Mulan strode briskly through the Jin Family estate, ignoring the curious stares cast her way. Her newly cropped hair—once a symbol of her noble status—now drew whispered murmurs from passing relatives, but she paid them no mind. She wasn't here to entertain their opinions.
She was looking for Li Bing.
Her personal attendant, her closest friend, had not returned since the banquet. Not even after Yun Che left. No one had seen her. Not a single servant had reported anything useful. Bing always waited in her quarters, ready with a smile or tea—or both. But today, her room was cold and empty.
If only she had mastered Haki. If she had reached even the initial stage, she could sense Bing's presence instantly. But that path was still closed to her. Her progress in cultivation had been slow, frustratingly so.
With clenched fists, Mulan turned to search the watchkeep again. Her gut told her she missed something.
Then—she heard it.
The low, unfamiliar whir of technology cutting through the stillness. The VTOL. It landed in the courtyard of the Jin estate with a quiet hum. Sleek. Out of place in the ancient halls of her family.
Her heart leapt.
Could it be…?
She rushed toward the central arena of the watch keep where the VTOL turned it into a makeshift landing pad, skirts fluttering behind her, her thoughts racing. Maybe if she asked for his help—no, not Yun Che. But Mu Che. Bing was close to him too. Closer than anyone else.
If anyone could bring her back, it would be him.
Before Mulan could even approach the VTOL, the rear ramp lowered with a hiss of hydraulics. She stepped forward instinctively—then froze.
Yun Che and Nemu disembarked, both still in partial combat gear. But it wasn't them that made her breath hitch.
It was Li Bing—bloodied, clothes torn, but alive—stumbling down behind them.
"Bing—!" Mulan cried out.
Before any words could be exchanged, Bing broke into a sprint and threw herself into Mulan's arms, sobbing uncontrollably. Her fingers clutched at Mulan's sleeves like she was terrified to let go. It wasn't just crying—it was the kind of trembling, guttural sobbing of someone who had survived a nightmare.
"Princess!" Bing cried as Mulan held her tightly, her voice cracking.
"What happened to you?! Who did this?!"
Jin Zhuo stepped into the courtyard, his eyes widening at the sight. "Li Bing…? What in the heavens—?"
It wasn't just Li Bing. A dozen more unfamiliar young women slowly emerged from the VTOL, clothes tattered, eyes hollow, looking around as though unsure if they were truly safe.
Mulan looked up at Yun Che, her voice low, sharp. "What happened, Che'er!?"
Yun Che let out a breath. "She was taken to Lishan Island. Zhu Lin's men have been kidnapping servants—likely for experimenting. Bing was among them."
"The bastard—!" Mulan's hand went straight to her sword.
But Yun Che stepped in front of her. "No. Not now. They don't know it was us who caused havoc on the island. If you move now, you'll give them exactly what they need to trace the attack."
Her eyes burned with rage—but she understood. Gritting her teeth, she sheathed her blade and turned back to Bing, holding her protectively.
"If we hadn't staged the raid," Yun Che said, voice heavier now, "Bing might not have made it. We were just in time."
"She's safe now," Mulan whispered. "That's all that matters." She gently stroked Bing's back as the girl wept into her shoulder.
"Thank you," Mulan said quietly, looking at Yun Che. "You brought her back to me."
He gave a small nod. "These other girls… they were servants of Liu Wuyan. They've got valuable information on his dealings. If they can be sheltered here, they may help expose the full rot of this operation."
Mulan looked at the weary girls—some no older than teenagers. Her gaze hardened. "Then they will be protected under my name. No one lays a hand on them again."
Jin Zhuo's fists clenched at his sides. His jaw tightened, and for a moment, his expression cracked—not as a noble, but as a father figure.
"Bing…" he muttered. "She's more than a servant. She's part of this family. Seeing her like that… it's like seeing Mulan hurt."
He turned sharply. "Zhu Lin… that bastard—!"
"Father-in-law, stop," Yun Che interjected firmly, stepping between him and the gathering storm in his eyes. "Acting now will only jeopardize everything we've worked for."
Jin Zhuo's voice shook with barely restrained fury. "He crossed a line!"
