Dragon Tamer

Zhu Minglang walked along the academy’s beach toward the residence of Great Tutor Lin Zhao. He hadn’t been out long before he saw some people on the beach discussing the day’s events.

They must be a group of new students, both male and female, chatting merrily around a bonfire.

One of the girls said with excitement, “That student from Li Chuan is really impressive. He defeated Guan Wenqi. I remember thinking on our first day of school that Guan Wenqi must be the strongest one and unbeatable. Who knew someone from the outer court would be even better than him!”

“I heard he made Zeng Liang lose a Spirit Contract. That Zeng Liang, not only does he bully us newcomers, but he’s also always after the younger girls. When he first came to instruct us, I sensed something off about him. That guy named Zhu Minglang really stood up for us and gave us all some satisfaction. He totally deserved it!”

“Are you talking about Zhu Minglang? Today everyone’s been mentioning him. Did you know Zhu Minglang is my brother? We’ve had drinks together at Xuancao Mountain Castle, heh heh heh!” At that moment, a man dressed in flowery clothes inserted himself among the group, boasting incessantly.

Zhu Minglang happened to walk by and saw this scene.

At first, he didn’t mind too much.

After all, tales about him were already circulating in the Imperial City, so it was only normal that people at the Dragon Taming High Court were discussing him.

Some people shine like fireflies in the summer night, so dazzling and eye-catching that no matter how low-profile or hidden one tries to be, they are still spotted at a glance and exclaimed as heavenly beings.

Well, one gets used to it.

But the man in the flowery clothes seemed strangely familiar.

Wasn’t that Luo Shaoyan?

It seems that back at Xuancao Mountain Castle, he had said something very pretentious. What was it again?

“When my reputation spreads far and wide at the Dragon Taming Headquarters, you, who’s still sucking up to old ladies, better not come running to me, bragging about having had drinks with me today!”

That seemed to be his words.

So what was he doing right now?

On the beach, those young men and women believed Luo Shaoyan’s words and invited him to join them. He shook his head and said, “I have an arrangement with him to go out to Man City tonight. It’s been a pleasure meeting you, young ladies. I am Luo Shaoyan, and in the future, we might have the chance to hang out at Neon Sea together.”

Luo Shaoyan was indeed very forward. After saying this, he headed off in the direction of the other side of the beach, bidding warm farewells as he walked.

Zhu Minglang, seeing this guy approaching his direction, quickly lowered his head, pretending not to recognize him.

Unexpectedly, Luo Shaoyan had the eyes of an eagle. He spotted Zhu Minglang from behind the many palm trees, and with bright eyes, he shouted across the beach, “Zhu Minglang, Zhu Minglang, brother Zhu Minglang, it’s me, Luo Shaoyan! I was just about to look for you!”

Zhu Minglang, unable to avoid him, resignedly responded.

Yet, many on the beach began to look in their direction.

Word spread quickly; now, many in the High Court knew of Zhu Minglang from the Li Chuan Branch, who had defeated the quite renowned Guan Wenqi, bringing a touch of shame upon the High Court.

“So that’s Zhu Minglang!”

“He’s the one from the outer court.”

“See, I told you, we are good brothers who have had drinks together,” Luo Shaoyan continued shamelessly.

Zhu Minglang quickly walked away.

Though he had made a bit of a name for himself at the High Court, he had also made quite a few enemies, as he had caused the High Court to lose face. There would undoubtedly be those dissatisfied, looking to trouble him.

Luo Shaoyan hurriedly followed, and Zhu Minglang found him impossible to shake off.

…

“I was actually looking for you. I asked some people at the academy, and they said your Li Chuan Branch was staying nearby. It seems we really are fated. Not bad, little brother; I hadn’t realized you were a Dragon Trainer who had hidden his true strength. I also like to play the fool to catch the wise, but to naturally display it the way you do, you truly are a master. When it comes to acting, I’m no match for you!” Luo Shaoyan rambled on.

