Chapter 191: Ugly to Handsome?

Heavenly Sword Villa Inner Halls

Ling Yuefeng's stern expression darkened as the weight of the situation bore down on him. The Heaven's Child, Nezuko, had become a looming threat, a prodigy far beyond her years. If left unchecked, she could tip the scales of power, and the consequences for his sect could be dire.

"We can't let this continue," one of the villa elders echoed.

Ling Yuefeng nodded, his mind racing. "Indeed, the child's strength is growing at an alarming rate. If this goes unchecked, Chu Yueli and the Frozen Cloud Asgard will rise to power far beyond what we can oppose. A single child possessing cultivation beyond our own elders is a danger we cannot afford."

An elder, clearly agitated, leaned forward. "Even if we are unsure of her true parentage, it matters little. Her potential is a danger. The longer she lives, the more unstoppable she becomes."

Ling Yuefeng's eyes narrowed. "Yes. We must stop her, even if it means we offend Chu Yueli, her supposed mother, or the Frozen Cloud Asgard itself. We cannot allow her to continue her rise. The child's display of power, defeating an uncontrollable panther, was no mere coincidence. Her cultivation at the Peak of Sky Profound Realm is too much. In the next following month, she could step into the realm of Throne."

The room fell silent as the gravity of their plan set in. One elder, more cautious than the others, spoke up. "But are we truly prepared to offend so many? The Frozen Cloud Asgard, the Blue Wind Imperial Family, and her father—are we ready to face that swordsman's wrath?"

Ling Yuefeng's expression hardened. The risks were undeniable, but his mind was made up. "We have no other choice. Xue Ling's loyalty is beyond our control now, bound to the princess. I've already lost Chu Yuechan's favor; she will protect her sister and her niece at any cost. There's no turning back. If we do nothing, Nezuko will soon surpass us all."

The room shifted with unease. The words hung heavy, but the determination in their leader's eyes silenced any doubts.

Ling Yuefeng took a deep breath before delivering his final orders. "We must act discreetly. Conspicuous moves will draw attention, and we cannot afford a direct confrontation. Hire assassins if we must. But make no mistake, this child's growth must be halted. If she reaches Monarch level in a few short years, the Frozen Cloud Asgard will be untouchable, and we will be left in their shadow."

An elder's fist slammed on the table, the resolve in his voice echoing his leader's. "Her mother, her father—none of it matters! The Heaven's Child must be stopped!"

Ling Yuefeng nodded in agreement, eyes cold with resolve. "Assemble our top elders. Search for Nezuko. She cannot have gone far, and it is unlikely she has returned to the sect. Find her, act discreetly, and when the time comes—eliminate her."

The room fell into an eerie silence as the elders acknowledged the weight of their task. There would be no going back. They were committing to a path that would shake the balance of the empire, but in their minds, it was the only way to survive.

Ling Yuefeng's final words hung in the air like a curse. " I am sure the other sects have the same thought. If she can't be obtained, she cannot be allowed to live. We strike now, or we fall later."

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"Ehee… A date with Danna-sama… this is the best day ever!" Mio twirled and spun with excitement, her joy bubbling over as they strolled through the bustling streets of the Imperial City. The vibrant market atmosphere was a perfect backdrop for their long-awaited time together.

After some intense negotiations—and a spirited game of rock, paper, scissors between her, Nemu, and Cang Yue—Mio had finally won the coveted spot for a date with Yun Che. Retsu, much to her dismay, was benched from participating, having already claimed an earlier date. The memory of her pouting face flashed in Yun Che's mind, but he couldn't help but laugh at how competitive they all were.

Mio, on the other hand, was living her dream. Skipping ahead and then turning to face Yun Che with a grin, she clapped her hands excitedly. "I can't believe it's just us today!"

Yun Che chuckled, hands tucked casually behind his head. "Well, after that intense battle you three had, I'd say you earned it."

Meanwhile, Retsu took the time to train Nemu in both Haki and Kido, and Cang Yue had returned to the palace to practice her Rokushiki Arts in her Moon World—though not before once again asking for Yoruko, or rather Nezuko's, help with a promise. This time, it was for her sworn elder sister, Xue Ling.

