Dragon

Lu Ming continued, "That thing is called 'Dragon Wave.' It's just a mass-produced gatekeeper. Teacher Mozi hasn't even been willing to bring out the truly formidable core stuff yet."

"..."

Xue Qinghe fell silent for a long while.

At last, she gave Lu Ming a deep bow.

This bow was neither from a crown prince to a subject nor between friends.

It was more like a student paying tribute to a pioneer.

"Qinghe has learned much."

"What happened today leaves your mouth and enters only my ears. So long as Jixia does not betray Heaven Dou, Heaven Dou... will never betray Jixia."

With that, Xue Qinghe turned and left.

This time, her retreating figure no longer carried the heaviness it had when she arrived. Instead, it radiated resolve and lightness.

Lu Ming watched the door close once more, shook his head, picked up the teacup from the table, and drained it in one gulp.

"That woman's got far too many schemes."

"But she's still easier on the eyes than that Tang San or whatever."

Morning sunlight filtered through the window lattice, scattering mottled patches across Jixia Academy's study.

The lone lamp, once dim as a bean, had long gone out, replaced by the fragrance of tea filling the room.

Lu Ming sat behind a broad rosewood desk, an ancient book in his hand, though his gaze was not on the words within.

Someone sat across from him.

Xue Qinghe.

Today, His Highness the Crown Prince was not wearing his elaborate court robes. Instead, he wore a plain moon-white brocade robe, his hair secured with only a jade hairpin. He looked less like the heir apparent and more scholarly.

On closer inspection, faint dark circles could be seen beneath "his" eyes.

Clearly, last night's trip to the underground mechanical city had kept Spirit Hall's Young Master awake all night.

"I spent the entire night reading this Mozi Aggression."

Xue Qinghe set down the scroll in her hand, her slender fingers gently stroking its spine as a distant look crossed her face.

"Universal love and mutual benefit. Dean Lu, is this... the foundation of reform you spoke of?"

Lu Ming set down his ancient book and lifted his teacup, blowing away the foam floating on top.

"Your Highness is quite perceptive."

"But reading alone is useless. How those gears turn and how steam drives things forward cannot be explained with mere words."

Xue Qinghe nodded slightly, her eyes fixed brightly on Lu Ming.

"Then I would like to ask Dean Lu to teach another lesson."

"Not for Heaven Dou, nor for Spirit Hall."

"But to... see that new world."

Lu Ming smiled.

He could sense that Qian Renxue had changed.

If Qian Renxue before last night had been a sharp sword hidden in its sheath, its edge exposed yet forced into restraint, then she was now more like refined iron being reforged.

She was trying to understand an entirely new system of power.

"You can attend class."

Lu Ming pointed at the stack of documents at the corner of the desk, half a person tall.

"First, stamp these approvals for Jixia Academy's expansion. Since we're allies, you should show some sincerity."

Xue Qinghe looked at the pile of documents, enough to make the Minister of Revenue cough up blood, and the corner of her mouth twitched slightly.

This man really was not polite at all.

But she did not refuse. She reached for the Crown Prince's seal and stamped it down with crisp, efficient movements.

Smack. Smack. Smack.

The clear sounds of the seal echoed through the study.

"Done."

Xue Qinghe rose to her feet and smoothed her robes.

"I still have matters to attend to at the palace. I'll return tomorrow to trouble you again."

When she reached the door, she paused. Without turning around, she merely said softly:

"Lu Ming, you've hidden yourself very deeply."

Lu Ming watched her carefree retreating figure and shrugged.

"Thank you for the compliment."

After seeing off this "big spender," Lu Ming stretched lazily, feeling every bone in his body crack and pop.

"A Li."

He called out softly.

The screen behind the bookshelf shifted gently, and a graceful figure stepped out.

Gongsun Li was not wearing her fitted battle outfit today, having changed into a light orange casual dress instead. The hem fell just past her knees, revealing a stretch of fair, shapely calves.

Holding a plate of peeled grapes, she walked lightly over to Lu Ming's side.

"Dean, that His Highness the Crown Prince... he feels a little strange."

Gongsun Li held a crystal-clear grape to Lu Ming's lips, curiosity glimmering in her large eyes.

None of the ferocity with which she had swept through the arena yesterday remained. In its place was the sweet, innocent charm of a girl next door.

Lu Ming opened his mouth and bit down on the grape, taking hold of Gongsun Li's wrist in the process.

Her skin was warm and soft, smooth as jade.

"What's strange about him?"

Lu Ming applied a little force, pulling the girl closer.

Gongsun Li let out a startled cry. Losing her balance, she sat down on the edge of the desk.

Her long legs swayed right before Lu Ming's eyes.

Having danced all year round, the girl's legs had beautiful lines—firm and supple, without a trace of excess flesh. Her ankles were especially slender and exquisite, carrying the vibrant beauty of youth.

"It's just... sometimes he feels like a tiger that wants to devour people, but other times, he's like a... little cat that's been wronged."

Gongsun Li tilted her head as she thought, seemingly unable to find the right words.

Lu Ming chuckled and lightly ran his fingers over her calf.

The sensation beneath his fingertips was firm and silky.

Gongsun Li's body trembled slightly, and two red blooms instantly rose on her cheeks. Her rabbit ears twitched twice without her realizing it.

"Dean..."

Her voice was soft and sweet, carrying a hint of pleading, yet she did not move away.

"You fought well in yesterday's match."

Lu Ming's hand did not stop. Instead, he gently pressed at the most sensitive hollow behind her knee.

"Consider this a reward."

"Then... then A Li wants the osmanthus cakes from that shop in the east of the city."

Biting her lip, Gongsun Li's eyes shimmered as she endured the waves of tingling numbness spreading through her leg.

How was this a reward?

This was clearly bullying.

Yet she did not dislike such intimacy. Instead, a faint sweetness welled up in her heart.

In this unfamiliar world, the man before her was her only support.

Whether it was that mechanism city capable of destroying everything or this warm study, as long as he was there, she felt at ease.

Lu Ming withdrew his hand. Seeing the girl's watery eyes, his mood brightened considerably.

"Alright."

"Come on, I'll take you to buy some."

"While we're at it, let's see what kind of trouble our 'unyielding' opponent is stirring up today."

The afternoon sun over Heaven Dou City was just right.

The bustling streets were packed with people, while vendors' cries rose and fell without pause.

Lu Ming had changed into casual clothes. Waving a folding fan, he strolled leisurely ahead.

Gongsun Li hugged the paper bag she had been longing for, eating hot osmanthus cakes as she curiously looked around.

When the two reached a busy district, a sudden commotion erupted ahead.

The crowd had gathered layer upon layer, pointing and talking among themselves.

"What a sin..."

"How can people from Shrek Academy act like this?"

"Shh, keep your voice down. They're Lord Soul Masters—we can't afford to offend them!"