A:N- another mischief at the bottom awaits


A Peaceful Winter

Since that Execution, the King has been in a foul mood. He wants Xia City absolutely clean of any depraved activities and anyone enjoying such depravities. SPARE NO ONE.

Not everyone has seen Princess Yue yet, but they DO know that she's running an orphanage the Dowager and the Queen highly approved of. It's a big, spacious manor Lingyue bought to be an orphanage to give orphans a chance to grow normally, before becoming young adults. The children have a playground, comfortable furnishings, a well-made curriculum as well as Basic Martial Arts Training up to 9th Constitutional Level Training unless some of the kids wish to pursue being a martialist as a career. And food is good.

And considering a Pharmacist runs the place...yes, Lingyue is insistent on that terminology, the malnourished, skinny and tiny children look very healthy, all of them in clean clothes. Her source of money is her pills she sells to the Association and her patients.

'So what are her plans for those orphans?' the King asked his wife.

'The boys she hopes, will go to Apprentice Schools in Craftsmanship at age 15 to contribute to economy while the girls will leave home at age 15 for marriage instead of the normal 13 for commoners. Their Bride Price will be determined by the local Matchmaking Office, and the girls are educated in Literacy, Literature, Arithmetic and things a housewife must know. But given the curriculum we have seen, the girls will have a Bride Price minimum of 10000 gold due to skill as housewives and their educational level more than their looks.'

'We can see the results in the first batch she took in, the barbarian refugees from the Central Plains who were with her for a season and a half.' said the Dowager, genuinely pleased. 'The children are all happy, well-bred and mannered. She even built a playground for the smaller kids before they start education at age six. Soon, those children we rescued from 4th Prince and Brothels will be just like them after they heal from their ordeal. Her Orphanage in this city is very full, she cannot take in any more.'

'The children are now Wards of the State.' the King declared. He felt its the least he could do after ignoring the rumors for so long. 'Princess Yue may come to us should there be emergency that arises concerning the children. I also want to check on every city, town and village in this country. I will send agents to check on all counties thus, given how these children end up.'

'Your majesty, the reason for these children ending up this way is because of money.' Houqi piped up. 'I took a look at all goods and services available to the commoners as well as salaries from their jobs...its too little and disproportionate to the needs of an average family of four, and most families these days have six members in hopes that once old enough to work, they can bring in more money but the beginning is already a losing battle, forcing parents to sell their children. When we talked to the rescued children, they all have the same story. Being sold to brothels because they're too poor to afford them.'

'The only way to prevent this is improved salaries even for the lowliest job in this country as everyone's concern is enough food for a month, clothing, rent, education and training, access to even basic services, and annual taxes being everyone's worry even within the court.'

He then held a presentation with the help of maids pushing his presentation material...and like a lecturer, his computations cemented that he's the best prince indeed even when the other princes are alive and made Salary Increase Proposals for all active employees as well as cleaning up the slums through rebuilding and giving the people there actual jobs. Even healing from his 'illness' didn't dull his edge in his intelligence and can even answer questions smartly.

He was able to present very well much to the beaming pride of his family. He also gained the respect of the Civilian Faction and Neutrals and some of the Noble Faction.

xxx

Daily Routine for the Orphanage began.

Lingyue plans to sell her pills to the Association every month, as well as high-class herbs...for healing, but never for cultivation and any poison. But for her oldest herbs, she has the brother trio auction it off for her for an unholy sum of money. The herbs, given their quality...naturally end up in Earth Class Auction. One each of her healing herbs, even extinct ones in her care.

Yanche is now her strongest henchman, having succeeded in becoming a Poison Man. He is now re-learning the 18 Dragon-Subduing Palms this time with the force and might of a cultivator alongside the barbarian boys.

The children Lingyue just rescued, isn't physically-ready for training yet due to their malnourished states, so they're under General Education right now until they all healed from malnourishment by the time New Year's over.

It's now too cold to go to school that it's Winter Break now. It's Dongyue to Bingyue.

It's Lingyue who now visits Feng Shen's mansion and sleeps over incase he relapses...to his delight. Hey, they're engaged now, it's legal~

And she caused his nosebleed with a good reason as she left his bathroom. His eyes popped out at her...sleepwear and her actual size.

