Chapter 275: Shampoo and Baths.

Back in the Jin Manor, Jin Yuelian took the liberty of bringing Yun Che and the girls to Mulan's courtyard. Her husband, Jin Zhuo, was already in motion—organizing the newly acquired funds from Cang Yue and planning the rebuilding of the Jin Family fortkeep. Now that his position as City Lord was restored, tomorrow marked the beginning of a new campaign—recruitment, rebuilding influence, and reclaiming honor.

He knew Liu Wuyan wouldn't go quietly. There would be slander, whispers in back alleys, and underhanded provocations. But with Cang Yue present, even the loudest voices had to bite their tongues.

Inside the spacious, elegant guest room prepared for them, Jin Yuelian personally escorted Cang Yue and her companions in.

"Finally… I can take this off," Mio sighed in relief, plopping down on a cushion as she removed her kasa hat.

"It's kind of refreshing," Retsu agreed, stretching slightly before pulling off her own.

"Yes…" Nemu echoed, quietly slipping hers off as well.

Jin Yuelian turned just in time to catch a glimpse—and her breath hitched.

"Oh my…" she whispered.

She hadn't expected it. The veiled women Yun Che brought with him all day were beautiful—but that was an understatement. They were breathtaking. Ethereal. Each one seemed to possess a unique grace that set them apart. This was the first time she'd truly seen their faces.

"To think I have to reveal myself… it's annoying, but necessary," Cang Yue murmured, pulling her hat off with a delicate sigh. "Still, I'll be sure to stay veiled when outside."

"Is it really that important to hide yourself?" Xue Ling asked, casually removing hers as well.

Cang Yue smirked, her eyes glinting with mischief.

"Of course. I'm sure Master would prefer his women not be seen by just anyone. Don't you agree?"

Xue Ling paused mid-motion, her hat resting loosely in her hands. Her gaze lowered slightly as she processed the words—his women… visible only to him.

Without another word, she put her kasa hat nearby neatly and set it aside, quietly resolving to start veiling herself more often.

Soon, Xia Qingyue removed her own, followed by Little Fairy and Chu Yueli. With each veil hat lifted, Jin Yuelian's disbelief deepened. She was almost overwhelmed—one beauty after another. Like flowers in full bloom, each unique and mesmerizing.

She glanced toward Yun Che.

He wasn't even reacting. No fluster, no gawking. Just calmly sipping tea, as if this was the most ordinary thing in the world.

It struck her then: he was used to it.

These weren't passing flings or illusions of courtship. These women followed him—lived beside him—and from the way they acted, cared deeply for him.

Who is her son in law Mu Che or Yun Che? she wondered, eyes narrowing slightly.

How did he meet these women… and why are they all gathered around him? What happened to him after the memory lost?

A small shiver ran down her spine.

He wasn't just her son-in-law.

He was something else entirely.

"Che'er… would you mind telling Mother the truth?" Jin Yuelian's voice was calm, but her eyes held a storm of quiet suspicion.

Yun Che blinked. "What?"

She folded her arms. "A married man like you shouldn't be surrounded by such companions—especially when all of them are extraordinarily beautiful. Is there something you're hiding from me?"

Yun Che sighed, scratching the back of his head. Playing innocent will only be prolonged the inevitable. "You're sharp, Mom… Alright, I won't keep secrets."

He gestured casually to the four standing nearby—Retsu, Nemu, Mio, and Cang Yue. However, he didn't reveal on his relationship with Little Fairy.

"These four… they're my fiancées."

"Oh my heavens…" Jin Yuelian gasped, her voice just above a whisper. Her hand instinctively rose to cover her mouth.

Then Yun Che turned and pointed toward Xia Qingyue. She looked at him curiously as he stood next to her. Holding her by her shoulder.

"And this little missy right here… she's… well… she's my wife."

"W-What?!" Jin Yuelian nearly stumbled back. Her eyes darted from Yun Che to Qingyue, then back to Yun Che again. "You… you married Mulan, didn't you?! Why are you calling her your wife?"

Yun Che took a breath. His voice dropped a bit, serious now. Still playing along as Mulan's pretend husband.

"I know how it sounds. I did marry Mulan—but that happened before I lost my memories. I woke up in a different city… Floating Cloud City to be exact. I lived my life as Yun Che before I was married to Qingyue due to an arrangement. She became my wife. We were separated after two years after well… some sort of ...petty.... event. Met again in the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament. So, I didn't know Mulan at all. She came to the Blue Wind Imperial Palace then we met again. I don't even remember being her husband. So, right now? We're awkward with each other."

There was silence for a beat.

Then Xia Qingyue stepped forward gracefully. Her every movement carried the serene elegance of a noblewoman. A beauty that surpassed fairies.

She bowed gently.

"Greetings, Mother. I am Yun Che's wife—Xia Qingyue. Though I may not be your daughter by blood or marriage custom here, please take good care of me."

Jin Yuelian was frozen. So many emotions swirled in her heart—shock, confusion, even a touch of disbelief—but as she looked into Qingyue's sincere, beautiful eyes, her composure began to settle. She saw her daughter and the latter barely reacted. Indicating this was not new to her.

"…This family of mine just keeps getting stranger," she finally muttered with a faint chuckle. "But if you're sincere… then I suppose I can accept that."

She gave Yun Che a narrowed glance. "Though, you'll be explaining all this properly to your father-in-law later."

Yun Che grinned, relieved. "Fair enough."

Cang Yue, meanwhile, looked particularly amused.

"Oh? She accepted it faster than I expected. I thought you'd be scolded for days."

"Don't ask for it," Yun Che muttered.

Retsu, ever mischievous, leaned toward Jin Yuelian with a playful smile.

"You'll get used to us eventually, Mother. We're not going anywhere for now."

Jin Yuelian looked at the whole group again—each woman more stunning than the last. And yet, there was harmony, even affection between them.

She took a deep breath.

"Again, why isn't Mulan reacting to any of this?" Jin Yuelian narrowed her eyes. "She used to barely let you look at other women aside from Bing'er. How…?"

Yun Che exhaled slowly. "It's complicated."

He paused, then continued.

"Like I said—I met Mulan again at the Imperial Palace. To be honest… I don't remember her the same way I used to. Things are… different. Awkward, even. There's still distance between us."

Yuelian frowned, but didn't interrupt.

Then she pointed subtly toward two quiet figures standing at the side—Chu Yuechan and Chu Yueli.

"And what about those two? The ice-cold beauties who've been watching everything in silence."

Yun Che scratched his cheek awkwardly.

"They're… her friends. Her escorts."

"Escort?"

"Qingyue's the pearl of Frozen Cloud Asgard, after all. In fact, she's the young Asgard Mistress. There's no way the High Asgard Mistress would let her roam around unguarded."

Jin Yuelian's eyes narrowed, her voice low and sharp with that classic maternal intuition.

"…My instincts tell me there's more to it. They didn't happen to get involved with you, did they?"

Yun Che coughed into his hand.

"Uhh… sort of? I mean—I know them. We've gone through some things. Got along well, that's all."

There was a long silence.

Then—Stare.

Yuelian locked eyes with him, her gaze full of suspicion. The kind only a mother-in-law could wield.

Yun Che looked away, rubbing his neck.

"Don't give me that look, Mom… Thing's happened beyond my prediction."

"…Just make sure I don't see you sneaking into anyone's room tonight," she said flatly.

From behind, Mio raised her hand innocently.

"Too late~" Mio giggled, latching onto Yun Che's arm. "We might just sneak into his room tonight. Nothing happened, of course—just a simple sleepover~"

"Mio! Don't make things worse than they already are!" Yun Che snapped, his cheeks turning red. His flustered tone only made the others snicker.

