Chapter 30: Zao Zao’s Cupid’s Bow has more than one use

**Chapter 30: Zao Zao’s Cupid’s Bow Has More Than One Use**

Mei Lun stood with his arms crossed, watching him with leisurely amusement.

There was something subtly *wrong* about this attitude—Kaman couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

Before Kaman could finish speaking, however, Mei Lun’s image in his eyes began to shift—

His posture was ramrod straight, his elegant silver-white curls framing his striking, aristocratic features. He was the picture of noble refinement, clad in the Saint Cas Empire’s military uniform—a uniform Kaman hadn’t worn in ages—adorned with ornate, glittering embellishments that radiated sophistication from head to toe.

Kaman’s voice trailed off—*What the hell?*

Mei Lun practically *glowed*, and—this feeling was so weird—

“Mei Lun…”

Kaman found himself staring at Mei Lun involuntarily.

“Your eyes are like the most brilliant rubies, so damn mesmerizing… I’m not myself—wait, *what?*”

Xiao Chuzao, still holding his little bow: …

Mei Lun, suddenly hit with a sudden love confession: …

Kaman, processing his own words: …

It had to be said—the previous generation of the Crown Clan had received a far more polished aristocratic upbringing than Amos’s generation, who’d been rushed through their upbringing. When An Ya blanked out, she instinctively blurted out “I love you,” but when it came to Kaman—his declaration of love took a different form.

And it was *way* more vomit-inducing!

Kaman reeled in existential horror: *What did I just do?! What did I say?! To WHO?! MEI LUN?!*

Mei Lun’s eyes nearly popped out of his head.

“No no no no no, stop talking—I want to gouge my ears out after hearing that.”

The most *brilliant rubies*—

Holy hell, this was a *mutual annihilation*!!!

A plain “I love you” wouldn’t have been *this* catastrophic!!

At least then he could’ve smirked and shot back an easy “I love you too”—like An Ya and Frey’s playful banter.

Mei Lun had meant to mock him thoroughly, finally shut this sarcastic bastard up for once—because Mei Lun had never won an argument against Kaman, not before Kaman left Saint Cas, and not even now after being dragged back.

But things never went as planned.

Mei Lun full-body *cringed*, completely grossed out, nowhere near the smug spectator he’d been moments ago.

Now his mind screamed—*I’m corrupted, corrupted, corrupted… My eyes are ruined! I can never look at rubies again without remembering Kaman’s slimy compliments about how intoxicating my eyes are!*

SCREAMS INTERNALLY!!!!

Xiao Chuzao, picking up on their mutual meltdown, death-gripped his Cupid’s Bow and *noped* two steps backward.

"Grandpa Mei Lun—"

The little one spoke in a soft, childlike voice.

"Does... does Zao Zao need to try again?"

Not giving in to you makes you unhappy, but giving in to you doesn't seem to make you happy either.

The little one blinked his eyes—grown-ups are so hard to figure out.

Mei Lun wearily waved his hand. "No, no need—"

"You set me up?!"

Kaman suddenly turned to the little one holding the little bow.

"What is that? A Psychic Weapon? Have you already chosen your Psychic Weapon at this age? And what exactly happened just now? What's up with your Psychic Weapon? How could it possibly manipulate someone's emotions?"

"Zao Zao's psychic energy is very special. It's a unique trait of Zao Zao's psychic power. Manipulating emotions is essentially manipulating your psychic energy."

Mei Lun kindly explained to Kaman, who looked like his whole world was crumbling.

"But now that you mention it—"

Mei Lun turned to look at Xiao Chuzao, who was sitting on the ground clutching his little bow obediently, his tiny wings wrapped completely around himself.

"Zao Zao, is that all your Psychic Weapon does? What were you thinking when you shot the arrow?"

The little one's psychic abilities seemed downright bizarre to them, and the series of events had unfolded so quickly, giving no one time to breathe. The little one was still recuperating, so there had been no chance to develop further aspects of his psychic powers.

"Th-thinking what?"

Xiao Chuzao gripped his little bow.

After all, he was a little angel. When he first obtained Cupid's Bow, he saw himself as a little angel bringing love and peace.

"Focus on the target, and naturally, think about peace and love worldwide."

He usually thought carefully before speaking, but this time, he spoke with more confidence.

After all, the little one might fail at many things, but this was something he always succeeded at—though the results never lasted long.

