Chapter 72: First Kiss

Heikou (Black Dragon Mouth)

Heicheng (Black Dragon City)

Censorate (Supervisory Court)

Yuling City (Jade City)

Jingui Town (Golden Turtle Town)

Xuanwu City (Black tortoise City)

...

The aircraft hovered over the square in front of the grand hall as Lou Zhao bid farewell to Yin Ji Xue.

The last time they parted, he had fled in a fluster. This time, he was reluctant to leave.

Due to their height difference, she had to tilt her head up to look at him.

Yin Ji Xue adored his hazy blue eyes—when they warmed, they carried an innate tenderness. Being gazed at by such pupils made it impossible not to fall into their depths.

"Be careful on the road."

Lou Zhao's Adam's apple bobbed. "Mm."

She buried her face in his chest, nuzzling against him. Her heater of a boyfriend was leaving.

By the time he returned, it would already be summer.

Lou Zhao's voice was low. "Anything else you want to say to me?"

Yin Ji Xue pouted. "I'll miss you every day."

I must build roads! Build them everywhere! Connect the entire Black Dragon territory!

Then he can take me anywhere with him.

When he didn't respond, she peeked up from his chest—only to meet his eyes directly.

"You—"

Before she could finish, her eyes widened.

Now she could count his eyelashes—thick, long lashes that brushed against her cheeks like tiny brooms.

Her heart pounded wildly. At first, she clutched his clothes nervously, but soon she closed her eyes and leaned into the kiss.

She had no idea how much time passed. Their breaths mingled, and the outside world fell silent—likely because the Demon King had cast a soundproof barrier.

It was just a simple press of lips, yet she could feel his cool lips warming against hers.

Lou Zhao pulled away. "I should go. Take care of yourself."

Yin Ji Xue's voice was barely a whisper. "Come back soon."

She had always been the one teasing him. Now that he'd taken the initiative, she realized she was all talk—her courage vanished the moment their lips touched.

Lou Zhao left without looking back. Yin Ji Xue watched the aircraft until it disappeared beyond the horizon.

What she didn't know was that he refused to glance back—afraid that if he saw her again, he wouldn't be able to leave.

Under the eaves, Yin Ji Xue touched her burning lips. Our first kiss. Hehe.

Feng Xiu might not have known what happened, but the sudden soundproof barrier and the Queen's flushed cheeks told her everything. Time to prepare for a little prince or princess.

...

March was planting season. Every farming household had to attend classes in the city every other day.

The lessons taught them how to grow and harvest crops.

The Black Dragon tribe hadn't attempted farming in ages—especially not on scorched earth.

But after learning that the "little green grass" they'd initially grown was Pakchoi, enthusiasm soared.

A scorched earth can grow food!

The only downside was sitting in a classroom. They'd much rather watch their sprouts in the fields.

With Black Dragon City encouraging career shifts, fewer locals were mining now. Most of the remaining miners were paying off mortgages—once done, their houses would be fully theirs.

Both city and outskirt residents now had permanent homes. The only difference was location; their benefits were the same.

Yin Ji Xue wasn't worried about a labor shortage. Recovered demon citizens from Black Dragon Mouth were applying to work in the mines—once approved by the city administration, they could start digging.

Construction Team Two had gone to Black Dragon Mouth to repair houses, while half of Team One was assigned to fix the city walls.

The remaining workers from Team One were temporarily reassigned to build new employee dormitories outside the city.

The dorms extended from the original ones all the way to near the city gates.

The interior layouts were identical. Outskirt residents would relocate to the gate-area dorms for easier daily life and city access.

The old dorms would become mining staff housing.

Of course, this was voluntary. For example, families with all members mining would prefer staying in the old dorms.

But the opportunity was a one-time offer. Yin Ji Xue announced the plan half a month in advance, giving them time to decide.

Pa Ji's clinic remained outside the city—he preferred it there, especially since outskirt residents needed medical care. Going into the city for treatment was inconvenient.

Black Dragon City had four gates, but the one serviced by buses was closed to outsiders. It guarded both the scorched-earth farming secret and the nearby demon crystal mines.

Visitors could only enter through the other three gates.

At the final meeting, it was decided to open a new main gate facing the Supervision Bureau.

Everything in Black Dragon City was orderly. Shops sprouted up like bamboo shoots after rain—inns and restaurants among them.

But since the currency hadn't been issued yet, everything was paid for with contribution points.

One point equaled one work hour.

After Old Demon became the steel mill instructor, he also invited machinery factory workers to attend his classes—using the textbooks Yin Ji Xue provided.

