Chapter 27: Breaking the Surface

Bai Qi spent most of his time asleep.

Occasionally, when Zhu Mingliang had a spare moment, the little spirit would flutter out from the Spirit Realm, curling up in Zhu’s arms like a warm, cozy nest, and drift back into dreamland.

Xiao Hei Ya, on the other hand, had undergone a dramatic transformation—growing from two meters to nearly four, now matching the size of a full-grown crocodile. It was no longer just a spirit—it was a true Crocodile Spirit!

Of course, with dragon blood coursing through its veins, if it ever encountered wild crocodiles in the wild, it could easily handle a whole pack by itself.
That 200-year-old demon pearl really did wonders.

"Here, put this collar on," Zhu Mingliang said, adjusting the academy-issued juvenile spirit collar around the massive beast’s neck. "Your neck’s so thick, I’ll have to loop it around your tail instead. That way, nobody mistakes you for some wild black crocodile."

It was time to head out. Bai Qi was easy—he could be tucked safely back into the Spirit Realm. But Big Heiya? Carrying that thing around wasn’t practical. Locking it in the tiny backyard pond felt equally awkward. So Zhu Mingliang decided: let the big guy roam freely for a few days.

"Every morning, go to the bridgehead. There’ll be a girl there—just as dark-skinned as you—who’ll feed you meat worms. I’ve got an off-campus travel class, so I’ll be gone for several days." Zhu patted the giant crocodile’s broad head, speaking seriously. "You’re my responsibility now. Stay within the academy grounds. You’re soul-bound to me—you won’t be taken. And because of that bond, you’ll understand people better than most beasts. As long as you don’t leave the campus, no one will harm you. The academy enforces strict rules on recognized juvenile spirits. Even a Dragon Rider with true dragon blood would face heavy punishment for attacking one without cause."

"Oooohhh… oooohhh…" The great crocodile groaned, clearly understanding it was being left behind as a temporary child of the wilderness.

---

**Li Family Imperial Court**

A towering hall stood amid a forest of ancient cypresses, its silver walls radiating solemn grandeur.

The City-State’s elite guard stood in rigid formation—silver-black armor gleaming under the sun, their silhouettes like statues carved from stone.

This was the Council Hall of the Ancestral Dragon City-State, where every decision, large or small, was made.

Today, Li Yunzi—confined for days—appeared before them. She wore simple robes, her makeup unadorned, her usual elegance dulled. Yet even so, her natural beauty still made the women in the hall shrink in comparison…

But that permanent mark of shame—the indelible scar of dishonor—had changed everything. No longer were they intimidated by her brilliance. Now, they could sit together, whispering with quiet mockery.

“After all,” said Li Kongxi, voice cutting through the silence, “we’re still women. We can’t quite step over the barrier men built.”

“I prefer to stay true to my role,” spoke a woman named Mu Qing. “Remain unmarried, pure and untouched. When the time comes, let elders choose my husband. That’s my contribution to the family.”

Their barbs fell flat. Li Yunzi didn’t react. Didn’t look up. She simply watched them—calm, distant, like someone observing a play not meant for her.

She hadn’t come here to humiliate herself. She knew today was the day her enemies would finally reveal themselves—right here, in this very hall.

But not among these petty, gossiping daughters of the Li clan.

“Kongxi, sister,” one woman chimed in, “I heard you’re to marry into the Sacred Palace. Which noble young man is it? Could you share the name with us?”

In the Ancestral Dragon City-State, male superiority wasn’t as rigid as elsewhere. Women of status often took part in council meetings. But marriage? That was still decided by elders. Most men of influence had little real power anyway.

They’d just finished discussing military matters—mainly harassment from the Lingxiao City-State, and the rampaging hordes of the Wutu wasteland trying to breach the fortress gates.

Now, the topic turned to marriages among the younger generation.

The Li family always discussed marriage at council. After all, the Ancestral Dragon City-State was surrounded by enemies—neighboring city-states, fortresses, alliances—all held together by strategic unions.

Noble families valued marriage not for love, but for blood. Because promises, contracts, treaties—they were all worthless paper in the hands of those in power. They could be torn up at any moment. Only blood ties ran deep enough to withstand betrayal.

Only when two families shared children, shared blood, could they truly stand together.

“Two announcements today,” said Lady Kongtong, the household steward. “Listen carefully. I’m *declaring* them.”

Military affairs were handled by the head of the family. Marriages? That was the steward’s domain.

