CHAPTER THREE
When word got out that Ao Qin fell ill, many of his friends and colleagues over the span of his long career as Prime Minister of the Four Seas came to visit. For the next few days, Ao Qin’s schedule was packed full. Ao Qin told his nephews he’d be too busy entertaining guests, so there was no need for them to come over, which left Ao Bing with some down time in Midnight City. He knew eventually he’d have to pay his father a visit, but seeing as he was not in a rush to return to the Crystal Palace, his plan was to stay in the city until one of his brothers came to collect him.
Ao Bing was eager to get in the ocean after finding the surfboard he told Lu Wen to get. The next morning, he donned his new wetsuit and took the board out to the shore. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting soft, warm hues of pink and orange over the sky. The first light of dawn danced on the waves, creating a shimmering path leading straight into the horizon.
Ao Bing stepped into the clear, cold water, feeling the familiar embrace of the ocean around his ankles. He could see the sandy bottom beneath the transparent waves, each ripple catching the early morning light. He paddled out, slicing through the pristine surface with steady strokes. For him, the ocean was home, each of his movements fluid and instinctive. As he reached the lineup, he sat up on his board, scanning the horizon for the perfect wave.The sun continued to rise, casting long, golden rays across the water, illuminating the crests of the waves.
A promising swell appeared, and Ao Bing turned his board to meet it. He felt the wave lift him, and in one smooth motion, popped up to his feet. With the early morning sun behind him, he carved his way down the face of the wave, the electric blue glow of his new board a vivid streak against the dark water.
Ao Bing navigated the next sets of waves, executing sharp turns and maneuvers, riding the water with an innate sense of balance and control. Out on the water, he felt completely at ease, the tension of being back home melting away with each passing wave. The rhythm of the ocean was hypnotic, and for a while, everything else faded into the background.
After a particular set of waves began to lose its energy, Ao Bing glided back towards the shore. He had a tendency to zone out when he was surfing, so he didn’t notice another surfer running towards the water. The two nearly collided as Ao Bing stepped out of the surf, with the other rushing past him with an enthusiastic grin.
“You should watch where you’re going!” the other surfer called out playfully as he ran into the water.
Ao Bing, caught off guard, regained his balance, and looked back at the surfer with extreme annoyance. It was an empty beach and this person literally could have found any other path to take. Before Ao Bing could tell this person that they were the ones who should watch where they were going, he noticed that the orange-red surfboard the man was holding was the same one Ao Bing had seen the day before.
The other surfer, now knee-deep into the water, adjusted his grip on his board and was still smiling at Ao Bing. He was tall and lean, his head of light brown messy, wavy hair catching the sunlight. His big, expressive eyes shone with a glint of mischief dancing in their depths.
“Nice board,” he said to Ao Bing. “Brand new?”
Ao Bing nodded. “Just got it. It handles well.”
The man’s smile widened. “I could tell, you looked good out there.”
A few large waves crashed onto the shore, causing the surfer to stumble over himself. Regaining his balance, he placed his board into the water, threw his body onto it, and began paddling out to the waves. As he moved, he turned his head back and flashed Ao Bing a big smile. “Maybe next time I’ll catch you out there?”
“Sure,” said Ao Bing, “maybe.”
As Ao Bing made his way back to his condo, he found himself looking back towards the shore. He watched the person wipe out spectacularly on the first wave, tumbling head over heels into the foamy water, his red board toppling over with him.
As the surfer resurfaced, the sound of his own laughter echoed through the empty beach. He gave a playful wave in Ao Bing’s direction before eagerly paddling back out.
***
Later that afternoon, Ao Jia showed up at Ao Bing’s condo. He found his brother out on the deck, methodically waxing his surfboard.
“I heard you had Lu Wen running around the city looking for that board,” Ao Jia said, taking a seat on the deck.
The last hundred years hadn’t aged Ao Jia at all—he looked exactly as he had when Ao Bing left the palace. Ao Jia was a few inches taller than Ao Bing and had a more muscular build. He and their brother, Ao Yi, shared the same height and body type, and even had the same dark blue eyes, often leading people to mistake them for twins. However, Ao Bing, the shortest and youngest of the three, stood out with his face full of freckles and pale, yellow eyes. The only feature he shared with his brothers was their distinctive white-silver hair, inherited from their father. Ao Bing stopped waxing the board and stood up to greet his eldest brother.
“Your Highness, Crown Prince Ao Jia," he said, his voice filled with reverence as he bowed in a low salute. "To what do I owe the pleasure of this most esteemed visit?"
”Don’t be a dick.”
“Come to check on your favorite sibling?” Ao Bing quipped, straightening up.
“Dad wants to see you.”
”I know.”
”You can’t keep avoiding him.”
Ao Bing crouched down and continued waxing his surfboard. “I know.”
“Can I tell him you’ll come by? Tonight?”
Ao Bing let out a sigh, knowing he wouldn’t be able to put it off much longer. “Yeah.”
The two of them stayed out on the deck for some time in silence. After a few minutes, Ao Jia stood up to leave. “Jianyu,” he said, “I’m glad you’re home.”
Before giving Ao Bing a chance to respond, Ao Jia added, “You missed a spot,” pointing to Ao Bing’s board.
Ao Bing smirked, saluting one more with exaggerated formality. “Thank you, Your Highness, for your most valuable observation. Farewell, and may your journey be graced with the utmost serenity.”
”Fuck off. See you tonight.”
Later that evening, Ao Bing looked through the suits Ao Yi had sent to his condo. He chose a set of navy slacks and a matching jacket, but instead of wearing a collared shirt and tie, he opted to pair the suit with a tee shirt and sneakers.
