The fiery sun surged above the horizon, bathing the long, tranquil avenue in golden light.
This time, Cang Xiaoxi and his companions were hired as escorts, their destination Adiya Kingdom—a vassal state of Mosiri Kingdom. As the maternal homeland of Imperial Consort Aisha, mother of Mosiri’s current king, its prosperity ranked second only to Mosiri itself. And as her final resting place, the kingdom held significance rivaled only by the capital.
“I believe the mission is simply this,” Cang Xiaoxi said earnestly from within the carriage, his face fully wrapped in bandages to conceal the fabricated scratches. “Escorting Prince Mia and Princess Lia to pay respects to their late mother.”
“Heh~ So that’s it~” Jikuhir murmured, stroking the soft fur of the puppy nestled in her arms. She cast a thoughtful glance toward the other carriage. “Truly filial siblings… especially after all they’ve been through.” Tilting her head, a finger pressed to her lips, she raised a delicate eyebrow. “So that’s why Xiao Xi rarely asks me for favors. Hmm… Should I thank them?”
“Heh. Thank them if you like,” Cang Xiaoxi frowned at the oblivious girl, pausing. “But why go off-script? I only asked you to spread the ‘injured face’ story and tell Woods not to mention my name. Why yank that girl’s skirt down?”
A gentleman wouldn’t lay hands on a girl frivolously. Though Cang Xiaoxi held little interest in women, he’d never deliberately provoke trouble—let alone order someone else to. *I do not strike first. But if provoked, I crush any obstacle in my path—man or god.* Simple. Brutal. Yet this little loli… *sigh*.
“What do you mean, ‘why’?” Jikuhir pouted, brows furrowed, face stern. “She dared touch someone under this king’s protection. Of course I had to reason with her—and return every bit of that resentment.”
“You…” Cang Xiaoxi’s nose twitched. He almost said: *I merely brushed her ankle while rescuing her, grazed her rear during the princess carry, maybe her thigh—nothing more. Was that worth such drama?* But speaking it would validate her claims… and the “relationship” she spun. Better stay silent. This loli mastered timing. Today a skirt-yank; tomorrow, who knew? Grounding someone into the dirt?
“Hey! Xiao Xi, at least argue back! Your *wife* is jealous—don’t you comfort her?” Jikuhir huffed as he remained unmoved. Her tiny pink fists pummeled his shoulder. She’d staged Xiao Fen’s antics precisely to show jealousy and coax comfort. *But look at him—so indifferent!* “Hmph! Just wait. One day, this king will pin you down and make you atone for every year of neglect!” *Ignore me today… tomorrow you’ll beg for my attention.* Drool trickled from her dreaming lips onto the puppy.
“Awoo, awoo~ (‘Mom’s’ at it again… sigh~).” The pup shook its head wearily at its lovesick mistress.
Today’s trio—human, dragon, and dog?—remained harmoniously chaotic. Truly… celebratory.
***
Unaware their royal identities had been seen through by the so-called “couple,” Mia and Lia chatted carefreely in their carriage.
“Brother Xiao Xi swept me up instantly… the electric thrill of his warm hands… that smile… Ahh, Brother Xiao Xi, where are you? When will you come for Lia?” Lia sighed. For days, nearly every sentence she spoke praised Cang Xiaoxi. Fangirl? No—*seriously* lovesick.
“Is that so… is that so…” Mia’s eyelid twitched. “I’d *love* to meet my dear Lia’s savior… heh heh heh…” *—Then teach him a lesson. Flirting with my sister? You’ve got a death wish. Damn it. My only sister isn’t yours.*
***
“Achoo! Damn it—who’s badmouthing me? Don’t tell me this loli’s plotting another midnight ambush?” Cang Xiaoxi frowned at Jikuhir, drooling suspiciously. Silently, his guard tightened.
***
Back in Mia and Lia’s carriage: “Lia,” Mia forced a cough, “you rave about Cang Xiaoxi’s strength. Do you even know his tier?”
“Brother Xiao Xi’s exact power…” Lia frowned slightly, shaking her head. “I can’t sense his magic or qi. Sometimes… he feels like an ordinary person.”
“Even qi perception fails…” Mia’s face darkened. “But he subdued Sadom of the Peak of Transcendent Rank. We’ll place him there. Only five hold the Divine Tier—no sixth exists.” *Unless…* If not for knowing the Silverfrost Dragon Queen still lived, he’d suspect Cang Xiaoxi was the new Divine Tier. But the world’s rule was absolute: only five. Unbreakable. Unless the goddess herself changed it.
“No,” Lia countered gently. “If they were equal tier, Sadom wouldn’t have been utterly powerless. That overwhelming strength… Brother Xiao Xi hides much. That wasn’t his full power.”
“He annihilated Sadom in seconds—and *that* wasn’t full power?!” Mia’s jaw dropped. Dominating the Peak of Transcendent Rank without effort? Unleashing true strength? Unthinkable. Descriptions painted Cang Xiaoxi as a youth resembling his late brother. Such power beneath that guise… Yet perhaps Sadom was a hollow expert—propped up by elixirs, all show. *If a kid my sister’s age crushed him… with my ultimate technique, could I…?* A flag planted deep: this overprotective brother’s future humiliation.
“Ahem. Enough about that wild boy.” Mia waved a hand. “Did you bring Father’s items?”
“Everything’s here.” Lia produced a letter, her smile dimmed by sorrow. “For Mother… and for Brother Shaya too.”
“I see… Shaya’s as well…” Sadness flickered across Mia’s face. The dead couldn’t return, but letters carried Eugia and Frederick’s remembrance. They gazed out at the sky, now stained with ominous clouds.
“Rain’s coming. Rest awhile. I’ll wake you when we arrive.”
“Mm.” Lia nodded with a tiny yawn, eyelids drooping—dreaming of tender moments with Brother Xiao Xi. But the carriage jolted; sudden rain cut her nap short. With roads turned to mud, the group diverted to a cave, waiting for the storm to pass before continuing.
