"Bro—!" Clara Night called out, her voice all soft and dramatic, as she watched Adrian Night strut toward the door, looking like he was about to ghost her forever. (Cue the tragic anime filter!)
"Just chill here at Ice Palace," Adrian Night tossed over his shoulder, giving Clara Night the classic Big Bro side-eye as if he was dropping some top-secret mission instructions. (Seriously, could he be any more mysterious?)
"Nope!" Clara Night suddenly ninja-leaped in front of him, throwing out her arm like a human barricade. "Bro, you totally knew all along, didn't you? Why'd you keep me in the dark?" Her voice shot up to full drama queen, basically halfway to a scream.
"Trust me, it's for your own good," Adrian Night replied, cool as a cucumber, not even a hair out of place. (Does this guy ever panic? Spoiler: Nope.)
"Oh, really? If you're so dead-set on what's 'good' for me, then just marry me already!" Clara Night shot back, head held high, eyes sparkling with 10,000 volts of drama. (The servants in the background: jaw drop, popcorn spill, collective gasp.)
The entire row of servants did a synchronized double-take, eyes bugging out like cartoon characters. (If only someone had a camera—viral moment for sure!)
"Alright, shoo! All of you, out!" Adrian Night waved his hand like he was swatting flies, not even blinking at the chaos. The servants scattered, bowing and scrambling as if someone had just dropped a sack of gold in the hallway.
"Clara, listen up: you are, and always will be, my little sister." Adrian Night locked eyes with her, his face going full Serious Mode. (Meanwhile, Clara's hopes: shattering in slo-mo.)
"But I'm not your sister, am I? Not really, not ever! We're not even blood-related, right?" Clara Night clung to his arm like a koala, eyes wide and desperate, as if this was her last chance at the grand prize.
Adrian Night watched her act all spoiled—classic little sis energy—and didn't bother shaking off her hand. Instead, he went full patient big brother: "Clara, I've always treated you like family. Real family. Besides, I'm already married, okay?" (Cue longing side-glance: Ivy Shen, if you're reading this, Adrian's ready to teleport to you ASAP, but first, he's gotta sort out this walking drama bomb.)
"Married, schmarried! Did you forget what Dad said on his deathbed? He literally told you to marry me—twice!" Clara Night only found out her real identity at the last possible second. First, she was shocked. Then, she was like, 'Wait, jackpot?' Since she wasn't Adrian's real sister, their love story was officially drama-free (in her mind, anyway).
But what really sent her over the moon? Dad's last words: Adrian, marry Clara, take care of her forever! Honestly, when Clara heard that, she almost wished Dad had kicked the bucket sooner—then she could've snagged Adrian years ago. (Sorry, not sorry, Dad!)
"Doesn't matter what Dad said. To me, you're my sister. My real sister. Family isn't just about blood, you know?" Adrian Night looked at Clara's stubborn, puppy-eyed face and just sighed. (Bro's been dodging her crush for years, hoping she'd outgrow it—spoiler alert: she did NOT.)
"How can you do this? Are you just gonna ignore Dad's dying wish? You want him haunting us forever?" Clara Night was full-on panicking now—this was her last bargaining chip, and Adrian was about to yeet it out the window. (Girl, desperate times call for desperate drama!)
"You keep bringing up Dad, but honestly, we've been family for ages. Relax—your big bro will help you find a guy who's actually worthy of you." Adrian Night laughed, spun around, and started to walk out, totally unfazed. (Clara: rage meter rising. Servants: placing bets.)
"Hold it right there!" Clara Night zipped in front of him again, face scrunched up in peak drama. "Where do you think you're going?" (Pro tip: Never underestimate a determined little sister.)
"To find my one true love!" Adrian Night declared, chest out, eyes sparkling, as if he was starring in a cheesy romance drama. (Clara: instant meltdown. Audience: cue dramatic music.)
"You mean that ugly freak? Why isn't she dead yet?" Clara Night, still totally clueless that Young Master Jia was actually Ivy Shen, scoffed. In her mind, Ivy was just some hideous monster. Sure, she'd kinda crushed on Young Master Jia lately, but after coming home, she realized—nope, Adrian was still her OTP, endgame forever. (Sorry, Ivy, not sorry!)
