Chapter 891 – "Different Worlds"
Ying Hua's grey-silver hair brushed over Alex's arm as she shifted on his lap, her bare thighs draped across him. Her small hand slid up his chest in a slow, familiar motion, fingertips tracing the line of muscle beneath his robes. The closeness between them carried no hesitation — only the ease of someone who had long since decided that no one else could ever sit in her place.
Her lips curved faintly as she looked up at him. "Father…" she murmured, her tone almost playful, but with that unmistakable thread of reverence, "you've been speaking with Mother Amaterasu about the Aten rice again, haven't you?"
Alex's dark eyes softened a fraction. "We talked about what it's done for Earth."
Ying Hua's fingers paused in their slow tracing, her expression turning contemplative. "Father… you're too kind." Her voice carried no mockery — only quiet certainty, as if stating an immutable truth. "You created something that not only ended hunger, but made people wiser, calmer… more human."
She shifted her position so she could face him more fully, one knee bent on either side of his hips, her small frame pressing close. Her silver gaze searched his. "But… Aten's rice would never work here."
Alex tilted his head slightly. "Why do you say that?"
Her lips pressed together for a moment before she spoke. "Because this is a cultivation world. More than half the cultivators here do everything for power — and nothing else. Their choices, their alliances, their morality… all of it is measured by strength. To them, kindness is weakness. Wisdom that tells them to step back instead of seize… would be discarded the moment it threatened their advancement."
She leaned in, her forehead resting lightly against his. "On Earth, you gave people the chance to think for themselves. Here, most would only use that clarity to find faster, more ruthless ways to climb higher — even if it meant crushing those beneath them."
Her breath warmed his skin as she continued. "In this world, the weak aren't protected by rules or empathy. They're prey. Aten's rice here wouldn't awaken compassion — it would just make predators sharper."
Alex's hands settled on her hips, his thumbs brushing over the soft skin there. "You sound certain of that."
Ying Hua smiled faintly, though there was no joy in it. "I am. I've seen too much of it already. The politics of sects, the hunger for realms and titles. If you planted Aten's rice here, Father… the ones who would benefit most are the ones already holding the sword."
She drew back just enough to meet his eyes, her own steady and unflinching. "And that's why you are kind. Because you see the difference. You know when to give a gift to a world… and when to withhold it to protect it from itself."
Her fingers curled lightly into his robes as her voice lowered to that quiet, reverent tone she used only for him. "And I love you for that."
Her gaze didn't waver, but the faint softness in her tone sharpened. "And this, Father… is why I want to kill all the men in this world."
Her silver-grey hair slid forward as she leaned closer, her voice low but fierce. "They're just trash. Poop. Filth. No matter how much power they gain, they use it the same way — to take, to destroy, to feed their own greed. If Aten's rice awakened their minds, it wouldn't make them better. It would make them more dangerous."
Her hand tightened lightly against his chest. "The women here… they can change. They can learn. They can serve someone worthy. But men?" She shook her head slowly, her lips curling with disdain. "They are stains on this world. The only good they can do is die and stop infecting it."
There was no hesitation in her words — no heat of anger, only the cold certainty of belief long since cemented. "If you order it, Father, I will make this world clean. I will erase every last one of them until only you remain. And then…" she drew in a breath, her voice lowering to a quiet vow, "this will finally be a place worth living in."
Alex's eyes held hers, calm but unreadable, while her body remained pressed against him — devotion and fanaticism bound together in the small frame that saw him as the only man worthy of existence.
Alex's hands tightened slightly on her hips, his voice calm but firm. "You can't do that, Ying Hua."
Her breath caught for the briefest moment. She searched his face, finding no hesitation there — only the quiet authority that made his word final.
She didn't argue. She never would. But as her gaze dropped for a heartbeat, her thoughts curled inward. Why…? Why are the men in this world so lucky?
Lucky to still be breathing.
Lucky that the only man she obeyed had spared them.
Lucky that her Father's will was the one law she could never break.
When she looked back up at him, the silver in her eyes gleamed with both devotion and the faintest trace of frustration. But she didn't press the matter. Instead, she shifted closer, resting her forehead against his chest, letting the steady rhythm of his heartbeat anchor her.
In her mind, one truth remained unshaken — even if she couldn't purge the filth herself, as long as her Father lived, none of them would ever matter.
