Both Chu Yueli and Xue Ling sat in awkward silence as the carriage rolled along the uneven path toward the city. They had chosen to travel by road rather than by flight—drawing any more attention after last night's chaos would be unwise.
Yueli had agreed to her sister's advice to visit the city with Nezuko, though somehow Xue Ling had decided to come along as well. Two of the little Nezukos rested comfortably on Yueli's lap, while the other two nestled against Xue Ling. The clones were so perfect that even the two women could no longer tell who was the original.
Both rivals for the child's affection, they found themselves sharing the same small carriage—a quiet, delicate war of glances and sighs.
Instead of accompany Cang Yue and Lin Yueru to the Cang Outer Family's palace, Xue Ling is somehow here, of all places.
"This is… quite awkward," Xue Ling finally murmured, her eyes flicking toward Yueli before darting back out the window.
"I admit it is," Yueli replied softly. Despite her reputation as the Fairy of Frozen Glass, she wasn't nearly as composed as she looked.
"Fairy Chu—"
"Just Yueli," she interrupted gently, then added after a pause, "Li'er, if you prefer."
Xue Ling smiled faintly. "Then… Ling'er, for me."
The silence settled again for a moment before Yueli spoke, her tone calm but edged with sincerity. "I admit, we could settle this rivalry right now. But strength isn't what Nezuko needs."
"I agree," Xue Ling said, glancing down at the sleeping child on her lap. "If we fight, we'll only break what little peace she has left. She's already lost her mother and her siblings. If she loses one of us too—if she's forced to choose—she'll end up hating the winner."
The two women exchanged a quiet, knowing look. For now, their blades were sheathed—not out of fear, rivalry or the affection of the swordsman, but for the sake of the small girl who had become their fragile bond.
"So…" Yueli began softly, breaking the uneasy quiet, "I suppose we'll have to… stick together?"
"I suppose so," Xue Ling replied with a small shrug, her lips curving into a faint, resigned smile. "But I can't help but wonder what he would say."
"You mean Mihawk?"
"Mn." Xue Ling looked out the window again, her tone thoughtful. "According to Yue'er, he never once took a spouse—never even considered it. He only took Nezuko in after burying her entire family. The poor child never even knew her parents… she was just a baby when it happened."
Her voice softened, almost wistful. "But Yue'er also said something else. That one day, he'd have to take someone by his side—not for himself, but for Nezuko's sake. If that time comes… and if she chooses both of us, then we'll have to learn to compromise."
Yueli exhaled, crossing her arms as she leaned back. "As long as we agree—no trying to outdo each other. No monopolizing Nezuko or… him."
Xue Ling chuckled quietly. "Fair enough."
"I suppose fighting each other isn't what Nezuko wants…" Yueli murmured, glancing out the carriage window. "Besides, he wouldn't want violent women raising his daughter. Even if one of us won, Nezuko would hate us for it. Losing, on the other hand… would only make us look weak and unfit."
"Then let's settle this now," Xue Ling said firmly, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Not as rivals—" she extended her hand, "but as sisters-in-arms."
Before Yueli could respond, a bright laugh cut through the air.
"Mama! Haha—look, birds!" Nezuko chirped, pointing eagerly out the window. Her clones joined her in delighted chorus, as if seeing the world for the very first time.
The two women paused, their earlier tension dissolving at the sight.
"As powerful as she is," Xue Ling said softly, watching the girl's innocent joy, "she's still amazed by something as simple as birds."
Yueli smiled faintly. "She's probably spent most of her life being trained. Maybe now… she can finally have a real childhood."
Xue Ling glanced sideways. "And maybe… mothers to share it with."
"Pfft…" Yueli chuckled lightly. "I wonder if he'll pick some other woman to be her mother instead."
"He won't," Xue Ling replied with quiet certainty. "Like you said—he'll choose for Nezuko's sake, not his own. And he knows us better than anyone else. In the end, he'll choose the one Nezuko herself prefers."
Yueli sighed, but her lips curved upward. "And Nezuko prefers us, doesn't she?"
"She does," Xue Ling said, smiling warmly as Nezuko pressed her face to the window, giggling at the fluttering wings outside. "To her… we're already home."
Chu Yueli fell silent for a long moment. The rhythmic clatter of the carriage wheels filled the air until she finally spoke, her voice soft and distant.
"…I never told anyone this before. Only to my sister," she said quietly. "He… rescued me back then. I was moments away from death—worse, from being sullied after my death."
Xue Ling's expression softened, but she said nothing.
"I wanted so desperately to stand beside my sister," Yueli continued, her tone laced with regret. "To prove I wasn't weak. So I joined the Moon Empress's Tomb Selection in Gao Ling City, under the disguise of 'Li Yue.'"
"The only female participant," Xue Ling murmured. "I remember hearing about that but… I heard she never made it out. Only he did…. And that's where… he made his first appearance, isn't it?"
Yueli nodded faintly. "Hnn… he helped me there. Even inside the tomb. He saved me when I was crippled and helpless… gave me back my cultivation, my pride, my life." She smiled sadly. "At that moment, I thought I would die forgotten, without a tomb of my own. All I could think of was my sister—how she would tear the realm apart trying to find me. But instead, he found me."
Her gaze lowered, eyes shimmering faintly. "He gave me a second chance. A new life. And somewhere in that chaos… I gave him my heart without realizing it."
The carriage fell into silence once more.
"It was the last time I saw him," Yueli whispered. "I swore that if fate allowed me to meet him again, I would thank him properly—even if he never chose me to stand by his side."
Xue Ling smiled faintly, her eyes soft. "When you said you'd met him before… I was envious of you."
"I didn't know," Yueli replied quietly. "I truly didn't know… how much that moment would change me."
"How did you survive?" Xue Ling finally asked after a long silence. "I heard the tomb was a one-way entry."
Chu Yueli exhaled softly, her eyes distant as if reliving the memory. "He… found another way. There was a formation deep inside the tomb — one that sends the last person who steps into it to a random place across the empire. He pushed me into it without hesitation."
Xue Ling blinked. "That means—"
"He saved me by sacrificing himself," Yueli said quietly. "The rest of the participants were supposed to be sent back to the starting point… where thousands of enemies were waiting. Since both of us were the last survivors, it will be a slaughter. But he ensured I was sent away — my identity hidden, presumed dead — so I could start anew with what I carried from the tomb."
