Chapter 115: The Boy Who Rides the Bird!

To understand a person’s intent, one must listen to the nuances behind their words.

Zhong Daolong, a sovereign of a nation, had declared to his daughter at her coming-of-age ceremony, "No matter where you have been wronged, Father will help you reclaim it a thousand times over."

What did this signify? That the Old Earth incident was far from over?

Tang Fei had just publicly recounted the story of the Princess being ambushed on Old Earth; was this statement from Zhong Daolong a direct response to him? Had some tacit understanding been reached between them?

The guests present instantly interpreted the scene in a dozen different ways, each quietly pondering how to navigate the unfolding implications.

"Thank you, Father," Phoenix said, her voice filled with gratitude.

Zhong Daolong nodded, wiped the tears from the corner of her eyes, and said softly, "Let us proceed with the crowning. Do not keep our guests waiting too long."

"Yes," Phoenix nodded.

Moments ago, she had been the coolest of princesses; now, she was the most obedient daughter by her father’s side.

A protocol officer brought over a white, gold-inlaid palace chair. Phoenix sat down, and Zhong Daolong stood behind her to perform the "removal of the crown."

Before the ascension of the new crown, the old one had to be removed.

The "Galaxy Sand" had to be taken off to make way for the more formal "Phoenix Dancing in the Nine Heavens" crown.

Zhong Daolong was clearly not adept at this task. Under the guidance of the protocol officer, it took a great deal of effort to remove the "Galaxy Sand" without ruining her hairstyle.

He then lifted the "Phoenix Dancing in the Nine Heavens" crown, which had been brought forward on a tray by the officer, and carefully placed it upon Phoenix’s head.

The crown was fashioned into a beautiful silver wreath, studded all around with tiny white diamonds. At its very center stood a lifelike, blood-red phoenix with its wings spread, as if about to take flight.

The craftsmanship was superb, delicate, and ornate. It was truly a work of divine artistry.

With the crown now in place, the coronation ceremony was officially complete. From this moment on, Zhong Yuxue had transitioned from a little girl into a young woman.

From now on, she could do many things only adults were permitted to do. Of course, she would also have to shoulder the responsibilities and obligations of an adult, along with the complexities of social interactions and human relations.

"The ceremony is complete," the protocol officer announced.

The hall erupted in thunderous applause.

"The daughter of the Zhong family has come of age," Zhong Daolong said, looking at the crown as it wobbled atop Phoenix's head, as if it were about to soar into the high heavens. He spoke with deep emotion: "From today on, my precious daughter has grown into an adult, a fine young woman."

Zhong Daolong took a glass from a waiter and said, "Happy birthday, Phoenix."

"Happy birthday to Her Royal Highness," a chorus of voices responded as everyone raised their glasses.

"Happy birthday," Tang Fei whispered, lifting his glass amidst the crowd.

Zhong Daolong drained his champagne in one gulp and announced, "Thank you all for attending my daughter Phoenix’s coming-of-age ceremony. I hope you all eat well and enjoy yourselves. I shall not linger to spoil your fun."

With that, he patted Phoenix on the shoulder and turned to leave.

He paused, as if remembering something, and looked toward the crowd. "Where is Tang Fei?"

Boom.

The entire venue was in an uproar.

No one had expected Zhong Daolong to single out Tang Fei at such a critical moment.

"What is the Sovereign implying? Is he planning to bestow a significant status upon Tang Fei in front of everyone?"

"Has the Sovereign accepted the romance between Tang Fei and the Princess? Is he truly planning to marry his daughter off to him, as the rumors suggested?"

"That kid has hit the jackpot; he’s going to soar to the skies from here on out."

"Heh, soar to the skies? Or become the nail that sticks out and gets hammered down? It’s too early to tell."

"First he crushed Qin Jianyi, and now he is being personally acknowledged by the Sovereign. Regardless, he is certainly the center of attention today."

***

Boom!

Tang Fei felt as if his head had exploded.

He never expected Zhong Daolong to call him out at this moment. He would have been fine meeting him at any other time, but to choose this specific occasion...

"What is he trying to do?"

"Is he trying to kill me with kindness?"

"Or is his health failing, and he wants to entrust Phoenix to me?"

His mind was a tangled mess.

"Tang Fei," Sheng Xinhuai whispered, nudging him. "The Sovereign is waiting for you."

"Brother, wake up," Little Fatty also hissed.

Little Fatty's round face was deathly pale; he looked even more nervous than Tang Fei himself.

Tang Fei’s gaze cleared instantly. He gathered his chaotic thoughts, nodded at Little Fatty and Sheng Xinhuai, and under the watchful eyes of the entire room, strode toward one of the most powerful men on the planet: the Emperor of the Phoenix Empire, Zhong Daolong.

He locked eyes with Phoenix, who nodded at him, signaling him not to panic—that she had everything under control.

Tang Fei felt a slight sense of relief.

When he reached Zhong Daolong, he dropped to his knees with a heavy *thud*. "Tang Fei pays respects to His Majesty the Emperor. Thank you, Your Majesty, for your imperial decree, allowing my brother and me to migrate from Old Earth to the New Star, and for letting us live this stable, peaceful, and happy life."