"And he'll cross even more if you strike without a plan," Yun Che replied, steady and calm. "Right now, half the city still supports you—your loyalists. But they don't know you've returned. If you move too soon, without the people's backing, you'll be painted as the aggressor. Zhu Lin wins the narrative."
"But… but—" Jin Zhuo faltered.
"Bing is safe now," Yun Che said, glancing toward Mulan and the rescued girls. "That's what matters most. I recommend you shelter these women. As far as Zhu Lin is concerned, they're dead. But here, they're safe—and useful. They carry information on Liu Wuyan's operations. If you protect them under the Jin name, they'll serve with loyalty."
He paused before adding, "Use the recovery time while Lishan Island's still in chaos. Reinforce your position, cut off the Wu Clan and Zhu Family's influence in Xuanwu City. Slowly, carefully. No more rash moves."
Jin Zhuo exhaled deeply. "I'll trust you, Che'er. You've done more than enough to earn that."
"I'll take care of Bing and the others," Mulan said softly, her hand resting on her attendant's shoulder. "Thank you again, Che'er… for bringing her home."
Yun Che nodded. "The old Mu Che would've done the same. I may not be him… but I carry his will."
Mulan smiled faintly, brushing a strand of Bing's hair behind her ear as the rescued girls followed behind her like shadows clinging to the light.
"You may not be him," Mulan said, "but perhaps… you're not so different after all."
Yun Che gave a short laugh. "No… I'm the upgraded version."
She rolled her eyes with a smile, turning away with Bing. Nemu stepped quietly beside him, her kasa hat casting a soft shadow over her face.
"I think that's enough for one night," Yun Che said with a sigh.
"Yes," Nemu replied. "Nee-sama is probably waiting for us."
"Shall we? I'm starving."
-------------------
Jin Yuelian entered Mulan's room quietly.
Inside, Mulan sat at the edge of her bed, gently patting Li Bing's back as the girl slept soundly, her breathing steady but still fragile. The servants in the room, once bustling with quiet concern, now stood frozen—staring not at Bing, but at the two women.
Mulan's long hair flowed freely behind her, radiant like moonlight. Beside her, Jin Yuelian's own hair shimmered with a healthy luster that hadn't been seen in years. Even the servants were momentarily awestruck by the sight. Whispers rose and fell, no one quite daring to ask what had changed.
Even Yuelian's husband had been speechless when he saw them. But all of that—hair, beauty, glow—was forgotten the moment they saw Li Bing's condition.
Yuelian sat beside her daughter, her eyes softening as they fell on the sleeping girl. "I heard what happened," she said gently. "I'm sorry, Lan'er."
Mulan nodded stiffly, struggling to hold her composure. "If Che'er hadn't gone to that island… If he didn't act when he did…" Her voice cracked. "I almost lost her."
She clung to her mother then, burying her face in her shoulder as tears finally fell. "Bing… she's not just my servant. She's family. She's my Bing."
"That's enough now," Yuelian whispered, stroking her daughter's hair. "She's safe. That's what matters. And yes—it was divine intervention. Che'er went to the island for a different reason… but somehow, he still found her. He saved her."
Mulan's voice trembled. "We've already lost so many… so many of our people… How much more do we have to endure before they stop hurting us?"
"I don't know," Yuelian admitted softly, "but what I do know is this…"
She looked toward the sleeping Li Bing, then to the quiet figure of her daughter.
"Che'er came back. And in just a single day… he did what we've failed to do for years. He turned the province upside down, exposed parasites hiding in our midst, and brought Bing back to you. All in one night."
She gave her daughter's hand a reassuring squeeze. "We were once the pride of this province. Then we fell. But he's giving us that chance again. We just need to hold on—and support him the way he's supporting us."
Mulan looked down at Bing, gently brushing a stray hair from her cheek. "You're right, Mother… he really did all this… without asking for anything in return."
"In the end," Mulan whispered, her voice barely above a breath, "we still relied on him…"
She lowered her gaze. "Mother… am I not a good wife to him?"
Jin Yuelian looked at her daughter with gentle eyes. "Do you remember what he promised you when you married him?"
