Upon receiving the news of Aurelian Dragon's safe release, all the soldiers of the Eastern Governor's Office were overjoyed. Even Aurelian Dragon had escaped such a calamity; this man's luck was truly extraordinary. Following him, the chances of turning misfortune into good fortune were certainly high. With this in mind, their loyalty became even stronger.
Not only was Aurelian Dragon unaware of this outcome, but even those who disliked him were caught off guard.
When the news reached the instigator, she had no time to be angry, because since morning, one thing after another had been causing her headaches.
The intelligence network she had painstakingly built in Esnia had inexplicably broken down. Through this network, she had obtained a great deal of classified information, including the intelligence that three countries were preparing to jointly invade Wu'an. It was this organization that had helped her. In other words, this organization was her other eyes and ears. Without it, she would become deaf and blind.
The enemy has begun to make their move, but she still doesn't know which side they are from. This problem is giving her a huge headache. In order to solve this problem as soon as possible, she has no choice but to use the maximum resources at her disposal, even if it means exposing her identity. Moreover, she has already realized that the enemy has definitely discovered their true identities, so there is no need to keep it a secret anymore.
Rutu was indeed purging Wu'an's people. Although he refused to testify to clear Aurelian Dragon's name, he deeply hated those who framed Aurelian Dragon. Moreover, Wu'an's intelligence network in Esnia was of no benefit to his side's operations. His established goal was to firmly control Esnia under his control, so Wu'an's people were just the first ones he used to eliminate.
Aurelian Dragon's miraculous return to the Eastern Governor's Palace further convinced Ruth that this man was the lord he was worthy of serving for the rest of his life.
Rutu's actions naturally attracted the attention of others. They hadn't expected that this ruthless man, who was usually unpopular, would actually be such a powerful and active figure. Those who hadn't taken Rutu seriously before began to regret their actions and started to investigate the man's background carefully.
When Aurelian Dragon arrived at the Eastern Governor's Office, she received a warm welcome from her subordinates. The genuine joy of everyone touched Aurelian Dragon deeply; she realized that she still held a high place in the hearts of her men.
After sitting in the Eastern Governor's Mansion for a while, Aurelian Dragon began to feel bored. Looking at his subordinates bustling about and then at his own leisurely demeanor, he suddenly felt a little embarrassed. However, if he really wanted to get involved, it seemed like there was nothing to do.
He had originally resolved to do something productive at the Eastern Governor's Mansion this afternoon to thank his subordinates for their support and love. However, this laziest commander in history seemed to cause trouble for others no matter what he did. This proves that "a person destined to be idle cannot become diligent!"
The entire Eastern Governor's Office operated like a well-worn machine, with everyone fulfilling their duties under the leadership of Shi Yixin. Aurelian Dragon's enthusiastic involvement was like throwing a small stone into the machine, not only failing to help but also causing unnecessary stagnation and blockage in the entire operation.
Upon realizing this, Shi Yixin couldn't help but find it amusing that his commander was actually this kind of person. This was something he had never seen before. However, he also knew that the most important thing for a leader was to manage his subordinates well and allow them to unleash their full potential, and this was exactly what Aurelian Dragon did best.
"Lord Aureliand, if you really want to help, please go help others elsewhere!"
It's unclear who first couldn't help but say such a thing, but everyone said the same thing to Aurelian Dragon afterward, leaving the suddenly enthusiastic man with no choice but to run back to the Governor's office, where Shi Yixin, the Governor's military advisor, was handling various matters coming from below with great ease.
Hearing Aurelian Dragon's footsteps, Shi Yixin didn't even look up. While dealing with his work, he said, "Sir, could you please pour me a cup of tea?"
"Yes, yes!"
"But I want to get things done!" Aurelian Dragon replied without hesitation, placing the tea on Shi Yixin's desk and saying, "Commander, do your best!"
Just as Obsidia Shade and Cynthia were finding this amusing, Aurelian Dragon had a sudden inspiration. He had his female guards come in and brew many cups of tea for him, which they then carried to his busy subordinates. This action further fueled their enthusiasm.
"Alright, let's go to Lakeside Residence now!"
After finishing this task, Aurelian Dragon left the Eastern Governor's residence with a sense of ease, which puzzled Obsidia Shade even more.
"Young master, young master, I...I want to ask a question!"
"What's wrong?"
"Why did you just say you were going to do your job well, but then you turned around and left?"
"Well, I've already done that, haven't I?" Aurelian Dragon chuckled. "Stealing other people's jobs isn't my hobby. I've already rewarded them; let them work hard on their own."
Upon hearing this, Obsidia Shade didn't know whether to admire or laugh; this man's ideas were indeed somewhat unconventional.