“In the past year, Li Kongxi accompanied the matriarch to the Sacred Palace’s annual banquet. The Fourth Prince of the Sacred Palace, Du Cheng, instantly fell for her. After careful deliberation, we’ve decided: next month, I shall accompany the matriarch to the Sacred Palace to finalize the match.”

“A blessed union!” someone exclaimed. “With the Sacred Palace backing us, Lingxiao won’t dare attack. Not even if they want to.”

“Truly, Lady Kongtong has opened the door to the Sacred Palace! From now on, we needn’t fear the river south of us. We might even reopen trade routes!”

Laughter rippled through the hall. Eyes turned to Li Kongxi.

She smiled faintly. “While I respect our elders’ decisions, I must meet this prince myself before accepting. If he proves unworthy—vain, shallow, disrespectful toward our city-state—I respectfully ask the family to reconsider.”

“Kongxi, sister,” another laughed, “you don’t know Du Cheng? He only saw you once and fell head over heels!”

“You truly are a vision,” said Mu Qing, eyes wide. “Du Cheng’s fame spreads far and wide. I heard the eldest daughter of the Lingxiao family traveled all the way to the Sacred Palace just to catch a glimpse of him—and he wouldn’t even let her in the gate! Can you believe that? The *Lingxiao heir*!”

Li Kongxi shook her head. She’d never seen Du Cheng.

“Congratulations, Kongxi sister. A fine match indeed.”

Others offered their congratulations.

But Li Kongxi remained calm—almost unnervingly so.

Then Lady Kongtong spoke again, her voice sharp, drawing silence.

All eyes turned to Li Yunzi.

Once, as the city-state’s female sovereign, she sat at the same table as the two clan leaders, four stewards, the city lord, and several generals. Now, she sat among the common women in the audience gallery—silent, cold, invisible.

Since her fall from grace, she hadn’t appeared in council for days.

Her return today meant something had been decided.

“Li Yunzi…” Lady Kongtong called her name.

Yes. To prevent further disgrace, to stop the city-state from losing face, the family had chosen to act.

Only by marrying Li Yunzi off could the scandal be buried.

At the military guest table, Luo Xiao stiffened involuntarily.

These past days, he’d earned glory at the Eastern Fortress. His name—Fire Dragon Luo Xiao—was now known throughout the entire city-state.

“We have decided,” Lady Kongtong announced, “to arrange Li Yunzi’s marriage to the Lingxiao family.”

Her voice was clear—but not loud. Yet in Luo Xiao’s mind, it exploded like thunder. His body trembled violently.

Impossible…

He’d suggested this himself.

And everyone knew how deeply he admired Li Yunzi.

“Lord, Lady!” Luo Xiao shot to his feet, unable to accept what he’d just heard.

“Sit down, Luo Xiao,” said Li Ying, the family patriarch.

“This matter…”

“Sit down!” Li Ying’s tone sharpened. His eyes turned icy. His presence shifted—like a dragon about to tear apart a man with his bare claws.

Luo Xiao sank back into his seat, hollow-eyed, his face pale as death.

“Lady,” said the general, stepping forward. “We just discussed the Lingxiao incursions. The Lord gave us no solid plan. Is this truly the family’s answer? I still have questions.”

“Speak,” said Kongtong.

“As the former sovereign, Li Yunzi has personally slaughtered countless Lingxiao armies. Every soldier, every civilian in Lingxiao hates her. How could the Lingxiao family agree to a marriage alliance with us?”

Lady Kongtong paused—deliberately.

“Because,” she said, “Li Yunzi will enter the Lingxiao family as a concubine.”

“A concubine?” the general asked. “Is this still a marriage alliance?”

No. This wasn’t peace. This was sacrifice. They were handing Li Yunzi over—to be punished, discarded, used.

“What do you suggest?” the general pressed.

“The Wutu rebels won’t be wiped out. Our western troops are demoralized after Li Yunzi’s fall. We can’t hold back Lingxiao’s army. This is the only way to negotiate.”

“Our sovereign—our queen—becomes a concubine to the enemy’s lord?” the general whispered, horrified.

“This cannot be spoken outside these walls,” Li Ying said coldly. “The Lingxiao wedding party will arrive by autumn. General Cheng, I’ll rely on you to manage the reception.”

His tone left no room for debate.

Li Yunzi glanced at Li Ying. Her expression grew colder.

Then she looked at Lady Kongtong.

And in that moment, clarity struck.

It was them.
All along.
This entire scheme—against her.