The old city lord, Huan Bei, galloped through the field of devastation with his heart clenched tight. The smell of dust and crushed soil filled the air. Everywhere he looked, bodies of bandits lay sprawled in grotesque shapes—twisted limbs, shattered weapons, broken armor. He could hardly believe they were still alive after such punishment.
How… did they survive this?
More importantly—who had done this?
No corpses belonging to the mysterious attackers could be found. No footprints, no lingering figures, no trace of foreign forces retreating. Not even a ripple of profound energy drifted in the air.
An eerie silence hung over the area.
Are they lying in wait? Watching us from the shadows?
If such unknown forces crushed a hundred bandits… what hope do we have?
Huan Bei's grip tightened on his reins. Behind him, the law enforcers followed in grim silence, their faces pale. None had expected this level of carnage.
But then his eyes fell on the fat bandit kneeling in the dirt—Wen Chai, the tyrant who tormented the city for a decade—now reduced to a sobbing mess. He was pressing his forehead into the ground so hard blood spurted with every bow.
And in front of him stood the young man.
The same young man Fatty Wen had mentioned.
The same one he had apparently tried to capture.
The same one rumored to have knocked him unconscious with ease.
Huan Bei swallowed hard.
That child… did he do this?
That boy… defeated an entire battalion?
Impossible…
Yet the sight before him allowed no room for doubt.
Perched atop a pile of broken bandits, the youth looked less like a person and more like a demon lord overseeing his fallen enemies. His calm eyes and faint smile were more terrifying than any savage beast.
"Please… great lord… spare me…" Wen Chai sobbed, still slamming his head into the soil despite the growing pool of blood beneath him.
The young man finally exhaled sharply—annoyed, not angered, simply bored. He hopped down from the pile with effortless grace and stopped right in front of the trembling bandit.
With one hand, he grabbed Wen Chai by the hair and forcibly lifted his head, making their eyes meet. His voice was quiet, yet it carried a chilling weight.
"Sigh… I told you to settle this another day. But you refused to listen."His tone turned cold enough to freeze marrow."Now it's too late. Why can't you people understand a simple warning?"
"P-please… I won't bother anyone—I swear—I swear—just—!"
The young man cut him off with a flat, emotionless command.
"Shut up."
Then—
CRACK!!
He slammed Wen Chai's face straight into the ground so violently that the earth cracked, forming a crater beneath the bandit's skull. The fat man stopped moving immediately, knocked completely unconscious.
A sickening silence blanketed the entire area.
Huan Bei and his soldiers stiffened. The citizen militia behind them trembled uncontrollably. None dared breathe too loudly.
The young man dusted off his hands leisurely, released a long breath, and finally turned toward them.
He smiled.
A calm, casual smile—as if he hadn't just flattened a man's head into the ground.
That was when the entire force—veteran soldiers, amateur fighters, city guards, and even the old lord himself—felt a collective shiver crawl down their spines.
"Sorry about that. Are you going to arrest him? Feel free to do so. I'm done."
Yun Che brushed off his hands casually and turned toward the small wooden house behind him, as though crushing a hundred bandits was nothing more than a mild inconvenience.
The old city lord, Huan Bei, stared between the toppled mountain of groaning bandits, the unconscious fat leader in a crater, and the young man walking away with the calmness of a man returning from a stroll. His throat tightened. He refused—refused—to believe one young man had done all this.
Yet the evidence lay broken before him.
"Wait…" he called out, unable to restrain himself.
Yun Che paused and lazily turned his head, not even bothering to face the old lord fully. The indifference alone was enough to make Huan Bei feel the weight of death hanging over the air.
"Can I help you with something?" Yun Che asked, tone flat.
Huan Bei straightened his posture, choosing his next words with the caution of a man standing before a divine beast. "Are you… the one who destroyed all these bandits?"
"Not really," Yun Che replied with a shrug. "I did it with a few companions."
A few—companions.Huan Bei almost stumbled. So it wasn't just him—those two heavenly beauties earlier… those impossibly calm women who passed them on the road were part of this? His stomach flipped.
This young man wasn't merely dangerous.He was on an entirely different plane.
"Young man," Huan Bei finally managed, "who are you?"
This time Yun Che turned fully. He bowed politely, gentle and humble despite the carnage behind him. "My name is Yun Che. I'm a doctor trying to save a sleeping mother. I apologize if I've caused trouble in your city."
A doctor?Huan Bei blinked. That single statement struck him harder than the battlefield around them.
A… sleeping mother?
"You… can save Miss Lin?" he asked, words trembling.
"Miss Lin?" Yun Che echoed, genuinely puzzled. He had never asked Xueli her mother's full name—an oversight caused by the chaos of their arrival.
Huan Bei dismounted swiftly, urgency lacing his voice. "She is Xueli's mother. She has been sleeping inside that house for nearly a year. No one has been able to treat her. I am surprised—relieved—that someone finally came who could."
Yun Che nodded slowly. "What is her full name? Xueli uses the surname Huan, so I assumed…"
"She carries her father's surname. Her mother's name is Lin Xin," Huan Bei explained heavily. "Her husband died a year and a half ago. Since then, she fell into that coma and has never woken."
Yun Che's eyes sharpened. Lin Xin.
He immediately reached out inwardly.
Jasmine.
Within the inner world, Jasmine lifted her gaze from the Divine Lake, the small dragon curled around her neck flicking its tail. Hearing the surname, her brows furrowed deeply.
"Lin… Lin…" she murmured. "The name rings a bell. There are many divine cultivators with that surname—some from ancient clans, some from minor star realms. It could be anyone. Let me search my memories. There should be a clue somewhere."
"I'm counting on you," Yun Che answered silently.
If anyone could identify a divine cultivator from the Realm of the Gods, it was Jasmine.
And this woman—Lin Xin—was now the key to everything surrounding little Xueli.
Yun Che and the old city lord were getting along surprisingly well, so long as Huan Bei didn't do anything reckless. Yun Che had already caused enough of a ruckus today, and right now his only focus was waking Xueli's mother. The rest could wait.
Huan Bei, still shaken by the earlier carnage, issued calm orders to his men. The defeated bandits were dragged away one by one, bound and hauled toward the city prison. Despite the brutality of the scene, every bandit still breathed—something the city lord never expected from the chaos he had seen. It was a miracle no one from his side had been forced to clash with the bandits at all. But he knew this wasn't the end. Hundreds more hid in the mountains, leaderless now, unpredictable.
He would have to prepare the city immediately.
But first… he followed Yun Che to the small, weathered house.
Inside, little Xueli sat quietly beside her mother's straw bed, her small hands folded gently on the edge. She didn't even react to the noise of a hundred men being beaten into the dirt earlier—her world revolved only around her mother.
But the moment she saw the newcomer step inside, her eyes widened.
"Grandpa Bei!!!"
Huan Bei froze.
That voice—clear, soft, sweet—he hadn't heard it since before her father died. The day Lin Xin collapsed, Xueli's voice had shattered, and afterward she never spoke a single word.
