The chamber Juliana led him to was lavishly prepared. A bronze brazier cast a warm glow upon silken drapes, and a steaming bath waited with a folded robe beside it.
But Juliana herself blocked the doorway, her eyes bright as embers.
"Liam," she whispered, "my father smiles like a gracious host, but you know as well as I that he covets your blade. Tonight, beneath this roof, there is only one way to shield you from his snares—if you stand not as guest, but as mine."
Her hand caught his sleeve. Liam's brows furrowed. "Juliana… this is folly. Your clan already watches with hawk's eyes. To linger near you is peril enough. To share more—"
She pressed closer, the warm scent of snow-bloomed plum rising from her hair. Her lips brushed his ear as she breathed, "Then let the peril fall on me. I will not let them take you. If I must brand you with my affection before every servant and rival, I will."
He turned, intending to resist—but her mouth claimed his, hot and insistent. Her cloak fell with a whisper, revealing skin pale as carved ice, her breasts rising and falling with each hurried breath.
"Deny me, and you let Cedric's laughter linger," she murmured against him, eyes fierce now, more warrior than maiden. "Take me, and you bind us together. Which will you choose?"
Liam's restraint snapped beneath the storm of her insistence. His hands drew her in, their bodies colliding in a clash of silk and snow. The chamber filled with the soft thrum of breath, the rustle of garments shed in haste, and the quiet sigh of a maiden who had vowed to conquer as much with love as with steel.
His hands explored her body, tracing the curves of her breasts, the softness of her hips. She gasped as he took her nipple into his mouth, sucking and licking until she writhed beneath him, a soft moan escaping her lips. "Liam…" she whispered, her voice thick with need.
His fingers found the heat between her legs, teasing her with gentle strokes. She shuddered with pleasure, her breath quickening, and he could feel her arousal against his palm. "Please," she urged, her voice barely above a whisper, "don't tease me."
With a growl of determination, he positioned himself, feeling her body quiver in anticipation as he entered her slowly. She gasped, her back arching, and a sweet moan escaped her lips as he filled her completely. Their eyes locked, and he began to move, a slow, deliberate rhythm that sent waves of pleasure coursing through them both.
"More," Juliana gasped, her hands gripping his shoulders, urging him deeper. Each thrust drew out more of her soft cries, mingling with the sound of skin against skin. He could feel her body tightening around him, responding to every thrust with eager urgency.
"Just like that," she moaned, her breath ragged. Her nails dug into his back as he quickened his pace, the heat between them rising into an inferno. She cried out, a melody of pleasure and defiance, her body arching to meet his with every thrust.
When at last she peaked, her voice was a cry muffled against his shoulder, her body trembling as waves of ecstasy coursed through her. He felt the moment she surrendered completely, knowing this moment was more than passion—it was politics, devotion, and defiance bound into one.
System Update
[Juliana Valehart's Affection +12 → Current: 123 (Irrevocable Devotion)]
[Achievement Unlocked: Bonds of Snow and Silk]
[Special Buff: Valehart Heiress's Favor –Increases persuasion with Valehart retainers by 20%]
Afterwards, Juliana lay tangled in the sheets, her breath still unsteady. She traced a finger down his chest, smiling with both triumph and softness. "Now, no matter what my father plots, you are not merely a guest in this house—you are mine."
Liam sighed inwardly. This entanglement was as dangerous as it was intoxicating. Yet for tonight, he allowed her victory.
The bath still steamed when Juliana reluctantly rose, donning her cloak once more. "Bathe, dress. I shall have tea prepared in the grand hall. And," she added with a coy tilt of her chin, "I have a gift for you, one that no outsider has ever touched."
She left, leaving him with both warmth and unease lingering in the chamber.
Moments later, Liam emerged in the moon-white robe laid out for him. The mirror reflected a figure both refined and commanding, as though fate had draped nobility over his shoulders.
Yet his thoughts had little time to settle before a voice drifted outside, cool and familiar.
"Tell my sister I will speak with her later. Leave us."
It was Selestine.
A maid scurried off, and soon Selestine herself appeared, cloak dusted with snow. Without ceremony, she pressed a scroll into Liam's hands. "Here. The Orchid Acupoint Hand. I fetched it from our ancestral trove. Read it as long as you wish—then judge who stands taller, Juliana or I."
Her tone was calm, but her eyes betrayed a flicker of rivalry, sharpened by Juliana's boldness earlier.
System Scan
[Item Acquired: Orchid Acupoint Hand (Diamond Manual, Peach Blossom Isle Legacy) – Severely Incomplete]
[Usable Rank: Equivalent to Gold Manual]
The System chimed.
System Update
[Manual Learned: Orchid Acupoint Hand]
[EXP +1,000]
[Internal Energy +1,000]
Liam closed the scroll after study, returning it with a faint smile. "Your form is elegant, Selestine. As for judgment… let us wait until Juliana's gift is shown as well."
Her lips pressed tight, but she nodded. "Then let us go to the hall. She will be waiting."
Together they entered the grand hall, where Juliana sat beside a table of steaming tea. On its surface lay another ancient tome, the cover marked boldly with three characters: Sunpierce Finger.
Juliana rose at once, smile radiant. "Liam, behold—the Valehart legacy, the Sunpierce Divine Finger . Tonight, it is yours to read."
System Scan
[Item Acquired: Sunpierce Divine Finger (Diamond Manual, Zhu Zhuli Clan) – Incomplete, only Four Grades Accessible]
[Usable Rank: Equivalent to Gold Manual]
System Update
[Manual Learned: Sunpierce Divine Finger]
[EXP +1,000]
[Internal Energy +1,000]
Liam exhaled slowly. Both arts—though incomplete—were of heritage that once shook the world. Yet here they lay, fractured remnants, wielded now in rivalry between two maidens of snow.
He raised his head. "Both of you have cultivated well. To call a victor now would be folly. In time, perhaps, but tonight—tonight I say you are equals."
Their eyes flashed, neither content, yet neither able to press further.
The night deepened. And far beyond the hall, from the shadows of the outer walls, Liam glimpsed movement—Cedric Valehart, watching with eyes that burned like coals of hatred.
Glossary – Chapter 36
Juliana Valehart – Heiress of Valehart Manor, now fully bound to Liam both emotionally and politically. Presented him the Sunpierce Divine Fingerscroll.
Selestine Valehart – Cousin to Juliana, rival for Liam's recognition. Presented him the Orchid Acupoint Hand scroll.
Sunpierce Divine Finger– Diamond-tier manual, incomplete; allows mastery up to the Fourth Grade. Heritage of the Dali Duan clan.
Orchid Acupoint Hand – Diamond-tier manual, incomplete; heritage of Peach Blossom Isle through Wu Xiuwen and Huang Rong's line.
Achievement: Bonds of Snow and Silk – Marks Liam's intimacy with Juliana, granting political influence within Valehart Manor.
This story is inspired from various Wuxia novels ,so if you find any similarities please dont mind . and if you think this is boring wait till the Dual cultivation starts ,Thank you .
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
T/N :
Access 25 chapters in Advance on my P@treon: [email protected]/GodFic