My Xianxia Harem Life

Chapter 221: Chapter 221 Grumpy

Riley read them again, slower this time.

The words carried a weight not born of grandeur but of quiet suffering, quiet endurance.

There was no arrogance, no embellishment—just raw emotion hidden beneath a composed surface. It felt... real.

And real was rare in Riley’s world.

For someone constantly surrounded by ambition, flattery, and veiled manipulation, this simple note felt like a breath of cold air after a long walk through fire.

It wasn’t trying to impress him. It wasn’t trying to gain anything.

It was, in essence, a voice in the dark—soft, steady, and reaching out not for power, but for understanding.

Riley sat there for a long moment, watching the wind ripple across the river’s surface.

The fishing rod beside him remained still, forgotten.

Fluffy stirred from his nap, blinked sleepily at Riley, then let out a soft sound.

”beeeeh...” before curling back into a ball.

”Fiona,” Riley whispered, testing the name on his tongue. It tasted unfamiliar and yet oddly comforting.

He thought about the thousands of people who had approached him—most wanting something.

Power, protection, status, even children. They looked at him and saw a prize. A shortcut.

A stepping stone.

But this girl... this Fiona... she looked at the world and saw tragedy, duty, quiet hope.

She didn’t seem to be chasing anything.

If anything, she was trying to be heard, not seen.

It made Riley’s chest tighten in a way he hadn’t expected.

He didn’t know what she looked like, where she lived, or what path she walked.

But the few lines she’d left behind spoke volumes.

He was quiet for a long while, thoughtful. Then he chuckled softly to himself.

”Am I really getting sentimental over a poem?” he muttered. ”What’s next? Love letters under the moon?”

But despite the sarcasm in his voice, the smile lingering on his lips told a different story.

There was something about Fiona’s words that wouldn’t leave him.

They lingered in the back of his mind like the final lines of a haunting melody.

Maybe it was loneliness speaking. Maybe it was curiosity.

Or maybe—just maybe—it was the beginning of something he didn’t quite have a name for yet.

Still holding onto the feeling, Riley glanced at the clone and gave a mental command.

”Keep the letter. And find out who she is. Discreetly.”

He returned his full focus to the river, to the warm sun, to the sound of Fluffy softly snoring again beside him.

And yet, his mind wasn’t entirely there anymore.

Somewhere out there was a girl named Fiona, quietly writing poems no one might ever read.

But he had.

And that changed everything.

***

Riley smiled as the late afternoon sun dipped low over the shimmering lake, casting golden ripples across the water.

With a satisfied sigh, he began packing up their impressive haul of fish and carefully stowing the fishing equipment.

Nearby, Fluffy tilted its head, fluff bouncing comically as it let out a long, curious chirp.

”Beeeeeee?”

Riley chuckled.

”Come on, my cute friend. That’s enough fishing for today—we’ve got a bigger fish to catch,” he said, winking playfully.

Fluffy fluttered excitedly and hopped into step beside him as they made their way back to the clan grounds, the scent of freshwater and pine still lingering in the air.

Back at the clan, the mood was vibrant and warm.

Children ran laughing through the grass, and elders sat around open fires, telling stories of old.

As Riley stepped into the center of it all, carrying the fresh catch over his shoulder, a cheer rose from the gathered clansfolk.

They quickly set to work, preparing the evening meal.

But tonight was different—tonight, Riley himself would be cooking.

Word spread quickly, and anticipation buzzed through the air like electricity.

After all, Riley was no ordinary cook.

Ever since he’d mastered his new divine technique—Divine Cook—his culinary creations had become the stuff of legends.

As the aroma of sizzling fish, rare herbs, and rich spices filled the air, people gathered around, drawn like moths to flame.

Riley worked with quiet focus, his movements fluid and precise, each motion guided by a grace that seemed almost otherworldly.

Even Fluffy stood in awe, perched nearby and watching intently as its master transformed humble ingredients into something magical.

When dinner was finally served, silence fell over the crowd.

One bite was all it took—gasps, moans of delight, and exclamations erupted from every corner of the camp.

His wives, seated closest to him, were the most delighted of all.

Their eyes sparkled with joy as they savored every morsel, clearly touched by the rare gesture. It wasn’t often that Riley cooked for them personally, but when he did, it was unforgettable.

”You’ve really outdone yourself this time,” one of them whispered, her voice soft with emotion.