Yet now…
"Xueli? You… you can talk?"
"Hnnn. Big brother healed me." She pointed toward Yun Che with both hands, as if presenting the world's greatest treasure. "He's a wonderful doctor."
Yun Che ruffled her hair gently, and Xueli immediately purred like a content kitten, leaning into his palm with a bright smile. Huan Bei felt his throat tighten. He hadn't seen her smile in over a year—not since tragedy took everything from her.
"…This young man…" he murmured under his breath, shaken.
"Xueli," Yun Che replied softly, "you're overpraising me. Now let's wake your mother, okay?"
She nodded earnestly.
Yun Che sat beside Lin Xin's bed while Xueli and Huan Bei watched with bated breath. He raised his hand over the woman's forehead—and a translucent notification flickered into existence.
=======================
[Ding… Remove the Celestial Sealing Formation from her body?]
[Yes] [No]
=======================
Yun Che stared at the glowing symbols.
Remove it?
Right now?
If he erased the memory seal, Lin Xin would awaken as a divine cultivator—with her memories, her identity, her purpose. And someone like her… she would leave. Just like Xia Qingyue's mother. She would abandon this little city, leave Xueli here "for her safety," and Xueli would grow into another cold, joyless prodigy molded by loneliness.
He wasn't letting that happen. Not again.
Xueli deserved a childhood.
A real one.
One filled with warmth, not abandonment.
She deserved to smile like she did today.
Yun Che inhaled, then tapped the choice that protected that happiness.
===================
[No]
===================
The formation would fade one day on its own—when Xueli was grown, strong enough to face the realm above. But not today. Not while she was still just a little girl clinging to her mother's hand.
Yun Che steadied himself, placing his palm gently upon Lin Xin's forehead.
"Status Recovery."
Light erupted—soft at first, then so brilliantly bright that Xueli and Huan Bei shielded their eyes. The entire house glowed as though a miniature sun bloomed within it. Yun Che activated his Eagle Vision through his Sharingan, watching through the glare as divine and mortal energies unwound inside Lin Xin's body.
The skill washed through her, mending everything mortal healing could reach. Her frail life force surged back to normal. Her profound core, though sealed, stabilized. Every trace of exhaustion, malnutrition, and degradation vanished.
It was several long minutes before the light finally dimmed.
A sequence of notifications appeared.
=====================
[Ding… All negative status effects removed.]
[Health and Stamina recovery initiated.]
[Life force restored.]
[Profound Core restored.]
[Notice: Host Lin Xin is still under the Celestial Sealing Formation. The system cannot remove divine-grade de-buffs. However, she is now 100% healed.]
=====================
Yun Che exhaled slowly.
Her body was whole.
Her life restored.
Only her cultivation and memories remained sealed—exactly as he intended for now.
The next moment, Xueli gasped, trembling as she reached toward her mother.
"Ma… mama…?"
And Lin Xin's eyelashes fluttered.
As the last threads of radiance faded, the room slowly returned to its natural dimness. The harsh, blinding glow settled into a gentle hue, revealing Lin Xin's still body—except now, something was different.
"Hnnn…"
A soft sound, barely more than a breath, escaped her lips.
Xueli froze.
Huan Bei's eyes widened, mouth falling open. Never in his life had he seen anything like the technique Yun Che had just displayed… and never had he seen a person awaken from a year-long coma so effortlessly. It felt like sorcery—no, like divine intervention.
But for Xueli, the moment her mother's voice trembled through the air…
Her tiny shoulders shook violently. Tears poured down her cheeks in a flood. She had waited for so long—waited through hunger, loneliness, fear, and heartbreak—for this one moment.
On the straw bed, colors returned to Lin Xin's complexion as though her soul was slipping back into place. Her eyelashes fluttered once, twice—then slowly lifted, revealing gentle, confused eyes that had not opened in a year.
She pushed herself up weakly, propping her weight on trembling arms. Her eyes scanned the familiar little home, as though waking from a dreamless night instead of a year-long slumber. For a moment, she simply breathed—realizing she felt whole. Strong. Alive. Her body, which had once been frail and fading, now thrummed with vitality.
Then she saw her.
Xueli.
Her little girl's face scrunched with overwhelming emotion—eyes red, tears spilling, lips trembling.
"MAMA!!!"
Xueli lunged forward, throwing herself into her mother's embrace with all the force her tiny body could muster. Lin Xin gasped softly, arms instinctively wrapping around her daughter like she was afraid Xueli might disappear if she let go.
Tears welled instantly in her own eyes.
"Xueli… my daughter…" Her voice cracked, trembling between joy and guilt. "I'm sorry… I'm so, so sorry… Please forgive Mama for leaving you… I didn't want to. I would never… never leave you alone."
Her tears fell freely, warm drops landing in Xueli's hair as she drew the little girl closer, as though trying to make up for a year of lost warmth in one embrace.
"I promise… Mama will never leave you again. Never." Her voice broke entirely. "Forgive me, Xueli… my heart… forgive me…"
Because through that entire year—unable to move, unable to speak—she had still heard everything.
Every sob.
Every plea.
Every whisper of "Mama, please wake up…"
She remembered it all.
She remembered wanting to reach out, but being trapped in endless darkness.
She remembered hearing the attendants speak of Xueli wandering alone through the forest.
She remembered how her daughter refused a life of comfort simply to stay by her side.
And she remembered—just moments ago—hearing her daughter speak for the first time in a year. A clear voice. A healed voice.
Lin Xin choked on another sob.
Her little girl had suffered so much.And all she could do was lie there and listen.
Now that she was awake, she would never let Xueli bear that pain again.
Yun Che remained silent, simply watching mother and daughter cling to each other as if afraid the other might disappear. The long-buried pain in Xueli's tiny heart was finally soothed; her wish—her only wish—had been fulfilled. No more lonely trips into the forest. No more silent tears in a house far too empty for a child. No more waiting for a mother who never woke.
A year was short for a cultivator—but for a mortal child, it was an eternity.
Behind him, City Lord Huan Bei quietly exhaled, relief visibly leaving his shoulders. Lin Xin—Miss Lin, the woman he had promised to protect, the one he had failed to save—was finally awake. Alive. Smiling. Healthy. He didn't understand what Yun Che did, nor could he begin to guess the nature of that mystic light—but none of it mattered anymore.
Miss Lin had returned.And her daughter was no longer alone.
After a while, Lin Xin's tears softened. Her breathing steadied. Yet her arms never loosened their hold on Xueli—not even for a moment. As the trembling in her hands faded, she became aware of something else entirely.
Xueli had fallen asleep in her embrace.
Her daughter's little face was nestled against her chest, streaked with tears yet peaceful for the first time in months. Exhaustion finally claimed her after a year of fear and stress. Lin Xin brushed a trembling hand across her cheek.
"She suffered so much…" she whispered inwardly, guilt and gratitude swirling in her heart. She had lost her husband. She nearly lost her child. If she had woken any later… she didn't dare imagine what would've happened.
