Li Fei seized a fistful of golden hair and hauled Sara's upper body upright. Blood still streamed down the ruined mess of her face, thin red threads dripping from her chin to the ground.
"Haah…"
If Li Fei was being honest with herself, she was a little reluctant to kill her. Lately, a sadistic urge had been bubbling up inside her with increasing frequency — and it was obviously not the sort of thing to vent on people she was close to. Sara, having delivered herself right to Li Fei's doorstep, had been genuinely tempting: the thought of chaining her up in a basement somewhere and breaking her in slowly had held a certain appeal.
Unfortunately, Li Fei simply couldn't bring herself to trust her. Leaving a root in the ground was a reliable way to invite trouble. And besides — Sara had come at her with malicious intent first. If she dragged her home for a good flogging, wouldn't Sara technically be coming out ahead?
After a brief, wistful moment of regret, the star courtesan did what had to be done. One clean strike of the staff. The beauty's scent faded, her jade dissolved — and she became nothing more than a tidy addition to Li Fei's EXP counter.
"What is happening to me?"
She stood with one boot resting on Sara's corpse, brow furrowed, and forced herself to look directly at the interference her Morality score was having on her mind.
She realized that her current mental state was a near-perfect match for the lowest-tier villains in every story she'd ever read — the kind who couldn't walk past a beautiful woman without stopping to cause trouble. The cruel and petty kind, at that. If she kept going like this, Li Fei was fairly certain she'd eventually do something spectacularly stupid, led astray by beauty.
Something like accosting a random woman on the street, getting publicly humiliated by some righteous young hero who happened to be passing by, and screaming "My best friend is Bai Mengtian, how dare you kill me" with her dying breath.
Li Fei shuddered. Her resolve to level up as quickly as possible crystallized into something harder.
As long as she was strong enough, a few minor character flaws — a fondness for money and beauty, a tendency to hold grudges, a habit of trash-talking mid-fight — were perfectly acceptable, weren't they?
She pulled on a pair of gloves, stripped the spoils clean from the bodies, and finally turned her feet toward home.
She passed the familiar road marker — but the elven woman who usually stood watch here was nowhere to be seen. In her place stood a peculiar, bizarrely shaped plant, taller than Li Fei herself, its root-tendrils writhing continuously, its crown formed in the shape of a lantern.
Li Fei recognized it. That was a Venomsting Weed — a Sequence 5 plant-type Transcendent creature, one of remarkable longevity, difficult to cultivate, slow to move, but possessed of extraordinary combat power.
She understood immediately. The elven woman's post had apparently been filled by the plant.
"Looks like I won't be seeing the elven lady anymore…"
Li Fei sighed softly, a faint, wistful melancholy drifting through her, and made her unhurried way back into the city.
As expected, she was stopped at the gate.
"Please come with us."
An elven constable dropped from the back of her Nightmare mount and planted herself squarely in Li Fei's path.
She wore her chestnut hair long — tumbling all the way to her ankles, softer and more lustrous than the finest silks of the Eastern Continent, a small, carefully braided plait looped at the back of her head. Her white uniform was immaculate, her complexion flawlessly fair, and her jewel-bright chestnut eyes shimmered with a clarity that held equal measures of warmth and steel.
The constable had a tall, upright build, her gaze meeting Li Fei's at exactly the same level. Her long, straight legs were sheathed in white stockings that ended in a neat band around the full curve of her thighs, the fabric pressing lightly into soft pale skin, the taut lines both graceful and full of quiet strength.
She radiated an air of saintly purity, incorruptible uprightness, and an inexplicable flustered earnestness that made a person desperately want to draw all manner of questionable little comics with her as the subject. That gaze locked onto Li Fei without wavering as she produced a badge bearing three characters: "Asuna."
Li Fei's expression remained perfectly composed.
She had already used her one daily Cleanse for the day. Sara's blood was still on her. She was carrying a suspiciously bulging bundle. If she hadn't been stopped for questioning, that would have been the strange thing.
"I'm sorry, I have somewhere to be."
Li Fei smiled pleasantly and fished out the transit pass her best friend had given her.
It was a magical portrait: two black-haired young women pressed close together, the slightly shorter one puckering up to kiss the other's cheek while the one being kissed wore an expression of pure, theatrical disgust.
