Walking out of the bath, Tianmo was about to retreat into his quarters to continue his training in the Simulation Pagoda when he paused. His spiritual sense, sharpened by the unsealing of his Supreme Dao Bones, picked up a disturbance at the foot of the mountain, of the bamboo peak.
It wasn't the heavy, killing intent of an enemy, nor the respectful aura of a sect messenger.
"Ruyan," Tianmo said, his voice low. "Dress yourself and prepare the guest hall with a tea set, we have a guest."
Ruyan, who was taking a bath, cleaning herself nodded.
"Yes. And wear something red. It suits your current mood."
Without waiting for a response, Tianmo stepped off the terrace. As he descended, the source of the disturbance became clear.
At the entrance of the Purple Bamboo Peak stood a luxurious carriage drawn by two Spirit-Winged Tigers. These beasts were ferocious monsters usually found in the depths of the Beast Mountain, yet here they were, docile as oxen, trembling in fear.
Standing beside the carriage was Madam Lin.
She looked different from the woman Tianmo had dominated in the study three days ago. The vulnerability was gone, replaced by a mask of icy composure, though Tianmo could see the cracks in it. She wore a high-collared dress of dark blue silk, and her cultivation aura was fluctuating wildly. She had indeed broken through to the Foundation Establishment realm, likely due to the 'residual effects' of their coupling but her cultivation wasn't stable.
But her attention wasn't on the mountain. She was facing a group of men who had blocked the entrance to the peak.
There were five of them, clad in the crimson and gold robes of the Blood Fiend Hall.
The Blood Fiend Hall was not part of the orthodox Azure Cloud Sect. They were a subsidiary force, a mercenary group employed by the others to handle dirty works such as assassinations, debt collection, and resource extraction. They were notorious for their ruthless methods and their cultivation techniques, which often relied on draining the blood of living beings.
"Madam Lin," the leader of the group sneered. He was a burly man with a scar running down his face, his cultivation at the peak Seventh stage of the Foundation Establishment realm.
"The Lord of the Hall has been patient. The debt your late husband incurred before his disappearance is now due. With interest, you owe five High-grade spirit stones."
"I have already told you," Madam Lin said, her voice steady but her hands clenched at her sides. "My husband is in close-door cultivation, the matters will be settled once he comes out, besides, the Drunk Immortal Pavilion is barely making ends meet. I need time to gather the funds."
"Time?" Scarface laughed, a harsh, grating sound. "You've had two years. The Blood Fiend Hall does not deal in time; we deal in blood. If you cannot pay, we will take the tavern. And since you are now a Foundation Establishment cultivator... perhaps we can take you as well. A fresh cauldron for the Lord's cultivation would fetch a good price."
He took a step forward, his hand reaching out to grab Madam Lin's arm.
Madam Lin's eyes flashed with cold light. She was about to strike, to use the water techniques she had painstakingly learned, but she hesitated.
Just as Scarface's fingers were about to touch her, a white blur descended from the sky.
Boom!
Tianmo landed between them, the impact of his landing sending a shockwave that blew Scarface backward three steps and cracked the stone pavement.
"Who dares?!" Scarface roared, stabilizing himself. He looked up, his eyes narrowing as he took in Tianmo's appearance.
White hair, black robes, and an aura of chilling indifference.
"Madam Lin," Tianmo said, ignoring the thug completely. "You are blocking the entrance to my home..."
Madam Lin's eyes widened in relief and shock. "Young Master Wang... I... I was just handling a small matter."
"I can see that," Tianmo replied, his gaze sliding over to the Blood Fiend Hall members. "Trash seems to have accumulated at my doorstep."
Scarface's face turned purple with rage. "Trash? Boy, do you know who you are talking to? I am Vice-Captain Jee of the Blood Fiend Hall! Step aside, or I will bleed you dry along with this woman!"
He drew a curved saber, the blade glowing with a dim, bloody light. The other four men behind him also drew their weapons, their auras locking onto Tianmo.
Tianmo looked at them, his expression stoic. "Blood Fiend Hall? Never heard of it before. Things aside, how dare you run rampant on the Azure Cloud sect? Courting death!!!"
Scarface's face contorted into a mask of fury. The audacity of this white-haired boy to speak such words in the territory of the Azure Cloud Sect was one thing, but to dismiss the Blood Fiend Hall entirely was another.