Xue Ling fell silent, her chest tightening. "…He didn't want your identity revealed, and he still chose to save you. That sounds just like him."
Yueli smiled faintly, almost wistfully. "I sometimes wonder if a person like me could ever occupy even a corner of his heart."
Her quiet sadness didn't go unnoticed. Two of the Nezukos toddled closer and gently poked her cheek, their innocent eyes full of concern. The simple gesture drew a faint, genuine smile from Chu Yueli. She pulled them both into her arms, holding them close — as if their warmth could ease the ache of old wounds, the trauma, and the memories she tried so hard to bury.
"I think he'll choose both of us," Xue Ling said with a soft laugh. "Or at least, I hope so. Yue'er did mention he prefers women who are righteous, loyal, and honorable. That's a start, isn't it?"
Yueli chuckled softly. "Perhaps. You know, one of the reasons we Asgardians veil ourselves is to suppress our presence — to hide our beauty and our faces from the world. But now…" Her fingers brushed the edge of her veil with a faint smile. "Now, I think it's more than that. This beauty — the one he restored — I swore to keep it for him alone. This veiled hat Yun Che gave me… it helps me remember that vow."
"You're right about that," Xue Ling said, tugging lightly at her own veil. "Though honestly, it's inconvenient to wear one all the time."
"True," Yueli admitted. "Still, it's strange. I find myself comfortable showing my face to Yun Che. Just my face, nothing more. I can't explain why. Maybe because my sister was familiar with him? The other girls? I just don't know."
"Of course not — it's not for him," Xue Ling teased lightly.
Yueli's lips curved upward. "I assume that means it's for Mihawk?"
Xue Ling smiled back, a knowing gleam in her eyes. "Naturally. For him alone."
Chu Yueli blushed faintly before clearing her throat with a soft, awkward cough. "If we're bound in matrimony…"
"Hearing your story… makes me think of my own," Xue Ling said quietly, her gaze drifting toward the passing trees outside the carriage window.
"You have a sister of your own?"
"Yes… an older sister," she began, her voice faltering. "She…" The rest of her words trailed into silence.
"Did she pass on? I'm sorry to hear that," Chu Yueli said gently.
"Unknown," Xue Ling whispered. "I was forced to flee our village with my mother while Father stayed behind to search for her. When we met him again later… she was gone. My parents spent weeks—months—searching for her. Even if it was just to find her body." She paused, her tone thick with old grief. "But she was never found."
Chu Yueli lowered her gaze, sensing the pain behind her words.
"They never gave up," Xue Ling continued. "They searched until the end of their days. When they passed, I had no one left… so I devoted myself to cultivation. I entered the Heavenly Sword Villa and, by eighteen, I had reached the Sky Profound Realm. I was the only female disciple to do so—but also the most stubborn. My defiance cost me dearly. The elders sent me away, exiled as an Imperial Protector to the Imperial Palace—an assignment for those deemed failures."
Her lips curved in a bittersweet smile. "But that so-called punishment… became my redemption. There, I met Queen Lan Ying, the Emperor's third wife. I was assigned as her protector and met little Yue'er—she was only eight then. Over time, Her Majesty's kindness softened my temper. She turned a rebellious, prideful girl into someone who could finally see beyond her own bitterness."
"The third queen must have been really special to you," Chu Yueli said softly.
"Yes," Xue Ling replied, her eyes dimming with memory. "She reminded me so much of my older sister… gentle, patient, always smiling even when she was in pain." Her tone grew quieter. "Then one day, she fell gravely ill. We later discovered she'd been poisoned. And yet… the saddest part was that she forgave them—the very ones who wronged her."
"She forgave them?" Yueli murmured, disbelief and sorrow mingling in her voice.
Xue Ling nodded slowly. "Yes. In her final days, she spoke no words of hatred. Only concern for her daughter. She entrusted little Yue'er to me before she passed." Her lips curved faintly in a bittersweet smile. "And look at that girl now… she's grown into someone far greater than I ever hoped."
Yueli smiled gently. "She carries her mother's light. Perhaps even more brightly than before. Even the Asgard Mistress of Frozen Cloud Asgard once said she regretted not recruiting her.""
"Indeed," Xue Ling said. "Every time I look at her, I see the reflection of my sister—how she might have been if life had been kinder. I still hold onto hope that she's alive somewhere. That someday, somehow, we'll meet again."
She paused, then glanced at Yueli with a faint smile. "So when I see you, I can't help but envy you. You still have your sister beside you."
Chu Yueli chuckled softly, her expression tender. "And I envy you… for having someone gentle like Queen Lan Ying to guide you while we have our strict Asgard Mistress. It seems we're both jealous of what the other has."
"Haha, Mama—look! Some big uncles are blocking the road!" one of the Nezukos chirped, pointing out the window with innocent excitement.
Chu Yueli and Xue Ling exchanged wary glances as the carriage slowed to a halt. Outside, a dozen rough-looking men stood across the highway, their shabby armor gleaming faintly in the sun.
"Halt!" one of them barked, raising his spear. "This road's closed unless you pay the toll. Fifty gold coins to pass!"
"Hehe… those big uncles talk funny," another Nezuko giggled.
Yueli sighed softly. "Do we really have to deal with this? I almost feel bad for them."
Xue Ling folded her arms, her expression flat. "Barely at the True Profound Realm, yet they dare to extort travelers? No wonder this road is so empty. It's the one closest to the Jin Family's watchkeep."
Yueli's eyes narrowed slightly. "But… shouldn't Mulan and her parents be handling this area?"
"They can't," Xue Ling replied. "According to Mulan, they have to suppress their cultivation. Showing their strength would draw the Wu Clan's attention. Three low-level Thrones against higher-ranked families? It's not a fight they can afford to start."
"I see…" Yueli murmured, thoughtful. "So even great strength means little without the right backing."
"Exactly," Xue Ling agreed. "The Jin Family still has too few members. If they move too openly, the Wu Clan or the Zhu Family will crush them. They are provoking them to make a reason to wipe them out. I admire their family for their patience."
From the front of the carriage, the driver's nervous voice broke the tension. "My ladies… should we turn back?"
