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"Who—who just slapped my butt?" March 7th, both embarrassed and indignant, cast suspicious glances between Tingyun and Stelle.
Tingyun's lips curled subtly, attempting to deflect blame. "Miss March, why look at me like that? I certainly don't have such interests; it must have been one of your companions!"
To Tingyun's surprise, Stelle took the blame without hesitation.
"That's right, I did it—so what?" she declared. "I was just checking if Su Jinyan has good taste."
Before either of them could react, Stelle firmly smacked their rounded and pert bottoms.
"Truly excellent texture," Stelle remarked. "Little Su'zi is quite lucky indeed."
March 7th blinked, bewildered.
Tingyun stared, equally astonished.
The commotion also jolted Hanya awake from her dreamy state, slowly opening her beautiful eyes.
At that precise moment, Su Jinyan leaned down to capture Hanya's lips with his own.
"Mmmf!"
Hanya's pupils contracted, hastily pushing Su Jinyan away as she spotted her sister standing nearby. She had never seen such a complex expression on her sister's face before.
Of course, her sister liked him. Yet, despite not wanting to, Hanya found herself kissing the person her sister loved more than once in front of her.
"Do you like it? How does it feel?" Su Jinyan asked, raising an eyebrow.
"No, I don't like it, and there's no feeling at all." Hanya coldly wiped her lips, a subtle blush spreading across her pale skin.
Why must Hanya's sister witness her in such a discomposed state?
"Oh? Then let's try again," he responded casually.
Su Jinyan turned his face and once again pressed his lips against Hanya's moist mouth.
This time, he did not settle for a fleeting taste; instead, he delved deeper to savor the sweet fragrance within her lips.
Hanya's beautiful eyes widened, her body instantly tensing as her mind went blank. She could have pushed Su Jinyan away, but at that moment, her delicate frame felt weak and pliant, lacking any strength beyond instinctual resistance.
To others, this reluctance seemed more like playful flirtation—teasing yet inviting.
Tingyun's heart soured, her voice dripping with sarcasm. "Initially, I couldn't understand why Lady Xueyi insisted on maligning me."
"So it seems Lady Xueyi wanted to take matters into her own hands...for your sister's sake..."
"Is she trying to reduce the competition for Little Sister?"
"Hmph, breaking laws as an Imperial Judge of the Ten-Lords Commission is far worse than my supposed crimes," Tingyun scoffed.
March 7th gasped dramatically, "I just remembered something!"
"When we first arrived on Xianzhou, he mentioned having a 'little wife' serving as a judge at the Ten-Lords Commission."
"Could she be the very same 'judge little wife' of Little Su'zi?" March 7th exclaimed.
How shameless of Su Jinyan to flaunt affection with his 'judge little wife' right before their eyes!
Feeling slighted, Tingyun exclaimed, "Benefactor, I clearly arrived first!"
Tingyun could accept being outdone by Sushang, after all, she was rather naive and easily misled with simple tricks. But when did her Benefactor suddenly acquire another wife—a judge no less?!
With a serious expression, Stelle offered her advice, "Miss Tingyun."
"Have you not heard the saying? A wife pales compared to a concubine, and a concubine is surpassed only by a secret affair."
"You should relinquish this formal status; it would place you in a position where victory is assured."
Tingyun remained silent, unsure how to respond.
March 7th's eyes sparkled. "Oh, that sounds intriguing—no way! Just where did you learn such unhealthy knowledge?"
Stelle gently shook her head. "March, as your strategist, I'm quite earnest."
"Seeing Miss Tingyun at such a disadvantage, wouldn't you want her to triumph?"
March 7th covered Stelle's lips, looking apologetic. "Miss Tingyun, don't listen to this one's nonsense."
"I suspect she banged her head scavenging through trash last night," March 7th added dismissively.
Tingyun pondered for a moment before speaking thoughtfully, "Miss March, let her continue."
"Huh?" March 7th responded, taken aback.
Tingyun chuckled softly, "I find it quite interesting, actually."
"Even if I cannot use these tactics myself, understanding them thoroughly will help guard against sly vixens."
As Tingyun spoke, her charming face, adorned with fluffy fox ears and a soft, bushy tail, captivated those around her.