"Yes…" Mulan nodded slowly. "He said I could be free—as long as I stayed faithful. That my purity… my heart… would always belong to him." Her voice trembled. "Only… it took me so long to understand what that meant."
"Then maybe," her mother said softly, "it's time you truly became his wife—not in name, but in heart."
Mulan blinked, stunned by the words.
"He may not remember you the way he once did," Yuelian continued, "but that doesn't mean you've lost your chance. Some couples spend years growing into the love they were meant to have. You still have time. Be the woman who chooses him—now, in this moment. Be the wife he needs today, not the one who regrets the past."
There was a pause, then Yuelian stood and offered her hand. "Come on. Let Bing rest. His girls at the kitchen just finished supper prep—it took them hours. Enough time for Che'er to fly to an island, stir up chaos, and come back like it was nothing."
Mulan gave a weak chuckle. "They're waiting for him… They love him so much. Sometimes I wonder if they're better at it than I ever was."
Yuelian frowned gently, reaching for her daughter's face. "Lan'er… that's enough. Stop punishing yourself for who you used to be. Who you are now—that's what matters. If you love him… show him. Care for him. Stand by him. You already lost him once…"
Her voice softened.
"Don't lose him again."
Mulan wiped her tears and gave a quiet nod.
Yuelian smiled and took her hand. Together, they stepped out into the night, leaving Bing to rest in peace, the warm light of the courtyard waiting for them ahead.
----------------------
"Ara… welcome back, Yuu-kun." Retsu greeted with a teasing smile as Yun Che and Nemu returned. "You two didn't take that long. Shall I assume the date went well?"
Nemu blushed but nodded with a small, proud smile—clearly satisfied with how things had gone.
"I'm home," Yun Che said with a grin, stepping inside. "We have our ways. It did take some time, but we managed to stir up the hornet's nest."
"Nee-sama… hungry…" Nemu whined playfully, feigning exhaustion as she collapsed into Retsu's bosom.
"Ara ara… If my beloved little sister is starving, then let's not delay. Supper is about to begin."
Yun Che stepped into the courtyard hall of Mulan's residence. The warm lights cast a soft glow as he entered, and he spotted Xia Qingyue turning toward him.
"Welcome back," she said, calm and reserved—but the slight warmth in her voice didn't go unnoticed.
"Oh? Since when are you greeting me at the door?" he teased.
"Sister Retsu said," she replied matter-of-factly, "that when a husband returns home, it's loving for the wife to greet him."
Yun Che chuckled. "Well… she is right about that one."
"How was it?" Qingyue asked.
"It was fun," he answered with a smirk. "We stirred up the island and bought ourselves some time. Rescue Mulan's attendant, Bing alongside a few girls."
"This is your idea of a date?" Little Fairy huffed, arms crossed, her voice dripping with indignation. She hadn't expected their outing to involve fire, blades, and assassins lurking in the shadows.
Yun Che only grinned, dusting ash from his sleeve as though the chaos around them were nothing more than a minor inconvenience. "Well, everyone's safe. And so is Mulan's attendant. I'd call that a successful date."
Little Fairy narrowed her eyes at him, lips twitching between irritation and relief. She wanted to scold him, but deep down, knowing he had kept them safe was more than enough.
"It's better than letting us date unsupervised," Yun Che said with a grin. "And we had fun."
"Define fun," Little Fairy eyed him suspiciously, though her tone was playful.
"Blowing up the gates and buildings with explosive arrows kind of fun," Yun Che replied with a deadpan expression.
"…Oh, I thought that—never mind." A faint blush dusted Little Fairy's cheeks.
"Since when did you have a dirty min—" Yun Che didn't even get to finish before snowballs suddenly bombarded him, burying him in a fluffy mound.
"Yuu-kun, if you're done playing around with sister Yuechan, let's have supper," Retsu's playful voice rang out.
From within the pile, only a single hand stuck out, forming a triumphant thumbs up.
