The morning sun spilled softly across the courtyard, its light reflecting on the smooth stone tiles where Yun Che stood, guiding Xia Qingyue through her meditation stance.
Her breathing was slow, measured — the faint shimmer of energy beginning to ripple around her as she focused inward.
He pressed two fingers on her forehead, his tone calm and steady. "Good. Keep your breathing even. Focus on your surroundings — not with your eyes, but with your intent. Feel the flow of life around you. That's the essence of Observation Haki."
Xia Qingyue could feel it — that subtle current deep within her.
So this is spirit. This is 'Haki'
It wasn't like profound energy, nor like divine essence. This was something far more intimate — the quiet rhythm that refined power itself, that breathed life into strength. The foundation that tied the body, mind, and will together as one.
Her heart quickened as the realization settled in.This was the first step — the gateway into bending and Ki, the art of touching the tangible and shaping the unseen. The power that could sense a strike before it came, guide movement with intent, and empower each blow with the force of her soul.
She could feel her awareness stretching outward — touching the faintest tremor of energy, the smallest ripple of life around her. Every breath, every heartbeat, every flicker of wind carried a story.
The stronger the spirit… the greater the power.
And now, for the first time, she understood what Yun Che meant — why only those closest to him could wield this. It wasn't just strength. It was connection — the alignment of heart and will, the awakening of self.
She smiled faintly, eyes still closed, her aura pulsing with a clear, crystalline calm.
I can finally learn it, she thought. Truly learn it.
Nearby, Lin Yueru, Xue Ling, and Mulan knelt in quiet concentration, working on refining their ability to filter presence. Their Haki had already awakened, but control was another matter. Yun Che had them learning to suppress and redirect their aura — a skill just as vital as unleashing it.
At the edge of the field, Chu Yueli watched silently alongside Little Fairy whom currently refining her own Haki. She had chosen to delay her own awakening after learning that Mihawk himself would be the one to train her. The thought alone had made her both nervous and excited — and for now, she preferred observing how the others progressed.
Yun Che's gaze drifted back to Qingyue.
Her posture was perfect, her spirit calm, and her focus unwavering. Not a trace of the flustered, starry-eyed girl from the morning remained.
He exhaled softly, the corner of his lips twitching upward.
After everything that happened today, this is… oddly peaceful.
His mind wandered briefly to breakfast — the chaos, the dolls, the storks, and the near collapse of everyone's composure. And to think, this serene, composed young woman meditating before him was one of the causes of that disaster.
It was almost surreal.
He chuckled quietly to himself. I really underestimated her curiosity… and her innocence.
Still, seeing her now — sitting cross-legged, completely immersed in awakening her Haki — was strangely grounding. Her spiritual energy was calm, pure, almost crystalline.
He stepped closer and spoke gently. "Good. You're doing well. Let your awareness expand naturally. Don't force it — Haki isn't about power. It's about understanding. Currently you sensed a lot of presence. Filter them out and leaving behind only human presence. Otherwise, the other non- human presence will overwhelmed your brain."
Qingyue's lashes fluttered as she exhaled, her aura pulsing faintly. The faint shimmer of Observation Haki began to dance around her — delicate, invisible ripples that Yun Che could feel brushing faintly against his own spirit.
He smiled. "There it is."
A few feet away, Mulan peeked open one eye and whispered to Lin Yueru, "She's really something, isn't she?"
Yueru nodded, voice low. "It's like she's born for this. She adapts too fast."
Yun Che folded his arms, pride flickering in his eyes. "She's got a natural sense for it. Once her Observation Haki stabilizes, we'll move to awakening your Armament next."
He paused, glancing at Qingyue again as she steadied her breathing, utterly unaware of his thoughts.
Today was indeed a hectic morning.
---------------------------
The previous night had been nothing short of chaos within the Jin Family estate. Jin Zhuo had spent nearly the entire evening sifting through reports, personally filtering soldiers, servants, and merchants — separating the loyal from those secretly trained or influenced by the Cang Outer Family. Many of the latter, stripped of power and privilege, were reassigned under strict watch, some even offered a second chance as law enforcers under Jin Family oversight.
Under the banner of the Jin soldiers, the city began to change.
Xuanwu City, once fractured by gangs and corruption, was reclaimed in a single day — the culmination of Yun Che's meticulous plan. The once-chaotic streets were now patrolled by disciplined soldiers, and the gangs, stripped of their noble patrons, were swiftly pushed into hiding.
Even as night fell again, the Jin Family grounds buzzed with renewed purpose. Dozens of new members — displaced workers, refugees, and merchants — had been taken in and temporarily housed at the watchkeep, the massive stone fortress that now served as the Jin Family's heart of command.
And then came the real surprise.
Yun Che and Nemu had taken matters into their own hands. Together, they designed and erected a new type of housing — compact, modern dwellings unlike anything Xuanwu City had ever seen.
The Jin Family members could only watch in stunned silence as structures rose one after another within hours, not days. Using materials Yun Che had refined from local resources, Nemu's duplication device, and blueprints inspired by the world he once came from, these homes were insta-built shelters — efficient, durable, and comfortable enough for small families.
In the span of a single night, entire rows of container-like homes filled the watchkeep's outer quarters.Each unit could expand to accommodate a small family of four, complete with living space and bedding compartments.
The results left even the seasoned craftsmen speechless.
Yun Che had solved the housing crisis overnight — introducing a design so modern and compact it felt almost unreal. Built from durable, refined materials, each structure could withstand the elements for decades.
He stood with his hands clasped behind his back, watching as the Jin Family workers assembled one home after another. Each was completed in less than an hour. With hundreds of newly registered laborers, the process ran like clockwork.
It wasn't long before Yun Che distributed interlocking house modules — puzzle-like pieces that fit together without nails or bindings. He taught them to connect each part the way a child would fit blocks, turning complex construction into a simple, foolproof task. The result: solid, disaster-resistant homes, stronger than anything the city had ever seen.
A faint smile touched his lips. This was something he was proud to bring from his 22nd-century world — where ingenuity had become a necessity.
Back in that world, space and money had been luxuries. People built homes like this to fight overpopulation — fast, simple, and affordable. If one shelter could rise in an hour, then a thousand could rise in a day. What he had once seen as survival design had now become hope made tangible.
Beside him, Nemu adjusted her glasses, her calm voice carrying just a trace of pride."The designs are modular," she explained. "We can attach storage, training rooms, or even additional quarters. The Watchkeep is large enough to house several new districts if we plan carefully. Once everyone settles in, we could even expand toward the hillside."