The materials worked wonders. Apprentices who'd been clueless finally grasped the concepts.

Soon, the machinery factory developed second-gen bicycles, third-gen bicycles…

Even children's scooters.

The latter was born from a mistake—a misproportioned wheel that was repurposed into a scooter.

Yin Ji Xue approved the little vehicle. Even if there was no local market, they could sell it externally.

The apprentice, Tie Sheng, was originally a blacksmith and Old Demon's disciple. Though he'd failed to build a car, his scooter earned the Queen's praise. Motivated, he went on to create a tricycle.

But that's another story.

Trade caravans usually depart in spring. The advertisements Black Dragon City had put out should soon yield returns.

Any merchant group that had profited from glass and paper would surely return when the weather warmed.

They were Black Dragon City's walking billboards—other profit-driven demons would follow.

No shame in chasing wealth.

Meanwhile, the first batch of bicycles debuted in the city.

Reportedly, the Queen called them "shared bikes."

Anyone could ride them, but taking them outside the city or hoarding them at home was forbidden. Violators would lose riding privileges after three offenses.

The ten bikes, parked at five locations, came in different styles and colors—each batch made by different workers.

No one dared ride them first, fearing embarrassment or the Queen's disapproval.

Gou Sheng, ever bold, pushed one out and tried pedaling. After two wobbly pushes, the bike shot forward, forcing him to brake with his feet.

Kids giggled; adults grew more curious.

When a patrol passed by, someone called out to the captain: "How do you ride this thing?"

The patrol members had practiced beforehand. Since the bikes were public, they could use them too.

"Like this. I'll demonstrate—you can teach others later."

He smoothly mounted a bike, kicked off the stand, and pedaled away—swaying slightly at first.

"Whoa, that's amazing!"

"I thought you had to push it!"

"Looks faster than walking."

As the crowd buzzed, someone else tried riding—only to topple over before even sitting properly.

"Ow! I did the same thing—why can't I balance?"

Others hurried to help him up.

"Maybe it's a talent thing?" someone muttered, making everyone exchange glances.

Soon, all available bikes were claimed, with riders scouting other locations for more—everyone wanted to test their "cycling talent."

The street became an obstacle course of fallen demons.

Grown-ups flushed with humiliation.

Gou Sheng, who'd mastered scooting along without sitting, returned with news: "The square's display screen has a tutorial on riding bikes!"

The fallen scrambled up, dragging their bikes toward the lesson.

Filmed in the palace (though not by the Queen herself), the tutorial featured the guard captain.

After multiple replays, the crowd finally understood:

Biking is about balance—not talent. Anyone can learn.

Just then, Lian Ze zipped by on a scooter—entirely different from the adults' bikes.

This was Tie Sheng's "failed" creation, approved by the Queen. Now, Tie Sheng is focused on making more.

Lian Ze's scooter was the prototype. With no other kids in the palace, Yin Ji Xue let him have it—and help advertise it.

Gou Sheng's eyes sparkled. "Lian Ze, where'd you get that?"

Lian Ze puffed his chest. "A gift from Her Majesty. Only one in the whole city!"

Gou Sheng itched to touch it. "C-Can I try?"

"Sure, but don't break it!"

He understood the Queen's intent—to promote the scooter. He wouldn't hog it; he'd share with friends.

Gou Sheng nearly swore brotherhood with him. "Thanks! You're the kindest demon ever!"

Adults watched enviously. They wanted royal gifts too.

But they were grown—too embarrassed to ask. Maybe their kids or future grandchildren could.

After a test ride, Gou Sheng gushed, "So fun! Do you bike?"

Lian Ze shook his head. "I'm too short to pedal. Her Majesty said kid-sized bikes will come later."

Gou Sheng nearly hugged him.

"Then… when they arrive, can I try yours too?"

Lian Ze hesitated. "Depends. Do you like Her Majesty?"

Gou Sheng shouted, "I do! I love Her Majesty the most!"

Feng Xiu, passing by with deliveries, chuckled. The Queen truly appeals to all ages.

Though Yin Ji Xue hadn't released scooters or kids' bikes yet, she'd designed playground equipment for the school—based on modern kindergartens.

From seesaws to swings and slides, they had it all.

With the steel mill's expanded workforce, production was swift.

By Monday, Gou Sheng—still bike-less—found the school transformed.

Boarding students were already playing on the new equipment.

That day, the teacher struggled. The children's eyes kept darting outside—not even extra homework could deter them.