Adrian Night's brow twitched—yep, that was his "I'm-this-close-to-losing-it" face. He was NOT amused by Clara's trash talk.
"Not letting you leave! Dad's last wish, remember? You have to marry me!" Clara Night threw out her arm to block the door, her voice going full boss mode. (Somebody cue the dramatic showdown music!)
Adrian Night saw her antics and was like, nope, not wasting another second here. He brushed her hand off, ice-cold. "Don't push me, or you'll make me hate you for real."
"Bro..." Clara Night blurted out the old nickname, like muscle memory kicking in.
Adrian Night didn't even turn around. He took a deep breath, then dropped each word like a hammer: "Clara, get this straight—you'll always be my little sister. And Ivy Shen? She's my one and only. This lifetime, it's her and nobody else. I'd chase her from heaven to hell and back, no regrets."
"You lost it, huh? What's so great about her that you'd go full drama mode? Or did you forget—she's not just your wife, she's got a whole squad!" She held back from calling Ivy 'ugly freak' this time—she knew that was Adrian's instant rage button.
Adrian Night just let out a low chuckle, still facing away. "She's basically flawless, duh. Of course everyone's obsessed. Doesn't matter how many dudes want her—I'm sticking around. When you actually love someone, you'll get it. Trust me, it's a whole vibe."
After coming home and thinking it over, he'd finally unlocked the achievement: as long as Ivy was cool with it, and the other guys were genuinely into her, he wasn't gonna block them. Ethan Chu? Dude's basically his twin—stone cold to everyone but Ivy. Maybe they didn't have to be rivals; maybe they could even squad up. Just thinking about it made Adrian crack a smile.
Clara Night totally lost her chill and screamed, "You're nuts! Like, totally off-the-wall crazy!"
"Crazy for her? So what!" Adrian Night burst out laughing, the sound echoing like a boss battle victory. He strode out, full protagonist energy. Ivy, hang tight—I'm speedrunning my way back to you!
After he left, Clara Night's face went full villain mode. She clenched her fists so hard her nails dug in, practically drawing blood. "Ivy Shen, I swear—I'm gonna make sure you die so hard, not even a grave will want you!"
== Plot Twist Incoming ==
"Emperor Chu, Emperor Chu..." Song Zhijue called out, low-key wondering why Ethan Chu looked spaced out, like his brain had gone on vacation.
"Huh? Oh, sorry, zoned out for a sec. Been running on empty lately, worrying about the people—and the border raiders are a pain." Ethan Chu tossed out a random excuse, but his mind was 100% on Ivy Shen. Priorities, right?
Song Zhijue flashed a polite smile. "Wow, Your Majesty really does care about the people. Chu Kingdom hit the jackpot with you."
"Oh please, everyone in Soaring Phoenix Realm is obsessed with you, Crown Prince. You're the real MVP for the people." For palace folks, tossing out compliments was basically their side hustle.
"Emperor Chu, you're hilarious," Song Zhijue said, waving it off. But honestly, he couldn't stop himself from grinning.
Still not done yet~.~ Hit next page for more drama and chaos!
"Crown Prince, you gotta stay a few more days! Chu's got way more to offer—come on, live a little!"
"Nah, no need. We've already crashed here long enough. Now that the alliance is set, I gotta bounce. Martial conference is popping off in Soaring Phoenix Realm—can't chill when that's happening!" Song Zhijue had his mind glued to the tournament drama.
Ethan Chu perked up. "Wait, the Crown Prince actually cares about martial arts stuff? I thought the court treated that like a no-go zone."
Song Zhijue's face did a 180 into full-on grump mode. "Martial artists these days are way too cocky—seriously, it's a headache. And this year's mega-tournament is basically a magnet for bandits and meatheads." Just picturing the crowd gave him the heebie-jeebies. If things blew up, Draken City would be the next meme-worthy disaster zone.
"But I heard you, Crown Prince Song, gave ten thousand taels of gold to this year's martial alliance leader. Yet you sound like you hate the martial conference—so why the money?" Ethan Chu wondered aloud.
"Haha!" Song Zhijue suddenly smiled. "Your Majesty, since you know I can't stand those people, why would I give them ten thousand taels of gold?" He finished with a mysterious grin.
