At a time like this, he was unhurried, which made him even more irritating.
He’d say all sorts of things rather than admit to being jealous.
What was he trying to be stubborn about anyway?
And he was even sulking.
Chu Zao, displeased, grabbed his hair, honey-colored eyes narrowing.
The usually calm eyes now flashed with impatience, and his hand moved with more force.
Too slow, too rough—both were extremely frustrating. Yet the young man whose hair he was pulling was sweating all over, still looked up, a pair of golden, fluctuating eyes meeting his, Adam’s apple bobbing, drops of sweat rolling down, inexplicably seductive.
“Chao. Huang. Mu.”
Chu Zao was getting annoyed by this man’s mischief.
Called by his full name, the lecherous dragon froze slightly, then bent over.
“Your Majesty.”
He said it softly.
“Whatever you say. I’ll do whatever you say, I always listen to you.”
Yeah, right.
Chu Zao muttered, but still pulled his hair, hoarsely ordering:
“Hurry up.”
“As you command—”
*
After all this tossing around, Chu Zao had thought it was still early and he could get some work done, but he woke up muddle-headed—looking outside—oh, the next day’s dawn was already here.
A fair hand pressed against the bed, veins faintly raised, supporting himself up.
Chu Zao stared at the dawn, his black curls a mess, letting out a soft breath.
Ah…the sky was bright.
Hadn’t he left quite a lot of work unfinished?
Chu Zao tilted his head in thought, then looked to his side.
After a whole night of exertion, Chao Huangmu lay beside him. Having barely rested before this encounter with the strangers, he’d finally collapsed once he relaxed, and was still asleep.
Chu Zao stared at him, growing more irate as he thought about last night’s thoroughly ‘disobedient’ behavior.
The scent of someone still clung strongly to him.
Like he’d been marked.
For a long-lived species with such a strong body, it wasn’t uncomfortable.
Just a bit dizzy, unable to tell north from south.
On this trip, Chu Zao’s patience had just about run out.
He honestly had no more desire to tangle with the rest of these people.
Drooping his head, he looked once more at the peacefully sleeping Chao Huangmu, finally reaching out and thumping him on the head.
“Argh—”
Chao Huangmu yelped, eyes snapping open as he scrambled up.
Their gazes met; he froze for a moment—youthful, sturdy build, beautiful lines of muscle, ruby waist chain still in place, lying marks from sleep visible, a taller figure than Chu Zao, but, propped up now, just big enough to wrap around Chu Zao. Rubbing his head, he wanted to ask why, but in the end, grinned sheepishly with guilt.
He leaned in to lick Chu Zao’s cheek.
“Zao Zao, Your Majesty—I really did follow your first order—”
“What about the second—”
“For a king, an order can’t just change at a whim.”
Chao Huangmu said seriously.
Chu Zao tilted his head at him, then after a moment, smiled warmly.
“Come here, you—come.”
Chao Huangmu visibly trembled.
About twenty minutes later.
Chu Zao, holding a little black dragon nursing its aching head, set off to start the day’s work.
Chu Zao’s special nature left his true form a small bundle of white fur, and Chao Huangmu as a soul clan, after merging with his psionic power, looked exactly like a little black dragon—his “majestic, imposing” description referring only to his externalized spirit form.
So Chu Zao found it very convenient to carry him in his arms.
What to do when one gets angry just looking at Chao Huangmu’s face?
Turn him into a little black dragon, then the sight wouldn’t annoy him.
After all, Chu Zao was always patient with little black dragons.
Chu Zao pinched the little dragon’s paw, squeezed the little dragon’s tail, flicked the little dragon’s horn, and finally roughed up the little dragon’s head to vent—the anger finally dissipated.
“Your Majesty.”
Along the way, passing Holy Cas soldiers saluted Chu Zao.
Over there, Yun Songquan, Peng Liang, and Yu Ye, legion commanders under the First Legion, quickly approached.
They paused at the sight of the little black dragon in Chu Zao’s arms—especially as the little dragon shamelessly gripped Chu Zao’s collar with his claws and pressed his head to Chu Zao’s cheek. They all wore the look of “this brute’s at it again.”
All right, all right, we know you’re the consort of His Majesty Chu Zao, but do you have to be so clingy even out here?
No doubt, Chao Huangmu was the one they most wanted to beat up—except he was stronger than before, and unbeatable.
“So, anything happening on that side?”
Chu Zao lazily asked, smiling at them, tone even.
“Your Majesty was right,” Peng Liang replied with a smile, “last night, their team tried to sneak past us toward the resource point. We pretended not to see and let them go.”
Chu Zao nodded.
“And then?”
“Then, as Your Majesty predicted, Aberrant Beasts lurking in the polluted depths began to stir. We’ll report the coordinates to you very soon.”
Yun Songquan added.
