Chen Mo’s throat bobbed as he swallowed. Her delicate collarbone, her snow-white shoulders... That flawless, porcelain-like skin, soft enough to break at the touch... Her body, as perfect as an inverted jade bowl. Chen Mo was a hot-blooded man. At this moment, to be honest, his heart stirred. Especially when, in the next instant, Yao Ye suddenly rushed forward, threw her arms around him, and whispered, "Tonight, I am yours." Then, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pressed her lips against his. Chen Mo’s entire body ignited like wildfire, his blood boiling, his mind blanking out for a moment. As a man, he had just been kissed forcefully. It took him a while to snap out of his daze before he shoved Yao Ye away. His heart may have stirred, but he still had his principles. His voice turned low and heavy: "Do you know why I refuse you? Do you even know who I am?" Yao Ye’s face was crimson. To have taken such initiative, only to be pushed away, filled her with shame and humiliation. But the arrow had already left the bowstring—there was no turning back. She clenched her teeth, threw herself into his arms again, and declared: "I don’t care who you are. As long as you can protect the royal family, even if you are a devil, I’ll accept it." With that, she kissed him once more. This time, Chen Mo pushed her back again. When she tried to lunge forward, his right hand flicked, and a soft snap echoed in the room. A moment later, a strand of pale cyan flame rose between his fingers, its scorching heat instantly filling the study. "Princess Yao Ye... Green Lotus Core Flame. You should recognize it." Chen Mo drew in a deep breath. He had revealed his hand. This was his bottom line. He would never accept her blindly . But if, even after revealing this truth, Yao Ye still came forward—Chen Mo swore he wouldn’t hold back. He would devour her completely. Not even leaving behind a bone. Yao Ye’s body froze, her eyes widening with disbelief. Moments later, her delicate figure trembled, tears welling in her eyes as her face turned pale. Her voice quivered as she stammered: "Great-grandfather... was it you who killed him?" Chen Mo nodded. "He tried to kill me first." It was as if a thunderbolt had struck her from the heavens. All of Yao Ye’s strength drained away, her spirit shattered. She collapsed to the ground, sobbing hysterically, like her very soul had been torn apart. Chen Mo sighed softly, then turned and opened the study door, leaving without another word. Yao Yue was sharing drinks with Ya Fei. She had been deliberately keeping the conversation going, trying to stall for time, but clearly, Ya Fei wasn’t interested. Nearly half an hour had passed, yet Chen Mo still hadn’t returned. Ya Fei finally glanced toward the screen with suspicion. Just as she was about to excuse herself, Chen Mo walked out slowly from behind the screen. Yao Yue froze, blurting out without thinking, "So fast?" Without greeting Yao Yue, Chen Mo walked straight over, took Ya Fei by the hand, and led her out of the hall. On the way, Ya Fei looked at him with curiosity. "What happened?" "I’ve been exposed," Chen Mo answered curtly, not explaining further. No need to make her jealous. Ya Fei blinked in surprise but didn’t press him. Chen Mo pulled her along quickly, leaving the palace behind. Moments later, Yao Yue sensed something was wrong. She hurried into the study, only to find her sister sitting on the floor, naked, clutching her dress to her chest, her face hollow, her tears nearly spent. Yao Yue’s expression changed, her heart aching inexplicably as tears welled in her eyes. She squatted down, hugging Yao Ye tightly. "Sister, what happened?" Yao Ye’s voice was hoarse from crying. She managed only one sentence: "Chen Mo... is the one who killed Great-grandfather." "What?!" Yao Yue’s face turned pale, her eyes filled with disbelief. "But wasn’t Great-grandfather killed by someone who possessed the Green Lotus Core Flame? Chen Mo... he..." "He also has the Green Lotus Core Flame." On the bustling streets, Ya Fei clung to Chen Mo’s arm, watching him remain silent ever since they had left. Assuming something major had happened, she restrained her curiosity. Instead, she leaned closer, her voice tinged with playful allure: "Your Majesty, tonight... I can grant you one request." Chen Mo was still pondering Yao Ye’s words about a royal secret. As for her attempt at a beauty trap, though slightly regrettable, he had already tossed it to the back of his mind. But hearing Ya Fei’s words, the fire that Yao Ye had stirred within him earlier, which had yet to fully subside, instantly flared up again. Without caring about the bustling crowd around them, he wrapped an arm around Ya Fei’s slender waist and growled: "You little vixen... let’s see how I’ll deal with you tonight." The moonlight was serene. The night intoxicating. Ya Fei’s face flushed crimson, her whole body heating up. She bit Chen Mo’s arm with her pearly teeth, pouting: "You bastard... you always bully me." Chen Mo let her vent, knowing he had been a bit too harsh earlier. He tightened his embrace, lowered his head, and kissed her forehead gently. "It’s late, beloved. Time to rest." "Hmmph." Ya Fei snorted softly, nuzzling into his chest until she found a comfortable position. Slowly, her eyes drifted shut, replaying that fiery scene in her mind as she slipped into sleep. Chen Mo, however, summoned his attribute panel. Yun Yun’s favorability: 83 Favorability points: 147 He checked the system’s shop. Sun God Flame: 3000 favorability points. ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ 𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹•𝑓𝑖𝑟𝑒•𝙣𝙚𝙩 Golden Crow’s Essence Blood: 2500 favorability points. Fallen Heart Flame: 800 favorability points. Heaven-Tier Dou Technique: 400 favorability points. With only 147 favorability points, it was a mere drop in the ocean. Chen Mo sighed—using favorability to buy cultivation resources was truly the least efficient. But with what he had now, the only viable option was cultivation. He opened the Dou Spirit upgrade package. From Nine-Star Dou Ling to Dou Wang: 139 favorability points required. "Expensive... but it’ll have to do." "Exchange," Chen Mo commanded silently. A warm current coursed through his body. He clenched his fists, feeling the power surge within. "Finally... Dou Wang." In Qinghong City — City Lord’s Mansion After escorting Nalan Yanran back to Yunlan Sect, Yun Yun hurried to Qinghong City. "Teacher, you summoned me so urgently. Did something happen?" she asked in the quiet hall, gazing at Yun Shan, dressed in white robes. "The war is about to begin again," Yun Shan said, stroking his white beard. "When it does, you will be responsible for holding back the three Great Elders of the Snake-People Tribe, to relieve pressure on the front lines." "The war... again?" Yun Yun’s expression was filled with shock. "Didn’t we just sign a truce not long ago?" "Hmph. The snake-people are ambitious wolves. They covet the Magical Beast Mountain Range, as well as our empire’s northwestern and northeastern provinces. Do you think they would give up so easily?" If you want to support me or read advanced Chapters (21+), consider checking out my pat. patr*on.com/Salsita2k