Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 232 Teased by the Big Sister Again
Lu Xingzhou stepped forward to fight, of course, to save those people; he couldn't just let the Tyrannosaurus Rex slaughter them indiscriminately.

But can we say that?

The mother tyrannosaurus thinks you're with me but siding with someone else. Shouldn't you get your bones loosened?
Lu Xingzhou said righteously, "In any case, since we are traveling together, we are partners. Your affairs are my affairs, how could I sit idly by? As for being misunderstood by others, I didn't think that much about it on the spot."

Long Qinghuang knew perfectly well that he was only trying to save people, but she couldn't help but laugh when she heard this: "Is that so? But if I remember correctly, you were actually forcibly taken to my side to help me."

“Coming to Hanlan City was my suggestion, not something I was forced to do.” Lu Xingzhou paused, his expression somewhat strange: “It’s closer to saying you were forced, since you didn’t want to change your clothes at all.”

Long Qinghuang found it even funnier: "So you're arresting people for questioning to take responsibility for your proposal?"

This time, Lu Xingzhou answered confidently: "Of course."

Long Qinghuang's eyes once again held that same amused and seductive look she had seen before, and even her voice became somewhat languid and charming: "Then how about taking responsibility for Qingyan as well?"

Lu Xingzhou took another half step back.

He wasn't so narcissistic as to think the Demon Emperor had taken a liking to him. Even if dragons were inherently lustful, it would be like a cat playing with a mouse, a sex slave. He'd rather be drained dry by the Demon Queen's Mystic Art than face steel wool, whips, and candles all at once.

"Why are you retreating?" Long Qinghuang suddenly reached out, an invisible force enveloping Lu Xingzhou, and pulled him back in front of her.

Then she placed her index finger on his chin and looked him over with interest: "He's not bad looking."

"Hey, hey, hey." Lu Xingzhou said with a sullen face, "Do all demons behave like this in front of children?"

"No, not at all," Long Qinghuang said with a smile. "But we didn't do anything... What are you expecting?"

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

I was teased.

Damn, when I was little I was teased by fish, and now I'm teased by dragons. Is this the legendary transformation from fish to dragon? But when Yuan Muyu teased me like that, I could still sneakily take advantage of him. But I didn't dare to do that to this guy. My hands were frozen and I didn't know what to do.

"Tell me, what are you expecting?" Long Qinghuang laughed. "So, you're deliberately trying to ruin my reputation?"

Lu Xingzhou simply said, "I don't know, maybe a little bit deep down."

Long Qinghuang's expression became even more intrigued: "Hmm?"

“You’re handsome,” Lu Xingzhou said. “If a male could be completely without any feelings for His Majesty, that would be abnormal.”

Actually, he didn't really have any romantic feelings for her; he just didn't dare, his life was more important. Of course, it's true that deep down he might have had a slight crush on her—no man could be completely without feelings for such a stunning beauty; it's a biological instinct, okay?
But this statement should be considered flattery; this person is clearly a bit narcissistic and vain.

Long Qinghuang was not angry as expected, and said with a smile, "Then why do you only dare to have 'a little bit deep in your heart'?"

"Because you'll die." Lu Xingzhou said directly, "Didn't His Majesty say that if someone harasses you, they'll be crushed into mincemeat?"

"That was flirting. If it were a serious courtship, I'd just make him look in the mirror. Demons don't act with the same hypocrisy as humans; courtship is considered a matter of course."

"..."

Long Qinghuang laughed and said, "Human, would you like me to give you a chance?"

No.

On the surface, he could only ask, "What opportunity?" Long Qinghuang said, "After you finish the matter of the dragon bone for me, I will give you a chance to return to the Demon Realm with me."

Who the hell wants this kind of opportunity!
But looking into Long Qinghuang's eyes, the playful tone had lessened, replaced by a hint of seriousness, and even a touch of coldness.

