Sorry but I only accept female disciples!

Hong Shi pushed open the door to her modest room, the wooden frame creaking softly.

The familiar scent of sandalwood greeted her, a calming fragrance she'd chosen to mask the otherwise musty atmosphere of the Holy Land quarters.

She stepped in, closing the door behind her with a quiet click.

Her usually composed face bore a slight frown as she walked toward the small desk in the corner.

Sitting on the simple chair, she let out a heavy sigh, her posture relaxing momentarily.

Reaching into her storage ring, she retrieved a jade bottle and poured a single, glossy healing pill into her palm.

"Haa…" Hong Shi muttered as she tossed the pill into her mouth, as she felt the medicine dissolve and a soothing warmth spread through her body.

Her gaze swept across the room—sparse and neatly kept.

A bed with crisp sheets, a small cabinet, and a couple of scrolls lying neatly on the desk.

This place had been her sanctuary for years, but now it felt like a cage.

"I should leave soon," she murmured to herself, her voice barely audible.

Rising from the chair, she made her way to the cabinet.

Opening it, she retrieved a stack of foldedrobes and a small chest. She placed them on the bed and began sorting through them.

One by one, items disappeared into her storage ring.

First, the robes, then the chest, its contents rattling softly as it vanished.

From the desk, she picked up the scrolls and a simple jade hairpin, pausing for a moment as she turned the hairpin over in her fingers.

A faint smile flickered across her lips before she stored it away.

Next, she crouched by the bed and reached underneath, pulling out a small box.

Opening it revealed a collection of talismans, medicinal herbs, and a well-worn dagger.

She inspected the dagger's edge briefly before placing it into the ring, followed by the rest of the box's contents.

Her gaze then fell on the room itself.

Empty now, save for the bed and desk, it felt strangely unfamiliar.

Hong Shi stood in the center of the room, her expression conflicted for a brief moment before hardening.

She adjusted her robes and stepped toward the door. Her hand lingered on the handle as she took a final glance back.

"Time to move forward," she whispered to herself, determination lacing her tone.

With a steady breath, Hong Shi pushed the door open and walked out, leaving behind the place that had once been her home.

...

The soft rustling of the steam rising from the hot water filled the quiet room as Zhang Yuan relaxed in the spacious, ornate bathtub.

His eyes were closed, head resting against the smooth edge of the tub, his white hair slightly damp from the heat.

The soothing warmth of the water eased his muscles, his breathing steady and calm.

Nestled comfortably on his lap was Zhang Fumin, her lithe figure submerged in the water up to her shoulders.

She leaned back lazily, her head resting against his firm chest.

"Finally," she murmured, her voice soft and content. "Now that the competition is over, we can relax for a bit."

"Yeah," Zhang Yuan replied in a low, mellow tone, his arms loosely wrapped around her waist.

He leaned forward slightly, tightening his embrace, and rested his chin on her shoulder.

Zhang Fumin closed her eyes, letting the heat of the water seep into her body.

faint smirk tugged at her lips as she recalled something and without moving from his embrace, she broke the silence.

"Oh, by the way, Yuan'er," she began, her voice laced with a teasing edge, "I wanted to ask you something."

"Hmm?" Zhang Yuan responded, the vibration of his hum gently resonating against her back.

"What's your relationship with Fei'er?"

Hearing her words, Zhang Yuan chuckled faintly. "Fei'er?" he repeated, his lips curling into a small smile. "She's also my wife."

The moment those words left his mouth, Zhang Fumin's body stiffened. Her relaxed posture vanished as her lips parted in disbelief.

"What?" she muttered, her voice barely audible at first. Then, she turned her head slightly, her brows furrowing as she stared at him in shock.

"I knew it!" she exclaimed, her voice rising. "I always knew there was something suspicious about her! The way she looks at you... and the way you look back at her... bastard!"

Zhang Yuan's smile remained as he gently ran his fingers through her damp hair. "You're too perceptive, Fumin," he teased.

Her eyes narrowed, and she jabbed a finger at his chest. "You've been hiding this from me, haven't you? I knew it, but you-"

Before she could finish, Zhang Yuan spoke again, his tone still calm but with a faint hint of amusement.

"And by the way," he said casually, "Ming is also my wife."

For a moment, there was silence.

Zhang Fumin blinked, her mind struggling to process his words.

"...Ming?" she repeated slowly, and her eyes widened as the realization hit her.

"Zhang Ming? My mother?"

Zhang Yuan tilted his head, his smile never faltering. "Uh, yeah."

Her jaw dropped, and her face turned red—not from the heat of the water but from sheer disbelief. "You..."

"Bastard!" she finally exploded, spinning around in his lap to face him fully.

Her fists began pounding against his chest, though there was no real force behind them. "What the hell were you thinking? My mother? Are you insane?"

Zhang Yuan caught her wrists effortlessly, his grip firm yet gentle. "Now, now," he said, his voice calm as always. "Don't be like that. It's not like I'm neglecting you."

"Not neglecting—" Her words were cut off by a frustrated groan.

"You're unbelievable! What's next? Are you going to tell me half the world women are your wives?"

"Calm down," he said, his voice soothing. "You're still my favorite, Fumin."

She glared at him, her chest heaving as she tried to rein in her frustration. "Don't try to sweet-talk me now! What kind of lunatic marries his wife's mother?"

Zhang Yuan's smile grew sly as he leaned closer, brushing his lips against her ear. "A lunatic who adores you, Fumin. Isn't that enough?"

Her face turned crimson, and she pushed him away, crossing her arms with a huff. "You're impossible," she muttered, though her voice lacked the venom she had moments ago.

"That's why you love me," Zhang Yuan quipped, leaning back against the tub's edge with a satisfied grin.

Zhang Fumin shot him one last glare before sighing heavily and leaning back into his embrace again, though she didn't let go of her irritation completely.

"I swear," she muttered under her breath, "if I find out there's another woman you're hiding from me, I'll drown you in this tub."

Zhang Yuan chuckled softly, resting his chin on her shoulder once more. "Noted."

The steam swirled around them as the tension slowly dissipated, leaving only the warmth of the water and the quiet sound of their breathing.

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I hope you guys liked this chapter!