Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei Returns from Japan

In the very middle of the street, a street performer dressed as Jesus was entangled with several tourists, seemingly arguing over the price of a photo opportunity.

From any perspective, the scene of tourists, their faces flushed red, grabbing Jesus by the collar and threatening to hit him not far from the church is utterly ridiculous.

Therefore, it seems that the practice of dressing up as the Monkey King to rip off tourists is not unique to Chinese scenic spots.

Passersby scrambled around the throng, while gleefully watching the spectacle unfold.

Lu Mingfei glanced at her twice before turning his gaze to Su Xiaoqiang beside him.

"What's the name of the church we're going to?" Lu Mingfei asked Su Xiaoqiang.

“The Church of Santa Maria de Mavila,” Su Xiaoqiang replied.

It wasn't Lu Mingfei's idea to travel all the way from Su Xiaoqiang's home to a church somewhere in Santa Ren.

Although it was a rare opportunity for Lu Mingfei to visit Portugal, he always adhered to the principle of staying home as much as possible when it came to travel. Besides, Portugal wasn't safe these days, and his purpose in coming to Portugal was to protect Su Xiaoqiang. Considering this, it was clearly more appropriate for Su Xiaoqiang to stay at home.

Of course, if he had known earlier that Su Xiaoqiang's mother's family was of mixed race and even had connections with the Kassel College, Lu Mingfei might not have come to Portugal in the first place.

It should be noted that Mans, Ye Shengya, and several others are elites of the Execution Department. They once killed Norton's dragon servant in an encounter battle under unfavorable conditions.

With Professor Mans and his team overseeing the Great Su Manor, Su Xiaoqiang is certain to be safe unless the Dragon King himself attacks.

Lu Mingfei honestly admitted that he didn't have a particularly devout religious faith. Besides, he was a mixed-race person; even if he did believe in religion, it would likely be something like Nighold the Black Emperor. The reason he came to this church so early in the morning was because he was asked by Su Xiaoqiang's uncle, Louis.

Lu Mingfei recalled the scene from this morning.

At that time, he had just finished a phone call with Liu Miaomiao and they had kissed. He was feeling excited and his blood was boiling. If he went back to sleep, he would definitely not be able to control his younger brother. So he went downstairs to eat breakfast.

After breakfast, Lu Mingfei's second brother was still in high spirits, so he decided to take a walk around the manor to digest his food. That's when he ran into his uncle Su Xiaoqiang, who was riding a bicycle in the garden.

"You woke up so early?" Louis asked Lu Mingfei with a smile as he sat on his bicycle.

Lu Mingfei nodded in agreement.

"Do you ride a mountain bike?" Louis patted his vehicle.

Although Lu Mingfei wasn't familiar with mountain bikes, he could tell from the carbon fiber pattern and Y-shaped frame that this bike was incredibly expensive. If Zhao Menghua's Mercedes E260, which he often boasted about, crashed into this mountain bike, it was hard to say who would have to pay whom.

Faced with his uncle Su Xiaoqiang's enthusiastic invitation, Lu Mingfei had no choice but to agree, even if he wasn't really going to ride. So Louis pulled out a similarly carbon fiber bicycle from the garage and they rode around the garden together.

Lu Mingfei was quite good at chatting with old men, and besides, Louis wasn't very old, so there wasn't much of a generation gap when communicating with him.

Lu Mingfei hadn't expected his uncle to ride his bicycle so fast. Even though his physical abilities had reached the level of an A-grade hybrid, he could only barely see the exhaust fumes.

After circling the manor several times, Louis finally stopped at the villa entrance. Looking at Lu Mingfei, who was catching up with him with a flushed face, he said with admiration, "Not bad, not bad, you actually didn't let me shake you off."

Before Lu Mingfei could catch his breath, Louis continued, "By the way, do you have any plans for today?"

