"Let me impregnate you, or face alone the dangers of the Dead Sea border; choose one."
"Isn't that a bit too abrupt?"
Chu Yan gazed in bewilderment at the woman before him.
Her name was Isha, adorned with cascading, softly curled chestnut-black hair, striking features, and a figure that spoke for itself—ample bosom, alluring hips, and long, graceful legs, making her a captivating presence at any ball, epitomizing the sultry elegance of a mature beauty.
Today, she was clad in her customary knightly armor, exuding an air of authority—grand and dashing. The silver breastplate was sculpted to accentuate her ample curves.
Though no blood relation existed, she could be tenuously classified as Chu Yan's aunt through distant familial ties.
"I am not seeking your opinion, nor am I here to consult you; I am here to inform you."
Aunt Isha rested one hand on the hilt of her dagger, her piercing gaze fixed firmly on Chu Yan.
This unexpected proposition left him feeling apprehensive and doubtful.
Setting aside the possibility of poison, he was more concerned about some clandestine plot lurking behind it, fearing he might be coerced into penning another tedious essay.
His relationship with Aunt Isha was hardly close—more akin to polite exchanges when their paths crossed.
"May I inquire why Aunt Isha has suddenly extended such an invitation?"
"Absolutely not."
The mature knightess replied without hesitation, her flat gaze revealing no hint of emotional fluctuation.
In fact, her impatience with his hesitation was palpable.
It was as if she were irritably urging him—stop the idle chatter, accept it promptly, and allow me to conceive!
"Then I must decline."
Chu Yan shrugged, expressing his regret.
"Your answer indicates that you have chosen to undertake the role of lord at the Dead Sea border during the Dragon Flame family's coming-of-age trials?"
Isha's eyes narrowed slightly, and the menace in her words was unmistakable.
This was her final ultimatum.
Upon hearing "Dead Sea border," Chu Yan frowned and confirmed:
"Is this the intent of my esteemed adoptive mother?"
Aunt Isha shook her head, her tone cold and commanding, laced with mockery:
"No, this is my intent; you may interpret it as... unspoken rules!"
Chu Yan's gaze hardened with resolute determination, as if he were pledging allegiance:
"Then I choose to embrace the glorious and challenging family trials!"
The woman did not conceal her dissatisfaction, her tone dripping with sarcasm:
"Tsk, then off you go to the Dead Sea border... Consulting you was my foolish error; I should have acted decisively."
...
Three days later, Chu Yan embarked on his courageous and fearless journey to the trials, heading alone to the Dead Sea border.
As he sat in the carriage, he couldn't help but wistfully reflect on his life in this world.
At eighteen, Chu Yan was akin to a stagnant fish.
In his previous life, he was a freelancer, living as a kept man under the patronage of wealthy women, who even contributed to his social security and healthcare.
A sudden awakening had thrust him into this world of swords and sorcery.
There were swordsmen, mages, and priests, naturally alongside a plethora of magical creatures.
He was born into the Dragon Flame family, an ancient and prestigious lineage, boasting the bloodline of "dragon descendants," a formidable presence in the world.
However, as a hybrid of ancient dragons and humans, the dragon descendants inherited the difficulties of dragon reproduction.
To what extent, you ask?
When a dragon descendant couple is resolute in their desire to conceive, it is akin to entering a secluded realm in the world of cultivation.
A month of relentless labor could leave the male partner with internal injuries, rendering him impotent.
Thus, procreation was a matter of paramount importance within the Dragon Flame family, pivotal to the survival of their race; every eligible clan member bore the heavy responsibility of perpetuating the dragon descendant lineage.
To this end, the dragon-descendant families, including the Dragon Flame clan, established the "Holy Reproduction Hall," employing formations to aid in reproduction, selecting dragon descendant members from various clans for mating.
Yet, Chu Yan surmised that the efficacy of this formation hinged solely on psychological influence, akin to a mystical ritual when drawing cards.
"To suggest I should impregnate Aunt Isha—wouldn't that be tantamount to my demise?"
"Not necessarily; it's possible that Aunt Isha is a resolute battle-hardened wolf of the Dragon Flame family, averse to mingling with the bloodlines of other clans."
The Dragon Flame family had become somewhat matriarchal, with the new generation seemingly comprised solely of him, the lone male dragon descendant.
Though there were elder male relatives, they preferred fishing to engaging with their own family's matriarchs.
Setting aside thoughts of Aunt Isha, he pondered how best to navigate the trials.
Chu Yan sighed in exasperation: "Ah, the Dead Sea border..."
The Dead Sea border was no innocent domain; it stood as one of the most notorious regions in this world.
Monsters emerged ceaselessly from the depths of the Dead Sea and surrounding wastelands, their corruptive, maddening aura ebbing and flowing with the tides.
