After indulging with Ding Mei, Xue Wen slowly fastened his robes, his expression calm but faintly content.
The faint morning light slipping through the window traced the curve of his shoulders. Ding Mei, still sitting on the edge of the bed, pulled the blanket up to her chest, her cheeks crimson as her gaze followed his every movement.
She looked beautiful yet shy, her hair loose, her breathing still uneven from the intimacy.
After tying his belt, Xue Wen turned to her, his eyes warm but serious. "Try circulating your marrow essence," he said as he sat beside her.
Ding Mei blinked, surprised by the sudden request. "Now?" she asked softly.
He nodded. "Now. I want to see something."
Although she was slightly confused, she didn't decline.
Taking a slow breath, she crossed her legs and placed a hand over her sternum, her awakened bone.
Her expression turned focused as she began channeling her marrow essence.
Moments passed.
Then, suddenly, her eyes snapped open, wide with disbelief. "Dear…" she whispered, her lips parting in shock. "My bone… it's already at Half Bone Awakening Realm!" Her voice trembled, unable to hide her astonishment.
She had only reached Quarter Bone Awakening before, and that had taken years.
She had even given up on further marrow cultivation, convinced her potential had already dried up.
But now, overnight, her bone had strengthened to the next realm!
Xue Wen smiled faintly, pride flickering in his eyes. "That's because of the Blood Rose Breath," he explained her about Blood Rose Breath.
Ding Mei stared at him, realization dawning. Her astonishment softened into gratitude as her eyes grew moist. "You… you did this for me?" she whispered, and without hesitation, she threw her arms around his chest, hugging him tightly. "Thank you… you care about me so much."
Xue Wen chuckled, gently patting her head. "Don't worry. Soon enough, we'll be the strongest in the Ding Clan." His voice carried quiet confidence, but there was also an unspoken promise within it, one that made Ding Mei's heart tremble.
She looked up at him in silence, her eyes full of warmth.
His calm yet firm demeanor was charming, magnetic even.
Finally, she smiled faintly and nodded. "Just… don't wear yourself out," she murmured softly.
Xue Wen stood up, tightening his robe once again. "Sure," he said with a faint grin. "I'm going to the clan to buy a fighting technique."
Ding Mei stood as well, clutching the bedsheet to her chest as she walked toward him. "Dear… could it be that the rumors going around about you are because of the Blood Rose Breath?" she asked, worry evident in her tone.
Xue Wen's expression darkened. "Could be," he admitted. "But I can guess who's spreading them."
Her brows furrowed. "Who?"
"Ding Chao and Ding Jing," he said coldly, his jaw tightening as he began recounting everything that had happened over the past few days.
When he finished, Ding Mei pressed a trembling hand over her chest. "Brother Chao and Brother Jing… I never thought they would be so vile," she said, disbelief and anger mixing in her voice. "Why didn't you tell me earlier?"
Xue Wen sighed. "I didn't want to make you worry."
Ding Mei turned silent for a while, then nodded. "Dear, you must be careful from now on. They're already at the Bone Cracking Stage."
Xue Wen's lips curled into a faint smile, a fierce glint flashing in his eyes. "Bone Cracking? So what? I've reached Bone Cracking Stage too."
Her eyes widened, and then relief spread across her face like sunlight after rain. "You… really?" she asked softly.
He nodded. "Really."
A moment of silence passed, a quiet, proud understanding between them.
Then Xue Wen stepped toward the door. "Okay, I'll go now."
But before he could leave, Ding Mei spoke again. "Wait," she said, her voice hesitant but determined. "Can I come with you? I want to select a fighting technique too."
Xue Wen raised an eyebrow. "A fighting technique?"
"Yes," she said firmly. "I don't want to drag you down in the future."
For a moment, he just stared at her, then nodded slowly. "Alright," he said.
An hour later, both of them stepped out of their modest house.
The early sun hung low, washing the streets in golden light.
They walked side by side, the faint wind carrying the scent of dust and smoke from the nearby forges.
But as they entered a narrow, deserted alley on the way to the clan hall, two figures appeared, one blocking the front, the other cutting off their retreat from behind.
Both Xue Wen and Ding Mei froze instantly, tension flashing across their faces.
"Hehehe… we've been waiting a long time," the man in front sneered, his eyes glinting with malice.
The man behind them laughed crudely. "Look at that, he even brought his jinx of a wife with him. I wonder if I'll get cursed if I violate her without marrying her first?"
Ding Mei's heart clenched as her fingers gripped the back of Xue Wen's robe tightly.
Fear flickered in her eyes, she could tell immediately that these men were up to no good.
Xue Wen, however, remained calm.
His expression didn't waver as he stared at the two. "Who sent you?" he asked, his voice low and dangerous.
"Ha! Doesn't matter," the man in front replied, raising his blade with a grin. "But if you hand over your wife, we might spare your life. Maybe just break your limbs instead."
A cold fire ignited in Xue Wen's eyes. His fists tightened, his breathing steady but deep.
He glanced at Ding Mei and gave her a short nod. "Don't worry," he said quietly.
"Hehehe! Look at him, trying to play the hero at the end of his life," the front man mocked, then lunged forward, his sword gleaming in the alley's dim light. "Die!"
Xue Wen's expression didn't change.
In the instant before the blade reached him, he shifted his weight slightly, stepping aside with fluid precision.
The sword cut nothing but air.
Then, with terrifying speed, Xue Wen's right hand shot forward.
His knuckles cracked like thunder as his fist slammed into the man's throat.
A sickening crack echoed. The attacker's eyes bulged, blood spurting from his mouth as he stumbled backward.
He had been a peak Bone Awakening Bonebearer, and yet he couldn't even withstand a single blow from Xue Wen?
His last thought before collapsing lifelessly was disbelief, that Xue Wen, the man he was told was only three-quarters awakened, had destroyed him so easily.
The other assailant stopped mid-step, terror flooding his face as he stared at his fallen companion.