How come I'm the one being conquered?

When Bailu lifted her little head and saw the troublemaker's face, which held a gentle smile, her eyes went blank for a moment. Then, her delicate and adorable face bloomed with a smile like white flowers in early spring. "Bai Jun! Hello, it's been so long!"

Her previous anger and annoyance vanished like smoke. Bailu opened her small hands and leaped into Bai Jun's arms, happily nuzzling against him.

"Lord Bailu, I missed you too!"

Bai Jun bent down and, without hesitation, opened his arms, hugging the girl in his embrace tightly. He happily buried his face in her hair. The tenderness in his smile and the joy from the bottom of his heart were anything but fake.

If anyone familiar with Bai Jun saw this scene, they would probably first doubt their own eyes, then consider whether the person in front of them was actually Bai Jun. After all, the most common sight of him was his listless and lazy demeanor. Forget smiles, even expressions of disdain or helplessness were rarely seen, let alone smiling so gently and happily as he was now.

"Lord Bailu, why did you escape from the Alchemy Commission to the Starcruiser Sea Hub this time?" After spinning the girl in his arms a few times and replenishing the "Bailu energy" his body had been lacking recently, Bai Jun asked curiously.

"This young lady's escape this time... cough, how can you call it an escape? I should say leaving the Alchemy Commission, it was an officially certified out-of-office consultation! It wasn't an unauthorized escape!" Bailu in his arms coughed twice in dissatisfaction, gently patting Bai Jun's cheek with her pale, beautiful dragon tail.

Then, as if suddenly realizing something, Bailu tilted her head up, her thin, soft lips pursed into a straight line. Her delicate and adorable face became inexplicably serious and tense. "Wait, Ah Bai, why are you in the Starcruiser Sea Hub on a workday? Don't tell me the Department of Earthly Rulings sent you to catch me again!"

Because Bailu always secretly escaped from the Alchemy Commission, the higher-ups would often dispatch personnel from the Department of Earthly Rulings to keep an eye on her and be responsible for bringing her back. Bai Jun's role was precisely that of the one responsible for catching her.

With back-and-forth interactions and many instances of being caught, their relationship gradually became more familiar. In fact, in terms of familiarity, Bailu was probably the first person Bai Jun became familiar with after arriving on the Luofu, and also his closest friend. After all, who could refuse the soft, fragrant, cute, and kind Lord Bailu?

Stared at by Bailu's beautiful, accusatory eyes, Bai Jun immediately raised his hands and cried out his innocence with a face full of bewilderment. "How could that be! My body is Lord Bailu's body, to be commanded at your will, with no divided loyalty!"

"But you swore the same thing last time, and then you ended up hugging me and sending me back to the Alchemy Commission."

"It's a false accusation, Lord Bailu. Last time, we agreed that if I played with you happily, you would obediently return to the Alchemy Commission. How can you say I broke my promise!"

Ignoring Bai Jun's tearful expression, Bailu turned her head and snorted. "I don't care. I didn't have enough fun last time, so I'm fining you to accompany me to play again this time! Oh, and you have to buy me a cup of Immortal's Joy Tea!"

"Alright, alright, I'll listen to whatever Lord Bailu says." Bai Jun, like an older brother, gently ruffled her little head and smiled tenderly.

"Don't pat my head! I heard it stunts your growth!" Flicking Bai Jun's mischievous left hand away with her tail, Bailu put her hands on her hips and pretended to be serious. "It's been six or seven years since I grew my horn, and I haven't grown taller at all. Now I strongly suspect it's because you keep patting my head!"

When this topic came up, Miss Bailu seemed to have endless grievances. It started with her talking about her height, and then it simply turned into her dissatisfaction with the Dragon Master elders in her clan:

"Sigh, am I even considered a dragon? My range of activity is confined to the forbidden residence, every word and deed must conform to the clan's rules, and even my meals are nothing but cheese buns, oat spring rolls, and the like... This kind of life is like being a fish kept in a fish tank."

Normally, when she complained about the Dragon Master elders, Bai Jun would have joined Bailu in scolding those Dragon Master elders. But now, seeing her extremely dejected expression, he didn't know what words of comfort to offer. He could only habitually place his hand on her little head and rub it comfortingly.

