"Anyhow," she said, swirling her drink, "tell me, Shen—why did you buy those three prostitutes?"
"They're carrying my children."
She nearly spilt her glass.
"…Children? I see.
You're reckless, Shen.
Even if you were having fun, you should've thought of the consequences.
Knocking up three prostitutes—what were you thinking?"
"I wasn't thinking," I said.
"That's the point.
I listened to instinct."
"None of us were thinking," I said.
"I got dragged into the moment.
And now you're telling me I should abandon the children they're bearing? Is that what you are implying?"
"Forget it. Whatever. It's your business."
She waved the thought away.
"Back to the matter at hand—Xu Xiao says we're allowed to stay at his estate. It's connected to the other Xu holdings. We'll be attending a gathering hosted by his half-brother, Xu Yansheng—the patriarch's current favourite and next in line."
"Also," Lingxue said, "Xu Xiao's full-blooded sister, Xu Yunfei, and his mother will be attending the gathering. The patriarch might appear, too, since it's his favourite son's event. After that, we'll see what happens. Is that okay with you, Shen?"
I glanced at Xu Xiao.
Briefly.
Liraine's information was clear—he's the least useful of the three.
I looked back at Lingxue.
She waited.
I transmitted the thought.
She didn't flinch.
Just waited.
"Out with it," she said. "What is it?"
"We kill Xu Xiao."
"He's expendable.
You chose him because he was convenient—because he offered betrayal when we needed it.
But the other two are stronger."
"Xu Yansheng is honourable.
That makes him easier to bind to our sect.
Xu Yunfei is more talented than her brother.
They're the ones we need."
"As for the rest of the Xu family—
We adjust the plan.
Those two might want certain relatives spared.
The ones they care about.
"Really? She said that?" Lingxue asked.
"And you trust her already, Shen?
You shouldn't trust people so quickly.
It might get you killed."
"Do you trust me enough not to doubt me?"
"I do.
You're a capable man, Shen.
You've made that clear—more than once.
I trust you.
Everything you said about Xu Xiao is true.
He was convenient.
He offered us a way in, faster.
But if you think we should cut him loose—fine.
So be it.
We'll talk more about it later."
Xu Xiao stepped forward.
"We're here—my estate.
Welcome to my home.
My servants will escort you to your rooms."
He turned to Lingling.
"You should go back to my brother.
He might suspect you've been gone longer than you should."
"I hate that man," Lingling said.
"He doesn't love me like you do, Xu Xiao.
When you become patriarch…
I'll be your first wife, right?"
Her voice was stern.
But doubt crept in.
Not because of him.
Because of me.
I hadn't meant to plant it.
I was just too blunt—half the time.
"Of course I will, my love. I won't abandon you. I promise."
He smiled.
Kissed her on the lips.
Then called for one of his servants.
"Escort her to my brother's estate," he said.
A carriage was prepared.
She stepped inside.
He watched her go—then turned, entering the estate with us.
I looked at the food.
There was plenty—bowls of rice, roasted meats, steamed vegetables, and sauces thick with spice.
I glanced at Liraine, Shuyin, and Sura.
They were already seated.
No hesitation.
I smiled at them.
Lingxue sat delicately, poised like the princess she was.
Every movement is measured.
Every glance deliberate.
Xu Xiao was surrounded.
Four women clung to him as he ate.
They fed him—one piece at a time.
Fruit, meat, wine.
He didn't lift a finger.
Just smiled, mouth half-full, eyes half-lidded.
We had an unexpected visitor.
Two, in fact.
Xu Xiao's younger sister and his mother entered the dining hall, their eyes sweeping the table as we ate.
"Mother, Yunfei," Xu Xiao said, rising.
"Welcome. Let me introduce our guests.
You remember Lingxue, don't you?
She joined the Blackdragon Sect—
A shame she didn't choose ours.
Nonetheless, this is her companion."
He turned to me.
"I never asked—are you her junior brother, or senior?"
Lingxue answered before I could.
"He is the number one disciple of the Blackdragon Sect, Xu Xiao.
So yes—he is my senior brother."
"You're full of surprises, Shen Wuyin," Xu Xiao said, smiling as one of his women handed him his wine.
"Everything I learn about you makes you more intriguing.
I honestly shouldn't underestimate you."
