"Father, what's wrong with you?"
Little Yuxin blinked up at the old Fox King, whose face was shifting colors like a Sichuan opera master suffering from indigestion. His whiskers twitched. His right eyelid spasmed. His entire spirit seemed caught between fury, embarrassment, and the existential crisis known as fatherhood.
"Alas!" The old Fox King collapsed onto his carved wooden chair, tail drooping. "My dear daughter… do you know who the man you just met truly is?"
"Who?" Yuxin asked, tilting her head like a curious snow-white fox.
"You remember that Ugly Ox next to our mountain forest?"
Yuxin immediately scrunched her nose. "You mean that foul-tempered, self-proclaimed handsome beast who smells like wet leather and rotten herbs? The one whose face could scare away the moon?"
"That one," the Fox King sighed deeply, as though remembering years of suffering. "I have wanted to kick him out of our territory many times. But unfortunately… our magical powers are about equal. Abominably equal. Neither of us could defeat the other."
He paused, then—shockingly—smiled. "But now! He is gone."
Yuxin's ears perked up, eyes shining. "Gone? Truly gone? As in… won't return to stink up the forest?"
"Truly." The Fox King leaned in, lowering his voice dramatically. "He caused trouble during Princess Duan's wedding and was killed on the spot by her husband. Then turned into fatty beef hotpot to entertain the demons."
"…" Silence. Thick and heavy.
Yuxin felt something inside her tighten. Her heart. Her breath. A little warning bell was ringing. "…Father," she whispered. "What does that have to do with the man I met?"
The old Fox King inhaled. "That man… is Princess Duan's husband."
Yuxin's face drained of all color. A heartbeat passed. Then two. Her hands trembled. "I don't believe it… I don't believe it…"
Her voice was fragile—too fragile for a fox of her pride.
And after some internal struggle, she said in a desolate tone like a abandoned little fox; "Father, I'm tired. I am going to rest for some time."
Yuxin bowed slightly, lips trembling, then turned and was about to flee back to her room—somewhere she could bury her face in her fur cloak and cry until the moon rose.
"Stop!" The old Fox King's voice cracked.
His heart ached. His daughter—bright, pure, gentle, and proud—had fallen in love at first sight. Fox women were infamous for their beauty, but far more infamous for their devotion. When they loved, they loved once. When they hurt, they hurt to the bone.
"What else is the matter, Father…" Her voice was hollow.
The Fox King swallowed. "Are you giving up just like this, my dear daughter?"
Yuxin froze.
He continued gently: "Are you uglier than Princess Duan?"
"How is that possible!" Yuxin straightened immediately, indignation overpowering heartbreak. "Although Princess Duan is beautiful, your daughter is too! In terms of looks…" She flicked her hair. "…spring orchids and autumn chrysanthemums each have their charms!"
"Then do you not have confidence," the Fox King coaxed, "that the man might come to love you too?"
Yuxin bit her lip. Softened. But then—
"…He is married to Princess Duan."
"Since ancient times," the Fox King cleared his throat nervously, "heroes have had three wives and four concubines. And that Raj… he is certainly a hero."
He nearly slapped himself for saying it. Fatherhood required sacrifices—today, it was his dignity.
Yuxin's eyes widened. A glimmer of cunning—fox-like cunning—sparked within them. Yes… yes. She only needed to remain near him. Fox clan arts were profound, especially their charm and emotional resonance techniques. Many men had fallen for a fox woman simply by making eye contact too long. But then—
Her brows knit. "Wait. Father." Her tail bristled. "You're too eager. Why are you encouraging your daughter to become someone's concubine?"
The Fox King coughed violently. "Ahem. Mistaken! You are mistaken! I simply could not watch you cry!"
"…Really?" Her stare pierced him.
"Really! Absolutely!" He sat straight, looking more honest than he ever had in his life.
"If you do not wish to pursue him… then your father shall immediately go teach him a lesson!"
"Father." Yuxin sighed. "You already fear him."
The Fox King's smile froze.
"…Not respecting your father at all…" he muttered.
Yuxin poured herself tea, took a sip, then asked lazily: "All right, speak honestly. What exactly do you want?"
The Fox King looked left and right. Lowered his voice. "As long as Raj is willing to give Princess Duan's Plantain (Banana) Fan as a betrothal gift… Father will happily marry you to him."
Yuxin blinked. "…You're after the Plantain Fan."
"Isn't it nearly the Big Dipper's retrograde in a hundred years?" the Fox King whispered. "Our clan needs that treasure."
Yuxin exhaled. "Fine. I'll try. But if it doesn't work, it doesn't work."
"My dear daughter agreed!" The Fox King practically danced.