Scarface Jee was a man with knowledge, it is indeed wise not to run rampant on Sect's territory, also this man's identity doesn't seem to be simple. Could he be a direct disciple of an elder? If so, things seem to be against their favor.
"Fellow Daoist, this woman's husband owes a debt to the Blood Fiend Hall," Scarface Jee said, his tone shifting from arrogance to a cautious negotiation. He wasn't a fool. A direct disciple living on a peak with a Spirit Vein was not someone to trifle with lightly, especially one who carried such a terrifying, unknown aura. "This is a matter of business. Unless you intend to pay her debts?"
"Debt?" Tianmo repeated the word, letting it roll off his tongue with a taste of disdain. He didn't even look at Scarface Jee, his gaze fixed on Madam Lin, who stood trembling slightly behind him.
He could see the calculation in her eyes. She was hoping he would intervene, but also terrified of dragging him into her mess. It was a pathetic look, one that didn't suit the woman who had moaned so wantonly under him days ago.
"How much?" Tianmo asked, his voice bored.
"Five High-grade spirit stones," Scarface Jee replied quickly, seeing an opening. "Plus interest for the delay. Let's say Five High-grade stones and 100 low-grade stones, that way we shall forget this ever happened."
To an average Foundation Establishment cultivator, that was a fortune. It represented years of saving, or a dangerous mission into the Beast Mountain. To Madam Lin, it was an insurmountable mountain that threatened to crush her and her child.
"That's a lie... My husband clearly borrowed 2 high-grade stones with a time limit of ten years. It has only been three years..." Madam Lin couldn't help but speak out.
"Shut up, you bitch!" Scarface Jee roared, raising his hand to backhand her. "The Blood Fiend Hall calculates interest by the hour! With the compound rates, your debt has tripled!"
His hand stopped mid-air.
Tianmo had caught his wrist.
"Five High-grade stones," Tianmo said, his grip tightening like a hydraulic press. The sound of grinding bone echoed clearly in the afternoon air. "You dare to use usury in the territory of the Azure Cloud Sect? Do you think the Sect Elders are blind?"
"Aaaaah!" Scarface Jee screamed as his wrist shattered, the bones protruding through his skin. He dropped his saber, clutching his ruined arm, his face twisted in agony and fear. "You... you dare attack me?! I am a guest of the Inner Court! The Blood Fiend Hall has official backing!"
"Guest?" Tianmo sneered. "More like parasites."
He released Scarface, who fell to his knees, cradling his arm. Tianmo turned to Madam Lin. "Is this all of them?"
"Yes... They were the only ones sent today," Madam Lin stammered, her eyes wide with shock. She hadn't expected Tianmo to be so ruthless, so direct. It terrified her, but it also sent a thrill of safety through her heart.
"Good," Tianmo said. He looked back at the remaining four thugs. They were trembling now, their weapons lowered. They could sense the vast gap in power. This wasn't just a Foundation Establishment cultivator; this was a monster wearing human skin.
"Scram," Tianmo said, his voice dropping an octave. "Tell your Hall Master that the debt is void. If I see another Blood Fiend dog near my peak, I will go to your hall and slaughter every single one of you. I will turn your hall into a graveyard."
The four men didn't need to be told twice. They grabbed their groaning leader, literally dragging him away by his collar. They didn't even look back at the carriage or the tigers. They fled as if the hounds of hell were snapping at their heels.
They are merely defeated, not destroyed. They will surely come to take revenge.
Madam Lin let out a long, shaky breath, her legs giving out. She slumped against the carriage, her face pale.
"Thank you... Thank you, Young Master Wang," she whispered. "I... I don't know how I can repay you."
Tianmo walked over to her, looking down at her with a critical eye. "Repay me? You know the price, Madam Lin."
Madam Lin's breath hitched. She looked up at him, her eyes swimming with complex emotions: gratitude, fear, and a dark, undeniable arousal. "Yes... I know."
"But Blood Fiend Hall won't let this go, their lord is a soul formation realm powerhouse. Even if they dare not attack you, they might target someone close to you," she added. "You should be careful, Young Master Wang. The Blood Fiend Hall is not to be trifled with."
