After getting dressed, Yan Zhen made his way to Second Peak, accompanied by the two women.
A flying skiff was parked in the plaza before the palace gates, with Aunt Mu at the controls. Sister Ji Ya sat in the back with Jin Tong and Yu Nu.
As for Cai Lian, Yi Xian’er, and Long Ying, they were waiting outside the cabin, clearly all hoping to ride with him.
“Yan Zhen Zhen, you’re so slow!” Long Ying complained. “My sister Cai Lian and I have been waiting a whole cup of tea’s time!”
Seeing the less-than-pleased expression on his Snake Snake Wife’s face, Yan Zhen quickly brought out his own flying skiff. He helped her into the back seat first, then pulled Xian’er aboard, and finally scooped the impatient Long Ying inside. Turning to Yun Xiu and Huangfu Wenqing, he said:
“No need to see me off. Take care of yourselves. If anything comes up, just use a messaging talisman to get in touch. I should have about a year before entering the holy land, and the talismans will work fine until then.”
Master and disciple both nodded.
“Take care of yourself. When you graduate from the academy, Wenqing and I will come visit.”
“Remember to miss me and your master, Yan Zhen~”
Yan Zhen waved farewell, climbed into the pilot’s seat of the flying skiff, opened the mystic crystal valve, and slotted a Mystic Crystal inside.
“Then I’m off—Sister Ji Ya, you go ahead. I need to drop Grandpa off in Martial Tang City first.”
Ji Ya shook her head.
“We might as well go together. It’s not that much farther.”
Fair enough—after all, Sister Ji Ya wasn’t short on cash.
Both skiffs lifted off at the same time. Moments later, they reached the royal capital. Yan Zhen guided his skiff to a gentle landing in front of the Huangfu family manor, prompting Long Ying to let out a whoop.
“Grandpa Yan Lie, we’re here to pick you up!”
Soon, Huangfu Xiong, Huangfu Can, and the rest of the Huangfu family escorted Yan Lie out with great fanfare. When they caught sight of the two strikingly cold beauties in the cabin, everyone’s hearts skipped a beat. They couldn’t help thinking that the kid was one lucky bastard, actually winning the affections of two Mystic Ancestor experts at once!
Yan Lie, for his part, felt a bit queasy inside. After bidding farewell to his old friend, he settled into the copilot’s seat and closed the cabin door.
The flying skiff rose slowly into the air, then headed toward Martial Tang City.
Ji Ya and her three attendants followed close behind.
From the copilot’s seat, Yan Lie glanced at the three women in the back through the rearview mirror, his brows furrowing as he hesitated to speak.
Then the white-haired woman in a dark gown—the Thousand Fiend Queen—called out quite naturally:
“Hello, Grandpa. My surname is Yi, and my name is Xian’er. You can just call me Xian’er.”
The Myriad Snake Queen, clad in her colorful dress, seemed rather shy by comparison.
“Greetings, Grandpa. This monarch is called Myriad Snake. You can address me as She Ji.”
Yan Lie felt instantly awkward and cleared his throat twice before saying:
“Miss Xian’er, Miss She Ji… are you two really willing to marry Zhen’er together?”
Yi Xian’er smiled faintly.
“Of course we are.”
Cai Lian frowned. She was willing to marry with Zi Ji, not this killing woman! But she didn’t want to contradict him and cause a misunderstanding, so she held her tongue.
Yan Lie took her silence as agreement, just shyness holding her back.
Sigh.
Yan Lie comforted himself that his precious grandson was so outstanding, it was only natural for several girls to take a shine to him all at once. Marrying a couple extra was just good for building the family tree.
“Since that’s the case, this old man won’t say anything more. I just hope… I hope you all get along well. Zhen’er is still young right now, so cultivation comes first. When he’s of age, we can hold the wedding for you all. What do you think?”
“Thank you, Grandpa.”
“Th-thank you, Grandpa.”