Mei Lun was deep in thought.

The little one looked down at his beautiful little bow.

He didn't get many chances to use his golden little bow.

Zao Zao had once wished—for someone to love him.

That's how he got Cupid's Bow.

But Zao Zao rarely pointed his little bow at others just to win their love.

They might hate him...

The little one remembered how, as a child, he had excitedly waved his little bow around and bragged to the other little angels about his power.

Hungry for their praise—it was practically a rite of passage for young angels getting their powers.

But what he got were looks of shock—

"What? You're gonna aim your bow at us?"

"No angel does that. You think different from us. What kinda little angel thinks that way? And even if you can take off your halo now, you’re still not like us."

"Get outta here! He’s aiming his bow at us and won’t even let us dislike him… He’s gotta be faking, right?"

"...He really seems like a monster… Don’t get it…"

Later, even the Archangel came in person to talk to him—no aiming Cupid’s Bow at other angels, no harmful thoughts toward others, or else they’d kick him out of angel territory.

Later, the kid tucked his bow away, curled back into his treehouse, head drooping low as tears plopped from his eyes while staring at his little bow, wondering where he messed up—

Zao Zao didn’t hurt anyone—why does everyone hate Zao Zao?

After that, the kid got scared every time he held his bow.

Even when attacking, he kept thinking only about love n’ peace.

The bow had become pure Cupid’s Bow, something the kid got used to so well it came easy, without needing to think much.

But now, his new family didn’t seem afraid of his bow’s power.

Mei Lun finished thinking: "Zao Zao, try flipping the script. See if you can make your spiritual bow do the total opposite."

The kid blinked his big eyes.

Mei Lun had come up with a killer idea.

Kaman, sitting in the corner, got chills: "What’re you scheming?"

Just then Frey and An Ya walked in and caught Mei Lun’s plan—to have the kid try shooting his bow based on hate instead.

So Mei Lun could finally roast Kaman good after losing all those arguments.

"R-really? I can?"

The kid gripped his bow, his chubby cheeks all unsure.

"Just give it a shot," Mei Lun cracked his knuckles. "We’ll need to figure this out eventually anyway. Might as well test it now and see how it plays out. That way, Zao Zao’ll know how his spiritual powers grow too. Oh—and if it goes sideways, before I start spouting that gross lovey stuff, Frey, An Ya, please cover my mouth."

Frey and An Ya were totally game. Sounded fun.

This is why people shouldn’t hang out together.

Someone’s always gonna get pranked.

"Then Zao Zao’s gonna start thinking—"

The kid pulled back the bowstring, shut his eyes tight, trying to change his thoughts and traits.

Love n’ peace—nope nope nope. Hatred… hatred… not clicking—uh… love and hatred?

Kaman yelled his head off from the side: "Does *anyone* care what *I* think?!"

"You’re a traitor now. Traitors got no say in Saint Cas."

Mei Lun deadpanned.

The little bow in the child's hand flew out smoothly.

The small arrow struck Mei Lun.

Mei Lun paused for a second.

Frey and An Ya were ready to pull him aside when they heard Mei Lun's gloomy, vicious voice.

"You're a complete and utter jerk."

Kaman: ...

Well, at least it wasn’t something gross.

Mei Lun strode forward, looking down at Kaman.

"Calling others cowards when you’re the selfish coward—you don’t deserve a family, Kaman. I look down on you! You deserve to be locked up and disciplined harshly, so you’ll stop affecting me like this, making me—"

Kaman’s expression hardened instantly, but the next second, his face went blank.

Frey and An Ya, who were blindsided by such a twist: ...

The clueless Xiao Chuzao: ...

The door behind them burst open, and Amos, having just pulled himself together, walked in to hear that sentence.

Amos: ...?

The little bow in Xiao Chuzao’s hand disappeared instantly. He scrambled up and dashed to Amos’ side, stretching out his tiny hands. "Daddy, Daddy!"

He was a little frantic, wanting to snuggle into his father’s arms.

"Hug."

They put Zao Zao up to it—he was just an innocent little angel.

Amos instinctively bent down and picked up Xiao Chuzao.

The room went dead silent.

Mei Lun, always the polite one, considered words like those quite severe. Even when berating Kaman, he wouldn’t go that far. Honestly, the first half matched Mei Lun’s vision, but then it took a bizarre turn!!!

