"What, what are you doing?"
Ye Lingyue immediately stepped back, her face flushed red.
Jiang Lang said, "Ninth Princess, I need to massage you to relieve your pain."
Shamed and furious, Ye Lingyue snapped, "How dare you!"
No sooner had the words left her mouth than the pain suddenly intensified, forcing beads of cold sweat onto her forehead. For some reason, today's pain was particularly severe.
Jiang Lang glanced at her. "If the Ninth Princess doesn't trust me, then never mind. Farewell."
With that, he turned as if to leave.
"Wait, wait!" Ye Lingyue's back was aching so badly she couldn't stand straight. With no other choice, she turned to Jiang Lang in desperation. "I trust you. Help me..."
Jiang Lang said, "Ninth Princess, I'm a married man, so I would never try anything inappropriate. Besides, as a healer, you're no different from a pig in my eyes right now. Don't overthink it."
Hearing this, Ye Lingyue was practically fuming, yet her stomach was still hurting terribly. "Stop talking nonsense."
Jiang Lang nodded and once again slid his hand beneath Ye Lingyue's garments, tracing his fingers all the way down below her navel.
Even the tips of Ye Lingyue's ears turned red. She silently resolved that if Jiang Lang really was just a dissolute scoundrel taking advantage of the situation, she would execute him on the spot.
Just then, Jiang Lang's large hand stopped. He announced, "I'm going to channel my energy now..."
Ye Lingyue nodded.
The next moment, an extremely warm, extremely gentle, and utterly incredible surge of power emanated from Jiang Lang's hand.
Instantly, Ye Lingyue felt as though she had been struck by lightning. Her somewhat rigid and delicate body suddenly went limp, and the pain in her lower abdomen vanished completely, escaping her lips in an involuntary, soft moan, "Mmm~~ Ah..."
Hearing that moan, Jiang Lang felt his heart skip a beat. "Ninth Princess, could you please not make that sound? I can barely handle it, and I need to concentrate."
Her face flushed, Ye Lingyue stammered, "S-Sorry, it felt too good. I couldn't help it..."
At that moment, Jiang Lang's hand began to knead her flat lower abdomen.
His movements weren't particularly unusual, yet a wondrous energy seemed to flow from them, completely banishing Ye Lingyue's pain. Not only that, but a continuous stream of warmth poured through her skin from his palm, giving her a sensation unlike anything she had ever known—she felt as though she were floating away.
Just then, Jiang Lang suddenly said, "Ninth Princess, I need to speed up."
Startled, the Ninth Princess asked, "Speed up?"
Jiang Lang replied, "If I don't speed up, it won't work."
With that, he began to knead at an accelerated pace.
Caught up in the rhythm, Ye Lingyue was sent soaring straight into the clouds, her voice trembling. "T-Too fast... Slow down a little, slow down... I-I can't take much more..."
Jiang Lang said, "I can't slow down now. We have to finish it in one go!"
"Ah~~~~"
In the end, Ye Lingyue couldn't hold back and let it all out.
Drenched in a fine layer of sweat and flushed bright red, she looked as though she had just been through an intensely vigorous workout, her delicate frame trembling and twitching slightly.
Seeing this, Jiang Lang was momentarily stunned.
He was far too familiar with this scene. Sometimes, when he performed well, Empress Yaochi reacted the exact same way. But surely Ye Lingyue didn't need to be this dramatic? He hadn't even done anything yet...
As he was thinking this, Ye Lingyue gradually collected her wits, looking utterly dazed. "I-Is it over?"
She had never experienced such a sensation in her entire life, and now that it was over, she found herself lingeringly craving more.
Jiang Lang nodded. "It's over. Does it still hurt?"
Excitement and thrill washed over Ye Lingyue's face. "It really doesn't hurt anymore!"
Jiang Lang said, "I'm glad the pain is gone. However, I must warn the Ninth Princess that this method only treats the symptoms, not the root cause. When your monthly time comes around again, it may still hurt."
Ye Lingyue asked, "Is there a way to cure the root cause?"
Jiang Lang replied, "There is a way, but it requires me to perform acupuncture on you, and it cannot be done overnight."
Ye Lingyue's eyes lit up. "I happen to be staying in Lieyong City for a few days. How about you cure me completely? Name your price for the reward, whatever you want."
Jiang Lang initially wanted money, but a better idea crossed his mind. He said, "I'm getting married in a few days, and I happen to be short of a witness. Since the Ninth Princess holds a high and mighty position, and is a renowned dragon prodigy of our time, would you be willing to be my wedding witness?"
Ye Lingyue nodded. "Of course."
Delighted, Jiang Lang said, "It's a deal, then. Since the Ninth Princess is heading to Lieyong City as well, let's travel together."
Ye Lingyue agreed with a nod, then remembered something. "I haven't asked your name yet."
Jiang Lang replied, "My name is Jiang Lang, Lang as in unrestrained."
