Yun Che was visibly stiff, sandwiched between Jin Mulan and her overly affectionate mother. While he did his best to maintain composure, his discomfort was clear—and not just to those beside him.
From behind, a wave of pressure crept through the air. Retsu's eyes narrowed slightly. Mio and Nemu tilted their heads in quiet judgment. Little Fairy exhaled, clearly unimpressed. Cang Yue didn't bother to hide her jealousy. And Qingyue—her fingers were already shimmering with a layer of frost, her mood seconds away from icing the entire manor.
"Is your mother always this... close to Mu Che?" Yun Che's voice echoed in Mulan's mind. The mental link, a portable Tenteikura he had handed out before they disembarked the VTOL, was working perfectly.
"She is," Mulan sighed through the link. "In fact, she was more attentive to him than Father ever was. More attentive to him than my brother. She just... really adored him. He always found it overwhelming."
"Are you sure it's just mother and son closeness? This feels... uncomfortably intimate. Very intimate."
"Nothing inappropriate. She just treasures him. He's like the perfect son she never had."
"Didn't you say you had a younger brother? Jin Mucong, right?"
"Yes..." Mulan's mental voice turned dry. "A good-for-nothing. Father's been training him for an official post, but he learns slower than a tortoise climbing a tree."
Yun Che winced, rubbing the back of his neck as he tried to subtly wriggle out of Jin Yuelian's crushing embrace. "Well… not everyone is a genius."
That's when he felt it—an icy chill crawling up his spine. A terrible sense of dread blooming like a thundercloud right behind him.
He didn't need to turn. He already knew.
Qingyue. Retsu. Mio. Nemu. Little Fairy. Cang Yue.
They were watching. And judging.
Hard.
"…I'm sorry, everyone," he said quickly, channeling his thoughts through the mental link. "Just bear with me for a little while. I owe you all for this."
Silence followed. Then a slow, deliberate whisper from Qingyue brushed his mind like the edge of a blade dipped in ice:
"You better."
---------------------
As they entered the grand hall, Jin Zhuo and Jin Yuelian had already resumed their seats on the modest twin thrones at the far end. The once-glorious court now stood with only a shadow of its past grandeur—dust settled in the corners, banners faded, the air heavy with memories and loss.
Jin Yuelian's gaze lingered on Yun Che with a mother's desperate hope.
She and her husband studied him closely, their eyes silently tracing the differences. The last time they saw Mu Che, he had the frame of a scholar—thin, frail, and often tripping over his own feet. A bit goofy, occasionally inappropriate, yet undeniably brilliant in his own eccentric way. But the man standing before them now… he was something entirely different.
Gone was the awkwardness.
This Yun Che stood tall, shoulders squared with quiet confidence. His body was robust—tempered by experience, not just cultivation. His gaze was sharp, alert, and carried the calm intensity of someone who had weathered storms. No trace of his former perverted antics lingered. In their place was restraint, precision, and a natural dignity that couldn't be faked.
Handsome almost painfully so, yet he didn't wield his appearance like a weapon. There was no arrogance in his bearing—only caution, and a deep awareness of the world around him. Even when Jin Yuelian had embraced him a little too affectionately, he hadn't taken advantage. Not even flinched. Just patient, respectful discomfort.
It was almost hard to believe this was once the same man. The old Mu Che might've made a joke. Or worse. But this one… this one had become someone greater.
And looking at the veiled women who followed behind him—beautiful, mysterious, clearly devoted—it was no wonder they did. His transformation explained everything.
"Che'er… It's truly good to see you again. I knew it. I knew I shouldn't have believed those awful rumors about your death."
Her voice trembled between joy and disbelief.
Yun Che hesitated, then chose honesty over illusion—at least, partially.
"Well… in a way, they were true. I wasn't here because I was recovering in Floating Cloud City. With my aunt and grandfather."
He let the silence settle for a moment. No lies—just redirection.
Jin Zhuo straightened slightly, studying him. His eyes, aged by war and betrayal, scanned Yun Che with measured caution.
"Mulan told me you can cultivate now. Is it true?"
There was disbelief there. The Mu Che they remembered was… well-meaning, but clumsy. Powerless. Now, the man standing before them radiated calm confidence—his presence alone was unnerving.
Yun Che nodded.
"Yes. I've made a full recovery… and more. I now stand at the Grand Perfection of the Sky Profound Realm."
Their eyes widened.
"Moreover," he continued, "I no longer go by the name Mu Che."
A pause stretched.
"It's Yun Che now. The family name of the clan that took care of me."
Silence fell like a curtain.
Jin Yuelian slowly sat back into her throne, her lips parted but no words came. Jin Zhuo's brows furrowed—not in anger, but in understanding. Something shifted behind his eyes.
"So… our Mu Che awakened something deeper. Something… beyond what we could understand."
He glanced at Mulan.