Tianmo didn't bother to respond. He reached down, grabbing Madam Lin's arm and pulling her to her feet.
"Enough talking. It's time to pay your debt."
"Ah!" Madam Lin gasped as Tianmo pulled her close, his aura enveloping her like a physical embrace. The heat of his body, the intensity of his gaze, made her knees weak.
She didn't resist as he led her into the Purple Bamboo Peak, towards the guest hall. She could see Liu Ruyan standing at the entrance, her face impassive but her eyes sharp as daggers.
"Welcome," Ruyan said, her voice soft but with a hidden edge. "I have prepared tea for your arrival."
It was their first meeting but Liu Rutan knew this smell.
Madam Lin followed Tianmo inside the guest hall, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. The interior of the hall was spacious and elegantly furnished, smelling faintly of sandalwood and old bamboo.
But it was the woman standing by the low table who drew her attention.
Liu Ruyan was breathtaking. She wore a red silk robe that clung to her curves like a second skin, her hair pinned up with a simple jade hairpin, exposing her slender neck. Her skin was porcelain pale, her features delicate and exquisite. She looked like a painting of a fairy come to life, a vision of purity and grace.
Yet, as Madam Lin stepped closer, she felt a chill run down her spine. Ruyan's eyes were fixed on her, dark and depthless, devoid of any warmth. There was no jealousy in that gaze, only a cold, predatory assessment.
"Sit," Tianmo commanded, gesturing to the cushion opposite Ruyan.
Madam Lin obeyed, her movements stiff. She felt like a sheep that had wandered into a den of wolves.
Ruyan moved with fluid grace, pouring tea into three porcelain cups. Her movements were precise, practiced, perfect. She placed a cup in front of Tianmo, then one in front of Madam Lin, before kneeling gracefully beside Tianmo's seat.
"Drink," Tianmo said, picking up his own cup. "It will calm your nerves."
Madam Lin picked up the cup with trembling hands. The tea was fragrant, the steam curling up into her face. She took a small sip, the warm liquid sliding down her throat and settling in her stomach. It did help, slightly, but the tension in her shoulders remained.
She looked at Ruyan, who was kneeling like a statue, her head bowed.
"This... this servant is Liu Ruyan," she introduced softly, her voice like a gentle stream. "I am Master's... maid."
The way she hesitated on the word 'maid' spoke volumes. Madam Lin wasn't naive. She had lived in the cultivation world long enough to recognize the dynamics at play. This woman was more than a servant; she was a cauldron, a possession, a living treasure.
"I am Lin Yue," she replied, her voice gaining a fraction of strength. "I manage the Drunk Immortal Pavilion in the outer courtyard."
Ruyan didn't respond. She simply knelt there, her eyes fixed on the floor, as if Madam Lin didn't exist.
Tianmo watched the interaction with amusement. The air in the room was thick with unspoken hostility. Ruyan's jealousy was a palpable force, radiating off her in waves, but she was disciplined. She knew her place.
"Madam Lin," Tianmo began, setting his cup down. "You are clever enough to know why I helped you."
Madam Lin's face flushed a deep crimson. She lowered her head, unable to meet his eyes. "Yes... This lowly one knows."
"Good! You two should get along well. Tonight, you both will serve me together... If you desire so, you can stay here too."
Madam Lin's hand froze halfway to her lips, the tea cup rattling against its saucer. She stared at Tianmo, her eyes wide with disbelief, her face flushing a deep, mortified red.
"T-Together?" she stammered, her voice very faint. "You mean... with her?"
Liu Ruyan, kneeling gracefully by Tianmo's side, didn't flinch. Her eyes remained downcast, her breathing rhythmic and controlled, but the air around her grew several degrees colder. The scent of her jealousy spiked, sharp and sour, cutting through the fragrance of the tea.
"Is there a problem?" Tianmo asked, his voice mild, but carrying an undertone of steel. He took a leisurely sip of his tea, his golden eyes watching Madam Lin over the rim of the cup.
"N-No... No, Master," Madam Lin hurriedly corrected herself, setting the cup down with a clatter. She lowered her head, her heart hammering against her ribs like a trapped bird. "It is just... this lowly one has never... I am not accustomed to..."
