Chapter 55: Chapter 34: The Sixth Crown Prince of the East Sea
As she spoke, Fairy Shi grew animated. She grasped Xuzhuang’s hands, her eyes full of affection. "Xu Lang, since we first met, we have roamed the Shen Zhou Land together, taking in all its magnificent sights. Now that we’re in the East Sea, we have the chance to visit the Dragon Palace at the bottom of the sea... I am just so overjoyed."
Xuzhuang watched the Demoness put on a brilliant performance, unable to spot a single flaw. In his palms, however, he felt her give a faint squeeze. He suddenly smiled and replied, "As long as you’re happy, any price is worth paying."
Watching the two of them act like a pair of perfect lovebirds, Zhang Ji couldn’t help but look torn between laughter and tears. He hastily picked up his cup of wine and downed it in one go.
Ao Hai, however, was stunned for a moment before bursting into loud laughter. "HAHAHAHAHA!"
Fairy Shi frowned. "Why do you laugh, Fellow Daoist?"
Ao Hai said haughtily, "You wish to see the wonders of the Dragon Palace? No need for all that trouble. Just bring me the Dragon Pearl, and I will take you there myself!"
"Oh?" Fairy Shi said, feigning surprise. "And may I ask who you are, Fellow Daoist...?"
Confident in his status, Ao Hai did not deign to answer. His servant, however, knew his cue and spoke up, "His Highness is of true dragon nobility. He is none other than the Sixth Prince of the East Sea Dragon Palace."
Fairy Shi exclaimed in astonishment, "What? Fellow Daoist... are you truly a prince of the Dragon Palace, standing right before me?"
Ao Hai’s brow furrowed. With a slight shift, two horns like colored glass materialized on his forehead. His entire aura changed with them, exuding an innate nobility and a majestic presence. "Is that proof enough?" he asked impatiently.
"It is, of course it is." Fairy Shi shook Xuzhuang’s hand excitedly. "Xu Lang, why don’t we just return the Dragon Pearl directly to the Sixth Prince?"
Xuzhuang remained impassive. "I have no objection, of course, but..." He took the jade box from his sleeve again, hesitating. "What if you take the Dragon Pearl and then go back on your word, Fellow Daoist?"
"Hmph," Ao Hai said coldly. "I, Ao Hai, am a true dragon. My word is my bond. There is no reason for me to go back on it. If you refuse to trust me, I can take you to the Dragon Palace first, and you can give me the Dragon Pearl then."
"That won’t be necessary," Xuzhuang said with a smile. "Since you have put it that way, Fellow Daoist, Xu Mou will naturally know what’s good for him. Please, accept this Dragon Pearl." As he spoke, he placed the jade box on the table and gently pushed it forward.
"Good! Xuzhuang, you know how to play along." Ao Hai wasted no time, snatching the jade box. Without even opening it, a quick scan was enough to confirm it was the authentic Dragon Pearl. His expression finally softened. "To think I’d unexpectedly recover the Dragon Pearl on a trip to the territory of Pengxuan Pavilion. I must return to the Dragon Palace as soon as possible. Can you two depart at once?"
Xuzhuang glanced back at Fairy Shi. Seeing her submissive expression, he mused, "The Celestial Time is late, and I have not made preparations to leave so soon. Could we perhaps set out tomorrow?"
Ao Hai frowned, pondered for a moment, then suddenly said, "Fine! Xiao Si!"
The servant started at the sound of his name and answered, "Your Highness!"
Ao Hai said as he rose to his feet, "I will head back to the Dragon Palace first. You wait for them at the harbor tomorrow morning."
Seeing him rise, the servant quickly understood, retreating to the doorway to lift the beaded curtain. He did not forget to reply, "Yes, Your Highness."
Xuzhuang’s brow twitched. He gestured to the table. "Fellow Daoist, since we’ve made a new deal, please take these treasures back."
Without a backward glance, Ao Hai walked out the door, saying scornfully, "I, Ao Hai, never take back something I have given. Consider them still part of the payment for buying back the Dragon Pearl." His servant followed close behind. The beaded curtain fell, and a moment later, there was no sound from outside.
Xuzhuang retracted his gaze and chuckled. "This ’Crown Prince’ is certainly generous."
The moment Ao Hai and his servant left the room, Fairy Shi snatched her hand back, all traces of her sweet, affectionate demeanor gone. Twirling a lock of hair around her fingertip, she laughed softly. "The vast East Sea is incredibly rich. The Dragon Palace has ruled this boundless ocean for countless ages, so its wealth is naturally astounding. A few trinkets like these are nothing to a prince of the Dragon Palace."
Xuzhuang smiled. "So, Miss Shi, you’ve set your sights on the Dragon Palace?"
Fairy Shi beamed. "Correct."
Xuzhuang said, "The East Sea Dragon Palace’s wealth is indeed astonishing, but it is also one of the most dangerous places in the world. You’ve gone to such great lengths to scheme for the Dragon Palace’s magical treasures? Xu Mou is very curious as to how you plan to pull it off."
"Now that things have come to this, I suppose I shouldn’t keep you in suspense any longer," Fairy Shi said. "Have you, sir, ever heard of the True Dragon’s Wedding?"
"Only a little," Xuzhuang replied.
"As far as I know, the East Sea Dragon Palace began preparing a wedding banquet for a true dragon prince several months ago. For the East Sea Sea Race, this is an enormous event. Demon Marquises and Demon Generals from all over, great demons on good terms with the Dragon Palace—basically anyone of sufficient standing—all set out for the Dragon Palace to attend the ceremony. You could say it’s a gathering of ten thousand demons."
Fairy Shi continued, her voice lilting. "However... this joyous and bustling affair ran into a mishap before it could truly get underway."
"Who knows how long the Dragon Palace has existed? The number of true dragons never seems to grow; each one is incomparably precious. Who could have imagined that someone would actually slay a dragon and steal its pearl right in the waters of the East Sea..."
Xuzhuang gave a faint, knowing smile. "That particular incident... I imagine you foresaw it, Miss Shi."
Fairy Shi said, "Oh? Was I supposed to know?"
Xuzhuang feigned doubt. "What? Was Xu Mou wrong? Wasn’t it you, Miss, who personally put that Dragon Pearl up for auction?" Without waiting for Fairy Shi’s reply, he turned to Zhang Ji. "Brother Zhang, my assessment is not off the mark, is it?"
Zhang Ji shot a glance at Shishi, hesitated for a moment, and said awkwardly, "That is indeed the case."
Xuzhuang tapped the table and chuckled. "After all is said and done, the three of us have filled our coffers quite nicely. This was a truly brilliant piece of business."
Xuzhuang didn’t seem to be assigning any blame, but Zhang Ji was suddenly struck by the guilt of having deceived a friend. He felt completely ill at ease.
