Chapter 76: One Bite, a Long’s Lifetime
Chapter 76: Chapter 76: One Bite, a Long’s Lifetime
"The one inside has contacted me. He says he has a way to persuade the dragon to remain in the Secret Realm. We just need to agree to one of his conditions."
"He also said that, if all goes as expected, the dragon will ask for the same thing."
Uncle Li said calmly.
Even when mentioning that respected Venerable, there was little reverence in Uncle Li’s tone.
He gazed at the spot where the Secret Realm’s entrance once stood, his eyes as deep as the Yuanhai.
"What’s the condition? As long as it’s within my power, I’ll agree without hesitation."
The City Lord declared resolutely.
"Of course you can’t do it."
"The only one who can is..."
Uncle Li mumbled the rest of the sentence so softly that even the City Lord couldn’t make it out.
Still, judging by Uncle Li’s expression, the City Lord knew the matter was as good as settled.
And so, his heart was put at ease.
’That’s an Evil Dragon, after all.’
An Evil Dragon, whose very appearance signals misfortune and disaster.
Even with its power greatly diminished, completely eliminating it would likely require immense sacrifices on his part.
The fact that history books erased the existence of Evil Dragons was, in itself, a testament to the fear they inspired.
He was all for resolving the issue without lifting a finger.
...
Having eaten and drunk his fill, the Evil Dragon really did seem to be just lying there, waiting to die, with no intention of stirring up trouble.
He simply followed Lu Wu around.
His stance was perfectly clear.
He could die, but only at the hands of this human woman.
’Woman... Long is willing to sacrifice his life for you, asking only that you remember Long forever.’
The Evil Dragon’s gaze was filled with deep affection.
A drama of "The Domineering Evil Dragon’s Life-and-Death Love" was unfolding, but Lu Wu remained utterly unmoved.
In any case, she slept soundly, leaving Qin Zhan and the other two to yet another sleepless night.
It was a peaceful night.
Thanks to the Evil Dragon’s presence, the surrounding demon beasts had all cleared out.
Over the past ten thousand years, they had suffered greatly from this ancestor’s occasional roars of fury whenever he was displeased.
The fire poison in their bodies was merely a byproduct of this ancestor dragon’s breathing.
On the last day of running her stall, Lu Wu was full of energy.
Perhaps because it was the day of departure, all the Cultivators wanted to make one last sprint.
Usually, customers buying ice powder would linger to share their experiences with Lu Wu, but today, they came and went in a rush.
A song about time flying by popped into her head.
She shook her head, dismissing the random thought, and focused on providing the best possible service to the very end.
Lu Wu continued to use the Fiery Fire Sparrow clan as porters. Long wanted to help, too.
But his presence was too intimidating, so Lu Wu didn’t dare use him as a tool. In the end, Long just freeloaded a bowl of ice powder.
Huohuo, another freeloader, kept a constant, wary eye on the Evil Dragon, just in case he decided to lash out.
The slippery ice powder slid down the serpent’s throat, instantly causing its belly to bulge.
Coiled up on the stall, he stared at his own bulging stomach before giving Lu Wu the kind of look one saves for a heartless lover.
’Human woman, Long’s belly is bulging because of you.’
’But Long is not the type to extort you. Long doesn’t need you to take responsibility.’
Perhaps from spending so much time around beasts, Lu Wu was increasingly on their wavelength.
Having spontaneously learned how to understand them, Lu Wu wished she were blind and deaf.
She was a woman. She couldn’t get anyone pregnant, let alone a male dragon.
The sun crept slowly across the sky.
When the hours for business were over, Lu Wu’s stall was empty.
All that remained at the stall were some tools; every last ingredient had been used up.
Even the ice bowls had been taken by the patrons, ostensibly as souvenirs.
Lu Wu packed up her stall and took stock of her earnings from the past few days.
In seven days, she had earned a fortune.
Her storage bag was stuffed to the brim.
