Dragon Tamer

“Ah?” Zhao Yu pretended to be very surprised, but soon laughed heartily.

“You’ve become a Dragon Shepherd? You, Zhu Minglang, have become a Dragon Shepherd?” Zhao Yu continued laughing, his laughter drawing the gaze of all the young masters and misses at the tea flower gathering.

“Yes, I’m looking forward to learning from you,” Zhu Minglang said, not taking the bait.

“How could I dare? A talent that comes once in a millennium is surely exceptional, whether in the practice of swordsmanship or the Way of the Dragon Shepherd. I, Zhao Yu, merely rely on my royal lineage to possess strength surpassing most of my peers, how can I compare with a genius like you who has achieved a lofty realm through their own cultivation?” The sarcasm in Zhao Yu’s voice couldn’t be clearer.

“Seeing Zhao Yin Ge already made me feel rather ominous, and here you are, adding to it, Zhao Yu. The fierce storm earlier must have been a divine reminder for me not to come to Qin City—what a calamity,” Zhu Minglang also knew what kind of person Zhao Yu was; their animosity was established long ago.

“Zhu Minglang, how can you speak to His Highness the Prince like this!” Zhao Yin Ge said angrily.

“No matter, no matter, I’ve never liked false respect. In fact, someone like Zhu Minglang, who shows no reverence for gods or spirits, is more to my liking. Moreover, as the Junior Gatekeeper and head of the Zhu Clan, he is on an equal footing with this humble prince. In the end, it’s strength that speaks; those with it are the ones who deserve respect,” Zhao Yu laughed, also unconcerned by Zhu Minglang’s tone.

“Alright, alright, it seems to me you two have the kind of relationship that goes ‘No fight, no acquaintance.’ Since you’re both honored guests of the Imperial City, please take your seats. Let me extend the hospitality of the host,” Li Caimo interrupted their sarcastic exchange.

Li Caimo clapped her hands, and soon several gracefully-moving qin masters approached, while a princess from a neighboring nation also played her qin at the center of the pavilion, joining the qin masters in a beautiful performance.

Li Caimo also personally performed a colorful bird dance, captivating the attention of numerous young masters with her voluptuous figure…

After several songs and dances, the poetry recitation segment began. Prince Zhao Yu turned out to be exceptionally talented, composing a poem on the spot that left the princesses beaming, wishing they could marry the prince of the Supreme Court Empire that very moment.

After composing the poem, Zhao Yu left his seat.

He walked outside the pavilion, glancing back at Zhu Minglang with a hint of change in his eyes.

Waiting outside the flower wall for a moment, a man in a silk robe approached, also casting a glance at Zhu Minglang, who was in the pavilion, with a rather solemn expression.

“Could it be that the Zhu Clan has noticed and specially sent him here?” An Qingfeng said.

An Qingfeng, the son of King An, hadn’t shown himself precisely because of Zhu Minglang’s presence.

If he joined the gathering, Zhu Minglang might deduce even more, given that King An had long made his ambition for Zhu Gate known.

“It’s still unclear. Even though Zhu Heavenly Officer has never involved Zhu Minglang in any clan conflicts, if he had realized anything, he shouldn’t have sent Zhu Minglang, a cripple, here,” Prince Zhao Yu said.

An Qingfeng nodded.

Indeed, Zhu Minglang’s presence was unfortunate, but it might also be coincidental.

“So shall we proceed as planned?” An Qingfeng asked.

“Hmm, we can’t let Zhu Minglang alone delay our progress,” Zhao Yu nodded and said.

“Controlling the Earth Vein Fire is equivalent to controlling the Zhu Clan Inner Court of Qin City. If only Zhu Minglang comes, even if he notices something, how could he stop us? This time, victory is a must!” An Qingfeng declared.

“Don’t worry, I know exactly what Zhu Minglang is capable of. I’ve been causing him some trouble these days, keeping him too busy to attend to other matters. I believe that by the time the entire Zhu Gate Little Inner Court falls, he still won’t have noticed,” Zhao Yu said with a smile.

“Should we take the opportunity to get rid of him as well? This might be a rare chance. Previously, in the Imperial City…” An Qingfeng spoke in a hushed voice.

“One step at a time. However, a living Zhu Minglang is more useful to us. Zhu Heavenly Officer may appear to be solely focused on family affairs due to his wife and child being gone, but isn’t he also protecting them? If we can capture Zhu Minglang alive, your father, King An, will have a powerful weapon against Zhu Heavenly Officer,” Prince Zhao Yu spoke.

“Hmm, but are you sure his cultivation base is truly destroyed?” An Qingfeng asked hesitantly.

An Qingfeng had heard about the matters of the great power competition. Although Zhu Minglang was not as formidable as before, he did not seem to be an ordinary person either.

“Hmph, he trained as a Sword Cultivator for ten years just to have the strength to contend with me. Do you think that after only a few years as a Dragon Shepherd, he could have developed significant abilities?” Prince Zhao Yu said with disdain.

“Since Prince Your Highness has said so, what’s there for me, An Qingfeng, to be afraid of doing? Then, Prince Your Highness, shall we proceed with the previous plan? You control the Earth Vein Fire Pistil, and I deal with Zhu Minglang?” An Qingfeng said.

“He’s not even worth me making a move against him now,” said Zhao Yu arrogantly.

“If this matter is successfully handled, my father will certainly be extremely grateful to you,” An Qingfeng stated.

…

…

In the pavilion, Zhu Minglang sipped his tea, glanced at Zhao Yu’s location, and fell into brief contemplation.

If something seems abnormal, there must be demons at work. Why has Zhao Yu come to Qin City?

“Big brother, what do you think? These little princesses are all charming, aren’t they? If you like any of them, I can introduce you; I’m on good terms with them,” Zhu Rongrong said.

“Yes, they’re all beautiful. By the way, Rongrong, when did Prince Zhao Yu arrive in Qin City? Have you heard anything from Li Caimo?” Zhu Minglang asked earnestly.

“That… Should I go and ask for you?” Zhu Rongrong asked.

“Who will you ask?”

“I have my ways,” Zhu Rongrong said and promptly, carrying a plate of small pastries, started chatting with the other princesses and daughters of the City Lords.

After a while, Zhu Rongrong returned to her seat with a smile, leaned in close to Zhu Minglang’s ear, and whispered secretively.

“It seems that Prince Zhao Yu is going to be ennobled as a king. On the day he becomes king, he must choose a queen consort. The Royal Family gave Prince Zhao Yu several candidates, one of whom is Sister Li Caimo. Some of the little princesses didn’t even come for the Camellia Meeting; they’re here for Prince Zhao Yu, hoping to try their luck and see if the Prince takes a liking to them,” Zhu Rongrong shared.