The Scummy Top Gets Better with a Little Clinging

This novel will go on sale on Friday, July 29, with previously published chapters 40 through 122 being charged for. If you've already read them, please don't buy them again, mua~

After it goes on sale, I'll post an extra-long update. Thank you all for your support so far, and I hope you'll continue to support me!

The struggle for imperial power is bound to be dangerous. As the second prince of the Ji Kingdom, Ji You naturally wanted to test his mettle in the fight for the throne.

His careful plans were thrown into disarray by someone named Qing Xuan.

Qing Xuan was a Red Gold Shadow Guard who volunteered to serve Ji You. But Ji You didn't want to accept an offer that came too easily, and tried to turn him down.

Still, Qing Xuan's status was incredibly tempting. After all, having a Red Gold Shadow Guard was one of the prerequisites for being named Crown Prince.

As the two tested each other, they grew closer and closer, then ended up farther and farther apart.

Meanwhile, Ji You's younger brother, Ji Ran, also acquired a Shadow Guard. Then, quite by accident, Ji Ran discovered that his own little Shadow Guard was also a Red Gold Shadow Guard.

But Ji Ran had no interest in the throne. He just wanted to wander the mountains and rivers with his little Shadow Guard, and watch him play the pig to eat the tiger. The little guy was strong enough to take on two people at once, yet whenever he saw Ji Ran, he'd start sniffling and beg for a hug.

Is there a scum gong? Yes. But a little clinginess should fix that. If it doesn't, just find another one!

The secondary couple's storyline includes childbirth. If that's not for you, please don't read!

The characters' views are not the author's views.

Here's a preview of a future story. The title may change, so please consider adding it to your favorites.

Vermilion Bird gong x human assassin shou

A Vermilion Bird suffers an accident during its rebirth and regresses into a fledgling, whereupon an assassin finds it. The assassin spends every day figuring out how to eat the gong.

Once the gong takes human form, the assassin shou starts ordering him around like a servant.

When the gong returns to the Vermilion Bird clan, the assassin organization sends the shou to him as an apology.

Theme: Grow stronger through adversity.