Chapter 5: I’m Taking You Back!

"Brother Xiaoxiong, what is wrong with you? You’ve been laughing since a moment ago."

Within the Duke of the State’s residence, Ji Xiaoxiong sat leisurely in a recliner. Having long since shed his burdens, and still recovering from his severe injuries, he had fully embraced a semi-retired lifestyle.

Ji Junhong certainly wouldn't dare disturb him; only the occasional officer from the Flying Bear Army would come to ask for advice regarding the new state’s deployments. They never spoke directly about the new state, of course, instead opting for roundabout inquiries like, "Marshal, I have a friend who built a country. Do you think the current military configuration should be adjusted?"

To this, Ji Xiaoxiong was always forthcoming, sharing all he knew, though neither party ever specified which friend or which country was being discussed.

For some reason, however, Ji Junhong had appeared before him today holding a large watermelon, smiled, and said, "Father, eat some melon." With that, he vanished.

While Bai Rou remained puzzled, Ji Xiaoxiong had already sliced the melon, placed it on the table, and began devouring a large piece with gusto. Yet, as he ate, his eyes suddenly turned profound, flashes of lightning flickering within them as if he were gazing into the far distance. He sat motionless in his chair.

The smile on his lips grew increasingly pronounced, eventually blossoming into the look of an old father, as simple and bright as wild chrysanthemums on a hillside.

"Heh... hehe... hehehehe..."

He let out these chuckles from time to time, looking quite abnormal by any measure.

...

In the Imperial Palace, Ji Junhong had decided to make do with the previous dynasty's palace rather than waste resources building a new one—he didn't find it bothersome at all.

His team had been pouring in from all corners of the country, and they spent their days arguing over the new state’s policies and governance. The arguing had been ongoing today as well, until Ji Junhong suddenly vanished.

With the boss gone, the rest of the group abandoned their formality. They called for drinks, chatting and bickering as they tipped back their cups. The entire court was in an uproar; while they were always noisy, their voices were louder today, and they were quick to drag each other’s relatives into their disputes.

However, today was different from the past. Mr. Wen, who usually shouted the loudest and was always ready to roll up his sleeves for a fight, was sitting in a corner, uncharacteristically silent. A glass of wine sat before him, the liquid trembling and sending out ripples.

Mr. Wen stared at the glass with a doting, maternal smile, letting out the occasional chuckle. As the crowd’s argument grew more heated, he suddenly shouted in excitement:

"They kissed! She kissed him!"

The shout was thunderous, drowning out the others who were busy cursing each other. Everyone froze, only to see the old man, Mr. Wen, rubbing his hands together in excitement while keeping his eyes fixed on his wine glass, even grabbing a bottle to guzzle straight from the neck.

"Haha! Interesting! Truly interesting!"

The crowd: "???"

...

Meanwhile, as the two were chatting by the lake, a pair of hostile eyes watched them intently from a nearby pile of grass. When Xia Ningshang pinned Ji Huo to the ground and began to devour him with kisses, those eyes filled with murderous intent, and the owner prepared to charge out.

"Slap!"

At that very moment, a slender hand pressed down on the person's shoulder. The man turned abruptly to find a pair of gentle, smiling eyes looking back at him. They were instantly enveloped in golden light and vanished from the spot. When they reappeared, they were miles away.

"I am the Emperor of Great Qi, Ji Junhong," Ji Junhong said with a polite bow and a gentle smile. "May I ask who you are, brother?"

The man was a young fellow in a tattered black robe. His hair was disheveled and covered in dust, making him look as if he had suffered inhuman torture or endured a grueling, long-distance trek.

"Xia Wuji," the young man replied coldly.

Ji Junhong realized and chuckled, "Ah, the Dragon Emperor! I have long heard of your reputation!"

"Spare me the nonsense! Why did you stop me?" Xia Wuji’s eyes were bloodshot, and he asked with palpable malice.

Ji Junhong blinked and spread his hands, saying, "They are a young couple being affectionate. Wouldn't it be improper for the Dragon Emperor to charge in and interrupt?"

"Bullshit!" Xia Wuji exploded with rage. "It was your brother who seduced my sister! It’s only right that I charge in and beat him up!"

Ji Junhong replied innocently, "Dragon Emperor, you jest. The one pinned to the ground is my brother."

Xia Wuji: "..."

His eyes turned even redder, and he flew into a rage. "If your brother hadn't used his honeyed words to deceive my sister, would she have ever acted in such—such a manner?"

Ji Junhong grinned. "You were crouching nearby the whole time. It’s not as if you didn't hear their conversation. To me, they are clearly two people in mutual love."

"I just don't like it!" A pitch-black spear suddenly appeared in Xia Wuji’s hand—the full-form Demon Dragon Spear. He roared in grief and anger, "My sister has been so deceived that she hasn't come home in months! I must skewer that pretty-faced boy who tricks innocent girls!"

With that, he lunged forward with his spear. Ji Junhong immediately drew the Human Emperor Sword from his waist and charged forward without showing a hint of weakness.

"How rude of you. Theirs is a pure love."

The spear and sword collided in mid-air. Neither seemed to use much force, yet the air let out a faint humming sound, and the trees and rocks within a ten-foot radius were pulverized into dust!

In just a short time, the two exchanged several blows. The clash of weapons was constant, yet both tacitly controlled their power to a minimal range, refusing to let a shred of energy leak out. They fought with extreme caution and a strange, unspoken agreement, as if terrified of being discovered...

Back by the lake, Ji Huo was still pinned to the ground, feeling a slick, soft tongue force its way past his teeth. It was wild, aggressive, and greedily demanding. The sweet scent flooded his senses, and he responded almost instinctively.

It was unknown how much time had passed before Ji Huo finally snapped to his senses and flipped over abruptly!

However, Xia Ningshang was already soaring into the sky with flushed cheeks, transforming into a black dragon over ten meters long, twisting and spiraling through the air!

"What do you think you're doing?!" Ji Huo asked, exasperated. He subconsciously wanted to lick his lips but stopped himself.

Three months—this face was not worth washing!

"Hahahahaha!"

The black dragon in the sky let out a hearty, bell-like laugh. She spiraled and flew, speaking in a human voice:

"The women of my Dragon State have always been bold in love and hate! Since you refuse to abandon everything in the Qi State, I shall drag you away! I will keep you as my own, day and night!"

"You're insane!" Ji Huo roared.

Xia Ningshang dove down in a fit of pique, refusing to be outdone. "I was already insane the moment I fell in love with you!"

Such a blunt confession made Ji Huo’s heart leap, and then he saw the ten-meter-long black dragon rushing straight toward his face.

"BOOM!"

Dust billowed!

The surface of the lake rippled, and the nearby trees were bent double by the pressure of the wind.

"ROAR!"

A brown bear, over ten meters tall, suddenly appeared and let out a defiant roar to the heavens!

High above, the black dragon hissed and circled, locked in a tense standoff with the brown bear below.