Lei Jin Comes Out

"It's fine to make plans first. After all, my Husband is going to fight Ink. While he does that it will be necessary that we deal with the rest of the Ink Clan's Army." Qing Ning said, pouring another fresh cup of tea for herself. "The Ink Clan's Ink Giant Spirit God might be strong but, any 10th rank is more than enough to kill one or 2 of them. And while they might not be able to do anything directly to my handsome Husband, it will be for the best if he can focus on killing Ink personally." She added. "I could be biased, but I don't want to see my love have to face the entire fight alone." She continued, bringing her cup to touch her lips. 

"Indeed, it would be wrong for my human race to not join in the fight. We have spilled our race's blood for generations just to hold the line. We won't sully the names of those who have died by staying out of the fight." Sir Azure Void said, shaking with a seething anger as he recalled the names of everyone that had died. In his mind he saw their smiles, and their growth, only to be cut down by the Ink Clan's overwhelming numbers. "I want the monuments of the fallen to bear witness to the final battle. We owe it to them to let them see this battle through to its conclusion. Even if we have to carry them through to the end I refuse to leave them behind." He confidently stated. His face said it all, the pain was too great to not do it like this. 

"Well said, Brother Azure Void! I agree with this sentiment wholeheartedly." A woman in a pronouncing red dress said, claiming an empty seat at the table. "Let's kill the enemy and do it with a smile." She said, with a perfect smile. 

"Sister Smiles, welcome. It's been a while since we last talked." Sir Azure Void said. 

"Oh come now, it hasn't been that long. I came here to see my little friend. But it seems like I won't get the chance. That's a shame." Smiles said, with a half smile. "But if he is busy it can't be helped." She continued saying, and then started sipping her tea. 

Qing Ning noticed a subtleness in the way Smiles was acting. Smiles was acting as she really just wanted to see an old friend. Nothing more, nothing less. There was no romantic attachment and nor was there any feeling that would generate such feelings. At least from what she could tell on the surface. "I'll test her real quick, just to be certain." Qing Ning thought, calmly sizing Smiles up. 

"There is another reason why my human race should fight. And it has to do with a reward of sorts. My sisters and I decided to allow our Husband to marry a 10th official wife. And currently she only has 4 little sisters. We on the other hand have quite a bit more than that. So we planned to offer the status of concubine to those who prove themselves worthy of it. And it's not limited to the strong. Anyone who meets the incredibly strict requirements of the 10 of us official wives, will have the chance." Qing Ning spoke, and then waited to see the result. 

"That's quite the reward for all that effort they put in. I wonder how many of my Yin-Yang Paradise ladies have earned such attention." Smiles smirked at Qing Ning. "Don't worry about me, I'm more interested in a man that I didn't help raise. Though I will admit I am a bit jealous of you ladies getting to share a bed with such a powerful man." She added. 

"Seriously! Even Smiles understands. Is this some kind of woman intuition thing or perhaps a source of womanly pride of sorts? I don't understand it at all." Hong Xiang Ling blurted out, beyond confused. 

"I know right, I don't understand it. Why not take pride in how strong they are as cultivators instead?" Sir Azure Void said, giving a suggestion. 

"Because, to a woman. Their power is not the only thing that can be a source of pride." Lei Jin said, appearing behind Qing Ning and placing his hand on her shoulder. "It's like how a man takes pride in his woman. Think about it like this, I have many women whom I love and cherish, that all share my bed. Does this make you jealous? If yes, then you understand." He added, then turned his head and looked down at Qing Ning. 

"Husband, did you have a good rest?" Qing Ning asked, smiling up at Lei Jin. 

Lei Jin leaned down and kissed Qing Ning lovingly. "I did, and now I'm ready to begin. Thank you for being you, my love." He said slowly standing back up straight. "Sister Smiles, it's been a while since I last saw you, it's good to you again. I trust you've not had too much trouble since then?" He said with a smile. "Please forgive me for not paying you a visit earlier." He added. 

"No, there's no need for that. I know good and well what led to your actions. I can hardly blame you for it. I may be your friend, but it would be wrong of me to get in between you and you avenging your parents." Smiles said. "Though, I'll say this, there are a lot of people who truly look up to you now. And I know of a few people in particular who have already outright declared their platonic love for what you did. You made them feel as though they got vengeance for all of their loved ones that were stolen by the Ink Clan over the course of this long war." She added, with an unconscious tear coming to her eye.

"I agree, you didn't just avenge your parents with that stunt. You avenged the deaths of everyone that had passed on. As your Master I am proud. As a member of the human race, I am grateful." Sir Azure Void said, having a similar tear fall from his eye. 

"It has been tough on everyone. The names of the fallen amount to quite the high number. But we must carry on even as the weight grows heavier, the path remains the same. But the end is near. So let us finish strong." Lei Jin said, clenching his fist behind his back.