Miss Duan had been flustered enough before, but now—caught between her own desire and the sudden arrival of Chunhua and Qiuyue—she panicked entirely.
The moment Raj leaned closer, her entire composure shattered. She pushed him away with both hands, face burning, and dove under her embroidered quilt like a startled rabbit. Only the trembling outline of her shoulders was visible.
"…Are these two helping," Raj muttered under his breath, watching the maids stand awkwardly at the doorway, "or making everything harder?"
It was pointless to continue now. Duan's thoughts were already in shambles. With a soft sigh, Raj stood and addressed them politely.
"Thank you for bringing the tea."
"It's all your fault," Chunhua whispered toward Qiuyue as they set the tray on the stone table.
"The good moment is gone…"
"If it weren't for you—hmph!"
Raj pretended he didn't hear. "The tea has been delivered," they both said, bowing. "We will take our leave."
A muffled voice rose from under the quilt—indignant, but soft: "Chunhua… Qiuyue…! Take Young Master Raj to the guest room. You are not needed here."
"Yes, Princess Duan!" the two said instantly, then gestured for Raj to follow. "Young master, this way please."
He glanced back once. A gentle kindness softened his expression. Duan might be embarrassed beyond salvation, but she wasn't rejecting him. She was simply overwhelmed.
So he leaned close to the quilt and whispered: "I'll rest for now, Miss Duan. Sleep early too. I'll see you tomorrow."
Footsteps gradually faded. Only then did the quilt slowly rise. Miss Duan's face emerged—soft, flustered, radiant. Her eyes shimmered like dew on morning blossoms. "That scoundrel…" she whispered, touching her reddened lips. "A little longer… and I really would have…"
She covered her face again, mortified and secretly delighted.
After all… though she was willing, she was still a daughter of a refined upbringing. Even her desire had rules. But under Raj's confidence and gentleness, she felt her defenses dissolving faster than she knew how to stop. If Raj had left even a little later, she probably would have disregarded a maiden's shyness and allowed him to stay in her boudoir overnight...
Early Morning,
Raj woke to distant birdsong. He blinked up at the unfamiliar cave ceiling. "Right… this isn't home."
He stretched once, then sat up. A holographic projection shimmered into his vision—Red Queen, elegant as always, her presence gentle yet authoritative. "Good morning, Master."
"Morning, Red Queen," he answered with a half-yawn.
"Overnight, Internal Security Forces successfully launched twelve geosynchronous satellites. We now have global coverage in this world."
"Good. Handle the technical oversight yourself."
She nodded with a faint smile. "I expected that. However—there is something I believe you must see."
A high-altitude projection filled Raj's retina, rotating in slow detail. "…This isn't Earth," he murmured. "The sky is literally a dome."
"Yes. Here, the myths are not metaphors." She highlighted red and blue zones across the map. "Red = high-energy divine activity. Blue = lower-tier spiritual radiation."
"…Meaning?"
"If the local mythology is correct, these are divine and demonic territories." Raj narrowed his eyes.
"Fine. Dispatch infiltration teams. Bury all one hundred Tsar devices at the foot of Mount Ling."
"As you command."
"And find the four sky pillars. Five hundred warheads each."
He wasn't joking. If heaven wanted to interfere with him, then heaven would learn what a cornered human with too much technology could do. "Orders sent," Red Queen confirmed.
Vaani's soft voice joined—felt rather than heard, brushing across his thoughts.
"Careful, dear. Cause-effect threads are sensitive in this world. But I'll make sure none of your actions backfire."
Raj smirked. "With you two, how could they?"
A voice suddenly called from outside: "Young master, are you awake?"
Raj froze—and only then noticed he had slept without clothes. "…One moment!" he shouted, scrambling. "Changing!"
Red Queen dismissed herself reluctantly, though her tone was amused. "Master, next time, perhaps lock the door."
Raj glared at the empty air.
Front Hall
Once dressed, Raj walked to the front hall. Miss Duan was nowhere in sight. Chunhua and Qiuyue were whispering in the corner, their faces a suspicious shade of red.
Raj approached quietly.
