Royal City…
Gu Ping Palace…
Inside a grand chamber adorned with red silk and golden embroidery, Princess Gu Ping sat before a polished bronze mirror, delicately applying rouge to her lips. The scent of rare flowers filled the air, mingling with the heavy aroma of burning incense.
Her long, crimson nails tapped against the armrest of her jade throne, her face a mask of indifference. Beneath her, a burly man lay on the ground, his forehead pressed against the cold floor. Her delicate, jeweled foot rested on his head, pinning him in place as if he were nothing more than a living footstool.
A group of soldiers entered the chamber, dropping to one knee.
“Your Highness,” one of them spoke cautiously, his voice trembling slightly under her sharp gaze. “We have received an urgent report.”
She didn’t spare them a glance, focused on perfecting her appearance. “Speak.”
“A young man was seen escaping a checkpoint with a beast girl from the Slave Village,” the soldier reported. “He was riding a massive, golden throne, moving at an incredible speed.”
At that, Gu Ping’s hand froze mid-motion. The room’s temperature seemed to drop.
“A throne?” she repeated slowly, her voice dangerously soft.
“Yes, Princess. A massive throne, unlike anything seen before.”
Her fingers clenched around the jade brush, snapping it in half.
“Who is he?” she demanded, her voice now laced with venom.
“We do not know yet. But he seemed… powerful.”
Gu Ping’s eyes narrowed into slits. Someone had dared to ride a throne through her kingdom, defying their checkpoints? And with a filthy beast girl, no less?
She stood up abruptly, kicking the burly man away from under her feet. He tumbled to the side, not daring to make a sound.
“Find out everything about this boy,” she commanded. “But do not engage. I want to know who he is, where he comes from, and why he thinks he can act so boldly in my city.”
The soldiers bowed. “Yes, Princess!”
As they retreated, Gu Ping smirked, her crimson lips curling in amusement.
“Let’s see who dares to act so recklessly in my domain.”
—
Royal City…
The royal palace was a sight of sheer magnificence—its towering jade pillars gleamed under the sunlight, and an enormous golden dragon coiled around the main entrance, its eyes carved from precious sapphire.
Princess Ai Ping stood in the grand waiting hall, her arms crossed, her expression unbothered. She had already been waiting for three hours.
The court officials passing by threw her disapproving glances, as if her mere presence was an insult. A princess of the Slave Village daring to stand in the imperial court?
Finally, the golden doors to the Emperor’s chamber opened.
“You may enter,” a eunuch announced.
Ai Ping stepped inside gracefully, her every movement refined despite the disdainful stares of the imperial court members.
At the center of the chamber sat Emperor Han Long, a man whose presence commanded absolute authority. His black robes bore the emblem of a soaring phoenix, and his sharp eyes settled on Ai Ping with unreadable emotion.
“Daughter,” the Emperor greeted with a neutral tone. “How fares the village?”
Ai Ping bowed slightly. “The people are as they have always been, surviving.”
The Emperor hummed, uninterested in further discussion. “And what brings you here today?”
“I wish to request a spot in the Royal Academy for a supporter of mine,” Ai Ping said smoothly.
The room fell silent.
Even the court officials, who had been whispering among themselves, turned to stare at her in disbelief.
The Emperor’s brows furrowed. “You wish to send someone from your village… to the Royal Academy?”
Ai Ping met his gaze without flinching. “Yes.”
The Emperor leaned back, his fingers tapping the armrest of his throne. “You do understand what will happen if someone from the Slave Village enters the academy?”
Ai Ping nodded. “They will be hunted.”
A small smirk played on the Emperor’s lips. “Then why send them to their death?”
“That is for them to decide,” Ai Ping replied. “I am simply giving them a chance.”
The Emperor studied her for a moment. Then, with a flick of his fingers, a silver coin embossed with the Royal Academy’s seal appeared before her.
“Very well,” he said with amusement. “Give them this token. But if they die, it is of no concern to me.”
Ai Ping took the coin, her expression unreadable.
“Of course, Father.”
With that, she turned and left, her grip on the coin tightening slightly.
—
Back in the Slave Village, Kent sat surrounded by a horde of small creatures—over fifty in total. From spirit foxes with shimmering tails to tiny storm eagles that crackled with static, the variety was staggering.
The beast women of the village watched in awe, their expressions filled with adoration.
“Kent is truly kind-hearted,” one of them whispered, placing a bowl of food in front of a small, three-eyed tiger cub.
“To think he takes care of all these creatures without complaint…” another murmured, eyes sparkling.
Dakini leaned against a nearby wall, smirking. “You ladies better not fall in love too quickly. He’s already promised to shake the world.”
A beast girl blushed. “But he’s so… wonderful.”
Kent chuckled as he tossed some meat to a golden-furred wolf. “They’re not burdens,” he said simply. “They’re companions.”
Just then, the doors to the hall swung open, and Ai Ping stepped inside.
Everyone immediately straightened, recognizing the princess.
Ai Ping’s gaze swept over the scene, and for the first time in a long while, genuine admiration flickered in her eyes.
“This is unexpected,” she remarked, watching as a tiny flame squirrel curled up in Kent’s lap. “A man who values life… even the smallest ones.”
Kent smirked. “I take my responsibilities seriously.”
Ai Ping motioned for the others to leave. The beast women hesitated, then reluctantly exited the room, casting lingering glances at Kent before departing.
Once they were alone, Ai Ping tossed the silver coin onto the table before him.
“Your entrance token,” she said. “But don’t celebrate yet. You still need to pass the entrance exam to officially join.”
Kent picked up the coin, flipping it between his fingers. A slow smile stretched across his lips.
“Leave that to me,” he said. “A challenge makes things more interesting.”
Ai Ping chuckled softly. “You really are an unusual man.”
She turned to leave, but before stepping out, she glanced back at him.
“I’ll be watching your progress, Kent. Do not disappoint me.”
Kent’s eyes gleamed. “I wouldn’t dream of it.”
As Ai Ping disappeared through the door, Kent leaned back, staring at the silver coin.
“The Royal Academy, huh?” he murmured to himself.
A new battlefield awaited.
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