Chapter 18: Could the Heir Apparent Also Be a Love-struck Fool?

The next day.

As the morning sun rose, the great road was bathed in light.

Delicate rays of sunlight filtered through the round window adorned with ancient paintings, scattering softly across the window ledge.

Cheng Guang had been awake for some time, though he still feigned sleep.

In his arms lay a delicate, smooth body, three thousand strands of dark hair in disarray across his side. The faint scent of her lingered in the air, his gaze conflicted.

It was gone.

His first time was gone.

Cheng Guang realized that the bloodline he’d fused from the imperial clan of Great Xia not only allowed him to cultivate the spiritual path but, more importantly, greatly enhanced his abilities.

Both his physical strength and stamina surpassed those of ordinary men by several times.

Even though last night’s battle had been fierce, he had not lost.

Cheng Guang was awake.

Qingluan was awake as well.

She, too, pretended to be asleep.

However, unlike Cheng Guang, it wasn’t that she didn’t want to get up—she simply couldn’t.

Even as a martial artist who had reached the Fourth Rank of Divine Ability, in matters such as these, she still could not match Cheng Guang, who had not yet begun formal cultivation.

After some time, strength slowly returned to her body.

She forced herself upright, picked up her slightly disheveled robes, and dressed.

Once she had composed herself, she stood before the mirror, examining her reflection.

Her face was as beautiful as ever, but a newfound allure graced her features—a charm she had never possessed before.

Her bearing seemed subtly more mature.

Qingluan’s lovely eyes grew more complex as she confirmed there were no outward abnormalities. Then, she turned toward the door.

At the threshold, she paused, glancing back at Cheng Guang, who lay upon the bed.

She spoke softly.

“The Patriarch will return soon. Have you thought about how you’ll face him?”

Qingluan did not directly reveal Cheng Guang’s identity. Her question was calm and measured.

Seeing that she addressed him, Cheng Guang could no longer pretend to be asleep. He opened his eyes, sat up slightly, leaning against the wall, his gaze resting on Qingluan, then smiled.

“I have my own ways to handle it.”

Qingluan nodded slightly, saying nothing more, waiting for Cheng Guang to elaborate.

But Cheng Guang fell silent, seemingly with no intention of continuing, which made Qingluan grit her teeth in frustration.

“If you won’t say, so be it. I hope your way works. Otherwise…”

Her voice faded, barely audible.

She lingered no longer and left.

Few people were present in the Heir’s courtyard.

Only Lin Cheng leaned idly against a willow, yawning in boredom.

For cultivators of his level, even seven or eight nights without sleep brought no weariness—only tedium.

When he saw Qingluan limping as she emerged, Lin Cheng looked puzzled. How could warming a bed leave her injured?

But as he pondered, a realization dawned, and a smile spread across his face.

Of course.

It must be that Qingluan angered the Heir while warming his bed, and thus received a lesson—a thorough beating throughout the night.

No wonder there had been odd noises from the Heir’s chambers last night.

Though Lin Cheng had not approached, and did not know exactly what transpired, he could surmise that the “battle” was intense.

Qingluan must have suffered greatly.

This left Lin Cheng somewhat amused, grinning as he watched her depart.

Qingluan paid him no mind; she had no energy for such things. She had tasks to tend to.

She already suspected that the Heir was likely the stableboy. Though it hadn’t been stated outright last night, his manner left little doubt.

She couldn’t fathom how Cheng Guang managed to conceal and alter his aura, or how he so perfectly mimicked the Heir’s behavior and mannerisms.

Previously, whenever she’d asked him to impersonate, there were always flaws.

This time, however, he played the part flawlessly.

Many questions whirled in Qingluan’s mind. In times past, she might have pressed for answers, but now, she no longer wished to dwell on such empty matters.

No matter her reluctance, she was now aboard Cheng Guang’s black ship.

If it sank, both he and she would perish.

Even if not for Cheng Guang, she had to look out for herself.

Therefore—

She needed to know precisely when the Patriarch would return.

She also needed to know when the real Heir would be back.

She must make preparations in advance, should any unforeseen events arise.

After Qingluan left, tranquility returned to the bedchamber.

Cheng Guang did not rise immediately, but instead recalled the chilling, mechanical voice that had echoed in his ears at midnight.

He had not had the time or the mind to listen then, merely storing it in his prodigious memory.

With such a memory, he could temporarily establish a mental memo.

“Year Thirty-Four of the Era of Sacred Proof, seventh month, ninth day. On the third day after attaining the Celestial Realm, after burning paper for your father, you felt you were truly filial. Now, having reached the Celestial Realm, you have fulfilled your father’s lifelong wish.

“Returning home, you look upon the once-glorious Duke’s Mansion, now fallen into ruin, your heart laden with guilt and pain.

“All of this began with the calamity wrought by that woman. Your mother had arranged an excellent marriage for you, but you refused, falling instead for a woman you met by chance.

“You loved her deeply, but little did you know, she was the daughter of the Fox King of Qingqiu, one of the Ten Great Demon Kings—exiled among mortals since childhood, her identity always hidden.

“Her approach, her captivating you, was all premeditated, meant to use the Duke’s Mansion’s influence and resources to return to the fox clan and restore its glory.

“You became a willing fool, letting her do as she pleased in the Duke’s Mansion. Your mother and father pleaded with you, but you wouldn’t listen.

“Not until your fiancée vanished on your wedding night did you awaken, but by then, the household’s resources had been all but drained.

“With your strength at the time, you could not defeat or find her. Upon hearing the news, your father, the Border Guard Duke Cheng Shiyuan, grew haggard and despondent. Alone, he entered the Demon Domain to seek justice for you.

“The Demon Domain was shaken; the Ten Great Demon Kings all appeared. Yet the Border Guard Duke held his own, and after erasing several fox tribe villages, he returned.

“Thus, the matter was laid to rest.

“Recalling this humiliation fills you with anguish. Now, having advanced to the Celestial Realm, you swear to make that treacherous woman pay.

“Novice Task Three: Take revenge on Bai Shuxuan, the Fox Saintess of Qingqiu.

“Task Reward: Eyes of Enchantment (Divine Ability).”

Recalling the events described by the cold voice, Cheng Guang’s eyes appeared dazed.

So the dignified Heir, in the end, was also a fool for love?

Wait.

Why did he think, “also” a fool for love?

…