Yun Che nodded thoughtfully, his gaze sweeping over the glowing encampment below."Still," he murmured, "we'll have to keep quiet about how we made so many building blocks appear overnight. The perks of a duplication device, a little knowledge from Minecraft, and some modernized instant-construction tricks."
He smirked faintly. "At least I didn't have to use the Apple like when we built the Japanese Palace on the Imperial Palace third level for a thousand women. Last thing we need is people asking awkward questions again."
Nemu blinked, tilting her head. "Minecraft?"
"It's nothing," Yun Che said with a grin. "Just a… game I used to play."
By midnight, the once-empty grounds of the Watchkeep had transformed into a living community. Lanterns shimmered softly between the neat rows of newly built houses, their golden light reflecting on the polished metal panels.
From the balcony above, Jin Zhuo stood beside his wife, watching the scene unfold with quiet wonder. Below them, hundreds of new homes stood ready — each one simple, strong, and filled with life.
With these designs, they could build not just shelters, but entire districts in a matter of weeks.
Already, over two thousand people had registered under the Jin Family that very night — a much-needed workforce to restore the Watchkeep and stabilize the city. Soon, there would be more, and they would eventually need to pause recruitment until new housing and districts could be built.
The transformation was nothing short of miraculous.And all of it — every spark of order, hope, and innovation — had begun with Yun Che's return.
Jin Zhuo watched the bustling scene from his balcony, gratitude softening his usually stern expression. Heaven truly took pity on us, he thought. Even if Mu Che returned under a new name, as Yun Che… he came back when we needed him most.
Yun Che had already promised to hand over the blueprints for the modular block designs. With them, Jin Zhuo could eventually mass-produce the units and expand the city — building new districts long after Yun Che and his companions departed. It would mark the beginning of a new age for Xuanwu City.
While the city above found new life, Nemu was busy below ground.Using her mechanical expertise and the System Blueprints, she had begun reconstructing the underground generator — a device that converted garbage into energy. With Yun Che's guidance, she was refining it further, developing a system that could also transform household and human waste into renewable power.
It was the same technology Yun Che had once installed beneath Lin Xin's manor and the Imperial Palace, now reborn in this simpler city. Within days, they would have functioning light switches, running water, and even modern toilets — a revolution of hygiene in a world where such things had never existed.
For cultivators, waste was purged as impurities through profound energy; but for ordinary mortals, filth and disease were daily struggles. Toilets, baths, and sanitation were luxuries few could imagine — until now. Soon, the stench of neglect that once clung to Xuanwu City would be replaced with the clean hum of innovation.
Meanwhile, the former nobles from the Cang Outer Palace who sought to serve under the Jin Family found themselves facing a new order. They could become high-ranking members, acting as bridges to other noble houses willing to invest or support the new Jin Family administration over the city.
However, they were warned clearly:Privilege was no longer inherited — it had to be earned.
To be part of the new Jin Family, they would have to live, work, and rise under its banner like everyone else.
==============
Yun Che had only intended to rest in Mulan's room for the night. But by morning, the situation had… evolved.
When he stirred awake, he realized his mattress had been shifted—pulled just enough for Retsu and Nemu to slip in on his right, while Mio had claimed the left. Above his head, Qingyue, Little Fairy, and Chu Yueli had somehow made themselves comfortable as well. And below his legs? Cang Yue, Lin Yueru, and Xue Ling were sound asleep, like cats basking at his feet.
Across the room, Mulan sat with a long-suffering sigh, rubbing her temples. "They did it again…" she muttered under her breath.
These girls really had no sense of restraint when it came to him.Cautious and distant around other men — yet completely unguarded around him. They disliked others, but with him… they slept without hesitation, breathing softly beside him as though it were the most natural thing in the world.
Yun Che stared up at the ceiling, a wry smile tugging at his lips."Could they at least… be mindful?" he whispered to himself.
Still, he didn't have the heart to move them.
The first hint of dawn hadn't yet touched the horizon when he opened his eyes again — this time to find Qingyue already awake, sitting quietly beside him. Her silvery hair shimmered faintly in the dim light.
"You're up early," he murmured, his voice low and still rough with sleep.
Qingyue turned toward him, her silver hair catching the faint glow of pre-dawn light. A faint smile curved her lips."So are you. I was waiting — to be ready for your lessons."
Their quiet exchange rippled softly through the still room, stirring the others from their slumber. One by one, soft groans and sleepy murmurs filled the air as the women began to wake.
All except Retsu.
She blinked slowly, then suddenly shot upright, a sharp breath escaping her lips as though she'd been pulled from deep water. Her hand clutched her chest, eyes wide and trembling for a heartbeat before she steadied herself.
"Retsu?" Yun Che's tone was calm, but his gaze sharpened. "What happened?"
Retsu hesitated, her breathing uneven. Then, with deliberate slowness, she exhaled — regaining her composure piece by piece."I… don't know," she said softly. "It felt real. Too real."
Mulan, still seated at the edge of the bed, frowned. "A bad dream?"
Retsu's eyes flickered toward her, then away — as if she were choosing her words carefully. "Sort of."
Her tone was light, but Yun Che didn't miss the way her fingers still trembled slightly against the sheets.
He studied her for a long moment, then sighed, letting it go — for now. "If you say so."
Pushing himself up, he stretched briefly before glancing at the others."Alright, rise and shine, ladies," he said, his tone returning to its usual casual authority. "If you want to start training, better get moving."
As he turned toward the hotspring, his footsteps were steady, but his eyes lingered briefly on Retsu. She sat there in silence, her gaze distant — as though whatever she'd seen was still clinging to her soul.
Yun Che didn't ask again.But he made a mental note to watch her closely.
After everyone had finished washing up and fixing their hair, the kitchen filled with the soft hum of morning chatter. Retsu was at the counter, guiding Mio and Nemu through the delicate art of making pancakes. The sweet aroma of batter and butter began to spread through the room as Yun Che lent a hand, setting out ingredients and warming the stove.
They had to eat before training — even cultivators needed breakfast.
The others were still getting ready, laughter echoing faintly from the nearby hall. Yet, even amidst the morning bustle, Yun Che noticed the distant look in Retsu's eyes.
"You alright?" he asked, handing her a bowl of flour. "You look a bit… dazed."
"I'm fine," Retsu said quickly, waving her hand with a gentle smile. "It was just a dream. Nothing important."