Suddenly everything got way too dramatic!!!

Mei Lun grabbed his head in shock.

What kind of love-hate dynamic was this—this wasn’t right?!

"Quite... flirty?"

Amos remarked casually, glancing between Mei Lun and Kaman.

"Mei Lun, so you—"

"No no no no no—"

Mei Lun waved his hands in horror.

He was never doing this again!!!

Kaman was falling apart, not knowing whether to curse or keep quiet.

"Just lock up this traitor already!!"

In the end, Kaman was led to the confinement room.

As he was escorted away, his face showed clear relief.

Mei Lun was deeply shaken and quietly slipped back into the medical pod.

Amos, holding the cub, grasped what had happened and remained speechless. He simply moved aside with the little one and focused on official duties.

The cub's mental abilities were far more complex than they seemed—especially his capacity to understand and even reconstruct the Wang Guan Clan’s crown.

These were aspects that required further observation as he matured.

The cub formula had arrived.

Xiao Chuzao, secretly relieved that he wouldn’t be held responsible for anything, couldn’t help but nuzzle his father.

That bitter scent—seemed to linger.

Faint yet persistent.

Xiao Chuzao felt uneasy.

"Dada—"

But he couldn’t quite figure out what troubled him.

Or perhaps it was just an instinctive sense that something was off, though he couldn’t pinpoint what was wrong with Amos.

"Hmm?"

Amos responded.

Previously, Amos had appeared relaxed and distant, but now he seemed colder—even if he didn’t show it in front of the cub.

He tested the temperature of the cub formula with his hand and, without waiting for the little one to speak again, placed the nipple into the cub’s mouth.

He had become quite skilled at feeding Xiao Chuzao, his movements gentle and practiced.

Frey and An Ya, who were handling tasks nearby, kept stealing glances over.

Amos supported the bottom of the bottle with one hand, allowing the little one to hold it with both tiny hands while gulping it down, his cheeks slightly flushed from the effort.

After finishing the sweet formula, the cub smacked his lips and snuggled obediently into Amos’s arms—he was a bit drowsy from the milk.

Simply put, after all the excitement and now a full stomach, the cub was sleepy.

Amid the quiet tapping of the stylus against the screen, the little one slowly dozed off in Amos’s embrace.

The presence of this soft, tender life gradually eased the tension among the three members of the Wang Guan Clan in the room.

On the table stood the flowers the little one had picked, now arranged in a vase—fresh and vibrant, adding a vivid splash of color to the otherwise gray setting.

"Amos, we’ve found Job and Joshua. Joshua seems to be in serious condition, and even Job has lost control. Should we retrieve them?"

Frey rubbed his temples, keeping his voice low.

Clearly, he also knew that once their generation's Crown Clan began to fracture, the process of crowns' fragmentation would become unstoppable, like a crumbling avalanche.

"...First, let's confirm their specific situation. The location where they appeared is a polluted zone."

Amos had to exert more effort than usual to control his mental energy while focusing on the documents in his hands. While adjusting the little one's sleeping position, his response to Frey seemed slightly delayed.

Frey noticed keenly.

"Amos? You've seemed a bit off since you returned?"

"The falcon was a follower of the Hymn Organization. Just a small setback—I can still manage. Besides, we still have Zao Zao, don't we?" Amos replied calmly.

"I've already had people start gathering the intel."

"We should return to the Imperial Star as soon as possible. Your mental state needs a full checkup."

Frey and Anya snapped their attention to him instantly, suppressing the unease rising in their hearts.

Amos had always been like this, preferring to shoulder many burdens alone—as a leader, after countless kin had perished, his demands on himself were downright brutal.

He'd brought up Zao Zao, but before Xiao Chuzao's crown status was confirmed, before they could determine it posed no harm to him, both Frey and Anya were certain Amos would never let Zao Zao handle it.

Frey thought: No one could make the King bend—

Meanwhile, the little one wriggled sleepily in Amos's arms, tiny hands slowly clutching his clothes.

As if dreaming: "...Daddy..."

Amos looked down, his stony face thawing for just a second.

Frey blinked in surprise.

And then, uncertain: No one could make the King bend... could they?

Returning from the border regions of Saint Cas to the Imperial Star took roughly a day and a night. When they had rushed there, they used every means available to shorten it to half a day. Now, for the sake of the little one and the injured, they avoided using any tech shortcuts.

