Volume One: The Hidden Dragon in the Abyss Chapter 93: Arrangements

"Why are you still in bed?"

Wang Chuan had risen early, spent some time cultivating, and reflected on his own journey and state of mind. When he noticed the sun was high and still hadn't seen Xu Wei, he returned to the room to find her hiding under the covers.

Xu Wei poked her pale little face out of the quilt and whispered, "You villain, I'm sick."

"Where are you sick? Does it hurt?" Wang Chuan was startled, felt her forehead, and found nothing unusual. "Are you feeling very bad?"

"No," Xu Wei pouted. "Brother, please go out. I want to sleep."

"Alright, you rest here. I'll have them bring your meal. Are you hungry?" Wang Chuan said. "I'll be waiting outside. Call me if you need anything or have made up your mind."

"You don't need to wait for me," Xu Wei said.

"It's fine, I have nothing else to do. Don't you want to see me?" Wang Chuan replied.

"Brother Chuan, do you really like Wei'er?" Xu Wei blinked her large eyes.

"I do. What's wrong?"

"What if I become different from before?" Xu Wei asked.

"How are you different?" Wang Chuan was puzzled. "What's going on?"

Xu Wei grabbed his hand and slowly pulled him under the covers, fumbling for something.

It seemed...

"You've grown a tail?" Wang Chuan was startled, his face showing unprecedented surprise.

Xu Wei curled up tightly in the blanket.

So it was this.

"It's alright. I'm here," Wang Chuan lay beside her, gently embracing her. "Wei'er, don't worry."

"Brother Chuan, will I become a monster?" Xu Wei whispered.

"Of course not. Think about your mother—Wei'er will only grow more beautiful in time. I couldn't see anything different just now; you're just the same as before," Wang Chuan comforted her earnestly. "And I only knew because you let me touch."

"Really?" Xu Wei peeked her little head out further. "Brother Chuan, you won't find me strange or stop liking me?"

"No. If I like you, I'll always like you. Besides, I think it's adorable," Wang Chuan smiled.

"Really?"

"When have I ever lied to you?"

Xu Wei thought seriously for a moment; it seemed she could trust his words.

"If only your mother were here, you could ask her when hers appeared and she could talk to you," Wang Chuan said. "Since your ancestors were foxfolk, it seems when they fall in love, their true form shows."

"So because Wei'er likes Brother Chuan, she has a tail now?" Xu Wei asked.

She leaned closer, her small face pressed against his chest.

"Yes, I like Wei'er too. Very much," Wang Chuan said, hugging her tightly.

"That's wonderful," Xu Wei murmured.

"Kiss me," Wang Chuan looked down at her rosy, adorable face.

Xu Wei tried her best to lift her little head, exposing her slender, fair neck, eyes tightly closed, eyelashes trembling.

Her lips parted slightly, glistening and enticing.

The fragrance of the young girl was sweet and intoxicating...

Wang Chuan comforted her for a while longer, then said, "Alright, let me take a good look. It seems quite short and can be hidden?"

"Yes," Xu Wei obediently lay down, letting him examine her little tail.

At this stage, it was only half a finger long, but Wang Chuan couldn't be sure what would happen in the future.

Perhaps it would continue to grow.

"Right, tell your mother later. Use my envelope to send her a letter," Wang Chuan said.

"I understand," Xu Wei replied, only now thinking of such things.

Wang Chuan remembered she had even kept it from the Lord Yu.

How had she managed that?

He had considered the scenario several times, but never noticed anything.

Could it be there was nothing at all? Unlikely.

Why did Xu Wei show her true form then? It was so strange.

"Don't worry, I can just cut it off for you," Wang Chuan said.

"What?" Xu Wei was startled.

"It won't hurt," Wang Chuan reassured, touching her again. "If I sever it here, your spine will be like anyone else's. I guarantee you won't feel pain, truly."

He was confident about this much.

"Do you really have to cut it?" Xu Wei was still a bit afraid.

"Well, you can discuss it with your mother. Staying in the room these days is fine," Wang Chuan thought for a moment. "Try standing up, see if it's visible."

Xu Wei stood up, put on her trousers.

Nothing seemed amiss.

He had her try other positions.

"It doesn't affect anything. Normally, nothing looks different. When you sit, no one will notice. Just avoid bending over. If you've decided, I can remove it," Wang Chuan said. "Alright, time to get up for breakfast."

"Wei'er wants to sleep." Xu Wei darted back under the covers again.

"You’re up already and still want to laze? Get up, I'll call you every morning from now on," Wang Chuan patted her.

"No, I hate it. Wei'er wants to sleep, hmph..." Xu Wei said. "Go out, I'll write to mother soon."

"Then beg me," Wang Chuan thought aloud.

"Alright, I'm begging you, Brother Chuan," Xu Wei looked at him and reached out, tugging lightly at his clothes.

"Call me 'Daddy.'"

"Huh?"

