A Love Triangle? No Such Thing

Heavenly Dragon Gate's main hall.

The room was warmed by a subfloor heating system, making it toasty.

Yu Chen sat imposingly in the uppermost main seat, and Ma Xiaotao consciously stood to his right, postured to draw a blade and kill at a moment's notice. Wang Dong'er hurried over to a small table nearby, fished out a teapot and tea leaves, and began brewing tea obediently.

Yu Changfeng and several elders stood below, watching eagerly as Yu Chen unsealed the gold-stamped invitation.

Yu Chen pulled out the letter paper, glanced over it casually, and tossed it onto the desk in front of him.

"Special invitee sect to the tournament?" Yu Chen let out a scoff, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the tabletop. "The Star Luo Empire's imperial family has quite a high opinion of themselves. Our Heavenly Dragon Gate hasn't walked the continent in thousands of years, yet they actually remembered to send us an invitation."

Yu Changfeng stepped forward a pace, lowering his voice. "Young Master, this matter is definitely not so simple. The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament is logically only open to registered advanced soul master academies. Our Heavenly Dragon Gate is a secluded sect, so we completely fail to meet the rules."

"Rules are made by people. Since the Star Luo Empire dared to send this invitation, someone must be pulling strings behind the scenes," Second Elder Yu Minghai chimed in from the side.

"Who else could it be?" Yu Chen picked up the tea Wang Dong'er had just brewed and took a sip, curling his lip in disdain. "The water's too hot; pay attention next time. This is clearly the handiwork of those old immortals from Shrek."

Wang Dong'er didn't dare talk back even after being scolded, only muttering softly before running off to boil water again.

The moment Ma Xiaotao heard the word Shrek, a burst of red light instantly flared in her eyes. She took a large step forward and cupped her fists. "Master! Those people from Shrek surely want to use the tournament grounds to target you in front of the entire continent! Since they harbor ill intentions, why not let me go to Star Luo City ahead of time to scout?"

"What are you planning to do if you go scout ahead? Help them set up the venue?" Yu Chen cast a sideways glance at her.

"Naturally, I'm going to burn everything they're staying in to the ground!" Ma Xiaotao gritted her teeth, her clothes fluttering without any wind as a charred smell permeated the main hall. "As long as I burn all their main roster members to death in their beds, I'd like to see what they use to compete!"

Yu Chen reached out, holding his folding fan, and unceremoniously knocked Ma Xiaotao on the head.

With a crisp smack.

"Crude." Yu Chen pointed his folding fan at Ma Xiaotao's nose. "You're a person of my Heavenly Dragon Gate now, after all. Letting loose and burning houses at every turn—what difference does that make from street-brawling hooligans?"

Ma Xiaotao rubbed her knocked head, lowering it with some grievance. "Then what does Master mean?"

"They went to such great lengths, even dragging out the Star Luo Empire, just to set up this stage and invite us into their trap." Yu Chen stood up, walked to the edge of the steps, and looked down condescendingly at the elders below. "Since we've accepted the invitation, of course we have to go up and play the lead roles. If you flip the table in advance and burn everyone to death, who is this play meant for? What will the audience watch?"

Yu Changfeng stroked his beard, his brow furrowing into three deep creases. "Young Master, while that's true, Shrek has undoubtedly made thorough preparations this time. Not only do they have a substitute team, but that main roster is entirely composed of Soul King and Soul Emperor powerhouses. Among the younger generation of our Heavenly Dragon Gate's disciples, aside from you, I'm afraid the others won't be able to hold their ground."

"First Elder is right," Yu Minghai chimed in. "According to the reports from our spies planted in Star Luo City, the Sun Moon Imperial Soul Engineering Academy has also dispatched an extremely formidable lineup for this tournament. Shrek dragged us into this precisely to make a fool of us in the arena, and perhaps even borrow a knife to kill, taking the opportunity to legally cripple you during the matches!"

