In the aftermath of their unintentionally synchronous jump of joy, the air in Jian Zhi's chambers grew thick with an unspoken charge. Sensing the shift in atmosphere, Jian Zhi recognised a strategic opening. He turned to face her fully, his gaze locking onto hers with a disconcerting intensity.

  [Jian Zhi]: "Princess. If you are not otherwise occupied today…"

  [Wǎn Lù]: (Internal Monologue) "What is he about to say? Why is he looking into my eyes so deeply? Is this a new hunting tactic? Why ask about my schedule… is he planning to take me somewhere? Somewhere… private?" Her mind spun through a dizzying array of possibilities, her pulse ticking a fraction faster.

  [Jian Zhi]: "…we should depart for your homeland to meet with your parents. To formalise the alliance and discuss the locomotive service, as previously planned."

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Oh…! Ah, yes. Yes, of course. The plan. Let's go. I've… missed home. I need to prepare. You should… [she made a dismissive, shooing motion with her hand] go. Shu, shu." Once he was gone, Jian Zhi and Lǐ Róng convened to strategise for the King's absence.

  [Lǐ Róng]: "Are you certain about this? Will you be secure there? What if their intentions turn hostile?"

  [Jian Zhi]: "My primary contingency is the Phoenix Princess. Maintaining constant proximity to her provides an efficient diplomatic shield should negotiations deteriorate. Do not concern yourself. [A faint, confident smile] Guard our kingdom and its people. I will return with favourable terms." Lǐ Róng nodded, reassured by this new, more humanised version of his king, even if its core was still pure, unyielding logic.

  As they walked back through the palace corridors, Xuè Lán spotted them. With a playful glint in her eye, she dropped silently from an upper balcony, aiming to grab Jian Zhi from behind in a surprise hug. Her fingers had barely brushed his cloak when his body moved with instinctual, violent efficiency. He seized her arm, using her own momentum to pivot and slam her onto the polished stone floor. Lǐ Róng was at her side in an instant.

  [Xuè Lán]: "[Gasping in pain, fighting for air] You… you damnable brat! Why such force? [A pained cough]"

  [Jian Zhi]: "I offer an apology for the injury. However, my action was not an error. You initiated a stealth attack from a blind spot. I registered a threat and neutralised it. The fault lies with your choice of target and method. My apology is for the outcome, not the principle." His tone was cool, analytical, and utterly without malice.

  [Xuè Lán]: "Hey… it was meant to be playful! A game! [The realisation dawned on her] Ah… I'm the one who's sorry. You've never had that experience. It's my mistake. But next time, temper your strength, or I won't be getting up. What were you two discussing? Good news?"

  [Jian Zhi]: "The seed has taken root. Furthermore, I require personnel from your clan. Individuals proficient in high-temperature fire radiation for forging, and at least five kin with mastery over **Kinetic Dominion**—the advanced telekinesis your late clansman possessed. Recruit them before my return from the Azure Mandate capital."

  [Xuè Lán]: "It will be done, Your Majesty. But are you truly prepared for their court? Their numbers are vast. Unless… you are planning to use the Princess as a living shield. That *would* be the most logical approach, wouldn't it?" As the grand strategist of the Xuè Clan pieced together his cold calculus, a profound, proud smile spread across her face. He was thinking like a sovereign.

  Preparations complete, Jian Zhi packed meticulously: a change of robes, and his sword, **The Punisher**. The blade was forged from a secret dragon-scale alloy that glowed a deep, menacing crimson under sunlight and a cold, spectral cyan in darkness—the legendary blood-vaporiser of the Divine Land's King. Wǎn Lù, arriving at the departure point, found herself staring, her curiosity piqued by the otherworldly weapon and the armour he now wore, crafted from the same mysterious material.

  Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Did you forge this sword as well? And this armour… I've never seen such a colour. Is it a pigment, or…?" She drifted closer, drawn in to examine the intricate, non-reflective surface.

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Listen. I won't let anyone harm you there. But you must mind your conduct. Do not address elders with your relentless logic. Show respect. Bow to my parents and my brothers. Do you understand?"

  [Jian Zhi]: "Respect is not an automatic tax levied by age. It is a tribute earned by action. I will observe and respond accordingly."

  [Wǎn Lù]: (Internal Monologue) "Perfect. He's logically impeccable and socially suicidal. How am I supposed to shield him from court politics and hierarchy? I suppose I'll just have to be glued to his side the entire time. AHH! You infuriating, clingy brat!"

  With final preparations complete, they stood ready to bridge the distance between their kingdoms. Jian Zhi summoned his flight ability, energy coalescing around him. Wǎn Lù unfurled her wings—great, shimmering planes of celestial cobalt blue and silver, the essence of the Abyssal Water Phoenix glowing softly in the daylight.