Little Fairy sighed, though her lips curved into a small smile as she brushed snow from her sleeves. Qingyue, standing at the side, merely watched the snow-covered Yun Che. Her gaze lingered—not annoyed, not jealous, but quietly thoughtful. Perhaps… she could learn to be a little playful too, if that was the language he enjoyed so much.
Retsu smiled quietly from the side as the rest of the girls began to gather. With supper finally ready, the mood had shifted completely. Despite the chaos earlier, the courtyard hall was filled with warmth, quiet laughter, and a growing sense of togetherness—like a strange, beautiful little family was beginning to form again.
"Welcome Danna-sama! We made your favorites!" Mio raised her hand eagerly as she greeted him despite seeing him covered with snow.
"We already ate at the banquet earlier… and now supper again?" Lin Yueru said in mild disbelief, eyeing the spread of freshly prepared dishes. "Are you trying to fatten us?"
Retsu brought a hand to her lips and giggled softly. "Ufufu~ don't worry, Yueru-san. Our meals are prepared to restore profound and spiritual energy. No matter how much you eat, you won't gain an ounce."
"This… this is totally cheating," Xue Ling muttered, sinking into her seat with a defeated sigh. "At this rate, we'll never eat anything else. If it's between Retsu's cooking and normal food that does make us gain weight…"
Retsu's smirk widened. "Fufufu… the food is infused with a subtle special formation that we cultivated from the Dead Spirit Realm. It turns nutrients into energy. Any excess energy will simply be expelled naturally through your meridians. In other words—you'll be full, your strength will return, and there's no leftover fat. Win-win, yes?"
Lin Yueru narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "This sounds suspiciously like a trap."
"Ufufu~ The only trap here is the one keeping you from leaving your seats after your third serving," Retsu teased.
The girls laughed, the tension from earlier fading as the scent of spiritual herbs and seared meat filled the air. Even the more reserved ones couldn't help but sneak an extra serving or two, their eyes darting between the table and their bowls.
Soon after, Mulan and Jin Yuelian joined the table. Her husband passed out early to get ready for tomorrow's plan. Mulan's mood was noticeably lighter—Li Bing was going to be okay, with no lasting harm left behind.
The other rescued girls offered information or dirt against Liu Wuyan in exchange to serve the Jin Family. Since the Jin Family needed new members, those girls are welcomed.
She walked over to Yun Che and bowed her head slightly. "Thank you… if—"
"Stop with the what-ifs," Yun Che interrupted gently, sighing as he reached out to pat her head. "I was there… and she's safe now. That's all that matters. We'll deal with those who hurt her next time."
Mulan nodded, her expression softening, and took her seat.
The rest of the group began to eat, and just as Retsu had said earlier, the food restored their energy without leaving even the slightest trace of weight gain. Of course, Yun Che, Retsu, Nemu, and Mio didn't bother telling them the full truth—that the ingredients were filtered by the system itself, stripping away anything unnecessary.
The result? Fattening from food was nothing but a distant dream here. In other words, this was the only place they could indulge freely, eating to their heart's content without ever worrying about gaining weight.
After finishing supper, Retsu, Mio, and Nemu were already looking forward to earning the Fully Rested perk from him. It had been a long day—arriving in the afternoon, dealing with the banquet, and then stirring up the hornet's nest on Lishan Island.
Little Fairy, however, sat quietly with a faint sigh. She wasn't near him, which meant no perk for her… and with her little sister present, it was impossible to slip into his room unnoticed.
Yun Che was just about to excuse himself to sleep in another room. Given they were in the Jin Family's household, it seemed wiser to play it cool and avoid any scandalous misunderstandings. Still… he wasn't entirely sure how his other girls would take it. Some of them could get a little cranky if they missed out on the Fully Rested perk.
That was when Jin Yuelian suddenly spoke up.
"Aren't you going to share a room with Mulan? Both of you are husband and wife, after all."
Her question caught the attention of every woman in the hall—Qingyue included. Xue Ling smirked, clearly amused. This might be the only way to stop Cang Yue from sneaking in during the night. Chu Yueli and Lin Yueru didn't seem bothered in the slightest by the idea, but the rest… well, their expressions said otherwise.
