"It'll actually take that long? I thought I could finish it in a day at most. Looks like now really isn't the right time." Evan Chu put the monster core into his storage ring and said gloomily.
"If Princess Ivy really insists on marrying you, how do you plan to handle it this time?" Luna asked.
"Honestly, I haven't figured that out yet. I'll deal with it when the time comes. Having too many women really is a hassle. If we were in the Azure Tide Ruins, maybe I could just agree without a second thought, but this is the Netherworld—I really don't know what to do. What happens to her if I leave? This mess was your idea in the first place." Evan grumbled.
"Heh, you really know how to play the victim. You ruined a perfectly good girl and now you're blaming me for a bad idea? Your power shot up and that’s a bad idea too? Evan, hearing you talk like this seriously rubs me the wrong way," Luna said.
"I was just joking, why take it so seriously? I'm really annoyed right now—it's rare for me to feel like this. Whatever, I don't want to think about it anymore. When can I start training those two movement arts?" Evan asked.
"Wait until I'm in a better mood. I'm irritated too, you know," Luna replied, clearly annoyed.
"No way, you're actually mad? You're not just messing with me, right?" Evan asked quickly. If Luna really got angry, she could ignore him for months—and that would be a huge problem.
"Who would get mad at you? Do you even have time to train right now? Wait until you've settled things with Princess Ivy. Someone's coming," Luna said.
Evan immediately spread out his god-sense, his face lighting up with joy. He took off his mask and returned to his true appearance. Down in the inn’s lobby, Roxanne Lin was hurrying after a waiter, her face showing clear anxiety as she followed him upstairs.
"The person you're looking for is in this room. If there's nothing else, I'll be going," the waiter said to Roxanne Lin.
"That's all, you can go now!" Roxanne Lin said, ignoring the waiter and pushing open Evan's door without another word.
At that moment, Evan was standing quietly by the table, watching her with a bright smile on his face, his mood clearly a bit excited.
After a few seconds of eye contact, Roxanne Lin couldn't hold back any longer. "Evan!" she cried, throwing herself into his arms. Evan gently embraced her.
Her faint body fragrance drifted into Evan's nose—it was still the same scent, still the same person. Evan knew Roxanne must have suffered a lot during this time, especially after entering Nine‑Shade City.
"Roxy, are you alright?" Evan asked softly.
"I'm fine, really! I just missed you so much. Life without you around feels so empty—Evan, please don't leave me again, okay? I want to stay by your side forever," Roxanne said.
Evan nodded but couldn't finish his sentence—he was at a loss for words, because Roxanne had already kissed him on the lips. With a wave of his hand, Evan closed the door.
All that pent‑up longing seemed to dissolve in that single kiss; a thousand words were replaced by that moment...
After seeing Roxanne Lin rush out earlier, Princess Ivy hurried after her. She wanted to tell Evan the good news that her father had already agreed to their marriage, so she quickly arrived at the Auspicious Cloud Inn.
"Evan, Princess Ivy is here. You don't want her to see you and Roxy like this, do you?" Luna suddenly said.
Evan was startled and quickly let go of Roxanne Lin, saying, "Princess Ivy's here—she really picked the worst possible time."
"By the way, I heard her say you're going to be her consort. What's up with that? Are you chasing girls again? Do you even remember the promises you made to us?" Roxanne said, a bit angry now.
"Of course I remember. But in the Netherworld, without enough strength, I can't complete my mission. Princess Ivy has a Pure Yin Constitution—if I absorb her yin qi, my power will rise quickly. Do you understand?" Evan explained.
"Did you already absorb her yin qi? I can tell she's not a virgin anymore. I thought something was off when I saw her today. You really leave me speechless," Roxanne said.
"Enough, Roxy! I'm doing this for our future too. Besides, this is the Netherworld—even if she becomes my woman, I can't take her with me when I leave. Don't be jealous," Evan comforted her.
"How is what you did any different from a beast? You ruin someone and then want to just walk away. Evan, do you even hear yourself? I'm so disappointed—are you even the same Evan I used to know?" Roxanne said angrily.
Just as Evan was about to speak, Princess Ivy arrived at the door and pushed it open. Seeing the two talking, she smiled and said, "Roxy, I didn't lie to you, did I? He's really your brother?"
Roxy was momentarily at a loss for how to respond. If she said she was Evan's woman, Princess Ivy—who'd just lost her virginity to him—might not be able to accept it and could explode. Roxy knew her temper well; she might even turn Nine‑Shade City upside down.
"He's my brother, of course! We've been apart for months, and now we finally get to see each other—I'm so happy!" Roxy said, forcing a smile.
"Heh, then we'll be family from now on! Looks like I really have good taste—I've already bonded with my little sister-in-law and become sisters, so now we're even closer!" Princess Ivy laughed.
Roxy glanced at Evan and asked, "Evan, do you really want to marry Princess Ivy?"
"Well, I'm not really sure. She's the princess of Nine‑Shade City—if Lord Nine‑Shade doesn't approve, there's nothing I can do. Let's not rush this," Evan replied.
"What did you just say, Evan? Wait? My father already agreed to meet you—you're coming with me right now! Wait? I can't wait even a second!" Princess Ivy said, getting a bit emotional.
"Your father wants to see me? When?" Evan asked in surprise. He hadn't expected Princess Ivy to convince her father so quickly. Clearly, Lord Nine‑Shade doted on her. If Evan refused, this could turn into an even bigger mess than the one in Wangtu City.
"Right now! Are you backing out?" Princess Ivy's eyes filled with tears.
"No, I just reunited with my sister. Can't you calm down a little? How about this—tomorrow. I'll definitely come to the City Lord's Mansion tomorrow. Don't you trust me?" Evan countered.
"Tomorrow, then. But if you dare lie to me, I'll make you suffer—and if you die, I won't live either. You can count on that," Princess Ivy choked out.
"Seriously? That's harsh." A black line appeared on Evan's forehead... (The author's note: Readers, your enthusiasm isn't enough—recommendation votes, monthly votes, and tips are making Xiao Xiao feel cold! Give me some motivation!)