Xia Qingyue's gaze dropped slightly, her expression unreadable. They'd been married for so long… and yet, not once had they ever shared a room. The mention of a "simple sleepover" by Mio stirred a subtle ache within her. She said nothing.

Retsu let out a deep sigh, clearly used to Mio's antics. Nemu, as always, stood silently by her sister's side, not disagreeing either.

Cang Yue, arms crossed, looked away with an amused but resigned smile. She'd long accepted this chaos as part of being by Yun Che's side.

Jin Yuelian, meanwhile, just stared at them all—particularly at Mio—with one twitching eye.

"…I'm going to need stronger tea," she muttered darkly.

"And maybe a prayer or two."

"Moving on…" Yun Che cleared his throat, shifting the topic.

"So—these are my companions and my wife's true appearances. I had them veiled not just to protect them, but because their beauty draws too much attention. The veils suppress their presence enough that most people simply overlook them."

Jin Yuelian arched an eyebrow.

"Most women wouldn't like hiding their beauty behind a veil."

"Ufuu~ Not us," Retsu chimed cheerfully, resting her cheek on Yun Che's arm.

"We did it because Yuu-kun asked us to."

"He knows what's best for us," Cang Yue added softly.

"That's why we listen." Mio waved her fan.

Nemu gave a small nod. Xia Qingyue nearby agreed as well.

She admit having such beauty only brings more trouble than good. Yun Che seemed to know what is better for them than they know themselves.

Yuelian looked between them, quietly stunned. "To think you're all so obedient to him…"

Mulan lowered her gaze, her voice barely above a whisper.

"Yes… I wish I was like them."

Jin Yuelian turned toward her daughter, her expression growing somber. Back then, she wasn't the closest to him. Even after marriage, she never let him touch her in bed. Never once share a room.

To her, the moment Mu Che lost his memories… was the moment he truly died.

The man her daughter married was gone. And in his place stood someone new—someone engaged to other women, someone who no longer remembered Mulan even existed.

She couldn't bring herself to blame him. After all, how could she? He had no memories of the past. No memories of the vows. No memories of the girl who once called him husband.

Mulan, too, had no right to accuse him. Their marriage had been nothing more than a transaction—purely business, a convenient arrangement. She had made that clear herself. She was the one who once said she wasn't willing to fulfill her duties as a wife.

How she wished she could slap herself for saying those things.

And yet… when the news came that Mu Che had vanished, presumed dead, her heart shattered.

Now, the truth was even crueler. He hadn't died—but he had changed. He had become someone else. Someone who had no place for her in his heart.

Around him stood women far more breathtaking than she could ever imagine. Women who veiled themselves just to protect him. Women who obeyed him willingly and adored him without hesitation.

Her marriage to him… it was a relic of a distant past. A memory buried beneath the weight of time and forgotten promises.

"Lan'er… you have to understand. He might not remember the woman you once were—but that only means you now have a chance to be the woman he needs today."

"Back then, you never truly listened to him. You married him not out of love, but to escape Zhu Lin. It is the nature of arranged marriage after all."

Mulan bit her lip but said nothing.

"These women… they listen not because they're weak, but because they trust him. They know he doesn't command them selfishly—he asks only what's best for them and their safety."

"He shoulders the burden of attention so they don't have to."

A beat of silence.

"If you keep clinging to who you were, you will lose him. But if you grow into someone who understands the man he is now… you might still have a place in his heart."

Mulan clenched her fists softly, then nodded. She failed to be his only wife. Now, all she can do is to be the part of his flock. Even if she had to start from scratch to get to know him again. She lost him once, she will not lose him again.

"Yes, Mother… I understand."

"Mother… is there any place for us to take a bath?" Cang Yue asked softly.

It still felt strange, calling Jin Yuelian mother—but at the same time, there was something comforting about it. She was someone her late mother had once cherished, a trusted friend from before Cang Yue was even born. Having a maternal figure like her, even if just by circumstance, brought a quiet warmth to her heart.

"A bath? At this hour?" Yuelian blinked, surprised. "You can use Mulan's private hot spring. It's just behind the courtyard."

Night baths weren't exactly common in the household, which made the request rather peculiar.

Retsu chimed in, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Ufuu~ We always take morning and night baths. It's when Yuu-kun treats our hair. It's become part of our routine. Sometimes, we even squeeze in an evening bath if time allows."

"Treats… your hair?" Xia Qingyue raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. She hadn't expected Yun Che to be the type. Xue Ling, Lin Yueru, Mulan and her mother was quite intrigued as well.

Retsu nodded with a gentle smile. "Yes, Qingyue-san. I won't lie—having him care for our hair is one of the little joys I look forward to. It leaves it smooth, silky, and beautifully soft."

"He does hair treatment?" Mulan looked over at the four women—Retsu, Cang Yue, Mio, and Nemu—her gaze drawn to their flawless, flowing hair. She had noticed it before but assumed it was natural. Now that she looked closely, it was almost ethereal in texture and sheen.

"Ufuu~ Every morning and night. That's why our hair is so well taken care of," Mio said proudly, flipping her shoulder length hair.

"No wonder it's so beautiful…" Lin Yueru murmured, reaching out to gently feel Nemu's braid. It was soft—unreasonably so. A tinge of envy bloomed in her chest.

"It's like a custom rebonding and treatment," Cang Yue added with a laugh. "He even did it for Sister Yuechan last time."

"You let him treat your hair?" Chu Yueli asked, narrowing her eyes at her elder sister.

Little Fairy sighed, brushing a loose strand from her face. "Sister Retsu insisted. And… well, he did a better job than I ever managed myself."

"I see," Chu Yueli mumbled, still skeptical. She believes that even let him touch her hair considers quite intimate.

"Hmph… looks like we're all in your care these next two weeks," Little Fairy muttered to Yun Che, a touch of reluctant affection in her tone.

"Can I ask…" Chu Yueli spoke up, her tone unusually direct, "what exactly is your relationship with my older sister?"

Her eyes narrowed slightly. She had been observing Yun Che's interactions with Yuechan and couldn't ignore the subtle familiarity between them. Even Xia Qingyue turned her gaze toward him, equally curious.

"Hmm… I guess you could call us… close and playful frenemies?" Yun Che replied with a nonchalant shrug.

"Frenemies?" Yueli repeated, unfamiliar with the term.

"Yeah. Like… friends who tease each other. Playful closeness, really." He tilted his head and turned to face Chu Yuechan with a grin. "Here, let me give you an example."

"Hey, Little Fairy."

Little Fairy? Chu Yueli froze. Did he just call her that? Her eyes darted to her sister. Even Xia Qingyue blinked in surprise.

Chu Yuechan, the famously aloof and untouchable Fairy of Frozen Beauty, being called Little Fairy so casually… and not even reacting to it?

"Hnn?" Chu Yuechan glanced up at him, her expression calm, almost indulgent.

"You wouldn't mind if I peeked while you bathe, right?"

The entire room gasped—except for Yun Che's fiancées, who simply watched with amused smiles as if this were normal.

Chu Yuechan didn't yell. She didn't glare or flushed. Instead, with an exasperated sigh, she silently formed a large snowball and flung it square at his face. Thud! He stumbled slightly, now coated in frost.

"Something like that," he said, brushing snow off his face as the room struggled to decide whether to laugh or gasp again.

"That's your idea of frenemies?" Chu Yueli asked skeptically.

"Well, if she really considered me an enemy," Yun Che grinned, flicking more snow from his sleeve, "she'd have hurled icicles or chunks of ice—or an avalanche. But instead, she used snow. Soft. Harmless. That means she had no intention of hurting me. We spent three months together. Enough for me to know her soft side. Enough for her to differentiate seriousness and jokes."

Chu Yueli glanced at her sister again. Chu Yuechan had already returned to sipping her tea, her cheeks faintly pink.