"Hmph." Yuxin stood, unwilling but dutiful."Let's go. Lead the way, father."
Above the bustling market teahouse,
Raj lounged comfortably, eating snacks while Tie Fan (Princess Duan) and her sister Tie Shan finished their shopping.
"Young Master Raj, we're back~" Tie Fan said softly, her smile blooming like a pear blossom.
Raj poured tea for them. Iron Hammer—Tie Shan—was already chattering about new products. Tie Fan was quiet, resting her warm hand on Raj's under the table. He held it back.
Then—
"Brother-in-law! If you spoil only my sister, I'll get jealous!"
She grabbed Raj's other hand.
Raj glanced helplessly at his tea. "How am I supposed to drink like this?"
"Easy!" Tie Shan grinned devilishly. She picked up a snack and held it to his lips. "Ah—!"
"Shan!" Tie Fan scolded lightly. "We're in public!"
"No one's here but us," Tie Shan replied smugly. Tie Fan hesitated… then lifted a teacup.
Raj opened his mouth.
Tie Shan fed him cake. Tie Fan fed him tea. They acted like a pair of love-struck idiots pampering their man.
Raj savored the moment. This—this was the life he used to envy in university.
If only there were single dogs here to watch…
Just as he had this wicked thought—
"Hahaha! What an honor to meet Princess Duan and her esteemed husband today!"
Raj choked.
Two figures ascended the stairs: The Fox King… and behind him, Yuxin in a white dress, looking both shy and proud.
Tie Fan immediately stood. "Senior Fox King honors us with his presence."
"Princess Duan is too polite!" The Fox King smiled broadly. "This must be the son-in-law… a most extraordinary young man!"
Raj narrowed his eyes. "So the Fox King came for something." His gaze slid to Yuxin. "…And the girl behind him seems familiar."
Her face flushed.
The Fox King cheerfully pushed his daughter forward. "This is my daughter, Yu'er. She admired the young master greatly."
"Hmph! Today you must apologize to me!" Yuxin ran straight to Tie Shan, grabbing her arm. "Sister Tie Fan, your husband bullied me!"
Raj blinked.
Tie Fan dragged her toward a private room. "Sister Yu'er, tell me everything."
Raj stared blankly as the Fox King quietly excused himself and fled. "…What did he come here for!?"
Tie Shan slid onto the seat next to Raj, gently testing his forehead for fever.
"Brother-in-law, you look confused."
"I'm fine," Raj muttered. "I just don't know what the old fox wants."
"Who cares~?" Tie Shan grinned. "With brother-in-law's strength, what fox can bully you?"
"Heh." Raj relaxed. "All schemes crumble before absolute strength."
The sisters returned. Yuxin's face was bright red.
Tie Shan smiled sweetly. "Husband, you were wrong earlier."
"Which part?"
"Yu'er sister's chastity mark is still intact. How could she be unchaste?"
"…Ah."
Raj looked at Yuxin again. She turned pink to her ears.
Tie Shan swatted his arm. "Husband, don't look at her like that."
Raj raised his hands. "I apologize, Miss Yu'er. I was mistaken."
Yuxin immediately waved both hands. "No, no, young master was only misled by worldly rumors! The fox clan has always been dedicated in love!"
Tie Shan nodded. "Fox demons are known for devotion."
The misunderstanding was resolved. The girls began chatting like old friends.
Raj? Raj was forgotten.
He sipped tea, watching them bond—
until the trio abruptly announced: "We're going shopping!"
They left him behind.
Raj sighed. Classic.
Hours later — three guilty girls returned .
"Husband, forgive me…" Tie Fan hugged his arm.
"Brother-in-law, we didn't mean to!" Tie Chui grabbed the other arm.
"It was my fault for suggesting more shops…" Yuxin whispered.
Raj looked at the three apologizing beauties. He sighed.
"Let's go home."
Back to Biyun Mountain
Tie Chui pouted. "Sister, why did you invite that fox girl to visit us!?"
Tie Fan hesitated. "She is pitiful. Her father wants our Plantain Fan… but she fell in love with Raj at first sight."
Raj blinked. "…I did nothing. I literally scolded her."
Tie Fan gave him a soft, knowing look. "My husband… since you began practicing the Heartbond Eternal Spring Sutra… your aura attracts the opposite sex."
Tie Chui added: "This morning, Xia Yu and Dong Xue asked when the young master would take them as concubines."
Raj groaned internally. "…Blame me?"
"Yes, it's your fault!"
They playfully attacked him. Raj directly took the two women and rushed back to the bedroom.
