Chapter 151: Here and Now, This Place—Home, with You.

Chapter 151 Here and Now, This Place—A Home, With You.

That night—the little black dragon was cornered by the little white fluffball, finally turning back, his face flushed, as his outer clothes were tugged open, revealing the pink gemstone waist chain.

The gem was translucent, its color a tender pink, secured by a delicate silver chain that occasionally emitted faint clinking sounds—the gem’s curves were exquisite, tapering down, firm yet supple, the abdominal muscles... ahem, the gem’s outline was strikingly defined, its texture nothing like Chu Zao’s lean, sculpted muscles—looking up, the other two gemstones seemed slightly darker in hue, adorning the fair, well-defined physique.

Ahem... Not that Zao Zao meant to stare.

Just... a glance.

Chao Huangmu’s smile froze, his hands around Chu Zao’s waist burning and trembling slightly as he shrank back in panic, cornered by the deceptively innocent-looking Chu Zao, who had satisfied his curiosity.

“Zao... Zao Zao...”

Chao Huangmu’s voice was also trembling. If he hadn’t been cornered, he might have already fled in panic.

Though, in the end, it was much the same.

It ended with Chao Huangmu bolting and the Crown Clan elders’ dismay—Amos was particularly displeased with Desmond for accidentally meddling, and Desmond himself hadn’t anticipated this outcome. Though he’d had some premonitions before, having just returned after so long, they were generations apart. He’d only just discovered that the descendant he adored was his own kin, and before he could even revel in it, he’d been ready to dish out life advice—before his cool totally evaporated.

Chao Huangmu sat on the ground, watching, dazed, as the little black dragon fled out the window, then raised a hand to touch his cheek.

Ahem... ahem.

Well, Zao Zao had satisfied his curiosity—he’d seen it clearly!

So much for a quiet, pleasant day.

*

Two weeks later.

With most matters settled, Chu Zao began digging deeper into Saint Cas’s inner workings.

As Amos put it, though Chu Zao was still a youngster, as the future ruler of Saint Cas, it was time for him to gradually familiarize himself with these matters—oh, and of course, the main reason was that while the contamination had dissipated, there was still much to handle.

In short, Amos’ overprotectiveness was still in overdrive. He was determined to keep his descendant in a managerial role, fast-tracking his succession so he could train and study safely and stably on the imperial planet—with Crown Clan members babysitting him 24/7 (Finn excepted).

—Naturally, this extreme, panic-driven smothering would likely take some time to fade.

Today was Chu Zao’s official coming-of-age ceremony.

Delegates from every allied nation and region with cooperative ties to Saint Cas had been invited.

The Saint Cas First Group Army was still being reorganized, but it was all but official that after Chu Zao’s ceremony, it would be placed directly under his command.

His very own army.

Another Group Army would later be allocated as a reserve force under Chu Zao’s control.

Aside from the Sacred Lands veterans brought back to form part of the First Group Army’s structure, countless military academy students aspired to join its ranks.

Those who had frequently interacted with Chu Zao at the academy and served under him in competitions and drills were also largely assigned to the First Group Army.

As for the commander of the First Group Army, given how fast Chao Huangmu was rising, he was the intended candidate—after all, he was also Chu Zao’s chosen partner.

This naturally included Peng Liang, Yun Songquan, and others.

However, Chao Huangmu was still too young and inexperienced at present, so the position of commander was temporarily held by the leader of the other Group Army being allocated to Chu Zao.

The Saint Cas star-net was blowing up—today’s ceremony was topping even National Day.

But this time, many surrounding nations couldn't resist sharing in Saint Cas's joy, eagerly gathering here.

Today marks the coming-of-age ceremony for their future king. After this rite, who knows when King Amos might take an interest in promoting his heir to the highest position, making Chu Zao the new ruler.

Of course, today isn’t just Chu Zao’s ceremony—it’s also a celebration of the cleansing of the corruption.

The Saint Cas imperial planet is electric with excitement.

The Saint Casians themselves are fanatically devoted in their admiration for the Crown Clan.

In the outer planets of Saint Cas, many people dream of saving up for a pilgrimage to the imperial planet, just to catch a distant glimpse of the royal court. If they’re lucky enough to witness a Crown Clan-related event, it’s even more marvelous.

Thus, today, the entire imperial planet has strict lockdown.

In the grand square before the Saint Cas royal court stands a monument constructed from the wreckage of the most symbolic Group Army starship. Beside it is a newly erected angel statue—a pure white figure with blurred features, its feathered wings spread wide, the halo above its head glowing faintly, radiating gentle sorrow.

Occasions requiring the Crown Clan’s presence aren’t too frequent, but by the time everything was concluded, the sky had already darkened.

