"This is both comfortable and incredibly uncomfortable at the same time." Yun Che could only think to himself as he found himself flanked on both sides—Mio and Retsu standing protectively near him, while Nemu and Cang Yue remained close by. The reason for this heightened vigilance?
Jin Mulan.
The same red-armored woman from that fateful night.
The very woman they had encountered when the Wu Clan's scout fleet was annihilated. Now, she had arrived at the Blue Wind Imperial Palace, bearing an urgent message—seeking the Emperor's support to quell an uprising in Jin Province. The Wu Clan had stirred the flames of rebellion, and reports hinted at an impending invasion that would start from there.
Cang Wanhe, having recently regained control of his empire, hesitated. Deploying an army would be seen as an act of war. However, Yun Che proposed a different solution: he and his party would travel to Jin Province under the guise of accompanying Cang Yue on an official visit. If they had been able to suppress the rebellion in the Imperial City, then surely, they had the means to handle this crisis as well—without risking the lives of countless imperial soldiers.
Despite agreeing to the plan, Cang Wanhe's concerns were far from eased. And to make matters worse, Jin Mulan insisted on joining them for the remaining duration tournament.
From the moment she arrived, her piercing gaze never left Yun Che. She watched him like a hawk, her presence heavy and unwavering. Mio and Retsu, sensing the threat she posed, remained close, their every move deliberate—silent protectors against an unknown danger.
"Husband, are they making you uncomfortable?" Jin Mulan's voice dripped with sweetness, but her smile was anything but comforting—it was eerie, possessive, and brimming with unsettling confidence.
"Husband?!" Mio's voice shot up, her eyes flashing with fury. "You're not even married to him!"
Even Cang Wanhe let out a long sigh, wisely choosing not to interfere. Cang Yue and Nemu also stayed silent, standing back as their Alpha sisters handled the situation. Xue Ling shook her head, while Lin Yueru crossed her arms, torn between skepticism and curiosity. Could Yun Che truly be this Mu Che Jin Mulan was claiming? If so, then he was nothing more than a scum who had abandoned his supposed wife. But that made no sense—Retsu had been with him the entire time, and he had never left Floating Cloud City.
As he claimed…
"Mu Che is my legally wedded husband." Jin Mulan thrust her chest out, her confidence unwavering. "I even have the certificate to prove it."
Retsu scoffed, crossing her arms. "His name is Yun Che, and he's been with us the entire time."
"He is Mu Che," Jin Mulan countered, refusing to yield. She was old enough to be these girls' older sisters, and she would not let herself be dismissed by a bunch of children.
"Yun Che!" Retsu and Mio shouted in unison, both turning to him for confirmation.
The air between them crackled with tension as the three women locked eyes, a silent battle of wills raging between them. Jin Mulan's determination burned like an unquenchable flame—she had spent years searching for her missing husband, and now that she had finally found him, she would not let go. No matter what.
"Can I kill this woman, please?" Mio asked, her voice sickly sweet but laced with barely restrained fury. "Just say the word, Danna-sama, and my snakes will rip her apart." The barely concealed dark aura of her twin serpents flickered dangerously around her.
"You and me both, Mio-chan," Retsu muttered, cracking her knuckles. "She just won't back down. Maybe I should scare her a bit…" Her unrestrained Haoshoku no Haki started to leak out, the air around her shifting as if reality itself bowed to her presence.
"Alright, alright, calm down, you two," Yun Che sighed, placing a hand on each of their heads. "Starting a bloodbath in the Imperial Ark isn't exactly a great idea. You two might accidentally destroy it."
Reluctantly, the two women reined in their killing intent, though their irritation still simmered beneath the surface.
"At least she won't bother us anymore," Retsu huffed, folding her arms. While she had once been composed and collected in her previous life, her new self was younger, more emotional—and more prone to outbursts. Still, she had enough control to resist the urge to outright eliminate the annoying woman before her.
"Don't worry. Just let it be," Yun Che reassured them through their mental connection. "She won't get close as long as you four are around. Besides, I'm not this Mu Che she's looking for. You all know it, and so do I."
Mio narrowed her eyes. "If you say so. But if she even tries anything—"
"Then you have my permission to do whatever it takes… just don't kill or seriously hurt her." Yun Che gave them a knowing smile.
Retsu and Mio exchanged glances before smirking.
"We won't hurt her…" they said in unison. "…too much."
Jin Mulan watched the interaction unfold, a bitter storm of emotions swirling in her chest. Jealousy. Regret. A longing she could no longer deny.
Her husband—the man she had once taken for granted—used to put her above all else. Yet, she had never truly appreciated him despite being close.
His posture, his presence, the way he carried himself... even the warmth in his gaze when he looked at these women. He had never looked at her that way.
But she wouldn't back down.
No matter what had changed, no matter how much he denied her, she would bring him back. She would restore his memories, even if this version of him didn't resemble the man she had once known.
She had lost him once.
She wouldn't lose him again.
==============================
The arena buzzed with excitement as the long-awaited semi-finals were finally about to begin. The two most anticipated matches of the tournament:
Xia Qingyue vs. Unohana Retsu
Xia Yuanba vs. Yun Che
The crowd was on the edge of their seats, eager to witness the clash between the Xia siblings and the Imperial Family's rising dark horses. The victors would advance to the finals, while the defeated would battle for third place.
But before that, the ranking matches for fifth place would be held—the battles between Cang Yue, Xiao Kuanglei, Ling Jie, and Ling Yun.
Despite the excitement, some matches were already decided in the hearts of the audience.
Ling Jie, with his Celestial Yang Sword shattered and his cultivation still at the Sixth Level of the Spirit Profound Realm, will have no choice but to concede against his older brother Ling Yun, a Third Level Earth Profound Realm expert, it's clear that he stood no chance.
Xiao Kuanglei, at the Ninth Level of the Spirit Profound Realm, also knew he couldn't overcome such a vast gap in power. Ling Yun's advancement to the final ranking match was all but secured.
However, all eyes will be on Cang Yue versus Ling Yun. The two Earth Profound Realm fighters.
Cang Yue had stunned the empire by reaching the Peak Earth Profound Realm at just 19 years old—a feat that had already earned her the title of a prodigy. Despite her previous loss to Unohana Retsu, her strength was undeniable.
Xiao Kuanglei, however, refused to give up so easily. This was his moment.
If he could defeat Cang Yue, he would become the cultivator who defied all odds—a mere Spirit Profound Realm warrior overcoming a Peak Earth Profound Realm genius. His name would be sung across the empire, his legacy cemented.
He clenched his fists, feeling the cold steel of his Sky Profound Weapon—The Earth Shocking Sword.
He just needed to give his all.
