The luxurious bathhouse was enveloped in a misty haze, with a faint, delicate fragrance lingering in the air.
Clear streams of water arced continuously from two openings in the wall-mounted statue of a goddess, filling the room with the soothing sound of flowing water.
Ji Lin, immersed in the water, revealed her fair, delicate shoulders, her silky-smooth hair drifting like satin on the water's surface.
Ye Feng observed this scene, his anger steadily rising within him.
A virgin wife—now that was a rare sight.
Taking a slow, deep breath, Ye Feng inhaled the fragrant air and remarked,
"Madam, even after three years of marriage, you still act like a young maiden."
"!"
Ji Lin's heart skipped a beat.
For some reason, she felt that when this man called her "Madam," there was a hint of... excitement in his voice?
Though she had just awakened and wasn't entirely clear about the situation, her instincts told her something was amiss.
And the source of that unease seemed to be tied to her identity as a "Madam."
Ji Lin hurriedly explained, "My marriage... was due to certain circumstances. It is not as you might assume."
Her speech carried an ancient elegance, her demeanor graceful and refined.
This classical, fairy-like beauty of a married woman was truly something else.
Ye Feng was thoroughly charmed.
He had deliberately waited for her to wake up, refraining from touching her earlier.
The more traditional, dignified, and elegant she was, the more exhilarating it would be when she finally succumbed to pleasure.
"Oh? Then what was it really like?"
Ye Feng prepared to step into the water.
Ji Lin trembled slightly, her eyes downcast. Sensing danger, she quickly elaborated,
"I was blessed by heaven, awakening the Sacred Mark. Together with Fuxi, we temporarily repelled Chiyou, forcing it back into the Nine Nethers.
"News of this spread, and many clan leaders came with marriage proposals. Overwhelmed, I sought a solution. Nuwa then devised a plan—to have Fuxi disguise herself as the son of the Shennong Clan's leader, present jade cakes as a gift, and enter into a false marriage..."
"Wait, Lianshan is Fuxi?"
Ye Feng interrupted.
"...Indeed."
Ji Lin watched Ye Feng warily, noticing a flicker of disappointment in his eyes.
Ye Feng truly hadn't expected this.
His excitement dampened considerably.
So his "married woman" fantasy was gone just like that?
The moment Ji Lin woke up, countless scenarios had already played out in Ye Feng's mind.
Now—poof—his "Madam" fantasy was shattered.
Well, no use crying over spilled milk. If Ji Lin and Fu Hua were paired together, the "attributes" would be even more intriguing. Heh.
No wonder, when the new map of the Nine Nethers ruins was unlocked earlier, Lianshan was absent—only Fuxi appeared.
Though, thinking about it, Lianshan had long red hair, and so did Fuxi, so it made sense.
But Fuxi's chest here was... really impressive.
Ye Feng withdrew his foot, which had been about to step into the water.
"So Fuxi is your husband, huh..."
Ye Feng pondered. If he placed Fuxi and Ji Lin on the same bed, would that count as a "married couple combo"?
But actually, that sounded even more fun.
Ye Feng opened Fuxi's character panel and clicked [Invite].
Within seconds, the red-haired girl arrived, her ample curves swaying as she jogged over.
Ye Feng pointed at her prominent chest and asked, "Is this the Fuxi you were talking about?"
At the sight of Fuxi, Ji Lin froze.
Whether it was because Fuxi appeared here or because her curves were too dazzling, Ji Lin was momentarily speechless.
Ye Feng waved his hand in front of her face, snapping her out of her daze.
"She... No, this isn't Fuxi!"
"Are you saying her chest couldn't possibly be this big?"
Prompted by Ye Feng, Ji Lin's gaze drifted downward. Huh? It was indeed quite astonishing.
Though he wasn't wrong, "This person before me has the form but not the spirit—at best, she's merely an empty shell."
"Quite sharp observation skills."
Ye Feng chuckled. "She is Fuxi, and yet she isn't."
"What do you mean?"
"You'll understand in time."
"...Very well."
Ji Lin simply nodded.
If it were someone like Kiana, she'd probably be cursing Ye Feng for speaking in riddles while simultaneously kneeling to beg for answers.
Truly, a classical beauty with the charm of Shenzhou was like a fine cup of tea—worthy of savoring slowly.
"Now, let's talk about Fuxi, Nuwa, and you."
Finally, the main topic.
Ji Lin sat up straight, her fair body causing gentle ripples in the water.
The undulating surface rose past her delicate shoulders, receded, then rose again, her flawless skin peeking through like sweet honey, tempting one to take a taste.
"But before that,"
Ye Feng abruptly changed the subject, "I had Kōryū completely eliminate the threat of Chiyou, freeing you from an endless battle and preserving the souls of Fuxi and Nuwa.
"In a way, I saved all of you. So, Madam, how do you plan to repay me?"
Ye Feng still couldn't let go of that title.
"..."
Ji Lin fell silent.
Had he really been the one to save them?
She had suspected as much but couldn't confirm it...
Yet since he claimed it, she couldn't outright deny it.
What if he truly had resolved the Chiyou crisis?
Wouldn't refusing make her an ungrateful wretch?
But repayment... that was only natural.
For now, she'd hear him out.
"What does the gentleman desire?"
"I want you—"
Ye Feng paused deliberately, and Ji Lin's heart sank.
Before she could speak, Ye Feng raised three fingers.
"—to promise me three things."
Hearing this, Ji Lin's tension eased slightly.
But she didn't immediately agree.
"Three things... may I ask what they are?"
"I haven't decided yet."
"..."
Ji Lin frowned. "This... I'm afraid I cannot comply."
If these three things harmed the world or crossed her moral boundaries, how could she agree?
Ye Feng smiled. "Don't be so quick to refuse. You wouldn't want to be seen as ungrateful, would you?"
"If the gentleman insists," Ji Lin's gaze turned resolute, her tone calm but firm, "I can only return my life to you."
"Now, now, no need to be so dramatic. Why jump to death so quickly? I'm not some demon forcing you to commit atrocities. You're misunderstanding me—the premise itself is flawed. I'm just... a little more fond of beauty than most."
"..."
This left Ji Lin utterly speechless, her mind nearly short-circuiting.
In all her life, no one had ever introduced themselves like this.
Now, she was almost certain—the person who had changed her clothes was likely him.
Which made agreeing to his demands even more impossible!
"I still..."
"Hold on."
Ye Feng cut in again. "Hear me out. You'll promise me three things, but if any of them make you uncomfortable or cross your boundaries, you can refuse to fulfill them."
"...I can refuse?"
Ji Lin stared at Ye Feng in disbelief.
What was the point of agreeing, then?
"Well?"
"Wait, you mean... I can refuse?"
Ji Lin sought confirmation.
"Exactly. You can refuse."
---
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