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Just as Li Yu deeply experienced the treatment of being a pet fish that's worth a million, and was rolling around covered by a water grass blanket made of gold silk, the System, which had been giving him a vacation all this time, finally made a sound.
"Congratulations, host. The final judgment of the main mission has been completed. You can enter the next main mission."
Li Yu: I can finally start the next one?
He was never worried about the judgment because the tyrant master treated him very well; he was confident that he'd be able to advance to the next main mission.
Although he accepted the koi side mission, because the hint was too unfathomable, he has left it to the side without any progress. After not doing the main mission for such a long time, he somewhat missed it.
Li Yu immediately entered the system to look. As the System said, the new main mission can be clicked on now. It's called 'The Tyrant Raises Fish to revitalize Bloodline.'
Li Yu: ...
The name of this mission was all weird, but he had a faint impression of seeing it when he first entered the system.
Didn't the System say that the judgment will determine the direction of the main mission? It didn't look very different from before.
Li Yu clicked open the "Revitalize" main mission. This main mission was similar to "A Million Pet Fish." It also proceeded in separate different steps.
The summary said: for the sake of making the lives of the tyrant and his pet fish better and better.
The main mission's first step was–
Experience the wind, flowers, snow, and moon with the Tyrant.
Li Yu: ????
Wait. Why did he feel like after the vacation, this shitty system became even more ridiculous.
Who can tell him what does the revitalization of a bloodline have anything to do with wind, flowers, snow and moon?
And plus, he remembered that wind, flowers, snow and moon meant indulging in drinks and pleasure. Did this step require him to drink together with the tyrant?
Li Yu drank the green plum wine before. He knew that he got drunk easily and might do some uncontrollable things that would make fish regret it afterwards. He couldn't help but think a mission that required him to drink was definitely here to screw him over again.
Li Yu: Do I have to do this main mission?
System: "Fish bones or fish dust. Host, can you pick one?"
Li Yu: ...
Forget it. He didn't want to pick either. Might as well behave and do his mission.
In order to make himself enthusiastic, Li Yu first looked at the reward for this step. However, the reward wasn't actually enhancing any attributes or skills. Instead, it was very mysterious–
Obtain one of the tyrant's secrets.
Li Yu instinctively opposed. He didn't really want to know any of Jing-wang's secrets. And plus, he was a transmigrated fish. Any important setting he had already read from the book. This reward sounded a bit worthless to him.
Unresigned, Li Yu asked: Isn't there a fish pillow like last time?
It's fine even if he got another fish pillow. Right now, he's been changing form a lot. Leaving the fish tank empty wasn't the way to go. He really wanted a fish pillow again. The previous fish pillow was still in Jing-wang's hands, not returned to him yet. And plus, it already looked different from his current size and color.
The shitty system probably never encountered any hosts that actively requested rewards before.
After remaining silent for a moment, the System said: "According to the host's proposal, the reward of "Revitalization of a bloodline" has been updated. Please examine it."
Li Yu jolted. So the system can make changes according to his words?
He went to look at the "Wind, Flowers, Snow, and Moon" quest again. Sure enough, a fish pillow was added to the reward.
This change made him really happy. Li Yu immediately let his imagination run wild: since the reward can change, can you change this "wind, flowers, snow, and moon" quest a little also?
How was a fish supposed to have a romantic time with the tyrant master? QQQ the difficulty level was too high.
This time, even after waiting for a long time, the shitty system didn't say anything.
Li Yu: ... Alright. I got you. In any case, you can change everything, except the part that screws fish over, right?
Li Yu was kicked out of the system. Covered in the gold silk grass blanket, he thought how can he and Jing-wang do that uh "wind, flower, snow, and moon" whatever.
If they had to drink liquor, first there must be liquor available.
Over here, the little carp was frustrating over where to find liquor in order to do his mission.
Meanwhile, outside seemed to have exploded like water being thrown into a pot of boiling oil. In the darkness of the night, a few thieves came into the Jing estate. They sneakily reached the wall of the estate and was immediately captured by Wang-gonggong leading a huge group of guards.