"…I see," Chu Yueli murmured, still absorbing everything. What stunned her more wasn't just the casual nickname—but the faint, unmistakable blush on her sister's face.

The Fairy of Frozen Beauty… actually blushing?

Not cold, not distant. Playful. Even slightly shy. It was so far from the image she'd grown up admiring, and yet… somehow, it felt right. Chu Yueli was surprised—but not displeased. Maybe this Yun Che truly was special.

"Well," she finally said, crossing her arms, "just don't go beyond the line."

Yun Che gave a crooked grin. "Relax. Not every man thinks with his crotch, you know. Some of us value trust… faith and love."

He casually gestured toward the group of stunning women around him—his fiancées. "Besides, I doubt Qingyue would let me live if I crossed that line. And then there's them." He gave a meaningful glance toward Retsu, Cang Yue, Mio, and Nemu, all watching with varying shades of amusement, approval, and playful menace.

"And," he added with a smirk, "I like to keep my scent nice and clean."

"Scent?" Chu Yueli blinked, confused. "What does that have to do with anything?"

"You'll understand once you cultivate Eagle Scent," he said cryptically with a shrug.

Eagle Scent? It wasn't a technique she was familiar with, but by the vague smirks his fiancées were giving each other, it clearly had some… deeper meaning. Eagle Scent must be a special technique like their Eagle Vision, an advance art that trains the eyes with Haki.

"If my sister and Qingyue trust you," Chu Yueli said slowly, still watching him carefully, "then I'll hold my judgment. Just don't give me a reason to change it."

Yun Che gave her a short, respectful nod. He smirked internally. "Fair enough. I wouldn't expect anything less from someone close to Little Fairy."

"You're really enjoying that nickname, aren't you?" Qingyue muttered beside him.

"Of course. It's cute. And it suits her better now." He smiled gently.

Across the room, Chu Yuechan tilted her head slightly—then let out a small sigh. Sooner or later, they might have to come clean about it and it's better now than later.

Chu Yueli saw it. And for the first time in years, she truly relaxed.

Then she surprised everyone:

"If you don't mind… may I request your hair treatment too?"

Yun Che blinked. "Why?"

"To see whether my sister's praise is the truth," she said plainly.

"I'd like it too… if you don't mind." Qingyue joined in, almost shyly.

"You're my wife. Of course I'll do it—if you want me to," he answered warmly.

"Us too!" Xue Ling raised her hand with a flicker of boldness. She'd seen him tending to Cang Yue's hair more than once, and though she had wanted to ask before… she never mustered the courage. Especially since the man who lovingly pampered Cang Yue's hair was the princess's own consort.

"If it isn't too much trouble… I'd like to request it as well." Lin Yueru turned her face slightly, not quite meeting his eyes.

"Well, well," Yun Che chuckled, "the bossy lady is softening up on me."

"I am merely being courteous to Yue'er," Lin Yueru replied coolly. Then, with some hesitation, "And… I apologize for calling you a pervert."

"…Pervert?" Qingyue raised an eyebrow, looking between the two.

"Did you do something to her?"

"Ask Kon," Yun Che grumbled, rubbing the back of his head. "He got me involved in one of his disasters."

"Kon?"

"Remember that talking lion plushy?" Yun Che recalled and Qingyue nodded. "Next time you see him, do me a favor by freeze his ass."

"Ufuu… looks like Yuu-kun has a lot of customers," Retsu giggled behind her hand.

"I suppose I'll endure it… for these two weeks." Yun Che sighed dramatically. His beautiful hair treatment to Retsu, Mio, Nemu and Cang Yue made the other girls want it as well. He didn't mind when only limited to those four but now another five has entered as well. Treatment and rebonding isn't that hard. A quick energy manipuilation and remove any impurities stuck to their hair. Making them silky and extra smooth. As he said, a good treatment will make them 20% extra beautiful.

Mulan was quiet for a while felt left out. Even if he was her pretend husband. But she cant help but ask. "Can I ask for one too?"

"You're my wife as well, Mulan. Just ask one anytime." Yun Che smiled as he didn't push her away. With it, Mulan regained her smile and joined them. Jin Yuelian was quite impressed seeing him kind to all the women around him. Makes her wonder what kind of aura he had drawing all these women to him.

"Well, as long as you girls bathe in the same area. Sure… The treatment works best if your hair is wet." Yun Che suggested.

"Then, can mother join in as well? I never had my hair treated before." Jin Yuelian decided to join in as well.

Yun Che nodded. "Since mother is joining, feel free."

As the girls prepared to head for the baths, Lin Yueru suddenly turned to Yun Che with a suspicious look.

"You're not planning to peep on us, are you?"

Her words drew instant attention. Chu Yueli's glare could freeze the air, and Little Fairy mirrored her, giving Yun Che a sharp, icy stare. Even Qingyue narrowed her eyes at him, mildly suspicious.

Yun Che simply raised an eyebrow. "Why would I?"

"Aren't you at least curious about what's under these clothes?" Lin Yueru challenged.

"You just want a reason to call me a pervert again," Yun Che replied with a sigh.

"That depends," she replied coyly.

"I don't mind. In fact, I'd welcome it," Mio said with a smug smile, cupping her cheek playfully.

"Lady M-Mio!" Mulan squeaked, scandalized. "Even if he's your future husband, peeking is still unethical!"

"Ufufufu… if he does, maybe I'll give him a little sneak peek," Retsu added teasingly.

"Nee-sama… that sounds scandalous," Nemu muttered with a tired sigh.

"I'd rather not," Cang Yue shook her head with an elegant sigh. "I doubt Xue Ling would appreciate it—even if I allowed it."

At that, Yun Che summoned his HDR Sniper Rifle with a flick of his hand and slung it over his shoulder, the cold gleam of the weapon drawing surprised looks from those who hadn't seen it up close before.

"I have better things to do. I can peep some other time," he said flatly. "Right now, there might be some demon beasts outside the city worth turning into supper."

"Sigh… we failed to get him to peep," Lin Yueru said in mock defeat. "He's stronger-willed than I thought. Guess he wasn't the one who peeped on me back then after all."

"Like hell I'd let him!" Xue Ling snapped, her face bright red.

"I am sure you let master peep on you." Cang Yue sighs.

"Yue'er! He's not like that. He won't even bother with a woman's body." Xue Ling flushed.

"Even we couldn't tempt him," Mio added with a dramatic sigh. "What made you think you girls could break his will?"

"Che'er!" Cang Yue called out just as Yun Che turned to leave.

"Hm? What is it?" he asked, glancing over his shoulder.

"You said earlier you had something for us. Don't tell me you're just going to walk away now?"

"Oh, right…" Yun Che rubbed the back of his head. "Maybe I do have something that could make you girls… say, twenty percent more beautiful."

"Twenty percent?!"

"More beautiful?!"

Even Qingyue raised an eyebrow at that bold claim.

Jin Yuelian's lips curled into a teasing smile. "Oh my, son-in-law… are you planning to keep such secrets to yourself?"

"Spill it, Che'er." Mulan's voice carried the weight of an expectant wife.

"Uhhh…"

"Rascal, spill it or we'll make you talk," Little Fairy threatened with a smirk. Even the usually composed Chu Yueli was starting to lean forward in curiosity.

"Tell us, Yuu-kun~ Danna-sama~" Retsu and Mio chimed in sweetly, their voices sugary but menacing. Nemu was already flipping open her notebook, ready to write down every detail. Cang Yue looked at him hopefully, and Qingyue stared at him with a rare glint of anticipation.

Feeling the pressure from all sides, Yun Che finally sighed in surrender. "Alright, alright. Since you girls are about to bathe anyway… why not help me test this?"

He reached into his sleeve and pulled out a few small, elegant crystal bottles filled with a shimmering golden liquid that seemed to glow and sparkle like stardust under the light.

