Chapter 148: The Invitation No One Declined
Late Night – Brewing Storm
Hei Long didn’t sleep that night. He didn’t need to.Not when the three women lingered in his chambers long past the point of politeness.
Yuran had claimed the seat closest to him, quietly refilling his tea without asking. Yexin sat opposite, her legs crossed, spinning one of her earrings idly as she watched him with a smile that was almost innocent. Qingxue leaned against the door frame, the faint click of her fingers against her sword hilt marking the passing minutes.
None of them would leave first.None would give the others the satisfaction.
Hei Long sipped his tea, deliberately unhurried. "You’re all still here," he said finally.
"Guarding you," Yuran answered, serene.
"Enjoying the company," Yexin added, not looking away from him.
"Making sure you don’t get soft," Qingxue said.
The moment stretched.Hei Long let it.
The Bait
Finally, he set his cup down and said, "Tomorrow, I’m leaving the city."
Three sets of eyes fixed on him instantly.
"Where?" Yuran asked first.
"The Cloudpetal Retreat," Hei Long said, leaning back. "It’s quiet. Isolated. And perfect for... certain matters."
"Training?" Qingxue asked.
"Research?" Yuran guessed.
"Or," Yexin said slowly, "just a change of scenery."
Hei Long smiled faintly. "All of the above. You’re welcome to come."
The catch was obvious. If one of them refused, they’d be leaving him to the other two for days.
Not one of them was willing to take that risk.
The Journey – Unbalanced Harmony
By the next morning, the four of them were riding out together, the spring wind carrying the scent of plum blossoms. Yexin had maneuvered her horse to Hei Long’s right side, speaking to him in low tones between stretches of road. Yuran kept slightly ahead, pointing out medicinal plants that grew along the path, ensuring she could glance back and "accidentally" meet his eyes. Qingxue stayed at his left, her silence as sharp as her blade, watching every gesture the others made.
The balance shifted constantly — one woman pulling his attention with a story, another with a question, the third with an offer to adjust his cloak against the wind. Hei Long responded to each in turn, never giving more than a fraction of himself at a time.
It drove them all quietly mad.
Arrival – The Cloudpetal Retreat
The retreat was an ancient manor set high on the cliffs, surrounded by endless fields of swaying flowers. The sound of the ocean was faint but constant in the distance.
Hei Long took the largest room — naturally — and the others were shown to chambers along the same hall.
That evening, as the sun bled into the horizon, he stepped onto the wide veranda to find all three already there. Yuran was arranging cups for tea, Yexin had a plate of sliced fruits and sugared nuts, and Qingxue was leaning against the railing, the ocean breeze tugging at her hair.
"Peaceful," Yuran said softly.
"Temporary," Qingxue countered.
"Perfect," Yexin added.
Hei Long simply poured himself tea.
Nightfall – Lines Blurred
They didn’t disperse after tea. Instead, conversation stretched into the night — about sect politics, about cultivation breakthroughs, about half-remembered stories. The moonlight painted everything in silver.
At one point, Yexin leaned in to adjust the scarf she’d given him days ago, her fingers brushing his neck. Yuran placed a second cup of tea in his free hand, her touch lingering against his palm. Qingxue, not to be outdone, plucked a stray blossom from his hair and tossed it aside.
None of them spoke of it — but the weight of it all pressed close, warm, and electric.
Hei Long knew exactly what he was doing. And he knew tomorrow would be the true test.
Dawn at the Cloudpetal Retreat
Hei Long was awake before the sun breached the horizon.The room was vast and open, its paper walls etched with faded plum blossoms, their lines softened by age. Through the slats, the faint roar of the ocean whispered against the cliffs far below.
The air smelled faintly of salt and dew.He rose without a sound, dressing in deep midnight robes embroidered with subtle black-thread patterns that caught the light only when he moved.
By the time he slid the door open, Yuran was already outside on the veranda, kneeling beside a low table with a pot of steaming tea.
Yuran’s Morning Claim
"You rise early," Hei Long said, stepping out into the crisp air.
