### Chapter 463: First Meeting
“Master.” Jiang Zhi lifted her head, looking at the somewhat hazy projection of Jiang Ning in front of her.
“What is it?”
“Master has done so much without his knowledge, disregarding the lives of so many people, recklessly altering their fates. If Master does not care now, will he not care in the future?”
“He is my older brother.” Jiang Ning looked at her seriously. “My brother would never be angry with me.”
Seeing the stubbornness in Jiang Zhi’s eyes, a hint of helplessness appeared in Jiang Ning’s gaze. “Why don’t you understand? The former Heavenly Way attempted to absorb the vitality of all living beings in this world to transform into a physical body and ascend to the Upper Realm. If I hadn’t destroyed it, all beings in this realm would have already turned to ashes. If it weren’t for me, they would have vanished completely. So, even if I change their fate, what does it matter?”
“You are already at the Seventh Level of the Ninth Realm; why do I still have to teach you these principles?” Jiang Ning suddenly reached out, gently tapping Jiang Zhi’s head, leaving her momentarily stunned.
In all the years before, Jiang Ning had never reprimanded her.
“You don’t care about those beings. You’re just sulking with me. You hate me for being cold towards you, for neglecting you, for arranging your fate. So, you keep trying to find ways to annoy me.”
The tap Jiang Ning delivered was light, playful in tone, without a trace of reproach.
“You won’t have to wait long before you can tell the truth to my brother. Perhaps then he will let you go, and I will grant you the authority of eternal life as compensation for the torment you’ve endured over the years. How does that sound?”
“Why are you staring at me like that? If you are unhappy being a flower vase, then don’t be one. Have you forgotten that I once asked you if you were willing to accept the mission I gave you? You once kneeled before me, proclaiming that my commands were as important as destiny itself. Yet, I only recently discovered that your heart harbors unrelenting resentment, and you secretly wish to misbehave.”
“If you think this is because I am cold towards you, the truth is you treat me like a deity, never daring to express any emotions in front of me. Whenever I ask you something, your fear causes you to conceal your true thoughts. I have never punished or scolded you; it is merely your own cowardice that is at play. Clearly, you are the one acting like a little puppy, wagging its tail for pity. Why do you blame me for treating you like one?”
Jiang Zhi increasingly found it hard to meet Jiang Ning’s gaze, as if all her inner thoughts were laid bare. But after a moment, Jiang Ning simply reached out and gently pinched her face.
She enjoyed pinching faces; she used to love doing it to her brother, often playfully grabbing him and pinching him back and forth for a long time.
“Alright.” Jiang Ning withdrew her fingers, looking at Jiang Zhi. “Whether you hate me or blame me, do what needs to be done. I must leave.”
“Master…”
As soon as Jiang Zhi’s words trailed off, she abruptly woke up, her eyes opening to the twilight outside. The snow had stopped, and the orange-yellow sunlight fell upon the white expanse of snow.
………………………………
The sound of a horn rang in his ears as Jiang Huai awakened from his dreams. Chu Xianning rose alongside him, approaching the bedside. Jiang Huai had already brought her shoes and socks, half-squatting on the ground, gently holding her slender ankle.
“I can put them on myself.” Chu Xianning’s voice was cold and distant once again.
“It’s just a handy task.” Jiang Huai carefully put on the white socks on her white and tender little feet and adorned her with embroidered shoes. In the end, Chu Xianning still obediently sat there without moving. Once finished, her delicate pink lips slightly pouted, seemingly harboring a hint of displeasure.
“Well.”
Jiang Huai gently grabbed her white and tender little hand. Chu Xianning struggled for a moment, but with Jiang Huai’s firm grip, she soon gave up and turned her face away, as if sulking.
This trip had become increasingly unbearable.
Jiang Huai led her out of the courtyard. The streets outside were particularly lively, filled with many members of the Dragon Clan donned in gorgeous garments, walking along the walkway. Outside Golden Pearl Hall, numerous tables were already set with fine wine and delicacies for the grand banquet. The aroma of alcohol mingled with the scent of meat filled the air. Jiang Huai and Chu Xianning entered the hall, where only a few scattered tables stood, yet each table boasted rare and fragrant dishes.
Soon, Jiang Huai spotted Jiang Zhi arriving. For some reason, when Jiang Huai’s gaze landed on Jiang Zhi’s face, he felt there was a trace of complexity in her eyes. Jiang Zhi pointed at an empty table inside Golden Pearl Hall, suggesting Jiang Huai and Chu Xianning sit there. The table had only four chairs, and after the three of them took their seats, one remained empty.
It was clearly reserved for the Dragon Emperor, Jun Anshui. That morning, Jiang Huai had heard the Dragon Emperor’s voice, which had sounded somewhat immature but inexplicably stirred something in his heart.
A dragon maid dressed in a golden silk gown began to serve exquisite dishes onto their table, filling their cups with fine wine. However, the Dragon Emperor had yet to arrive. Jiang Huai hesitated to touch his chopsticks, waiting for a considerable time. When Jiang Zhi’s gaze drifted elsewhere, Jiang Huai followed her sight, feeling his expression stiffen.
