It didn't take long. We arrived at the marketplace, which the Xu family owned.
"I forgot to ask," I said, glancing at her. "What was the name of the empire Empress Lingxie ruled?"
"It was called the Genesis Empire," she replied. "Named after Emperor Genesis himself."
"You should know this, you know?" she added. "People still talk about it."
"I was focused on other things," I said. "Reading other myths, other histories. I knew a little—but not enough. That's why I asked you."
"What do you know about Emperor Genesis, then?" she probed.
"I know he disappeared an eternity ago," I said. "He was a legend. He created the realm—the world we live in now."
She scoffed. "Everyone knows that, forget it. lets go then."
"You two—young couple—come over here," the old woman called out. "Would you like to buy something from an old soul like me?"
"We're not a couple," Lingxue replied, her tone cold. "Just disciples from the Blackdragon Sect."
"Oh, I truly apologise for the misunderstanding," the woman said, bowing slightly. "Either way, please—look around. Pick anything that catches your eye. It's expensive, yes, but worth it, believe me. My husband and I were lucky enough to obtain these treasures in our youth. Sadly, I must sell them now."
I looked over the treasures. One caught my eye—a medallion shaped like a dragon. Just an ordinary trinket, but beautifully crafted. Someone had made it with care.
"I'll buy that dragon medallion," I said.
"Here you go, young man," the old woman replied, placing it gently in my hand. "I hope you like it. It was my husband's favourite."
"Anything catch your eye, young lady?"
Lingxue scanned the stall. Her gaze settled on a medallion—similar to mine, but shaped like a phoenix.
"I'll take that one," she said.
"Ah, that was my favourite," the old woman smiled. "My husband and I wore those when we married—he had the dragon, I had the phoenix. I hope you cherish them as much as we did."
Her voice softened.
"It makes me sad. He's no longer with me. But I'll be seeing him soon, in the afterlife. Once I've sold these treasures, I'll pass the wealth to my son—for his family to use."
She bowed gently.
"Anyhow, good day to you both. Have a wonderful day."
"For some reason," Lingxue said, her voice low, "seeing that BlackDragon medallion makes me feel... nervous. How odd."
I looked at her. She didn't remember everything from our battle—only fragments. Her subconscious had buried the rest. I hadn't needed to wipe her memory. Not yet.
We continued through the Xu market.
"Tell me we're going through the Xu market. I'm guessing you know a Xu here. We're going to ally with them?"
"Of course. Every house has its traitor. That's how alliances are born."
"Who is it this time?"
"Xu Xiao," she said, almost smiling. "He remembers me."
"He should be in a brothel. That's his usual spot.
He's known as quite the player—handsome, tall, influential.
One of the Nine Families of the Broken Genesis Empire.
But just because the families are still connected by marriage doesn't mean it's perfect.
They haven't truly been united since Empress Lingxi left.
That was an eternity ago."
As we entered the brothel, the air thickened. Seductive, sexualised women moved through the haze in revealing clothes—flirting, touching, speaking sweet words that meant nothing. They performed desire like ritual.
We walked through without slowing. They reached for Lingxue too. She let them.
We reached the door. We didn't open it. We heard the conversation.
"You're such a bad man, Xu Xiao. Sleeping with your sister-in-law behind your brother's back. I'm even carrying your child. You're bad."
"You're just as bad as me. You should take some accountability. Actions speak louder than words, dirty woman."
"You're just as dirty as me then, aren't you?"
He laughed.
Lingxue opened the door without care. They were mid-intercourse—Xu Xiao with his sister-in-law and two other women, both clearly high, moving without rhythm, without shame.
He didn't stop.
"Welcome, Lingxue. It's been a while, hasn't it? Still so beautiful. Still so desirable. We should have fun again—like last time, don't you think?"
"I'm not interested. We both know I only slept with you because you were convenient. That time is over."
"Still so cold. Are you still playing with your childhood friend Yun—"
He didn't finish. Her ice talons were at his throat.
"We have company. Don't squall like a fat pig about my privacy. Do you understand, Xu Xiao?"
He rubbed his throat, eyes flicking to me.
"He's not your usual type. Tall, but plain. Strange choice for a man."
"He's not one of mine," Lingxue said. "He does what he wants, when he wants. You shouldn't underestimate him, Xu Xiao. You'll regret it."
Xu Xiao didn't flinch. He was still tangled with his sister-in-law and the other two women, all three high, laughing, moving without rhythm.
"You must be telling the truth," he said, smirking. "You're not usually so wary of people. He must be one hell of a fighter. That makes him intriguing."
He gestured lazily toward the women.
"Let me finish with my sister-in-law and these two, then we can get to business.
After a while, he walked out naked, not bothering with a robe. His sister-in-law sat on his lap, swollen with child—his child. She looked ready to give birth.