Chu Zao smiled.
“Almost too easy—nothing as satisfying as outsmarting Third Uncle.”
Chu Zao pinched the black dragon’s horns.
“Well, we’ve been out long enough. Any longer and Dad will start spamming messages, and the Sanctuary might worry too. The sooner we finish, the sooner we’re home. Are the diplomatic corps and expedition fleet almost here?”
“Yes, they’ll take over by noon and we can set out on the return trip.”
Chu Zao nodded.
He heard some noise outside, as if something interesting was going on.
He glanced outside.
“Let’s see what they have to say, just—”
Chu Zao lowered his eyes and checked his communicator.
He smiled softly and nonchalantly. While he appeared mild, all of Holy Cas knew—their Majesty really didn’t take this bunch seriously at all.
Unlike old Amos, who was always obvious about it, Chu Zao usually hid it for politeness’ sake.
He spoke carelessly:
“Let’s go kill some time.”
The Zhouteng Empire still thought they held the upper hand with Holy Cas.
After yesterday’s failed meeting, it was still King Ran Youfeng at the front.
They were a unified lot, a regime forged from blood and fire, and this man was the original founder—their diplomatic skills not lacking, perhaps just too smooth and arrogant. But now, their biggest problem was encountering a civilization unlike anything they’d known, yet still trying to judge Holy Cas by old methods.
“You do not have permission. Step back or we will take forceful action.”
Holy Cas soldiers stood cold and firm, blocking the Zhouteng group.
“Our Majesty has already shown good faith. You are soldiers; you should follow orders from your superiors—at the very least, report to them.”
A close minister behind Ran Youfeng spoke now—his tone, in truth, still relatively mild.
Soon, though, he smiled, confident and at ease.
“The situation is different from yesterday. Believe me, your Majesty will be glad to negotiate with us now.”
“A change?”
A lazy, unhurried voice, tinged with laughter, drifted over.
“What change?”
“Majesty!”
Holy Cas soldiers instinctively saluted, then shot the Zhouteng crowd a look of veiled hostility.
Especially after seeing their Majesty, these people’s eyes lit up as if starving men had seen a big slab of meat.
Chu Zao raised his hand, signaling others away, honey-colored eyes watching the group.
Still smiling, even lazier in posture than yesterday, he asked casually:
“Is there a problem?”
Tilting his head, smiling.
“But if it’s just to rehash yesterday’s stupid questions, forget it. Makes you seem rather dim.”
His blunt honesty made the Zhouteng lot, so sure of victory, suddenly stiffen.
And for the moment, none knew how to retort.
“Of course—we agreed to discuss the resource point today.”
Ran Youfeng pressed on.
He stepped forward, noticing the little black dragon in Chu Zao’s arms.
He stumbled for a second—Chu Zao’s military uniform was black, Chao Huangmu himself jet-black. Held unmoving in Chu Zao’s arms, half-shrouded by a shoulder cape, it hadn’t been clear at first what it was.
But once he saw, Ran Youfeng naturally didn’t think it was a real dragon—only made a mental note: so this beautiful Holy Cas emperor carries a doll around?
No wonder the soldiers were so vigilant.
It further confirmed—this must be the easiest breakthrough here.
“We cannot give up this resource point, but we could split it with you.”
“Oh?”
Chu Zao looked at him, smiling.
“On what basis? It isn’t within your territory.”
Just as Chao Huangmu had said before, notification and communication was a courtesy; from a certain perspective Holy Cas didn’t actually owe them this politeness.
Behind Chu Zao, starships rested on the ground, while countless others loomed high above, half-hidden in the clouds—overwhelming pressure.
“It’s right by our borders. We already occupied a prime position last night, likely are already in battle with the Aberrant Beasts there, have done some cleanup, and took the best spot. We can cooperate, but if you’re uncooperative, we’d rather destroy half than give up our national dignity.”
Ran Youfeng looked at Chu Zao confidently.
Of course, the split was negotiation ground; fifty-fifty was their imagined bottom line for Holy Cas.
“You surely understand? You’re already strong enough. Your subordinates refuse to yield simply to offer you better things, but you could avoid unnecessary conflict—for our sake, and for your people.”
Chu Zao stroked his chin, meeting Ran Youfeng’s gaze.
After a moment, Chu Zao laughed, then bowed his head to look at Chao Huangmu grinding his teeth in his arms.
—To Chao Huangmu and other Holy Cas people, this was an insult to their Majesty.
As if all their actions were just for pride, and Chu Zao was letting it happen in ignorance, pushed forward by his subordinates.
But everyone knew that at the heart of Holy Cas was the Crown Clan.
“He seems to have talked himself into it.”
Chu Zao said to Chao Huangmu.
Chao Huangmu’s wings flickered.