A peach-colored, lacy empire-waist baby-doll dress that left little to his imagination that barely covered her hips...and red panties. She made and wore these, just to tease him as revenge for 'last time'.

"WHAT THE HEEEELL?!" Feng Shen's mind was a flat-chested Lingyue in her miko garb...to this sinful beauty in front of him now! 'How?! You're flat as I've known you!'

'Well, I wear a binder~' Lingyue chirped as she took out a tight-looking cotton sports bra. 'I told you didn't I? That I don't want unwanted attention.' she said, putting her clothes properly on a chair. 'Honestly, being a Dan Master was bad enough, becoming Reincarnation Realm just made me more naughty in form!' Lingyue grumbled, embarrassed with herself as she crawled into bed with her fiancee.

She has a sinful body herself, because she ate healthy all her life. Picky eaters that equal to malnourished martialists don't get her same level of development.

'But I'm the lucky man to have this naughty girl all to myself.' Feng Shen smiled goofily, admiring her beauty. 'To be fair, should I disrobe and let you see me too?'

'It's fair.' Lingyue smiled and Feng Shen disrobed to his underwear, enabling her to see his masculinity that got her blushing. 'Have the guests gone now? I gave you enough Aura-Concealing red pills on your request back then to hide that you're a cultivator.'

'Yup. They went home this afternoon.'

'Just note that if you cross Reincarnation Realm, they won't work any more, OK?'

'Geh...' Feng Shen croaked out in dismay. 'Well, once New Year's Day is here, we'll announce our Engagement, OK? We have to go official in Daxia first as his majesty wants.'

'Ahahaha, that would be the right time!' Lingyue snickered in amusement. 'All nobility will be at the Palace to celebrate the fireworks display and everyone wears red and gold!'

While they crawled in bed together, Feng Shen began behaving strangely, like he was having a migraine. 'Feng Shen...?'

His eyes changed color and tattoos spread that caused her worry if he relapsed again. But!

This presence!

'Wu Chong?!' Lingyue popped her eyes out.

'Now's a good time as any to learn our secret isn't it, my wife?' Wu Chong purred as he caressed her cheeks. His voice and Feng Shen's voice are also as different as night and day.

'A split personality, both of you?!' Lingyue's mind was spinning now. She finds this out just now?!

'Something like that. You have two husbands, technically.' Wu Chong smirked, his handsome face teasing her. Suddenly he stiffened, eyecolor changing back and the tattoos receding and his face looked angry now.

'She's MY wife, so stay down!'

'You damn little...'

Lingyue watched in disbelief as the two wrestled for dominance before she had enough and bonked their body hard on the head.

'Gah!'

'SETTLE DOWN YOU IMMATURE NITWITS!' Lingyue hollered, startling a maid outside that a lot of people began eavesdropping. 'I get that you have a split-personality, but nothing changes, OK?! You're both my husband and that's end of story!' she went comical bighead on them.

'J-just like that?' Feng Shen squeaked, nursing his bruised head.

'Just like that.' Lingyue sighed, pinching her nose in exasperation before cooling down. 'I guess we decide on a schedule to be fair...seven days in a week, so the first three days is Feng Shen, the next three days is Wu Chong and the final day is time off since I do have children to look after. Sound good?'

'I'd prefer for life, but you'll get mad.' Wu Chong took over.

'Boys, we'll start this next week to be fair for both of you, OK?' Lingyue spoke to the shared body. 'I don't want favoritism and hurt the other. So for tonight, let's sleep!'

'Eh?!'

'You heard our wife Wu Chong, SLEEP!' Feng Shen grumbled.

'...this'll take a lot of getting used to.' Lingyue sweatdropped as Feng Shen cuddled her in his arms.

'Well, I'm glad you didn't freak out and run for the hills...' Feng Shen said nervously. He really hated this secret of his!

'I've seen many insane things, a husband with a split-personality is of little issue to me.' Lingyue reassured him, snuggling into his chest. 'I know you know that I've known Wu Chong though I only met him four times now.'

'When are those?'