It’s currently spring in Saint Cas, nearly summer, so nightfall comes relatively quickly. The entire Saint Cas imperial planet is bustling with excitement, especially around the square, where countless people still linger to watch.

Tonight, there will be a spectacular fireworks display.

"Where’s Zao Zao?"

Finn cracked his knuckles, leaning against the railing.

"After the afternoon events, he went off to find his little boyfriend—"

Fei Man had barely got out.

"Don’t—don’t mention the boyfriend—" An Ya clutched her chest. "My heart can’t take it—"

Ayala and the others, on the other side, overheard this and turned to look.

What?

What boyfriend?

The Crown Clan members were lively and boisterous, joined even by the still-recovering Desmond and his generation, who had come to crash the party.

Fei Man shrugged, then walked over in that direction. "Granddad, Gramps—stop fighting—"

Frey sighed, his gaze lingering on the angel statue. "Thankfully, the Angel Spring Source Stone finally went to bid Zao Zao farewell."

Otherwise, Frey could already picture Zao Zao returning with puppy-dog eyes, blaming him.

After saying this, Frey glanced at Amos, who had turned and walked away without a word. He called out, "Amos, where are you going?"

Amos didn’t pause. "Tweaking the training room settings."

"He’s emotionally compromised. He’s losing it. Full meltdown."

Finn, standing beside Frey, spread his hands.

"A father in full dad-mode is more prone to cracking, obsessively worried that his kid’s outgrown him. I say he’s just—"

"Overthinking it."

Frey just stared at Finn, deadpan.

A look of sympathy slowly appeared in his eyes.

Finn: "Why are you staring at me?"

Until a hand shot out and yanked Finn by the collar.

Finn: !!

Amos marched ahead, hauling Finn with him.

Finn: ??!!

"What the—what are you doing?!"

"You’ve got such a big heart," Amos turned his head slightly, his face entirely shrouded in shadow, crimson eyes narrowing. "You were totally gonna volunteer to test the parameters for me, weren’t you? Kid."

Finn: …

"…HELP!!"

"…"

"…Pfft—hahaha! Finn never learns to shut up till Amos is gone."

"Hah! Serves him right."

*

Elsewhere, Chu Zao, who’d been bugging Chao Huangmu nonstop, caught him again. He tugged at Chao Huangmu’s clothes, craning his neck to peek inside.

He mused—divination really did come in handy, making Chu Zao curious every day about what he was wearing.

"Another waist chain? Or something new? I heard a jingle."

Chao Huangmu steadied him.

Maybe it was habit by now—after so long, Chao Huangmu had grown somewhat accustomed to being cornered by Chu Zao, even helping by pulling his own clothes aside.

To Chu Zao, messing with Chao Huangmu had gotten way too fun.

Seeing that ever-smiling face turn flustered and red, though he handled many things with ease, he was utterly helpless in these situations.

Besides, they’d already crossed that line, and even he felt too embarrassed, only brave enough to cuddle when he was the little black dragon.

Chao Huangmu was all sunshine and smiles, and his blushing made him look especially innocent.

But today…

Chu Zao was dressed in the royal family's formal attire, having put away his crown and wings. His soft black curls were topped with a military cap, the royal insignia gleaming on his shoulders, and a half-cape draped behind him. He practically glowed, gazing up with wide, innocent eyes.

Even more beautiful and adorable than before.

The craving to lick every inch of him burned hotter than ever.

Those thoughts left him tense and aching daily.

Unconsciously, Chao Huangmu wrapped an arm around Chu Zao's waist. Even now, he floated on air—could he push a little further?

Just a tiny bit.

Finally, Chao Huangmu ducked down, brushing a quick kiss to Chu Zao’s eyelids.

Chu Zao was startled for a moment, raising his eyes to look at him.

"Then, does that mean we're—partners?"

"What else?" Chu Zao tilted his head in thought. "You only gave me a few gems in the Land of Dragons—do you want to take them back now?"

Could he accept Chao Huangmu's feelings? Did he like Chao Huangmu? The answer was already clear. He did. Because even his father could be distracted by other things, but Chao Huangmu's gaze had always been solely on him. Since childhood, it had been this way—no distractions—only him. Pure and fervent. Right now, liking him was enough—nothing else mattered.

"Of course not."

Chao Huangmu answered quickly.

"It just doesn’t feel real."

Chao Huangmu cupped Chu Zao's face, tracing from his forehead to his eyes, down the bridge of his nose to its tip—then paused at his lips.

They hadn't kissed yet.

Usually, just holding hands or leaning against each other flustered them.

"I like you—love you—I'd give you my all."

Chao Huangmu murmured softly.

Since childhood, things rarely went smoothly for Chao Huangmu. He couldn’t naturally perceive emotions, so he had to learn them later. So often, he wondered—why did people have so many emotions? Why could they react in so many ways?