"What's this, Yuu-kun?" Retsu asked, cradling a bottle carefully.

"Looks like melted gold," Cang Yue murmured.

"It's an experimental blend I whipped up," he said. "An alkaline mixture balanced with a gentle acidic soap. Helps neutralize pH levels and mend any scalp damage."

"Danna-sama," Mio pouted, "we barely understand a word of that."

"It's… a prototype," Yun Che began, slipping into a more serious tone. "A blend I've been experimenting with. Technically, it's a shampoo — but not just any shampoo. It's infused with a protein-rich formula, then balanced with apple cider vinegar to purify and repair the scalp. I also added a subtle perfume blend for a refreshing fragrance, and… a touch of my energy to enhance absorption."

"…You lost me after egg yolk." Little Fairy blinked. The same goes for the others. Barely understand what he's talking about.

"Ah, right, sorry…" Yun Che chuckled sheepishly. "In simple terms: it's a special shampoo. Made with egg yolk proteins, olive oil, honey, and apple vinegar—all blended with my spiritual energy and infused with natural perfume extracts. It's thick, foamy, and designed for deep nourishment. Think of it as a pre-treatment—something to prep your hair before I do the full hair care routine after your bath."

"My, my," Jin Yuelian chuckled. "Such dedication to beauty. You've certainly raised the bar for men."

"So this is the secret to your fiancées' perfect hair?" Mulan muttered, twirling a lock of her own hair between her fingers.

"Not exactly, I just made this thing, and you girls are the first one to test it out. Combine it with your hair treatment after this, you might make other women jealous of your hair." Yun Che grins.

"Ufufufu~ It's true. Yuu-kun treats our hair every morning and night," Retsu said proudly.

"Mm. Our softness and shine? All thanks to him," Mio added, running a hand through her shoulder length hair with a smug grin.

"Well then," Chu Yueli said, holding her bottle up to the light. "Let's see if my sister was telling the truth."

"I would like to try as well," Qingyue said softly as she took her liquid golden shampoo bottle.

"I'd like to join too," Xue Ling chimed in, blushing faintly. "I've seen you treating Cang Yue's hair before… I just never had the courage to ask."

"…If you don't mind," Lin Yueru added, awkwardly looking aside.

Yun Che looked around at the hopeful faces — some shy, some eager, others dangerously expectant — and let out a long breath.

And as the girls hurried off toward the bath with glittering bottles in hand, Yun Che quietly slung his sniper rifle over his shoulder and muttered to himself:

"…I really should've just gone hunting."

Qingyue lingered behind as the others made their way to the hot spring. Her gaze softened as she looked at him.

Yun Che noticed. "You alright?"

"Yes. Just… a little curious."

Qingyue eyes him and her gaze softens. Yun Che became the glue that holds everything together. This small family relies on him. They're stronger because of him. They're disciplined and loyal because of him.

"Yes. Just… a little … curious."

"Never used a shampoo before?" he teased lightly, reaching out to gently pats her head. "You'll be fine."

Qingyue nodded faintly. "Thank you…"

He smiled. "Don't sweat it. One step at a time. You'll get to know me again… eventually." He gave her a gentle nudge toward the hot spring. "Well, off you go. Wouldn't want your master thinks I'm doing something funny to you."

"Hnnn…" Qingyue nodded quietly, then turned and walked away.

He watched her leave—elegant, graceful, but with a warmth she never used to show. She really has changed… he thought. Never imagined she'd be so open to anything I offer her.

"Well, might as well began scouting the area if those fools wanted to try anything tonight. Might kill some time while waiting for Nemu." He wonders to himself as he took off into the night.

---------------------

In the steamy veil of the private hot spring, Retsu leaned back against the smooth rocks, stretching her arms as she sank deeper into the soothing warmth. A soft sigh escaped her lips as she gently rubbed her face, her long hair carefully wrapped in a towel atop her head.

"Huaa… Night baths are amazing," she murmured in delight.

"Right?" Mio echoed, settling beside her with equal satisfaction. A similar towel crowned her hair, her fair shoulders glistening under the lantern-lit mist. Nemu eased in next, silent as ever, but visibly relaxed.

They had followed Yun Che's curious instructions: apply the golden-glittering shampoo, wrap their hair in towels, and let the magic sit for five minutes.

"According to Che'er, we just need to let it sit before rinsing," Cang Yue added, slipping into the spring with practiced grace. Steam curled around her as she leaned back with a relaxed smile. "I'm really curious to see how it turns out."

"I can't wait to see the results," Retsu agreed, placing a warm towel gently over her face. "If it's anything like his usual treatments… ufuu, it might be divine."

"May I join you?" came Qingyue's soft voice. She was tad bit uncomfortable, but she convinced herself it was all women in the bath.

All eyes turned as Xia Qingyue stepped through the steam, wrapped in a pale towel that clung to her like morning mist. Another towel was neatly twisted over her head. Her cool elegance added a contrast to the cozy atmosphere.

"Ufuu… Feel free, Qingyue-san," Retsu offered kindly, shifting slightly to make space.

"Thank you," she murmured, settling into the water with closed eyes and a faint flush across her cheeks.

Not long after, two more graceful figures arrived—Chu Yueli and Little Fairy. Though typically reserved, tonight they both seemed quietly curious, lured by the rare atmosphere of peace and feminine camaraderie.

Then came Xue Ling, Mulan, and Lin Yueru. Mulan's eyes instinctively scanned the others as they soaked—she was taken aback.

Not only were Retsu, Mio, Cang Yue, and the rest breathtakingly beautiful, but their bodies... their skin… their figures—they were the kind of silhouettes other women dreamed of. Every curve, every inch, seemingly refined to perfection. It wasn't just beauty. It was a harmony of care, balance, and something else—something touched by Yun Che's hand.

How in the world did he end up with women like these?

"Che'er…" Mulan thought to herself, awe glinting in her gaze, "What kind of man have you become?"

"How do you girls end up with such alluring figures…?" Lin Yueru muttered with a defeated sigh, her eyes quietly trailing over the silhouettes of Retsu, Mio, Nemu, and the others.

Retsu, Nemu, and Mio exchanged awkward glances. None of them could exactly tell her the truth—that their perfected bodies were shaped by the system. Meanwhile, Cang Yue, with her unique Yin Lunar Body, wasn't keen to reveal her secret either.

"Ufufufu~ we were just like you once, you know?" Retsu smiled gently. "With time and care… your body will flourish too."

"But seriously," Lin Yueru leaned forward with narrowed eyes, "how do you even grow those… things on your chest?"

That question landed like a bomb.

Everyone—every woman in the bathhouse—paused. Heads subtly turned to compare. There was triumph in the air for some, quiet envy for others. And of course, the obvious question lingered for the flatter ones.

"Uhh… It just happened, maybe?" Mio glanced away with a nervous chuckle, twirling a strand of her hair. There was no way she'd admit that her entire body had been sculpted under Yun Che's hand—or that she didn't even have a body before meeting him.

"No fair…" Lin Yueru muttered with a pout.

Xia Qingyue shifted uncomfortably, her gaze drifting downward to her own chest. Her eye twitched slightly when she peeked at Retsu's ample assets. Even Little Fairy, known for her icy composure, had her beat. And Chu Yueli—of all people—stood smugly in comparison.

A strange silence hung in the air.

"W-Well… I focus on balance," Little Fairy offered, brushing her damp hair back, pretending not to notice the glances.

"Sure you do…" Chu Yueli turned her head with a smug flick, clearly proud that her assets were a tad more generous than Xue Ling's. The latter narrowed her eyes in a frosty glare.

Retsu simply chuckled, her voice as smooth as silk. "Beauty isn't measured by size, you know. It's confidence, grace… and maybe a little care from a certain someone~"

Lin Yueru's brow twitched. "Oh, is that so? In that case, I demand the same treatment. Hair, body—everything."

