Xian He sat cross-legged on the bed, with the intermediate Inscribed Pattern Summoning Scroll spread out before him.
The dazzling white light faded, and a pretty young woman appeared, barefoot on the spread-out scroll.
She had arched brows, large eyes, and a straight nose, with a pleasing, symmetrical face. Her long black ponytail fell to her waist, and she wore a fiery-red martial arts outfit. With her hands on her hips, she radiated an indescribable air of authority.
"Who are you?" The girl stood with her hands on her hips, looking down at Xian He as she spoke in a clear, resonant voice.
She'd clearly been practicing at the martial arts grounds on her family's estate just a moment ago. How had she suddenly ended up on this man's... bed?
For some reason, this handsome man made her feel inexplicably close to him. She really wanted to throw herself into his arms and wrap her arms around his neck, acting spoiled.
Strange! So strange. Why would she have such thoughts? Was this what they called love at first sight?
"Hello, Xiao Xue. I'm Xian He!" Xian He smiled slightly and introduced himself.
He had read the Demon God Record novels extensively and devoured the manga and anime, so he recognized the girl at once.
This pretty little girl in red was Xiao Xue, a direct descendant of the Xiao Clan, one of the twenty great noble families in the Glory City. They said she and Nie Li's best buddy, Lu Piao, had been childhood friends. He wondered if Brother Piao had ever peeked at her yet.
Xiao Xue's heart jolted. "You know me, Master? We've never met. How do you know who I am?"
Had she met him in a dream?
Was she the woman of his dreams?
Come to think of it, why had she called him "Master"?
"You don't need to know how I know you. I know you, and I know you have a childhood friend named Lu Piao." Xian He asked nervously, "Xiao Xue, have you... have you ever let Lu Piao peek at you while you were bathing?"
If she had, he could only make her a servant. He couldn't accept another man having ogled his woman's body.
At Xian He's question, Xiao Xue slowly raised her slender arm and showed him her small, delicate palm.
She'd let Lu Piao peek at her? What a joke! What would that make her??
If anyone else had asked her that, she would have slapped him across the face.
But she couldn't bring herself to feel the slightest bit of hostility toward the man before her. After struggling with herself for a moment, Xiao Xue lowered her hand and answered honestly, "No! Lu Piao and I are only ordinary friends for now. Please don't ask me that kind of question again, Master. I hate being asked things like that."
Master?
Good grief! What was wrong with her mouth today? Why did she keep calling him Master without meaning to?
"Sorry. I won't ask again."
After hearing Xiao Xue's answer, Xian He breathed a sigh of relief. He wasn't sure he could bear to make such a beautiful woman his servant.
"System, what's Xiao Xue's score? Can she be my wife?" Xian He asked silently.
[Looks: nine points. She meets the requirements. The system strongly recommends that the host marry her!]
"Nine points? She's actually just as beautiful as my Yun Ling?" Xian He raised an eyebrow. If that was the case, he supposed he could make the effort to marry her.
He didn't force himself on her, because the system required him not to go against her wishes.
And so, he spent the entire afternoon chatting with Xiao Xue.
After talking for a while, Xian He learned that Sacred Orchid Academy hadn't started its term yet, and there was still over a month before the new students arrived.
According to the original novel, Xiao Xue didn't let Lu Piao peek at her bathing until after the term began.
At the moment, Xiao Xue only had a slight fondness for Lu Piao. She wasn't yet at the point of giving herself to him.
"Xue'er, try this!" Xian He led Xiao Xue to the old Siheyuan, picked a fresh Crystal Pomegranate from the tree, and offered it to her.
Xiao Xue was outgoing and didn't hold grudges. The moment she saw something tasty, she forgot all about their earlier unpleasantness.
The maid Muyang was playing with Dabao and Erbabao in the covered walkway. She glanced up, saw her master returning with a pretty young woman, and froze.
"Master, who is this lovely young lady...?"
Before Xian He could think of an answer, Xiao Xue spoke up first. "Hello, I'm Xiao Xue. I'm a good friend of Xian He's."
"Good... friend?" Muyang gave Xian He a teasing look. She'd followed him for six years; she knew exactly what he was up to.
The second madam was quite a beauty—she had the face and the figure. Her master certainly had good taste.
But was she from their Sky Fortune Tribe? Her skin was so smooth and delicate, and her clothes were so fine. She didn't look at all like someone who'd been worn down by the harsh conditions of the Tianyun Plateau.
"Big sister! Big sister, pick me up! Give me a hug!" Xian Dabao ran over excitedly like a cheerful little bumblebee.
"Oh, you're so cute~" Xiao Xue bent down slightly and gently pinched his chubby cheeks.
Xian He stood not far behind Xiao Xue. When she bent over, he got a perfect view of that smooth, rounded curve.
"Gulp!"
Xian He swallowed. The volcano he'd kept suppressed for nearly a year seemed poised to erupt.
"Here, have some!" Xiao Xue split the Crystal Pomegranate in two and gave one half to Xian Dabao.
Before you continue