Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
The Seventh Princess stood rooted to the ground, hesitating.
Perhaps because she found Xu Que very mesmerising and lucky, or perhaps because the few lines of poetry he had recited tonight had given her warm feelings…
But in that moment, she did something that she never would have done before. She quickly followed Xu Que into tavern!
If the other princes or anyone else from the palace had seen this, they would have been shocked!
The Seventh Princess was usually seen as very gentle and smart—it was difficult to imagine her going into a tavern, especially with a youth whom she had just met!
However, no one saw her. When she entered, she asked for a private room to drink with Xu Que!
After she drank a shot, she began to calm down. Looking at Xu Que, she asked,
Young Master Xu knows my intentions then. Can you tell me your story?
Xu Que laughed and raised his glass. He cocked his head and drank a mouthful before sighing.
My story is very simple, just like me—I am an incredibly simple person. Others are the ones who complicate things!
Oh? If it is so simple, then why did Young Master Xu use the name Takumi Fujiwara at the Sword Catacomb today?
Seventh Princess asked.
Because… my story is different! I was born with a curse!
Xu Que’s face was filled with depression as he spoke.
Actually, my real name is Naruto Fujiwara. I was born in a village known as the Hidden Leaf Village. My parents were the strongest people in the village, but a demonic beast came and wreaked havoc, killing countless villagers. My parents sacrificed their lives and sealed the demonic beast within my body.
What?
The princess was shocked and couldn’t help but cover her mouth, staring at him in disbelief.
Even though she hadn’t heard of a Hidden Leaf Village before, or of sealing a demonic beast within someone’s body, the dismayed expression on his face led her to slowly believing him!
Xu Que continued speaking in a very depressing tone.
I only found out afterwards that the demonic beast knew that my family bloodline was special and had the Sharingan, so it wanted to take it away and caused the disaster as a consequence! Afterwards, I escaped alone with my weak body, but swallowed a demon fruit by accident. I boarded a boat and swore to become a pirate!
What happened afterwards?
she asked.
Things went south, I was seasick and could only go to shore at a place known as Mount Akina. I changed my name to Takumi Fujiwara and threw away my past, relocating there with my new name. I even opened a tofu shop there and became the Mount Akina Speed Star!
Xu Que said with a sob.
After hearing this, the Seventh Princess turned silent.
Even though Xu Que’s story was a little unusual, his sobbing was too convincing.
She didn’t think too much as she said in a low voice,
who would have known that Young Master Xu has experienced such a rough life! It is no wonder that you can make such special stinky tofu, you used to have a tofu shop!
No, no! All these were in the past. Nowadays I am barely anything. I have changed my name to Xu Que, and I might even change it to Tony Ooki, soon and go to a mysterious island and film some AV films.
What is an AV film?
The Seventh Princess was suspicious.
It is a fun art form. Don’t worry, if there is a chance, I will invite you to be the female lead!
Xu Que said, eyes clear.
She couldn’t understand what he was saying but nodded and said laughingly,
thank you, Young Master Xu. If the day does come, I will definitely be there!
That is good, very good! Cheers!
Xu Que smiled in satisfaction as he raised the glass and clinked it against her own!
After drinking another mouthful, the atmosphere calmed down.
After a while, she opened her mouth again to speak.
Actually, I have something to ask of Young Master Xu tonight!
Princess please tell me whatever you need. If there is anything I can help you with, even if it means following you into hell, I will be willing!
Xu Que tapped his chest and spoke with a tone of moral conviction.
Really?
Her eyes lit up in an instant and she was overjoyed.
His heart started thumping immediately and he mouthed a swearword. She wouldn’t really ask me to follow her into hell, would she? Please don’t, I was just joking, don’t take it seriously, girl!
However, as an expert Act Tough King, Xu Que wouldn’t admit to being incapable of anything.
If anything, he would brag about it first. After all, getting drunk could solve the situation as as everyone would forget about it the next morning!
Of course! Whenever I, Xu Que, say something, I mean it!
With that, he tapped his chest.
She immediately said with joy,
actually, I know that you have a powerful divine chariot and that you can manoeuvre it incredibly well, and that it is one of the best in Metal Nation. Hence, I want to ask for your help in representing my Third Brother at the Imperial Tombs Contest two days from now. I want you to take part in the first round of the contest. If you succeed, we will then be able to enter the Imperial Tombs!
Ah? Is that all?
Xu Que was stunned. He had thought that she would ask for something huge. He hadn’t expected it to be about the Imperial Tombs Contest.
However, this was quite simple. After all, he had come for the Imperial Tombs anyway. This was a great opportunity to wreak havoc!
Young Master Xu, you cannot underestimate the Imperial Tombs Contest. It affects the future of the Metal Nation and the future Crown Prince!
Seventh Princess said seriously.
How can the contest affect the future of the Metal Nation?
Xu Que was perplexed and a little confused.
It’s just a contest. Can it make Metal Nation stronger in any way? That doesn’t seem logical!
Actually… well, there is no harm in saying it, this isn’t any secret… but my father and all the masters in the Spirit Treasures Pavilion and the Godly Treasures Pavilion have created a magical weapon. It can produce even more metal element spiritual Qi that will let cultivators continue cultivating for hundreds of generations. However, to start using this magical weapon, one needs to fill it with boundless metal element spiritual Qi. Hence my father wants to dig out the Dragon Veins!
Dig out the Dragon Veins to provide metal element spiritual Qi for the magical weapon? Fck! He is betting so much on it. When he becomes tough, he won’t let the Dragon Veins go!
Xu Que was a little shocked.
Back in Fire Country, the Fire Emperor had placed much significance on the Dragon Veins, as they concerned the fate of the Ji family’s imperial power. Hence they had protected it at all costs. They did not dare to waste the spiritual Qi.
However, the Metal Nation was going down the opposite route. They wanted to dig out the Dragon Veins and use them. That was a great idea!
The Dragon Veins concern the fate of the nation. This is something we know. But my father has also believed for a long time that as we increase their powers, the power of the country will increase naturally as well. We won’t need to count on destiny to maintain the prominence of the Metal Nation. We won’t hide such immense metal element spiritual Qi but instead, we will mine it and make use of it in reasonable ways to develop resources and make the Metal Nation even stronger!
Xu Que inhaled deeply upon hearing her words. He opened his eyes wide and made a surprised exclamation.
He couldn’t help but give a thumbs up upon hearing her words.
Indeed,
he said in a tone of sincere wonderment.
Your father is superb!