Both women shared a look—an unspoken decision passing between them.
"No," Yueli said, her voice calm but firm. "Let us handle this."
The men blocking the road licked their lips as the carriage halted. Two veiled women—and four identical little children—made for a prize more tempting than any passing merchant.
"Pay the toll, ladies," the ringleader said, stepping forward with a leer. "Or show us your faces… we might be generous. Spend some time with us, and we'll be very gentle."
"Boss, look at the children—one could fetch a fine price," another muttered, eyes sliding covetously toward the clones.
Xue Ling and Chu Yueli felt the anger rising, hot and immediate. They could shred these men in a breath, but to the world it would look like two noblewomen picking on poor highwaymen. Both of them forced their hands to stay still.
"Nezuko?" Yueli asked, voice low.
All four Nezukos turned in perfect unison, their little faces solemn for a moment.
"Did Daddy tell you what to do if bad men come?" Xue Ling asked gently.
"Um…" the original Nezuko answered in a small voice. "He said to run away—but if the men were really evil, we can beat them up."
Xue Ling's lips twitched despite herself. "Do you think they're evil?"
"Hehehe… they look evil. They look at us with weird eyes." The child's answer came with the one-word verdict only a child could deliver.
"What—do you want to beat them up?" Yueli asked.
"Can we?" the little one asked, eyes bright.
"Just don't hurt them… too much." Xue Ling warned, half-smiling, half-concerned.
"Hai!" they chorused.
The four Nezukos toddled out of the carriage as the men jeered louder. They expected fear. They expected the girls to cry and the women to pay. What they did not expect was confidence.
The original Nezuko skipped forward with the naïve grin of a child approaching a game. The nearest thug reached out with a leer, hungry hands already imagining profit—then froze.
She didn't bother with subtlety—she barreled straight at the leader and headbutted him so hard he sailed backward like a ragdoll. Chu Yueli and Xue Ling exchanged exasperated, helpless sighs. They had no wish to bully men, but apparently these brutes preferred being humiliated by children to taking responsibility themselves.
The four Nezukos turned the road into a ridiculous circus. They didn't so much attack as play—tag, if tag involved blunt little headbutts. One would scramble up onto a thug's shoulders and bounce; another would hop onto a fallen spear and teeter there like a pirate on a mast. The bandits swung wildly, trying to reclaim dignity, but all they managed was to look more foolish with every flail.
Then Chu Yueli intervened with ice as neat and quiet as a surgeon's cut. A thug lunged toward the women with a wild, drunken swing—his foot seized in place as if gripped by an invisible statue. In a heartbeat an elegant sculpture of frozen flesh and mud rose around him, and he pitched forward onto his face. The rest watched, faces blanching.
"Please—please! We surrender!" someone cried, scrambling back.
"We were only told to guard this road!" another pleaded, hands raised.
"Under whose order?" Xue Ling demanded, eyes cold.
"Tian Heng—" the leader stammered. "We extort travelers on his behalf."
"Call your brothers. Now." Yueli's voice left no room for argument. "You have signals and ways to summon them. Call them."
"But—" the man began, panic overtaking his bravado.
"Call them. Or I'll freeze you solid." Chu Yueli's words were calm, final.
Something in him broke. With shaking hands, the leader fumbled a crude firework from his belt and sent it whistling into the sky—an urgent, mangled signal. He watched it bloom overhead, eyes wet as he realized he'd likely never see his comrades again.
The road fell into an uneasy silence as the smoke curled up into the afternoon air—equal parts surrender and an alarm that could bring trouble down upon them all.
The firework's flare had hardly faded when the reinforcements arrived, dozens of rough men charging down the road, hearts pounding for a fight. Expecting a desperate, violent mess, they skidded to a stop and froze.
In the middle of the highway, their 'brothers' lay bound and groaning. Nearby, two veiled women lounged with an air of complete nonchalance, sipping tea as if they'd come for a picnic. Four identical children darted between them, laughing as they played. The driver fussed over the carriage as though nothing out of the ordinary had happened.
"Our brothers—!" one man shouted, rushing forward.
"Who are those people?" another hissed, taking in the scene.
"It doesn't matter—rain them with arrows!" someone barked.
A volley of arrows hissed through the air, but the attackers barely had time to grin—an invisible wall of ice sliced across the sky and the shafts clattered harmlessly into the road, soaked by cold. The archers' faces shifted from confidence to confusion.
The men gritted their teeth. These people were too calm—too composed.
"Finally," one of the veiled women said with faint amusement, "drawing you out was easier than chasing you."
"Right. Let's settle this cleanly, then be on our way."
"Mama—can I have more tea?" the original Nezuko sweetly asked, toddling up with wide eyes.
"Okay, here you go." Chu Yueli ignored the hostile crowd and handed a cup to the child, scooping her into her lap.
"Nezuko, you're such a messy eater," Xue Ling said fondly, wiping cream from one clone's cheek as another tumbled past on a game of tag.
The reinforcements stood, swords half-raised, unsure whether to charge or flee. The whole affair felt absurd: their sworn brothers tied and humiliated, while their supposed prey sipped tea and fussed over a child.
Slowly, doubt seeped into the ranks. The men had come expecting an easy payday; instead they'd been baited, exposed, and publicly humiliated. Pride and fear warred in their eyes.
Far too relaxed, the veiled women and their little entourage seemed utterly unconcerned. And that—perhaps more than any blade—was what unnerved the bandits most of all.
"Let our brothers go!!" one of the men roared, rushing forward with his blade drawn.
Chu Yueli didn't even rise from her seat. With a gentle flick of her finger, a thread of glacial energy coiled through the air. The man was lifted clean off his feet and hurled backward, landing several meters away in a puff of dust and disbelief.
Gasps erupted among his comrades.
"The hell—!?"
The worst part was that the women still didn't even look concerned.
Another fool tried his luck, shouting as he charged forward. He barely took three steps before one of the Nezuko clones—still giggling from her game of tag—bumped into him mid-run. The impact sent the man sprawling face-first into the dirt.
"Ah, we're sorry!" the two Nezuko clones said together, bowing politely.
The men stared, utterly baffled. The children's movements were playful, innocent… yet carried a strength that defied all logic.
