Sidekick Fights Back (Married The Protagonist’s Mother)

The Furnace Body

(Images of Zhu Zhihao and Yue Mei are available in the Patreon chapter, and I’ll be adding illustration for the other characters soon.

If there’s a specific character you’d like to see illustrated, just let me know in the comments!)

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Before Su Kang could answer, Zhu Zhihao turned back to her niece. Their eyes met, and an unspoken conversation passed between them.

After a silent moment, Zhu Zhihao gracefully took a seat on one of the cushions. Yue Mei joined her, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, her eyes lowered.

Su Kang remained still, overwhelmed by the subtle presence carried by Zhu Zhihao. Yet he quickly steadied his thoughts. The stakes had risen drastically with the arrival of a Nascent Soul cultivator.

“Yue Mei tells me you have offered your help,” Zhu Zhihao said. “That is admirable, but you should understand what you are stepping into.”

“I do,” Su Kang said. “That is why I asked to know the truth.”

Zhu Zhihao gave a faint nod, the corner of her lips tugging into a wry smile. “Very well, then.”

She turned her gaze to the fading horizon for a moment before speaking.

“The truth is, we came to this region seeking something—clues related to Yue Mei’s unusual condition.”

Her voice dropped.

“She possesses a unique body. One that, as far as I know, remains unnamed and unknown to the cultivation world."

Su Kang frowned. “A unique body?”

Zhu Zhihao nodded.

“Even among ancient scrolls and sect records, I have found nothing."

That piece of information stunned Su Kang.

He knew the ancient texts described many rare physiques, but for something to remain unknown even to a Nascent Soul cultivator hinted that Yue Mei was truly special.

"In fact," Zhu Zhihao said, her voice low, "the only similar case I have ever encountered was her mother. Yue Mei inherited that rare spiritual body, but her own bloodline abilities further mutated it into something we still do not fully understand."

"Each time she advances her cultivation realm," Zhu Zhihao added, "she gains new insights into her own powers."

Curiosity flickered in Su Kang’s heart. He had heard of bloodline awakenings, but a bloodline mixing with a spiritual body to cause further mutation was unprecedented.

Zhu Zhihao’s gaze sharpened.

"There is another thing," she said. "Her body naturally emits a subtle charm toward men. If left unchecked, it would draw unwanted attention wherever she went. We have had to suppress it through special means; otherwise, things would have turned out very differently."

Her violet eyes briefly shifted between Su Kang and Yue Mei, measuring his reaction.

Su Kang remained calm, but inwardly, his thoughts raced.

My brother seemed so attached to her... Did she use it on him?

Zhu Zhihao’s voice softened.

"I am telling you this because you, and your brother, seem unaffected. It suggests your lineage holds a special ability... a natural resistance, or perhaps some connection with her abilities."

Su Kang’s heart skipped a beat.

My lineage? We have a bloodline ability?

He had never heard of such a thing within the Su Family. As far as he knew, there were no Nascent Soul cultivators among their ancestors who could have passed down supernatural traits.

In the cultivation world, only Nascent Soul experts could pass down their powers to their descendants, gifting them abilities based on their own law comprehension and techniques.

Then how could I have such an ability? he wondered.

Bloodline powers depended heavily on ancestry—specifically how strong the ancestor had been, what realm they had reached, and how many generations had passed since.

A Nascent Soul cultivator could pass down abilities, but over time, those traits usually weakened.

The revelation opened a new set of questions, mysteries he had never even considered. He decided to think about this later because he would not find answers on his own.

Su Kang steadied his thoughts and asked,

"Senior Zhu, is it possible that I have some ability connected to her situation?"

Zhu Zhihao inclined her head slightly.

"There is a slight chance. Your brother, however, has a stronger connection. He might possess a bond deeper than anyone else."

Su Kang frowned slightly.

"What does my brother have to do with this?"

Zhu Zhihao's expression grew serious.

"Yue Mei’s body reacts to his presence alone. It is a resonance—a connection that runs deeper. She believes, and I agree, that your brother may hold the key to unlocking the true potential of her physique."