  [Jian Zhi]: "Are you certain about utilising your wings openly? The fatigue factor is significant, and it compromises your concealed identity."

  [Wǎn Lù]: "If we fly high and fast enough, we won't be seen. I'll show you my secret route directly to my chambers. We can avoid the official gates entirely." Together, they ascended, piercing the cloud layer. Her Phoenix wings beat with powerful, radiant grace. Jian Zhi’s crimson armour and the sheathed Punisher beside him seemed to drink in the intense sunlight, their colour darkening to a profound, blood-black crimson.

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Your armour and sword… they change hue?"

  [Jian Zhi]: "Affirmative. The alloy possesses unique photochromatic properties. It can sever conventional metals and negate directed **Hún Guāng** attacks."

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Negate… *Soul-Light*? [She halted mid-air, stunned.] Are you serious? How did you discover such a thing?"

  [Jian Zhi]: "What logical purpose would a lie serve? And what strategic advantage would I gain by disclosing the source? [His voice shifted into the cold, imperious tone of a king protecting a state secret]" She fell silent, and they flew on.

  [Wǎn Lù]: (Internal Monologue) "This man is a vault of secrets. I must find a way to learn the formula for that alloy. Jian Zhi… it seems I will need you in my life for far longer than I anticipated."

  Midway through the journey, the sustained effort began to tell. The radiant glow of Wǎn Lù's wings dimmed, and her speed faltered. Jian Zhi noticed the decay in her velocity immediately. Without a word, he closed the distance and caught her, one arm securing her firmly against him.

  [Jian Zhi]: "Retract your wings. Conserve your energy for my protection within your empire. For now, allow me to assist you, Princess." She could only nod, a flush of heat rising to her cheeks at the sudden, decisive physical contact.

  [Wǎn Lù]: (Internal Monologue) "'Princess'? Not 'Wǎn Lù,' not 'Your Highness'… just my title. And what is with this new behaviour? Since the seed sprouted, he's been smiling, jumping with joy, and now this… carrying me like a damsel! It's utterly embarrassing! Even if his hold is strong and secure… I am not a parcel, you idiot!" She muttered her complaints into the rushing wind as Jian Zhi accelerated, fusing fire element energy with his flight to become a crimson streak across the sky.

  In what felt like only minutes, they descended toward the sprawling, azure-tiled roofs of the Azure Mandate palace.

  [Jian Zhi]: "Is this the correct coordinates?"

  [Wǎn Lù]: "[Feeling slightly dizzy, she shook her head to clear it] Wait… yes. This is it. But we need to go to *that* window, the one that leads to my private chamber. Follow me." They glided silently to the ornate window. She eased it open and slipped inside, only to freeze.

  [Wǎn Lù]: "Yìng Wǎn? Why are you in my room?"

  [Yìng Wǎn]: (Wǎn Lù's cousin, two years her senior at 27) "Cousin! I thought you'd abandoned us for that… rustic little province. Did you tire of playing sovereign so soon? Miss your silks and perfumes?"

  [Wǎn Lù]: "[Her voice turned to ice] First, state your business here. Second, remove yourself from my chambers. Immediately." As she spoke, Jian Zhi entered soundlessly through the window behind her, his imposing form filling the space.

  [Yìng Wǎn]: "Who is *that*? A thief?! AN ASSASSIN! [Her voice escalated into a piercing shriek] HELP! HELP! INTRUDER IN THE PRINCESS'S CHAMBER!!" She turned and fled into the hallway, her cries echoing down the marble corridors.

  [Wǎn Lù]: "You brat! Why didn't you wait for my signal? Did I tell you to come in? Couldn't you have lingered in the clouds for one more minute? Ahh, now we have a spectacle to manage. When they arrive, let me do the talking. You stay silent. Understood?"

  The Dragon had indeed entered Phoenix Territory. But was he now cornered in a gilded cage, or was he about to demonstrate just how effortlessly a predator could dominate a new domain?

  Author's Note: Entering the Lion's Den

  Azure Mandate Empire. Threat Level: High. Diplomatic Skill: Non-existent ("Respect is earned, not a tax").

  The Setup: Yìng Wǎn just screamed "Assassin." The Palace Guards are coming. Wǎn Lù told him to "Stay silent."

  Question: Does anyone actually believe Jian Zhi will stay silent when someone insults him?

  Next Chapter: If you want to see the "Country King" introduce VLSI Logic to the "Arrogant Nobles," Hit FOLLOW. The Face-Slapping arc begins now.