Chapter 386
Yian leaned closer to Setan, lowering his voice into a low, conspiratorial murmur.
“From now on, whenever you need ointment on those scratches, you find an excuse to have Nina apply it for you. And while her hands are on you, you get as close to her as you physically can p>
He began ticking points off on his fingers like a veteran commander mapping out a military campaign.
“Start with the ordinary, harmless injuries first. Get her used to touching you. Then, slowly work your way to the more… private ones p>
A thoroughly mischievous grin split his face. “And while she’s treating you, don’t forget to play up the pain a little. Act pitiful. The more her heart aches for you, the better your chances p>
His gaze drifted downward, scanning his son’s formidable frame before settling pointedly on Setan’s upper thigh. With a shameless smirk, he waggled his eyebrows suggestively.
“Any injuries around there?” He chuckled softly. “Trust me, that location yields… exceptional results p>
Setan’s handsome face instantly flared a brilliant crimson. He took an instinctive, panicked step backward, his ears burning hot enough to singe.
“Father!” he hissed, his voice tight. “What kind of absolute nonsense are you talking about p>
How could he possibly ask Nina to treat injuries there? The sheer immodesty of it made his head spin….And yet, a tiny, thoroughly disgraceful corner of his mind traitorously admitted that the visual had just flashed through his head.
Yian laughed heartily at his son’s discomfort, shrugging his shoulders.
“Look, I’ve given you the battle strategy. Whether you actually have the spine to use it is entirely up to you p>
Setan fell into a tense, conflicted silence. The intimate scene his father had just painted kept replaying behind his eyes in vivid detail, making his face grow hotter with every passing second.
Would a shameless tactic like that actually work on someone like Nina? If he asked her to do something so forward… would she think he was completely devoid of manners? Lacking in basic modesty?
Half of him wanted to cast his pride aside and try, while the other half wanted to dig a hole into the courtyard dirt and hide forever.
Yian took one look at his son’s wildly conflicted, agonizing expression and immediately read his mind like an open book. He let out a deep, heavy sigh.
“Setan… When a male is pursuing a female, there come times when he must completely throw away his pride. If you’re too stiff and proper all the time, how are you ever going to create a single spark between you p>
He folded his arms, leaning back. “Think about it. Why haven’t you managed to win Nina’s heart yet? Now compare your behavior to the males who are already by her side.” His expression turned thoughtful as he reviewed the competition.
“Well… except for that fish. The shark who’s still just a guardian. He seems a little slow on the uptake. But the others?” Yian snorted. “They’re all devastatingly clever. They know exactly how to seize every passing shadow of an opportunity p>
Which perfectly explained why the shark was still stuck on the periphery. Yian looked at Setan and sighed again, deeply disappointed. Unfortunately… his own flesh and blood was somehow even more hopeless. Forget becoming a full mate; the boy hadn’t even managed to climb to guardian status yet.
Setan lowered his head, the weight of his father’s words settling heavily on his chest. His father wasn’t entirely wrong.
Those males… weren’t they each more unblushingly shameless than the last? Especially that damned wolf, Yanai. He had actually managed to maneuver his way straight into Nina’s bed.
Setan’s fingers unconsciously tightened around the heavy fabric of his sleeve, crushing it in his fist. If becoming Nina’s mate required climbing into her bed… then he could do that too. He was a warrior; he wasn’t lacking in courage.
The real problem was logistics. Those fiercely jealous males guarded her day and night like dragons over treasure. Trying to sneak into her private chambers now would be a logistical nightmare. He’d likely be thrown out into the dirt before his boots even cleared the threshold.
After a long, agonizing moment of hesitation, Setan finally swallowed his pride and looked back toward Yian.
He genuinely had no idea. Everything he had been taught since childhood was tailored toward governing a vast city, executing military strategies, and advancing his cultivation. No elder had ever pulled him aside to explain the delicate art of courting a female.
Yian arched a brow, and then his eyebrows practically shot into his hairline. Well, well. The rigid, hopeless brat had finally opened his eyes to the world. He was actually asking for instructions on how to sneak into a bedroom. Progress, indeed.
After thinking seriously for a moment, Yian crooked a thick finger. “Come closer p>
Setan obediently leaned in. Yian cupped a hand around his mouth and began whispering a steady, highly questionable stream of “ancestral wisdom” straight into his son’s ear.
The more Setan listened, the hotter his face burned, until his entire neck was flushed.
When Yian finally finished unloading his arsenal of shameless tricks, he gave Setan a heavy, encouraging pat on the shoulder.
“These are all highly effective techniques passed down from our forefathers,” he declared with absolute, straight-faced seriousness. “Of course, you can’t just deploy them blindly. You’ll need to adapt them to the moment. Use your tactical judgment p>
Setan nodded slowly, his expression as solemn as if he were receiving orders for a war. “I understand.” They were merely options. How to execute them… that responsibility fell squarely on him.
Satisfied, Yian gave him one last reassuring slap on the shoulder. “I’ve taught you everything I know, brat.” He stretched his stiff limbs lazily. “I’m heading home p>
Setan nodded. “Alright p>
With their secret alliance concluded, father and son parted ways.
On his way out, Yian conveniently sought out Yuna and dragged her along with him. After all, if he was going home with sore knees, he might as well practice what he preached and act a little pitiful in front of his own mate. Perhaps he’d score a bit of sympathy tonight.
Meanwhile, Setan returned to his quarters. He bathed meticulously, scrubbing away every trace of dust and sweat from head to toe, and changed into a crisp, fresh set of robes.
Only after ensuring his appearance was entirely flawless and presentable did he steel his nerves and go to find Nina.
Coincidentally, Nina had just finished mapping out their upcoming departure plans with her mates. Seeing her finally free, Setan quietly took a deep, centering breath to steady his racing pulse and walked over.
“Nina p>
She looked up, her soft eyes meeting his. “You’re here.” A gentle curiosity softened her features. “Do you need something p>
Setan’s heart thudded violently against his ribs. He hesitated, the ancestral wisdom warring with his natural modesty, before he forced the words past his throat.
“I… I can’t reach the wounds across my back.” His face gradually bloomed into a bright, uncontrollable red. “Could you He swallowed hard, his pride melting away. help me apply the ointment p>
He held his breath, frozen, waiting for her verdict.
Instantly, the room fell into a dead, suffocating silence. Several pairs of eyes slowly, deliberately turned to lock onto him. Every single one of Nina’s mates stared at the lion with frighteningly sharp, predatory expressions.
This beast… was absolutely up to something.