Ying Hua's forehead rested against his chest for a moment longer before she tilted her head up, the faintest smile tugging at her lips. Her small hands slid down his torso, her touch slow, deliberate — a silent shift from talk to action.
"Father," she murmured, her voice as soft as silk yet edged with something darker, "if you won't let me kill them all… perhaps I can make them wish they were dead."
Alex's brows drew slightly together. "No."
She brushed her lips against his collarbone, her silver-grey hair falling forward like a veil. "Then what if I take their strength away? Break their cultivation, one by one, until they're nothing but crawling worms?"
His hand came to rest at the back of her head, not ungentle but unyielding. "No."
Her fingers curled lightly at his belt, her voice dropping lower. "I could make them disappear. Quietly. Without anyone knowing. One by one until only you remain."
"No, Ying Hua."
She drew back just enough to meet his eyes, her smile sharpening in a way that was almost playful — though her meaning was not. "I could cut out their tongues so they never speak against you. Or take their hands so they never lift a weapon."
"No." His tone remained steady, unshaken.
Her head tilted slightly, the glint in her eyes showing she already knew none of her ideas would be accepted. Still, she whispered one more, almost like a dare: "Or perhaps… I could keep them alive, but take everything that makes them a man."
Alex's voice was calm, final. "Ying Hua. No."
The silence that followed was heavy but not cold. She didn't pout, didn't argue. Instead, a soft, almost amused exhale left her lips. "Then I suppose…" she murmured, shifting her body to straddle him fully, "…I'll just have to keep all my attention on you."
Her hands slid up his chest to frame his face, her lips meeting his in a kiss that was slow, deep, and filled with the unshakable truth of her devotion. The dangerous ideas faded from her tongue, replaced by the warm press of her mouth and the subtle roll of her hips against him.
When she pulled back just enough to speak, her voice was low and certain. "If you won't let me destroy them, then I'll simply love you more… until they fade from existence in my world entirely."
Alex's hands settled on her waist, drawing her closer as her lips found his again — the conversation dissolving into something wordless, but no less intense.
Chapter 892 – "The Gathering Without the Master"
Two days later, the Grand Hall of Frost Moon Palace was silent save for the sound of soft footsteps and the faint rustle of robes. No disciples filled the space. No choker-light shimmered in ceremony. This meeting was not for the temple's congregation — and it was held without Alex's knowledge.
At the head of the dais stood Yu Mei, her long hair falling loose over her shoulders, eyes sharp with command. Around her, a circle of women gathered — each one tied to Alex, yet now united for another purpose.
Shi Lian's posture was as straight as a blade, her hands folded loosely before her. Xue Lian stood just to her right, serene but watchful. Lan Xueya, ever poised, had her gaze fixed on Yu Mei, while Ling Shuanghua's expression carried her usual icy calm.
Naked as though the formality of clothing did not apply to her, Ying Hua sat casually on the arm of a throne at the edge of the circle, silver-grey hair spilling down her back, unbothered by the gravity of the meeting. Leng Yuer and Yue Hua stood shoulder to shoulder, silent but attentive. Han Meiyun rested one hand lightly on the hilt of her sword, eyes narrowed in thought.
Elder Ying Yue's gaze was sharp, her presence steady, while Elder Mei Suhua knelt before Yu Mei, head bowed in readiness for orders.
Yu Mei's voice cut cleanly through the quiet. "Report."
Mei Suhua lifted her head just enough to meet her mistress's gaze. "Yes, Mistress. The Emerald Jade Sect remains stable. No unusual movements — they are keeping to their usual routines."
A faint murmur passed through the circle, but Yu Mei's hand lifted, silencing it. "And the Eastern Continent?"
Mei Suhua's eyes narrowed. "That… is a different story. The Eastern Empire is making a full move to conquer the entire continent. Their reach has grown fast, too fast. The Emerald Jade Sect, Scarlet Halberd Sect, and many medium and small sects have already allied themselves to the Empire's cause."
A ripple of unease moved among the women. Xue Lian's brow furrowed slightly, while Ling Shuanghua's arms folded across her chest.
"An empire that swallows whole alliances…" Shi Lian said quietly. "That is not something to ignore."
Yu Mei's gaze sharpened. "And yet, our Master knows nothing of this meeting — for now." She let the weight of her words settle on each woman before continuing. "We must decide how much of this to tell him… and when."
