“Cough, cough!”

Xu Qi An covered his mouth and coughed forcefully twice. Only after the women in the hall looked over did he slowly step across the threshold.

He looked exactly like an elderly man.

“What’s wrong with you?”

Lin An, the primary wife, was startled and quickly rose from her chair, hurrying over with small steps.

The other women also cast worried and concerned glances—except for the Nine-Tailed Fox.

Xu Qi An waved his hand and said in a hoarse voice:

“The battle with Buddha injured my body, depleting my vital energy and greatly reducing my lifespan. I’ll need to rest for a long time.

“Alas, who knows if this will leave lasting damage.”

The Nine-Tailed Fox suddenly interjected:

“With such depleted vital energy, he might become impotent.”

Lin An and Mu Nan Chi’s expressions changed, while Ye Ji seemed half-believing.

The aunt also became anxious upon hearing this: “Is it that serious? Have you sought medicine from the Imperial Observatory?”

The eldest young master was the only male heir of the main branch, and he had no offspring yet. If he became impotent, wouldn’t that end their lineage?

… Xu Qi An glanced at the Nine-Tailed Fox without responding, “I’ll rest at home for a while. It’s been so long since I’ve had Aunt’s cooking.”

The aunt immediately stood up, “I’ll go to the kitchen and prepare some of your favorite dishes.”

The Xu family hadn’t been wealthy in the past. Although they had cooked, the aunt often cooked as well—she wasn’t born a pampered noble lady.

Xu Qi An turned to Mu Nan Chi and said:

“Aunt Mu, I remember you grow medicinal herbs in the backyard. Could you brew me a bowl of medicine to replenish qi and vitalize blood?”

Knowing she was the reincarnation of the immortal tree, Mu Nan Chi made a sound of acknowledgment, rising with an expression that suggested she’d settle accounts later.

Xu Qi An continued:

“Little sister, all the robes you made for Big Brother are worn out.”

Xu Ling Yue smiled gracefully and said in a soft voice:

“I’ll make several new robes for Big Brother.”

Throughout his speech, Xu Qi An kept coughing, letting the women know “I’m very unwell, don’t make trouble.”

After this series of maneuvers, only Lin An, Ye Ji, and the Nine-Tailed Fox remained in the hall. Xu Qi An didn’t even bother with an excuse:

“Lin An, return to your chambers first. I need to discuss some matters with the Second Young Master and the Fox Sovereign.”

Lin An puffed her cheeks, “What matters can’t I know about?”

She wasn’t a docile, virtuous wife—she was quite formidable.

Xu Qi An didn’t force her to leave. Looking at the Nine-Tailed Fox, his expression turned serious:

“Sovereign, you need to make another sea voyage to subjugate as many supernatural descendants of gods and demons as possible. The more, the better.”

The Nine-Tailed Fox pondered for a moment, then said:

“To prevent the Ancient One from gathering the overseas descendants of gods and demons to counter-attack the Nine Provinces after he awakens?”

It’s convenient talking to intelligent people… Xu Qi An said:

“If they’re unwilling to submit, kill them all, leave none alive.”

The Nine-Tailed Fox thought for a moment and said:

“Even if they submit on the surface, they’ll betray us when the time comes. Without common interests or deep enough emotional bonds, the descendants of gods and demons won’t be loyal to me or Great Tang.

“When the time comes, they might actively defect as soon as the Ancient One appears.”

Xu Xin Nian shook his head:

“It needn’t be so complicated. Subjugating them and then implementing large-scale relocation will suffice.

“The overseas territories are vast and boundless. The Ancient One won’t spend enormous time searching for and subjugating them because it’s not worth it. While the descendants of gods and demons would be a lethal threat to us if they joined the war.

“But to the Ancient One, His opponents are other Supreme Experts. The role these descendants could play would be minimal.”

Xu Qi An added:

“We can use the fact that when the Ancient One awakens, He will devour all supernatural descendants of gods and demons as our reason. This is true enough and will remind the overseas descendants of the fear and shame of being dominated by the Ancient One.”

What followed was a discussion of details, including but not limited to bringing Sun Xuan Ji along, and building transmission arrays along the way so the Nine-Tailed Fox could quickly return to the Nine Provinces without getting lost in the vast ocean.