Before he could say more, Nemu raised her hand timidly, holding a milk bottle and a half-open bag of pancake mix."Nee-sama! I… forgot the pancake recipe again."
"Ret-chan, help!" Mio called from the other side, already holding a bowl upside down in confusion.
"Hai, hai… one moment, please excuse me, Yuu-kun." Retsu bowed politely before darting over to rescue her two culinary disasters.
Yun Che chuckled softly as he watched her go. Maybe she's just still shaken from that dream… he thought, shaking his head.
Retsu clapped her hands to get their attention as she relay in Japanese. "Alright, listen carefully. First — break the eggs into the bowl."
Both Mio and Nemu followed obediently.
"Then, add one cup of milk."
"Hai…" the two echoed, pouring it in.
"And then, some pancake flour," Retsu said, smiling warmly. "After that, beat it with a chinpo."
"Hai… beat it with a chinpo and beat it well—"The two girls froze mid-motion, wooden spoons hovering in the air.
"…Beat it with a what?!" Mio's voice cracked.
Even Yun Che's hand stopped mid-stir. He blinked, certain he'd misheard.
"With a what?! How are we supposed to use that?!" Mio shouted, face turning crimson.
Retsu blinked, her brain finally catching up. "Ah—no, no, sorry! Not that! Use a whisk! A whisk! Not… the wiener!"
The entire kitchen fell silent. Then Nemu dropped her spoon with a clatter.
"Ret-chan! You're still half-asleep!" Mio groaned, covering her face.
Even Yun Che had to laugh, though he tried to hide it behind his hand. "Are you sure you're alright?" he asked, grinning.
Retsu's cheeks burned a deep crimson, puffed in embarrassment. "I-I'm fine! Just… a slip of the tongue!"
Before Yun Che could tease her further, she leaned in and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek."Ah, don't worry, Yuu-kun," she said softly, flashing a smile to hide her fluster. "I'm really fine."
He blinked, caught off guard for a second — then smirked. "Mind telling us that dream, then?"
Retsu froze. "N-No… it's nothing! Muu…" She turned away, her face glowing even redder.
Yun Che chuckled. "I see, I see. Must've just been half-asleep. Anyway, changing the subject…" He picked up a pan and looked at her with mock seriousness. "Do you still remember that Okinawan biscuit-style sweet you once made? We could do that for breakfast."
Retsu tilted her head, thinking. "Ah… I think I remember making it. You said it was from Okinawa, right?"
"Yeah," Yun Che said, scratching his head. "But I can't remember the name… something like… Chin… chin…"
"Ah! I remember!" Retsu said brightly. "Chinkosu!"
"No, no, wait—" Retsu tried correcting, but Mio had already dropped her spoon.
"Ah, no," She tried again. "It's Chinkasu, right?"
"No!" Retsu frowned, thinking harder. "Maybe it was Chinpoko?"
Yun Che froze mid-motion, shoulders shaking. Mio stared at Retsu in utter disbelief.
Then Retsu suddenly clapped her hands. "Ah! It's Chinsuko!"
A long pause followed. Nemu and Mio blinked at her — then exchanged horrified looks. Even Yun Che was biting his lip, fighting the urge to laugh.
"Ret-chan…" Mio said slowly, "are you sure you're okay this morning?"
Nemu snorted, barely containing her laughter. "Nee-sama, please… stop saying Japanese schlong words so casually"
Retsu froze. Her eyes went wide — then she slowly ducked behind the table, her face as red as a ripened tomato.
"...Nee-sama?" Nemu blinked, leaning to peek under the table.
A muffled voice came from below. "I should crawl into a hole and hide for the rest of my life…"
From somewhere deep in her mind, Retsu could practically hear Yachiru laughing uncontrollably. The mortification was real — she couldn't even blame her tongue anymore. Ever since that dream last night, her thoughts had been hopelessly scrambled. Every other word that left her mouth seemed to… turn indecent.
And now that she realized what those three "practice words" before Chinsuko actually meant—she wanted the floor to swallow her whole.
Mio leaned over the counter, grinning mischievously. "Okay, Ret-chan… either you tell us what's going on, or we'll keep teasing you for the rest of the day."
"Please don't," Retsu groaned, her voice small. "I'm having enough mental trauma as it is…"
Yun Che raised an eyebrow, folding his arms. "Then talk. We're all ears."
Retsu sighed in defeat, slowly standing back up. Her face was still flushed, but she managed to look them in the eye. "Fine… Yachiru was telling me something last night. About… a woman who was born with a… man thing."
The entire room went quiet for a heartbeat.
"…Okay," Yun Che said carefully, "and?"
"I kept thinking about it," Retsu admitted, looking mortified. "And I ended up dreaming about a girl who confessed she had one. I woke up before it ended."
Mio blinked once. "That's… actually what startled you this morning?"
Retsu nodded miserably. "Yes…"
"Pfff—" Mio bit her lip, trying to hold it in. "Pfffhahahaha!"
Nemu doubled over, giggling behind her sleeve. Even Yun Che tried — and failed — to keep a straight face.
"Retsu…" he managed between breaths, clutching his stomach, "I swear… if anyone else here spoke Japanese, we'd all be executed for indecency by now."
Retsu's entire face turned crimson again. "Yuu-kun! Don't laugh!" she huffed, grabbing a ladle and wave it playfully.
"Alright, alright!" Yun Che raised his hands in surrender, still chuckling.
The kitchen erupted into laughter once more. Even Retsu, despite wanting nothing more than to crawl under the table and disappear, couldn't help but laugh with them — soft, embarrassed, but genuine.
"Hahaha, don't think about it too much,"Yun Che teased, a grin tugging at his lips. "It's kind of funny seeing the usually composed Retsu act like this in the morning."
"Muu…" Retsu puffed her cheeks, pouting in mock protest.
"Don't worry," Yun Che added, chuckling. "We're the only ones who understand any of this anyway. You'd need someone who actually speaks Japanese to make sense of this entire conversation."
Retsu sighed, brushing her bangs aside with a small huff. "Maybe I was thinking too much about it. After breakfast, I'm going to give Yachiru a very long piece of my mind."
"Good idea," Yun Che said, stifling a laugh. "Now let's finish making breakfast before another schlong pun sneaks its way in."
"Yuu-kun!" Retsu yelped, brandishing the ladle playfully, eyes wide with mock outrage as she pout.
He dodged away with a laugh, hands raised in playful surrender." All right, all right! I'll stop! Promise!"