And with that resolve burning in his eyes, he prepare himself to step into the arena.
===============================
Xue Ling sighed for what felt like the hundredth time that day.
Ever since the tournament began today, the questions had been relentless—not about her techniques, her rank among the Imperial Protectors or her main task as Grand Imperial Protector—but about him.
Her 'supposed' husband.
Rumors had taken root like wildfire since what she did to save Nezuko yesterday: Xue Ling, the Ice Blossom of the Empire or the Grand Imperial Protector, the only woman among the Imperial Protectors, is the wife of the Greatest Swordsman in the World—Mihawk.
She hadn't even said the words outright—just a slip, a single insinuation that admit she is one of the two mothers of Nezuko. But in a world like this, that was more than enough to become truth in the eyes of the court and cultivators alike.
The Imperial Protectors, once her equals, now eyed her differently. Not with contempt—no, worse—with curiosity and envy. As if her power was now attributed to proximity, not merit.
None would even dare to offend her.
They whispered behind folding fans and under silencing spells:
"How did she do it?"
"Was it a secret mission?"
"Did she train under him?"
"Was she chosen to infiltrate the villa on his behalf?"
The absurdity of it all would have been laughable—if it didn't put everyone she cared about at risk. The Emperor and Cang Yue included.
Nezuko, sweet and volatile.
Chu Yueli, safe—at least for now—hidden within the icy walls of Frozen Cloud Asgard.
But Xue Ling?
She was out here. Exposed.
A powerful cultivator, yes—but still one person with no powerful allies other than Chu Yueli, her supposed sister wife. And her enemies now had a target painted on her back, thanks to a title she never truly claimed.
She pinched the bridge of her nose. Just one more month… She needed to break through. Her cultivation was already nearing the peak of the Emperor Profound Realm. If she could climb six more levels in two months, she'd become untouchable at the Grand Perfection of Emperor Profound Realm—at least for now.
Even Cang Wanhe, the Emperor himself, had begun treating her differently—more formally, more respectfully. It was subtle, but she noticed. The man who once regarded her as an elder daughter now approached her like a wary sovereign. She convinced him that she was still the same Xue Ling. Not some tyrant or ruler. She is the Grand Imperial Protector of the Imperial Family.
Some speculated she had orchestrated everything: infiltrating the Heavenly Sword Villa under disguise, rising through the ranks just to be assigned as Cang Yue's protector. All to place the princess in Mihawk's path and ensure a bond between them.
That was the official theory now. It was ridiculous. Coincidence, nothing more. She had been assigned to Cang Yue as a promise following the death of the princess's mother. There was no grand design.
But now that she had hinted at her connection with Mihawk, the world saw a web of conspiracy and romance spun beneath her calm demeanor.
Xue Ling sighed again and buried her face in her sleeve.
How the hell am I going to explain this to him when he finds out?
She imagined his blank stare, the tilt of his head, and his stoic voice: "I see."
Would he laugh?
Would he scold her?
Or worse… would he say nothing at all?
She blushed despite herself. This is going to be awkward.
Just like what Cang Yue said, she might expect a marital spat later on.
===============================
Gong Yuxian stared in utter disbelief.
Not because she hadn't accepted it—no, that ship had long sailed. Xue Ling had indeed admitted, however subtly, to being Mihawk's wife. And alongside her daughter, Chu Yueli, no less. The implications were staggering.
It wasn't just personal anymore.
The rumors had rooted deep and sprouted wild vines throughout the empire. Whispers now threaded through every noble corridor and sect: The Frozen Cloud Asgard is protected by a bond to the Imperial Family—through Xue Ling and Chu Yueli, both tied to Mihawk.
Is that why Princess Cang Yue called the Asgard 'untouchable'? Because of this hidden alliance?
Gong Yuxian knew better than to underestimate court gossip—it had the power to shift nations and crumble sects. And now, within the serene halls of Frozen Cloud Asgard, there was unrest. The sisters—once silent as snow—were beginning to murmur.
Not just about Mihawk.
But about Chu Yueli.
Some even dared to question: If she had truly lost her Primordial Yin, how could her cultivation not falter? How could she still command the Frozen Cloud Arts without corruption? Without losing it?
Gong Yuxian had no choice but to address it directly. She clarified what she could—that Chu Yueli was Nezuko's adoptive mother. That the transmission of the Frozen Cloud Arts remained within their fold. That her loyalty had never wavered.
But even so, suspicion lingered in the shadows of the Asgard.
And now, the empire saw her as one of two mothers—a twisted narrative forming in the minds of nobles and scholars alike. Was it Xue Ling or Chu Yueli who truly bore Mihawk's legacy? Was Frozen Cloud Asgard now under his banner?
None of that was what plagued Gong Yuxian's mind today.
No, today's issue was far more pressing… and far more dangerous.
It was about Nezuko.
Not one, but two Nezukos were circling around Chu Yueli, their small figures moving in perfect synchronization. It was as if her mind was playing tricks on her, but no matter how many times she blinked, the sight remained the same.
The surrounding Frozen Cloud disciples were equally stunned, murmuring among themselves. Some even rubbed their eyes, trying to confirm that they weren't hallucinating.
Little Fairy let out a soft sigh, as if she had been expecting this all along.
"Did she have a twin sister or something?" Gong Yuxian finally broke the silence, her voice laced with shock.
Chu Yueli, who was already accustomed to Nezuko's boundless talent, simply smiled under her veil. "Ah, Mother… Believe it or not, she has cultivated the Sword Spirit Doppelganger technique."
Gong Yuxian's breath hitched.
"What?!" she gasped, nearly losing her composure.
The Sword Spirit Doppelganger
A technique so profound that only those who had attained absolute mastery over swordsmanship and energy control could even attempt it.
To create a perfect clone—not just an illusion, but a true, independent entity capable of fighting—was something that even the most talented disciples of the Heavenly Sword Villa struggled to achieve, requiring years upon years of rigorous training.
Just yesterday, Ling Yun, hailed as a sword genius, had demonstrated his mastery over this art. At twenty-one years old, he had finally perfected the technique, utilizing a flawless duplication of himself in battle against Yun Che.
And yet…
Standing before them now was Nezuko—a mere five-year-old child—effortlessly creating and maintaining a flawless doppelganger as if it were mere child's play.
It should have been impossible.
Yet, here she was.
Not only had she copied the technique after seeing it just once, but she had perfected it without any apparent difficulty.
The only difference?
Ling Yun took years to master it.
Nezuko?
She did it in a single day.
Gong Yuxian could only shake her head in awe.
A technique that took Ling Yun years to perfect, something that required years of rigorous training, had been casually copied and mastered by a five-year-old—as if it were nothing more than a child's game.
And indeed, to Nezuko, that's exactly what it was.
