Dragon Tamer

“Since that’s the case, let us have our Spirit Birds carry everyone down the mountain and back to the capital.” Wen Lingfei said.

Upon hearing this, Zhu Minglang let out a long sigh of relief.

Everyone stood on the mountain plateau, where several female disciples of the Miao Mountain Sword Sect led over a few Spirit Birds with Dragon Sparrow Bloodline. They were fitted with saddles and were very comfortable to ride for flying, but only for flying.

The Sect Leader, elders, Hall Masters, and various dignitaries stood at the Sword Pavilion, watching as the people from the Yaoshan Sword Sect departed.

But just then, a female Swordswoman hurried over and whispered something into Master Wen’s ear.

Zhu Minglang had a bad feeling!

They’ve been discovered!

How could it be so quick?

The majority were still at the Sword Pavilion, so which Swordswoman who had eaten their fill would go to the Ruined Ancient Tower and stare at the treasures?

“Zhu Minglang.” Wen Lingfei called out to him.

Zhu Minglang immediately signaled to Nan Lingsha to lead the others away first.

“Head Meng requests your presence,” Wen Lingfei continued.

Zhu Minglang was nearly ready to summon his Sword Spirit Dragon, intending to fight these Swordswomen. Hearing these words, he almost used too much force and nearly fell from the Spirit Bird.

“The night is deep, and I’m tired, another day to pay a visit to my mother,” Zhu Minglang said.

“Head Meng has asked you to stay,” Wen Lingfei said.

“But don’t you forbid men from staying overnight?” While saying this, Zhu Minglang had already quietly had Little White pass the Ancient Lantern Jade to Nan Lingsha.

Zhu Minglang looked around and noticed that the elders who had vehemently opposed overnight stays were now silent.

It seemed that Meng Bingci held a much higher position in the Miao Mountain Sword Sect. Those elders dared to oppose some of Wen Lingfei’s actions, but they didn’t dare to defy Meng Bingci’s wishes.

At that moment, Zhu Minglang felt like he was between a rock and a hard place.

Why did it have to be at this time?

Although she was his birth mother, in reality, Zhu Minglang didn’t know her all that well.

Never mind that, the important thing was to shift the stolen item. Even if it were discovered at night, they would not find the Ancient Lantern Jade on him. He would deny any involvement, and if it came down to it, he could just eat vegetarian meals here for a month or so while waiting for Zhu Heavenly Officer to come and get him.

“You all go on ahead,” Zhu Minglang said.

Nan Lingsha looked at him but did not speak.

Zhu Minglang smiled and said, “Don’t worry, it’s unlikely they can keep me here.”

After everyone left, Zhu Minglang returned to the Sword Pavilion, where the dignified ladies were quite enthusiastic about him, almost as if they wanted to spend the whole night chatting with him.

However, Zhu Minglang didn’t linger long at the Sword Pavilion; Wen Lingfei personally led him to the waterfall and flowing mountain behind the Miao Mountain Sword Sect.

“It seems they haven’t discovered it yet.” Zhu Minglang observed quietly, noticing that there were no accusations coming his way.

Wen Lingfei, wearing a black veil, only asked Zhu Minglang about some matters concerning Zhu Xuehen. It had been a long time since Zhu Minglang had seen Zhu Xuehen, so he answered noncommittally.

Gradually, the sound of the waterfall became audible, and some cool mist drifted down from mid-air, dampening Zhu Minglang’s hair.

“If you walk ahead, you will be able to see the Waterfall House,” Wen Lingfei said, pointing to a narrow path with her hand.

Zhu Minglang nodded and followed the path.

Calculating the time, the Ancient Lantern Jade should have been taken down the mountain by Nan Lingsha by now. Even if it were discovered now, as long as there were no conclusive proofs of theft found on him, there was still room to maneuver.

In any case, the idea was Zhu Heavenly Officer’s, and if push came to shove, he could just blame the mastermind on Zhu Heavenly Officer.

The waterfall cascaded, resembling a silver dragon descending leisurely from one mountain peak to another in the Yonder Mountains, enveloped in the dusk. Indeed, the vista of mountains and waterfalls was uniquely elegant, and the Spirit Origin was dense amidst the slender streams, making practice in such a place twice as effective with half the effort.

Walking along, Zhu Minglang saw a wooden bridge reaching across the waterfall’s stream, and beside it stood a cabin with bright lights shining forth. A young woman in a long white garment stood guard, her face cold and aloof.

Zhu Minglang approached, glancing at this adopted sister whom he had met only a few times.

Her name was Meng Han Wu, an adopted girl who served at Meng Bingci’s side and was treated by her as a daughter.

Meng Han Wu looked at Zhu Minglang, her face expressionless.

Zhu Minglang passed by, not bothering to deal with this frosty adopted sister. Throughout his life, he probably could count the number of words they’d exchanged on one hand.

As he walked past her, Zhu Minglang felt that the frost on her cheeks was sharp enough to freeze him to death. He had initially intended to reluctantly greet her, but on second thought, he decided against it. It was better to maintain the mutual disdain typical of an estranged family.

Zhu Minglang headed toward the brightly lit cabin and saw Meng Bingci. She stood in an open-work wooden corridor, gazing spellbound at the waterfall that was gradually becoming hazy in the twilight.

Zhu Minglang realized he hadn’t seen her for many years, yet her appearance seemed to have hardly changed—probably due to the nourishing spirit of the mountain and water, as most Sword Cultivators pursued a sort of ascetic transcendence akin to the path of immortals.

“What are you doing with the Divine Jade?” Meng Bingci turned around and asked.

Zhu Minglang was startled in his heart.

What’s happening!

None of the people in the Sword Pavilion had noticed him stealing the jade, so how did Meng Bingci, living a secluded life under the waterfall, find out? Did she have clairvoyance?

“To save someone,” Zhu Minglang replied helplessly, forced to give an honest answer.

Meng Bingci’s demeanor remained calm, with no hint of interrogation in her words—as if she was simply inquiring about a matter, and her emotions, whether of joy or anger, were inscrutable.

“You may have the jade…” Meng Bingci said.

“What?”

“Do something for me,” Meng Bingci continued.

“What is it?” Zhu Minglang asked, his mind as foggy as the mist rising from the waterfall.

“Go forth as a suitor and become Princess Luoshui’s husband,” Meng Bingci stated.

Zhu Minglang wondered if he had misheard.

Arranged marriage??

Why should he be the one to trade on his dashing good looks?

“The person I’m saving is my bride,” Zhu Minglang declared.

“Once you become the princess’s consort, whether you wish to stay with Princess Luoshui is up to you,” Meng Bingci said.

Marry first, run away later??

This is too thrilling!

Zhu Minglang felt he might not be able to handle it.

“It’s quite inappropriate, and it goes against ethics and morals,” Zhu Minglang protested.

“Then cultivate here in the mountains for ten years—I will see to your progress,” Meng Bingci said, her tone leaving no room for negotiation.

Zhu Minglang furrowed his brow, shooting a glance at his icy sister and then at his mother who was like a glacier herself. To undergo austere practice in such a place for ten years—he might as well kill himself!

“Allow me to consider it,” Zhu Minglang said.

“Become the consort, and the jade is yours. The Miao Mountain Sword Sect will not pursue the matter of you stealing the jade any further,” Meng Bingci laid out the condition.