Back to Tiandou
After endless chaos in Soto and Xingluo, the familiar gates of Tiandou Royal Academy finally came into view.
Qin Ming exhaled with visible relief. Home. Finally, home.
Only now did he truly understand—teaching inside Tiandou, even with Lu Yuan drinking in class every day, was bliss compared to leading him outside. Every day on the road was like carrying a bomb with no safety pin.
At the gate stood the three great education committee members, led by Meng Shenji himself.
Lu Yuan's reputation had long since exploded across the continent. Even the Heaven Dou Emperor, Xue Ye, had personally visited to inquire about him. Lu Yuan was no longer just a student—he was the Academy's most important treasure.
And true to himself, he lumbered forward with a wine jar swaying lazily in his grip.
"Tons… tons… ha!"
Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, practiced in the art of husband-handling, supported him on either side as he staggered.
Meng Shenji forced a smile, stepping forward. "Lu Yuan, welcome back. I've come on behalf of the Board of Education."
"Old Meng, stop shaking," Lu Yuan frowned, hiccuping mid-sentence. "Makes my eyes dizzy."
Meng Shenji's lip twitched. We're not the ones shaking…
But he swallowed his pride. It was pointless lecturing a drunk like Lu Yuan.
A Green Gem in the Crowd
"Lu Yuan Big Brother!"
A sweet, crisp voice rose above the murmurs.
A girl in a short, elegant green dress pushed through the sea of students like a beam of light. Her jewel-like eyes sparkled mischievously, long satin hair running down her back like a waterfall. She drew stares instantly from the young men around her.
Lu Yuan blinked. Then, with rare clarity, he laughed warmly. "Ha… Rongrong!"
Ning Rongrong.
She barreled straight into his arms, pressing her small head against his chest without care for the gathering crowd.
"Lu Yuan Big Brother, Rongrong missed you so much!"
"Of course! I think about you every day," he replied with an easy chuckle.
"Then why didn't you come back to see me for four years!" she pouted, cheeks puffing adorably.
Lu Yuan didn't answer—his head tilted back and he poured the liquor down his throat until his eyes glazed again.
Jealousy Sparks
"Who are they?" Rongrong's sweet voice sharpened like a whip. She glared at Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling, still propping Lu Yuan up on each side.
Ye Lingling's gaze iced over instantly, returning it with equal frost. "We're his darlings. Same as you."
"Humph!"
"Humph!"
The two stared daggers, stepping closer until their auras practically flared in sparks.
Only Dugu Yan remained calm. After four years at his side, she knew better than to fuss over his casual words. Lu Yuan, even at twelve, wasn't just a child anymore. With him, the word darling carried too many meanings.
"Rongrong, what are you doing here?" Lu Yuan swung his jar idly.
"I just turned twelve," Rongrong replied proudly. "I enrolled in Tiandou Royal Academy yesterday. From now on, I'll stay with you forever."
Then she cast Lingling another smug glance.
"We've been together for years," Lingling countered, chin lifting proudly.
Rongrong wasn't about to lose ground. "Lu Yuan Big Brother and I grew up bare-bottomed together when we were kids!"
"…."
"…."
Only the steady tons, tons, tons of Lu Yuan's wine echoed between the awkward silence. To him, their bickering was just background static. Why so noisy? They're all my women. Why fight about it?
Alone with Rongrong
Later, behind the Academy on a quiet mountain slope, Rongrong finally managed to drag Lu Yuan away from the others.
"Lu Yuan Big Brother," she whispered urgently, "come back to Sect with me. Dad, Grandpa Jian, and Grandpa Gu all miss you so much."
Lu Yuan tilted his head, eyes hazy but voice sharp. "Uncle Ning, maybe. But those two old bastards? Miss me? Ha!"
"They do!" Rongrong insisted, eyes wide with sincerity. "After you left, Dad felt guilty. Sword Grandpa sighed all the time. And when they heard about your Xingluo battle, you don't know how happy they were—they even got drunk together!"
Lu Yuan's face fell into a scowl. "Two elders drunk at the same time? If they were attacked then, what would've happened? Reckless fools…"
"Which is why you must come back with me this time." Rongrong hugged his neck tight. "If you don't agree, I'll never let go!"
Lu Yuan sighed, finally patting her head with one broad hand. "Fine. This once, I'll listen. I'll go teach those two a lesson."
It had been four years since he'd left Qibao when he was only eight years old. Everyone thought he abandoned the Sect. But truthfully, how could he not know Ning Fengzhi had constantly shielded him? All the nobles he had enraged in Tiandou—none dared touch him.
"Good!" Rongrong squealed with delight, standing on her toes to kiss his cheek, leaving a wet lip mark. "I'll prepare tonight. Tomorrow, we'll go home!"
But Lu Yuan raised a blur-eyed finger. "Not yet. We can't just stroll back empty-handed."
He reached into his Soul Guidance Device and lifted a large golden tulip. Its shimmering fragrance instantly filled the air.
Ning Rongrong felt her Martial Soul itself tremble under its aura.
"What is this?" she whispered.
"A… tulip? Some… kind of incense flower?" Lu Yuan mumbled. After a pause, he shrugged, pouring another jar down his throat. "Forgot the name. Doesn't matter. Just eat it. Then we'll return with flair. Shock the whole Sect until their eyes bleed. That's style."
Rongrong nodded with glittering eyes. "Okay! I'll trust Lu Yuan Big Brother as always."
Brewing Rivalries
Elsewhere, Ye Lingling raged, storming about her room. "Sister Yan Yan, can you believe it? That spoiled little jewel thinks she can ride over me on her first day!"
Dugu Yan calmly sipped tea, shaking her head. "Lingling, don't be childish. Anyone can see Lu Yuan and Rongrong have deep history together."
"I don't care," Lingling huffed. "So what if she's the precious pearl of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? She isn't prettier than me!"
Yan sighed, helpless. "Think for once. Lu Yuan doesn't belong to anyone easily. His past is shrouded. And now? Rongrong's arrival proves something. He's deeply tied to Qibao Sect. Not just as an outer disciple either. Otherwise, with all the nobles he's humiliated, someone would've retaliated by now. But no one dared."
Lingling's eyes burned brighter. Rival or not, she would not lose without a fight.
Yan looked at her friend with quiet exasperation. For me to be caught between these two fighting over that wine-soaked monster… really, why do I bother?
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