My CEO Harem Cultivation System

When Li Yang saw the embarrassed expression on Setsuko's face, he couldn't help but think it was amusing. He cleared his throat and said, "Apologies, I warned you that it would be invasive and intrusive... however I had no idea that it would feel enjoyable for you."

Setsuko's face reddened. "It didn't start out that way—but ah, now that I experienced it myself, it's starting to make sense. Why the one who awakens another woman tends to have some kind of superior control over the other."

"Hm?"

Setsuko hung her head. "Great, I probably shouldn't have said it, but fine. I already told you that women of superior bloodlines don't awaken another woman often."

"It's better to monopolize power after all," he agreed.

She gave him a weirded out look, but nodded. 

"There would always be those who can buy their way in. There were some rumors going about in taverns that the Princess of Kaeli Kingdom was awakened by the High Priestess of Mashiro Temple—thus their great influence. But why would a Princess support the High Priestess of a temple much smaller than their kingdom? Surely it means that there's something else making them loyal, right?"

Li Yang half-wondered if it was best to tell her about the Energy Bond that happened between them. He almost expected that a screen would pop up and inform her of this event, but she hadn't reacted like the Mermaid back then. It was once again another proof of the Patch Updates.

He asked. "Then you mean to say that the process of Awakening triggers some sort of bond between the two, with one having a more superior control over the other?"

"Bond seems like a kind word—I'm talking about maybe something strange like a dominion contract placed during the process of awakening." Setsuko frowned and gripped her arm tightly. "Have you done anything like that to me?"

"I wasn't aware of anything like that happening," he said. But it didn't exactly mean nothing similar to that occured... and it had been something Li Yang was worried about even back on Earth. What would being part of the Harem entail for the members?

Setsuko scratched the back of her head. "Yeah, I know you don't have a clue and that is strange..."

"I'm not kept up with the information about all of these, I had no use for it until now."

Her gaze narrowed at him. "Someone who doesn't know Ao, doesn't know anything about the organizations here or anything—and yet with the ability to manipulate Ao like powerful women. What are you, Yang? Some kind of son of a powerful woman kept hidden in a tower who escaped? Are you originally from the Mashiro Temple Sect and this is some sort of ploy—"

"None of that."

"Then who are you?"

It was difficult to argue with someone who spoke so little and calmly even during a confrontation. She looked at him in surprise, but frowned in the end. 

He sighed inwardly—it should have been obvious that some things could not be hidden. Li Yang chose to smile and incline his head. "I'm glad that you finally figured it out, I am someone not of this world."

Setsuko's jaw dropped for a moment.

Silence filled her room.

The idea of being enthusiastic like the Panda before when it congratulated him on their first meeting came to his mind—but he couldn't muster that kind of cheerfulness, beyond him smiling now. 

He cleared his throat and motioned to himself. "I have come here by accident... but my situation now isn't as important as yours. You are someone who has awakened great power due to my assistance, and I hope that you will put it to good use."

"Are you telling me that this is supposed to be some reward?" she eyed him doubtfully.

This was why he preferred to be honest and upfront. Li Yang shrugged as an answer. "You considered my offer to awaken your dormant energy core and I did it. It would make no sense for you to acquire this power and not do anything and neither did I do this entirely for free."

"Oh, so you're telling me that you want to get paid too?" Setsuko placed a hand on her hip. "I thought you were different from the women at Mashiro's but it seems like you also have your own agendas do you not?"

"I have a desire to return to my place, but I also wish to get stronger while I am here... and one method is by acquiring powerful allies. Or do you disagree with this notion?"

"So you chose me?"

"Yes."

"I met you at Mashiro Temple's Sacred Forest, why didn't you just head over there if you wanted to become stronger?"

He raised a brow. "It's for the same reason as to why you do not want to head there."