The sleepy little bundle slept for a long time. By the time they made two loops with the starship on their return, they had already entered the domain of Saint Cas's Imperial Star.

*

The Imperial Star had returned to complete calm.

The damage from the earlier attack seemed to have been completely repaired.

There was no snowfall today, but the snowdrifts outside were deep.

Xiao Chuzao was brought back to the palace by Amos.

Steward Mori came rushing in.

Though they had already received the relevant news, seeing His Majesty, Their Highnesses, and His Little Highness all safe and sound made him let out a relieved sigh. Then his gaze fell on the sleepy little bundle—the resemblance was uncanny.

Father and son shared identical curls, and their brows, noses, and lips bore slight similarities, though Xiao Chuzao was adorably childlike.

"Old Man Mori."

Xiao Chuzao was cradled in Amos's arms this time, not even set down to walk. Meeting Mori for the first time like this, he called out sweetly.

"Ah, ah, as long as Little Highness is back safe—that’s all that matters—"

Mori couldn’t help wiping his eyes.

"Your Majesty, once we got the news, we had clothes made in Little Highness’s size. They’re just right for playing in the snow, and there are plenty of toys too."

Amos nodded.

It was still freezing outside, so he kept the little one snug in his arms.

He soon carried Xiao Chuzao inside.

After changing, the little one sat quietly on the plush hall rug, sorting through toys.

"Later, have General Changle of the Tenth Legion, the Minister of Military Affairs, and the Minister of Finance report to me. Where’s the guard unit’s casualty list?"

Amos glanced at the small child.

His psychic energy blanketed the entire palace, only skirting the palaces where Crown Clan members with crumbling crowns stayed. For now, he felt safe letting the little one play in the palace.

But his head throbbed again as his psychic energy strained against his control.

"Send for the palace physician."

Frey glanced at the little cub on the rug and murmured.

The whole way, the little one kept circling Amos, as if sensing something, eyes wide with curiosity.

Now, finally easing up, none of the Crown Clan there wanted to burden the five-year-old with their tension.

"I’ll go see Kaman—I’ve got something for him."

Mei Lun wasn’t planning to linger either. Steeling himself, he rose and informed Amos.

Kaman had been locked up and hadn’t been let out since. Xiao Chuzao hadn’t seen him since, either.

Just then, the little cub turned, blinking up with big eyes.

"Gramps Mei Lun."

The little cub piped up.

Mei Lun paused mid-step.

"What is it, Zao Zao?"

Ever since that ordeal, Mei Lun couldn’t help but look at the little one fondly—not just because he was a Crown Clan cub.

"Zao Zao wants that nutrient drink!"

The cub motioned eagerly.

"A nutrient drink? The one from Kaman’s pocket?"

Mei Lun asked in confusion.

"Zao Zao threw one away before. Zao Zao wants to taste it."

The five-year-old cub only came up to an adult's thigh, his tiny arms and hands looking especially small to the Crown Clan.

He mimed what had happened back then.

Little Zao hadn't even gotten a chance to taste that nutrition drink before Kaman took it.

But later, he still spotted it in Kaman's pocket.

He just hadn't had time to mention it before Kaman was put in confinement.

Then Xiao Chuzao forgot about it until now, when Mei Lun reminded him.

Because of the cub's condition, he shouldn't drink too much nutrition drink—his main nourishment should still be the cub formula to fill his nutritional gaps.

But the little one rarely asked for things. It seemed he was getting comfortable here. After speaking, Xiao Chuzao even turned to look at Amos: "Daddy, can Zao Zao go?"

Amos thought for a moment before finally nodding.

"Go ahead. Daddy will pick you up later."

The cub happily narrowed his eyes.

"Okay!"

He stretched out his small hand toward Mei Lun, his amber eyes shining. His little halo and wings had been pulled in earlier against the cold. Now he looked like an exquisite doll displayed in a shop window.

No wonder Amos—

Mei Lun’s gaze softened as he took the little one’s hand.

It really was hard to refuse his requests.

Mei Lun first took the cub back to his own room to get a letter, then brought Xiao Chuzao to where Kaman was confined.

This was once Kaman’s palace, where he lived with his mother—an elegant Crown Clan woman whose crown shattered decades ago, leading to her death.

Now, the place was completely lifeless, without a trace of warmth.

Kaman sat on the bed, his hands still in restraints.

His head was lowered, deep in thought.