She added thoughtfully,

"His presence seems beneficial to her condition. How he can help exactly... remains unclear for now."

Su Kang fell into thought.

This explains everything that has happened until now. Her gentle nature towards Su Ting, Su Ting feeling calm around her because of some unknown ability granted to him by our bloodline.

He knew Su Ting liked Yue Mei. Whether Yue Mei reciprocated or not, he would leave that matter for them to decide.

If her roadblocks could be cleared, her destiny might rival that of the so-called Children of Destiny. It would be worth trying.

Still, other questions weighed on him. Su Kang turned his gaze toward the calm yet formidable figure of Zhu Zhihao.

"Senior Zhu," he said steadily, "Yue Mei mentioned danger. Could you tell me more? What kind of danger are we dealing with?"

He understood that having a rare physique could attract attention. But simple charm alone would not warrant such serious concern. There had to be more.

Zhu Zhihao exchanged a brief glance with Yue Mei before answering.

"Her body is not just alluring, young master Su. It is a furnace body."

Su Kang's heart skipped a beat.

Zhu Zhihao continued calmly, though there was a hard edge to her voice now.

"Men can use her to break through their cultivation bottlenecks. Worse, they can absorb parts of her understanding of laws through her."

Su Kang's chest tightened.

Not just breakthroughs but also absorbing someone else's comprehension of laws?

That was enough to drive even Nascent Soul cultivators, and those above, into madness.

He understood the weight of this information instantly. In the cultivation world, battles over resources were already bloody enough.

But if it concerned something like this, something that could propel a cultivator’s law comprehension to new heights, then no method would be considered too cruel.

Clans would be wiped out. Families would be annihilated without hesitation.

Su Kang clenched his fists slightly but remained calm. He knew Zhu Zhihao might not reveal every sensitive detail but she had no reason to lie to him.

"How strong are they?" Su Kang asked, his voice steady.

Zhu Zhihao tapped her left fingers gently on the table, a playful smile curving her lips. Amusement shimmered in her eyes as she leaned forward slightly, her gaze teasing and expectant.

"They are strong enough to flatten the entire Jiang State without effort. You would be facing enemies far beyond anything you can imagine."

She leaned forward slightly, amusement flashing in her gaze. 

"Knowing this, do you still wish to help her?"

Su Kang considered her words carefully.

He would have to fight demon cultivators in the future—existences far more terrifying than the Xuantian Empire.

Compared to them, this threat was not insurmountable.

After a moment of silence, he gave his answer.

"I will help, if you permit it. But my family must not be involved in this matter."

Zhu Zhihao studied him for a moment, then nodded thoughtfully.

"Good. We had no intention of dragging your family into this. We were not planning to remain in the Jiang State for long anyway."

Her gaze stayed locked onto him, sharp and assessing.

"But I must ask," she continued, "why would you choose to help us, despite the danger?"

Su Kang took a breath, choosing his words carefully.

"My brother cares deeply for Miss Yue. Helping her will ease his heart and perhaps strengthen his future. Besides," he allowed a small smile to touch his lips, "helping you now may earn me a favor later. That is also part of my personal motive."

Across the room, Yue Mei glanced up at him, her expression conflicted—a mixture of reluctance and doubt.

"Young Master Su," she said quietly, "you must understand the gravity of what you are stepping into. This is not a simple matter."

Before she could finish, Zhu Zhihao waved a hand dismissively.

"You heard him, Mei'er. He is willing to help. Accept it."

Yue Mei hesitated, then slowly nodded, though she did not quite meet Su Kang’s eyes.

"Thank you, Young Master Su," she said in a soft voice.

Zhu Zhihao leaned back into the cushions, casually lifting her teacup and taking a slow sip.

"Very well," she said lightly. "We shall proceed as you wish. But for now, it is best if you leave us. We have much to discuss, and we would not wish to trouble you any further."

Su Kang could sense there was more they were keeping from him, but he also knew they had not lied to him.

He had made his decision to help Yue Mei, fully aware that the road ahead would not be easy. He would not have done this without the will of Fate.

"I understand, Senior Zhu," he said respectfully, rising to his feet and bowing politely.

"I shall take my leave now."