Mio and Nemu were giggling so hard they could barely stir the batter, while Qingyue—who had entered halfway through the chaos—stood in quiet confusion, unsure whether to intervene or quietly retreat.
And just like that, the last traces of unease melted away. The kitchen filled once again with warmth — the sound of laughter, the faint sizzling of batter, and the soft glow of morning sunlight spilling through the windows.
However, the morning chaos was far from over.
Dawn had already been a whirlwind of laughter and noise, but breakfast… somehow managed to be even livelier.
The group sat together in the Jin Family's grand dining hall — Yun Che, Retsu, Mio, Nemu, Qingyue, Cang Yue, Yoru,Little Fairy, Chu Yueli, Lin Yueru and Xue Ling, joined by Jin Zhuo, Jin Yuelian, and Mulan. The long table brimmed with warm food — pancakes, rice, sweet biscuits, and tea — the room filled with chatter and laughter.
Jin Zhuo ate calmly as always, while Jin Yuelian tried her best to keep up with the lively energy of Yun Che's group. Mulan, meanwhile, wore the patient smile of someone who'd long accepted that chaos followed Yun Che wherever he went. Her brother, on the other hand, was nowhere to be seen — he had declared that sleep was the highest form of cultivation and refused to get up.
At the end of the table, Nezuko sat happily on Chu Yueli's lap, her little legs swinging as she munched on her breakfast.
Little Fairy smiled quietly beneath her veil as she watched her younger sister's bright expression. Across from them, Xue Ling was laughing softly, feeding the child small bites of fruit between her own meal. Yesterday's outing together had clearly done wonders — they looked closer than ever.
But then, the morning took a turn.
It wasn't Yun Che who caused it. Nor Retsu, surprisingly.The unexpected chaos came from the smallest person at the table — Nezuko.
She had been uncharacteristically quiet for a while, lost in thought. Yesterday, she had seen dozens of families moving into the new homes in the Watchkeep — and among them, one woman carrying a tiny bundle of joy had caught her eye.
Now, her curiosity could no longer be contained.
"Mama!" Nezuko chirped suddenly, turning toward Chu Yueli.
"Yes, dear?" Yueli asked warmly, brushing the child's hair back.
Nezuko blinked innocently, tilting her head. "Where do babies come from?"
The entire room went silent.
Forks clattered. Retsu froze mid-bite. Mio choked on her tea. Nemu blinked several times, her face instantly turning pink.
Even Yun Che — who had faced down tyrants, assassins, even an ascended dragon— looked completely caught off guard.
"W–What?" Chu Yueli stammered, her composure cracking for the first time that morning.
"Babies!" Nezuko said again, completely earnest. "That lady yesterday had a baby! Where did it come from?"
Chu Yueli, red as a cherry, tried to calm Nezuko's curiosity. "W-We'll talk about that when you're a bit older, alright?"
"But Mama, I'm already five!" Nezuko puffed her cheeks and waved her fists.
The rest of the table went quiet — painfully quiet.
Every eye suddenly found something else to look at. The ceiling. The floor. The window. The pancakes. Anything but Nezuko.
Even Xue Ling, who was laughing moments ago, turned her head sharply aside, pretending to be fascinated by the teapot. Chu Yueli glanced around for help, desperate — but everyone who could have spoken either avoided her gaze or pretended to choke on food.
Traitors, she thought flatly.
Left with no choice, Yueli straightened up and tried her best to smile naturally. "Well, um… when a mother and father love each other very much, they, uh—plant a seed. And that seed grows into a baby after… a year."
Nezuko gasped, eyes sparkling. "Really?! Just like a plant?"
"Yes, dear," Yueli said quickly, nodding like her life depended on it. "A… plant. Sort of."
"Babies are cute!" Nezuko cheered, clapping her hands.
Yueli exhaled in relief, quietly whispering to herself, "That's… kind of a safe answer."
Nezuko's attention drifted toward a flock of birds fluttering past the window. Moments later, she and her clones wandered out to the balcony, captivated by the pigeons gathering in the courtyard below. The sudden distraction broke the tension, steering the conversation away entirely.
Chu Yueli let out a quiet sigh of relief — at least Nezuko wouldn't remember that kind of talk.
But her relief didn't last long.
"Actually," Qingyue said thoughtfully, setting down her cup, "I heard that a stork is supposed to bring the baby to the mother."
The air went dead again.
Even the wind outside seemed to stop blowing.
Retsu's lips trembled as she tried not to burst out laughing. Mio bit her knuckle, face red from trying to hold it in. Nemu's shoulders were shaking. Yun Che, on the other hand, looked like he was dying inside.
"Qingyue…" Yun Che said slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose. "Where exactly did you hear that?"
Before she could answer, Jin Zhuo stood from his seat, clearly sensing danger in the air. "Well, I should head out to handle the new marketplace. Do enjoy yourselves."
He bowed slightly — and all but punched out of the room with impressive speed.
Now only the girls and Yun Che remained.
An uneasy silence followed, broken only by the faint clinking of teacups. Then Jin Yuelian, who had been trying and failing to contain her curiosity, leaned forward.
"Qingyue," she began, eyebrow twitching, "you've been married to Che'er for two years… and you don't know where babies come from?"
Qingyue blinked, her expression pure and untroubled. "The Asgard Mistress told me," she said earnestly, "that after marriage, a stork will bring a baby to the mother after nine months."
She paused thoughtfully, her tone serious. "But it's been two years. I haven't seen a single stork deliver a baby to anyone in the Asgard. Not even once."
The room went silent again.
Yun Che's eyes widened, his mind halting for a full second.
He had just been talking about Qingyue's mother to her back then when they reconciled — the woman famed for her Divine Stainless Body, one of the most refined constitutions in the realm — and yet here Qingyue was… sincerely believing she'd been delivered by a magical stork.
He stared at her, utterly at a loss.
She really believes that?
"Wait…" he muttered under his breath, trying to process it. "Qingyue's a year older than Yuanba, so… she must've been just a little baby when her mother was pregnant with Yuanba."
That at least made some sense — she wouldn't have remembered. But still…
He sighed, rubbing the back of his neck as his expression turned somewhere between disbelief and amusement.
All those years of profound cultivation, countless scrolls of divine knowledge, and this woman still thinks storks are magical midwives.
He glanced toward her again. Qingyue sat perfectly composed, sipping tea as if she hadn't just shaken the entire table with her innocent logic.