Only then did her gaze shift—hesitant, searching—toward the stranger who had saved them both.
The young man stood calmly, arms crossed loosely, eyes gentle yet impossibly deep. Black onyx eyes like polished obsidian… raven hair that framed a face both handsome and strangely familiar… features soft yet undeniably strong. He looked nothing like the men of this city. His presence felt warm. Safe. Dependable.
Her heart gave a tiny, startled flutter.
He reminded her—painfully, achingly—of her husband.
Not in appearance, but in the way he stood without arrogance… in the way he protected Xueli without hesitation… in the quiet warmth he radiated simply by existing. For the first time since her husband's death, she felt the phantom ache of emotions she thought she had buried forever.
Who was he?
Where did he come from?
Why would someone like him help a poor mother and child in a forgotten house?
But she pushed those thoughts aside. Right now, one thing mattered above all else—
Gratitude.
Slowly, carefully—still cradling Xueli in one arm—Lin Xin lowered her head. Her long black hair, tangled from sleep yet still beautiful, fell over her shoulders like silk.
Her voice, soft and melodic like a celestial instrument, trembled out:
"Benefactor… I owe my life and gratitude to you for saving my daughter and me.
"Lin Xin's voice trembled, thick with emotion as tears slipped down her cheeks. "This debt… I will honour it as long as I live. Once again—thank you. Thank you so much for saving my life."
Yun Che offered her a gentle smile, watching the mother cling protectively to the sleeping Xueli. Without speaking, he walked to the small table where Retsu had earlier left a pot of warm tea before heading into the city. He poured a cup, steam rising softly into the dim room, and then handed the cup to Lin Xin. After a year in a comatose state, any ordinary mortal would be weak and parched—though he knew her divine body hardly needed such care, she believed she was only human. A little comfort mattered.
"Oh—uhh… there's no need for such formality," he said modestly, shrugging it off with a soft grin. "I was simply passing by, and she needed help. I did what was right."
His tone made her expression soften, and a shy smile curved her lips.
"May I… may I know my saviour's name?" Lin Xin bowed her head again, keeping Xueli securely against her chest. "I wish to properly thank the lord who saved me."
"You're overpraising me, miss." Yun Che lifted a hand lightly. "There's no need for 'lord'. I'm not one. My name is Yun Che… just a doctor passing through. Nice to meet you as well. Little Xueli here brought me to this city, and healing you is the least I could do to repay her kindness."
He gave a courteous bow in return.
Lin Xin inhaled slowly, steadying the storm in her heart. Her mind still struggled to process everything—waking after a year, finding herself perfectly healthy, seeing her daughter's relieved smile, and being healed by a man whose presence felt impossibly warm and safe. Her thoughts drifted again to the miraculous light that restored her body. What kind of doctor could perform such an unfathomable art?
And only then—embarrassment bloomed across her face.
Her gaze dropped to her own ragged clothing. Torn sleeves. Dusty hems. Over a year of neglect. Even with her divine beauty, she looked like an impoverished villager at her worst.
Her cheeks grew warm.
"My… Lord Yun," she murmured shyly, "if you consider saving an old widow like me a small matter, then you have my eternal gratitude." She lowered her head further. "I owe this miracle to my daughter—for bringing you to me. This one is Lin Xin… and I must apologize for my current state. I am sure Lord Yun finds my appearance unappealing."
Yun Che raised both hands immediately, lightly flustered.
"No, no—it's completely fine, Miss Lin. I've seen worse," he reassured, remembering his own past life filled with hardships. "There's nothing unappealing about it. If you don't mind… may I check your body again? Just to be sure there are no hidden side effects from what I did earlier."
Her blush deepened—but not from shame this time.
"It would be an honour, my benefactor," she whispered. Then, softly—almost timidly—"And… please, call me Xin'er."
The name slipped from her lips with gentle familiarity, as if offered instinctively.
Yun Che froze for a second, caught off guard. She was beautiful—even with unkempt hair and patched clothing—and she had just asked him to address her with an affectionate name, all while letting him examine her body without hesitation.
But she wasn't being forward. She trusted him—completely.
Because he saved her life.
Because he saved her daughter.
Because she had suffered too long… and needed someone to rely on.
He composed himself, inhaled, then began his careful diagnosis. Jasmine's scolding already echoed in his mind if he even thought about doing anything indecent. And he wouldn't—not to a vulnerable mother, nor to anyone he rescued.
Just as he expected, her body was perfectly healed. Her vitality restored. Her profound core fully repaired. Only the God Sealing Formation remained—locking away the true depth of her divine power, memories, and identity.
If it ever broke… she could shatter this entire realm effortlessly.
For now, he would keep things as they were.
For her safety.
For Xueli's future.
For the peace of this realm.
Still… he couldn't help but note how easily she let him call her Xin'er.
"Is it really okay for her to be this trusting…?" he thought, bewildered.
But for the moment, he said nothing—only continued his gentle examination while the newly awakened mother watched him with grateful, hopeful eyes.
As Lin Xin's breathing steadied and her strength gradually returned, her eyes drifted toward the doorway. There stood an older man, frozen in disbelief, staring at her as if he were seeing a miracle. His armor was still dusted from battle, his expression a mixture of shock and relief.
Lin Xin's gaze softened instantly. She knew this man well—one of the few people who had helped her when she was at her weakest, before she fell into her year-long slumber.
She gently bowed her head, her voice warm yet apologetic.
"City Lord Huan Bei… I am sorry for troubling you so much with my condition. You have helped me endlessly, and I repaid you with so little. I hope you can forgive this old widow for burdening you."
Huan Bei inhaled, his eyes trembling. For a year he had visited this hut wondering if this woman would ever wake again.
"Miss Lin," he said softly, "your late husband entrusted you and Xueli to me. It was a promise I intended to keep, no matter what. I apologize for placing you in this small hut… but it was the only way to keep prying eyes away."He sighed, remembering the constant threat of bandits. "I could only send servants to care for your daughter and nurse you from afar."
Lin Xin bowed again, gratitude radiating from every movement.
"Yes… I thank you deeply. I owe you much as well. If there is anything I can do—please… tell me."
Huan Bei shook his head with a faint smile.
"Miss Lin, you and Xueli being alive is more than enough. I did not fail your late husband. And as for you…" He turned toward Yun Che. "Lord Yun, I owe you a debt I can never repay—for destroying the bandits and saving these two."
Yun Che didn't even look up from his examination of Lin Xin's health. He simply waved a hand dismissively, expression calm.
"It was nothing. As long as mother and daughter are safe, you can rest easily."
Just then, two familiar voices drifted into the small hut—
"Danna-samaaa~… Yuu-kun, we're back~!"
The city lord almost jumped where he stood. Those voices—he recognized them immediately as belonging to the two heavenly veiled beauties he met earlier on the road. He turned his head just in time to see them step inside.
Yun Che finally stood and glanced toward the entrance.
"Welcome back. I assume you found everything you needed?"
"Hai!" Mio chirped happily, pointing at the bags she carried. "We got lots and lots! Ah—also, a bunch of guys tried to hit on us, but Retsu scared them off."
