Nine Nether Dragon Emperor

Tianji Realm, Bi Luo Palace.

"Ning Xuan, do you think there’s something wrong with Cheng Yun? She dragged me around a place called the furniture market for an entire day!" Cheng Dabao complained weakly as he collapsed onto Ning Xuan’s bed.

Trying to stifle a laugh, Ning Xuan nodded in agreement before asking, "So you didn’t find a single thing you liked?"

"Of course not. I have much better things, after all. I did bring something back for you, though," Cheng Dabao said, sitting up straight. He mysteriously handed a package to Ning Xuan.

"What is this?" Ning Xuan asked with suspicion. He made a gesture in the air, and the tightly wrapped package split open from both sides, revealing its contents.

Then, Ning Xuan’s face darkened with exasperation. "Holy hell, where did you get this?!" If he wasn’t mistaken, Cheng Dabao had bought him a silicone doll.

"I got it from a shop run by an old lady next to the furniture market. Quick, tell me, what’s it for?" Cheng Dabao asked curiously.

"You were just passing by when she called out to you and said I needed this?"

Cheng Dabao’s eyes widened in surprise. "How did you know? You weren’t following me, were you?!"

"Are you an idiot? That old lady was Luo Tianyi! If you’d recognized her, you would have already seen Ye Qingqing!"

"What?! Ye Qingqing is here?!" Cheng Dabao was ecstatic.

"Like hell she is! You’re seriously underestimating Luo Tianyi’s abilities!"

Ning Xuan had some theories about the source of Luo Tianyi’s power. A sense of crisis washed over him, not from Luo Tianyi, but from the Chi Ming Dynasty. That place was a true quagmire. With his current level of Cultivation, he would be nothing but cannon fodder. That must be why Luo Tianyi was trying everything to stop him from going.

However, remembering that Luo Tianyi had taken Qian Yourong and the others, Ning Xuan figured he might be overthinking things.

"Forget it. Instead of just guessing, I might as well go and find out for myself!" Ning Xuan put away the gift from Cheng Dabao and prepared to visit Jiang Donglin.

Cheng Dabao wanted to tag along, but Ning Xuan stopped him. "Aren’t you tired? Get some rest. I’m just going to press them about my gift. I’ll be back soon."

"Alright then." Cheng Dabao was indeed tired, so he didn’t insist.

「A short while later.」

In Jiang Donglin’s room, before the steward could even speak, Ning Xuan handed him the gift. "Steward Jiang, this is a special gift for you."

Jiang Donglin was stunned for a moment, then looked utterly flattered. "Young Master, how can I..."

"Just take it!"

During the brief struggle, the wrapping came off. Jiang Donglin felt an exquisite texture in his hands and couldn’t resist giving it a squeeze.

A sudden moan—no, a sound—startled him so much that his hand spasmed, and he threw the gift away. Ning Xuan swiftly caught it and pushed it back into Jiang Donglin’s arms. The steward immediately struggled as if holding a hot potato.

"What? Are you not satisfied with the gift, Steward?"

The moment Ning Xuan said this, Jiang Donglin hugged the doll tightly.

"That’s more like it. You can study the gift more closely tonight, Steward. I just came to ask if the Palace Master’s gift has arrived yet."

"N-Not yet. But don’t worry, Young Master, I will make it a priority."

Ning Xuan smiled. "Actually, I’m not in a hurry. The Palace Master has gone to the Chi Ming Dynasty, likely to prepare a new Bi Luo Palace. You can just deliver the gift to her there."

Hearing this, Jiang Donglin immediately protested, "How could I do that? If the Palace Master finds out I was so inefficient, I’ll lose my head!" As he spoke, his face was a mask of terror and supplication.

"It’s fine. I’m on fairly good terms with her. I’ll put in a good word, and she definitely won’t touch you." Ning Xuan wasn’t falling for the act.

"Uh... right! Young Master, your gift is ready! I was just about to come and get you." With no other options, Jiang Donglin decided to play his trump card.

"Well, that’s great to hear," Ning Xuan said, looking at him expectantly.

Just then, an urgent voice came from outside. "Steward, something terrible has happened!"

"What’s all the panic about? Can’t you see I have an honored guest? Where are your manners?!"

The newcomer glanced at the doll Jiang Donglin was cradling, his expression turning odd.

"If you have something to say, spit it the hell out!" Jiang Donglin wished he could slap the fool to death. With a reaction like that, you’re telling me something terrible has happened?!

"Ah! The gift you prepared for the Young Master was stolen!" the man finally blurted out.

"What?!" Jiang Donglin’s face went pale. Then he roared, "If it was stolen, why didn’t you steal it back?! What’s the use of telling me?! Don’t tell me you expect the Young Master to handle it himself?!"

Jiang Donglin sent the man flying with a kick.

Behind them, Ning Xuan crossed his arms, quietly watching their performance. Although Jiang Donglin didn’t turn around, he could sense Ning Xuan’s presence and was now at a loss. He’s not falling for it at all! What am I supposed to do now?!

"Ahem, Steward, we wanted to! But our opponents were incredibly strong and have no respect for our Bi Luo Palace! They even said... they even said..." the subordinate stammered, kneeling where he had landed, on the verge of tears. He glanced at Ning Xuan, who stood behind the steward, and hesitated.

"What else did they say?! Stop fucking stammering!" Jiang Donglin barked, a flash of delight crossing his face before he concealed it.

"They said to tell the Young Master to drink more milk and come back when he’s grown up!"

"They’re calling the Young Master wet behind the ears?! How dare they! Young Master, given this situation, I must handle this personally, otherwise..."

Before Jiang Donglin could finish, Ning Xuan nodded. "Alright."

Both Jiang Donglin and the kneeling subordinate were dumbfounded. Why isn’t he playing by the script? Normally, he should be furious with embarrassment and insist on handling this himself! To ensure the plan went smoothly, I even spent a fortune through a middleman to hire the most notorious thugs in Tianji!

"Please give me some time, Young Master!" Jiang Donglin forced himself to say, then left immediately.

Ning Xuan shook his head, deciding he was done playing games. Rather than stay here and let them keep stringing me along, I’d better hurry to the Chi Ming Dynasty.

Therefore, Ning Xuan went straight back and got Cheng Dabao. After Cheng Dabao packed his things, the two of them set off for the Teleportation Array. Their journey was completely unobstructed.

"Fantastic!" Cheng Dabao exclaimed, thrilled as the Teleportation Array grew closer.

However, just as they were about to reach it, Cheng Yun’s urgent voice rang out. "Young Master, terrible news! Steward Jiang has been killed!"

The corner of Ning Xuan’s mouth twitched. To keep me here, Jiang Donglin is really resorting to every trick in the book, even playing dead.

"Isn’t that perfect?" Ning Xuan replied calmly. "You just got a promotion."

But when Cheng Yun appeared before him, Ning Xuan felt that something was genuinely wrong.