How come I'm the one being conquered?

"Sister! Are you feeling any better?"

"I'm alright, I didn't mean to worry you, little sister." Xue Yi managed a smile and stepped forward, gently stroking Han Ya's hair as she always did, a habit from when she was human.

"It's good that you're alright, it's good..." Han Ya pressed Xue Yi's unfeeling hand to her cheek, gazing at her tenderly. "Oh, right, Sister. I won't be accompanying you tomorrow when you return to the living realm."

"You won't accompany me... That's fine, I shouldn't trouble you with everything, little sister." Even as she said it, Xue Yi's tone couldn't help but betray a hint of disappointment.

"As compensation, I'll have Bai Jun accompany you tomorrow!"

"Anything is fine... Huh? Really!" Xue Yi's eyes widened. Even her mechanical body couldn't hide the joy in her heart.

"Of course! Bai Jun has already agreed..." Han Ya's voice grew weaker, and the sense of unease in her heart intensified. She didn't know why, but she forced a smile and shared the good news with her sister.

Xue Yi didn't notice the slight change in Han Ya's expression. She was too immersed in the happiness of being able to spend time alone with Bai Jun. Just as she was about to ask for details, a very familiar scent suddenly reached her olfactory system.

Following the scent, her gaze landed on the packaging bag in Han Ya's hand. "Little sister, what is this? Why can I smell—"

"N-nothing! I have something to do, so I won't be staying with you, Sister!"

Mentioning the topic, Han Ya's tone suddenly rose, and her expression became visibly flustered. She clutched the packaging bag tightly and hurried away.

Watching her flustered back, Xue Yi couldn't help but feel puzzled.

Could it be a hallucination? No, but there really was Bai Jun's scent in that bag...

Chapter 43: Tingyun Cannot

Back at the Department of Earthly Rulings, the clock on the wall indicated it was around three in the afternoon. Bai Jun brewed a pot of hot tea and, before the steaming tea bowls, methodically began processing the case files left from the morning.

One pot of Scaled Abyss Spring after another, he refilled the tea several times. Before he knew it, the tea was bland, and the sky grew darker.

By the time the tea in the bowls completely lost its luster, it was almost time to knock off. Bai Jun tidied his messy desk and bid farewell to his colleagues passing by on their way out.

"Good work, good work! Remember to rest well when you get back."

"See you tomorrow, Qing Yan. You were really cool this afternoon."

"W-wanna hang out?"

"..."

By the time he left the Public Office, it was already evening. The setting sun at the edge of the sky sank into a bowl of hot tea, as if blooming an orange-red flower in the Chahai. Flowers, too, eventually wither. As the evening cold wind blew, petals fell, scattering across the streets of Changle Heaven.

After the daytime clamor, Changle Heaven finally had a moment of respite. The crowded streets seemed much quieter. Along the roadside, a few Xianzhou citizens could be heard chatting about recent major events.

"Hey, did you hear? That world-famous idol is coming to our Luofu for a concert tour!"

"Big idol? I'm usually not interested in that stuff. Who are you talking about?"

"You don't know Zhi Geng Niao? Isn't your wife your biggest fan of her song 'Lonely Swing'?"

"Ah! So it's her. I've heard her songs, but I think they're just okay. Not as good as our Xianzhou opera."

"Xi... Careful what you say, brother. Do you know some fans are really obsessive? If they hear you say that, they'll never let it go!" His friend quickly covered his mouth, urging him to lower his voice. Obsessive fan groups are not to be trifled with; this was a bloody lesson learned by countless people.

Bai Jun, who had stopped by the entrance while buying some dumplings from a dessert shop across from Changle Heaven Square and eating them as he walked, overheard their conversation without anyone noticing.

Seeing that they had stopped talking, Bai Jun put away his curiosity and headed in the direction of his home.

Walking slowly in the sunset, Bai Jun took a bite of a dumpling after another, his eyes squinting contentedly. He mused that life's greatest pleasures were no more than this. At the same time, his Jade Omen in his pocket rang. In a good mood, he took out the Jade Omen and brought it closer. As he looked, his expression gradually became strange.

[Luofu's Charming Gentleman: You there?]