Ever since the fish pond was built, the guards inside the Jing Estate became more rigorous. The 3rd Prince was unable to buy the fish and left with a displeased face. Wang Xi immediately kept that in mind and warned the patrolling guards to increase their vigilance. Who would have expected that thieves really did appear.
Wang Xi swiftly reported it to Jing-wang.
Jing-wang gave a glance at the fish inside the fish tank who lost consciousness once more.
Before he thought fish was sick. Now however, it looked like the carp demon was probably meditating. Jing-wang thought there was no need to let Xiao Yu know this and get distracted from what he was doing. Jing-wang planned to do his best to protect Xiao Yu anyways.
These thieves were trussed up and carried before Jing-wang, all refusing to say who sent them.
The guards searched the thieves and found several fish nets. Their objective was self-explanatory.
However, the thieves didn't even know clearly themselves that the fish they were ordered to capture actually didn't sleep inside the fish pond. How much Wang Xi liked Master Xiao Yu was how much he hated these thieves. He gnashed his teeth and said: "It must be the 3rd Prince. Since he couldn't buy the fish, now he wants to steal..."
The thieves refused to confess. Just finding the fish nets wasn't enough to prove it was the 3rd Prince.
Wang Xi proposed interrogation by torture. Jing-wang pondered for a moment and gave a warning gaze at Wang Xi. Wang Xi was immediately enlightened and ordered the guards to take the thieves to the Imperial Justice Department for a thorough interrogation.
Since Jing Estate encountered thieves, they should report the case to the imperial Justice Department. Leaving the inquisition to the justice department was the right and proper way of doing things. If Jing Estate did it themselves, someone might take the opportunity to bite back.
Naturally, after the thieves were sent to the justice department, how they were going to be interrogated– It can't be helped if Jing Estate offered some suitable methods to help loosen these thieves' mouths quickly.
The 3rd Prince's estate.
Mu TianXiao knew about Mu TianMing going over to Jing Estate to buy fish. Mu TianXiao didn't actually approve of this shortcut route. Rather than trying to think of ways to make the Emperor happy, it's better to just honestly do the assignments that the Emperor appointed. However, even though Mu TianMing trusted him, the other didn't listen to him on every matter. The person making the decision in the end was Mu TianMing himself. Mu TianXiao couldn't do anything about it.
Especially when he learned that Mu TianMing couldn't buy the fish and then ordered people to steal the fish. This was already enough, yet even stealing the fish was unsuccessful. The 3rd Prince's people all got captured as soon as they entered Jing Estate. Mu TianXiao felt extremely speechless. For a fish that the Emperor might forget the next day, was all of this necessary?
"Of course it's necessary." Mu TianMing already dug himself into a hole. Ever since Jing-wang rudely kicked him out of the estate, the relationship between the two of them became no longer just a fish issue. The 3re Prince felt like Jing-wang didn't know what's good for him and was just asking for trouble. He clearly knew that the 3rd Prince was not far from the position of crown prince, yet he still insisted on making enemies.
"Elder brother, it's better to not send anymore people. What if Jing-wang figures it out..."
Mu TianXiao painstakingly advised, however, the 3rd Prince refused to listen: "What are you afraid of? My people have tight mouths. They wouldn't talk randomly. You're such a scaredy cat. Even if Jing-wang guessed it was me, what can he do? If he dares to deal with my people, I will make the imperial censorate accuse him of privately misabusing torture. Let's see if he can keep his title of Wang like this."
Mu TianXiao: "….."
Mu TianXiao rubbed his forehead in frustration: "Regardless. Jing-wang already captured those people. Ultimately, it's not good. The plan to steal the fish should stop here."
Mu TianMing clearly wasn't willing to give up yet: "Are we supposed to let a mute to surpass you and me and possess an auspicious sign in his hands?"
"... of course not." Mu TianXiao gave him an expression that can only be sensed: "Since it's an auspicious sign, according to father's temperament, he definitely will find the astronomy department for divination."
"The astronomy department?" The light in Mu TianMing's eyes flickered. This was indeed a way to get rid of Jing-wang.
"But the auspicious sign was something father mentioned himself. Even the astronomy department might not dare to refute it..."
"Why refute it?" The warm expression on Mu TianXiao's face didn't change. He asked back with a faint smile: "Have you forgotten the logic of 'too much is just as bad as not enough'?"
