The Demon Realm truly needed a grand celebration banquet, as they had just defeated Da Gan, washing away the shame of ten years ago, a moment of utmost glory.

However, that would have to wait until the entire army returned.

Currently, only the Dragon Clan had returned first. As a small celebration for the Dragon Clan itself, it was held quite discreetly. Furthermore, because Long Qinghuang had also invited the Da Gan envoy, it wasn’t even called a celebration banquet in name; it was a welcome banquet.

The guests attending the welcome banquet included high-ranking scaly dragons such as Prime Minister Long Yan, and the only non-Dragon Clan guests were Lu Xingzhou, Sheng Yuanyao, and Anu.

Oh, and a pig.

More than a welcome banquet, it was Long Qinghuang’s attempt to introduce her young lover to her clan for acceptance. In the eyes of His Majesty the Demon Emperor, the most unwelcome person at the banquet was Vice Envoy Sheng Yuanyao, who was even less welcome than the pig.

Of course, in the eyes of Long Lie and others, the most unwelcome person was Lu Xingzhou, who openly sat in the seat below His Majesty.

“This is our celebration banquet, how did you become the guest of honor?”

“You are the defeated party, shouldn’t you be kneeling at the door awaiting punishment?”

Sheng Yuanyao sat in the seat below Lu Xingzhou, between Lu Xingzhou and Anu. Seeing the bewildered expression on Anu’s face in this banquet atmosphere, she tugged at Anu and whispered, “You must be gossiping without me; this atmosphere isn’t right.”

Anu was feeding the pig with fruits from the table and didn’t even lift her head. “No gossip, where’s the gossip?”

Sheng Yuanyao tugged at Anu’s sleeve and pleaded, “Don’t be like this, it feels like a million cats are clawing at my heart. Those Dragon Generals were very polite to us on the way and didn’t show any hostility towards humans, so how did the atmosphere become like this here…”

Anu didn’t say a word.

“Good Anu, let me in on the gossip. In return, I’ll reward you with a big pigsty later.”

Why did that sound so strange… Anu sighed. “To say you’re not smart… isn’t this obvious at a glance? These dragons see Master as a love rival; they all have a secret crush on Sister Long.”

Sheng Yuanyao suddenly realized, her eyes widening.

It was no wonder she hadn’t reacted; in Da Gan, who would talk about having a secret crush on the emperor? There were those who wanted to marry into the palace, but was it because they liked the emperor as a person? It was simply an incomprehensible way of life.

Occasionally, some storybooks would write about such things, but Sheng Yuanyao treated them as toilet paper.

But at this moment, looking at Long Qinghuang’s demeanor, she somewhat understood… this was indeed a peerless beauty! And a beauty with high cultivation, high status, and immense power. Which male wouldn’t be tempted?

So Sheng Yuanyao’s gaze was fixed on Lu Xingzhou. “Fine, on the way here, you were laughing and joking with me, ignoring her. I thought those rumors were exaggerated, but it turns out they were all true!”

“What now, am I going to slay a dragon?”

“Is there something wrong with this matched opponent?”

Anu fed the pig, coolly observing the small banquet hall, a multi-cornered battle. This was the true test of worldly experience; what was Sister Bai Mao’s experience before this…

“Everyone.” Long Qinghuang finally raised the wine glass on the table. “This time, with everyone’s concerted efforts, we were able to achieve a great victory over the Gan Kingdom, reclaim lost territory, and wash away our clan’s ten years of shame. Please drink this cup to the full.”

“We dare not accept such praise.” The generals all rose and moved away from their seats. “It is His Majesty’s well-planned strategy, and also His Majesty who fought on the front lines. We merely played a supporting role and basked in His Majesty’s glory.”

Seeing them celebrating, Sheng Yuanyao, as a member of the defeated party, felt somewhat uneasy and drank silently.

Lu Xingzhou, however, raised his cup without any qualms and drank with a smiling expression.

“Wait a moment.” Long Lie suddenly said, “We are celebrating our achievements, what achievement do you have?”

