"Godmother… Sister Erlong must have been so lonely all these years. Otherwise, how could she still be without children?"
Flender gave Liu Erlong a deep, pitying look, his voice laced with sympathy. "Yes, Erlong… At your age, most women are already married off, and their children are already running errands or making soy sauce purchases. But you, you've been so devoted all these years, clinging to your feelings while guarding yourself alone. It really must have been hard."
Erlong didn't refute him—just quietly listened, her eyes soft, her smile unexpectedly calm.
Flender's thoughts, on the other hand, were racing wildly. If she's finally let go of her past, if she's finally awakened to reality, then… this could be my chance!
His heart leapt. To win Erlong's heart, to maybe even… eh, let's not speak too boldly yet. But even just from recognizing a powerhouse like Subei as her foster son, he'd be considered family. It was like getting an illustrious godson for free, plus an endless golden holy land to back him up. Wonderful!
The very thought had him grinning like a thief at midnight.
At that moment, Oscar and Ma Hongjun all perked up with excitement upon hearing Erlong's words.
"Auntie Liu! So the legendary Lord of the Divine Flame Hall is your son? Isn't that amazing? Can we go visit him with you?" Oscar blurted out, eyes sparkling.
"Auntie? Oscar, how rude!"
Ma Hongjun wriggled his plump waist, shaking it like some cheap flirt. He reached up cutely, attempting to plant a kiss on Liu Erlong's hand. "Dearest Miss Erlong, it's our greatest honor to know you. Won't you bring us along to your house? I swear, we'll behave—just sit nicely, nothing more."
Before his lips could land, Flender gave him a sharp slap across the head. "Sit down, you brat! What are you trying to kiss? Even I haven't kissed her yet!"
Ma Hongjun stumbled back, holding his nose, still grinning like an idiot.
Liu Erlong couldn't help but giggle, her laughter warm despite the chastisement. "Your students are quite interesting. It's not impossible to let you meet Xiaobei. But listen carefully—after you enter the Divine Flame Hall, you must strictly follow the rules. No wandering around aimlessly, and absolutely no reckless trouble. Otherwise, things could get out of hand even for me."
She seemed relaxed, but Flender secretly felt a bead of cold sweat slide down his temple.
Among the Golden Iron Triangle, he specialized in aerial combat, ruling the skies to scout and give an edge. Yu Xiaogang, on the other hand, was the 'brain'—their strategist, though often frail and impractical in fights. But Liu Erlong... Erlong was the frontline fire. Fierce, unyielding, hotheaded. Everyone knew her fiery temper and deadly hands.
Yet today—today she seemed… different. Erlong was calm. Gentle even. A smile blooming on her face like spring. Not at all like the fiery inferno she had been before.
Flender felt an unexpected warmth in his chest. He was genuinely happy for her. But at the same time, confusion tugged at him. A personality so fixed, so hardened over decades, rarely changed without some massive emotional impact or shock. What had happened, truly, between her and Subei?
"I'll make sure no one dares stir trouble." Flender straightened his back, then carefully asked, "But Erlong… how did you and the Lord of the Divine Flame Hall even become mother and son? Ordinary people can't even approach him, let alone form such ties. How could you climb such a connection?"
He remembered clearly an incident before. A soul saint-level woman had tried to force her way into the Divine Flame Hall to see Subei. She was immediately thrown out, mercilessly, no matter her strength. Even Flender himself wouldn't dare rashly pick a fight against the terrifying waitresses of that palace.
Each one was a powerful spirit master, their combined martial soul fusion techniques giving them energy that surpassed most ordinary soul masters by miles. Even he—an experienced Spirit Sage—couldn't guarantee survival against a coordinated group of those attendants.
Tang San too leaned forward eagerly, his mind spinning in a more personal direction. For him, the question wasn't just curiosity—it was about love. How can I win Teacher's heart?
"How did you meet him, Mrs. Liu?" Tang San finally asked, eyes bright with expectancy.
"This…"
For a moment, Liu Erlong's cheeks colored. How was she supposed to explain that at the time she simply thought the boy looked pitiful and dragged him home?
She coughed delicately, then forced her voice steady. "Back then, I just happened to meet Xiaobei. He was still young, with no protection at all—only Xiao Wu by his side. I worried for their safety, so I took them in. Later… Xiaobei revealed himself as an extraordinary genius, a heaven-blessed prodigy. From there, one thing led to another."
"Ohh, I see. Still so straightforward, Erlong," Flender remarked, his thin smile curling under his hooked nose, giving his face a naturally sly look.
He then turned toward Tang San, wagging his finger. "Listen well, Xiao San. Don't call her wrongly. Teacher's woman should be called 'Shiniang'—teacher's wife. That's the proper title. None of this 'mother' nonsense."
Tang San tilted his head, utterly unconvinced. "But Teacher already told me. What's wrong with calling her 'teacher's mother'? It's the same thing—abbreviated. The logic is sound."
His firmness left Flender dumbstruck.
Logic really was undefeatable sometimes.
Liu Erlong's lips twitched, but she didn't object. In truth, what did it matter? 'Teacher's wife', or 'teacher's mother'... she would be either sooner or later. The essence was the same. She accepted it quietly, even if Flender still looked scandalized by the whole matter.
