Who was Lucien? The pride of the heavens. The demon child of the continent.
If he actually took a liking to their granddaughter, Meng Shu and Chao Tianxiang both knew—life from then on would be like riding a cloud dragon. Everything else would fall neatly into place.
Meng still fidgeted nervously under his gaze, but her heart raced. She had heard his name countless times at her academy. Her own dormmates often joked with envy: If only we could give Lucien a monkey.
They never thought those words would become reality.
Now, at her elders' urging, she stepped closer, her voice soft. "I… my name is Meng Yiran."
Lucien grinned, offering her his wine jar. "Girl, want a drink?"
Meng Yiran flushed. "I… I don't know how to drink…"
"Then learn," Lucien said simply. "Drink."
"M-Meng Yiran…" Meng Shu watched in horror. This wasn't wine. This was happiness—and potentially disaster if she couldn't hold it.
But after one timid sip, Yiran blinked. "Ah… spicy!"
"Hahaha! Good! This girl can drink!" Lucien patted her shoulder approvingly. "From now on, drink more with me."
Her face burned hotter—though whether from the alcohol or his smile, she couldn't tell.
"Call me Yiran."
"Yiran," Lucien repeated, nodding seriously, committing it to memory.
At that moment, Ye Lingling and Ning Rongrong approached.
"Lucien Big Brother…" they said in unison, eyes wary.
Lucien laughed carelessly, dragging Yiran forward. "Heh—Rongrong, Lingling, meet Yiran! New friend!"
Meng Yiran shrank slightly under their sharp gazes, suddenly feeling very out of place.
"Lingling, here—your soul ring." Lucien produced the captured Zijin Sable, handing it over to her. "After you take it, you'll have real healing milk."
Ye Lingling hesitated. "Lucien Big Brother, is this really suitable for me?"
"Of course. Trust me—you'll be fine."
"I… I trust you." She nodded firmly, cradling the sacrifice.
"I'll protect her during the fusion." Chao Tianxiang stepped forward, seizing the chance to build rapport.
Lucien waved. "Good. Yiran, let's drink!"
Half a jar later, Meng Yiran was slumped against him, cheeks glowing red, eyes half-closed.
"Hehe… if I tell the sisters back home I drank with you… they'll never believe me," she murmured tipsily, her breath warming his neck.
Beside them, Meng Shu smiled so wide it stretched his beard. Perfect.
But when Lucien asked, "Yiran, which academy are you from?" her brows wrinkled. "Mmm… Alien Beast Academy."
"Bah, that place?" Lucien scoffed. "Full of freaks and nobodies. Forget them. Come with me to Tiandou Royal Academy instead."
"Huh…? Alright. I'll go." Her eyelids closed. Within moments, she fell asleep against him.
Meng Shu grimaced with complicated emotions, but could only watch. A grandson-in-law like this—even if he was a drunken devil—was still the greatest blessing the Dragon Snake family could imagine.
As the sun set, Ye Lingling succeeded in fusing the sable's ring. The breakthrough gave her not only Soul Sect rank, but a new firmness in her aura.
"Lucien Big Brother—thank you!" she whispered, pressing a grateful kiss to his cheek.
Not to be outdone, Ning Rongrong quickly kissed his other cheek.
The two girls locked eyes. Sparks flew.
Lucien just took another gulp of wine, confused why they were so noisy.
"Since it's done—we return to Tiandou tomorrow." He yawned, hugging the sleeping Yiran in his arms.
"Wait a moment, Brother Lucien…" Meng Shu stepped nervously in his path.
Lucien swayed, blinking. "Old man, why're you stopping me? She's tired—so I'm carrying her."
Meng Shu nearly choked. That's my granddaughter! But no words came out. He could hardly forbid it now.
"W-We aren't nobles. If you want to take Yiran back to the Royal Academy… it may not be possible," he said awkwardly.
Lucien waved his hand. "If she's not noble, then I'll just make her one. Simple. Leave it to me."
And with that, he swayed down the road, nearly headbutting a tree, Yiran still in his arms.
Behind him, Meng Shu clutched his head with both hands, torn between horror and joy. "…Life is so beautiful."
"Lucien!" he shouted helplessly as the boy nearly toppled sideways, "Don't throw my granddaughter!!"
Tiandou Royal Academy.
"Has that brat Lucien still not returned yet?"
Inside the office, a green-haired elder sat grimly—Dugu Bo.
"Grandpa, you can't bully him!" Dugu Yan tugged at his sleeve, pouting. She thought his visit this time was for her. Instead, he came demanding Lucien.
"Bullying?! Hah. I'm still spitting blood from all the medicinal herbs he dug out!" Poison plumed in his eyes. Half his precious garden in ruins, fairy grasses stolen, and then to hear that Lucien's gift had evolved Ning Rongrong's Martial Soul into the Nine Treasures Pagoda… his beard nearly fell out.
"Grandpa, I mean it!" Yan glared. "If you touch a finger of Lucien, this granddaughter of yours won't live anymore!"
"What sort of spell has that brat put on you…" grumbled Dugu Bo.
On the side, Education Committee Head Meng Shenji quietly enjoyed the show. If someone wanted to "discipline" Lucien, wasn't that wonderful for everyone else?
Then the very devil himself strode in, wine jar in hand.
"Old Man Meng! Ha! Oh, Yanyan—you're here too. Come, give Big Brother a hug!"
"Smelly brat, you dare come back!" Dugu Bo thundered.
"Eh? Old Poison, when did you arrive?" Lucien shrugged, drinking deeply.
"You stole my fairy grass! Hand it over!" Dugu Bo roared.
Instead of trembling, Lucien looked confused at the tears welling in Dugu Yan's eyes. "…Grandpa yelling at you? Scaring you? Hah. True, this old poison has a bad rep—but he's still your grandfather, you can't hate him too much."
Dugu Bo's eyelids twitched furiously. What the hell is this logic?
Every time, his own granddaughter cried for this boy. Now Lucien twisted the situation until he looked like the villain, the brat a protector.
His fists cracked.
"Old Poison, let's fight!" Lucien grinned, fingers finding his sword hilt.
"Lu Yuan, you're drunk again!" Dugu Yan panicked, grabbing his arm.
"Yan, step back. He's been asking for this fight long enough," Dugu Bo sneered, murderous aura surging.
Meng Shenji stood, barely concealing his excitement. "Not here—in the courtyard. If you fight, do it outside. The Royal Academy can't afford its buildings shattered."
Lucien hiccuped once, black mist coiling faintly around him.
"Alright then, beast. Let's go outside."
Dugu Bo's lips curled in poisonous scorn.
Today, in front of all Tiandou's students, I'll crush this devil boy.
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