Chapter 74
Shen Qi felt incredibly content during his stay on the island. It was perhaps the most comfortable period he’d experienced in several lifetimes.
Naturally, he preferred a life of seclusion, avoiding the hassle of dealing with others. This isolated existence didn’t bore him. In fact, it suited his temperament perfectly.
While the previous world had also been secluded, Qin Huan’s frequent bouts of petulance were nothing compared to Dragon Chi’s docile obedience.
Of course, ahem, Shen Qi wouldn’t admit that part of his satisfaction was due to Dragon Chi’s dual attributes.
Undeniably, two were indeed more comfortable than one. In terms of endurance, it was twice as satisfying. Coupled with Dragon Chi’s mystical constitution, Shen Qi felt no discomfort — only pure pleasure.
However, he firmly refused to consider the idea of having both of them together. No matter how Dragon Chi insisted, Shen Qi put an end to it.
Simultaneously, Shen Qi began to understand why dragon-related things possessed such magical effects — because of their mating season!
He’d initially thought Dragon Chi’s amorous behavior was merely part of mating. But after experiencing a true mating season, he marveled at the dragons. Three days and nights? Child’s play! Ten days and nights — that’s the mark of a true dragon! The dragon race was formidable!
During their island stay, apart from occasional disruptions from Dragon Lie’s supposed visits, they hadn’t encountered any outsiders.
Five years had wrought significant changes on the island, especially where they resided halfway up the mountain. The mountain was no longer recognizable; Dragon Chi had flattened the small peak, leaving only a square stone villa at the mountainside.
Shen Qi resumed his interior decorating endeavors. Over six months, he carved a dragon from the surplus stones on the rooftop, delighting Dragon Chi.
He also added two rooms — one for storing provisions and the other for miscellaneous items.
Standing on the mountainside, Shen Qi surveyed the scene below. Rolling wheat fields stretched to the left, while flourishing vegetable and fruit gardens adorned the right.
A deep sense of contentment welled up within Shen Qi.
He’d transitioned from wilderness survival to a farming lifestyle.
Despite the lack of internet, television, or games, this life of tilling fields and fishing brought him equal enjoyment.
Dragon Chi had no other desires. For him, life boiled down to two things: previously, it was gold coins and mating; now, it was eating and mating. The latter took precedence, and everything else paled in comparison.
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After five years, Shen Qi and Dragon Chi finally sailed off the island together.
Not to Chester Harbor, but back to the Empire of St Carlos — it was time to resolve certain matters.
To avoid unexpected conflicts, they ensured Dragon Chi transformed back into human form near the shore. They discreetly docked in an inconspicuous spot.
Saint Carlos boasted its own harbor, conveniently close to the capital city. The entire nation thrived on its maritime development.
Once ashore, Shen Qi settled into an inn and began gathering information, primarily about the royal family.
Five years hadn’t significantly altered the lives of the empire’s subjects. The emperor remained the same, as did the princes and princesses. The only difference was the queen.
Rumor had it that the new queen was once a maid in the service of a married princess. In Shen Qi’s second year of absence, the king fell gravely ill. Several princesses hurried back, fearing it might be their last chance to see him. Unexpectedly, the king recovered swiftly upon their return and became enamored with the maid. Their passionate love affair led to the king’s decision to depose his current queen and marry the maid.
Naturally, the ministers disapproved. Even the princesses, including the eldest, protested. However, the king berated them and banished them from the palace, forbidding their return.
The first six princesses shared the same mother. Outraged by the situation, they confronted the king, only to face similar scolding. Fuming, they all returned to their husbands’ countries.
The six princesses departed, but the maid remained. The king and the queen consort quarreled incessantly — small arguments every two days, major disputes every three days. Even the Eighth Prince Eight and the unmarried Tenth Princess grew to dislike them. These two had defended the queen consort, and Tenth Princess had even bullied the maid, taking advantage of her status.
The situation escalated, becoming widely known. Eventually, the king couldn’t bear it any longer. Against all opposition, he deposed the queen consort. She had originally risen to power by stepping on the original queen consort. Due to her actions, her maternal relatives split into two factions. The other faction, deprived of daughters and grandchildren, relished her misfortune. Despite the empire’s system, which rarely led to the downfall of noble families unless they committed treason, they were determined to ruin her.