Furthermore, the Dead Sea border was a prison for dangerous fallen individuals, rumored to be home to escapees as well.
How had this area been governed previously?
Or more pointedly, how had the former lord managed it?
The answer lay in their hands-off approach.
The previous lord had died decades prior, leaving no successor, resulting in a state of "non-governance."
As the holders of the Dead Sea border, the Dragon Flame family had observed that no significant issues arose, and since the territory was inherently unprofitable, they had little motivation for a thorough cleansing.
Consequently, that region was maintained by petty nobles, gray merchants, and rogues, existing in a delicate balance.
However, should someone resolutely attempt to impose governance, such equilibrium would inevitably be disrupted.
It was akin to a program written in bug-riddled, subpar code—absurdly operational but prone to catastrophic failure if one attempted to mend its bugs.
Moreover, the most pressing issue for Chu Yan was the utter lack of subordinates to command.
He was a solitary commander, entirely alone, time slipping away swiftly!
"The trial demands that, amidst the forthcoming inspections by the lady official, the overall security of the region must be elevated to a rating of 'Good.'"
...
Amidst a chorus of sighs, Chu Yan arrived at the city at the Dead Sea border.
Extreme City.
Awaiting him at the city gate was but one lady and a disheveled soldier captain, whose attire was filthy.
"Lord, you have arrived; feel free to explore at your leisure; I must attend to my post."
The soldier captain, with heavy dark circles under his eyes, uttered the words with a lackadaisical attitude before striding away.
The lady's demeanor, however, was far more amiable. She was beautiful and alluring, clad in a strapless top that revealed ample northern charms, her flat stomach delineating the outline of a siren's call, simply draped in a tailored leather jacket.
As Chu Yan assessed her, she scrutinized him in return.
Her lips curled into a charming, fox-like smile, and, with a familiarity that felt disarming, she draped her arm over his shoulder, a fragrance enveloping him:
"Typically, such introductions would be the prerogative of those nobles, but... allow me to introduce myself: I am Jeanette, codename 'Silver Wing,' a law-abiding merchant."
"I am Chu Yan. Are you suggesting those nobles intend to intimidate me?"
Jeanette laughed lightly, deftly sidestepping the delicate topic:
"I never implied that~ If the young lord is merely here to bask in glory, then enjoy yourself; I shall first show you your residence."
As she guided him through the city, he suddenly inquired:
"What if I am here to pass the family trials?"
Family trials implied actions and changes.
Jeanette halted, her smile taking on a deeper significance; she winked at Chu Yan, playfully teasing, as she gently caressed his cheek.
"Then... welcome, young lord, to the liberated Extreme City at the Dead Sea!"
Chu Yan's residence appeared to be an ancient castle, but in reality, it was a prison, housing many dangerous individuals.
One might say his threat level was insufficient, rendering him even unworthy of confinement here.
The lower two levels constituted the prison area, while the upper floors served as the lord's quarters.
Throughout the tour, Jeanette provided various insights; just as they reached the main entrance, a woman's voice echoed from within:
"The new lord has arrived; everyone please return to your respective cells and refrain from loitering."
Her tone was unhurried.
Chu Yan felt a twinge of complexity in his emotions and turned to ask:
"Are the inmates free to roam here?"
Jeanette chuckled as she patted Chu Yan's head, reassuring him:
"Rest assured, they are all law-abiding citizens; when the time comes, they will return to their cells of their own accord—very convenient indeed~"
Chu Yan found himself momentarily at a loss for words.
Having yet to explore Extreme City, his accommodations had already surpassed his expectations.
Not only did felons reside in the same space as the lord, but those who ought to be incarcerated were free to move about at will.
Surely they wouldn't stage a midnight raid to slit his throat, would they?
"Are you certain it will be so convenient?"
"Of course, my dear lord~ Look, I'm right on schedule!"
Jeanette wore a serious expression, her gaze betraying disappointment at Chu Yan's skepticism.
"Hmm?"
Chu Yan sensed something amiss.
At that moment, a woman clad in military attire approached, brandishing a pocket watch, and stated with indifference:
"Jeanette, you are two minutes late; take the key and return to your cell."
"Just two minutes; rounded off, that counts as no delay. Considering my history of significant tardiness, I'd say I've actually returned ahead of time~"
To Chu Yan's astonishment, Jeanette took the key and sauntered toward a room, blowing him a flirtatious kiss before closing the door.
Immediately, the seemingly prison warden clad in military attire followed suit, locking herself in a cell as well.
A chilly sea breeze swept through the castle gates.
Chu Yan stood, utterly bewildered.
No one from the officers at the Dead Sea border had come to greet him; instead, a dangerous inmate was his guide?
After a moment of silence, he muttered to himself:
"This high-stakes game..."