Early morning sunlight, warm and white, streamed through the transparent glass window. Its soft glow illuminated the exquisitely lavish room, banishing the darkness with beautiful radiance.
Clearly, it was no longer time for Baiyi to rest. He needed to rise and start a new day.
"Tch..."
Still, despite that, Baiyi didn’t want to wake from his cozy bed. With nothing urgent to do, a little laziness seemed harmless.
"Dad... Dad."
"Huh?"
Though the sun hung high outside, Baiyi hadn’t fully shaken off sleep. He remained groggy and dazed.
"Hungry..."
"Oh."
Qiu Qiu, already awake, noticed the sun was up while Baiyi still hid under the covers. Annoyed by his laziness, she wriggled out of the large blanket and patted his head with her chubby little hands.
"Hungry... hungry!"
"Ah! Stupid dragon, get your hands off my face!"
After over ten firm pats from Qiu Qiu’s tiny palms, Baiyi finally woke, still slightly disoriented. Last night’s heavy drinking left him unable to tell east from west.
"You idiot, didn’t you know I was sleeping?"
"Mmm... hungry!"
Unfazed by Baiyi’s angry glare, Qiu Qiu slapped his face again, insisting on her rumbling stomach.
"You troublesome fool."
"Milk... milk!"
"No, you idiot, stop squirming!"
Baiyi’s morning drowsiness vanished completely, shattered by the little fool slapping him awake. He sat up to change clothes. Qiu Qiu stayed on the bed, tilting her head and staring blankly at him.
"Young Master, time for breakfast."
Soon, Xiao Ling’s knock and call came from outside the door.
"Alright, alright. I know. Take this idiot out first!"
Hearing Xiao Ling, Baiyi flung the door open and thrust Qiu Qiu into her arms.
The sudden move left Xiao Ling bewildered, staring at Baiyi in confusion.
"Take this fool. Dress her and feed her."
"Eh? Young Master, but—"
"No buts. Move quickly—I’m heading out soon!"
Before Xiao Ling could finish, Baiyi slammed the door shut, too fast for her to react.
Qiu Qiu, now in Xiao Ling’s arms, pouted angrily. She glared fiercely at Baiyi’s closed door, upset at being tossed aside.
"Um... Qiu Qiu, right?"
"Hmph..."
Ignoring Xiao Ling’s question, Qiu Qiu turned her head away and clamped her mouth shut.
"Let’s get some food first. We’ll play with the Young Master when he’s back, okay?"
"Hmph..."
Despite Xiao Ling’s warm smile, Qiu Qiu refused to respond. She was still mad about Baiyi handing her off so carelessly. Xiao Ling sighed inwardly—this was going to be tough.
...
"Wait, what’s that maid’s name again? Ugh... can’t recall. Whatever."
"Eh, she seems nice. Fine! If she can’t handle this idiot, I’ll deal with her later."
"Now, I need to change into that uniform. Those trashy bastards are so annoying! Why come to the Great Empire’s capital for nothing? They deserve to be chopped up."
"And next, I have to visit that stinking street to see that guy. Tch, such a hassle!"
Baiyi grumbled while searching his room for his exclusive general’s uniform. He’d handed Qiu Qiu to Xiao Ling to keep her out of trouble while he was away. He planned to question someone about why Qiu Qiu and those black-clad men came to the capital.
Due to Xiao Ling’s presence resetting every dawn, Baiyi barely remembered her name. Yet, oddly, he recalled her picking him and Qiu Qiu up yesterday. That’s why he trusted her with Qiu Qiu.
"Tch, no time for this. I’m heading to Beast Rat Street to find those annoying trash. Seriously, I’ve no patience for idle jerks."
Still cursing, he pulled on his custom-tailored uniform and strapped the slightly rusty Curved Saber to his waist.
"Hope Mom isn’t holding some seminar today. I hate those things."
Dressed in the sharp uniform, Baiyi radiated an imposing aura. Years of battlefield grit hardened his gaze—no one could withstand his terrifying eyes and chilling presence head-on.
"Meeting time’s almost here. Hmph, troublesome."
Checking his pocket watch, Baiyi pushed open the door and turned left toward the Imperial Palace exit.
His destination: the most sinister, terrifying, and hated street in the Great Empire’s capital.
Beast Rat Street.