Yun Che rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I hope you didn't traumatize anyone…"
Retsu and Mio quickly looked away, pouting like children caught misbehaving. Their reactions said enough—they absolutely traumatized someone. Probably several someones. Yun Che mentally lit incense for the poor men.
"Ah… it's you two…" Huan Bei muttered, eyes going wide. So the stunning beauties who walked past him as if danger didn't exist… were companions of this terrifyingly powerful boy. Then that meant…
They were the ones who helped flatten the bandits.
Retsu and Mio bowed politely to him, while Yun Che gestured toward Lin Xin.
"I see you've already met. Ladies, this is Lin Xin—Xueli's mother. Xin'er, these are Retsu and Mio, my companions."
Lin Xin bowed deeply to both of them, her tone graceful and sincere. She didn't understand their foreign manner of speech earlier, but she recognized kindness when she sensed it.
"It is an honor to meet the friends of my benefactor. I owe all of you my eternal gratitude for saving my daughter."
Mio returned the bow with equal respect.
"The honor is ours, Lin-san. Xueli is like a little sister to us. Saving her wasn't a problem at all."
Retsu clasped her hands joyfully.
"And since she's awake now, this calls for a proper feast and celebration! We bought enough food for everyone here!"
Yun Che blinked. Enough food for everyone?
Knowing Retsu… she probably meant enough to feed twenty people.
Knowing their appetites… it might barely be enough.
But for now, watching Xin'er hold her daughter with flowing relief and gratitude—the feast was the least important thing.
"Lin-san?" Lin Xin echoed softly, puzzled by the unfamiliar suffix. Before she could question it further, Yun Che chuckled and offered an explanation.
"Hahaha, it's alright. We use certain honorifics back where we come from. '-san' is used to show respect—usually for someone we hold in high regard."
"Ah… I see…"
Lin Xin's cheeks warmed faintly. To be regarded with honor by people she had just met—especially when her status in this city had been so humble—left her flustered and a little overwhelmed.
Yun Che nodded, pleased she understood, then leaned closer to Retsu and whispered something into her ear.
"You were right about the celebration," he murmured, "but after Xueli wakes up, can you bring Xin'er to the waterfall below the cliff? Let her freshen up a bit. I have a little surprise for her when you return."
Retsu blinked. "A surprise?"
"Hehe… you'll see soon enough. For now, get to know her. I'll be outside."
"Haiii~."
Retsu nodded eagerly, then immediately tugged Mio along by the wrist as they approached Lin Xin with warm smiles. The three women quickly slipped into gentle conversation, and even the usually stern city lord found himself drawn into their easy atmosphere. In only a few minutes, the tension in the small hut eased into comfort.
Yun Che smiled quietly at the sight. Xin'er surrounded by friendly faces, Xueli asleep in her embrace… it was a scene worth protecting. With a soft exhale, he slipped out of the hut and into the open air.
The moment he stepped outside, he called out casually:
"Yo… Kon. You there?"
A blur of movement flickered from the roof before a small form leapt down—Kon popping out of the body he'd possessed during the battle earlier. He hopped onto Yun Che's shoulder with a tiny grunt.
"What do you want now?"
"I need your help later," Yun Che said, crossing his arms. "Xin'er woke up completely healthy—better than I expected, honestly. Retsu and Mio will keep her company and show her the ropes, but you and I have work to do."
Kon tilted his lion-plush head. "Work…?"
"Yeah." Yun Che smirked. "We're renovating this place."
Kon stared blankly."…Renovating?"
"Mhm. When Xueli wakes up later, she's going to find her home completely transformed." Yun Che's eyes gleamed with excitement. "She deserves that much, after everything she's gone through."
Kon let out a tiny sigh, but Yun Che already knew the answer.
"Tch… fine. But you owe me top-grade snacks later."
"Hahaha. Deal."
And with that, preparations for Xueli's surprise began.
========================
Xueli awoke after drifting into a blissful nap—the first peaceful sleep she'd had in a long time. For a moment, panic seized her tiny heart. What if her mother waking up had been nothing but a beautiful dream? What if she opened her eyes only to find herself alone again?
But the warmth around her was unmistakable.
She was curled safely in her mother's arms.
"Mama…?"Her trembling whisper was all it took for Lin Xin to gently tighten her embrace. Realizing it wasn't a dream, Xueli broke down all over again, sobbing into her mother's chest—relief, joy, and exhaustion melting together into another flood of tears. This time, however, her mother's hands were no longer cold or limp; they were warm, steady, and full of life.
She had so much to tell her mother. So much she had kept in her little heart for a whole year—her fears, her loneliness, her hopes, and especially her voice… the voice she finally regained.
Meanwhile, Huan Bei quietly excused himself. The mother and daughter deserved peace, and he had his own business to attend to—namely, a certain fat bandit currently awaiting interrogation. He'd been dreaming of this opportunity for years, and now that the time had finally come, he had every intention of making it count.
Inside the house, Retsu and Mio had already made remarkable progress befriending Lin Xin. The three had settled into an easy, comforting rhythm as they helped her adjust to being awake again. At first, Lin Xin's steps were shaky, and her legs wobbled like those of a newborn fawn. But as minutes passed, her gait grew steadier. Tears slowly returned to her eyes—not from pain, but from astonishment.
She was walking.
Walking normally.
No faintness. No crushing fatigue. No trembling limbs.
For years, her body had betrayed her. At times she had felt energetic for a few hours, only for her strength to collapse abruptly afterward. When Xueli turned eight, even lifting her arms had felt like moving boulders. Eventually, walking had become a painful struggle that stole her dignity piece by piece.
But now? She felt… whole. Alive.
Stronger than she had ever been.
Retsu gently offered her a fresh kimono, soft and elegant, to replace her ragged robes. Lin Xin froze upon seeing the exquisite fabric. She had never touched clothing so fine in her entire life. To her, such garments were treasures worn by nobles and beauties—not something meant for a lowly widow.
She tried to refuse.
She really did.
But Retsu and Mio were relentless in their kindness, and eventually, Lin Xin bowed her head and accepted with a shy blush. Mio also brought a set of yukatas for casual wear and did not forget to pull out a few small outfits tailored perfectly for little Xueli.
Apparently, Shirayuki and Kuroyuki had been making children's kimonos as well—something that baffled everyone until the sisters admitted they were "preparing for the future." Their casual remark had caused more than a little embarrassment among the spirit women… and Yun Che could only laugh awkwardly when the topic was brought up. After all, the possibility was very real for them one day.
Soon after, Retsu brought Lin Xin to the waterfall below the cliff using her flight technique. The moment Lin Xin's feet left the ground, she clung instinctively to Retsu in shock. Flying was something that existed only in fairy tales to mortals like her. But Mio, carrying both Lin Xin and little Xueli, simply smiled and guided them gently through the air.
Xueli, on the other hand, squealed in delight.
Her little arms spread wide as the wind brushed her cheeks.A year of hardship washed away in one moment of joy.