Before they had even left the Eastern Governor's Mansion, Princess Selene Qian suddenly rushed in from outside. After a minor makeover, she looked like an ordinary rich young lady from Esnia. She didn't have a single guard with her. Seeing this, Obsidia Shade secretly chuckled to herself: This princess must have snuck out. It seems she's decided to cling to the young master.
Where are you going?
Upon seeing Aurelian Dragon and his group, Princess Selene Qian's eyes lit up, and she immediately asked.
"You snuck out, didn't you?" Aurelian Dragon straightened her face. "How could you dress like this? It would be troublesome if someone recognized you! And it's too dangerous!"
"Hehe, I'm not afraid at all!" Princess Selene Qian said with a smile, completely unconcerned. "With you by my side, you'll protect me, right?" As she spoke, she wrapped her arms around Aurelian Dragon's arm and shook it affectionately.
"But, but…" Aurelian Dragon felt her head starting to ache again, but remembering the agreement between Andre III and herself, and the meaning conveyed in their conversation, she couldn't refuse.
"If His Majesty finds out you're like this, I'll be in trouble!" Aurelian Dragon had no choice but to change her tune.
"Father wouldn't!" Princess Selene Qian wrinkled her beautiful nose. "Tell me, where are we going to play?" She had just been asking Aurelian Dragon where they were going, and now she was saying, "Where are we going to play?" The change in tone was so natural and smooth that even Aurelian Dragon admired her. He knew he was now completely entangled with this beautiful princess. Fortunately, he didn't resent this entanglement; on the contrary, it made him very proud.
Aurelian Dragon said, seemingly resigned, "Alright, alright. Let's go together!"
Princess Selene Qian jumped up happily, grabbed Aurelian Dragon's hand with delight, and walked outside, asking, "Where shall we go first?"
Aurelian Dragon smiled and said, "Just follow me!" He then mounted his warhorse, and Obsidia Shade and Cynthia followed suit.
When Aurelian Dragon saw that Princess Selene Qian wasn't riding a horse, he wanted someone to bring her one. But before he could even speak, Princess Selene Qian had already leaped onto his horse and sat in front of him.
"Hello..."
A soft, fragrant body nestled into his arms, which should have been a very happy thing, especially for someone like Aurelian Dragon. However, the thought that if this matter reached the ears of Andre III would be difficult to explain.
"You should find another one. This doesn't look good to others! And it's also damaging to their impression of you!"
Even Aurelian Dragon herself was surprised that she could speak so fluently and logically, which was somewhat contrary to her nature.
Unfortunately, his first earnest attempt to teach others to speak did not earn him gratitude, but rather a dismissive response.
"I don't care what others think. I think this is great and comfortable, there's nothing wrong with it!"
Since that's the case, Aurelian Dragon said nothing more. If the person involved isn't afraid, why should he, a dignified man, be afraid of this?
Having made up his mind, Aurelian Dragon reached out from behind to control the reins of his warhorse. From an outsider's perspective, it looked as if he was pulling Princess Selene Qian's delicate body into his arms. This Governor of the East was truly no ordinary person who was so unscrupulous!
Under the astonished gazes of the soldiers of the Eastern Governor's Palace, Aurelian Dragon and his entourage rode into the streets of Esnia. His sight of riding through the streets of Esnia with beautiful women naturally attracted much attention, and the label of lecherous rogue on his head became even more firmly attached.
Rather than calling this Governor-General an eccentric man, it would be more accurate to describe him as a scoundrel, a sentiment many would likely hold.
But Aurelian Dragon didn't care about any of that. Other people's opinions were their business. He immediately told Princess Selene Qian his purpose.
Upon hearing that Aurelian Dragon had gone to see Serena Vale, Princess Selene Qian was not displeased. Instead, she inquired with great interest about his relationship with Serena Vale.
Upon hearing that the incident stemmed from a bet with Lucian Swiftfire and his setback with Serena Vale, Princess Selene Qian couldn't help but laugh and slump into Aurelian Dragon's arms. At the same time, she felt incredibly curious about Serena Vale, the shop owner who had left Aurelian Dragon helpless.
"So you've been rejected by women too!" Princess Selene Qian said sweetly, her delicate fingers lightly touching Aurelian Dragon's chest.
"Nonsense!" Aurelian Dragon felt he had lost face. "That little woman is impervious to both soft and hard approaches, and with her superb cooking skills, she's truly someone you can neither hate nor love."
Princess Selene Qian chuckled softly, her breath sweet as orchids, and said, "If you can't resort to those wicked methods, then there's no other way, is there?"
"Damn it!" Aurelien Dragon pinched Princess Selene Qian, feigning anger. "If you say that again, I'll throw you off your horse!" After his secret meeting with Andre III, Aurelien Dragon believed he understood the Emperor's intentions, and naturally, he no longer treated Princess Selene Qian with the same level of formality as before. But had he truly been so respectful to Princess Selene Qian before? Only the man himself believed that.
