She refused to lose face in front of her little brother.

She had to assert absolute, unwavering dominance over the situation!

Maintaining eye contact with Xuan, Ji’an slowly reached out to the table.

Her fingers closed around the largest, most wrinkled, most exceptionally shiny red date in the pile.

She lifted it to her mouth, her eyes burning with a dark, spiteful challenge.

’Do it for the iron,’ she told herself, internally screaming as she threw the date into her mouth.

She bit down hard.

CRUNCH!!!

The loud, crisp sound echoed on the terrace.

Lin Xuan let out a high-pitched, horrified shriek.

The boy shuddered, his face turning a sickly shade of green.

He couldn’t take it.

The psychological warfare was too intense!!!

"Ahhh, Brotherrrr....! You are a monsterrrr...!" Xuan wailed, turning on his heel and sprinting off the terrace, abandoning his military scrolls, desperate to escape the sight of his brother happily munching on what he firmly believed was a giant, glossy cockroach.

Ji’an sat on the edge of the chaise lounge, chewing the date with furious, spiteful aggression as he watched him run.

As soon as Xuan disappeared around the corner, Ji’an stopped chewing.

She spat the half-masticated piece of fruit into her hand with a shudder of disgust, wiping her tongue on her sleeve.

"I am never eating dates again," Ji’an groaned miserably, tossing the offending fruit into the bushes. "I hate this family. I hate this world. I am going to the swamps tomorrow, and I am going to murder a giant crab just to feel something other than humiliation."

***

Two days later, the Crimson Tribulation had mercifully subsided.

Ji’an’s energy had returned, her meridians were stabilized, and her patience for capital-city drama had been entirely exhausted.

She stood in the main courtyard of the Lin Estate, wearing her practical gray traveling robes over her white sect tunic.

Her spatial ring was loaded with spices, provisions, and zero red dates.

The morning air was crisp, the sun just beginning to peak over the obsidian walls of the city.

General Lin Tianzong stood before her, his massive hands resting on his hips.

He didn’t offer a dramatic farewell.

He simply nodded, his silver-flecked eyes filled with quiet pride.

"Watch your flanks in the swamps, Ji’an," the General advised. "The crustacean beasts are slow, but their armor is thick. Aim for the joints. And if you encounter any rogue cultivators..."

"I will shatter their kneecaps and take their wallets," Ji’an recited dutifully, offering a sharp, military salute.

"Good girl," the General rumbled, a rare, genuine smile touching his scarred face.

Lin Xuan stood nearby, still looking slightly traumatized from the cockroach incident, but he managed a brave wave.

Su Yin was absent, having been bribed by Lin Feng with a new set of pearl hairpins to stay in her room and avoid throwing a farewell tantrum.

And finally, Ji’an turned to face Lin Feng.

He stood tall, a dark, imposing pillar of strength in the morning light.

He didn’t wear his armor today, dressed simply in a dark blue tunic.

He looked at her, the heavy shadow in his eyes tempered by the genuine warmth he held for her.

"Eldest Brother," Ji’an said softly, stepping closer to him.

Lin Feng didn’t speak.

He reached into his tunic and pulled out a small, intricately carved jade token, unmarked save for a single, flowing character that meant ’Sanctuary’.

He held it out to her.

"If the sect becomes too dangerous," Lin Feng murmured, his voice a low vibration meant only for her ears. "Or the demons strike, break this token. I don’t care where you are on the continent. Brother will make sure to bring the Vanguards and burn a path for you."

Ji’an looked at the token.

She looked at the man who had ripped her soul across the cosmos just to keep her safe.

She didn’t argue or offer a sarcastic remark.

After all, it would be a long time to meet since she would stay away from her precious family.

She reached out, her small, calloused fingers closing around the jade token, tucking it securely into the inner pocket of her robes.

"Thank you, Brother Feng," Ji’an whispered, offering him a small, genuine smile. "But I’m a chef. If things get too hot in the kitchen... I just turn up the heat." 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

Lin Feng chuckled, stepping forward and pulling her into a crushing, one-armed hug. "Fly safe, little bird."

Ji’an pulled back, turning toward the massive, open gates of the estate.

She took a deep breath, the crisp morning air filling her lungs.

The capital was behind her.

The fujoshis, the sociopathic prince, the dramatic sisters, she was leaving them all in the dust.

The Eastern Coastal Wastes awaited, promising giant crabs, extreme danger, and, most importantly, a long time of solitude.

Lin Ji’an stepped out of the gates, ready to conquer the mission board, unaware that the rest of the continent’s male leads had just synchronized their compasses directly toward her.

***

The Azure Empire’s capital city was an opulent labyrinth of cutthroat politics, immense wealth, and, to Lin Ji’an’s horror, an active, highly imaginative underground network of romance-obsessed noblewomen.

As the morning sun breached the towering, obsidian walls of the capital, casting long, golden shadows across the polished cobblestones, Ji’an stood at the massive iron gates of the Lin General’s Estate, prepared to sprint for her life.

She was leaving for the Eastern Coastal Wastes.

She was leaving to fight giant, acid-spitting crabs.

And right now, the prospect of facing down a horde of mutated crustaceans felt like a relaxing spa day compared to spending one more hour in this city.

"I am telling you, Big Brother Feng, you don’t need to escort me to the city limits," Ji’an stated firmly, holding a hand up to stop Lin Feng from taking another step toward her.

Lin Feng stood just inside the courtyard, dressed in his dark blue military tunic.

He looked down at her, his silver-flecked eyes betraying a concerned look.