FATE: Target of Grand Master

"Let's give another round of applause to invite Miss Maeve and Miss Shuten-dōji to the stage."

Amidst applause from the fans, Maeve and Shuten-dōji took to the stage together.

The popularity ratings of the three immediately appeared on the big screen.

"Let's witness together who the winner will be tonight."

After Kun Kun finished speaking, the popularity of Euryale, Shuten-dōji, and Maeve began to rise simultaneously.

500、1000、1500、2000、2500，三位偶像的人气依旧在同步上升，随后一同打破了2800大关。

"Unbelievable, all three idols have surpassed the 2800 mark in popularity at the same time. It seems this will be another competition with the outcome decided by the smallest margin."

After surpassing 2800, the growth rate of the three idols' popularity also began to slow down significantly. In the end, Maeve and Shuten-dōji miraculously stopped at 2887 votes, while Euryale's popularity broke through the 2900 mark and finally stopped at 2924.

"What an incredible number of votes. After advancing with a high number of votes in the first performance, Miss Euryale once again won with an overwhelming number of votes in the second performance, and even defeated two very charming idol seniors."

At this moment, Kun Kun felt the same way as the fans below the stage, completely immersed in the excitement of witnessing a miracle.

Amidst enthusiastic applause from the audience, the three idols who had delivered a fantastic performance returned backstage.

"Oh dear, I've lost, but it doesn't seem so bad."

Shuten accepted his rudeness quite readily, and then didn't forget to drag his old rival, who had suffered the same treatment, into it.

"Miss Maeve, we've both lost. How are you feeling now?"

"Shuten, what do you mean by that? Do you think I'd go back on my word? It's certainly frustrating to lose, but a loss is a loss. As the queen, I won't break my promise. I'll fire that useless manager of mine tonight," Maeve said haughtily.

"As expected of Miss Maeve, you are truly efficient and decisive. I must hurry back and deal with this as well."

Shuten winked at Xia Yan, then said in a seductive tone, "Manager, emmm, I still prefer to call you Boss. I heard that all the members of your agency live together. Boss, could you give me an address? I'll be there on time tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Euryale immediately breathed out.

"Are you kidding me? When did we ever allow you to move in with us?!"

"Huh? If you don't move in together, how will you form a group?" Shuten-dōji said with a wicked smile.

"Yeah, you don't think the third round of performances will be easy, do you? There's a fundamental difference between idol groups and idols. Not only do you have to consider the lyrics and positioning of the group dance, but you also need to have enough chemistry. These things can't be accomplished just by thinking you're going to work with someone during the day and being colleagues."

Although Maeve was arrogant, what she said was indeed reasonable.

"Alright, we'll be a group now. Let's talk about this back at our villa so outsiders don't laugh at us."

Xia Yan pointed to Kun Kun, who had been waiting for a long time. Without asking, it was clear that Kun Kun had come to deliver the magnetic card for advancing to the third round of performances.

Having received their advancement cards, Xia Yan and the others readily escaped the venue without needing Kun Kun's reminder, and arranged to meet Maeve and Shuten-dōji at the villa for a detailed discussion.

"Xia Yan, I admit your ideas are very creative, always exceeding my expectations, but even if they're unconventional, they shouldn't be bizarre. What's the meaning of inviting me and Shuten-dōji here to Euryale's victory celebration?"

Maeve was currently standing with her arms crossed, glaring at Xia Yan with a displeased expression.

Meanwhile, Xia Yan and the others were happily eating barbecue.

"Maeve, you should have some too. This barbecue is so delicious. Usually, you have to wait in a long line to get a table of barbecue. Luckily, the owner is a fan of Euryale, and he traded an autographed photo for a whole table of barbecue."

Xia Yan knew that the proud Maeve would feel humiliated, but he did not try to comfort her.

"The taste is indeed very good, especially the roasted pork heart, which is tender and juicy. Miss Maeve, you should try it too."

Looking at Shuten-dōji, who had completely become one of Xia Yan and the others, Maeve said irritably, "I don't eat offal! Besides, Shuten-dōji, you've integrated yourself way too quickly. Don't you think that's humiliating?"

Shuten took another bite of the pig's heart, chewed and swallowed it, revealing an expression of ecstasy, before slowly replying, "Why should we feel humiliated? We've gained a top-notch agent! Now we're eating and living at the boss's place, what's there to complain about?"

Maeve was furious at his lack of backbone: "Shuten-dōji, I never expected you to be so spineless!"

"Huh? Miss Maeve, pride is something only humans care about. I'm a demon, why should I have pride? I prefer the smell of alcohol to pride."

Maeve: ...

"Hahahaha. There aren't many people who can shut Maeve up so badly, Shuten-dōji, I'll toast you."

Cú Chulainn raised his glass and then tilted his head back to gulp down a large mouthful of beer.

"Xiao Ku, you too! Ah, why are you all siding with Xia Yan like this?"

Maeve grabbed her hair and scratched it wildly.

"Need I say more? Of course, it's because Xia Yan is our Master, but it's not just because of his Master status, it's also because he is Xia Yan. You'll understand once you join and spend more time with Xia Yan. Eat up, it's really delicious."

Maeve hesitated for a few seconds, but finally accepted the skewers Cú Chulainn offered.

Xia Yan, who had witnessed the entire process, merely curled the corners of his lips slightly and said nothing.

With Cú Chulainn on my side, why should Maeve disobey?

Leaving aside the official mythology, at least in the Moon Chronicles, Cú Chulainn's existence is a direct attack on Medb. Medb appears quite promiscuous on the surface, but she is utterly devoted to Cú Chulainn. (On a psychological level)

After everyone had eaten and drunk their fill, it was already late at night.

A rustling sound...

A short figure tiptoed into Xia Yan's bedroom and then quietly closed the door.

In the darkness, those emerald green eyes stared intently at Xia Yan, who was fast asleep on the bed, like a cheetah ready to pounce.

Just as the short, dark figure removed his clothes and prepared to climb onto Xia Yan's bed, a spell appeared from under the bed, and countless chains emerged from the spell, binding the figure firmly to the side of the bed.

boom!

Then, the door to Xia Yan's bedroom was pushed open forcefully, startling Xia Yan who thought there was an enemy attack. He jumped out of bed and summoned Gan Jiang and Mo Xie.

pat!

The bedroom light was turned on, and Xia Yan was able to see his surroundings clearly.

Standing at the bedroom door were Morgan, Euryale, Musashi, and Cú Chulainn and Maeve, who were watching the show with wicked smiles. Tied to Xia Yan's bedside with her bare back exposed was Shuten-dōji, whose face was flushed.