"He became someone else. Stronger. Wiser. And perhaps, more needed now than ever."
Yun Che didn't correct him.
If that explanation helped them sleep at night, helped them endure the decline of their house, then so be it. He had no intention of tearing down what little hope they still held onto.
Mulan gave him a glance—quiet gratitude hidden behind her composed expression.
"My beloved son-in-law… an awakened genius?" Jin Yuelian's eyes sparkled with pride as she leaned forward. "Did you receive some sort of enlightenment?"
Yun Che offered a casual shrug, playing it down.
"Kind of. I guess almost dying tends to wake something up inside a person."
Jin Yuelian chuckled softly, the warmth in her voice bordering on doting. "Well, you may not remember us right now, but don't worry—we'll make sure those memories return."
Then, her eyes curiously drifted toward the veiled figures behind him. "Now… would you care to introduce your companions?"
Yun Che gestured with an open palm, taking a step aside.
"This is Unohana Retsu, and her younger sister, Unohana Nemuri. We trained and fought together."
Retsu stepped forward with grace and bowed deeply.
"Pleased to meet you, my lord and lady. We sisters may be imperfect, but we are loyal to him. Please take care of us."
Nemu followed her lead, mimicking her elegance with a more reserved tone. Jin Zhuo narrowed his eyes slightly. He couldn't see their faces, but the way they moved, the sheer refinement in their bearing—it hinted at something exceptional beneath the veil.
"This is Mio," Yun Che continued. "She joined us later, but she's no less important."
"Good day, my lord and lady," Mio said with a gentle curtsy, her voice melodic and sweet. "I hope to serve and protect him well."
Jin Zhuo's brow rose slightly. There were rumors. Whispers in the imperial city about a veiled monarch, a mysterious woman with overwhelming power. Could it be…?
Yun Che continued, gesturing next to him.
"And this is Xia Qingyue."
Qingyue stepped forward, bowing politely. She didn't speak. She'd decided earlier—at Yun Che's suggestion—to keep a low profile for now. Their bond was deeper than any of the others', but revealing that truth now might complicate things.
Jin Zhuo blinked, recognition dawning in his eyes. "Wait… Xia Qingyue… Unohana Retsu… and Yun Che… Those names—aren't they the top three of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament?"
Jin Yuelian gasped. "That's right! I heard those names from the palace news! My son-in-law is the champion?!"
Her eyes shimmered with emotion—and possibly something else—as she gave Yun Che a look of overwhelming pride. He subtly leaned away, slightly unnerved by the intensity of her maternal affection. She was… very fond of her son-in-law. A little too fond.
"Yes, we are," Yun Che said with a small smirk. "I suppose news travels faster than I thought."
Behind him, Retsu and Mio exchanged knowing glances, barely hiding their amusement. Qingyue sighed inwardly—this whole "pretend husband" situation was more complicated than expected.
Jin Zhuo chuckled lightly, unaware that the very person he mentioned was among them. "Even Princess Cang Yue placed fifth. I do hope I'll have the honor of meeting her someday."
Yun Che's gaze flicked briefly toward Cang Yue, who remained quietly veiled among the group. Her expression beneath the veil was unreadable, but there was the faintest twitch of her lips.
"To think that the top three of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament are all here, in our home," Jin Yuelian said with unfeigned admiration. "And to think my son-in-law is the grand champion…"
The moment teetered on the edge of awkward until Little Fairy elbowed Yun Che subtly in the ribs. He cleared his throat, picking up the introductions again.
"Right… moving on. These are Chu Yuechan and Chu Yueli—sisters from....."
At the name, Jin Zhuo froze mid-thought. His eyes widened. "Chu Yuechan? As in... the Fairy of Frozen Beauty?"
"Yes," Chu Yuechan responded calmly, bowing with elegance. "This is my younger sister, Chu Yueli."
Jin Zhuo took a step back in mild awe. "You're from the Frozen Cloud Asgard? One of the most revered sects in the Inner Lands?"
"We are," Chu Yueli said with a soft voice, following her sister's bow.
Jin Yuelian clapped her hands gently in amazement. "So graceful. So refined. We've only ever heard tales of the Frozen Fairies in court."
Little Fairy gave a composed smile. "It seems we're more well-known than we thought. To be well known in Xuanwu City in Jin Province."
In the vast expanse of the Blue Wind Empire, the territories were divided into two major regions: the Outer Lands and the Inner Lands. While the Outer Lands were home to countless sects, clans, and warriors of varied strength, it was the Inner Lands that truly held the empire's might.
The Inner Lands were home to cultivators who operated beyond the limits of the Sky Profound Realm, with many reaching into the early stages of the Profound Emperor Realm. Even among them, true powerhouses—Peak Profound Emperors and the elusive Profound Tyrant Masters—were incredibly rare. Their strength was awe-inspiring, and such individuals commanded deep respect across the empire, even in the more isolated corners of the Outer Lands.