As they descended toward the glittering waterfall, Lin Xin noticed another sleeping woman within Yun Che's residence. She had glimpsed her earlier—a beautiful young woman sealed in an enchanted slumber.
"That is Cang Yue," Mio explained softly as they flew. "Her situation is… temporary, but similar to yours in some ways."
Lin Xin's heart ached for her. Having experienced a year of helpless darkness, she couldn't help but pity someone enduring the same fate. She didn't know the whole story, but she hoped the young woman would also awaken to happiness the way she had.
And so, surrounded by warm-hearted strangers who treated her as family, Lin Xin slowly stepped into her new life—unaware of the surprise Yun Che was preparing for her return.
While the girls were still freshening up at the waterfall, Yun Che and Kon immediately began their operation. With the city folk and the city lord already gone—dragging the defeated bandits back with them—this was the perfect window. The moment the area was clear, Yun Che and Kon demolished the tiny, weathered hut that had served as Lin Xin and Xueli's home. It had protected them for a year, but it was unfit for the future he envisioned for the mother and daughter.
Once the ground was cleared, Yun Che activated the system's blueprint mode.
That was when he made a discovery that genuinely surprised him—the blueprint mode had a complete automated building function.
Not only could the system display structures, it could actually construct them as long as he had the necessary blueprints and materials. So far, he had only used the system to produce armor, outfits, or weapons, but this unlocked option was on an entirely different scale.
Without hesitation, Yun Che selected a Japanese-style manor from his previous world—
=========================
A tranquil, elegant design with:
A surrounding wall
A courtyard
Rivers and ponds
A wooden bridge
A warehouse
A gate
A small garage
A modest farm plot
And even a small secluded cottage designed for a scenic view
=====================
Perfect for Xueli's future.
Perfect for Lin Xin's new beginning.
=====================
Each category came with exact amounts and weights. Since this was the real world, the system could not conjure objects out of spiritual energy the way it did inside Yun Che's inner world—where he functioned like a god. Here, he had to physically gather resources.
To his relief, Lin Xin's late husband had secretly purchased the entire plot of land around the hut with his own hard-earned money—a gift meant for his wife and daughter. The city lord had preserved it all for Xueli. That meant Yun Che had plenty of space to build something grand.
With Kon perched on his shoulder, they sprinted into the forest.
The two worked like a well-oiled machine.
Trees fell in clean slices under Yun Che's blade.
Kon dragged bundles of leaves while whining dramatically.
Stones were hauled from small cliffs.
Water was collected through clever manipulation of gravity and containers.
Soil was sifted and pulled in huge chunks with profound strength.
Within under an hour, the two of them had gathered enough materials to meet the system's strict requirements—a feat that would take an entire crew months without cultivation advantages.
By the time they returned, Kon flopped onto the grass, lifeless.
His tiny lion-plush body looked like a man who had suffered a great injustice.
"Haaaa… Kon-sama is exhausted! Are you sure we got everything? If we missed even a pebble, I swear I'm going to scream…" he grumbled dramatically.
Yun Che sat beside him with an equally heavy sigh. "Yeah, yeah. You and me both. But let's check. System, display the material list again."
The holographic interface floated above them, lines of glowing text confirming—they had collected everything.
"Good," Yun Che muttered, rolling his shoulders. "Now let's build this place before the girls come back."
He could already imagine Xueli's face.
Her awe, her joy, her laughter.
And the memory alone made every ounce of effort worth it.
===========================
[Ding… Materials needed to initiate the Japanese Manor Blueprint Construction…]
Wood (10 tons)
Plastic (10 tons)
Glass (10 tons)
Metal (10 tons)
Cement (10 tons)
Bricks and Blocks (10 tons)
Concrete (10 tons)
Freshwater (10 tons)
Rocks (10 tons)
[The next phase of construction is complete. Initiate the next stage?]
=============================
They really had gone all out for this one.
Gathering wood, metal, and rocks had been manageable. Even dragging tons of freshwater from the waterfall wasn't too difficult with Yun Che's profound strength.
But making modern materials—plastic, glass, cement, bricks, and concrete—now that was an adventure.
The saving grace was the system's analysis function. He only needed to produce one sample of each material. Once the system analyzed the sample, he could simply purchase as much as he wanted with system points.
Five thousand SP vanished in an instant—but it was worth it.
Every material and every required weight was now secured.
Yun Che pressed [Yes] without hesitation.
Another notification chimed.
==============================
[Construction complete]
[Select building area]
==============================
The grassy plot of land transformed into a glowing three-dimensional projection—a floating blueprint of the manor covering the entire terrain. The system displayed the exact footprint of the structure, allowing Yun Che to rotate, adjust, and position it like a holographic model.
Kon's jaw dropped.
This was the first time he had ever seen the system's building interface firsthand. When Yun Che constructed the Kuchiki manor, divine lake, and hot spring inside the inner world, Kon had only been able to witness the completed results—not the system's method.
"To think building houses is this easy," Kon muttered in awe. "Maybe one day… Kon-sama will build his own dream mansion too…"
Yun Che chuckled under his breath. "With enough SP? Sure."
Once the model aligned perfectly with the land, he tapped the projection.
In an instant—
Reality bent.
Data spiraled.
Light fractured into geometric shapes.
The manor assembled itself like an unfolding robotic blueprint from his previous world—modular parts slotting into place, walls rising, beams extending, tiles forming, glass shimmering into existence.
A breathtaking spectacle of system-powered construction.
When the glow faded, the completed Japanese manor stretched across the land like a dream brought to life.
Kon could only whisper, "Wooooooow…"
And it was a masterpiece.
Tall perimeter walls framed the estate.
A twin one-story gatehouse flanked the grand entrance.
The main building stood three floors high—sleek, graceful, and almost castle-like.
A second-floor veranda offered a sweeping view of the floating city's horizon.
To the right, a serene lake glimmered, complete with a small pavilion in the center and a wooden bridge leading toward it.
To the left, a traditional garden bloomed with bushes and fresh trees.
Behind the manor, a large courtyard awaited—complete with a small practice hall where Xueli could one day train.
And on the edge of the island, facing the waterfall, a tiny resort-style cottage stood with concrete railings—offering the most spectacular view in the entire floating city.
Kon floated beside Yun Che, still dazzled. "This… this isn't as big as the inner world manor, but you built an entire estate in one go. Why?"
Yun Che placed his hands on his hips, sighing softly.
"I don't know, Kon. Bad habits from my old world, I guess. When you can build something… you build big. That's the gaming sense talking."
"Gaming? Modding?" Kon tilted his plush head.
"You won't get it."
Before Yun Che could continue admiring their work, the system chimed again.
Another notification popped up—and Yun Che immediately sweat-dropped.
====================
[Ding… Congratulations to the host for achieving the "Bob the Builder" achievement.]
Condition: Build your own house in the outside world.]
[XP: 10,000 | SP: 5,000]
[A frame of chibi Yun Che dressed as Bob the Builder, complete with a cartoon hardhat and tiny tools.]
