Shen's P.O.V
"How's General Chen?"
"Hey, stop being rude." I glare to the old hag as she just gave me a smirk. She scoots closer to mother as she places her hands to mother's thigh.
Master Zhao's eyes bulged from its socket while Lady Chen had a reddened face. My mother, the old hag and Master Zhao are sitting in front of us while me and Lady Chen sits opposite them. Ah, that old hag is making me jealous. If only I can do that to Lady Chen.
"What? I was just asking," the old hag let out an annoying laugh. I could only roll my eyes.
"Pardon m-me, but I do not know who you are."
"Then tell me, if you were to fight me, would you back away or not?"
The three of us, Master Zhao and Lady Chen, were astonished. Such a question is being thrown right there and then.
"If I am on par, then I see no reason as to why not. I am not that stupid to directly charge without a plan or information."
The old hag suddenly smiled, grinned even. I could tell that she was satisfied with Lady Chen's answer. Lady Chen was right, she was not stupid.
"I am the hero the tale has said so."
Lady Chen didn't move, breathe nor did I know if her heart was still beating. Lady Chen was so still I had almost mistaken her as a statue. That old hag just has to bomb that right away on their first meeting.
"Mother, tell me why you are here." I had been very anxious of the thought of Lady Chen meeting them both but the reality I am in, is just to messed up.
"If we are satisfied with Chen Qingshan, then we are to form an allegiance and marry you both."
Uh?! What?
"You are fooling me,"
"We want you to marry someone like Chen Qingshan."
I turn my attention back to Lady Chen who was still stunned, not yet moving. If I were to suddenly take the information that the person in front of me is the legendary hero, then I am sure that I will react the same way. The fact that they also announced to us that they want us to marry suddenly makes the matter worse.
"I apologize for my reaction but I do not understand," she finally managed to say something.
"Lady Chen," I say softly, a bit worried.
"I go by no name and so does my wife."
"You both are wedded to each other?"
"Ah, yes."
"Then, what are your relations with Shen?"
"She is our offspring."
Lady Chen's head whipped to my side, looking so intense, so stiff. I managed to smile shyly and sighed. I do hope Lady Chen doesn't think of me any less. Maybe I am in love with Lady Chen. Maybe I do like her but I do not know to what extent.
"B-but you both are girls."
My mother and the old hag started laughing, along with Master Zhao. Their laughter just brought me embarrassment. If the heavens can hear me, please let me enter your realm!
"Power, dear Chen."
"Oh," was all Lady Chen could say.
Since the day me and Lady Chen lived together, this was the first time that Lady Chen had let me see her confused look, her shocked expression and shy manner. Her straight posture and straight face were no more, instead she was adorable.
"Lady Chen, if they are causing you any discomfort, they shall take their leave." I hissed at both my mother who had came uninvited. Technically they were invited but not me! I was the reason why they were here so it should be obvious that I should invite me.
"That is no way to talk to your mothers, Shen." mother's voice was full of venom. A chill then went down my spine, as if cold air has just kissed me bareback.
"I apologize, mother."
"Master Zhao, had you known?"
"Yes, dear disciple. Shen here has been entrusted to me by her mothers and as you don't know, Shen here is much more stronger than I am."
"Ah? Stronger?"
"She has surpassed me, my adorable disciple. She outranks me."
"Well, we should take our leave and reunite soon." the old hag grabbed mother's hand and stood up.
Mother approaches me and kisses my forehead.
"I have missed my little girl, reunited for a short time to only leave again." I hug my mother with a smile.
"I will visit home, mother."
"We will see each other before you can come home, brat. Here," the old hag pried my hand open and gave me a talisman.
My eyes went wide. She didn't!
Mother breaks our hug and gave me a kiss on the forehead one last time before disappearing with the old hag. The last image I saw was the old hag grinning and mother smiling her usual smile. When they were gone, I stare at the talisman before putting it in my breast pocket.
"I will give you both some time for yourselves."
Lady Chen had asked me to talk a stroll outside the manor and of course, I had agreed. The atmosphere was quiet and somewhat serene. The moon is full and the wind is cold. The moon's light had reflected on Lady Chen's hair, making it shine. It's silver color almost stealing my attention. How beautiful Lady Chen was and if I were to really marry her, then I will do everything in my power to satisfy her every need.
*TUG DUG*
The thought of marrying Lady Chen made my heart beat faster than normal. It was as if it was pounding off of my chest. Then, I remembered the old hag's words.
"When I had met your mother, my heart almost wanted to run up to her and leave my body."
This is what this moment feels like. Her beauty had captured my eyes. Her subtle changes in her attitude always make me want more. I wanted to spend every day with Lady Chen.