Also, any uncooperative descendants of gods and demons were to be killed on the spot, with absolutely no mercy.

They promised that the descendants could return to live in the Nine Provinces in the future.

They would establish a kingdom for the descendants and support a powerful supernatural descendant as their leader, and so on.

Lin An sat straight-backed with a stern face, listening intently, but understanding nothing. Only after the Nine-Tailed Fox left did she confirm that her husband had indeed been discussing serious matters.

…

“Your Majesty!”

Ye Ji caught up with the Nine-Tailed Fox, bowed deeply, and said in a low voice:

“Moon Spirit perished while you were at sea.”

The Nine-Tailed Fox made a sound of acknowledgment, “I ascended to First Rank at sea, awakening my spirit essence. When encountering the Ancient One, I had to sacrifice a tail to survive.”

Before Ye Ji, she was dignified and dominant, completely different from her seductive charm when facing Xu Qi An. She said coldly:

“Not just her—among you eight sisters, any of you might perish.

“When the great calamity comes, I won’t show mercy to any of you, understand?”

A First Rank Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox had nine lives. Once all nine lives were exhausted, she would perish.

Before then, she wouldn’t die, and this wouldn’t change based on the Nine-Tailed Fox’s will.

In other words, sacrificing a tail to survive was a passive ability—each time she died, she would lose one tail.

“Ye Ji understands. Dying for Your Majesty is our destiny.” Ye Ji glanced at her and cautiously probed: “Your Majesty, regarding Young Master Xu…”

The silver-haired demon beauty frowned and snorted:

“Of course, this Sovereign wouldn’t fancy such a philanderer. What’s irritating is how he constantly pesters me, taking advantage of being a half-step Martial God to make advances.

“Hmph, this Sovereign’s visit to the Xu residence to stir up trouble was just to warn him.

“To stop him from always having designs on me.”

Ye Ji pressed her lips together:

“What if he insists on pursuing Your Majesty?”

The Nine-Tailed Fox said helplessly:

“Then we’ll have to take it one step at a time. What can we do when he’s a half-step Martial God?”

You’re the one with designs on him, aren’t you just taking advantage of an honest person… Ye Ji grumbled inwardly, deciding she should speak ill of Her Majesty in front of Young Master Xu.

To prevent her from bringing seven sisters—no, six sisters—to compete with her for a man.

In the inner hall, Xu Qi An raised his eyebrows at his little brother and transmitted:

“When enemies are fierce and united, you must learn to divide them and defeat them one by one. A painful ruse is a good tool—a man’s painful ruse is like a woman’s tactics of crying, making scenes, and threatening suicide.

“It never fails.”

Xu Xin Nian gave a cold laugh:

“You can hide for a while but not forever. The sisters-in-law are all suspicious.”

“That’s why we need to divide the enemy.” Xu Qi An rose silently and walked toward the study.

Xu Xin Nian was off duty today and had nothing to do, so he followed.

Xu Qi An spread out the paper and instructed:

“Second Brother, grind the ink for your elder brother.”

Xu Xin Nian snorted but obediently ground the ink.

Xu Qi An dipped his brush in ink and wrote:

“Having drifted at sea for half a month, I deeply miss my wife Lin An. Newlywed yet having to go to sea, leaving her alone in an empty chamber, my heart is filled with guilt. Day and night, her voice and smile…”

Shameless! Xu Xin Nian criticized inwardly, but expressionlessly pointed out:

“Big Brother, you made a mistake. ‘Voice and smile’ is used to describe the deceased. You should use ‘voice and countenance remain.'”

His comment earned him a slap on the head from Xu Qi An:

“Get lost!”

Do you think I’m an uncultured warrior?

“However, I know Lin An understands the bigger picture and is reasonable, getting along well with my mother and aunt at home, which puts my mind at ease. This sea voyage, if I don’t reach half-step Martial God, Great Tang will be in danger…”

Soon, one family letter was completed. He deliberately mentioned “heavy mission” at the end, expressing the hardships of his sea voyage.

Then came the second, third, and fourth letters…

After writing, Xu Qi An used his spiritual energy to dry the ink, then took some ash from the incense burner to rub on the writing.

