A carriage rattled through the streets of Skycloud City. Che Fu sat at the front, expertly navigating the streets as if he had traveled them countless times before. His steady grip on the reins matched the pace of the clip-clopping hooves, though the passengers inside were anything but steady.

Inside, tension hung thick in the air. Chen Li Li’s hands trembled slightly in her lap, her fingers picking at the hem of her robe. She bit her lower lip, trying to hide her unease. Beside her, Liu Daiyu stared out the window, eyes narrowing at every turn of the wheel, the looming silhouette of the Qian Manor drawing nearer with each bump in the road.

Liang Wu leaned back in his seat, arms crossed, and a faint smirk tugged at his lips. He gazed at his companions, the corner of his mouth lifting higher as he observed their tension. The silence in the carriage was so oppressive that even a breath felt like an intrusion.

“Hmph, what are you cute little ladies so tense for?” His sudden, haughty voice shattered the stillness like a hammer on glass. “You’re this Young Master’s women now. You should be rejoicing, not trembling.”

Li Li blinked, her confusion momentarily overriding her anxiety. Her thoughts scrambled as she glanced toward Daiyu, who raised an eyebrow, looking equally perplexed. Was he… serious?

“What?” Li Li’s voice cracked, her brows knitting together in disbelief.

Liang Wu’s smirk widened as he dramatically tossed his head back, his eyes gleaming with amusement. “This Young Master doesn’t repeat himself!” He paused, then let out a soft chuckle, his usual calm returning as he leaned forward. “How’s my acting?”

Daiyu blinked, her lips twitching before she let out a soft laugh. “Honestly? Not bad. You almost had me there.”

Li Li shook her head, her earlier confusion giving way to mild frustration. “You could’ve warned us first,” she muttered, crossing her arms over her chest.

Liang Wu straightened, slipping back into character with an exaggeratedly arrogant expression that practically begged to be slapped. “I, Young Master Liang, am heaven's chosen son. I don’t need to warn anyone before I act,” he said, his voice dripping with mock disdain.

Li Li’s brow furrowed as she fought the urge to smack him.

Leaning in closer, Liang Wu’s smirk only deepened. His face hovered near the girls, his breath brushing against their skin. “You two are my women,” he continued, glancing between them. “One is my cold and disdainful maid,” he said, his gaze locking on Daiyu, before turning to Li Li. “And the other is a lovestruck young woman I picked up on my travels.”

Li Li’s face flushed. “L-Lovestruck young woman?!” she stammered, her voice rising in pitch.

Daiyu, tilting her head with a playful grin, chimed in, “A cold and disdainful maid, huh? I was hoping to be a hot and passionate one instead.” Her voice dropped to a sultry tone as she leaned in closer, her breath warm on Liang Wu’s neck.

Liang Wu choked, nearly breaking character as his face reddened. “You can be my hot, passionate maid later,” he said, clearing his throat. “But for now, you’ll play your part.”

With surprising ease, he moved to their side of the carriage, wedging himself between them. Wrapping an arm around each of their shoulders, he grinned. “Now this is better,” he mused, his voice taking on a more relaxed tone.

Turning his head toward Li Li, he leaned in until his lips were close to her ear. “You should start acting your part too,” he whispered, his voice low, almost teasing.

Li Li shuddered at the feeling of his breath on her ear, her body stiffening as heat rose to her face. “H-How… how am I supposed to act?” she whispered back, her heart racing.

Liang Wu chuckled softly. “How do you think a lovestruck young woman should act?” His eyes sparkled with amusement as he waited. He was anticipating a flustered and awkward response.

Taking a deep breath, Li Li closed her eyes and steeled herself. With a swift motion, she climbed onto Liang Wu’s lap, settling on his leg with her arms draped over his shoulders. Her cheeks burned, but she pressed on, raising her voice to a higher pitch. “Young Master Liang, is this what you had in mind~?” she asked, her tone taking on a cute, almost whining quality.

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Liang Wu blinked, momentarily taken aback by her boldness. “Uh…” He cleared his throat, struggling to regain his composure. “Haha! Yes, that’s… better than I imagined.”

