Joy of Life: Me, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!

The afterglow of the setting sun, like molten gold, was slanted across the ancient and majestic city walls of Xinzheng, the capital of South Korea.

The mottled city bricks tell the story of the vicissitudes of time and war, and the "Han" flag fluttering on the city wall flutters in the evening wind, but cannot hide the sense of decline and decay that permeates the very essence of this city and this country.

On the official road, two fine horses rode side by side, their hooves striking the bluestone slabs with a crisp rhythm.

Li Chengze, dressed in a spotless moon-white brocade robe, sat leisurely on his horse, his deep gaze sweeping over the bustling crowd, quietly surveying the central stage where the events of "Nine Songs of the Sky" unfolded.

Compared to the grandeur and magnificence of Daqing and Kyoto, Xinzheng's prosperity carries a distorted extravagance.

Shops lined both sides of the street, their cries of vendors filling the air, but Li Chengze keenly sensed the undercurrents hidden beneath this bustling surface.

"Brother Li, the city gate of Xinzheng is just ahead." Han Fei reined in the reins and pointed to the towering city gate tower ahead. His tone was a complex mix of longing and trepidation as he approached home. "I've been away from home for several years, and the scenery of Xinzheng hasn't changed at all. I just wonder how much the people in this city have changed."

Li Chengze turned to look at Han Fei and smiled faintly: "Cities are easy to defend, but people's hearts are hard to fathom. Brother Han's return this time is like a dragon entering the abyss. I'm afraid you're going to stir up a storm in Xinzheng City."

Upon hearing this, a glint of shrewdness flashed in Han Fei's eyes, but he quickly regained his nonchalant demeanor and laughed heartily, "Brother Li flatters me too much. Han Fei is nothing more than a drunken playboy; how could I possibly stir up the muddy waters of Xinzheng? Let's go, into the city!"

The two urged their horses on and slowly made their way toward the city gate.

Just as they were about to pass through the deep archway of the city gate, a clear and melodious laugh, like the sound of silver bells, suddenly came from inside the city gate.

"Ninth Brother!"

With that delicate cry, a fiery red figure, like a butterfly flitting among flowers, nimbly slipped out from a group of heavily armed city gate guards, bringing with it a fragrant breeze, and rushed straight towards Han Fei.

She was a girl of about fifteen or sixteen years old, dressed in an extremely exquisite pink and red palace dress, with lifelike lotus patterns embroidered on the hem.

She was born with bright eyes and white teeth, and skin as white as snow. Her long, jet-black hair was tied up with several exquisite jade hairpins, with a few playful strands falling beside her fair cheeks. Most striking were her large, clear eyes, which seemed to reflect all the beauty in the world.

The girl was incredibly fast, arriving in front of Han Fei's horse almost instantly. Without any regard for the princess's decorum, she lightly touched the stirrups with both feet and flew directly into Han Fei's arms like a joyful swallow.

"Ouch! My little darling, slow down!"

Han Fei was startled by this sudden "attack" and hurriedly threw away the reins, catching the girl in his arms in a fluster. His originally lazy face was immediately filled with helplessness and doting.

"Ninth Brother, you've finally come back! Honglian missed you so much!"

The girl hugged Han Fei's neck tightly, buried her head in his chest, and spoke in a voice that was both coquettish and aggrieved.

This young girl was none other than Honglian, the most beloved princess of Korea and Han Fei's younger sister.

Looking at the innocent and carefree girl before him, Li Chengze sat upright on his horse, his eyes slightly dazed. This was the first exclusive release of the author Invincible Demon King F's latest work, "Joy of Life: I, the Second Prince? Summon Yuan Tiangang!"

He knew the course of this world, and naturally he also knew that the innocent and pure Princess Honglian before him, after experiencing the devastating blows of her country's destruction, her family's ruin, and the betrayal of her beloved, would eventually become Chilian, one of the ruthless, alluring, and deadly Four Heavenly Kings of the Quicksand.

"Fate really likes to play tricks on people," Li Chengze sighed inwardly.

"Alright, alright, Honglian, come down quickly. So many people are watching. What kind of behavior is this for a princess of a nation?" Han Fei patted Honglian's back and advised her with a wry smile.

The city gate guards and passersby all turned their heads to look. Although they dared not look openly, their gossipy eyes could not be hidden.

Honglian reluctantly lifted her head from Han Fei's embrace, pouting her rosy lips as she complained, "I don't care what others think! Ninth Brother, you've been gone for so many years, rarely even writing a letter. I've been longing for your return every day. This time you're back, you can't leave again!"

"I won't go anymore, I won't go anymore," Han Fei assured her repeatedly, finally managing to pry this "sticky" off his body and get her to stand properly beside the horse.

Honglian straightened her slightly disheveled skirt and was about to continue expressing her longing to her brother when she suddenly caught a glimpse of Li Chengze, who was quietly riding his horse beside her.

With just one glance, Honglian was stunned.

Li Chengze didn't deliberately exude any aura; he simply sat there casually. Yet, his innate nobility and composure, his indifference and disdain as if he were trampling all things underfoot, shone as brightly as the moon in the night.

His face was incomparably handsome, with sword-like eyebrows that slanted upwards into his temples, and his eyes were as deep as a cold pool, as if they could see through all the illusions of the world.

His moon-white brocade robe gleamed faintly in the setting sun, further highlighting his otherworldly, ethereal, and otherworldly aura.

At this moment, Honglian's heart skipped a beat without warning.

Her large eyes, which were originally only meant to hold Han Fei, were now completely occupied by Li Chengze's figure.

She subconsciously released her grip on Han Fei's sleeve, involuntarily took two steps forward, walked to Li Chengze's horse, tilted her head slightly, and stared intently at him.

"You..." Honglian's voice unconsciously softened, as if afraid of disturbing the celestial being who seemed to have stepped out of a painting before her, "What's your name?"

Looking at the stunningly beautiful girl before him, who made no attempt to hide her curiosity and affection, Li Chengze's deep eyes flashed with a gentle smile.

He leaned down slightly, looking into Honglian's clear eyes, and parted his thin lips slightly, his voice gentle and warm: "My name is Li Chengze."

"Li Chengze..." Honglian murmured the name softly, as if trying to etch it into her heart. A slight blush rose on her cheeks, like the most radiant sunset. "What a beautiful name. Are you Ninth Brother's friend? Are you also from Qi?"

Han Fei, standing to the side, felt a headache coming on when he saw his younger sister's infatuated expression.

He knew Honglian too well. This girl had been spoiled since she was a child, and she had to get whatever she wanted. The way she looked at Li Chengze at this moment was as if she had seen her most beloved toy.