“The sky is about to change.”
Mister Canghai gazed at the clear sky, his words carrying a deep meaning.
“There aren’t any dark clouds though?”
There were still a few days left before the Shengyu Festival, and Yun Liu had agreed with the two Island Lords to meet again at the Shanhai Pavilion next time, parting ways for now.
Only Li Su stood there foolishly, tiptoeing to look around.
The crash of the Golden Crow signaled the beginning of the death knell for the nation, and the public appearance of the Fake Princess felt like a provocation—a dance right in the enemy’s face.
The situation seemed to be heading for the worst, a pack of hungry wolves fighting openly and secretly, eager to tear apart this giant cake.
And the ambitions of the Demon Sect were even more terrifying—their true goal was to seize the opportunity during the Shengyu Festival when the Golden Crow descended, to attack while the Jing Clan Divine Attendants were weakened, and subdue the Red Crow of East Pole Province.
In the game, the villains undoubtedly succeeded.
Otherwise, Ji Shiyu wouldn’t have needed to save the Misty Realm, and the fate of the Zhu Sacred Kingdom would have ended with the disappearance of the Golden Crow.
That night, Yun Liu sat silently for a long time.
Suddenly, he opened his eyes, revealing a strange smile.
To be toyed with by a substitute who appeared out of nowhere, acting timid and cautious…
That wasn’t like him at all.
The answer was obvious, wasn’t it?
A strategy guide is just a strategy guide—if no one plays by the script, then I, Yun, won’t pretend either.
“If you want to play with me, I’ll accompany you to the end. This is what you asked for.”
Yun Liu tossed aside the strategy guide and slipped out into the night, ready to stir up trouble—not to save the Zhu Bird.
Jing Yan, who wanted to be his father-in-law, had given him a good line of thinking, but probably wouldn’t live to see his daughter marry.
Now, Yun Liu had a better way to strike back.
As soon as he opened the door, he saw Xiao Xinran dozing off while holding her sword.
She startled awake at the sound of the door, flustered.
“Uh! I’m not slacking off! Just… just cultivating with my eyes closed for a bit, that’s all! Young master, are you going somewhere? To the restroom?”
Xiao Xinran wiped her drool, her face flushing red, like a student caught napping in class, nervously changing the subject.
Yun Liu patted the girl’s head, amused.
Even for a death soldier, this seemed too much.
Anyone who didn’t know better would think he was abusing Miss Gong.
“I’m going to storm the princess. Want to come?”
He teased softly, half-serious.
“Eh? No, thank you.”
“Alright, then guard the door for me. Don’t let anyone in. Not even chickens.”
“Oh! Got it!”
Without hesitation, Yun Liu stepped out into the moonlight, heading straight for the Southern Courtyard Palace.
The loyal sword attendant of the overbearing president saluted and hurried after him, her mind still short-circuited.
Wait a minute, what did Little Yun just say?
Storm where?
Jing Tan’er, whom Qin Xing had sent back, slept in the Northern Courtyard, while the Jing Tan’er in the Southern Courtyard was the one sent straight to Yun Liu’s face—prime target.
Stoic as a rock, she guarded the courtyard, only glancing once before continuing to idle.
Ji Shiyu, troubled, was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard, forced to work hard every day under Ao Tian’s scolding.
The two of them watched Yun Liu barge fiercely into the Number Two Intimate Princess’s room without even knocking, curiosity pulling them along.
“What is he doing?”
“Storming Jing Tan’er.”
Xiao Xinran giggled foolishly, still savoring the lingering warmth of the headpat.
Ji Shiyu tilted her head, not quite understanding, when a lewd “jié jié jié” laugh echoed from inside, followed by Jing Tan’er’s scream.
She poked her head in, only to have a sword block her way.
“Stop. By the young master’s order, no one is allowed inside!”
Xiao Xinran’s expression shifted, murderous aura radiating—not a hint of pretense.
