Wei Ji froze.
For a moment, he thought he misheard. Lu Shaohua… offered to cook for him?
His mind blanked. The Celestial Demon Empress — the same woman who once ruled entire cultivation world with fear and elegance — was offering to cook for him? It didn't make sense.
Wei Ji blinked twice, his expression stiff. Then, the memories hit him.
He remembered the way his old companions spoke of her back in the war — their voices low, eyes trembling whenever her name was mentioned.
"Don't ever eat what she serves," one of them had whispered beside the campfire, his face pale. "They say those who tasted her dishes died smiling. She always gives them a last supper… says it's an honor to die tasting heaven before entering hell."
Another had chuckled nervously. "Her meals are divine, but that's the problem. You won't notice the poison until it's too late."
He remembered an older cultivator who once fought her generals saying, "Tje Empress's cooking is unmatched. Sweet, gentle, perfect. But each dish carries intent. If she hates you, your heart stops after the last bite. If she pities you, you'll dream of her forever — until madness takes you."
And now… this same woman stood before him, her voice soft, her eyes calm, offering to cook for him.
Wei Ji's mouth went dry. What the hell is going on?
He cleared his throat, trying to compose himself, though his heart thumped fast in his chest.
"Alright," he finally said, his tone steady but careful.
Across from him, Lu Shaohua's eyes widened slightly. She didn't even understand why she had offered that. She stared at him, confused, wondering what possessed her to say it.
Why did I offer to cook? she thought, clutching her sleeves. What am I doing?
She glanced at Wei Ji again. His calm face, his serious eyes — it made her heart beat strangely. Then, when he said "okay," something flickered inside her.
A strange sense of warmth.
She almost smiled.
But Wei Ji's expression suddenly changed. The warmth in the air shattered in an instant. His eyes grew sharp, his posture straightened, and his hand rested lightly near the hilt of his sword.
His voice turned cold. "It seems we have uninvited guests."
Lu Shaohua froze.
She could sense it too — faint ripples of spiritual energy outside the courtyard walls. Someone was watching them.
"You can attend to it, young master," she said softly. "While I… cook for you."
Her voice trembled slightly at the last part, as though she still couldn't believe she said it.
Wei Ji nodded, his gaze never leaving the direction of the intruding aura. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he threw something toward her.
It landed in her hands with a soft clink.
Lu Shaohua looked down. It was a small bronze token, engraved with the emblem of a roaring phoenix and the Han Family's sigil — a master's token.
Her eyes widened in disbelief. "This… this is—"
Wei Ji spoke before she could finish. "That will make sure no one troubles you in this house."
He turned away. His tone was casual, but his intent was clear — this token granted her authority equal to that of the Han Family's head.
Lu Shaohua stood frozen. Her fingers trembled as she held it tightly.
Why? Why would he give me something like this?
She looked at his retreating back as he walked out of the courtyard, the wind rustling his robe.
Her thoughts tangled into chaos.
Why would he do this? What does he mean by protecting me?
Her heart pounded as she tried to make sense of it. Then, suddenly, her mother's voice echoed in her mind — soft, warm, filled with love.
"You found a good husband, my daughter."
Lu Shaohua bit her lip. No… no, that can't be true.
But then she remembered.
The way he sent away his concubines. The way he listened when she begged him to spare her subordinates. The way he made sure she was comfortable in this mansion, despite knowing she was once his enemy.
Could it be… that he's really like that?
Her cheeks flushed red. Her heart raced faster.
Is this what it feels like to be treated with care… by a husband?
She pressed her palm against her chest, trying to calm her heartbeat.
Then, remembering her promise, she straightened her back. "I should cook for him," she murmured, forcing herself to focus.
Just as she moved toward the kitchen, shadows flickered by the wall. Five figures dropped down silently from the roof — three women and two men, their faces hidden under black veils.
"Madam," one of them said in a low voice. "You must be careful. Do not listen to him… and do not let him touch you."
Lu Shaohua blinked, startled. "Huh? What? What do you mean by that?"
The assassins looked at one another nervously. Then, one of the women stepped forward and whispered, "We went back to the sect, my lady. We reported his change. The Master believes that the Han Family's eldest young master may be… a cultivator from the Five Element Sect."
"What?" Lu Shaohua's eyes narrowed. "Wei Ji? From the Five Element Sect? That's impossible."
"It's the only explanation," one of them said quickly. "The way he formed a barrier around this mansion, the strange aura that repelled the Red Sand scouts — all of it fits. He must be hiding his true identity. Perhaps… he's here for the Lotus too."
Lu Shaohua's mind went blank.
The Sacred Lotus — the divine treasure buried deep under the Shen Flame Kingdom, said to bloom once every thousand years, capable of rebirth and awakening dormant spirit veins. If that were true…
Then everything would make sense.
Wei Ji's sudden increase in strength. His strange calmness despite being surrounded by sect members. His cold confidence even toward the immortals.
Could he really be a cultivator from one of the great sects?
But then, a question hit her.
"If that's the case," she asked slowly, "why would he reveal himself? Why would he help me, or give me this token?"
Her voice trembled, half angry, half confused.
The assassins hesitated. None of them could answer.
After a long silence, one of them finally spoke. "Maybe… he's playing a deeper game. Maybe he wants to use you, my lady. To get close to the Lotus. To use your bloodline to locate it."
The others nodded in agreement, their voices low and anxious.
"You must be careful," one of them insisted. "If he really is from the Five Element Sect, then he's far more dangerous than we thought. He's not just pretending to be a mortal. He's a hunter hiding among prey."
Lu Shaohua listened, her fists slowly tightening.
Each word made her chest ache more.
Part of her wanted to believe them. The other part — the one that remembered the warmth in his voice, the look in his eyes — refused to accept it.
She felt torn between logic and instinct.
If he was using me… then why would he give me protection? Why would he spare my followers?
Her gaze drifted toward the token again. It gleamed faintly under the light, the mark of the Han Family shimmering with quiet strength.
The assassins continued talking, warning her about the dangers, reminding her that even the kindest faces could hide killing intent.
But their words started fading into the background.
All she could think about was Wei Ji's voice, calm and steady, saying, That will make sure no one troubles you in this house.
Her lips parted slightly, her eyes softening.
Finally, she whispered, "I'll do that."
The assassins looked at her, puzzled.
Lu Shaohua smiled faintly — a small, knowing smile that didn't reach her eyes.
"I'll be careful," she said again. But inside, her thoughts were in turmoil.
Because even as she promised to be cautious, her heart had already chosen to believe and at the same time doubt him. She hope that she isn't what she thinks he is. Not after the Lotus. Or else, everything makes sense.