[Southern Flowing Scenery: Nope, and what's with your ID? It's disgusting...]

[Luofu's Charming Gentleman: I tried a gacha game called "Luofu Beauties Illustrated" yesterday. I felt a strange sense of familiarity with "Luofu's Charming Gentleman" from the limited-time cards, so I borrowed it. Besides, shouldn't you use interesting names when surfing the web?]

[Southern Flowing Scenery: I feel like "Real-Name Surfing" is better. So, what do you want to talk about? Get to the point.]

[Luofu's Charming Gentleman: Drinks tonight!]

[Southern Flowing Scenery: Allow me to refuse. Also, you drank all the alcohol at my place, so there's none left.]

[Luofu's Charming Gentleman: Haha, don't be so heartless. I'll bring the wine over then. Besides, I finally managed to escape from a mountain of trivial matters. It's rare to find some time to chat and relax.]

Bai Jun didn't reply to Jing Yuan, only sighing and throwing the plastic bag of dumplings into the trash can. He then turned around and headed to the nearest convenience store to pick out a couple of bottles of good quality spirits and cocktails.

After hesitating at the checkout counter for a moment, Bai Jun eventually added three more bottles of spirits—a total of four bottles of high-proof spirits and two cocktails.

The reason was simple: although Jing Yuan appeared quite reliable on the surface, he was actually a complete alcoholic in private. His favorite pastime was to come to his place and mooch off his alcohol.

His high tolerance for alcohol was one thing, but he always insisted on drinking until he was drunk. After getting thoroughly drunk, he would drag Bai Jun along to appreciate poetry and then inevitably crash on Bai Jun's bed until well past dawn, forcing Bai Jun to sleep on the floor. It was truly unbearable.

How could he tolerate someone snoring beside his bed?

Carrying the box full of alcohol, Bai Jun thought that this time, he absolutely couldn't let him drink too much. At the very least, even if he did get drunk, he would definitely kick him out of the house and not let him occupy his bed again.

He grumbled to himself as he skillfully pushed the door open with one hand, placing the alcohol and shopping bags on the floor at the entrance, and changed out of his coat and shoes.

Xianzhou was like this. Despite its highly developed technological tree, it remained quite traditional in many customs and practices. Take the lighting in the house, for example... He flipped the switch for the hallway light, and with a click, the entire room gradually brightened.

The walls were clean and bright, the floor was tidy and free of clutter. In the center of the living room, there was only a sandalwood dining table and a few chairs.

Beside the edge of the desk stood a bookshelf, neatly stacked with over ten books and magazines on weapon forging design. On the wall to his right were embedded gray pipes and connected wall lamps.

Everything was so simple that it was almost too desolate, not at all like a bachelor's living space. The only trace of someone living there was probably the unmade bedding on the bed.

Although he didn't need to be overly particular with Jing Yuan, he was a guest after all. Bai Jun specifically tidied up the bed, folded the bedding, and smoothed out the sheets. Just as he was contemplating whether to cook something, a series of urgent knocks suddenly came from the door.

Knock, knock, knock—!

"Coming, coming, rushing like you're trying to get reincarnated..." Bai Jun grumbled as he opened the door. His expression froze the moment he saw Tingyun standing at the entrance, smiling sweetly.

Tingyun also tilted her head up slightly, meeting his gaze. The already quiet night instantly became even more deathly silent.

"Long time no see, benefactor," Tingyun said first, holding a folded fan and smiling.

Thump—!

The door was slammed shut forcefully. Bai Jun stood behind it, rubbing his eyes. Then, refusing to believe it, he poked his head out from behind the door again.

The familiar delicate features, the always beautiful tail, and the incredibly graceful figure. The only slight imperfection was her rather frightening expression.

"What do you mean by this, benefactor?"

The smile she maintained showed signs of cracking, but she still suppressed her anger and spoke expressionlessly.

"Tingyun, why are you... a little scary today?" Bai Jun swallowed nervously upon hearing the slight hint of anger in her voice. He subtly pulled his head back, turning to close the door.