Wang Dong'er walked over carrying the newly brewed tea, and upon hearing this, couldn't help chiming in. "Shrek's Sea God's Pavilion is full of old monsters who fiercely protect their own. You beat their substitute team so miserably in the Great Soul Arena, Yu Chen, so they definitely can't swallow that anger. If they really make a move in the arena, they will definitely deal fatal blows."

Yu Chen turned his head to look at Wang Dong'er, taking the teacup. "What, are you feeling sorry for them? Or are you afraid I'll be beaten to death, leaving you, this maid, unemployed?"

"What nonsense are you uttering!" Wang Dong'er stomped her foot in anger. "I'm just kindly reminding you! Shrek has a very profound foundation; don't underestimate the enemy!"

"Foundation?" Yu Chen laughed aloud, slamming the teacup heavily onto the table. "Their so-called foundation isn't even worth a fart in my eyes. They want to reclaim their prestige in front of the entire continent, so I will utterly smash Shrek's ten-thousand-year undefeated signboard right before the eyes of the entire continent. I want to show everyone what kind of end awaits those who offend me, Yu Chen."

The main hall was so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

The elders looked at their young master's utterly arrogant demeanor and felt the blood in their entire bodies rushing to their heads.

The Heavenly Dragon Gate had suffered grievance for thousands of years, and finally produced such a living ancestor who dared to point at Shrek's nose and curse.

"Young Master! We'll do it!" Yu Changfeng slapped his thigh. "This old man will go pick the most outstanding disciples in the sect right now to form the Heavenly Dragon Gate team! Even if I have to risk this old life, we absolutely cannot let Shrek look down on us!"

As he spoke, Yu Changfeng made to walk outside, preparing to muster the troops.

"Wait." Yu Chen called out to him.

Yu Changfeng paused his steps, turning his head back to look at Yu Chen in confusion. "Does the Young Master have other instructions? Do you feel our sect's disciples aren't strong enough? Rest assured, this old man will personally lead the training and guarantee they get whipped into shape before the tournament starts!"

"Train what?" Yu Chen waved a hand, settling back into his chair. "Just casually pick a few pleasing-looking outer sect disciples from the outer sect to make up the numbers. Make sure they look sharp; don't go finding those crooked melons and cracked dates to go out and make fools of ourselves."

Yu Changfeng froze, thinking his ears had deceived him. "Young Master, what did you say? Just casually pick a few to make up numbers? This is the Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament! A seven-on-seven team battle—if you bring a few filler outer sect disciples up there, isn't that just sending them to their deaths?"

"Who told you I was going to fight a team battle with them?" Yu Chen leaned against the back of his chair, looking at him lazily.

"But... the tournament rules dictate that you must field a full seven people." Yu Changfeng rubbed his hands anxiously.

Wang Dong'er widened her eyes at the side as well. "You can't possibly want to fight all seven of them by yourself? Are you insane? No matter how strong you are, your soul power will run out!"

Ma Xiaotao, however, wore an excited expression, slamming her palm directly onto a nearby pillar. "What's wrong with Master going alone? I'll go too! Count me in for a slot! I want to see what kind of expression those Shrek trash have on their faces when they can't even catch a single move from me!"

"You only count as half." Yu Chen pointed a folding fan at Ma Xiaotao, then pointed it at Wang Dong'er. "You count as the other half. Add me, and it's enough."

"Me? I have to go on stage too?" Wang Dong'er pointed at her own nose, disbelief written all over her face.

"Aren't you my maid? Isn't it only right for a maid to clear the garbage off the arena for her master?" Yu Chen said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.

Listening from below, Yu Changfeng broke out in a cold sweat. He swallowed hard, attempting a final plea. "Young Master, this really doesn't conform to the rules. The tournament organizing committee checks things very strictly. If we mess around like this, what if we get disqualified from the competition..."

