Infernal Drake the Size of a Golden Swallow

"Little Shrimp!" Marcus White and Empress Clarissa Summers were both shocked and delighted.

"Your son greets Father Emperor and Mother Empress." Bobby Bai bowed with perfect etiquette. "I returned late and made you worry."

Marcus White kept his composure and asked, "Where's your sister?"

"Right here!" Lily Bai stepped out from behind and bowed. "Father Emperor, Mother Empress."

"When did you get back?" Marcus White asked.

"Just now." Lily Bai glanced playfully at the two. "I was planning to bring Little Shrimp to greet Mother Empress first, but I saw the sky over the rear palace swarming with Flying Riders and nearly jumped out of my skin! What's going on? Uncle Cedric, Uncle Warren, are you two planning a rebellion or something?"

The two exchanged glances but said nothing.

"Now you two have seen Little Shrimp for yourselves. Does he look like a fool to you?" Marcus White pointed at Bobby Bai. "Look at him—isn't he smart and lively?"

At this moment, Bobby Bai's eyes were clear, his bones sharp, his speech articulate, his manners impeccable—how could he possibly be an idiot?

He's sharper and more put-together than most kids his age.

"Uh... this..." Warren looked at Cedric.

So... rebel or not?

Cedric was about to speak when suddenly, panicked screams erupted outside.

They rushed out and saw the Flying Riders all bursting into flames, howling in agony.

"Ah! What's happening to them?" Both men were horrified.

"Oh dear! They must've triggered the palace's Spirit Barrier Restriction!" Lily Bai said.

"Restriction? Since when does the palace barrier have a fire restriction like that?" Warren blurted out.

"Last time I came back, I divined that the palace might face upheaval, so I begged my master for a Magical Artifact and turned it into a Restriction," Lily Bai explained. "Whoever breaks it gets burned by fire!"

"Why didn't you say so earlier?"

"Who goes around announcing stuff like that?" Lily Bai replied. "As long as you don't barge in, you're fine! Seriously, what are they trying to do, anyway?"

"But... they're the White Clan's Flying Riders! If they all burn to death, our nation's war power will take a huge hit!" Warren cried. "Hurry and save them!"

Lily Bai smiled and said, "Uncle Warren, you must be joking! For would-be rebels, the stronger they are, the bigger the threat. Why should I save them?"

"They're not trying to rebel!" Warren shouted. "Just put out the fire!"

His own son was among them.

"Not rebelling? Then what exactly are they doing?"

"Little Fish!" Warren panicked, suddenly dropping to his knees in front of Lily Bai. "Please save your cousin! If you do, I swear I'll protect Little Shrimp until he grows up and becomes emperor!"

"Yes, Little Fish, please save them! Most of those riders are royal relatives!" Cedric pleaded.

But Lily Bai didn't respond—she just looked at Marcus White.

Seeing this, both men turned to kneel before Marcus White, begging him for help.

So Marcus White said, "Lily, whatever's happened, we're all of the same White Clan blood. You mustn't take their lives."

"Alright! Since Father Emperor is merciful, I won't hold it against you." Lily Bai raised her Rune Staff and cast a spell.

In no time, dark clouds gathered over the Grand Plaza, and a torrential downpour drenched the flames.

Cedric and Warren hurried off to round up the scorched survivors and retreat.

Lily Bai glanced up at the eaves, where a tiny Infernal Drake, shrunk to the size of a golden swallow, was perched. She cupped her fists in a discreet salute to the little drake.

There was never any Restriction.

It was her.

"Did Damian catch this fish for you?" Just then, she heard her mother's voice from inside the hall.

She couldn't let her mother talk to Damian! Lily Bai hurriedly ran inside.