With a selfie like this — unmistakably taken alongside Bai Mengtian — one could walk sideways through Loxibrook without a care in the world.
Asuna's pupils dilated. Her pale fingers curled tightly into her palm, the conflict plain on her face.
Seeing Li Fei about to brush past her, her gaze hardened. She reached out and caught Li Fei's wrist, her voice absolutely unwavering: "You're not going anywhere."
"Whatever your relationship with Miss Bai Mengtian, the laws of Loxibrook apply equally to everyone."
"Please come with me. Cooperate with my investigation."
Oh my.
Li Fei pressed a hand lightly over her mouth, mildly astonished.
You're really going through with this, Constable? Not afraid of making enemies in high places?
Asuna held Li Fei's gaze directly, her expression resolute, without a single flicker of retreat in her eyes.
Bai Mengtian was Asuna's idol. Years ago, it was Bai Mengtian who had singlehandedly purged the corrupt excesses of the nobility, raised a sky of clear justice over the common people of every race, and transformed Loxibrook into something new — a city of unprecedented prosperity and peace.
But Asuna would never selectively ignore her idol's failings. She knew perfectly well that Miss Bai Mengtian's private conduct left much to be desired — that the women in her household outnumbered the scales on a black dragon, and that she practiced unabashed favoritism, staffing the upper ranks of the constabulary entirely with women who had a certain personal history with her.
Even so, Asuna believed with unshakeable conviction that justice would ultimately prevail. Before she ever joined the constabulary, she had made herself a vow: to uphold and carry forward the rule of law that Bai Mengtian had built with her own hands — and to personally correct the wrongs that Bai Mengtian herself had committed.
No matter how breathtaking the young woman before her was, no matter what relationship she had with Bai Mengtian — Asuna could not stand by and watch someone trample the law.
"Asuna, let me handle this one. You go back to your rounds."
A woman appeared — mature and graceful in bearing — and settled a gentle hand on Asuna's shoulder.
"But…"
Asuna already had a rough sense of what was about to happen.
"My dear little Asuna, barely started on the job and already ignoring her superior's instructions…" The beautiful woman sighed with exaggerated resignation.
"…Understood."
Asuna's hand clenched once, then slowly released. She finally lowered her head, turned away in quiet desolation, and walked off.
Her original reason for joining the constabulary had been to see justice done — but that could hardly serve as grounds for open insubordination. And this superior had been genuinely good to her, looking out for her in countless small ways these past days.
Interesting woman. You've caught my attention.
Li Fei watched that retreating figure — faintly forlorn, quietly lonely — until it disappeared into the distance, a small smile lingering at the corner of her lips.
"Good little sister, I don't think I've seen you before — are you a new addition to our family?"
The beautiful woman hooked an arm around Li Fei's shoulder with easy familiarity.
"Ah… I'm sorry, I'm not sure what you mean."
Li Fei was genuinely puzzled.
"Playing dumb, are we."
The woman flicked Li Fei lightly on the forehead, then quietly lifted the hem of her skirt.
Her full, rounded thigh was covered — covered — in tiny writing, the character for 'Bai' appearing more than any other.
She leaned close then, and whispered into a speechless Li Fei's ear: "We'll be spending a great deal of time together going forward… If little sister is interested, come to my room tonight. I'll invite a few sisters along — we can close the door and get properly acquainted."
"That is… I'm sorry, we're just friends, she and I."
Li Fei's body had gone somewhat rigid.
Best friend! Your protective wings just tied themselves into a knotted ball of yarn!
Oh, right — she probably already knows. Never mind, then.
Li Fei recalled that on the night she'd visited Bai Mengtian's manor, her best friend had laid out her grand ambition with total sincerity: she felt that only she herself building a harem while the others didn't would be disrespectful to her partners. She had therefore resolved to build a great, enormous, loving family — one where everyone had their own harem — so that all parties stood on equal footing.
The sheer scale of that vision had left Li Fei breathless with admiration. And yet, with her own Morality score not quite low enough, the star courtesan had felt unmistakably out of step with her best friend's world.
"Oh?"
The woman's smile didn't waver. "Then would little sister be interested in being my friend?"
"I'm sorry — a sister's wife, one must not… one ought not impose."
Li Fei politely declined, and made a private resolution to not set foot inside Bai Mengtian's manor again until she had completed her own coming-of-age.
...
Qin's Apothecary.