Only when Mei Lun pushed the door open did Kaman come alive again, lifting his gaze with cold arrogance and hostility.

"What? Back to torment me again today?"

"No, I'm just here to bring you something."

"What is it?"

"Something Auntie Kailina left for you."

Kaman's fists clenched instantly.

Kaelina was his mother, a strong and beautiful Crown Clan woman.

Kaman was born within the psychic energy of his parents and had a happy childhood, until over a century ago when the generation of Crown Clan to which his parents belonged began their decline as their crowns shattered. Kaman’s father passed away earlier, and after that, Kaman lived only with his mother, Kaelina.

Afterward, they fought constantly, always at odds. Kaman saw despair, but Kaelina could not save her child—nor could she save herself. When Kaelina shattered her crown and ended her life, Kaman never returned.

“I’m not reading it—” Kaman’s voice was hoarse.

“It’s probably nothing nice anyway.”

Back then, their disagreements had been stark. Kaelina believed they should keep fighting and searching for answers, even if they ultimately lost to fate—there was no shame in that. But Kaman disagreed. He found that path too hopeless and eventually turned his back on Saint Cas, resorting to twisted experiments to punish himself.

“Well, I brought it,” Mei Lun said, placing the envelope in Kaman’s lap. Then he reached into Kaman’s pocket, pulled out a can of nutrient solution, popped it open, and handed it to the eager little one waiting nearby. He glanced back at Kaman, who flinched at the invasion of his personal space. “Whether you read it is your choice, but Auntie never held it against you, coward.”

Never held it against him…?

Kaman scoffed.

“Save the pity. We split ways over it, and knowing her, she couldn’t have been at peace with me. Anyway, I don’t have long left. I don’t expect a grand death—just come scrape me up in a couple of days. If there’s another world after this, I’ll argue with her myself…”

“Do you always have to be like this—” Mei Lun fumed.

“I don’t know what Auntie wrote to you, but she held on, waiting for you until the very end—she was the last of her generation of Crown Clan to shatter her crown.”

Mei Lun shoved the letter at him, still holding onto Xiao Chuzao’s hand, who had taken a sip of the nutrient solution and was now making a face at the weird taste.

The little one had remained silent until now. Suddenly, he turned his head, blinked his wide eyes, and looked up at Kaman’s head.

Xiao Chuzao faintly saw swirling black mist coiling around Kaman’s head, carrying an ominous presence.

And just then, Kaman met those wide eyes—clear, tinged with curiosity—that of a Crown Clan child.

Kaman’s resistance crumbled. Fine. At least this way, there would be no regrets.

What was called a letter turned out to be a holographic projection once opened.

The Crown Clan woman, even at the end of her life, smiled gracefully.

“My dear stubborn little Kaka, it’s been so long.

It’s truly been too long since Mama last saw you. After that argument, I thought about many things.

Many said you were running away, and I used to think so too.

But the closer I came to the end, the more powerless I felt. Perhaps I finally understood—you had so little time to just be happy, too early a taste of fear. The Crown Clan is not omnipotent. Oh, how I wished someone could save my little Kaka.”

Kaman stared at the familiar figure, his body stiffening bit by bit, his red eyes widening in disbelief—why was there no scolding?

The holographic recording continued.

“Mama knew you wanted to return. So even if we never met again, it’s alright. My little Kaka is the kindest, most wonderful child in the world.

But Mama knew you’d come back eventually. I just wanted to tell you—don’t you dare blame yourself. Mama never blamed you. I only missed you a little at the end.”

The holographic recording seemed to sense Kaman's mental energy. The figure slowly drew near, reached out, and gently wrapped him in a ghostly embrace.

"Did that reach you? It's alright... my child, welcome home."

"Mom..."

Kaman finally trembled, his shoulders quaking as a precariously flickering halo appeared above his head. His suppressed emotions erupted, and the halo shook violently.

He let his spiky defenses fall—he was now the oldest living member of the Crown Clan—and he wept like a child.

"Kaman!"

Mei Lun moved to support Kaman, trying to calm him, but with little effect. He stared in shock at Kaman's halo.

Its condition was far worse than any of them had imagined. Meanwhile, Xiao Chuzao, who had set down the nutrient canister behind them, had been watching the fading hologram. Now, the boy instinctively stepped forward, his gaze instinctively drawn to Kaman's devastated halo.