The night had grown quiet.
The river flowed softly beneath the moonlight, silver waves carrying away the ashes of the battlefield. Behind me stood my newly summoned army, fifty Phoenix Flame Guards kneeling in perfect silence, their commander Yue Lian at the front like an unmoving spear.
Beside them, the two new summons had also risen.
The silver-haired woman stood with one hand resting on the hilt of her sword, her expression as cold as the winter air.
Lin Xue. Frost Sword Fairy.
The fox spirit, on the other hand, looked like she had just walked into the most entertaining scene in the world.
Hu Mei. Nine-Tailed Fox Spirit.
Her violet eyes moved from me to Feng Yuehuang, then back to me again.
A playful smile slowly appeared on her lips.
"How interesting," she said, her voice smooth as silk. "It seems Master made a bet with Sister Phoenix."
Feng Yuehuang's golden eyes narrowed.
"Do not call me sister."
Hu Mei only smiled wider.
"Oh? Then should I call you elder sister?"
A faint ripple of heat spread through the air.
Feng Yuehuang's expression remained calm, but the flames at her fingertips told a different story.
I cleared my throat.
"Enough."
Both women turned toward me.
For a moment, even the river seemed quieter.
I took a slow step toward Feng Yuehuang.
The moonlight fell across her crimson hair, making it shine like molten gold. Her golden eyes reflected the water, cold and bright, but there was something softer beneath that calm surface tonight.
I smiled.
"A promise is a promise."
Hu Mei let out a soft laugh behind me.
Lin Xue merely folded her arms and looked away as if she had no interest in what came next.
Yue Lian and the soldiers remained kneeling, perfectly disciplined.
Feng Yuehuang looked at me for several long breaths.
Then, to my surprise, she did not step back.
Instead, she lifted her chin slightly.
"You did summon an army."
Her voice was calm.
"And more than that."
I spread my hands slightly.
"So?"
Her golden eyes met mine.
For the first time since I had summoned her, there was no mockery in her gaze.
Only a quiet acknowledgement.
"You have proven that you are more than a helpless prince."
That sentence hit harder than I expected.
From someone as proud as her, that was genuine respect.
I stepped closer.
Close enough to feel the faint warmth radiating from her body.
Close enough to catch the scent of flame and something strangely sweet.
"Then I believe I've earned my reward."
Hu Mei coughed dramatically behind us.
"My, my. Master moves quickly."
Feng Yuehuang shot her a sharp glance, then turned back to me.
For a moment, I thought she might refuse.
Instead, she said quietly, "Only once."
I blinked.
Then smiled.
"Only once for tonight."
Before she could respond, I gently lifted a hand and touched her chin.
Her skin was warm.
Softer than I expected.
For the first time, the mighty Phoenix goddess seemed to freeze.
Even Hu Mei had gone silent.
I leaned in.
Then kissed her.
The world seemed to stop.
The cold wind.
The river.
The distant crackling embers.
Everything faded into silence.
Her lips were warm, carrying the faint taste of heat and something impossibly soft.
For a heartbeat, she did not move.
Then I felt it.
A sudden wave of heat.
Flames instinctively flared around us, not enough to hurt but enough to make the river steam.
I slowly pulled back.
Her golden eyes were wide.
For the first time, the proud Phoenix Goddess actually looked stunned.
Behind me, Hu Mei let out a delighted laugh.
"Oh, this is going to be fun."
Lin Xue sighed softly and turned away.
Yue Lian kept her head lowered, but I could swear I saw the corner of her lips twitch.
Feng Yuehuang stared at me for several moments.
Then, slowly, a faint blush appeared at the tips of her ears.
Barely visible.
But it was there.
That alone was enough to make my heart skip.
Her loyalty panel suddenly flickered before my eyes.
[Feng Yuehuang Loyalty: 45 → 55]
Interesting.
So promises, trust, and respect increased loyalty.
Good to know.
Then she looked at me and said in a low voice, "Do not become arrogant because of this."
I laughed softly.
"Too late."
Her eyes narrowed.
But instead of anger, there was the faintest trace of helplessness.
Hu Mei stepped closer, her fox tail swaying behind her.
"Master," she said with a playful smile, "if summoning an army earns a kiss, what do I get if I help you conquer the capital?"
I raised a brow.
"What do you want?"
She leaned closer.
Her violet eyes sparkled with mischief.
"A better reward."
Before I could respond, Lin Xue's cold voice cut through the moment.
"We are not safe here."
Everyone turned toward her.
Her blue eyes were fixed on the dark forest beyond the river.
"There are scouts."
The atmosphere changed instantly.
My expression sharpened.
Scouts?
Feng Yuehuang's face turned cold once more.
Her earlier flustered look vanished completely.
The Phoenix Goddess had returned.
"They are watching from the northern ridge."
Yue Lian immediately stood.
"Shall I lead the guards to intercept?"
I looked toward the dark tree line.
So the border command had already sent spies.
Good.
That meant they were afraid.
And fear was useful.
I turned toward my army.
For the first time, I truly felt what it meant to command people.
No—
to command power.
A goddess.
A sword fairy.
A fox spirit.
An elite commander.
Fifty soldiers.
And this was only the beginning.
I looked toward the distant north, where the Great Yan Dynasty waited beyond the frozen lands.
Third Prince.
Emperor.
Everyone who had thrown the Fifth Prince into hell.
Wait for me.
I smiled coldly.
"Commander Yue Lian."
She bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness."
"Prepare the army."
My voice cut through the night like a blade.
"Tomorrow, we take the border outpost."
The river wind carried away the last trace of warmth from that kiss.
But the fire inside me had only begun to burn.