Regardless of how much of her intention was joking or how much was genuine... being "rejected" is something the Dragon Emperor would find hard to tolerate.

For the first time, Lu Xingzhou experienced the feeling of "serving a ruler is like serving a tiger." In comparison, he felt that Yuan Muyu was quite good. At least with Yuan Muyu, there was no pressure of having to answer wrong and die at any time, and he could even take advantage of her.

Lu Xingzhou calmed down and looked intently into Long Qinghuang's eyes: "Does Your Majesty want a concubine, an alchemist, or do you find this person quite interesting?"

Long Qinghuang asked with great interest, "Is there a difference?"

"Since it is natural for demons to seek mates, then if Your Majesty desires a concubine, why not just say so?" Lu Xingzhou said calmly. "If you want an alchemist, Your Majesty, as the Emperor of all demons, do you recruit talent in such a frivolous manner, without the slightest respect?"

Long Qinghuang was taken aback by what she was told.

"So Your Majesty is neither seeking a mate nor seeking talent. If you just want a toy... then I'm sorry, I can't force you, but if you ask my personal wishes, I would not want to be a toy."

"Such disobedience, aren't you afraid I'll kill you?"

"I believe His Majesty would prefer to know my true thoughts rather than flattery. Otherwise, he could simply abduct me to the Demon Realm; what use is there in asking me?"

Long Qinghuang completely abandoned her playful attitude and carefully examined Lu Xingzhou for a long time before slowly saying, "You must be a well-known and influential figure in Daqian. Chen Yu of Chunshan Pavilion... I will investigate him when I return."

Lu Xingzhou thought to himself that this was the true attitude of a monarch when he was interested in talented people. But this was not necessarily a good thing. Jokes and teasing were one thing, but if such a tyrant really wanted you, then you would not be allowed to refuse. If he could not get you, he would destroy you. After all, powerful families were natural enemies.

I thought demons didn't use "朕" (zhen, meaning imperial emperor) and always referred to themselves as "我" (wo, meaning "I"). Turns out, when she enters an imperial mindset, she does use "朕" as well...

Long Qinghuang's next words were: "But when I asked you, it really had nothing to do with recruiting talent. It was because you said you had feelings for me deep down. I was just giving you a chance to find a partner, why didn't you take it?"

Ah Nuo, who was secretly eating sweet potatoes and watching the show from the side, widened her eyes and dropped the sweet potato in her hand.

Lu Xingzhou said, "I think humans and demons are the same in this respect. When they see someone's beauty, they want to do something. That's called lust. The strong can directly possess them, while the weak are like toads trying to eat swan meat. As for me, I am the latter, so naturally I will not humiliate myself. I can only get a 'look in the mirror' from His Majesty."

Long Qinghuang asked with great interest, "Is it that you want to do something just because you see someone's looks... or something else?"

"Of course, there is also mutual affection, which has nothing to do with strength or weakness, whether poor or rich, strong or weak. The strong do not bully, the weak do not feel inferior, and they will never abandon each other."

Long Qinghuang pondered for a while, then finally revealed a mocking smile.

It's unclear whether they were mocking Lu Xingzhou's words as mere idealistic daydreams, or mocking their own loneliness as emperors, knowing they could never realize the scenes Lu Xingzhou depicted.

She asked casually, "So you can't do that?"

"Then it's not just lust at first sight; it requires getting to know each other's hearts. Unfortunately, His Majesty and I don't understand each other, so that prerequisite isn't met. My current thoughts about His Majesty are just like a toad wanting to eat swan meat, and His Majesty's current teasing of me is just the strong bullying the weak, nothing more."

Long Qinghuang smiled and said, "I suddenly realized that over the years, there have been very few people who dare to talk to me like this."

"That's a very regrettable thing."

Long Qinghuang stood up and slowly walked down the hill: "Then let's do this dragon bone thing together first, so that we can have a chance to get to know each other."

(End of this chapter)