"Hold your horses, Mio, I'm coming," Yun Che called out, a serene smile on his face. "You seem unusually happy today."

Mio turned back, linking her arm with his as she smiled sweetly. "Ehee… I don't have to wear my veil anymore, that's why."

"But you're still wearing an Uchikatsugi," Yun Che pointed out. Despite not having a veil covering her face, Mio was still wearing the traditional veiled Japanese hat to conceal her beauty. These girls weren't kidding about reserving their beauty exclusively for him, going as far as to veil themselves in public.

"Ehee, at least it's not on my face! The Uchikatsugi is quite convenient. Ret-chan mentioned she might use one tomorrow at the tournament. She said veils make her movements sluggish. But you seem awfully confident about us unveiling ourselves," Mio added, sliding her hat slightly, curious.

Yun Che nodded, explaining, "That's because of the system's new feature: Beauty Suppression Mode."

"Beauty Suppression Mode?" Mio echoed, tilting her head in curiosity.

"Yeah, it subtly suppresses your overwhelming beauty so people won't be so affected by it. Perfect for moments like this when you don't want to attract too much attention but still want to feel comfortable." He explained.

Mio's eyes sparkled with delight. "That's amazing, Danna-sama! Thank you!"

Yun Che chuckled. "Anything for you, Mio. Now, let's enjoy our date without any interruptions."

With that, they continued their peaceful walk through the Imperial City, hand in hand, savoring a rare moment of happiness amidst the chaos of their lives.

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[Beauty Suppression Mode.]

[Due to the host's request, the system has developed Beauty Suppression Mode. This mode suppresses the beauty of the host's female companions while they use any veiled clothing. The suppression creates the illusion of a veiled woman who covers her face and hair to other men and women who witness them. It suppresses their beauty to the point that men and women ignore their presence and view them as ordinary women with normal auras, unless they reveal their cultivation.]

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"Ehee… Wearing the Uchikatsugi is quite convenient. You said the system suppresses our beauty?" Mio asked, curious about the new feature.

"Well, you could say it makes you and the others appear normal to regular people, like any ordinary person, and like veiled women to cultivators," Yun Che explained. "It's basically an illusion that lets you walk under the sun without drawing too much attention. You can still wear a veil if you want, but as long as some part of your face is covered, the system will suppress your beauty enough that people will simply ignore you."

Mio smiled, slipping her arm through his while using her other hand to fan herself. "Ufuu… my beauty is only for you, Danna-sama. I won't reveal it to anyone else but you and my sisters. You gave me a purpose, beauty, and a life exclusively for you, my future husband, and I intend to honor that."

"You sure know how to talk," Yun Che said with a grin, patting her head.

"Ehee… I earned this date after convincing Ret-chan to let us be alone for the day," Mio said in a triumphant tone, remembering how she reassured Retsu she wouldn't try anything funny—unless she wanted another iron claw to the head.

"Considering how protective Retsu is, it's a big deal that she trusts you to be with me today. Where is she now?" Yun Che asked.

"Nemu-chan needed help with her Kido training, so Ret-chan's guiding her, but… she's kind of watching us right now to make sure I don't try anything funny," Mio said with a sweatdrop, fully aware that Retsu wasn't kidding. Retsu was all for sharing him, but when it came to certain things, she had no intention of letting anyone else get too close.

"Well, she is the future head wife. It's her job to keep her sisters in line," Yun Che replied with a grin.

"More like she's already booked to have his first time," Jasmine's voice suddenly chimed in their minds.

"Yeah, she probably won't let anyone else have it," Mio muttered, another sweatdrop forming. "I've had more than a few iron claws for even trying."

"But aren't you stronger than Retsu?" Jasmine asked, genuinely curious since Mio was realms ahead of her.

"I'm not sure if power levels really matter," Mio mused. "I've never seen Ret-chan's serious side, aside from her transformation into Fourth Tail mode. I wouldn't dare challenge her after learning she has powers beyond that. Something about her Fifth Tail and beyond... Especially knowing Yachiru, her other side, is the source of Ret-chan's ultimate strength and brutality. Besides, I respect her as a flock sister and Danna-sama's future wife. I wouldn't do anything she wouldn't like—or I might end up with another iron claw." Mio shuddered at the thought, recalling how many times Retsu had grabbed her head when she misbehaved.

