2 This Was A World Where Men were Inferior to Women

This was a world where men were inferior to women.

It was said that thousands of years ago, men were superior to women. However, ever since women discovered an innate ability to cultivate mystical powers, while men struggled, the societal scales tilted in favor of women.

The majority of those who achieved the godlike status of immortality through cultivation were women. Male cultivators existed, but they were the rare exception.

Nation's leaders? Women. The military? Dominated by women. This matriarchal shift was primarily because women could effortlessly embrace the path of cultivation, becoming far more powerful than uncultivated men.

In the martial world, the revered warriors who roamed the lands were mostly women, champions of justice, wielding their swords against injustice. Women feasted and reveled with abandon. In contrast, men treaded carefully outside, guarding not just their wealth but also their chastity from potential threats.

Even the malevolent creatures and demons causing havoc were predominantly female.

Under such a female-centric paradigm, the world saw a rise in feminine power, which permeated down to household dynamics. Women led families while men managed the home.

In this society, a woman's beauty was defined by her towering presence and robust health, as they confidently displayed themselves. For men, beauty lay in fragility and shyness, often found engaging in domestic crafts at home.

Being transported into such a world, Fang Zhou was overwhelmed.

Initially, he reveled in the novelty, even anticipating nights filled with festivity and song.

But soon, he discerned the world's twisted norms. Men were expected to uphold chastity. Streets were adorned with chastity arches, all dedicated to men. A mere glance towards a woman could brand a man a philanderer. Any married man found fraternizing with other women risked a fate of confinement within a pig cage.

For women, societal norms were lenient. A woman of means having multiple husbands wasn't taboo. Publicly flirting with men might earn her the mild reprimand of being called a 'loose woman.'

Thus, Fang Zhou quickly abandoned dreams of nightly revelries. The idea of sharing a wife with other men repelled him.

Moreover, many women here were cultivators. The brothels in Wu City have to drag out several exhausted, thin, unconscious male courtesans each month.

This diminished Fang Zhou's desire to find a girlfriend. Wasn't the Fifth Miss attractive enough?

 Why face life-threatening risks in pursuit of a woman when he could address the matter.

The body Fang Zhou had transmigrated into was strikingly handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and a tall, straight figure. This, paradoxically, was a disadvantage in marital arrangements. Many wealthy families sought to marry frail, delicate men with delicate eyebrows and eyes who could stay at home and nurture their children.

For someone like Fang Zhou, who exuded a striking charm, he was relegated to the status of a secondary husband, never the main.

Since his childhood, the Fang family had been concerned about Fang Zhou's marital prospects. They secretly approached many matchmakers, and ultimately, Fang Zhou's grandmother intervened and arranged a marital agreement with Xiao Yan.

So, the Fang family handled this matter improperly. After the Xiao family graciously helped them dispose of the trash for free, they audaciously cancelled the marriage.

Of course, Fang Zhou doesn't see himself as trash. With his appearance on Earth, he would unquestionably be a winner in life, the kind that makes girls unable to resist him, only to be disdained in this distorted world.

He's not at fault, the world is.

A few months earlier, an elder from the Xuan Ji Sect had happened to meet Fang Zhou while passing through Wu City. Recognized that Fang Zhou possessed a unique constitution and remarkable potential for cultivation, prompting him to take Fang Zhou as his disciple. Learning that Fang Zhou was already betrothed, he advised him to break off the engagement.

The Fang Clan was more than willing to comply. Even though they risked offending the Xiao Yan family by doing so, the inconsequential Xiao Yan family paled in comparison to the renowned Xuan Ji Sect of Jingnan State.

Fang Zhou earnestly wanted to tell the Fang family, "You're playing with fire." You've not angered the minor Xiao Yan family but the protagonist herself.

When the day comes that you're slapped in the face, don't lament.

Suddenly, Fang Zhou had an epiphany that he, too, might be on the receiving end of such a slap. His spirits dampened instantly.

Alas, his words held little weight and couldn't prevent the impending events.

Judging by Li Ruyu's infatuated demeanor, the Xuan Ji Sect didn't seem like a sanctuary either. Perhaps, it's just a den of chaos.

He feared he would enter it healthy and leave it wasted.

The very thought sent shivers down his spine.

Upon his return to the Fang residence, his parents awaited him.

As Fang Zhou alighted from the carriage, his slender father approached with delicate steps, grasping Fang Zhou's hands, whispering, "Zhou Er, did the Xiao Yan family give you any trouble?"

Although Fang Zhou's towering mother was concerned, she first bowed to Li Ruyu and expressed her gratitude, "Thank you, Mistress Li, for ensuring my son's safe return."

Li Ruyu laughed and said, "Madam Fang, don't be so polite, just call me Ruyu. Since junior brother has joined the Xuan Ji Sect, we are now family, and helping each other is what we should do."