Mei Suhua's voice remained steady as she continued her report. "The ruler of the Eastern Empire is Emperor Zhàotiān. He is just a six-thousand-year-old man nearing the end of his lifespan. His cultivation has stalled at the 8th level for centuries. It's said he has waged this desperate war not for territory alone, but in search of any secret, technique, or treasure that might push him to the 9th level before death claims him."
At that, a quiet scoff came from the side of the dais. Ying Hua, still sitting nude on the arm of the throne, tilted her head and gave a faint, mocking smile. "Pathetic. All 2,500 women here stand at the 9th level… and he believes himself worthy to grasp that realm? Trash."
Her silver gaze swept the circle. "He's clawing at life like a rat in a burning house. And for what? Even if he reached the 9th level, he would still be filth."
No one challenged her words.
Mei Suhua continued, "Frost Moon Palace itself is in the Southern Continent. By distance and political ties, we have no formal relation to the Eastern Empire. Their current campaigns are far from our borders."
Lan Xueya's eyes narrowed thoughtfully. "Distance is not immunity. Desperation makes men reckless — and a dying emperor might seek prey in lands he's never touched."
Shi Lian's tone was measured. "Perhaps. But for now, his attention is fixed north and east. The Southern Continent is not in his path."
Yu Mei tapped her finger lightly against the armrest, her eyes never leaving Mei Suhua. "Continue to monitor. If this 'Emperor Zhàotiān' makes any move south, I want to know before his shadow crosses our waters."
"Yes, Mistress," Mei Suhua replied with a respectful bow.
The hall fell into a momentary hush, the flicker of crystalline lantern light catching on the white chokers worn by many present — a reminder of the bond that held them together, even in secrecy from Alex.
Mei Suhua inclined her head slightly before continuing. "There is also the matter of the empire's second ruler — Empress Lianhua."
Several pairs of eyes in the circle shifted toward her.
"She holds command over roughly forty percent of the Eastern Empire's forces and territories," Mei Suhua went on. "Publicly, she and Emperor Zhàotiān are bound by title, but their relationship is… strained. In court and on campaign, she acts like a stranger to him — her words cold, her gaze distant. Some say she despises him, though no one dares speak it aloud within the imperial capital."
Ling Shuanghua's brow lifted slightly. "Despises him? That is unusual for an imperial consort still in power."
"It is more than unusual," Mei Suhua replied. "From the way she avoids him, it is as if she wishes the empire's throne could split in two. Yet she remains in place, ruling her portion without openly challenging him."
Ying Hua's lips curved faintly, though it was not a warm smile. "So the empire is fractured at the very top. One half ruled by a dying man grasping for life… the other by a woman who cannot even bear to be near him."
She leaned back slightly, her silver hair sliding down her bare shoulder. "That kind of tension doesn't last forever. Either she will move against him, or someone else will move against them both."
Yu Mei's eyes narrowed in thought, but she gave no immediate comment. The weight of the report hung over the gathered women, the picture of the Eastern Empire becoming sharper — and more dangerous.
Ying Hua shifted forward slightly on the throne's arm, her silver-grey hair spilling down her back, the crystalline light tracing along the curve of her bare form. "They're weak," she said simply, her tone flat with certainty. "We could destroy them without lifting a finger ourselves. Send twenty of Father's 9th-level sex slaves into their heartlands, and the Eastern Empire would fall in a month."
Her gaze swept across the women gathered, sharp and unyielding. "It wouldn't even be a war — just a clean sweep. We have the strength to break their emperor, his armies, and his empress before they could even muster a defense. The only reason they still draw breath is because Father hasn't ordered otherwise."
She leaned back again, her voice softening, but in that softness was the same unshakable core. "If Father told me to, I would march tomorrow. And I know every woman here would follow."
A ripple of acknowledgment passed through the room — none disputed her words. Even Yu Mei's expression didn't change, though her eyes glinted faintly at the truth in them.
Mei Suhua's tone shifted slightly, as if weighing whether this next detail mattered — and deciding it did. "There is one more thing. The emperor and empress have a daughter, Princess Xu Li. She lives exclusively under her mother's care in the inner palace."
"Is she politically active?" Xue Lian asked.