“Master~” Daiyu cooed, slipping onto his other leg, pressing her body close to his. “How’s my acting~?” she asked, her voice dripping with playful seduction.

Liang Wu sighed, his expression both amused and exasperated. “I thought I told you to be a cold and disdainful maid,” he muttered.

Daiyu giggled, leaning in until her lips brushed against his ear. “I can’t be cold to my master, can I~?” she whispered, her assets pressing firmly against his chest.

Liang Wu felt his pulse quicken, his body reacting despite his best efforts to remain composed. Just as his thoughts began to wander, the carriage jerked to a sudden halt, saving him from further embarrassment.

“We’re here, young miss,” Che Fu called from the driver’s seat, his voice cutting through the moment like a splash of cold water.

The girls quickly climbed down from Liang Wu’s lap, smoothing out their wrinkled clothing with shaky hands.

Liang Wu stood, momentarily shedding the false persona. “Everything will be fine, just follow my lead and play your roles,” he said, observing their anxious movements.

Though his calm voice didn’t completely dispel their nerves, it eased them slightly.

Che Fu opened the carriage door and stood at attention, ready to escort his young miss.

With a steady breath, Liang Wu stepped out, flanked by two stunning young women.

The first sight that greeted him was the opulent gateway of the Qian Manor, gleaming in red and gold. Guards lined the path leading to the imposing entrance, their gazes drawn to the unusual trio.

Liang Wu leaned down, draping his arm casually over Li Li’s shoulders. “Just act like you did in the carriage, and leave the rest to me,” he whispered, planting a soft kiss on her cheek. The unexpected gesture sent a blush rushing to her face, catching the attention of the nearby guards.

They exchanged confused glances. Word had come that Young Master Pang’s fiancée was due to arrive, but instead, an arrogant young man flaunting his women emerged from the carriage.

Liang Wu strode confidently toward the gateway. A group of guards stepped forward, blocking his path. "This is the Qian Manor. No outsiders are permitted. State your business." One of the guards demanded.

Liang Wu barely spared them a glance. "We're here to see Qian Pang. He’s expecting us. As for my name… you're not worthy!." His voice was dripping with disdain.

The guards hesitated, exchanging uneasy looks. They’d been expecting a guest today—but certainly not someone like him.

After a quick conference, one of the guards dashed inside the manor to verify Liang Wu’s claim. The others, trying to maintain their composure, addressed him again, this time more carefully. “Wait here while we confirm your identities,” one said, neither hostile nor overly polite.

As guards of a merchant clan they were used to dealing with arrogant men, however this was no normal arrogant young man.

Liang Wu’s lips curled in a smirk. They had no idea what they were dealing with.

“Daiyu,” he said coolly, “get rid of these pests for me.”

Though surprised, Daiyu kept her expression calm, fully embracing her role as the cold, indifferent maid. Stepping forward from behind Liang Wu, she thrust her palm at the nearest guard. Her strength, honed by Liang Wu’s training and her newly evolved God-Grade physique, far surpassed that of a typical Qi Forming cultivator.

The guard, caught off guard, was sent flying back, his body crashing into the stone wall with a thud. He would’ve gone farther if not for the barrier.

Stunned silence followed, from both the guards and Daiyu herself.

“Keep going,” Liang Wu’s cold command snapped her out of her brief shock.

Like a lioness amongst a defenseless herd of sheep, Daiyu moved through the remaining guards with brutal efficiency. Liang Wu followed in her wake, strolling leisurely down the path as she cleared it, never glancing at the fallen men.

By the time they reached the grand gateway, Daiyu had finished dispatching the last of the guards without breaking a sweat. Impressive as they looked, these guards lacked real combat prowess and provided no challenge to her.

"That wasn’t a good idea, was it?" Li Li asked, her voice laced with concern as she walked beside Liang Wu, his arm still draped over her shoulder.

"It’s fine," he replied, his steps steady as they passed through the gateway. "If we don’t act like this, they’ll look down on us."

A surge of excitement coursed through him. It had been far too long since he relied on his wits instead of his boundless strength to navigate a situation. He welcomed the challenge ahead, eager for what it would bring.