====================
Yun Che stared at the notification for several seconds, genuinely unsure whether to laugh, sigh, or punch the air in defeat.
"…I really don't know if I'm supposed to be offended or amused."
The system truly had a talent for turning every solemn moment into a circus.
Still… building something normal for once—without bloodshed, explosions, or last-minute battles—felt strangely refreshing. A slice of life he never really had.
He exhaled, relaxing as he admired the massive manor standing proudly before him.
The first house he had ever built in the outside world.
A real home—not a battlefield, not a divine artifact, not a cultivation death-zone.
A home.
He made a mental note right there.
"When I get back… Little Aunt, Grandpa… I'll build you something better. You're not staying in that garbage Xiao Clan forever."
The thought warmed him more than the achievement reward ever could.
But for now—
It was time to set up the surprise.
=========================
Meanwhile…
Retsu, Mio, Lin Xin, Xueli, and the sleeping Cang Yue enjoyed their time by the waterfall beneath the floating island.
Retsu and Mio made sure Lin Xin truly relaxed for the first time in years—helping her wash her hair, clean the grime of a year-long coma from her skin, and enjoy the water with Xueli. Naturally, both women set up powerful barriers to prevent any stray eyes from seeing them.
Lin Xin cried again—though this time, from joy.
Xueli was laughing.
Laughing freely.
Splashing water at Mio, clinging to Retsu, and showing the kind of smile she hadn't worn since before her father died.
Lin Xin felt her heart clench in gratitude. She'd heard everything during her coma… every cry, every sleepless night her daughter endured. To see Xueli restored, lively, and adored by these women…
It healed something deep inside her.
During their time together, the conversation naturally drifted to Yun Che. Lin Xin learned that Retsu, Mio, and Cang Yue were not just his companions—but his fiancées.
She nearly fainted.
To think that a young man with such unfathomable strength had three breathtaking fiancées of divine-level beauty… and yet had shown her not a single hint of lecherous intent. Even at her lowest appearance. Even at her most vulnerable. Even now, with her beauty restored.
It was… comforting.
Reassuring.Safe.
Retsu and Mio explained their origins as cultivators from the outside world—a realm where the strong devoured the weak and only those with strength survived. Mortal and cultivator lives were not so different emotionally… but the dangers were incomparable. Lin Xin found herself strangely grateful she had lived inside this barrier.
Yet she was even more stunned when the women told her something else—
She and Xueli possessed a beauty and presence equal to theirs.
Lin Xin had always seen her own beauty as a curse. Men in the city relentlessly hounded her, even right after her husband's death—making her despise the outside world's greed, desire, and shamelessness.
But Yun Che…Yun Che never looked at her like that.
Was it because he already had irreplaceable beauties beside him?
Or because he simply wasn't the type to prey on the vulnerable?
Lin Xin didn't know—but she felt warmth when thinking about it.
Retsu and Mio eventually escorted Lin Xin and Xueli back to the surface, carrying the freshly-groomed mother, the excited child, and the still-slumbering Cang Yue.
Three hours had passed.
And those three hours were transformative.
They trimmed Lin Xin's excessively long hair, restored her complexion, dressed her in Retsu's elegant kimono, and helped her rediscover the beauty she had forgotten she possessed. She barely recognized herself—no longer the ragged widow in tattered clothes, but a breathtaking woman with the presence of a celestial maiden.
Mio even prepared yukatas for both Lin Xin and Xueli, courtesy of Shirayuki and Kuroyuki—who, apparently, had prepared an entire children's kimono line "just in case." Retsu didn't know whether to laugh or blush at the idea of future babies.
Finally, Lin Xin told them her story.
How her husband found her unconscious in the forest.
How she had no memories before that moment.
How she was nursed back to health… fell in love… became a wife… and later, a mother.
How her strength gradually faded after Xueli's birth until she could barely walk.
Retsu and Mio listened gently, exchanging a knowing glance—quietly hiding the truth of her divine origin.
But in their hearts, they were grateful too.
Grateful that she now had her daughter again.
Grateful that Yun Che found them.
And grateful that they could be part of this reunion.
When the group returned to what used to be Lin Xin's humble home, they all froze in shock.
The shabby little hut was gone.
In its place stood a grand Japanese-style manor—wide, elegant, and beautifully constructed, its wooden beams warm in the sunlight, its tiled roofs gleaming, its courtyard spacious enough to rival the residences of ancient nobles.
Lin Xin, Retsu, Mio, and little Xueli stood rooted in place, jaws slack. Even Cang Yue—still unconscious—seemed to twitch faintly, as if her sleeping senses were stunned on her behalf.
Had they flown to the wrong location?
Before any of them could voice the question, they spotted a familiar figure lounging casually on a large boulder near the new manor's gate.
Yun Che.
Arms crossed. Legs relaxed. Aura calm.
As though building a massive estate in three hours was nothing more than afternoon exercise.
The moment Yun Che turned his head toward them, however, his nonchalant composure shattered.
He froze.
His eyes widened.
He stared.
Because the woman approaching him—Lin Xin—looked nothing like the ragged widow from earlier. With her newly trimmed hair, delicate makeup, her figure wrapped in an elegant kimono, her divine beauty restored…
She looked exactly like Kozuki Toki reborn.
"I—" Yun Che almost forgot to breathe.
Retsu and Mio, each stunning in their own right, exchanged triumphant little smirks. They put effort into restoring Lin Xin's appearance, but they hadn't expected her beauty to soar this high. She was easily their equal.
Maybe even more captivating than some spirit women Yun Che had seen.
Then—
"Big brother!"
Little Xueli tugged his sleeve with bright, sparkling eyes. Her tiny kimono fluttered around her like cherry blossoms. "Big brother, what happened to our house… right here…?"
Yun Che coughed lightly, shaking off the daze.
"Oh, that?" He smiled, puffing out his chest a little. "I built a new house for little Xueli. A big house worthy of a princess."
Xueli's innocent mind accepted this immediately.
Of course her big brother did.
He was a cultivator.
He made things appear out of thin air.
So a giant house made sense.
But the others…
They were gaping at him like he had rewritten the laws of reality.
"Built…?" Mio whispered.
"'Renovated' isn't even the word…" Retsu murmured.
"This…"
"Is impossible…"
"Completely impossible…"
Lin Xin's voice trembled with disbelief as she stared at the massive estate in front of her.
"L-Lord Yun… Are we… in the right place? How… how could someone build a house like this in three hours…?"
"Hahaha," Yun Che scratched his cheek, half modest, half smug, "For cultivators, this kind of thing is easy. I simply changed your house entirely. Think of it as a gift."
But before he could say more—
Lin Xin's knees buckled.
"Xin'er!" Yun Che flashed forward and caught her in his arms before she hit the ground.
Her body trembled. Her hand flew to her mouth. Tears flooded her eyes.
Because everything crashed into her at once—
She had awakened from a year of despair.
She had been healed completely.
Her daughter's voice was restored.
She had friends.
She had elegant clothes and dignity again.