"No," Mei Suhua replied, shaking her head. "She is young by cultivation standards, still in training, with no known faction of her own. The empress appears to love her… at least outwardly. Xu Li is protected, indulged, and given every luxury."
She paused, her gaze darkening. "But there is something… wrong in that affection. Witnesses have said that when the empress looks at her daughter — truly looks at her — her eyes are filled not with pride, but with hate. Hate that she cannot conceal. Hate for the blood the child carries."
A low murmur rippled through the circle. Ling Shuanghua's eyes narrowed slightly. "Because she is the emperor's child."
"Exactly," Mei Suhua confirmed. "The empress may love her as a daughter… but she cannot separate that from her hatred of the man who fathered her."
Ying Hua gave a quiet, humorless laugh. "So even her own blood is poisoned in her eyes. How pitiful." She tilted her head toward Yu Mei. "And how exploitable."
Yu Mei didn't respond immediately, though the glint in her eyes showed she had already filed that thought away.
Chapter 893 – "A Dangerous Heir"
The air in the private meeting chamber was still heavy with the weight of the last report when Mei Suhua spoke again, her voice dropping lower.
"There is… one more matter of importance," she said, glancing briefly at Yu Mei before continuing. "The Empress Lianhua is pregnant. Eight months along. The child's father is Emperor Zhàotiān."
The reaction was immediate. A faint ripple of tension passed through the circle. Lan Xueya's eyes sharpened; Shi Lian's fingers tapped once against her folded arms. Ling Shuanghua, though outwardly calm, tilted her head as if reassessing the game board.
Ying Hua gave a soft snort, leaning lazily on the arm of the throne. "So she's carrying another piece of his filth in her womb. That must be tearing her apart inside."
Mei Suhua nodded. "From what I've gathered, the empress is maintaining her composure in public. But in private… her mood is volatile. Servants report sudden outbursts, long silences, and an unusual number of dismissed attendants. It's possible her hatred for the emperor is in direct conflict with her duty to carry his child to term."
Yu Mei's gaze turned calculating. "An unborn heir changes the stability of the Eastern Empire. If the emperor believes he's dying, this child may be his obsession now — his reason to push even harder for conquest."
"And her reason to hate him even more," Ying Hua added coldly. "If she already despises her daughter for sharing his blood, this child will be no different. Perhaps worse."
The room fell quiet again, the unspoken truth hanging in the air — an heir born into the hands of two rulers who loathed each other could be either a weakness… or a weapon.
Ying Hua's lips curved slowly, the glint in her silver-grey eyes somewhere between mischief and dangerous intent. She shifted slightly on the throne's arm, leaning forward so the light caught the smooth fall of her hair.
"Why don't I just ask Father to do something to those two children?" she said lightly, almost playfully — though every woman present knew her words were anything but a joke.
Several heads turned toward her.
"The one still in the empress's womb… he could make it his child instead. Like he did with my mother — change me while I was still inside her. Rewrite the blood before it ever takes its first breath." Her voice softened with a strange sort of pride at the thought.
She tilted her head, letting the faintest smirk show. "And the other one, Xu Li… Father could change her bloodline as well. Strip out the emperor's filth, replace it with his own. Make her… pure."
Her eyes swept the circle, gauging the reaction. "In one move, both of the emperor's heirs would no longer be his. They would belong to Father — in every way that matters."
The suggestion hung in the air like a blade poised above the imperial family.
Yu Mei's gaze lingered on Ying Hua, unreadable. "A tempting idea… though not one we act on without his will."
Ying Hua only smiled faintly, settling back again. "Of course. I'm only saying… it would be so easy."
Ying Hua didn't look away from the circle of women as her words faded. Instead, her hand drifted down — unhurried, casual, as though it were nothing out of place for her. She remained perched on the throne's arm, silver-grey hair spilling down her bare back, every movement deliberate.
Her slender fingers traced idly over the smooth skin of her thigh, then slipped between her legs, parting herself with a faint press. The softest catch of breath escaped her lips, almost masked by the stillness of the room.
But her eyes… they were distant now, fixed not on the meeting, but on a vivid image only she could see.
Father, standing before the empress… her body trembling under his touch. His hands on her belly, power pouring into the child within. The emperor's blood burned away, replaced with his own — pure, perfect, untouchable.
The thought alone made her fingers move faster, stroking herself in small, precise circles. A shiver rolled up her spine, and the silver in her eyes deepened, her lips parting with the barest sound.