But,
Lady Chen is foreign with the idea of two women together, much less marry.
"Why did you not tell me?"
"I did not want you to think that I am the child of the hero."
"You are yourself in my eyes."
As Lady Chen turns around, the wind came, swaying Lady Chen's hair. Suddenly, I wanted to cry. I really am harboring deep feelings.
"I am beyond happy to hear that, Lady Chen."
"I have always wondered why you call me 'lady',"
"I do not see you as a sister only."
This is the time. The time that I shall give her everything that I have pent up inside. I want her to know. I want her to acknowledge my feelings. I want her for myself. I want her. I will do everything in my power to make her fall for me. I will make her mine.
"I am yet acquainted with the thought of two women being together,"
"Then, is Lady Chen curious?"
"Curious about what?"
"About how two women could be together?"
"I-I, uh, I don't know." I smile a toothy grin.
"Lady Chen,"
"Wh-what now?"
"You're adorable."
"Wh- I am older than you." she turned around and walked away but I grabbed her wrist and spun her around. My arm directly embracing her waist. Her hands formed balls as they hit my chest softly and our faces inches closer than normal.
"Lady Chen, you are the only beautiful woman in my eyes."
"Y-you! Get off me!" she tried to push me away but I stood my ground and smiled.
"I will protect you, Lady Chen."
I use my free hand and brought her hand on my lips, kissing it softly before letting her go with a grin. Her scent has invaded my nose and I stick longer, I may become a wolf and not stop myself from prying my hands away from her body.
"Have a good night, Lady Chen."
As I float on top of my bed, I try to think of when I had harbored feelings for Lady Chen. It was not a question that I had liked her for her looks and her body before but when though. When did I fell for her by looking at her wholeness and not just her shell? I grit my teeth when I can not think of when.
"It's better to cultivate and beat that old hag."
Since Lady Chen already knows about my hidden powers, it's better to just let her experience it herself. My aura and presence may not be as strong as that old hag's but mine was stronger than Master Zhao.
I emptied my mind, concentrated on my qi, letting the qi flow rampant. As my powers let loose and when I had deepened my concentration, a sudden image of Lady Chen came in, making me lose all the concentration I had before landing on the wooden floor, butt first.
"Gah, why now."
Morning came and I did not sleep a wink nor did I cultivate. It was too much. My eyes are half-closed as I walk to the dining area. I passed by Master Zhao who had laughed at my well-being. I ignored him because I did not have enough energy. It was as if I had to sneeze yet it did not come. It was annoying.
"Haiya, it must be a rough night." Master Zhao practically screamed when Lady Chen had appeared.
I still did not have any energy to bicker with Master Zhao so I just sat on my usual seat and sleepily grabbed my chopsticks. By now, my eyes are closed while I eat.
Ugh, I need rest.
"Why are you so tired early in the morning, Junio- Shen."
"Hmm? Oh, I mried chu gulchivate mut," gulp, "images of Lady Chen kept on popping in in my head so I always get distracted."
I took another bite and another and another until I was done eating. I sit in the air, literally in the air, while my eyes are closed. I did not give a care in the world until someone cleared his or her throat. I landed on the floor, yet again. That seemed to wake me up as I look at the person who had interrupted my concentration.
"Oh,"
"Oh? What does that mean, Master Shen?" my brows met at what Lady Chen had said. Since when did I become her master?
"Master?"
"You are the strongest here in the Island of Grounds."
"Pfft, yeah, right. I just need sleep."
Lady Chen's face reddened as if to remember something.
"Are you alright, Lady Chen? Are you ill?"
"N-no, I'm fine."
"I can check-"
"I'm fine, Shen." she clears her throat as she says my name which I find so adorable.
"If you feel that you are ill, please tell me, Lady Chen. I might be of help."
"Mhm,"
We were to meet as the first expedition will happen in a few days. We were to acquaint with everyone that we will be going with in this mission and possibly deepen our bonds with them. As soon as we arrived, everyone had kept their eyes on us, as if to say that we were special. They had kept their distance, which I highly appreciate.
"Please be on your best behavior, Shen."
"I don't even have enough energy to walk, Lady Chen."
"Yet you can still fly while being asleep."
"Concentration and sleep have no relations, Lady Chen."
"I suppose so."
The cultivators had gathered in the center of Yingxiong Hall per instructed by General Luo. Cultivators under General Luo, General Zhu, General Ming, General Lao were all present. We are roughly 330 cultivators in total, the new ones if I am correct.
"Greetings, cultivators! We are gathered here to plan out and possibly make our expedition a success. This will be the first expedition since three years ago. The expedition party will observe and research about the abnormality of many high ranked beasts."