"She really is a heavenly genius," Gong Yuxian murmured, her tone carrying a mix of admiration and disbelief.
Not only had Nezuko duplicated herself flawlessly, but she did it with such ease that she was treating it as a mere plaything.
Just then, the entrance to the tent parted, and a group of elegant figures stepped inside.
Since this was the semi-finals, Gong Yuxian had decided to bring Frozen Cloud Asgard's five top fairies to observe and learn from the matches. Now, the seating zone was graced by their presence, creating a heavenly spectacle that left the nearby disciples in awe.
Murong Qianxue, Fen Hanxue, her twin Fen Hanyue, Jun Lianqie, and Mu Lanyi—five of the most powerful and graceful figures in the Asgard—all entered the seating zone, their icy beauty radiating an untouchable aura. Now included the presence of Little Fairy and Chu Yueli, the assembly was complete.
All of the Seven Top Fairies of the Frozen Cloud Asgard are now assembled.
But the moment Fen Hanxue and Fen Hanyue spotted Nezuko, their reserved demeanor instantly shattered.
"Nezuko!" they exclaimed, their voices filled with pure excitement as they rushed forward.
However, the moment they got close—they froze.
Two Nezukos stood before them.
Two identical, bright-eyed little girls, staring back at them with cheerful grins.
Their minds nearly short-circuited.
Since Yoruko had never met the twin fairies before, she immediately took the initiative, stepping forward with a polite introduction.
"Nezuko-desu!" she said with a bright smile.
"Desu!" the clone Nezuko echoed, mirroring her original's movements perfectly.
Silence.
All seven top fairies, including Gong Yuxian, were speechless.
Not only had Nezuko copied the Sword Spirit Doppelganger after merely watching it once, but now… she was fully using it in casual conversation.
Meanwhile, Fen Hanxue and Fen Hanyue's stunned expressions slowly melted into pure joy.
With two Nezukos, it meant…
Each twin now had their own Nezuko to play with!
The two elder fairies immediately scooped up their respective Nezuko, hugging them tightly as if they had just received the greatest gift in the world.
Chu Yueli sighed, watching the scene unfold. The twins wouldn't have to fight, yet the reactions of her fellow sisters were priceless.
Despite seeing it with their own eyes, they still couldn't believe that a five-year-old had mastered the Sword Spirit Doppelganger—a feat that seasoned swordsmen struggled their whole lives to achieve. Moreover, creating a clone lasted hours for fun.
Now, each of the fairies—minus Chu Yueli and Little Fairy—had their own hidden agenda. Some wanted to seek guide from Nezuko, while others hoped to learn from her. If a childlike mind like hers could decipher and perfect such an advanced technique in mere moments… what else was she capable of?
Murong Qianxue's eyes gleamed with mischief.
"Maybe… I can steal Nezuko's clone and learn from her? Sister Yueli might mind if I take Nezuko herself, but not her clone…" She contemplated, already plotting how to bribe the little prodigy.
"Snacks. Lots of snacks. That should do it."
Jun Lianqie, on the other hand, had a different agenda.
"A perfect little doll… More outfits to dress her up in…Not one but two little dolls! This is an opportunity I cannot miss." She smirked to herself.
Meanwhile, Mu Lanyi tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"I wonder if she can explain things simply? If a five-year-old can decipher advanced sword techniques, then maybe she can break them down in a way that even I can absorb faster. And since she likes my cooking… Food should be a good trade."
Finally, the twin fairies, Fen Hanxue and Fen Hanyue, were in complete sync as their eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Nezuko is our new teddy bear!" They both screamed internally, already envisioning endless hours of playtime.
"What's better than one Nezuko?" Fen Hanxue asked her sister while hugging the original Nezuko.
"Two Nezukos!" Her sister chimed happily while hugging the other clone.
Meanwhile, Xia Qingyue sat silently, staring at Nezuko in stunned disbelief.
She had already struggled to swallow the absurdity of her husband, Yun Che, being a Fire Law Master, and Unohana Retsu being a Water Law Master—both monsters in their own right.
And now… Nezuko was a little Sword Master?
How much more was she supposed to endure?!
========================
In the VIP stands, Ling Kun observed the matches with an air of calm indifference. Despite the events of the previous night and his unnerving encounter with the Front Man, he seemed completely unshaken. To him, it was nothing but a fleeting nightmare.
Unbeknownst to him, however, Yun Che smirked from below, watching his handiwork unfold. The implanted commands were already working their magic. He dismissed the last night's event as a dream. Ling Kun had yet to receive the devastating news that his niece had gone missing—after all, the information was being carefully kept under wraps by the Heavenly Sword Villa. He assumed they would hold it until Ling Kun dealt with them. However, since he dealt with him first…..
Problem solved.
Yun Che leaned back in the observation area, but this time, there was a new guest in the seating zone—Jin Mulan.
As she settled into her seat, memories of the last time she attended the tournament surfaced.
"Miss Jin, have you ever participated in the tournament before?" Cang Yue asked as she took a seat within the tent, accompanied by Lin Yueru and Xue Ling.
Cang Yue stepped forward, her presence drawing quiet admiration even before a single word left her lips. Gone was the battle attire she wore yesterday—the elegant but revealing Nurakami Law robe had been replaced for today's upcoming battle.
In its place, she now wore a fully covered pink cultivator's dress, tailored to Yun Che's vision—a harmonious blend of Chinese elegance and Japanese grace. The flowing lines of a traditional kimono fused with the fitted, battle-ready precision of a cultivator's robe, offering both protection and unrestrained movement. The fabric shimmered subtly under the sunlight, light and fluid like cherry blossoms in the wind, yet undeniably dignified. Made from modification of her Nurakami Law robe.
Every inch of her skin was covered, the sleeves long and the neckline high. Yet, her most striking feature wasn't the dress itself—it was the veiled uchikatsugi upon her head. A wide-brimmed hat with an almost imperceptible shimmer around its rim.
To the average onlooker, it was a simple, ornamental, veiled hat.
But to those attuned to Yun Che's craft—Retsu, Mio, Nemu, and Yun Che himself—it was a veil of the highest secrecy. A barrier of perception woven through profound spatial and light-manipulating arts. Not even her father, with his years of cultivation, could see her face beneath it. It was like a veil stitched along its edges but there are no veils at all. Even when she took it off, it's not something she can explain.
Jin Mulan glanced at Xue Ling, sizing her up. The woman was only two years older than her but already at a level higher than herself—a recent breakthrough, no doubt. Then, she shifted her gaze to Lin Yueru, a former top archer turned protector for Cang Yue. The presence of the mortals, Mai and Mei, intrigued her, as did the presence of Xia Yuanba, the rising elite of the Blue Wind Profound Palace.