The shop clerk seized a quiet moment between customers and hurried to the back room. She changed into a sky-blue short skirt and heeled sandals, then spent a considerable while coaxing every strand of her hair into perfectly obedient order in front of the mirror before finally picking up the medicine case and pushing through the door.
"Ling'er, are you heading out on a delivery?"
Qin Zhihua had just descended from the upper floor. The fair hand clutching her handkerchief tightened almost imperceptibly.
"Yes, miss."
Su Ling'er nodded, a smile in her eyes.
"The shop is very busy today — please, go rest for a while." Qin Zhihua moved to her side, her voice gentle and unhurried. "I happen to have some free time."
"That really wouldn't do."
Su Ling'er shook her head firmly, her tea-colored ponytail swaying behind her. "Running errands is no task for the young mistress. I'm perfectly happy to go. Besides, you've been busy brewing all day — you've barely had a moment to rest."
Qin Zhihua smiled softly. "It's no trouble. I've been meaning to go for a walk — and I'd like to pay Miss Li a visit while I'm out."
"Oh… alright then…"
Su Ling'er's shoulders sagged. Her dainty, fair little toes curled inward. She passed the medicine case to her mistress slowly, all the bright energy from moments ago gone from her face.
"Get some rest."
Qin Zhihua took the case and looked at the deflated Su Ling'er, her expression complicated.
Su Ling'er had worked at the shop since she was small. Though Qin Zhihua had never talked with her at great length, she had always noticed the girl's quick mind and diligent nature — and had a quiet fondness for her. Qin Zhihua, who was by nature given to sentiment and gentle toward others, could see perfectly well what small hopes the girl was nursing. Watching her stand there so crestfallen, she couldn't help but feel a pang of tenderness.
She twisted her handkerchief between her fingers, biting down lightly on her lower lip.
Well… on the off chance that the Kong family situation truly does turn around, and he doesn't mind her humble station — a personal attendant would be necessary in the future regardless.
"Actually — you know Miss Li as well. Come along with me."
Qin Zhihua lowered her eyes, her voice soft and quiet.
"Really?"
Su Ling'er's eyes lit up like a pair of tiny stars.
"Mm."
...
"Mama!"
The moment Li Fei stepped through the door, Ram came beating her wings in a rush and burrowed straight into her arms, her small head nuzzling and nudging, soft pink hair tickling Li Fei's neck.
"How did today's lessons go?"
Li Fei patted Ram's small head with a warm smile.
"Ram memorized everything from today."
Ram tilted her face up, perfectly earnest.
"Miss Ram is the most clever fairy I have ever seen," the maid nearby said with a touch of admiring envy, watching the pair with sincere warmth. "At this rate, she'll be a fully qualified attendant within days."
"Thank you for your hard work."
Li Fei produced a few gold coins and held them out. "This covers the uniform costs and your fee."
"It is my honor to serve you."
The maid gave a proper bow. "Then I'll take my leave."
"One more thing — take these."
Li Fei pressed a small parcel of pastries she had picked up on the way into the maid's hands as well.
"I — I couldn't possibly…"
The maid flushed, protesting again and again before finally accepting the gift with overwhelmed, flattered gratitude and taking her leave.
"Ram worked hard today too — this is your present."
Li Fei produced a jar of honey seemingly from thin air.
Fairies subsisted on dewdrops and flower nectar — they were remarkably easy to keep fed.
The newborn fairy was moved beyond all measure by this small surprise. Flushed pink, she buried her face in Li Fei's collar for a long moment before finally surfacing, gasping with the exertion of nearly suffocating herself in sheer happiness.
"Here — let Mama feed you."
Li Fei cradled Ram until they had both washed their hands, then dipped a finger into the honey and fed it to her.
Ram held Li Fei's wrist with both tiny hands and ate with quiet, blissful contentment. Her delicate, porcelain-carved profile was achingly endearing, her lashes fluttering with each small swallow — like a little cat lapping at cream.
Wet. Warm. A gentle tingle spreading through her. Li Fei's heart gave a small, involuntary flutter — and she stole a quick little peck against Ram's cheek.
Ram turned her head and nudged the remaining honey back toward Li Fei.
"Mama should eat too."
Li Fei's heart trembled.
She slowly brought her finger to her lips and tasted what remained — clear, sweet, faintly warm honey — her eyes growing soft and distant.