To think—two of the fabled fairies from the Frozen Cloud Asgard, one of the most powerful sects in the Inner Lands, had now arrived in a province far from the Imperial City… It was no small matter. Their mere presence sent silent shockwaves through those who understood what their titles meant.
"Indeed," Jin Zhuo said, still stunned. "You are known throughout the lands—Fairy of Frozen Beauty and Fairy of Frozen Glass. And yet you're here, in our humble hall?"
He turned to Mulan, as if needing to make sense of it all. "Lan'er, how on earth did you convince them to follow you here?"
Mulan gave a slight laugh. "They're not here for me, Father. They're mostly following him."
Jin Zhuo looked at Yun Che again, this time with deeper regard. "Che'er, my boy… I see now that you're far more than meets the eye. Tell me… the other three veiled ladies—are they just as renowned?"
"Let's just say... you'll find their names echo in the right circles. I assumed you knew about Lin Yueru?" Yun Che asked, his voice calm but laced with subtle meaning.
"Lin Yueru?" Jin Zhuo blinked, surprised. "She's here?"
Yun Che casually gestured toward one of the veiled women standing nearby.
"The top young archer of the Qinglong Sect…?" Jin Zhuo's eyes widened in recognition. "She's long been the admiration of this province. Many youths once dreamed of catching her attention." His gaze shifted to the veiled silhouette. "And now, she follows you?"
"She's currently a companion, and more importantly, the sworn protector of someone else," Yun Che said, turning slightly. "That one there." He nodded toward another veiled figure—elegant, poised, regal even beneath the obscuring veil.
"And who might this be?" Jin Zhuo asked, curiosity growing in his voice.
"She—"
Before Yun Che could finish, the large doors to the hall burst open with a thunderous bang. An officer ran in, flustered, causing the gathered nobles and guests to snap their attention toward him.
"Urgent report!" he cried, voice echoing through the hall.
The mood instantly shifted. Tension crackled in the air.
"My lord!" the officer shouted, breathless as he knelt. "The representative of the Zhu Family is here again. They demand Lady Jin Mulan honor the marriage agreement. And… the Crown Prince, Cang Xingwu, has arrived with them."
A heavy silence fell over the hall before Jin Zhuo slammed his hand on the throne's armrest. "Those bastards! How much more do they intend to pressure us?! Now they even bring that damned prince here?"
A voice broke through the rising tension—calm, yet cold.
"Cang Xingwu?" Cang Yue's tone sent a chill through the room. Her veil shifted slightly as she turned her head.
On the side, Jin Mulan trembled. Her hands shook as she whispered, "Father… what am I supposed to do…?"
Her fingers curled around a hidden knife from her sleeve. Slowly, she raised it toward her face.
"If I disfigure myself, maybe they'll leave me alone. No one desires a ruined woman."
The steel gleamed for only a second—until Yun Che's hand shot out and gripped her wrist, firm and steady.
"What do you think you're doing?" His voice was low, sharp, filled with the kind of command that silenced a room. "Did you forget that I'm here?"
Mulan froze. His grip didn't hurt, but it was immovable—like he bore the weight of the world behind it.
This man wasn't her true husband. He wasn't bound to her by name, title, or blood.
And yet… he stood there, claiming her burdens as his own.
She slowly lowered the blade, hands trembling.
"We're already here," Yun Che said flatly, turning to face the room. "Might as well make it clear to the Zhu Family—and to that arrogant prince—that we didn't come to bow."
"Che'er! This matter—" Jin Zhuo began.
But Yun Che raised a hand, cutting him off with surprising calm. "Don't worry, father-in-law. I fully intend to cause trouble. After all… this is supposed to be an envoy visit."
"Envoy visit?" Jin Zhuo blinked in confusion.
BOOM.
The doors suddenly burst open. A Jin family guard flew through the air and crashed into the hall's polished floor, blood on his lips, groaning in pain.
From outside, heavy boots approached. The intruders had arrived.
Two figures strode confidently into the grand hall, flanked by dozens of armored men bearing the crest of the Zhu Family. Their footsteps echoed against the stone, deliberate and disrespectful.
"Oi oi… these worms tried to stop us?" one of them sneered. "Do they think they can wish for death?"
Their arrogance filled the hall like smoke. All of them were at the Spirit Profound Realm, with the two leaders radiating power at the Peak Earth Profound Realm. They were young—around Yun Che's age—with smug, entitled faces that twisted Mulan's expression into a scowl.
The man in a gold robe carried himself like royalty, a lazy smirk on his lips. The other wore a deep blue robe, adorned with the Zhu insignia. The entire Jin Clan could feel their oppressive presence.
At their sight, Cang Yue's eyes narrowed behind her veil. Retsu, Nemu and Mio went completely still, their calm composure darkening like a brewing storm.
