บท 177: The Kiss, The Revelation, and The Resolve

The room was quiet, save for the soft rustling of the wind through the slightly ajar window. Lan Xueruo sat across from Raja, her delicate features showing faint concern. Her elegant fingers played with the edge of her robe, betraying her inner turmoil.

"Lan Xueruo, are you worried about me?" Raja's teasing tone broke the silence, a smirk tugging at his lips.

Lan Xueruo lifted her head, her cheeks tinted pink. "You… You're impossible!"

Raja leaned back, feigning offense. "Impossible? Here I thought you might be ready to admit you've fallen for me." His voice was light, but his gaze lingered, intent and searching. "Tell me, Lan Xueruo, would you be willing to be with me?"

Her reaction was immediate. Her already rosy cheeks deepened to crimson, and she looked away, scolding him half-heartedly. "Don't joke about such things! You're as shameless as ever!"

"But you haven't denied it," Raja teased, leaning forward slightly.

Lan Xueruo stood, flustered, but before she could leave, Raja's voice turned softer. "Lan Xueruo… may I kiss you?"

The question caught her off guard, her body freezing as her heart began to pound. "What… what nonsense are you spouting now?" she stammered, her voice barely above a whisper.

Raja closed the distance between them, his expression uncharacteristically gentle. Lan Xueruo's protests faltered as she felt his warmth near her. Her mind screamed at her to move, to push him away, but her body betrayed her. She remained still, her heart racing as his lips brushed hers.

Just as the moment seemed frozen in time, the door burst open.

"Ah! I… I didn't see anything!" Qin Wuyou, the instructor, stood frozen in the doorway, his face a mix of shock and embarrassment. He quickly turned on his heel and stumbled out, muttering, "Wrong room! Wrong room!"

Lan Xueruo leaped back, her face scarlet, and bolted out of the room. Raja, however, stayed calm, a mischievous grin forming. "Well, that was unfortunate timing."

A few moments later, Qin Wuyou returned, his face still slightly red. He avoided Raja's gaze as he entered.

"I see you've recovered, Instructor Qin," Raja said, leaning casually against a chair. "Should I lock the door next time?"

Qin Wuyou cleared his throat, finally meeting Raja's eyes. "You… certainly have a way of making an impression." He sat down, his composure slowly returning.

Raja raised an eyebrow. "You sound like you expected this."

Qin Wuyou sighed. "After your earlier comments and observing Princess— I mean, Lan Xueruo's behavior, I had my suspicions."

Raja leaned forward, intrigued. "Suspicions? About what?"

Qin Wuyou hesitated, then spoke. "You managed to gain her affection so quickly. Do you even realize who she is?"

"Lan Xueruo? She's…" Raja paused, thinking. "She's a kind, strong woman. That's enough for me."

"She's much more than that," Qin Wuyou said gravely. "Her true name is Princess Cang Yue, the only daughter of the Blue Wind Emperor and the heir to the Blue Wind Imperial Palace."

Qin Wuyou who didn't know Cang Yue already revealed everything to Raja and she is his Subordinate of his, Raja acted like he didn't know anything.

Raja blinked, the weight of the revelation settling over him. "Princess… Cang Yue?"

Qin Wuyou nodded. "Her mother, the Empress, gave her the name 'Xueruo' before passing away. It was meant to protect her from the dangers of the imperial palace."

The words hung in the air as Raja processed them. "So she's royalty," he murmured, his voice carrying a hint of awe.

"Despite her status," Qin Wuyou continued, "she remains kind and unassuming. A rarity among those born into privilege."

Raja smiled faintly. "That explains her generosity and grace. But why would someone like her take an interest in me? I'm just a commoner."

"It's not about status," Qin Wuyou said. "It's about what she sees in you. She's no ordinary princess, and her actions are driven by desperation."

He leaned back, his tone somber. "The Emperor is gravely ill, his Life Vein damaged. He has, at most, two years left to live. Meanwhile, a power struggle between Crown Prince Cang Lin and Third Prince Cang Shuo, backed by the Xiao Sect and the Burning Heaven Clan, has plunged the imperial family into chaos."

Raja listened intently as Qin Wuyou continued. "Princess Cang Yue is the only one who cares for the Emperor. She has tried to prevent the strife, but the princes' ambitions are too strong."

"Two years ago, she entered the Blue Wind Profound Palace under the alias Lan Xueruo. Her mission? To find someone capable of helping her father fulfill his dying wish."

Raja tilted his head. "His wish?"

"The Emperor's greatest regret is that the Blue Wind Imperial Family has never had anyone rank in the top 100 of the Blue Wind Ranking Tournament," Qin Wuyou explained. "Princess Cang Yue chose you after witnessing your extraordinary potential."

Raja looked down, conflicted. "And I thought she was just being nice to me…"

"There's more," Qin Wuyou said. "Princess Cang Yue possesses a unique ability, the Monarch Heart Secret Art. It allows her to glimpse a person's fate. She saw greatness in you."

Raja's mind raced. "So I'm supposed to represent the Imperial Family in this tournament?"

"Yes," Qin Wuyou confirmed. "But that's not the only reason she's here. She fled the capital to escape Fen Juecheng, the son of the Burning Heaven Clan's master."

Raja frowned. "Fen Juecheng… Why does she need to avoid him?"

Qin Wuyou's expression darkened. "Fen Juecheng became infatuated with Princess Cang Yue during her last appearance at the tournament. He sought her hand in marriage. While the Emperor postponed the proposal due to her youth, Fen's interest only grew."

He continued, "The Emperor saw the potential alliance as beneficial, strengthening ties with the Burning Heaven Clan. Meanwhile, the Third Prince, Cang Shuo, supported Fen's pursuit, increasing the pressure on the Imperial Family."

Raja's fists clenched. "She doesn't want to marry him, does she?"

"No," Qin Wuyou said firmly. "But with the Emperor's illness and the political turmoil, she's unable to reject him outright. Fen Juecheng is ruthless, and Princess Cang Yue fears him."

Qin Wuyou leaned forward, his tone serious. "Raja, you need to distance yourself from her. You lack the strength to protect her and could only add to her burdens."

The words stung, but Raja knew they were true. He looked away, his pride wounded. "You're right. I'm not strong enough."

Qin Wuyou placed a small pill on the table. "This is the Goldscale Dragon Transforming Pellet. It will increase your strength, but the process will be grueling. Take it if you're serious about helping her."

Raja took the pill, determination flickering in his eyes. "I'll do it."

For the next day and night, Raja meditated, his body wracked with pain as he absorbed the pellet's power. By the end, he had broken through to the Fourth level of the Earth Profound Realm.

When he emerged, Qin Wuyou handed him two letters. "These arrived while you were training. One is an invitation to Crown Prince Cang Lin's birthday banquet. The other is for Third Prince Cang Shuo's Beast Battle Convention. Both events are in ten days."

Raja held the letters, his resolve firm. "I'll be ready."

As he looked out at the horizon, he silently vowed to protect Princess Cang Yue and stand by her side, no matter the cost.