But clearly, Tingyun wouldn't let him have his way this time. A pair of fair, beautiful hands firmly gripped the door panel that was about to close, her slender arms unleashing a terrifying strength unlike any other day.

"Tingyun, stop! The door will break!"

Feeling the door being pulled back, Bai Jun's face turned almost white with fright. The crucial point was that he was afraid of hurting Tingyun's hands, so he didn't dare to exert force. He could only watch helplessly as his front door was gradually pried open.

"Then just open the door! Why are you avoiding me?" Tingyun's pent-up anger finally erupted. How she wished she could ride on Bai Jun and loudly question what she lacked compared to those other women, but before that, she still had to open this door.

"First, I'm not avoiding you. Second, anyone would be scared and hide inside if they saw you like this at night!"

"I don't care, open the door quickly, or this humble girl will just stay here and not leave!"

Bai Jun tried to retort loudly to deter Tingyun's actions, but it clearly backfired. Tingyun's fair, slender legs stretched into his room, and then half of her body forcefully tried to squeeze in.

"Squawk, n-not tasty! This is trespassing! According to the Xianzhou Law, Personal Property Article 56: Anyone who forcibly demolishes or illegally intrudes into another citizen's residence using props without permission shall be sentenced to imprisonment for 30 to 50 years..."

With the situation escalating, Bai Jun became even more hesitant to use force, fearing he might injure her. In the end, he could only be "invaded" into his home while loudly reciting Xianzhou Law statutes.

Thud—!

With a loud crash, both of them fell to the ground. However, this perfectly suited someone's intentions.

"You can't escape, benefactor!"

Tingyun lunged forward, her soft, light body pressing down on Bai Jun without hesitation. Like a beast that had caught the scent of blood, she pinned his face, rendering him unable to resist. At the same time, her fluffy, beautiful fox tail coiled tightly around his thigh.

"Please, big sister, just finish me off! Did I break some heavenly law?" Bai Jun pleaded innocently. His limbs were pinned beneath Tingyun, and any attempt to struggle would inevitably lead to skin contact. If he touched something he shouldn't, it would be over!

Seeing his hands so well-behaved, Tingyun became even angrier. Her tender fingers pinched his cheek fiercely, "Then tell me! Who was the woman you were shopping with today?"

"W-woman!?"

Bai Jun immediately knew Tingyun was referring to what happened that afternoon. Although he wanted to refute it, he knew he couldn't panic in this situation. He feigned an innocent look of sudden realization, "A colleague! Just a colleague! We were just discussing some matters!"

"Liar! When did Su Shang become your colleague?"

"You know Su Shang!? Th-this, you really need to let me explain..."

As Bai Jun watched with increasing dread, Tingyun's expression gradually broke. A hint of infatuation and obsession crept into her smile, "Benefactor, you're usually indifferent, right? It's better to give yourself to me than to them! I'm not that bad, am I!"

"One isn't enough? You want two, right? It doesn't matter, at least I get to be first!" As she spoke, Tingyun began to frantically tear at Bai Jun's clothes, quickly ripping off half of his shirt.

Bai Jun realized that mere words might not be effective against the current Tingyun. Just as he was about to forcefully resist and teach this fox a lesson, a gentle, steady voice laced with worry came from outside the door:

"Bai Jun? I heard a lot of commotion from your place. Why is Tingyun's voice in there too... What happened?"

Tingyun and Bai Jun's eyes widened simultaneously, and they looked towards the door in sheer panic.

That voice is—!?

Chapter 44: A Night Out in Changle Heaven

On a certain night, on a certain day, Yukong, after finishing her duties at the Tianbo Division early, uncharacteristically returned to her home. She rarely left the Tianbo Division, and even if she had nothing to do, she would diligently stay within its confines. However, today was different.

Within the "Yellow Bell" resonance system, she had encountered an old friend, or rather, a junior, whom she hadn't seen in over twenty-four years.

[General Sans-Wu: It's been a long time, Sister Yukong. It's been almost twenty years since we last parted. How have you been lately?]

This familiar address brought back many memories for Yukong.

