Chapter 170: A Twin's Dismay

A certain High Priestess sampled his cooking and was delighted.

Mitsuko and him shared a private and fleeting moment.

The young Priestess Leila was enamored with him.

Setsuko Hirayama and him shared a bond that connected their emotions and senses.

By all accounts, the man was accomplished and distinguished in the Mashiro Temple and had already become a favorite amongst the various Priestesses residing in the temple. However, if there was anyone... anytwo? That might have grown to despise him in the short span he had stayed—let's start with Priestess Rei.

First and foremost, the bedroom where the man had spent a great deal in doing perverted actions with Setsuko just happened to be Priestess Rei's former chambers. Yes, she wasn't exactly removed from the Inner Court of the Mashiro Temple. Nor was she taken out from The Higher Echelon of the Temple. One of the few chosen Priestesses that focused on helping the High Priestess in managing and taking care of the lesser Priestesses.

And second of all, and what she deemed to be the most horrendous of acts—besides desecrating Rei's former bed, was the fact that the man enticed the young Leila to those things.

She did not want to judge the lady pulled by the temptations of a man, but once she had stepped inside of the room to confirm her doubts. Rei was disappointed to see the treasure chest she had given the younger Priestess for her own help, and she had given it away to the man. Setsuko rather.

It wasn't like that woman needed anymore Beast Cores.

And it was through this sheer indignance and betrayal that Rei stared back at the man that walked into his room.

Li Yang was alone. He understood Setsuko's callous nature with other women, she was competitive and had a no-nonsense way in her life. It was the very same woman who had pulled him out of danger when he first arrived in this world—and so he was glad that she actually stayed back with the other Priestesses to converse and chitchat.

He might have enjoyed the presence of a woman, but he also liked having time alone to ponder, assess his situation and take the next steps in finding a way back home and growing stronger.

What he didn't expect was to see an intruder in their room.

He recognized her instantly.

The beautiful shade of green hair and eyes were close to a beautiful sheen of crystals. It was an unnatural color befitting those from another world or of another race. He thought back on Narissa briefly, otherwise known as Bai Minghua, the blue-haired Mermaid with beautiful locks and then cleared his throat. "Good evening, Priestess Rei."

Rei blinked and narrowed her eyes at the man.

He might have been able to recognize her and did not mistake her as her twin, but that was irrelevant. Instead she huffed and held the treasure chest in her hand. "Do you know what this is?"

"Something that belongs to me?" he said.

A scowl erupted on Rei's face, "Priestess Leila may have given it to you—but these Beast Cores are useless for your Lady Setsuko. I did not expect that someone like you is whoring himself for these Beast Cores in order to give them to your Lady."

Her assumption that it was for Setsuko was automatic.

It was something almost natural and obvious to any Priestess. And yet the CEO sighed and rubbed his forehead at the comment. "I suppose you are correct."

"Huh?" Rei blinked at him.

The opponent was always startled when one started agreeing with them. It was a common diversion to put them at a state of ease or unease, depending on their type of person. What Li Yang understood was that people prefer being called right. The person who heard this became a little more willing to hear out his side of the argument.

"Although, whoring seems a bit unpleasant to say—but yes, I am engaging in a transactional trade with Miss Leila in exchange for those Beast Cores. I presume that she had gotten those Beast Cores from you."

Priestess Rei fumed and stared at him up and down. She frowned. "Your body is for trade? Is that how you are phrasing this so-called transaction? I did not expect you to be this..."

His lips twitched temporarily. She was right, he did agree with that perspective of hers and yet he still defended his case with a bit of mirth. "If that is how you wish to put it, then fine. But I presume from your looks on me, that you're willing to agree that this body of mine is worth the price? Or did you think I overcharged Priestess Leila?"

The Priestess stared askance at him. And then she resisted the urge to throw the treasure chest at him. "You're extremely bold and confident about your good looks aren't you? Such arrogance. I do not understand how you and Setsuko get along, wait, like Consort and Lady—the two of you are caught up in your own little worlds."

It was not a hidden fact that many other Priestesses felt inferior, and also resentful for the sudden appearance of Setsuko.

But that had to be an argument for another day.

