Chapter Twenty-One: Unexpected Happiness

Chapter Twenty-One: The Sudden Happiness of Lu Xuemei

The Treasure Palace occupies a vast area of 108,000 square meters in the Lu Jiashan star domain, second only to the Sacred Healing Palace in size. From afar, its grandeur is awe-inspiring; up close, its opulent courtyards and exquisitely carved halls glitter with splendor, a maze of intersecting artistry. Within, three thousand servants and maids attend to the palace, while one hundred thousand young disciples reside and study.

In terms of wealth, the Treasure Palace ranks second among the twelve great halls of Lu Jiashan, and none dare claim the first. The palace is home to countless rare elixirs and spiritual medicines, as well as a trove of magical artifacts and secret insights left by those who come seeking healing. Many who arrive to cure their ailments offer treasures or arcane manuals as compensation if they are unwilling to stay and guard the star domain. In this way, the domain can employ powerful warriors with these offerings.

Numerous strong cultivators come here for treatment, and eighty percent choose to remain as guardians of the domain; after all, centuries are but a fleeting moment to such beings. A minority, however, decline to stay, opting instead to leave valuable artifacts or manuals as payment for their care.

Li Hao and his three companions waited with growing boredom for several minutes on the steps before the grand gates of the Treasure Palace, until Lu Xuemei and her sister finally arrived, moving at an unhurried pace.

“Master, who is that beautiful lady with Princess Lu Yao?” Kui Hu asked, his curiosity about Lu Xuemei's identity piqued, and Li Zhan and Qin Zhen shared his wonder.

“Master, why did you hit me?” Kui Hu protested after Li Hao jumped up to knock him on the head—a comical sight, given the height difference.

“That is Princess Lu Xuemei. How could you not know our matchless beauty, Princess Lu Xuemei? You deserved that,” Li Hao replied, as though ignorance of Lu Xuemei’s identity were a great embarrassment.

“Yes, yes, deserved it…” Li Zhan and Qin Zhen echoed obediently, leaving Kui Hu feeling aggrieved. “So you two just abandon your old leader for the new one, is that it? Fickle, the pair of you.”

“Yeah! We’re fickle, so what? Now that the young master is here, what can you do? If you’re not happy, take it up with him,” they retorted, laughing recklessly.

Li Zhan and Qin Zhen switched allegiance without restraint, and Kui Hu fumed silently, standing in place with clenched teeth, his expression suggesting, “Just wait—I’ll deal with you two when the time comes.”

After their playful quarrel, their attention returned to Lu Xuemei.

“A smile that shames the ephemeral flower; in this world, only Lu Xuemei stands alone,” Kui Hu blurted out.

“You said that?” Li Hao looked at him in surprise, as though impressed by Kui Hu’s poetic flair, and asked again.

“No, no, master, don’t misunderstand, it wasn’t me,” Kui Hu hurriedly denied, waving his hands like autumn leaves trembling in the wind. “That was a senior from the Palace of Literary Saints, who, upon glimpsing Princess Xuemei’s peerless beauty from afar, uttered those words. Everyone agreed with him. Today, thanks to your favor, we’re lucky enough to see the princess in person—a blessing for three lifetimes! I think the comparison is too modest, really.”

His words carried a hint of flattery.

“I think it’s quite good. I’d like to meet this senior someday,” Li Hao mused, curious about the man bold enough to comment on the princess. Not just anyone dared to pass judgment on a princess; in this ruthless world, a careless word could cost one’s life.

Li Hao reckoned this senior was a talented, courageous, and clever man.

Grandpa Baicao often said, “To learn from good people, follow good people. One’s character is shaped not just by cultivation and education, but also by many influences around them. Most important is to hold fast to your true self, no matter the circumstance.”

Hearing these teachings, Li Hao resolved to only befriend those of good character.

As they were speaking, Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao approached.

“Kui Hu, Li Zhan, Qin Zhen, greetings to Your Highnesses,” the three introduced themselves, greeting Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao in unison.

“Since you are brothers to Li Hao, you may address me as elder sister, not princess,” Lu Xuemei said warmly.

“Si…sis…” they stammered, as if in a dream. Kui Hu slapped Li Zhan and Qin Zhen each across the face, but neither reacted. Even after being slapped, their excitement was so overwhelming that they felt no pain. All three thought, “Is this really just a dream?”

Li Hao, Lu Xuemei, and Lu Yao found the scene bewildering—why were they suddenly slapping each other and standing dazed?

“What’s wrong with them?” Lu Xuemei asked Li Hao with a suspicious look.

