When the three finally reappeared outside the Soul Space, the Xishuangbanna garden was exactly as they had left it… except for one thing.
Only two hours had passed.
Serafina blinked. "Two hours? We spent an entire day there."
Hina stretched her arms. "Soul Space time runs differently… convenient."
Zumi rubbed his neck with a small smile. "Good. We needed that time."
He led them to a nearby stone bench overlooking the evening sky. The breeze was cool, carrying hints of pine and incense burning on a nearby Shrine.
He sat in the middle again. Serafina to his right. Hina to his left. Just like before.
He reached into his inventory and pulled out his phone — the device flickering on after days of being powered down.
Immediately—
DING—DING—DING—DING—DING—DING
A tsunami of notifications exploded across the screen.
Zumi sighed. Hina winced. Serafina leaned in, curious. "What is that sound?"
"My life in New York," Zumi muttered. "And apparently… it missed me."
He opened the group chat titled:
✨ My Loves ✨
Serafina smirked. "Oh? So these are your other women."
Zumi grinned. "Yeah… you'll meet them all soon."
Hina leaned her head on his shoulder, reading along. Serafina rested her chin on his other shoulder, her crimson eyes scanning the messages.
— FOUR DAYS AGO —
Gia: I miss him… this sucks. I keep thinking he's going to walk through the door. But nobody comes.
Serafina raised a brow. "She misses you deeply. That's a good sign."
Ana: Same… it's too quiet without him. Even Kasumi misses him — she just won't admit it.
Serafina laughed. "Kasumi… I like her already."
Kathy: Trying my best to keep busy. I'm working with the Gale Brothers on the casino Zumi wanted. I hope he's okay.
Zumi smiled softly. "She's reliable."
Jasmine: Sorry I've been gone. My dad is getting better. I'll be back soon… I've missed everyone. Where did Zumi go?
Ana: China. He went to find a goddess.
Jasmine: WHAT DO YOU MEAN A GODDESS???
Serafina burst into laughter. "I like her too."
Gia: You… REALLY missed a lot, Jasmine. When you come back, let's just say—you'll understand. How are you though?
Jasmine: Everything Zumi did… it helped Dad. More than I can explain. He saved my family.
Every girl in the chat reacted with hearts and thumbs-up emojis.
Serafina smiled warmly. "So they all love you. All grateful. You're building a kingdom without even trying, Zumi."
Kathy: I wish Bia was here… this chat feels incomplete without her.
Gia: I sent her a phone five days ago. She should have gotten it this morning. And yes — I added her to the group chat.
Just then—
Bia: Hello everyone! I just figured out how to use this device! It's my first time using a phone. Being a goddess, I never needed one before.
Serafina blinked. "She—typed that? Bia? THE Bia?"
Zumi chuckled. "She's smarter than she looks. She'll adjust fast."
Jasmine: Goddess?! Someone PLEASE tell me what is going on!!!
Bia: Yes Jasmine, I'm a goddess. But don't worry — when you return, Zumi will explain everything. Nice to meet you. I'm Bia. I look forward to seeing you soon.
After that, the girls sent goodnights and I love yous to each other.
Serafina leaned her head on Zumi's shoulder again.
"They're loyal. Devoted. I can see why you love them." She smiled softly. "And I look forward to meeting them. All of them."
Hina nodded. "They seem strong. And kind."
Zumi closed the phone and wrapped his arms around both women.
"They're family. You two are family. And when we return to New York… you'll all meet."
Serafina smirked, teasing but warm. "Oh? Introducing your goddesses to your mortal lovers? Brave, Monkey King."
Zumi grinned. "I'm not afraid."
Hina squeezed his hand. "We're with you."
The three of them sat together on the bench as the sky dimmed over Tibet — connected not by blood, but by destiny.
Zumi inhaled and lifted his hand.
A thin golden ripple of Qi flowed from his fingertips, surrounding the phone. The device floated into the air, gently rotating until the camera faced him, Serafina, and Hina perfectly.
Serafina stared at the levitating phone. "So… this is video calling?"
Zumi smirked. "Yeah. It lets everyone see us live, in real time."
Serafina's eyes lit up with childish curiosity. "So I can speak to your other women… through a floating mirror?" She grinned wickedly. "I LIKE this technology."
