Dragon Tamer

“Junior Zhu, even a talented person like you worries about team matters, huh? I’ve already made arrangements with a few other classmates. If Junior Zhu would like to join us, that would be great. After all, everyone welcomes the addition of someone as strong as you,” Chu Yanyan said with a smile.

Zhu Minglang scratched his head awkwardly. He blamed himself for not attending classes regularly and seldom engaging in in-depth conversations with his classmates, which had led to a rather limited social circle.

“We plan to set out early the morning after next. Shall we meet at the Broken Bridge then?” Chu Yanyan proposed.

“Sure, thank you for including me, Senior Sister,” Zhu Minglang responded.

“Not at all, our team’s strength is average, and if we encounter a big monster, we’ll rely on Junior Zhu to show your might, ” Chu Yanyan politely said.

A modest smile appeared on Zhu Minglang’s face.

“Ah, where is Teacher Bai Yishu??” Chu Yanyan suddenly remembered something and began searching for Teacher Bai Yishu at the front of the classroom. “Junior Zhu, I won’t keep you any longer. I have some questions to ask Teacher Bai Yishu…”

Before Zhu Minglang could respond, Chu Yanyan hurriedly chased after Teacher Bai Yishu outside the classroom.

In fact, as soon as the class ended, many senior and junior sisters had followed Teacher Bai Yishu out, all muttering that they had questions for him. By the time Chu Yanyan decided to go, there probably weren’t any spots left.

Stepping out of the classroom and seeing the throng of eager female students

around Teacher Bai Yishu, Zhu Minglang couldn’t help but reflect.

In terms of looks, they were all quite evenly matched, but in erudition, there was room for improvement. He resolved to strive harder to become a more learned person himself…

Upon returning to his residence, Zhu Minglang saw a lean figure waiting diligently at the door, standing with meticulous manners as if not daring to disturb, yet exhibiting patient composure.

Zhu Minglang was surprised, not having expected this visitor.

“Brother Zheng,” Zhu Minglang greeted, a smile on his face for this person he greatly admired.

“Brother Zhu!” Zheng Yu was ever so earnest, maintaining proper decorum despite being well-acquainted and having met many times before.

Zhu Minglang also bowed.

Interacting with someone like Zheng Yu often made him feel like his own brashness diminished significantly.

“I haven’t yet thanked you in person for the Silver-green Ore you sent. For you to visit me first, Zheng makes me feel ashamed,” Zhu Minglang said.

Zhu Minglang was truly thankful for the swift delivery of the Silver-green Ore from the Wutu mines by Zheng Yu. It was clear much effort was put into this endeavor. Without the Silver Cyan Dragon Armor, both he and Big Black Tooth might have faced unexpected danger.

“It was simply a token of thanks in return. I’ve just paid my respects to Commander Ke Bei, but I don’t know where Commander Duan Lan might be. I wanted to express my gratitude and apologies in person,” Zheng Yu stated.

Zhu Minglang had thought Zheng Yu was just making a casual remark earlier and was surprised to learn he had traveled all the way to Ancestral Dragon City-State just to mourn Commander Ke Bei.

On closer inspection of Zheng Yu, Zhu Minglang could see signs of travel weariness on his face, indicating his exhaustion from the journey.

“Let’s go inside my house and talk,” Zhu Minglang offered, leading Zheng Yu into his abode.

After pouring a cup of hot tea for Zheng Yu, whose lips were somewhat chapped.

Being a scholar of delicate constitution, Zheng really was too particular, he could have comfortably waited inside, yet he chose to stand at the door all along.

“Teacher Duan Lan has been taken back by her clan for recuperation. I also visited, but her people said she needs rest and cannot receive visitors, so I wasn’t able to meet her,” Zhu Minglang informed Zheng Yu.

“I’ve gathered some Silver Tael and bought some Lingzhi mushrooms, hoping to offer some modest help,” Zheng Yu said.

“I’ll take them to Teacher Little Pear at the convalescence home. She should be able to deliver them for you,” Zhu Minglang suggested.

Little Pear seemed to be more familiar with Duan Lan, and, being a woman, she would likely find it easier to see Duan Lan than either of the two men.

“Then I thank you, Brother Zhu,” Zheng Yu stood up again.

“Wait, wait, please have a seat and catch your breath, drink something hot to warm up. You must be swamped with work back in Rong Valley City, why travel such a distance for this? You could have ordered your subordinates to handle these matters, ” Zhu Minglang objected.

“One must attend personally to matters of mourning. As for the affairs in Wutu, Commander Zhang Tuo is indeed a capable and ambitious man. I have few worries there. It’s just that opening up the mining routes is urgent, requiring me to travel frequently to the City-State, ” Zheng Yu explained.

“Opening the mining routes is indeed a good thing. Ancestral Dragon City-State is rich, but it has always been short on ores, requiring us to buy at high prices from neighboring cities…” Zhu Minglang remarked.

“Yes, the Female Monarch is far-sighted. She also wants me to quickly settle the mining route between the City-State and Wutu. It’s just unfortunate that there’s no small amount of trouble. I intended to visit the upstream cities of Li Chuan to connect with old friends and persuade other City Lords to support the opening of this trade route. Unfortunately, with the recent Demon Disasters, they’re not interested in such affairs, and even the officials are too afraid to escort me there,” Zheng Yu said with a wry smile.

“You’re a scholar who doesn’t understand martial arts or dragon training; traveling to the upstream cities during this period is a sure way to lose one’s life,” Zhu Minglang said in astonishment.