“This can mask the ink’s fragrance, otherwise they’d smell it right away. Learn from this,” he instructed his little brother.

You won’t have so many wives and concubines… the Second Young Master thought to himself, maintaining unwavering devotion to Si Mu.

Just as he finished this thought, he saw his big brother writing the second family letter:

“Nan Chi, after half a month apart, I miss you dearly…”

Xu Xin Nian blurted out:

“You do have something going on with Aunt Mu.”

“From now on, call me Uncle-in-law!” Xu Qi An seized the opportunity to push further.

…

When dinner time came, Second Uncle Xu returned from his duty shift and shared drinks with his frost-haired nephew and son.

Slightly tipsy, he glanced at his daughter Xu Ling Yue, his wife’s sworn sister Mu Nan Chi, his nephew’s wife Lin An, and his nephew’s concubine Ye Ji from the Southern Borders, and asked puzzled:

“You all don’t look very happy?”

The aunt said worriedly:

“Ning Yan was severely injured, and in the future, he might… might… be unable to have children.”

No, no, no, Mother, that’s not why they’re unhappy—they suspect Big Brother of having romantic adventures at sea… Second Young Master felt despair at his mother’s slowness.

Although the sisters-in-law were confused by concern, they weren’t stupid and had already figured it out.

Even a First Rank warrior was already difficult for heaven and earth to destroy, let alone now that Big Brother was a half-step Martial God.

“What nonsense are you talking about? Ning Yan is a half-step Martial God, he can’t even die, how could he be injured…” Second Uncle Xu suddenly fell silent.

“Indeed, Ning Yan is now a half-step Martial God, his body will be fine.” Ji Bai Qing enthusiastically served dishes to her eldest son, showing tender care.

She didn’t care how many romantic entanglements her son had outside—she wished she could gather all the beauties in the world to be her eldest son’s wives.

Xu Yuan Shuang looked at her big brother with admiration and said:

“Big Brother, you must guide Yuan Huai well. Yuan Huai has already reached Fourth Rank.”

As the second Fourth Rank warrior in the Xu family, Xu Yuan Huai should have been proud and satisfied, but now he showed no trace of pride.

He ate silently with his head down.

After dinner ended, Mu Nan Chi returned to her room with a cold expression.

At night, after Second Uncle Xu finished washing up, wearing white undergarments, he sat cross-legged on the small couch practicing breathing exercises, but couldn’t focus.

So he said to his wife, who was leaning against the bed reading an illustrated novel:

“Today’s events reminded me of something—Ning Yan probably won’t have any offspring.”

The aunt put down her book, straightened her waist in surprise, and exclaimed:

“Why?”

Second Uncle Xu pondered for a moment, then said:

“Ning Yan is now a half-step Martial God. Fundamentally speaking, he’s different from us now. Don’t ask how he’s different—I can’t explain it. Just know that he’s no longer mortal.

“Don’t you find it strange? He and the Imperial Preceptor are dual cultivation partners, it’s been almost a year, yet the Imperial Preceptor hasn’t conceived.

“He’s been married to Princess Lin An for a month and a half, and she hasn’t conceived either.”

The aunt’s face fell, her brows tightly knitted:

“What should we do then?”

Second Uncle Xu consoled her:

“I’m just speculating, nothing’s certain… Besides, with Ning Yan’s current cultivation level, he can’t even die—having offspring isn’t that important.”

“Nonsense!” The aunt threw her novel at him:

“Without offspring, wouldn’t I have raised this child for nothing?”

…

In the spacious, luxurious bedchamber, Xu Qi An embraced Lin An’s soft, delicate body, his palm caressing her supple waist. She was covered in sweat, her hair stuck to her face, her eyes misty, breathing in sweet gasps.

Scattered among the various garments like the formal dress and dudou were several family letters.

The easily deceived Lin An had been moved when she saw how many family letters the royal dog had written to her.

Then, after experiencing Xu Qi An’s gentle caresses, she completely surrendered, throwing the Nine-Tailed Fox’s words to the wind.

“Ning Yan!”

Lin An’s lotus-like arms wrapped around his neck as she said coquettishly:

“I want to return to the palace tomorrow to see Mother Imperial Consort.”

