As expected, the bathhouse bloomed into noise, steam curling like white silk while laughter bubbled like spring water. After washing, everyone drifted to the hot spring, and the crowd warmed the mood like lanterns at dusk.

It’s been ages since I soaked with this many family, a rare moonlit moment to cherish like a cup of hot tea between cold hands. If only they’d quiet down like snow settling, it’d be perfect.

It’s not that I hate this—men and women differ like sun and moon. When they horse around without restraint, my heart drums like a startled pheasant. Right now, Qianji Sister is hugging me from behind; normally fine, but we’re in a hot spring. The steam is a veil, and everyone’s bare. On too many levels, this is not good.

“Uh… Qianji Sister, did Serenemoon rub off on you?”

I ask softly, voice like a whisper over still water. That tingling along my back flits like a dragonfly’s touch; no ordinary mortal could take it.

“Rub off? Serenemoon? As if,” Qianji Sister answers, calm as frost.

“Then why hug me at a time like this? That’s totally a Serenemoon move.”

“Hey, little Emperor, you’re so cold. It’s been so long—let your sister hug you a bit!”

Serenemoon pokes my cheek, whining like a willow bending in wind. If Lingxiao and Lingsaki hadn’t seized my arms first like silk vines, she’d be hugging and whining both. Not that it matters—whoever holds me, I can’t move an inch.

“I agree with Serenemoon. It’s been too long. You don’t know how much I’ve missed you, Emperor.”

That doesn’t sound like Qianji at all. She used to roam the Central Continent for training, wind over plains, barely coming home.

As for Littlesky and Hill, those adorable lolis, they’re nestled against my chest like kittens seeking warmth. Thank the heavens for the towel around my waist, or this would be disastrous. Even now, it’s rough.

Every bath or soak with them turns me into a pinned butterfly under soft snow. As a guy, it’s exhausting.

Not to brag, but Qianji Sister, Serenemoon, Lingxiao, Lingsaki, and Littlesky are beauties rare as moonlotus on a hidden lake. Those two sisters especially—flawless forms like sculpted jade, and their chests… generous as autumn harvest.

Yet this flock of perfect girls is utterly unguarded around me, waves of intimate antics slapping a small boat. Even knowing they’re my sisters, it’s a lot to take. I’m still a guy.

“They’re the same as ever, clinging to little Emperor like silk to skin.”

Aunt Saintvoice watches us with a soft smile bright as morning dew, then turns to Lixue. “Hmm? Lixue, not joining?”

“It’s rare for Emperor to have all his sisters here. I won’t intrude. Besides, I’ve already been plenty intimate with him before. This time can pass.”

She says it flatly, dropping a pebble into a quiet pond and letting the ripples spread. Is self-exposing like that really okay?

“Oh? So you and little Emperor are close. Do you like him?”

Aunt Saintvoice, what are you even asking? My mind flaps like a startled bird; I have no strength to retort.

“I’m not sure… Emperor is the first man I’ve interacted with. He left a good impression. I like being near him.”

“I see. A fine encounter, like meeting under plum blossoms. Little Emperor has grown into a remarkable man without noticing. Who knows how many girls he’ll enchant.”

“Agreed. It’s the same in the Mizumi Clan. Feels like everyone loves Emperor.”

“Not just a feeling. It’s fact. At home, no one dislikes little Emperor. Maybe it’s the many-women-few-men ratio, but he’s simply lovable.”

Ugh—embarrassing. When the topic is me, my face heats like a sunset, and my ears burn like red leaves.

“Huh? Emperor, your face is a bit red. Even your ears. So cute.”

As she speaks, Qianji Sister lightly nips my ear—like a fox’s tease—and I nearly jump. The icy beauty doing that? Terrible for my heart.

“Ambushing like that is unfair, Qianji! I’m doing it too!”

Serenemoon nips my other ear with a dragonfly kiss. Uwaa! Please stop! My heart’s pounding like a war drum in a tight valley.

“Dear big brother’s face got redder… Super cute. I wanna take a bite!”

“Mm, that shy look is criminally cute, like peaches under noon sun.”

“Hey! Lingxiao, Lingsaki, don’t join the chaos. I can’t take it!”

I’m a guy! Do they have no restraint, no boundary, no line in the sand?

“Hehe, brother, give up struggling. Let me bite too!”

“Me too! Boss is too cute right now!”

Even Littlesky and Hill start messing around, sparrows pecking a rice cake. Someone save me! I send a pleading look toward Aunt Saintvoice and Lixue, a paper boat in floodwater, but—

“Looks fun over there, little Emperor. Aunt wants in too.”

“…Nooo!”

In the end, I don’t escape their “claws.” A hot spring should be a place to loosen bones and smooth breath, but I’m wrung out like a soaked reed, heart-weary.

Sleeping is better. Night falls like ink, and the bed’s a narrow boat; only Qianji Sister, Littlesky, and Hill sleep with me. We drew lots to decide.

“Emperor, when we head to the Soulless Sanctuary in a few days, don’t pull any reckless stunts. Got it?”

Sleep rises like a tide, and Qianji Sister suddenly speaks. Littlesky and Hill are already asleep in my arms, warm as two small courtyards.

“I will. But what’s wrong, Qianji Sister? Why bring that up?”

“Do I need to explain? Your injuries in the Basiloth Empire had me worried for ages. Thank goodness you’re fine.”

So that’s it. No wonder she’s different today; the north wind softened to spring.

“Sorry… for making you worry.” Guilt pools like a shadow under a lamp.

“It’s okay. Just be careful and stop getting hurt. We really worry.”

She pulls me into her arms, a warm cradle in winter. In that embrace, we drift into dream like a leaf on a quiet pond.

A few days slip like beads off a string; blink, and they’re gone. We rest well at home, life full as a steaming bowl.

When Heartvoice and Celia Maya arrive to fetch us, we say goodbye to our parents and Serenemoon. Ready in all ways, we set off toward our next destination—the Soulless Sanctuary.

What waits in the Soulless Sanctuary? A tremor of excitement runs through me, like wind before a storm.