March 7th silently let go of her grip, unable to help but grumble inwardly.
Don't point fingers at others—you're just as much of a vixen yourself!
Stelle continued unabashedly, "Sure, Judge Miss seems like she's winning—winning, winning—but ultimately, she'll lose it all."
"Whoever establishes the relationship first must guard against other ill-intentioned women."
"There's no such thing as a completely airtight trash bin. And which law forbids falling for a married man? None, right?"
Tingyun felt somewhat flustered. "That...it seems indeed there is no such law..."
The corners of Stelle's mouth curved upward slightly. "If I were Miss Tingyun, I'd flirt openly under Judge Miss's nose every day."
"I'd shower affection on Judge Miss's husband daily."
"Until Judge Miss can't bear it anymore and comes begging me, pleading for even a sip from my cup."
March 7th remained silent, speechless.
Xueyi cast a wary glance at Stelle. This outlander harbored malicious intent, her mind filled with improper and scandalous ideas. It seemed necessary to keep closer watch on her...
Tingyun retorted softly, "I am not such a shameless fox. Love requires mutual affection between both parties."
"Only when there's reciprocated feelings and shared pursuit does it align with the love this humble maiden yearns for."
Stelle looked taken aback. "So Miss Tingyun is truly innocent-hearted? No wonder you lost so miserably."
Tingyun clutched her stinging chest and glared at Stelle. "And what about you?"
"With all that experience, you must have had numerous romances, right?"
Feeling slightly uneasy, Stelle's gaze flickered. "Have you ever seen a strategist on the battlefield?"
"Every renowned strategist in history achieved victory from behind the scenes, orchestrating triumphs far beyond their reach," Tingyun sneered. "I see our adorable miss here only knows armchair strategizing after all."
"Why don't you try falling in love first before lecturing others?" she added.
Stelle blinked her golden eyes thoughtfully. "Imagine if this beautiful maiden were to take action..."
"You'd leave them with nothing but scraps," Tingyun finished dryly.
"MARCH! Just like now, do you know how to break this deadlock?"
Su Jinyan held Hanya's cheeks tenderly, kissing her passionately amidst sounds that made one blush furiously.
Not a single soul among Xueyi and the others dared to disturb him thus far.
March 7th's cheeks flushed faintly as she shook her head. "It's not like I fancy him; why should I break the deadlock?"
"In that case," Stelle whispered, "try imagining this—suppose Su Jinyan was your husband. If you caught him having an affair with Judge, what would you do?"
"Would you cry to him?" March 7th ventured uncertainly.
Xueyi interrupted, displeased, "Hold on, let me clarify something first."
"He has no connection whatsoever with Hanya; the true bond lies between him and myself."
Tingyun's sense of impending crisis skyrocketed instantly.
This was seriously unsportsmanlike!
As Imperial Judges of the Ten-Lords Commission, shouldn't your focus be on apprehending criminals and meting out karmic punishments? Instead, you're conspiring to seduce this young woman's benefactor—just who's the fox here?
No wonder Benefactor made mistakes; anyone would struggle to resist such temptation!
Stelle shrugged. "See, see how masterful Lady Xueyi's tactics are?"
Indeed, Xueyi had fully mastered leveraging sisterly bonds. With her vast experience as an Imperial Judge, she played her moves brilliantly—it was no surprise that she won while Tingyun lost.
Xueyi remained silent, unperturbed.
Stelle continued, "Miss Tingyun, what would you do?"
Tingyun pursed her lips, hesitating before murmuring, "I...would likely pretend nothing happened, making Benefactor feel guilty inside."
"And afterward, I'd intimately reconnect with Benefactor, allowing him to make amends for my sake."
Disappointed, Stelle exclaimed, "Foolish, utterly foolish!"
"But what if Su Jinyan has a heart of stone? The more you try to please him, the harder his resolve might become."
Tingyun retorted playfully, "Benefactor isn't as wicked as you think!"
"You're always slandering Benefactor, filled with bias against him."
"I bet he's tricked you before, hasn't he?"
Stelle avoided answering and finally revealed her true intent:
"Miss Tingyun, lean in close—I'll teach you this only once.
"If you want to learn more later, you'll have to enroll in my 'Astral Express Love Crash Course.'"
