Crimson Dominion
The Astral Ruler of the Veiled Realm
The Ethereal Monarch of the Azure Eclipse
The Gilded Avian Monarch
The Flame-winged Enchantress
The Sovereign of the Abyssal Tides
The Dragonlord of Celestial Realms
The Necrosphere's Supreme Enchantress
"Dear heavens… How many more sovereigns stood behind him?" The figure wanted to say more, but there were too many. These figures were no ordinary beings. They were entities who had reached the True Realm of the Gods—a power unattainable for the figure itself. And there, behind and beside Yun Che, stood those who had achieved such godlike powers.
Then, the figure suddenly dropped the prediction orb, its hands trembling uncontrollably. It, the sole witness in the cosmos of stars, felt an overwhelming fear as it beheld the faces of two additional emerged Sovereigns standing with Yun Che.
"Even the Celestial Timekeeper herself?! And… the Monarch of Celestial Light? I must report this to the Realm King. This boy… is too dangerous to be left alive." With that, the figure vanished into the cosmos, leaving behind the prediction orb.