She trailed off, unable to finish the sentence. The thought of sharing a bed with a man, with another woman—especially one as breathtakingly beautiful and seemingly pure as Liu Ruyan was mortifying. It went against every grain of her upbringing as a respectable wife and businesswoman.
Ruyan finally moved. She shifted her position, turning her head slightly to look at Madam Lin. Her gaze was cool, assessing, stripping away Madam Lin's layers of clothing and dignity with a single glance.
"You hesitate," Ruyan said softly, her voice like a chime in the winter wind. "Do you think you are too good to serve alongside me? Or is it that you fear you cannot satisfy him?"
Madam Lin flinched as if struck. "I... I did not mean to offend..."
"Offense is irrelevant," Ruyan interrupted, her eyes narrowing slightly. "Master's will is absolute. If he wishes for us to warm his bed together, then we shall do so."
"I... I will obey," Madam Lin uttered, defeated.
She lowered her head, unable to meet Ruyan's piercing gaze. "This lowly one has no other desire than to serve Master."
"Good." Tianmo nodded, setting his cup down. "You both do things you need to do. Ruyan, you should teach her the basics here and let her get familiarized. I will be in the cultivation chamber. We shall meet at night."
After that, he left, leaving the two women alone in the guest hall. The silence was oppressive, thick with unspoken tension and barely concealed hostility.
Liu Ruyan stood up, her movements fluid and graceful. She walked over to Madam Lin, standing directly in front of her. Madam Lin had to tilt her head back to meet Ruyan's gaze, a subtle power play that wasn't lost on her.
"You have three hours to prepare," Ruyan said, her voice cool and detached. "I will teach you what you need to know. Master does not tolerate failure."
Madam Lin swallowed hard, her throat dry. "I understand."
Ruyan's eyes narrowed. "Do you? You seem hesitant. Master's bed is not for the weak-willed or the timid. If you cannot commit, then leave now."
Madam Lin bit her lower lip, a shiver running down her spine. The thought of leaving was tempting. She could run back to her tavern, hide behind her daughter, and pretend this day had never happened. But the memory of the Blood Fiend Hall thugs flashed through her mind, their cruel smiles and scarred hands. She had nowhere else to go.
"I will stay," she said, forcing steel into her voice. "I will serve Master to the best of my ability."
Ruyan's expression didn't change. "We shall see."
She turned and walked to the door, her movements fluid and confident. "Come. There is much to learn."
Madam Lin followed, her heart hammering against her ribs. She felt like a lamb walking into a den of wolves, but there was no turning back now. She had made her choice, and she would see it through to the end.
As they left the guest hall, Ruyan led her towards the inner courtyard. The air grew warmer, scented with jasmine and the faint, musky smell of incense.
"This way," Ruyan said, pushing open a sliding door to a side room. "We must begin with the basics."
After that, Ruyan began to show the basics like the kitchen, bath, spiritual garden, and others. She also gave Madam Lin a new dress. It was made of red silk, the material so thin it felt like a cloud. The cut was low, the hem slit up to the thigh, designed to tease rather than conceal the assets of the woman.
"Put this on," Ruyan commanded, tossing the dress at Madam Lin. "We cannot have you serving Master in those clothes."
Madam Lin caught the dress, her face flushing a deep crimson. The fabric felt impossibly soft against her skin, the color a vibrant red that seemed to pulse with its own heartbeat.
"I... I am not sure I can wear this," she stammered, holding the dress against her chest. "It is... too revealing."
Ruyan's eyes narrowed. "You dare question Master's choice?" She hated this woman who thinks she is someone great.
"No! No! I will wear it," Madam Lin hurriedly corrected herself, her face burning with embarrassment. She looked down at the dress, her heart pounding. It was beautiful, but it was also terrifying. She hadn't worn anything so revealing since her youth, and even then, it was nothing compared to this.
She could feel Ruyan's cold gaze on her, assessing, judging. It was clear that Ruyan didn't like her, saw her as a threat, perhaps.
But why? Madam Lin was nothing, a nobody in the grand scheme of things. She had no wealth, no power, no connections. All she had was a failing tavern and a daughter to protect.
Yet, as she looked at the dress, a flicker of determination ignited in her heart. She had come this far. She had endured humiliation and pain. She had submitted to a man half her age, a man who treated her like a whore.
She had survived, and she had risen.
She could do this.