Spring Winds

"You're right, Zhuang Zhi.

Patience really does pay off!" Long Yuan smiled as he looked over his list of wives and concubines.

Since his harem has expanded from the humble number of fifteen to almost a respectable thirty, it has become a little challenging to keep track and remember every single woman. Thankfully, his system upgraded and now includes a detailed list of his treasures and the women in his harem.

It has become easier to keep track of those beauties that he has recently acquired using this tool. Including the ones that his system so generously promised him.

'Hmm, who has this master not seen in a long time?' Scrolling through the list, the images of beautiful women accompanied by their names and when they joined him appeared across the screen.

However, even those he had a wide array of women at his disposal, as much as he hated to say, most were one and done for him. Thankfully, those women were already satisfied with the conditions he gave them, so he wouldn't need to worry too much about feeling lonely.

"How many days are left in this place, Zhuang Zhi?" Long Yuan asked.

"The remaining duration of Dungeon: Mystic Treasure Realm is ten days.

The total completion of plot quests and side events is seventy-five percent complete.

Keep up the excellent work, Host." The robotic voice answered.

"Hmm, not bad, not bad." Not too shabby, considering the remaining time left. And considering his current progress, he should be able to smoothly sail through the rest of the events that his system should throw at him.

'Everything is falling into place.'

Suddenly, a puff of smoke appeared right before him as a woman collapsed from it.

"D-darling!" The fox demon cried as the smoke cleared, revealing her pitiful and alluring form.

"Meng Li[1]!" Rushing over to the vixen, Long Yuan caught the woman as she fell towards him. "Who did this to you?!

Tell me who dares hurt my woman?!" Long Yuan glared at the bright red mark that started to sear into his mistress's face.

Even though her power could cover up some internal wounds, it was evident that the one on Meng Li's face was deep with intention as the large red hand mark covered half of her beautiful face.

"Sniff... " Meng Li leaned into Long Yuan as pearlescent dribbled down her fair face. "D-darling, some vicious girl dared to hit this concubine!

Even though this concubine was only preparing her meal in peace, someone dared to lay their filthy hands on me!

Look at me!

I'm ruined!" She wailed as she buried her pretty face deeper into the crook of his neck.

"How dare they!

Tell me, Meng Li, who are these audacious people?!" Long Yuan seethed in rage as he watched his mistress cry.

'How dare a mere cannon fodder lay their hands on my woman!

Didn't they know that hitting a man's concubine was the equivalent of slapping him in the face!'

How could he endure such humiliation?!

Even though he knew what she meant by 'eating her meal,' he brushed it off since who would remember a nameless cannon fodder? They were far more helpful as his woman's dinner rather than take up any space or glory that belongs to him.

"Don't worry, Meng Li. This master promises to bring justice to you. Just tell me who these maggots were."

"Sniff… t-the one who did this to me was named Zhu Na Ran. As for the one I tried to eat, it was Ye Lian Hua…."

'Ahh, the two martial aunties….'

Long Yuan didn't have many interactions with the pair of elusive sisters, but he did have the privilege of meeting the older one, Ye Lian Hua, on more than a few occasions.

'She appears to give off a cold and hard exterior; however, I'm sure that there's a shy and cute girl underneath.'

Women like Ye Lian Hua were Long Yuan's type. The type who always appeared strong and unattainable but became as gentle as a lamb once caught and adequately tamed.

'Ah, such a pity it had to be her.'

Long Yuan tried to bring Ye Lian Hua into his harem on more than a few occasions; however, the timing was always inconvenient. Such a shame since he believed that she would be a good principal wife.

Since he doesn't like to play favorites in his harem, it makes it challenging to manage all of the women in his backcourt since they are all on equal footing of status in trying to vie for his love and attention.

'It's exhausting, honestly.'

That's where Ye Lian Hua would've played an excellent role as his primary wife. As one of the noblest women that he's met, she would've been able to take control of his harem and manage them accordingly.

Of course, he had other noblewomen, but they all lacked one or more traits that Ye Lian Hua had.