Yu Chen couldn't be bothered to listen to his nagging, his right hand flicking outward with a bent finger.

A wisp of golden Yang Thunder flew from his fingertip, landing precisely on the gold-stamped invitation resting on the table.

With a soft boom, that gold-stamped invitation representing the majesty of the Star Luo Empire's imperial family didn't even last a single second before it was burned directly into a pile of black ashes.

"Go, do as I say." Yu Chen stood up, dusted the ash off his hands, and a tone of unquestionable overbearingness leaked into his voice. "I don't care what the tournament rules are. Once I go, I am the rules."

The moon hung above the precipice of the Heavenly Dragon Gate's main peak, and the chilly night wind rustled the pine trees in the valley.

In the Young Master's sleeping quarters behind the main hall, the subfloor heating burned intensely, making the room as warm as a March spring.

Wang Dong'er carried an exquisite white jade porcelain bowl, supporting the bottom carefully with both hands, and walked along the long corridor in her soft cotton shoes toward the deep interior. The bowl held the Millennium Snow Ginseng soup she had spent over half the night brewing, wisps of hazy heat rising from it as a rich medicinal fragrance drifted through the air.

At the corner of the corridor, two night-watching outer sect disciples were huddled behind a pillar polishing their swords. Upon seeing Wang Dong'er approach with the bowl, they quickly straightened up and bowed respectfully.

"Miss Wang hasn't rested yet this late?" The disciple on the left asked in a low voice.

Wang Dong'er paused, using a handkerchief to cushion the bowl's rim, and let out an annoyed huff. "Your young master is extremely picky with food, insisting on drinking some ginseng soup in the dead of night. If I don't serve him, who knows how he'll torment me tomorrow."

The disciple on the right chuckled. "The young master values you. The disciples in our sect who want to serve tea and water to the young master could line up from the peak to the base of the mountain—how would it ever be someone else's turn?"

"Who covets this kind of being valued!" Wang Dong'er shot the disciple a sideways glance, her cheeks quietly flushing with a layer of pink. She pulled her cloak up a bit, muttering softly under her breath, "Treating me like a maid every day—does he really think this young lady has no temper?"

Despite saying that, her pace quickened a fraction, fearing the ginseng soup in the bowl would cool and affect its taste.

Arriving before the sleeping quarters' main door, Wang Dong'er raised a hand to lightly tap the door panel.

"Come in, the door's unlocked." Yu Chen's soft, leisurely voice drifted from inside.

Wang Dong'er used her shoulder to push open the heavy wooden door, slipping in sideways while complaining aloud, "The ginseng soup is brewed for you. Let me tell you, this is aged snow ginseng; it took me a huge amount of effort to control the heat..."

Halfway through her sentence, Wang Dong'er froze in place, her eyes widening as the white jade porcelain bowl in her hands almost crashed to the ground.

On the massive carved rosewood bed, Yu Chen leaned halfway against the thick, soft pillows, wearing a loose white silk robe with the collar pulled wide open, exposing his fair collarbones.

And right behind him, Ma Xiaotao was wriggling her slender waist, her entire body practically plastered against Yu Chen's back.

Ma Xiaotao wore only a thin, cicada-wing-like black silk nightgown, vast stretches of snowy white skin gleaming with an alluring luster under the lamplight, and her long, slender legs were draped carelessly over the edge of the bed. Her hands rested on Yu Chen's shoulders, massaging them gently, and that peerlessly gorgeous face wore a lazy, seductive allure.

"Ma Xiaotao! You! You shameless wretch!" Wang Dong'er trembled all over with anger, pointing at Ma Xiaotao on the bed as her voice rose an octave. "Dressed like this running into the young master's chambers in the middle of the night—what on earth are you trying to do?!"

Ma Xiaotao couldn't even be bothered to lift her eyelids, her massaging hands never stopping as she let out a coy laugh. "Oh, who did I think it was? Isn't this our personal attendant, Miss Wang? What, is delivering a soup enough to make you throw such a big fuss?"

