Tiandou Royal Academy.
Finally. Home.
At the academy gates, Qin Ming let out a heavy breath, shoulders sagging. For the first time in weeks, he felt alive. The endless nightmare of keeping Lucien under control was over—for now. In that moment, he realized: teaching safe, obedient students at the academy was the happiest thing in the world.
Waiting at the gates were the Three Education Committee members, led by Meng Shenji.
Lucien's exploits had already shaken the continent. Even Emperor Xue Ye himself had personally come to the academy to ask about him. The boy was no longer just a student. He was now the most vital person in the entire academy.
"Gulp, gulp, gulp…"
As always, Lucien stumbled forward, wine jar clasped in his arms, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling supporting him from both sides.
When he spotted Meng Shenji, he squinted drunkenly. "Old man Meng, what are you waving for? Don't shake, it makes my eyes dizzy!"
Meng Shenji's mouth twitched. Who's shaking? Still, he let it slide. Drunk words were just drunk words. Right now, all that mattered was that Lucien was safe.
"Lucien Big Brother!"
A clear, youthful cry split the crowd. A girl squeezed forward, clad in a short green dress. Her jewel-like eyes sparkled, her long hair falling like a waterfall. In an instant, she drew the attention of every male student nearby.
Lucien blinked once, then laughed in recognition. "Ha—Rongrong!"
"Lucien Big Brother!" Ning Rongrong flung herself into his arms, clinging tightly. She pressed her cheek against his chest, nuzzling like a spoiled child. "Rongrong missed you so much she wanted to kill you!"
"Of course I missed you." Lucien ruffled her hair casually. "Think of you every day."
"Then why didn't you come back to see me? You disappeared for four years!" Ning Rongrong pouted, lips pursed as she pretended to be angry.
Lucien said nothing—just tilted his jar back for another heavy gulp, his eyes glazing further.
Then Ning Rongrong finally noticed something. Her gaze darted to the two girls holding Lucien on either side.
"…Who are they?" she asked coldly, still clinging to Lucien's arm. Her hostility was open, sharp.
Lucien burped, then chuckled hazily. "Tch… both my darlings. Same as you."
The tension ignited instantly.
Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling locked eyes. Sparks flew.
"Humph!"
"Humph!"
Love rivals meeting—it was a battlefield all on its own.
Unlike them, Dugu Yan remained calm. She had been with Lucien for years. She knew his nature. Four years or forty, it made no difference—he'd always act the same. At his age, he was hardly a child, but he was… Lucien.
"Rongrong, why are you here all of a sudden?" Lucien asked, swaying.
"I just turned twelve," she answered proudly. "I enrolled at Tiandou Royal Academy yesterday. From now on, I'll be with you forever!" She shot Ye Lingling an especially provocative look as she said it.
Ye Lingling snorted quietly. "I've been with Lucien Big Brother for years already."
"I grew up bare-bottom with him since childhood!" Rongrong snapped back.
"…."
"…."
Lucien drained another mouthful, listening to them squabble. His drunken mind thought blankly: So noisy. Why fight? Aren't you all my women?
…
Behind the academy.
Ning Rongrong had dragged Lucien away, separating him from the others with great effort. There, the little princess of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect clung to him, eyes wide with sincerity.
"Lucien Big Brother, please come back to the Sect with me. Father, Grandpa Jian, and Grandpa Bone all miss you!"
Lucien burped, frowning. "Hah, Uncle Ning misses me, that's believable. But those two old coots? Impossible."
"They really do," Rongrong said earnestly. "Father always regretted letting you go. Grandpa Jian sighs about it often. And after they heard about your performance in Xingluo, do you know what happened? The three of them got drunk together out of joy!"
Lucien's drunken eyes narrowed. "Tch. Two Titled Douluos drunk at the same time? What if someone attacked while they were out?"
His voice rose with irritation. "Irresponsible bastards!"
Rongrong wrapped her arms around his neck like a spoiled child. "No matter what—you must come back with me this time. If you refuse, Rongrong won't let go!"
Lucien blinked at her stubborn gaze, then ruffled her hair. "Fine. I'll listen to Rongrong this time. I'll go back. And I'll scold those two old drunks while I'm at it."
It had been four years since he left.
He had walked out from the Sect at only eight, never once returning. But he knew. Every time he offended nobles and somehow walked away unscathed, someone had been shielding him behind the scenes.
How could he not know who held that wine jar for him?
Rongrong squealed and kissed his cheek. "Great! I'll get ready—we'll leave tomorrow!"
Lucien waved a hand, fumbling in his Soul Guidance Device. "Wait. Can't return empty-handed. If we go, we go shining."
He pulled out a golden tulip. Its rich fragrance filled the air, noble and intoxicating.
Ning Rongrong gasped. The flower pulsed with power, resonating directly with her Martial Soul.
"Lu Yuan Big Brother? What is this flower?"
Lucien hiccupped. "Some kind of incense… forgot." He tilted his jar back. "Doesn't matter. Just eat it! Tomorrow, we'll go back and blow their eyes out!"
"Okay!" Rongrong's cheeks glowed red. "I'll listen to you!"
Lucien swayed, staggering. "No need to help. I walk steady."
"Gulp, gulp…"
…
Elsewhere, Dugu Yan and Ye Lingling sat together. Ye Lingling crossed her arms, still fuming.
"Sister Yanyan, I'm not convinced! That Ning Rongrong just arrived and is already trying to stand over me!"
"Lingling, don't be childish." Dugu Yan's voice was calm. "You saw it yourself. They have a long history together."
"I know. But it makes me mad! So what if she's the jewel of Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect? Beauty? I surpass her a hundred times!" Ye Lingling's eyes burned. "I'll never lose to her!"
Dugu Yan's expression softened, though there was a trace of helplessness. "Lingling… haven't you noticed? Lucien's background isn't simple. Ning Rongrong today proved it."
Her tone grew thoughtful. "Everyone in Tiandou knows the background of noble students. The only one that's ever been unclear… is him."
Ye Lingling froze.
"Lucien grew up in Seven Treasure Glazed Sect," Dugu Yan continued softly. "From his bond with Ning Rongrong, and the way she calls him. He isn't just some outsider. Otherwise, after all the nobles he's beaten down, someone would've retaliated long ago. But nobody ever did."
Ye Lingling bit her lip, silent.
Dugu Yan sighed. "Funny, isn't it? His identity is more dazzling than all of ours combined. So don't scowl like this. Just… accept it."
Ye Lingling's fists clenched. "Even so… I won't lose."
For Ning Rongrong and Ye Lingling fighting over Lucien's affection, Dugu Yan could only smile helplessly.
After all… this was Lucien.