"Boss, I'm back."
Soft footsteps sounded at the door.
Huoliya stepped inside—
but the moment she crossed the threshold, she froze.
"Welcome home, little sister~"
Yingda sat comfortably on Taro's lap, peeling an orange, tone full of mockery.
She smiled at Taro, handing him a slice.
"Here, Sensei—ah~"
"Mm~"
Taro leaned forward, accepting the piece between his lips.
Sweet.
Fragrant.
Crunch.
This cheeky little Yaksha was anything but cute.
Huoliya's jaw tightened.
Her teeth ground audibly.
"The thieving cat finally wakes up, huh?"
Huoliya's voice dripped with venom as she strode closer.
"I'll give you this much—you've got courage.
But your flavor's still lacking."
"Just woke up, didn't you?"
"..."
Yingda's hand paused mid-peel.
But rather than fluster, she smiled—
the blush on her face deepening instead of fading.
"Sensei's amazing, you know~ I admit defeat."
She couldn't handle him—but she'd gotten a taste.
That was enough.
What's wrong with being the weaker one?
Maybe Sensei liked that type.
"..."
Huoliya bit her lip so hard it nearly drew blood.
She wanted to bite this girl instead.
So smug.
So infuriating.
Fine.
Keep smiling.
You'll regret it later.
"Boss, you're biased~"
Her tone turned syrupy, pitiful.
"I was here first."
If she couldn't win against the Yaksha, she'd appeal straight to management.
"Cough—"
Taro cleared his throat, face twitching slightly.
Wait… 'I was here first'?
This was turning into some white-lotus drama.
He wasn't biased!
Yingda had attacked first!
"No favoritism," he said quickly.
"Sure~"
Huoliya huffed.
Boss, a scoundrel?
Yes.
But he was her scoundrel.
How had that silly Yaksha gotten the lead?
Weren't men supposed to like graceful ladies?
Did he have… different tastes?
Her temper flared.
Fine. No more grace.
She dropped onto the sofa beside them, lifted his right hand—
and placed it squarely on her chest.
"Boss, hand on your heart—tell me you're not biased."
"..."
Taro froze.
…soft.
Too soft.
Too distracting.
How could he talk under these conditions?!
"Boss~ why so quiet?"
Huoliya's gaze turned languid.
Her hand traced lazy circles over his wrist.
"Tch~ big deal."
Yingda muttered, puffing her cheeks.
"What's so great about that?"
"Oh? Not convinced?" Huoliya shot back, smirking.
"Grow up first, then talk."
"Be careful or you'll starve your future kids."
"What—!"
Yingda's teeth clicked.
"I'm not small!"
"Enough."
Taro sighed, raising a hand between them.
"You're both beautiful. Equal."
How could he say that with a straight face?
He almost sounded like he believed it.
No, he wasn't a womanizer.
He was just… ensuring domestic balance.
Yes. Equality for all.
"Sensei's a pervert."
Yingda pouted, leaning her chin on his shoulder before lightly biting it.
It wasn't anger—just spoiled affection.
"Agreed," Huoliya said sweetly, lying down beside him.
Her finger traced idle spirals across his waist.
Slap!
"Behave."
"Hmph."
Who was the pervert, really?
Taro sighed.
Curiosity was the start of downfall.
He hadn't fallen in love—he'd just jumped in to rescue someone drowning.
Unfortunately, now he was the one underwater.
"Boss, what's for dinner?"
Huoliya turned her head, smiling brightly.
"You decide," Taro said.
"Whatever you make, I'll eat."
"Alright then~"
Huoliya's smile turned feline.
She rose, twisting her hips deliberately as she walked toward the kitchen.
The stomach of the household was firmly in her hands.
Half the home was, honestly.
A Yaksha could fight—but could she cook?
Ha.
"Sensei, look at her…"
Yingda puffed her cheeks again.
"I'll learn too!"
"Try anything you like."
Taro chuckled, pinching her nose.
"If it fails, I'll cover for you."
"Mm-hmm!"
Eyes sparkling, she hopped up and trailed after Huoliya.
Her mission: seize control of the kitchen.
No way she'd let that hoofed woman monopolize the man and the meals.
Taro leaned back, watching the two figures clash among pots and spices.
He exhaled softly.
"So this is what happens once balance breaks."
Conflict always followed—but this kind of conflict was harmless.
Productive, even.
Competition made everyone better.
He smiled faintly and reached into his personal inventory.
From it, he drew the harvested materials taken from Niphagen—
raw, volatile essence perfect for forging.
He'd promised to craft a profession for him.
Taro never broke promises.
And while he was at it, he'd prepare something custom for both Huoliya and Yingda.
"Heh-heh-heh…"
Humming, he worked his craft.
Using the rules of the game itself, he began to weave new archetypes—
tailored paths of power for those who followed him.
Once Yingda came back, he'd hear her thoughts, refine the model,
and later… test it on a few condemned criminals at Blackrock Prison.
"Sensei, I'm back!"
Yingda returned, cheerful as ever.
"All done?"
"Mm!"
She nodded.
"The matter of the Divine Incense Path has been fully conveyed.
Tonight the Liyue Qixing will hold a joint meeting—
with Yuheng and Tianquan leading, alongside the Adepti.
They invited you as well, Sensei."
"As for the Heavenly Small World project,
Cloud Retainer will oversee production, with Moon Carver, Water Shaper, and Ganyu assisting.
They'll have all resources gathered within a week."
"Good."
Taro nodded lightly.
The Divine Incense Path was crucial; the Qixing's involvement was natural.
"For now," he said with a grin, "come here—Sensei has something nice to show you."
(End of Chapter)
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