At the hour of chen, the front of Mingxing Palace was bustling with excitement. This was the first time Baize Dijun was taking his disciples out, and they were going to Zhuxuan Yuyang Palace, renowned for its luxurious splendor. The disciples could hardly contain their excitement. Each one took out their most formal and ceremonious celestial robes to wear and summoned their finest mounts to groom. For a time, auspicious light stretched for thousands of miles before Mingxing Palace, with divine beasts and spiritual birds competing in their magnificence.

Zhi Xi adjusted the jade camellia flower by her ear, staring at the palace gate with a mixture of anxiety and anticipation. She had also deliberately dressed up today, even applying light makeup, and a few days ago had even borrowed rouge paste from Xuan Yi to apply.

She rarely put effort into her appearance on ordinary days. Today, having dressed up splendidly for once, she only vaguely hoped for Fucang to glance at her.

“Senior Sister Zhi Xi.”

Gu Ting’s voice came from the palace gate. When she turned around, she saw Gu Ting and Fucang walking out from within Mingxing Palace. Fucang was leading the nine-headed lion, Gu Ting was leading a completely snow-white old ox, and Xuan Yi was sitting on the ox’s back holding a food box, eating something unknown from her mouth.

Zhi Xi’s heart tensed. She tried her best to control her nervousness and hurried forward with a smile, asking: “Wasn’t it supposed to be Junior Brother Fucang escorting Xuan Yi today? Why is she sitting on Junior Brother Gu Ting’s ox?”

Gu Ting could only smile bitterly. They had met Fucang along the road, and Xuan Yi had asked to ride the white ox—how could he refuse? As a result, not only did she cling to the ox’s back refusing to leave, she had even eaten the refreshments he’d prepared to eat at Zhuxuan Yuyang Palace.

Seeing that Zhi Xi was leading a spirited xiezhi, Xuan Yi set down the food box and asked with a smile: “Senior Sister, your xiezhi looks so spirited. Can I ride it for a bit?”

They all had mounts, but she didn’t. Although dragon gods never used mounts, riding other people’s mounts was also quite interesting.

Zhi Xi sighed as she lifted her onto her own xiezhi: “The refreshments were half-eaten just like that. You look slender, but your appetite is really quite good—after finishing a bowl of Comprehensive Tonic Soup, you still eat so many snacks.”

Xuan Yi pretended not to hear and turned her head to continue eating pastries. Zhi Xi wanted to seek out Fucang, but saw that he didn’t even glance sideways, his face seeming to be covered with a layer of frost. He led Xiao Jiu to the side and used his fingers to groom its fur. She was too embarrassed to initiate conversation and couldn’t help biting her lip in disappointment.

Not far behind them, Shao Yi’s gentle voice suddenly rang out: “Oh my, Senior Sister’s xiezhi is so beautiful.”

Xuan Yi turned her head and saw that Shao Yi was leading an enormous vermillion phoenix. Her eyes immediately lit up: “Senior Brother Shao Yi, can I ride your vermillion phoenix for a bit?”

Just how much interest did she have in riding different mounts? Zhi Xi was simply at a loss.

Shao Yi smiled slightly and said teasingly: “Of course you can. Kiss me once, and I’ll let you ride the phoenix.”

Zhi Xi said angrily: “Such improper words! What kind of behavior is this!”

Shao Yi sighed, raised his hand to lift Xuan Yi up, and shook his head: “Yes, yes, Senior Sister, I was wrong. Come on, let’s go ride the phoenix.”

He gently placed Xuan Yi on the phoenix’s back but didn’t let go, using his arm to support her body, saying softly: “I had no idea this little loach had become Senior Sister’s precious treasure.”

She moved slightly, her eyes flowing around—looking at his arm for a moment, then at the phoenix. If he didn’t put her down, how could she ride the phoenix?

Shao Yi said gently: “Little loach, my phoenix can’t carry your weight. Don’t you want to avoid crushing it to death?”

Xuan Yi felt she could no longer ignore the fact that he kept saying she was heavy. She looked him up and down, extremely skeptical: “Why does Senior Brother Shao Yi always say I’m heavy?”