The Frozen Cloud Asgard fairies remained still alongside Xue Ling and Lin Yueru.
Cang Xingwu.
Even Yun Che's eyes flicked toward them. A quiet intensity passed through him. He didn't need to ask. The girls recognized the second man—the one in blue—as the one responsible for harming Mei Mei and awakening Shin Yue's fury.
As they entered, the veiled women turned around—graceful, poised, and silent. Their subtle movements radiated contempt, as if the intruders weren't worth more than the dust beneath their boots.
"Jin Mulan!" the man in blue called out with mock enthusiasm, spreading his arms. "So you've returned after all. The province has missed your presence."
Jin Zhuo's jaw clenched tight.
"…How did they know she returned?" he muttered.
Yun Che's voice, cold and cutting, answered. "I guess not every man in your family can be trusted. With less than a thousand in your branch, it wouldn't be hard to sway a few rats with silver."
The realization made Jin Zhuo flinch. Traitors within.
Yun Che's gaze now settled on the one in blue. "And who's this clown supposed to be?"
Jin Mulan stepped forward, eyes fierce. "That's Zhu Lang, young master of the Zhu Family. They're backed by the Wu Clan… a power-hungry pack of dogs looking to rise by force."
She spat the name like venom.
"He's the one who demanded to marry me years ago. But Mu Che stopped it—by marrying me first. A tactical move… and one I'll forever be grateful for."
"You're a third-level Profound Emperor," Yun Che said quietly, his eyes sliding to Cang Yue. "Can't you do anything?"
She looked away, shame creeping into her voice. "The Wu Clan lures them with trinkets and treasures. They've recruited several Peak Profound Emperors under their banner. I may be the strongest in my line… but what use is that against a Grandmaster with a legion? One wrong move and my family vanishes overnight."
Yun Che's gaze sharpened as he extended his senses.
"…Heaven Profound Realm. A lot of them," he murmured. "Bringing high-level cultivators to pressure a noble house over a marriage? Cowards in silk robes."
Zhu Lang stepped forward with smug entitlement. "Jin Mulan, so you did come back for this young master. Finally decided to submit? Don't worry—I'll be gentle. Your body and your will, I'll tame both in time."
"Silence." Jin Mulan's voice rang with fury. "My heart belongs to Mu Che alone. I'd rather die than be touched by you."
Zhu Lang's expression twisted into mock sympathy. "Come now. He's dead. And what's a ripe, untouched widow supposed to do? It's only natural for you to marry again. Someone stronger. Someone… living."
A low chuckle broke the moment.
"Oi…" Yun Che stepped forward, calm and lethal. "If you're even thinking about laying a finger on my wife, you'd best be prepared for a beating you'll never recover from."
Zhu Lang's gaze jerked toward him—and his smirk died instantly.
His eyes bulged. "You…! You're supposed to be dead!"
Gasps rippled across the hall.
"Mu Che is alive?!"
The air chilled as Yun Che tilted his head with a relaxed, mocking grin. "Am I not?" he said coolly. "Turns out I'm a little more resilient than most."
His voice was calm, but behind it was a rising pressure—one that made the very air feel heavier. The Heaven Profound soldiers subtly tensed, instinctively sensing something was off.
Unohana Retsu took a step forward, expression unreadable. Nemu and Mio mirrored her. Chu Yuechan's hand hovered near her blade, eyes like frost.
Zhu Lang took an unconscious step back.
"Y-You were supposed to die in that ambush!" he hissed.
"Yeah. Funny thing about that," Yun Che replied, slowly rolling his neck. "Next time, send someone competent."
He placed a hand lightly on Jin Mulan's shoulder, calm and confident.
"Let's make this simple," Yun Che said, his voice dropping to a growl. "You leave… or you bleed. We can do this the easy way or the hard way. The choice is yours."
"Hah!" Cang Xingwu scoffed, folding his arms. "You think a mere weakling with no visible profound aura can match us? You're still the same rumor-born coward who hides behind his women."
Yun Che smirked as he stepped forward, each stride light but unwavering—like a storm held back by a leash.
"Oh… so you've chosen the hard way." His tone was casual, almost bored.
Behind him, one of the veiled figures also stepped forward, her voice carrying calm, imperial weight.
"Cang Xingwu. I trust you have a valid reason for barging into this estate like a street thug?" the woman asked, veiled, composed… commanding.
He sneered. "Peasant! You dare raise your voice to this prince?" His arm lifted with a wave. "Men, seize the woman! Arrest every veiled harlot in this hall!"
Several guards surged forward—only to freeze as a powerful killing intent flooded the hall, so intense it felt like a blizzard had swept through.
Jin Zhuo stepped forward, but Mulan caught his arm. "Father… wait. They don't need help."
The other women remained perfectly still. Silent. Their eyes spoke louder than blades.