And so, the queen consort left in disgrace. After the new queen consort gave birth to the king’s infant son two years later, the Eighth Prince and Tenth Princess were forgotten. The Tenth Princess, not yet sixteen, was hastily married off. Rumor had it that the proposal came from a duke of a country ranked below the Empire of St Carlos — a duke who wasn’t even a prince.
As for the Eighth Prince, he currently languished in a corner of the palace, having remained inconspicuous for quite some time.
Presently, the most favored figures in St Carlos were the new queen consort and the Thirteenth Prince.
Shen Qi understood the intricacies of the situation and chuckled. Clearly, this was a meticulously planned revenge, likely orchestrated by his nominal elder sister.
When he’d left Mori and York in the Rostock Empire, he’d instructed them to settle down and convey a message to the princesses. He’d kept it simple: assure them that he was alive and well. His intention was to ease their worries and prevent them from recklessly seeking revenge. After all, the Seventh Prince had been raised by several sisters as if they were his parents; their bond was stronger than usual.
Had it not been for the stepmother deliberately blocking information, the princesses would undoubtedly have risked their lives to save him.
The real Seventh Prince was already deceased, and Shen Qi didn’t want the princesses to endanger themselves for his sake. Besides, even if Seventh Prince were alive, he probably wouldn’t want it.
Returning this time, Shen Qi sought both relaxation and resolution regarding the sacrificial matter. He also wanted to check on how the princesses were faring. Of course, if he could take revenge on the king and the stepmother along the way, that would be ideal.
However, it seemed he needn’t lift a finger now.
Evil begets evil. Shen Qi had no interest in the St Carlos throne; he’d leave that turmoil to the princesses.
Initially, the original queen consort and the current queen consort had both acted out of concern for their daughters’ safety. The six princesses married progressively farther away, with the farthest journey taking over two months.
Shen Qi spent half a year traveling the world, meeting each princess with Dragon Chi. Those who fared well received gold and treasures. Over the years, Shen Qi hadn’t been idle; he’d collaborated with Dragon Lie, offering business advice and reaping substantial profits.
For those who didn’t fare well, he combined martial and intellectual efforts. Those willing to divorce did so, while those who weren’t received support as a protective shield. In either case, they left with wealth, ensuring lifelong security.
He also discreetly visited Mori and York. Both had married and started families, using the money Shen Qi had left behind to establish land and businesses. They were doing quite well.
Finally, Shen Qi returned to the St Carlos Empire. Dragon Chi made a brief appearance to clarify the sacrificial matter. Dragon Chi, ever vigilant, even flapped his wings to damage the Light God Church stationed in St Carlos, much to the dismay of its followers.
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For the next ten years, Shen Qi and Dragon Chi remained on the island.
During this time, the entire island underwent development. Shen Qi created one whimsical attraction after another. With ample time on his hands, he delved into magic and alchemy, and with Dragon Chi’s assistance, he even built an amusement park from scratch.
The entire island had been magically concealed by him. Outsiders couldn’t see inside, nor could they enter. Yet, from within, one could observe the outside world.
Constructing an amusement park served a dual purpose: to pass the time for himself and to engage Dragon Chi.
Previously, Shen Qi had brainstormed various ideas to keep Dragon Chi occupied. Among them, only the amusement park piqued Dragon Chi’s curiosity. Thus, Dragon Chi finally harbored a dream beyond eating and mating: to build an amusement park!
One day, after finishing dinner, Shen Qi was busy designing the next construction plan. He intended to build a waterslide over the natural pool they had excavated.
Suddenly, Dragon Chi appeared mysteriously, wanting to take Shen Qi out.
Seeing him, Shen Qi’s eyes widened in surprise. Although Dragon Chi had finally accepted wearing clothes and no longer roamed about unabashedly, he was accustomed to modern-style short sleeves and shorts. This was the first time Shen Qi saw him so neatly dressed.
From an unknown source, Dragon Chi had donned a black suit — undoubtedly Shen Qi’s creation. Shen Qi had merely sketched a few basic designs for Dragon Chi, but his clothing business had already taken off.
