Chapter 27: Threaded Fate

[ Six Evil Qi Is Always Present ]

The day reached its end and along with it was his responsibilities as the CEO of the company, the man fixed his respirator over his face and sighed inwardly. He had done his own snooping around the internet and came upon information about it in articles regarding TCM. "Wind. Cold. Heat. Damp. Dryness. Fire." He recited it to himself silently and then glanced at the blue screen.

[ The Six Evil Qi: Wood. Water. Fire. Earth. Metal. ]

"Those are just five… and basically states the classical elements." What had it been called? A quick search showed him that it was referred to as the 'Wuxing Philosophy'. He wondered if there was a bug of some sort? But heat could have been just a mild form of fire. Regardless, now that his work was done, it was finally time for him to go back home.

And yet there was still another thing bugging him. 'Do I not have any quests?'

[ Accomplishing The First Quest Before End Of Time Limit Has Given 'Host' Interlude Before Next Quest ]

It made him blink. He didn't realize that it would equate to that. 'Huh, that's actually… nice. Essentially the lead time was shorter than what was expected and I got a break for the remainder of the hours meant for the first quest completion?'

[ 'Host' Is Correct ]

A short amount of reprieve was acceptable, but it also brought another thing to question, 'Did I not receive 'Bo Lifen' as a Target because of this reprieve'? If the reason why he didn't get the woman as a target was this, then he had dodged a bullet back then. He really wouldn't have liked the idea of winning her over. That also hopefully meant that if he didn't see her again, then no quest regarding her would appear.

Although that was probably a pitiful wish.

[ 'Host' Is Partially Correct ]

His brows furrowed, "Partially?"

[ System Assesses All Females And Checks Their Suitability For The Harem. Assessment of Individual 'Bo Lifen'— ]

"Wait, there's some specific criteria?" He had to cut this System from doing that.

[ If There Was No Criteria, 'Host' Would Have To Seduce Every Woman ]

Alright. That made some sense to him, and at the same time it didn't. It was impossible to seduce every woman on the planet obviously. Even the idea of seducing every female employee in his company was daunting. But he also still needed to know one thing. 'What's the criteria?'

[ The 'Host's' Harem Must Only Contain Beauties, Abundant Levels of Qi For Cultivation, And—Information Not Yet Fully Accessible ]

He rubbed his face, the man should have expected something like this, but it was still a tad annoying. Features and Information was still withheld from him? Perhaps that Panda might have been able to give them more? It seemed to hold at least a certain amount of knowledge and the creature sometimes let certain things slip. He'd have to ask it once he returned back home.

And yet the creature's revelation was stuck in his mind.

Entertain the Heavens.

The idea still made him sick. All of the nonsense he was going through was practically for naught but cheap entertainment. Would it have been better if he didn't know? Shaking his head, the man once again checked his status on a whim—his own physical state was still horrible.

[ Gender: Male ]

[ Age: 28 ]

[ Cultivation: Qi Condensation First Stage (1/9) ]

[ Constitution: None ]

[ Bloodline: None ]

[ Roots: None ]

[ Fame: Olympian Corp: 1000 ]

[ Sect: None ]

[ Cultivation Methods ]

[ Harem Cultivation (Mortal) ]

Power: Extremely Weak to Divine Grade

Comprehension: Beginner (0/32)

Stage: Qi Condensation (1/9)

[ Martial Arts Methods ]

None

[ Skills ]

None

The only thing that probably provided a hindrance from him enjoying his short amount of freedom was the lack of 'Roots'. The respirator was a band aid solution, he still needed to acquire the 'Roots Unlockment' Item even without the next quest coming up. His own comprehension of the cultivation method was non-existent as well despite him acquiring the first level of qi condensation.

There really was no time for him to relax, didn't he?

Li Yang picked up the suit coat that he lent to his secretary along with his suitcase and made his way out of the office. His secretary was still there, and as usual, she was changing from her pumps to her sneakers. Ying Yue He was still wearing the surgical mask over her face, until she looked up to see him, "Ah, good afternoon, Mister Li."

He couldn't even see her smile.

But her voice did sound like she was happy along with the way her eyes crinkled up slightly. He inclined his head, "Will you be alright this time, Miss He?"

She tilted his head slightly, "What do you mean?"