The bus finally rolled to a stop. At the majestic gates of the Divine Flame Hall stood rows of guards, halberds gleaming sharply under the sun.
"Passes please," the gate attendant ordered, eyes set upon the group.
Before Erlong could respond, Ma Hongjun puffed his chest out and strolled forward. "Hey there, beautiful Guard Sister~ We're all close friends of His Highness Subei! Just let us inside, won't you?"
The guard's eyes went icy. "His Highness has never once mentioned knowing you. Spout such nonsense again, and I'll throw you out personally."
Ma Hongjun shrank back, scratching his head with a sheepish smile. "Well… maybe not friends yet, but soon we will be. What's the rush, right?"
Erlong stepped out then, her presence instantly cooling the tension. With a faintly charming smile, she addressed the attendant. "They're my friends. They're here with me to visit Xiaobei. Just arrange for them to wait in the outer hall."
Recognition flashed in the guard's eyes. Within the Divine Flame Hall, there were unwritten rules known to all—the women who shared close ties with His Highness carried undeniable privileges. Especially the mature ones.
The guard quickly saluted. "Release!"
With the rumble of shifting weapons, a shining corridor of soldiers opened up, their halberds raised high in respect.
The students couldn't help but gawk. So this was the power of connections. No matter how accomplished children of officials or scions of soul masters were, they would have to crawl through flame and fight blood battles before stepping foot here. Yet Liu Erlong's words alone won them the privilege. It was envy-inducing.
The palace interior stunned them even more. Gold and gems inlaid everywhere, corridors shimmering in rainbow light. Flender's avaricious eyes lit up like lanterns, itching to pry one gemstone loose with his bare hands.
"Truly magnificent…" Dai Mubai exhaled, a rare glint of genuine awe in his cold pride. "No wonder it's called the first miracle of the two empires."
Ma Hongjun's admiration quickly took another form: ogling the busty palace waitresses relentlessly. "Hoo boy… check out that one. And that… t-that chest! By the Heavens!" His eyes nearly fell out of his sockets.
Liu Erlong tactfully left them in servant care, while she herself ascended the crimson agate staircase, intent on visiting Subei directly.
Tang San too excused himself quickly. He had to refine his beauty-enhancing medicine, secure formulas for yin-yang balance—anything to make himself more attractive to his teacher. He would risk much, but never that much. After all, he knew precisely: his teacher would never love someone vulgar, twisted, or foul. His teacher cherished poise, dignity, refinement. He wouldn't fail him.
Meanwhile, Erlong reached the familiar chamber door. As she drew closer, her sharpened senses picked up faint laughter, girlish squeals, playful cries of surrender.
Her face darkened slightly. Xiaobei must be fooling around again. Helplessly shaking her head, she pushed the door open without warning.
In that exact instant, a figure with a blindfold lunged at her like a wolf, toppling her onto the carpet. Strong arms wrapped tightly around her waist, pinning her.
"Haha, caught you! You're mine now—let's see where you run this time!"
Subei's playful voice rang out, his hands already groping curiously. "Now… let me guess who it is this time. Could it be Xiaowu? Or… perhaps Qing'er?" He smirked mischievously.
From the side, giggles erupted. Xiaowu and Zhu Zhuqing, standing silently, exchanged teasing glances. Xiaowu even pressed a finger to her lips, urging Erlong to stay silent and play along.
Zhu Zhuqing, however, wasn't laughing. She shifted restlessly, trembling slightly. Watching her 'Hall Master brother' shamelessly grope Liu Erlong in such a playful, intimate way made her face burn bright red. It was too much. Too bold.
Liu Erlong… remained still, her lips twitching, but her eyes shimmering softly. Against her better judgment, she actually let herself be carried by the moment, dazed.
"Ah—I see. Not Xiaowu, no. Too big," Subei suddenly declared with smug certainty. "Xiaowu's far too small-framed compared to this."
"Hey!" Xiaowu pouted angrily. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Noting the generous curve beneath his palm compared to Zhu Zhuqing's modest proportions, he chuckled louder. "Must be Qing'er then! Naughty girl, you're tricking me again. Didn't expect you to loosen your cat ears this time… thought you'd outsmart me?"
Confident, Subei yanked off his blindfold.
The sight froze him cold.
Instead of Xiaowu or Zhu Zhuqing, what met his eyes was Liu Erlong's flushed, crimson face—her gaze glued to him with half-shy, half-motherly warmth.
"Eh?!"
Xiaowu and Zhu Zhuqing burst into laughter, their giggles echoing through the chamber. "Brother, you guessed wrong! Not us at all!"
Subei sprang back as though scorched, nearly leaping a full meter off the ground. His cheeks turned pink. "G-Godmother?! Why are you here?! And why didn't you say anything?!"
He hadn't been ready for this.
Liu Erlong sat up slowly, brushing her flowing hair back, exhaling lightly. "Why, can't Godmother come? It's been so long since I've seen you, Xiaobei. Don't you miss me?"
But deep down, her heart quivered strangely.
This time, the instant she saw him, something felt different. The boy she once brought home… the childish air of milk-scent was gone. In its place lingered a masculine, mature charm that fluttered her very breath, staining her cheeks with sudden heat.
She was his godmother—but her heart beat uncontrollably faster.
Had little Xiaobei… truly grown up?
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