Some of the others noticed — Yu Mei's gaze flicked to her, a knowing glimmer in her eyes but no rebuke. Ling Shuanghua didn't move, though her gaze sharpened. Mei Suhua lowered her head, perhaps to hide her own smirk.
Ying Hua's voice was barely more than a whisper, but it carried. "To have the empress moaning under him while he changes her child… to watch her break knowing it's no longer hers…"
Her breathing quickened, her hand working with unhurried precision despite the heat building within her. Her other hand slid up to her breast, thumb brushing over the peak, her gaze still fixed somewhere far beyond the meeting room.
And Xu Li… kneeling before Father, her blood remade in an instant, the last trace of that man erased forever…
A soft, sharp exhale escaped her — not quite release, but close enough to leave her flushed, her skin faintly dewy in the crystal light. She withdrew her hand slowly, licking her fingers without a hint of shame before resting it on her thigh again, as if nothing at all had happened.
The meeting continued. But every woman present knew exactly what had just run through her mind.
The faint, lingering tension from Ying Hua's quiet display was still in the air when Xue Lian finally spoke. Her tone was calm, her posture unshaken, though her eyes carried the sharp glint of someone turning the problem into opportunity.
"What about," she began, "telling Husband that we want to invite him on a trip to the Eastern Continent?"
A few brows lifted.
She continued smoothly, "We could frame it as nothing more than a leisurely journey — no politics, no war, no hidden motive. Just a chance to see the lands, taste their food, and… perhaps indulge in certain local curiosities."
Shi Lian's lips curved faintly. "And once he's there, circumstances may simply 'present themselves.'"
Yu Mei's eyes narrowed in interest, though she kept her expression unreadable. "It would remove the need for an explanation until he's already in place."
Ling Shuanghua gave a slight nod. "And as long as he believes it is only travel, he will be less guarded against certain… suggestions."
Ying Hua's smile returned, slow and knowing. "Yes… we could arrange for him to 'accidentally' cross paths with the empress. The rest would take care of itself."
No one missed the quiet emphasis she put on the word accidentally.
Chapter 894 – "The Invitation"
Alex was seated in the private garden pavilion, sunlight filtering through the flowering trees, casting dappled light across the polished table before him. A light breeze carried the faint scent of plum blossoms through the air.
He looked up as light, quick footsteps approached. Ying Hua appeared between the columns, naked as ever, her silver-grey hair flowing freely down her back. Her expression was bright, almost casual — but the glint in her eyes hinted at something more.
She crossed the space without hesitation and, as always, settled herself onto his lap as if it were her rightful place. Her arms slipped around his neck, her small frame pressing warmly against him.
"Father," she said, voice soft and playful, "we were talking earlier… and we thought it would be nice to take a little trip together."
Alex raised an eyebrow. "A trip?"
"Mhm." She tilted her head, letting her hair fall forward over her shoulder like silver silk. "Just somewhere different. New air, new sights, new food… nothing serious. Just you, me, and a few others."
His gaze stayed steady on hers. "And where exactly is this 'little trip'?"
Ying Hua's smile widened slightly. "The Eastern Continent."
Alex's brow lifted faintly, but she pressed on before he could question it. "No politics, no trouble — just… seeing the world together. You've given so much to the sect here. Don't you think it would be good to stretch your legs a little?"
Her fingers traced lightly along his collarbone. "We'll make it a journey worth remembering."
Alex studied her for a moment, then gave the faintest smile. "Alright. If you want to go, we'll go."
Ying Hua's expression lit up instantly. She leaned in to press a brief, warm kiss to his lips, her voice soft but brimming with satisfaction. "I knew you'd say yes, Father."
She shifted slightly on his lap, the movement unhurried, almost languid. "And… you should know," she added with a playful glint in her eyes, "many of your harem members and sex slaves have already gone ahead. They're waiting for you in the Eastern Continent."
Alex's brow arched. "Already?"
"Mhm." Her tone was light, but the implication was deliberate. "They'll be there to greet you… in their own way. You'll have quite the welcome the moment we arrive."
Her fingers traced idle patterns against his chest. "So it won't just be a trip. It will be… a gathering."
She leaned close enough that her breath warmed his ear. "And I promise… every one of them will make it worth your while."
