It was early morning.

Eren was still in bed, not having any idea about the person who was sleeping next to him.

He didn't even know that his hand was wrapped around Xiu Ying's waist.

There was barely any distance between the two of them as he was basically cuddling with her, without realising.

"Hmmm, the bed feels so good."

He softly nuzzled his face against Xiu Ying's neck, feeling the warmth radiating from her body.

His hand moved up, feeling something soft in his grasp.

"Hmm? Something doesn't feel right?"

He squeezed his hand a little, having a bad feeling about this. This scent... It didn't belong to the bed. He didn't know if he was still half asleep and imagining things.

Ungh~

A soft moan resounded as soon as he squeezed lightly.

His back was covered in a cold sweat as he thought of something.

This moan sounded too real to be a dream. And his hand... It was definitely not on a pillow.

He slowly opened his eyes. The scent appeared even more prominent as he saw who it belonged to.

He wasn't alone on the bed. Instead he was with a woman. And he didn't need to guess who this woman was.

He wanted to take his hand off her, but Xiu Ying placed her hand over his hand, not letting him take it off.

"You are awake?"

"I have been awake since before you started playing." Xiu Ying's beautiful voice came in response.

"Cough, I wasn't planning. I was in sleep."

"Then stay in sleep." Xiu Ying smiled, pressing on his hand which was resting on her breasts.

Eren wanted to take his hand off, but it was held in place by Xiu Ying's hand. He didn't try to pull his hand as he didn't want to reveal how weak he was.

Instead of trying to take off his hand and failing, thereby exposing his weakness, he preferred to not even try.

"That's not a place I should be touching."

"Where else do you want to touch then?"

"Cough, we have more important things to do. Don't forget."

"There is plenty of time until that. That girl still hasn't left the city."

"You... How did you even enter my room? I'm sure I locked it."

"I asked for a spare key from the manager."

"And he gave it to you?"

"Did he have another choice?"

"I keep forgetting who you actually are. We really should get ready. Even if she didn't leave the city, there are a lot of preparations to be done. I must have her as my disciple."

"Your body is more honest than your mouth." Xiu Ying teasingly said.

"That's just a natural reaction."

....

In the City Lord's Mansion~

A young man opened his eyes, feeling slight pain in his left cheek.

His chest heaved with each breath, and a wave of pain washed over him, causing him to instinctively clutch his chest.

His body felt heavy and sore.

Confusion clouded his mind as he struggled to recall the events that led him to this moment.

Gradually, his surroundings started to come into focus. The room was dimly lit, but he could still make out a person's figure.

The person next to him was none other than the Crown Prince.

"How did I get here? What happened to the battle?"

"Junior Brother Yang, the battle..."

"Why are you hesitating? My memories are a little hazy. What happened there?"

The Crown Prince took a deep breath, before explaining,

"The battle lasted for only ten seconds. And you were beaten black and blue. She hit you very hard, so it makes sense you are having trouble recalling things."

"Nonsense! How could I lose so fast? And that too, against a mere inner disciple?"

"I wish it was a lie. But everyone present there saw it." The Crown Prince sighed. "Though I did tell everyone to never mention the results of any of the battles here outside."

"How could it happen?" The young man clutched his head. "Father would kill me if he finds out that I was beaten by a mere inner disciple!"

"How would he find out?" The Crown Prince interjected.

"The people who saw it, would never dare spread something like that. It would be no different than offending the Asura Sect! So Junior Brother Yang can relax."

"I can't relax!"

Yang Kuan still couldn't believe it.

He had thought that he was going to beat that girl and make his father proud. But instead, he lost. And he did that in front of everyone in such a pitiful manner!

"Even if the others won't spread it, that doesn't mean that girl can't!"

"Junior Brother Yang, I doubt she would do it. She is someone from the Great Demon Sect. You know how arrogant those people are. That would never talk about their victories."

"Even if that's the case, I can't leave it be! I can't trust those people. This news will definitely spread!"

"My father will kill me if he finds out what happened here!"

Yang Kuan raised his head, his expressions turning dark.

"Where is she now?"

"Junior Brother Yang, you can't be thinking about killing her, right?"

"So what if I am? Only her head will make my father happy now! This is the consequence of offending me, Yang Kuan!"

The Crown Prince didn't know how to react.

He truly could have the girl killed without raising suspicions, but that was before last night.

Spon, everyone was going to know that she had a conflict with Yang Kuan.

The Asura Sect was certainly going to be dragged down to hell if that girl died or went missing!

"Junior Brother, I don't think that's the right choice. The Asura Sect isn't ready yet."

"Are you with me or not?"

"I am with you, but-"

"I won't listen to any excuses. I can't face my father like this. If you don't

help me, I will kill myself. And Father would blame you for not protecting me. And you know what will happen after that!"

The Crown Prince felt like he was in a deep mess. If he didn't help Yang Kuan, he could kill himself. And the blame would come on him.

If that happened, he couldn't even imagine his fate.

"Fine. I will help you. I will gather some men."

In the end, he simply gave up.