"Was I just... taken advantage of?" Qian Ran murmured as he woke up, finding himself in a disheveled state. The day was already far gone.
Who's really taking advantage of whom here? he thought.
Why do I feel like they're hungrier than I am sometimes?
The culprits had all retreated to their rooms, leaving Qian Ran no chance to question them. However, his sharp nose caught the faint scents of several different women lingering on his body.
So they decided to share the spoils evenly, huh?
"Must've been Wang Dong'er leading the charge," he muttered. In the past, it was only Wang Dong'er who acted like a little she-wolf, obsessed with his body.
But lately, something had changed.
As Qian Ran's physique became increasingly flawless, even people like Xian Lin'er and Cai Mei'er, who used to command respect, had become noticeably more dependent on him. Where they once treated him like a peer, they now seemed eager to yield to his every whim.
Qian Ran might have underestimated his own charm.
"Master," called a soft voice.
Huo Yun'er appeared before him, dressed in a pristine maid outfit, her hands folded gracefully in front of her.
Wang Dong'er and the others had grown used to Huo Yun'er's presence in the house, assuming she was an attendant sent by the Spirit Hall to care for Qian Ran.
After realizing how powerful the Spirit Hall was, they found it entirely reasonable for Qian Ran, the Holy Son, to have such an arrangement.
And to be fair, Huo Yun'er's presence had indeed made the estate much tidier and more organized.
Her appearance was immaculate: her flowing hair adorned with a golden maid's headband, accented with a delicate pink flower. Her slender neck was wrapped with a ribbon tied in a butterfly knot, her lace-trimmed skirt just short enough to reveal her plump thighs wrapped in white thigh-high stockings.
The stockings, taut against her legs, left faint, enticing marks where the fabric pressed into her supple flesh. She completed the look with small black leather shoes that clicked softly as she walked.
If someone were to stumble into this scene, they would undoubtedly mistake her for an elegant maid from a noble household rather than the head maid of Qian Ran's estate.
"How are you adjusting, Yun'er?" Qian Ran asked, smiling as his mood lightened at the sight of her. Previously, he hadn't had the time or patience to deal with the trivialities of household management.
Now, with Huo Yun'er handling everything, he could focus on more important matters.
"Master, being by your side is the happiest I've ever been," she replied, her gaze soft and filled with devotion.
Since returning to Qian Ran's service, her greatest joy had been tending to his needs. Before, when she had been sent to learn etiquette in Xingluo City, she had spent every day yearning to return. Now that she was back, she was determined to fulfill her duties perfectly.
"And the others? How are they doing?" Qian Ran asked, recalling the women brought over from the Duke's household. He didn't even remember most of their names, only vaguely recalling the particularly notable Summer Lan.
"I'll summon them for you, Master."
Huo Yun'er retrieved her soul-guided communication device and issued the order. Soon, a group of young women entered the room, all of them hailing from the Duke's family.
Seeing Qian Ran again, the women froze momentarily.
Over the past few days, they had learned just how extraordinary Qian Ran was—not just his overwhelming strength but his unparalleled potential. Aside from Summer Lan, whose eyes betrayed lingering bitterness, the others now viewed Qian Ran with a mix of awe and... something else.
Initially, they had been upset about being sent here under false pretenses, but as time passed, they began to see their situation differently.
Was being a maid to such a prodigy really such a bad fate?
In fact, it seemed like a golden opportunity.
Being in Qian Ran's presence was a privilege. Even as mere maids, they would likely gain more opportunities than they ever could in the Duke's household. And if one of them managed to catch his eye, their future would be limitless.
"What are you all standing around for? Kneel!" Huo Yun'er's tone turned sharp as she cracked her whip across Summer Lan's stocking-clad legs.
Summer Lan flinched, and the others immediately followed suit, dropping to their knees.
Huo Yun'er had clearly been enforcing discipline with a firm hand. With their soul power restricted by specially designed soul tools, and Huo Yun'er holding a device that monitored their every movement, none of them dared resist.
"Bow your heads! How many times must I remind you of the proper etiquette?" Huo Yun'er's voice was cold as she struck again.
The crack of the whip echoed as it lashed against the silk-clad backsides of the kneeling women, making them tremble with fear.
"Enough," Qian Ran said, raising a hand. While these women had been sent as atonement, he had no intention of truly treating them like slaves.
"But Master, if they aren't disciplined, they'll never learn," Huo Yun'er said, her voice laced with frustration.
"Only punish them for serious mistakes. Don't overdo it," Qian Ran replied calmly. He suspected her strictness stemmed from her desire to flawlessly execute his orders.
"Yes, Master," Huo Yun'er said, bowing her head.
The kneeling women sighed in relief. Raised in luxury, they had never been subjected to such rigorous training before. Huo Yun'er's relentless discipline had pushed them to their limits.
"Have they been keeping up with their training?" Qian Ran asked.
"No, Master. They've been too busy adapting to their roles. Besides, with their lowly status, does it really matter?" Huo Yun'er looked puzzled.
"It matters. Starting now, they will resume their training. And you too, Yun'er—I'll ensure you all have the resources you need," Qian Ran said firmly.
"Thank you, Master," Huo Yun'er said, her eyes brimming with gratitude. She didn't care much about power but was moved that Qian Ran cared about her well-being.
The other women were equally excited. They knew that under Qian Ran's guidance, their cultivation would likely surpass anything they could have achieved in the Duke's household.
Satisfied, Qian Ran surveyed the kneeling women. With their noble backgrounds and decent martial spirits, they had potential. He envisioned forming a Combat Maid Squad, with Huo Yun'er as their leader.
Those who performed exceptionally well could even join an elite team, serving as his personal guard.
And as for their uniforms... they would be inspired by the knightly attire of the Zephyr Knights.
(End of Chapter)