The room was enormous—over a hundred square meters wide—and at its center stood a massive round bed, more than five meters across. The chamber was decorated with fresh flowers and lush greenery, filling the space with life and fragrance.
Northern Jiangsu, Liu Erlong, and Xiao Wu were already moving about energetically, their laughter filling the room.
Only Zhu Zhuqing held back. She moved stiffly, her actions restrained, as if something inside her wouldn't quite allow her to let go.
It wasn't that she didn't want to get close to Northern Jiangsu—far from it. Deep down, she wanted to throw herself at him just as much as the others did. But she came later than them. She had joined after Liu Erlong and Xiao Wu had already claimed their place at his side. That made her reserved, cautious, hesitant.
Besides, she had grown up listening to the legends surrounding Northern Jiangsu. To her, he wasn't just a man—he was an unshakable symbol, someone she admired from a distance like a hero in a story. To approach him too casually felt almost like blasphemy.
And yet… in her heart, she couldn't bring herself to miss an opportunity like this. No matter her nerves, the desire to be near him overcame her pride. Smiling slightly through her shyness, she joined in.
As the game escalated, their movements grew fiercer. What had started playful had now reached a peak of intensity. The battle of reflexes and teasing grew white-hot.
Bit by bit, Zhu Zhuqing's walls began to crumble. Once she let go, her claws came out. She started to tease Northern Jiangsu freely, darting just out of reach, her speed as sharp and precise as her spirit animal.
To her, this game of blindfolded tag with such a devastatingly handsome boy was a unique kind of pleasure—like the most thrilling hide-and-seek in the world.
It wasn't long before they were all covered in sweat, and even Northern Jiangsu's handsome face flushed red, persisting through exertion as beads of sweat rolled past his temples.
Finally, he flopped back onto the vast bed, waving a hand in defeat.
"Enough, enough! I can't do this anymore. This blindfold is killing me. How big is this room? And you're all so much quicker and sharper than me—how am I supposed to catch you?"
Breathing hard, he tugged off the black cloth covering his eyes, his chest rising and falling.
Zhu Zhuqing hesitated. As an Agile Spirit Civet, she had every advantage. Several times she let herself hover within his reach, wanting to be caught. But the weight of Liu Erlong's and Xiao Wu's gazes on her cheeks made her flush with embarrassment, and at the last second she always slipped away.
Northern Jiangsu sighed long and heavy. He really was tired.
What a waste—Zhu Zhuqing hadn't even taken the chance to use the perfect excuse to fall into his arms. Hugging… touching… wasn't that the whole point of this game?
Didn't she realize this was the perfect way to share rewards with him? And not just for herself—anyone embraced by him would share in his feedback, strengthening all of them together.
Still lying there catching his breath, Northern Jiangsu muttered half to himself, half to them: "Seriously… I'm wiped out."
Smiling sweetly, Liu Erlong spoke gently. "Then let's stop, Xiaobei. Don't force yourself. If you're tired, we won't push it."
Though flushed and sweating like him, the three women weren't even half as exhausted as Northern Jiangsu looked. Their sweat was more the result of his hands sneaking across their waists or brushing their skin whenever he did manage to grab them. It was the fire of his touch that left their faces bright red, not the effort of the game.
In truth, Northern Jiangsu had been the one working like a madman.
Of course, since childhood he had raised his body with special means, and with the Dragon King's bloodline flowing through his veins, his stamina and strength far outclassed ordinary soul masters. But blindfolded and forbidden from using soul power, even he found himself drained.
At that moment, Liu Erlong slapped her forehead and gasped. "Oh, right—I almost forgot! Some old friends of mine are still waiting in the great hall. They came here wanting to see you with their students. Xiaobei, do you want to meet them?"
Her tone implied it was entirely his choice. If he didn't wish to meet them, she'd turn them away without hesitation. After all, to her, Northern Jiangsu came before anyone else.
Meanwhile, outside the chamber doors, Flender and the others were waiting expectantly.
"Do you think His Highness Northern Jiangsu will come out and greet us?" someone whispered nervously. "Getting to meet him face-to-face… gods, that would be incredible!"
Zhang Yi practically bounced on his toes, excitement shining in his eyes.
Dai Mubai gave her a sideways glare. "Getting worked up like that… seriously?"
For the first time, Dai Mubai truly understood why despite Zhang Yi's intelligence and eloquence, no one took her too seriously. She lacked restraint—she put her desperation on display.
Oscar chuckled, shaking his head. "Honestly, I'm looking forward to it too. Boss Dai, it's because you and Fatty came late. You never got to see firsthand the terrifying influence His Highness carries."
Dai Mubai's eyes darkened. "Terrifying, huh? What's that supposed to mean? Like I haven't seen it?"
Oscar smirked, but wisely said nothing more. Dai Mubai's face was still bruised from earlier, when a mob of female soul masters had chased him down and pummeled him.
Just then Liu Erlong's warm, hearty laugh came from down the corridor: "Boss Fu, sorry to make you wait so long!"
At once, Flender stood, brushing off his robe with eager hands. "Erlong! Don't apologize—come on, you and I go way back. You know I'd wait all night if I had to!"
In truth, Flender wasn't just waiting for anyone—he was waiting for her. He'd been waiting for decades, his heart tied to her like an unfulfilled oath. Waiting here, in this massive palace, in the shadow of the woman he long loved—it felt almost like destiny.
It was a pity destiny had never agreed with his wishful thinking.
Because at that moment, three figures stepped into view: a young man flanked by two women.
Though the girls were breathtaking in their own right, beauty that could rival flowers in bloom, still they couldn't compare with the boy walking between them.
The moment he entered the hall, it was as though every gaze was hooked and pinned in place.