Even though Mio was technically older in this world, she always felt like Retsu was much older in her original one, especially with her reputation in Hell. There was something about Retsu's past life—a dual personality who thrived on the thrill of battle, leaving countless bodies in her wake. She'd lost her life doing what she loved most, freeing herself from the burdens of her old name. Now, Retsu was living a new life, engaged to Yuuki, and serving as an elder sister to Nemu and the Alpha Wife of their flock. It was a peaceful existence compared to her brutal past, and she seemed content, looking forward to her life as Yuuki's wife.

"Well, messing with her angelic side would definitely bring out Yachiru's demon," Yun Che said, his tone light but knowing. "You know how protective Yachiru is when it comes to Retsu."

"Retsu-chan really is strong. I don't mind her being the first wife. She's proven to me she deserves that title," Mio praised.

"You really respected Retsu," Yun Che said, smiling as he gently patted her head.

"Yes… She's the one who taught me to be better at cooking. She even allowed me to be Danna-sama's second wife. I may be older, but Ret-chan earned the role of head wife through her love and dedication."

"Aren't you the same?" Yun Che raised an eyebrow, curious.

Mio smiled warmly, holding his hand. "I love you too, Danna-sama, but I think Ret-chan's love is stronger. She would protect you with her life, just as she'd protect us."

Yun Che chuckled. "Don't worry. She loves you too, and as long as you don't pick a fight with Yachiru, everything will be fine. The fact that she let us have this alone time together shows she cares and trusts you as a flock sister. So, let's just enjoy our time together."

Mio nodded with a smile, feeling reassured as they continued their peaceful walk hand-in-hand.

"Ehee… A personal date with Danna-sama," Mio said happily, her voice brimming with excitement. She had been looking forward to this day and had specifically requested it on their day off. Retsu, though sighing, had agreed to let Mio have her moment, especially since she and Yun Che had snuck off together last time. It was only fair to let the other flock members have their time with him—of course, under supervision.

Patting Mio's head, Yun Che smiled. "Well, even after marrying you girls in the future, fairness is important in a polygamous marriage. If I take Retsu on a wonderful date, it's only fair to do the same for you. I owe Little Yue and Nemu one too… I'll have to start planning."

Mio linked her arm with his, her happiness palpable. "Ehee… But think about our date first. I did win after all."

"If you want, let's hold hands," Yun Che suggested, extending his hand.

"Can I?" Mio asked softly, taking his hand and blushing as they strolled through the city's gardens. "Ah… alone with Danna-sama. I wish this moment could last forever."

"Pfft, aren't you a little romantic?" Yun Che chuckled, pulling her a little closer. It was surreal to think that the creature he once fought was now walking beside him, savoring a new life and sharing such peaceful moments.

"Ehee… your hand is a bit bigger than mine, Danna-sama," Mio blushed, tightening her grip.

"Retsu said the same thing. Is my hand really that big?" Yun Che teased, glancing down at their entwined hands.

"It is, but I don't mind," Mio smiled warmly. "Just holding your hand like this, being close to you, makes me happy." She gazed up at him, her voice softening. "Ever since you rescued me after I lived in solitude for thousands of years… I was mindless, driven only by desire and survival. You gave me a mind, a body, and the ability to think for myself. That was the gift of life I needed."

Yun Che looked at her, touched by her words. "You deserve to live freely, Mio. I'm glad I could be a part of that, and it was all the system. I only designed you."

"For that, I thank you," Mio said softly, her smile filled with warmth as she gazed at him with loving eyes. She cupped his cheeks gently, her expression softening. Yun Che didn't resist her approach, sensing her intention as she leaned closer, preparing to press her lips against his.

"Danna-sama…" Mio whispered, her face inches from his, but before their lips could meet, a voice suddenly called out.

"Master Yun!!"

"Ugh… who in the—" Yun Che began, his disappointment obvious, though it was nothing compared to Mio's reaction.

Mio's expression darkened, and an intense wave of annoyance washed over her. Her eyes narrowed, and her voice dropped, filled with menace. "He dares… he dares interrupt my moment with you…. I should kill him!"