Despite their cheerful nature, the Nezukos were frighteningly disciplined. They listened to their elders without question, never misbehaving despite wielding power far beyond most cultivators. Yun Che had made sure of that. His only warning to them had been clear: don't cause trouble unless you must.
For now, they were simply obeying. But even holding back, their energy hummed faintly in the air—ancient, pure, and heavy. The kind of presence that could flatten armies if they ever let go.
The bandits could sense it now. Their bravado faltered.
They weren't just dealing with women and children.
They were standing before monsters in human form.
"Little brats!" one of the bandits snarled, lunging forward to grab a Nezuko by the arm.
But the child was faster. With a delighted giggle, she vaulted clean over his head, skirts fluttering as she landed neatly behind him. The other clones followed, bouncing and flipping between the men like mischievous spirits, their laughter ringing through the air.
"Ah—bad men!" one of the Nezukos declared, puffing her cheeks indignantly before throwing a tiny fist.
The blow looked harmless—until it connected.
A thunderclap cracked the air as the bandit was launched skyward, spinning helplessly before crashing into two more behind him. The rest of the gang froze mid-step, eyes wide, as their formation dissolved into chaos.
"W-What the—how!?"
Dozens of men charged, shouting to drown out their fear, only to be met by the two clones' childish assault. They darted between legs, ducked under swings, and bounced off shoulders like playful kittens. Every step they took sent grown men tumbling, weapons scattering as the once-feared gang turned into a slapstick farce.
Within moments, the proud roadblock was reduced to groaning bodies and panicked screams.
Xue Ling and Chu Yueli sat serenely at their picnic, teacups in hand, their expressions balanced somewhere between amusement and pity. Around them, groaning men littered the road like discarded sacks, the air still carrying the echo of chaos.
The original Nezuko sat beside them, swinging her legs happily as she nibbled on a piece of sweet bread. One of her clones crouched in the grass, utterly absorbed in watching a line of ants march by. Neither seemed the slightest bit concerned that their sisters had just dismantled an entire squad of armed men.
Xue Ling took a slow sip of her tea and sighed. "Two clones… enough to tear apart a dozen men. I almost feel bad for them."
Chu Yueli smiled faintly behind her veil. "Almost."
The wind rustled softly, carrying the scent of wildflowers over the highway—serene, peaceful, as if the chaos moments ago had never happened.
"Children these days…" Yueli sighed softly. "Far too energetic."
Xue Ling smirked, eyes glinting. "Energetic? I'd say they inherited their father's… enthusiasm."
The Nezukos, unaware of the chaos they'd caused, clapped happily and spun in circles. "Yay! We win!"
The other two clones stood a few paces away, their cheeks puffed with satisfaction as they brushed off their tiny hands, surveying the defeated bandits with childlike pride.
The road fell silent—except for the distant groans of men who would think twice before ever blocking a carriage again.
Moments later, a squad of Jin Family members arrived, weapons at the ready. They froze mid-step, eyes widening at the sight before them—dozens upon dozens of gang members sprawled across the road, groaning in defeat.
These were the same thugs who had terrorized travelers for months. The Jin men had come expecting a difficult fight, prepared for blood and sweat. Instead, the battle was… already over.
And the victors?
A serene little family of veiled women and children, sitting on a picnic blanket by the roadside as if nothing extraordinary had happened.
"Uh… my ladies?" one of the Jin soldiers ventured carefully.
"Ah, you've arrived," Xue Ling said calmly, setting down her teacup. "Perfect timing. You can take care of this, can't you?"
The soldier blinked, glancing around at the unconscious men. "Uh—yes… yes, of course, my lady."
"Good." Xue Ling rose gracefully, brushing off her robes. "Then we'll be on our way."
Chu Yueli nodded, already helping the Nezukos pack up the picnic. The little ones cheerfully gathered utensils, folded the blanket, and even bowed politely to the bewildered Jin Family men before climbing back into the carriage.
The women departed as quietly as they had come, the carriage wheels rolling over the dirt road with soft clacks.
The Jin Family men stood rooted in place, still processing what they'd seen. Nearly a hundred gang members, taken down without a scratch on the victors—by a group of women and children who looked more suited to a garden party than a battlefield.
After a long silence, their captain finally exhaled and muttered, "Well… that saves us some work."
Another man smirked. "If we play this right, maybe Master Jin Zhuo can turn these rats around—make them work for us instead of against us."
The others nodded, shaking off their awe as they began binding the defeated men. Whatever miracle had just happened, one thing was certain—
the Jin Family's rise had already begun.
"No wonder the master was so confident when he sent us," one of the men muttered, surveying the unconscious gang members scattered across the road. "We'll need every hand we can get to secure the highway."
"With the city in turmoil and these highway thugs wiped out, we can finally move freely," another added, sheathing his blade. "This route will be safe again—for merchants and travelers alike."
The captain nodded firmly. "Good. Have men stationed at the city's exit. I want guards posted along every bend leading to the new marketplace. The people need to see that the Jin Family protects its own."
"Captain," a younger soldier asked cautiously, "does this mean… we've really secured the route? After months of harassment?"
A small, proud smile tugged at the captain's lips. "Yes. For the first time in months, this road belongs to us. As long as the law enforcers don't interfere, we can finally bring trade back under Jin Family control."
The men exchanged hopeful looks, spirits lifting as they began setting up temporary posts and clearing debris.
But as the captain turned his gaze toward the distant city, a shadow of doubt crossed his mind. "Let's hope the law enforcers are dealt with soon," he muttered. "Otherwise, this victory might not last."
Little did they know… that particular problem was already on its way to solving itself.
=====================
"To think that little Nezuko was enough to handle all of that," Xue Ling said with a sigh, shaking her head.
Chu Yueli smiled faintly. "Sigh… I suppose we've been easily surpassed by her."
"Well, what surprises me most," Xue Ling added with a teasing glance, "is that you actually let her play."
Yueli chuckled softly. "You were right back then. Her father didn't raise her to be a softie. She's spoiled in her own way, yes—but she's also gentle, soft-spoken, attentive… quite the rascal when she wants to be, but never disobedient. She's… the kind of child others could only hope to raise."