Although Guglielgo is a small tourist town, it's not very big, and Su Xiaoqiang had already shown Lu Mingfei almost everything yesterday. After hearing Lu Mingfei say he didn't have any plans for today, Louis immediately smiled: "Then can you accompany Rosella to Santa Ron today?"

"Santaren?"

Lu Mingfei was taken aback and didn't immediately understand what Louis meant.

"You should know, right? Rosella's mother's death anniversary is coming soon."

“I know.” Lu Mingfei nodded. He had already learned from his previous interactions with Xiaotiannv that her mother’s death anniversary was around November, but he didn’t know the exact date.

Louis nodded and said, “Our family is rather traditional, and our customs are different from most Western European families. In the past, Father Bernardo of the Church of Santa Maria de Marvila would officiate on the anniversary of Gloria's death… Rosella's mother’s death. St. Martin’s Day is coming soon, and the priest may be quite busy, so we need to contact him in advance.”

Now that things had come to this point, Lu Mingfei naturally understood that his uncle wanted him to accompany the little fairy to that church to find that priest.

The development of this event is just like the plot of an RPG game. After the protagonist moves to a new map, a group of NPCs will immediately give him a bunch of strange tasks.

"Why don't you go with Xiao... Su Xiaoqiang? I don't think it's appropriate for me to go with her for something like this?" Lu Mingfei asked cautiously.

Louis patted his car again, beaming, and said, "I was supposed to go, but I completely forgot about it. I promised the Lisbon Mountain Bike Club I'd attend their party today. I only remembered this morning when Bettina reminded me. So I'm afraid I'll have to trouble you."

Lu Mingfei sighed, suddenly feeling a sense of identification with Louis's mixed-race identity. In Louis, he saw the shadows of his mentor Guderian, Principal Angers, and Vice Principal Night Watchman.

This kind of carefree and eccentric behavior is exactly like that of the group of eccentric professors at Kassel College!

However, he was currently staying at someone else's house. As the saying goes, "He who takes a man's gift is bound to him, and he who eats a man's food is bound to him," so Lu Mingfei had no choice but to obediently accept the bounty mission issued by this important NPC.

Therefore, Lu Mingfei followed the Little Fairy to Santaren, which is dozens of kilometers away from Gulegon.

However, the reward for this bounty mission was quite generous. Louis waved his hand and gave Lu Mingfei two thousand euros, saying that the rest was his, and reminded Lu Mingfei that he must pay for all of Lu Mingfei's expenses today.

Louis's original words were as follows:

“Although Rosella isn’t the kind of girl who likes money, you can’t be too undignified in front of the Valentine’s daughters!” Louis patted Lu Mingfei’s shoulder hard.

Looking at the two thousand euros in his hand and the encouraging expression on Louis's face, Lu Mingfei suddenly began to wonder whether Louis was the little fairy's uncle or his uncle.

Lu Mingfei, Louis... it seems they both have the surname Lu...

Accompanying the little fairy to church wasn't exactly a difficult task. The only thing they had to be mindful of was the occasional glances directed their way.

In 2006, Asians were still quite rare in Europe, let alone these two Asians, a handsome man and a beautiful woman. Although a significant portion of these gazes were drawn to Su Xiaoqiang and Lu Mingfei's good looks, some gazes still carried a hint of ill intent.

After all, in the eyes of European thieves and pickpockets, East Asians are often synonymous with being both stupid and rich. These people are often unsuspecting, making it very easy to cheat or rob them of their money.

However, just as these ill-intentioned people were about to approach, they were deterred by Lu Mingfei's glance as he turned around.

Lu Mingfei watched as the few people with classic skins retreated timidly, then withdrew his gaze and sighed inwardly.

"As expected, Senior Brother Chu Zihang's expressionless face is the most effective," Lu Mingfei thought to himself. This was already the fifth group of people he had scared off by imitating Chu Zihang's expressionless face.