"Yes," Jin Mulan finally replied, her voice carrying a hint of nostalgia. "I participated when I was seventeen, a year before I married Mu Che. At the time, I entered as a Peak Spirit Profound Realm cultivator representing the Jin Family. I made it to the quarterfinals, but I was ultimately eliminated by a contender from Frozen Cloud Asgard, finishing in fifth place."
"Fifth place?" Cang Yue exclaimed, clearly impressed.
Jin Mulan nodded. "At that time, Princess, I was considered one of the top contenders. However, after my brother surpassed the age limit, my family could no longer produce strong representatives. Since then, most of our entrants have struggled to even break into the top 1000… It is a shame."
As she spoke, her attention slowly shifted toward Yun Che. A quiet pause lingered before she gently leaned forward, her expression unreadable, and softly asked,
"May I sit here?" Jin Mulan's voice was calm, free of hostility as she sought permission to take a seat in front of Yun Che at the kotatsu.
"Don't you dare try anything," Mio growled, tightening her grip on Yun Che's arm like a possessive tigress.
Retsu's sharp gaze locked onto Jin Mulan, her presence alone exuding an unspoken warning. If not for the presence of Mai and Mei, she might have let her killing intent slip. Instead, she merely sat on Yun Che's right, while Mio secured her spot on the left.
Meanwhile, Nemu, ever the dutiful one, quietly prepared tea for all of them.
"Now, now…" Yun Che sighed, placing a calming hand on both Retsu and Mio before turning his attention back to Jin Mulan. "Let's handle this civilly."
Jin Mulan observed the exchange, an amused yet knowing smile crossing her lips.
"You certainly have a way of keeping them in check."
Jin Mulan sipped the tea Nemu had served, the subtle aroma of the Japanese Tea barely calming the storm behind her composed eyes. She sat quietly at the kotatsu across from Yun Che, but her gaze shifted—unconsciously—toward the two women flanking him like sentinels.
Mio and Retsu.
Elegant. Deadly. Unflinchingly loyal.
They didn't speak, but their presence was overwhelming, like tightly coiled blades resting on silk. Jin Mulan remembered them vividly—not as they were now, but what they had become that night.
That night she met him again and deliver the killing blow to the Wu Clan elder.
Mio— at that time was something ancient and alien. Her powers form twisted snakes with dark alien scales and eyes glowing like embers. A serpent-like manipulator, who made an entire squadron disappear with nothing but a whisper.
And Retsu… the transformation had been just as horrifying. A three-tailed human-fox hybrid, elegant but terrifying. Her blade had sung through the air like a requiem as she dealt with that elder that night.
Jin Mulan gripped her cup a little tighter. That night, she barely made it out with her mind intact. At that time, Mu Che was all she thinks about. And though the two women now looked like serene guardians, part of her couldn't unsee what lay beneath.
But… she knew better. Some answers weren't meant to be asked—not aloud. Especially not when sitting in the presence of the one man they obeyed without question.
Jin Mulan turned her eyes back to Yun Che. His gaze was fixed on the arena below, calm and unreadable.
"They only listen to me," Yun Che responded coolly, "so don't even think about trying anything unless you want to risk pissing them off."
At that, both Retsu and Mio instinctively tightened their hold, silently reinforcing his words.
Jin Mulan, however, was undeterred. "Do you not remember accompanying me here before?" she asked, her voice laced with a hopeful persistence.
Yun Che exhaled softly, shaking his head. "This is my first time entering this tournament."
Jin Mulan studied his face, her expression unreadable. "I see…" she murmured, disappointment flickering in her eyes. "You truly don't remember anything."
Still, despite the answer, she remained resolute. She would not give up so easily.
"Like I said," Yun Che spoke firmly, meeting her gaze, "I am Yun Che. Maybe I share the same face as this 'Mu Che,' but I'm not him. If you don't believe me, ask these two," he gestured to Mio and Retsu beside him. "Or ask my grandfather and aunt back in Floating Cloud City. I've been there my whole life. I never left the Xiao Clan until recently."
There was a pause. He spoke the truth—or at least, the truth he knew. In reality, he had reincarnated into Yun Che two years ago. He knew nothing of Mu Che, not even the faintest memory. But Yun Che's history was clean, verifiable, and, for now, his greatest shield.
Still… Jin Mulan remained unconvinced.
"..." Her stare lingered. Silent, probing. Torn between accepting a case of memory loss or clinging to the man she once knew.
"But," Yun Che added, leaning back slightly, "I am curious. If the Wu Clan claims to have dealt with Mu Che before, then maybe there's something to learn. Something worth uncovering."
Mio and Retsu exchanged a glance. They, too, had heard the name—Mu Che. It clung to their thoughts like a shadow, a whisper in the dark that refused to fade.
"I heard the rumors," Jin Mulan finally said, her voice soft but steady. "But I refused to believe it. He isn't someone who would fall that easily."
Yun Che nodded. Whoever this Mu Che was… he had clearly earned her unwavering faith. There was a loyalty in her tone that couldn't be faked. He leaned forward, genuinely curious now.
"Mind telling me how you met him?"
Her eyes dimmed slightly—like a candle flickering in memory. She looked down at her tea, her fingers tracing the rim of the cup.
"I'll humor you," she murmured. "If it means you might remember something… even if you're not him."
Yun Che didn't interrupt.
"I met Mu Che during a border raid," she began, her voice laced with a mix of nostalgia and sorrow. "He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. A civilian caught in a military purge."
"You rescued him?" Yun Che tilted his head.
A faint smile tugged at her lips. "Yes. He was about to be executed. I stepped in."
"At that time, he was just a peasant. No cultivation, no clan, no backing. Just… fire in his eyes." Her voice trailed off for a moment before she continued. "He should have been terrified. But instead, he glared at the commander like he was daring him to finish the swing."
Yun Che raised an eyebrow.
Jin Mulan chuckled lightly, but there was a bittersweet edge to it. "I knew then… he wasn't ordinary."
"And then?" he asked gently.
"We met again. A few months later." Her tone shifted, heavier now. "Under… different circumstances."
"What kind of circumstances?" Yun Che pressed, sensing something deeper.
Jin Mulan didn't answer immediately. Her eyes locked with his, searching—hoping—for a flicker of something familiar.
"…You really don't remember anything, do you?" she whispered.
Yun Che sighed, his expression softening. "I told you. I'm not him. But I want to understand. So please… tell me the full story."
Nearby, Cang Yue and Nemu sat quietly at the table. Xue Ling and Lin Yueru listened from the side, silent witnesses to a conversation wrapped in history, heartbreak, and mystery.
"He… we were married because at that time…" Jin Mulan began slowly, her voice softening, distant, "I was backed into a corner by the Zhu Family."