"And so you did not disagree with the sentiment then." Li Yang tilted his head and gave a light smile. "The price is fair. I am sure that it is not too difficult for you to procure Beast Cores than it is to get a chance to get your hands on a fine specimen such as myself."

Rei Kitagawa nearly choked at his words.

Was he serious? Did someone like him truly say it with a straight-face and only nothing but a small hint of an amused smile on his face? This shamelessness of his was incredible. Now it made more sense on why someone inexperienced, young and naive like Leila could get intrigued by such a shameless and frustratingly sensual man.

It was a little difficult to say it with a straight face and not to slap a hand over his face at the sheer ridiculousness of his words. But if he pretended this was a presentation to the board of directors, or even just investors to have them back a project of his—then he did it with a slight touch of humor.

The Priestess Rei's head was lowered down, that she didn't meet his eyes.

He was almost worried that he may have spoken a bit too far—until she raised her head and glared at him. "Very well then."

Li Yang raised a brow. "What?"

Priestess Rei rubbed her face. "I can't believe that I'm saying this... but if Priestess Leila continues to come here in order to meet up with you, and wants to learn more about you... males. Then humor her desires. I will compensate you for it."

He blinked. "What?"

"You want Beast Cores for Setsuko isn't that right? While she may have gotten here by sheer virtue of potential, it is not enough for her to simply train and train—especially when the other Priestesses are giving her a hard time. That is why you want to procure Beast Cores to speed up the progress of her growth."

He remained silent, a twinge of annoyance formed around him.

Setsuko didn't say a word to him about this and only chose to find comfort in his arms. Perhaps it was true that the women liked him, but the same couldn't be said for Setsuko who was seen as a rival and a competitor for attention, prestige and resources.

Rei Kitagawa sighed. "It is better that Leila understands what it is like to be around men from a safe person like you than it is with any other men. Some of the Priestesses have grown up here and remain unknowledgeable of the world outside of this sanctuary... I am concerned that if Leila were to go out, already the intrigued person that she is, she might seek out things like this."

Li Yang raised a brow. "So you have a soft spot for Leila."

Rei Kitagawa's face heated up, whether it was through anger at being called out, embarrassment or something else—she shrugged furiously and adamantly at being called out. "As a higher-ranked Priestess, it is only fair that I look after younger ones like her that need to be taken care of more."

Rei sighed and walked forwards. "Everyone of us can commit errors in our youth and learn from harsh experiences, I do not wish to shelter her from that. It is impossible to grow without possibly facing turmoil."

Li Yang smiled briefly. "If you can learn from the mistakes of others without committing it yourself, then it is a much better situation. There is less grief in that, experience is the most bitter of teachers."

She shoved the treasure chest into his hands and stared up at his face. Annoyed at the sheer attractiveness he held, and it being elavated because he was not as idiotic as she assumed him to be. "I agree, so if I can at least ensure that it will not be a drastic and disastrous thing for her to associate with you, then I am willing to endure it for the sake of letting her grow."

"I will take good care of her."

Rei did not like how their conversation had gone, it seemed like she was the one losing in this talk. "You must, or I will tell my sister to give Setsuko an even harder time."

Li Yang frowned. "It does not need to go to that, but you already know that there are consequences for each act you take. We've already acknowledged that experience is a terrible teacher, so avoid that. Please speak more carefully, Priestess."

Rei narrowed her eyes at him. But then she turned around, and walked away. "Then it's also in your best interest to quit being so loud when you and your Lady do it in bed—it's grating to my ears and possibly those nearby."

"I did not expect that you were one to listen in."

"I'm in the room right next to yours so what else can you expect?!" She shouted at him red-faced, before finally leaving the man alone. She stomped back to her room angrily, but finally making a decision as to what to do with the situation with Leila and the man.

The man in question stared at the treasure chest in his hands, now a bit emptier as he absorbed Beast Cores from before—but it would be filled again.

—-—-

Author's Note: I actually had this planned and was looking for the perfect time to insert, but yes, Rei Kitagawa. Unexpected? Expected? Who knows. It's a little hard juggling them all and giving enough screen time. Thanks for reading!