Looking at the little fairy beside him, Lu Mingfei hesitated for a moment, then took half a step closer to her. He didn't know if the little fairy had never been robbed before, or if she was too well protected by her family, but she seemed completely unguarded in this place.

When she saw that the distance between herself and Lu Mingfei had suddenly shortened, Xiaotiannv was stunned for a moment, then pretended not to notice and turned her head to play with her bangs.

Feeling her sleeve constantly brushing against Lu Mingfei's shoulder, Su Xiaoqiang suddenly felt that her uncle's decision wasn't so bad after all.

……

Chapter 220 The Priest, and the Reunion with Charlotte

Su Xiaoqiang's feelings for Lu Mingfei are complicated.

She definitely likes him, that's beyond doubt. However, because of her relationship with her friend Liu Miaomiao, she has kept her distance from Lu Mingfei ever since Lu Mingfei and Liu Miaomiao confirmed their relationship.

That confession in the rain was purely accidental. It was all Lu Mingfei's fault for tricking her and ambushing her! He suddenly turned around and put his coat on her to shield her from the rain... That's why she couldn't suppress her feelings.

After that confession, she immediately went to Portugal to hide, intending to clear her head during her trip. But for some reason, Lu Mingfei somehow ended up following her. When asked why she came to Portugal, he just gave her vague answers.

Su Xiaoqiang was resentful. She hadn't wanted to get too involved with Lu Mingfei, but her cousins, uncles, and aunts seemed to have misunderstood something and were trying to create space for the two of them to be alone. They made them sit together at meals and made Su Xiaoqiang act as Lu Mingfei's tour guide.

Although Su Xiaoqiang shook her head desperately, telling herself no, no, she didn't want to go out with this guy, her body was very obedient.

Even she didn't know why, but whenever Lu Mingfei stood beside her, she would feel a strange sense of comfort and joy, as well as a touch of peace. This feeling was inescapable. In her memory, the last time she experienced this comforting feeling seemed like a very, very long time ago.

Especially when the two walk side by side and their arms accidentally touch, Su Xiaoqiang's heart will flutter and she will feel restless.

I clearly don't want to have too much to do with this guy...

Su Xiaoqiang bit her red lips lightly, suddenly realizing that her nervous demeanor made her look like a little girl walking home from school with her crush. She had completely lost her ethereal, fairy-like aura.

Crossing the cobblestone streets of Tagus Street, the Church of Santa Maria de Mavila, built during the Middle Ages, comes into view.

The Church of Santa Maria de Mavila consists of three brick basilicas. The towering bell tower and dome are clearly influenced by the expansion of early 12th-century Romanesque architecture, while the adjacent tower is in the Mudéjar style.

The reason why so many architectural styles are mixed in the same church is that the church was also damaged and destroyed in the war. Only the bell tower was originally built, while the other halls were rebuilt by later generations on the original site.

Sunlight shines on the church, which is built of blue bricks, giving its surface an ancient color that is somewhere between yellow and gray.

Lu Mingfei had been to quite a few churches before; there was one at Kassel College, where Christians worshipped, and pigeons would fly out every time someone left. But this was the first time he had ever seen such a magnificent church.

Su Xiaoqiang stepped forward and nodded to the pastor who was standing at the door holding a Bible. The pastor smiled and responded. After exchanging a few words in Portuguese, the pastor turned around and led the two into the church.

The door opened and closed, footsteps echoing through the church. Exquisite marble columns supported the intricately patterned dome, and the windows on both sides were stained-glass windows with seven colors. The priest walked at the front, leading them through the antechamber where holy water was served.

"Father Bernardo is receiving guests in the reception room. You can come with me to the catechism room and wait for a while."

The pastor seemed to realize that Lu Mingfei didn't understand Portuguese, so he switched to English.

"No need for that trouble, we can just sit in the main hall for a while." Su Xiaoqiang smiled, and it was clear that even she felt a little reserved in such a place where gods were worshipped.