Shao Yi thought carefully: “Perhaps this is just the karmic entanglement between the Qingyang Clan and the Zhuyin Clan?”

What kind of nonsense karmic entanglement was this? If he wouldn’t let go, she couldn’t ride the phoenix, so she lost interest: “Then I’ll still ride the xiezhi. Senior Brother Shao Yi, send me over there.”

Shao Yi lowered his lashes to admire her beautiful dress today, his smile deepening: “Kiss me once, and I’ll send you back.”

Xuan Yi agreed extremely quickly: “Close your eyes.”

He obeyed and closed his eyes, his long lashes trembling lightly on his face. Xuan Yi picked out a piece of Thousand Herbs Longevity Cake that she hated most from the food box and stuffed it into his mouth. Shao Yi’s brow immediately furrowed.

“So awful…” He complained softly, opening his eyes to stare at her reproachfully.

Xuan Yi couldn’t help but laugh aloud. She raised her hand to lightly flick the fiery red jewel at his forehead. For some reason, this jewel’s color seemed much more brilliant than before.

Her delicate breath sprayed on his face, fragrant as orchid and musk. Her fingertips were jade-cool and soft, touching his forehead with an indescribable comfort. Shao Yi’s voice involuntarily lowered: “Are all of the Zhuyin Clan this mischievous?”

“Of course not.” She smiled charmingly. “I’m the kindest one.”

Shao Yi tilted his head in contemplation for a moment: “I don’t think so.”

When he said this, it was as if he’d really seen other members of the Zhuyin Clan. Xuan Yi couldn’t help being surprised. Just as she was about to inquire, Shao Yi suddenly called out eagerly toward the back: “Junior Brother Fucang, could you trouble yourself to take this little loach away?”

Xuan Yi’s face immediately darkened with displeasure. Shao Yi smiled bitterly: “Senior Brother has been holding her for too long—my arm is about to break.”

Just how delicate was he! Xuan Yi simply asked straightforwardly: “Senior Brother Shao Yi, besides me, have you seen other members of the Zhuyin Clan?”

Shao Yi made an “mm” sound. Before he could speak, Fucang’s ice-cold voice rang out behind them: “It’s time to go. Come here.”

She only felt a dizzy spin, and the next moment she had landed on the nine-headed lion’s back.

“…I haven’t finished speaking yet.” Xuan Yi glared at him.

Fucang mounted the lion’s back, sitting not far behind her. With a clear shout, the nine-headed lion immediately rose with the wind. His voice held no emotion: “Mm.”

“Also, I don’t want your escort!” She was ten thousand times disgusted.

“Oh.”

Xuan Yi was infuriated by his completely perfunctory attitude. When he wouldn’t bicker with her, she became like an idiot yelling at a wall. She simply closed her mouth too, sitting like a statue.

Fucang quietly gazed at the flowing clouds churning around them. He recalled his father’s words before leaving: Our Huaxu Clan has always valued propriety and harmony. Even with these wicked and strange members of the Zhuyin Clan, we must use propriety to make them willingly convinced. Moreover, she is a princess—even the Heavenly Emperor must yield to her somewhat.

Yes, no matter what, she was still a princess of noble status. Being affable and gracious in manner—naturally she was skilled at these things. It was just that in front of him, she became all claws and fangs, arrogant and harsh.

He’d stopped coming to Mingxing Palace for over half a year, partly for his breakthrough in the sword path, and partly with the intention of controlling the situation. Indulging his own malice was pleasant, but it wasn’t in his nature. Moreover, the Dragon Princess’s resentment toward him was probably mostly sourced from her injury. Once her wound healed, they could be like strangers as before, which would be even better.

However, he felt he was overthinking again. He was a mountain, but encountering the Dragon Princess, he immediately transformed into a volcano.

Half a year without seeing each other, and after just a short while now, they’d gone through everything from verbal attacks to close physical combat. Fucang was both stunned by his uncontrollable irritability and infuriated by this Dragon Princess’s endless malice.

Tai Yao rode his Chaotian Hou slowly closer. Seeing that both Xuan Yi and Fucang had dark faces and weren’t speaking, he smiled and said: “It’s rare to go out and have fun. Why are you both unhappy?”