Then:
What followed was teasing, grabbing, laughter, moans and a great battle —
Tie Fan tried several times to turn the tables, but was suppressed by Raj, while Tie Shan wanted to help her sister but was defeated first... But eventually, the two sisters sadly raised the white flag... But Raj was still full of energy...
Finally , Raj taught the two women the essentials of biting and occupied the important rear area...
To be honest, even when Raj had not obtained the dual cultivation technique, he could already fight continuously for seven or eight hours. Others were a seven-times-a-night man, but he was a one-time-a-night man... Now, this guy has become even more perverted after obtaining the dual cultivation technique.
To put it bluntly, he can release the goods whenever he wants... The basic quantity will no longer be a constraint for him to open a harem... Satisfying thousands at the same time is not a dream...
Two Years later --
Two years of this quiet rhythm gave Banana Cave a strange harmony—almost domestic, almost peaceful. Raj would never admit it aloud, but the routine grew on him. Mornings of cultivation, Tie Fan nagging him about stacking his boots properly, Tie Shan complaining that he always kissed her sister first, the fox girl Yuxin dropping by under the excuse of "sharing rare mountain fruits"—it was becoming a life.
A ridiculous life, maybe. But a life he didn't mind waking up to.
Yet even this semi-idyllic chaos couldn't shake off the knot in his chest whenever he thought of the Fox King.
The old fox wasn't stupid. He had stopped pressuring Yuxin, stopped openly scheming around the Plantain Fan, and even sent gifts regularly—as if trying to build goodwill.
That only made Raj more suspicious.
And every time Yuxin left Banana Cave, Raj saw the way Tie Fan and Tie Shan exchanged glances: sympathetic, a little worried, a little jealous.
Today was no different.
Yuxin had come early, bringing a lacquered box of foxfire tea that glowed faintly even with the lid closed. She stayed for lunch, helped Tie Fan cut vegetables, helped Tie Shan hang washed robes, then quietly sat near Raj and listened while he talked about refining pills.
She didn't flirt. She didn't push. She simply… existed nearby. Softly. That was somehow more dangerous. When she finally excused herself to return to Fox Ridge, the cave became unusually silent.
Tie Shan was the first to break it. "She's too gentle today. That means she's planning something."
Tie Fan flicked her forehead. "Not everyone thinks like you. She's conflicted."
"Conflicted my foot." Tie Shan crossed her arms. "She likes our husband, but her father wants the fan. It's obvious."
Raj rubbed his temples. "I know. That's why I haven't taken her in yet."
Tie Fan turned toward him, eyes turning serious—not jealous, not angry, just soft.
"Husband… do you want her?"
Raj froze.
Tie Shan choked on her peach pit. "Sister! Why are you asking so directly?!"
"Because if he does, we need to face it instead of pretending." Tie Fan looked at Raj, her voice steady. "We aren't ordinary women. And he isn't an ordinary man. If he wants Yuxin, we should hear it."
Raj exhaled slowly. What a troublemaker fate is. He leaned back on the bed, hands resting behind his head.
"…I don't dislike her," he admitted. "She's beautiful, smart, loyal, and she's not pretending. I know she really likes me."
Tie Chui pouted. "I KNEW IT!!"
"But," Raj continued, "I also know the moment I accept her, the Fox King will feel justified in making demands."
Tie Fan came to sit beside him, her hair falling over his shoulder like cool silk. "And for my husband, giving in to someone like that is unacceptable."
He nodded.
Tie Fan lifted her chin, thoughtful. "Then the issue isn't Yuxin. It's her father."
Tie Shan brightened. "So we kill him?"
Raj coughed. "No—maybe. Depends."
Tie Fan smacked her sister. "We don't kill him on a whim!"
"But he wants our fan! And our husband! Shouldn't we—"
"Shan.."
Tie Shan froze at her sister's tone, then flopped down beside Raj like a scolded puppy.
The sisters exchanged glances again, but their expressions soon softened.
Tie Fan leaned closer, touching Raj's cheek. "Husband… if that knot in your heart is the only obstacle, then we should untie it slowly. Together."
Tie Shan climbed over him from the other side, wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Hmph. Fine. But if that Yuxin ever tries to seduce him with vixen tricks, I'll—"
"You'll do nothing," Raj said, pinching her cheek. "And you'll behave."
Tie Shan's entire face turned pink. "Brother-in-law is bullying me again…"
After a long while—after enough whispered apologies, heated embraces, and the soft rustle of robes—the three settled again.
Tie Fan rested with her head on Raj's chest, fingertip drawing circles over his skin.
Tie Shan lay draped over his thigh like a lazy cat.
Both sisters were relaxed now—boneless, satisfied, and strangely thoughtful.