Wait, didn't Bailu just say not to touch her head?

As soon as this thought appeared, the dejected Bailu froze for a moment, then instantly bristled like an angry cat, baring her teeth. Then she jumped up, hugged Bai Jun's left hand, and bit down with a hiccup.

"Stupid Bai Jun, you really weren't listening to me!"

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Chapter 17: The Principle Is In My Hands

"In short, you must listen to me carefully from now on, understand?" Lord Bailu wiped the lingering crystal clear moisture from the corner of her mouth with satisfaction, lifting her face like a victorious little feather beast. She only remembered to emphasize the speaking issue, completely forgetting about the head-patting.

"Understood, understood. Please forgive this arrogant and rude subordinate, Lord Bailu." Bai Jun rubbed his left hand while nodding subserviently like a pecking chick.

After her anger subsided, Bailu saw the faint teeth marks still on Bai Jun's hand. She stepped forward and tenderly rubbed his left hand, asking with concern, "...Does it still hurt?"

Hearing Bailu's concern, Bai Jun couldn't help but feel that she was truly an angel. She had bitten him, but it didn't hurt at all; it even felt a little ticklish. It was less like a punishment and more like a way of expressing affection, like a cute little puppy.

"A young Vidyadhara like Lord Bailu is born to be eaten! Ggu-heh-heh..."

"Waaah—!"

Unable to suppress his joy, Bai Jun hugged Bailu again and nuzzled her fiercely. After absorbing enough "Bailu energy," he reluctantly let her go.

Firstly, I am not a Vidyadhara enthusiast.

Secondly, I forgot. In any case, Bailu is really cute, small, soft, and fragrant...

"Honestly, Ah Bai, you're never serious." Bailu, with a blush on her face, re-hung her medicine gourd. After a soft snort, she suddenly extended her small hand and commanded, "I've decided, your punishment is to go buy me Immortal's Joy Tea right now, and make sure it's hot!"

Is she really looking out for her silly older brother? She has to emphasize it again... Bai Jun smiled and nodded. "As you command."

Patting his pocket, Bai Jun was about to take out money to take Bailu to buy Immortal's Joy Tea. However, when he felt the emptiness within, his smile instantly stiffened, and a drop of cold sweat seemed to slide down his cheek.

It's over, I forgot I don't have money in my pocket.

Gulp. Bai Jun swallowed with difficulty, ignoring the cold sweat on his forehead, and his eyes subtly glanced at Bailu.

"Hmm, what's wrong?" Bailu tilted her little head, her beautiful eyes filled with clear confusion.

Seeing her cute smile and clear eyes, the string of reason in Bai Jun's mind snapped with a pop. Bailu just wanted a cup of Immortal's Joy Tea, and that simple pleasure wouldn't cost much. He had already promised her, but... he couldn't even fulfill such a simple wish? The guilt filling his heart was almost reaching the heavens!

His right hand uncontrollably moved to the hilt of the saber at his waist. Looking at the exquisitely carved handle and the sheath inscribed with flame patterns, Bai Jun was already mentally calculating how much money he could get by selling it.

Just as Bai Jun was engaged in an internal struggle, his mind in turmoil, an anxious female voice suddenly came from a nearby street:

"L-Lord Bailu! I finally found you. I told you that you should listen to my arrangements for this trip, but why did you act on your own and sneak away again!"

He subconsciously turned his head to look and saw a Foxkin woman with fox ears, wearing the standard uniform shirt of the Alchemy Commission, her face filled with worry.

She appeared to have been exercising strenuously for a long time, sweat dripping from her forehead, and her face was flushed with an unusual redness. But upon seeing Bailu, a sharp glint instantly appeared in her eyes, as if she wanted to snatch her away and devour her.

"Waaah, she, she found us! Bai Jun, run, run! At least, at least let me have a cup of hot Immortal's Joy Tea—!" Bailu immediately panicked and burrowed into Bai Jun's arms, her small hands wrapping around his neck, urgently urging him to take her and flee quickly.

In this situation, Bai Jun knew that running would be useless, so he simply stood still with Bailu in his arms.

