Chapter 34.

(POV Megumi)

You may wonder what made me take action to save this useless, incompetent last descendant of my old sect. Do you think it is pity? Not even close.

Little Han seeing the trouble his adoptive father was in knew he had to do something. Husband was too far away for him to ask him, but he knew that I was definitely not a simple figure.

Thus he looked at me with those darned puppy dog eyes and said, "beautiful celestial goddess, big sister fairy Meg, can you please help this pitiful child's adoptive father? I know a woman as powerful and charming as you have many better things to do, but can you please help this junior? Your husband is the luckiest man in the world to have a benevolent and caring woman like you by his side. I can only look towards you jealous that I wasn't born sooner to meet you before he did."

This brat really learned how to suck up from my husband. It's not that I fell for his flattery or anything, I just felt like a bit of exercise that's all. I just happened to be going for a jog in their direction and tripped and stumbled in front of their attacks then recovered my footing like nothing happened. That's really all that happened. It was nothing special. That barrier of light surrounding us also just magically appeared out of nowhere. It definitely was not my handy work.

"Thank you big sister fairy Meg."

This kid really was touchy feely. He ran up to me and grabbed my hand while thanking me profusely.

But really, I thought this last descendant of my old sect would at least have a bit of a back bone and put up a decent fight for a while. Instead, he just stood their stupidly looking between my husband, Chu Yue, little Han and myself like a fool. What is going on in that stupid half balding head of yours?

My intention was to let it play out for a while and during the fight have everyone eighteen and under transported to the world within the tablet for this so called trial by fire.

Beyond my expectations, when he realized he was being attacked by forces of the Celestial Empire, he just closed his eyes like a defeated dog once he saw the overwhelming power the other side brought with them. Seeing this, and with little Han's pleading, I had that sudden urge to exercise. Yes, sudden urge to exercise, you heard it right. It was just a little jog, that was all.

Hmmp, it's not because I found little Han overly cute or anything, that's definitely not it. I'm not such an easily manipulated woman. I don't make excuses for my actions.

I felt irritated when I noticed my husband and the crowd looking at me. Husband looked like he was having fun while still flirting off in the corner with Chu Yue who was completely oblivious to the situation. She was far too distracted trying to keep husband's attention. Little girl, the patriarch of your sect was facing the greatest crisis of his life and you were too busy to notice because you were flirting with my husband for the sake of little Han?

Is there actually something wrong with your head? Why does it feel like everyone just does whatever they want? There is all this talk about exterminating the sect that brought you up and you're still daydreaming?

At least the crowd's reaction was normal. Jaws dropped and staring at me in horror. Ah, that's better. That is how things should be. This is the expected reaction I was looking for. At least mob characters are doing their jobs still.

No wait. There is one more clown not acting like they should. Sai Hitu, would you please look at little Han's face at the very least please? His face isn't down there! No, better yet, pay attention to your sect damnit!

I'm getting a headache, I want to go to somewhere more normal for a while. The bizarreness of this sect so far out in the boonies is a little too much to handle even though it is interesting.

In my irritation I snapped my finger causing the tablet to emit a bright light. After a momentary flash, everyone below the age of eighteen vanished before my eyes.

The only ones left were the elders of the Good Fortune sect, about one hundred disciples over the age of eighteen, the Patriarch and my husband now standing alone by himself in confusion.

Ignoring everyone's eyes I disappeared from where I stood then instantly reappeared by my husband's side.

"Husband, was it fun flirting with your little secret disciple?"

"Very much so."

"Husband, you're not thinking of cheating on me, are you?"

"Never, my wife."

"I am a righteous man who will only ever have eyes for my wife."

"I hope that is the case, husband."

"How did she smell?"

"Heavenly."

"Feel?"

"Like a newborn child."

"Did you get turned on?"

"Absolutely… not."

"Husband."

"What?"

"Would you like to be bullied again?"

"No."

"Are you sure?"

"... yes?"

"You're not very convincing when you say that you know."

"By the way my wife, where did you send everyone?"

"Into the world inside the tablet the patriarch is holding, but don't try changing the topic now."

"My wife, please don't bully me."

"For an unfaithful husband playing around with a fifteen year old girl in front of your wife's eyes, what rights do you have?"

"Do you plead guilty?"

"I am innocent."

"Hmmm?"

"So you do want to be bullied?"

"Guilty! Guilty as charged. Caught red handed with no excuses ma'am."

"Then a guilty husband should be punished, right?"