"Mio… calm down…" Yun Che urged gently, trying to soothe her as he felt her aura grow darker. But Mio's annoyance was palpable. In an attempt to restrain her, he pulled her into a hug, holding her tightly to prevent her from acting on her impulse.

Looking up, Yun Che saw the source of the interruption—a group of disciples approaching, led by a tall, strikingly handsome man. His looks were almost unnaturally perfect, as if a shimmering aura of beauty surrounded him. Yun Che couldn't shake the feeling that he recognized the face, though he was certain he'd never seen this man before.

"Ahahaha! It's handsome… no, wait, that's not quite right… it's actually me, Du Ming!" the man said, laughing heartily. The one approaching him was none other than his former opponent from the arena, the same man he'd once used his parage shot technique against.

"Du Ming?" Yun Che blinked, his mind racing. He suddenly remembered—he had restructured Du Ming's face during their fight, altering his features dramatically. He hadn't expected the parage shot to be this powerful, turning Du Ming into someone almost unrecognizable, with looks that could easily charm any woman.

Mio, still in his arms, glanced at Du Ming with disdain as her eyes darkened. "He dares to interrupt us... for this? Kill…kill… kill.. kill…"

Mio's aura flared dangerously, and she was on the verge of transforming into her spider form when Yun Che swiftly intervened. "Here, absorb this and calm down," he said, channeling his Spirit Force into his hand for Mio to take in. Her eyes lit up as she inhaled his energy, immediately calming, but to his surprise, she began licking his palm intensely.

"I can feel her tongue on my palm…" Yun Che thought, slightly flustered by the sensation.

Meanwhile, Du Ming stood there, completely oblivious to the rising tension, and smiled smugly. "Ah, such a public display of affection, Master Yun. It's crucial to secure strong relationships with women," he said, striking a noble, handsome pose that only served to annoy Yun Che further.

"Shut it!" Yun Che barked, keeping his focus on Mio, who was still drinking his Spirit Force, her aggression steadily receding. "This hand is the only thing keeping her from turning you into a sea of blood right now."

"Ah, such harsh words," Du Ming replied, unphased and continuing to act like an insufferably handsome person, seemingly entranced by his own reflection in the situation.

Yun Che sighed inwardly, both amused and irritated, as he maintained the delicate balance between keeping Mio calm and resisting the urge to punch Du Ming in the face.

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[Ding… Mio's experience level is almost at the threshold to Level 99. A few more and she'll enter Level 99.]

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"She can level up that much just by eating my energy? Man, she's really something," Yun Che thought to himself as Mio continued to drink his Spirit Force, the intense focus on her face softening as she fed.

After a moment, Mio let out a satisfied sigh. "Fuahh… it's the best meal ever." She happily smiled then turned her attention to the interrupter, now calm and collected. "Ara, Danna-sama… do you know this person?"

Yun Che sweatdropped, making a mental note that Mio was really dangerous when she was both angry and hungry. She had nearly devoured these men out of sheer frustration.

"Remember that ugly guy I beat up in the arena yesterday? That's him," Yun Che explained with a sigh, still somewhat impressed by the dramatic effect of his Parage Shot technique the day before. The man before them, Du Ming, had transformed from an eyesore into a shockingly handsome figure—an ugly duckling turned beautiful swan.

"Ara… I recall him being rather… 'unique' yesterday," Mio replied, a hint of amusement in her tone as she remembered laughing at Du Ming's unfortunate appearance.

"I altered his bone structure. Now, no one can complain about his looks," Yun Che said nonchalantly as he tossed a minty candy pill into his mouth, something he'd made by merging profound sugar and minty ingredients.

"You can do that?" Mio widened her eyes in surprise, scrutinizing Du Ming. His looks were undeniably improved, but to her, they were still nothing special.

"That's the whole point of Parage Shot. It's a technique that completely changes a person's bone structure. A few hundred kicks and you can turn someone from ugly to beautiful," Yun Che said, crossing his arms.

Mio nodded, clearly impressed. "Ara… so just a few hundred kicks, and you can make someone ugly beautiful?" she mused, wondering how many normal people could even survive such an onslaught if someone came to him with the intention of restructuring their face.

