Chapter 8: The Wager of the Mischievous Dragon

“I said no!”

Yao Yueli cast a cold, discerning gaze upon the stout man beside Yue Guangyao.

This was Qian Zhisen of the Qian family, one of the four great families; though his combat abilities were hardly impressive.

The Qian family, however, excelled in strategy and the art of commerce, with every head of their household serving as the National Grand Tutor of the Radiant Moon Empire.

The sudden notion of Yue Guangyao wagering his own lifelong happiness must undoubtedly have been proposed by Qian Zhisen, standing right beside him.

Having grown accustomed to the intricate schemes and ploys of these individuals, Yao Yueli resolved not to simply comply with their demands.

“Exactly! Why should my big sister listen to you? Besides, I’m only speaking the plain truth, how does that insult you?”

“A two-faced man is a two-faced man! A toad is a toad, and they’ll never change their habit of wanting to eat swan meat!”

Ahoge Dragon, too, indulged in her mockery to the fullest, her eyes darting about as if already concocting some new scheme.

“Guards! Seize this commoner for this Crown Prince!”

Yue Guangyao’s face flushed a mottled green and purple from Ahoge Dragon’s infuriating words.

Finally unable to restrain himself, he commanded his men to apprehend Ahoge Dragon and give her a thorough beating.

“Oh, I’m so scared~”

Ahoge Dragon swiftly clung to Yao Yueli’s leg, deliberately feigning an expression of intense fear.

“Yao Yueli, you had best hand over this person who has insulted the Crown Prince! Her crimes are grave enough to warrant her death ten, even a hundred times over!

If you insist on shielding her, you shall be dealt with for the crime of harboring a criminal! Such a charge is so severe that not even the academy could hope to protect you!”

The stout Qian Zhisen spread his arms, first blocking those who were eager to make a move.

He then continued to negotiate with Yao Yueli:

“At this moment, she is effectively a dead woman! However, the Crown Prince, in his compassion for his subjects, is disinclined to bloodshed. If you agree to our previous wager—

Regardless of whether you win or lose, I guarantee that not a single hair on this young girl’s head will be harmed!”

Truly, this was the Qian family’s cunning at play; in this scenario, if Yao Yueli wished to protect Ahoge Dragon, she would have no choice but to accept their terms.

Seeing the opponent’s absolute confidence, coupled with what she had just overheard from the Dean—that these individuals had seemingly developed a pill capable of drastically boosting one’s magical power—Yao Yueli felt a surge of unease.

She now possessed a dragon, and by playing it safe and developing stealthily, she would soon surpass everyone here.

She certainly didn’t want any mishaps to occur now!

However, if she refused, resolving Ahoge Dragon’s predicament today would prove exceedingly difficult…

Yet, just as Yao Yueli wavered in her decision, the restless Ahoge Dragon once again launched into a verbal barrage:

“A kidney-deficient man, a toad, and now a big fat pig! I wouldn’t know any better, I’d think I was at a zoo!”

“Ahoge…”

Yao Yueli’s mouth twitched, utterly exasperated by the provocative Ahoge Dragon.

Nevertheless, seeing the grim expressions on the faces of those opposite them, she couldn’t help but feel a surge of satisfaction.

“Also, why should my big sister agree to you without us getting any benefits whatsoever?”

Ahoge Dragon’s eyes fixed on the Moonwheel Flying Dagger behind Yue Guangyao, and she licked her lips before continuing:

“If we’re going to gamble, and we’re staking Big Sister’s lifelong happiness, then the least you can do is put up that Silver-tier magic tool behind the toad as your stake!”

“Young lady, isn’t your appetite a little too large?”

The stout Qian Zhisen’s eyes glinted, having correctly surmised that Ahoge Dragon was indeed eager to gamble.

A wave of excitement surged within him.

He had orchestrated this entire plan, and if Crown Prince Yue Guangyao truly succeeded in making Yao Yueli his Crown Princess this time, he would gain significantly more influence in the Crown Prince’s presence.

However, the Moonwheel Flying Dagger was exceedingly valuable, a decision he couldn’t make on his own at this moment.