Her tone softened as her gaze drifted toward the little girl. Nezuko was leaning by the carriage window, her clones beside her, all of them giggling as they pointed at a flock of birds passing overhead.
"I still can't understand how she grew up like that without a mother," Xue Ling murmured.
"I don't know either…" Yueli replied quietly. "But if we ever have children of our own one day, Nezuko would make the perfect big sister to them."
Xue Ling blinked, then smiled knowingly. "Oh? Are you thinking that far ahead already?"
"We can dream, can't we?" Yueli said with a soft laugh.
"One day for sure," Xue Ling replied, her tone wistful. "If you can ever convince the Asgard Mistress to allow you to have children. Is it really that strict?"
"Yes… painfully so." Yueli sighed. "You remember how much trouble I caused just by admitting Nezuko as my daughter."
"Ah, yes," Xue Ling smirked. "Good thing Yue'er managed to convince your Mistress otherwise. Turning your claim into something that benefits the Asgard was quite the clever move."
Yueli sighed softly. "That's just her way of preserving the Asgard's image. I still had to deal with the aftermath myself. Those old elder bats may have authority, but in terms of strength? I could freeze them all in one breath. Still…" she lifted a hand dismissively, "rules are rules."
Her gaze drifted toward the horizon. "Anyway, where exactly are we headed? The city's a mess now that Yun Che's started putting his plans in motion."
"According to Mulan's father," Xue Ling replied, "the trade route has been harassed by a pack of wolves lately. Yun Che's sending us to deal with it."
Yueli arched a brow. "Literally a pack of wolves?"
"Yes," Xue Ling confirmed with a nod.
Yueli blinked. "Why us, though? Surely ordinary guards could handle wolves."
"I don't know," Xue Ling said thoughtfully. "But knowing him, there's more to it. We'll find out soon enough."
"That boy…" Yueli exhaled with a half-smile. "He really does think ten steps ahead. No wonder so many women ended up following him."
Xue Ling chuckled. "According to Mulan, even Mu Che was like that back in the day—calculating, decisive, always planning beyond what others could see."
Yueli's eyes narrowed slightly. "Do you believe he's actually Mu Che reborn?"
"Partly," Xue Ling admitted. "I'm not convinced, but it's not impossible. Especially after finding that Blue Orb last night. If he used it to revert his age and lost his memories, that would explain a lot. After all… no one ever heard of Yun Che before he suddenly appeared."
"I knew of him," Yueli said quietly. "Since Qingyue married him, at least. But how he came to be… I've no idea. Back then, he was a cripple—completely powerless. And yet, the strength he revealed during their wedding… it was something else entirely."
"No wonder you seem to know him so well," Xue Ling teased.
"Not personally," Yueli replied quickly, a faint pink brushing her cheeks. "He did suppress me during Qingyue's wedding. To think someone like me could lose to him."
Xue Ling smiled knowingly. "Still, he's managed to insert himself into every part of our lives. And yet, he's never once crossed the line—never flirted with anyone outside his fiancées."
Yueli's lips curved into a small, wistful smile. "He's a rascal, according to my sister. But… she changed because of him. For that alone, I owe him more than I can ever repay. Whatever he did, he brought back my sister."
"And he saved the Emperor and Yue'er." Xue Ling admitted to herself. Yun Che was indeed mysterious but, all the things he did. It saved everyone including her.
==============
Not far from the road where the carriage had passed, two young women walked side by side through the forest. Their robes marked them as elite disciples—refined silk trimmed with sect insignias unfamiliar to the region. Despite the long journey, their poise and beauty remained unshaken, like lotus flowers untouched by dust.
"Are you sure it's this way?" one of them asked, brushing aside a low-hanging branch.
"Yes," the other replied, scanning the faint trail ahead. "The Sect Master sent us here personally. The Flower of Eternal Winter is said to bloom somewhere in this valley."
Her companion frowned. "That flower… do you really think it can save the Grand Sect Mistress?"
"She's getting worse by the day," came the quiet answer. "The Sect Master says she refuses to see anyone now. Her skin has turned as pale as snow—no warmth, no color. Her illness is eating her alive."
The first girl's expression softened. "Is it truly that bad?"
"Worse," the other said grimly. "No healer in the realm can even ease her pain. If the legends are true, this flower might be her only chance."
They paused as a distant howl echoed through the trees.
"According to the Sect Master," she continued, tightening her grip on her sword, "the place is guarded by a pack of high-ranked spirit wolves. Be on guard, Yao Yao."
Yao Yao scoffed lightly, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "What do you take me for, Tian Xi? Some kind of weakling? We're the Sect Master's direct disciples, remember?"
Tian Xi smiled faintly. "Just making sure. You're the one who always complains when your robe gets torn."
"Hmph. Says the one who cried last time a wolf barked."
"I did not cry—!"
Their bickering faded into the whisper of leaves and distant howls, the tension between them lightened only by their familiarity. But behind their laughter lingered unease.
The forest grew colder. The air thickened with an unfamiliar stillness.
Something was watching them.
"Can you be serious for once?" Tian Xi hissed, tightening her grip on her sword as the air grew thicker with the scent of beasts.
"I am serious," Yao Yao replied, brushing her bangs from her forehead. "Sometimes."
Tian Xi groaned. "Sigh… it's too hot, and my chest feels tight."
Yao Yao smirked. "You don't have a chest."
Tian Xi shot her a glare. "Not bigger than yours, melon tits!"
"Jealous?"
"Never mind! Let's just find the damn flower and go home! The Grand Sect Mistress needs us, not your mouth."
Their banter cut short as the forest grew unnervingly quiet.
"The High Wolves are dangerous," Tian Xi reminded her, lowering her voice. "They can range from Spirit to Earth Profound Realm. Packs of them can tear through entire villages."
Yao Yao flicked open her fan sword, her confidence unwavering. "We're Sky Profound Realm. We can handle a few beasts."
"A few, yes," Tian Xi muttered. "But they hunt in packs—sometimes hundreds at once."
"Then let's hope their numbers aren't that—"
A low, guttural growl rolled through the woods. Then another. Then dozens more.
The forest came alive with glowing amber eyes—first a few, then rows, then hundreds. The underbrush rippled as enormous shapes slinked from the shadows, each one snarling, teeth bared and fur bristling with spiritual energy.
