Fanfiction System in the world of Eastern Fantasy

Suppressing his excitement in his heart, Qin Wei acted normally, nodding while letting out a yawn. "Of course she's gone… and left you in charge," he muttered, then looked at Roulan again. "Did she say when she would return?"

"She said she will be in closed-door cultivation. For three months."

"Three months?" Qin Wei put off a fake frown, pushing off the covers. "So, I get to enjoy this luxury prison all by myself. What a generous wife."

Roulan offered no comment. She turned slightly, as if ready to leave.

But before she could take a step, Qin Wei sat up straighter and spoke again, his tone shifting. "Wait."

She paused and looked back at him.

"About the sparring session," Qin Wei said, his voice firmer now. "I'm ready. Let's start today."

"Today?" Roulan blinked. A flicker of surprise passed through her usually composed expression. She studied him for a moment before nodding. "Understood. I'll wait for you in the courtyard."

A few minutes later, Qin Wei followed her out into the bright morning light.

The courtyard of the southern wing was quiet, its stone tiles clean and shaded by the overhanging wisteria. The air smelled faintly of damp leaves and distant incense.

Roulan stood in the center, barefoot and poised, her stance relaxed yet alert. She motioned for him to come closer.

"To begin with," she said, "we'll go through foundation techniques."

"Foundation techniques?" Qin Wei raised a brow. "I asked for sparring, not breathing exercises."

"This is Patriarch Li's arrangement," Roulan said coolly, already moving into a sequence of flowing gestures. "You are not to engage in combat until your body is ready. These are not suggestions."

Qin Wei groaned. "Ugh…"

"Again," she said, motioning with her hand. "Stand like this. Knees slightly bent. Back straight. Good. Now breathe in and hold."

The next two hours were torturous.

His body, unused to rigorous training, fought against every stance, every form, every stretch. His arms ached from repetition, his thighs screamed from half-squats that went on forever.

At one point, he nearly fell over trying to hold a posture for more than thirty seconds.

Roulan, naturally, was merciless.

"Straighten your back," she said for the fifth time. "You're leaning forward again."

"I am straight," he growled through gritted teeth.

"You're not."

By the end of the day, Qin Wei limped back to his bath like a broken man.

Steam rose from the wooden tub as he sank into it with a hiss. His entire body ached. Every muscle throbbed with a dull fire.

He leaned back, head resting against the wooden edge, eyes half-closed.

"I wanted to see her techniques and copy them…" he muttered to himself. "Not… break my damn muscles…"

A frustrated sigh escaped his lips. "Ugh… damn it…"

The bathwater sloshed slightly as he shifted, soaking in the heat.

The bath had done its job. Steam had loosened his muscles, and the mild pain felt like a reward rather than a punishment.

"Okay, let's go out and have some fun."

Dressed in a simple dark robe, Qin Wei stepped out into the streets of Beiling in order to improve his mood, pulling his hood up and letting the cool evening breeze brush his skin.

Lanterns swayed gently in the wind, and the scent of spices, sizzling meat, and baked buns filled the air.

He strolled lazily, eyes flicking from one stall to another. Vendors called out with enthusiasm.

"Freshly roasted chestnuts!"

"Spicy noodles, five taels a bowl!"

"Sweet candied hawthorn! Only two for a tael!"

Qin Wei indulged a bit. He munched on skewered lamb, followed it with a sticky rice cake, and eyed a bubbling pot of tofu soup before deciding against it.

He was prepared to forget that sour feeling of exercises and indulge himself in the taste of street food, but a sharp voice disturbed his path.

"Come on, sweetheart, don't play shy with me now."

He turned to the source.

A little ahead, by a stall that gave off the delicious scent of duck meat dumplings, a young woman stood rigid behind her counter.

She was beautiful, but her face was clearly tense. Her hand was being held in a grip by a man dressed in embroidered clothes, his smile wide and oily.

Three armored guards stood behind him, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the scene.

Qin Wei frowned. "Let's go take a look," he said without hesitation.

Roulan stepped beside him, a step behind as always. "We don't need to get involved in everything we see. It's a common occurrence in the streets."

"Too late," he muttered, already walking.

"Hey," Qin Wei said, voice cold and even. "Leave her hand. Now."

As they reached the dumpling stall, the man turned toward them, eyes sweeping over Qin Wei with obvious disdain. "Hmm? Mind your own damn business unless you want to be carried out with broken teeth."

The passersby stopped, sensing a fight. Several pairs of eyes were on them.

Qin Wei's gaze then sharpened at that comment. "Roulan. Beat him."

Roulan didn't move. Her expression didn't change. "I protect you," she said calmly. "Not beat up random thugs on your command. You're not my master."

*Pfft* The man barked a laugh, throwing his head back. "Did you hear that? Even your own guard won't fight for you! Get lost."

Qin Wei's face stiffened, the heat of embarrassment rising to his ears as the man turned back to the street vendor.

Then, a faint chime echoed in his ears as a holographic screen appeared before his eyes.

[Emergency Mission Issued]

Objective: Beat up the bullies and save the damsel in distress.

Reward: 1 Talent Point per enemy you personally defeat or kill.

Qin Wei's fingers twitched, and a slow grin crept over his face. "Perfect timing."

He then stepped forward. "Hey, you bast*rd…"

"Hmm?" The man turned around once again, this time his facial expression turned ugly. "What did you say?"

Qin Wei crossed his arms. "Someone like you who bullies the ladies on the street really deserves to be beaten up."

Clearly, his words infuriated the other party, and he shouted. "What are you lot looking at? Go and kill that bast*rd."

Qin Wei shut his eyes, the world around him seemed like it slowed down as he snapped open, revealing two gouyus spun within each iris of his scarlet eyes. "Xielun Yan."

He then stepped forward, then vanished in a blur, charging with sudden speed that caught even Roulan by surprise.

"What…?" she muttered, eyes flashing.

The four guards who were about to lash forward went into a defensive stance.

A guard stepped into Qin Wei's path, drawing a curved blade with a shout.

But Qin Wei was already weaving hand seals, as they came into his head, and his hands were doing them on their own.

His chest expanded. His fingers flared. A surge of violent heat surged from his belly to his throat.

"Fire Style: Great Fireball Technique!"