When the Foxkin woman rushed over and prepared to refine them instantly with a grab of her slender hand, Bai Jun directly slapped her hand away.

"Stop joking! No one can separate me and Lord Bailu, not even you, Dan He. If you dare come closer, I'll bite you!" Bai Jun hugged Bailu tightly, baring his teeth and growling at the Foxkin woman in front of him as a threat, putting on a fierce, desperate demeanor.

"Huh? Uh... Oh, what is it, it's Bai Jun."

Dan He, startled at first, quickly pulled her hand back. But as she looked closely and realized it was Bai Jun's harmless face, she completely let down her guard, sighing helplessly as if she'd seen a kitten:

"Alright, alright, give Lord Bailu back to me quickly. I'm exhausted from looking for her."

"No!" Bai Jun's and Bailu's faces were pressed tightly together, their lake-blue eyes staring straight at Dan He, refusing almost in unison.

Before, other doctors from the Alchemy Commission had talked to Dan He about Bai Jun. Firstly, they said he was very efficient at work, easily catching the Dragon Maiden that so many of them couldn't find.

Secondly, they said he was truly cold and indifferent, always wearing the same expressionless look whenever seen. And then there were compliments about his good looks, especially his clear, shallow eyes, like glaze immersed in ice and snow, so pure and cold, as beautiful as Lord Bailu's.

Dan He had no objections to the first few points, only some confusion about the last one. She felt Lord Bailu's eyes were the most beautiful. Although Bai Jun was better looking than most women, she thought he couldn't compare to Lord Bailu in that regard.

Now, as Bailu's and Bai Jun's eyes appeared together and were compared, the doubt that had long been hidden in Dan He's heart was finally answered.

Judging as a woman, she felt Bai Jun's eyes were more beautiful. If she were to judge as a man, well... she wasn't a man, how could she possibly know?

Various thoughts flooded her mind. Realizing she had gone off-topic, Dan He bit the tip of her tongue, throwing the chaotic thoughts to the back of her mind. With a slight blush, she crossed her hands in front of her chest: "N-no, this kind of thing, principle—"

Before she could finish, Bai Jun pinched Bailu's soft cheek and interrupted her with a mischievous grin, "Don't misunderstand, the principle is in my hands now."

The so-called principle was naturally Lord Bailu, who was pitifully clinging to Bai Jun like a small beast.

This was the first time Dan He had experienced something like this. But seeing Bai Jun's determined gaze and Bailu's hopeful eyes, she pursed her lips in conflict, a complex expression on her face. Finally, she helplessly rubbed her fox ears and let out a short sigh: "I really can't win against you guys..."

But before Bailu could even be happy, Dan He grabbed Bai Jun and they walked to a nearby corner to whisper. She left Bailu alone, blankly stunned in place.

"Sigh, Lord Bailu is entrusted to you this time. Take her to relax for a bit." Because Bai Jun was an old acquaintance, Dan He didn't offer many explanations, only her tone becoming serious on a few specific matters: "But you must bring her back before sunset! Otherwise, don't talk about me being punished, even Lord Bailu's weekly day off on Sundays will be revoked!"

"Sunday day off?" Bai Jun's attention was caught by the latter half of her sentence. He remembered that Bailu used to have no time off at all throughout the year.

"Oh, right, you don't know yet. The Dragon Masters in the clan felt that Lord Bailu escaping all the time wasn't a good thing, so they decided to give Lord Bailu her afternoons free on Sundays. Today, Lord Bailu originally wanted to find you at Changle Heaven, but she met many patients for consultations along the way, so she changed her mind and came to the Starcruiser Sea Hub."

"Is that so... It seems those old guys finally did something sensible." Bai Jun nodded. At the same time, he silently repeated the word "Sunday" a few times in his mind.

On the Xianzhou, the year was also divided into twelve months, with each year having three hundred and sixty-five to three hundred and sixty-six days. A week also had seven days.

Monday to Friday were normal work and study days. Saturday and Sunday became the much-anticipated rest days, especially common among students. For the working population, apart from a few special professions, such as government agencies like the Department of Earthly Rulings, most could also rest one day a week.

