Night had fallen, with stars filling the sky, yet the main residence of the Yu Family blazed with light, as bright as day.
The Yu Family’s higher-ups were all well aware of the intentions behind former son-in-law and current Holy Son Yan Zhen’s solitary arrival on Rain Heaven Island.
Though it filled them with regret, there was nothing they could do about it. They could only hope the Family Head would hold firm against the pressure and bring him back.
After all, he represented two direct-line Mystic Ancestors—core pillars of power in the Inner Academy. Losing them would be a blow to the Yu Family, even if Yan Zhen offered compensation in return.
When it came to forging ties with the Saint Son, Miss Xuan’er alone was more than enough. Anything more would just be throwing good money after bad.
“I wonder how the Family Head’s talks with the Saint Son are going.”
“The Family Head always treated the Saint Son like her own flesh and blood. Just look at how intimate they seemed earlier—their relationship is clearly rock-solid. It shouldn’t be too difficult.”
“True as that may be, sitting here waiting like this is making me anxious… Why don’t we go check? It’s nightfall already, so His Highness the Saint Son has probably returned to Miss Xuan’er’s courtyard to rest.”
The group of elegant matrons found the suggestion agreeable. They rose one after another and headed from the council hall toward the Family Head’s Great Courtyard.
At the same time, within the Family Head’s Great Courtyard.
Steam rose thickly in the bathhouse, shrouding everything in a hazy mist. Vague silhouettes of two figures could be made out.
The Family Head Yu Lu sat in the center of the pool, her waist held firmly by the person behind her. What was worse, that scoundrel had bared his weapon and pressed it against her, leaving her afraid to move carelessly.
“Let… let go.”
Yan Zhen had no intention of obeying.
“Don’t move, Family Head. I won’t do anything else—just a back scrub.”
“No need. Get out!”
“I’m not leaving. I want to wash up.”
“Then wash on the other side, far away from me.”
“I’m not moving. I want to scrub your back.”
The Family Head Yu Lu flushed with a mix of shame and anger. She said coldly, “Are you deliberately trying to rile me up?”
Yan Zhen shook his head.
“I’m just trying to help the Family Head be a little more honest with herself. If you keep saying one thing and meaning another, you might end up not even knowing your own true feelings.”
“What business is that of yours?”
“Of course it is. Because the Family Head belongs to me now.”
“In your dreams!”
“Hmph, you’re the one forcing my hand here! If you’d agreed from the start, I wouldn’t have to do this.”
“Haven’t I agreed now?”
“That’s now—this was then. Things change, and people change even more.”
“…”
“Are you doing this on purpose, Family Head?”
“…”
“You’re doing it on purpose, aren’t you?”
“…”
“Ignoring me? Fine, then.”
Seeing her fall silent, Yan Zhen didn’t press further. He focused on scrubbing her back instead.
Of course, he used his hands. Her skin was so soft and supple that rubbing it with a towel would pain him.
The Family Head Yu Lu pressed her lips together, feeling an exquisite comfort from the caress of those scorching hot palms on her back. Her body relaxed of its own accord, the day’s unseen fatigue melting away.
Is this what they call opening the back? He’s got some real skill.
“How does it feel, Family Head?” Yan Zhen asked attentively. “My back-scrubbing technique is highly praised by many.”
The Family Head Yu Lu schooled her expression at once and replied indifferently, “Not great.”
“Really? Do you have a dedicated masseuse, Family Head? Even so, I’m better. After all, I’m a sixth-tier Pill Refiner.”
“Then go do something proper that befits a sixth-tier Pill Refiner.”
“Servicing the Family Head is plenty proper… If it’s still not comfortable enough, I’ll add some technique.”
The Family Head Yu Lu sensed trouble at his words. Before she could refuse, the hands on her back grew blisteringly hot, accompanied by the crackle of electric currents. They pushed upward along her spine toward her shoulder blades. Her entire back tingled with numbness, her mind going blank as a soft moan escaped her throat.
Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire?! That brat—using an extreme flame like that… Ah~
Realizing what was happening, the Family Head Yu Lu clapped a hand over her mouth, desperately fighting the waves of tingling pleasure radiating from her back.
Absurd as it was, she had to admit that Yan Zhen could wield something as violently destructive as Wind-Thunder Crystal Fire with such precision. It was beyond ordinary comprehension.
The boy was exceptionally talented—that was why he was worthy to be the face of Jialan Holy Land!
If only he weren’t such a playboy.
The thought gave the Family Head Yu Lu a headache, but she didn’t dwell on it. Yan Zhen was at it again, as if determined to wring more sounds from her.
After a dozen or so strokes, those devilish hands suddenly slipped under her arms to her front.
“Mm!”
The Family Head Yu Lu’s eyes flew wide. The intense tingling pleasure exploded through her, arching her back and sending her tumbling into Yan Zhen’s embrace.
Yan Zhen hefted his hands, feeling them like delicate water pouches. But he was already plenty satisfied, so he refrained from teasing or stimulating further—lest this dignified, aloof Family Head lose control in her embarrassment.
“How about that, Family Head? If it’s not stimulating enough, I can crank it up!”
“St-stop.”
“I’ll stop once the Family Head feels good and comfortable.”
“…”
“If it’s not comfortable, I have other tricks.”
The Family Head Yu Lu bit her lip lightly. It took her a good while to squeeze out two words: “It feels good.”
Yan Zhen’s eyes lit up.
“Huh?”
“It’s good enough. Stop now!”
“Oh.”
Yan Zhen shifted his hands to her soft belly, kneading it gently.
A look of contentment appeared on the Family Head Yu Lu’s face. Just the belly… that’s tolerable.
She didn’t notice how her boundaries had steadily eroded—from demanding he leave, to settling for a back scrub, and now deeming belly rubs acceptable.
As the two enjoyed their quiet intimacy, voices sounded from outside the courtyard. It was the Rain Swallow Guard saluting. Soon, the voices drew nearer, accompanied by seven or eight Mystic Ancestor-level auras entering the courtyard.
The Rain Swallow Guard announced loudly, “Family Head, the branch house heads and lineage leaders seek an audience.”
The Family Head Yu Lu snapped back to reality. She tried to pull free from Yan Zhen’s arms, but he held her tight.
“Let go. I need to go out.”
“You’ve barely soaked. You’re not clean yet.” Yan Zhen refused to release the silky-smooth beauty in his grasp. “Have Guard Aunt Yan send them away.”
As he spoke, the Rain Swallow Guard’s voice came from outside again, stopping them: “Hold on, branch house heads and lineage leaders. The Family Head is still discussing important matters with His Highness the Saint Son. You can’t barge in and disturb them.”
Then a matron whose voice carried a hint of F-cup fullness spoke up: “What? His Highness the Saint Son hasn’t left yet? It’s been a whole hour—haven’t they finished talking?”
Another matron chimed in: “Are they at odds? Rain Yan, did you hear any arguing?”
“No major commotion,” the Rain Swallow Guard replied. “But I sensed two or three powerful mystic power fluctuations.”
“Powerful? How powerful?”
“At least Mystic Ancestor level.”
“This… two or three Mystic Ancestor auras? Is the Family Head clashing with His Highness the Saint Son in secret?”
“Very possible! His Highness the Saint Son may be only at Mystic Lord realm, but he’s more than a match for Mystic Ancestors—his aura won’t be weak.”
“We can’t just wait. Let’s go in and check, or I won’t be at ease.”
Hearing all this, the Family Head Yu Lu’s heart sank. She panicked.