He then leaned towards Yue Guangyao’s ear, whispering a few more words, clearly attempting to persuade him.

“Are you serious?”

“Your Royal Highness, though it is merely a prototype, after numerous tests, that pill has an eighty percent chance of inducing a berserk state!

Moreover, if one pill doesn’t succeed, one can continue to take more! It’s guaranteed to induce a berserk state!”

Qian Zhisen produced a small jade bottle, containing a pill that his Qian family had spent immense resources and considerable time to develop.

Upon use, the berserk state would boost one’s strength by an entire realm, lasting for a minimum of five minutes!

Administering this Berserker Pill to Gudou Toutian would be like adding wings to a tiger!

“Excellent! Then this Crown Prince shall trust you this once! If this endeavor truly succeeds in securing Yao Yueli for me, I shall reward you handsomely!”

Joy blossomed on Crown Prince Yue Guangyao’s face as he heavily patted the stout Qian Zhisen’s shoulder.

Qian Zhisen, equally thrilled, declared:

“This humble servant thanks Your Royal Highness for your high regard! It is my duty to offer counsel and devise strategies for Your Royal Highness!”

“Hey! Have you decided yet? It’s just a measly knife! You’re unwilling to even put that up, yet you dream of getting my big sister? Dream on!”

“Young lady, disaster often springs from loose lips! I advise you to watch your tongue! Outside these walls, you won’t find anyone as magnanimous as His Royal Highness!”

Wasn’t he implying that if Ahoge Dragon continued with her foul mouth after leaving, she would undoubtedly be torn limb from limb?

But Ahoge Dragon merely scoffed with profound disdain, picking at her ear as she retorted:

“Don’t you worry, there aren’t any toads as ugly as him outside either!”

“Qian Zhisen! Stop spouting nonsense! Make the two of them begin their match at once!”

Yue Guangyao’s gaze turned chillingly sinister.

‘That wretched lizard! Once he had Yao Yueli, he would make sure Ahoge Dragon understood his true cruelty!’

“Hehe! Hand over the Moonwheel Flying Dagger first! What if you lose and try to renege on the bet?”

Ahoge Dragon wiped the corner of her mouth, thinking, ‘These fools, won’t they just fall into the trap I’ve laid for them in the end?’

Gudou Toutian’s magic tool had already been damaged by Ahoge Dragon’s bite; it would be utterly preposterous for him to defeat Yao Yueli now!

Without another word, Yue Guangyao simply threw the Moonwheel Flying Dagger over.

His face was profoundly displeased, yet he knew that if he didn’t hand over the Moonwheel Flying Dagger, that foul-mouthed lizard would undoubtedly spew even more sickening insults.

“Hehehe! Who knew the toad was actually quite sensible.

Alright, Big Sister, hurry up and defeat that kidney-deficient man! Then we’ll have another upgrade material!”

Ahoge Dragon gazed at the tear-shaped gem embedded in the center of the Moonwheel Flying Dagger, genuinely wanting to bite it off in a single gulp.

“Again? I recall you only mentioning that the Moonwheel Flying Dagger contained usable materials. Where did this ‘again’ come from?”

Ahoge Dragon had, in fact, already informed Yao Yueli earlier that the Moonwheel Flying Dagger contained materials suitable for upgrades.

This was why Yao Yueli had tacitly agreed to the wager.

Hearing Ahoge Dragon’s latest remark, Yao Yueli couldn’t help but wonder if this silly Ahoge had secretly caused trouble while she wasn’t around.

“Hehehe! I just picked it up! Big Sister, don’t worry about such minor details!

Hurry up and get on stage to beat that kidney-deficient man into submission! Then this treasure will be ours!”

With a guilty conscience, Ahoge Dragon quickly pushed Yao Yueli, urging her away.

‘Picked it up? Only a fool would believe that!’

Nevertheless, it was indeed better to deal with Gudou Toutian first.

She would gain a Silver-tier magic tool and an upgrade material for Ahoge Dragon.

This was a matter of considerable importance!

As for Ahoge’s true story, once they returned, she would pin her down and playfully badger her for answers; she didn’t believe Ahoge wouldn’t spill everything then!