Lu Xingzhou had already finished his drink and slowly put down his cup. “Are you talking about me?”

“Of course I’m talking about you.” Long Lie shouted, “Are we celebrating your achievement of flattering His Majesty?”

Long Lie had thrown caution to the wind, expecting Long Qinghuang to be furious. However, Long Qinghuang did not speak; she merely leaned leisurely on the main seat, sipping her wine, her beautiful eyes softly fixed on Lu Xingzhou, as if firmly believing that he would not be troubled.

In fact, Long Lie and the others knew that Lu Xingzhou had made great contributions in this battle. Simply protecting the Sacred Mountain was a great achievement for the entire Demon Realm. But firstly, Long Qinghuang had already had a disagreement with the Sacred Mountain, and secondly, in front of Vice Envoy Sheng Yuanyao, would Lu Xingzhou dare to speak of the Sacred Mountain’s功?

Under such circumstances, this功 was equivalent to zero; Lu Xingzhou had no功 to speak of.

“I haven’t made any great contributions to the Dragon Clan.” Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, “However, for the entire demon race, I helped them protect the Demon Origin脈 from being invaded by the ancient realm. This功 of mine cannot be compared to your mere defeat of Hai Ruyuan, Long Lie.”

Long Lie was stunned. He glanced at Sheng Yuanyao, who was resting her chin on her hand, watching Lu Xingzhou, not caring at all whether he had helped the demon race protect the Sacred Mountain.

“What the hell, aren’t you a loyal minister and famous general of Da Gan, who defended the isolated army to the death for three days? What’s going on? Are you stupid from morning sickness?”

“Why are you looking at Vice Envoy Sheng?” Lu Xingzhou said leisurely, “My action caused great harm to the Dragon Clan, but it was also a meritorious act for Da Gan. Vice Envoy Sheng naturally knows this in her heart, unlike you warriors who do not understand the ways of heaven.”

Long Lie was even more confused by what he said. What nonsense was this person spouting? How did he cause great harm to the Dragon Clan?

“The prosperity of the Demon Origin, the demise of the Dragon Origin. We Gan people all understand, but you Longya don’t? How ridiculous.” Lu Xingzhou sighed. “But then again, it’s the Demon Court now, not the Dragon Court. Since I protected the demon脉 and harmed the dragon脉, it naturally counts as a great功, wouldn’t you say?”

This time, even Prime Minister Long Yan stood up. “Your Majesty, this man is misleading the public with fallacies and should be severely punished!”

“Are you anxious, Prime Minister? Don’t rush, there’s more to make you anxious.” Lu Xingzhou said, “As for the damage to the dragon脉, it’s not without a solution. If His Majesty and I have a few little dragon children, wouldn’t that solve the problem…”

Long Lie, Long Yun, and others rose from their seats in a rush, their dragon eyes spitting fire.

Long Yun said, “You are indeed misleading the public with fallacies. How did the dragon脉 get damaged? My wife is pregnant!”

The Dragon Clan found it difficult to conceive, but it wasn’t impossible. Long Yun actually had… Lu Xingzhou blinked his eyes and said, “Your wife is pregnant after you’ve been away on campaign for so long? Perhaps you should ask if it’s Pudu’s.”

“You!” Long Yun was furious.

Seeing Long Qinghuang still leaning on her seat with a half-smile, the dragons rose in anger and shouted in unison, “Slandering the Sacred Mountain, blaspheming His Majesty, and insulting the generals is an unforgivable crime. We request that Lu Xingzhou be executed to set the record straight!”

Long Qinghuang naturally knew what Lu Xingzhou was doing.

There were no clues about the internal spy, so a strong stimulant was needed. Every word Lu Xingzhou uttered was to observe the subtle changes in everyone’s expressions, their attitudes towards the Sacred Mountain, and their attitudes towards little dragon children.

Anyway, Long Qinghuang would back him up, so no matter how much he messed around, it would be fine.

At this point, she finally spoke, “Just some drunken ramblings, why take them seriously? After all, there is indeed a功 in protecting the Sacred Mountain. Please all take your seats.”