Alex's hand brushed idly along the curve of her back as he considered the logistics. "If we're going, there's no need to waste time on travel. I can teleport us directly there."
Ying Hua's smile turned knowing. "Of course you can, Father… but you won't need to."
He tilted his head slightly. "Oh?"
She shifted in his lap so she could meet his gaze fully, her silver-grey hair spilling over her bare shoulder. "Your sex slaves have already been busy. They've installed teleportation arrays in every major city across the Eastern Continent — all connected. Once you step into any of them, you can move anywhere instantly."
Her tone was casual, but there was pride in her voice — pride in their efficiency, in their devotion to his will even without direct orders.
"They've been preparing for weeks," she added. "Everything is already in place. All you have to do is step through the first array… and they'll be waiting on the other side."
A faint curve touched Alex's lips. "Efficient."
Ying Hua leaned in, her voice dropping to a near-whisper. "They want to make sure the moment you arrive, you don't waste a single heartbeat on anything that isn't them."
Alex rose from the pavilion, setting Ying Hua gently on her feet. He turned toward the inner courtyard, already thinking through what he might bring for the trip.
Ying Hua watched him go, her smile serene… until his figure disappeared through the archway.
Then her eyes sharpened. With a silent thought, she reached out through the network of white chokers, her will threading effortlessly into the minds of those bound to them.
One hundred of you, her voice rang clear in their heads, report to the Eastern Continent immediately. You will arrive before Father and be in position to greet him.
She felt the ripple of responses — submission, devotion, eagerness.
You will be ready the moment he steps through the array. Perfect in appearance, flawless in presentation. And above all… you will make him remember this arrival forever.
The mental link faded, and she smoothed her expression back into that gentle, almost playful calm. No one watching her now would suspect anything beyond the innocent excitement of a daughter looking forward to traveling with her father.
Chapter 895 – "Arrival"
The teleportation array shimmered before them, a circle of pale light etched into the polished stone floor of Frost Moon Palace's transport hall. Thin lines of silver and gold pulsed faintly along the carvings, carrying power between the runes like liquid light.
Alex stepped forward first, the loose folds of his robe shifting with the faint hum of energy in the air. Beside him, Ying Hua walked with the quiet ease of someone who already knew exactly what waited on the other side.
"You're certain it's ready?" he asked, glancing at her.
Her lips curved into a serene smile. "Absolutely, Father."
They stepped onto the array together. At once, light flared — a brilliant column that rose around them, swallowing the courtyard from view. The sensation was instantaneous: weightless, soundless, the world stripped away until there was nothing but the pulse of power pulling them through the space between.
Then, with a soft thrum, they emerged.
The Eastern Continent air was warmer, heavier with the scent of flowering trees and sea salt drifting on the wind. The arrival hall was open-sided, the marble floor gleaming under the crystalline sunlight.
And waiting there, perfectly arranged in two sweeping lines that flanked the array, were one hundred women — the chosen from Ying Hua's silent command. Every one of them wore their white chokers gleaming bright, their posture flawless, their eyes locked on Alex with the same unwavering devotion.
The moment his feet touched the marble, they dropped to their knees in perfect unison, voices rising together in a single, breathless greeting:
"Welcome, Master."
Alex's brows lifted slightly at the sight, though he said nothing yet. Beside him, Ying Hua's smile didn't waver.
The 100 kneeling women rose in perfect synchrony, their movements as fluid as a single body. The one in front — a tall, elegant beauty with hair the color of dark wine — stepped forward and bowed deeply.
"Master, Princess," she said, her voice smooth and respectful, "please allow us to escort you to your new residence here. We have prepared everything for your comfort."
Alex glanced briefly at Ying Hua, who gave him an innocent smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.
The women formed two lines again, leading the way from the arrival hall through the streets beyond. The city here was vibrant — white stone avenues, flowering balconies, and the distant glimmer of the harbor — but the locals could only stop and stare as the group passed, the sight of 100 perfect women in matching chokers walking with such grace drawing whispers and awed looks.
They stopped before a sprawling estate of pale marble and deep red wood, its walls adorned with flowing carvings of waves and dragons. The gate was wide open, and beyond it, the manicured gardens framed a main hall so grand it could have been a palace.
"This," the lead woman said, "is the Luxury House we have purchased in your honor. It is yours, and everything within belongs to you."