And then, slowly, deliberately, the veiled woman stepped past Yun Che, her movements regal and composed. With one hand, she removed the hat and veil, letting them fall like silk to the polished floor.
A collective gasp echoed through the hall.
Her fuchsia hair shimmered under the light, cascading over her shoulders like a waterfall of moonlight. Her fuchsia eyes, radiant and ethereal, locked onto Cang Xingwu with cold, imperial authority. The air bent slightly around her as her Yin Lunar Ultimate Body pulsed with subtle power, enhancing her otherworldly beauty to breathtaking levels.
"Y-You…!" Cang Xingwu stammered.
His knees buckled.
He fell to his backside, pale and visibly trembling.
"Imperial Princess Cang Yue," he said, voice as sharp as a sword's edge. "Why the hell is the crown Princess of the Blue Wind Empire here of all places?!"
The entire room stilled. Even the Zhu Family guards flinched.
"The envoy was… the princess herself?" Jin Zhuo exclaimed, stunned beyond measure. Jin Yuelian closed her mouth in shocked.
All this time, the Blue Wind Empire's Blue Moon Princess had walked silently behind them—and now she stood revealed, radiant and serene, commanding the room like a sovereign queen.
Zhu Lang's face turned pale as realization struck him like thunder.
The Princess—the very same imperial heir they'd once mocked—was standing right behind the Jin Family, her power no longer hidden, her name no longer veiled.
Even Cang Xingwu stumbled backward, his arrogant expression cracking with visible panic.
"I suppose the humiliation I gave you back in the Imperial Palace wasn't enough," Cang Yue said, her voice calm, even amused.
She raised a slender hand and summoned a bamboo pole, simple and light—but for Cang Xingwu, it was a weapon forged from trauma. His eyes twitched.
"You… You dare?!"
He was already reliving it—that day, where she beat him senseless before a dozen nobles, leaving his pride shattered and body bruised. A moment he swore no one would ever speak of again.
"Last time, you hurt Mei Mei," Cang Yue's voice turned cold. "And someone else disciplined you for it."
She took a step forward, bamboo pole now crackling with spiritual energy.
"This time… I'll do it myself. Bear in mind, I'll spare you no mercy,"
"Go wild, Little Yue," Yun Che added with a grin, slamming his fist into his palm. "But that blue-robed bastard? He's mine."
Zhu Lang sneered, "You dare hit m—"
CRACK!
Before another word left his lips, Yun Che's fist buried itself into his face with bone-shattering force. The blue-robed heir spun midair like a ragdoll and slammed into a marble column with a crunch.
At the same moment—
SWISH!
Cang Yue vanished with a sonic burst—Soru—and reappeared mid-air, directly in front of Cang Xingwu.
WHACK!
The bamboo pole met his face. The slap of wood against skin echoed like thunder.
Cang Xingwu's body was launched clear across the grand hall, slamming into a decorative wall tapestry and tearing it down as he crumpled to the floor with a moan. Payback for hurting Mei Mei back then.
Cang Yue landed lightly on her feet and gracefully returned to her group, spinning the bamboo stick once before resting it against her shoulder.
Silence.
All the Zhu Family guards stood frozen, not daring to breathe.
The Jin Family looked on in stunned awe.
"…Remind me to never piss her off," Lin Yueru whispered to Xue Ling. Moreover, if Cang Yue really ticked off, she would eventually awaken and became Shin Yue. Someone who can annihilate a sect in mere hours.
"You might want to say the same about him," Xue Ling replied, glancing at Yun Che, who was casually dusting his hands off like he'd just swatted a fly.
"Consider that your answer." Yun Che said firmly to the groaning Zhu Lang and trembling Cang Xingwu. "No one touches my wife… my friends… or anyone under my protection. That includes her family."
The soldiers were afraid to move as they aren't willing to attack the crowned princess. Moreover, the information said that Mu Che can't cultivate.
How can this one emits the power of an advanced cultivator?
The sudden violence sent tremors through the foundation of the Jin Family manor—both literal and political.
Zhu Lang wiped the blood from his nose and barked desperately, "Attack them! Kill them all if you have to!"
Dozens of soldiers surged forward in formation, armored and armed, their footsteps thundering across the marble.
Cang Yue exhaled slowly, lifting her bamboo pole as a pitch-black gleam spread across its surface.
"Retsu-chan… they're lining up." Her voice was calm, almost amused.
Retsu gave a soft giggle, eyes narrowing. "Ufuu… They're excited."
She raised one hand, conjuring a shimmering spiritual barrier—angled slightly like a wall of glass catching moonlight.
Cang Yue spun once, her bamboo rod glowing with dark haki, and slammed it full-force against Retsu's angled barrier.
BOOOOM!
The impact triggered a shockwave that ripped across the hall. The angled force of Retsu's barrier turned Cang Yue's strike into a wide-arcing horizontal blast.