Dragon Chi was tall and well-built. The suit hung on him like a walking clothes hanger. He even combed his hair back, revealing his forehead, instantly elevating his looks and demeanor.
Shen Qi’s expression clearly pleased Dragon Chi. With a smug smile, Dragon Chi extended his hand to Shen Qi in a gentlemanly manner. “Beautiful prince, would you be willing to spend tonight with me?”
His words flowed effortlessly, and his gestures exuded elegance, no different from those of human nobles.
Shen Qi was surprised once again. This was a side of Dragon Chi he had never seen before. But as their eyes met, he chuckled — it was still the familiar, endearing dragon he knew.
He held Dragon Chi’s hand and smiled, saying, “Of course, I’m willing.”
Dragon Chi’s eyes brightened, and then he led him out of the door, down the mountainside, and to the edge of the amusement park pool.
Seeing the faint stars in the pool, Shen Qi guessed what he wanted to do, but didn’t reveal it. He watched with a smile, curious about his next move.
“Ahem.” Dragon Chi cleared his throat and began to speak. “I, uh, brought you here because there’s something I want to tell you.”
“Alright,” Shen Qi nodded calmly.
“Um, I want to tell you…” Dragon Chi took a deep breath, then raised his gaze. Fearless and unwavering, he stared directly at Shen Qi. "I like you. More than I like gold coins. If you need it, I can give you all the coins I have. I’ve come to understand what it means to like someone. Remember the question you asked me back then? Well, now I can answer it. It’s not just because I can only get aroused when I’m with you that I like you. It's because I like you that I can get aroused."
“I like you more than I like mating. Even if we can’t mate, I still want to be with you. Ahem, of course, I don’t mean we won’t mate in the future…”
“So…” Suddenly, he reached into thin air and pulled out a bouquet of roses. Half-kneeling in front of Shen Qi, he asked, “Will you marry me?”
As his words hung in the air, the dim lights in the pool suddenly brightened. They floated upward like fireflies, dancing in the night breeze between the two of them—a scene both enchanting and incredibly romantic.
Shen Qi couldn’t help but sigh inwardly. He’d bet that this proposal wasn’t something Dragon Chi came up with; it was definitely Dragon Lie’s suggestion.
But what did it matter? He liked it!
The myriad of lights dancing above couldn’t compare to the clarity in Dragon Chi’s eyes or the sincerity etched on his face.
“Sure.” Shen Qi’s lips curved into a quick response, devoid of hesitation.
With a small cheer, Dragon Chi lunged forward, embracing him tightly. Their lips met in a passionate kiss.
And then, with a resounding boom, the night sky lit up with dazzling fireworks.
One after another, massive bursts of color blossomed against the black canvas, accompanied by a sea of stars. The gentle ocean breeze completed the picture—a moment so incredibly romantic.
As Shen Qi hooked his finger with Dragon Chi’s, he leaned in for another fervent kiss.
That night, their souls intertwined harmoniously and passionately. When Dragon Chi finally made his move, Shen Qi didn’t resist. He took a chance, and from then on, he never refused.
In this world, Shen Qi hadn’t lived to be a hundred, but he still went first. Thanks to Dragon Chi’s body modifications, he hadn’t aged; he maintained a youthful appearance.
He met a natural death, spared from the torment of illness, but each day left him weaker.
Dragon Chi, too, neared the end of his lifespan. Dragonkind lived for five centuries, reaching adulthood at a hundred. After spending over three hundred years in the deep sea, he had ninety-three years left when he encountered Shen Qi.
At seventy-five, Shen Qi met him, and at ninety-eight, he passed away, having spent eighty-three years together. Dragon Chi had a decade remaining.
As Shen Qi weakened day by day, Dragon Chi harbored thoughts of death. Shen Qi sensed it but didn’t intervene. Call it selfishness — he’d rather Dragon Chi accompany him on the final journey than endure ten more years of suffering alone.
In the end, Shen Qi could no longer speak, only gaze at Dragon Chi with a smile, slowly closing his eyes.
Amidst the haze, he heard a mournful, piercing howl. Then, the ground trembled, and the last sensation was the icy touch of seawater.
“Happiness +1.”
“Happiness meter complete.”
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