Zhu Minglang admired the guy’s thick skin, second only to Hong Hao.

“`

“Do you have plans for dinner, or shall I take you to a banquet? They’ve got free good booze there,” Luo Shaoyan continued.

“I’m planning on visiting the Great Instructor to discuss some matters,” Zhu Minglang said.

“The Great Instructor, Lin Zhao? What a coincidence, that’s exactly whose banquet I’m talking about! My father and Master Lin are old family friends, and I have a bit of an acquaintance with his son Lin Yan, ah, I won’t lie to you, Lin Yan is arrogant and despotic, treats everyone with disdain, I don’t really enjoy deep interactions with him, but I do covet their family’s fine wine. Knowing you appreciate good wine and hearing that you’ve made quite the impression, I planned to seek you out so we could taste their wine together…” Luo Shaoyan said.

Zhu Minglang looked at Luo Shaoyan with a skeptical eye.

“What, don’t I seem like the type who’s a scion with a lot of backing?” Luo Shaoyan raised an eyebrow and retorted.

Like a little eunuch who flatters and curries favor.

That thought, Zhu Minglang still did not voice.

Zhu Minglang indeed wasn’t that familiar with the way, plus meeting with high-tier academy personnel like Great Tutor Lin Zhao without an introduction wasn’t so easy.

It would be easier to let Luo Shaoyan lead the way and save some unnecessary trouble.

It would also be more appropriate to discuss Li Chuan’s matters with Great Tutor Lin Zhao in private when they met.

…

…

At Man City’s night sea promenade, a magnificent mansion stood on a hillside, not only overlooking the sea view but also capturing the bustling splendor of Man City.

Reaching the foot of the hillside, some guests were already in sight.

Zhu Minglang and Luo Shaoyan walked up the small hillside stairs and saw the big mansion gate.

For a moment, Zhu Minglang felt as though he and Luo Shaoyan might be turned away by the doormen, with Luo Shaoyan resembling someone who went around scamming meals and drinks…

But after reporting their names, they were greeted respectfully.

A small surprise.

Perhaps the Luo Mountain Sect really did have a reputation in the Neon Sea area, and it was just him who was uninformed.

“Brother, let me tell you how arrogant Lin Yan is. Today is actually a small engagement banquet, the kind where a couple, having mutual affection, decide to bring each other home before settling down for life, hosting a home banquet to introduce them to family and guests,” Luo Shaoyan said.

“If it’s an engagement banquet, what’s that got to do with arrogance?” Zhu Minglang didn’t understand.

“That’s what you don’t know. I was actually there that day, and I could tell that the woman had no interest in Lin Yan, even a bit of disgust. But Lin Yan told her that he would hold an engagement banquet tonight, inviting guests. If she didn’t come, it would bring shame upon him and the Lin family in Man City, and she would bear the consequences!” Luo Shaoyan said.

“There are such high-handed people, what’s the difference from forcibly kidnapping a commoner’s daughter?” Zhu Minglang’s eyes widened.

“Exactly, part of why I came today is to taste the wine, and the other part is actually to see if that woman is spirited enough… although, she might have acquiesced, and soon she might appear all dressed up and radiant for the event. After all, being the son of Great Tutor Lin Zhao, many women wouldn’t need to be coerced, they’d throw themselves at him willingly,” Luo Shaoyan said, his eyes twinkling with the look of someone who’d come just to watch the drama unfold!

————————

(Bet you didn’t expect another chapter!)

(Today’s five chapters are now complete.)

(The following is a conversation I had with a reader.)

Me: Cast a monthly ticket my way!

Reader: Definitely next time!

Me: Really, let’s not wait till next time, I’ve already updated six chapters.

Reader: Uncle Nuan, can you even say that with a straight face? I subscribed to all your updates last month, didn’t even qualify to generate a monthly ticket, where am I supposed to get one to vote for you??

Me: Uh… my bad.

“`