Yao Yao's smirk vanished. "Tian Xi… I think we just found the entire pack."
"'Found'?!" Tian Xi snapped. "They found us!"
In a single heartbeat, the clearing exploded into motion.
"Run!"
The two disciples turned and sprinted as the wolves surged forward like a tidal wave of fangs and fury. Branches whipped past them, claws raked the air behind them, and the thunder of paws shook the ground beneath their feet.
"We can't fight them! It's too many!" Yao Yao shouted, leaping over a fallen log.
"No one said there'd be hundreds!" Tian Xi yelled back.
"What do we do!?"
"Just run! Think later!"
The wolves' howls echoed through the valley as two streaks of color darted between the trees—two disciples of great cultivation power, now running for their lives from a storm of beasts that refused to stop.
The carriage rolled smoothly through a stretch of tall, whispering grass. The air was calm, touched by the scent of wildflowers and the soft hum of insects.
Then, Xue Ling's brow furrowed. "We're entering a dense grassplain. We should stop and scan the area—just in case."
Chu Yueli nodded. "Agreed."
Turning toward the carriage, she smiled gently. "Nezuko, Mama and Haha need to check the surroundings. Stay inside, all right?"
"Hai!" all four Nezukos replied in cheerful unison, their bright eyes peeking from beneath the curtain.
"Such obedient children," Xue Ling said softly, her tone holding a note of fond pride.
The two women stepped down from the carriage, their robes fluttering lightly as they spread their senses through the field. A quiet breeze brushed past them, carrying the faint tremor of movement—something massive stirring far ahead.
"My ladies!" their driver suddenly called, his voice shaking. "Over there!"
Both turned sharply.
A rolling cloud of dust surged toward them from the horizon, thick and fast. Through the haze, two figures could be seen—two young women in ornate robes, flying low, their energy flaring erratically as they fled for their lives.
Behind them, the grass rippled like waves in a storm. The earth itself seemed to rumble beneath a hundred pounding paws.
Xue Ling's eyes narrowed. "Are those the wolves Yun Che mentioned?"
"Yes," Chu Yueli answered, her tone calm but cold. "And there are… a lot of them. Hundreds, at least."
Her gaze flicked toward the fleeing women. "Why are those girls headed straight for us?"
Before they could react, one of the approaching disciples shouted, her voice raw with panic.
"Please run! There are high wolves—hundreds of them! Please, run!"
The air erupted with howls.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of glowing eyes burst from the tall grass, closing in like a storm of teeth and shadow.
"Doggies!"
Four little heads popped out of the carriage window, eyes wide with excitement instead of fear. The Nezukos clapped their hands, utterly enchanted by the sight of hundreds of wolves racing toward them.
Chu Yueli exhaled a long, patient sigh. "Shall we handle this? After all, this is what we came for."
Xue Ling smirked beneath her veil. "Of course. We can't let Nezuko deal with everything, can we? Her father might hear about it and think her Mama and Haha were too lazy to handle a pack of dogs."
"That would not look good at all," Yueli agreed with mock solemnity.
"Besides," Xue Ling added, drawing her weapon with a soft metallic whisper, "this might be the second time we've fought side by side."
The two panicked disciples from earlier skidded to a halt behind them, gasping for breath as they recognized the faint, chilling aura rolling from the veiled women.
"What are you doing!? Run!" one of them cried.
Neither Xue Ling nor Chu Yueli moved an inch.
The first wave of wolves lunged through the grass—and met a shimmering wall of frost.
Crash!
The lead wolf slammed into the barrier with a sickening thud, rebounding into its pack and knocking several more off their feet. Chu Yueli raised a delicate hand, her eyes glinting a soft azure as snowflakes began to swirl around her.
The air itself crystallized. Dozens of sharp, glimmering icicles spiraled around her before launching forward in a blizzard of piercing frost. Each shard struck with surgical precision, freezing paws, fangs, and fur mid-lunge.
Beside her, Xue Ling moved like flowing silk. The faint hum of her blade carried a familiar resonance—one gifted to her by the man who had shaped both her path and her heart.
A storm of sword light tore through the air, weaving between Yueli's snow and carving through the wolves' ranks with frightening grace. Each swing was an elegant stroke of destruction—every beam cleaving through a dozen beasts in perfect harmony.
The two stood back-to-back, veils fluttering in the wind, their combined aura turning the battlefield into a dance of ice and light.
Behind them, the Nezukos cheered.
"Go Mama! Go Haha!"
Even the terrified disciples could only stare, dumbfounded, as the pack that had just moments ago blotted out the horizon began to crumble beneath the effortless might of two women who barely seemed to be trying.
"Yue'er taught me a few tricks," Xue Ling said with a confident smirk, her grip tightening around the hilt of Yubashiri. "Might as well try them out!"
Her blade gleamed with compressed spiritual energy before she swung it in a smooth, horizontal arc.
BOOM!
A single, focused sword wave tore across the plain like a blinding crescent of light, cleaving through the charging wolves. The ground split in its wake, and the air shimmered with residual energy. The sheer force of it matched the might of a Sixth Level Emperor Profound Realm—elegant yet terrifying.
Not to be outdone, Chu Yueli's icy aura erupted, her composure unbroken even as her power surged. "I can't let you show off in front of Nezuko," she murmured, her tone calm but her eyes glinting with challenge.
A storm of frost and snow unfurled around her. Each gust of wind carried shards of frozen death, swirling in a dance of lethal beauty. Wolves that dared approach were instantly trapped mid-lunge, their bodies encased in crystalline ice before shattering like glass.
Their blades moved in perfect rhythm—swift, graceful, and impossibly light. Each swing of their katanas cut through tens of wolves, their movements fluid as dancers on a winter stage.
Not wanting to lose momentum, Xue Ling lifted her palm, summoning a radiant sword of pure energy, its light splitting the dimming sky. "Let's finish this in style!"
Chu Yueli answered with a rare grin, gathering her power into a swirling mass of cold. "Then allow me to contribute—Frozen Cloud Art, Second Realm: Snowball of Ice!"
She hurled a massive snowball infused with profound energy and thousands of icicles. It struck the ground and detonated into a roaring blizzard, the shockwave freezing everything within a hundred meters.