"From him?" Cang Yue asked, raising a brow with a teasing smile.

Lin Yueru recoiled. "What? No! Especially not from that pervert!"

Cang Yue smirked. "Suit yourself, Ru'er. He's already done your hair, hasn't he? Who knows—you might end up asking for more. He does seem to have a knack for making women look even more radiant."

"Urrgghhh…" Lin Yueru groaned, burying her face in her hands as the others giggled around her.

"Ufufufu… it's like having a little family," Retsu mused softly, watching the group laugh and tease each other. "Baths together… sharing jokes… it's comforting, isn't it?"

Qingyue lowered her gaze. "Family… Am I even worthy of being part of this family?"

Her voice was barely a whisper.

She had been alone for so long—ever since she parted from Yun Che in the Floating Cloud City. Truthfully, her original reason for trying to join his circle was to gain information about the Realm of the Celestials. That was her goal. Her mission. And to succeed, she needed to become one of them—earn their trust, their acceptance.

But the more time she spent with them, the more that icy resolve began to melt. Her objective blurred. Their warmth, their bonds, it was unlike anything she had ever experienced. And Yun Che… was right about one thing: she couldn't reach the Realm of the Celestials alone. Breaking his heart would only make her an enemy to his entire flock—and that would mean death. Each of them possessed terrifying power or intellect far beyond her comprehension.

"Qingyue," Retsu said gently, placing a hand on her head, "you don't have to carry so much weight alone. If Yuu-kun loves you—even a little—then we love you too. That's how this family works. We tolerate, we compromise, we grow together."

Her voice dropped, just a bit sharper. "But if you think you're above us… that he belongs to you alone… then we will have a problem. Yuu-kun doesn't play favorites. No matter what your past with him, he'll let you go even if you decide otherwise. However, expected the flock as a whole turns against you."

Qingyue remained silent, her fingers tightening slightly in her lap underwater.

Retsu smiled, but there was something motherly and firm in it. "We didn't like you much at first—your status, being his first wife, it felt unfair. But he told us bits about you and why you married him. Enough to see there's more beneath that frozen surface. If you open up… if you let yourself trust us… we can be more than just allies. We can be sisters."

Still, Qingyue didn't respond. But the conflict in her eyes was clear.

"You don't need to be afraid. You're safe here. With him. With us. Whatever your goal is… if you're honest about it, we can help you reach it."

Finally, Qingyue whispered, "He doesn't love me. He only keeps me around… because of my mother."

Retsu's eyes softened. "For now.... Give it time. Feelings can grow. One day, you may fall for each other again."

She chuckled lightly. "If my quiet little sister Nemu could win his attention… then why not you?"

Qingyue looked away, silent—but her trembling shoulders suggested her walls were beginning to crack.

"Also… you're probably still thinking about what I said in the arena," Retsu said quietly.

"..."

"For that… I apologize." Her voice was calm, sincere. "It wasn't meant to single you out. That warning applies to all of us. It only matters if the day ever comes when someone turns against the flock. If that never happens… then I have no reason to harm you. None at all."

"I'm aware," Qingyue murmured.

"Then relax a little," Retsu said with a soft smile, gently patting her head. "You're safe here."

She tilted her head slightly, amusement twinkling in her eyes. "To be honest… this might be one of the few real conversations we've had with each other, isn't it?"

"Hnnn…" Qingyue gave a small nod, still not fully meeting her gaze.

Retsu's tone grew warmer. "Feel free to talk. About anything. I'm not against us bonding—in fact, I'm encouraging it. I want harmony among us sisters in the flock. Plus, I still need your permission to marry him."

She let the words linger for a moment, then added gently, "If you truly want to be part of this… just be kind, and patient. That's all. You don't have to be perfect. Just… try."

Qingyue said nothing, but her silence no longer felt cold. It felt… thoughtful.

"My, is everyone here?" Jin Yuelian's gentle voice carried through the steamy air as she stepped in, wrapped in a towel around her body and another around her hair. "It's nice to bathe together like this, instead of always soaking alone."

The girls turned, taking her in with subtle nods of admiration. Despite being a mother of two and a few years older, Jin Yuelian still exuded the aura of a mature beauty—graceful, poised, and serene.

Retsu and the others exchanged a sigh, almost in unison. There was just something about mature beauty… an aura that came with time, wisdom, and experience.

Retsu's thoughts briefly wandered to Lin Xin. Even after becoming a mother, Lin Xin had retained a beauty all her own—one that Retsu couldn't help but admire.

Then, Chu Yueli's voice broke the dreamy mood. "Sister Retsu, may I ask something?"

"Hmm? Go ahead," Retsu replied.

"What is this… 'date' you and Yun Che talked about?"

"Ara~ a date?" Retsu smiled playfully. "It's when a man and a woman spend time together. To get to know each other better before possibly deepening their relationship."

"A man and a woman… spending time together?" Chu Yueli wondered. She wondered if she could have this date with Mihawk but, Xue Ling shot her a look of triumph as she already went on a date with him alongside Nezuko.

"You mean just the two of you?" several voices echoed at once, eyes narrowing in curiosity.

"Yes," Retsu said, almost too casually. "I've gone on two with him. That's what date means."

"Two!?" Mio burst out, eyes wide. "Since when!?"

"Even I only got one!" Cang Yue added, pointing an accusatory finger at Retsu.

"Spill it, Ret-chan!" Mio demanded with mock outrage, her hands on her hips.

"Etooo…" Retsu tapped her lip thoughtfully, a teasing smile playing on her face. "Remember when he went on his second date with Qingyue? Well… I took a scenic walk with him after that."

"So that's why you were missing for two hours?!" Cang Yue exclaimed, puffing her cheeks adorably.

"No fair, desu!" Mio squealed, stomping lightly in the bathwater.

"Nee-sama, that is definitely not fair…" Nemu sighed, her calm tone barely hiding the pout in her voice.

"You called my little exploration under the throne room a 'date,' and then you go on a peaceful scenic walk?" Cang Yue added, puffing her cheeks again with double the energy.

"Teehee~" Retsu giggled, placing a finger to her lips. "I just took my chances, that's all. Besides… we ended up going home together afterward. Nothing too fancy. Just a little time… well spent."

The three of them—Mio, Nemu, and Cang Yue—puffed their cheeks in perfect unison, arms crossed, their sulking almost choreographed.

The bath echoed with splashes and playful sighs, the atmosphere equal parts warmth, mischief, and sisterly rivalry.

"Okay, okay… everyone will get their second dates," Retsu grinned, raising her hands to defuse the rising wave of pouts.

"Does that sort of thing really matter?" Chu Yueli asked curiously.

"Yes," Retsu sighed with mock seriousness. "I have to play fair, after all."

"Ret-chan is our alpha, after all," Mio nodded with certainty.

"Alpha?" Qingyue echoed, raising a brow.

"If we all end up marrying him," Mio said brightly, "Ret-chan's going to be the head wife."

"But isn't Qingyue and Mulan already his wives?" Jin Yuelian asked, tilting her head. "Wouldn't the first wives naturally take that role?"

Mulan gave a soft sigh. Her mother still didn't know the full story, but she wasn't against Retsu taking the role. In fact, it made perfect sense to her.

"Mother," Mulan said gently. "I'd rather let Retsu be the head wife. She's incredibly powerful—and wise. If anyone deserves it, it's her."

Jin Yuelian turned to the quiet Qingyue. "And what about you, Qingyue?"

Qingyue lowered her gaze, facing a truth she'd tried to avoid. "I… didn't know him for long. We were married for two years, but I barely know him at all. Retsu trained with him since childhood. She knows his strengths, his weaknesses… even his favorite meals. She understands him in ways I don't. A woman like that is far more suited to be the head wife."