After he finished getting dressed, Lu Wen met him outside and transported the two of them to the Eastern Sea. As Lu Wen lowered them down slowly from the sky, Ao Bing’s gaze fixed on the magnificent structure rising from the ocean’s depths. The Crystal Palace, the legendary seat of power of the Dragon Kingdom and the entirety of the Four Seas, was an awe-inspiring sight. After more than a century away, returning here filled Ao Bing with a mix of both nostalgia and unease.
The palace, ruled by his father, Emperor Ao Guang for the last thousand years, struck a beautiful balance between modern architecture and traditional ancient Chinese dynasty design. The fusion was seamless; towering glass walls reflected the ocean’s waves, merged effortlessly with curved, tile roofs reminiscent of the old imperial palaces. The palace seemed both familiar and foreign to him now.
Guards greeted him at the entrance, bowing solemnly as he walked by. Lu Wen took his leave and excused himself back to the Naval Base. As Ao Bing stepped through the entrance, the interior of the palace unfolded before him, a blend of shimmering crystal and traditional woodwork. Chandeliers made of delicate sea glass hung from vaulted ceilings, casting iridescent light across the marble floors.
Ao Bing’s footsteps echoed softly as he walked through the grand halls of the Crystal Palace. Memories of his childhood flooded back—running through these very hallways with his brothers, their laughter bouncing off the walls as they played games and shared secrets among one another.
The familiar scent of the sea mingled with the subtle fragrance of orchids and magnolias, his mother’s favorite flowers, filled the air with a bittersweet reminder of her absence. He paused beside one of the elaborate floral arrangements, gently touching a few of the petals. Thought it had been many years since the Empress passed, the Crystal Palace still decorated the hallways with bouquets of magnolias in her tribute.
Finally, he reached the main hall, where his father’s personal aide, Master Zhang, awaited. Master Zhang served Emperor Ao Guang for centuries, and was present the day Ao Bing was born. “Your Highness, it really is you!” Master Zhang exclaimed, his voice filled with warmth and nostalgia.
Ao Bing couldn’t help but smile, feeling a wave of affection towards the old man. They embraced briefly, a moment that bridged the years of absence. “It’s good to see you, Master Zhang,” Ao Bing said.
Master Zhang, his eyes twinkling, placed a hand on Ao Bing’s shoulder. “Come, your father and brothers are waiting for you in the dining hall.”
As they approached the grand dining room, Ao Bing hesitated at the threshold and took a breath before stepping forward. The dining room of the Crystal Palace was an opulent space, a testament to the grandeur and sophistication of the Dragon Kingdom. A long, polished table stretched through the center of the room, capable of seating dozens, yet tonight it hosted a more intimate gathering. The table was set with the finest dishes, each adorned with delicate gold patterns.
At the far end of the room, a grand fireplace carved from white marble added a majesty to the setting. Above it was a cherished portrait of the royal family, painted with exquisite detail, capturing a moment from a bygone era when the three princes were young children and their mother was still alive.
Master Zhang entered the dining hall first, standing tall and formal. “Your Majesty,” he said, bowing low to Emperor Ao Guang who was seated at the head of the table. Master Zhang then turned to his sons, sitting at either side of him. “Crown Prince Ao Jia, Prince Ao Yi,” he announced, “Prince Ao Bing has joined you for dinner this evening.”
All eyes turned towards Ao Bing as he stepped forward behind Master Zhang and walked to the other end of the table directly across his father. Ao Bing’s casual suit and sneakers were a stark contrast to the formal attire of his brothers and father.
To his left, the Crown Prince Ao Jia, next in line to the throne, wearing a meticulously tailored charcoal suit, displayed the dignified presence expected of a future emperor. On Ao Bing’s right was Admiral Ao Yi, similarly dressed in a black suit, exuding the formality befitting of the highest-ranking naval office of the Four Seas.
At the head of the table sat Emperor Ao Guang, his presence commanding and unyielding. Ao Guang looked like a man in his early sixties, but his true age spanned over 1800 years. He was tall, much like his sons, with a chiseled and distinguished face. His silver-white hair, another trait shared with all three of his sons, contrasted with his dark, penetrating eyes. The Emperor wore a double-breasted suit, with not a single detail out of place. His dark gold tie and matching pocket square added a touch of regality to his ensemble. On his lapel, he wore a pin with the crest of the Eastern Sea.
Ao Jia and Ao Yi stood up when Ao Bing entered the room—Ao Guang remained seated. With a deep breath, Ao Bing bowed low, his movements deliberate and respectful as he saluted Ao Guang.
“Imperial Father, Emperor of the Four Seas,” he greeted solemnly, his voice resonating through the room. He straightened up slowly, maintaining eye contact with his father as took his seat, his expression serious and respectful.
“Jianyu,” the Emperor said, his voice low and controlled.
“It’s about time you came home.”
Emperor Ao Guang: Ao Guang, the Emperor of the Four Seas, is a prominent figure in Chinese mythology and literature, particularly in the classic Investiture of the Gods (封神演义, Fengshen Yanyi). Au Guang is traditionally portrayed as the Dragon King of the Eastern Sea, a powerful and prideful ruler who oversees the aquatic realms.
Crystal Palace: The Crystal Palace is a legendary underwater kingdom often described in Chinese folklore as a magnificent structure of shimmering jewels, coral, and pearls. It is the seat of power for the Dragon King, and symbolizes wealth, strength, and dominion over the seas. Here, the Crystal Palace is reimagined as a fusion of traditional Chinese imperial architecture and modern aesthetics, representing both the weight of Ao Bing’s heritage and his internal conflict with returning to a place that feels both majestic and oppressive.
Eastern Sea: The Eastern Sea is one of the Four Seas in Chinese mythology, often associated with abundance, mystery, and the domain of the Dragon King Ao Guang. As the largest and most significant of the seas, it represents power and responsibility.
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