For example, his third wife[2], Li Hua, was the little princess of the Li Clan of the Shui Nation; however, she lacked the patience to stay on task.

Or his eighth concubine, Lady Hei Yao. She is the boss lady of the largest information guild of the Chu Nation and is quite diligent with work; however, she lacks the care of handling more personal matters.

And finally, his fifteenth concubine, Beauty Xin Ruan, was excellent at forming relationships with the other concubines and recruiting more for his harem, but she was too soft-hearted.

Although he had numerous beauties and talented women in his courtyard, he would need several women to fulfill the role of one Ye Lian Hua. Ah, it was a pity that such a fine woman wasn't written into the novel.

Perhaps, the author had decided to save the best one for last.

"You're thinking of them, aren't you…" Meng Li suddenly spoke up, bringing his attention back to his mistress.

"Of course not; you're the only one that I think about…." He smiled as he tried to cup her face, only for her to turn her head away with a huff.

"Ahh, to think my darling would pine after the one who would do this to me~."

Long Yuan smiled as Meng Li pouted coyly. "Ohh? But it seems like my dear Meng Li has other plans in store.

Tell me, what is it?"

"Well~." Meng Li turned back to Long Yuan as she leaned onto him. Slowly dragging her fingernail up and down his chest in small lines, she smiled. "That Ye Lian Hua was quite interesting~."

"Oh?" Long Yuan cocked his head in interest. "How so, my sweet?"

Leaning up, Meng Li whispered into his ear, sending shudders down his spine. "Fu Fu~. That girl has a Pure Yin Body~."

'A Pure Yin Body?

The kind of constitution in which only appears one in a million people?!'

A smirk found its way on Long Yuan's face. "Is that so, my dear?"

"Ehmm~." Meng Li nodded. "This concubine knows that Darling has been frustrated on not ascending to the next level. Why not use that girl, hmm~?"

The idea certainly was a tempting one, and he was looking for a way to bring Ye Lian Hua into his harem.

"You know me so well, Meng Li." Long Yuan smiled as he pulled her closer to him.

Meng Li giggled as she rested her head on his shoulder. "As you do you, Darling~.

When you're done with her, could you give me a small piece of her? Maybe a finger or some blood~?" Meng Li asked with a pout.

"Of course, my dear. Anything for you."

"Fu fu~.

Darling treats this concubine the best~!"

---

"Sister Qu, are you sure that we can trust Ziya?" A-Tong questioned as she set down the medicine tray. "We barely even know why he wants Sister Ran, and we don't even know where he came from."

Fei Fu Qu looked out from the pavilion at the massive portal at the center of the camp. Its glossy surface ripped like water; however, it was hard as stone to the touch, forbidding anyone else from entering.

A deceiving entrance, she thought.

"In addition, he doesn't look like he's entirely honest with his intentions."

"Hmm." Fei Fu Qu hummed as she picked up the bowl of hot medicine. "Even so, it's better to have an unknown ally rather than a known rival.

Regardless of what he intends, he and I have the same goal in mind."

After all, she would need all the help she could get to rescue her Xiao Ran back from that vicious woman's claws.

"Plus, if he even tries to deceive me in any way or steal away Xiao Ran, I have my ways." Even if they were partners in crime for this instance, he could be her opponent in the next. If even her own blood family could do such a thing, why wouldn't a perfect stranger do so?

"You don't have to worry too much, A-Tong.

I have it under control." Bringing the bitter brew to her lips, Fei Fu Qu quickly downed the dark concoction in one fluid movement.

"Alright, Sister Qu." A-Tong nodded as she took the empty bowl from Fei Fu Qu's hands and handed her some hot tea.

"I think I will retire early today, A-Tong. This medicine is making me feel a bit sleepy."

"Of course, Sister Qu. Let me help you back to your tent." Leisurely returning to her tent, Fei Fu Qu collapsed into her bed with a sigh.

Her eyes felt heavy as she felt the tides of fatigue slowly lull her to sleep.