"But you married him, Qingyue," Jin Yuelian said softly, confused.

"And yet I still know so little," Qingyue whispered. "Marriage didn't make me worthy. I was there… but I wasn't with him."

"Qingyue…" Yuelian murmured, sympathy in her tone.

"I'd rather she lead us. Despite marrying him first… I can't take a role I didn't earn. It's not my privilege."

"Ara…" Retsu frowned slightly. "Despite marrying him first, you'd still hand it over to me?"

Qingyue gave a small nod. "You bested me, Sister Retsu. Even if I had won our match during the tournament, with equal strength… I would still lose. You let me win, remember?"

Retsu sighed softly, but offered a gentle smile. "Well… the position of head wife is ultimately for Yuu-kun to decide. Not us."

"Nu-uh," Mio grinned. "We already decided. Ret-chan, you're our alpha. Future head wife. No one else fits better."

"You understand us, lead us, and… let's be honest… if any future sister misbehaves, you can just give them the Iron Claw and they'll fall in line!" she added with a mischievous giggle.

"Ara~" Retsu laughed, rubbing the back of her head with a sheepish smile. "I'd rather not resort to the Iron Claw to discipline my sisters, you know…"

The girls burst into soft laughter, the earlier tension finally dissolved. Even Qingyue allowed herself a small, genuine smile.

Even if Yun Che were to fall in love with her someday, she thought quietly, I still want to be one of his wives.

Yes, she felt jealousy—how could she not? Retsu knew him better, understood him more deeply. But jealousy alone wouldn't get her closer to him. What she could do… was learn. Learn to care for him the way Retsu did. Learn to trust him. Jealousy without effort was petty, but love earned through devotion—that was hers to reach for.

Then Mio's voice cut in brightly, "Besides, Ret-chan's first date was taking down an entire sect. That alone makes her Alpha Wife material."

"Taking down an entire sect?" Little Fairy blinked, clearly shocked. "How…?"

All eyes turned to Retsu.

"Mio-chan…" Retsu sighed, clearly embarrassed. "It was supposed to be an innocent date. But then, a bunch of tanned men with bleached blond hair tried to force themselves on me."

She narrowed her eyes slightly. "So I killed them. Not just because of the assault attempt—but their smell was unbearable. Absolutely vile. And Yuu-kun… he has an extreme hatred for that kind of man."

"Hatred… from just a smell?" Yuechan asked, curious now.

"At the time, we had just mastered Eagle Scent," Retsu explained. "It's a special sensory cultivation art. If you master it, you can smell adulterous and lust-filled energies. The more immoral their history, the stronger and more rancid the scent becomes. Worse than a rotting corpse."

The hot spring fell quiet.

"Is it… really that bad?" Little Fairy finally asked, her voice more serious now. Chu Yueli heard of him talking about Eagle Scent.

"Yes, Sister Yuechan," Retsu said with a nod. "If you cultivated Eagle Scent, you might end up hating men even more than you do now. But it's not just about disgust. It also shows you the gems among men—those who are loyal, pure-hearted. You'll treasure them more."

Her gaze softened. "Yuu-kun is one of those rare jewels."

Little Fairy tilted her head slightly, arms crossed under the water. "Then… how does he smell? He never told me about Eagle Scent. Only Eagle Vision."

Retsu chuckled gently. "It's… indescribable. You'll have to master it yourself and experience it."

She closed her eyes briefly, remembering. "His scent is… warm. Pure. So intoxicating that you'd wonder if Paradise smells like him. He's never contaminated himself with any woman outside marriage, not even once. That kind of purity? It lingers in his spirit."

The girls went silent, a mix of admiration, curiosity, and faint blushes settling in the steam.

Even Qingyue looked away, her cheeks faintly tinged pink.

"Oh my…" Jin Yuelian held her hand to her lips, her voice touched with astonishment. "I never knew my son-in-law had such a… divine scent. And to think, he and Mulan never once engaged in dual cultivation…" Her gaze turned to her daughter. "I'm sure you have your reasons, dear."

Mulan lowered her eyes, her cheeks faintly flushed. Yes… there were reasons.

But now, that seed of curiosity was planted deep in her heart. What did Yun Che truly smell like? If what Retsu said was true, then perhaps… she had been denying herself something truly extraordinary.

Around the hot spring, the other women sat in thoughtful silence. Retsu's explanation had sparked something in all of them.

Eagle Scent… it could reveal the hearts of men and women… the hidden sins… or their rare purity.

A technique that could separate the vile from the virtuous. A tool to navigate a world where deception and lust so often reigned.

And now, every woman present was silently thinking the same thing:

What does Yun Che really smell like for Retsu to praise him?

If Retsu claimed he had a scent unlike any other—intoxicating, pure, like Paradise itself—then that alone explained why these four terrifying women stayed loyal to him. Power? Kindness? Charm? Maybe. But if scent was truth… then scent was proof.

Suddenly, the air shifted.

"Ufufuu…" Retsu giggled softly, sensing the silent obsession brewing around her.

"..."

Silence. Tense. Curious. Almost reverent.

He smells… that good?

Little Fairy and Mulan—had a fire igniting in their eyes. Now, they had to learn Eagle Scent. Not just out of curiosity… but to know. To feel that same connection. To understand why those closest to him could never leave.

But while most were caught up in fascination, two pairs of eyes were more conflicted.

Xue Ling and Chu Yueli.

Their thoughts strayed—not to Yun Che—but to someone else entirely.

Mihawk…

A man who never had a wife. Who walked a path alone. Distant. Silent. Impossibly composed.

Would he have that same untouched, untainted scent?

Would he… smell like purity?

The thought was strange. Foreign. Yet they couldn't shake it.

While the others dreamed of Yun Che's heaven-like scent, these two couldn't help but wonder:

What if Mihawk's scent was just as divine… or darker?

The hot spring remained quiet… but the air was now thick with new purpose.

A skill that could reveal hearts…

A scent that could change everything…

And suddenly, every woman present had a reason to master Eagle Scent. Even Jin Yuelian wanted that kind of talent as well.

"Anyway," Retsu began, resting her back against the smooth stone edge of the spring, "as for how I took down an entire sect… it started with a mother and daughter who sought help from Yuu-kun and me."

She dipped her fingers into the water thoughtfully.

"They were looking for their eldest daughter… who had gone missing. The trail led us to a hidden sect, secluded atop a mountain—one shrouded in vile energy. The Yin Devourer Sect."

Gasps rippled through the spring.

"The Yin Devourer Sect?!" Little Fairy sat upright, her expression tight with recognition. Retsu meant that vile sect? The one that tried to conquer Frozen Cloud Asgard years ago to obtain their women? She read that they attempts were devastated by the Great Asgard Mistress.

Retsu nodded.

"With Yuu-kun," she continued, "we infiltrated their mountain stronghold. What we saw was… revolting. They kidnapped high ranked developing geniuses and absorb their Yin energy as cultivation. The women become cultivation materials. The sect's male members were so corrupted by Yin energy that their skin had turned dark bronze, their hair bleached to a sickly blond. Some even lost their hair entirely. As for how they obtained Yin energy. I am sure you girls knew what I am talking about."

"It was disgusting," Cang Yue muttered, face twisting.

"Yuu-kun seemed to hate them on sight," Retsu added. "I didn't understand at first… but he called them 'Ugly Bastards.' He claimed they committed something called NTR—stealing away innocent women and corrupting them from their husbands, their families…"

Her voice softened. "He… despised them with a passion. Said if he could nuke that country again, he would… but that it would also end something called 'the anime era.' Nuke or Anime? He chose the latter." Retsu sighed deeply. "I still don't understand what he meant. Not even Nemu does."

The girls blinked.