Shuyin and Sura looked surprised.
Liraine didn't.
She smiled—quietly.
It confirmed her judgment.
I held more than I ever showed.
The woman beside Xu Xiao glanced at me with new eyes.
Their posture shifted.
They respected strength.
His servants did too.
The way they moved, the way they looked at me—
Subtle, but clear.
They served power.
Most humans don't.
They fear it, envy it, pretend it doesn't matter.
But these ones—
They saw it.
And they bowed to it.
Xu Xiao's mother and sister studied me.
The silence held.
Then the mother spoke.
"I've heard of you, boy.
They say no one could touch you on the battlefield.
That you won every match—just by standing there.
When they called for the competition to decide the number one disciple…
You didn't need to move."
Her gaze lingered.
Not quite approval.
Not quite a challenge.
But something between.
"My name is Xu Yunfei," she said, stepping forward.
"It's nice to meet you.
I've heard about you as well."
She smiled—not shy, not bold, but measured.
"I'd love to challenge you sometime… if you have the time."
"Whenever you like," I said.
"Just tell me the day and time."
"I'm glad you accepted my challenge," she replied, her smile lingering.
Xu Xiao raised his cup.
"My younger sister—the saintess of our sect.
Talented. Beautiful.
Don't you think I'm lucky to have such a sister?"
"Thank you for the compliment, big brother," she said, settling beside me.
Their mother sat near Lingxue, quiet but watchful.
Xu Yunfei sat close—too close.
Xu Xiao remained at the head of the table, surrounded by his women.
They fed him, poured his wine, and wiped his lips.
He didn't lift a hand.
He didn't need to.
I went to my room.
Liraine, Shuyin, and Sura followed.
It was spacious—a king-sized bed, high windows, polished floors.
A room built for ceremony and comfort.
Every corner held something lavish.
Silks. Carved wood. Gold-threaded tapestries.
The three of them looked around.
They'd been watching since they first entered the estate.
They'd eaten rich, fragrant food.
Now they would sleep in a room like this.
The brothel had its own beauty—
But it was a beauty built for survival.
This was different.
Now they were free.
They no longer needed to sell their bodies.
They looked at Shen.
He had freed them.
And he had taken responsibility.
They were bearing his children.
I was washing myself in the hot tub. Everything around me was expensive—luxury I was used to, though each place carried its own texture, its own difference. The tub itself was black and gold, steaming as the heat rose. I let go of the plain-looking form I wore and returned to my real one. Then I sensed them approaching. I reverted, just in time. They entered. Liraine, Shuyin, and Sura joined me in the water.
"This is so different from the brothel," Sura said. "I've barely been free a day, and already I'm in a place like this."
"I agree," Shuyin added. "And it's thanks to you, Shen. You didn't have to free us. You didn't have to take responsibility. But you did. The three of us thank you."
Liraine spoke next. "Thank you for keeping your promise. I could tell you told her what I shared about changing plans. I appreciate your trust in me—even though we've only known each other for a day. I promise I'll find ways to repay you. Whatever you ask of me… I'll try my best."
"Thank you," all three of them said.
They showed their respect with a simple, sincere gesture.
I nodded. "I appreciate your thanks. Just enjoy yourselves. From now on, you're free."
I lay in bed with the three of them curled against me, asleep. I looked at the moon, as I always did. Its light was cold, distant, watching. These women were mortal.
But they carried my children.
And that changed everything.
My children were true immortals.
Not yet born, but already aware.
They would protect their mothers—quietly, instinctively.
Even in sleep, they would keep them safe.
I didn't need to shield them.
Not tonight.
The moon could watch.
I would rest.
The next morning at six, I woke up.
They were still sleeping peacefully.
I pulled the covers back over them and stepped outside.
The garden was quiet.
Servants moved with practiced grace.
I watched for a while, then made my way to the practice grounds.
Xu Yunfei was there.
She stood guard with conviction and dedication.
Chestnut-red hair tied back, eyes sharp and steady.
She noticed me and smiled.
Then she ran over and greeted me with a respectful gesture.
I returned it.
"Hello, Shen," she said. "I didn't expect anyone else to be up this early. You told me I could challenge you whenever I liked—to test myself, to see what I need to improve. I'd like to take you up on that."