"You have let us sleep well, dress warmly, and never again worry about the corrosion of acid rain or the attacks of alien beasts. You have allowed us to become citizens of the Phoenix Empire with ideals and dignity."

"The scale of Your Majesty’s grace is so great that my brother and I do not know how to repay it."

Zhong Daolong was startled by Tang Fei’s sudden "sliding kneel." After a brief moment of surprise, he reached out to pull him up. "Why are you thanking me? I should be the one thanking you."

Zhong Daolong gestured toward Phoenix, who stood nearby with a graceful smile. "If not for your intervention, Phoenix and I might never have had the chance to see each other again, let alone hold this lively coming-of-age ceremony. Tell me, isn’t that a monumental contribution?"

"Your Majesty is too kind. I only performed a trivial act, and Her Royal Highness has already thanked me."

His gaze flickered toward the Crown Prince, Zhong Tianque, standing behind the Emperor. He smiled shyly. "Besides, the Crown Prince gifted me a gun, and the Second Prince gave me a flying vehicle. Your Majesty, please, I beg you not to give me anything else. I have already deeply felt the favor of the Imperial family; I am truly unworthy of more."

"..." Zhong Tianque.

"..." Zhong Tianyi.

Zhong Daolong looked at Tang Fei with a playful, enigmatic expression. "By the sound of it, are you complaining that I haven't given you anything yet?"

"How could I possibly have such thoughts? I am merely worried that Your Majesty, like the Crown Prince and the Second Prince, is too enthusiastic and will insist on gifting me things."

"It seems we of the Zhong family are all very sentimental and righteous—rewarding kindness and settling debts."

"Righteous and loyal, a role model for all the people," Tang Fei praised loudly, letting the sycophantic words flow from his mouth as if they were free.

Pride, dignity, face—he cast them all aside.

Find the point, push hard, and grovel.

Grovel your way to a future.

"Hahaha, interesting. Truly interesting," Zhong Daolong laughed, sizing Tang Fei up. "You’ve just arrived on the New Star; you have a school, a house, and a car. What should I give you? It seems you lack for nothing."

Tang Fei’s eyes darted toward Phoenix, but he forced them back.

He was terrified that if he angered Zhong Daolong, the man would simply have him dragged out and beheaded.

"Tang Fei, what do you want?" Zhong Daolong asked.

"Your Majesty, I want nothing," Tang Fei replied.

"Wanting nothing is the greatest appetite of all," Zhong Daolong mused. "Very well, I shall grant you a future. Once you graduate from the Imperial First Military Academy, whatever department you wish to enter, whatever position you desire—so long as it is not too excessive—I will approve it."

The crowd gasped once more.

For a sovereign to personally promise a student a future—this was a *real* future.

What did this mean? It meant Tang Fei had an ironclad, brilliant future ahead of him.

Once he graduated, whether he chose politics or the military, it would be entirely up to his own preferences and plans. Of course, that was just the simple part. Once he began his career, he could freely choose his posts—selecting key departments for civil service or units where it was easiest to earn credit for military service.

Furthermore, no one would dare to make life difficult for him or sabotage him during his work. On the contrary, whenever an opportunity for promotion arose, he would be the first to be considered.

Why?

The Sovereign himself had promised him a future. If you blocked him and kept him stagnant, what would that imply?

What? You want the Sovereign to break his word?

Sure enough, sycophancy was omnipotent.

Tang Fei wanted to kneel again, but Zhong Daolong held him up. "No need to kneel. I only called you out to thank you for preserving the bond between father and daughter and allowing our family to reunite. It is unseemly for my savior to be kneeling about."

"I am only good at this," Tang Fei said sheepishly. "I don’t know how to do anything else, and I don’t know how else to thank Your Majesty."

"Hahaha, then study hard. I look forward to your serving the Empire upon your graduation," Zhong Daolong said with a chuckle.

After this interaction, he found that Tang Fei wasn't quite as annoying as he had first thought.

"Yes, I will certainly not fail Your Majesty’s expectations," Tang Fei promised.

"Very well, we have met today, and there will be more opportunities in the future," Zhong Daolong looked at Tang Fei meaningfully. "You young people enjoy yourselves; I won't stay here to dampen your spirits."

He turned and began to walk away.

Zhong Tianque did not leave. He looked at Tang Fei and said, "I’ve sent people to fetch the gun; it will be delivered to you shortly."

"Crown Prince, you are far too kind, it really is unnecessary."

"It is decided."

With that, he hurried to catch up with Zhong Daolong.

Phoenix looked at Tang Fei, her long eyelashes fluttering. "Student Tang Fei, are you satisfied now? It’s my birthday, yet you’ve received more gifts than I have."

"It is hard to refuse such overwhelming kindness, truly hard to refuse," Tang Fei said, feeling embarrassed.

He found it hard to meet Phoenix’s gaze, for she was so dazzling and radiant at this moment, like a star within arm's reach, beautiful beyond description.

Just then, the cry of a bird rang out in the high sky.

A young man dressed in white stood upon the back of a white heron, slowly gliding toward the palace.

"Shen Xinglan is here."

Someone in the crowd exclaimed.