'The first time was when I still lived in Qiufeng Town...I'm still an Upper Celestial at the time...it was during the Mountain Hunt every three years.' she told him. 'The second time was in Dream Cloud Marsh on my way to this city...and the third time was when he snuck into my office in Alchemist Association during Social Season. We only ever talked...and the fourth time was in Tai Yi School Ruins. He scared the crap out of me with his size-shifting technique I fainted!' Lingyue shuddered. 'Bones cracking and blood squirting out...how the hell is your body OK?!' she stammered, quickly diagnosing his body.

'Its unique to him with no harm to our body, thank goodness.' Feng Shen admitted, disturbed with her description, his moment of imaginary freak-out at the mental image her words showed him gave way to Wu Chong.

'Heh, its of little issue, I'm glad I am in your eyes.' Wu Chong deeply smooched her senseless. Since he's also her fiancee, she kissed back.

'Gasp...well, you've been kind to me and listened to my troubles...it gave me the spine to tell Feng Shen my worries...I'm just glad in the end my fears will never be.' Lingyue smiled. 'You two be good and learn to share me OK? I will never play favoritism on my husbands.'

'And how will you manage that?'

'I raised a lot of kids, husbands. Favoritism is bad in relationships.' Lingyue smiled, playfully poking their nose with a finger. 'You'll understand when you and Feng Shen help me with our children some day. Sleep now, work tomorrow.'

'...' Wu Chong retreated and let Feng Shen sleep with her as his idea of 'sleep' was different.

He swears on his turn, he'll gladly ravish her.

xxx

'What a way to find out.' Dao Nu grimaced as he and Elder Mu talked. 'It's good that Princess is OK with that. Though what she said concerns me.' he said anxiously. 'She said she's seen a lot of crazy things that master having him is of little issue to her and she would love them equally...how is that gonna work?'

'Makes me wonder how she grew up.' Elder Mu tut-tutted. 'I'll mail her grandfather for an inquiry.'

A month later, Ye Gu got a letter from some man he didn't know about. Who is this Elder Mu?

It was a long letter.

Apparently, the man is tutor to a PRINCE in Beiqing Country who's a medicine pot all his life and a Political Hostage in Daxia. His young charge Feng Shen got to know Lingyue, their first meeting being rescuing him from drowning. At the time she was with Ye Sheng, her cousin. Both became each other's first friend until his young master fell in love with her during their time in Xia City. The servants of Phoenix Mansion already see Lingyue as their future lady given how the two interact with each other so well. Lingyue loves him back but has justified fears she brought up thus never acted on her feelings than get hurt and rather marry a commoner.

So he and Feng Shen endorsed her to Beiqing's Emperor who sent agents for a thorough background check and a blood test to confirm her Noble Status, having obtained blood by faking assassination on Hong Fang. To marry a royal, one must be a noble after all. And given her lineage, looks, and many abilities and a two-element master, Beiqing Emperor approves of her that both teenagers are happy. Feng Shen fell in love with Lingyue because of her personality and how she was the only one who cares for him when other noblewomen back home would never even look at him for his lifelong illness and deem him useless unless he's their wallet for their personal luxuries and make him wear a green hat later. They triple-checked the young adults' interactions many times over, but can never find fault in Lingyue who remained kind and sweet while they can see in one glance the true nature of nobles her age!

Once winter is over, Feng Shen wishes to meet Ye Gu for his approval as Lingyue said he must get his, as she says he never forgave 13 years ago he would want extra reassurance. But Elder Mu wants to know what kind of person she was at home, before she traveled.

Damn right he does, Ye Gu thought, clutching the letter, shaken by what he found out.

He also has a somewhat-good impression of Feng Shen. Lingyue invited the boy out to eat with them in Drunken Immortal to celebrate winning the Smelting Competition. A handsome youth whose looks are impossible to describe. He had eyes on Lingyue alone, ignoring his other granddaughters and nieces.

But he had fears and now, taking advantage of his illness and the fact he can't cultivate to ensure no politics will try to grab him as everyone back home dismissed his existence, the boy can happily have Lingyue as his Furen and his only wife after promising her after he answered her fears of being like her mother and promised her that she will be his only wife or she'll leave him and run for the hills and never look back if her fears came to life.