Her long hair curled and tinged red, showing signs of ignition, scaring Ji Shiyu into shrinking back.
“Hiss, then I’ll just stay out here and listen. Not going in.”
“That brat’s not really storming her, right? I was just joking!”
Ao Tian anxiously scratched at the air, tiny wings fluttering.
But Xiao Xinran’s murderous aura was fierce—she wouldn’t even let a chicken through.
So muddled, Xinran. They’ve already advanced, and you’re still playing guard.
Are you addicted to wearing green hats or what?
In the Southern Courtyard bedchamber, warmth radiated from the red furnace.
Jing Tan’er, dressed in a thin pink skirt, sat at her dressing table, gazing dreamily at the moon.
Suddenly, the door burst open, and the visitor entered with the chill wind, crossing the room in a step.
“How bold! Who dares enter without my permission… Huh, it’s you?”
Jing Tan’er raised an eyebrow.
The moment she saw the white-robed youth’s face, her mild anger turned to delight.
“This… This time I’ll let it go. This princess forgives your rudeness. Hmph, such an uncivilized commoner. Do you want to see me that badly?”
“There are many rules in the palace, but with me it’s fine. Just don’t run around elsewhere!”
Yun Liu gave a sly smile, stepped forward, wrapped his arm around her waist, and tilted her chin up, his gaze teasing.
“Ah! Y-You…?”
Jing Tan’er squealed, her powerless hands pressing against Yun Liu’s chest—a struggle that was only symbolic.
Joy mixed with shyness.
When did this wooden block become so passionate?
The next moment, Yun Liu pushed Jing Tan’er onto the bed, pinning her long legs down.
“How presumptuous! Do you know what you’re doing?”
Jing Tan’er’s face flushed, unable to move.
Her panicked eyes were filled with both resistance and acceptance, as if tacitly consenting.
Assaulting a princess inside the Royal Court—this guy is too bold!
Why weren’t you this proactive when the Sect left you alone and helpless!
Yun Liu narrowed his eyes, appearing like a lustful demon.
He pulled at the little princess’s clothes, intent on seeing if the imitation was just as “real” on the inside.
“Of course I know. Not afraid to tell you, you already belong to me. Once His Majesty bestows the marriage during the Shengyu Festival, our engagement will be official. Isn’t it reasonable to consummate the marriage a bit early tonight?”
“Really!?”
Jing Tan’er bit her lip, unable to hide the happiness in her eyes.
She quickly corrected herself in panic.
“Ahem, I mean, how did you persuade Father?”
“Simple. I told him…”
Yun Liu leaned close to Jing Tan’er’s cheek, whispering in her ear.
“You’re fake.”
At that moment, a medicine spoon stabbed into Jing Tan’er’s chest.
The shock on the girl’s face contrasted sharply with the coldness in the boy’s eyes.
Though the spoon had clearly pierced her heart, not a drop of blood flowed—utterly bizarre.
The childishness faded from Jing Tan’er’s face, her bright eyes turning deep and inscrutable, as she gazed at the fascinating youth before her.
“As expected.”
Yun Liu silently retreated, raising both hands, his Divine Sense enveloping the area to prevent outside intrusion.
What followed wasn’t suitable for children—no eavesdropping, little yellow hair.
“Jing Tan’er” slowly sat up, pulled the medicine spoon from her chest, tossed it aside, stretched, and crossed her pale long legs.
She twisted her neck in an unnatural pose, but didn’t hurry to remove the Skin-Changing Art.
“When did you figure it out?”
“From the very start, something felt off. But your acting was so perfect, it made me doubt myself. Your disguise is too convincing. I really should ask you for lessons sometime!”
Yun Liu sneered.
That sense of wrongness had never vanished, but he’d relied too much on strategy guides and experience—even growing overconfident, imagining some plot point hadn’t been triggered yet.
Little did he know, the butterfly effect had already spread across the Nine Realms.