Zahar was rather satisfied with the haul of cultivation materials. The merchants did well, and shipped in a large number of low and medium quality herbs from the surroundings. It was what he did for an entire month, and by the end of that month, his cultivation barely risen to the 4th stage of the 2nd realm.
The merchants actually checked whether he wanted more, and he shook his head. "The City Lord has been exceptionally generous, but this is enough."
Around the same time, there was a buzz in the background, as servants scurried around. Sana's mother began packing her supplies for her stay at the Roaring Dragon Sect. Each outer disciple was awarded the right to take a small bag of their own belongings. These days, everyone cheated by stuffing everything into a small spatial bag.
"You've been accepted, Zahar." City Lord Eshtar passed him a letter of acceptance from the Roaring Dragon Sect. "You will enter as an outer disciple."
Zahar nodded. "Thank you, City Lord. There was no need for you to come personally just to hand me this slip."
He laughed, and then joked. The City Lord's tone was friendly, accommodating. "May I speak with you, perhaps, as a man to another?"
The ancient immortal nodded, and offered him a seat at the tea corner in his chambers. Sana was out, spending time with family. It'll be some time before she sees them again. Most disciples don't see their family for decades, though they kept in touch with letters and various other means.
The City Lord's face was serious, as he asked. "My daughter is young, and she has not seen the crouching tigers and hidden dragons of the world beyond, despite our best attempts to tell her, so, some of what she says and does is colored by that naivety. Me and my wife, we are both in the larger scheme of things, fairly average cultivators, and thus, though we try our best to educate them, our knowledge is frankly lacking. I hope you do not find her words and her questions troubling."
Zahar smiled, amused at the cultivator's attempt to manage his expectations. "I know what I see, City Lord. I will not judge her too harshly."
"Indeed. If she has offended you, and you see it fit to punish her, I would like to offer myself as her replacement. I will bear her mistakes, and I ask for the chance to argue on her case."
Zahar, however, didn't expect that from the City Lord. He thought he was fairly selfish as cultivators went, but it seemed hidden under all that is still some genuine love for her daughter. He nodded. "I wouldn't worry too much, City Lord. I am a fairly decent judge of character, and your daughter shall be well."
"Ah- in that case, I'll take your word for it." City Lord clasped his hands together in thanks. "There is another thing-"
"Ooh?" Zahar was amused.
"Do you have any foes or grudges that we should be wary of? In my limited experience, it would help if we could prepare beforehand-"
The Zenith Emperor laughed. That was a good question. "I must say, none that I remember. And besides, if my old rivals do touch anything in this realm, there's nothing any of you could do."
City Lord Eshtar nodded. "At least death will be swift."
"The most merciful of deaths."
"I take this is not your true body?"
Zahar liked intelligent people, and merely shrugged. "It's complicated. Best not explained."
"Indeed, indeed." The City Lord sipped his tea, and after a long, strangely comfortable silence, he asked again. "My wife told me- you've not actually initiated the act with my daughter even after this past month and some. Is there anything unsatisfactory about her in her duties as a concubine?"
If Sana was listening to the question, she'd probably choke on whatever she was eating and spit out her tea.
Zahar laughed. "I have come to possession of this body just for a short moment, and this body is fairly weak and is in need some repairs. I spent the past month mending most of the flaws. Please rest assured that I have not found your daughter unsatisfactory. She is charming, and attractive. The fault of not consummating our relationship lies in me, but it should be fixed soon."
The City Lord looked greatly relieved. "Great. Great. That is good to hear. I heard from my aides that you've stopped additional orders for the cultivation materials. Is there something else you wish to acquire?"
"No. I intend to spend the rest of the month properly resting, and, doing what a man should do with a beautiful woman."
"Ah." The City Lord had a bright smile. "Then I should not get in your way."
***
"My father was here?" Sana was instantly curious when Zahar mentioned it. Zahar and Sana had largely settled into a routine where day time, they'd do their own things, and after dinner, they would spend some time together.
"Yes." Sana had gotten quite comfortable being in states of undress around Zahar, and he even noticed some unusual nightwear from her, which, he soon guessed, came from the mother. The city lord and his wife must have quite a good night life.
"What- what did he want- sorry, I mean, what did he say?" Sana said as she rested at her side of the bed. Her body no longer flinched when his fingers touched her waist or her shoulders.
"The recommendation letter worked, and he asked me to be lenient with you."
"Oh." Sana smiled.
"He also asked when we'll consummate our arrangement as my concubine."
The undressed lady cursed, and then blushed. "Don't- don't listen to him."
He placed his hand on her shoulder, and pulled her closer to him. "I'm in agreement, actually."
"-what-" Sana's face turned red. "I- I-"
That hand on her shoulder slid down to her waist, and pulled her closer. "The important question, therefore, is do you want to do it."
Sana's already red face didn't know what to say, but then, as her eyes and his met, she nodded gently. "-yes."
Zahar didn't ask why, instead, he pulled her close for a kiss, and their lips met. His hands went to places Sana had never let another man touched and that night, they proceeded to consummate their relationship for the first time. It was awkward, and it took a while for her to warm up to act of embracing a man, but Sana eventually found some enjoyment in her first night with a man.