But she has oddities Elder Mu wants to know about. She has a weird way of knowing things that she is always prepared with Feng Shen and efficiently treat his illness and seemingly knows instantly what to do it was uncanny but very welcome given their situation. The manor often had to gamble with what would calm his relapses!

Ye Gu made a decision.

Cold seasons are bad for the brat.

'Get me Huangyun.' It'll be good as he's the most level-headed to watch over the family while he's gone. The family daughters are hard at work with what Lingyue spent on. Almost a million gold for six books. Seriously...?

He'll have to leave now, if he wants to make it in time for New Year's Eve!

xxx

Beiqing, a month passed...

The Emperor began thinking about Feng Shen's future as a man.

He fell in love with a well-respected titled princess who has a lot of accomplishments under her belt yet remained sweet and humble, and preferred a peaceful life over excitement. Feng Shen has a lot of good things to say about her that his eyes would light up when she is mentioned or around.

But checking on his chosen bride also got him a lot of dirt going on in Daxia Country. A nasty Consort who orchestrated a lot of murders and blamed it on the Queen and rendered said queen's son insane with masterfully-crafted schemes aided by an evil alchemist to pull off. A poison specialist in Lingyue knew how to counter what was done as she studied poisons for Feng Shen's sake. And dear lord, Consort Luo has a pedophile son that the country was horrified of the idea of him as Ruler to succeed his father that everyone agreed to kill that bastard! Princess Yue's orphanage was filled with Royal Support and now, a full-time matron and part-time Doctor for both her fiancee and children in her care.

Xia Houqi is the only heir now by default and understandably, a good emperor in the making.

She has an impressive curriculum set that the orphans would be alright when they leave the nest. In Treasure Cave, Lingyue never asked Feng Shen for money. She saved up high-level pills to pay off for what she wanted and purchased six 7th ranked martial arts books for her family and orphans.

However, her preferring anonymity and being a wallflower...is exploited to deadly degrees that nobody will ever suspect she's capable of being deadly. Highly-trusted by an authority in Alchemist Association and three royals to do dirty work to gather evidence to aid them in cleaning the court, and she already met 'that one'. The association was horrified that she had a good relationship with 'him' and she actually sees 'him' as a friend. Being a country bumpkin, she was unaware thus never held any fear of him.

How will she react if there are two people in one body? One of whom her fiancee and the other...a threat to his life?

Keeping that mirror in his hands, he learned from Elder Mu that she was perfectly fine with the situation and promised to love them both and will never play favoritism...after being shocked that Wu Chong took over and revealed he also wanted her as his wife, Feng Shen subdued him by force angrily defending his claim, and had an 'argument', Lingyue yelled at both for being 'immature nitwits'. By the uproar in his room, that was how they found out Lingyue discovered their secret, because of Wu Chong himself!

She was accepting that her husband has a 'split-personality' and claims she's seen crazier things that their issue is no problem to her.

What the...hell?

Are things really gonna be OK? At least the Emperor knew Wu Chong will never let politics grip Feng Shen as it'll affect HIM too and will gladly massacre anyone who gets dumb ideas. At least that's one way of keeping Feng Shen's promise to Lingyue!

It also seems he doesn't have to do 'it' after all. Feng Shen is free to have Lingyue as his only wife.

xxx

Xia City, same time...

Ye Gu arrived at Phoenix Manor.

'Is Lingyue here?' he asked the guards politely. 'Its Grandfather Ye Gu.' one of the guards went in and he heard a stunned girly yelp. Yup, she's here and he was let in. Inside the grounds was comfortably-warm with no snow at all!

'Grandfather!' Lingyue...is now short-haired he was horrified. Seeing his expression, she quickly stammered, 'Oh no it's not what you think, it's an accident at work!' and she can tell his thoughts as usual. 'What brings you here to the capital?'

'Well, I got wind of your engagement to this young fellow and you understand I have my insecurities over the matter.' said Ye Gu grimly. 'And having this young lad visit our home in such a season is most unreasonable, we live near the mountains that this city is warm summer in comparison, so its best if I came myself instead. If he wishes to see your home, it should be summertime.' now that's news, the foreigners thought. Qixing Mountains is so cold this old guy thinks Xia City's nicer in winter? 'For now, go home to the orphanage. I wish to have a father-to-son talk with this sonny-boy.' he told her, looking at Feng Shen. 'It falls to me that role as your sire can't even qualify for that title.' he scoffed derisively. 'That long letter I got from you about the situation here is enough to give me nightmares.'

