Demon Blood, Maiden Vail

Evening settled gently over the Taiyin Sect, the moonlight bathing the garden in a soft silver glow.

Inside the Sect Leader's quiet home, Lin Yuan sat across from Yuexian, sipping on a bowl of calming lotus soup. He had just finished cultivating and advancing to the tenth level of Qi Gathering. It was a quiet, reflective kind of night.

Yuexian leaned her cheek against her hand and glanced at him with an amused smile.

"You know," she said teasingly, "if this were a cultivation story from the old books, by now you'd have reconciled with one of my disciples, been caught in an awkward bathhouse scene, and become my most beloved son-in-law."

Lin Yuan froze mid-sip.

He slowly lowered his bowl and blinked at her. "…What?"

Yuexian chuckled, enjoying his shocked expression. "Oh come on, the quiet, mysterious junior sister turns out to be a hidden genius who saves the sect and wins hearts. Classic. All that's missing is the blushing marriage proposal and awkward wedding banquet."

But Lin Yuan didn't laugh.

Instead, his expression turned strangely serious. His hands tightened slightly around the bowl.

"…Why do you look like you've seen a ghost?" Yuexian asked, tilting her head. "Did one of my disciples really put a sword to your throat?"

Lin Yuan looked away.

After a long silence, he spoke.

"No. It's not that. I just…" He hesitated. "I've always been nervous around women."

Yuexian blinked. "Nervous? You live surrounded by them."

"I know. I've gotten better. But there's something that's stayed with me."

He set his bowl down, folding his hands.

"When I was younger—still living in my village—three of us were playing hide and seek. Qingxue was hiding, and I was searching with Xiao Hu. We wandered deep into the woods."

"There, near the river, I saw… something. A figure. Wet hair, pale skin—just the head at first. I thought it was a ghost."

He gave a nervous laugh, though his eyes didn't match it.

"It wasn't. It was a village girl bathing. Fully clothed, but soaked through. I panicked and froze. I fell into the mud. "

"And what happened?" Yuexian asked gently.

"In our village, the old customs say… if a boy sees a girl like that, he has to take responsibility. So I did what I thought I should. I told her I'd marry her."

"She refused."

Lin Yuan looked away again. "She said it was her fault for not checking if anyone was nearby.Also that was our playground. She go there because there was no man.It's prohibited for girls to go bath in the middle of day.So she ask me not to tell villegars.Actualy I don't turn around because I thought it was half fish monster because she also Singing song. When I realize I feel Assamed .That's why I fell in mud. She comes to pick me up. But it was me who panicked. I even dreamed about her that night. It was—embarrassing. I was just a boy. But the shame stayed."

Yuexian sat quietly for a moment, watching him.

"And now," he continued, "every time something intimate or emotional happens… like the Holy Maiden hugging me… I get a dream. This time, a dragon came out of the sky and ate me alive."

"That's quite the reaction," Yuexian said with a half-smile, though her eyes were thoughtful now.

"I know," he muttered, rubbing the back of his neck. "I guess I'm still dealing with it. Everyone sees me as some bold, rising cultivator. But I still flinch at a girl's smile sometimes."

"You're just being honest," Yuexian said softly. "There's strength in that too."

Lin Yuan exhaled slowly. "I wanted to tell you. I don't want to lie to the people I trust."

Yuexian stood and walked over to him. She reached out and gently ruffled his hair, like a mother comforting a child.

"You're growing faster than you realize," she said. "But don't be in a rush to be a man. Just be a good person.you are only twelve.Boys in your age aren't mature like you.Life made someone to grow fast"

He looked up at her." I just remember when I leave our home we never play like kids. Acting like 16 years old girl make me mature fast." Lin yuan smile"…Even if I never become someone's son-in-law?"

She laughed and tapped his forehead. "Let's worry about finishing your Qi Circulation first, not your wedding."