CHAPTER 244: 244- SECRETS [3]

Fang Yuan, still sore from the brutal "training" that had nearly torn his body apart, sat cross-legged in silence as the jade slip’s glow faded.

A voice lingered in the air:

"This is Xiao Pei. I’ve picked up some troubling news—the Azure Phoenix Kingdom has begun moving in the shadows. The peace talks between the two kingdoms have collapsed, and war is already looming on the horizon.

The Eastern Region lies closest to their borders, which means it will be the first to feel the brunt of their armies. Consider this message a reminder to be on guard.

If conflict breaks out, your Fang Clan could easily be caught in between, sandwiched by both kingdoms.

Prepare yourselves in advance. Also me and Du Juan, we decided to get married, so you can tell Lin Zhaoyue to worry no more."

The jade slip dimmed, the voice fading into silence.

For a moment, the training hall was utterly still.

Then Fang Yuan’s face contorted in disbelief. "Wait, what? Did Xiao Pei and Du Juan just got married!? What in the heavens is happening here?"

The news at the end hit harder than anything about kingdoms or war.

Lin Zhaoyue only chuckled softly, her tone feather-light as she smiled. "Your sworn brother is so hardworking. But don’t worry, dear—I’ve already made preparations for this."

Fang Yuan narrowed his eyes. "Preparations? For what? And what did he mean by telling you not to worry anymore?"

Lin Zhaoyue’s smile deepened, her eyes curving into crescents. "Husband, like your sworn brother said... don’t worry."

Fang Yuan remained curious but, seeing her calm expression, decided not to press further.

"That’s that," Lin Zhaoyue said with a serene smile. "But your sworn brother’s intel is already way too behind. The Azure Phoenix Kingdom’s forces have long since slipped across the borders. I wouldn’t be surprised if they strike within the next few days."

Fang Yuan’s gaze sharpened on her. "You already knew?"

She tilted her head, lips curving. "Well... I have ears everywhere, if you must know."

"Even in the Azure Phoenix Kingdom?" Xiao Bai cut in, brows raised in open disbelief.

"Even in the Azure Phoenix Kingdom," Lin Zhaoyue admitted without hesitation.

Xiao Bai scoffed. "No way. You’re lying, you crazy witch."

Lin Zhaoyue turned her head ever so slightly, her eyes locking with Xiao Bai’s.

The weight of that single glance was enough to freeze the air. Then, with perfect calm, she shifted her gaze back to Fang Yuan.

"Husband," she said sweetly, "I also know that the Divine Ice Sect is nothing more than a small sect of about a thousand members. And, of course... they only accept females."

"What!?" Xiao Bai barked, nearly leaping to her feet. "What a load of bullcrap!"

Fang Yuan frowned. "I’ve met Elder Mo and a few disciples. Elder Mo was clearly a man, and several of the disciples he brought along were men as well."

"Indeed," Xiao Bai added quickly, glaring daggers. "If you don’t know, and yo are simply trying to impress your husband, just say so. Don’t go about spouting such nonsense!"

"Husband, shall we speak somewhere private?"

Lin Zhaoyue’s voice was soft, but her eyes flicked toward Xiao Bai with a knowing glint, like a predator reminding prey that it saw everything, even their darkest secrets.

Fang Yuan on the other hand didn’t see why not.

A short break with his wife might be pleasant... and perhaps, if he pressed just right, he could also uncover why Xiao Pei had said Lin Zhaoyue no longer needed to worry about him and Du Juan after marrying each other.

He turned with a faint smile. "Sect Leader Bai, we should continue our training later, for now let me take a short break."

Xiao Bai’s eyes went wide, her composure cracking.

"No! We can’t stop now!" she blurted, her voice sharper than intended. She jabbed a finger toward his chest. "Look at you, your body’s already trying to self-heal. That’s dangerous! You didn’t even take the pill. If you don’t temper it properly, all the hard beating you endured earlier will be in vain!"

Fang Yuan raised a brow at her urgency, but before he could respond, she stomped closer, almost flustered. "Sit down. We’ll beat you up again, then force the pill through your meridians. That way, the healing won’t just patch you, it’ll overcompensate and strengthen you. Trust me, you don’t want to slack off now."

But Lin Zhaoyue wasn’t one to give up.

Her lips curved in that gentle smile that made Fang Yuan’s scalp prickle.

"Husband, just look at her. From where I’m standing, she seems no more than a child trying to play adult. Do you remember how she first appeared from the Qin Army? All cold and icy, pretending to be untouchable?"

She tilted her head, eyes glimmering. "That’s all this is. Elder Mo, too, must have learned the art of face-masks—why else would a so-called man appear in their ranks? They wear the guise, speak with a false tone, but underneath..."

Her smile deepened, voice softening to a whisper that sent a chill down Xiao Bai’s spine. "It’s nothing but a woman’s ploy."

Lin Zhaoyue’s gaze slid toward Xiao Bai, deceptively warm yet cutting like a blade. "And right now, she’s trying to charm you, acting coy, acting helpless, trying to make herself seem... desirable. But worry not, husband. I’m here. I won’t let anyone steal you away."

Xiao Bai shot up, her cheeks burning. "Steal your husband? Hah! Who would want him? I’d sooner wed a donkey than that man!" she snapped, voice pitched higher than she intended.

Yet for all her fury, she never denied Lin Zhaoyue’s other accusations.

Not a word against the claim of face-mask arts a word against the suggestion of an all-female sect.

Fang Yuan blinked, looking between them, then muttered under his breath as he realised something, "Don’t tell me all those so-called males you take in every year are just your disciples practicing face-mask art?"