Everyone went silent.
"I had been delaying my arranged marriage for years—stalling long enough to provoke them. Eventually, they ran out of patience. They demanded my hand as part of a political alliance."
Her fingers curled slightly over the teacup, knuckles pale.
"I was returning from a training drill when we met again… I accidentally hit you with my horse."
Yun Che blinked. "Hit me?"
"You were quite fragile," she added with a slight smirk.
"…Touché," Yun Che murmured with a half-laugh, rubbing his forehead.
"Touché?" Jin Mulan repeated the unfamiliar word, confused.
"Just a saying," he replied, waving it off. "Means you got him or he got you."
She continued, her tone shifting into a bittersweet calm. "You said—he said—that was his strategy. To get into the Jin Manor. To… gain my attention."
Yun Che internally winced. So, Mu Che used the classic 'self-harm for sympathy' ploy? Bold. Either scum… or a genius manipulator.
"By throwing himself under a horse?" he muttered under his breath. "He's either a scammer or a tactician."
Retsu raised an eyebrow, then asked, "You're one of the top warriors of the Jin Family. Why even entertain marrying someone like that?"
Jin Mulan sighed deeply. "Because I had no choice. Back then, marriage wasn't about love or companionship. It was a chess move. I just wanted freedom."
Her eyes turned to Yun Che. "But he—Mu Che—went to my father himself. Marched into the Jin Manor with looks like a peasant and penniless, I might add… you demanded my hand in marriage."
Yun Che coughed.
Jin Mulan blinked, then looked away, embarrassed. "Sorry… I mean, he did. It's hard to speak of both of you like you're separate people. You look exactly like him. Sound like him, even. But… it's not you like you claim."
Her voice lowered as the memory grew heavier.
"At that time, the Zhu Family wanted me for themselves. Zhu Hongxue had already been sent to marry me—forced alliance."
The others looked at her in surprise.
"Let me guess… political marriage?" Yun Che said, narrowing his eyes slightly. "And I take it he was someone you were completely against."
Jin Mulan nodded with a sigh. "He was set to take over the Jin Family through me. I had no choice but to marry someone—anyone—to exempt myself from the contract."
Yun Che leaned back. "That's where Mu Che comes in. The 'hero' who jumps in to save the damsel in distress… though I'd bet my left arm he had his own reasons for throwing himself under the bus like that."
"Bus?" she asked, puzzled again.
He waved a hand. "It's… a thing from …. It's nothing. Just means he sacrificed himself in a dramatic way. Keep going."
Jin Mulan exhaled, eyes distant. "At that time, the Zhu Family had a general, a governor, and a small army of Peak Spirit Profound Realm cultivators. They were one of the top noble houses. The Jin Family, by comparison, had… almost nothing. Just a few Spirit Profound Realms. I was the only Peak Spirit Profound Realm in the entire family."
"And now?" Yun Che asked, voice firm.
Her gaze darkened. "Ever since the Wu Clan took over… everything changed. They now command more than a dozen Sky Profound Realm cultivators, and several at the Emperor Profound Realm."
The room froze.
Retsu, Mio, and the others exchanged alarmed glances.
"…Courtesy of the Wu Clan," Jin Mulan continued bitterly. "Even the Four Great Sects aren't aware. They've kept this strength hidden—waiting for the right moment. When they move… it won't be a sect war. It'll be an invasion."
Yun Che's expression hardened. "A few Emperor Profound Realm experts? If they've been hiding that kind of power… then they're already planning something big."
Retsu's voice was calm but cold. "And if they were able to send three elders just for a distraction last night, they have more waiting in the wings."
Mio crossed her arms. "Maybe even Profound Tyrants."
The air grew heavier. Everyone could feel it.
Yun Che nodded thoughtfully, then shifted the topic with a half-smirk. "So, I take it Mu Che wasn't the only man who proposed to you?"
Jin Mulan gave a soft chuckle. "In the end, my father narrowed it down to five more suitors… including you. Men of his own choosing. But I challenged each of them. I asked what they could offer me—not in riches or power—but something deeper."
She paused, her expression softening. "Only you were able to answer."
Yun Che raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite himself. "And what exactly did I say?"
Jin Mulan smiled gently, the faintest blush dusting her cheeks. "I cannot tell you that. That answer… belongs to you alone. It was your wish. The very thing that tied our fates together."
He let out a low sigh. "Like I said before—"
"I know," she interrupted, her gaze unwavering. "You're not Mu Che. But I still believe… somewhere in you, the memories are there. Waiting to return. If you remember those words, you'll remember everything."
A silence fell between them.
Yun Che tilted his head, shrugging with a faint smile. "All right then. Keep your secrets."
There was no curiosity in his tone—only quiet finality. To him, it wasn't a riddle he needed to solve.
He wasn't Mu Che.
He was Yun Che.
Through and through.
"...…" Jin Mulan's eyes widened, just for a moment—then she exhaled, long and quiet. She had hoped... but it was clear now. Whatever test she had laid in those words, he didn't remember. The phrase—the vow—that made her choose him over all others... gone.
Her voice dropped, almost melancholic. "Our marriage was never about love."
All of them looked at her, saying nothing, letting her speak.
"I married Mu Che to escape a devastating political union. One that would have chained me to the Zhu Family, cost me my freedom, and swallowed my family whole. And he… he married me for protection. He had made far too many powerful enemies. The Jin Family gave him shelter, and in return, he gave us a future."
"A marriage of mutual survival," Yun Che muttered, eyes narrowing. "So, he pissed off a bunch of people and used your family as a shield. In return, your family got the strength and prosperity they were lacking. A smart trade."
Jin Mulan nodded slowly. "Exactly. He used our enemies' underestimation of him. He played them—used their arrogance against them. And in the process, he dragged the Jin Family out of the mud. What my ancestors couldn't do in decades, he did in two years. The lands thrived, the people flourished, and the islands he brought under our banner became our greatest source of wealth."
She paused for a moment, her voice quieter now. "He gave everything… even if it began with nothing but necessity."
Yun Che crossed his arms, frowning slightly. "And yet here I am. Not remembering a damn thing."
Jin Mulan smiled faintly, the sadness never leaving her eyes. "But the man who did all that… he never forgot a single promise he made. Even ones he whispered in the dark."
"How close were you to him?" Yun Che asked, his voice steady but cool.
Jin Mulan reached out, slowly—instinctively—but he pulled his hand away. Her fingers hesitated midair before curling back to her lap. A flicker of pain crossed her face, barely hidden. Retsu and Mio watched closely, their gazes sharp, unreadable. Mulan saw it, and let out a quiet breath, letting go of the gesture and of the hope behind it.