She had hope.
And now…
This man had given her—and her daughter—a home beyond her wildest dreams.
"L-Lord Yun…" Her voice broke as she clutched Yun Che's sleeve like a drowning woman. "Why…? Why would you do this for someone like me?"
Her tears began falling uncontrollably.
"I am only a lowly woman… A beggar… A useless burden to everyone… A widow… just someone who troubles the city… Why…?" Her shoulders shook violently.
"Why are you… and these girls… being so kind to me? I… I cannot offer anything valuable in return…"
"Mama…"Xueli tugged her mother's kimono, eyes red and trembling. She didn't understand everything, but she understood her mother was hurting.
She looked at Yun Che helplessly.
"Big brother… Mama's crying… help Mama…"
Yun Che inhaled deeply.
Retsu and Mio looked at him—eyes gentle, encouraging—and gave small nods. The choice was his. The words were his.
And Yun Che understood exactly why she felt this way.
It wasn't about gratitude.
It was about worth.
Lin Xin had lived a year believing she was a burden.
A year listening to her daughter cry helplessly.
A year hearing villagers whisper about her.
A year thinking her daughter's suffering was her fault.
Then in a single day—
Everything she lost had been returned to her.
And more.
Yun Che met her tearful gaze and spoke softly, calmly.
"Xin'er… I didn't do this because you're beautiful. Or because I wanted something from you."
He paused, letting her breathe.
"You were suffering. Xueli was suffering. And no one else in this city had the strength to save you both."
His hand gently wiped her tears.
"So I chose to help. Not because you're 'lowly' or 'unneeded'… but because both you and Xueli deserved kindness."
Lin Xin trembled again—because no one had ever told her those words.
Yun Che continued, voice steady.
"Your daughter saved me first. She brought me into this city. She trusted me. And she risked her fear to ask for help."
He smiled softly.
"That alone is worth a manor, don't you think?"
Lin Xin covered her mouth again, crying harder—but this time from overwhelming emotion, not despair.
Retsu and Mio knelt beside her, comforting her from both sides.
And Yun Che thought back to what the city lord had told him while the women were bathing—
Lin Xin's late husband had been a son of the prestigious Huan family—one of the founding bloodlines of the Floating City, the claimed direct descendants of the Moon Empress herself. For generations, the Huan clan had acted as silent guardians of the city, protecting it without flaunting their lineage or noble status.
But his life changed the moment he found an unconscious woman deep within the forest—a breathtaking stranger with no memories, no possessions, and no identity. He nursed her back to health, fell for her purity and softness, and ultimately chose her over wealth, power, and privilege.
And for that choice, he was cast out.
Disowned.
Banished.
Cut off from the legacy he was meant to inherit.
Beauty or not, Lin Xin had no riches—no dowry, no background, no prestige. To the upper-class families, she was worth less than the poorest beggar in the city. Their twisted hierarchy believed wealth determined worth, and they mocked her mercilessly:
A seductress who ruined a noble son.
A curse who dragged him into poverty.
A slut who used beauty to chase riches—only to fail.
They never knew the truth.
She did not seduce him.
She did not desire wealth.
She simply fell in love with the man who saved her life.
And despite losing everything, the couple lived happily—even in poverty. They worked hard, supported one another, and rejoiced when Lin Xin bore him a daughter, Xueli.
But to Yun Che, who had lived through two lifetimes, this so-called "riches hierarchy" was repulsive. It existed even in his destroyed modern world—people judged by money, not by character. And here it was again, festering even in a hidden realm.
His disgust deepened when he learned more.
Because the city lord, Huan Bei, had told him everything.
After Lin Xin lost her cultivation and memories, she could only survive through her beauty—and thus, became a target. Men threatened her, demanded she leave the city, tried to claim her as their plaything. And although she found work as a priestess at the founder's temple—one of the few places where she wasn't looked down on—her life became difficult the moment she married.
Her husband's disownment had brought the scorn of the wealthy. And as her body weakened year after year—drained by Xueli's innate power—she could no longer work, cook, or even walk properly.
She felt like a burden.
A weight on her husband's shoulders.
A mother who couldn't protect her daughter.
A woman who had nothing left to offer.
And still, her husband loved her.
He worked day and night, hiding the truth from her—that he had been saving money quietly. That he purchased a plot of land for their future. That he dreamed of building a beautiful home for them.
But he never lived long enough to see it happen.
And when he died, the vultures circled again—men wanting to take Lin Xin for her beauty, to make her their breeding property. She rejected all of them. Even in despair, she clung to dignity.
Only the city lord's protection allowed her to remain on the outskirts of the city, safe from those who coveted her.
Learning all this… Yun Che's resolve hardened.
He originally intended to reinforce the hut for safety.
But after reading the document the city lord gave him—after understanding her husband's dream—
He chose to give her more.
A manor.
A sanctuary.
A new beginning.
And frankly… the system made it easy and reminded him of his old world's gaming days.
It was fun, in a way.
He exhaled slowly, steadying Lin Xin as she trembled. Then he retrieved a small handkerchief from his inventory and gently wiped her tears.
"I didn't do this because I wanted your gratitude," Yun Che said softly. "I did this to honor the memory of your husband. The city lord told me everything."
Lin Xin's breath hitched.
"The city lord wanted me to give this to you," Yun Che continued as he reached into his robes. "He felt it should be yours."
He pulled out the folded paper—old, carefully preserved, yet precious beyond value.
"It was a final gift from your husband."
Lin Xin's eyes immediately filled with tears again. Her hands shook violently as she accepted the paper. The very moment she unfolded it, Retsu and Mio leaned closer, intrigued—and both of their eyes widened as well.
It wasn't just a deed.
It was the deed.
The deed to the entire plot of land the manor now stood on.
Purchased secretly by her husband through years of labor. His dream preserved through his sacrifice.
Along with the deed was a hidden note from Huan Bei:
A ledger revealing that her husband had left behind a considerable sum—wealth equivalent to fifty purple coins. For Yun Che, it was pocket change. But for Lin Xin… it was a fortune. Enough to live comfortably for life.
She covered her mouth with shaking fingers.
The heavens had not abandoned them.
Her husband had never stopped watching over them.
And now, Yun Che had brought his final wishes to life.
All at once.
As she read the deed, she burst into tears again as she read the last words written for her by her husband.
It read…
==============
For my wife and Xueli…I am sorry I left you both alone in this world…Xin'er… I saved some money for you. It isn't much, but use it to raise our beautiful daughter.
Thank you for letting me marry the most beautiful woman in the world, and for giving me a wonderful child.
My time may end here, but please—find happiness with Xueli.
And if fate allows… may the man you choose to stand beside you after me bring you as much joy as you brought me…
==============
It was short. Simple. But it was devastating.
The moment Lin Xin finished reading it, her lips trembled—and she broke.
She collapsed forward, diving straight into Yun Che's chest with a grief so raw it tore through the quiet air like a storm. She clutched the letter against her heart as if it were her husband's hand.
