"Indeed," Zhou Hong chuckled. Seeing that Huo Ling'er didn't even glance at him, he felt a pang of annoyance. This Huo Ling'er seemed rather proud. If her grandfather hadn't forced her, Zhou Hong wouldn't have been her type at all.
"In the Kyoto Martial Cultivation Academy, is there a man you like?" Zhou Hong suddenly asked.
Huo Ling'er paid him no mind.
"Whether there is or not, your grandfather has offered you to me tonight. After tomorrow, you'll have nothing to do with me," Zhou Hong sneered. He hadn't intended to take advantage of her, but for some reason, Huo Ling'er's proud gaze made him uncomfortable. If she had pleaded with him pitifully, he might have let her go with a wave of his hand. After all, Zhou Hong had seen too many beautiful women to be driven by every encounter.
Huo Ling'er remained silent, tears streaming down her cheeks. No one knew what she was thinking. Perhaps she was speaking to the man she admired, apologizing for being forced to give herself to another today.
Zhou Hong finished washing quickly and stood up, commanding, "What are you still staring at? Bring me a towel to dry off."
Huo Ling'er turned to fetch a towel and stood behind Zhou Hong, wiping the water from his body.
After he was dry.
"Aren't you going to wash up quickly?" Zhou Hong asked.
A flicker of pain crossed Huo Ling'er's face, but she reluctantly entered the bathroom.
About twenty minutes later, Huo Ling'er emerged, dressed. It was unclear if she had washed herself.
Seeing that Huo Ling'er was clearly unwilling to serve him, Zhou Hong felt a bit disappointed.
"Forget it. Such a glum face makes me lose my appetite. How about this: you perform oral sex on me, and the rest can be waived. That way, I won't have defiled your purity," Zhou Hong said indifferently.
"I... I don't know how," Huo Ling'er's heart leaped with joy upon hearing that Zhou Hong wouldn't take her virginity. However, she truly didn't know how, being a pure and inexperienced girl.
"You can learn slowly if you don't know. My kindness has its limits. Hurry up and come here."
Huo Ling'er gritted her teeth and climbed onto the bed. Even if she didn't know how, she had to try. It was certainly better than losing her virginity to Zhou Hong.
Zhou Hong lay back on the pillow and closed his eyes.
"Hoo!" Zhou Hong let out a deep sigh. Perhaps this was for the best, as he had no interest in possessing a girl who didn't care for him.
After an unknown amount of time, Huo Ling'er began to feel tired.
Finally, about forty to fifty minutes later, she felt a sense of liberation.
However, Zhou Hong commanded, "Eat."
"Ah," Huo Ling'er's face changed.
"What? You don't even know this basic rule of the martial world?"
Huo Ling'er looked at Zhou Hong with a wronged expression, a hint of resentment in her eyes.
Yet, she suppressed her disgust and swallowed.
"Hahaha, now you may go," Zhou Hong said with a laugh.
"Can I leave now?" Huo Ling'er asked softly.
"Are you in such a hurry to leave?"
"Didn't you say you wouldn't...?" Huo Ling'er, fearing Zhou Hong might go back on his word, changed her expression slightly. Although she was a genius at the Kyoto Martial Cultivation Academy, Zhou Hong was far superior to her grandfather. She knew she couldn't escape his grasp.
"Go, go, you're really spoiling the mood," Zhou Hong waved his hand, having lost his interest. He had originally thought about discussing life and dreams with her.
"Thank you," Huo Ling'er said with a cold expression and quickly departed.
Once outside the small courtyard, Huo Ling'er immediately crouched down, wanting to vomit, but nothing came out.
Huo Ling'er felt frustrated and wanted to cry.
"Damn it," Huo Ling'er cursed inwardly. She had assumed Zhou Hong was in his forties or fifties, merely possessing youthful good looks through cultivation.
Meanwhile, Zhou Hong had long forgotten about Huo Ling'er. To him, she was no different from a serving courtesan or dancer, not worth a second thought.
Zhou Hong suddenly thought of someone: Liu Zhen Feixu. He was now in Kyoto, and Liu Zhen Feixu was also from Kyoto. Perhaps he should video call her.
So, Zhou Hong opened WeChat, found Liu Zhen Feixu's profile picture, and immediately initiated a video call.
A few seconds later, the call was answered, and a stunningly beautiful face appeared on Zhou Hong's phone screen.
"Senior Zhou Hong, why are you suddenly video calling me?" Liu Zhen Feixu appeared flattered upon seeing Zhou Hong.
"I've also come to Kyoto, and I remembered you're from here, so I thought I'd say hello," Zhou Hong said.
"Thank you, Senior. It's kind of you to think of me when you're in my city. I should fulfill my duties as a host."
"Haha, no need for formalities. I'll look for you after I've finished my business."
"That would be wonderful," Liu Zhen Feixu said, sounding excited.
"Then I won't chat any longer. I'll call you later."
"Mhm, I'll be eagerly awaiting your call."
Zhou Hong didn't linger on the call with Liu Zhen Feixu, as it was getting late. He had only intended to say hello.
The night passed uneventfully.
The next morning, Zhou Hong woke up early. However, after waking, he didn't inform the Huo family and left quietly.
When the patriarch of the Huo family arrived at the small courtyard early that morning, he saw that Zhou Hong had already departed, a look of disappointment on his face.
He had intended to flatter Zhou Hong, but since he was gone, he could only let it go.
He hoped his warm hospitality yesterday would earn him a favor from Zhou Hong in the future. It was a shame about his granddaughter. His granddaughter was naturally serene and admired a hero in her heart. Forcing her to do such a thing yesterday would likely mean she would never speak to him again.
After leaving the Huo family, Zhou Hong went to a main street, had breakfast, and then called Changsun Qinghe.
They had agreed to go to a matchmaking meeting today.
"Hello, Zhou Hong," Changsun Qinghe's voice came through after a few seconds.
"Are you awake yet? Is your matchmaking appointment in the morning or afternoon?" Zhou Hong quickly asked.
"It's at nine o'clock this morning, at Wan'an Teahouse. Where are you now? I'll come pick you up."
"I'm not sure where I am. I'll send you my location on WeChat."
"Alright."
Zhou Hong hung up the phone and sent his location to Changsun Qinghe via WeChat.
Zhou Hong had been in this world for some time now, and he was getting more capable. He could even send his location now.