Mu TianMing was stunned for a second. Then he understood the 6th Prince's meaning and also started to laugh wildly.
The 6th Prince's presumptions weren't wrong. The Emperor soon summoned officials from the astronomy department. Therefore, the 3rd Prince followed the 6th Prince's words and enacted his plans.
The astronomy department didn't have a lot of members, but it had the power to settle important matters with just one word. With such an important department, naturally it also had Jing-wang's people inside.
Jing-wang brought fish to see the Emperor before; actually, there was also a personal reason.
Xiao Yu's change was quite noticeable by now. Who knows if he will change more in the future as well. Sooner or later, the Emperor would hear about it. Jing-wang wanted to prepare the Emperor ahead of time, find a good reason for Xiao Yu, and hide the fact that Xiao Yu was a demon. If this wasn't successful on the Emperor's side, he already made plans to have the astronomy department make an announcement. However, since the Emperor believed that the fish gaining gold scales was an auspicious sign on his own, it saved Jing-wang a lot of work.
Jing-wang also anticipated that the Emperor would still go find the astronomy department for divination. He ordered his people in the astronomy department to follow along appropriately.
Not long afterwards the 3rd Prince enacted his plans, Jing-wang immediately received the news.
Mu TianMing was so sinister, he wanted the astronomy department to tell the Emperor that for a fish to grow gold scales, it was a sign that it was going to transform into a dragon. In this dynasty, only the Emperor was allowed to use the dragon as his symbol. The Emperor himself was called a real dragon and "son of Heaven." If one of the princes was raising a fish that had the sign of transforming into a dragon, the Emperor would definitely fear the consequences. When that time came, not only would Jing-wang find it hard to defend himself– no eggs can remain when the nest is upset– the fish would also suffer.
Fortunately, Jing-wang already received the news ahead of time. He definitely wouldn't allow this to happen.
The 3rd Prince feared that the Emperor would doubt the words of the astronomy department and also asked people to go invite over senior Buhhist monks. Facing this double offensive, Jing-wang didn't back off. Raising his brush and writing a letter, he ordered Wang Xi to help him send it out at top speed.
It wouldn't be very long before another crisis arrived. However, no matter what, he would protect Xiao Yu well.
Jing-wang finished dealing with serious business and returned to his room. What greeted him was a figure that he waited for a long time for.
Xiao Yu transformed into a youth and wore a blue silk garment with gold branches embroidered.
Humming some unknown melody, he was currently stooped over, tidying the bed.
Jing-wang stood from a far and watched for a while, wanting to get close but also afraid to disturb. He stood there as Xiao Yu hummed and admired the other's beauty.
Xiao Yu was still the same as they first met, lively and energetic.
Jing-wang has seen plenty of men and women before who'd tied their belt tight and securely.
Xiao Yu, however, didn't seem to know how to properly bind it and tied it up randomly, making a hideous knot that fell at his waist side. A slight outline peeked from the youth's thin waist.
With a light squeeze, the willow-like waist can bend.
Jing-wang felt it was too exaggerating, but still inevitably thought of this phrase.
Further down, there was a slightly protruding roundness under the lake-blue colored silk robes...
Flustered, Jing-wang moved away his line of sight.
"Your highness, you're back!" Li Yu noticed the movement behind him, ran over with a smile, and gave a bow. After returning from the imperial palace, he carefully examined how the servants of the estate greeted Jing-wang and followed this example.
He changed into human shape this time because he agreed to "stay" at the Jing Estate before and help Jing-wang raise fish. He had to occasionally show face before Jing-wang and express that he was seriously doing his work– which was actually just feeling himself.
Jing-wang helped him make a huge fish tank. Li Yu was very touched. However, he couldn't say anything as a fish. Other than rubbing here and there, there was no way to express his gratitude.
Although he could talk after changing into a human, Jing-wang didn't know he was fish. If he rashly expressed thanks "for fish," who knows, Jing-wang might think he was a demon.
Out of a plan, after feeding himself, Li Yu can only actively help tidy up the room as a silent form of gratitude.
