The journey back to the Northern Border Outpost felt very different.
Not because of the snow.
Not because of the Frost Wolf pack now following behind us like loyal shadows.
And not even because of the enormous corpse of the Thunder Serpent being dragged by twenty very unhappy Phoenix Flame Guards.
No.
It felt different because I had been kissed.
Technically, it was only on the forehead.
Spiritually, however, I was already planning our wedding.
Hu Mei walked beside me with the kind of smile that meant trouble.
"Master has been smiling at absolutely nothing for the past hour."
I adjusted my cloak with dignity.
"A ruler must maintain good morale."
She nodded seriously.
"Ah, yes. Forehead-kiss morale."
Yue Lian coughed.
Lin Xue looked like she wanted to resign from reality.
Behind us, Feng Yuehuang walked in complete silence, which somehow felt more dangerous than if she had simply set me on fire.
I wisely chose not to test that.
Yet.
As the outpost walls came into view, a soldier rushed from the gate.
He dropped to one knee.
"Your Highness!"
I nodded.
"Report."
He swallowed.
"A royal carriage arrived from the capital."
The entire group slowed.
Interesting.
Very interesting.
I glanced at Feng Yuehuang.
She said only one sentence.
"Not the Seventh Princess this time."
Her golden eyes narrowed slightly.
"Different aura."
Even better.
I smiled.
"Let's see which family member remembered I exist."
The carriage waited inside the courtyard.
Unlike normal military transport, this one was elegant—silver trim, white curtains, and the unmistakable crest of royal plum blossoms mixed with moon patterns.
Definitely royal.
Definitely trouble.
The moment I entered the courtyard, the carriage door opened.
And she stepped out.
A woman in pale blue robes lined with white fur.
Long black hair.
Elegant posture.
Eyes sharp enough to cut through lies.
Beautiful.
Dangerously beautiful.
She looked older than Chen Yao.
Calmer.
The kind of woman who smiled politely while planning three political assassinations.
She looked at me.
Then smiled faintly.
"So."
Her voice was smooth.
"The dead Fifth Prince truly learned how to return."
I raised a brow.
"And you are?"
She gave a perfect royal bow.
"Princess Chen Ruolan."
Ah.
Now I remembered.
The Second Princess.
The emperor's political genius daughter.
The one who rarely appeared in court but somehow knew everything before everyone else did.
Wonderful.
Another dangerous princess.
Exactly what my life needed.
Hu Mei whispered behind me,
"She's scarier than the Phoenix Goddess."
Feng Yuehuang gave her a look.
Hu Mei immediately corrected herself.
"Different kind of scary."
Much safer.
Chen Ruolan's gaze briefly passed over Feng Yuehuang, Lin Xue, Hu Mei, and Yue Lian.
Then back to me.
Her smile deepened by exactly one dangerous degree.
"You have been busy."
I smiled politely.
"Exile gives a man hobbies."
That made her laugh softly.
Good.
She appreciated sarcasm.
That made her even more dangerous.
She stepped closer.
"I came with a proposal."
Of course she did.
Princesses never came for tea.
I gestured toward the command hall.
"Then let's discuss how much trouble you plan to bring me."
Inside, the atmosphere became sharp.
Tea was served.
No one drank it.
Classic politics.
Chen Ruolan sat across from me like she already owned the table.
"I will be direct."
Thank heavens.
"I dislike Third Brother."
Reasonable.
She continued calmly.
"He is too ambitious, too cruel, and too confident."
I nodded.
"We finally agree on something."
Her eyes did not leave mine.
"If he becomes emperor, everyone loses."
Then she leaned slightly forward.
"So I would prefer if you lived long enough to become a problem for him."
Interesting.
Another ally.
Or another snake.
Possibly both.
Before I could answer, the Myth System flashed.
[Divine Summon Cards Available: 2]
Ah.
Perfect timing.
I smiled.
Chen Ruolan noticed.
"Something amusing?"
"Yes."
I stood.
"I just remembered I enjoy surprises."
Without hesitation, I used both Divine Summon Cards.
Golden light exploded inside the hall.
Chen Ruolan actually blinked.
Excellent.
Let royalty be confused.
Two massive summoning formations spread across the floor.
The first glowed with holy white light.
The second burned with dark violet flames.
Opposites.
Interesting.
From the white light stepped a young monk in golden robes.
Handsome.
Calm.
Eyes clear like still water.
A divine halo shimmered faintly behind him.
[Summon Successful]
Name: Fa Yun
Title: Heavenly Dharma Monk
Race: Sacred Buddhist Lineage
Realm: Spirit Core Level 4
Loyalty: 50
From the violet flames stepped a woman in black armour with crimson markings across her skin.
Long dark hair.
Cold red eyes.
A spear made of black bone rested in her hand.
She looked like war itself.
[Summon Successful]
Name: Ye Shura
Title: Nether War Princess
Race: Underworld Royal Blood
Realm: Spirit Core Level 4
Loyalty: 50
The monk pressed his palms together and bowed.
"This humble monk greets the Sovereign."
Ye Shura dropped to one knee.
"The Underworld answers your call."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Even Chen Ruolan had stopped pretending to be calm.
Her eyes moved from the monk…
to the underworld princess…
to Feng Yuehuang…
to me.
Then she asked the most reasonable question of the century.
"What exactly are you?"
I smiled.
"A very hard-working prince."
Hu Mei nearly choked.
Feng Yuehuang looked away, which in her language meant she was hiding amusement.
Fa Yun calmly stood beside Lin Xue.
Ye Shura looked at Mo Jianli, who had just entered, and immediately grinned like he had found a new drinking partner.
Good.
Chaos.
Perfect balance.
Chen Ruolan slowly leaned back in her chair.
For the first time, genuine interest replaced political calculation.
"You are far more dangerous than the capital understands."
I nodded.
"Yes."
She smiled.
"Good."
Then she stood.
"Then I believe my proposal remains valid."
I looked at her.
"Alliance?"
She extended her hand.
"Temporary trust."
I looked at it.
Then shook it.
Cold fingers.
Sharp mind.
A dangerous princess.
Perfect.
The board was growing.
More summons.
More allies.
More enemies.
And somewhere in the capital, Chen Lie still thought he was controlling the game.
I almost felt bad for him.
Almost.