Chapter 13 – A Night of Dramatic Change (Part Two)

He was certainly not very young, but he was also not as old as she had imagined.

He had already been famous for many years. By the time she had entered the martial arts world, his reputation was already well-established. She had thought he would be a handsome and imposing old man. But his age seemed to contrast sharply with his fame.

He appeared to be somewhere between thirty and forty years old, perhaps younger and perhaps older. It was hard to tell.

Some people cannot be judged by their appearance or behavior. The only thing about him that did not match his reputation was his age. Everything else was worthy of the title “Dragon King,” a being who seemed to embody both god and demon.

He just sat there lazily, yet no one could ignore his presence or his power. He was like a majestic mountain that made everything around him seem like mere background. Or like a vast night sky, with all the world beneath his feet.

The Dragon King narrowed his eyes slightly, sipping his wine in a leisurely manner as he watched her with some appreciation. She was indeed a rare beauty, a stunning creature. She certainly had enough charm to come and flaunt herself at the Dragon Palace.

Ye Shengxiang felt her mouth go dry from his stare. She spun around in front of him again and again.

Every curl of her fingers, every sway of her waist, every slight lift of her throat silently conveyed her intentions to him. She believed he understood.

But after staring at her for a while, this man lowered his head again to savor the wine in his hand.

She grew angry. She shifted her gaze to the men beside him and was satisfied to see them looking as if they were on fire, barely able to contain themselves.

She smiled triumphantly and turned her gaze back upward, only to be infuriated to see him actually appreciating the dance.

Everyone else was admiring her, but he was admiring the dance. Perhaps he was the only man in the entire hall who was actually watching the dance.

She felt deeply insulted.

The Dragon King swept his eyes to both sides. It seemed everyone was utterly mesmerized. Even Uncle Ye, who usually opposed his indulgence in sensual pleasures, had his mouth slightly agape. When Uncle Ye caught the Dragon King’s gaze, he quickly closed his mouth and sat up straight.

The Dragon King smiled faintly. This was starting to become interesting.

The music stopped. The dancers were glistening with sweat, their faces flushed, exuding every kind of allure. The men stared openly at them, their eyes full of naked desire.

The sound of applause—”clap, clap”—pulled the men’s attention back. Their faces flushed red, and they dared not look at their master.

The Dragon King lightly clapped his hands and smiled. “Very good.”

His voice was deep and powerful, with a touch of laziness and a hint of magnetism.

“Thank you for your praise, my lord.”

The opera troupe leader seized the opportunity to rush forward and said fawningly, “It is our honor to perform at the Dragon Palace. If you gentlemen do not disdain us, we young ladies would be happy to serve you.”

Everyone turned their eyes to the Dragon King, waiting for his reaction.

The Dragon Palace had always been generous, and the Dragon King was also generous with his subordinates.

He smiled, his gaze sweeping one by one over the dancers’ beautiful faces.

Ye Shengxiang tilted her face slightly, her starry eyes half-closed, her cheeks rosy, her chest rising and falling gently, and her thin veil half-damp with sweat.

She knew how captivating she looked at this moment. She had no doubt that she would be the one sharing his bed tonight.

But instead of stopping on her face, his gaze passed through them, moved to the back, and stopped.

“You, come here.” The Dragon King beckoned with his finger to someone behind her.

Ye Shengxiang’s whole body stiffened. She wondered if he had made a mistake. She stared at him. Clearly, he was not looking at her.

Behind her were only the six female musicians. They clearly hadn’t expected the master to notice them. They looked at each other in at a loss for what to do.

Others were also sizing them up, wondering which one the Dragon King had chosen.

“The flute player, come here.” The Dragon King repeated, his voice carrying an irresistible authority.

She was the first woman to enter the stage, and also the only woman in the entire hall who had never once looked at him or anyone else.

He was very curious. How could a woman be in his presence and not look at him?

The woman showed no surprise or astonishment. She kept her head slightly lowered, gripped her flute tightly, slowly rose, and walked forward.

Everyone watched this woman in surprise. Her long, flowing hair covered both sides of her face, so her features were unclear. But her posture and demeanor were undeniably captivating.

But there were so many stunningly beautiful dancers on stage, and she was not especially outstanding. No one expected the Dragon King to notice her.

Ye Shengxiang’s rosy face turned ugly. She stared intently at this woman, her expression shifting between anger and uncertainty, her thoughts constantly changing.

The flute player walked up to the Dragon King and remained silent.

The Dragon King patted the seat beside him. “Sit down.”

The flute player hesitated for a moment, then stepped forward and sat obediently beside him.

The Dragon King reached out and pulled her slender waist into his arms. Most of her body fell against his chest.

“Lift your head,” he commanded.

The flute player slowly raised her face. Hidden beneath her hair was a delicate, beautiful, cool, and aloof face.

The Dragon King smiled and lifted her chin. “What is your name?”

“Ru Ye,” she answered softly, her voice clear and elegant.

“A good name. Tonight, you will attend to me.”

He paid no attention to the eyes of the crowd. He lowered his head and kissed the beauty in his arms fiercely on her lips.

The beauty seemed startled. Her hands clutched tightly at his arms, whether to keep from falling or to struggle free was unclear.

The men felt somewhat awkward and uncomfortably averted their eyes.

The dancers’ eyes were full of envy and jealousy.