"Your mother and I are already married," Wu Qin said calmly, as if it were the most ordinary thing in the world.
Xia Ruoqian was stunned again. She opened her mouth but no words came out at first. Her eyes darted over to Xiao Qingyue, searching for some sign that this was not real. The latter could not maintain her defiance any longer and slowly lowered her head in silent admission. Her shoulders slumped just a little, as if the weight of the words had finally settled on her.
She already understood that this was the Demon's bottom line. If she argued or denied it out loud, she would inevitably face another beating. Wu Qin smiled softly and did not force her to call him father yet. "Call me Uncle-in-law," he said, his voice gentle.
Xia Ruoqian hesitated, finding it hard to say the words, but after receiving a quick, pleading look from Xiao Qingyue, she softly called out, "Uncle-in-law…"
"Good girl." Wu Qin felt a quiet satisfaction. As long as he treated the mother and daughter well, she would one day willingly call him father. Foster father, stepfather. No problem at all.
"Pick any room to stay in. Don't be stingy with resources. Just ask me for more when you run out." He waved a hand toward the rows of quiet courtyards nearby, where soft lanterns glowed in the evening light.
Xia Ruoqian hurriedly waved her hands in front of her. "It's enough. With so many Medicinal Pills and tens of thousands of Mid-Grade Spirit Stones, it's enough to last me for years…" She stared at the pile in her hands, still unable to believe it. She had never dared to imagine this before — that one day she would have freedom wrapped up in Medicinal Pills and Spirit Stones, enough to last without worry.
"Once you successfully reach Foundation Establishment, your resource consumption will be even faster." Wu Qin gave her another High Grade storage ring, a stack of Grade One and Grade Two Talismans, three High Grade Spiritual Artifacts, and one Medium Grade Profound Weapon. Each item felt heavy and real in her palms.
Xia Ruoqian was almost dazed by the sheer wealth. She wouldn't even dare to dream of this! She was only at the Qi Refinement Stage, yet she could hold a Profound Weapon? Even some poor Golden Core Stage Loose Cultivators might not have as many treasures as she did now. She had become rich overnight, and the thought made her head spin.
Wu Qin did not favor one over the other. He gave Xiao Yue Liang plenty of resources as well, though he was careful about what he chose. He did not give her any treasures that could be used to escape or fight, only Medicinal Pills and spiritual items. After all, she could not run around freely. Among them, Soul-Nourishing and Divine Sense Pills were the most numerous, used to enhance Soul strength and help her recover from everything she had been through.
Xiao Qingyue remained silent, her mind a mess of emotions. She had never seen such a generous Demon. Wu Qin's generosity toward her was reflected in healing medicines, clothing, food, and lodging. He was very willing to spend on these things. But he would not give her cultivation resources. This had once led her to believe that Wu Qin was wary of her talent and afraid of her cultivation level rising. Now it seemed… she had overthought it.
"Xiao Yue Liang, eat this." Wu Qin held a Green Scale Fruit to her lips and fed it to her with his own hand. This fruit could heal injuries and strengthen the body, its skin smooth and cool against her mouth.
Xiao Qingyue finished it bite by bite, chewing slowly under his watchful eyes.
Xia Ruoqian's eyes flickered as she watched. She could see that her Maternal Aunt's mood was not good. Even though they acted intimately, there was none of the sweetness of a normal couple. Her aunt was more like… a pet he kept. It felt like she was unwilling in her heart but unable to disobey her master. Pitiful. Xia Ruoqian felt distressed and desperately wanted to know what she had been through during this time. There was no luster in her eyes anymore. Her appearance was still stunning, with unparalleled beauty and a cold temperament, but she no longer had that ethereal, otherworldly aura from before.
Back then, in the eyes of all the male Disciples of the Lingyun Sect, she had been as holy as an ice lotus atop a snowy mountain, like a Fairy from the Moon Palace descending to the mortal world. Now that light was gone, and it hurt to see.
The sun set behind the western mountains as red clouds drifted across the sky, painting everything in soft orange and pink. Wu Qin gave them time to be together while he went to the kitchen to stir-fry a few dishes. There was nothing wrong with cooking for his wife and daughter. The sound of chopping and sizzling filled the air, simple and home-like.
In the room, Xia Ruoqian asked in a low voice, "Auntie, how does he treat you?"
"He's quite good." Xiao Qingyue took her hand and traced a few words on her palm with her fingertip, careful and hidden. "Go out, leave."