"…His figure was amazing…" Qiuyue murmured.
"You little brat! You saw that alone and didn't call me?"
"I panicked! And besides—once the princess marries him, we'll be serving at her side anyway… you'll have plenty of chances."
"But that'll take forever…"
Raj coughed loudly.
Both maids jolted upright like startled deer.
"T-The princess is outside doing her practice!" Chunhua stammered. "We'll take you to her immediately!"
Bamboo Grove--- Sword Dance
They led him through winding paths until they reached a bamboo forest. There—in the clearing—Miss Duan danced with her sword.
Her movements were fluid yet commanding, the strike of a trained warrior merged with the elegance of a noblewoman. Each step, each arc of the blade, seemed to bend the wind. Raj watched, captivated.
She noticed him after a final turn—and instantly flushed. "L-Little thief! Take my sword!"
She thrust the blade at him, though her tone held more embarrassment than threat. Raj stepped forward without hesitation. "Careful!" she gasped, quickly retracting the strike. But her momentum threw her off balance—and she fell directly into his arms.
Raj caught her effortlessly.
He tapped her hip in a playful reprimand. "You're naughty today. Calling your husband a little thief?"
"You are one!" she huffed, lightly hitting his chest. "A complete heart-stealing thief!"
He leaned in and kissed her—slow, confident, claiming. She stiffened only a moment before melting into him, arms sliding around his back. When the kiss finally broke, she stayed pressed against him, breath gentle, head resting beneath his chin.
"Miss Duan," he murmured near her ear, "when are we getting married?"
She hesitated, cheeks warming. "Shouldn't there be an engagement first…?"
"My family has no elders left." His tone softened. "How do we do it?"
She swallowed once, gathering courage. "Then… let's exchange keepsakes. And find a good day for the wedding."
Raj grinned and lifted her hand. He placed a Sumeru bracelet onto her wrist—sleek, elegant, glowing faintly. "This is my token."
Miss Duan gazed at it, touched beyond words.
And beside them, in the quiet threads of reality, Vaani observed with a warm, approving hum. "Casual Energy rising… nicely done, dear."
Raj wasn't wrong when he said he had nothing valuable with him. Red Queen was soul-bound and couldn't be given away. As for Vaani, she was a companion spirit linked to his core luck. What he could give Princess Duan… was the one thing he hadn't parted with since arriving in this world.
His space bracelet.
It wasn't the basic version—it was his first-generation upgraded model, containing a storage world as vast as a football field, stocked with items he had accumulated across worlds.
Without hesitation, Raj gently lifted a single strand of Princess Duan's hair—then touched the bracelet twice. A soft white light pulsed.
Duan stiffened for an instant, her breath catching. "…I… I can feel it. The whole space… all of it…"
She could sense the structure, the boundaries, the countless items stored within. The bracelet had recognized her. "Raj… this is…" She trembled slightly. "This is too precious… How can I—"
Raj pressed her hand down firmly before she could remove it. "No matter how precious it is, Sweetie, it isn't more precious than your heart."
Her lips trembled. His words hit her like a warm arrow straight into the soul. Then suddenly—almost shyly—she pulled a small box from her chest and placed it into Raj's hands. "Then… this is my gift in return." Raj opened it casually—
—and froze.
Inside was a delicate, jade-like palm-fan emitting a faint spiritual breeze.
"The… Banana Fan…?"
"Mm." Duan's eyes curved into soft crescents, clearly pleased with his shock. "This treasure is the reason I've survived this monster-ridden region for so many years… Today, Tie Fan gives it to her Young Master Raj. If one day Young Master Raj betrays me, even if I—"
Raj instantly sealed her lips with his hand. "Enough. This treasure keeps you safe. How could I possibly take it?"
"…Hmph." She puffed her cheeks slightly, gorgeous even in her pout. "You've already taken the person, but you don't want her belongings? Am I worth less than a fan?"
Raj's chest softened, a familiar ache rising for how deeply this woman loved. "Sweetie," he whispered into her ear, voice low and sincere, "I may not have cultivation. I may not know spells. But I was born a natural anomaly. My body is harder than refined steel. No monster can hurt me. But you—here, surrounded by demons without a magic treasure—how can I be at ease?"