"The tuition isn't high—just two million Credits now, with a nine-nine percent discount for referrals."
Tingyun's fluffy fox ears twitched, hesitantly moving closer, unsure yet intrigued.
"Listen carefully, when the moment comes, rush over like this...and then that..."
"Will it really work?" Tingyun sounded uncertain, feeling quite skeptical about Stelle's advice.
"Miss Tingyun, any further hesitation will only miss the opportunity; you cannot—"
As they whispered their debate, Xueyi decisively approached them.
Right under her elder sister's gaze, Hanya grew weak from Su Jinyan's kisses, her beautiful eyes misty and glazed over. Her delicate white toes curled, then suddenly tensed, while her supple body went limp in his embrace.
The reason for Hanya's humiliation was inseparable from Xueyi's role as her elder sister. Therefore—
Xueyi tugged at Su Jinyan's sleeve, biting her lip and whispering softly, "Please be gentle with my little sister; she fears pain."
Su Jinyan finally released Hanya, allowing her to remain limp in his arms, quietly panting.
"Xueyi, do you acknowledge your mistake now?"
"I understand my wrongdoings. Please release my little sister, let me take her place instead."
Hanya gently dabbed her lips, a faint blush spreading across her pale skin. "No, Big Sister," she murmured. "I can still handle it... Don't harm her, continue with me instead."
Xueyi looked puzzled.
Enraged, Su Jinyan exclaimed, "Hanya, what kind of person do you think I am? Do you see me as someone so morally corrupt?"
Hesitant, Hanya replied, "Apologies, of course not... I shouldn't have questioned your character unjustly."
Su Jinyan gently shook his head, "Don't be too formal with me. We'll be family soon." He added, teasingly, "And please, don't use such respectful language with me. Come on, try calling me 'Brother-in-Law'?"
This marked the second time he had prompted Hanya to call him by that term.
"If I refuse, he might get really angry, and then both Big Sister and I would suffer," Hanya hesitated. "I'm sorry; of course you're not..."
It seems his intentions towards my sister haven't wavered at all. How can I make him shift his attention away from her? Is offering myself as bait not enough? Am I less charming than my sister?
Xueyi whispered reassuringly, "Little sister, if you can't bring yourself to say it, don't force yourself."
"A-Yan, give her more time to accept us," Xueyi added.
"If you cannot resist your intrusive desires, direct them towards me instead. Just spare little sister," she suggested gently.
Su Jinyan frowned, "I've already said it—I am not that kind of person. My character is upright; I do not indulge in promiscuity."
Hanya raised an eyebrow, mirroring Xueyi's incredulous look.
Without even considering our reactions, do you believe those words yourself?
March 7th nodded with satisfaction, "Who knew he could still be so proper under these circumstances?"
"Indeed, one must maintain propriety when appropriate," March 7th agreed.
In the next moment, Su Jinyan spoke solemnly, "However, since you insist on this matter..."
"I wouldn't want to go against your wishes, for violating a maiden's consent is unlawful."
"How about this—why don't you initiate advances upon me instead?"
Tingyun softly rested her forehead in her hand, murmuring to herself, "When did Benefactor become like this?"
"Qingque and the Grand Diviner must have corrupted our virtuous Benefactor..."
"No, I cannot allow these improper thoughts to persist. Little lady, you must correct Benefactor's misguided mindset."
Seeing Tingyun visibly agitated, ready to charge forward, Hanya took a deep breath. Finally resolving herself, she prepared to utter the unspeakable word that had been on her mind.
"Daddy—!"
Hanya blinked, caught off guard.
Everyone present was instantly drawn by this cry of "Daddy."
Tears began welling up in Stelle's eyes. "Daddy, while flirting with other women here, have you thought about our mother?"
"Our mother?" Su Jinyan murmured, bewildered.
With heartfelt sincerity, Stelle continued, "Yes, why did our mother endure so much hardship to raise me? Wasn't it all for earning those insignificant Credits?"
"Now, Mom has become a wanted criminal by the Interastral Peace Corporation, facing danger every day, constantly teetering between life and death."
"And you, taking the Credits mom sends, indulge in lavish extravagance at the Ten-Lords Commission."