"I’ve been waiting," she replied, pouring tea without looking at him. Her movements were slow, precise — the way she handled her patients in the infirmary. "It’s best to begin the day while the petals are still heavy with dew. The flowers here have properties I can’t study back at the palace."
She passed him a cup, her fingers brushing his in a deliberate pause. "Besides... I wanted to speak with you before the others woke."
Hei Long took a slow sip, letting her continue.
"I know why they came," Yuran said. "To compete. To mark their territory. I’m not foolish enough to think I can stop them."
"You sound confident," he observed.
"I’m confident in what I offer," she said, looking up to meet his eyes. "They may fight for your attention in the day, but when you need someone steady — you’ll know where to find me."
The corner of his mouth lifted. "You think I’ll come looking for you?"
Her answer was a soft smile. "I think you already have."
Before he could reply, the sound of footsteps broke the stillness.
Yexin’s Mid-Morning Invasion
"Master!" Yexin’s voice rang bright and teasing as she appeared in the garden path, holding a lacquered basket over one arm. "You didn’t tell me you’d be up already. I thought I’d surprise you."
She stepped up onto the veranda, glancing between Hei Long and Yuran with an arched brow. "Oh... am I interrupting something?"
"Breakfast," Hei Long said evenly.
"Perfect," Yexin said, setting the basket down and opening it to reveal fresh steamed buns, still hot enough to mist the air. "I brought these from the village halfway down the cliff. The woman who makes them says they’re blessed for good fortune." She picked one up, held it to his lips. "Try it."
Hei Long leaned forward and bit into it without breaking eye contact.
Yuran set her cup down a little harder than necessary. "You could have asked if we wanted any," she said.
"Oh, I didn’t bring enough for everyone," Yexin replied sweetly. "Just him."
Qingxue’s Blade at the Table
The tension barely had time to settle before Qingxue appeared, her sword strapped across her back and her hair tied high. She stepped directly onto the veranda without removing her boots.
"You’re late," she said to Hei Long.
"For what?"
"Our match. You promised me yesterday."
Hei Long gestured lazily toward the tea. "We’ll train after I finish here."
Her gaze flicked to Yuran, then to Yexin, then back to him. "You’re letting them slow you."
"They call it breakfast," Yexin said, smirking.
"I call it a distraction," Qingxue replied, drawing a folded cloth from her sleeve and tossing it onto the table. Inside was a pale blue training sash. "Wear this when you’re ready."
Midday – Hei Long’s Game
By late morning, they were all restless. Hei Long decided it was time to tip the balance just enough to keep them circling each other.
"We’ll be here for three days," he said. "Plenty of time to explore. But today, we’ll go together — to the cliff gardens, the outer springs, and the upper terrace."
No one refused.
The path wound through fields of pale blossoms that shifted in color when the wind passed over them, from white to blushing pink. Yuran walked close to his right side, pointing out rare flowers and herbs. Yexin stayed a step ahead, glancing back with an almost taunting look whenever their eyes met. Qingxue lingered behind but never far enough to be out of earshot.
At the springs, Yuran offered him a drink infused with cooling herbs. At the terrace, Yexin leaned against him as she pointed out the curve of the distant coastline. And when they paused on the cliff’s edge, Qingxue simply stood beside him, silent, her presence heavy and grounding.
Hei Long divided his time between them with surgical precision — enough attention to keep each of them believing they were gaining ground, never enough to make the others yield.
Evening – The Overlap Intensifies
That night, Hei Long returned to his room to find Yuran arranging a tray of tea.
"I thought you might want something warm after the walk," she said softly.
Before he could respond, Yexin appeared in the doorway with a small jar. "Or something sweet," she said, stepping inside. "These are honeyed dates from the market."
And then Qingxue entered, carrying a folded blanket. "It gets cold at night here. I’ll stay."
The air thickened. Yuran’s hands stilled over the teapot. Yexin set her jar down a little too firmly. Qingxue didn’t move from where she stood.
Hei Long poured himself tea, completely unbothered, and let the silence stretch.
"Stay, then," he said finally.
And none of them left.