Heavenly Capital Palace
"What? All the men we sent out are dead?"
Xue Qinghe's composed expression cracked for the first time.
"How many were killed?"
The trembling spy stammered, "One… just one."
"Who?"
"A boy called Lu Yuan. A student of Tiandou Royal Academy… only twelve years old. But… a Soul Sect."
Xue Qinghe's pupils shrank slightly. Twelve. Years. Old. A Soul Sect already.
He hadn't expected this. The entire operation had been meant as a test—just a probe to see if Xue Beng had secretly gathered strong protectors. And yet, he accidentally discovered a monster.
This wasn't talent. This was defiance of the heavens.
"Arrange it. I want to meet him personally," Xue Qinghe declared at once.
This kind of genius couldn't be ignored. He had to be… won over.
Lu Yuan's House
"Tons… tons… ha!" Lu Yuan tipped back another jar with his usual drunkard's cheer. He winked sloppily at the girls beside him.
"Lingling," he slurred happily, "that orchid I gave you—eat it, and I promise your spirit power will soar… like a rocket!"
"…Like a what?" Ye Lingling blinked softly. Years had taught her not to question him too much. He was always muttering strange words when drunk—words that had no meaning in this world.
Lu Yuan swayed suddenly, turning to Dugu Yan with a grin. "And you, Goose! Once you eat that grass… we're having eight kids in the future!"
"…Shameless!" Her face flushed red, but she didn't dare wriggle free as he suddenly pulled both girls into his arms.
But halfway to the door, Lu Yuan froze. His blurred eyes sharpened like blades. His long sword was already in his hand, a pressure rippling from him like a storm.
"Who's there?!"
From the shadows, a calm voice responded. "Brother Lu Yuan, don't misunderstand!"
A young man in white robes stepped into view, refined like jade. Two attendants followed behind.
"My name is Xue Qinghe," the newcomer said smoothly. "I heard Brother Lu Yuan has a love for fine wine. Why not try my jar?"
He cracked open an exquisite altar. Instantly, a rich fragrance filled the courtyard. Even from several paces away, the dense aroma coiled straight into Lu Yuan's nose.
His eyes lit up.
"Brother Lu Yuan, I just wanted to make friends," Xue Qinghe said with a pleasant smile.
"…Make friends? I like that!" Lu Yuan strode forward and crushed the prince into a boisterous bear hug.
But an instant later, something else happened.
A violent, irresistible power shoved the two apart, thick enough to make both stiffen. They exchanged sharp glances, each having clearly felt it.
The sword on Lu Yuan's back hummed faintly.
Xue Qinghe's expression flickered but was quickly smooth again. "Hehe… Brother Lu Yuan, why don't we chat inside?"
"Good! Let's drink!" Lu Yuan pulled him in without hesitation.
Wine-Brother Shenanigans
"I'll warn you though—if you're my brother, you must drink," Lu Yuan said firmly, jabbing a finger at him like an old drunk at a tavern.
Xue Qinghe hesitated. "…I don't drink."
Lu Yuan's half-lidded gaze sharpened instantly. "Then you can't be my brother! What kind of boring brother doesn't drink?!"
A bead of sweat slipped down Qinghe's forehead. For the sake of winning this monster over… "Fine! Tonight, I'll drink with Brother Lu Yuan!"
Lu Yuan slapped his chest approvingly. "Good! But listen—you drink, don't stop! Tomorrow is tomorrow's problem."
The prince's mouth twitched. What kind of demon logic is this?
Before he could shake his head, Lu Yuan suddenly gave him another firm slap—on the backside.
Smack!
"What's wrong? Two brothers can hug and slap a little, right?" Lu Yuan said, eyes burning brightly with mischief.
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling traded horrified glances. They both thought the same thing.
Did Lu Yuan… just slap a man's ass?! Is he bent?!
Too Close for Comfort
Three rounds in, Xue Qinghe was dizzy, his refined image crumbling under the alcohol burn. He ended up slumped against Lu Yuan's broad chest like an exhausted kitten.