“Although I understand that success lies in fate, sometimes one must still push oneself… It’s a pity I cannot talk more with Brother Zhu. But once the trade route is open, we’ll have a good long drink together,” Zheng Yu stood up, clearly thinking about ways to travel to the upstream cities.

“Brother Zheng, please wait, why not listen to my suggestion first?” Zhu Minglang interjected.

Zheng Yu had already extended his hand to bid farewell but eventually resumed his seat slowly.

“The day after tomorrow, I and some other students from the academy are heading upstream mainly to protect the populace and eliminate the cannibal ghosts roaming about. Brother Zheng, you could accompany us on the journey, and I’ll act as your escort,” Zhu Minglang offered with a smile.

Zheng Yu looked at Zhu Minglang, trying to judge whether the offer was sincere, not wishing to inconvenience Zhu Minglang with his own affairs.

“I couldn’t possibly impose on you like this,” Zheng Yu replied.

“The Dragon Taming Academy is already tasked with eliminating these Demon Disasters, our team will take you along as it’s nothing more than lifting a finger.” Zhu Minglang said.

“Oh, oh, oh, then… then I truly can’t thank Brother Zhu enough.” Zheng Yu stood up once more and bowed seriously.

Zhu Minglang knew Zheng Yu was a person of proprieties and did not stop him.

It indeed was a trivial effort; they were going to pass through several cities anyway, and Zheng Yu needed to persuade various City Lords. It was good to have company on the journey, and Zhu Minglang didn’t wish for Zheng Yu to die a random death in the region of the upstream cities. Even with soldiers’ protection, Zhu Minglang would not feel at ease.

“As friends in the future, let’s not be so formal.” Zhu Minglang said.

Zhu Minglang did, in fact, wish to forge a deep friendship with someone like

Zheng Yu.

“That would be an honor for Zheng Yu,” Zheng Yu responded.

“Not at all, I really admire you,” Zhu Minglang said.

“Admire what?” Zheng Yu suddenly raised his eyebrows, feigning ignorance.

Zhu Minglang was taken aback.

Truly not standing on ceremony, huh?

“You said ‘In my view, Brother Zhu is also a sage,’ it’s this discernment in recognizing people that I admire,” Zhu Minglang said.

Zheng Yu was also taken aback.

His opponent was a step ahead.

Zheng Yu gave a dry laugh, clinked tea cups with Zhu Minglang, substituting tea for wine and drank it down in one gulp.

Having packed up his luggage, today was the day of departure. Zhu Minglang had just stepped out the door when he saw Li Shaoying from the neighboring house also carrying luggage, looking as if he was setting off on a long journey. “Li Shaoying, have you finally been expelled by the academy?” someone in the courtyard teased.

Li Shaoying was someone easily provoked; his face instantly turned red as he angrily explained, “I am going to visit home; my family is in the region of the upstream cities!”

“Oh, oh, well you be careful then. If something were to happen to you, we wouldn’t have such a consistent handyman around here,” the person continued.

The courtyard maintained the excellent tradition of weekly sparring, and Li Shaoying, unable to withstand the provocations, always participated, but he always ended up in last place, responsible for cleaning the entire dormitory.

“You all wait and see, I will be the first to pass the Dragon Gate, and by that time, you won’t even be worthy to clean my shoes!” Li Shaoying stormed out, his lofty declaration echoing in the courtyard for a long time.

Daily jests had become the most delightful occurrences in the courtyard. Zhu Minglang shook his head, feeling living in the dormitory was livelier.

Li Shaoying was not actually qualified, but he had applied to the academy to visit home, and there should be a team that would take him along, so there was not much to worry about on the road.

Zhu Minglang headed to White Rock Bridge, where he saw the others had already gathered; Chu Yanyan and Zheng Yu were both present.

Chu Yanyan knew Zheng Yu, and upon learning that Zheng Yu would be traveling with them, excitedly recounted the feats of Rong Valley City to the other students.

In the Dragon City-State, there were intermittent rumors about how Rong Valley City had survived amidst the chaos, but most people didn’t quite understand the exact circumstances. When they learned it was Zheng Yu who had stopped the furious troops in such a manner, these students were even more admiring.

Zheng Yu was also a well-spoken individual, and he quickly got to know these Dragon Trainer students, and everyone discussed the affairs of the upstream city region.

“Zhu Minglang, over here, we’re all here.” Chu Yanyan extended her slender, fair arm, waving at Zhu Minglang, a few thin and beautiful silver ornaments on her wrist jingling crisply.

There were quite a number of people gathered here, most of them were setting off to the upstream city region today.

Zhu Minglang arrived and found this team not to be too large, comprising six people in total; five were female, and one was male. Including Zhu Minglang and Zheng Yu, the male to female ratio was also five to three.

“So you are Zhu Minglang??”

“He doesn’t look odd or peculiar, does he?”

“Do you really have a private affair with the Female Monarch?”

“How did you get to know the Female Monarch?”

“Is Li Yunzi truly the most beautiful woman in the Ancestral Dragon City-State, how do you think I compare, is she prettier, or am I?”

The female students immediately bombarded him with questions, not even giving Zhu Minglang a chance to answer properly, and in fact, they didn’t want Zhu Minglang to respond; they simply blurted out all their curiosities all at once.

“Everyone is here now, let’s set out; we shouldn’t fall behind the others,” the only male student spoke up, his tone somewhat cold.

“Alright, let’s follow Senior Brother Jin,” Chu Yanyan said then..