Nemu, usually unshakable and all-knowing, looked quietly baffled. "I have no idea as well. When I asked Yuu-sama, he said it's best that I don't know."

"I-it's probably not important…" Qingyue mumbled, slightly red in the face for reasons even she couldn't explain.

"Anyway," Retsu said, waving it off. "We found over a thousand young women—talented Yin geniuses—imprisoned in that sect. Drained, brainwashed, broken… all for their Yin energy."

Her eyes sharpened. "We freed them all. And they… chose to follow us."

"Wait… those girls became—" Mulan started.

"Yes," Retsu nodded, smiling faintly. "They became Little Yue's personal legionnaires. The Grand Order in the palace? That's them."

The hot spring was once again silent—this time out of awe.

A hidden evil sect, destroyed in a single night. A thousand lives saved. And Yun Che, who held no mercy for corruption, no forgiveness for those who broke families and destroyed innocence.

"The hidden faction is made up of those women?" Mulan's eyes widened. Her time in the palace had led her to hear whispers—about the secretive faction residing on the third level. All she'd known was that many powerful women had suddenly appeared… and now numbered nearly three thousand. All high-level, all talented.

"So that's the full story?" she asked, almost in disbelief.

Retsu nodded calmly. "Those women were corrupted… drained of purpose. But Yuu-kun gave them a new one—to serve under Little Yue. In time… they may surpass the Four Great Sects entirely."

"W-what…?" Mulan's voice faltered.

"It's true," Xue Ling said, arms crossed. Her tone was cool but resolute.

Lin Yueru nodded beside her. "A legion of female geniuses… saved from a living nightmare and turned into powerful cultivators. Loyal. Disciplined. Beautiful. Deadly. Imagine more than a thousand of them currently in development."

Retsu smiled faintly. "Yuu-kun and I were only meant to find one girl. But by the end of it… we'd rescued over a thousand."

Mulan's lips parted, unable to process the scale of it.

"We couldn't take down every man in the sect one by one," Retsu continued. "So we buried the mountain instead. Triggered a massive avalanche—by blasting apart a ridge of snow and ice."

"You… buried an entire sect?" Jin Yuelian whispered.

"We didn't kill them directly," Retsu clarified. "But the avalanche did the job. Thousands of men—gone. Entombed in ice and silence. It was cleaner… and far quicker."

She grinned. "We even used advanced automatic crossbows and marble-sized explosives. Very satisfying, actually."

"That does sound like something that rascal would do…" Little Fairy murmured, half-impressed, half-disturbed. The idea of burying a sect underneath pile of snow was indeed devastating.

"And the Yin Devourer Sect?" Mulan asked, her tone cautious.

"Gone," Retsu confirmed. "Though… we did come across a branch clan a few years back. During Mio-chan's date with him, they found a ship carrying almost a hundred women—led by a few unknown remnants of that sect."

"We took the ship down and rescued the women," Mio chimed cheerfully. "Ufuu~ I even fed them rice balls~!" she added, hands resting innocently on her cheeks.

"You… fed them?" Qingyue blinked in disbelief.

"They were starving!" Mio said earnestly. "Besides, Danna-sama gave each of them a faction crest before they returned to port."

"No wonder we suddenly gained hundreds of new members that day…" Xue Ling sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose.

Retsu simply shook her head with a fond smile. "Don't worry. The sect remnants vanished after that. No trace of them since."

Silence fell over the hot spring once again—but this time, it was heavy with awe.

A secret army, born from a buried nightmare. A rising legion of women—rescued, reformed, and rising in power. A force that could one day rival the mightiest sects.

And it had all begun… with a date that went wildly off-course.

"It's… interesting to hear stories of him," Jin Yuelian said softly, a gentle smile forming on her lips.

"Yes," Mulan agreed, her voice tinged with warmth. "He really did live a meaningful life… even after losing his memories."

Lin Yueru crossed her arms, a small smirk tugging at her lips. "To think that pervert had his own heroic chapters… I might start respecting him. A little."

Qingyue remained quiet, her thoughts drifting. She had shared two meaningful dates with him—one of them involving the destruction of Ling Tianni's sky ark. A flicker of emotion stirred in her chest as she wondered what their next "date" might bring.

Little Fairy wasn't far off in thought either. She stared into the steam rising from the water, cheeks flushed ever so faintly. What kind of date would they share? Would it be just as memorable… just as explosive?

Nemu blinked her dreamy eyes. Her date was coming soon. And knowing Yun Che, mayhem was definitely on the menu if they planned to stir up the hornet's nest later. A soft smile curled her lips.

Meanwhile, Xue Ling sent a smug glance toward Chu Yueli, her expression quietly triumphant. After all, her outing with Mihawk and Nezuko had turned into a three-faction purge with members from Mercenary City involved. A proper, glorious mess.

Chu Yueli simply sighed, eyes wistful. Could I… even have a proper date with him? She wasn't sure. But a quiet hope took root.

"Well," Retsu clapped her hands once. "All's well that ends well. I think our hair is almost steamed enough."

She slowly peeled the towel off her head.

And the entire hot spring gasped.

------------------------------------------

Yun Che returned, Kon trotting behind him with towering stacks of freshly hunted meat balanced on his back. The hunt had been quick—most of the beasts were Class 6, roughly equal to the Sky Profound Realm. One shot from the HDR was all it took to drop them. The real trouble had been the human pests.

"Idiots," Yun Che muttered as he stepped through the courtyard gates. "Do they really think we're pushovers?"

"They're persistent, I'll give them that," Kon snorted. "Sent in spies, assassins… even fried a few trying to pass through the barrier. Pretty sure one guy vaporized himself."

"They're testing us," Yun Che grumbled. "Trying to take out Little Yue and pin it on the Jin Family. Cowards."

As they stepped into Mulan's courtyard and entered the main building, Yun Che stopped cold.

"…Whoa."

He blinked once.

Then twice.

There, in the center of the room, sat a vision that made even a demon-slaying day feel dull by comparison.

All the girls—Mulan, Qingyue, Little Fairy, Nemu, Mio, Xue Ling, Lin Yueru, even his dignified mother-in-law Jin Yuelian—were seated in their bathrobes. Their hair shimmered like woven light, cascading in luminous waves under the gentle room lighting. It wasn't just clean—it glowed. Glossy, radiant, soft beyond belief.

"You're back!" Retsu beamed.

"…I guess it worked," Yun Che said, stunned.

"Worked? Che'er, this is witchcraft," Mulan said, twirling a silky lock around her finger. "I can't stop touching it. It's too soft. Too perfect."

Her mother, Jin Yuelian, was equally spellbound. She was gently petting her own hair like it was the rarest treasure in the empire.

Qingyue looked up from running her fingers through her black strands, cheeks tinged pink. "It's really soft."

Little Fairy and Chu Yueli, both already icy beauties in their own right, had hair that now sparkled like fine snow under moonlight. Even they looked unsure whether to be amazed or suspicious.

Xue Ling raised an eyebrow, her usual sharpness softened by curiosity. Lin Yueru was staring at herself in the polished bronze mirror, almost hypnotized.

"Danna-sama! How did you do this?!" Mio squealed, bouncing slightly. "It's like magic shampoo!"

"Yuu-sama, how did it work?" Nemu said flatly, though her hands never left her hair.

Retsu tilted her head, letting her flowing locks tumble freely behind her. "It's so soft now… and strong. Like a celestial maiden's."

"I just… use modern recipe I mentioned before and adjusted the alchemical balance of the shampoo with energy," Yun Che muttered, scratching his cheek.

"Wait, egg yolk and apple vinegar? How?" Xue Ling gave him a sharp look.

Yun Che shrugged. "I didn't think it would work that well."

The room fell into a hush again.

