Heilong-kou (Black Dragon-Mouth/Pass)
Heilong-cheng (Black Dragon-City)
Heilong-yuan(Black Dragon Wall)
Heilong Bay (Black Dragon Bay)
Heilong Ridge (Black Dragon Ridge)
Censorate (Supervisory Court)
Yuling City (Jade City)
Jingui Town (Golden Turtle Town)
Xuanwu City (Black tortoise City)
Qinglong (Azure Dragron)
...
Spring had come once again. By now, the demonfolk of the Black Dragon Clan no longer feared the cold. Even during the harshest days of winter, they begged to keep working—only to be flatly rejected.
The factories replied: "You might not fear the cold as demons, but our machines do. Even mining operations have to stop."
Every winter, with nothing to do, people grew bored at home—so they started amusing themselves by scolding their kids. Compared to just a few years ago, this new life was unimaginable. The transformation of the Black Dragon Clan was nothing short of miraculous. The past poverty left not even a trace behind.
This winter, the city's travel agency launched a new vacation package: a trip to Black Dragon Bay, where even in midwinter, only light clothing was needed, and work could continue as usual.
Gousheng had officially started working. His parents booked a three-day, two-night tour of Black Dragon Bay, bringing along his little brother, the young white dragon.
He accompanied them to the station.
"Don't forget to buy some local specialties. I'll mail them to Lian Rui and Qingyuan. And don't be late getting back—Sister Lina and Brother Tiesheng's wedding is coming up soon."
He didn't know whether Lian Rui could make it back in time before the wedding. After graduating, she had gone to the Human Realm to help develop technology for the queen's maternal clan. Her two-year term wasn't over yet.
Wu Xiang waved cheerfully. "We've got it all covered. What's the point of buying souvenirs? The shops here already have everything—shipped in daily from Black Dragon Bay."
The little white dragon gave a proper wave to his big brother:
"Little White will bring Big Brother a gift!"
After parting ways at the station, Gousheng had just stepped onto the street when he was nearly knocked over. A child rode a massive white tiger darting through the city streets. Though the tiger skillfully dodged pedestrians, it still startled quite a few unsuspecting passersby.
Gousheng shook his head with a chuckle and called out to the boy riding on the tiger's back.
"Your Highness, sneaking out again?"
The child on the tiger stiffened, and the tiger froze mid-step as well.
The giant white tiger was Bai Baobao, giving his little brother a ride through the city. With both parents out, the two had snuck out of the palace for some fun. While most city folks recognized them, they either didn't have the chance or the nerve to tattle to their mother. But Gousheng was different.
The eggling obediently climbed off his brother's back, carefully trying to win him over.
"Brother Gou, could you… not tell Mom?"
His big, glistening black eyes blinked at Gousheng. The eggling knew—no one could resist his wide-eyed innocence.
He had long learned to weaponize this expression—acting cute and pitiful to manipulate others. It didn't work on his parents, of course, but strangers were a different story. This little green dragon was a master manipulator!
Sure enough, Gousheng softened.
"I won't tattle to Her Majesty. But dashing around the streets like that isn't a good idea. You'll scare the pedestrians."
The eggling nodded obediently. His older brother followed suit, both boys promising to behave before turning and walking away.
Yes! Time to play on a different street!
Bai Baobao knew full well their antics weren't right—but he couldn't say no to his little brother. What harm could a little tiger do, anyway?
Meanwhile, a boy leaning on a windowsill saw a giant white tiger race by—with a child on its back.
"Hey, that tiger looks familiar… Doesn't it look like Bai Baobao and the little prince?"
This boy was Lian Ze, now twelve years old and in sixth grade. He was spending winter break at Yanye's home since his sister was working. Yanye's father liked Lian Ze so much he'd even prepared a bedroom for him.
The Night Demon leader was often away on missions, so New Year's was usually just Lian Ze and Yanye home alone.
Lian Ze stuck his head out the window for fresh air. The heater inside was so warm it gave him nosebleeds.
Yanye came over to take a look—and confirmed it was indeed Bai Baobao and the little prince.
Yanye had shot up like a bamboo stalk—already 190 cm tall—with the imposing presence of a pure-blooded Night Demon. Upon reaching adulthood, he signed a life contract with Yin Jixue, swearing to protect Her Majesty for life.
To better protect her, the Demon King himself had granted him the power of a Black Dragon. Second only to the Azure Dragon in strength, his dual bloodlines made him practically untouchable in the Demon Realm.
He had officially become a member of the palace staff, though Her Majesty insisted he train to serve as her Chief Secretary. That meant he had to study all sorts of subjects, intern at the Office of Censors, and even stand palace guard—his schedule was packed.
Yanye landed directly in front of Bai Baobao. The tiger didn't brake in time and crashed into him full-force—yet Yanye stood still as a statue.
The eggling, flung by the sudden stop, was effortlessly caught in Yanye's arms.
Uh-oh. Both brothers had the same thought at once.
Yanye was Mom's guard—he would report them.
The eggling didn't even get a chance to play cute before Yanye pinched his cheeks.
"Your Highnesses, please return to the palace with me."
One big and one small child trudged behind him, heads drooped. Even Bai Baobao's tail was limp with defeat.
Inside, Eggy was swearing: One day when I become Demon King, I'll assign Yanye to a place where he can't see me! Then he can't tattle anymore!
He hadn't considered that Yanye, as Mom's guard, would always follow her—so avoiding him was impossible.
From the window above, Lian Ze called out:
"Brother, let the prince and them stay for dinner before they go."
Bai Baobao and the eggling paused, looking at Yanye with hopeful eyes. Anywhere but the palace!
Yanye hesitated a few seconds.
"Alright. After dinner, I'll personally escort Their Highnesses back. The Queen should be home by then."
Eggy's eyes darted left and right, scheming. We'll say it was Lian Ze who invited us! Not our idea!
He was now three years old, age counted from the day he transformed into human form—his "hatch day."
At age three, the eggling was already smarter and more agile than most demon children twice his age. That alone reassured Lou Zhao—at least his son had inherited his strengths after taking human form.
The eggling had inherited his mother's big, expressive eyes, but the rest were all Demon King replicas—he and Lou Zhao could've come from the same mold. In Black Dragon City and at Dragonmouth Peak, everyone adored the young prince—adults and kids alike.
Lian Ze adored him too. He lifted the eggling into his beloved hanging chair and gave him a gentle push.
It was this kind of doting that kept the eggling coming back to play. If Mom hits me when I get home, Brother Lian Ze will plead for mercy on my behalf!
Bai Baobao didn't transform—his human form looked like a seven or eight-year-old, and he was still mortified from crashing into Yanye earlier. So embarrassing!
As Her Majesty's exclusive bodyguard, Yanye had also been trained in the culinary arts. While he cooked, the three little ones sprawled on his massive bed, playing and laughing.
Laughter filled the bedroom, while Yanye in the kitchen dreaded the thought of fixing the now-messy bed linens.
By evening, Yanye and Lian Ze each carried a sleepy child out the door. Fed and full, Bai Baobao and Eggy had conked out the moment they lay down—heads resting against one another. They didn't act like guests at all.
Bai Baobao even shifted into human form in his sleep, snuggling close to his little brother, the two clinging tightly to each other—completely inseparable.