Dragon Tamer

Chapter 520: Chapter 522: Issue a Challenge
 

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Zhu Minglang did not linger too long in the chaotic Westland; he directly passed through Zhi Gorge and stepped onto the land belonging to Ancestral Dragon City-State.

Once past Zhi Gorge, everything was markedly different. The cities were prosperous, the armies organized, with sitting powers balancing each other. Even when competition for resources emerged, it was civilized dueling. After the fight, the combatants would clean up the battlefield themselves, maintaining their reputation and esteem in this vast land.

The dominant forces in Li Chuan Kingdom were Yaoshan Sword Sect and Zhu Gate, but more than half a year earlier, both had divided the sitting rights among other powers, allowing a joint stewardship over the region.

The Imperial Dynasty also exerted considerable pressure. Knowing that Li Chuan contained Ancient Ruins, they would not allow Yaoshan Sword Sect and Zhu Gate to monopolize them.

Li Yunzi only sought order. As for who ultimately sat on this land, it mattered little to her. She did not even mind Imperial officials appointing some City Lords to oversee her territories.

After all, the land was hers; she only cared about conquest, protection, and order. Governance and development were not her concerns.

Ancestral Dragon City-State was never a backward city-state. Now, with great changes, its massive white State Walls truly resembled a Divine Dragon sprawled across the expansive Li Chuan Continent, with three rivers flowing through, possessing quite the spirit and grandeur of a Dragon Vein’s Spirit City!

The first time Zhu Minglang saw Ancestral Dragon City, he felt there was something unique about it. Returning after wandering various territories, that impression still hadn’t faded. It seemed Ancestral Dragon City indeed had its extraordinary elements; it had just been slumbering, and now it appeared ready to awaken.

Entering the city, Zhu Minglang found that Ancestral Dragon City-State was one of the few under Li Yunzi’s rule without statues.

Did this city have a presence more venerable to be revered?

Zhu Minglang passed through the city and saw that River Street, which had been shattered by a heavenly fire, had been restored. It was more neat and elegant than before. The street’s wine houses, pastry shops, rouge stores, and silk shops had all reopened and were doing quite well.

Some time had passed since the year’s celebrations, but the lanterns still adorned the place. New willow shoots brought their fragrance, making a stroll along River Street a delightful experience.

Walking all the way to the Inner River, the bridge opposite led to Li family’s other courtyard. The thought of soon seeing Li Yunzi’s stunning visage filled him with joy.

Indeed, he was like most men, coveting Li Yunzi’s beauty. At first, it was manageable, but gradually he became enslaved. Recalling that fellow who had Li Yunzi’s portraits hung all over his room, Zhu Minglang began to understand why those people’s hearts slowly twisted!

He headed directly to Li Yunzi’s Autumn Nanyi Courtyard. Not many people had changed at the Li family, and some still recognized Zhu Minglang.

Passing by the pavilion lake, he saw trees adorned with distinctive blue patterns. Arriving at the courtyard where autumn nan trees were evergreen, lush, and uniquely tinted, Zhu Minglang knew that those were Li Xinghua’s favorites…

Ah… when he saw his beloved later, he would have to scrutinize carefully.

After so many days apart, if he mistook someone else for her right from the start, it would blemish the reputation of a top admirer.

Entering the courtyard, Zhu Minglang’s cheerful mood was inexplicably tinged with a hint of unease.

Definitely don’t get it wrong, definitely don’t get it wrong!

One must observe meticulously. Li Yunzi spoke with a cool detachment, exuding an innate frosty arrogance. Yet when she was in her own room, facing him, he often couldn’t sense that distanced haughtiness. She was rather gentle and tranquil, even a bit aloof.

It was this aloofness that, in temperament, bore some resemblance to Li Xinghua’s quiet and refined elegance. Without encountering any special circumstances, one might not be able to distinguish between the two at a glance.

“Ahem, Frost, is Yunzhi inside?” Zhu Minglang thought it over and decided it was best to directly ask the young girl who served Li Yunzi.

“I don’t know. The young lady hasn’t left her room much, deep in thought. And I just came back from outside the street,” Frost replied.

Zhu Minglang sighed. He had wanted to take advantage but failed.

Frost helped take care of the Little Glow Spirit and the Little Jiao Spirit, while Zhu Minglang dusted off his coat and entered the room.

Through the hazy curtain, Zhu Minglang could only make out the graceful and gentle figure of a woman, sitting quietly on a reed mat. The perfect curve of her waist stirred a strong desire within him to possess her.

Parting the curtain, Zhu Minglang quickly reined in his fervent emotions, striving to maintain the decorum expected of a respectable man. Even though many things had already happened, he knew he should still treat her with the utmost courtesy.

After looking at each other in silence for a while, Zhu Minglang’s emotions calmed down. However, there was still one problem—he couldn’t tell who the person before him was, whether she was his wife or the Prophet’s younger sister. He couldn’t find any distinguishing features.

He couldn’t lose this challenge!

He had to recognize her before she spoke; otherwise, how could he express his own sincerity?

“I made a trip to the Neon Sea myself, it’s not as picturesque as it used to be. However, Li Chuan has undergone tremendous changes, as if it received some kind of divine blessing,” Zhu Minglang said.

“How come someone told me that you were captured and taken back to Miao Kingdom, that we would likely not meet for five or ten years?”

“…” Zhu Minglang’s face darkened instantly.

What kind of idiot would say that?

That’s obviously stirring up trouble!

With just that bounty, not to mention the strongest hunter teams on the main roads, even armies from several countries combined couldn’t drag him back to Miao Kingdom!

“Relying on Rui Country, next year we can expand Li Chuan to the territories of Yaoshan Territory. Even if you were truly captured, it would take the Army Guard just a year and a half to roll into Miao Kingdom, so there’s not too much to worry about. What I fear is someone becoming too content over there,” she spoke deliberately and slowly.

Zhu Minglang let out a sigh.

The issues with Miao Kingdom were an obstacle he inevitably had to face.

It seemed that Li Yunzi had already started to see Wen Lingfei as an enemy, even preparing for conflict.

“My lady, let me handle this matter. It’s just a few words that need to be clarified face to face. If my lady is still concerned, I will make a trip to Miao Kingdom in a few days,” Zhu Minglang said.

“She’s in Li Chuan,” Li Yunzi stated.

“She? Wen Lingfei??” Zhu Minglang was taken aback.

Li Yunzi nodded.

Wen Lingfei was overbearing and domineering; on her first day in Li Chuan, she had come knocking on the door directly.

Li Yunzi would naturally not allow her to act rashly. Although there had been no direct confrontation, the tension was palpable.

“Young Master, that woman called Wen Lingfei is over the top!” The moment Wen Lingfei was mentioned, the little maid Frost’s face turned red with anger, like a little tiger, saying, “She blatantly stated that if our miss continues to entangle with you, she will have the Miao Kingdom Sword Army flatten Li Chuan and leave the miss with nothing!”

She had come over to provoke openly and even issued such threats?

Has Wen Lingfei’s brain been damaged by all that sword training?