"It's all because these vixens have led you astray!"
Tingyun retorted indignantly, "What does this have to do with me?"
March 7th chimed in, "Keep weaving your tale, I'm enjoying it."
Su Jinyan, overwhelmed with shame, painfully closed his eyes. "My child," he began, "I fully understand your mother's struggles.
"But raising you is incredibly expensive, you see.
"So despite appearances, don't judge Daddy as fickle-hearted. In truth...everything I do is to earn money and support our family."
Stelle's slender frame trembled. "Really?"
Su Jinyan gently took Xueyi and Hanya's delicate hands, speaking earnestly:
"Miss Judges, these two have recognized my potential.
"They intend to recruit me as a Judge within the Ten-Lords Commission."
"Their actions are solely to test my endurance and resolve."
"As long as I withstand this trial, once employed by the Ten-Lords Commission, we'll never worry about Credit points again."
Xing Mei's beautiful eyes quivered slightly as she slowly approached him. "Dad, it seems I misunderstood you."
Touched, Su Jinyan opened his arms wide. "Come here, child, into Daddy's embrace."
"Cough, wait, let me play some music first."
A tear-jerking song echoed through the Underworld Palace:
"My dear old father, whom I cherish most,
Life's bitterness comes in threes, yet you bear tenfold..."
The corner of Stelle's mouth twitched; Old Deng truly knew how to push his luck.
I can't rely on Miss Tingyun anymore; I need to find a way to reclaim those stolen Credits from him.
Stelle threw herself into Su Jinyan's arms. "Dad—"
Su Jinyan tightly embraced her back. "My child—"
Xueyi and Hanya were speechless, even with their extensive experience as Imperial Judges. This scene left them utterly bewildered.
Why are you publicly acknowledging your kinship now? Weren't we just debating who wronged whom moments ago?
Under the watchful eyes of everyone present, Stelle subtly extended two fingers and slipped them into Su Jinyan's pants pocket.
It bulged noticeably—surely containing Su Jinyan's phone. Just wait and see how I'll smoothly snatch it to recover my rightful Credits.
Snap!
Su Jinyan seized Stelle's snow-white wrist, his voice stern. "Your actions have been well within my expectations all along."
"Harassing me in front of the Imperial Judges from the Ten-Lords Commission. Are you trying to earn yourself a lifetime behind bars?"
Stelle managed a forced smile. "I only noticed your muscles were tense and wanted to show some filial devotion by giving you a massage~"
Touched, Su Jinyan wiped away tears. "My little darling is truly so devoted."
In a hushed tone, Stelle warned, "Don't push your luck, old man. When will you repay those Credits you owe me?"
Feigning ignorance, Su Jinyan asked, "What Credits?"
"The Credit points were transferred by your second dad; ask Silver Wolf for them," Stelle glared at him.
"If I could get them that easily, do you think I'd still be playing this charade with you?"
"How about this? I'll put little March up as collateral—just tell me how many credits she's worth."
March 7th blinked, puzzled.
Su Jinyan slowly shook his head. "In my heart, little March is priceless."
"Even if I dared to sell her, you wouldn't be able to afford her, no matter your intentions."
"Tell the truth," Stelle pressed.
Su Jinyan replied, "Little March is too foolish; I wouldn't want that liability."
March 7th glared angrily, "Hey, who are you calling foolish?! This young lady is getting really mad!"
"You two stop quarreling. If this continues, I swear I'll call Grand Diviner Fu and Uncle Yang over."
Exchanging a glance, both chose unspoken defeat without further ado.
"Very well, let's end this farce now."
Once serious, neither Stelle nor Su Jinyan dared to dismiss March 7th's authority again.
Blinking her lovely eyes earnestly, March 7th declared, "Come with me, young man, and apologize to Miss Tingyun! With Uncle Yang and Dan Heng not around, this young lady is your best friend, and it's time for some proper guidance."
"Yes, Sister March."
Stelle's beautiful gaze faltered, showing her reluctance but ultimately following obediently alongside March 7th out of the Underworld Palace.
Xiang Tingyun, her eyes shifting subtly, also departed with them.
Inside the Underworld Palace...