"But I confessed…"

Those adorable pleading eyes aren't going to save you husband.

"It was a trap after all! I should have known better!"

"What trap could you be talking about husband? You could have refused her."

That face that looks like you want to cry is very cute too.

"I did try to but you persuaded me otherwise."

"If I tell you to jump off a cliff to your death, will you?"

"Absolutely."

He really just makes me want to bully him.

"Then your punishment shall be taking me out on a date."

"No, anything but that! Please! I beg you!"

My husband slammed his knees to the ground and begged me with tears in his eyes while he wrapped his arms around one of my legs.

I was actually caught off guard by his sudden rejection to such a punishment, but I soon understood.

"Wait. You said a date? That's all? Are you sure? That is really my punishment? Isn't this actually a reward?"

It seems husband was under the impression it was going to be something like torture and acted on instinct without processing the words that were actually said.

Is that really all there is to it though?

That smile on his face that was pressed against my exposed thigh seemed to suggest otherwise. Stinky husband taking advantage of this wife! You think I won't notice your fake little act?

I pinched his ear while pulling him up to his feet and brought him to close to my face to glare at him.

"Oww oww oww. It hurts. Please my wife, can't you be more gentle with your husband?"

"Pervert."

"How can you say such a thing? I'll have you know, I am no pervert. I am just a small man with a dream to see all the wonders of the world. Your lovely jade legs should be classified as national treasures. How can one not worship them?"

He's getting more daring lately. First asking for a bit of help in the morning, then moving in for a kiss and next proactively making a move on me in public. It's nice that he is finally starting to treat me like his wife and not freezing up all the time like in the beginning, but there is a time and place for these types of things husband.

Can you not feel all the strange gazes that are landing upon you? What happened to your magnificent act you liked to put on in front of others?

Look, that patriarch over there even has his jaw dropped on the ground right now when looking at your shameless actions.

"This guy is definitely a master."

Are you kidding me?! Don't start praising him for stupid things you stinky good for nothing patriarch! Why don't you show a bit of concern for the disciples that have suddenly disappeared! What about your adoptive son?! Do you really have time to be gawking at my legs like my husband does?

Why are men such pigs at times like this?

"My wife, are we really not going to go into that pocket realm?"

Changing the topic as usual I see. Well it's better than you gawking at my legs all day I guess. I'm happy your like them, but please save your passion for night time when we're alone.

"Of course we're going. Where else do you expect to take me on a fun date?"

"Isn't it supposed to be a trial by fire? How are we supposed to go on a date in a pocket realm intended to test people?"

"Husband, don't worry about that. Your wife has already planned everything. There are things in the world that you could never imagine are possible. This just happens to be one such occasion."

"Okay then."

Seeing my husband had agreed to our date, I looked around at all those elders who still weren't able to react to the situation. Really, aren't all of you too useless?

I was just about ready to depart, but my husband suddenly called out to stop me.

"My wife, one moment, there is something that I have to give to the patriarch."

"What is it?"

"It's nothing major, so don't mind it."

I felt confused, but I decided to just nod my head and let him do as he pleased for now.

(POV Sanji)

That was close I almost forgot to hand this over to the patriarch. Oops, I have shown a rather embarrassing appearance now that I think about it.

Tidying myself up and straightening my clothes, I put on a look of indifference once more and turned my gaze towards the patriarch. I held my head high and proud like a majestic qilin whose existence could not be looked down upon.

In their eyes I am sure I emitted an air of majesty and dignity. They will surely forget the earlier display if I put on this act. Surely.

"Hello little patriarch."

His face cramped up upon hearing my form of address, but naturally I acted like I noticed nothing out of place and continued.

"Little Han will be under my care for some time. I do feel a bit bad taking him away, so as compensation for taking your adopted child for some time I will give you this pill."

I drew closer to his ear and then whispered in a tone only the two of us could hear. "This pill is called the little soldier's pill, based upon your situation I am sure you can understand the meaning behind the name of the pill."

His eyes at first were confused but when he heard the implied meaning in my statement his eyes lit up in joy. He quickly bowed down on the ground, foregoing all his dignity and broke down in tears while thanking me profusely.

Thinking I had done my job I said no more and turned to walk away like a lonely hero.

When I reached my wife, she just rolled her eyes and forcibly yanked my collar while pulling me off into a rift in space.

What greeted me on the other side of the rift within the trial by fire really left my eyes popped wide open and jaw lowered to the floor in disbelief.

What in the…?