Heilong-kou (Black Dragon-Mouth/Pass)
Heilong-cheng (Black Dragon-City)
Heilong-yuan(Black Dragon Wall)
Heilong Bay (Black Dragon Bay)
Heilong Ridge (Black Dragon Ridge)
Censorate (Supervisory Court)
Yuling City (Jade City)
Jingui Town (Golden Turtle Town)
Xuanwu City (Black tortoise City)
Qinglong (Azure Dragron)
——
Yin Jixue and Lou Zhao arrived in the human realm without fanfare.
They touched down in the Yin Dynasty during daylight hours—right as the emperor was throwing a fit inside the imperial study.
"You've all seen how prosperous the demonfolk have become! And yet I've still not managed to make academies accessible to all scholars of the realm. Our people still go hungry and lack proper clothing—and you want me to expand the imperial harem? What exactly is your intention?!"
Kneeling on the floor were a multitude of officials. At the front was the Minister of Rites, accompanied by key figures from all Three Departments and Six Ministries.
Up on the rooftop, Yin Jixue chuckled to herself. She hadn't expected to witness the emperor himself getting nagged into marriage.
Her laugh didn't go unnoticed—Dragon One caught the sound immediately.
But when he saw that it was the Princess Royal, he quietly stepped aside, pretending he hadn't seen anything.
Behind him, Dragon Two and the others were confused.
"Big bro, what did you see? Why did you run out and then come right back?"
Dragon One simply shook his head. "Nothing. Just keep guarding."
As elite shadow guards, they remained hidden in the dark. And if Dragon One said it was nothing, then it wasn't worth worrying about.
Dragon One had developed a psychological scar from his time in Black Dragon City. Unless necessary, he vowed never to return there for the rest of his life.
Back in the imperial study, cold sweat beaded on the Minister of Rites' forehead. His usual prodding had never provoked such anger. Why was His Majesty in such a foul mood today?
But even if he stayed silent, the other officials would bring it up eventually. Their daughters were all of marriageable age, waiting for a chance to marry into the imperial family and extend the royal bloodline.
At present, the emperor had no consorts—not even a single heir. How could the ministers not be anxious?
If one of their daughters bore him a son, that child could very well become the Crown Prince.
And besides, the Princess Royal held immense prestige among the demonfolk. Marrying into the royal family meant forging a direct link to the demon realm. If their grandson one day became emperor, perhaps he could even obtain the demons' secret to immortality.
It was pure daydreaming—but they weren't the only ones who entertained such thoughts.
Ever since the emperor's entourage returned from the demon realm, officials had been hearing stories from the Ministers of Works and War about a very different kind of demon folk society.
Perhaps it was just their imagination, but both the Retired Emperor and Empress Dowager seemed unusually energetic, as though they had aged backward by ten years.
Many senior officials were itching with envy. If only they could visit the demon realm too.
Had Yin Jixue heard this, she'd have laughed at their naivety.
The reason her father and mother looked so revitalized was that they had been imbued with Lou Zhao's aura, allowing them to eat demon folk food. She had even let them taste a small cup of Immortal Brew.
While it didn't grant eternal life, it did promote longevity. After drinking it, both their lingering ailments were cured—her father's from internal damage and residual toxins from overusing medicinal pills, and her mother's from childbirth at a young age that had damaged her vitality.
With their health restored, they could easily live to a hundred—maybe even be sprightly at ninety-nine.
But their lifespan hadn't changed. When their time came, they would still die naturally.
Back in the study, the Minister of Rites was kowtowing so hard it echoed through the room. "This humble servant is loyal to Your Majesty! I harbor no hidden motives!"
Yin Ao rubbed his temples. "Enough. Rise. Do not mention this again. I have no intention of appointing an empress. Return to your duties."
The Minister of Rites opened his mouth to protest again, but the Minister of Works tugged at his sleeve.
Once they left the room, the Minister of Works scolded him harshly. "Do you have a death wish? You keep challenging the emperor—he may be tolerant, but that doesn't mean he'll spare you forever."
The Minister of Rites pulled a bitter face. "His Majesty is already of age. The throne is without a consort, and he has no heirs. It's improper!"
The Minister of Works rolled his eyes. He couldn't be bothered with this stubborn old fool anymore. If he wanted to die, so be it. As for him, he was going back to work on the tricycles.
Back inside the imperial study, Yin Ao finally let off some steam by grumbling about the Minister of Rites to his close eunuch.
Just then, Yin Jixue appeared before him—Lou Zhao by her side.
She smiled. "Seems your temper's grown in the half-year I've been gone."