She blinked, stunned. Then—like a little fox—Duan pressed a palm against his chest, trying to sense for herself. Nothing. Empty. No cultivation. No spirit energy.
"H-Husband… you truly haven't cultivated…"
"Why would I lie?"
She suddenly jumped—actually leaped—three feet into the air, sparkling with joy. "That's wonderful! Husband, your meridians are naturally open! With a good cultivation technique, you'll rise like a dragon! You could even become an immortal!"
Raj rolled his eyes. "What's so great about being an immortal? Becoming a heavenly errand boy? Sweetie, isn't it better to stay with you in the mortal world than to go serve someone else up there?"
"You can't talk about the Heavenly Court like that…" she scolded softly, but her eyes were smiling. In truth, she felt relieved. If he became an immortal, she wouldn't know how to live without him.
"Besides," Raj added proudly, "I'm not interested in boring methods like the Eight Nine Arcane Arts."
Duan nearly choked. "Not interested? That is the number one foundational art in existence!"
"I'm more into… dual cultivation. Or the Joyous Zen Records."
"You… pervert!" Duan turned beet red and lightly smacked him. "I didn't expect you to be that kind of man!"
"What's wrong with dual cultivation?" Raj countered shamelessly. "I cultivate, you get stronger, we both have fun. Isn't that enlightenment? 'Form is emptiness, emptiness is form,' right?"
"You're always right, aren't you…" She muttered, but leaned closer all the same. Then, flustered, she scrambled for another topic. "If you won't take the Banana Fan… then take this sword instead."
Duan flicked her fingers. A brilliant flash—
A cold aura swept across the cave. The Frost Shadow Sword shot from the ground and into her hand.
"This sword was forged for me by my master," she said softly. "Ten thousand-year South Sea cold iron, meteorite fragments from beyond the sky. It's been my companion for a hundred years. I give it to you as my engagement gift… so that I may accompany you every day."
Raj accepted it with rare solemnity. "I'll cherish it. Always."
Duan beamed. "Then let me teach you swordplay—"
Raj's soul wilted. Sword practice. Exercise. Sweat. Tragic.
But then she looked up at him with a pitiful, yearning gaze. He cracked instantly. "O-of course I want to learn! I'm just afraid I might hurt you."
"It's alright. I'll be gentle," she said sweetly. That was when—
A lively, mischievous voice piped in from behind them: "Oh my, sister~ I leave for two days and you've already picked up a husband. Isn't that a bit too fast?"
Both turned.
A girl in a bright orange-yellow dress hopped toward them, grinning as if she'd caught them red-handed: Tie Shan.
Princess Duan's little sister. And a menace.
She looked Raj up and down boldly. "Future brother-in-law! You're handsome! Do you have a house? A mount? Wealth? Background? Will my sister suffer if she marries you?"
"Hey! You little brat!" Duan shoved her away, cheeks red. "Is it your wedding or mine? Why so many questions?!"
"Married daughters are like spilled water…" Tie Shan sighed dramatically, then winked at Raj. "Brother-in-law~ aren't you going to control your wife? She's bullying this poor sister-in-law."
Raj felt his soul leave his body. The pressure of a future sister-in-law who was too friendly… was immense.
After much chaos, lots of teasing, and several attempts by Tie Shan to latch onto Raj's arm (all blocked by Duan with fierce glares), the three finally returned to eat.
Evening approached.
And once darkness settled, Duan pulled Raj away again. They needed to deliver invitations for the wedding—set ten days from now. "Hurry, Raj! Don't let Tie Shan see!" Duan hissed. "That girl is so clingy—if she could, she'd already be trying to seduce you!"
"Mm mm…" Raj agreed wholeheartedly. Older sister first. Always.
The two arrived at a hidden waterfall pool where water shimmered like scattered stars, moon reflected in the ripples, sound of falling water created a natural rhythm.
"This is my secret place," Duan whispered. "Only I know it. Not even Tie Shan. You're the first person I've brought here…"
Raj's heart softened. She looked so happy. So shy. So earnest.