Xia Ruoqian's eyes widened. Did her aunt not dare to say it out loud? Was she that afraid of Wu Qin? What exactly had she been through? But didn't Wu Qin like her and marry her? He had just given so many resources. It seemed he treated her well. Was it all an illusion?
Xiao Qingyue knew she could not escape and that leaving required the Demon's consent, so she asked how Xia Ruoqian had been for the past two years.
Xia Ruoqian answered truthfully, her voice soft. "Two years ago, shortly after you were sent to Siguo Cliff, the Sect Master went into seclusion. Shen Rumeng and those three ungrateful wolves became even more unscrupulous. Not only did they target me, but they also oppressed other Disciples. The vast majority of Disciples feel you were framed and demanded that the Hall of Discipline re-investigate and make the process public. It's just… there isn't always strength in numbers, and the Disciples' requests went unanswered."
On the surface, she was still the Eldest Senior Sister of the Lingyun Sect. To outsiders, she was still at Siguo Cliff. The entire sect's Disciples cared for her, supported her, and believed she was framed. She would always be that kind Eldest Senior Sister in their hearts. The cold and holy Fairy. But who could have thought… that she had actually ended up in Wuji Palace?
Xiao Qingyue's heart remained calm. The sentiments of the past had long since vanished during that time. The Lingyun Sect had nothing to do with her anymore. She was now like a rootless tree, drifting like dust in the wind.
At dinner, Wu Qin served them food with his own hands. "Eat more of this Third-Order Barbarian Bull Meat. It can increase your strength." The meat was tender and fragrant, filling the table with a rich aroma.
"Thank you." Xia Ruoqian was a bit constrained, feeling even more confused and strange. As a grand Soul Transformation Cultivator and a Great Demon who awed the Southern Region, he cooked personally, and the food was actually this delicious? The way he looked at her aunt was full of affection. It was only natural. Her aunt was indeed breathtakingly beautiful, unlike a mortal woman, captivating both the righteous and demonic paths.
Wu Qin still felt a bit guilty, but mostly distressed for her. He decided to find another Daughter of Destiny as soon as possible. From now on, as long as she didn't run away or mention other men, he would try his best not to whip her. He had to treat her with gentleness. Wu Qin secretly warned himself. In fact, he was already much gentler. If he had caught her trying to escape before his Rebirth, she would have faced at least a hundred lashes. This time, he couldn't bring himself to continue after only five.
An hour later, the moon was bright and the stars were sparse in the sky, while a bleak autumn wind blew gently on the mountain. Wu Qin and Xiao Qingyue sat playing chess while Xia Ruoqian watched quietly from the side. They were playing Go, the black and white stones clicking softly against the board.
"Qingyue, you taught me Go. Speaking of which, I should call you teacher." Before his Transmigration, Wu Qin had not known how to play at all. He had only known Gomoku. He had learned it from her while he was an undercover agent in the Lingyun Sect. The memory brought a small, warm smile to his face.
Xiao Qingyue's hand trembled slightly as she placed a stone. "No need…"
"I think it's quite good, Teacher Xiao?" Wu Qin had a warm smile, thinking that he should find time to have some custom clothes made. Although Xiao Yue Liang looked good in anything, different styles of clothing could bring more wonderful experiences.
"…" Xiao Qingyue did not understand what kind of craze he was having again. Being distracted, she quickly lost the game.
Wu Qin grinned. "Best of three. The loser has to scrub the other's back and massage their feet."
Xia Ruoqian's lips twitched. Regardless of who won or lost, wasn't he the one getting the advantage? He got all the good things. She remembered that the Disciples of the Lingyun Sect would be overjoyed just by getting within two meters of her aunt. Anything more was beyond their wildest dreams.
Unsurprisingly, Xiao Qingyue lost, turning from Fairy Xiao into Technician Xiao for the evening.
The bathroom was warm and filled with soft steam. Wu Qin stripped completely and soaked comfortably in the hot spring pool. This was originally prepared for Xiao Qingyue. Because she always liked soaking in hot springs, but after Wu Qin tried it once, he felt it was indeed quite good. He marveled at how well Xiao Yue Liang knew how to enjoy herself. This was also their second battlefield in their past lives. They had gone through countless battles here.
Mist rose in the room as Xiao Qingyue reached out her fair, jade-like hand and placed it on his back, stroking it gently at first, then with a bit more pressure.
"Use a bit more strength," he said softly.
"Oh…" Xiao Qingyue's pretty face gradually turned red, whether from embarrassment or the heat of the water. It was her first time being so intimate with a man… the first time she had seen his robust and powerful body up close like this. Her fingers moved carefully across his skin, and the moment stretched on, heavy with everything she could not say.