The combined brilliance of swordlight and snow illuminated the grassplain like dawn itself. When the storm settled, the field had transformed into a glittering expanse of ice and frost.
Hundreds of wolves lay scattered—many frozen solid, others retreating in terrified packs. Their howls faded into the distance as they fled, tails tucked, the will to fight utterly broken.
Xue Ling lowered her sword, exhaling softly. "Half a pack gone, and the rest will think twice before setting paw on this road again."
Chu Yueli nodded, sheathing her blade. "Once the Jin Family is fully restored, they'll handle the rest. For now, our work here is done."
From the carriage, Nezuko's tiny voice rang out joyfully, "Mama, Haha! You're amazing!"
The two disciples stood frozen, unable to find words.
Dozens—no, hundreds—of High Wolves lay scattered across the frost-laden field, and yet the four little girls in the carriage were giggling, cheerful, and utterly unafraid.
Both veiled women turned toward the sound of laughter, their proud smiles hidden beneath the silk of their veils—but their eyes gleamed with unmistakable warmth.
With one smooth motion, Chu Yueli resheathed Tachikaze, its blade whispering against the scabbard like a sigh of winter wind. Beside her, Xue Ling mirrored the motion, sliding Yubashiri back into place with quiet grace.
"Umm… we—" one of the disciples stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.
The pair, Yao Yao and Tian Xi, exchanged wide-eyed glances. They had seen sect masters unleash destruction before, but never with such effortless beauty—never with this serenity. Even the driver, who had witnessed more than a few impossible things while serving his master, looked dazed.
Chu Yueli broke the silence first. "Next time," she said calmly, "please refrain from involving others in your battles. You might hurt innocent people."
"Y-Yes, of course…" Tian Xi stammered, bowing. "Forgive us. But… who are you two?"
"Travelers," Xue Ling replied lightly, "with children."
The disciples could only blink at the simplicity of that answer.
Then—growl.
Both fairies turned their heads toward the sound. Yao Yao stood stiff, cheeks red, hands pressed to her stomach as it let out another loud protest.
"Ah—!" Tian Xi immediately bowed her head, mortified. "Please excuse my friend! She is… quite shameless."
Chu Yueli blinked once, then sighed softly. "You're not shameless. You're just hungry."
Xue Ling chuckled under her breath. "We might as well rest here. Let's set up the picnic before we return."
Within minutes, they had spread out a silk cloth beneath the open sky, their movements so graceful it felt like a ritual. The aroma of warm dishes soon filled the air—savory, sweet, comforting. Food prepared by Retsu and Yun Che, whose culinary skills could rival immortals themselves.
"Come," Chu Yueli said gently, gesturing toward the two disciples. "Join us."
Yao Yao and Tian Xi hesitated, unsure if they were worthy to sit beside such beings. But the little Nezukos waved them over eagerly, their smiles radiant.
"You can eat with us!" one chirped.
Overwhelmed by their kindness, the two disciples finally sat. The first bite made their eyes widen.
"This is… heavenly…" Tian Xi whispered, unable to stop eating.
Yao Yao nodded rapidly, nearly tearing up. "I… I didn't think food could taste like this!"
Chu Yueli smiled faintly beneath her veil. "You've had a rough day. Eat as much as you need."
When they had calmed, Xue Ling fixed them with a steady look. "Now then—who are you two, and what business brings you into that forest?"
Realizing that concealment was pointless, the disciples lowered their heads respectfully.
"My lady," Tian Xi said softly, "we are disciples from the Lunar Blossom Sect. We were sent to find the Flower of Eternal Winter to cure our Grand Sect Mistress. We… did not expect to meet fairies on the way."
"Fairies?" Yueli tilted her head slightly, amusement glinting in her eyes beneath the veil. "Hardly. We're just travelers."
"Travelers," Xue Ling added dryly, "who don't like wolves."
"Ah… I see." Tian Xi bowed deeply, her tone soft with gratitude. "Then, travelers or not, we owe you our lives. Thank you for saving us."
"This one is Tian Xi," she continued, gesturing respectfully, "and this is my companion, Yao Yao."
Yueli inclined her head. "I am Chu Yueli, and this is Xue Ling. The little ones," she said, gesturing toward the giggling children sharing pastries, "are Nezuko."
Both disciples froze mid-breath.
Chu Yueli?
The name struck like thunder. Could she mean that Chu Yueli—the legendary Fairy of Frozen Glass, the former elder of Frozen Cloud Asgard? No… impossible. Those of the inner sect rarely appeared outside the northern ranges, much less traveled with children.
And yet… her aura, her poise, her icy grace—it was unmistakable.
Their gazes flicked toward the other woman.
Xue… Ling?
The name stirred faint recognition, but neither could place it.
Both Tian Xi and Yao Yao exchanged quick glances, uncertain whether to speak or stay silent. The air between them carried a quiet reverence.
"All of them? Which one is Nezuko?" Tian Xi asked, her gaze flicking between the four identical girls happily eating sweets.
"All of them," Chu Yueli replied with a small smile. "They share the same name. They're… clones of the original."
"Clones?" Yao Yao blinked in disbelief. "Such a technique exists?"
"Yes," Yueli said simply, her tone serene. "Though few could ever master it safely."
"Ah…" Yao Yao murmured, glancing at the children in wonder. "To think a little girl could… such wonders exist in this world." She bowed her head slightly. "Thank you again for saving us."
"It was one of our tasks anyway," Yueli said gently. "You two just happened to be caught in it."
Xue Ling turned her attention to them, curiosity glinting in her eyes. "You mentioned something earlier—Lunar Blossom Sect, was it?"
"Yes," Tian Xi said quickly. "It's our sect—hidden deep in the northern mountains. We are few in number, but we serve under the Grand Sect Mistress."
"Just like the Frozen Cloud Asgard?" Xue Ling asked lightly.
The two disciples exchanged glances. "Just like," Yao Yao admitted, "but… leagues below them in power and prestige. We've heard stories of Frozen Cloud Asgard's disciples—beautiful as fairies, strong as gods. There was one they called the Fairy of Frozen Beauty… and another, the Fairy of Frozen Glass."
At that, Xue Ling's eyes shifted toward her companion.
The silence stretched for a heartbeat.