"Because they'll probably enforce some kind of contract to maintain their power and all of that..." Setsuko lowered her head and fiddled with her hands. "Hunters like me and other people are forced to deal with life-threatening missions to provide what powerful, influential and rich people like them desire... and going there means that I'll help maintain this ongoing cycle."

"Albeit they did offer to help Kin Hunters if you go there."

"We're supposed to be discussing why it isn't a good idea to go there—so why are you offering points of consolation?"

"I'm just stating facts—they want to keep you, because you're useful and to some extent, they still consider you as someone who has their best interests at hand as a fellow woman." Li Yang rubbed his chin. "If it was me, I am not sure if the idea of a man being able to use Ao would be pleasant to hear."

"And that's why you chose me—because I'm the safe option?"

"I decided to help you, because I like you."

"What?" she looked at him with widened eyes. "Are you trying to confess or something?"

Li Yang tilted his head. His secretary's own confession back then had messed up his own choice of words, didn't it? But it was true, he just had to explain why he liked her and hopefully clarify the situation.

The situation between them was too complicated.

"You were kind enough to help out a stranger and ensure my safety. You did your best to talk with me even when I could barely communicate and also made it a point to talk the rest of the group into accepting me as a member of the Kin Hunters—someone else might have just attacked and looted me for what I have on my person."

It wasn't like he couldn't fight back and escape if that happened, but he was glad nothing like that occured.

"... I see, so you like me for those reasons. I get it." Setsuko rubbed the back of her neck and sighed aloud. "The way you started it made me think of something else, but I guess by that definition, I like you too."

"For what reason?"

She pursed her lips and waved a hand at him. "If you want to get complimented, don't expect it from me... I just thought you were brave back then. That's all."

Li Yang wanted to admit that it was a calculated risk. Something that he did choose to do in order to gain their trust and it had worked accordingly, but he chose not to say anything else.

He hadn't exactly been completely honest about his intentions, as it would be too much to explain about the System. But what he did instead was rephrasing it to what he deemed would get him the most help from her.

It was a necessary decision.

Setsuko let out another loud sigh and then looked at him. "I suppose the two of us will need to head to Mashiro Temple then?"

"Us?"

"You said you wanted to be stronger and that's the closest place where we can learn about using Ao. Or did you expect me to head there and then go out to meet you in the forest to train you?" she asked. "Women in Mashiro Temple Sect stay there permanently."

"I do not necessarily think of that as a solution, if these women figure out my ability—"

"I'll tell them you're my concubine and I won't go anywhere without you."

Li Yang raised a brow. "A concubine?"

"Male consort? Someone I keep around for my entertainment?" Setsuko shrugged and then gave him a smirk. "The other option for males who cannot become Hunters, and other jobs can become Male Entertainers, you know? It's a cushy and well-paying job especially if you find yourself in the arms of powerful women."

"The women here are really the ones in charge, aren't they?"

She gave him a teasing grin. "Well, don't worry about it—I won't make you do anything weird."

He chuckled. "I wouldn't do it either way, I'd like us to treat each other as equals."

"Like how we are now then."

"I suppose, albeit I've been following your orders since I arrived here," he said. Almost each day had been spent following her along for their daily missions and she knew it. "So it still doesn't seem like an equal footing between the two of us."

Setsuko rolled her eyes. "Obviously, someone has to make decisions during last week. You can't expect some newbie to start calling all the shots, even if you are powerful. But I guess we have a plan now. We'll head to the Temple and I'll bring you around as my consort." 

"Do we need to fill in some kind of paperwork for this?" Li Yang asked.

Setsuko blinked and then stared at him. "You want it on paper?"

"Legal documentation is important if we want to pull this off."

—-—-

Author's Note: Yes, you're questioning the Author's choice of worldbuilding now. But hey, the CEO is getting 'marriage papers'... well, close enough xD Let's consider this a win. Or you're face-palming and wanting this section to end soon? Let me know! I'll see you guys tomorrow, thank you for reading.