Soldiers flew like dolls, their formation utterly shredded. Some crashed into the pillars, others crumpled on the floor with weapons flung far from their grasp.
In one elegant coordinated move, dozens were eliminated—without a single step taken by Yun Che or the other women.
Jin Zhuo stood frozen, eyes wide in disbelief.
His wife, Jin Yuelian, covered her mouth. "They really defeated the whole guard legion."
"Mother, Father… we just witnessed the first rebellion against the Zhu Family… the Wu Clan… and even the Imperial Cang Outer Family," Jin Mulan whispered, her eyes fixed on the dust settling in the air.
"And it's all… led by him." Her voice trembled—not in fear, but awe. "Mu Che… no, Yun Che."
Behind her, the other veiled women didn't even react.
To them, this wasn't a battle.
This was a message.
And every noble family in the region would hear it soon.
Zhu Lang barely had time to react. Yun Che yanked him forward by the collar, his voice cold and mocking.
"Want me to do the honors?"
Before Zhu Lang could spit a response, Yun Che smirked and released him—right into the path of a bone-cracking punch from Jin Mulan.
She didn't use profound energy. She didn't need to. Her fist carried the weight of years of humiliation, suppressed fury, and a promise she once made to herself never to be powerless again.
CRACK!
Zhu Lang spun mid-air and hit the ground hard, blood spurting from his nose again.
"You… you…! My Zhu Family will hear of this!!" he shrieked, staggering to his knees.
But Jin Zhuo merely stepped forward, hands behind his back and a thin smirk on his lips.
"Oh, we'll be seeing them at tonight's banquet," he said with no fear in his voice.
"Tell them the Jin Family is coming along… fully armed."
The words hit harder than Mulan's punch. Zhu Lang's face twisted with rage.
"BASTARDS—!"
He didn't finish.
Yun Che grabbed him again, pulling him close. "Yo, Kon—do the honors."
From behind, Kon—still in his chibi lion form—saluted.
"Roger that, Cap'n!"
In a flash of golden light, Kon's body blurred into a streaking bolt, and SLAMMED into Zhu Lang's face like a cannonball.
"He shoooots—" Kon yelled mid-impact.
"—AND HE SCORES!!"
Zhu Lang flew horizontally, crashing into his entourage like a living bowling ball, scattering men like pins. Cang Xingwu, still dizzy from Cang Yue's earlier strike, was dragged along with him as the battered group scrambled to escape, dragging both wounded nobles away like beaten dogs.
As the doors slammed shut behind them, silence reigned.
Then—
"...Is this what you call an envoy visit?" Jin Zhuo finally asked, breaking into a dry laugh.
Yun Che cracked his neck. "We came bearing gifts. Pain is one of them."
Even the stoic guards couldn't suppress their smirks. The Jin Manor's morale soared for the first time in years.
As the echoes of battle faded and the shattered tension gave way to awe, the grand hall of the Jin Family was bathed in reverent silence.
Jin Zhuo slowly lowered himself to one knee, followed closely by the guards, retainers, and even Jin Yuelian, her eyes shimmering with gratitude.
"Your Highness…" Jin Zhuo began, voice thick with emotion, "we owe you our lives—"
But before he could finish, Cang Yue raised her hand gently, her expression solemn beneath the soft glow of her lunar aura.
"Please… everyone, rise. I do not deserve honors." Her voice was firm, but sorrow laced her words. "I failed to recognize the gravity of your situation. The cries of the Jin Family were left unanswered for too long. I came with my guardians and no grand army is needed."
"But Princess—" Jin Zhuo tried again, but Cang Yue turned and stepped toward Jin Yuelian, taking her hand and helping her to stand.
"Please… there is no need for such formality. I am here because Mulan brought your voice to me. I came because she is my Guardian—and more importantly, a woman I trust with my life."
"Lan'er… is a Guardian?" Jin Zhuo echoed, stunned.
"Yes," Cang Yue said with pride. "She is one of my Imperial Protectors, alongside Lin Yueru—"
As if on cue, Lin Yueru stepped forward quietly, her aura calm, her eyes sharp like the string of her bow.
"And if that is Lin Yueru," Jin Zhuo murmured, "then… could it be…?"
Without a word, Xue Ling took off her veiled hat.
The room gasped collectively.
Starlight seemed to swirl around her, her beauty ethereal—her black hair cascading down like moonlight on glass, her icy eyes shining with regal serenity. She was a portrait of grace, poise, and immeasurable strength.
Jin Zhuo's mouth opened, but no sound came out. Even his wife blinked in shock and nudged him hard in the ribs.
"Imperial Protector, Xue Ling," she spoke softly, bowing her head slightly. Her presence alone confirmed her identity.
For a moment, even the soldiers stood in reverence, their spines straightening, their heads bowed—not just to royalty, but to the sheer weight of hope they represented.