Taken aback, Ye Lingyue asked, "You're Jiang Lang?"
Jiang Lang was surprised. "The Ninth Princess has heard of me?"
Ye Lingyue nodded. "I have a list of prodigies from every city in the Riyue Dynasty, and you were on it. Unfortunately, not long ago, your name was removed..."
She didn't finish, glancing at Jiang Lang instead to spare his feelings.
Jiang Lang remained completely unbothered. "Because my cultivation was crippled?"
Ye Lingyue nodded.
Jiang Lang said, "Yet I killed a Crocodile Tiger with a single punch. What do you make of that?"
After a moment of thought, Ye Lingyue replied, "It's impressive, but without cultivation and Spiritual Qi, your achievements will ultimately be limited. A true prodigy isn't judged by how strong they are right now, but by how much potential they hold for the future. Without Spiritual Qi, your path is destined to be short."
Jiang Lang looked at her, let out a soft sigh, and ultimately said nothing more.
Ye Lingyue watched him. "What is it you want to say?"
Jiang Lang replied, "Who says that without Spiritual Qi, one's path cannot go far? The prejudice in people's hearts is like a towering mountain..."
Ye Lingyue paused for a moment before saying, "Then do your best."
After a slight hesitation, she suddenly asked, "Do you know Li Muxian?"
Jiang Lang nodded. "I do. Why?"
It had just been a casual question, but seeing that Jiang Lang actually knew Li Muxian, Ye Lingyue immediately pressed on, "Can you take me to see him? A monstrous talent who triggered a Heaven and Earth Phenomenon can even be called a person of destiny. I want to meet him."
Jiang Lang smiled faintly. "I can. However, I'm afraid he might disappoint you."
Ye Lingyue said, "Someone who triggered a Heaven and Earth Phenomenon shouldn't be that disappointing. Take me to see him first, and we'll talk."
Jiang Lang nodded.
The two immediately set off and returned to Lieyong City.
At the Lin Family estate:
When a servant reported to Lin Wei that the Ninth Princess had arrived, the entire Lin Family was sent into an uproar!
The Ninth Princess!
At the absolute peak of the younger generation in the Riyue Dynasty, born alongside the innate supreme treasure, the Heaven-Swallowing Cauldron, she had already reached the Ninth Stage of Martial Arts at the tender age of eighteen—rivaling ancient monsters who had lived for centuries. She was the undisputed pillar holding up the heavens for the Riyue Dynasty.
Every single member of the Lin Family poured out to welcome her.
Lin Wei wore a brilliantly radiant smile. "We are deeply honored by the Ninth Princess's gracious arrival. This humble commoner apologizes for failing to welcome you properly. Please, come inside and take the seat of honor."
Ye Lingyue said, "There's no need for seating. Is Li Muxian here?"
Lin Wei hastily replied, "Yes, yes, he is. Li Muxian is practically the future dragon son-in-law of our Lin Family. I shall have someone summon him immediately."
Before he could even finish speaking, another voice chimed in.
"Uncle Lin, you have that wrong. Although Yayong and I are seeing each other, it's far too early to talk about marriage. I appreciate your kind intentions, Uncle Lin, but please refrain from calling me a dragon son-in-law. Besides, isn't the uncle's true dragon son-in-law right over there?"
With that, a gaze brimming with utter contempt drifted toward Jiang Lang.
Lin Wei froze.
He never imagined that Li Muxian would say such a thing to distance himself.
Yet, a moment later, realization dawned on him.
Li Muxian wanted to climb high and court the Ninth Princess, which was why he was so eager to sever ties with the Lin Family!
Damn it, what an asshole!
Though fury burned in his chest, Lin Wei kept his composure outwardly, venting all his resentment onto Jiang Lang instead. "This piece of trash is worthy of being a dragon son-in-law? A turtle son-in-law is more like it! Why are you standing there like a block of wood? Get the hell out of here!"
Jiang Lang frowned.
Who did I offend?
Why do I always catch stray bullets even while lying down?!
Stepping directly forward, he unleashed a verbal barrage: "Your mother's..."
Before he could finish, Lin Qingrou hastily grabbed his arm and whispered, "Just let it go..."
Jiang Lang let out a cold snort, but held his tongue.
Meanwhile, Li Muxian wore an arrogant expression, looking around with supreme self-importance. Sporting a smile he believed to be extraordinarily handsome, he cupped his fists toward Ye Lingyue and said, "This humble one is Li Muxian, Holy Son of the Tianyan Sacred Sect and the one who triggered the Heaven and Earth Phenomenon. Greetings, Ninth Princess."
Hearing this self-introduction, Jiang Lang almost laughed out loud.
What a flashy showoff.
Ye Lingyue was stunned for a moment as well.
Then, she looked Li Muxian up and down, carefully sizing him up from head to toe, before letting out a sigh of profound disappointment.
"Is this... it?"