Chapter 255: Again Teased by Big Sister

Lu Xingzhou stepping forward to fight was, of course, to save those people; they couldn't just be randomly slaughtered by a tyrannosaurus.

But could he say that? If the female tyrannosaurus thought he was with her but then turned to help others, wouldn't that be seen as a betrayal, possibly earning him a severe beating?

Lu Xingzhou stated righteously, "No matter what, as we journey together, we are partners. Your concerns are my concerns; how could I stand by and do nothing? As for being misunderstood by others, I didn't think that much at the moment."

Long Qinghuang, clearly knowing he had acted to save people, couldn't help but laugh aloud upon hearing this. "Is that so? If I recall correctly, I actually forcibly brought you along to help me."

"Coming to Hanlan City was my suggestion, not a coercion." Lu Xingzhou paused, his expression a little odd. "In fact, it's more accurate to say *you* were coerced, since you clearly didn't want to change your clothes."

Long Qinghuang found this even funnier. "So, you're apprehending people for questioning to take responsibility for your own proposal?"

This time, Lu Xingzhou answered with conviction, "Of course."

Long Qinghuang's eyes once again showed that blend of amusement and allure he had seen before, and her voice became somewhat lazy and charming. "Then, should you also take responsibility for my reputation?"

Lu Xingzhou took another half-step back.

He wasn't so narcissistic as to believe the Demon Empress was truly interested in him. Even if the legendary lustful nature of dragons was true, it would be akin to a cat playing with a mouse, using him as a mere toy. He imagined whips and candles—he'd rather be drained by the Azure Maiden Profound Art.

"Why are you backing away?" Long Qinghuang suddenly reached out, and an invisible force enveloped Lu Xingzhou, pulling him back in front of her. Then, with her index finger, she tilted his chin up, examining him with amusement. "You do have some charms."

"Hey, hey, hey," Lu Xingzhou said, his face strained. "Do demons just act like this in front of children?"

"No, not usually," Long Qinghuang said with a smile. "But we're not doing anything... What are you expecting?"

Lu Xingzhou was speechless. He was being teased.

Damn, as a child he was teased by a fish, and now as an adult, he's being teased by a dragon. Is this the legendary transformation from fish to dragon? But when Yuan Muyu teased him, he could secretly flirt back; facing this one, he didn't dare at all, his hands stiff and unsure where to put them.

"Tell me, what are you expecting?" Long Qinghuang chuckled. "So, was ruining my reputation a little intentional?"

Lu Xingzhou simply replied, "I don't know, perhaps a little, deep down."

Long Qinghuang's expression grew even more amused. "Oh?"

"You're beautiful," Lu Xingzhou said. "If a male had absolutely no thoughts about Your Majesty, that would be abnormal."

In truth, he really had no such thoughts, mainly because he didn't dare; his life was more important. Of course, saying there was a faint hint deep down wasn't false; no man could be completely devoid of thoughts about such an unparalleled beauty—it's biological instinct, isn't it? But these words should flatter her; she was clearly a bit narcissistic and vain.

As expected, Long Qinghuang wasn't angry. She smiled and asked, "Then why only 'a little, deep down'?"

"Because I'd die," Lu Xingzhou said directly. "Didn't Your Majesty say that anyone who flirts with you gets crushed into a pulp?"

"That's flirting. If it were proper courtship, at most I'd tell him to look in a mirror. Demons aren't as hypocritical as you humans; courtship is considered perfectly natural." Long Qinghuang smiled. "Human, shall I give you an opportunity?"

No. But outwardly, he could only ask, "What opportunity?"

Long Qinghuang said, "Once you help me with this dragon bone matter, I'll give you a chance to return to the Demon Realm with me."

Who on earth would want that kind of opportunity! But looking into Long Qinghuang's eyes, the playfulness had diminished; there was a hint of seriousness, even a touch of coldness. Regardless of how much was a joke and how much was sincere... it seemed "being rejected" was something the Dragon Empress would find very difficult to tolerate.

Lu Xingzhou felt the truth of "accompanying a ruler is like accompanying a tiger" for the first time. In contrast, Yuan Muyu seemed quite good; at least by her side, there was no pressure of losing his life for a wrong answer, and he could still flirt back.

Lu Xingzhou's heart, instead, calmed. He looked seriously into Long Qinghuang's eyes. "Does Your Majesty want a consort, an alchemist, or do you simply find this person amusing?"

Long Qinghuang asked with interest, "Is there a difference?"

"Since courtship is natural among demons, if Your Majesty desires a consort, why not state it clearly?" Lu Xingzhou calmly said. "If you seek an alchemist, does Your Majesty, as the ruler of all demons, recruit talent with such a frivolous attitude, showing no respect whatsoever?"

Long Qinghuang was taken aback by his words.

"So, Your Majesty is neither seeking a mate nor seeking talent. If you merely want a toy... I apologize, but I have no way to resist if forced, yet if you ask my personal will, I would not be willing to be a toy."

"Aren't you afraid I'll kill you for such insolence?"

"I believe Your Majesty genuinely seeks my true thoughts, not flattery. Otherwise, you could simply abduct me to the Demon Realm by force; why ask me?"

Long Qinghuang completely dropped her playful demeanor, seriously studying Lu Xingzhou for a long moment before slowly saying, "You must be a well-known figure in Daqian. Chen Yu of Spring Mountain Pavilion... I will investigate once I return."

Lu Xingzhou thought to himself, *This* is the true attitude of a ruler towards talent. But this wasn't necessarily a good thing; playful teasing was one thing, but if a tyrant truly desired you, rejection would be impossible. If they couldn't have you, they'd destroy you, as large clans and species were natural enemies. He had thought demons didn't use the imperial 'Zhen' (朕, meaning 'I' for emperors), always just saying 'I.' But it seemed when she entered an imperial mindset, she would indeed use 'Zhen'...

However, Long Qinghuang's next words were, "But when I asked you, it truly had nothing to do with recruiting talent. It was because you said you had thoughts about me deep down. I was merely offering you an opportunity for courtship. Why do you refuse?"

Anuo, who had been secretly eating a sweet potato and watching the scene, widened her eyes, dropping the sweet potato in her hand.

Lu Xingzhou said, "I believe humans and demons are the same in this regard: someone who desires another simply because of their appearance—that's called lust at first sight. The strong can simply take; the weak are like a toad lusting after a swan. I am the latter, so naturally, I wouldn't invite humiliation, only to be told by Your Majesty to look in a mirror."

Long Qinghuang asked with interest, "So, that's 'lust at first sight'... Is there anything else?"

"Of course, there's also mutual affection, which has nothing to do with strength or weakness, poverty or wealth, power or vulnerability. The strong do not dominate, the weak do not feel inferior, and they never abandon each other."

Long Qinghuang pondered thoughtfully for a while, finally showing a hint of a sarcastic smile. It was unclear whether she was mocking Lu Xingzhou's words as a dreamer's fantasy, or mocking her own lonely imperial status, which could never realize the scenario Lu Xingzhou described. She quietly asked, "So, you can't be like that?"

"That wouldn't be lust at first sight; it would require understanding each other's hearts. Unfortunately, Your Majesty and I do not know each other, so we lack that prerequisite. My current thoughts about Your Majesty are merely a toad lusting after a swan, and Your Majesty's current teasing of me is merely the strong preying on the weak. That is all."

Long Qinghuang smiled. "I'm suddenly thinking, in all these years, very few people have dared to speak to me like this."

"That's a pity."

Long Qinghuang stood up and slowly walked down the hill. "Then, let's first work together on this dragon bone matter, and give us a chance to understand each other."