Ran Youfeng suddenly realized something and stared in shock at the little black dragon in Chu Zao’s arms.
—It was alive?
What the heck was this?
Scales, claws, tail, horns, wings—?
What was this creature??
They’d never heard of such beings in the stars.
“Oh, I get it,” Chu Zao stroked his chin, “you think I’m easy to talk to, don’t you?”
Chu Zao let go. The little black dragon flapped its wings and rose into the air.
It was obvious.
They found Chao Huangmu, slippery and hard, impossible to reach a consensus with, while Chu Zao just seemed easygoing.
The apparent breakthrough to a tough, strong empire.
But they’d missed something crucial—
Chao Huangmu could still negotiate.
But when Chu Zao stepped in—it was truly non-negotiable. For just one reason—
Coordinates came through on Chu Zao’s communicator.
Chu Zao raised his hand, and light suddenly gathered in his palm.
Atop Chu Zao’s soft, black hair, a glimmer of gold slowly appeared—followed by a sudden flash, coalescing into a complex, ornate golden crown. Behind him, his cape whirled up, and snowy white wings spread instantly.
The powerful, golden-rimmed Cupid’s Bow had already appeared in Chu Zao’s hand.
Chu Zao drew the string and aimed at the horizon—
His profile casual and cold, languid and indifferent, stormy waves surging from his form and shaking everyone with terror—what was this?
“Coordinates—”
Chu Zao evenly repeated the coordinates, then upon confirmation, released. A black-flamed arrow shot off, instantly vanishing from their sight.
Chu Zao turned again to the stunned onscreen crowd.
“I don’t feel like wasting words with you. And yesterday your actions were displeasing—”
Chu Zao prodded the little black dragon’s horn.
“Upset my partner, too.”
What had just happened in those brief seconds?
That was the question now burning in every Zhouteng mind.
What did all of that mean?
A dragon?
Arrows appearing from nothing—
And the Chu Zao before them—
It was only now, at last, that the usually mild Chu Zao showed a shade of arrogance.
“As for the resource point, it was never negotiable from the start.”
They’d just been waiting for the Holy Cas expeditionary fleet to arrive to take over.
In fact, Chu Zao had just set a trap along the way, to see if these people would be as polite as he was—or would leap in.
But now it was clear—the other side had lost their manners and tried to extort or threaten Holy Cas.
Holy Cas was perhaps the least susceptible to that strategy.
Before the Zhouteng crowd could figure out what happened, a terrified voice came through their communicator.
“Majesty—Majesty—just now countless beams fell from the sky, maybe meteor-like energy, instantly wiped out all those monsters that left the resource point—the power was overwhelming, multiple instruments on our starship failed, we’ve completely lost further offensive capability—”
The background was full of frantic alarms, beeping into a seamless howl, plunging the surroundings into silence.
Leaving only dread.
The Cupid’s Bow in Chu Zao’s hand slowly faded away, and he watched them, calm as ever, without the slightest change in his expression. The Holy Cas people behind him showed not the slightest doubt, standing fast as if they were unmovable mountains, smothering all resistance and cunning.
Chu Zao raised his hand, the last motes of golden light from the Cupid’s Bow fading away.
“Holy Cas will not suffer many military casualties—for my strength is enough to shield my people.”
Chu Zao thoughtfully added—
“Of course, leaving that spot was simply to clear the area.”
Since there was still time, Chu Zao didn’t mind explaining to them why Holy Cas had pulled back earlier—not out of pride or arrogance.
Just because—
“Although I’m very precise, the impacts of excessive force can endanger ships’ safety. I hadn’t intended to use you to draw those Aberrant Beasts out.”
Holy Cas has its own methods for dealing with Aberrant Beasts.
Yet someone had asked for time to consider, Chu Zao granted it—but then they moved quickly in that very window, trying to seize the initiative in negotiations.
Is this “as expected,” or just something to sigh about?
“Of course, if you’re unhappy, Holy Cas doesn’t really care—”
Chu Zao’s wings folded, and he stretched out his hand for the little black dragon to settle back in his arms.
He said he didn’t care, but it was already clear—
All their coordinates were within Holy Cas’s grasp.
And for Chu Zao—detect means destroy.
You would have no further moves against Holy Cas.
Only now did the once-confident Zhouteng Empire realize what kind of power they faced.
Such a strong and arrogant empire, that appeared hard in its dealings, still showed enough courtesy.
But wasn’t it just a bit odd?
Ran Youfeng gazed in disbelief at the little black dragon, at the crown on Chu Zao’s head and the wings on his back.
The pressure of true imperial majesty pressed down on them.
Behind Chu Zao, the eyes of every Holy Cas person burned—watching their unstoppable king, a king before whom all resistance vanished.
It became even clearer—those faces, not from fear of their king being bullied, but, under such powerful might and sheltering wings, trying to show themselves, to be seen, eager and earnest in their devotion.
