"Damn!"
"Not even a little buildup? She wants to hook up the moment we meet?"
"Princess Fuyao is way too bold!"
Xiao Yang was utterly shocked by her words.
To say he wasn't tempted would have been a lie!
In terms of looks, Princess Fuyao was an unrivaled beauty. And with her extraordinary status, second only to the emperor and in command of the court...
If he could spend a night with her, wouldn't that make him a "dragon rider"?
Still, Xiao Yang couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Even if he possessed the Innate Yin-Yang Sacred Body and had a powerful allure for beautiful women, this was still too much.
"When in doubt, ask the system!"
"System, I want to use the Break Delusion divine ability to see Princess Fuyao's weakness!"
At Xiao Yang's command, the two pupils in his left eye suddenly merged into one, secretly unleashing their power.
[Target: Princess Fuyao]
[Fate: Phoenix Perched on Wutong Tree! A sign of all birds paying homage to the phoenix; born of noble blood, she can stand shoulder to shoulder only with one of True Dragon fate]
[Weakness: She has cultivated the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra since childhood and must preserve her chastity. Its power is formidable and keeps her youthful, but once she loses her virginity, her cultivation will become a gift to her partner, and her strength will plummet.]
What?!
Xiao Yang was stunned when he saw her weakness.
Rumor had it that Princess Fuyao led a scandalous private life, was extremely wanton, and kept countless male companions. She was even said to have been involved with many scholars and talented young men...
But now, it was clear that all of that was complete nonsense!
She was still a virgin.
And that was her one weakness. If she spent a night with a man, her cultivation would flow into his body.
So her sudden offer was a trap!
He absolutely couldn't fall for it!
While Xiao Yang was still reeling, he noticed something else strange.
Princess Fuyao had the fate of Phoenix Perched on Wutong Tree, and her future husband—the man who would marry into the imperial family—would need to possess True Dragon fate!
Did that mean her future husband would defeat her brother?
"Jiu Lang, why aren't you saying anything?"
Princess Fuyao was beginning to grow impatient.
After all, from her perspective, Xiao Yang had been staring straight at her for quite some time.
"Eldest Princess, it's my honor to have earned your favor! However—"
Xiao Yang changed tack and continued, "Your Highness is a woman of noble birth, beyond compare. I wouldn't dare offend you! Besides, I'm already betrothed. I wish for one heart to be mine, and for us to remain together until our hair turns white!"
Surprise flashed in Princess Fuyao's beautiful eyes.
"One heart, together until our hair turns white... I didn't expect you to be such a romantic! Very well. If that's the case, I won't force you."
"Thank you, Eldest Princess!"
Xiao Yang bowed, then suddenly took out a land deed.
"Earlier, when I was outside, I overheard that Your Highness wasn't very satisfied with this place."
"By chance, I recently came into possession of a Cloud Top Heavenly Palace a few miles outside the estate. It was just completed and has never been lived in."
"If Your Highness doesn't mind, I'd like to give it to you!"
He placed the deed on the table. He'd won it from his Eldest Brother, after all, so he didn't mind giving it away.
Besides, Princess Fuyao didn't seem like a stingy person!
A favor for a favor!
If she were pleased and rewarded him with a Spirit-grade Treasure, wouldn't that be a huge win?
"Jiu Lang, how thoughtful of you!"
Princess Fuyao nodded in satisfaction. "I won't take your gift without giving you something in return. Today, I'll grant you a great opportunity!"
Here it comes!
Xiao Yang kept his expression calm, but inside, he was curious.
"Whoosh!"
The next moment, Princess Fuyao turned her jade-white hand over. A command token appeared in her palm, and she tossed it straight to Xiao Yang.
"It's heavy!"
After catching it, Xiao Yang saw that the token was made of dark iron. Gilded coiling dragons were carved on either side, and in the center were three bold, striking characters—
Dragon Guard Pavilion!
"Eldest Princess, what is this?" Xiao Yang couldn't help asking.
Princess Fuyao replied, "You should know that I oversee Great Xia's foremost intelligence organization, the Dragon Guard Pavilion."
"With this token, you become an undercover agent of the Dragon Guard Pavilion."
"By imperial decree, you may execute first and report later. You answer only to me!"
Xiao Yang frowned at her words and immediately made an excuse.
"Your Highness, this token is far too valuable! I can only compose poems, and my cultivation is mediocre. I'm afraid I'm not up to the task!"
An ordinary person would be overjoyed at the chance to join the Dragon Guard Pavilion. They'd instantly become the pride of their family and the hope of their entire village.
They'd even rewrite the family genealogy starting with his name!
But Xiao Yang was King Zhenbei's Ninth Young Master, a man of exalted status. He didn't need the Dragon Guard Pavilion to add to his prestige; joining would only bring more constraints!
"Jiu Lang, do you know why my imperial brother had me establish the Dragon Guard Pavilion?" Princess Fuyao suddenly asked.
"I don't."
Xiao Yang shook his head.
People said Princess Fuyao had established the Dragon Guard Pavilion to eliminate her political enemies, but he didn't dare say that aloud...
"To protect the throne, of course—to protect my imperial brother and the eight-hundred-year foundation of the Great Xia Dynasty!"
"I've devoted myself to gathering talented and extraordinary people for my imperial brother. The heroes of the world are all in the palm of my hand!"
"But Great Xia's realm is not as peaceful as it seems! Many feudal lords are ambitious, and some have even grown disloyal to my imperial brother..."
Xiao Yang's heart skipped a beat.
She was in charge of the Dragon Guard Pavilion. Had she already heard that Ning Hongye planned to rebel, and was she deliberately hinting at it?
No... That couldn't be right!
Xiao Yang thought it over. Ning Hongye's plan to raise an army and rebel wasn't something she'd plotted for a long time. It had only taken shape after she returned from the Outer Regions; no one else could possibly know about it.
If Princess Fuyao really knew, she wouldn't have come in person to attend the engagement banquet.
She must have been talking about someone else.
After all, His Majesty was devoted to cultivating immortality, leaving the people in dire straits. He had more than a few dissatisfied subjects.
"Xiao Jiulang, are you willing to serve me, the Dragon Guard Pavilion, and my imperial brother?"
Princess Fuyao fixed her gaze on him, and a powerful, majestic aura suddenly burst from her.
Her long black hair stirred without a breeze, as if a phoenix were dancing through the heavens.
What terrifying pressure!
Xiao Yang's heart jolted. With his Double Pupils, he could tell that Princess Fuyao cultivated the Jade Maiden Heart Sutra, but he couldn't determine her exact realm.
Now, though, it was clear she was a formidable expert. He had no idea how she compared to Ning Hongye.
Xiao Yang knew when to bend. Although Ning Hongye planned to rebel, Princess Fuyao now held power and was one of the most influential people in the Great Xia Dynasty.
A beautiful princess's favor was too good to pass up!
"Whether it be life or death, if it benefits the nation, I will not shy away for fear of fortune or misfortune! I, Xiao Yang, am willing to serve the Eldest Princess with all my strength, even at the cost of my life!"
Xiao Yang took the undercover agent's token and bowed. His voice rang out, firm and clear.
"Excellent! 'Whether it be life or death, if it benefits the nation, I will not shy away for fear of fortune or misfortune!' If all of Great Xia's officials were like you, how could the realm fail to know peace?"
Princess Fuyao was clearly pleased with his words. She continued, "Jiu Lang, I have high hopes for you! Work hard, and within ten years, the position of Pavilion Master of the Dragon Guard Pavilion... will be yours!"
Before you continue