He never dreamed that Lingyue will be a shadow in politics just to get back at her father and enjoyed his current misery as the man thrived in status, so she used it against him. To that degree she gained a good rapport with the freaking queen, her son, and later, the Dowager and even the Emperor himself. She was smarter than both her parents when it came to goals.

Lingyue sighed.

'Alright...Feng Shen, I'll see you again tomorrow OK?' she asked sheepishly as Feng Shen was squirming at the look Ye Gu was giving him. Nobody can go against Family Headmasters after all.

'Now that my granddaughter's out of earshot though she still has her own ways, she really need not worry too much.' said Ye Gu, shaking his head. 'You've changed from that skinny lad months ago. Last I saw you, a good breeze would have blown you away.'

'Lingyue pulled a miracle in me.' said Feng Shen. 'People afflicted with cold poison are doomed to never be able to cultivate...yet she made it possible for me.' Ye Gu gaped at him. 'I have had my own insecurities as a man. A man who's unreliable that Lingyue is my first friend in my life and became my most important person to me. That alone speaks volumes. I had to hide my newfound power from home or politics will get funny ideas. Politics are dirty as Lingyue knows full well. And in my world, your worth is based on your 'power'...political influence, resources and martial skill. I have to conceal I now have martial skill to avoid politics snagging me.'

'Mm.' so this boy is 'useless' by his own free will. Nobles no doubt shunned this boy as they have family interests in mind. But should his abilities go public, well...there's a reason this whole house lied. So he can keep his promise to his granddaughter.

'...did Aunt Huangyu remarry?' and he's calling Lingyue's mom aunt already!

'Deep scars remain from betrayal, after she gave that heartless man her heart.' said Ye Gu softly. 'She could not look at another man yet. But the good is always blessed, and the bad is cursed. Huangyu will be blessed for sure with a man worthy of her. She's still young, and made beautiful thanks to Lingyue's pills. She can still find the right man before she's past her prime.'

'Now then, let's have a nice long chat. As father-in-law to son-in-law. Hopefully unlike someone I know, you're actually worth that.'

xxx

In her bedroom at home, Lingyue watched the moonless sky.

Thick with clouds as beyond her barrier, it's snowing heavily outside.

Conflict in the northwest is also afoot.

Thank goodness her anonymity protected her. While she's capable of settling the mess, she really didn't want to leave home. Daxia's problems, are not hers anymore. As a cunning mafia boss, she will secure only her own interests this time, unlike before. She'll only mess around if she knew it'll make Hong House crumble.

Now that she's Feng Shen's wife, its really not her problem any more.

'Milady, I have succeeded.' Yanche reported to her. 'As per your instructions, I left 'him' alive for her.'

'Very well. The rest is up to her now.' said Lingyue. 'She must get her justice with her own two hands. Only then can she gain closure and truly move on in peace with her twins. Ah, I'm kinda jealous~' she chuckled darkly. 'My justice is a little bit harder to earn, but I'll enjoy slow and steady. I'll destroy the status they hold dear.' she purred.

Hong Qingyun managed to secure a mission to get Hong Fang redeemed in the eyes of the court by sending him to quell Spirit Beast Disturbance. Being a Level 2 Reincarnation Realm level, he would indeed, be the better choice, something that really dissatisfied General Lan who has more wartime experience while Hong Fang is a civil servant. But the Emperor has to balance politics to be fair whether they like it or not.

Cai'er complained to her about it this morning, and she gave Cai'er a red pill that got the woman two pills before choking in shock.

'Well, while the Hongs monopolize all the missions, have your father regain his lost shape and edge, while cultivating. Sure reincarnation breakthrough healed him but there's no denying he lost his edge.' said Lingyue. 'Sister Lan, you're in Dan Realm now, soon to break through thanks to the fish I gave you.' she said. 'Both you and General must be on the verge of breaking through to Dan Realm to swing things our way. Do you know what Dual Tribulation is...?' she told Cai'er with a smirk. 'It's when two people that broke through Dan Realm into Reincarnation at the exact same time are too close together that they share the same heavenly pillar of tribulations. Their trial may be different, but its double the benefit.'