Inside, the floors were polished to a mirror sheen, silk hangings in deep crimson and gold swaying lightly in the air. Pools of scented water dotted the inner courtyards, reflecting the afternoon sun. Cushioned lounges and low tables laden with fresh fruit, wine, and delicacies waited in the main chamber.
But it wasn't the furnishings that drew Alex's attention — it was the way the 100 women closed the great doors behind them, their eyes turning to him with open, unhidden desire.
The leader knelt once more. "If Master permits, we would like to give you our true welcome."
Ying Hua stepped forward, her voice as sweet as it was sure. "They've been practicing for weeks. You should let them show you."
Alex looked from her to the waiting women… and gave a single nod.
As the 100 women spread out through the Luxury House, arranging wine, fruit, and silken cushions, Ying Hua walked beside Alex through the grand hall, her silver-grey hair swaying with each step.
She glanced up at him with a faint smile. "You might be wondering how we paid for all of this."
Alex arched an eyebrow. "It did cross my mind."
Her smile deepened, carrying a touch of pride. "Father… after everything you've done for Frost Moon Palace, we are no longer just strong — we're the richest sect in the Southern Continent. Maybe the world."
He said nothing, letting her continue.
"You created a fifty-kilometer spirit herb garden for us. Every stalk, every leaf in that place is priceless. And you raised all 2,500 of our sex slaves to the ninth level. Do you know what that means?"
Her voice lowered, almost conspiratorial. "It means we can wipe out entire demon sects in a single night. And when we do, the bounties alone could buy cities. We've collected enough spoils to make kings jealous."
They stepped into a side chamber where golden light filtered through sheer drapes. Ying Hua's eyes glittered as she looked back at him.
"And that's not even counting your artifacts. Father, if you sold even one of the pieces you make in your free time, the bidding would break records. It would sell for the highest price in history. But you don't need to — we have more than enough."
Her tone softened, but her smile didn't fade. "This house… is just a small taste of what's possible. With you, Frost Moon Palace is untouchable."
Alex's gaze swept over the lavish interior once more before settling back on Ying Hua. "And what about quests? Requests from outside the sect — do we take them?"
Ying Hua's expression didn't change, but there was a faint edge in her voice when she answered. "We take them… selectively."
She stepped closer, her bare feet silent against the polished marble. "If the requester is female, and the cause aligns with our interests, we consider it. But if the requester is male…"
Her lips curved in a cold smile. "…we don't take it. Ever."
Alex's brow lifted slightly. "Ever?"
"Father," she said simply, "we have no reason to help them. Most would never show you the respect you deserve. Why should they benefit from us?"
Her tone softened again, becoming almost playful. "Besides… the only man's orders that matter here are yours."
Ying Hua's silver-grey hair slid over her shoulder as she tilted her head, her tone turning almost conversational. "It's not as if I invented this policy, Father."
She traced a finger idly along the edge of a carved table as they walked deeper into the Luxury House. "This sect… Frost Moon Palace… already had a dislike, hatred, and contempt for men long before you came. It was in their bones. Generations of betrayal, exploitation, and cruelty from the outside world shaped them this way."
Her eyes flicked up to meet his, a faint glimmer of amusement there. "You simply gave them someone worth respecting. Someone who proved that their rule could have one exception."
She stepped close enough that her voice became a low, intimate murmur. "You are the only man this sect will ever kneel to. The rest? They're lucky we even let them breathe."
The lead of the 100 sex slaves stepped forward again, lowering herself into a graceful bow. "Master… if it pleases you, we are ready to give you our full ceremonial welcome."
A murmur of anticipation rippled through the gathered women, their eyes bright, bodies already shifting subtly in eagerness.
But Alex's reply wasn't what anyone expected.
"Before we begin," he said, his voice calm but carrying easily through the grand hall, "I'll cook for everyone here."
The words seemed to hang in the air for a moment. Even Ying Hua blinked, caught off guard.
He glanced down at her, a faint smirk tugging at his lips. "You've never tried my cooking before, have you?"
Her silver-grey eyes widened slightly, then narrowed in playful suspicion. "…No. I haven't."
"Then you will today." His tone carried no room for argument. "All of you will."
The leader of the slaves straightened, her voice soft with both awe and excitement. "If Master wishes it, we will prepare the kitchen immediately."
