The scent of Liu Erlong's cooking floated through the trees, richer than wine, sharper than incense.
Perched atop the branch of an ancient cang tree not far from Lake Island, Yu Yuanzhen's throat rolled heavily as he swallowed. Peering through the dense leaves, he caught sight of the distant fairy—tale house, where one tall and two smaller figures dined together with warmth and laughter.
His expression twisted.
Beside him, Yu Luomian's face was filled with bitterness. "Brother, I should never have been so strict with Erlong back then. Otherwise… why are we only sitting here, watching from afar?"
Yu Yuanzhen snorted, tugging at his thick sideburns, the lines of age carved deep into his face. "Strict? Hmph. She's your daughter. You mean to tell me as her own father you can't even walk in and sit at her table? And me, her uncle, am I not qualified for a single meal?"
He said it mockingly, but in truth his heart was unsettled too.
Yu Luomian hesitated, then pointed tentatively toward the glowing house. "Why don't… you try first, Brother?"
"Huh?" Yu Yuanzhen narrowed his eyes.
"Come now, Erlong's your niece. If you appear as the family patriarch, she might not shut you out."
Yu Yuanzhen's sharp gaze pierced him. "Second brother, don't try to be clever with me! That's your daughter. It's far more proper for you to go first."
Yu Luomian immediately shook his head like a rattle-drum. "I won't. I refuse. Absolutely not!"
"What? You—the second elder of our Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan, too scared to step foot into your daughter's house? What can she do, throw you out?"
Yu Yuanzhen's booming voice startled a flock of birds into the sky. "Hmph! If it were my worthless son, I'd sooner chase him out with a butcher's knife than sit and eat with him! All his failures—"
Yu Luomian muttered resentfully, "Oh, stop it, Brother. Do you dare compare Erlong with Xiaogang? Erlong could burn the skin off you bald with her Fire Dragon spirit alone. Xiaogang couldn't even bruise your toe."
"What did you just say?!" Yu Yuanzhen's bushy eyebrows shot up. Though known as the fiercest warrior of the clan, somehow, he still heard every whisper his younger brother thought would escape unnoticed.
Stiffening, Yu Yuanzhen jabbed a callused finger toward him. "She's my niece. Do you take me for some crude brute like yourself? You may forget respect for jade and fragrance, but let me remind you—from when you still wore split—crotch pants, I already knew the ways of honoring women."
Yu Luomian rolled his eyes inside. Says the man who was lured into marriage by a sister-in-law he couldn't resist… Brother, your amorous history outshines even mine.
Meanwhile, back on the island, both Subei and Xiao Wu had long noticed something in the forest. Their sharp senses caught the faint blend of voices and the stir of leaves.
"It seems… someone is coming," Subei murmured cautiously.
Xiao Wu's rabbit ears perked instantly, twitching. She clutched her half-eaten cherry radish but didn't look afraid—merely curious.
Liu Erlong's eyes chilled. "Don't worry about them." She paused, then admitted softly, "They're not strangers. One is my father. The other… my uncle."
Her gaze pierced the treetops, a sharp flash glinting in her amber eyes. The moment she cared to look, the two old men froze, exchanged awkward glances, and stepped out of hiding. With light steps, their figures floated across the lake, tiptoes barely denting the water's surface.
Their speed and grace made even Subei stiffen. Though his movements rivaled the finest, the difference in realm was like heaven and earth.
Landing directly before them, Yu Luomian tried to smile. His tone was forced casual. "Erlong… Dad is here." He glanced pointedly toward the children. "And these two are…?"
Without waiting for permission, the two elders sat themselves down on wooden stools and reached for Erlong's dishes as if this home were theirs. Their eyes, however, betrayed their true curiosity—and soon, astonishment.
The instant they laid eyes on Subei and Xiao Wu, their words caught.
The two mighty men, aged well over a hundred combined, blinked wide as youths.
These were not merely children. Their appearances were breathtaking—something carved not by mortal design. Sub—Bei, especially, glowed with a beauty so sharp, it straddled the line between boy and immortal girl. Fairer even than the legendary Pan An of ancient fame, yet undeniably masculine in bearing.
The brothers glanced at each other, unspoken words burning in their eyes.
How in the world… could such children exist?
Liu Erlong, however, immediately moved to shield the two behind her, her voice cold, laced with restrained fury.
"What do you want?"
Yu Yuanzhen's voice rumbled like a mountain collapsing. "We heard things, Erlong. Whispers that you returned to the academy dragging along two children. That you, heartbroken and wayward, bore illegitimate sons during the years away. Rumors saying you are tarnishing the Blue Lightning Tyrant Dragon Clan's name, disgracing our family law."
He leaned forward, the pressure in his gaze heavy. "We could not stand idle. We are clan elders, and you are my brother's daughter. For the family's name, we must know the truth."
Erlong's lips pressed tight, jaw muscles ticking. "So. You came not as kin, but as judges for the family's precious face." A harsh laugh escaped her. "Lanba Academy belongs to me. This is my domain. You think you have the right to discipline me here?"
Yu Luomian rushed to intercede, raising his hands quickly. "No one wants conflict, Erlong. But you must see—the clan is under pressure. Let your father assist in teaching these children. Let them enter the family. That way, their futures are secured, and our family's name—"
A sharp sound interrupted him.
It came from Subei, whose small face twisted fiercely as he spat on the floor before their feet. He barked, "Old men without shame! 'Teach me'? Shameless, shameless!!!"
Both elders' faces darkened.
Yu Luomian slammed a hand on the table. "See? Erlong, this is the fruit of your poor education! Abusive, foul words to his elders? This child needs discipline, and only the clan can give it."
The words had hardly left his mouth when a thunderous bang split the air.
Liu Erlong rose, her entire body blazing like a dragon awakened. Soul power burst from her like a tidal wave, her seven rings blooming in a dazzling cascade of colors. She stood tall, crimson eyes fierce, aura shaking the island itself.
"You dare lay a hand on them?!" Her voice thundered. "The wedding you dragged me from ruined my future once. I let it go. But if you try to rip Xiaobei and Xiao Wu away from me—then you will have to kill me first!"
The two elders, though startled, held their composure for pride's sake. Yet deep within, even Yu Yuanzhen felt the force of Erlong's rage.
Still, he muttered stiffly, "I… am your father."
Before heavy silence could fall again, the sudden clatter of boots came from beyond the trees. A man in gleaming palace brocade robes rushed down the narrow forest path. Sweat streamed down his brow as he raised a scroll high, his sharp voice cutting the trembling air in two:
"By order of His Majesty—the Imperial Decree! Is this the residence of Liu Erlong, President of Lanba Academy?"
The lake went silent. Even the rustling leaves seemed to still.
The decree had arrived.
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