It didn't take long for Cai'er to understand what she's implying.

'T-two levels at once?!'

'Bingo~you'll gain two for one deal, just time it right.' Lingyue smiled. 'Won't that be nice? Just be sure to take that pill an hour before breakthrough happens, OK? And that's our little secret.'

She knows the Lans will never tell to gain an edge.

And now, she has a guest room to prepare. The top floor is a guest room, not an attic as she led the royals to believe.

xxx

Ye Gu went to the orphanage from visiting Feng Shen. Lingyue prepared a warm room, bath and everything else.

'Fuuu...this is quite welcome, after cold travel days. But I have to go home tomorrow morning to make it in time for New Year's day.' said Ye Gu.

'I know. I prepared warm food and a warmed bed for your trip tomorrow.' said Lingyue, bringing him warm hotpot and warmed Rainbow Medicinal Wine. Ye Gu graciously took the piping hot meal and drink that brought warmth to his frigid body after days of travel. 'I'll also give you a supplement. Its a miracle you didn't get cold cramps after traveling nonstop.'

'Now now, I'm a Dan Realm old man, fortified by your pills.' Ye Gu smiled kindly. 'I'll soon break through but I'll wait when Winter stops. Tis a bad season to do so.'

'Mm. I'll wait for New Year to be a Level 3.' Lingyue smiled.

'So what were your trials?'

'I got drowned for hours and then stuck inside a tornado the next.'

'I see. Not very pleasant, no doubt.'

'Nope. But alas, power has a price.' Lingyue stated dourly. 'It is not cheap.' they talked some more to catch up before they headed for bed each.

Come next morning, she gave Ye Gu some military rations in the form of juzu after breakfast, only, what's in it is dried deliciously-nutritious furikake rice unlike rice and salt used by samurai of Japan, and a lacquered rectangular small box. 'Grandfather, these are sliced Chiyang Ginseng. This should help you on the way home when you feel too cold.' Lingyue told him. 'It'll warm you up down to the last cell.'

'Thank you Lingyue, this would be of good use indeed!' and Ye Gu bade his grandchild farewell.

'There he goes.' said Madam Lai, watching him go. 'Grandfather huh?'

'He got worried when I'm engaged.' said Lingyue. 'His fears are unfounded in the end, making him happy. He thought history would repeat through me.'

'Izzat right?'

'Yes. Everything will be alright.' Lingyue smiled. 'But first, I'll make a nice trip.'

A trip for Black Valley it is.

She let Yusi and Shanben on ahead with instructions. They will be alright. She trained them to be a capable Spirit Beast after all.

xxx

'A trip to Black Valley?' Feng Shen blinked as Lingyue told him her plans. 'Last I checked, that place is forbidden!'

'Yes. I can get Meteor Iron from there.' said Lingyue. 'Its a once-in-lifetime chance, too.'

How she got that information Feng Shen will never know. Ye Gu mentioned she has a way of knowing things by touch, that nothing is hidden from her. He mentioned instances of such times and her ability made her one hell of a cook and invaluable doctor...and a miner. Before she left home, she left enough marks that kept them busy digging!

'Alright, we'll go when the blizzards stops.' he said. 'Traveling with no visibility is asking for it.'

'True true. I'll stock up on food and medicine for our travels.'

For Feng Shen and Wu Chong, they'll be all alone with Lingyue for many, many days.

That clearly means that they can have full time with her as they so long wanted. Their hearts darkened with their desire for their wife. Intimacy without anyone overhearing and in their way is very much welcome.

What a good Lingyue, they thought in anticipation. Meteor Iron must be an excuse, as that stuff is extremely hard to find that Buddhism Metal is easier to purchase in market! She knows how they feel and would gladly open her arms to them. Taking turns is cumbersome, but she is fair and very strict about fairness out of her promise for them both.

They can wait.

xxx

A week later...after bidding the Phoenix Mansion farewell, the pair left, but avoided the main road.