Lu Yuan laughed heartily, clutching him like family. "Since we're all brothers, next time, let's bathe together too!"
Xue Qinghe's last threads of sobriety snapped. His drunken haze cleared instantly in sheer terror. A man like him, carrying a hidden identity—it gave him shivers.
"…Brother Lu Yuan, it's getting late! Next time, next time! I'll be going!"
He staggered out quickly into the cold breeze, forcing clarity back into his mind. Relief surged as he patted himself discretely. Fortunately, during all the drinking and hugging, his secret had remained safe. His female identity hadn't been exposed.
But that strange repulsive force earlier… when they first hugged. He was certain it had come from Lu Yuan's sword.
Sword's Warning
Meanwhile, Lu Yuan collapsed flat on his bed, twirling the longsword lazily in one hand.
He whispered drunkenly. "What's wrong with you, huh? Don't like him?"
He could feel it. That force earlier hadn't come from himself. It came from the sword.
But why? Did the sword dislike Xue Qinghe? Or… something deeper?
He shook his head, scratching it blearily. "Bah. Too much thinking. Not good for drinking."
Raising a jar, he gulped again.
"Tons… tons…"
[Ding! Host detected as drunk. Second spirit ring age +50 years!]
Academic Affairs Office
On the other side of the city, calm lamplight shone in the Academic Affairs Office. Chief elder Meng Shenji sat firmly as Qin Ming presented a scroll.
"The text of 'The Importance of Practical Soul Combat to Spirit Masters,' Chief Elder. I propose the Emperor Team participate in upcoming competitions at major Arenas. It will add valuable combat experience to their training."
Meng Shenji nodded at once. "Good. I approve."
Qin Ming bowed, but a secret wave of relief surged inside him. This had been his escape plan. If he could lead the Emperor Fighting Team out on practice battles for a while, he could avoid his nightmare student.
Lu Yuan.
Every day in class was torture. Every day, he drank. Every day, Qin Ming feared a repeat of the time another teacher had been beaten bloody.
It's not easy being a teacher. It's a high-risk job—and the risk is a twelve-year-old alcoholic monster.
But just as Qin Ming tasted relief, a cruel voice struck:
"…Wait, Teacher Qin Ming. Bring Lu Yuan with you this time."
The world seemed to collapse. Qin Ming's heart froze solid, plunging from heaven to abyss in one instant.
He forced a bitter smile. "Chief Elder, Lu Yuan isn't even a member of the Emperor Team. Isn't it… inappropriate?"
"What's inappropriate? He's still a student of our academy. His strength is undeniable. Actual combat experience will temper him further. Take him. This is the Council's decision. Final."
Qin Ming's lips trembled. "…Yes. I'll follow the order."
Inside, he was screaming.
Does Lu Yuan need combat experience? This kid's combat sense is richer than mine! He drinks more than he breathes and still crushes Soul Kings!
But Meng Shenji only encouraged him further. "Cheer up, Teacher Qin Ming. This is also a promotion chance for you. After this outing, the Council may invite you into its ranks."
Qin Ming's face spasmed into a polite grin. "Th-thank you, Chief Elder."
Outside, his expression slid dark as death.
Promotion? This is sending me on a death march!
Even Meng Shenji exhaled deeply after Qin Ming left. His hands trembled slightly on the desk.
Lu Yuan.
The most troublesome, most frightening, most brilliant student he had ever seen.
If not for his overwhelming talent, Meng Shenji might have expelled him long ago for constant drinking and beatings. But that talent… that miraculous talent… was also what made him impossible to discard.
Still. With Lu Yuan away for a while, at least he could breathe easier.
Quietly, he chuckled to himself. "…Teacher Qin Ming, bear with it. You're taking a storm in a student's body. Hah…"
--
Unlock 50 exclusive advanced chapters for just $10 – don't miss out! Check the synopsis/description for the link! 🚀
Loved this fic? 🔥 Then you'll absolutely binge my other hits — "Douluo Dalu: Ten Thousand Years Early System!" & "Douluo Dalu: My Harem System is Bugged!" — don't miss out!