Xu Qi An looked back at her:

“If you want to go, then go. Why ask me?”

Lin An said softly:

“Huai Qing won’t let me enter the inner palace to see Mother Imperial Consort. They say Mother has recently been stirring up court officials, making them pressure Huai Qing to establish a crown prince. Mother wants Imperial Brother’s eldest son to be crown prince.”

Although Imperial Consort Chen had been utterly defeated, she wasn’t discouraged because her daughter had married Xu Qi An.

Just being Constable Xu’s mother-in-law meant she didn’t have to endure anyone’s disdain.

Those in court with active minds who wanted to rekindle cold ashes had their eyes on Imperial Consort Chen.

Your mother’s level is too low, she should cause less trouble. If Huai Qing just ignores her, she could crush her with one finger… Xu Qi An thought this but couldn’t say it aloud:

“Huai Qing probably worries that Imperial Consort Chen will incite you to make trouble again.”

Lin An twisted her waist in displeasure:

“I won’t easily let Mother use me as a pawn.”

Yeah, right… Xu Qi An said:

“Lin An, do you still want to get revenge on Huai Qing, suppress her thoroughly, show off your power before her?”

Lin An’s eyes lit up, “You have a way?”

Of course—for example, the younger sister could become the elder sister, making Huai Qing call you sister… Xu Qi An held back and changed the subject:

“You didn’t miss me at all.”

“I did,” Lin An hurriedly said.

Xu Qi An grabbed both her hands and said solemnly:

“Your nails aren’t even trimmed, yet you say you missed me.”

Lin An: “?”

…

“Aunt!”

Bai Ji knocked on the window, her small figure casting a shadow.

“The dog man asked me to bring something to you.”

Bai Ji’s childish voice came through.

Wearing thin undergarments, Mu Nan Chi opened the window to see the petite Bai Ji carrying a small sheepskin bag that was bulging.

She snorted, held Bai Ji in her arms, opened the bag’s clasp, and took out a stack of papers—not thick but not thin either. She sat at the table and began to read.

“Nan Chi, after half a month apart, I miss you dearly…”

At first, she curled her lip in disdain, then gradually became immersed, occasionally curling her lips into a smile. Without realizing it, the candle had burned low.

Mu Nan Chi reluctantly put down the letters, opened the window, and tossed Bai Ji back out:

“Go sleep with your Sister Ye Ji, don’t look for me before noon tomorrow.”

Bai Ji made a soft sound and scampered off to find Ye Ji.

After finally managing to knock on Ye Ji’s window, she was thrown out again.

“Go sleep with Xu Ling Yin, don’t look for me before noon tomorrow.”

“Hmph!”

Bai Ji snorted at the window and ran away angrily.

…

Deep night, in Jing Mountain City.

The round moon cast frost-white light, making the stars in the sky dim.

Below the altar where the Shaman God statue stood, robed shamans gathered like ants in the night.

One by one, robed and hooded shamans sat cross-legged below the altar as if preparing for some grand ceremony.

Li Ling Su’s two lovers, the East sisters, were among them.

Dong Fang Wan Qing looked around at the silent shamans and said softly:

“Sister, what’s happening?”

Not long ago, Great Shaman Salun Agu had summoned all shamans within the three kingdoms, ordering them to gather at Jing Mountain City within two days.

Now thousands of shamans had gathered in Jing Mountain City, though many low-ranked shamans had not yet arrived.

Dong Fang Wan Rong’s expression was grave:

“Teacher said great calamity will befall the three kingdoms.”

Only by gathering in Jing Mountain City would they have a glimmer of hope for survival.

Dong Fang Wan Qing expressed confusion, “The Shaman God has partially broken free from the seal, can’t he protect you?”

She used “you” because Dong Fang Wan Qing wasn’t a shaman but a warrior.

At this moment, a nearby shaman said:

“Yesterday I heard Elder Yi’er Bu say that man has already become formidable. Not just the Great Shaman, even the current Shaman God probably can’t suppress him.

“I suspect the so-called great calamity must be related to that man.”

The charming Dong Fang Wan Rong frowned and asked:

“Who is this ‘that man’ Elder Yi’er Bu speaks of?”