'Lingyue, why'd we avoid the main road?' Feng Shen inquired.

'Hong Fang's forces is ten minutes away from us from the gates.' said Lingyue darkly. 'I'd rather not see his face.' Feng Shen nodded and they took the detour with her taking the lead. Lingyue's qinggong technique made each jump seem like a short-distance flight that she taught him, other than the Ghost Needle Manual and a book she has in her possession that she feels, will suit him as a beginner fighter, Flowing Water Intercepting Fist. He can compare their movements to a flying squirrel, but a lot lighter and a lot more graceful.

They traveled together, only stopping when it's time to eat.

Took them three days to reach the area...for a Heavenly Pillar to appear.

'This is it.' Lingyue grinned. 'It'll come! Meteor Iron!'

'How can you tell?' Wu Chong inquired, taking over. Feng Shen has been with her for their entire journey it's his turn now!

'Yusi has an old friend who functions as a seal to this valley. A Primordial Plant Spirit named Qiu Tian. If she breaks through, she'll trigger the Earth Trial, calling forth a freaking meteor from the sky and there's our Meteor Iron!'

"It's not an excuse after all!" both personalities' minds went blank as indeed, a meteor descended from the heavens, and BAM! Shockwave was so great they hung on tight until the shock wore off.

'But Lingyue, the meteor striking this area will destroy the seal over this place. There's a supposed calamity being sealed here that the Three Great Schools and Nine Sects forbade anyone ever coming here.'

'Not our problem.' said Lingyue. 'The Wolf Tiger Army's domain is this area while across this valley is Flag City's. Both sides will be covered, so not our problem.'

'Heh, I like how you think.' Wu Chong grinned. 'You really don't like Chen Hongru don't you?'

'What he did to my ancestor is most unjust that he refused to rest until his spirit tablet's energy supply ran out. If he truly wants to win a competition, win with your skill and effort with a little bit of luck, not sabotage others. I'm sure deep in his heart, he may have cheated his way to victory but winning the competition never satisfied him once the thrill wore off...that the question remains...am I truly the best alchemist in the world? A question that will never be answered nevermore.'

They went for the meteorite where within the rock, was a thousand pounds' worth of Meteor Iron. Yusi and Shanben came to their side, yapping. Yusi was sad for his friend who failed her Earth Trial, but some part of her remained as a sapling that Lingyue took in for Yusi's sake, after taking in the goodies of the meteor.

'Meteor Iron score.' Lingyue grinned. 'And now, let's avoid the army! This way!' and they fled as an hour later, the army came to investigate...and later, deal with the trouble Lingyue caused to happen on purpose.

xxx

In an isolated area, by sundown...

Lingyue erected a Cabin Tent. Wu Chong found this style of tent quite, sophisticated, after she caused a lot of snow to disappear and evaporate, revealing bare soil. Then she built this strange, large tent it may as well be a small house. Then she took out bedding, and their food supplies while she trusted him with the fire...starting with how to properly prepare firewood so it'd burn longer. Then a campfire pit for their dinner later.

Once he was done, Lingyue took out a pot, and used snow as water source, waited for it to boil before putting in enough rice and stuff, for congee.

She will also deal with her new spirit companion inside the Spirit Space, spending 'several days' to console Yusi about Qiu Tian and Qiu Tian will be alright living near Rainbow Lake to recover.

She wasn't a Mafia Boss for nothing that she's capable of setting this up to get what she wants. She used this on CEDEF as revenge tactic after all. She set them up on missions they'll nearly die in to succeed, and she set this up to obtain Meteor Iron. Yusi and Shanben will not die but Qiu Tian's 50-50 after she set them on a fake mission.

While she may care for Yusi and Shanben and ensure they get away unscathed, that doesn't include strangers which Qiu Tian was.

'So how are your pets?' Wu Chong asked her. She was gone for one hour. Their camp was starting to smell good because of the congee.

'Well, took a while for Yusi to calm down...that was quite the scare in his first mission without me.' said Lingyue. 'I reassured him that his friend is more important than the Nine Leaf Pearl Clover right now and with the army sniffing around, this mission's a bust.'

'...'

'Hey, it's just us alone now, Lingyue.' Wu Chong snaked his arms around her, turning her on. 'I was waiting for this. You know?'