Hanya gently bit her soft lips, genuinely grateful for Stelle's bold intervention. If not for this esteemed guest from the Astral Express disrupting Su Jinyan's plans, at least one between herself and Xueyi would have been compelled to submit to him.
Though Big Sister liked him and likely wouldn't mind such an outcome, Hanya couldn't accept it. She seems desperate for Credits; let me repay her kindness by transferring some as compensation later.
Xueyi, on the other hand, felt somewhat disheartened. Her true intention hadn't been to arrest or convict Xiang Tingyun outright. Tingyun was merely bait, and with Su Jinyan present, there was no chance she could be found guilty anyway. However, Xueyi knew that after this incident, Su Jinyan would surely punish her severely for acting on her own—an outcome she had anticipated all along.
What she didn't expect was the sudden appearance of March 7th and Stelle, throwing her plans into chaos.
As a Judge Mannequin of the Ten-Lords Commission, Xueyi, for various reasons, never received an emotional module, leaving her incapable of recognizing emotions. That changed when she met Su Jinyan, who managed to fully restore her capacity for feelings through his unique methods. Despite this, Xueyi struggled to express her inner sentiments effectively. She didn't understand what lovers typically did together or how to find excuses to invite him out...
Although Xueyi enjoyed strolling through markets, reading novels, and watching illusion dramas...
Once she lay back into her coffin, her jade-dawn circuit would erase these cherished memories.
This clumsy way of expressing emotions was the only method Xueyi could conceive of to find a reason to be close to him.
"Xueyi, what's on your mind?" A calm voice disrupted her thoughts.
"I've done something wrong, haven't I?" Xueyi lifted her beautiful gaze to meet his eyes.
"Yes, you shouldn't have acted without consulting me first."
"Next time such matters arise, please inform me." Su Jinyan's eyes held a subtle hint of amusement as he wrapped his arm around Xueyi's slender waist.
"I've been quite busy lately. Has Lady Xueyi missed me?"
A slight confusion clouded Xueyi's lovely eyes. "If I say yes, will thou scold me?"
Su Jinyan pulled Xueyi onto his lap. "In the future, just send me a text when you miss me."
"As soon as I get some free time, I'll come see you—and my dear little sister."
Hanya hesitated before speaking up, "Su Jinyan..."
"Hm?"
With an awkward expression, Hanya murmured softly, "Don't expect me to call you 'brother-in-law,' it's simply not happening. At most, I can address you as 'A-Yan.'"
"You've done all sorts of things with me right under Big Sister's nose, yet you still want me to call you brother-in-law. Is this the only way to satisfy your twisted fetishes?"
Su Jinyan waved his hand nonchalantly. "All right then, A-Yan it is," he said with a hint of mischief. "But one day, I will make you call me 'brother-in-law.'"
Xueyi spoke earnestly, "Little sister, regarding matters between A-Yan and myself, I hope you won't interfere."
"I'm doing this to protect you as well."
Hanya obediently replied, "Okay, Big Sister. I won't stand in your way anymore."
Puzzled, Xueyi wondered why her little sister agreed so readily.
Hanya hesitated before saying, "In the unseen depths, there seems to be a force resisting my interference."
"The more I try to obstruct you, the deeper I become entangled."
"Just now, A-Yan placed a floral wreath he personally crafted on my head."
"Big Sister, you understand what that signifies, don't you?"
Xueyi fell silent.
In those days, the sky was still blue, and waves of wheat swayed gently. Her big sister meticulously wove a floral wreath and placed it upon the forehead of her dearest little sister. This memory represented the most cherished time in their sisters' lives.
With a soft smile, the elder sister had told her younger sibling, "One day, little sister, you too will meet someone worthy of your devotion. He will place a wreath on your forehead just like I have."
Many years later, the Abundance Lands Allied Forces invaded Cang City's Xianzhou.
Both sisters subsequently succumbed to Mara-Strike, committing grave sins. Fortunately, the King of Ten valued them, allowing them to return from the afterlife.
The elder sister took on the name "Xueyi," and the King of Ten commissioned a mannequin body for her, becoming a Judge under the Inscription of Restraint.
The younger sister adopted the alias "Hanya," drank from the River of Forgetfulness, and wielded the Heavenly Script of Prophecy to mete out karmic retribution as a Judge under the Inscription of Inquiry.