The two of them chatting and laughing on horseback were seen by the moralists as morally corrupt and a bad example to be used to educate respectable young men.
Princess Selene Qian gently nudged Aurelian Dragon and said in a sweet voice, "What's wrong? Are you angry?"
Aurelian Dragon did not answer, his eyes fixed straight ahead. Suddenly, he noticed a somewhat familiar figure flashing by at the street corner ahead, golden hair shimmering in the sunlight.
"Huh. Isn't that guy..." Aurelian Dragon couldn't help but think to himself, "How come he's back in Esnia again? Hmm, this is not good, I need to be careful."
Seeing that Aurelian Dragon didn't react, Princess Selene Qian rolled her eyes slightly and said softly, "Alright, don't be so petty. Do you want me to lend you a hand?"
"Oh, what?" Aurelian Dragon snapped out of her thoughts, quickly regaining her composure, and looked at Princess Selene Qian's pretty face, asking, "What kind of help do you want to give me?"
"Of course, it's to help you win that woman's heart!" Princess Selene Qian replied with a grin, finding the whole thing quite amusing.
"No, we need to change direction." Aurelian Dragon shook his head slightly. His mind was now completely focused on the man who had captured his attention, and he would feel very uneasy if he didn't figure this out.
"Really?" Princess Selene Qian was greatly discouraged. "I had a great idea."
Aurelian Dragon smiled, leaned over, and whispered an order to Obsidia Shade. Startled, Obsidia Shade immediately dismounted and took the command, quickly disappearing into the crowd. Then Aurelian Dragon turned to Princess Selene Qian and said, "Oh, do you have any good ideas? Just be careful not to do anything rash!"
Princess Selene Qian was pouting, unhappy that Aurelian Dragon wasn't responding to her, but she immediately perked up when she heard him say that.
"Don't worry, I really have a great idea." Princess Selene Qian patted her slightly protruding breasts and said in a very serious tone, "Come closer!"
Aurelian Dragon found her expression amusing, but still leaned in with some skepticism to listen to Princess Selene Qian's detailed explanation. His expression changed as Princess Selene Qian spoke, and upon hearing it, he slapped his thigh and exclaimed to her , "Excellent! That's a brilliant idea!"
Princess Selene Qian was initially somewhat worried, fearing that Aurelian Dragon would dismiss her idea as nonsense. However, seeing Aurelian Dragon's high praise, she was overjoyed, feeling that this man truly suited her taste and that she would be very happy with him.
"It's a pity we don't have time this time. We'll use this method next time!" Aurelian Dragon said to Princess Selene Qian with great regret. "Are you confident you can do it well?"
Princess Selene Qian rolled her eyes at him, pouted her red lips, and said, "My kung fu isn't fake!" Then she continued very seriously, "You can't lie to me, okay? Next time, we must make my plan a reality."
"Definitely, definitely!" Aurelian Dragon replied casually, while focusing her attention on the street ahead.
"Young master, over there!" Cynthia's voice rang out from the left rear. Following the direction she pointed, Aurelian Dragon saw Obsidia Shade. Obsidia Shade was standing at an intersection, waving at them.
Aurelian Dragon perked up and said, "Let's go!" He then led his horse toward Obsidia Shade.
"He went into a house in Kang Le Fang, where there were two other people inside," Obsidia Shade said quickly, watching the Aurelian Dragon dismount.
"Oh, let's go take a look!" Aurelian Dragon glanced at Cynthia standing beside him. The goddess warrior leader, who always obeyed him, naturally had no objections.
"You go back first, we have some things to take care of."
Aurelian Dragon turned to persuade Princess Selene Qian, who was staring at them with curious eyes, to return to Sanssouci Palace first, but how could this energetic and beautiful princess let such an opportunity slip by?
"Who are you planning to go after?" Princess Selene Qian grabbed Aurelian Dragon's sleeve. "Can't I go see too?"
"We might get into a fight if we go there," Aurelian Dragon said seriously. "It would be too dangerous for you to go with us!"
Princess Selene Qian perked up immediately upon hearing this, and said eagerly, "Great! How could I miss something like this? I definitely have to go; I'm really good at fighting!"
Unable to resist Princess Selene Qian's persistent requests, and with time running out, Aurelian Dragon had no choice but to agree to let Princess Selene Qian go with him. He repeatedly instructed Princess Selene Qian, "You must not cause trouble, do not lay a hand on me without my permission, and no matter what happens, you must not leave my side."
When the group arrived at the place Obsidia Shade had described, they encountered two people coming out of a house. Both sides stopped in their tracks at the same time, their faces showing surprise.
