Despite Wang Qingci's revealing words, Lu Chen's face remained perfectly calm, devoid of the slightest trace of unease.
He had already read through her background from the intelligence files the Blood Moon Tower had provided him. He knew they had dispatched assassins to take his life.
However, what surprised him was the sheer number of ninth-grade warriors sent this time.
Wasn't it said that ninth-grade warriors were rare? Then why were they appearing left and right all of a sudden?
And for what? To kill a supposedly 'useless' prince like me?
Had it not been for his system, he would've been dead a long time ago.
Wang Qingci observed his expression carefully. Seeing not even a flicker of fear, she silently reaffirmed what she had sensed—this Northern King had grown strong. Strong enough that even the elite assassins of the Blood Moon Tower couldn't make him waver.
Just then, Lu Chen stepped forward. Coming up behind her, he slipped his hands under her arms and wrapped them around her delicate waist. His lips brushed close to her ear as he whispered with a mischievous smile, "So, it seems you've made your decision."
He chuckled softly. "But tell me—betraying my Eighth Brother like this… Aren't you afraid he'll send someone after you?"
Wang Qingci turned her head slightly, her voice charmingly coy. "This is all Your Majesty's fault. I've already become your woman—I can no longer live without you. What other choice do I have?"
"I only ask that Your Majesty treats me kindly in the future… not as some disposable tool to be discarded after use."
Lu Chen smiled faintly. "That's only natural."
With that, he leaned his head onto her shoulder, inhaling the faint, intoxicating scent that clung to her skin.
But even as he enjoyed her presence, Lu Chen's mind was already calculating. The Blood Moon Tower would make their move in just a few days. Though he had access to modern firearms like the Desert Eagle and the Barrett sniper rifle, if enough ninth-grade warriors attacked him at once—or worse, if some held him down while others struck—it could still spell disaster.
He needed to grow stronger.
Ideally, he had to break through to ninth-grade within the next few days. The physical enhancements that came with the ninth rank would be significant. With such speed and strength, even if the assassins were lightning-fast, a single shot from the Desert Eagle or a well-timed strike with the Barrett would be fatal.
But weapons alone weren't enough.
He needed to stay alive long enough to use them. If someone ambushed him without warning, even a god-slaying weapon wouldn't help if he was already dead.
His thoughts turned inward.
System, he asked silently, how much experience do I need to upgrade the Qi Refining Technique to the second level?
The system's calm voice echoed in his mind.
[Only one hundred experience points required.]
Lu Chen's eyes lit up. Just a hundred points? That fast?
He quickly followed up, Once I upgrade the Qi Refining Technique to level two, can I break through to the seventh rank?
He had deliberately kept the question conservative. In reality, he hoped the second level would push him all the way to ninth-grade.
Sure enough, the system responded:
[Upon upgrading the Qi Refining Technique to level two, the host's cultivation will advance directly to the ninth rank.]
Lu Chen's heart surged with excitement.
Exactly as I thought—directly to the ninth rank.
Still, he knew the Qi Refining Technique was fundamentally an internal art, mainly used to build up his inner strength. It wasn't an actual combat technique.
Eventually, I'll need to find lethal martial arts—techniques that can truly kill.
As he pondered, Wang Qingci shifted slightly in his arms. Her breath hitched.
She had sensed something change in Lu Chen's body—a strange, heat-like energy that coursed through him. Her flawless face turned an enchanting shade of red, the blush spreading rapidly from her cheeks down to her neck and collarbone.
Lu Chen leaned in again, whispering into her ear with a low, dangerous voice, "From now on, you're my slave girl. And as a slave girl… do you know what you should do for your master?"
Wang Qingci was momentarily stunned. He had already exhausted her for an entire afternoon, and yet, this man—he was still full of energy?
How could the Northern King possess such terrifying stamina?
Even with all her experience at the Baihua Tower, Wang Qingci had never heard of any man as insatiable and vigorous as the Northern King.
Trying to regain some control, she pouted, "Your Majesty, I only came to deliver a message. Now that the letter has been delivered, I should return."
She attempted to turn and gently push him away, but the moment she tried, she realized her strength had mysteriously disappeared again. Her limbs weakened, her body lost power—she couldn't muster the force to escape his grip.
Lu Chen swept her into his arms and walked toward the bed without hesitation.
He couldn't afford to let her go just yet. Every moment counted if he wanted to push the Qi Refining Technique further and reach the required experience threshold.
Wang Qingci sighed softly. Her heart was filled with confusion.
Now that I've become this man's slave girl… what does my future hold? Will I be a disposable tool again?
Yet, before her thoughts could spiral further, her mind was consumed by the pleasure that Lu Chen brought her once more.
—
Outside the courtyard.
Ever since the woman in black entered Lu Chen's room, Chu Yuqin had been stationed at the entrance like a silent guardian.
Though she hadn't stormed in, she was on constant alert. She didn't trust the woman in black one bit. Not when she was a ninth-grade warrior.
Someone of that level wouldn't approach the Northern King for no reason.
The tension in her body remained high… until a sound from within the room froze her completely.
A woman's delighted moans echoed faintly from behind the door.
Chu Yuqin's mind went blank.
What...?
That ninth-grade warrior… is actually Chen'er's woman?
Ninth-grade warriors were rare. Ninth-grade female warriors were even rarer.
Yet one had not only willingly approached Lu Chen—but had entered his room, and was now… clearly his.
The more she thought about it, the more incredible it seemed.
Why would someone like her choose Lu Chen?
—
The following morning.
As the sun rose, Wang Qingci slowly stepped out of Lu Chen's room, her footsteps uneven. She was limping slightly, her face still flushed from the night before.
The moment she emerged, she found Chu Yuqin still standing at the courtyard gate.
Seeing Wang Qingci, Chu Yuqin's expression darkened, her voice turning icy.
"So, it's you."
A ninth-grade warrior, going undercover in the Baihua Tower to become its most sought-after courtesan—and now appearing so intimately involved with the Northern King?
Chu Yuqin didn't believe for a second that it was just coincidence.
As someone who had served Lu Chen's mother for years, she'd witnessed all sorts of deceit and betrayal. She had no doubt—Wang Qingci was here with an agenda.
Wang Qingci paused, clearly caught off guard by Chu Yuqin's lingering presence.
Chu Yuqin clenched her fists but restrained herself. Lu Chen had made it clear—Wang Qingci belonged to him now.
Even so, she couldn't help but issue a cold warning. "I don't know who you are or what you want. But mark my words—if I find out that you have ulterior motives, or intend to use Chen'er for your own gain, then it won't just be you who pays the price. The entire force behind you will be eradicated."
Wang Qingci gave a faint smile, brushing a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Madam Chu, you seem quite hostile. Could it be… you're jealous of what you heard last night?"
The words had barely left her lips when a wave of wind burst forth from Chu Yuqin, sending her skirt fluttering.
Wang Qingci's smile instantly vanished.
Half-step Grandmaster… and she's even capable of externally releasing her internal energy?
The Northern Prince's Palace was far more formidable than she had imagined.
Without another word, Wang Qingci turned to leave.
"Madam Chu, I'm returning for now. Rest assured—I am merely his slave girl. I hold no illusions of replacing your position in his heart."
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