[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens":3,"chapter-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-21":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Heir to the Kingdom of 1.4 Billion Citizens",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2270896,4434,"Chapter 21: Bonfire Dance","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-21",21,"\u003Cp>Night fell, the sky stained with the last crimson glow of twilight, then slowly swallowed by deep ink-blue, like a vast silk unfurling overhead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bright full moon rose silently, hanging in the sky like a silver disc, casting soft, clear light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Stars ignited one by one, as if countless glowing silver grains had been stitched into the velvet of the night sky.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the ancient oak tree, in the village’s central open space, a massive bonfire had been built from a dozen logs; flames leapt and crackled, spewing countless sparks like fireflies dancing through the night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two long wooden tables were piled high with wooden bowls brimming with crimson fruit wine; a whole wild wolf, over a meter long, roasted on a wooden rack beside the fire, its fat dripping into the flames with a sizzling sound.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come on, Boge, have another cup of fruit wine—I won’t let you go until I’ve drunk you under the table!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Beautiful maidens, who will dance with me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Maria, I love you—become my wife. I will love you for all my life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wolf meat, delicious!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Villagers danced wildly around the bonfire; some dragged Boge into drinking contests, refusing to let him go even as stars swam before their eyes; others shouted for dance partners, scanning the crowd again and again without response; some knelt on one knee, offering woven flower garlands to their beloved girls, and in the end, embraced tightly amid everyone’s blessings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Others ignored everything else, just gorging on wolf meat, eating until their bellies bulged and oil dripped from their lips, never stopping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The scene was roaring with joy; nearly everyone’s face glowed with bright smiles—except one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not far from the bonfire, Xia Mingyu sat alone against the ancient oak, head bowed, brows furrowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was still pondering the profession he had just acquired.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Clear Stupidity” and “Wandering Beyond the Physical”—neither seemed like a combat ability at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And how does one advance in a college student profession?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surely I can’t just go back and get a master’s or PhD!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu sighed heavily, deeply worried he might be stuck forever at a mortal-tier profession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If that happened, even if his title blessing were noblest, he’d only ever be a decoration or an advisor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And besides, his title blessing was fake.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Lord of Black Wolf Hold will likely come for me soon—how should I face him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Proud? Calm? Silent? But if he asks about my origins, what do I say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu rubbed his temples, his head throbbing painfully.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, are you well?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, a voice, clear as spring water and tinged with concern, awakened him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu lifted his head slightly and saw Anliya approaching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl had donned her blue dress again; her bare white shoulders flushed faintly red, the hem swaying with her light steps like a blue bellflower trembling in the night breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her golden hair shimmered softly in the bonfire’s warm glow; her beautiful blue eyes brimmed with worry and care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu gave a slight nod, signaling he was fine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl thought for a moment, then lifted her dress and sat on the ground beside him, leaning against the ancient oak—as if she had no fear of soiling her only dress.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness, you seem unhappy—is it because of your profession?” Anliya asked cautiously, subtly shifting closer to the young man.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She noticed that since acquiring his profession, Xia Mingyu’s expression had remained gloomy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A little, I suppose. To be honest, I once dreamed of single-handedly defeating a thousand cavalry, of strength that could uproot mountains and overshadow the world—but now it seems impossible.” Xia Mingyu shrugged.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Haha, most men think that way—even Boge did. As a child, he constantly yelled about riding dragons and becoming a general.” Anliya covered her mouth and giggled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But—” the girl changed tone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She stole a glance at the man beside her; the firelight cast flickering shadows across Xia Mingyu’s face, highlighting his perfect bone structure and making his already handsome features even more captivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So… so handsome! It feels like His Highness became even more handsome after gaining his profession!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then she turned her gaze to the profession blessing above Xia Mingyu’s head—“College Student.” Though she had never heard of such a profession, the word “student” clearly indicated it demanded immense knowledge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And His Highness, such a noble person, even knew trivial knowledge like digging cellars to store fruit and making jam.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I still think someone as learned as Your Highness is far more charming!” Anliya cried out, her face flushed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her voice was so loud it startled Xia Mingyu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had never heard the girl speak so loudly before; in his memory, Anliya had always been a lady whose voice was as faint as a mosquito’s hum.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Phew, thank you for comforting me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu exhaled deeply and gently reached up to stroke the girl’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he knew her words offered no practical help for his current situation, when you’re lost in thought and troubled, having a beautiful girl with long legs and a slender waist sit beside you on the ground, unbothered by dirt, offering comfort—it naturally lifts your spirits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the young man’s brow finally relax, Anliya finally relaxed too, her eyes crinkling into crescents as she savored the warmth of his hand on her head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a moment, she patted her dress and slowly stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your Highness,” the girl whispered, her voice like a stream in the night breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Everyone is dancing—would you like to dance too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you don’t mind…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anliya stepped back two paces, her hands clasped behind her back, toes lightly raised; her cheeks flushed faintly, then she smiled—a radiant, sunlit smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I can be your dance partner.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“...Alright.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu had wanted to refuse, but the girl’s smile was too dazzling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crackling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The bonfire burned fiercely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>An old villager with white hair and beard gently blew a cheerful tune on a wooden flute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu, following Anliya’s guidance, one hand holding hers, the other resting on her shoulder, moved gently to the rhythm of the flute.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl’s steps were graceful; his were clumsy and stiff, his feet always missing the beat, his arms rigid as wood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two were never in sync.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Cough, Anliya, sorry—I’m holding you back.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Mingyu cleared his throat, his face flushed with embarrassment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His coordination had always been terrible; in college, he’d even failed Tai Chi, dragging his GPA straight down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s fine, Your Highness. After all, I’m inferior to you in everything—if I can just barely outdance you, it will be my lifelong honor.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anliya lifted her dress, bowed slightly, her delicate face wearing a mischievous smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment, Xia Mingyu suddenly realized this might be a good chance to test his ability.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He remembered the description of that ability—Wandering Beyond the Physical: You can empty your mind and let your body take over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anliya, let’s try again,” Xia Mingyu said calmly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1161,"2026-06-19T22:18:43.340Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f37e6d76134d10a7abe5ce196974b5404bb87c4a2685bfbc5afb7e0303bdc0b9","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-22","heir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-chapter-20",186,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fheir-to-the-kingdom-of-1-4-billion-citizens-cover.jpg"]