Yun Che let out a long, soft sigh. He did not push her away. He simply held her, one hand gently supporting her trembling back while she cried into his robes. Behind him, Retsu and Mio exchanged a sad, knowing glance. They understood perfectly—this wasn't Yun Che's doing. This was a woman releasing a year's worth of grief she had been forced to carry alone.
She needed someone to lean on. And Yun Che, by sheer circumstance, was the one closest to her.
Lin Xin's cries were not those of a widow—they were those of a woman who had lost half her soul.
Almost two years since he died.
Almost two years trapped in sleep.
Almost two years hearing her daughter sob every night, powerless to comfort her.
For her, it felt like her husband had died yesterday.
Xueli saw her mother crying and, overwhelmed, threw herself into Yun Che's embrace as well—tiny arms wrapping around both of them as she cried too. Though young, she understood. Her father hadn't abandoned them—he'd left everything he had behind for them.
Watching this, Yun Che felt a weight settle in his heart.
He remembered his own foster mother.
The foster mother of the original Yun Che.
How she wasted away after his foster father died saving his parents.
How grief consumed her until she simply… broke.
He would never allow Lin Xin to reach that same despair.
If Xueli had truly died before he arrived, Lin Xin might never have awakened at all. And if Lin Xin had died, Xueli would have walked a cold and lonely path—a second Xia Qingyue, hardened by loss.
But now they had a chance to live again.
Eventually, Lin Xin's sobs weakened. Her body eased. Her trembling slowed. And only then did she realize—
She had been holding onto Yun Che.
Crying into his chest.
Letting him soothe her like a comforting pillar.
Her cheeks flushed with belated embarrassment. Though vulnerable, she had felt warmth—not violation—in his touch.
"L-Lord Yun… p-please forgive me…" she whispered shakily. "It was improper of me to use you like that…"
"It's fine," Yun Che said calmly. "I understand your grief. My foster mother died of depression after losing my foster father. Losing someone you love is… unbearable. But we keep living—for them, and for those who remain."
Lin Xin's eyes widened. "I… I didn't know…"
"Just Yun Che," he corrected with a gentle smile. "I'm neither lord nor nobility. Just a wandering cultivator—and a doctor."
His easygoing grin sent a faint blush across her cheeks. But her gaze soon drifted to the manor—her new home. A dream her husband once had. A dream this young man had made real in a single afternoon.
And suddenly, she knelt.
Hard.
Before Yun Che could stop her, she lowered her forehead to the earth.
"Lin-san—please, stand up!" Mio rushed toward her, horrified. She grabbed the mother's shoulders, trying to lift her—but Lin Xin remained firmly bowed, her will refusing to budge.
Xueli tried to kneel beside her mother, but Mio hugged her back to prevent it. No child should kneel like this.
Retsu looked to Yun Che urgently. "Yuu-kun…"
Yun Che stepped forward, heart tightening. He tried to lift Lin Xin, but she resisted with the stubborn strength of someone used to kneeling. And that realization hit him like a knife.
She had kneeled many times before.
To the wealthy who scorned her.
To men who threatened her.
To those who demanded she leave the city.
She wasn't kneeling out of gratitude—she was kneeling out of habit born from oppression.
His jaw tightened.
No cultivator—no mother—no woman—should ever bow like this to anyone.
"Lord Yun… my ladies…" Lin Xin's voice shook, high with desperation. "I promised to repay this debt with my life. I owe all of you everything. I have nothing valuable to offer, but please… accept this gratitude of mine…"
"Xin'er, stop," Yun Che said gently but firmly. "We saved you because we wanted to. Not for repayment. Please… don't lower yourself like this."
But she still didn't rise.
So Yun Che took her by the shoulders—firm, but gentle—and guided her up as Retsu and Mio assisted. Finally, after a long moment, she stood, though trembling.
Then Yun Che looked her straight in the eyes, all seriousness returning to his expression.
"Xin'er," he said quietly, "if you truly want to repay this debt… there is only one thing I want from you."
Lin Xin froze.
Her breath hitched.
Because she had heard these words before—from men who wanted her body in exchange for "shelter," "food," "protection." She had been threatened, cornered, degraded.
She never once gave in. Her husband was the only one who touched her.
Was this young man… the same?
Even now—after everything—if he asked that of her…
She would do it.
Not because she wanted to.
But because she owed him her life, her daughter's life, her future.
Her fingers trembled. Her eyes lowered.
She braced herself for the worst.
"Please… you don't have to lower yourself anymore." Yun Che's voice softened, steady as a mountain. "You are not alone. From now on, stop kneeling to show gratitude or beg for forgiveness. To us, seeing you lower yourself like this only humiliates us further. We will protect you and Xueli while we're in this realm. Consider us your new family."
Lin Xin's eyes widened—not in disbelief, but in the painful shock of someone who had forgotten what dignity felt like. Her lips trembled as tears spilled freely once more. For far too long, she had survived by bowing. She had endured humiliation because others labeled her unworthy, because she had no power to resist, because she needed to protect her daughter. Every scornful stare, every whispered insult, every night she cried in silence—all of it had carved deep scars in her heart.
But hearing Yun Che's words… something inside her finally loosened.
"If it is my benefactor's wish," she whispered, voice cracking with emotion, "then I shall do my best to honor it."
She wiped her tears with shaking hands, a small but determined nod forming. She would no longer kneel to anyone—not to nobles, not to predators, not even out of habit. Her life had changed, and she would no longer wear the chains of humiliation she had carried for years. Her daughter was healed. She herself was restored. And now… she had people who treated her with respect, despite her status in this city.
Yun Che gently guided both mother and daughter toward their new home.
He felt a tiny pang of guilt for demolishing their former hut, but the new manor made the loss worthwhile. Lin Xin's and Xueli's eyes widened, shining with awe and disbelief as they took in the sight of their grand estate—the first real home either had ever known. Lin Xin whispered thank you after thank you, overwhelmed by gratitude she could barely put into words.
She had always watched others pass by in the city, envying families who lived behind grand doors and spacious courtyards. Never once had she imagined she would stand before a manor of her own.
Retsu and Mio quickly noted the emptiness inside the vast estate. Furniture was needed. Decorations, too. But the moment Yun Che told them the manor was now theirs to design, both women lit up with sparkling excitement. They had learned much about Japanese culture from the system, and the idea of shaping a home—from tatami rooms to sliding doors, gardens, and décor—sparked a new sort of enthusiasm in them.
This would be their project.
Their chance to leave their mark on this world.
And perhaps… their chance to help little Xueli grow into a proper Japanese-styled lady one day, while teaching Lin Xin the beauty of their culture. They would bring pieces of their world into this one—quietly, subtly, but undeniably.
Yun Che left the manor in their hands. He had built the structure; now it was their turn to breathe life into it. He could finally relax for a while, at least until Cang Yue awakened. Once she did, training would resume. The Blue Wind Ranking Tournament would arrive in two months—and that meant preparation.
But tonight?
Tonight belonged to peace, family, and the new life Lin Xin and Xueli had been granted.