The appearance of the Dragon Emperor was much smaller than he had imagined.
He had expected the Dragon Emperor to possess a figure similar to Jiang Zhi’s, but it turned out that Jun Anshui’s stature was surprisingly petite, even looking younger than Little Bai Li, resembling a girl of thirteen or fourteen years.
The attending Jun Anshui wore a bright silver ceremonial gown, her silver hair meticulously woven. The gown was stunningly ornate, adorned with numerous silver gemstones. At her waist, a silver chain hung with precious spirit stones that Jiang Huai could not name. The slit of her gown was slightly high, revealing her snow-white thigh skin while her petite figure maintained perfect proportions; she wore silver high-heeled shoes embellished with sparkling blue gemstones.
When Jiang Huai looked at her brows and eyes, he couldn’t help but feel his heartbeat skip.
It wasn’t just him; even Chu Xianning seemed entranced. It took several seconds for the two to snap back to reality, exchanging glances that suddenly revealed a mutual understanding—that the Dragon Emperor’s beauty was not solely in her appearance but also in her soul. It seemed she had embodied the essence of “beauty” since birth, leaving one in a daze.
Furthermore, at that moment, she still presented a petite loli appearance, her figure not fully matured, her chest resembling a small jade bowl. If her form were to mature fully, the impact might be even more astonishing, leaving one dazzled and breathless.
When Jun Anshui’s gaze fell upon him, Jiang Huai suddenly found it hard to breathe, instinctively avoiding her eyes, too afraid to meet her gaze. After a moment, he came to realize that it was because of the Scarlet Flame Red Dragon Bloodline within him… The Scarlet Flame Red Dragon seemed not to belong to this world; it was the Dragon Bloodline that Bai Jin had acquired in another realm, yet it had still been influenced by her Dragon Emperor Bloodline.
Jiang Huai’s head suddenly became dizzy, and he couldn’t comprehend why he felt this way. Clearly, the Jun Anshui in his sight was petite, without any hint of seduction in her demeanor. He was not some kind of loli fetishist; yet, at that moment, a flurry of thoughts surged in his mind, leaving him bewildered.
He unconsciously envisioned tearing apart her gown, spreading her slender and delicate legs, gazing at the tearful sparkle in her eyes. It was only when Jiang Huai pinched his thigh hard that these thoughts began to dissipate.
He came to his senses, suddenly realizing that it was indeed the Scarlet Flame Red Dragon Essence Blood playing tricks on him.
In the Dragon Clan of this world, no one would dare harbor any evil thoughts towards the Dragon Emperor. To them, the Dragon Emperor was merely a sacred being, akin to a divine entity, devoid of any indecent desire. Yet, the Scarlet Flame Red Dragon Blood within Jiang Huai, while lower in rank than her Dragon Emperor Bloodline, instinctively gave rise to a greedy possessiveness, yearning to mate with her and leave his unique imprint within her body.
Thankfully, Jiang Huai’s rationality remained intact, allowing him to suppress that yearning. Moments later, he used his spiritual Qi to further restrain the surging desires within him. During this brief moment of haze, Jun Anshui had already approached Jiang Zhi’s side and taken a seat.
The rectangular table allowed her to sit directly opposite Jiang Huai. She cast a calm glance at Jiang Huai, her silver eyes holding a glimmer of innate arrogance. However, that arrogance was soon subdued. She spoke softly, “You must be the guests that my older sister brought.”
Chu Xianning nodded gently, while Jiang Huai, feeling somewhat flustered due to the urges that had just surged, hurriedly replied, “Yes.”
“Since you are guests, you may address me by my human name. You can call me Jun Anshui. And what are your names?”
“Jiang Huai.”
“Chu Xianning.”
“Are you a pair of Dao Companions?”
“Of course.” Seizing upon Chu Xianning’s response, Jiang Huai immediately interjected, and Chu Xianning fell silent, unsure how to retort. Under the table, her white and tender little foot stomped on his toes in protest. Jiang Huai winced but maintained his composure, innocently blinking at Chu Xianning.
“Since you are friends of Jiang Zhi, you are naturally my friends as well. I apologize; my body is overly exhausted and cannot show you around the Dragon Clan in the daytime.” Jun Anshui’s voice was light and courteous, yet the expressions on her delicate loli face gave Jiang Huai a sense of discord, as her demeanor lacked the naïveté typical of young girls. Yet, considering her age, she could easily pass for his grandmother.
“Certainly no offense taken. Jiang Zhi has already taken us on a tour by day. The Dragon Clan is fascinating; thank you for your hospitality.”
Jun Anshui gently shook her head. “No need to be polite. The Dragon Clan is not too strict about etiquette. Guests are welcome, and our self-brewed wines are certainly not inferior to those of the Human Clan. Please indulge in a couple of extra cups tonight.”
As Jun Anshui spoke, she raised her delicate arm, lifting the cup towards Jiang Huai and Chu Xianning.
Jiang Huai picked up his cup, and together with Chu Xianning, they drank their wine in one go.
