Chapter 7: The Emperor's Headache
The Imperial Transport Vessel didn't just land; it pierced the atmosphere of the Upper Realm like a spear of pure starlight. Below, the capital of the Immortal Dynasty sprawled across floating islands, connected by bridges of solid light.
Inside the cabin, the "Spice" levels were reaching a critical threshold.
"Move over, you overgrown kitten!" Yao Qingxue hissed, trying to maintain her regal dignity while Hu Ruyan was practically vibrating in Xu Yanluo's lap.
"I am a Fox Princess, not a kitten!" Ruyan retorted, her nine tails currently fanned out to block the other girls' views. She was busy peeling a spiritual grape with her teeth and offering it to Yanluo with a suggestive wink. "My Prince, your stamina must be low after that 'shout' you did at the sects. Open wide~"
Yanluo leaned back, enjoying the view of his pouting harem. He took the grape, his fingers intentionally grazing Ruyan's lips, sending a shiver through her ears.
Mu Qinglan, the green-haired noble, was kneeling by his side, gently massaging his shoulders. "Your Highness, the Emperor has summoned the entire court. He heard you destroyed the Heavenly Sect's roof. He's... curious."
"Curious is a nice way of saying 'ready to flip the throne,'" Yanluo chuckled.
[System Notification: "Ling"]
[Warning: Host, your 'Smugness Level' is currently over 9000. If you keep smirking like that, the 'Doting Father' flag will trigger.]
'Let it trigger,' Yanluo thought. 'I edited his personality to be a sucker for his kids anyway.'
The Golden Throne Room
The doors to the Great Hall swung open. Thousands of immortal officials, generals, and concubines stood in silence. At the far end, sitting on a throne made of a collapsed star, was Xu Tianhuang—The Immortal Emperor.
The pressure was suffocating. Every step Yanluo took crackled with spiritual static. He walked in with his white hair flowing, flanked by his "Core Four" heroines. Behind them, the kidnapped Sect Leader's daughter, Lin Xinyue, looked like she was about to faint from the sheer majesty of it all.
"So," the Emperor's voice boomed, vibrating the marrow in everyone's bones. "The son who went to the 'Mortal Realm' for a 'quiet vacation' has returned after causing three diplomatic incidents and kidnapping a local girl."
Yanluo stopped, looking his father in the eye. He didn't kowtow. He just gave a shallow, elegant bow.
"Father. You look... stressed. Have you been practicing your 'Grumpy Ruler' face in the mirror again?"
The court gasped. The Grand Chancellor Zhao Shilin nearly dropped his jade tablet. "Prince Yanluo! Show respect to the—!"
"SILENCE!" the Emperor roared. He stood up, his massive aura exploding. He vanished from the throne and reappeared an inch from Yanluo's face. The air screamed.
The heroines jumped back, but Yanluo didn't blink. He just stood there, his red eyes calm.
The Emperor stared at him for five long seconds. Then, the terrifying aura vanished instantly. He let out a booming laugh and slapped Yanluo on the shoulder so hard the floor beneath them cracked.
"MY BOY! YOU FINALLY GREW A PAIR!" the Emperor shouted, grinning like a madman. "The Primordial Chaos Physique? Transcendent Talent? Why didn't you tell me you were hiding this much power? I would have given you a whole galaxy to play with years ago!"
"I like to keep people guessing," Yanluo said, straightening his robe.
"Hah! And look at these women!" The Emperor looked at the harem, his eyes lingering on the Regent Consort. "Qingxue, I see you're still looking after this brat. Good! Yanluo, I've decided. Since you're finally acting like a proper villainous prince, you need a challenge."
The Emperor's face turned slightly more serious. "The Upper Realm Selection is beginning. The 'Protagonists' of the other three Great Dynasties are coming to prove their worth. One of them is a brat from the 'Heavenly Sword Sect' who claims to be the reincarnation of a Sword God."
[System Notification]
[New Main Quest: "Protagonist Pest Control"]
[Objective: Humiliate the Sword God Reincarnate in front of the Four Dynasties.]
[Reward: 'Sovereign's Gaze' Skill & +5 to Harem Capacity.]
Yanluo's eyes glowed. "A Sword God? I was wondering when the real trash would show up."
Later that Night
In the private Imperial Gardens, the moon was a silver crescent.
Yanluo was sitting by a spirit pond when a pair of soft arms wrapped around his neck from behind. The scent of lotuses and aged wine followed.
"The Emperor is pleased," Yao Qingxue whispered, biting his earlobe playfully. "But I am not. You haven't looked at me since we landed."
Yanluo spun around, catching her by the waist and pulling her flush against him. "Is that so? I thought the Regent was too busy managing the palace to want a kiss from a 'scoundrel' like me."
"I'll show you who the Regent is," she murmured, her hands sliding into his hair.
As they leaned in, a bush nearby rustled. Hu Ruyan and Mu Qinglan were peeking through the leaves, their eyes wide.
"He's going for it!" Ruyan whispered. "Quick, Qinglan, get the recording jade! This is top-tier 'Research' material!"
Yanluo glanced toward the bush, a small smirk playing on his lips. He didn't stop. He leaned in and claimed his prize, the moon reflecting off his white hair as the "Villain" of the story prepared for his next big face-slap.