Fang Zhou's mother was full of joy, and kept saying, "No problem. Please come in, I have prepared a banquet for you all."

Yes, the person who manages the Fang family's external affairs is Fang Zhou's mother, and his father manages the household affairs.

As they entered, several effeminate young men greeted Fang Zhou, showing concern for his well-being.

These men were the younger consorts Fang Zhou's mother had taken. Conventionally, Fang Zhou should address them as 'uncles.'

However, Fang Zhou struggled, his skin crawling with discomfort. Feigning illness, he hurriedly retreated to his 'chamber.'

The chamber's décor radiated the world's unique youthful charm. An unfinished embroidery of mandarin ducks lay aside.

Without hesitation, Fang Zhou ripped apart the embroidery. Two attendants tried to intervene, "Young master, that was your favorite!"

"Back off."

Fang Zhou tore the mandarin duck painting into pieces, then took out a pen and paper and drew the masculine Banana Lord and Billy King. He displayed them prominently, hoping to offset the room's effeminacy.

After the banquet ended, Li Ruyu, whose face was flushed red from drinking, came to visit him.

"Junior brother, are you feeling unwell? As your senior sister, I have some knowledge of medicine. Let me take a look."

Li Ruyu leaned in towards Fang Zhou with a wide grin, taking one of his hands and carefully massaging it.

Two attendants stealthily watched from the corner, their cheeks tinged with blush.

Keeping his composure, Fang Zhou withdrew his hand. He didn't fear the advances of a beauty, but he dreaded the misinterpretations of the lovestruck woman before him.

Li Ruyu sensed Fang Zhou's resistance but laughed it off.

By society's standards, Fang Zhou might lack delicate features and be overly tall, but through Li Ruyu's eyes, he was an absolute 'gem.'

She feared that she might scare her junior brother, so she restrained her eager demeanor. After all, there would be plenty of opportunities once they returned to the Xuan Ji Sect.

"Rest assured, junior brother. I simply feel close to you. I have no other intentions."

Li Ruyu explained with a smile.

"I'm indebted to you, senior sister. Why would I doubt you?"

Li Ruyu's expression stiffened briefly, then returned to normal as she said, "It's nothing. Just feeling a bit sweaty from drinking. A slight discomfort."

Fang Zhou merely responded with an "Oh," but inwardly, he was scoffing.

Do you really think I'm a naive three-year-old?

Sweating? I bet you're drooling.

Woman, before these seasoned eyes, you're an open book.

As it was getting late, Li Ruyu found it inappropriate to stay in Fang Zhou's private chambers. She intended to remain at the Fang residence for another ten days to half a month, giving Fang Zhou ample time to bid his parents farewell before she escorted him to the Xuan Ji Sect.

After Li Ruyu left, the two male servants immediately approached, laughing mischievously at Fang Zhou, "Young master, it seems Mistress Li really likes you. Why not just accept her?"

"Hold your tongue! I'd choose death over yielding to her."

Fang Zhou couldn't hold back anymore.

Is that what you call liking? She's coveting my body. She's so lowly!

The two male servants tried again, "Young master, Mistress Li is exceptionally elegant and truly infatuated with you. With such a good match, won't you reconsider?"

They became bashful as they spoke, imagining that if their young master marries Mistress Li, they would also become Mistress Li's co-servants, possibly taking Fang Zhou's place in her bed.

"What the hell, are you guys serious?"

Fang Zhou could easily see through their intentions, reacting with a mix of shock, anger, and disgust.

I treated you like family, yet you aspire to be my rivals.

"Get out! Leave!"

Fang Zhou promptly drove the two out, practicing a few boxing sets and doing a few sets of exercises to suppress his anger.

[Ding, the Primordial Yang has started, the host has accumulated enough resentment, 'Rise up, Strong Men' system activated]

The sudden voice echoing in his consciousness left Fang Zhou momentarily stunned, but his eyes soon gleamed with anticipation.

The system is finally operational!

....

After being driven out of the room, the two male servants made their way to the backyard where they found Li Ruyu standing in the shadows.

Li Ruyu's face was calm and her breath was fresh. There were no signs that she had been drinking.

She smiled and asked, "So, what did your young master say?"

The two servants immediately said.

"We tried to test him. The young master is very shy, but also incredibly bold."

"He took our suggestion seriously and even questioned if we were earnest."

"He even stated that he'd rather die than yield to you, but his shyness got the better of him and he dismissed us."

Li Ruyu generously rewarded the two male servants, then looked at Fang Zhou's private room with a smile, licking her lips.

"Junior brother, it seems you say one thing but mean another. But that's okay; we'll soon be together to share our innermost feelings, without any need to hide or pretend."