Mulan's cheeks flushed a deep red, her fingers fidgeting in her lap. The other women, on the other hand, exchanged glances, each wondering the same thing—if he agreed, just how far would things go?
"Uhh… we never did share a room before, so… it won't matter?" Yun Che tried to play it off.
"No excuses. Both of you share a room tonight, and that's final." Jin Yuelian fixed him with a piercing look. "Unless you have something to say?"
"I am his wife as well. I am entitled to share a room with him as well," Qingyue suddenly spoke up, her tone calm but carrying a hidden sting. The words caught everyone off guard, heads turning toward her. She herself had been against the arrangement of Yun Che being Mulan's fake husband. However, this was not in the agreement—afraid something might happen—but saying nothing now felt worse.
Yun Che stared at her in surprise. The real Yun Che would've been over the moon at the idea of sharing a room with her, but not him. Not after the last time—it hadn't exactly ended well.
"You two have shared a room before," Jin Yuelian cut in, "but tonight, let Mulan have him. She's never once shared a room with her husband."
Qingyue's lips tightened. She could not deny that she and Yun Che hadn't yet built the trust a married couple should have. Still, the idea of him spending the night in another woman's room—even if that woman was his fake wife—made her chest feel strangely heavy.
Yun Che glanced around at the rest of the women and sighed. "Fine. I'll share a room with her. But don't expect anything to happen."
"Are you sure? You are a man, after all," Lin Yueru teased.
"A man with self-discipline and control," Yun Che shot back with a smirk. "Not every man thinks with his crotch."
Retsu, Mio, Nemu—alongside Little Fairy and Qingyue—each fixed Mulan with a subtle but unmistakable warning glance. None more so than Retsu, whose eyes carried the sharpest edge. She had already planned to claim his first Primordial Yang and wasn't about to let anyone disrupt that plan. Yun Che's scent was to remain pure—heavenly—untouched by any woman who wasn't properly bound to him in both name and spirit.
Qingyue might hold that title on paper, but without love between them, the bond lacked the depth that would harmonize with his scent. And even if she had been given the chance to share a room with him now, it would be painfully awkward between them despite the secret warmth in her heart. Her only reason for speaking up earlier had been to prevent Mulan from being in this very position… but that gambit had failed, and now Yun Che had agreed to the arrangement.
Across the hall, Retsu, Mio, Cang Yue and Nemu exchanged quiet sighs. Little Fairy did the same. Tonight's "Fully Rested" perk seemed all but lost to them.
Or was it?
After all… no one could exactly stop them if they happened to slip quietly into Mulan's room later.
With that, Mulan silently led him toward her room. She knew all too well the consequences of stepping over certain lines—but what weighed on her most was having to hide the truth from her mother: that she and Yun Che weren't truly husband and wife at all.
------------------------
Inside her room, Mulan's cheeks burned with embarrassment. By law, she and Mu Che were husband and wife—yet the man before her wasn't that Mu Che. This was Yun Che, a man who had lost any memory of her and seemed to believe there was no bond between them at all.
They had never once shared a room, never once seen each other's bare skin.
She slowly began to undress, intending to change into her nightgown—only for Yun Che's voice to cut through the quiet.
"You do realize I'm still here."
Her hands froze mid-motion. "I… I'm sorry. It's just… normal for a married couple to—"
"Again… I'm not Mu Che."
"I refuse to believe that."
"…"
"You might not remember, but you act like him. You speak like him. You care like him." Her voice trembled with conviction. "Even if it takes years… I will get your memories back."
"Why?" His gaze locked on her. "Is it love… or guilt?"
"I…" Her lips parted, but no words came.
"You hesitated."
She lowered her eyes, unable to answer.
"You regret pushing him away… only to realize his worth when it was too late," Yun Che said quietly. "I understand. Arranged marriages… they can be cold. He probably offered you the safety of a legal bond, but allowed you both to live separate lives."
"I told him I had no intention of being his wife," Mulan whispered, her voice trembling. "It was… just an arrangement to escape the Zhu Family." She lowered her gaze, her hands clenching. "It hurts just to think about it."
Her breath hitched. "When I lost him… that's when I fell apart. It was only an arrangement, but why… why did it hurt so much?"
