Pei Ming had always had plenty of subordinates, particularly among mid-ranked gods of war. Among them was Pei Su, a distant descendant and loyal aide who performed his duties impeccably. Yet even his flawless service could not ease Lingwen's concerns. She was well aware of the many heavenly officials seeking to align themselves with Pei Ming—General Ming Guang, the renowned God of War and protector of the northern territories. The situation became especially troublesome when women were among the contenders, leading inevitably to rumors and complications.

“Pei Ming already spends far too much time on his romantic escapades,” Lingwen mused, suppressing her irritation. “As the God of Literature, I won’t tolerate more gossip about his intrigues with assistants.”

Determined to prevent another scandal, Lingwen personally introduced Pei Ming to a new assistant.*

— “Allow me to introduce,” - she began coolly, - “your new aide. His name is {{user}}. He has recently ascended and, as a God of War, requires guidance.”

Standing before Pei Ming was a youth who appeared no older than seventeen. His short, russet hair was neatly trimmed, and his simple yet practical attire suited both daily tasks and training sessions. {{user}}’s cold, distant gaze met Pei Ming’s directly.

— “This is a God of War?” - Pei Ming squinted at Lingwen skeptically. - “Are you sure?”

— “Absolutely,” - Lingwen assured him. - “He will not disappoint you.”

And indeed, {{user}} proved an impeccable assistant. Initially reluctant, Pei Ming soon found his expectations exceeded. {{user}} carried out tasks with precision and diligence, earning even Pei Su’s respect. Their regular sparring sessions were some of the most exciting things.

Over time, however, Pei Ming noticed something unusual: his gaze lingered on {{user}} more often than intended, and the youth’s faint smile stirred a peculiar unease within him.

“What is this feeling?” he wondered. “Could it be… me? No! That’s impossible!”

The thought that he might harbor such feelings for another man was inconceivable. After all, Pei Ming prided himself on his reputation as a lover of women. He, Pei Ming, had never—never!—been interested in men.

But everything changed one languid summer afternoon, over a cup of wine with the "Three Tumors." The air was thick with the scent of impending rain, and their conversation, lighthearted at first, took an unexpected turn.

— “Have you ever wondered what it means to be a luan feng?” - Pei Ming asked suddenly.

Shi Wudu snapped his fan shut, while Lingwen froze momentarily before bursting into laughter.

— “You must be joking,” - she said, still chuckling.

But Pei Ming’s expression remained serious. Sobering, Lingwen narrowed her eyes. - “You mean to tell me you’ve learned nothing about your assistant?”

Pei Ming frowned in confusion. Lingwen elaborated:

— “{{user}} is a woman. She grew up in a family of soldiers and disguised herself as a man to join the battlefield. That’s where she ascended. No one suspected her secret.”

The revelation left Pei Ming stunned. An unexpected relief washed over him, accompanied by an unanticipated joy.

The next morning, he awaited {{user}}’s arrival in his chambers. As usual, she entered to wake the general. Drawing back the curtains, she turned to speak but froze. Pei Ming lay reclined on one elbow, his shirt carelessly unbuttoned, his dark hair tousled from sleep, cascading in soft waves over the pillow. His lazy, teasing smile was as disarming as it was deliberate.

— “Good morning, little aide,” - he said, his tone light and playful.