"I don't think normal people could survive that… and I'm not about to start kicking people's faces for a living," Yun Che said, sweatdropping as he realized what Mio might be imagining. "The system would kill me if I Parage Shot a woman, even if it's to restructure her face." He shuddered, thinking of the trouble he'd get into—not just from the system but especially from Little Fairy if she ever found out.

"Dame! No more beautiful women!" Mio squealed cutely, grabbing his hand as if begging him. "We already have enough in our family!"

Yun Che chuckled at her reaction, but before he could respond, Du Ming chimed in, admiring himself in a small mirror. "Ah, Master Yun! After you smashed my face, we were all shocked when I woke up this morning. To think you made me this handsome!" Du Ming practically glowed, clearly enjoying his new look, brimming with confidence.

"Well, it's the least I could do after seeing your face… so messed up," Yun Che replied dryly, trying not to laugh at Du Ming's overwhelming self-praise.

"I can't stop staring at my reflection. All the ladies are going to be flocking to me now! This is the start of my rosy life!" Du Ming exclaimed, still gazing at himself, completely lost in admiration.

"Good for you," Yun Che muttered, amused by Du Ming's self-obsession.

"Ah, Master Yun, I'm thinking of heading back to my sect and retiring from the life of a cultivator. With this face, I could live a lazy, beautiful life. However, I can't leave until I repay my debt of gratitude to you."

"Nah, no need for that," Yun Che waved him off. "I just did you a favor."

"A favor I shall repay!" Du Ming declared dramatically. "If you ever need help, from me or my brothers, just say the word."

Du Ming tried to wink at Yun Che to emphasize his promise, but his new facial structure didn't cooperate, causing the attempt to fail miserably. The result was a comical, awkward twitch, making Yun Che stifle a laugh.

"Don't wink if you're not used to it," Yun Che said, shaking his head. "But as long as you're satisfied, I have no qualms with it."

Du Ming, completely ignoring Yun Che's advice, continued to admire himself in the mirror. "Ah, so handsome. I think I've fallen in love with myself. Such beauty... what did I do to deserve this?"

"Oi, are you even listening?" Yun Che raised an eyebrow, a bit exasperated by the one-sided admiration.

Du Ming's brothers, noticing the awkwardness, nudged him. "Brother, Master Yun is still talking."

"Oh, I'm sorry," Du Ming replied, without breaking eye contact with his reflection. "Did you say that I'm handsome?"

Yun Che sighed deeply, the annoyance beginning to settle in. Before he could retort, Du Ming, apparently now full of confidence, turned to Mio instead. "Ah, dear lady, would you do me the honor of accompanying me?"

"No," Mio answered flatly, her expression as unimpressed as ever.

Du Ming dramatically recoiled as if he were physically wounded. "Ah, the rejection... but I'm used to it."

Yun Che couldn't hold back a sigh of his own, watching Du Ming's over-the-top reaction. "This guy's acting like a poor man who suddenly struck it rich."

"We get that you're handsome now," Yun Che remarked, crossing his arms. "But you're still an idiot."

Mio nodded in agreement, her flat expression mirroring Yun Che's frustration.

"Are you jealous, Master Yun?" Du Ming teased with a smug grin, completely oblivious to Yun Che's growing annoyance. Yun Che's eye twitched, his patience wearing thin.

"Mio, I wouldn't mind if we beat this one to a pulp again," Yun Che muttered, glancing toward Mio.

"I'd be happy to do it for you, Danna-sama. He's really getting on my nerves," Mio said, clearly tempted to act on Yun Che's suggestion.

"Nah, just let him be," Yun Che sighed. Despite Du Ming's idiocy, he wasn't a bad guy at heart.

Du Ming, completely unaware of how close he came to being beaten again, continued confidently. "Anyway, Master Yun, if you ever need my help in the city, just call on me. Think of it as my repayment for giving me this beautiful face." He pointed at himself, attempting to wink yet again, though it still looked off.

"Stop winking already," Yun Che sighed, shaking his head.

