Dragon Tamer

The second round had ended.

People’s focus was no longer on the competition of the great powers, especially after the words Zhu Minglang had said when confronting Zhao Yin Ge, which plunged them into discussions about Zhu Tong’s death.

The audience wasn’t blind.

In the Ancient Bronze Battlefield, there had been only a few unexpected deaths, and many had witnessed with their own eyes the brutal killing of Zhu Tong.

Hao Yong, Zhao Yin Ge, and Madam Zhao Qin could pretend to be remorseful at the memorial service, saying things like “fists and feet have no eyes,” but those who were present at the time knew very well that Zhu Tong was maliciously murdered!

Originally, it was thought that the matter would just settle down.

After all, it was just a disciple of the Zhu Sect’s foreign court who had died, and he was a slave by status. The perpetrator was the Big Disciple of the Purple Sect Clan and a member of the Royal Young Gang, so there was virtually no follow-up.

But today, Zhu Minglang’s public mention of it sparked discussions among the crowd, and many gossipers spread the words Zhu Minglang had said at the memorial service.

With this, people suddenly came to a realization.

No wonder Zhu Minglang confronted Zhao Yin Ge, the leader of the Royal Young Gang.

And no wonder Zhu Minglang treated those who surrounded him so viciously today!

The Royal Young Gang, this malignant group, might not be well-known to the large factions, but the young nobles of the Imperial City, especially those sons and daughters with less significant backgrounds, kept a respectful distance from them.

A group of young scions with deep backgrounds, once united, was capable of all kinds of evil.

Over the years, many had suffered at their hands, and Zhu Tong was just one of them.

So when someone finally stood up and pointed directly at Zhao Yin Ge, the leader of the Royal Young Gang, it naturally felt like a breath of fresh air, especially since this person was also a son of the Zhu Sect, whose power and background were in no way inferior to that rabble!

“Zhu Minglang, wasn’t he the sword-cultivating prodigy from the Imperial City?”

“Yes, I heard that after he left the mountains, he directly surpassed the level of a mere disciple…”

“That’s right, that’s right, there was even a Monarch Level Dragon Shepherd who went to teach the young Zhu Minglang a lesson for his own disciple, but not only did his own Dragon King get killed, Zhu Minglang also managed to come out unscathed!”

“That incident caused a sensation in the entire Imperial City back then, you know. Zhu Minglang had only been out of the mountains for a year or two, only about sixteen or seventeen years old!”

“After that, there weren’t any disciples who dared to compare themselves to Zhu Minglang, and then, I believe, it was him who chopped off the limbs of Zhao Yin Ge’s Princely Heir and was banished from the Imperial City!”

Years had passed since the incident, but there were still people in the crowd who knew about these events.

Piecing together what they knew, they managed to rekindle the information about Zhu Minglang.

However, such a talented sword cultivator abandoned swordsmanship and became a Dragon Shepherd…

Such an act was indeed unthinkable!

Turning to being a Dragon Shepherd meant starting everything from scratch…

But the fresh start of someone else’s child seemed quite impressive, making the great faction’s disciples, who had been practicing diligently for many years, still get trounced by Zhu Minglang!

This probably defines a prodigy!

Others casually practice and reach heights that ordinary people cannot achieve!

Imperial City Court

With gold and wood standing tall, within the magnificent and sacred court, the holders of the major forces sat in their own seats.

The Supreme Court Imperial City’s Imperial Dynasty, although having the concept of a court and presided over by an Emperor, was not so rigid in its court proceedings.

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No matter whether it’s the Sect Forest, Family Door, Palace, Church, or Academy, when every power is integrated, they all possess the heritage to contend with the Royal Family.

The Royal Family are the rulers,

not the seated powers.

For the rulers to stand firm, naturally, they cannot do without the support of all the major powers.

“Since the Zhu Gate has agreed to settle this competition within the great contest among the powers, then the ownership of the new territories of Li Chuan will be decided by the final outcome of this contest,” said a woman beside the Emperor, wearing a colorful crown.

This woman was the Imperial Concubine, dealing specifically with matters of seated law.

The Emperor closed his eyes to rest, seemingly deaf to everyone’s discussion, likely having no interest whatsoever in such matters.

“Speaking of which, Assistant to the Sharp State, such a small place as Li Chuan, and you have not yet taken control of it to this day, is indeed a laughingstock,” said a general of the Imperial Dynasty, chuckling.

The Assistant to the Sharp State had a darkened face and remained silent.

Ruling power is nothing more than the trampling of war.

Eradicate or expel all armed forces in that region, let them manage and rule, let them make the laws, let them collect the taxes.