"Stop putting on an act here!" Wang Dong'er crossed the room in a few strides, slamming the ginseng soup heavily onto the table so that a few drops splashed out. "Look at what you're wearing! What difference does this have from being naked? You used to be the big sister of Shrek's Inner Court, after all—how did you fall to this state?!"

Ma Xiaotao turned her head sideways, looking at Wang Dong'er with a half-smile as her slender fingers brushed lightly through Yu Chen's hair. "Shrek's big sister? That's all water under the bridge. Right now, I am Master's bondservant, and also Master's sharpest sword. Serving Master to bed is naturally my duty. Forget wearing a nightgown; if Master wanted me to strip bare to warm the bed, I'd do it willingly. As for you, making such a fuss—are you jealous that I got to serve Master before you?"

"Talk nonsense! Who's jealous of you?!" Wang Dong'er blushed, her teeth itching with anger.

An azure light aura suddenly surged over her body, and the phantom projection of pink-blue butterfly wings flickered indistinctly behind her, clearly thoroughly provoked by Ma Xiaotao's impudent attitude.

"How about it? Want to make a move?" A trace of bloodthirsty light flashed across Ma Xiaotao's reddish eyes as Ultimate Fire instantly surged from her body, the wave of heat causing the candle flame on the table to sway wildly. "Little girl, don't think that because Master dotingly spoils you, you can run wild in front of me. If we really fight, a single burn of mine will scorch your pretty feathers right off!"

"Bring it on! Who's afraid of you!" Wang Dong'er clenched her small hands tightly, lifting her foot to charge at the bed.

"Enough."

Yu Chen, who had kept his eyes closed enjoying the massage, finally spoke.

His tone was exceptionally flat—neither angry nor raised in volume, yet these two simple words instantly halted the actions of the two enraged women.

The fiery heat waves and light auras permeating the air were forcefully cut off as if by some invisible force, dissipating completely into thin air.

The arrogant momentum on Ma Xiaotao's face vanished cleanly at once. She lowered her head obediently, continuing to knead and massage Yu Chen's shoulders with moderate force as she said softly, "Please forgive my anger, Master. Xiaotao overstepped."

Wang Dong'er stood in place, not knowing whether to stay or go, her large, watery eyes full of grievance. "Yu Chen, look at her! She did it on purpose!"

Yu Chen opened his eyes, leaning back against the pillows as his clear eyes swept over Wang Dong'er. "Making such a racket in the middle of the night—what does that look like? Treating the Heavenly Dragon Gate's rules as wind past your ear, are you?"

"I didn't..." Wang Dong'er lowered her head, gripping her clothes with both hands as her voice grew weak.

"Bring the ginseng soup over." Yu Chen pointed at the white jade bowl on the table.

Not daring to disobey, Wang Dong'er could only obediently walk over, pick up the porcelain bowl, and shuffle in small steps to the bedside, handing it to Yu Chen's mouth. "Take it, hope it burns you to death."

Yu Chen took a small sip from her hand and smacked his lips. "The heat is alright, but the sweetness is a bit lacking. Put a couple more lumps of honey next time."

Wang Dong'er curled her lip; though she felt quite displeased inside, hearing Yu Chen praise the soup's heat made the corners of her mouth twitch upward against her will.

"What are you standing around dazing for?" After finishing the soup, Yu Chen closed his eyes again, extending one leg to rest over the edge of the bed. "Xiaotao, shoulder massage. Dong'er, come over here and pound my legs. Keep the force moderate, don't act like you're starting a fight."

"Me?" Wang Dong'er pointed at her nose, her eyes widening. "Why do I have to massage you too? I'm not one of those ordinary maids!"

Yu Chen didn't even lift his eyelids. "What did you say to the First Elder and the others out on the plaza earlier? Didn't you claim to be my personal attendant? If an attendant doesn't pound her master's legs, what do I need you for? Stand here as a decoration?"