Another nodded. ”It’s like tasting the food of the heavens.”

Riley smiled, a touch of pride in his expression, though he remained humble. ”It’s a secret technique,” he said modestly.

”I don’t just enhance flavor—it feeds the spirit.”

And indeed, that night, it felt as though every soul present had been nourished.

Laughter echoed, bonds were strengthened, and the clan felt more united than ever.

In that moment, under a sky of twinkling stars and glowing lanterns, Riley wasn’t just a hunter, a provider, or even a warrior—he was something greater.

He was the heart of the harem.

***

Host: Riley Mason

Cultivation Base: 10th Stage Void Tribulation Realm

Rewards Acquired: Soul Dominion (17 uses left), Primordial Chaos Physique, Heavenly Judgment Palm, Eternal Fortress of the Divine Realm, Sovereign Marionette, Sacred Lustful Restoration, Mind Palace Master, Omniscient Dao Codex, Supreme Sutra of Seduction, Void Sanctuary, infinite soul clones

Divine Rank Techniques Created: Divine Step, Divine Healing, Divine Healing 1, Divine Healing 2, Divine Cook

Minions: Gideon Hunter, Lucas Prince, Elias Page, Tadeo Prince

***

Riley ate heartily that evening, enjoying the feast he had prepared with his own hands.

The fish, cooked to perfection, left a lingering warmth in everyone’s chest—but for his wives, the true banquet had only just begun.

Later that night, behind closed doors and beneath layers of silken sheets, Riley turned his attention to the ones he cherished most.

His touch was gentle yet firm, and his stamina endless.

The moans of his wives—soft at first, then louder and more desperate—spilled out into the quiet of the night like a forbidden melody.

”Ahhhhh...”

”Ohhhh, Riley...”

”Ughhh... yes...”

Each sound echoed with devotion and desire, the result of a man whose strength on the battlefield was only rivaled by his prowess in the bedroom.

One wife clung to him as though drowning in bliss. Another whispered his name like a prayer between kisses.

A third could only gasp, overwhelmed by waves of pleasure as Riley explored every inch of them with unwavering patience and intensity.

It was a sleepless night—again—but one none of them would ever forget.

By the time dawn broke across the sky in hues of rose and gold, Riley was already rising from the bed, leaving behind the tangle of exhausted, blissful women.

They murmured in their sleep, lips still curved in contented smiles, as he silently slipped from their embrace.

He bathed in the courtyard springs, steam rising from his skin as he washed away the traces of the night.

The water sparkled faintly, reacting to the divine energy that lingered in his body.

With quiet focus, Riley cleaned and dressed himself in ceremonial robes of shimmering gold, embroidered with ancient runes and the insignia of his house.

Today, he had a new goal. A different kind of encounter awaited.

He strode through the clan grounds with quiet intensity. Servants paused in their tasks, disciples training in the distance lowered their weapons, and elders nodded in deep respect as he passed.

”Good morning, Master Riley!”

”Master Riley!”

Everywhere he went, voices greeted him with reverence. He was more than just a respected figure—he was admired, envied, and, by many, secretly feared.

Yet he remained humble in posture, nodding and offering brief smiles to those who bowed deeply in his presence.

He moved like a lion among lesser beasts—graceful, composed, and aware that every step he took carried the weight of destiny.

Eventually, his path led him to the eastern wing of the clan—a more secluded part of the estate, known for its tranquility and strict discipline.

It belonged to one of the most prominent families in the clan, and at the heart of this estate was the courtyard given to the young lady Fiona.

As Riley approached the gates, the nearby servants stiffened in shock.

Some dropped what they were holding. Others froze in place, unsure whether to bow or run.

”Master Riley!” one of them gasped, quickly lowering his head.

”I’d like to see your young miss—Fiona,” Riley said calmly, his voice carrying the quiet authority of someone not used to being refused.

The servants exchanged nervous glances.

”Yes, Master Riley! I’ll call her at once!” one of the younger maids cried and ran off in a flash, disappearing through an inner archway.

Riley waited in the center of the courtyard, his hands folded behind his back.

Sunlight spilled across the stone tiles, highlighting the golden threads in his robe.

He stood motionless, like a monument carved from divine marble, his eyes fixed ahead.

There was a tension in the air—not hostile, but thick with anticipation.