The Demon Lords

Though Pixiu is a fierce beast, riding it into the palace is not considered a taboo.

"Okay."

Lord Zheng walked to the back, arriving in front of the princess.

"Kneel down."

The princess instinctively wanted to kneel,

however,

the Pixiu beside her knelt even faster.

"..." The princess.

No, I meant you should kneel.

Zheng Fan reached out, supporting the princess to sit on the Pixiu, and then he also mounted it. The Pixiu stood up, and Lord Zheng embraced the princess as they slowly entered the palace gates.

The rest, those who could ride horses, rode horses, while those who had to walk, walked.

Ji Chengjue rode alongside on horseback and asked:

"How does it feel to ride a horse in the palace?"

Lord Zheng said blandly:

"Last time, I galloped through the palace with Qingshuang."

"..." Ji Chengjue.

That day,

Qingshuang received the Earl of North Border’s orders, and I received Lord Jingnan’s orders. Together, we raced into the rear garden of the imperial palace, summoning two squads of cavalry.

"Isn’t it strange? We haven’t seen each other in over two years, yet it doesn’t feel awkward at all," Ji Chengjue spoke.

"Do not be so nauseating right after meeting."

"Nauseating?"

"I’ve spent a long time in Jin land."

"Oh, understood," Ji Chengjue laughed, "Come to my place for a drink tonight. I now have my own residence, no longer staying in what you used to call... oh, collective dormitory."

"I’m busy; I’ll see if I have the time. You know, many princes and ministers want to invite me for a meal."

"Animal."

"Scoundrel."

The two rode side by side, entering from the outer gate to the inner gate.

The inner gate guards had already opened the grand door,

as the procession entered,

Ji Chengjue slowed down the pace, letting Lord Zheng move ahead alone.

Ahead,

was the majestic hall, the place of daily court.

At this moment, on the marble floor, stood rows of guards holding knives.

Lord Zheng whispered, "If we turn back now, is it still too late? This is a grand arrangement, and there are so many?"

Ji Chengjue shook his head and said, "After all, the father is the emperor. To whom he wishes to bestow favor, who can remain indifferent?"

Sitting on the dragon throne,

symbolizing the legitimacy of Yan, is the undisputed supreme authority of Yan.

The guards divided into two rows,

"Swish!"

"Swish!"

"Swish!"

Drawing their knives collectively, raising them obliquely upward, creating a corridor of glittering blades.

This is the highest courtesy to a general,

happening in the inner palace,

happening before the grand hall.

In his arms, the princess whispered:

"Brother said before, the kinder the emperor is to someone, the more he wants to extract from them. The emperor is the best businessman in the world."

Businessmen conduct business, trading in gold and silver.

The emperor,

trades in life!

Lord Zheng bowed his head, gently kissing the princess on the forehead, saying:

"Don’t worry, no one can take my life."

Then,

Lord Zheng drew his barb knife, raising it high.

The Pixiu below began to stride forward,

where it walked,

the guards on both sides withdrew their knives, as waves ripple across a calm lake, and the origin of these waves was precisely Zheng Fan.

"Lord Pingye mighty!"

"Lord Pingye mighty!"

The guards shouted in unison, the sound waves echoing through the palace.

At this moment,

Lord Zheng’s heart,

suddenly wavered.

The Yan Emperor granted him such grand favor; humans are not grass; who can remain unaffected?

But as Lord Zheng had said to the princess earlier, his life belongs to him.

Closing his eyes,

opening them again,

after a blink,

the fervor in Lord Zheng’s eyes gradually faded.

Not being a loyal subject of Yan is not because he dislikes the Black Dragon flag, but simply because he doesn’t like playing a role similar to Yue Wumu.

The experiences of Lord Jingnan are even more tragic than those of Yue Wumu.

I just want to be myself,

I just want to be happy,

you all,

none of you can bind me!

"Lord Pingye mighty!"

"Lord Pingye mighty!"

Amidst the cheers,

Lord Zheng let out a low shout, and the Pixiu, which had followed him to battle, immediately galloped forth.

From afar,

like a golden fish amidst the dark waves, racing!

Upon passing through the forest of armored soldiers,

Lord Zheng brandished his blade and rode his horse,

beloved in arms,

shouted:

"Long live the Emperor, long live Yan!"

"Boom!"

The guards all shouted in unison:

"Long live the Emperor, long live Yan!"

"Long live the Emperor, long live Yan!"

In the distance,

Ji Chengjue sat on horseback, watching the spectacle ahead.

Slowly,

the Crown Prince rode up beside him.

"I’ve long thought of Zheng Fan as a piece of uselessness, even now, my view hasn’t changed."

If Zheng Fan were the chief general of the guards, or even the commander of Nanwang City, then his twenty thousand cavalry unit under his command could play an extremely formidable role.

If there arose a change in the capital, or if an incident was forcefully created, he could respond and support.

But,

Snow Sea Gate,

is too far.

Ji Chengjue smiled and said, "Is education useful, Second Prince?"

Without waiting for the Crown Prince’s answer,

Ji Chengjue continued, "Does education make one weigh more? Some accounts shouldn’t be calculated this way, many people think my relationship with Zheng Fan is like that between a prince and an external general, but in reality, he and I are friends."

The Crown Prince sighed and said:

"It’s hard to imagine you’re saying such things."

"Does it feel pretentious?"

"A bit."

"That’s exactly the feeling I want. Always living with seriousness is too dull."

The Crown Prince nodded forward and said:

"Your uselessness is about to be taken by father."