These days, the Sharp State has been continuously launching military offensives, but the population of the Li Chuan Continent is not small, and the armed forces are much larger than imagined.

Especially to the east of Long Gorge, the four allied Dragon City-States led by the Ancestral Dragon City have an army with firm will, united and difficult to scatter.

It feels as if without some small powers causing trouble, they have no hope of capturing any city in the east of Li Chuan’s Long Gorge.

“What you don’t know is that to the east of Long Gorge is a nation ruled by a powerful God and Mortal named Li Yunzi. She herself is extremely powerful, and her Army Guards are well-equipped, brave, and good at fighting. Our Sharp State’s army already needs to travel a long distance, arriving exhausted, not to mention that Long Gorge has formidable military forts and strongholds… The land of Li Chuan is not as barren as our Sharp State; I even heard that the Wutu Veins are rich, providing a large amount of military equipment…” said the Assistant to the Sharp State.

“If you can’t take it down, then offering amnesty is not out of the question,” the Imperial Concubine said indifferently.

“But Ancestral Dragon City and the alliance of four City-States are already a nation. By offering amnesty, wouldn’t we have to acknowledge them as a new nation? This cannot be allowed!” said the Assistant to the Sharp State, in a hurry.

Amnesty would be most unfavorable to the Sharp State.

Originally, if they had taken control, they would freely manage the resources there, and all the people there would become slaves, which would be a tremendous enhancement of national power for the Sharp State.

Slaves, after all, do not require a penny of wages.

But if it is a state, even if victory is achieved in war, the people will still be the people, with the laws of the Empire in force, they cannot be killed on a whim, cannot be exploited at will, and even as their rulers, they must protect their lives and property, taxes can be increased, but the profits are lasting, slow…

This is entirely a different concept from the benefits of turning them into a slave nation!

“Thus, I will give you another month,”

“If you still haven’t taken control, our Empire will offer amnesty to the Ancestral Dragon City, Wutu, South Nation, and Lun State, and allow them to establish their own nations. After that, all of the Sharp State’s military campaigns and actions must abide by the laws of state warfare,” said the Emperor, opening his eyes and speaking to the Assistant to the Sharp State.

“That’s too short a time; the Ancestral Dragon City’s army has two or three hundred thousand soldiers, even our Sharp State…” the complexion of the Assistant to the Sharp State changed, he hurriedly said.

“The Li Chuan Continent has some unique ancient relics and many spiritual assets that are not available on our Supreme Court Courtyard Continent. Excessive destruction and slaughter in that territory would actually be a loss for us in the Supreme Court Empire. A month’s time, if you have not taken control, we will then offer amnesty to the rulers there. There is no need for further discussion on this matter,” said the Emperor, waving his hand, disinterested in hearing the Assistant to the Sharp State’s grievances.

The Assistant to the Sharp State, in a hurry, bowed and dared not speak further.

But his expression grew increasingly grim.

A month’s time; it seemed that the Sharp State must move to significant military action, even at the cost of incurring losses, they must take the ruling power of Ancestral Dragon City!

“As for the matter of the seated power, let’s follow what you all just said. As the first one to take an oath, the Zhu Gate should suffer some loss.”

“All major powers can take out their tokens, and I shall keep them safe. After the outcome of the contest, I will distribute them fairly,” said the Imperial Concubine to the holders of the major powers.

“Imperial Concubine, Imperial Concubine, our Chess Sect, Sect Forest is declining, unable to gain a foothold in the Imperial City. I hope to seek refuge with Zhu Sect’s foreign court, please grant us your favor!” At this moment, Gu He knelt on the ground and gave a deep kowtow.

“You should ask Sect Leader Zhu about this, why ask me?” The Imperial Concubine raised her eyebrows.

“Please grant us your favor, please grant us your favor!” Gu He continued to kowtow, without mentioning the reasons.

The people in the court naturally understood that the Imperial Concubine was sister to Zhu Xuehen, and her relationship with Zhu Sect was profound; otherwise, Zhu Sect could not possibly have secured its position among major Family Doors within just a few short years.

“Sect Leader Zhu, look at Gu He’s sincerity, perhaps you could trouble yourself to take him into your foreign court to toil for the benefit of the foreign court. Mainly because if Chess Sect’s Divine and Mortal were to vanish from here on out, it would truly be a pity,” Imperial Concubine inquired.

Though Chess Sect was a smaller force.

But seeking refuge with Zhu Sect’s foreign court…

This was indeed a cause for sighing!

Zhu Sect’s foreign court was nothing more than family slaves from major clans.

Gu He, in order to preserve his Sect Forest, must have thrown all caution to the wind, no longer caring for dignity or reputation…

Moreover, Gu He had already made up his mind under the scorching sun: aside from Zhu Sect, no other force would help them!

