Xiao Lian hadn’t slept all night, standing vigil in the courtyard.

She’d intended to remain in the room throughout the night, but Xia Chen forced her out helplessly.

“I’m fine!”

Qingya shook her head, though her expression betrayed unease.

Last night, Xia Chen hadn’t overstepped too much, but in the wee hours, sensing him asleep, she’d tried escaping—bursting free from his hold.

Just as she stirred, primed to unleash her qi, the supposedly sleeping Xia Chen awoke with uncanny foresight, pinning her down again.

His punishment for this defiant beauty? Kneeling in a deeply humiliating pose—hence the bruises on her jade-like knees.

Exhausted, she relented only when he let her lie back down. After that, she dared no more tricks.

This boy was uncanny!

Xiao Lian, noting her mistress’s odd look, grew frantic. No loud ruckus had drifted from the room, but a whole night alone with this man—who knew what he’d done?

“Give me the files—it’s not early anymore, time to get to the office.”

Xia Chen beckoned Xiao Lian like she was his servant, stoking her fury further.

He eyed the sky—linger longer, and Xia Qian and Li Xi might think last night’s exploits left him too knackered to walk.

No way he’d let them peg him as weak over this!

“Hand them over!”

Qingya, puzzled by “office,” just wanted this tangle with Xia Chen done. Last night’s tug-of-war yielded her nothing.

Xiao Lian retreated grudgingly, returning with a stack of files, thrusting them at Xia Chen with reluctance.

Xia Chen lounged on the bed, one hand snagging the files, the other releasing Qingya.

Qingya exhaled as that warm hand left her shoulder.

After a night’s tussle, her clothes hung askew, one shoulder bare—nothing but skin between them.

Though freed, with Xia Chen’s focus on the files, Qingya stayed stock-still. Last night proved this boy’s eerie prowess.

She was certain he’d slept, yet her slightest move woke him, preempting her like a seer—uncanny.

“Interesting—looks like your Imperial City Division’s got quite a few plants in the Inspectorate.”

Xia Chen grinned at the detailed sheaf.

The world’s top three shadow factions—emperors’ blades: Dawu’s Lamplighters, Daqing’s Imperial City Division, Dafeng’s Inspectorate—all infiltrating each other.

The fiercest battleground? Each nation’s capital.

Dawu’s capital was the Lamplighters’ turf, yet harbored Division and Inspectorate agents—a tacit secret among officials and folk alike.

Not the Lamplighters fattening foes, but a grim truth: wipe out every Division and Inspectorate spy here, and fresh ones would swarm in.

Neither Daqing nor Dafeng would abandon this political heart.

Likewise, their capitals teemed with covert webs.

“This is the Lamplighters’ domain—normally, we and the Inspectorate should stick together. Not allies, but no backstabbing either. This time, they used us as pawns—don’t blame us for striking back.”

Qingya’s voice chilled.

Xia Chen finished the files, paused, then sliced his fingertip. Crimson blood, laced with odd energy, welled up. Calmly, he said, “Open your mouth!”

Qingya blinked, caught off-guard. As a sorceress, she sensed something off—some cast with their blood as a trigger.

Seeing her freeze, Xia Chen didn’t waste words. He gripped her face, forced her mouth open, and shoved his bleeding finger in.

“Cough, cough!”

Qingya choked, clutching her throat.

“What did you do?”

“A marquis trick—works for warriors too. My essence blood’s in you now—I’ll sense you anywhere.

“So, I hope these files are accurate. Oh, and this cover might need changing. Behave, and we could work together down the line!”

Xia Chen smiled, pinching her glossy cheek again, rising from the bed like a devil.

“It’s late—help me wash and dress!”

He owned the room now, his gentle tone brimming with command.

Qingya, reclining, pursed her lips, gaze tangled, but rose slowly to comb his hair and fix his clothes.

Her first time serving anyone, her clumsy hands fumbled—an awkward ordeal. Yet Xia Chen stayed patient, never hinting at switching her out.

A taming process, pure and simple!

If players from his world saw this, they’d peg it—a term from there: obedience test!

Xia Chen strode into the office, refreshed.

“Commander!”

Xia Qian, waiting, hurried over.

“Boss, how was last night?”

Li Xi spotted him too, eyes glinting, flashing a knowing grin as he approached.

“Beyond great—what else?”

Xia Chen clapped Li Xi’s shoulder, beaming.

“Glad you enjoyed, Boss!”

Li Xi chuckled goofyly.

“Everyone here?”

“Pretty much!”

“Good—assemble Companies A and B!”

Xia Chen’s smile faded, his tone turning stern.

Xia Qian blinked, puzzled by the sudden muster, but held his tongue. Li Xi just nodded calmly.

Soon, Xia Chen’s two hundred men sprang into action, lining up on the grounds.