---

The other day…

"What?" Fei Fu Qu questioned as the young man in front of her smiled. What did he just say?

"I can help you get Zhu Na Ran. I'll even give my assistance for free." Ziya offered. Stepping into the tent, he gestured to a chair. "May I?"

"Of course." Fei Fu Qu nodded as she added. "And why would you help me get Zhu Na Ran? What kind of relationship do you have with Xiao Ran?"

"Well, the details of our relationship are… complicated. However, I must find Miss Zhu and bring her with me to my master."

"Your master?"

'What does this man's master have to do with Xiao Ran?'

"Yes." The young man nodded as A-Tong presented some tea to him. "My master is looking forward to meeting Miss Zhu.

She's been waiting to see her for a long time."

"I see… and why would you want to work with me in getting Xiao Ran?"

"Well, a little bird has told me that you too are searching for her."

"Hmph, I don't need your help in finding Xiao Ran."

"I know. Miss Zhu is currently in the Mystic Treasure Realm with her senior sister, isn't she?"

Fei Fu Qu stiffened at Ziya's words. "What are you getting at, Sir Ziya?"

Ziya smiled as Fei Fu Qu curled her fists into balls under her sleeve. "Hmm, sorry if my words have offended you, Miss Fei. That was not my intention."

"Then what are your intentions, exactly Sir Ziya." Feo Fu Qu gritted out as her patience began to dwindle.

"The Mystic Treasure Realm is a strange phenomenon that occurs every couple hundred years or so. It is categorized by its harsh conditions for entry and exit. Some say that it is impenetrable when at max capacity.

However, very few people know that the Mystic Treasure Realm actually has a small window or when a few more people could slip in and out.

"What?" This was the first time that Fei Fu Qu has ever heard of this. "What do you…."

"I intend to slip into the Mystic Treasure Realm and retrieve Miss Zhu.

Of course, it may become troublesome to leave early with one of the Martial Aunties of Yun Cai Peak when we exit.

Therefore, I was hoping that I could acquire Miss Fei's assistance."

"You wish to kidnap Xiao Ran?"

"Well, that's a harsh way of putting it." Ziya chuckled. "Of course, I will try to convince Miss Zhu to leave with me willingly; however, if she does resist, I might need to resort to some more… extreme means.

However, I promise that I won't do anything to hurt her."

"And once you've gotten her, what will you do?"

"Leave, of course," Ziya answered frankly. "Leave the central valley altogether and bring her to my master.

After all, once Miss Zhu meets my master's, I'm sure that Miss Zhu will have no desire to return here. "

'Leave the central valley?

And maybe leave with Xiao Ran all together?' Won't that mean that she and Xiao Ran could be together without the meddlesome interference of that woman?

Even though she didn't wholly trust Ziya, Fei Fu Qu knew that if she accepted this partnership, she could have a chance to be with Zhu Na Ran for the rest of her life.

"So… what do you say, Miss Fei?"

"..." Hardening her resolve, Fei Fu Qu looked at Ziya with determination in her eyes. "It's a pleasure to work with you, Sir Ziya."

[1] Meng3 Li1 - Violent Beauty. Meng is taken from the adjective "Meng Lie," which means fierce, vigorous, and violent. Li is a common name meaning beauty. Quite a fitting name for the fox demon, no?

[2] Harem tiers - following the saying "three wives, and four concubines," there are tiers in status in a harem. Usually, the one that is the "superior wife" is the principal wife, and thus they are given the title "First Wife." Those that follow after, second, third wife, etc., are slightly below the principal wife as they are legally married into the household. As for concubines, they have no formal power in the harem unless they were in the imperial harem, of course. Usually, concubines have no control in the household. They are considered less than servants and are more akin to slave status because there is no formal marriage ceremony. Hence the saying, "brought in through the back door," as they didn't have a marriage ceremony. That's why it is usually considered better "to be a farmer's wife than a merchant's concubine." Therefore, the dude really has to have a lot going for him for women to be willing to be "slaves" for him.