Public servants like Bai Jun were basically destined to have no weekends off. Getting a single day off at the end of the month was considered good.

"Xī! D-don't say such divisive things! At least not outside!" Hearing Bai Jun's disrespectful address to the Dragon Master elders, Dan He's face instantly turned pale. She hurriedly shushed him, signaling him not to say anything that would undermine unity.

"Calling them old guys is giving them too much credit." Bai Jun pouted, completely unconcerned about such taboos.

Dan He greatly admired Bai Jun's demeanor of despising the powerful, but she couldn't emulate it. Firstly, she lacked the courage, and secondly, she lacked the ability.

For some unknown reason, whenever the clan's Dragon Master elders discussed Bai Jun taking Bailu out privately, their faces would always show three parts anger, three parts resentment, and the remaining ninety-four parts apprehension, as if Bai Jun possessed something that made them fear him.

Dan He didn't understand and wasn't curious. She only knew that for the sake of her future and life, she absolutely couldn't let Bai Jun say such rebellious things here anymore!

"R-really, stop talking about it!"

Seeing Dan He on the verge of tears, Bai Jun sighed and waved his hand reluctantly, "Alright, I won't say it anymore."

"That's good. Oh right, there's one more thing!" Dan He subtly glanced at Bailu, who was boredly playing with her tail nearby, not paying attention to them. Only then did she slowly speak, "This time, you absolutely cannot take off the Chimu Restraint on Lord Bailu's tail again. You broke one last time, which made the clan's Dragon Masters furious. If you lose another one this time, the consequences will be equally unimaginable..."

"Why?"

Bai Jun's voice suddenly seemed to come from afar. Dan He looked closely and saw that he had already crouched beside Bailu, looking puzzled as he fiddled with the Chimu Restraint on her pale tail, completely ignoring her words.

"You can't touch it!" The soft fur on Dan He's fox tail instantly bristled. She cried out and quickly jumped forward to pull Bai Jun away, shaking his shoulders forcefully and begging, "Please, don't do this! The Chimu has the Dragon Masters' marks on it. As soon as you try to remove it, they'll be detected immediately. Think of Lord Bailu and don't touch it!"

"Alright, I know what I'm doing, no need to get so excited."

Bai Jun patted the hands on his shoulders with a helpless expression, feeling a bit dizzy from being shaken. He only heard something about Dragon Master marks and detection, and the rest was just her tearful shouts. He wondered if Dan He was being a bit too sensitive.

No one understood the so-called Chimu Restraint better than he did. It was said to be for Bailu's protection, but in reality, it was a shackle voluntarily worn to suppress the Vidyadhara's power. He had only gotten closer to observe it better.

Fortunately, the newly replaced Chimu Restraint hadn't increased its suppressing strength. It had simply raised the safety factor. Otherwise, Bai Jun would have really gone to pluck the fur from those Dragon Masters' tails.

"Sigh, as long as you know, let's go, let's go. Take Lord Bailu to play, stop talking to me." Dan He was so tired she wished she could lie on the ground, feeling that the emotional rollercoaster of the afternoon had almost surpassed the sum of her entire life up to that point.

Moreover, she felt that apart from being good-looking, Bai Jun was nothing like what her colleagues boasted about, especially his dark, mischievous nature! She didn't know who he learned it from.

"Before we go, I have one more request."

Bai Jun's expression suddenly became serious. His lazy, gentle demeanor faded, replaced by a special aura that made her heart race. Combined with the faint scent of lime emanating from him, Dan He's face instantly turned red, and even her voice trembled involuntarily: "Wh-what do you want?"

"I want to obtain something very important from you."

Such words would be incredibly cheesy coming from anyone else, but from Bai Jun, they felt perfectly natural. They even made Dan He's hazy eyes begin to show infatuation. Perhaps this was the power of good looks.

"I-I promise you..."

"Really?" Bai Jun's voice carried a hint of surprise.

"It's true! I promise you everything! You can do anything you want to me!" Driven by a strange desire, Dan He's courage suddenly became incredibly bold. She mustered her courage and said shyly with all her might.

At that moment, she truly felt that Bai Jun was very charming.

