LOST CULTIVATION METHODS

The sixth morning since Valeria's rebirth dawned with golden light piercing through the morning fog. Birds chirped among the newly cleared trees, and the smell of fresh lumber and tilled earth wafted through the air.

Valeria was no longer a graveyard.

Under Jin's leadership, homes had taken shape from crumbling ruins. Earth and wood cultivators worked tirelessly, guided by Lana's patient oversight and Jin's direct, hands-on involvement. Stone paths were re-laid, and water channels flowed again. Even the crops Lana had planted began to sprout, a small but vital symbol of progress.

Refugees continued to arrive—many from nearby settlements that had once depended on Valeria before its fall. Now, with word spreading of its rebirth under a new lord, they came in droves. Some were orphans. Others bore scars from beasts and betrayal alike. But all sought safety, purpose, and hope.

At the heart of it all stood Jin.

He had not only inherited the City Lord's token—he had taken the city's burdens upon himself. In less than a week, the once-forgotten territory began pulsing with life again.

And still, questions burned in his mind.

That evening, Jin sat on the newly carved bench near the city square. Torchlight flickered as survivors bustled about with their assigned duties.

Beside him sat Lila, dressed not in her armor but in a simple tunic and long skirt. Her golden hair was loose, still damp from her evening wash.

"Why did the Roman Kingdom abandon Valeria?" he asked.

Lila's face darkened. "Because this place stopped being profitable. The beasts—they weren't just wild. They came in waves, coordinated. The damage outpaced what the court was willing to fund. Valeria bled money and warriors. So they pulled out. Left us to die."

Jin clenched his fists. "I may be Roman by blood, but I swear to never be like them."

Lila looked at him sideways. Her tone softened. "I know. That's why I don't hate you."

"Why?"

She leaned in slightly, voice low. "One, Lana could never raise a selfish beast. Two, I like you."

He turned, blinking.

She smirked. "Three... I like you more."

Jin flushed. "That's not something an 'aunt' should say."

"I'm not your aunt, Jin. Not by blood. And certainly not by intent." Her voice held weight—a bold confession without hesitation.

He looked away, heart pounding.

"I never looked at men that way before," she said. "But you—you make me feel again. I'm not ashamed."

The silence between them thickened. Jin couldn't tell if it was the moonlight or Lila's proximity heating his skin. He quickly stood.

"I need to check the north gate," he said, his voice a bit too loud.

Lila just chuckled. "Run while you can."

That same night, within the capital, the palace was burning with conflict.

The Second Prince's private guards had stormed the training hall, dragging the First Prince's informants into the open court. Chaos erupted as palace guards began taking sides. Blood stained the marble floors.

The King lay still in his private chamber, silent and ill, watched only by two silent attendants.

In the council hall, the princes stood before a panel of nobles—an emergency meeting turned battlefield.

"Your 'heroic' firstborn nearly slaughtered three ministers last night!" yelled the Second Prince.

"At least I'm not selling the kingdom to foreigners!" the First Prince spat back.

"Don't speak of my mother, dog!"

"She's a snake who poisons the court and your mind!"

Molana stood from her shadowed throne at the side of the hall, her fury palpable.

"Enough!" she thundered, her voice coated in royal command. "You disgrace yourselves and the crown!"

But they ignored her. Words flew. Then spells.

Molana's patience shattered. She turned and left, dress trailing like smoke.

Meanwhile, inside the embroidery chamber of the royal harem, the daughters of the crown sat cross-legged on cushions.

They weren't permitted to involve themselves in statecraft, but rumors seeped even here.

"I heard the First Prince drew blood in the throne hall," one girl whispered.

"Good. The Second one's always been a snake."

"I wish Prince Jin were still here."

The room paused.

A soft voice added, "He was kind... and strong. He didn't play these games."

Molana's daughter snapped her thread. "Don't speak of that lowborn again. He is nothing to the court."

"Maybe," someone whispered back, "but at least he's not a monster."

Before things escalated, the embroidery matron walked in, her presence cold and sharp.

"Still gossiping? Enough. This Phoenix embroidery must be finished tonight. Or tomorrow, you embroider your sheets by candlelight."

Silence returned, but under it simmered unease. Even among the daughters, the kingdom trembled.

Back in Valeria, Jin wandered again.

The air was quiet, the moon reflected in puddles left by recent rain.

Then he found it: a spring tucked between stones, heated by nature, its steam curling gently into the sky.

After scanning it with the system—clear of beasts or spirits—he slid in, letting the warmth soothe his dense muscles.

"Finally... peace."

But peace was short-lived.

Footsteps.

"Where did he go?" came a voice.

Lila.

She wore her battle gear, fitted and sleek, her hair tied back tightly. Her senses flared, but for some reason, she couldn't probe the misty pool with her spiritual sense.

She stepped forward.

Jin sunk slightly lower into the water.

[System Notice: Disaster Level Rising. Hormonal Distraction at 73% and climbing.]

She looked around. "Strange... I could've sworn he came this way."

Then she spotted the pool.

"Huh... It looks safe. Might as well wash up."

Jin stilled.

Then she began to undress.

He expected her to hesitate.

She didn't.

Her armor fell away piece by piece, revealing bronzed, battle-hardened skin marred by only a few faded scars. Her form was lean, strong, and beautiful—like a sculpture carved from sunlight and storms.

When she turned and caught him watching, she didn't cover herself.

Instead, she smirked. "Enjoying the view?"

"I—" he started, but words failed.

"I came here to test your resolve," she said. "But I underestimated your... dexterity."

She slipped into the pool beside him, water swirling around them.

"You didn't run."

"Not planning to."

"Good." She leaned closer.

For a heartbeat, nothing moved.

Then she laughed and splashed him. "You looked like you were about to combust."

"You're the one bathing in a lion's den."

"Maybe I want to be eaten."

[System Warning: Blood Pressure Elevated. Testosterone Spike Detected. Initiating Willpower Stabilization.]

Jin sighed, stood, and walked out of the pool, grabbing a towel.

She watched him go, a flicker of respect and something more in her eyes.

That night, Jin entered his chamber, drying his hair with a rough cloth. He had barely settled on his bed when the door opened quietly.

Lila entered.

She wore a thin sleeping robe, her hair still damp, her skin lightly scented with herbs from her bath.

She sat beside him. The robe slid slightly down one shoulder.

"You're not making this easy," Jin said quietly.

"I'm not trying to."

He swallowed. "Why are you here?"

"Because I like you. Because you're strong, and good, and because tonight, I don't want to pretend I don't feel anything."

The room was silent save for their breathing.

He turned to her. "Lila..."

She touched his hand. "I don't expect you to love me. But I want you to know I'm not afraid of you. And I'm not afraid of this."

[System Notice: Lila Fern - Affection Level: 92% - Emotional Stability: High - Virginity: Retained]

Then the system pinged again.

[Side Notice: Arielle, Sarah, and Lana are all sleeping in the west chamber tonight. Pajamas active. Scent neutralizers enabled. This is definitely a setup.]

He groaned internally.

Before he could say anything, Lila leaned in and whispered, "Better now than never."

He kissed her.

Not a hesitant brush. A firm, fiery clash.

Her lips were warm. Her hands bold.

Jin lifted her into his lap, careful yet commanding. Their breaths grew heavy.

The night grew deeper.

And the embers of desire—long dormant—finally began to burn.