Xuan Yi was still somewhat angry: “What’s fun about Zhuxuan Yuyang Palace?”

Tai Yao pondered: “Besides the fingernail of Chiyou Dajun from the ancient Nine Li Tribe, I heard that Zhuxuan Dijun also has hidden a piece of skull from Gonggong Dajun who broke the heavenly pillar in the past. That’s also extremely rare.”

Xuan Yi couldn’t help glancing at him more. It seemed that after staying with Baize Dijun for so long, this eldest senior brother had also contracted such peculiar habits, specifically interested in other people’s fingernails and bones.

Tai Yao seemed to see through her thoughts and said with a laugh: “All right, actually there’s one more fun thing. I heard that this time Zhuxuan Dijun invited the musicians who specifically perform for Xiwang Mu. Crown Prince Chang Qin is also coming. Perhaps they’ll ask Fucang to perform a sword dance again. We can also see what kind of appearance this sword dance was that made divine maidens dream about it back then.”

Xuan Yi secretly curled her lip. She had absolutely no interest in watching this brute wield weapons.

Fucang, sitting behind, couldn’t help but speak: “Senior Brother Tai Yao, watch your words.”

Tai Yao teased: “I’m not speaking recklessly. If you don’t believe me, go ask Gu Ting and Zhi Xi—how elegant was that sword dance at the Imperial Daughter’s wedding banquet back then? Oh, I remember that Divine Maiden Xihe beat the drum in accompaniment that day, and after that, she still can’t forget about you to this day.”

Xuan Yi recalled how when she last went to Xihe’s divine palace, Fucang had gotten half a sleeve covered in rouge, and finally laughed with a “pfft.”

“Divine Maiden Xihe is so devoted—truly moving.” She said leisurely. “With her beauty and directness, she’s perfectly suited for Senior Brother Fucang.”

Tai Yao forced a smile: “This… I’m afraid that’s not quite appropriate…”

The atmosphere between those two seemed off. It looked like he couldn’t smooth this over. He’d always disliked trouble, so he quietly withdrew to a distance.

Two cold gazes fixed on her face. Xuan Yi turned her head and ran right into Fucang’s unfriendly eyes. She responded with an even more unfriendly smile: “Senior Brother Fucang, such sincere affection is rare. Don’t let it down.”

Without a word, he reached out his hand toward her. Xuan Yi hurriedly tried to dodge, but who knew he only grabbed her skirt hem, lifted it to her knee, and unwrapped the white cloth covering her wound bit by bit, lowering his head to look at the injury.

The gruesome wound that had been torn open half a year ago had now almost completely healed. No wonder it no longer seeped blood. It was just that healing so rapidly seemed strange instead.

Fucang suddenly recalled that day above Jade Rat Dajun’s underground palace, the breath that Shao Yi had exhaled, and the golden light that had seeped into the little loach’s belly. Was it a technique of the Qingyang Clan?

The ankle in his palm was twisting forcefully. The Dragon Princess opposite raised her other foot, planning to kick him in the face. Fucang glanced at her left foot that was ready to move: “Move again and I’ll throw you down.”

Xuan Yi was so angry she laughed instead: “You’re allowed to touch my leg, but I’m not allowed to kick you? Who gave you permission to touch me!”

Fucang ignored her, rewrapped the white cloth properly, and released her in one motion.

Hateful bastard. When he didn’t touch it, it was fine, but once he touched it, the wound started itching. Xuan Yi pressed it a few times through her skirt with a stiff face, but the effect was minimal. She simply scratched it forcefully several times, and his hand blocked the skirt again.

“Don’t scratch.” Fucang pushed her hand aside.

Xuan Yi smiled: “Otherwise, will Senior Brother Fucang throw me down?”

He was too lazy to engage in verbal sparring with her. Like a silent wall, he deflected all her attempts to scratch the itch. Xuan Yi was both itchy and angry, like having a hundred claws scratching at her heart. But in broad daylight under everyone’s eyes, she ultimately couldn’t bring herself to roll around and act shamelessly. She could only hold it in until her eyes brimmed with tears, while in her heart she subjected Fucang to death by a thousand cuts ten thousand times over.