Long Lie was still unconvinced. “How can such a person, full of nonsense, become the Imperial Consort? Your Majesty, please reconsider!”

“So what if he is?” Lu Xingzhou sat directly below Long Qinghuang. Hearing this, he took her delicate hand and kissed it to his lips. “His Majesty and I are already planning to have little dragon children in a few days.”

“You…” Several Dragon Clan generals watched wide-eyed as he kissed Long Qinghuang’s hand, each expecting the Dragon Emperor to be furious. Instead, their majestic and stern Emperor slightly pouted, her eyes filled with a playful reproach, “Always messing around.”

These three words, whether they were a scolding or a flirtation, did not matter. In any case, that soft hand did not resist at all, allowing Lu Xingzhou to kiss it.

Sheng Yuanyao wore an expression as if she had eaten a nine-turn large intestine, as if she could hear the sound of shattered dragon hearts around her.

With Lu Xingzhou standing there, there was clearly no atmosphere for the celebration banquet to continue. Lu Xingzhou himself knew this and stood up straightforwardly. “Your Majesty hopes that I can build relationships with the Dragon Clan, but I regret to see that they do not welcome me. Hmm… at least it’s a celebration banquet and welcome banquet for the Dragon Clan, so I’ll yield to them this once and go back to rest first.”

Long Qinghuang knew that he must have gained something. In fact, at this moment, she also felt that Long Lie’s performance was the most agitated and most suspicious.

So she said, “Then you go and rest.”

Lu Xingzhou motioned to Sheng Yuanyao and Anu and left the banquet hall with a leisurely gait amidst the fire-spitting gazes of the dragons.

Not long after they left, Sheng Yuanyao covered her stomach and laughed, “Oh my, my Lord Lu, if your heroic bearing were to spread to Da Gan, there would at least be a story about Envoy Lu scolding the dragons without losing national prestige.”

Lu Xingzhou leaned back. “Hey, aren’t you angry?”

Sheng Yuanyao sneered, “Is it my turn? Who am I to you?”

Then she slowly said, “Speaking of which, Lord Lu can anger male dragons to death. I wonder if I can anger female dragons to death. Wouldn’t that also be a display of national power?”

Lu Xingzhou: “?”

“Don’t give me that confused look.” Sheng Yuanyao grabbed Lu Xingzhou. “You’re not the person you presented yourself as today. There must be a purpose behind this deliberate act. Do you still want to hide it from me?”

“A storm is coming.” Lu Xingzhou smiled faintly. “It’s happening tomorrow morning.”

Sheng Yuanyao’s eyes lit up. “How?”

Lu Xingzhou shook his head and did not answer. It wasn’t until the two returned to the Honglu Temple envoy lodge that Lu Xingzhou closed the door and set up a soundproofing barrier.

Sheng Yuanyao leaned her head closer.

If an outsider were to look at their shadows from the window, it would seem as if the Da Gan envoys had immediately gotten together as soon as they returned to their room.

In the banquet hall, with Lu Xingzhou gone, the atmosphere finally improved a little.

The dragons suppressed their feelings of disgust, briefly setting aside the unpleasantness, and only then did it begin to feel a bit like a celebration.

During the banquet, Long Qinghuang, feigning drunkenness, casually asked, “Prime Minister, how are your preparations for the court meeting today?”

Long Yan quickly realized she was asking about the selection of the new Grand Priest and replied, “I think General Long Lie would be an excellent choice.”

Long Lie was momentarily stunned. Seeing Long Qinghuang look over, he loudly replied, “I am willing to die for Your Majesty!”

Long Qinghuang narrowed her eyes and nodded slightly. “With all of you united, what great task cannot be accomplished? Tomorrow morning, I will personally escort you to the Sacred Mountain to support you.”

Long Yan said, “As for Pudu…”

Long Qinghuang replied very casually, “For hundreds of years, I have conquered cities and nations, killing countless people. How can an old turtle be in my eyes? If Ye Tinglan killed his master, why can’t I kill it?”