Flender's eyes widened dramatically. That youth—his features so noble, so bright—could he really be Erlong's son? What kind of absurd luck was this? To adopt such a beautiful, extraordinary young man as her son!
Flender sighed inwardly. If I married Erlong, could our child look like this? If so… that would be worth it all…
Oscar was first to break the silence: "Good lord… what a beautiful boy."
Next came Ma Hongjun, face sluggish, entranced. "I… I seriously want to marry him. Gods, I want to sleep with him. Xiao Ao, would you look down on me if I did?"
Oscar blinked, dumbfounded.
Buzz!
Ma Hongjun's face twitched, body trembling. "I swear—I really, really want to just pounce…"
Only Dai Mubai's eyes did not stay fixed on Northern Jiangsu alone. They flicked, instead, between him and another figure just behind—Zhu Zhuqing.
His fiancée.
Her feline grace, her cold expression, her familiar face… there was no mistaking her. The girl standing beside Northern Jiangsu was his betrothed!
Shock tore through him.
Then Zhang Yi acted.
To everyone's amazement, she dropped to her knees right there on the palace floor, smacking her forehead against the ground in a deep obeisance.
"Zhang Yi pays her respects to His Highness!" she proclaimed loudly. "His Highness is a man of legend, and his name will echo through the ages!"
It was arrogant flattery. A fawning sycophant's act.
And yet—Northern Jiangsu only winced.
He raised his hand slightly, and twin dragons of shimmering soul force coiled out from his palm, gently lifting Zhang Yi back up.
"I don't like people kneeling to me," he said flatly. "Flattery's fine enough, but don't abase yourself. It's unnecessary, and it makes it seem like I'm bullying you. I'm not dead yet, after all."
Zhang Yi shook her head fervently, eyes fixed with zeal. "But this is the only way I can express my devotion. Your Highness alone is worthy of my kneeling! When I lobbied officials in the Heaven Dou Empire, when I stood beside the Star Luo royals—even when I looked upon an emperor—I never kneeled. Only for Your Highness will Zhang Yi bow!"
Then she made to prostrate herself again.
Northern Jiangsu frowned and told the attendant bluntly, "This one might just be insane. Take her outside. Don't let her back in."
"Yes, Your Highness."
At those words Zhang Yi panicked, her face paling. She cried out desperately: "No! Please! Your Highness, I am your most loyal counselor! Shenyan Town needs a counselor, and Zhang Yi is here, willing to guide it for you! Miss Zhu Zhuqing, say something for me—I swear my loyalty, I would walk through fire and water for His Highness!"
She winked wildly at Zhu Zhuqing.
Meanwhile, the others were thawing out of their awe for Northern Jiangsu, their minds recovering enough to grasp the situation. Even Flender frowned instinctively.
A "counselor"? Trying to grab Shenyan Town—the glittering jewel that lay within the grasp of his future foster son? Oh no. That, Flender couldn't tolerate.
Counselors were minor professions in the empire, less important than soul masters. Yet this one was trying to sink her claws into Northern Jiangsu's rising domain?
Already Flender's mind whispered: That town is meant for him… which is meant to be mine, through him. If someone threatens it—they threaten my interests. And that I cannot accept. His eyes hardened at Zhang Yi with a mix of hostility and scorn.
Meanwhile, Northern Jiangsu turned to Zhu Zhuqing. "Qing'er, do you know this person?"
At once, Zhu Zhuqing froze. Her eyes strayed to Dai Mubai, and in that instant uncertainty seized her heart.
If Xiaobei knew about her and Dai Mubai… that fragile engagement, her family's arrangement… would he despise her? Would he no longer draw her into games, no longer hold her close?
But she had never wanted Dai Mubai. That engagement was her cage, and her dream was to break free. Only once she grew strong enough could she sever those ties.
So she nodded, softly but firmly. "Yes. He came with me from the Star Luo Empire."
She carefully avoided saying too much in front of Dai Mubai. She didn't mention how Zhang Yi had personally suggested she come to Shenyan Hall.
But Zhang Yi immediately jumped in proudly: "Yes! Your Highness, I was the one who advised her to come here. I even encouraged her to join the elite Tianjiao Class of Shenyan Hall!"
Puffing herself up, she spoke like a minister recounting his loyal deeds.
To Zhang Yi, this was her chance—a golden opportunity to climb.
Northern Jiangsu raised his brows. "Really now?"
Unexpectedly, the words hit him right where he was weakest.
This was something he hadn't predicted. By his expectations, by the timeline he had prepared for, Zhu Zhuqing and Ning Rongrong should only have joined him later, in Soto City, when he came to pick them up from Shrek Academy.
But here Zhu Zhuqing was, already in his palace, already his guest. Somehow, fate had shifted—was this the butterfly effect?
Either way, he couldn't complain. Zhu Zhuqing was beautiful, well-figured, and had a resilient character. He was already fond of her… already marking her as his own.
In that sense, Zhang Yi had indeed done him a great favor.
Smiling faintly, he said, "Then let her stay."
He reached out and touched Zhu Zhuqing's silky hair with fondness. She lowered her gaze, shy but glowing, giving him a glance charged with charm.
Behind them, Dai Mubai's teeth clenched so hard his jaw almost cracked.
That's my fiancée! he seethed in silence. You—how dare you, when I haven't even touched her yet! To stroke her hair so casually—as if she belongs to you—!
Green fire blazed in his chest, but there was nothing he could do.
--
Unlock 50 exclusive advanced chapters for just $5 – don't miss out! Check the synopsis/description for the link! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Ten Thousand Years Early System!" & "Douluo Dalu: The Godly Drunkard System" — don't miss out!