Yun Che exhaled quietly, shaking his head.
"So what did she think happened?" he murmured to himself. "That her mother used her Divine Stainless Body's essence to create a celestial stork… which then descended from the heavens to deliver her as a divine child?"
He sighed again — a long, weary sound that spoke of acceptance.
Honestly… that might actually be the version she believes.
The image that popped into his mind — a glowing white stork descending from the clouds, carrying a baby Qingyue wrapped in silken light — was so absurdly majestic that he almost started laughing.
He covered his mouth, trying to stifle the grin creeping up his face.
"Unbelievable…" he muttered. "She's the young Asgard Mistress, a scholar in spirit who read thousands of profound books … and she's so innocent that she's basically a five-year-old in anatomy."
But inside, he thought — I've faced demons and monsters…even an ascended dragon! Yet nothing has prepared me for explaining this conversation.
Mio froze mid-sip, eyes wide. Retsu's mouth twitched. Nemu covered her face with both hands. Even Little Fairy, usually composed and reserved, looked seconds away from burying herself under the table.
Yun Che just… stared.
"…Two years," he repeated blankly. "No storks."
Qingyue nodded, looking genuinely perplexed. "None."
Retsu's voice was trembling as she tried to hold back laughter. "Oh, Qingyue… such innocence."
Jin Yuelian exhaled and leaned back, rubbing her forehead. "How can a girl who's read thousands of books still believe in baby storks…"
Yun Che sighed, dragging a hand down his face. "And here I thought I'd seen everything."
Cang Yue chuckled softly behind her teacup. "Seems the Asgard's education system has some… gaps."
Retsu giggled immediately. "Gaps? It's a canyon."
Little Fairy, who had been quiet until now, sighed gently. "It's not entirely their fault," she said, her tone calm but tinged with regret in his mind. "We were told not to speak of such things to the younger ones. It was… necessary. If they believed babies came from storks, they would avoid love entirely. It was one way to preserve the sect's purity."
Chu Yueli nodded solemnly beside her as her voice sounded as well. "Yes. It's a shame, but the Asgard's path demanded such ignorance. Too many fell to temptation in the past… and paid the price with their cultivation."
A heavy silence followed, though it didn't last long.
Mulan exhaled deeply, rubbing her temples. "Still… how in the world are you married and still believe in storks?"
Qingyue blinked, unbothered. "Then… Sister Mulan, where do babies come from?"
Mulan froze mid-sip. "Eh? Why are you asking me?"
"Because you're married to Mu Che," Qingyue said matter-of-factly. "You must know where they come from if not from the storks."
Mulan's face went red in an instant. "I—uh—well…"
Yun Che hid his smirk behind a cup of tea. Retsu, Mio, and Nemu were all silently vibrating with laughter.
"Don't look at us," Yun Che said, raising a hand. "She's the curious one. And trust me, Qingyue's curiosity is like a cat with nine lives — she won't stop until she gets her answer."
Mulan groaned, glancing desperately around the table for help. None came. "Ugh… well… to get a baby, you… you…" Her words trailed off as her blush deepened to a fiery red.
Qingyue tilted her head. "Yes?"
"You… dock!" Mulan blurted out.
"Dock?" Qingyue repeated, completely confused.
"Yes!" Mulan said quickly, waving her hands in panic. "Like… docking! That's how! You, uh… dock!"
Yun Che nearly spat out his tea. "Dock?"
Retsu buried her face in her hands, shaking with laughter. Mio fell onto Nemu's shoulder, crying from trying not to laugh out loud. Even Cang Yue looked away, smiling helplessly. Lin Yueru was the same. Yoru enjoyed her tea and Jin Yuelian couldn't believe her ears.
Qingyue, meanwhile, looked thoughtful. "So… babies are born from docking…"
Mulan sighed in utter defeat, covering her face. "I don't know! Really, I don't! Someone else explain this before I lose the will to live!"
Yun Che chuckled softly, leaning back. "I think it's safer if no one does. Let's keep the baby stork theory for now — it's less dangerous."
However, Qingyue wasn't convinced.
Her brows furrowed slightly as she thought for a moment, then, with complete innocence, she reached into her spatial ring and pulled out two small training dolls — the same ones the Asgard Mistress had once used to demonstrate cultivation postures for balance and energy flow.
She held them up in both hands, their tiny wooden limbs still jointed in various positions, and then handed them carefully to Mulan.
"If words can't explain it," Qingyue said sincerely, "can you use these dolls to demonstrate?"
The entire room froze.
Mulan stared at the dolls as if she were holding two ticking bombs.Her face turned bright red, and her hands trembled slightly as she glanced helplessly at Yun Che — who immediately looked away, shoulders shaking as he tried not to laugh.
"M-Mulan?" Cang Yue murmured, biting her lip.
"I—uh…" Mulan stuttered, cornered by both the situation and Qingyue's utterly genuine eyes. "Well, I suppose I can try to… illustrate it…"
She took a deep breath, then awkwardly set one doll upright and placed the other… on top of it.Her voice was trembling. "I-I'm sorry, Qingyue, but this is the best I can do."
The table went dead silent for three seconds.
Then Qingyue tilted her head, studying the dolls intently. "This doesn't look comfortable."
That was it.
Retsu nearly fell off her chair, laughing into her sleeve. Mio and Nemu were clutching each other, faces red from trying to hold back their laughter. Cang Yue had turned away, covering her mouth with her sleeve, and Yun Che…
Yun Che looked like he was going to explode.
Little Fairy and Chu Yueli looked sideways. Even both sisters didn't dare to prod into the topic.
He had survived divine beasts and demonic cultivators, but this — this was the deadliest battle yet.
No one — not a single soul — dared to explain the proper way.
Qingyue, for all her intelligence and refinement, was still far too pure… but dangerously curious.
And as they all silently feared, one day, that curiosity was going to kill the cat.
Still not giving up, she turned toward Jin Yuelian, who had been quietly sipping her tea in the corner, pretending she wasn't there.
"Mother," Qingyue asked sweetly, tilting her head. "How are babies made?"
The teacup froze halfway to Jin Yuelian's lips.
She blinked once. Twice. Then, slowly turned her gaze toward Yun Che, her expression a perfect mixture of disbelief, confusion, and silent accusation.
"…Didn't Che'er teach you?"
Qingyue shook her head innocently. "No."
The silence that followed could have frozen fire.
"Oh dear," Yuelian murmured weakly. That was all she could manage.