"Huh?"
Seeing Ethan Chu's interest, Song Zhijue tried to win him over. "Actually, giving gold is just a cover—I'm really sending them to hell. I'll be blunt, those 'treasures' came from the Endless Indulgence Kingdom." He smiled mysteriously again.
"Oh? What is it?" Suddenly, Ethan Chu had a bad feeling and grew tense.
"Invisible venom," Song Zhijue spat out coldly.
"Invisible venom? What's that?" The words sent a chill down Ethan Chu's spine.
"It's a brand-new poison—colorless, tasteless, but incredibly deadly. I had it dusted all over the gold. Once the chest is opened, the poison will spread everywhere, wiping out every living thing on Mount Hua." Just imagining all those martial artists dying made Song Zhijue happy. Silver Consort's letter had told him that the monster Ivy Shen sheltered was present, so this was the perfect chance to get rid of him.
His cold, cruel expression was nothing like the gentle, people-loving prince the stories described.
"What? Is it really that deadly?" Ethan Chu was stunned.
"I'm not exaggerating. I'm afraid even the flowers and grass on Mount Hua will wither from the poison—let alone people." Song Zhijue finished with a cold, vicious smile.
"But even if you dislike martial artists, there are lots of innocent people there." Ethan Chu wanted to say: martial artists haven't harmed you, so why go so far?
"I hate martial artists most—they ruin the martial world and the people, forming gangs and electing alliance leaders. In the Soaring Phoenix Realm, there's only one Son of Heaven; we don't need other leaders. And those commoners who go to watch? They're no good either. If they were truly good people, they'd stay home and farm or raise children." Song Zhijue clenched the armrests of his wheelchair tightly.
He hated them all—those with martial skills, those who could fly. Why should he lose his right to train, just because of his crippled legs? No one knew how badly he wanted to practice martial arts, to fly. But he couldn't. Since he couldn't have it, no one else deserved it either.
"Is there an antidote?" Ethan Chu jumped up in alarm.
"Antidote? My people have already taken it. There's only a limited supply—no extras for anyone else. But I do have a few left." With that, Song Zhijue pulled a white vial from his belt.
Ethan Chu suddenly rushed over, snatched the vial from Song Zhijue's hand, and sprinted outside.
"Your Majesty?" Song Zhijue was shocked.
"Crown Prince, you know His Majesty has a master, right? He taught our emperor many things, and His Majesty deeply respects him. Unfortunately, he's at the martial conference now. Hearing what you just said, our emperor must have rushed to save him." Grand Master Zhang stepped forward and explained, bowing. He knew the imperial physician was away, so this excuse couldn't be checked.
"Really? But isn't it too late to get to source from here?" Song Zhijue didn't doubt him at all.
Grand Master Zhang didn't reply. He knew that even a thousand-mile horse couldn't get there in time—it was all up to fate now.
"Ah, why didn't His Majesty say his master was there? What a pity—I've already had the chest opened ahead of time," Song Zhijue said carelessly.
"What? What did you say, Crown Prince?" Grand Master Zhang was appalled.
"I was planning to award it to the alliance leader after the tournament, but I've changed my mind." Song Zhijue raised his brows and smiled. Silver Consort's message said that brat was there—he didn't want him to live another minute. Only after that boy died would Song feel at ease.
Grand Master Zhang glanced anxiously outside. Your Majesty... Even with a thousand-mile horse, you might not make it in time!
At this point, Song Zhijue stopped caring. He had the antidote—he'd be fine. If Ethan Chu's master couldn't be saved, so be it; it was fate. He'd already agreed to the alliance, so he'd return tomorrow to draft the treaty and pick a good day to bring it for signing.
"Your Majesty, where are you going?" General Ni watched Ethan Chu toss aside his dragon robe and take his own clothes.
"I have urgent business. Let Grand Master Zhang handle state affairs." With that, Ethan Chu mounted the thousand-mile horse and galloped away, leaving General Ni bewildered.
"Hyah! Hyah! Hyah!" Ethan Chu cracked his whip, urging the thousand-mile horse to a frantic gallop. Song Zhijue's words echoed in his mind, filling him with dread. Ivy, you can't be in danger—wait for me, wait for me to save you. Please... you must wait for me...