Aurelian Dragon wasn't mistaken; the blond man he saw was none other than Cliff, whom he had once defeated. Cliff, who had disappeared for a time, had returned to Esnia, and standing beside him was a burly man with a red cloth tied around his forehead. Combined with his rugged face and strong neck, he exuded a strange sense of threat.
But what's most surprising is Cliff's transformation. At first glance, he's still a handsome man with flowing blond hair, but now his eyes flash with a gloomy, cold light, and he exudes an extremely unsettling evil aura, as if his dark side has become his entire being.
It seemed this guy had practiced some kind of sinister skill, Aurelian Dragon thought to himself with a sense of unease. Before he could speak, Cliff spoke first.
"Lord Aureliand, you're climbing really fast! Now, which woman's skirt are you trying to pull next?"
"Hehe, it's been a long time, Lord Cliff. Who are you planning to practice your swordsmanship with now?"
Responding to Cliff's sarcasm with a smile, Aurelian Dragon spoke to Cliff in the tone of a victor.
"Don't be so smug!" Cliff said viciously. "I've already found out the truth about why I lost to you that day!"
"Oh, what's the truth? Isn't it because your strength is inferior to mine?" Aurelian Dragon said bluntly, but his words did not produce the expected result.
"Your Highness, you will never have another chance to play tricks!" Cliff turned to Princess Selene Qian beside Aurelian Dragon, his words polite but flat, yet filled with barely concealed hatred.
"I never imagined that Princess Selene Qian would do such a thing for her man. It seems that royal upbringing is nothing special after all!"
Princess Selene Qian was not as easy to deal with as Aurelian Dragon. Her beautiful eyes widened in anger, showing no remorse for causing trouble, and she cursed, "How dare you! You don't even pay your respects to me, the princess, and spout such arrogant words!"
"Do you deserve to be called a princess now?" Cliff, who used to be polite to girls, no longer treated Princess Selene Qian with the respect due to a subject.
The burly man next to Cliff stared intently at Aurelian Dragon for a long time, then snorted coldly and said to Cliff, "Lord Cliff, let's go!"
"Lord Aureliand, take good care of yourself!" Cliff greeted Aurelian Dragon before turning and walking away with his companions.
Princess Selene Qian was not about to swallow this insult. She raised her hand and shouted, "Wind Blade Dance!"
A gust of wind arose from the flat ground, the air currents swirling and taking shape rapidly. Amidst the flying dust, several sharp whistles swept past. If one had good eyesight, one could see a total of five wind blades, three to the left and two to the right. Although they were high-density air currents formed by wind magic, their sharpness was no less than that of real steel blades.
Upon hearing Princess Selene Qian's voice, Cliff and the burly man were already on high alert. When they sensed something amiss behind them, they immediately turned around and shouted, simultaneously unleashing four powerful bursts of true energy that formed a solid wall of energy in front of them.
Two incredibly dense air currents collided violently less than a foot in front of Cliff, producing a sonic boom. Instantly, a fierce wind arose, and the powerful air currents propelled everyone present. Clearly, Cliff seemed to be no match for the burly man beside him. The burly man completely withstood the two wind blades aimed at him, while Cliff, although he also withstood three wind blades, was thrown back by the explosive force, and a few strands of dazzling blond hair fell from his head.
Of course, there was a reason for this. Princess Selene Qian harbored a deep resentment towards Cliff, so the wind blades she attacked him were much stronger. Cliff, on the other hand, was somewhat overconfident in his newly learned skills. Combined, the two attacks naturally made him appear much weaker than the man beside him.
"Good!" Before Cliff could speak, the burly man beside him exclaimed in praise, clearly surprised that the seemingly sweet and lovely princess possessed such high magical skill.
"Don't think that just because you're flattering me, I'll let you off the hook, you rude guy!"
Although Princess Selene Qian still spoke fiercely, a hint of pleasure in her eyes showed that she accepted the man's flattery. Cliff glared at Princess Selene Qian and finally said nothing more. Clearly, he now understood how terrifying this unruly princess was. Even though he had practiced extremely powerful "Yin Sha True Power," he was still not confident of completely defeating Princess Selene Qian. Moreover, with His Majesty the Emperor of Fast behind Princess Selene Qian, choosing such an opponent was a foolish move.
Seeing Cliff and his friends turn to leave again, Aurelian Dragon, a man who never suffers a loss, was not about to give up. His earlier decision not to stop Princess Selene Qian was precisely to teach Cliff and his friends a lesson.
"Hey, you two bastards, stop right there!"
Cliff and the burly man paused, exchanging a slightly confused glance. What on earth did that wretched guy behind them want? His tone had changed so quickly; he had been so polite just a moment ago, how could he have completely changed his attitude after just one turn?