Overthinking it was dangerous. He was questioning the bonds between people, repeating the cycle until he grew weary or found a turning point. Then, he might just leave it all behind.

Seriously! He’s adorable, incredible—he can even read your thoughts! You should be more excited, be more affectionate—

Until he met Chu Zao—those thoughts vanished.

He wanted to stand by his side, be his unstoppable blade, yet also draw closer like this, their breaths warm at his ear.

He loved him so much he wanted to devour Chu Zao whole. Just the thought alone energized him for the whole day.

Chao Huangmu didn’t touch Chu Zao’s lips. Instead, he knelt halfway, took Chu Zao’s hand, and recited the knight’s vow he’d once pledged to him long ago—a relic of their shared past.

Chu Zao bent down. "Oh, right—I actually pulled you over because I had something to tell you."

Too caught up in wondering what mischief he’d gotten into today, Chu Zao had momentarily forgotten about it.

This time, it was Chu Zao looking down at Chao Huangmu’s face.

"The starship from Saint Cas went specifically to the Soul Race’s lands. They probably found some things you might’ve used as a child—perhaps even gifts from your parents."

The Soul Race’s presence had nearly vanished, but the past Chao Huangmu truly recalled, though painful, wasn’t terrifying. He had once been loved—that was a past he shouldn’t forget.

"It’s all here."

Chu Zao produced a space button. The hand Chao Huangmu had kissed in his knightly gesture now turned to grasp his, flipping it over. With his other hand, Chu Zao placed the space button into Chao Huangmu’s palm.

As if commanding Chao Huangmu’s every emotion.

"See if any of it jogs your memory—"

But the words were lost to their kiss.

It seemed like a vague murmur, Chao Huangmu's voice: "...just had candy—"

He had just eaten candy, and it was still sweet.

This was clearly planned.

Chu Zao froze for a moment, his pupils slightly contracting, the crown on his head and the wings behind him suddenly emerging—the six wings visibly puffed up in shock from the abruptness.

Fireworks burst overhead.

The cheers of the crowd outside reached this corner, though it was unclear how much time had passed.

Chu Zao's communicator was beeping nonstop.

Chu Zao leaned on his shoulders, panting slightly, and glanced down at the message on the communicator—it was Finn's distress signal.

He dramatically claimed he was about to be beaten to death by Amos.

Third Uncle must have never heard the bedtime story about the boy who cried wolf when he was a mischievous child.

Zao Zao wasn't buying Third Uncle's act.

Chu Zao held the communicator in one hand, the other clasped by Chao Huangmu, and finally couldn't help but laugh.

The renewed energy of the Crown Clan's home planet also looked after every member of the Crown Clan with gentle warmth.

Fireworks lit up the sky above them; in the distance, a galaxy of stars.

Right here, right now, in this place—there was home, and there was you.

(End of main story)

"Author's Note"

All future storylines of the main story end here. Tomorrow, we'll first update an epilogue set many, many years later, where Zao Zao, now the king, struts his stuff across the galaxy, shows off his relationship, and drives around—"The timing might be a bit unstable, so keep an eye on the announcements, my dears~" Then comes the cute kid side story, and side stories will follow after the main epilogues are done.

Next on the agenda is finishing the neighboring story about the little ones while filling in one of the previous works, then starting a new one, and then going back to fill in more older works~

After wrapping up the neighboring little ones' story, the next book will either be "Comic Bking" or "The Evil Dragon"—can't decide between them. After a breather to gather inspiration, I'll finish those before diving back into baby-centric stories like "Overlord Baby" or "Guide to Spoiling the Beloved Baby." I adore spoiled little ones, but my brain needs a little break, haha.

Then I'll casually fill in a shorter, faster-paced story—maybe something racier? I'm a little worried about keeping it on track, though. Check out "The Cat Tangled with Tentacles" for that. Afterward, I'll tackle other works—"hands clasped in prayer." Mostly testing how far I can push the emotions—I got locked out once when I first started writing here, so I've been hesitant. And then there's the neighboring little prince story—sigh. It was supposed to be about my kinks, but when I started, I was told vampires couldn't harm people to drink blood, plus all sorts of real-life troubles drained my enthusiasm. I need to tweak it a bit and see. I'm currently sorting through these two. Once they're ready, there's also "The Elf," which is on the shorter side and already planned. That's roughly the roadmap for now.

I'll keep tossing new ideas into the drafts (I've been daydreaming up more plots lately). Feel free to browse my column, my dears, and let me know if there's anything you'd like to see there or drop a comment on Weibo~ If inspiration strikes, I might just start writing. Thanks for your patience, everyone! See you tomorrow!

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