Hina giggled. "Sera, please behave."
Zumi pressed the call button.
Within seconds, the screen erupted with faces.
One by one —
Gia popped in first, hair a little messy, eyes widening.
"ZUMI!?!?"
Then—
Ana appeared next, with Sakura suddenly leaning over her shoulder.
"HINA! OH MY GOD—HINA!!"
Hina gasped, eyes tearing. "Sakura…"
"Don't cry," Sakura said, voice cracking. "I've missed you so much, sis."
They pressed their hands to the screen in sync, smiling through tears.
Kasumi wandered in from the kitchen, holding a cup of tea. "Who's calling at—Z-Zumi!?" Her stoic expression broke for one second. Then she tried to hide it. Poorly.
Aurora slinked in next, tail swaying, cat ears twitching. She plopped herself next to Ana and leaned into her. "Hi Daddy… I've been a good girl," she purred.
Serafina blinked, eyes narrowing in recognition. "Oh. You tamed a Blaze Whisperer." She smirked proudly. "That's my man."
Aurora's tail stood straight up. "I—I'm not tamed! I… I just… like him."
Everyone else burst out laughing.
Then all at once—
"HI ZUMI!!!" "HI HINA!!" "WELCOME BACK!!" "WE MISSED YOU!!"
Their voices filled the air, warm and chaotic.
That's when all the girls finally noticed the stunning woman sitting at Zumi's right.
Silence.
Then every single girl leaned close to their screens.
Gia: "…wait… who is THAT?"
Serafina lifted her hand politely. "Hello. I am Serafina, the Goddess of Darkness."
Ana blinked rapidly. "The… what?"
Kathy, somewhere off-screen, yelled "NO WAY—SHE'S GORGEOUS???"
Kasumi was frozen. Aurora looked jealous. Jasmine just whispered: "…so that's what you meant by goddess…"
Serafina bowed her head graciously. "A pleasure to meet the women my king loves."
Gia found her voice first. "S-so you're a real goddess?? Like… actual goddess??"
"Yes," Serafina said with a smile that could crumble empires. "And Zumi is mine, in every lifetime."
Every girl screamed.
Jasmine covered her face. "Okay I'll just… accept it. For now."
Aurora crossed her arms. "I'm not scared of a goddess…"
Serafina smiled sweetly, eyes glowing red. "Oh sweetheart… you should be."
Aurora's tail puffed up.
The girls died laughing again.
A new bubble popped up.
Bia has joined the call.
Her face filled the screen — sitting on a couch in the slums hideout, the top four gang leaders resting behind her.
"HI EVERYONE!" she beamed. Then she saw Zumi and melted.
"I've missed you… so much. I miss when you hold me."
Kathy yelled from off-screen: "Aw look at her BLUSH—Bia loves being held the most!"
Bia turned red. "Shut up! You all love it too! It's warm! And safe!"
Zumi chuckled. "I'll be back soon. I promised."
Her expression softened. "I'll be waiting."
Then she turned to the group. "Nice to meet all of you. I'm Bia."
Gia waved. "Bia, you look amazing! And… behind you… is that… the top four gangs?"
"Oh, them?" Bia said casually. "Zumi told me to conquer them. So I did."
Ana's jaw dropped. "You WHAT?"
Bia grinned like a proud lioness. "They're our army now."
Zumi nodded. "I'm building the Empire. They're part of it."
Every girl slowly realized—
Their man wasn't just powerful. He wasn't just a reincarnated Monkey King. He was building something massive. Something unstoppable.
Something theirs.
They all spoke for another minute — laughter, joy, questions, teasing — the warmth crossing screen and distance.
Finally, when the goodbyes came, each voice carried love.
"Come home soon." "We miss you." "I love you." "I'll keep the bed warm." — Aurora "Shut UP, Aurora!" — Kasumi "Zumi… be safe." — Gia "Come back to me." — Bia
Zumi smiled, heart full.
"Love you all. I'll see you soon."
He ended the call — the phone lowering back into his hand as the Qi dispersed.
Serafina leaned on his arm. "Hmmm… your world is bigger than I thought."
Hina smiled. "And full of love."
Zumi breathed in. His family was waiting. His empire was growing. His legend was rising.
And he was far from finished.