"You're going home with a mask—isn't that uncomfortable?" He motioned to her face.

"Ah, but you're wearing a respirator, Mister Li." From the way she said it, there was probably a small smirk on her face. She was amused.

"Indeed, but I'll also be driving my own car while you commute, and it might get too stuffy for you." The case of cognitive dissonance was at work right now, but he would go along with it without any question. He didn't want to take advantage of the chance that he might get charm points, but he could also consider that this was only appropriate. He still believed that he should have at least done more last night, "I can take you to your home if you like."

"A-Ah, you don't have to do it, Mister Li."

"I'd like to."

[ 5 Charm Points ]

"Oh," She paused before standing up. She grabbed her backpack and slung it across her shoulders, "Well, if you insist… and if it won't be troublesome?" She glanced around the place.

She was nervous about this. He shook his head, "Not at all, I don't mind, Miss He."

[ 5 Charm Points ]

Compared to last night, it truly was minimal gains now. But it wasn't about the points, right? He was simply trying to be more decent. Although if anyone did see them, then it would also be controversial—The man didn't need to overthink this too much, he only needed to do it. "Shall we go now?"

= = =

"You should bring him some tea." Bo Lanfen suddenly told her great-granddaughter, the older woman had stepped into the living room to see the two siblings spending some time together.

Bo Lifen looked up from a board game with her brother, "What?" She furrowed her brows at the older woman, "What do I need to do that for?"

"He's come home after a long and tiring day of work, couldn't he use some tea?" The old woman shrugged. "The Black-Ocean Pearl tea did wonders for my energy, hah, he could use some of that."

"I'm not some wife welcoming her husband after he gets back home from work." Bo Lifen snorted. "I'll take this as some joke, you can't possibly expect me to give him that rare tea—"

"I'm completely serious. He needs it."

"Then why don't you let Lei do it." She looked at her younger brother.

Lei glanced at their great-grandmother, "Mhmm. I can do it."

Their grandmother rolled her eyes, "That's all well and good but what's wrong with you doing it then, Lifen? Are you avoiding him?"

Bo Lifen pursed her lips, and balled her fists, "Fine! I'll do it, but I'll bring him regular tea."

"Ai, ai—I really can't believe that you haven't noticed." Granny Lanfen shook her head.

"Notice what?"

"Did you see it, Lei? You've been learning a bit in the Shou Temple Sect, haven't you?" The older woman glanced at the younger boy and sighed. "Or am I the only one bothering? The lessons nowadays must have diminished if neither of you can't tell. Anyway, just prepare the man some Black-Ocean Pearl tea, he wouldn't notice a thing, won't he, Lifen? The man's not going to sprout wings when he drinks it, he'd only feel rejuvenated."

= = =

The Financial District was a place where many types of vehicles could be seen, from modest ones to even luxurious brands. But the iconic Bentley Mulsanne still made quite a striking entrance as the sleek sedan stopped outside of the Heavenly Jade Pavillion. A young gentleman stepped out of the vehicle and strode inside, no longer waiting for their assistant to open the door.

The few young women assigned to greet their guests were quick to greet the familiar figure, having seen him countless times, this person was one of their most favored clients."Welcome back Sir Liu!"

A small smile twitched on the man's lips, "Is Miss Bo around?"

"Oh, she's currently on her vacation." One of the women explained. A sheepish smile crossed on her face as she explained it.

"Ah, pity." He frowned slightly. He needed to discuss something with her, but he'd postpone it then.

"Will you still be having some tea, Sir?" The other then asked.

He shook his head, "Not quite, but I heard that a certain Director Wang and CEO Li was supposed to hold a private meeting today in one of your rooms?"

The two young women exchanged some looks.

"I was supposed to meet with them," He sighed and clasped his hands together. "But I'm afraid I must have missed it. I wasn't quite sure of the appointed time?"

He only needed to wait for a second. One of them answered in a heartbeat.

"O-oh! But they didn't come here today, Sir Liu—ah, that is, no one came for the room right?" One of them turned to the other girl for confirmation. "Did it get cancelled? I think a gentleman called Wang Liqu—"

The smarter one of them coughed slightly, "I'm not so sure if this information is to be freely shared, my apologies, Sir Liu."

"That's completely fine." Liu Guiren assured them with a smile. He already got the information that he needed.