Seeing their good attitudes—no haughtiness from their statuses—Yan Lie nodded in satisfaction, stroking his beard. His grandson’s taste was as impeccable as ever; they were all fine young women.
Long Ying looked a bit disappointed; she hadn’t gotten a mention.
Yan Zhen caught her expression and chuckled. Piloting the skiff, he soon reached Martial Tang City and set Yan Lie down alone. After saying their goodbyes, he followed Sister Ji Ya ahead toward the Sunward Kingdom and arrived smoothly at the Sunward Royal Capital before sunset.
The two flying skiffs landed neatly in the Elegant Garden behind the Golden Jade Chamber of Commerce headquarters.
Everyone disembarked, stowed their skiffs, and entered the residence together.
As the lady of the house, Ji Ya announced:
“For tonight’s room arrangements, Little Sister She Ji, Little Sister Xian’er, and Little Sister Long Ying can take the wing next door. It has exactly three bedrooms. As for Little Brother Yan Zhen, he’ll stay with Sister tonight.”
At those words, Cai Lian, Yi Xian’er, and Long Ying all shot Ji Ya sidelong glances, as if to say, “Keep talking. We’re listening.”
Even Ji Ya, born with a thick skin, felt a touch embarrassed under their stares.
“Ahem, what Sister means is, Little Brother Yan Zhen stays with me tonight, and tomorrow night he can go to your place. All right?”
The other three women’s expressions softened a bit.
Ji Ya clapped her hands.
“Wonderful, then it’s decided. After a full day of travel, we’re all grimy. Shall we sisters go soak in a bath together?”
The three had no reason to suspect anything and followed Ji Ya to the bathhouse without protest, leaving Yan Zhen standing there dumbfounded.
“What about my opinion?”
Where was the word of the man of the house?!
Just then, Aunt Mu approached, her expression a little unnatural as she said:
“Little Uncle, the Eldest Miss asked me and Jin Tong and Yu Nu to help you bathe. Please come this way.”
Yan Zhen blinked, glancing at the four women disappearing into the room. Suddenly, it hit him—Sister Ji Ya was pulling a lure-the-tiger-from-the-mountain ploy, creating a diversion!
She’d made it seem like she was making a move on him, when really, she was setting up Aunt Mu…
“Little Uncle.” Aunt Mu called again. “If you’re not willing, I’ll go tell the Eldest Miss right away.”
“No, no, I’m more than happy to.” Yan Zhen hurried to reply, scratching his cheek shyly. “Sorry to trouble you, Aunt Mu.”
Flanked by the stone-faced twin bodyguards, Yan Zhen followed Aunt Mu to their room.
Aunt Mu shared the space with Jin Tong and Yu Nu, and she also looked after them.
They passed through the sitting room and into the bedroom.
The bedroom was spacious, divided by a partition wall into two sections. The inner room belonged to Jin Tong and Yu Nu, while the outer one was Aunt Mu’s.
The decor was sparse, leaning toward grays and blacks—much like her usual style.
Aunt Mu seemed a bit self-conscious.
“Sorry, Little Uncle. I don’t have any special hobbies, so the room isn’t as scenic as the Eldest Miss’s.”
“Simple is nice too. It helps calm the mind,” Yan Zhen said with a faint smile. “My own room is pretty much the same.”
“Then let’s head to the bath.”
“Ahem, right.”
The bedroom connected to a smaller bath chamber. Unlike the luxurious pool in Ji Ya’s quarters, it held only a wooden tub large enough for three or four people, along with water pipes and shower fixtures.
Aunt Mu seemed tense as she instructed:
“Jin Tong, Yu Nu—help the Little Uncle undress.”
The twin bodyguards moved to either side of Yan Zhen and began removing his clothes, while Aunt Mu went to fill the tub.
By the time the tub was full, the bodyguards had stripped Yan Zhen bare.
Aunt Mu’s pretty face flushed as she struggled to keep her composure.
“Little Uncle, you get in first. Jin Tong, Yu Nu, and I will join you shortly.”
