Zhong felt cheated. Completely and utterly cheated by this damned game!

After his Master's visit, he began to prepare for the assigned mission. The journey from the Winter Order to Rasamayi was a bit longer than he had imagined, taking nearly a full day. Therefore, the designated time for departure was: "the moment the sun is centered in the sky." Zhong couldn't help a sarcastic smile. Apparently, in a mystical universe with superhuman races like dryads, no one had had the brilliant idea of inventing a clock. The irony was perfect.

After receiving all the instructions from the Order's leader, he hurried to organize his departure. The original Zhong had already set aside everything necessary, leaving him only to choose his garments according to the leader's requirements.

The task was simple and not stressful at all, and that should have been reason enough to be suspicious of the development of a game as cursed as Dryadia. Looking at the clothes before him, a defeated sigh escaped his lips. What kind of martial arts was this, anyway?

"Fuck, damn, hell, curse, son of a bitch, asshole, demon, disgrace…" He spent about five minutes in silence, cursing mentally, while the young Darius before him proudly displayed the "discreet garments" requested by the master.

— My Master, is there one you like? — Darius's anxious voice made him recompose quickly. Zhong forced his best smile while his mind raced: What kind of discreet garments are these? Even if it doesn't show my face, it shows EVERYTHING ELSE!

— Hm, choose the one that will attract the least attention and prepare my provisions while I bathe. — he said quickly, elegantly heading towards the bathroom. He couldn't stand to look at those "clothes" for one more second!

When he returned from his bath, he wore only his underclothes—a nearly transparent white silk fabric that covered his essential points and wrapped around his legs. There was also a young Darius holding his chosen outfit and accessories, waiting for him at the bedroom door.

A heavy sigh echoed in his chest. He moved robotically to be dressed by his disciple. The cold emanating from Darius's demonic body touched his skin in prolonged moments, making his whole body shiver. His lips pressed together involuntarily, and his eyelids trembled as he felt the firm grip of the young man's hands adjusting the clothes on his torso.

Oblivious to reality, he didn't notice when Darius finished dressing him and gently guided him to have his hair combed. He felt, from time to time, a painful tug as the young demon combed it upward.

— Ah! — A pained moan escaped him when his hair was pulled with even more force. The corners of his eyes turned slightly red as he stared at the boy behind him through the mirror.

— Any problems, my Master? — Darius's smile was serene, and his voice sounded concerned, but the glint in his eyes stirred a strange feeling in Zhong's body, which he preferred to ignore. He's just a teenager, he thought, trying to convince himself.

— Hm, just be more careful.

— My apologies, Master. I will be gentler.

The incidents did not repeat themselves. Darius was so gentle while combing his hair that before he knew it, Zhong was completely ready. His hair, once loose, was now tied in a high ponytail, with small braids woven into the sides. The lower half of his face was covered by a black hood that fell to his shoulders. A thin layer of fabric protected his neck and back, but a huge V-neck in the front exposed his entire chest and abdomen. On the bottom, wide black pants were held up by a cloth belt with a huge golden tiger pendant. On his feet were simple black boots.

Looking at himself in the mirror, Zhong couldn't contain the urge to curse the game once more. What kind of shitty outfit was this?!

【Congratulations, Host, for unlocking 95/1000 Tenderness Points! As a reward, the Immortal Jade function will be activated. ＼(^o^)／

The Immortal Jade is an inventory system located in the gemstone on the ring on your left hand.With it, you will be able to store equipment and retrieve it at will! Very useful, isn't it? :->

It also contains the spiritual weapons of the Fierce Tiger Flame,the weapons of this body's former owner. To activate them, simply think of them while using your ring. Wishing the Host a successful mission! (＾▽＾)】

"How did I get so many Tenderness Points if I didn't do anything?" Determined to ignore the sinister depth that answer might hold, Zhong looked at the ring on his hand. A beautiful golden jewel shone on it. This must be the so-called Immortal Jade. Good, very good.

Satisfied, he ordered Darius to gather everyone at the Order's entrance. They were about to begin their journey.

When he arrived at the Order's entrance, his companion and martial brother, Hiraeth, was already in position with a few other disciples. "Little Brother Hiraeth, you really are a dedicated worker!" he lamented in his heart, watching the young man diligently organize the disciple caravan. "Poor man, he won't gain anything from this… F"

The small caravan consisted of a reasonable group of horses and a carriage.

Noticing this, a sigh of relief escaped his lips. If Zhong were honest, transportation in this world intrigued him greatly. From the little he had read, he knew that using "flying swords" was very common in this universe, but apparently, it was more complex and required great control of spiritual power—something only disciples in the final stages of training and their respective masters could achieve, which wasn't the case for the entire group assigned to the mission. So, they would use a more primitive form of transport.

What a relief! Even if he was a martial master close to becoming a demigod, the reality was that Zhong had no idea how to make his sword fly, let alone how to steer it… Oh heavens, he was so screwed!

Smiling contentedly, he walked towards his recently discovered companion, Hiraeth. The man, who had an irritated expression on his face, seemed to soften upon noticing his presence.

— Brother Martial Zhong, is everything ready for our departure? — Hiraeth approached, and Zhong could get a better look at him. His hair was the same as before, but his clothes had changed into an impeccable navy blue martial attire, with a long black cloak fastened by armor on his shoulders and arms.

Seeing the elegant image of the man before him and comparing it to his own—which looked more like someone who practiced other kinds of arts—Zhong could only sigh, swallowing the bitter feeling in his throat. The taste of injustice was bitter. Very bitter.

— Brother Martial, I believe everything is ready. — he returned the greeting but couldn't curb his curiosity. — Could Brother Hiraeth explain the reason for the carriage?

— Those were the Order Leader's orders. He decreed that the elder Martial Master Zhong should receive all proper care, due to his injury. — Hiraeth explained, detailing the journey.

With such good news, Zhong couldn't contain a genuine smile directed at the man.

Seeing the sweet gaze and smile of his elder colleague, Hiraeth felt his ears grow warm instantly. An action that went unnoticed by Zhong, who continued the conversation radiantly, oblivious to the sharp glances he was receiving from another point.

However, behind them, someone was watching the scene intently. Darius swallowed dryly, a sour taste filling his mouth as he glared sullenly at the interaction before him.

— Master Hiraeth. — He murmured, low enough not to be heard but with a hint of disdain. — You are a very ambitious man.