Chapter Fourteen: The Black Steed Finds Its Master

“Wuzhui, open your mouth!”

Fan Li barely hesitated before tossing a Life-Extending Pill toward the black dragon.

To the onlookers, his actions seemed utterly baffling.

What was this supposed to be?

Even when invited for the fate of the nation, Wuzhui could not immediately agree. Now, did he really expect to tame the black dragon by feeding it a morsel? Did he truly regard this creature as mere livestock?

Wuzhui, for his part, paid Fan Li little heed, regarding him as weak as a common mortal. As for the pill thrown his way, Wuzhui swallowed it absentmindedly. With both nations seeking his favor, he had no fear the Kingdom of Chu would dare poison him.

“Prime Minister Fan, what are you doing?” Grand Eunuch Chen asked. “If you wish to act, you should first consult His Majesty and this old servant. If you offend Wuzhui and jeopardize our cause, can you compensate the Kingdom of Chu with a new guardian dragon?”

Fan Li merely smiled, saying nothing.

Fortunately, he had saved a few Life-Extending Pills; he had never expected they would come in handy today.

Xiang Ning’s sharp eyes instantly recognized the pill—Fan Li’s secret snack during court sessions.

“The traitorous minister treats Wuzhui better than he treats me!”

Previously, when she asked for one, Fan Li had refused her. The more Xiang Ning thought about it, the angrier she became, glaring fiercely at Fan Li, leaving him bewildered.

Across the riverbank, Lan Dao Xing observed silently.

Were Grand Eunuch Chen not present, he might have acted immediately, slaying the young emperor of Chu and the prime minister on the spot.

But now, curiosity prevailed—did Wuzhui have a fondness for certain pills, and was the Chu prime minister catering to it?

After all, Wuzhui was the mount of Chu’s founding emperor, Xiang Yu; such secrets could only be known to Chu.

“That pill just now seemed ordinary, devoid of fragrance or peculiar glow. I doubt it’s anything rare,” Lan Dao Xing mused.

Suddenly, a jubilant dragon’s roar echoed overhead.

A chill swept through Lan Dao Xing’s heart—something was amiss!

Everyone looked up. Wuzhui’s vast dragon body shimmered, dissolving into a shadow, and finally condensed into human form.

A woman appeared in the sky—black hair, black robes, an aura as cold as frost, her skin whiter than snow.

This was Wuzhui in human guise.

Descending from the clouds, she landed directly before Fan Li.

“You—”

“Hold your tongue. Let us speak privately,” Fan Li interrupted with a wave.

Wuzhui nodded without hesitation, her long sleeves swirling elegantly as she whisked Fan Li away.

“Anyone who follows—will die.”

Suspended mid-air, Wuzhui paused and turned, her voice icy as she issued her warning.

At once, a formidable pressure seemed to descend from the heavens, locking onto the most powerful figures present—Lan Dao Xing and Grand Eunuch Chen!

Both men had meant to pursue but froze in place, cold sweat beading on their foreheads.

Lan Dao Xing and Grand Eunuch Chen were masters of the Dao Harmonization Realm!

Yet now, they felt an overwhelming force they could not hope to match.

“Ascended Realm!?”

Their hearts pounded, mouths parched, unable to utter a single word.

Xiang Ning, untouched by the pressure, watched the two figures in the distance, bewildered.

“What is happening? Has the traitorous minister subdued Wuzhui?”

“Wuzhui is actually female? What if the traitor succumbs to her allure?”

“Damn that traitorous minister, abandoning me for a dragon maiden!”

Carried by Wuzhui’s long sleeves, Fan Li flew swiftly two or three miles, landing atop a barren mountain.

“That divine pill—where did you obtain it?” Wuzhui’s words came fast, tinged with threat.

Fan Li shook his head repeatedly.

This dragoness clearly needed him, yet dared to threaten?

Is violence her first resort?

Fan Li instantly judged her as “not particularly clever.”

No wonder, thousands of years ago, Wuzhui was merely Xiang Yu’s mount.

“Kneel, and acknowledge me as your master,” Fan Li said calmly.

“You are insolent!” Wuzhui’s face darkened, her eyes flashing cold.

Fan Li showed no fear, replying serenely, “The Life-Extending Pill is my unique recipe; there is none other in the world. If you wish for longevity, you must swear to the heavens and recognize me as your master.”

“With your mere physique cultivation, how could you create such a pill? Even if it’s real, I could simply use soul-searching arts to seize your formula!”

Wuzhui spoke harshly, but did not truly act.

She dared not, and Fan Li grew even more confident.

He casually produced another Life-Extending Pill and popped it into his mouth as if it were a peanut.

Wuzhui watched, swallowing enviously.

“You’ve lived thousands of years—have you ever seen such a miraculous pill?”

“Soul-searching? Go ahead and try. But I promise you’ll gain nothing.”

Fan Li grinned brightly, consuming yet another pill.

...

...

On the shores of Black Dragon Pool, Xiang Ning, Grand Eunuch Chen, and Lan Dao Xing gazed at each other across the water.

“Your Majesty of Chu, our meeting today is fate. I have a word of advice—would Your Majesty care to hear it?” Lan Dao Xing suddenly spoke.

Xiang Ning was caught off guard.

She lowered her voice, “Grand Eunuch Chen, I recall Lan Dao Xing is versed in the secret arts of spirit communication, especially adept at beguiling hearts. Perhaps I should ignore him?”

She expected Grand Eunuch Chen to agree, but was surprised instead.

The old eunuch replied softly, “Your Majesty may as well hear him out, treat it as idle conversation. With me by your side, you shall return safely to Pengcheng.”

“This…”

Xiang Ning, lacking resolve, simply nodded toward Lan Dao Xing in the distance.

“On my journey, I was moved to divine for Your Majesty. Heaven, in its mercy, revealed to me a matter of great importance,” Lan Dao Xing intoned, his words strangely alluring, piquing Xiang Ning’s curiosity.

She couldn’t help but ask, “What is this matter?”

“There is a traitor by Your Majesty’s side.”

Eh?

Lan Dao Xing’s words only disappointed Xiang Ning.

A traitor?

Fan Li?

She knew already—quite intimately.

“Is that all, National Preceptor?” Xiang Ning asked.

Lan Dao Xing was about to reply when suddenly, two figures descended from the sky.

Wuzhui returned, bringing Fan Li with her.

“Would you care to join the Great Ming? I can guarantee your status will surpass even mine!” Lan Dao Xing shouted.

Xiang Ning also wished to recruit Wuzhui, yet did not know how to begin.

If she spoke humbly, it would diminish her imperial dignity.

If too forceful, as before, she risked offending Wuzhui.

Wuzhui’s earlier display had clearly shown she surpassed both Lan Dao Xing and Grand Eunuch Chen in power.

“Ahem!”

Fan Li suddenly cleared his throat.

Wuzhui glanced at him, seemingly reluctant, but then knelt before Xiang Ning.

“I pledge to continue serving the Kingdom of Chu and Your Majesty.”

Xiang Ning was stunned.

Grand Eunuch Chen’s aged face betrayed utter disbelief.

Across Black Dragon Pool, Lan Dao Xing fell silent.

No one could accept what had just happened—for Xiang Ning had made no promises, yet Wuzhui suddenly swore her allegiance!

“Er… Very well. I appoint you as the Kingdom of Chu’s guardian beast, blessed by the nation’s fortune…”

Xiang Ning’s mind was blank, her words mechanical.

As soon as she spoke, Wuzhui rose instantly, as if unwilling to kneel a moment longer.