After a long, satisfying night spent rewarding his clever, complicit little alchemist, Wang Jian made a strategic decision. His plate was getting full.
He found Liu Ruyan the next morning, already back in her alchemy chamber, her face flushed with a lovely afterglow but her eyes already focused.
"Ruyan," he said, his voice all business. "Your alchemy is paramount. That competition? It's our key to the front door of this sect. I want you to focus entirely on your training. Do not think about Elder Fu. Do not think about his schemes. Leave all of that garbage to me. Your only job is to become the best damned alchemist in this sect. Do not distract yourself. Got it?"
Liu Ruyan, still basking in the memory of his praise and the feel of his body, nodded eagerly. "Yes, Jian! I understand! I will not fail you or Teacher!"
"Good girl." He gave her a quick, proprietary pat on her ass, then turned and left her to her work.