"Well, you see…" she began, trying to collect herself, but when she met Qingyue's wide, curious eyes — the kind of pure, unblemished gaze that could make even saints feel guilty — her resolve crumbled completely.
"I… really don't know how it happens," Yuelian admitted helplessly.
"Eh? But you have two children," Qingyue replied, frowning slightly. "How can you not know?"
That earned a few snorts around the table.
Yuelian glanced desperately around for help — from Mulan, from Cang Yue, from literally anyone."Please… someone help me," she whispered, eyes darting like a cornered animal.
No one moved. No one dared. Even Yun Che pretended to sip his tea, though his shoulders were shaking suspiciously.
Then Qingyue, in her endless quest for answers, produced the two dolls again and placed them gently in front of Yuelian.
"You can use these to explain," she said sincerely.
Yuelian stared down at the dolls like she was staring at her doom.
"…I see," she said at last, straightening up with the solemn dignity of someone heading to their execution. "Very well. I'll… demonstrate."
What followed could only be described as legendary.
She picked up the dolls and arranged them… side by side. One even looked like leaping the other. Then upside down. Then… back-to-back in a twisted position?
Each attempt got more bizarre than the last.
The room was dead silent for three seconds — and then the dam broke.
Retsu burst out laughing first behind her veil. Mio and Nemu followed, gasping for air as they clutched their stomachs. Even Cang Yue, usually composed and regal, was hiding her laughter behind her sleeve.
Jin Yuelian finally gave up, dropping the dolls onto the table and covering her face. "I'm married, for heaven's sake! Why is this so hard to explain?!"
Yun Che couldn't breathe from laughing. "B-Because you just made it look like a martial arts demonstration!"
"Or an exorcism," Retsu wheezed.
Meanwhile, Qingyue stared at the dolls, still utterly serious. "…That doesn't look very natural."
That was it. The entire table lost it.
And as laughter filled the room once again, even Yuelian cracked a smile through her embarrassment.
Of all the enemies I've faced, Yun Che thought between laughs, none have been as powerful… as Qingyue's curiosity.
"For some reason," Qingyue sighed softly, frowning, "none of this actually answers the question."
The entire table tensed again. Even the air seemed to stop moving.
Yun Che sighed, realizing there was no other way — he had to end this before someone said something that would scar the breakfast table forever.
"You're right," he said seriously.
"Eh?" Qingyue blinked, tilting her head.
"Babies do come from storks," Yun Che said with a perfectly straight face. "But they can only be summoned by the father. You see, Asgardians never had husbands, right? So… the stork never came."
Qingyue's eyes widened slightly. "Ah… I see. That makes sense."
Around the table, shoulders dropped in quiet relief. The collective exhale was almost audible.
But then Qingyue frowned again. "But… I've been married to you for two years. Why hasn't the stork come?"
Yun Che didn't even flinch. He was already prepared. "Like your master said — when a mother and father love each other deeply, they sprout a seed. The stork senses that love and carries the baby to them. We just… haven't reached that level yet."
Qingyue nodded earnestly, expression full of pure understanding. "Ah, I see. So we're… not at the right level yet."
"Exactly."
A long pause followed — then, one by one, everyone at the table sighed in sheer, exhausted relief.
He did it. Yun Che actually did it.
A clean escape, no casualties.
Retsu slumped against Mio, tears of laughter still in her eyes. "That… was close…"
Even Nemu, the scientist of the group, looked visibly relieved. Her logical brain had been on the brink of collapse trying to find a way to explain biology without triggering chaos.
Cang Yue smiled faintly, sipping her tea. "You're surprisingly good at improvising under pressure."
Yun Che exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. "Desperate times, desperate measures, Princess. You learn to survive."
He stood up, stretching his arms as if shaking off the mental battle he just fought. "Anyway… let's move on before she asks where the stork keeps the babies."
"Wait—" Qingyue started.
"Nope." Yun Che cut her off quickly, already heading for the door. "Breakfast is over. If you want to learn Haki, get ready. I'll be waiting in the courtyard."
And with that, he made his escape — calm, composed, and internally screaming.
The others watched him go, and for a brief, glorious moment, the entire table burst into laughter again.
Even Qingyue, still a little confused but content with her "answer," smiled softly to herself.
One crisis averted. For now.
After the girl excused herself to prepare in her room, a calm quiet finally settled over the courtyard.
That peace didn't last long.
Retsu crossed her arms and sighed. "You know, we could've just told her the truth. About how babies are actually made."
Yun Che gave her a deadpan look, a bead of sweat forming on his temple. "We could've, yes… but for a mind as innocent as hers, do you really think she could handle the process?"
Retsu tilted her head, smirking. "She's a wife. She'll find out sooner or later."
Yun Che rubbed his forehead. "Let her find out when she's ready. I'm not about to destroy her worldview before training. She still has to come to terms with how she came into existence… even if the whole thing sounds indecent to her right now."
Mulan sighed, shaking her head with a faint smile. "It's funny, though… she actually believes babies come from storks. Completely, wholeheartedly."
Yun Che chuckled lightly. "Her mind's like that because she's been sheltered all her life. Her beauty drew too much attention, even among Asgard. They kept her isolated — shielded from everything, even knowledge like this. We can't force her to grow up too fast. She'll learn, in time… and when she does, she'll finally understand what being married really means."
Mulan covered her mouth to stifle a giggle. "Still, it's kind of adorable. To think she actually waited for a stork to appear after marrying you."
Yun Che gave her a helpless smile. "You and me both. I didn't expect she'd take it that literally."
Chu Yueli leaned back, laughing softly. "Not exactly. The Asgard Mistress apparently told them the stork brings a baby after one year of marriage. So when the bird didn't come, Qingyue thought something was wrong."
Retsu chuckled. "Well, she's not wrong. Something is missing — the explanation."
Yun Che sighed, shaking his head. "Anyway, let her find out one day. Preferably from one of you. I'd rather it be a woman — it'll sound a lot less scandalous that way."
Mulan rested her chin on her hand, smiling slyly. "Wouldn't it be better if her husband told her?"
Yun Che groaned. "No. Then she'll think I married her just for that. Next thing I know, she'll be calling me a pervert or a lecher. Or worse....."
From across the table, Lin Yueru smirked. "Wouldn't be the first time someone's thought that."
He looked at her flatly. "You're just getting back at me, aren't you?"
Lin Yueru smirked. "Maybe."
The group broke into quiet laughter again, the teasing warm and familiar.