"I may not understand exactly what you're going through," Yun Che said evenly, "but this feels like you're teetering on the edge of denial. I agreed to play along with this charade, but forcing yourself like this… it isn't the way, Mulan."
"I know…" she admitted, her voice breaking. "I just wanted him back."
He stepped closer, his tone softening as he pats her head. "There, there… let's just get to know each other first. Properly, this time. But remember—I'm not Mu Che. Don't try to see me as him."
She nodded weakly.
Without another word, he turned toward the balcony. "I'll be out here until you finish changing."
Mulan let out a long, quiet sigh as she continued to undress. He was right. She needed to accept it—Mu Che was gone. The man before her was Yun Che now… a different person who only happened to wear the same face. And if she wanted to move forward, she had to start seeing him as just that.
Moments later, she stepped out in her nightgown and stood next to Yun Che. "I am sorry… for pulling you into this."
"I have no worries," Yun Che said calmly. "You don't have to think about me. My words are genuine—I don't have the slightest intention of seeing you as a woman tonight."
Mulan's lips trembled. "…Am I really not that appealing to you?"
"You are," he admitted without hesitation. "Appealing in your own way. But I've grown used to being around Retsu, Mio, Nemu… even Cang Yue, and those Asgardian fairies."
Her eyes dimmed, disappointment flickering across her face as she looked away.
"You are appealing," Yun Che continued, his tone steady. "If I chose to love you, that would be different. But for now, our arrangement makes that impossible. Because when you look at me, you only see Mu Che—not me."
Her voice was soft, almost defensive. "So… are you not a man with desires?"
"I am," he answered with a small, ironic smile. "But mine are controlled. And besides… there are consequences if I touch a woman who isn't truly mine."
Her brows knitted slightly. "…Consequences?"
"Let's just say… my scent would become unbearable. If you've ever cultivated the Eagle Scent, you'd understand."
Mulan blinked, stunned into silence. "…I see."
"Plus…" Yun Che's gaze shifted toward the door where the others had left earlier. "You might suffer the consequences if you touched me. You saw how those girls eyed you?"
Mulan bit her lip. "…I would rather not think about it."
"Then don't," he said evenly. "Let's start by knowing each other first. Earn their trust. Be their friend. Ask for their permission. Even you would agree Retsu is more suited to be the Head Wife—without her approval, you'll never be accepted into our… flock."
He paused, his tone softening. "And Qingyue—she is my current wife. Whether our bond is weak or not, her permission matters. Only then can I judge if what you feel for me is love… or guilt. If I can see you as appealing. That takes time. It might take years."
Mulan frowned, her heart caught between hope and despair. "…This sounds like too much."
"Depends on you," Yun Che said with a quiet finality. "That's the only way I'll know if you truly love me… or if you're just clinging to regret."
Mulan lowered her head, her fists clenching tightly at her sides. "…Then allow me to stay by your side until you decide. I don't care if it takes years. Even if you never see me as your wife… I'll endure it."
Yun Che raised an eyebrow. "Endure? That sounds more like punishment than love. And I don't punish my women. I vowed to treat them fairly, every single one of them."
"No," she shook her head quickly, her eyes shimmering. "Being away from you is punishment. I endured it for five long years. But being here, even if you don't look at me the same way… at least I can try. At least I can prove myself. I know I can't be as graceful or as wise as your fiancées. I can't even stand on the same level as them. Maybe being replaced is what finally opened my eyes." Her voice quivered, then softened with regret. "I thought you became some womanizer to spite me, but… when I saw how those girls followed you, how you treated them… I realized you've become a better version of yourself. It makes me wonder if I'm even worthy of you."
He studied her quietly, the sincerity in her trembling voice tugging at something within, though he gave nothing away. "…Mulan, to me… you're like a woman I've only just met. You can't expect too much. And you're stepping into a flock that defies every expectation. It won't be easy. Even those angelic beauties failed to seduce me, what makes you can?"
