Han Yu was currently buried beneath piles of documents inside his office when the door suddenly exploded open from a burst of icy Qi. Before he could even react, Madam Cold Fang walked inside with a cold expression.

"You’re coming with me," she said flatly.

Han Yu barely looked up from the scroll in his hand. 𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

"I’m busy."

"You’ve been busy for three straight months."

"I still have things to finish."

Madam Cold Fang stared at him silently for several seconds. Then she simply walked forward, grabbed him by the collar and dragged him out physically. Han Yu almost dropped several jade slips in shock.

"Wait! The reports!"

"You can read them later."

"Madam Cold Fang!"

"Staying cooped up all the time will only make you enter Qi deviation the way you are going," she scolded coldly while continuing to drag him away. "And if you keep obsessing over every possibility, you’ll eventually develop a heart demon."

Han Yu sighed helplessly.

Unfortunately...

He truly had no ability to resist her.

Madam Cold Fang was terrifyingly strong.

Over the years Han Yu had finally learned the exact extent of her cultivation.

Peak Dao Treading realm.

Dao Comprehension stage.

The revelation originally shocked him greatly. Even within the Blood Sect, someone at that level would have stood near the top. Still, after working together for years, Han Yu gradually got used to the terrifying woman.

At least somewhat.

Under the combined pressure of Madam Cold Fang’s threats and the pleading looks from Qing Luan and Xuan Qing, Han Yu finally surrendered.

Thus, for the first time in years...

Han Yu actually took a break.

The group decided to spend several days relaxing within one of the nearby major cities under the influence of the Luan Merchant Union.

The city itself was called Blooming Lily City.

Located around a hundred kilometers away from their current headquarters, the city had developed enormously over the past two decades due to Qing Luan’s business expansion. It now stood among the larger commercial centers in the region.

More importantly, it housed one of the Luan Merchant Union’s hidden operational bases, making it extremely safe for them.

The city itself was beautiful.

Lanterns hung throughout the streets while spirit lights illuminated elegant bridges and waterways running across the market districts. Music drifted through the air from teahouses and entertainment pavilions while merchants loudly advertised countless goods from every corner of the continent.

Compared to the oppressive atmosphere surrounding the Blood Sect for the past years...

The lively city almost felt unreal.

Han Yu slowly relaxed as the day passed.

The four wandered through the market district together while trying various foods and snacks from street vendors. Xuan Qing enthusiastically dragged everyone between shops repeatedly.

Qing Luan spent an unreasonable amount of money on decorative accessories she absolutely did not need. Even Madam Cold Fang appeared noticeably calmer than usual while quietly drinking spirit wine beside the river.

For the first time in many years Han Yu genuinely felt at peace.

It reminded him painfully of older days.

Back before the purge.

Back when he still wandered around with his fellow disciples from the Twin Leaf Peak Sect without carrying the weight of entire conspiracies upon his shoulders. Those memories brought complicated emotions to him.

Thankfully the women around him made sure he stayed distracted.

By nighttime, the group had already watched three different plays within the entertainment district while consuming absurd amounts of food and wine.

The entire city remained lively despite the late hour as lanterns floated gently upon the river running through the district while music echoed softly across the water. Couples walked along the riverside paths while small boats drifted lazily beneath the bridges.

The atmosphere felt warm and relaxed.

Thus the four simply decided to stroll along the river quietly afterward.

A cool breeze drifted across the water while countless lights reflected beautifully upon the surface.

Han Yu finally felt the tension inside him easing slightly.

Then suddenly...

Qing Luan stopped walking.

Han Yu immediately noticed the strange expression on her face.

She looked both startled and strangely fixated on something nearby.

"What’s wrong?" Han Yu asked.

Qing Luan did not answer immediately.

Instead she slowly pointed toward one side of the riverside path.

Han Yu followed her gaze.

Then finally understood.

Sitting quietly beside a wooden railing near the river...

Was a cat.

A small red furred cat.

Its fur looked incredibly soft beneath the lantern light while its golden eyes lazily observed the people around it. The animal appeared strangely elegant despite merely sitting there licking one of its paws calmly.

And somehow...

Ridiculously adorable.

Qing Luan’s eyes instantly widened.

"CUTE!" she suddenly screamed loudly.

Han Yu nearly jumped from the unexpected volume.

Xuan Qing immediately noticed the cat too.

Then her expression melted instantly.

"Oh heavens..."

Even Madam Cold Fang paused slightly before narrowing her eyes toward the animal with mild interest. Within seconds, all three women surrounded the poor creature completely. The cat itself looked rather wary initially after suddenly becoming the center of attention.

Its ears twitched slightly while its tail flicked back and forth cautiously.

Yet after Xuan Qing carefully reached forward and gently petted its head... The animal surprisingly accepted it.

Its eyes narrowed comfortably while a soft purring sound escaped its throat.

The three women immediately lost all composure afterward.

"It’s so fluffy!"

"Look at its paws!"

"Oh my god its ears are moving!"

Han Yu stood nearby while staring at the absurd scene speechlessly. The terrifying Madam Cold Fang who could freeze entire mountains casually was currently crouched beside the cat while scratching its chin carefully.

Qing Luan looked ready to kidnap the creature outright.

Even Xuan Qing completely forgot her usual graceful demeanor.

Han Yu rubbed his forehead helplessly.

"Are all women like this around cats...?"

The red cat slowly turned its head afterward.

Its golden eyes landed upon Han Yu briefly.

And strangely...

For a split second, Han Yu felt something unusual.

Something indescribable.

The cat’s gaze felt...

Too intelligent.

Far too intelligent.

Han Yu frowned slightly.

Yet before he could think deeper about it, the cat suddenly meowed softly and rubbed itself affectionately against Xuan Qing’s hand. The strange feeling disappeared immediately afterward.

Han Yu eventually shook his head lightly.

Perhaps he really was too stressed lately.

Still... None of them noticed the faint amusement hidden deep within the cat’s yellow eyes.