For a moment, Yun Che let himself smile. After the chaos, after the storks and dolls and awkward explanations, the air finally felt light again.
Still, he thought to himself with an amused sigh—If Qingyue ever learns the truth from anyone else, I just hope I'm not in the room when it happens.
=====================
The courtyard was quiet except for the faint rustle of wind and the rhythmic pulse of profound energy flowing through the air.
Qingyue sat cross-legged on the grass plain, her eyes closed, her expression calm yet tense with focus. Beads of sweat gathered on her brow as she tried to stabilize the invisible storm swirling inside her.
Yun Che stood before her, hand raised, two fingers resting lightly against her forehead. His voice was low, steady, and guiding.
"Once awakened," he said softly, "Haki lets you sense everything — energy, motion, even the faintest intent. But if you don't control it…" His tone grew slightly sterner. "It'll overwhelm you. You'll hear every voice, feel every emotion, see every movement. It's like standing inside a thousand storms at once."
He stepped back slightly, his gaze firm. "So, filter them. Leave only intent. The voices will come later, when you're ready to handle them. For now, block everything else."
Qingyue's breathing grew heavier, her fingers trembling slightly as she focused. Threads of silver-blue aura shimmered faintly around her, the subtle sign of her consciousness spreading outward.
"Good," Yun Che murmured. "Now, sense the intent. Don't just feel it — follow it. If you can sense an intent, you can detect its path before it moves. That's how I avoided all your attacks. But remember—" his tone sharpened, "if you act too soon, the intent shifts. Read it, don't chase it."
Qingyue's brow furrowed. The world around her was an ocean of noise — too much, too fast. Every flicker of wind, every spark of energy echoed in her mind. She tried to isolate one feeling from another, but it was like trying to see through a blizzard.
Then suddenly, Yun Che's eyes widened.
A faint crystalline glow began to pulse from within her — cold, clear, radiant. He could feel it.
The Heart of Snow Glazed Glass.
A smirk tugged at his lips. "So that's your secret weapon…"
He folded his arms, watching closely. The ancient heart wasn't just amplifying her power — it was coordinating it, acting like a perfect co-pilot. The chaotic flood of perception began to align itself, her aura shifting from turbulent to tranquil.
He could almost hear the silence forming around her, like the air itself was holding its breath.
"Impressive," he muttered, admiration in his tone. "It's helping her filter the noise automatically."
Under his watch, Qingyue's breathing steadied, her aura smoothing into a calm, resonant rhythm. The once-storming pulses of her Observation Haki were now flowing with balance and grace — still raw, but undeniably there.
Yun Che smiled faintly, folding his hands behind his back."At this rate," he murmured to himself, "a few days, and she'll master Observation Haki. She won't match Retsu, Nemu, or Mio yet… but for a beginner? She's a genius."
He looked at her one last time — her ebony hair shifting gently in the morning breeze, her eyes closed in focus, her divine heart shimmering faintly beneath her skin — and for a fleeting moment, he felt a strange peace.
Yun Che stood in the courtyard, arms folded, his eyes calmly tracing the movements of Xue Ling, Jin Mulan, and Lin Yueru. The three women stood in quiet concentration, their auras flickering with subtle ripples as they filtered the waves of intent around them — refining the Observation Haki he'd helped them awaken days ago.
Their progress was steady, elegant. Each adjustment of breath, each faint shimmer of energy carried proof of their growing mastery.
A small, satisfied smile crossed his lips. They're improving faster than expected.
A soft breeze swept across the training grounds — and then, without warning, a familiar presence descended behind him.
"Did she do well?"
Chu Yueli's voice was calm but cool, her words carrying that faintly melodic tone unique to her. The edge of her veiled hat fluttered gently in the wind, sunlight tracing its outline.
Yun Che didn't turn immediately; his gaze lingered a moment longer on Qingyue before he replied."Yes. She's awakened it," he said evenly. "Now she's focusing on refining it — tuning her perception until she can sense intent without being overwhelmed."
Yueli nodded slowly. "To think… you're the 'expert' my sister spoke of."
Yun Che finally turned toward her, meeting her eyes through the thin veil. "I am," he said simply. Then, with a small grin, he added, "Though you didn't expect your sister's 'expert' to turn out to be someone half her age."
Yueli blinked, caught off guard. Her composure faltered just slightly — enough for a faint blush to rise beneath her veil. "I see…"
She had imagined someone older — a sagely figure, perhaps a reclusive master with white hair and weary eyes. But instead, the man standing before her was young, unassuming, and frustratingly calm. A man whose presence neither threatened nor tempted — simply was.
That alone unsettled her more than she cared to admit.
She had spent years closing her heart to men, training her will to reject them utterly — even their presence made her heart recoil. But with him… nothing. No rejection, no unease. Just quiet acceptance.
Just like... him.
She'd thought it a fluke at first, an accident of proximity. But after spending time around him, after sharing mornings and meals… that calm had only deepened.
Even now, she refused to remove her veiled hat, even during breakfast. Her discipline demanded it. Yet she couldn't help noticing how different he was.
He doesn't even look, she thought. Not once. Despite he can see her true appearance all the time.
With women like Retsu, Nemu, and Mio beside him — beauties that could silence any room — he still never wavered. Never ogled. Never acted.
It made her wonder — not insulted, but genuinely curious — whether Asgardian beauty simply held no weight in his eyes.
Lost in thought, she realized he was watching her quietly. His calm gaze caught hers through the veil.
"What?" he asked, brow slightly raised.
Yueli straightened immediately, the faint blush deepening. "N-Nothing," she said quickly, turning her head aside. "Just… observing your methods."
Yun Che's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "You sure about that?"
Her shoulders stiffened. "Yes."
He chuckled softly and turned back toward the training field, his tone casual. Yueli crossed her arms beneath her veil, glaring lightly though he couldn't see it. Insufferable man.
And yet… her heart felt oddly calm again.
The courtyard had grown quiet again, the morning air crisp and filled with the faint hum of profound energy. The sun had risen high enough to cast soft light through the pale mist, painting everything in muted gold.
Chu Yueli stood at the edge for a long moment, watching Xia Qingyue in silent meditation. The calm aura around them, the steady rhythm of Yun Che's voice guiding, almost lulled her into stillness.
Then she spoke — quietly, but clearly."If you don't mind… could you awaken my Haki as well?"
Yun Che turned toward her, a brow raised. "I thought you wanted to wait for Mihawk."