Yun Che quietly set his rifle down in the corner, its faint hum dying out. He stepped forward, silent amidst the warmth and laughter of the room. Without a word, he came to stand behind Retsu.

She didn't turn—she didn't need to. A gentle smile formed on her lips as she felt his presence.

Raising his hand, Yun Che summoned a soft current of energy to his palm. Warm, focused, and deliberate. With careful movements, he began drying her damp hair—slow, steady, reverent. Each motion guided with practiced precision, his energy never harsh, always gentle, as though he were sculpting light itself.

The room quieted around them.

His fingers moved with familiarity, smoothing every strand, guiding them into perfect form. He wasn't just drying her hair—he was rebonding it, saturating it with his unique energy. A ritual they had done many times before. But today, combined with the alchemical shampoo, something miraculous happened.

Retsu's hair shimmered like cascading silk in starlight.

Soft, glowing, perfectly smooth—each strand now danced with ethereal grace. Like the hair of a celestial goddess. No frizz, no imperfection. Just divine beauty.

When he finished, he stepped back, quietly admiring his work.

Retsu opened her eyes slowly, her cheeks tinged with the faintest blush. She reached back and let her hair tumble through her fingers, her expression unreadable for a moment—until a soft, contented sigh escaped her lips.

"It's perfect…" she whispered.

The others stared in stunned silence.

Mulan blinked. "He… he even styles hair with his energy?"

Qingyue was wordless, a faint heat rising in her chest.

Little Fairy leaned toward Chu Yueli and whispered, "That's cheating…"

"Absolute cheating," Yueli whispered back.

Yun Che merely folded his arms and smirked. "It's just practice."

But even he had to admit—Retsu's hair looked like something no artist could ever replicate.

The room fell into an awed hush as Retsu's hair caught the soft lamplight, cascading like a waterfall of pure starlight.

It didn't take long for realization to sink in.

"He really… does that every day?" Chu Yueli whispered in disbelief.

"Twice a day," Retsu said softly, brushing her fingers through her silken locks. "Morning and night. Usually after our baths. Usually, it takes five seconds tops for each of us."

The others stared.

A long, stunned pause passed.

Then—rustle.

Mio scooted over with a grin and plopped down beside Retsu, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "My turn~!"

Without missing a beat, Yun Che moved behind her, raising his hand as soft energy coiled around his fingers. Just like before, he began the drying and rebonding process with that same quiet care.

And just like Retsu, Mio's hair transformed—soft, glowing, featherlight. Her grin widened.

One by one, the other girls joined the line. Nemu calmly took her place after Mio. Then Cang Yue, graceful as ever. Even Little Fairy, hesitant at first, stepped forward. Qingyue followed, though her proud expression couldn't quite hide her eagerness. Lin Yueru. Xue Ling. Chu Yueli.

And finally, even Jin Yuelian—elegant and refined—settled onto the stool with a lighthearted chuckle, "Well, this is a luxury I never expected from my son-in-law."

Yun Che didn't complain. He simply worked—five seconds each. Efficient. Gentle. Intimate in a way words never could be.

By the time he was done, the room had gone utterly quiet again.

They gathered in front of the full-length mirror mounted along the far wall.

The reflection that stared back at them could've been mistaken for a gathering of divine spirits. Hair that shimmered like moonlight. No tangles. No frizz. Only flawless silk flows behind them.

None of them could look away.

"I look like a fairy…" Lin Yueru murmured.

"We all do," Little Fairy replied, still touching her hair in disbelief.

"I can't stop touching it," Chu Yueli muttered.

"Is this how you feel every day?" Qingyue asked Retsu, half-jealous, half-envious.

Retsu smiled serenely, her fingers gliding through her newly divine locks. "Every morning and every night… but today, he introduced that shampoo."

Mio leaned back against Yun Che with a content sigh. "Thank you, Danna-sama~ I feel like a fairy girl now."

Xue Ling smirked from her spot near the mirror, flicking her glowing hair over her shoulder. "I think I'll be asking for more from now on—since Yue'er gets that kind of privilege."

"Oi, don't forget me," Lin Yueru chimed in with a grin. "If Yue'er gets that kind of special care, then I definitely deserve it too."

Little Fairy stepped forward slowly, her voice calm but laced with something vaguely threatening. "Rascal… you won't mind treating my hair like you used to, right?" Her smile held no room for refusal.

Chu Yueli crossed her arms, eyes narrowing. "If my older sister gets it, then so should I."

Qingyue, arms folded, looked at him as if the question were a given. "I am your wife. Shouldn't you treat my hair naturally?"

Mulan leaned in with a mischievous smile. "Same here. It's only right. Right~?"

Yun Che was starting to sweat.

Then—

"My… mother might ask for one as well." Jin Yuelian added sweetly.

Yun Che froze.

The room fell silent again, this time tinged with mischief.

"...All of you?" he muttered.

They answered with synchronized nods. A sea of beautiful women. All glowing. All smiling. All terrifyingly expectant.

Yun Che sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. If the outside world ever caught sight of these women—each with radiant, glowing hair—they'd probably assume divine fairies had descended upon the mortal realm.

"Fine," he relented at last. "Like Retsu said—morning and night baths only. For the next two weeks."

"You won't mind?" Qingyue asked, slightly surprised.

"Nah," Yun Che shrugged. "Takes five seconds each. I usually handle these four together anyway."

"Then… please take good care of us too," Qingyue said, her voice unusually soft.

"With pleasure," he said with a casual smirk. "Now, you ladies go get supper started. Me and Nemu are heading out to stir up the hornet's nest."

"Even after the banquet, you're all still hungry?" Jin Yuelian asked in amusement.

"Ufuu~ Supper is sacred," Mio chimed. "Wouldn't dream of wasting all that delicious meat Danna-sama brought back!"

With that, Retsu and Mio began organizing supper, quickly joined by Mulan, Qingyue, and the rest. Warmth and laughter drifted from the kitchen as preparations began anew.

Mulan stepped closer, her expression soft but shadowed by old pride and new humility.

"Do be careful," she said quietly. "I used to believe I could resolve anything for the Jin Family. But now… I realize I'd only stand in your way."

Yun Che looked at her, a flicker of surprise in his eyes—but also respect.

Qingyue stood beside Mulan, her hands folded calmly. She didn't speak much, but her gaze held a serene strength.

"Come back soon," she said with a small smile.

She wasn't worried—he wasn't the one in danger. The outside world was.

Yun Che turned to leave, but the faint blush on his face betrayed him. He had grown used to danger, but not to moments like this. Qingyue's gentle sendoff lingered more than he'd expected.

Outside, the moonlight washed over the courtyard as Yun Che and Nemu approached the sleek, silent form of the VTOL gunship. Its matte-black frame gleamed faintly under the lantern lights, engines humming low like a slumbering beast.

Several Jin Family members had gathered nearby—servants, guards, even a few elders—unable to hide their curiosity as they stared at the mysterious craft. Murmurs passed between them: What is it? Who built it? Is it alive?

Yun Che smirked, slinging his HDR sniper rifle onto his back.

"Well, it's modern technology. Anyone would be curious." he muttered.

Nemu walked beside him, her hands already adjusting dials on her custom gauntlet.

"Yes. But I must admit," she said with a rare sparkle in her eyes, "I'm quite excited."

The rear ramp hissed open with a soft pneumatic release, revealing the glowing interior. Without a word, they stepped aboard. The ramp sealed behind them—cutting off the noise, the lights, the stares.

Inside, soft blue lights lit up the control console. Yun Che slid into the pilot's seat while Nemu took the second pilot's seat. Checking drone feeds and surveillance sweeps.

The VTOL rose silently, the courtyard shrinking below them. Their destination: the twin archipelago of Lishan and Wangya Islands—believed to be hubs of espionage and staging grounds for the upcoming invasion.