https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-41-Fawning-on-Power-and-Throwing-Oneself-at-the-Powerful/13535439/
Chapter 42: Joy Ball "Male Concubine"
Chapter 42: Joy Ball "Male Concubine"
"We're friends, right?" Luo En asked softly. "At the very least, that's how I see it."
Andie lifted his head, his golden eyes flickering with complex emotions. "Of course. That's how I see it too."
"Then if something's troubling you, why not speak it out?" Luo En's voice remained calm and sincere. "I won't pretend I can definitely help, but I can listen. Sometimes sharing something burdensome can bring unexpected relief."
Andie sighed again, placing his teacup down before clasping his hands tightly, his knuckles whitening from the force.
"I don't even know where to begin..." His voice wavered with unusual vulnerability. "This matter... it's too complicated."
Luo En waited patiently, offering the silence needed for confession. He understood that sometimes the greatest comfort came from simply holding space for another's pain.
"Do you remember how strange my reaction was when we casually mentioned Cui Xi last month?" Andie finally spoke again.
Luo En nodded. "I noticed, but I chose not to pry at the time."
It wasn't the first time. Whenever that girl's name arose—the former hunter's daughter who'd clawed her way to becoming a mid-tier Wizard Apprentice—Andie always showed this same turbulent emotion.
"I saw Cui Xi briefly at the Herbal Medicine Shop over half a month ago", Luo En continued evenly, maintaining professional detachment. "She seemed quite occupied."
"Yes, serving as Kelinna's disciple has elevated her status considerably."
Andie's voice carried an indescribable bitterness, his lips tightening into a thin line. "Remember our gathering at the Black Mist Jungle? Back then, she was still..."
His voice trailed off, wistful bitterness settling in his gaze.
Luo En remained silent, sensing the weight behind these words.
"I once..." Andie hesitated, his fingers compulsively rubbing the buttons on his robe. "I once wanted to court her. I still carried those foolish notions from the kingdom when I first arrived at the Black Mist Jungle."
Luo En raised a brow. "You pursued Cui Xi? Seriously?"
"Don't look at me like that", Andie rolled his eyes, though his shoulders sagged. "After all, I'm the Thirteenth Prince of the royal family. Back in the capital, how many noble daughters sent me secret glances? You know that better than anyone."
"And she rejected you?" Luo En cut straight to the point.
"Obviously", Andie gave a self-deprecating chuckle. "Her words were quite direct: 'I came here to change my fate, not relive past suffering. A privileged royal like you should keep your distance.'"
"Tch, that stung", Luo En smirked despite himself. "So you had your heart broken and finally saw reality?"
With a grunt, Andie threw a half-hearted punch at Luo En's chest—knowing full well his strength meant nothing against his companion. "Are you done laughing? That was when I truly understood this world's rules—strength alone determines value. Titles like 'Thirteenth Prince' mean nothing here."
"But that's just part of it", he continued, voice dropping lower. "The truth is... those who sent me to the Black Mist Jungle never expected me to become a qualified Wizard Apprentice."
Luo En raised a brow, signaling to continue.
"The royal family long abandoned hope for my spiritual aptitude", Andie's lips curled bitterly. "They sent me here to develop my knight cultivation potential using this realm's abundant resources. Their plan was always to use me as a protective knight for their investment target while I breakthrough to official knight status."
"Knight cultivation?" Luo En's surprise showed.
"Yes", Andie confirmed. "My talent for physical cultivation far exceeds my spiritual energy. The royal family's grand plan? To make me a guardian knight for..." His voice suddenly twisted with pain. "The very person I originally wanted to court—Cui Xi."
Understanding dawned in Luo En's eyes, though he sensed deeper wounds remained. "Cui Xi rejecting you was humiliating enough", he murmured. "But this explains more than just embarrassment."
"The situation worsened!" Andie's shout startled the room. "After failing to win Cui Xi's favor, they now demand I serve another female apprentice—Cynthia."
Luo En frowned. "I don't recall hearing about her before."
"She arrived at the Black Mist Jungle ten years ago", Andie's face hardened like drought-cracked earth. "Now a High Apprentice, though newly ascended. She..." His fingers dug into his palms until nearly bleeding. "Her reputation is... abysmal. She plays with male servants between cultivation sessions, especially handsome young men."
His hands formed a spinning motion, trembling with revulsion. "That madwoman has... unique preferences. She uses thorn-ball grass on sensitive areas. They say she 'consumes' one servant annually on average."
Luo En winced instinctively, a phantom pain shooting through his lower body. Now the true horror became clear—his royal family intended to send him as a male concubine, the most degrading kind.
"Do they know this?" Luo En asked cautiously.
"They know everything", Andie's voice cracked with fury and despair. "But they don't care! To them, trading one unwanted Thirteenth Prince for a High Apprentice's support is a bargain."
His voice broke completely. "Luo En, I don't know what to do. I've always hoped to change this fate through my own efforts, but..."
"But your progress isn't fast enough", Luo En finished softly. "While my recent breakthrough gave you a glimmer of hope."
Andie nodded, eyes glinting with conflicted light. "I hoped to form a stronger alliance with you. But even as an elementary apprentice, your power can't challenge a High Apprentice yet."
"So you hesitated to tell me", Luo En realized. "Because you weren't sure I could help—or whether I'd risk angering a High Apprentice for you."
Andie's tired nod confirmed it. "I know it's selfish, but I'm truly out of options."
(End of Chapter)
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