"Never mind, I'm just teasing you. Go ahead and sleep," Wang Chuan gently stroked her long hair. "Call me if you need anything..." He paused. "One more kiss."

Xu Wei closed her eyes, tilting her little head up...

"When Wei'er grows up, let's have a baby together," Wang Chuan sighed softly, gazing at her tenderly.

"Hm? Really?" Xu Wei was astonished.

"Yes," Wang Chuan nodded, his expression serious. "Do you prefer a boy or a girl? As long as they're as adorable as you."

"No, I want them to be as clever as Brother Chuan," Xu Wei replied quickly.

"Am I clever? You think so?" Wang Chuan smiled.

"Of course, Brother Chuan knows everything, can do anything," Xu Wei said.

"Well then, let's have a child as clever as me and as cute as you," Wang Chuan told her. "That will be our child."

"Yes, yes, that's good..."

"I'll head out now. Write to your mother," Wang Chuan said.

...

The weather was beautiful, and lunchtime had already arrived.

Wang Chuan stepped out the door. Those waiting nearby had been there a long while and hurried over.

"Your Highness..."

"We'll talk inside," Wang Chuan said, returning with them to the study, where he leisurely enjoyed a few cups of tea.

"Someone from the palace came by. Your Highness should prepare," Yang Hao reported. "It seems they're in quite a hurry; you've only been married two days."

"Xia Kingdom needs me. The Lord of Jin has already begun, hasn't he?" Wang Chuan frowned, tapping his fingers lightly on the table. "But you haven't found anything yet?"

"Your subordinate is incompetent," Yang Hao replied hastily.

"Your Highness, I have discovered something," Tian Xingzi stepped forward. "Someone in Xia Kingdom is selling grain—military provisions."

"How could that be?" Yang Hao was shocked.

"That's a capital crime, and could implicate many!" Wang Chuan was also surprised. "Do you suspect it's linked to the Lord of Jin?"

"What do you think, Your Highness?" Tian Xingzi asked.

"This is a grave matter. If even the Xia Kingdom authorities haven't noticed, it's impressive you managed to discover it. But do you have any evidence?" Yang Hao asked. "There haven't been any major incidents in Xia Kingdom recently. If something like this is happening, I'd inevitably associate it with the Lord of Jin."

"As everyone knows, grain is the foundation of a nation. If the Lord of Jin truly intends to annex Xia Kingdom, targeting its grain wouldn't surprise me. Coveting a nation's food supply, and orchestrating it with a nation's power, only the Lord of Jin could manage such a feat."

If he was behind it, the grain would surely be moved to Jin Kingdom.

Even if bought in secret, at much higher than market prices, including transportation costs—however much is needed, he could buy it all, collect as much as possible.

Even draining the entire nation's grain wouldn't be impossible, even if it meant using all the country's resources.

"If war breaks out, civilians and soldiers could run out of food—panic would ensue," Tian Xingzi mused. "After the war, food is the best way to calm the populace. Who in the world doesn't eat?"

"I don't need evidence, just tell me the buyers and sellers, time and place," Wang Chuan said.

Evidence and such, let the people of Xia Kingdom handle themselves.

"Alright, but why must Your Highness go there?" Yang Hao was puzzled. "They're urging you so urgently now."

"To confuse matters," Wang Chuan said. "Once I arrive in Xia Kingdom, the eyes of the world will be drawn to me. If the Lord of Jin wants to act, it should be easier. So that's my role after all."

Wang Chuan sighed.

The others were momentarily stunned.

"Your Highness, it's my fault," Yang Hao sighed.

"It's not your fault. Before I leave, bring me intelligence on the Lord of Xia and other key figures," Wang Chuan instructed. "Quickly."

"Yes," Yang Hao nodded.

"Under what pretext will Your Highness visit?" Tian Xingzi asked.

"Birthday celebration. The Lord of Xia is turning sixty," Wang Chuan replied. "They need my reputation, so I must figure out how to further spread my fame."

His head was spinning.

"Deployment details of Xia Kingdom's forces, and profiles of all senior generals," Wang Chuan added.

"I'm already investigating, will gather it soon," Yang Hao answered. "Should my people withdraw from Xia Kingdom, suspend all business, to avoid complications?"

"Do as you see fit. Don't worry about the situation in Xia Kingdom. If you withdraw, it may cause unrest," Wang Chuan replied.

"I'm just concerned the Lord of Jin might react; otherwise, I have no issue," Yang Hao said.

"Then ignore him," Wang Chuan waved dismissively. "Bandits and arsonists get rich, though it's not honorable, but truly, making a fortune from a nation's assets is the most lucrative, like those selling military provisions. That's the way of the world."

"I once met an official and asked why he wanted the job. He said as a child, he always saw officials swaggering around the streets, unchecked. I asked if he wanted to change the atmosphere. He said no, he wanted to join them."

"That's human nature."

A reality both harsh and cruel,

bare and unapologetic,

this world truly has few heroes and little righteousness.