Du Ming extended his hand for a handshake. "Ah, the hand of Master Yun! The hand of the man who transformed my appearance! The hand of—"

Yun Che raised an eyebrow as Du Ming held on to his hand for far too long. Mio's gaze darkened as she silently counted the seconds. She had a strict rule: zero seconds for women, thirty seconds for men. And Du Ming was now on second thirty-two.

"Thirty-two seconds!" Mio gritted her teeth, stepping forward and grabbing Du Ming's wrist with an alarming speed. Without any effort, she flung the large man toward the nearby lake, sending water splashing everywhere as his body crashed into it.

"Brother!" Du Ming's fellow disciples shouted in shock, watching the petite woman toss the large man like a ragdoll.

Yun Che watched the scene unfold, his expression one of mild amusement.

Mio dusted off her hands, satisfied with her work. "Nobody touches Danna-sama that long."

"Mio, you don't have to…" Yun Che could only sighs as Mio smile under the veiled hat.

"Teehee…" Mio rubs behind her head pretending to be guilty.

Du Ming emerged from the lake, water dripping from his towering frame, yet his expression remained as jubilant as ever. "Master Yun! Rejection may sting, but I shall endure!" he declared, his optimism undeterred.

"It's official. He's an idiot." Yun Che murmured with Mio sighs.

As he waded to the shore, Du Ming pulled out a weathered piece of paper sealed in a bottle and handed it to Yun Che. "Master Yun, as repayment for changing my life, I offer you this treasure map!"

Yun Che raised an eyebrow, unimpressed. "Nah, it's probably fake."

Du Ming, however, stood firm. "I assure you, it's real! I took it from one of my defeated opponents. He spent years scavenging the mountains for this treasure, believing it would grant him even more beauty and handsomeness!"

One of Du Ming's brothers stepped forward, nodding in agreement. "We tried telling him that, but he wouldn't listen. He was convinced the treasure would make him the most handsome man alive."

Du Ming beamed with pride. "But Master Yun has already fulfilled my wish! With this new face, the map is of no use to me. Please, accept it as my repayment!" He eagerly handed the map to Yun Che, who accepted it with a sigh.

"Fine, fine," Yun Che muttered as he took the map, tucking it away without much thought.

"Brothers! Let's go, to the road of happiness!" Du Ming exclaimed, rallying his companions as they prepared to leave.

"Yes! To handsomeness!" his brothers chanted in unison, their voices echoing as they marched away.

As Du Ming laughed, basking in his own newfound beauty, Yun Che and Mio both sighed in unison. "Just go already…" they muttered, watching the odd group disappear into the distance.

With the interruption over, Yun Che glanced at the map, shaking his head. "What a day," he said, before turning back to Mio with a smirk. "Now, where were we?"

Before they could carry on a notification pops up.

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[Ding… Side Quest Triggered, Discover Du Ming's so-called treasure.]

[Du Ming has given an ancient map to you. Discover the treasure at the end of the day.]

[XP: 250,000]

[SP: 35000]

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"Oh, come on, it's probably fake anyway! A sham!" Yun Che tried to counter.

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[You sure?]

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"But…" Doubt began to creep his mind.

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[Ding….. Just go, it might be a good dating location. You might discover real treasures.}

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Yun Che was about to protest, but Mio, ever sweet and playful, chimed in with a gentle smile. "Ufuu… Don't worry, Danna-sama. This little adventure might make our date even sweeter."

He sighed, already feeling himself give in. "Fine, let's discover this so-called treasure." Though reluctant at first, deep down he was curious. The system wouldn't have paid attention to the map if it were just a hoax.

Mio, excited by the change in plans, clung to his arm with an affectionate smile. "I'm sure we'll find something amazing in the end, Danna-sama!"

Yun Che couldn't help but chuckle at her enthusiasm. "Speaking of amazing… I wonder how Yoruko is doing. I hope everything's fine with her." His mind wandered briefly. Cang Yue had requested Yoruko's help with Xue Ling earlier that morning, and he hoped everything was going smoothly.

Mio smiled knowingly. "I'm sure she's fine. Yoruko is more capable than most give her credit for. Now, onwards, Danna-sama! The treasure awaits us!"

Yun Che shook his head, smiling at her energy. "Hai… hai… Onwards, then." Their date had taken an unexpected turn, but in a way, it had become even more exciting.