Around them, the other 100 women bowed their heads, the unified chorus of "Yes, Master" filling the chamber like the first note of a song.
Ying Hua's lips curved into a slow smile as she looked up at him. "Then I suppose this welcome will begin in a way none of us expected."
The estate's kitchen was large enough to serve a banquet hall, its counters of polished stone and rows of fine bronze cookware gleaming in the light. Alex stepped inside without hesitation, rolling his sleeves back as if he'd done this a thousand times before.
The slaves gathered at the doorway and along the walls, watching in a hush that felt almost reverent. Ying Hua leaned against the counter nearest him, her eyes fixed on his every movement.
He worked with calm precision, his hands moving in smooth, deliberate motions — slicing vegetables, seasoning meats, simmering sauces until the fragrance filled every corner of the Luxury House. Steam curled up into the rafters, carrying scents both rich and fresh, making mouths water before a single dish was placed on the table.
When he was done, the great dining hall was lined with platters of colorful, perfectly arranged dishes — tender meats glazed in honey-spiced sauce, fresh greens tossed in fragrant oil, delicate dumplings releasing clouds of savory steam, and golden rice that seemed to shimmer faintly under the light.
Ying Hua was the first to taste, lifting a piece of glazed meat to her lips. Her silver-grey eyes widened at the first bite, and for a moment she didn't speak. Then she looked at him and said simply, "Father… this is very delicious."
The others soon followed. One by one, the 100 sex slaves tasted the dishes, and a soft chorus of delight filled the room. "Delicious," "Perfect," "I've never had anything like this," they murmured, some with tears in their eyes as they ate.
In their hearts, a single thought began to form — and it was the same for all of them.
Their Master was strong beyond imagining, a man who could crush enemies and command respect from all corners of the world. But he was also gentle… kind… attentive. He cared for everyone around him, even them, his sex slaves. And now, after taking the time to cook for them with his own hands, that gentleness shone brighter than ever.
They ate slowly, savoring not just the food, but the act itself — that he had done this for them.
And in the back of the hall, Ying Hua watched them all, her lips curling into a faint smile. She could see it in their eyes — this had bound them even closer to him, in a way that power alone never could.
As the laughter and quiet hum of conversation filled the dining hall, Alex's gaze shifted to one of the sex slaves seated nearest him — a petite woman with chestnut hair tied in a loose braid.
There was a small smear of sauce on her cheek, just at the corner of her mouth.
Without a word, he reached out, his thumb brushing the spot away with the same care he might use on a lover or a daughter. The woman froze for half a heartbeat, her breath catching, before her eyes softened and lowered in reverence.
"Eat slowly," he said, his voice calm, warm, and steady. "Or you'll get stuck in your throat."
She nodded quickly, cheeks flushed for reasons that had little to do with the heat of the food. "…Yes, Master."
The exchange was brief, almost unremarkable — yet the effect rippled through the women nearby. They watched as he turned back to his own plate, not making a spectacle of the gesture, simply continuing as if it were natural to look after them this way.
In their hearts, that quiet act of attention burned just as deeply as any display of power.
He didn't notice it — or perhaps he simply didn't think it worth noticing — but the way he moved through the meal was filled with quiet kindness. Pouring tea into an empty cup without being asked. Sliding a dish closer to a woman straining to reach it. Refilling a bowl before it was empty. Wiping that bit of sauce from a cheek without hesitation.
To Alex, these were small, unthinking acts.
But to the 100 sex slaves, they were everything.
Every touch, every word, every glance carried a weight that settled deep in their hearts. The man who could destroy sects with a gesture also noticed when a single woman needed water. The man whose name could make emperors kneel also told them to eat slowly so they wouldn't choke.
And it made them love him.
Not the kind of shallow affection born from gratitude or awe — but a deeper, burning adoration. The kind that made them want to kneel at his feet forever. The kind that turned respect into devotion, devotion into worship.
They had already been loyal. They had already been his. But now, as they sat in this Luxury House eating the food he had made with his own hands, they found themselves becoming something else entirely.
Fanatics.
Not because he commanded it, but because he had given them something rarer than power: a gentleness that belonged to no one else.
When the plates were empty and the air was thick with the scent of spice and steam, the 100 women lowered their heads in unison — not from duty, but from something far stronger.
And Ying Hua, watching them, knew that this "welcome" had already begun before a single robe was dropped.