More than twenty years ago, she was the vanguard of the "Qingqiu Army" on Yaoqing, and Yukong was a pilot in the Luofu's "Drooping Rainbow Guard." She never expected that upon meeting again, her junior would have become a general of a fleet, while Yukong herself had given up flying... Thinking about it now, it felt like a lifetime ago. After all, who could have imagined that the little fox who used to follow behind her would now be one of the esteemed Seven Arbiter-Generals of the Emperor's Bow?

Life truly is like this; there are always unexpected miracles.

Feixiao was just as Yukong remembered, always calling her "Sister," even after Yukong had sternly reminded her many times. Yet, she still enjoyed it. Although her current status no longer permitted her to converse with a mere retired pilot like this... Perhaps in this regard, Feixiao was no different from the past.

But no matter what, it was good to meet again. After all, the lifespan of Foxkin was shorter than that of Xianzhou people. They might pass away early, before reaching three hundred years, and thus lose the chance to meet again. That would be truly regrettable.

She and Feixiao chatted and reminisced for a long time. As the sky grew darker, their enthusiasm for each other did not wane in the slightest.

[General Sans-Wu: Listening to your words, Sister Yukong... could it be that you've taken a liking to that boy who is much younger than you?]

[Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: Shh... Feixiao, what are you talking about! I-I've never said I had any feelings for him... I just occasionally think that he's a good friend.]

[General Sans-Wu: Oh? Then can Sister Yukong let me see what that boy looks like? Or you can tell me his name too.]

[Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: He's called... Wait, why are you asking this? No, no, I can't tell you.]

[General Sans-Wu: Ha, you won't even tell me his name, so you must have feelings for him, right, Sister?]

[Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: Feixiao! If you keep this up, I'm not going to talk to you anymore!]

[General Sans-Wu: No, no, no, sister, don't be angry. I didn't say anything. I just think that Qingni has grown up, and there's no need for you to keep putting pressure on yourself. You're doing great with everything, so try to relax and pursue what you truly want.]

[Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: I... I'm past the age for romance, and Qingni and Tingyun still need me to take care of them...]

[General Sans-Wu: Sigh, sister, if you're so indecisive, what if he gets snatched up by another woman one day? Are you, the famous Fox of Starlight, going to end up crying in a corner?]

[General Sans-Wu: Let me teach you a trick, sister. It's guaranteed to work!]

[Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: You're teaching me... I've never heard of the great victorious General of Yaoqing being involved in any romantic scandals.]

[General Sans-Wu: Not at all. It just so happens that I've had someone I care about these past few years, just like you, a boy much younger than me. So, you could say I have some experience, even though he ran off... cough That's a bit off-topic. Listen closely now, I'll only say it once, okay?]

[Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: You, you say...]

[General Sans-Wu: Next time you see him, just kiss him directly. He won't be able to handle it!]

[Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456: ???]

[General Sans-Wu: I've tested it, and it works! It's best to pin him against a wall, gently lift his chin with your finger, and then lower your head to savor him fiercely...]

[Rainbow of Wind and Rain 456 has gone offline]

Swiftly closing the Jade Omen, Yukong rubbed her flushed cheeks vigorously. Her fox ears drooped slightly with shyness. "Ah, honestly, just talking nonsense. Feixiao has become so improper!"

"But she actually has someone she likes too... That's nice."

Perhaps it was too much tea, or perhaps she was too excited, but Yukong lay in bed, unable to fall asleep for a long time. The moonlight streamed into the room. Tonight, the moonlight in the cave dwelling was even brighter than usual. Gazing at the moonlight pouring in through the window, Yukong felt inspired to go for a night stroll. She quickly got dressed, grabbed a Louryu Lantern, and headed out.

Her home was also located in the Starcruiser Sea Hub. For work convenience, it was very close to the Tianbo Division. Just a few steps out the door, she could see the majestic, eave-like structures of the Tianbo Division. Since she had nothing else to do, she decided to go in and inspect it, just in case anything went wrong.

It seemed two new girls were on duty in the main hall today. One of them was yawning incessantly, barely staying awake, while the other had more directly fallen asleep on the desk.

Seeing this, Yukong quietly walked up to the two girls. She draped her own fur coat, used for keeping out the cold, over the sleeping girl. Then, under the other girl's utterly astonished gaze, she slowly left.