A quick plug for a senior's Star Rail novel, "Alt-Account in the World of Honkai: Star Rail." Feel free to check it out if you're interested!

Synopsis: Transmigrated into the world of Honkai: Star Rail. Board the Astral Express first, and everything will get better once you're on it. Wait, where did the Xianzhou Alliance go? The IPC hasn't even been established yet. Who are you asking about the Aeons of Destruction?! What era of Honkai: Star Rail did you send me to?! Wait, who is that masked person? Damn, it's Aha causing trouble!!! ——— To witness the spectacular stories in the universe, to witness the laughter of life, I've created myself over and over again. Became best friends with Herta, exploring the truths of the universe with this genius. Flew to Jarilo-VI, helping them restore the planet's ecosystem. Worked as a corporate slave in the Ten Lords Bureau, and incidentally took care of a timid Foxkin junior. Sabotaged the IPC with Screwllum, only to make another self working for the IPC work overtime. Spanked the mischievous Sparkle on her knees. ... Participated in everyone's story, experiencing those beautiful or unpleasant memories with them.

Chapter 18: Shedding Scales

Left to her own devices, Bailu watched the two of them whispering and puffed out her cheeks in a huff. Her already soft, dumpling-like face looked even cuter.

Hmph, as if I care what they're whispering about!

Turning her head away stubbornly, Miss Bailu found a nearby bench and sat down without even bothering to wipe it. She hugged her dragon tail to herself, thinking that Bai Jun would have to come and coax her later. If he couldn't coax her, she'd bite him!

She sat there, stroking her tail and spacing out for a long time. Bai Jun hadn't come over yet. Just as Bailu was wondering what was going on, she heard a shriek of embarrassed rage.

Following the sound, she saw Dan He angrily pinching Bai Jun's cheeks. After saying something to him, Dan He stormed off, but not before tossing a stack of items at him.

Due to the distance, Bailu couldn't see what it was, nor was she curious. The only thing worth paying attention to was Dan He. To be honest, Bailu had never seen her so furious before. She wondered what Bai Jun had said to her in their private chat.

"Is Dan He... is she okay?" Bailu asked, covering her chest with her hand and walking over. She tugged at Bai Jun's sleeve with her small hand, her clear eyes filled with a bit of curiosity.

"Please don't worry, Lady Bailu. Adults have a very strong capacity to endure. Besides, I didn't do anything," Bai Jun said, rubbing his reddened cheek in confusion. He looked at the roll of banknotes in his hand and couldn't help but break into a bright smile.

But it didn't matter. At least he'd gotten the public funds from Dan He, and with money, he could treat Lady Bailu to a nice meal. It was all worth it.

The banknotes, about thirty or so, were deep blue and yellowed. In simple terms, these were Credits, the currency used by the Interastral Peace Corporation when settling accounts with customers. They had long since become hard currency for space travel, usable even in unknown corners of the universe. On the Xianzhou, they were almost as widely circulated as Xun Di.

The Corporation's trade coverage was extremely broad, and it always managed to integrate new planets into the market as soon as they were discovered, setting prices for new goods. The resulting monopolistic economic system was called the Credit system.

Ten Xianzhou Xun Di were roughly equivalent to 2,000 Credits. Bai Jun unfolded the Interastral Peace Credits and made a rough estimate: about 100,000 Credits. In other words, this stack of banknotes was worth about... 500 Xun Di!

Thinking of this, Bai Jun somehow smelled a very faint, special ink scent – the scent of money!

Perhaps it was because he had been worried about food lately, or perhaps it was the ability to fulfill the small wish of Lady Bailu beside him. In that moment, Bai Jun felt like he truly loved these little things.

Look! How exquisite the markings on them were, how serious the watermark appeared through the afternoon sun! How vast and mysterious the universe depicted in the background was! Even the patterns plated on the edges looked so lovely that Bai Jun couldn't help but admire them for over ten seconds.

"Alright, there's nothing else to do now. From now until sunset is our time. What would you like to eat, Lady Bailu?" Bai Jun carefully folded the Credits and tucked them into the inner pocket of his jacket, so as not to lose them in the bustling crowd. He then bent down and asked.