Rather than being annihilated by Zhu Sect.

It would be better to directly seek refuge; if it’s the foreign court, then the foreign court be it.

Zhu Sect’s principles didn’t involve the notion of family slaves.

Zhu Sect’s Young Master Zhu Minglang could even become furious for a slave brother.

If they were willing to take in Chess Sect, it would only mean bearing a slightly unsavory reputation—it would undoubtedly be better than being wiped out!

“Since the Imperial Concubine has said as much, it would be difficult for me to refuse,” Zhu Heavenly Officer said reluctantly.

A gentle lake breeze blew by, bringing a touch of refreshment to the hot summer day.

Zhu Minglang returned to his own small courtyard and tower, to find Big Black Tooth sprawled in the little pond, crushing the artificial mountains into pieces, looking as if it were enjoying the coolness.

“Your wound is completely healed??” Zhu Minglang approached, somewhat surprised.

Big Black Tooth opened its eyes, looked over itself, then reached out a paw to touch its own chest…

It was truly healed!

Even the big wound on its chest had healed!

Could it be that Black Treasure possesses an incredible ability to heal by sleeping and sunbathing?

How come I never knew about this??

Zhu Minglang had instructed a female disciple to apply medicine to Big Black Tooth every hour, so he had not brought it with him when he left today.

Normally, it would take at least ten to twenty days for Big Black Tooth to fully recover from such injuries, especially that large wound on its chest, which would probably leave some chronic issues.

But now there wasn’t a single scar on its body, not to mention the major wound on its chest was also fully healed, showing no sign of ever having been injured!

This was truly inconceivable!

Did Big Black Tooth possess some hidden lineage?

“Young Master, you’re back.” The female disciple came out from the small tower nearby, holding a slice of cool melon, and said with naive charm.

“Do you know the healing arts?” Zhu Minglang asked.

“No, I do not,” the female disciple shook her head.

“How did this Big Black Dragon heal so quickly? Did you apply the medicine you were given?” Zhu Minglang continued to inquire.

“The Young Mistress told me to rest, so I took a nap in the house. When I woke up to apply the medicine, I found that your Big Black Dragon seemed to have healed,” the female disciple explained.

“Young Mistress? What Young Mistress?” Zhu Minglang was puzzled.

Since when does Zhu Sect have the title of Young Mistress?

I am the Young Sect Master of this Zhu Sect.

“It’s that lady wearing a veil. Everyone says she’s the Young Mistress. You haven’t lost your memory like Mr. Jinli, have you?” The female disciple spoke while biting into her piece of melon.

“What nonsense, she is the God and Mortal of my Dragon Shepherd Team, not any Young Mistress… Wait, you just said that after she visited Big Black Tooth, its injuries healed?” Zhu Minglang asked.

“Yes, yes, the Young Mistress seems to have some healing method.” The melon-eating female disciple said.

Zhu Minglang grew even more puzzled.

Nan Lingsha hadn’t gone there today; her second round of competition had been yesterday, and she had advanced to the third round without any surprises.

The question was, how could she possess healing abilities?

Be it as a painter or as a Dragon Shepherd… neither should be related to healing.

Nan Lingsha’s personality was as unpredictable as the rain in June, and now her abilities were just as erratic?

Unfortunately, Big Black Tooth was sleeping like a huge black pig.

Otherwise, it could be asked directly what had happened.

“Young Master, this melon is very sweet. Would you like a piece?” the naively charming female disciple offered.

“You eat, you eat,”

Zhu Minglang headed to the next tower, wanting to see what Nan Lingsha was doing.

He also wanted to talk to her about the competition. It was certain that the major forces would target Zhu Sect to prevent it from obtaining the right to preside over the tournament. Hence, the third round was crucial.

Zhu Minglang and Nan Lingsha had to join forces now.

“Miss Lingsha,” Zhu Minglang did not ascend the stairs, for even though the tower was also his, one must not transgress without permission.

“What is it?” Nan Lingsha’s voice came softly from above.

“We need to discuss the matter of the competition,” Zhu Minglang said.

Soon, Zhu Minglang heard the sound of footsteps from the stairs, light and slow.

Still veiled, her beautiful eyes shone like gemstones, mesmerizing and brilliant.

She was wearing a short gown of purple kale color, revealing her delicate collarbones, radiating a fragile beauty.

Her lining was sky-blue, creating a subtle color gradation with her gown, making her fair skin stand out even more enticingly.

And as for the area snugly wrapped by the lining, full and perky, Zhu Minglang glimpsed it quickly, then hurriedly averted his gaze…

Look not upon impropriety!

But indeed, very big.