Unbeknownst to Xueyi at the time, her casual remark had now uncannily come true.
Hanya always believed she would rely solely on her sister throughout their lives, thinking such a person as her sister described could never appear. Yet today, fate had indeed brought them together—unexpectedly, this individual was none other than Hanya's own brother-in-law.
Su Jinyan pulled Hanya close. "What does this mean?"
Sighing, Hanya replied, "Though I hesitate to admit it, you might just be my destined one."
"If only you weren't already with my big sister..."
"Excuse me?" Xueyi interjected, puzzled.
Su Jinyan shrugged. "So what? Can't we each have our own terms of endearment?"
"But Lady Fu Xuan is still my Shizun. I call her 'Shizun,' and she calls me 'wayward disciple.'"
"That doesn't stop us from being affectionate with each other."
"Can you imagine Lady Fu Xuan cuddling up to me every day, acting all cute?"
"In the mornings, she's incredibly prone to lingering in bed. She won't get up unless I give her a kiss; otherwise, she simply refuses to budge."
Xueyi and Hanya wore expressions of bewilderment—were they really talking about Fu Xuan? They could more easily believe it if it were Huohuo instead.
Even Xueyi found this hard to fathom. How did Grand Diviner Fu muster such shamelessness? Later, she'd have to consult Fu Xuan herself on achieving that level of thick-skinnedness.
Su Jinyan spoke leisurely, "So sometimes, you truly shouldn't worry too much about these rigid formalities."
"Xueyi, come with me," he continued. "I've managed to obtain a special jade-dawn circuit from a friend.
"While I have the time now, let's go ahead and install it for you."
Xueyi's delicate body involuntarily shuddered, her expression somewhat troubled.
In truth, she had regained her emotions long ago, but concerned about her pride, she purposely hid it from Su Jinyan.
If Su Jinyan installed the emotion-restoring jade-dawn circuit, her emotional intensity might double in the future.
In other words, her sensations in certain aspects would also intensify...
As if remembering something, Hanya rose and said, "Wait here, I'll fetch a report for you."
Shortly after, Hanya returned with a neatly organized document and handed it to Su Jinyan.
"Recently, numerous criminals on Xianzhou have been investigating your background."
"Without waiting for orders, Big Sister arrested many suspects and interrogated them one by one."
"The most noteworthy among them are the Jepella Brotherhood and the Interastral Peace Corporation."
"As for the Interastral Peace Corporation, they're relatively harmless; both the Xianzhou Alliance and the corporation have cooperative ties, so they won't cause any trouble for you."
"However, the Jepella Brotherhood is one faction within the Annihilation Gang. The fact that they investigated your background raises suspicions about their underlying motives."
Su Jinyan perused the interrogation reports of Jepella Brotherhood members, unable to suppress a frown.
The Annihilation Gang consisted of nothing but scum, with its adherents embracing destruction without any moral boundaries. Due to their impure pursuit of destruction, tainted by chaotic desires, they ironically faced Nanook's contempt.
What could they possibly want by investigating him?
Xueyi remarked indifferently, "Before A-Yan, even the mighty Aeon of Destruction, Nanook, would be humiliated."
"The Jepella Brotherhood need not concern you; they're hardly worth mentioning."
Su Jinyan pondered for a moment. "Indeed, it seems so."
"I suspect these fellows might be involved in leaking my identity as well. Perhaps someone behind the scenes directed them to do so?"
"However, for the Jepella Brotherhood to boldly investigate my background shows blatant disregard for me."
"It appears that if an opportunity arises, taking action against this Jepella Brotherhood wouldn't be unwarranted."
Hanya gently shook his head, silently mourning for the Jepella Brotherhood. Out of all people, why did they have to provoke him specifically?
Is a group capable of manipulating Phantylia truly one you can afford to anger, Jepella Brotherhood? Even the Annihilation Gang wouldn't dare challenge such power.
Not to mention, this individual standing before them had publicly humiliated the Aeon of Destruction, Nanook, in front of the entire universe.
Before their leader could respond, the disfavored underling grew anxious.
Buzz buzz—
At that moment, Kafka sent a text message.