However, the place that Jing-wang stayed was always very clean. Li Yu looked through the entire room, but didn't find anything dirty. In the end, he could only mess up the blankets on the bed and then tidy it up again. Who would have imagined that he just finished doing this one thing when he encountered Jing-wang.
Jing-wang saw the human formed Xiao Yu. The violent current inside his heart caused by the 3rd Prince immediately dissipated a whole bunch. Stepping forth to grab Li Yu's hand, he dragged Li Yu and headed outside.
There was something he wanted to do for a long time now.
Li Yu who was suddenly captured: ???
Li Yu silently warned himself. As a fish, he couldn't rebel against his master. As a human, he also couldn't reject his Wang.
Li Yu was dragged, Jing-wang very quickly brought him next to a table, wanting him to sit down.
Li Yu was somewhat scared. This situation, was Jing-wang about to ask him questions?
Actually, he changed into a human also because he wanted to inquire about the liquor inside Jing Estate. The green plum wine was something that appeared serendipitously. If he wanted to set up a romantic theme, he needed to first figure out where the liquor was hidden.
Then, he could create a plan to get a jar, mix it with some water, and get Jing-wang to drink a little while drinking a little himself. Wine that's mixed with water shouldn't make him embarrass himself so easily right?
Li Yu had a plan in mind. Regarding the tyrant, it's best not to talk back. Just pretend he was still fish and do whatever Jing-wang wanted him to do obediently.
Jing-wang spread open the paper and brush and took out the ink stick and inkstone, handing them over to Li Yu.
Li Yu: "..."
Li Yu suddenly laughed: "Your highness, do you want me to grind the ink?"
Jing-wang lightly nodded his head.
Li Yu: So first he was being used to grind ink, then he'll have to answer questions, haha!
Although Li Yu complained internally, he still grinded the ink extremely seriously with his hands.
Very quickly a thick ink was prepared. Li Yu placed the ink stick down and carelessly rubbed his nose. A spot of ink was left on his nose, which he was completely unaware of.
This made Jing-wang remember how Xiao Yu had ink on his fish body before; his lips curved uncontrollably.
After grinding ink, Jing-wang then gave Li Yu a brush.
Li Yu: So it wasn't to make him answer questions but rather, to make him write?
Li Yu rolled up his sleeve and held the brush extremely boldly, a style that's not much different than holding chopsticks.
"What does your highness need me to write, just let me know!" It's best if he could get a reward after he finished writing. For example a jar of wine or something. He was just frustrating over having no excuse!
The bold posture that Li Yu used to hold the brush shocked Jing-wang.
Jing-wang: "..."
Jing-wang silently thought internally, no wonder the brush used previously would lose hairs.
However, Jing-wang didn't disdain the illiterate Xiao Yu at all. He got up and walked behind Xiao Yu.
Li Yu didn't understand why and curiously looked at him.
Jing-wang did his best to control himself and not look at the fair white wrist that was exposed out of Xiao Yu's sleeve. He raised his hand and covered over the hand on the brush, gently encircling Xiao Yu in his arms. Then, he shifted Xiao Yu slightly, moving and turning his awkward stance into the proper posture.
Li Yu: !!!
Li Yu strangely felt a slight blush. It's not that he was illiterate. He was just not too used to using a traditional brush. Jing-wang was likely teaching him how to hold a brush and how to write words right now.
However, this was too close.
Jing-wang's hand held his. Jing-wang's arms also supported him. A warm breath was blowing right by the side of his ear.
Behind him, surrounding him, up down left right, were all Jing-wang.
One of Li Yu's ears burned red. He thought awkwardly: this was learning, definitely don't think about anything random, Jing-wang wrote very well and was willing to teach him, don't squander the chance!
Therefore, his hand was held by Jing-wang just like this. Jing-wang taught him to write the first upright and proper word: Fish.
... Looks like writing wasn't that hard after all!
Later, Li Yu completely immersed himself in writing. If he were in fish form, his tail would definitely be raised to the heavens. To the extent that it wasn't until after he changed back into a fish that he remembered, he forgot to ask for a reward.
But actually Jing-wang was the one teaching him how to write this entire time. The person who deserved a reward wasn't him anyways, right!?
Li Yu felt embarrassed. He seemed to have been countered by Jing-wang.
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