"I don't want easy." Her voice cracked, but her eyes stayed firm. "I want you. Even if you're not Mu Che… even if you never remember to be him… I'll fight for the chance to earn the place I threw away. I won't repeat my mistakes—even if it means sacrificing the memories of who he once was."
Yun Che sighed, leaning back against the balcony, his expression unreadable, yet his tone carried weight. "…You're stubborn. But don't confuse patience with acceptance. If you choose this path, be prepared to do more than just wait. You'll need to act—to prove yourself—not only to me, but to every woman who already walks beside me. They chose me out of love and trust, not guilt or regret. To stand among them, you'll have to rise to the same level. Only then can I see if what you feel is truly love… or something else."
"I understand," she whispered, her voice soft yet resolute. Her eyes, though burning with quiet resolve, carried the weight of someone ready to crawl through fire if that was the price.
With that, Mulan walked slowly toward her bed, her hands brushing over the sheets before she glanced back at him. "You can sleep here tonight. I won't mind. It'll be the first time we've slept in the same room together… after two years of marriage and five years of absence."
Yun Che arched a brow. "Two years? Tch. That Mu Che must've had the patience of a saint to endure not touching you for that long."
Mulan's smile faltered, the sting in his words—whether joke or sarcasm—leaving her gaze lowered.
"No matter," Yun Che exhaled, conjuring a soft futon mattress onto the floor. "I'll sleep here. I'm used to it."
"Please," she whispered, her voice softer now, almost pleading. "I insist. I won't push you away this time…"
He shook his head, giving her a small but firm smile. "Even if you consent, you're still… a woman who once bore the title of another man's wife. A widowed woman. I just can't, okay?"
But then Mulan did something that caught him off guard. Without a word, she dragged her mattress across the floor until it rested right beside his futon. Then, she gracefully laid down upon it, her hair falling around her shoulders like a dark veil.
"…Really?" Yun Che asked, blinking.
"I insist," she said again, her lips curving into the faintest, teasing smile. "It's just sleeping in the same room. Unless…" her eyes glimmered as she tilted her head, "…you had a different idea in mind?"
Yun Che immediately turned his head away, burying his face into the pillow. "No. Just—no."
"Points for trying." Mulan giggled softly, her laughter light but tinged with nerves. For the first time in years, the distance between them was no longer measured in absence, but in the space of a single heartbeat.
Moments later, Mulan turned her head on the pillow and saw Yun Che lying flat on his back, hands tucked behind his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling.
"You can't sleep?" she asked softly.
"Nope. Fairly used to it." He gave a small shrug, not looking at her. "But why are you staring at me with those eyes?"
She quickly averted her gaze, heat rising in her cheeks. "…It's nothing. I'm just… nervous. Even though it's only you."
"Well, I'm more concerned about someone or people barging in any moment," Yun Che mused, lips twitching with amusement. "Sleeping with me is… addictive. And no, there's no hidden meaning—just sleep."
Mulan frowned slightly. "That sounds unbelievable."
"If you really love me, you'll feel the effects in the morning," he said lazily. "If not, it'll just be normal sleep."
"…What kind of difference could there possibly be?"
"Oh, a big one." His tone carried that casual arrogance only he could pull off. "You'll wake up with what I call the 'Fully Rested Perk.' Even if you only sleep for an hour, you'll feel like you slept the whole night. Stamina, profound energy, even small injuries—recovered."
Mulan blinked. "That's ridiculous."
"Why would I lie?" Yun Che turned his head slightly, his eyes gleaming in the dim light. "Retsu, Mio, and Nemu… even Little Yue. They've maintained their youth and beauty because of this perk. That's why they cling to me every night. If I leave for too long, they get cranky—just ask Little Fairy."
Mulan's lips parted in disbelief. "…So how exactly does one obtain this… perk of yours?"
"Simple," Yun Che replied smoothly. "Your feelings for me have to be strong and genuine. Just sleeping near me is enough. Even being in the same room works."
Her brows furrowed, skeptical yet intrigued. "It still sounds absurd. No offense."
Yun Che chuckled and rolled his head back to the ceiling. "It's part of an ancient cultivation art I inherited from the Dead Spirit Realm. Only men with extreme spiritual power can wield it safely. Otherwise, it'd consume their life force instead."
