"Gulp, gulp, gulp—ha!"
Lucien swayed down the academy trail alone, jug in hand.
"Old man Chen Xin… tsk. He pretended to be forceful and then ran away before I even finished!" Lucien muttered vaguely, remembering how the Seven Kill Sword Douluo had stepped in during his fight with Dugu Bo, showering him with a few flashy strikes before vanishing. "Boring…"
"The road is far!"
Lucien blinked. Hmm? Someone called me?
He turned—and nearly dropped his wine. "M-Ma—!"
Standing behind him was a girl in a pink coat, mini skirt, and white boots. A hint of youthful nobility glowed about her, even beneath the daring outfit.
"Little beauty, it's you."
Princess Xue Ke smiled faintly, lips curling upward. He remembered.
Around them, students whispered in disbelief.
"Is… is that Princess Xue Ke?"
"It is! My god, she's dressed like that?!"
"She's never broken royal etiquette before—why today?"
"Look who she's meeting. Damn it, it's Lucien again!"
Teeth gnashed across the noble crowd—the goddess princess, appearing so bold, and it was all for him.
Xue Ke brushed hair from her ear, trying to sound casual. "You remember me."
"Mm. Pretty dress," Lucien hiccupped. His blurred eyes softened. "Here to find me?"
"I… yes." She took a steadying breath. "I want to take you somewhere."
Lucien tilted back his jug. "Got wine?"
"Yes."
Her heart raced. She had already planned meticulously—she knew he wouldn't come otherwise.
"Ha! Enough said. Lead the way!"
Shamelessly, Lucien slung an arm across her bare shoulder as they walked. Onlookers howled inside.
"Princess Xue Ke, leaning on him?! Unforgivable!"
"Impossible—she's the empire's flower, and he's… that drunk!"
"If this continues… the heavens will collapse!"
Soon, Lucien blinked up at an elegant five-story building.
"Yuexuan… the name sounds familiar." He sniffed. "A restaurant! Let's drink inside."
Two guards in Tsing Yi blocked his way.
"Apologies—Yuexuan does not admit drunken guests."
Lucien scowled. "Nonsense! What kind of restaurant throws out its own customers?"
"Sir, this is not a restaurant."
He ignored them and tried to push through—before Xue Ke's cold voice cut the air.
"Stop."
Both guards froze, nearly falling over when they recognized her.
"Princess Xue Ke?!"
"This is my friend," she said with a stern frown.
They didn't dare stop them a moment longer.
Inside, Lucien blinked, swaying happily.
"Not bad! Nice restaurant. So many girls dancing, too."
The staff nearly fainted. Dancing girls?! Those are noble daughters learning etiquette!
"Let them dance one!" Lucien called cheerfully to an attendant.
"…Sir, they are… not dancers."
Xue Ke rushed to tug his sleeve. "Let's go, Lu Yuan. The wine is upstairs."
"Oh? Wine? Then let's go!"
On the top floor, Tang Yuehua waited gracefully, dripping elegance even in her simple silver gown. She gestured warmly.
Lucien beamed. "Big sis, are you here to drink with me too?"
Tang Yuehua startled slightly, but smiled. "I don't drink. But you may drink here."
He pouted. "Tch. Then boring. Little beauty, let's drink!"
"No!" Xue Ke flustered, shaking her head.
Lucien's blurred eyes softened. "Fine. If you won't, I don't force."
For those who treated him well—he never compelled. It was his one stubborn principle.
"Then… have this!"
He produced a bottle. With one swig, his system chimed—
[Ding! Host is healthy. Right arm spirit bone +800 years.]
"Ha! Now that's good wine." His eyes glowed. "Better than any immortal grass."
Tang Yuehua arched a brow. "Immortal grass?"
"Hmph. Those greens can't compare. Wine strengthens more." Lucien muttered.
Yet still, he reached into his Soul Guidance Device and tossed out a stalk of glowing white flower.
"Don't remember its name. But just eat it!"
Xue Ke's breath froze. Her heart pounded as she gingerly accepted it. Her first gift—from him.
"…Progress a little fast," she whispered, blushing fiercely.
Tang Yuehua's eyes deepened. There was something strange about this boy. From the instant she laid eyes on him, her realm had fluctuated—not suppressed, but stirred, unsettled. And now… handing out plants that pulsed with impossible power… he wasn't simple.
"Big sis, your restaurant's good," Lucien chuckled.
Her lips twitched. Restaurant…? Yuexuan is no tavern!
Still, she sighed. "Come back whenever you like."
"Great. But you'd be better if you drank, too," Lucien said with drunken sincerity, tossing her a wink before staggering out, leaning on Xue Ke's shoulder.
"Big sis—I'll visit in a few days!"
Tang Yuehua stood very still, watching him fade from sight. For some reason… her heart beat faster too.
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