Li Fei finally understood why the single word "daughter" could sound like maternal tenderness to one person and like something entirely more primal to another.
What a pity — no, what a relief — that there was no blood connection between them.
What Li Fei had not noticed was that Ram's gaze had been shifting too, watching her lick the honey from her finger.
Like an unripe citrus fruit drenched in some pink catalyst, growing at a visible, impossible speed, ripening, waiting for its owner to reach out and pluck it — or perhaps tumbling of its own accord into the owner's lap, peeling itself open, blossom by blossom, pressing past the owner's lips and teeth, bursting with sweet and abundant juice, whether or not the owner was ready.
For there existed no more potent a catalyst in this world than two hundred points of Charisma — and if there was, it was anything above two hundred.
Then, Li Fei heard it — three soft, unhurried, evenly spaced knocks at the door.
She carried Ram over and opened it. Two lovely young women stood waiting in the doorway.
Qin Zhihua wore a flowing peach dress today, her ink-black hair cascading like a waterfall, her bearing as ethereal as a figure stepped out of a painting. Su Ling'er stood at her side, medicine case in hand, face alight with a radiant, vivid smile, her water-blue skirt hem swaying at her knees, her slender calves as smooth and luminous as white jade.
"Mama, who are they?"
Ram peered at the two pretty older sisters with wide, curious eyes.
...Mama?
Qin Zhihua felt the world tilt gently around her. The gentle, composed smile she always wore took on a faintly pained quality. Su Ling'er's expression flickered with a shadow as well.
"This is Sister Qin Zhihua and Sister Su Ling'er," the star courtesan said without missing a beat, making introductions with warm composure. "And this is Ram — a daughter gifted to me by Summoning Magic. Please, come in."
Summoning Magic…
Both women seized on the key detail immediately, and the tension eased from their chests. Qin Zhihua's expression shifted further into something resembling genuine surprise.
She could sense no Transcendent aura on Li Fei at all…
A Grandmaster's constitution?!
She had not expected the star courtesan to possess not only peerless talent across the arts, but cultivation aptitude of this caliber as well…
Li Fei welcomed them inside. She had no tea, so she brewed two cups of coffee instead. "Try this — tell me what you think of my brewing."
"It has a character all its own."
Qin Zhihua took a small, delicate sip and offered genuine praise.
"It's delicious," Su Ling'er agreed with enthusiasm, nodding.
All I did was pour hot milk and water over the coffee grounds…
Li Fei arranged her features into a pleasantly surprised expression. "I'm so glad you like it — please come by anytime."
Now that she had a business relationship with Qin Zhihua, the usual rule of 'meetings stay at the shop' obviously no longer applied. She was planning to freeload quite a few potions from her going forward, after all.
Once they had finished their coffee, Li Fei set to work appraising the defective potions, while Su Ling'er noted each result and affixed the corresponding label.
Before long, the appraisal was complete. With a slightly sheepish smile, Li Fei slipped two bottles of the assessed potions into her pocket.
"You haven't had dinner yet, have you? Tonight's on me — what would you like to eat?"
Li Fei offered to play host, knowing full well that Zhihua-jiejie would almost certainly settle the bill herself the moment Li Fei looked away.
"Fei, isn't it nearly time for your shift? Let's just go to the Golden Kumquat Tavern — the food there is excellent as well."
Qin Zhihua made the suggestion with quiet ease.
"I don't mind entertaining one extra guest tonight," Li Fei said, propping her chin in her hand, a subtle alertness stirring behind her eyes.
Tonight's client was Qin Zhihua. If she brought along an additional guest, that meant twice the drinks and dishes ordered — and twice the commission for Li Fei. But Qin Zhihua wasn't the type to willingly share her time alone with Li Fei with anyone else. Unless…
Was she keeping another woman on the side now?
The star courtesan narrowed her eyes.
"Oh, I'm fine, really."
Su Ling'er scrambled to her feet, flustered, waving her hands with a flushed face. "I can head home on my own — I have work tonight anyway…"
"Tonight is your evening off."
Qin Zhihua took hold of her wrist, her gaze cast low, a thousand quiet feelings rising through her at once. "Come along."
If the day ever came when those chains could be broken, when she might finally have what she wanted… a personal attendant raised by her own hand would always be preferable to a stranger…
____
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