The other two women were still on the bed, half-draped in silk, smoking something thick and sweet. Their eyes were glassed over, their movements slow, ritualistic.
Xu Xiao didn't flinch. He let her rest against him like a throne. He looked at us as if nothing was broken.
I couldn't help but smile in my head. He clearly didn't care. That made him amusing to my eye.
I thought of my past self—when Emperor Shadow and I were fully merged.
He had no restraint.
I do now.
Well… trying, anyhow.
"She's beautiful, isn't she?" Xu Xiao said, stroking her swollen breast like it was a trophy. "You should've seen her before the pregnancy. Her body was pure temptation—no shame, no restraint."
He didn't stop. His hands moved with practiced arrogance, touching her like she was still part of the performance. The other two women watched from the bed, drugged and smiling, smoke curling around their faces like ritual.
"She is beautiful, I admit," I said. "You must be enjoying her—especially now that she's carrying your child."
Xu Xiao smirked. "You talk like an expert. What's your name, plain-looking boy?"
"Shen Wuyin."
"Shen Wuyin," he repeated, tasting it. "Interesting name. Tell me—do you think I'm a disgusting man? Sleeping with my brother's main wife, and now she's bearing my child?"
"You made your choice. Live with it. Who am I to care? There's no such thing as perfect men or perfect women."
"I'm guessing that's why you betrayed your family," I said. "Your brother probably had it all handed to him, while you had to fight for what you earned. So you took what mattered most—his main wife. Seduced her. Claimed her. All because of insecurity."
I didn't raise my voice. I didn't flinch.
"I'd be careful. He took you from your brother, yes—but now that you're his, you might not have any value left."
Lingxue smiled. She was enjoying herself. She had to admit—Shen Wuyin was blunt. Cold. And sharper than most.
The sister-in-law looked at Xu Xiao, searching his face. Shen Wuyin's words had cut through the haze. Was it true? Would he abandon her now?
She had her reasons. Three, and none of them clean.
She'd been spoiled more by Xu Xiao than by her husband.
He gave her attention—ceremonial, seductive, constant.
And in bed, she was never lonely.
That was enough. Enough to betray a man who gave her his name, but not his presence.
Now she watched Xu Xiao, swollen with his child, wondering if she'd been discarded already.
"You're making her doubt me," Xu Xiao said, voice low but unshaken. "I intend to take her from my brother. Marry her. Raise our child together."
He stroked her belly like it was a throne.
"And I will become patriarch of the Xu family—like I deserved from the beginning. That's why I betrayed them. That's why I let you two kill them."
He looked at Lingxue, then at Wuyin.
"So my bloodline could flourish. So I could take over.
"Well, be warned," I said. "If someone's willing to cheat once, they're willing to do it again. You two might end up cheating on each other."
He didn't raise his voice. He didn't flinch.
"And you strike me as the possessive type. The kind of man who never lets a woman cheat on him—except when it's him doing the cheating."
Lingxue couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Xu Xiao, are you really going to let him talk to you like that? Then again… you wouldn't be able to beat him even if you tried."
She stepped closer, voice like ice.
"He's more of a man than you. That much is clear."
Her smile sharpened.
"You, insecure little boy."
Xu Xiao scoffed, trying to wave it off. "Forget it. What's your problem, anyway?" he asked me.
"Nothing," I said. "I'm just being blunt. You amuse me, I admit—but I pity you both the same."
I didn't raise my voice. I didn't flinch.
"I apologise if I was rude. Too straightforward. Too honest about what I was thinking. But you don't care what you do—so why should I?"
"I admit you amuse me as well," Xu Xiao said, eyes lingering too long. "I can see it in your eyes—you really don't care what you do or say, when you have to."
He leaned back, voice softening.
"One more thing. I have a younger sister I care about. She's supposed to marry Zhang Lin. Spare her. Her name is Xu Yunfei. She's the eldest daughter. You can kill the others—I don't care about them. But she must be spared. I treasure her. Very much."
He paused.
"My mother, too."
I watched him closely.
It was clear now. I could see it in his eyes.
He had a brother complex—twisted, possessive.
Maybe even desire for his little sister.
Not just her. His mother, too.
Lingxue spoke, her tone light but cutting.
"I see you're still very deeply attached to them—your mother and your sister. But be careful, Xu Xiao. They might not accept your real nature."
The sister-in-law turned, eyes narrowing as she looked at her brother-in-law.
What did she mean by that?
She'd betrayed her husband, yes. But had she ever truly seen Xu Xiao?
The way he spoke of his mother—like she was the only one who ever saw him.
The way he spoke of his sister—like she belonged to him.
"I take your word, Lingxue," Xu Xiao said, smirking. "You sure you don't want to join us? I'd be more fun than that Shen Wuyin."
Lingxue didn't flinch.
"I doubt that," she said. "He's more amusing to me than you ever were."