"We were close," she said finally, "but not as lovers."
She kept her voice calm, but each word carried weight. "Our marriage was forged for mutual gain. He was always... dutiful. Protective. He never let danger touch me, took care of every province affair, handled politics like a seasoned general. I was free to live as I pleased—as long as I remained faithful. In return, he used my position to settle his debts, erase his enemies, and elevate my family."
She looked down. "I admired that about him. Trusted him, even. But I never treated him like a husband… not truly. And I didn't realize how much that mattered… until after he died."
The silence that followed felt heavier than before.
Mio and Retsu looked at her again, the weight of last night's conversation still lingering in their eyes. His words about betrayal, loyalty, and broken vows had cut deep. The modern women of his past had left scars of doubt. A matter that they learnt from and vows never to repeat such acts. And now, Jin Mulan's story brushed uncomfortably close to that pain.
He shook his head subtly. Retsu and Mio saw the signal and kept silent, though both clenched their jaws, swallowing words they knew would only deepen wounds.
Jin Mulan continued, her voice quieter, burdened with shame.
"Despite his care, I never once shared his bed. On our wedding night… I sent Bing in my place."
"Bing?" Yun Che blinked, memory stirring. He recalled her mentioning the name once before.
"My personal maid," Mulan confirmed, eyes low. "She had served me since childhood. The marriage was legitimate, but I… I never fulfilled my role. He had every right to take concubines. But he never did."
She gave a sad laugh. "Ironically, Bing cried and refused to sleep with him."
"He was that ugly?" Cang Yue asked gently, trying to lighten the tension.
"No," Mulan shook her head. "He just had… a reputation. People feared him. Said he was perverted, unpredictable. A snake with a sword. He was… complicated."
Retsu finally spoke, her voice laced with carefully controlled sarcasm. "You sent another woman to sleep with your husband. On your wedding night. The one sacred night that's supposed to mean something?"
Mio didn't even try to filter her words. "How low can you go? And here you are trying to take our fiancée."
Yun Che remained silent, but his gaze stayed fixed on Jin Mulan—hard, unreadable. For a moment, the weight of Mu Che's choices… and hers… hung in the air between them.
Jin Mulan was stunned by Mio's and Retsu's harshness, but she couldn't deny the truth behind their words. She lowered her gaze, shame blooming across her face.
"He was loyal…" she whispered. "And I told him—I told him from the very beginning—I never wanted the responsibility of being a wife…"
Retsu's fists clenched at her sides. Her knuckles whitened as she trembled with restraint. It was just like Xia Qingyue. Retsu had spent every waking hour learning what it meant to be a good wife—not just by duty, but by heart. Devotion. Loyalty. Care. And here was this woman, who had been given everything—Mu Che's trust, his protection, his name—only to abandon all that without guilt.
This is why she is against business or political marriage. Just like Yun Che's marriage with Xia Qingyue. Not only did she lose the title of the main wife, but it was also the reason she disliked her.
Retsu inhaled deeply. Subtly, she activated Eagle Scent, her instincts pushing her to find even a shred of dishonor that might validate her rage. But nothing came.
Jin Mulan was pure.
Despite her failings, she had never lain with another. Never broken the vow, no matter how empty it had been. In all her shame, there was at least one truth—she had belonged to Mu Che alone, even if only in name.
She looked up at Yun Che now, eyes shimmering with desperate hope.
"Please…" her voice cracked, trembling with emotion. "If you can remember me… I promise to devote myself to you. I'll cast aside my shame if that's your punishment for neglecting you. I'll give you what I once withheld. I'll be your wife—truly. I'll change, I swear it… I just want you back… I am preparing to give you my life, my body and my soul."
Yun Che raised a hand, halting her plea with quiet finality.
"That's enough," he said, firm but not cruel. "I meant it when I said I didn't know you at all. I've never seen you as my wife since you and I never married in the first place. And I ask you… please, don't do anything that might provoke them." His gaze flicked toward Retsu and Mio, whose eyes still burned with unspoken fury. "I am not Mu Che. I never was. I never will be."
Jin Mulan's lips parted, but no sound came. Her body trembled as the words sank deep into her soul, carving a wound she hadn't known still existed.
"Even when I finally gave in… when I was ready to offer myself completely… discard my shame for him… I was rejected," she whispered bitterly. "Is this my punishment for being an unfilial wife? Did the heavens wipe his memory… just to leave me behind?"
Her fists clenched as the memories rushed back—his unwavering loyalty, his quiet sacrifices, his efforts to protect her family, even when she had turned away from him at every turn.
She had spent years convinced that he'd manipulated his way into her life.
But now, in hindsight, she could see it clearly.
He had cared. He had been patient. He had never forced her. And he had remained by her side even when she gave him nothing in return.
And now…
Now he stood before her again—but not as Mu Che.
He was Yun Che.
And he was surrounded by women who cherished him.
Retsu and Mio stood like silent sentinels, protectors of his heart. Cang Yue sat nearby, her expression unreadable but filled with quiet understanding. Even Nemu, who rarely spoke unless needed, had a hand on his arm, grounding him gently.
And Jin Mulan—she realized, too late—had never once fought for his heart when she had the chance.
She had failed him. Not by betrayal, not by infidelity, but by neglect.
And now, that failure echoed louder than ever.
"Yuu-kun," Retsu spoke softly, but her voice held a rare sharpness. "May I speak freely to her?"
Yun Che looked at her for a moment, then gave a quiet nod.
She turned to Jin Mulan, her gaze unwavering. "Miss Jin… Two years of marriage, and not once did you see him as a husband?" Her tone was calm—but laced with disappointment. "You're right. You are unfilial."
"Retsu…" Yun Che interjected, but when he saw her eyes—clear, honest, burning with emotion—he held his tongue.
Jin Mulan remained silent. Her shoulders hunched slightly, as though bracing for a blow. Shame painted her expression.
"Even if you didn't love him," Retsu continued, "even if it began as a marriage of convenience… he was still your husband. Your pillar. A bond forged isn't just in love—it's in duty, in devotion, in shared burdens. If you couldn't give him your heart, you could have at least given him your presence and your care."
She took a step closer, voice growing heavier. "So what did it take for you to finally realize his worth?"
Jin Mulan's heart tightened. That day—it had been five years ago, the day everything changed.
The day she was finally ready to offer her heart… he vanished.
He had vanished without a word. Declared dead by the Wu Clan after a conflict that she had no power to stop. They claimed he was gone—devoured by a storm of Profound Emperors.
But she had never believed it. Not for a second. Mu Che—he was too cunning, too resourceful, too resilient to fall like that. She waited, days turning into weeks, weeks into months.
And in his absence, everything crumbled.