Lu Wu simply tossed some of the more valuable items into her Grotto Heaven for safekeeping.
"SCREE!"
The Gale Eagle nuzzled its head against Lu Wu, watching affectionately as she dismounted.
「By now, they had arrived at the exit of the Secret Realm.」
In about the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, the exit would open.
Many people were already gathered there. They greeted Lu Wu warmly when they saw her but didn’t crowd around her.
They were her customers; it was enough to patronize Boss Lu’s business when she had her stall open, and they knew not to be nosy at other times.
After all, there’s no point in forcing your way into a circle you don’t belong in.
’Don’t you see all those beasts around Boss Lu?’
Having gained a new group of demon beast patrons, Lu Wu was now bidding them farewell.
The demon beasts were well aware that another world existed outside, but they also knew the outsiders wouldn’t simply let them leave.
After parting with Boss Lu, who knew when they would ever meet again.
At this thought, the beasts felt like crying.
The Evil Dragon wanted to cry, too.
The Evil Dragon was coiled around Lu Wu’s neck like a black choker.
Not one for BDSM, Lu Wu saw teardrops clinging to the dragon’s eyes.
For some reason, after waking up, the Evil Dragon had become listless. He still had a faint aura of death about him, but he was no longer actively seeking it.
"HISS!"
’Woman, stay. As long as you stay, Long will do anything for you.’
The Evil Dragon pleaded humbly.
’That detestable old man spoke to him yesterday.’
’If he stayed in the Secret Realm, the humans outside wouldn’t harm him. They would even make offerings to him.’
’Long didn’t care about living or dying, but they said the offerings would all be food made by Lu Wu’s own hands.’
That struck Long right in his weak spot.
’Long decided to bow to the forces of evil.’
’If he could, Long wanted to keep the human woman here in the Secret Realm.’
’With him around, he could guarantee that Lu Wu would become the most esteemed little princess in this Secret Realm.’
’And he would become her most loyal Dragon Knight.’
Having no desire to be a princess, Lu Wu patted the Evil Dragon’s body.
"I’ll try to find a chance to visit you in the future."
As for when that chance might arise, she left it up to fate.
At that moment, Lu Wu was the spitting image of a heartless woman who makes promises she never intends to keep.
But... Long was a willing victim.
Long gave Lu Wu a deep look, then opened his mouth and bit down on her wrist.
The bite was deep, but the pain was faint.
After a slight sting, the Evil Dragon released his grip. Lu Wu saw a small Evil Dragon mark on her wrist.
"ROAR!"
’Woman, carry Long’s mark and aura.’
’No matter where you go, to the ends of the earth, Long will be able to find you.’
’This bite is for Long’s entire life.’
’Woman, Long loves you. You are the best cook in Long’s heart.’
RUMBLE!
A violent tremor interrupted the tragic separation the Evil Dragon was trying to stage. Under her sleeve, Lu Wu tried to rub the mark off. When she found it wouldn’t disappear, she could only accept her fate with a flutter of panic.
"CHIRP CHIRP!"
Huohuo chirped from Lu Wu’s shoulder.
’Don’t be afraid! This bird is here! If that Evil Dragon comes, this bird will blast him with a mouthful of fire!’
Feeling somewhat comforted, Lu Wu stroked the little bird she had spirited away and gave a faint smile.
On this trip to the Secret Realm, she had seen unparalleled sights and found wonderful companions.
As for being targeted by an Evil Dragon... Lu Wu had already come to terms with it.
’These are but minor hardships on my path to the throne.’
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the portal opened once more.
Through the vortex, she could see the Cultivators outside, waiting in disciplined formation.
"Let’s go, time to head back!"
Lu Wu said cheerfully. After one last farewell to the Evil Dragon and the other demon beasts, she stepped into the portal.
She never looked back, leaving only the image of her retreating back to be etched in the memories of the beasts.
The auspicious hour has arrived.
’I, Lu Wu, the Dragon King, have returned!’