CHAPTER 112: TANGLED DESIRES

The morning after his night with Li Xue carried a strange kind of peace. The birds sang outside, sunlight filtered through the windows, and for a fleeting moment, the world seemed calm. But Li Tian knew better than to be deceived—this peace was only the prelude to storms.

When he rose from bed, Li Xue still clung to him even in her sleep, her soft breathing brushing against his chest. Carefully, he freed himself from her embrace, tucking the blanket around her before slipping out. The system’s latest notification still echoed in his mind.

[System Notification: Quest Web of Bonds — 50% Progress. Remaining Targets: Xu Fang, Zheng Wei, Liu Mei.]

A grin tugged at his lips. "So, the system is intent on weaving all of them into my fate. Very well, let’s see where this leads."

He dressed quickly, his aura restrained, then made his way out into the courtyard. The estate buzzed with activity—disciples training, servants rushing about, elders conversing. Yet as he passed, whispers followed him. Some full of awe, others still tainted with disdain.

"Look, that’s Li Tian... the bastard son who humiliated everyone at the tournament.""His talent is undeniable, but still—what woman of status would tie herself to him?""Don’t be foolish. Didn’t you hear? A great family already offered their daughter to him."

The last comment made him chuckle. News traveled fast. And if they only knew how many women already tangled around his fate, their jaws would drop.

He didn’t linger long. Instead, his steps took him toward the pavilion by the lotus pond. And there, as if fate itself was conspiring with the system, stood Xu Fang.

Her figure was striking as always—graceful yet dangerously alluring, the kind of beauty that made men lose their reason. She wore a crimson robe today, its fabric hugging her curves just enough to stir temptation. Her gaze, however, was sharp, following the koi swimming lazily below the water’s surface.

"Madam Xu," Li Tian greeted with a smirk, his tone deliberately teasing.

Xu Fang turned slowly, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Tian. I was wondering when you’d come to find me again. Or... has Zheng Wei kept you too busy?"

The hint of jealousy laced in her words amused him. He stepped closer, his voice low and confident. "So, you’ve been thinking about me?"

Her eyes flickered, betraying a moment of vulnerability before regaining composure. "I’ve been thinking about many things. About your engagement. About your future. And about where that leaves me."

Li Tian closed the distance between them in one smooth motion, his presence overwhelming yet not aggressive. "Where it leaves you? You’re here, Fang. By my side. Where you’ve always been."

Her breath hitched, though she tried to mask it with a laugh. "You speak as though you’ve already claimed me."

He leaned closer, his lips brushing the shell of her ear. "I thought that much was obvious."

Xu Fang’s composure cracked, her fingers curling into fists at her side. "And what of Zheng Wei? Of Li Xue? Do you think I don’t notice how they look at you? How you look at them?"

Li Tian pulled back just enough to meet her gaze, his eyes gleaming with both amusement and certainty. "I don’t hide it. There will be many women in my life. That is the truth. But don’t mistake numbers for neglect. Xu Fang, when I give myself to someone, they are mine—and I take care of what’s mine."

Her heart raced, the conviction in his words striking something deep within her. For years she had guarded her heart, never allowing herself to fully fall for anyone. Yet now, standing before Li Tian, the walls she had built seemed paper-thin.

She turned her face away, trying to steady her voice. "You’re too dangerous, Tian. A woman could lose herself to you."

He reached out, tilting her chin back toward him, forcing her eyes to lock with his. "Then let yourself be lost. I’ll find you."

The tension between them snapped. Xu Fang’s lips parted slightly, and that was all the invitation he needed. His mouth claimed hers in a fierce, unrestrained kiss. She resisted for only a heartbeat before yielding, her body melting against his as though she had been waiting for this moment all along.

The kiss deepened, passion overtaking hesitation. Her hands, once clenched at her sides, rose to clutch at his robes, pulling him closer. He guided her against the pavilion’s wooden frame, his arm wrapping around her waist to keep her steady.

When they finally broke apart, both breathing heavily, Xu Fang’s eyes shimmered with something between fear and desire. "Tian... if you keep this up, I won’t be able to turn back."

Li Tian smirked, brushing a strand of her hair behind her ear. "That’s the point."

[System Notification: Quest Progress – Web of Bonds: 70%. Reward Unlocked: Charm Veil. A passive technique that subtly enhances charisma, lowering resistance in targets of interest.]

The knowledge etched into his mind seamlessly, and he chuckled inwardly. The system truly wanted him to bind these women to him as tightly as possible.

Xu Fang, meanwhile, leaned into his chest, her proud composure softened into vulnerability. For the first time, she allowed herself to be simply a woman, not a stepmother, not a political piece, but his.

"I hate you," she whispered, though her tone carried no venom, only trembling affection.

"No," Li Tian murmured, his lips brushing her forehead, "you love me. You just don’t want to admit it yet."

The lotus pond rippled in the breeze, but the world around them had already vanished. In that moment, there was only Li Tian and Xu Fang—two flames intertwining, dangerous and irresistible.