Her veil fluttered slightly as she shook her head. "He can help me refine it. But I… wish to learn the foundation from you."
He regarded her for a moment, then nodded. "Alright. If you're certain, sit next to Qingyue. It might feel strange at first, but I'll guide you through it."
Yueli hesitated only for a second before moving closer, lowering herself gracefully onto the mat beside Qingyue. Her composure never wavered, though she could feel her heartbeat quickening.
To think… she mused quietly, the same man who once crushed my aura at Qingyue's wedding — whose presence alone made me falter — is now the one helping me awaken something within myself.
Yun Che knelt in front of her, his expression calm and focused. "Close your eyes."
She obeyed.
He reached out, his fingers resting gently against her forehead. The contact was light — no more than a whisper — yet it sent a faint pulse through her entire being.
Her breath caught. For a moment, she felt something vast and deep unfold around her, as if the world itself had gone silent to make room for the unseen.
Yun Che silently activated the system interface, his consciousness brushing hers. Just as he had with Qingyue, he guided her spiritual core toward that delicate threshold between awareness and chaos — the moment when Haki first awakened.
He didn't force it. He simply opened the path, steady and precise.
And then she felt it — that spark.A pulse of intent, a ripple of presence that made the air shiver.
Yueli gasped softly, eyes widening beneath her veil. "This… is it?"
Yun Che nodded. "Let it flow, don't resist it. You'll feel everything — sound, pressure, intent — all at once. Focus on what you want to feel. That's how you filter it."
The courtyard filled with quiet resonance — Qingyue's calm, crystalline aura intertwining with Yueli's newly awakened one. Two different melodies weaving together under Yun Che's guidance.
He adjusted his focus, fine-tuning their flow like an artist correcting brush strokes.
Hours passed unnoticed. The world had narrowed to quiet breathing, slow heartbeats, and the hum of awakening power.
By midday, both Qingyue and Yueli had found balance — their auras no longer turbulent, but steady and bright.
Standing a short distance away, Little Fairy watched with a small, knowing smile behind her veil. Her eyes softened as she saw Yueli's posture relax, her shoulders no longer stiff.
That rascal, she thought amusedly, he's going to charm my sister before she even realizes it.
She exhaled faintly, a smile ghosting her lips. And honestly… I wouldn't stop him.
Maybe she would wait until her sister was ready before she can learn waterbending.
That thought lingered in Little Fairy's heart as she watched Yueli meditate beneath the morning light, her aura steady and serene as she awakened her Haki. The ripples of spiritual pressure in the courtyard pulsed like a heartbeat — steady, rhythmic, alive.
Little Fairy smiled faintly beneath her veil. Yes… perhaps it's better this way.
She awakened her Haki and now it was her turn — she knew that. But she also knew what her heart wanted.
To rise together.
==========================
The Wu Clan's high elders sat grim and silent beneath the carved beams of the council hall on Wangya Island. One day had collapsed into a dozen disasters: two elders gone in as many nights, an assault on the island with no identifiable attackers, men found with neat, inexplicable holes through their skulls — as if pierced by microscopic cannons — stores of hollowed pills destroyed, and their forward base blasted to ruin.
Elder Fang had vanished into the night, presumed dead; the mission to execute Princess Cang Yue had failed; and worse, the princess herself had cut down Wu Lang, one of their finest elders.
Across Xuanwu City, their control had unraveled. Tian Heng's network collapsed, the poor slipped from their grasp, and the Outer Cang Family had been purged from power. Even the roads to the Jin watchkeep — once secured by loyal gangs — were now open. Liu Wuyan's authority in the city wavered; Jin Zhuo's reinstatement only sharpened the humiliation.
"We can't let this continue," one elder rasped, voice tight with barely contained fury. "The city is rallying."
"All because of one man," another growled. He slammed a palm on the table so hard the carved wood trembled. "Mu Che — wasn't he supposed to be dead?"
"Apparently not." A younger elder spat the name like a curse. "The moment he came back, everything started collapsing again. Just like before."
"He must be eliminated," the council agreed in a chorus that grew colder by the second. "Before this spreads. Before the city — before the entire invasion — is ruined."
A slim, pale-faced elder leaned forward, eyes glittering. "First: the Jin Family and Princess Cang Yue. Remove them, and the people will lose their rallying point. The city will fracture... and with it, our reach will be restored. If the city falls, the empire's influence will snap back into place."
A low, cold chuckle rolled through the hall — not from amusement, but from a mind already laying nets and traps.
"We cannot throw elders at ghosts," the pale-faced elder said, voice like a blade. "They hide behind veils, strike with precision, and vanish. Sending more elders will only hand them trophies. We must act where they least expect: behind their walls."
He tapped the map of Xuanwu with a fingernail, tracing lines to the watchkeep and the trade routes. "First: we sever Jin Zhuo's supply lines — the gangs who once controlled the roads must be neutralized quietly, not openly. Hit the caravans at night with small, surgical teams. Make it look like bandits so the common people fear, but do not rally."
Another elder leaned in. "We cut their patronage next. If we can isolate the Jin Family politically — expose someone trusted as corrupt, stage a scandal — then the people's faith will fracture. A city that doubts its savior returns to old guards."
"The Wu Clan will not move openly," the pale elder continued. "We will dispatch a covert wing: assassins and saboteurs trained to use the new devices — the same micro-projectiles that drilled those skulls — and to exploit the shadows around the Watchkeep. Not to charge the walls, but to corrupt from within: false allies, poisoned resources, whispered rumors."
A murmur of agreement, then a harder plan hardened like steel. "We call on Tian Heng," one said. "He still has contacts among those who loiter in the alleys and courts. If we can pull his strings, we can set an internal blade twisting at the Jin Family's heart." Another elder spat the name like bile. "And if Tian Heng fails, we burn his holdings. No more weak links."
"Finally," the pale elder murmured, eyes narrowing until they were mere slits, "we draw Mu Che out. Not by brute force, but by making him need to reveal himself. Stage a crisis where Jin Zhuo's people appear to be the true villains — force Mu Che to show his hand to protect the city. When he moves, we strike at the moment of his compassion."
Silence fell after that — heavier than before. Each elder understood the grim calculus: blunt power had failed them. Subterfuge, poison, and the careful pulling of strings were their only path back to dominance.
Outside, wind tore across Wangya Island and the sea spat whitecaps against the cliffs. The storm moving in felt less like weather and more like a countdown.
Unaware that a small cylinder like device is listening everything.
Word for word.