Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 392 - If This Isn’t Liking Me, Then What Is?

“...”

When the Dragon Empress said those words, Xu Ming felt something soften inside him.

Not just his heart—even his stomach felt weak.

He suddenly had the urge to live off a rich woman.

After all, who could resist such a powerful, influential, breathtakingly beautiful woman with a perfect figure telling them, “You don’t have to struggle anymore. Just stay by my side.”

Who could possibly say no to that?

No one. Absolutely no one.

Xu Ming genuinely began to wonder if he might actually be the Dragon Empress’s long-lost lover.

Otherwise, why did her words sound so much like a confession?

After all, someone like the Dragon Empress—an embodiment of pure love and devotion—should, in theory, never say something like this to just any man.

Of course, there was a one-in-a-million chance that she had already moved on.

That she had finally let go of that person, stopped dwelling on the past.

And maybe, just maybe, she found him attractive enough that she wanted to start anew.

But Xu Ming quickly dismissed that ridiculous idea.

The odds were practically nonexistent.

He had literally just asked her moments ago, and she had told him “You’re overthinking it.” That pretty much ruled it out.

Someone at her level—an Ascension Realm cultivator—had no reason to lie to him.

And besides, if he really was her lost lover, after searching for him for ten thousand years, how could she possibly let him go so easily?

If the situation were reversed—if he had been searching for her for ten thousand years—he would probably have tied her up the moment he found her.

Not to mention, the most fundamental reason:

He came from Blue Star, a completely different plane of existence.

There was simply no way he could be her long-lost love.

“If there’s nothing else, you can leave now,” the Dragon Empress waved her hand dismissively. “You’d best heed my advice. Also, I’ll allow you to stay here for six months. I’ll help you get the Linglong Pearl. That’s the best deal you’re going to get.”

“I will consider it carefully.” Xu Ming cupped his hands in salute, feeling genuinely tempted.

Six months wasn’t that long.

It would pass in the blink of an eye.

Besides, it wasn’t like he would be imprisoned here—he would be serving at the Dragon Empress’s side.

And let’s be honest—when your superior is this stunningly beautiful with a perfect figure, seeing her every day was bound to improve your mood.

Not to mention, she was incredibly generous—not only would she not deduct his pay, but she might even give him occasional rewards.

“Oh, and one more thing,” the Dragon Empress blinked at him, retrieving the Liuli Ming Guang Lamp from her blue storage bracelet—the same one Xu Ming had bribed her maid with. “Don’t give gifts to anyone while you’re here. Understand?”

She smirked. “Rather than bribing others, you should bribe me instead.”

“...”

Xu Ming was momentarily speechless.

It made perfect sense to bribe the people around her—but how was he supposed to bribe her?

And besides... did she even lack anything?

“...Then I shall take my leave.”

Although he had no idea what was going on in the Dragon Empress’s mind, Xu Ming bowed and exited the chamber.

The Dragon Empress’s gaze pierced through the closed door, watching his retreating figure.

Only when he was completely out of sight did she finally withdraw her gaze.

“No rush... no rush... take it slow.”

She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.

I’ve already waited nearly ten thousand years. What’s a few more days?

—

Nightfall.

In a courtyard at the outskirts of the Dragon Palace, Ao Yiner lifted the hem of her dress and prepared to slip out.

“Where do you think you’re going?”

Ao Jin stepped out of his room, catching his sister in the act.

Ao Yiner turned around and smiled. “I’m going to see Xu Ming.”

The moment he heard Xu Ming’s name, Ao Jin’s mood soured.

That bastard had ruined his plans earlier that afternoon.

His expression darkened. “Why are you looking for him?”

“I’m just going to have fun with him~” Ao Yiner said matter-of-factly. “Hanging out with you guys is so boring. I feel like Xu Ming is really interesting, and besides, I can ask him about things on land.”

“A young lady like you, sneaking into a man’s courtyard in the middle of the night—what kind of behavior is that? If word gets out, what happens to your reputation?” Ao Jin’s voice carried a hint of anger.

“Why are you being so mean, brother?” Ao Yiner pouted. “I’m just going to play, and no one will know. How does this have anything to do with my reputation? As long as you don’t spread it, it’ll be fine. Besides, don’t you think Xu Ming likes me?”

Ao Jin: “???”

“Where did you get that confidence? What makes you think Xu Ming likes you?” Ao Jin asked, bewildered.

In his eyes, Xu Ming didn’t show the slightest hint of affection for his sister. If anything, the way he looked at her was the same way someone would look at a clueless child. Ao Jin didn’t even have the heart to tell her the truth.

Ao Yiner smirked proudly. “Of course he does~ Look, this afternoon, Xu Ming chose to sit beside me while fishing. If that’s not liking me, then what is?”

“...”

Ao Jin swallowed hard.

He really wanted to say, Xu Ming only sat next to you because you were sitting next to me! He was trying to ruin my plan!

But he knew he couldn’t tell her that. He couldn’t drag his little sister into this mess.

“Alright, brother, don’t worry. Even if Xu Ming likes me, I don’t like him. We noble dragon clan members would never fall for an ordinary human. Maybe only the Dragon Empress would be interested in something like that.”

With that, Ao Yiner darted off.

“Brother, I’m leaving now! Don’t worry, I’ll be back before dawn!”

“Ugh...”

Ao Jin rubbed his temples, his face full of helplessness.

“Forget it, let her go. Nothing’s going to happen between them anyway.”

Sitting in the courtyard, Ao Jin could only comfort himself with that thought.

Just as he was pouring himself a drink, his hand suddenly stopped mid-air.

He slowly put down the cup and looked up.

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Two masked women stood before him.

“Dragon Palace’s Ting Hai Lou?”

Ao Jin narrowed his eyes at the masked figures.

Ting Hai Lou—the intelligence and assassination division of the Dragon Palace. It answered directly to the Dragon Empress and followed only her orders.

Of course, if Ting Hai Lou uncovered anything suspicious, they would also take independent action to eliminate potential threats.

“What business does Ting Hai Lou have with me?” Ao Jin asked calmly.

The woman wearing a fox mask stepped forward. “Just a question.”

Ao Jin nodded. “Feel free to ask, miss.”

The fox-masked woman’s voice was cold and sharp.

“This afternoon, at Ten Thousand Fish Lake in Coral Sea, what exactly were you fishing for?”