Over the following days, Wang Li continued his subtle campaign. He didn't push Lady Wu too hard, but he always made sure to be in her presence. He offered her glimpses of his world—the power he wielded, the influence he had over countless sects. He would speak to her of strategy and alliances, showing her a side of leadership that intrigued her.
One evening, as they sat in the grand dining hall, Lady Wu looked at Wang Li with a hint of curiosity in her eyes. "I must admit, Sect Master, your methods are... unorthodox. You rely more on influence than force, yet you command such loyalty from those around you."
Wang Li smiled, his gaze lingering on her. "Force has its place, but true power comes from control. Influence is a far stronger weapon than the blade. When people believe they need you, they'll do anything to keep you on their side."
Lady Wu considered his words carefully. "But what happens when they no longer need you?"
"They will always need me," Wang Li said confidently. "Because I give them something no one else can. And when they realize that, they become loyal for life."
She looked away for a moment, clearly pondering his words. "And what do you offer, Sect Master? What is it that makes them so dependent on you?"
Wang Li leaned in slightly, his voice low and intimate. "What I offer is different for each person. Some seek power, others seek wealth. And some..." He let his voice trail off, his eyes locking onto hers. "...some seek something far deeper. Something they don't even realize they need until they find it."
Lady Wu's breath hitched slightly, but she quickly recovered, her face flushed. She stood abruptly, trying to regain her composure. "I should retire for the evening. Thank you for the meal, Sect Master Wang."
Wang Li smiled gently, bowing his head. "Of course, Lady Wu. Sleep well."
As she left, Wang Li watched her retreating form, knowing that the seeds of doubt had been planted. She was strong, yes, but everyone had a weakness. It was only a matter of time before Lady Wu's resolve cracked.
~~
It was a week later when Lady Wu finally returned to Wang Li's chambers late at night. She had been restless for days, her mind constantly replaying their conversations. She didn't know why she felt so drawn to him—she was loyal to her husband, and yet there was something about Wang Li that she couldn't shake.
When she entered his chambers, Wang Li was waiting, as if he had known she would come.
"Lady Wu," he said softly, stepping toward her. "Is everything alright?"
She hesitated for a moment, her heart racing. She knew she shouldn't be here, but something inside her compelled her to stay. "I... I've been thinking about what you said," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper.
Wang Li approached her slowly, his eyes filled with understanding. "What troubles you, Lady Wu? You can tell me."
She looked away, her hands trembling slightly. "I don't know. I've never felt this way before. I'm loyal to my husband, but... there's something about you, something I can't explain."
Wang Li gently took her hand, his touch sending a shock of electricity through her. "You're not betraying him by being here, Lady Wu. Sometimes, we're drawn to people for reasons we can't control. It's natural."
Every touch, every caress sent waves of pleasure coursing through both of them. They moved together with practiced ease, their bodies perfectly in sync. Xia Qingwu moaned softly beneath him, her eyes filled with love and desire as he claimed her once again.
She had long ago accepted that this was their life—Wang Li's insatiable appetite, his many lovers—and yet she remained his first and true wife, the one who held his heart.
Afterward, as they lay in each other's arms, Xia Qingwu traced circles on his chest. "You'll be busy tonight again, won't you?" she asked, her voice tinged with amusement.
Wang Li smiled lazily, his fingers threading through her hair. "You know me too well, my love. But don't worry, I'll always come back to you."
"I know," she said softly, her lips brushing against his skin. "I only hope you don't wear yourself out."
He chuckled at that. "Not a chance."
~~
As much as he loved his wife, Wang Li's nights never ended with just one woman. Once Qingwu had drifted off to sleep, he would often slip away to indulge in other pleasures. Tonight, his next stop was the chambers of Xia Bingling, his voluptuous mother-in-law, whose body still held an allure that had always driven him wild.
Bingling, despite her position as Qingwu's mother, had long since succumbed to Wang Li's advances. Their forbidden relationship had been ongoing for years, and it only grew more intense with time. Tonight was no different. When Wang Li entered her chambers, Bingling was already waiting for him, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.
"Wang Li," she purred as he approached, her lips curling into a seductive smile. "I've missed you."
Without a word, Wang Li pulled her into his arms, his hands gripping her hips as he kissed her fiercely. Bingling responded with equal fervor, her body pressing against his as they moved toward the bed. She had long since given up resisting him—now, she lived for these nights, where they could lose themselves in each other.
Their coupling was intense and passionate, both of them lost in the heat of the moment. Bingling's moans filled the room as Wang Li took her again and again, his touch driving her to the edge of madness. By the time they were done, she lay exhausted beneath him, her body trembling from the pleasure he had given her.
"You never fail to satisfy me, Wang Li," she whispered breathlessly, her fingers trailing over his chest.
He smiled down at her, his gaze filled with possessiveness. "And I never will."
From Bingling's chambers, Wang Li moved on to Song Jingyan, another of his lovers whose beauty was matched only by her fiery spirit. She had once been his enemy, but now she was his willing partner, their rivalry turned into something far more intimate.
After Jingyan, there was his own cousin, Wang Xiangyi, who had been one of the earliest women to fall under his spell. Their connection was deeper than most, bound by blood and shared history, and their nights together were filled with a strange mix of passion and familiarity.
And then there were his mistresses—Ming Yue, Liu Xue, Lan Xue, and Shi Feiyan—all of whom had once been powerful women in their own right. Now, they were devoted to him completely, their love and loyalty unwavering. Each of them had given themselves to Wang Li willingly, eager to please him in every way.
As the night wore on, Wang Li moved from one woman to the next, his stamina seemingly endless. He relished in the pleasure they gave him, knowing that they, too, grew stronger through their intimate connection with him. His Yin-Yang Cultivation Ability allowed him to draw upon their energy, enhancing his own power while also feeding it back into them, making them stronger with each encounter.