The Wu Clan seized the province supported by the Cang Royal Family of the Providence. The Jin Family lost its seat of power. The once-thriving land he had built was reduced to fragments. And the Imperial Family—fractured, leaderless at that time, too deep in its own chaos—offered no aid.
She had searched relentlessly for him, chasing ghosts and rumors across the years. She clung to hope when everyone else accepted defeat. And now, standing before her—he was here.
And he was not hers anymore.
Retsu's voice cut through her thoughts like a blade.
"I… I want to marry Yuu-kun too. Some of us do. But not because of power or protection. I wanted to understand the bond of marriage—the weight of it. The sacredness of it."
She took a shaky breath.
"I'm scared. Some of us are… that, I… we might not be able to become good wives. That we might fail him without even knowing it. That we might become unfilial and ungrateful, just like you. Because to me, marriage isn't just about love. It is a sacred bond. It's about being his peace. His strength. The one he comes home to and finds no judgment, no expectations. Just calm. Just warmth. That's what I want to be."
Retsu's eyes shimmered—but her resolve never wavered.
"A virtuous woman… is devoted. Loyal. She doesn't use her husband's love as a shield, nor toss it aside when it's inconvenient. She nurtures it. She cherishes it."
She looked at Jin Mulan with quiet finality.
"You discarded the man who loved you. Even if you didn't know it at the time… you still discarded him. You could have tried to love him. You could have seen him."
A pause.
"It took you two years to realize what you had. And by the time you did… he was gone."
Jin Mulan's lip trembled. She said nothing. Her silence was more damning than any words could be.
"Filial women are favored by the heavens," Retsu whispered. "You may not have betrayed him with another man… but you betrayed the bond. You turned away from him when all he ever did… was you."
Yun Che said nothing. Neither did Mio, or Cang Yue. But the silence that followed was thunderous.
And in that silence, Jin Mulan felt the weight of her past crash down on her chest like an avalanche.
Jin Mulan stood still, every word from Retsu striking her like a blade—precise, deliberate, and deeply cutting. She could feel the weight behind the younger woman's words, not born of cruelty, but of painful truth. Truth she had no defense against.
"Disobey him... be unfilial to your husband…" Retsu's voice was calm—but chilling. "You might as well be cast to hell. Trust me, you don't want to be there."
Her tone didn't rise. It didn't need to. Her words carried weight—the weight of conviction. The kind of conviction Jin Mulan never had. Not back then.
"Two years," Retsu repeated, her voice quieter now, but no less piercing. "Two years, Miss Jin. And not once did you stand by him as a wife. When the world turned against him… when enemies closed in from all sides… were you at his side?"
Jin Mulan lowered her gaze. "No… I—I was tending to the family matters. That was our agreement. He said I could—"
"No excuses." Retsu cut her off, sharp and cold.
"You should have been there. Not behind walls. Not sending people. You. His wife. The one person who should never leave his side."
Jin Mulan tried again, weakly. "But I assigned my best guards—"
"It doesn't matter!" Retsu's voice snapped like a whip. "You were stronger than anyone else. You had the power. You were his wife. That duty belonged to you. It's not just about guards or orders—it's about standing beside the man you married. Whether he wants your protection or not."
She leaned forward, eyes blazing. "It is a wife's sacred duty to shield her husband's secrets. To safeguard his wellbeing and home. Even if it costs her everything. That's common sense. Something you clearly never had."
Yun Che's eyes widened, stunned by the force behind her words. Mio, Nemu and Cang Yue glanced at each other, their expressions unreadable. Even Mai, normally playful and aloof, found herself listening intently—taking mental notes.
And Yun Che's spirits… they were all watching.
Even Jasmine, cool and ever-distant, lowered her gaze in reflection.
Now I see, she thought. This is why Retsu stands apart. Her faith was unshakable. Her heart, fierce. Unlike Xia Qingyue, who treated her marriage like a convenience—a title. Retsu believed marriage was a covenant. Sacred. Unbreakable.
And she was defending that bond as though it were life itself since she was extremely devoted to Yun Che.
Jin Mulan could only tremble beneath that gaze. She had searched for five years, hoping for redemption. But she had come face to face with the truth instead.
The man she once married was no longer hers.
And the women who now stood beside him? They knew what she had never understood.
Retsu's words cut through the air like a sword drawn from its sheath:
"You lost him when the Wu Clan touched him. Whether it is true or not, it was the day you stopped being his wife… was the day he disappeared from your life."
"I know…" Jin Mulan murmured, her voice barely audible. "I know…"
"No," Retsu moves closer, her gaze unwavering. "You don't. If you knew, you wouldn't have waited until he was gone to start loving him."
Yun Che shifted, his mouth opening slightly—perhaps to ease the blow—but Retsu's glance kept him silent. She needed to say this, and he let her.
"You had him. You had a man who gave you loyalty, stability, and protection—not just for you, but for your entire family. You didn't even need to love him at first," Retsu said, her tone softening just slightly. "But you could have tried. You could have grown to love him, to care for him. That's how true marriages are formed—through shared hardships, not just feelings."
Jin Mulan's shoulders trembled. Her fists were still clenched at her sides, nails digging into her palms.
"That day—five years ago…" she finally spoke, her voice raw. "I was going to change everything. I had realized. I… I was ready to give myself fully. To embrace him. I had finally—finally—opened my heart."
Her voice broke.
"But he was gone. Just… vanished. No note. No warning. Just the news: Mu Che was dead. And I… I couldn't even cry."
She looked at Yun Che, tears now flowing freely.
"I waited. I searched. For five years, I clung to a ghost, refusing to believe it. I refused to accept his death because I couldn't. He was too smart, too resilient. Too… him. And without him, everything we built crumbled."
Retsu listened, expression unmoving.
"The Wu Clan came like vultures. The province fell. My family turned on each other. The throne offered no aid. And I stood there, powerless, because I let the only man who ever truly stood by me slip through my fingers."
"And now," Jin Mulan whispered, "he's here… and he doesn't even know me."
"So, you wanted him back to save your family?" Retsu's voice was sharp, almost accusatory. Her gaze didn't waver.
Jin Mulan flinched. "Part of it," she admitted quietly. "But… no. Not entirely."
She looked up, her voice softening with something that almost sounded like regret. "I wanted him back so I could be the wife he deserved. Maybe it's too late, maybe he doesn't love me anymore—but that doesn't mean I can't still be his wife. One day… he'll see my love. I'm willing to wait for that day, no matter how long it takes."
Her eyes found Yun Che's, searching—hoping.
But the man standing before her wasn't the same. He didn't look at her with even a fragment of what she remembered. No warmth. No recognition. Just silence.