"It's beautiful," he said. "When our child grows up, we'll bring her here to tell her the story of her parents' love."
"W-Who wants children with you!" Duan almost curled into a ball of embarrassment.
Raj pulled her gently into his arms. "Baby, let me tell you the story of Supreme Treasure and Fairy Zixia."
"Mm!"
Raj told the tale—his own embellished version, dramatic and moving.
By the end, Duan's tears fell like strings of pearls. "Wuwuwuwu… Fairy Zixia is so pitiful… The Bull Demon King is truly awful!"
Raj comforted her softly.
"Young Master Raj…" She looked up, eyes trembling. "If you were Supreme Treasure… what would you do?"
Raj thought for a moment. "If I were Supreme Treasure…" he said slowly, "I would overturn heaven and earth to bring my lover back. Even if I must face the whole world alone… even if I must slaughter everything in my path… as long as she returns to me, nothing else matters."
He brushed her hair gently, his voice deeper. "But I won't let things ever reach that point."
"Why?" Duan asked, puzzled.
"Because, I am a coward!" Raj said with a sigh. "I can't bear to watch my beloved die before my eyes and still live strong. Therefore, I will use every means to protect you. If anyone wants to harm you, they will have to step over my dead body first. Otherwise, no one can hurt you, my darling!"
"Young Master Raj…" Looking at Raj's firm eyes, Duan knew that he was speaking from his heart, and not just uttering sweet words. It's easy to find priceless treasures, but hard to find a devoted lover. At this moment, Duan knew that she could no longer live without this man, even if he had many women in the future, she wouldn't care… As long as she could be with him, she would be content.
For the first time, Princess Duan actively offered her pink lips, and even imitated Raj by using her tongue to tease Raj's endurance…
Raj also accepted Duan's challenge without hesitation. Their tongues intertwined back and forth, like two spiritual snakes in love…
Just as things were about to get out of hand, and Raj's hand had unknowingly invaded under Duan's silk skirt, a sound of a woman's sobbing came over…
Duan jumped out of Raj's arms like a frightened pony. Raj was so angry that his teeth itched. Who the hell was this, causing trouble again? Didn't they know that this young master loved having women around? He had been holding back all day…
"Zixia is so pitiful… Brother-in-law, you're so bad, deliberately saying Zixia died!" Tie Shan's voice came with sobs, making Raj's veins bulge. She's only crying after all this time, her reaction arc is too long, isn't it?
"Tie Shan?" Hearing the voice, Princess Duan tentatively called out.
"Sister… Fairy Zixia is so pitiful!" A figure darted out, who else could it be but Tie Shan?
But why are you calling your sister and throwing yourself into my arms? Raj rolled his eyes and thought.
"It's just a story…" After all, they were blood-related sisters. Seeing her younger sister crying like this, Duan didn't mind her husband being taken advantage of by her sister. She directly patted her back and comforted her: "It's all fake, Tie Shan, don't be sad!"
"Brother-in-law, you're bad… You're so bad, deliberately telling these sad stories to make my sister and me cry!" Tie Shan said, hitting Raj's chest.
"Tie Shan…" Princess Duan finally understood. It seemed that her younger sister had fallen for her husband. She tugged at her but couldn't pull her away. In a moment of desperation, Duan also squeezed into Raj's arms.
"…" Okay, Raj was once again embracing two women.
"Alright, stop it, both of you!" Raj said, slapping both of their upturned buttocks without mercy, making the two girls quiet down shyly.
"Later generations, moved by the love story of Supreme Treasure and Zixia, composed a song. Do you want to hear it?" Raj said before the two girls could flare up.
"We want to hear it!" x2
Raj hugged the two girls and slowly sang that classic song, A Lifetime of Love…
"Young Master Raj, we won't be separated, right?" Duan's heart was in a mess because of this sad song. At this moment, she just wanted to hold her man tightly and not go anywhere.
"Yes, we will never be separated!" Raj tightened his arms and promised: "Time cannot separate us, and life and death cannot…"