Ma Xiaotao let out a snort from behind, speaking with a sarcastic tone. "That's right. If Miss Wang isn't willing, hurry back to your own room to rest and stop getting in the way here. Having me alone is enough to serve Master."

"Who says I'm not willing?!" Stung by Ma Xiaotao, Wang Dong'er's stubborn competitive streak instantly flared up.

She sat down heavily on the soft couch beside the bed's edge, stretched out a pair of tender white hands, grabbed Yu Chen's leg, and began pounding vigorously.

After a few thumps, fearing she might use too much force and hurt Yu Chen, she hurriedly reined in some strength, stealing a sideways glance at Yu Chen's face. "Is this strength okay? Is it comfortable?"

"Alright, a little bit higher." Yu Chen let out a comfortable hum.

The sleeping quarters fell silent for a time, save for the faint crackling sounds of the burning candle flame.

Ma Xiaotao gently kneaded the shoulders behind, while Wang Dong'er carefully pounded the calves below. Two peerlessly gorgeous maidens, usually standing high above the rest, were at this moment gathered around the same man, skillfully performing chores to serve him.

As Wang Dong'er pounded away, the burning heat on her cheeks spread all the way to the tips of her ears. Looking at Yu Chen's handsome profile inches away and feeling the warm temperature radiating from his skin through her fingertips, a strange sensation suddenly arose in her heart.

She was the daughter of the Sea God from the God Realm, after all; though she didn't currently know this identity, back at Shrek Academy, who hadn't treated her with utmost respect?

How was it that upon coming to Yu Chen, she not only genuinely consented to being a maid serving tea and water, but when he grew intimate with another woman, her very first reaction wasn't disgust, but... jealousy?

The more Wang Dong'er thought about it, the more chaotic her heart became, and the leg-pounding motion of her hands slowed down unconsciously.

Seeming to sense her distraction, Yu Chen slowly opened his eyes. His profound gaze pierced through the roof of the sleeping quarters, as if directly seeing through the thick layers of clouds and landing upon that golden divine temple above the endless void.

"Tang San, oh Tang San, you carefully laid out this chess game for so long, sending your daughter down to the lower realm to entrap the Son of Qi Transport." Yu Chen sneered inwardly, his fingers tapping rhythmically against the bed's edge. "What a pity, though—your daughter is right here with me, and she's quite obedient. I wonder what kind of exquisite expression will be on your face the day you discover the seal loosening?"

Seeing Yu Chen's gaze grow somewhat vacant, Wang Dong'er couldn't help asking softly, "Yu Chen, what are you looking at? Are there spiderwebs on the ceiling?"

Yu Chen withdrew his gaze, turning his hand over to pinch Wang Dong'er's tender cheek with a smile. "Nothing, just thinking about some petty clowns. Alright, that's it for tonight; both of you go back to your rooms and sleep."

Ma Xiaotao withdrew her hand somewhat reluctantly, blowing a breath into Yu Chen's ear. "Master, do you really not need Xiaotao to stay and keep you company? The night is terribly cold."

"Cut that out, scram." Yu Chen waved a hand.

As for Wang Dong'er, she felt as if granted a great reprieve. She hurriedly stood up, flushed red as she picked up the empty bowl, and dragged Ma Xiaotao outward. "You heard him! The Young Master told us to leave! Hurry up!"

Dragged out of the chambers by Wang Dong'er, Ma Xiaotao heard the wooden door slam shut with a bang.

Peace returned to the sleeping quarters. Yu Chen rolled over, settled into a comfortable position, and wore a playful curve at the corner of his lips.

The Continental Advanced Soul Master Academy Tournament... Star Luo City...

Those old fogies from Shrek, along with Tang San plotting everything from behind the scenes—we'll be meeting on the stage very soon.