And Jin Zhuo?
He fell to his knees once more.
Not in submission—
But in overwhelming gratitude.
His voice shook as he spoke, "This is… more than we could've prayed for."
He looked toward Yun Che, then toward the veiled companions beside him. "The Blue Moon Princess herself… The protectors of the empire… and you, Mu—no… Yun Che. Returned from death."
Tears threatened the corners of Jin Yuelian's eyes as she held her daughter's shoulders, pride swelling.
"The heavens have not forsaken us."
Yun Che smiled faintly and glanced at Mulan, his voice quiet, but firm.
"Well, it's the least we could do."
He looked back toward the family.
"For Mulan."
Mulan's smile was warm, but it trembled at the edges. "Thank you… Princess… Yun Che…" she whispered, her voice heavy with emotion.
For the first time in years, her heart was lightened.
Her home was no longer a battlefield of shame and pressure. Her allies—her friends—her family stood beside her. She had walked into the Imperial Palace with nothing but a desperate plea, and now… she returned with a force capable of changing fate.
No grand army needed.
But her father's sudden doubt interrupted her quiet moment.
"Yun Che? Isn't he your husband?" Jin Zhuo asked, puzzled. "Why are you calling him by his name?"
Mulan blinked. "Ah… ehem…" She turned toward Yun Che, her cheeks slightly flushed, and gave a soft smile that carried the weight of countless memories.
"My dear."
A storm of glares erupted from the surrounding women—Chu Yuechan's eyes narrowed slightly, Lin Qingyue raised an eyebrow, and even Retsu tilted her head with mechanical menace. Mio was showing dark aura.
She's really testing their patience.
Mulan's heart skipped. She offered a sheepish grin and an exaggerated shrug, mouthing a silent, "Sorry!"
But her words—"My dear…"
Those came from deep within her soul. Honest. Unforced. Real.
Yun Che sweatdropped under the intensity of the sudden attention and quickly changed the subject.
"Ahem! Well—anyway, those fools won't do much now." He gestured toward the door. "Cang Xingwu and Zhu Lang just got publicly humiliated. They'll want to keep this quiet or risk losing face. If this goes out, Xuanwu City will spiral into chaos."
"So they'll bury it." Cang Yue nodded knowingly.
"Exactly. And while they do, we'll act."
Jin Zhuo leaned in. "What are we supposed to do, Che'er? Please… you always find a way out."
Yun Che crossed his arms, sharp eyes sweeping the room.
"First, gather every Jin Family member. Core bloodline, branch members, even workers. Everyone. We need to identify who is loyal—and who is a snake."
"How?" Jin Yuelian asked, tense. "We've tried interrogations before. Fear silences many."
Yun Che's smirk returned, a flash of confidence in his eyes.
"We don't need interrogations. We have something more effective."
He glanced at Retsu, who nodded.
Then Mio and Nemu stepped forward silently. Even Cang Yue.
"Intent Observation."
Retsu explained, "We can sense lies, hesitation, the shift of loyalty. Through their emotions, reactions, spiritual rhythm. It's more precise than any interrogation."
Cang Yue added, "We've cultivated our perception through countless battles, deceitful courts, and enemy camps. These eyes see through the veil."
Yun Che turned back to Jin Zhuo. "You can trust us."
He sighed deeply, his expression half-exhausted and half-amused as Jin Yuelian tightly embraced him from behind.
"Mother really trusts you, Che'er! Mother really trusts you!"
He could feel the warmth of her emotions, sincere and maternal—yet it was still bewildering.
"This family is weird..." he muttered inwardly.
Here he was—a man from another world, wearing the face of another, pretending to be married to a woman of terrifying grace and strength—and now being coddled like a beloved son by a woman who was not his mother.
He glanced toward Jin Zhuo, hoping for at least a flicker of jealousy or irritation.
Nothing.
Not a twitch. Not a scowl. Not even a furrowed brow.
Instead, the old man stood there smiling serenely, as if watching his wife hug their son in law was perfectly normal.
"The heck's wrong with this family?" Yun Che mentally groaned. Even Mulan didn't so much care.
He wasn't some innocent lad just bumbling into affection.
He was married to Xia Qingyue, engaged to Retsu, Mio, Nemu and even Cang Yue. Possibly destined for an imperial scandal if this kept up.
Thankfully, there was a divine failsafe—the system. It blocked and prevented him to pursue a path that will probably made him regret all his life.
Yun Che couldn't help but praise the one smart decision made in both worlds: never betray his women or the System.
Still… the aura behind him was growing heavy.
He turned slightly.
Cang Yue's fuchsia eyes sparkled dangerously behind her veil.
Qingyue and Little Fairy flanking him silently, cold as frost.
Retsu stood expressionless, but her hand twitched slightly.
Mio and Nemu blinked in perfect sync, their shoulders ever-so-stiff.
