Cultivating Immortality, Starting from Childhood Sweethearts-Chapter 378 - Have You Thought It Through?

“I have a deal I’d like to make with Young Master Xu. I wonder if Young Master Xu would be interested?”

The Dragon Empress looked at Xu Ming and spoke slowly.

Xu Ming was intrigued. “I am all ears, Your Majesty, and I will be sure to relay your words back to Wu Capital.”

He assumed it was likely a transaction between the Wu Kingdom and the North Sea Dragon Palace.

However, the Dragon Empress shook her head. “This is not a deal between the North Sea Dragon Palace and the Wu Kingdom. It is a deal between you and me—it has nothing to do with your kingdom.”

“Hmm?” Xu Ming was momentarily stunned. He looked at the Dragon Empress in disbelief, wondering if he had misheard. “Your Majesty, a deal with me?”

He couldn’t fathom what someone of his status and cultivation level had that the Dragon Empress would desire.

The only thing on him that might be considered valuable enough was, Hongxiu, his Immortal Sword.

But he had never revealed the sword before—how could she know about it?

If she truly wanted his sword, then there was no way he could agree. He intended to refine Hongxiu into his life-bound flying sword. If he handed it over, what would he use in its place?

“That’s right.” The Dragon Empress nodded. “Does Young Master Xu seek the Linglong Pearl?”

Xu Ming replied, “I do.”

“I can personally retrieve the Linglong Pearl for you,” the Dragon Empress said, “but in exchange, Young Master Xu must agree to one condition.”

“Your Majesty, please speak freely.”

Xu Ming was already on high alert.

There’s a saying: What comes for free is often the most expensive.

If he were to venture into the North Sea Abyss himself to retrieve the Linglong Pearl, even if it meant facing deadly peril, at least he would feel more at ease. He would know that there were no hidden traps.

But if the Dragon Empress were to simply hand it to him, then he needed to be extremely cautious. He had to weigh whether the price she asked was one he could afford.

“It is not a particularly difficult matter,” the Dragon Empress said calmly. “My North Sea Dragon Palace lacks a Qiju Lang (Palace Recorder). For ten years, you will stay in my palace and serve as my Qiju Lang. During this time, all cultivation resources you require will be provided by the North Sea Dragon Palace—no less than what the Wu Kingdom offers you. How about this deal?”

Xu Ming: “...”

The position of Qiju Lang varied in meaning across different dynasties.

In some, the role involved attending to the emperor’s daily life. In others, it was primarily about drafting imperial decrees.

Xu Ming had done his research—within the Four Seas Dragon Palaces, the Qiju Lang was essentially a historian, responsible for documenting the Dragon King’s words, actions, and personal affairs.

In some extreme cases, a Qiju Lang would even record which wife the Dragon King spent the night with on any given evening.

In a way, this position was even closer to the ruler than a mere attendant.

“Why has Your Majesty chosen me for this position?” Xu Ming asked.

This was an intimate role, usually reserved for a trusted confidant. The Dragon Empress was a woman, making the appointment of a male Qiju Lang even more unusual.

Not to mention, Xu Ming was a pure-hearted warrior—this arrangement seemed even more problematic.

The Dragon Empress tilted her head slightly, her voice echoing in the chamber. “I chose you as my Qiju Lang because of your talent. There is no one in the North Sea who can match your abilities.

Moreover, you are a human and not from the North Sea. Your records of my words and actions would hold greater credibility.

As for the fact that you are a man—what difference does that make?”

“...”

Xu Ming thought, That makes a huge difference.

“Before me, who held the position of Qiju Lang, Your Majesty?” Xu Ming asked.

The Dragon Empress shook her head. “Before you, I had no Qiju Lang. In fact, no man has ever served in my inner palace before—you would be the first.”

Then, after a pause, she added, “But as for a man being this close to me... you would be the second.”

Xu Ming: “...”

Xu Ming naturally knew who the first man was—it was her old lover, the one she still hadn’t found.

“I don’t understand,” Xu Ming shook his head.

The Dragon Empress seemed very patient. “What is it that you don’t understand?”

“Does Your Majesty truly intend to keep me here just because of my talent?”

Xu Ming found it hard to believe that his talent alone was the reason she had chosen him.

If she were an indulgent empress who led a debauched lifestyle, he might have understood.

Xu Ming wouldn’t call himself impossibly handsome, but at the very least, back in his university days, he would have been considered top-tier.

So if the Dragon Empress were the kind of woman with insatiable desires, wanting to keep him as a personal consort, that would at least make sense.

Not to mention, he was also a warrior—the type that wealthy women adored.

But the problem was—this Dragon Empress was the epitome of purity!

Her private life was spotless, beyond reproach. There was no way she would keep a man for personal pleasure.

Even if he were the most handsome man in the world, she wouldn’t even spare him a glance.

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“You’re right,” the Dragon Empress said calmly. “I did not choose you only because of your talent. There are other reasons. But you don’t need to know them right now. All you need to do is answer—do you accept or not?”

Xu Ming thought for a moment, then found an excuse to politely decline. “Your Majesty, ten years is quite a long time.”

The Dragon Empress responded without hesitation, “Then five years.”

Xu Ming pressed on, “In truth, I have many matters to attend to.”

“Three years,” she countered.

“Your Majesty, this isn’t just a matter of time—it’s about—”

“Young Master Xu,” the Dragon Empress interrupted before he could finish. “There’s no need to rush to refuse me. Go back, take your time to think it over, and learn more about what lies within the North Sea Abyss.

Then, once you’ve done that, you can give me your answer.”

Xu Ming: “...”

“I am feeling a bit tired.”

With that, the Dragon Empress tossed a jade token onto the table.

“When you’ve made up your mind, you may come find me in the palace anytime.”

Without waiting for his response, she lay back down, and the bed curtains slowly drew shut.

After hesitating for a long moment, Xu Ming could only pick up the jade token.

He bowed toward the curtained bed. “I appreciate Your Majesty’s great kindness. I will think it over carefully. For now, I shall take my leave.”