“Very well.” The pastor nodded. “The nave is closer to the reception room, so please wait here in the nave for a moment while I go and inform Father Bernardo of your arrival.”

The nave is actually the kind of place of worship most often seen in movies and TV dramas, with pews lined up at both ends. And as expected of the church's enormous size, the nave was quite crowded.

The two found a place to sit side by side in the nave, but they had only been sitting for a short while when the pastor, who had left in a hurry, returned in a hurry and said that the priest had already finished seeing the guests and that Lu Mingfei and the others should follow him.

Passing through the main hall, the two quickly arrived at the reception room. Just then, an old man came out of the reception room.

Upon seeing Su Xiaoqiang, the old man immediately smiled and said something. Having learned some everyday Portuguese, Lu Mingfei understood what the old man meant: "Long time no see."

This must be Father Bernardo...

Lu Mingfei discreetly observed the old man. He wore a white robe with a silver-embossed cross on his chest, and his hair and beard were completely white. Judging from his appearance alone, the priest seemed to be over eighty years old.

In contrast to the priest's aged appearance, his face was radiant and full of energy. His deep wrinkles exuded a gentle warmth, as if he had never lacked vitality. His bright and satisfied smile seemed to radiate a warm light that could heal both body and soul.

Judging from his appearance alone, Lu Mingfei felt that this Father Bernardo must have a high status in the local area. In a Japanese RPG game, this priest would be an important NPC who would teach the protagonist advanced magic or drop top-quality equipment for the protagonist.

However, these NPCs who are incredibly powerful in the backstory usually seem to get killed off by the plot...

Su Xiaoqiang bowed his head and greeted the priest, and Lu Mingfei immediately followed suit. But as soon as he looked up, he saw someone walking gracefully out of the reception room behind the priest.

Although his cheeks still had a touch of baby fat and his eyes were somewhat immature, the way he leaned on his cane exuded a dignified and authoritative air. However, this mixture of innocence and maturity created a charmingly contrasting appeal.

Even Su Xiaoqiang couldn't help but take a second look when she saw this adorable, doll-like girl. Especially her chubby little face, which made you want to pinch it, gave Su Xiaoqiang the feeling that a Barbie doll had been brought to life.

Of course, if you were to describe it from the perspective of an otaku like Fingel, it would probably be "a life-size figure of a cute loli with a contrasting personality has been resurrected."

Lu Mingfei was also drawn to the girl, who resembled a life-size "loli figure," and she clearly noticed his gaze as well. In the instant their eyes met, her emerald-green eyes suddenly froze.

This life-size, figure-like little girl is none other than Charlotte, the mysterious half-blood girl Lu Mingfei met on the plane. Lu Mingfei never expected to run into Charlotte again, especially since it had only been a few days since their parting on the train.

Could it be that Charlotte was the guest Father Bernardo had previously received?

However, upon seeing Charlotte, he immediately remembered that he and Charlotte had indeed broken up in Santa Ron.

But isn't this too much of a coincidence? Is Santa Ron really that small?

Lu Mingfei blinked, and Charlotte blinked back in surprise. The two seemed to be asking each other silently through the air, "How did you end up here?"

Su Xiaoqiang wasn't stupid. After seeing Lu Mingfei and Xia Ludi blinking like crazy, she immediately realized what was going on. Feeling a sudden tightness in her chest, she nudged Lu Mingfei with her elbow and asked, "Do you know her?"

Lu Mingfei was brought back to his senses by the little fairy's prodding, while Charlotte immediately averted her gaze.

Looking at the curious and puzzled little fairy beside him, Lu Mingfei didn't know whether to answer that he knew her or not. After thinking for a moment, he nodded and whispered in her ear, "I guess you could say we know each other."

As for how they met, that was, of course, quite complicated. Since the little fairy didn't ask in detail, Lu Mingfei didn't bring it up himself.