"I wish we could meet such figures one day," Tian Xi added softly, admiration shining in her eyes.
Xue Ling gave a faint, knowing smile. "You already have."
"Eh?" Both disciples blinked, confused.
"The person you speak of," Xue Ling said, tilting her head toward her companion, "is sitting right in front of you."
Both women froze.
Their eyes darted toward Chu Yueli, whose veil fluttered slightly in the wind.
"You're… the Chu Yueli? The Fairy of Frozen Glass of Frozen Cloud Asgard?" Tian Xi stammered, her voice trembling between disbelief and reverence. "I thought you only shared the same name—"
"I am," Yueli said quietly, cutting her off. Her tone was calm, almost detached. "I simply refused to be known."
The two disciples immediately bowed low, their foreheads almost touching the ground. "It's… an honor beyond words to meet such a figure!"
Chu Yueli's sigh was soft but sincere as she urged them to sit. "Please… I'm no figure. I'm just a person who walks her own path."
Her gaze turned toward the horizon, where the sunlight kissed the frost still clinging to the grass. "Titles mean nothing once you've left the mountain. Out here, I'm simply Chu Yueli… a traveler with a child and a long road ahead."
"Why do you seek the Flower of Eternal Winter?" Xue Ling asked, her tone even but her gaze sharp beneath the veil.
Tian Xi hesitated for a moment, her hands tightening in her lap before she spoke. "Our Grand Sect Mistress is… gravely ill. None of us have seen her in years—only the Sect Master tends to her personally. The only clue we have…" She paused, her voice lowering. "Her skin has become… unnaturally pale."
"Pale?" Yueli echoed quietly, a flicker of something unreadable passing behind her eyes.
"Yes," Yao Yao said, bowing her head. "We don't know how she fell into such a state. No healer, no pill, not even high-grade elixirs can cure her. All we can do now is search for that flower. It's said to contain the essence of eternal frost—something that might preserve her life."
Xue Ling nodded slowly, her expression unreadable. "I see. Then you must hurry. The wolves have scattered. Their numbers should be manageable now."
The two disciples bowed deeply. "We will. Please, accept our deepest gratitude—for protecting us… and for feeding us."
Yueli's smile was gentle beneath her veil. "It was the least we could do. Fate placed you in our path."
Then she turned slightly. "Nezuko, help Mama tidy up."
"Hai!" All four Nezukos chimed, springing into motion with adorable enthusiasm—packing teacups, folding cloths, and humming cheerfully as they worked.
The two disciples couldn't help but smile at the sight.
Xue Ling stood, dusting the frost from her sleeve. "Be careful, both of you. The forest isn't kind to those who let their guard down."
"Will we meet again?" Yao Yao asked hopefully.
Yueli glanced back at her, her voice as calm as falling snow. "Perhaps. We'll be staying with the Jin Family for now."
"Ah… then we'll be sure to give our proper thanks when we visit," Tian Xi said with sincerity.
"There's no need for ceremony," Xue Ling replied, her tone warm but firm. "Just keep your hearts steady—and your swords sharp."
The two disciples bowed again, committing every word and face to memory before turning toward the distant forest.
As their silhouettes faded into the mist, Chu Yueli and Xue Ling stood silently beside the carriage, the children giggling softly inside.
"Pale skin," Xue Ling murmured after a moment. "Do you think…?"
"I don't know," Yueli replied softly, her gaze distant and heavy with thought. "But something about that illness feels… familiar."
The wind swept across the plain, scattering petals of frost like whispers of a secret not yet revealed.
With everything packed, Chu Yueli, Xue Ling, and the Nezukos boarded the carriage once more. Their driver, who had been pale ever since the wolves appeared, hurriedly excused himself to tend to the horses. He fed them in silence, pretending not to overhear the cheerful laughter coming from the veiled women inside.
When the carriage was ready, the horses neighed softly—impatient to move again.
"Wait!" a voice called from behind.
The women turned to see Yao Yao jogging toward them, her companion Tian Xi close behind.
"The wolves," Yao Yao said, slightly breathless. "Their bodies are worth a fortune in purple profound coins. Are you not going to take them?"
Xue Ling leaned slightly out the window, her tone light. "We have no need for such things. You may take them if you wish."
"R–really?" Tian Xi asked, unsure if she heard right.
"We can't take something we didn't earn," Yao Yao said quickly, shaking her head.
"Just take them," Chu Yueli said gently. "We insist. Think of it as… a small blessing for your sect."
Under her veil, Xue Ling smiled. "A reward for surviving wolves and meeting troublesome travelers."
The disciples could only bow deeply, gratitude shining in their eyes.
"Bye-bye, big sisters!" chorused the Nezukos, waving with both hands from the window, their clones copying in perfect unison.
The two disciples waved back until the carriage vanished over the hill, its white canopy glinting faintly under the sun.
They stood in silence for a while, the air still carrying traces of frost from the earlier battle.
Despite meeting cultivators far beyond their level, those women had shown not even a hint of arrogance—only grace, humility, and warmth. They had saved them, fed them, and even left behind the spoils.
With the number of wolves thinned and the field full of valuable carcasses, the mission that once seemed impossible suddenly looked hopeful.
Tian Xi let out a quiet laugh of relief. "With this much, we'll have enough contribution points to advance our cultivation. And maybe, finally, the Flower of Eternal Winter."
Yao Yao nodded. "Yes… they made our mission easier than we ever dreamed."
As they began gathering the wolves, Tian Xi frowned slightly, deep in thought.
"For some reason," she murmured, "the name Xue Ling feels familiar."
"Why?" Yao Yao asked, glancing up.
"Not her first name—the family name, Xue."
"Now that you mention it…" Yao Yao's eyes widened slightly. "Wait. Isn't the name of our Grand Sect Mistress Xue as well?"
"Yes… but no one in the sect knows her full name," Tian Xi said, lowering her voice. "Only the Sect Master does."
A quiet breeze passed between them, stirring the frost-coated grass.
"Whatever the case," Yao Yao said, shaking off the thought, "we should gather what we can and move before the snow sets in. Those women gave us more than enough fortune for one day."
Tian Xi nodded, though her gaze lingered on the road where the carriage had vanished.
Xue… Ling
The name echoed in her mind—soft, elegant, but heavy with mystery.