"Why are you here, other than trying to bring Mu Che back?" Yun Che asked, his voice steady, though everyone could feel the weight behind the question.
Jin Mulan sighed, her shoulders sinking under years of burden. "The Zhu Family allied with the Wu Clan. And the Wu Clan…" her voice faltered, "…claimed to have killed Mu Che. But I never accepted that."
She looked up, eyes dim with fatigue. "After he vanished, everything crumbled. The Jin Family, once ten thousand strong, is now reduced to barely a thousand. The manor has long been abandoned. Our name—our pride—eroded. We've become the poorest noble house in the entire province."
She turned slowly toward Cang Yue, and, in a gesture that silenced the room, she sat and bowed her head—deeply, humbly. "Princess… back then, we couldn't ask for help. The Imperial Family was fractured, and Emperor Cang Wanhe gravely ill. But when we heard the rebellion had been quelled, that the Emperor recovered, and you took control of the court..."
She lowered her head further, voice trembling. "I left everything behind. My family. My people. I came here alone, seeking the only thread of hope left."
"Please," she pleaded. "I request aid from the Imperial Family… the Jin Province has been colonized by the Wu Clan. The Zhu Family is tightening the noose. We've lost everything—our lands, our influence, even the islands that once sustained us. Zhu Honxue now seeks to marry me, not for love, but to seize full control. My father sent me here, his last hope. I am the last hope."
Her voice cracked as tears welled in her eyes. "Please… I have no choice left. I had to come…"
The silence that followed her words was deafening.
Cang Yue exchanged a glance with Xue Ling, then gave a solemn nod.
"Miss Jin…" she began, her tone firm, yet gentle, "the Imperial Family is still in recovery. The court is fractured—many soldiers still secretly loyal to my older brothers, Cang Lin and Cang Shuo. The Imperial Army is not yet whole. We can't spare them… not now."
Jin Mulan's body seemed to tremble at those words. Her breath hitched. She lifted her head slightly—eyes filled with a mixture of despair and disbelief.
Even the Imperial Family… couldn't help.
Without Mu Che.
Without the empire.
Without power.
There was nothing left.
Her hope had been a ghost. Just like the man she'd spent five years chasing.
"However…" Jin Mulan's voice was barely a whisper as she opened her tear-filled eyes.
Cang Yue smiled gently. "We'll go to Jin Province. One week from now. All of us."
Gasps and glances flickered across the group. She wasn't just speaking as a princess—she was speaking as part of a family.
Yun Che.
Retsu.
Mio.
Nemu.
And where Cang Yue went, Xue Ling would follow. And Lin Yueru, loyal to a fault, would never leave her side.
Jin Mulan blinked, overwhelmed. "But… against the Wu Clan… without the Imperial Army—"
"We don't need an army," Cang Yue said, her gaze shifting toward Yun Che. "We have him. Them." She motioned to the group around him.
"If you're thinking of questioning his cultivation, don't. Please spare us that mistake. You saw what he did the other night—that was just a fraction of his power. We've all been holding back during this tournament. It was never about proving strength. We only needed the victory."
Jin Mulan looked toward Yun Che—hope slowly blooming on her face. "You'll go? To the Jin Province?"
Yun Che gave her a soft smile and nodded. "It's not my home. But based on that elder you brought—before he died—we know the Wu Clan's preparing an invasion. Two weeks from now. So yes. We'll go. One week from now, we march in. And we'll stop them before they ever start."
"You… already knew?" she breathed, stunned.
He nodded. Calm. Unshaken. "I had a feeling. And now I have confirmation."
The weight of it hit Jin Mulan hard. An invasion. If it succeeded… her family, what was left of it, would be erased. She had arrived just two weeks before that catastrophe, by fate or miracle. And yet Yun Che… was completely relaxed.
"You don't seem worried at all," she noted.
"I have plans," he said simply, shrugging.
That tone. That confidence. It struck her in the heart.
"You're just like him," she whispered, smiling through the sting of bittersweet memory. Mu Che was always prepared back then. Despite the overwhelming odds, he still won. Now, this Yun Che would absolutely handle it.
Just like before, she puts her trust in him.
"How far is Jin Province?" he asked casually.
"Six days by land," she said, finding her voice. "Three days if we fly."
"Still too slow," he muttered, rubbing his chin. Then he turned. "Nemu, is it done?"
"Not yet, Yuu-sama," Nemu replied softly. "I still require several materials. Including your extra request. But… it will be ready in a week."
Everyone glanced at one another. Extra request? No one knew what he had tasked her with—something only between him and Nemu.
He smiled and patted her head gently. "Take your time. Use whatever you need."
"Hai…" she blushed, eyes shimmering with pride.
Jin Mulan's hope swelled again. "You're up to something, aren't you?"
Yun Che gave a sly smile. "Yeah. It's not ready yet. But once it is… you'll see."
Jin Mulan nodded slowly, her heart oddly calm despite the looming threat of invasion just two weeks away. None of them seemed to panic. None rushed to draft battle strategies or scramble for reinforcements. Instead, they spoke of returning a week after the tournament—giving time for that quiet girl, Nemu, to finish whatever mysterious task Yun Che had entrusted her with.
It reminded her so much of Mu Che—his unwavering calm even in the face of catastrophe. He always had a plan, always thought ten steps ahead. And now, standing beside Yun Che, she saw flickers of that same quiet strength, that same unshakable confidence. If she had trusted Mu Che once, she could trust Yun Che now.
Maybe bringing him back to the province would stir the sleeping memories within him. Maybe, just maybe, fate had not been so cruel after all.
She exhaled, long and slow, letting go of the weight she had carried for five long years. Help was coming. Not on a tide of armies or political favors—but in the form of one man and those who stood by his side.
For now… she would put her faith in the heavens.
And in him.
"Miss Jin," Retsu said softly, stepping forward and bowing her head slightly. "I apologize for my earlier outburst. It was… unladylike of me."
Jin Mulan blinked in surprise, but nodded in understanding. "You were right to speak so. I made mistakes that can't be undone. But I intend to fix them—in my own way."
Her eyes briefly met Yun Che's. There was a quiet resolve there now, a new fire in her gaze. She wasn't just clinging to the past anymore—she was trying to move forward.
Before anyone else could speak, a sudden voice echoed through the Sword Discourse Arena.
"Esteemed guests, the losing category of the fifth until the eight placing will begin shortly. All participants, please proceed to the arena."
Cang Yue looked toward the arena entrance with narrowed eyes as she stood up. "Let's make this quick."
Jin Mulan remained seated, watching them—Yun Che especially—with an ache in her chest. These weren't just cultivators… they were a force. A family.
And she was no longer part of it.
But perhaps… she could still prove herself. Maybe... one day, she can enter this family with a new conviction in mind.