After finishing, Chu Zao regretfully stretched his wings.
This country wasn’t bad, but not a candidate for deeper diplomacy—or for a Holy Cas enclave in a new territory.
Chu Zao’s communicator brought fresh news.
He glanced at it, then turned away hugging Chao Huangmu.
“Prepare for handover.”
With the time almost up, Chu Zao had no more dealings with those behind him.
“The expeditionary fleet has arrived. After we hand over, we return—oh, and as for negotiating with these new regional nations, leave it to Holy Cas’s diplomatic corps.”
“Yes, Your Majesty!”
Chu Zao carried Chao Huangmu away.
All of Holy Cas’s team began to move quickly.
Powerful, efficient.
“Majesty…what do we do now?”
Someone in Zhouteng quietly asked, still a bit shaken.
For a moment, silence.
“…What do we do? Are you blind, idiot?”
Ran Youfeng regained his voice at last.
“The real hardliner in Holy Cas is that king—he doesn’t bother with empty talk or negotiation. That—yeah, that was definitely a threat. Cease all further plans and do not provoke Holy Cas—”
Ran Youfeng’s lips twitched.
“That look in his eyes—he feels almost no pity.”
To deal with them, although Chu Zao wouldn’t act unreasonably, there really was no pity. Any attack on Holy Cas, and Chu Zao’s arrows would rain down on them.
And it wouldn’t stop at mere warnings.
The rest finally understood, hurriedly agreeing.
And as far as their eyes could reach—those vast armies were but a small fraction.
Higher in the clouds, countless small black shadows moved step by step toward them.
They too, were part of Holy Cas.
Never mind what that black dragon or Holy Cas’s king actually was.
Just the armies, the powers Chu Zao could summon at will…
What kind of monster was Holy Cas?
Not caring how those behind looked or thought, Chu Zao was already carrying the little black dragon back to the starship.
He had the expedition’s report, and was preparing to return to Holy Cas’s imperial capital.
The little black dragon in his arms held a gem in both paws, triumphantly—
Hmph, did you hear that? Did you all hear that?
Chao Huangmu still glanced behind Chu Zao, eyes darting around.
The legion commanders who’d long served under him—Peng Liang, Yun Songquan, Yu Ye—were plenty familiar with Chao Huangmu’s antics, especially this beast’s endless showing off.
—Zao Zao said they made me unhappy.
—Zao Zao stood up for me!
A certain someone, battered into his true form, was still gloating.
Then was thumped again on the head by Chu Zao.
Chu Zao finished thumping and watched as the little black dragon, rubbing its head, looked at him cautiously. Chu Zao casually squeezed his horns, muttering about what work was next.
But hearing the resource point had been secured and was already being prepped for transport to the Crown Clan’s home planet, Chu Zao was distracted, squeezing Chao Huangmu’s dragon horns, muttering—
“Maybe in a few years, we’ll get to see some new Crown Clan cubs?”
Chao Huangmu looked up at Chu Zao, as he went on.
“Ah, looks like it’s time to hurry some breeding along? Those clingy teachers should do well—”
Chu Zao nodded in satisfaction.
Hel and Morlo probably never imagined, at their age, they’d be urged to breed by their juniors after returning home.
Then, as if thinking of something, Chu Zao looked again at Chao Huangmu.
“By the way, don’t get cocky.”
Chao Huangmu looked puzzled—why not?
“Before I left, Dad said there’d be a good talk with you when we got back.”
A man does not flinch easily—except when facing…His Majesty Amos.
Having kidnapped someone’s kid and never learned his lesson, Chao Huangmu finally felt a little nervous facing the strongest of the Crown Clan: …?
What?
The little black dragon was stunned.
The little black dragon shifted back into a tall youth, stuck close beside Chu Zao, and asked in a low voice, “A talk?”
“Probably in the upgraded new training room.”
Chu Zao smiled brightly, forthright and honest.
Nothing, nothing, just a “little talk,” that’s all.
Chao Huangmu:…
Not nothin’, not nothin’—
Ahhh—!
He pitifully tugged Chu Zao’s hand, under the gaze of everyone behind—
And said, “Okay, I can do this.”
Give me some encouragement, please—
My dear Majesty.
Chu Zao turned to him and finally laughed.
As the starship prepared for its return voyage, he finally took his hand.
“Let’s go—”
Love you, like you—
“Forgive you.”
“Help me sort out my wings—”
“Of course, who else would Zao Zao want for this?—oh, that’s not a dig at His Majesty Amos, of course.”
Chao Huangmu replied.
The two left the command center, voices fading as they walked—
Leaving a group of legion commanders who, though used to it, were still left muttering—probably when they returned to Holy Cas, it would once again be very agreeable weather.
Because, with you, it’s always—good weather.