“I don’t know, Sister Mei. They were fine until you arrived,” Li Hao replied, feeling innocent under her scrutiny.

“Li Hao, don’t try these new tricks to win my favor, thinking I won’t punish you. You’re getting bolder,” Lu Xuemei scolded, assuming any odd behavior from Li Hao was a ploy for her amusement.

“Sister Mei, don’t be rash, don’t be rash—impulse is the devil. It really wasn’t me,” Li Hao explained with a sincere smile, bewildered by his companions’ antics.

“I really envy you, master, for being so close to two peerless princesses,” Kui Hu murmured, giving a thumbs up.

“What did you say?” Li Hao, now furious, delivered a swift kick to Kui Hu, sending him tumbling several meters away.

Kui Hu dusted himself off and muttered, “Is all this real, not a dream?”

“Is it really not a dream?” Li Zhan and Qin Zhen asked.

“In broad daylight, what dreams are you having? You’re just daydreaming,” Lu Xuemei scolded, thinking it was another of Li Hao’s tricks. Li Hao nearly got himself in trouble again, and glared at the trio.

“We really aren’t dreaming—Princess Xuemei told us to call her sister…”

Seeing the three go from dazed to babbling with excitement, Lu Xuemei, Li Hao, and Lu Yao were left confused.

“Kui Hu greets… no! Kui Hu greets elder sister.”

“Li Zhan greets elder sister.”

“Qin Zhen greets elder sister.”

They had been stunned by Lu Xuemei’s declaration: “Since you’re Li Hao’s brothers, call me sister.” Never had they imagined that the renowned, breathtaking, noble Princess Xuemei—whom men considered it a supreme honor just to be noticed by—would call them brothers. It seemed unreal, as though in a dream. That was why Kui Hu slapped the others, to check if it was real, and the slap went unnoticed in their excitement.

Once they realized it wasn’t a dream and tried to question Kui Hu about the slap, they saw Lu Xuemei and Li Hao chatting and dared not interrupt, resulting in this small tragedy.

“Sorry, Li Hao, sister wrongly accused you,” Lu Xuemei finally understood and apologized sincerely.

“It’s nothing, nothing, I’m not afraid of being wrongly accused by sister,” Li Hao thought, “You’ve wrongly accused me more than once; I’m used to it.” But, out of respect for her status, he kept the thought to himself.

The trio looked at their own princess, whose beauty captivated all men, now apologizing to their leader. This overturned their understanding yet again, making them ever more curious about Li Hao’s identity. Having such a powerful leader was their highest honor.

Their newfound favor from Lu Xuemei was all thanks to Li Hao. The more they thought about it, the more excited they became, looking at Li Hao as if he were a beautiful maiden. Kui Hu, in his excitement, wanted to rush forward and hug Li Hao, but Li Hao, noticing his odd behavior, scolded him away.

Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao watched their playful antics and offered smiles that could charm the world. Li Hao now had more companions, no longer so lonely, and he was genuinely happy for himself.

“If having a sister like me makes you this happy, you’re hopeless,” Lu Xuemei teased them, though her own heart warmed at having such innocent friends. With discord at home, it was comforting to have Li Hao, and now three more friends. She felt lucky, and considered herself a fallen princess, nothing special—hence her words to the trio.

“Have…! Haven’t…! Calling Princess Xuemei ‘sister’ is our honor,” Kui Hu stammered, unsure whether to agree or disagree with her.

They never imagined Lu Xuemei would be so approachable, without any airs. Her down-to-earth nature overturned their worldviews yet again.

All around, men’s gazes were drawn irresistibly to the two sisters, while most girls’ eyes fell on Li Hao. Some compared themselves secretly to Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao, but all felt inferior beside them.

“Alright, enough fooling around. Let’s go register,” Lu Xuemei urged, not liking the scrutiny.

Li Hao and his companions followed like loyal guardians as Lu Xuemei and Lu Yao led them into the Treasure Palace. Wherever the six of them went, surrounding eyes followed.

Entering the palace, they reached the outer halls. Registration was held in the outer halls of each of the twelve towers, with each hall hosting its own registration point. There were stations for music, chess, calligraphy, painting, martial arts duels, and medical arts. The medical arts were more complex, including alchemy, potion-making, and identification of spiritual medicines—essentially, anything related to healing would be included in the selection. The young talents of Lu Jiashan, numbering in the millions, could freely choose which tower to register in.

At the palace's main entrance stood a massive formation, a thousand feet wide, projecting images showing the registration status and numbers for each of the twelve towers.