Of course, that was a story he'd fabricated long ago—the same one he told Cang Yue when she began to notice her unnatural glow in the mornings. In truth, it was a gift from the system, one that only affected women with genuine feelings for him. A secret Yun Che wasn't ready to share.
The only ones who ever basked in that strange "perk" were Retsu, Mio, Nemu, Cang Yue, Little Fairy, and his distant aunt, Xiao Lingxi. Each of them had proven their bond with him in their own way.
And for Mulan… whether she would feel it by dawn would say more about her heart than all the words she'd poured out tonight.
"Strong feelings for him…" she muttered under her breath, clutching the blanket. If I wake up with that… then I'll know. I'll know my feelings are real.
Yun Che's voice cut through her thoughts, sudden and sharp. "Other than that, the Wu Clan will be sending some bloke named Elder Fang tonight. His orders—deal with the Jin Family, eliminate Xue Ling, and possibly wipe out the Jin Family altogether."
Mulan bolted upright, her breath caught in her throat. "What?! How could you tell me this now?!"
He blinked, unfazed by her panic. "…Is it that troubling?"
Her eyes widened, face pale with fury and fear. "You—! Of course it's troubling! We should warn the family immediately, we should— we should—"
"Calm down."
"How can I calm down at this rate?!" she snapped, her voice cracking between desperation and outrage.
"Do you forget we have Mio?" Yun Che said casually.
"Oh…" Mulan blinked, her panic ebbing away as embarrassment crept in. Of course—the Butterfly Monarch was in the Jin Family. With Mio there, worrying suddenly seemed childish. "Right… then… is she going to deal with him?"
"Nope," Yun Che shook his head with a faint smirk. "We're not bullies. Even I could handle him if I wanted to."
Mulan tilted her head, eyes narrowing. "…You could? But… your level is only at the peak of Sky Profound Realm. How strong are you really?"
"I am," he admitted without shame. Then his tone sharpened. "But don't confuse cultivation level with combat prowess."
"Combat prowess?" she echoed, unfamiliar with the distinction.
"Our levels might appear fixed, but we've cultivated powers that let us punch far above our supposed limits." His gaze drifted toward the ceiling, as if recalling countless battles. "Retsu and I—we can fight on par with cultivators ten levels above us. Sometimes more, depending on the fight and advanced powers we chose to use."
Mulan's breath caught. Ten levels? That was more than an advantage—it was monstrous.
"And Kon too," Yun Che added almost as an afterthought. "That guy's a pervert, but don't underestimate him. He's ridiculously strong when he gets serious."
Mulan frowned, unsure if he was joking or not. "…A pervert?"
Yun Che's grin widened. "A hopeless one. But one you'd rather have on your side than against you."
"..."
"Little Yue," Yun Che began, almost offhandedly, "has the combat prowess of a Third Level Emperor Profound Realm. You saw Shin Yue in action, right?"
Mulan's jaw slackened. "…What…?"
He smirked at her expression. "Exactly what I said."
She swallowed hard, then pressed, "What about Nemu?"
"Nemu?" Yun Che tilted his head, as if weighing her strength. "Her current cultivation is only at the peak of True Profound Realm. But don't be fooled. She can easily dispatch opponents at the peak of Spirit Profound Realm without breaking a sweat."
"All of you are monsters!" Mulan blurted, half in awe, half in disbelief. "What about your other wife?"
"Her level is fixed," Yun Che replied, shrugging as if it wasn't a big deal. "Similar to Sis Ling and Yueru. And the Chu sisters? Their levels are fixed at Half-Step Tyrant Profound Realm."
Mulan's mouth opened… then closed again. "..." Words failed her.
Yun Che gave a light chuckle. "See? I told you. If they actually showed up here, we'd be the bullies."
"Looks like I have nothing to worry about after all," she muttered, though her voice carried more awe than relief.
"Exactly." He stretched, tone shifting to one of finality. "I've seen enough action for tonight. Besides… someone else will probably deal with them before we even lift a hand."
Mulan frowned, leaning toward him. "…Who?"
"You'll see."