My Supernatural Girlfriends Spoils Me Rotten

"No," Asher shook his head.

"Are you sure? These leaves are quite rare and have a soothing effect. Conversations tend to go much smoother when you're at ease."

"I don't need tea to think clearly. If you have something worthwhile to say, get to the point."

Hisame didn't argue. Instead, she silently set the kettle down.

Then, without a word, she lifted the cup to her lips and took a slow, sip.

It was the kind of patience that came from knowing she was in control—or at least believing she was.@@novelbin@@

Asher would normally call her out for wasting time, but there was something oddly captivating about the way she drank her tea.

Asher clenched his jaw, forcing himself to look unaffected.

The way her lips pressed against the porcelain made him consider, for a fleeting moment, tasting the tea himself. Or maybe even taking it from her lips directly.

Either way, it was clear his dragon blood made him vulnerable to such temptations again. A small price to pay for power.

While this was happening, he noticed Lucy eyeing him with suspicion.

The sharpness in her gaze made his skin prickle, and he quickly straightened his posture, forcing his expression into something more composed—more serious.

But of course, Hisame saw right through it.

A slow, knowing smile tugged at her lips as she sipped her tea, savoring both the drink and the effect she had on him.

When she finished, she set her cup down and bowed her head "I must apologize for taking my time,"

"Let us discuss the reason for your visit. If your questions are within my ability to answer, I will do so willingly."

Asher studied her, searching for any sign of deceit, but her expression remained unreadable

Lucy, however, didn't bother hiding her skepticism. She crossed her arms, unimpressed.

"That's awfully generous of you," she remarked. "Why the sudden hospitality?"

Hisame closed her eyes .

"Among the generals, my territory lies closest to the West, and I am also tasked with gathering intelligence from across the world."

"I have spies in your city, Lucy Morningstar. Naturally, I received word of the one who brought Zagan to his knees."

Her purple eyes reopened, landing on Asher.

"It would be foolish to make an enemy of someone like you. So why would I take that risk? As I said, I don't recall ever offending you."

Asher met her gaze, unflinching. "If you understand that much, then you also know I don't have time for pointless conversations"

"What do you want?" she inquired.

"I want to meet Kitsune, the Nine-Tailed Fox."

Hisame's smile didn't falter, but there was a brief flicker curiosity in her eyes.

"And why do you want to meet her?"

"I have business with her," he answered, showing no trace of hostility whatsoever.

"I'll see if I can arrange a meeting," she suggested. "If you'd like, you can stay in my territory until I receive a response from her."

"I don't have time for that."

The temperature in the room plummeted, revealing the impatience he struggled to hide.

"So, your reason for seeking out Kitsune isn't exactly good." She suspected from the start that they didn't come here with pure intentions—now, she was certain.

The silence stretched between both parties, and he was ready to neutralize her at any moment—until she finally spoke

"Very well, I'll help you reach her."

He studied her expression, searching for any sign of deception. But she remained composed.

"You're quick to sell her out," he added.

She let out a soft chuckle, resting her chin on her hand.

"Why would I object? I have my own reasons for observing how this unfolds. Should you succeed in eliminating her, it would remove an obstacle from my path. In a sense, you would be doing me a favor."

Asher hesitated for a moment. It could be a trap, but he was confident in his strength—if things went south, he could just fight his way out.

"Lead me to her."

Stay tuned with My Virtual Library Empire

"Very well." She rose gracefully to her feet. "Please follow me."

Asher and Lucy exchanged a glance but said nothing, merely nodding in agreement.

They had no idea where exactly they were headed, but there was no indication that they needed to leave the pagoda.

Instead, they followed her deeper inside, descending a narrow staircase that led underground.

The air grew cooler as they stepped into a dimly lit corridor, lined with aged wooden beams.

As they walked, Hisame's voice echoed through the passage.

"The entire mountain range is covered in mist and illusions. No matter how strong or skilled someone is, traveling through it blindly would take days, if not weeks. That's why those of us who rule these lands use portals—it's the only reliable way to move between territories."

She glanced over her shoulder, but received no response.

At the end of the corridor, they reached a set of heavy wooden doors adorned with talismans .

She stopped, turning to them with a knowing smile.

"This will take us exactly where you want to go. I hope you're ready for a little sight seeing."

"Sight seeing? Isn't this portal supposed to be instant teleportation?" he asked.

She shook her head slowly.

"This door leads to what we call the River of Spirits. It's a mirror world that exists beneath this mountain range—one that bends space itself. Traveling through it is the fastest way to move across territories."

"Don't worry, I'll accompany you. " she pushed the door open, revealing an expanse of swirling mist.

As they stepped through the doorway, the sensation beneath their feet shifted from the firm ground of the pagoda to the smooth, aged planks of a wooden pier.

The air here was thick, damp, and carried the scent of rain-soaked wood .

Before them stretched a long river, its surface dark and glasslike, reflecting the pale glow of countless floating waterlilies.

A wooden boat waited at the edge of the pier, tethered to a post with a rope. It bobbed ever so slightly, though there was no visible current.