This entire scene felt like an execution waiting to happen. They let Mulan off for now, but they didn't expect her mother would be touching their beloved so freely.
Maybe he does need protectors to prevent such attempts.
It was Mulan, surprisingly, who stepped in with perfect grace.
She grabbed her mother gently by the arm and pulled her back, a smile on her lips but warning in her tone.
"Mother… we're in front of the Princess, remember?"
Jin Yuelian blinked. "Oh! Right! The Princess!"
Cang Yue blinked in quiet understanding, her fuchsia eyes flicking between Jin Yuelian, who still looked eager to hug Yun Che again, and Jin Zhuo, who now wore a faint smile of resignation—as if this whole affair had long passed the point of resistance.
Mulan continued, a bit more dryly this time:
"She never had a perfect son before… so she went all in."
Then she folded her arms, sighing again.
"She has an actual son. But no, Mu Che gets the divine-tier treatment, and my idiot brother gets the whip."
"The whip?" Yun Che mused.
"Sigh, mother and father always whip him up due to his idiocy. While the sister makes the sacrifice, the little brother gets ignored. So, they vented their frustrations on him." Mulan sighs.
Cang Yue tilted her head, then nodded, finally letting out a soft chuckle.
"I see. A mother's heart can be rather… selective."
Jin Yuelian puffed up.
"That's because Mu Che is perfect! Brilliant, kind, strong, polite—just a little perverted at that time!"
She then turned and beamed like a proud mother at Yun Che.
"Who wouldn't dote on a boy like this?"
Yun Che gave a dry laugh and scratched the back of his head.
"Right… mischievous. That's one way to put it."
"What kind of son Mu Che was to them, a spirit beast raised by accident?" he mused inwardly.
Meanwhile, Jin Zhuo just chuckled from the side, arms crossed.
"Back then, I didn't understand it myself. But over time… I saw that kid make our stubborn Mulan smile for the first time in years. Out of six suitors, she chose a weak man like him."
He looked at Yun Che, tone softer.
"We knew he was a bit perverted, reckless, and full of nonsense—but he had a golden heart."
He gave a small smile.
"Even I started seeing him as my son. I admit I treated you better than Mucong."
The room fell quiet at that. Not because it was awkward—rather, the air softened with the warmth of memories and the weight of what Yun Che now represented.
He wasn't just Yun Che.
To them, he was still Mu Che—the son they never had, the genius who turned their daughter's loneliness into light, and the man who returned from death to defend them when no one else dared.
Cang Yue finally broke the silence with a faint smile. The other girls sighed. At least, Jin Yuelian didn't have some sort of intimate feelings for Mu Che. She just dotes him too much.
That drew a few laughs—some awkward, others heartfelt. Yet beneath the surface, the simmering tension among the women only faintly eased.
Even a mother's doting affection could sour into something far more dangerous if nudged toward the edge of obsession. Yun Che felt it. That quiet shift. That invisible line. And he couldn't help but stay wary of Jin Yuelian, whose overly warm gaze lingered just a moment too long.
Retsu noticed it too. It reminded her all too well of Feng Caiyun back in the Phoenix Clan—Little Xue'er's mother—who once looked at Yun Che with the same unspoken fondness, calling him the perfect son-in-law.
Qingyue, for her part, suddenly recalled a memory she'd tucked away: Yun Che once casually admitted he might've had a crush on her own mother in passing. She narrowed her eyes slightly.
Now this was happening again.
And both of them silently agreed:
Every married woman from now on was a potential red flag.
Still, Retsu leaned in, her thought brushing through Yun Che's mind via their telepathic link.
"Next time… we're staying twenty steps away from every married woman."
Yun Che didn't hesitate.
"Agreed. No exceptions."
Cang Yue gave a small nod. Her expression remained unreadable, but the fact that she now stood directly behind him—subtly cutting off Jin Yuelian's line of sight—spoke volumes.
Qingyue silently moved to flank one side of him like a silent sentinel.
Retsu slid to the other, her mere presence like a barrier of calm danger.
Yun Che felt the pressure lift slightly—but not completely. He still didn't dare let his guard down.
Especially not with the way Jin Yuelian looked at him.
From her place just off to the side, Mulan sighed, her face twitching at the absurdity of it all.
And Jin Yuelian, while backing away gracefully, paused for a long moment. Something gnawed at her… a strange unease.
She had always doted on Mu Che. So much so, she had even memorized the faint scent he always carried—the distinct warmth of crushed herbs, wind-washed stone, and a hint of rain.
But this man—this Yun Che—smelled different. He smelled stronger. Cleaner. Better even…
But not the same.
Her smile remained, but a shadow of suspicion stirred behind her eyes.
"…Who are you really?" she thought to herself.
And Yun Che, catching the faint flicker of doubt in her eyes, turned away just in time to pretend he didn't see it.