Chapter Nine: The Princess Claims Her Prize
"Which man doesn't desire to achieve great deeds? What I love most is the art of war; poetry and literature are but minor pursuits," Long Chen declared, brimming with youthful ambition, his fists clenched as if ready to charge onto the battlefield.
Di Luoxi regarded Long Chen with a playful gaze, smiling as she said, "A man's ambitions should be boundless, that's true, but you're a eunuch! Just serve me well here in the palace—what are you thinking about the battlefield for?"
Damn it!
Di Luoxi's expression was infuriating; Long Chen wanted nothing more than to tie her up and teach her a lesson.
"Don’t worry about such details. I was once a man, and I have considerable accomplishments in military strategy."
"So, you're most skilled at warfare? Tell me, if you were to command the troops, could you capture Linjiang City?"
They had just discussed this matter, which prompted Di Luoxi's question.
Long Chen replied confidently, "If I were to lead the army, taking Linjiang City would be effortless."
Pfft...
"You little eunuch, since Mother appointed you as chief eunuch, you’ve forgotten your place. Do you even know the situation in Linjiang City? Daring to claim it would be easy!"
Di Luoxi laughed so hard she nearly doubled over; she thought Long Chen was boasting.
"If yesterday I had told you I could defeat Yu Shinan, would you have believed me?"
Di Luoxi fell silent.
Indeed, no one would have believed that the foremost scholar Yu Shinan could be defeated by an unknown, lowly eunuch; Long Chen had performed a miracle.
"Very well, then tell me, how would you capture Linjiang City?"
Di Luoxi stood and walked closer, scrutinizing Long Chen with suspicious eyes.
"I can't say for now, unless the princess permits me to command the army."
Di Luoxi laughed, "Letting a eunuch lead the troops—such a thing has never happened in this world."
Long Chen responded, "A eunuch defeating the leader of scholars has never happened either."
Di Luoxi nodded slightly; though Long Chen spoke arrogantly, he wasn't wrong.
Suddenly, Di Luoxi seized Long Chen and shouted, "Check him—see if he's truly a eunuch!"
She always felt there was something peculiar about Long Chen.
Long Chen instinctively tried to evade her grasp, but was still caught.
Xuan Yi and Qing Yue immediately stepped forward, searching him thoroughly from head to toe, then declared, "Princess, no mistake—he is indeed a eunuch!"
Di Luoxi sneered, "Hmph, still a eunuch! Come, prepare my bath."
She walked elegantly toward the bathhouse.
Long Chen thought to himself, This Di Luoxi is so suspicious—her second test! Clearly, I must be careful and never reveal my secret!
"Brother Long, don't just stand there—the princess wants your help," Xuan Yi and Qing Yue said, pulling Long Chen into the bathhouse, where steaming water awaited. Several eunuchs bowed their heads, pouring water into the bath.
One eunuch accidentally spilled some water, splashing Di Luoxi's skirt.
"Execute him!"
Di Luoxi commanded coldly. Two palace maids immediately dragged the eunuch away for execution.
Long Chen felt a chill—this Fourth Princess was truly ruthless.
Xuan Yi tested the water temperature, while Qing Yue prepared clothes.
Di Luoxi turned and glanced at Long Chen, saying, "Little Dragon, help me undress."
Long Chen was momentarily stunned—she wanted him to do it? Such fortune!
"Ah? Certainly!"
Long Chen rejoiced inwardly—a splendid task indeed.
He felt as if he had entered a celestial paradise.
The palace was truly marvelous, in every way.
...
After leaving the bathhouse, Long Chen felt lightheaded, intoxicated by the wondrous scene he had just witnessed.
"If there is a heaven, it must be like this," he mused, hands clasped behind his back, strolling toward the side courtyard.
As he passed through a secluded corridor, two maids suddenly appeared, blocking his way.
"Is there something you need, sisters?" Long Chen asked, noticing their unfriendly expressions.
"The Second Princess invites Chief Long to the South Palace as her guest."
"The Second Princess? I’m not acquainted with her."
Di Xingwan was snatching him midway?
"Acquaintance comes with time. Chief Long, please come with us," the two maids said, reaching out to seize him. Long Chen turned to flee, shouting, "Help! They’re kidnapping me!"
He had cultivated the Dark Yin Technique, his strength now at the Warrior level; dealing with these two maids would be no problem, but he did not want to reveal his abilities.
One maid leapt ahead, blocking his path, while another struck him from behind, knocking him unconscious. The two carried him off at a run.
...
"Princess, he’s awake."
Long Chen slowly opened his eyes, seeing the Second Princess, Di Xingwan, standing nearby.
He rubbed the back of his head and rose slowly. "Second Princess? What is the meaning of this?"
Di Xingwan wore a blue dress, exuding a scholarly elegance—though that was merely her outward appearance, for she too was a Warrior King.
In this world, cultivation was divided into five levels: Entry, Warrior, Master, King, and Martial Emperor.
Above these five realms, there was a higher one: Imperial Sovereign.
There was only one Imperial Sovereign in the world—the Empress. Her cultivation was supreme, which was why the Eastern Zhou, though a small nation, could remain secure.
"Chief Long, forgive me. I intended for them to invite you, but who knew they would use force."
"I'm not like my fourth sister—she’s always fighting and killing. I prefer poetry and literature. Why not move to my South Palace? I could consult you often."
"Thank you for your kindness, Second Princess, but Fourth Princess has a fiery temperament. I fear she may take it out on me."
This was the Second Princess, Di Xingwan, unlike Di Luoxi, not a general but a civil official, assisting the Empress in governing affairs, which lent her a refined aura.
Both princesses were exceptional beauties, each with her own charm. Long Chen didn’t mind a change of scenery, but Fourth Princess Di Luoxi was not to be trifled with—if she lost her temper, she might destroy what she couldn't have, and then he’d be doomed.
"Don’t worry, I will speak to my sister—"
Before she could finish, a commotion erupted outside.
"Di Xingwan! Hand him over!"
Di Luoxi had come storming in.