'Be glad there's no man nor beast around...' Lingyue squirmed, as his hand slipped inside her shirt to fondle her as he began necking her. 'Mm!'

She knows that this is a part of a romantic relationship but sometimes...she can't help but revert to being a shy virgin whenever she's touched by her fiancee.

Capable of many things...forced into her whether she wanted to or not, without her control.

This, was one thing she was never taught. Sure she's aware of porn, but she never watched porn in her life. The only things she knows is what little she knows.

Before she knew it, Wu Chong got her naked and in their tent, his eyes saying he's eager to have her, looking at her second husband shyly but nervously.

'...be gentle with your lower sword, OK? You two are really big.'

He smiled. He can tell by his hands alone that it will hurt. Its not yet time for that.

Not stopping him from claiming her in other ways though.

'Alright. A good husband would know how to treat his wife well, Lingyue.' Wu Chong cooed to her. 'While they make you theirs.' he said, stripping himself as well...and their bodies met. His wife is capable of many things, except this.

This was all new to her that she lets him lead...and dominate her.

His aching, weeping organ longs to plunge into her but he didn't want to hurt her and scare her off from intimacy forever.

Then she did a surprising thing for him.

She...pinned him down, her eyes clouded with lust and hunger.

'Yue?'

She mounted him, and began grinding her crotch against his hard-on...and began riding him like a pro in his opinion, but for Lingyue who had no knowledge nor experience, she did what her body wanted to do.

Holy. Shit. he thought, wide eyed.

Oh wow, Feng Shen thought as while he could watch, he could feel as well. He could see everything in such a manner he gulped.

Wu Chong never had a woman do this unusual technique on him before...

It's so hot.

It feels damn good.

What a woman their wife is! It's different, but damn, they came hard...and she fell limply on his muscular torso before kissing him on her own.

'How soon can we do that again?' Wu Chong whistled, their sweaty bodies glowing from their intimacy.

'Two more days and it's Feng Shen next...we're not gonna go home until both of you ate me as much as you like~.' Lingyue smiled, still high on how hot she feels. 'I want my husbands to eat me for one whole week.'

And how that greatly affected both personalities because of that promise that got them hot.

And she's not kidding when she promised to be fair to both of them. It included this.

It also showed Lingyue how different they were.

Wu Chong's way of making love she felt he could put porn stars on Earth to shame even if she never watched porn. Feng Shen was as virginal as she was, that he was more gentle with her while experimenting.

By the end of Feng Shen's turn, they were taking a bath in a natural pool Wu Chong heated up so they can clean up.

'Our week was wonderful.' Feng Shen sighed in bliss as he had Lingyue in his lap while soaking in the pool.

'Yeah...I love you both.' Lingyue purred in his hold. Feng Shen's heart bubbled with joy. His tattoos rising and Wu Chong took over for a few seconds to show how he felt with her words. 'So much.'

'You're our Lingyue.' Feng Shen beamed. She's free to tell them that, now that there's nothing in their way any more.

'Let's finish up. In one hour, the Tiger Wolf Army will pass by soon, as much as I'd want to stay here with you guys.'

'...I'm not about to give a free show any time soon.' Feng Shen grumbled. 'Especially to a bunch of soldiers!'

'...and how do we break the news to mom? She's with them for some reason...'

'Well...with those guys around, so much for New Year's Announcement.' Feng Shen grinned. 'If the whole army knows, the whole city will soon know.'

'Ehehehe...'

They finished up with bathing and Lingyue erected a barrier to keep Feng Shen healthy as soon as they got out of the hot springs they were in. He took his medication as a precaution and a number of pills before getting dressed.

Upon packing up the tent, the army was five minutes away from their camp.

'Lingyue?!'

'Mother!' Lingyue waved over. On the other side, the soldiers squawked.

'MOTHER?!'

'M-Miss Ye, she looks like a young adult...i-if you're her mother, how old are you?' one brave soldier stammered out, wide-eyed.

'Eh? I'm 35, why?'

'35?!'

'You don't look 35!'

'Ahahaha!' Huangyu looked sheepish. Now what is her daughter and that young man doing out here, huh?