Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei Returns from the Elden Ring

Chapter 201 Attack

“Elemental substitution…” Lu Mingfei coldly observed Friedrich’s struggle. This guy, whose survival instinct had been raging, was constantly communicating with some kind of alchemical creation in the far distance, causing his mental power to be extremely unstable. However, under the dual suppression of Lu Mingfei’s royal domain and discipline, all his attempts went unanswered.

"Aaaaaah..." he screamed, "I won't die... I won't decay... Someone... save me..."

“I was right.” Angers looked down and pulled a pack of “Gentle Seven Stars” from Uesugi’s pocket. He took one out and brought it to his lips. The flame lit up out of thin air at the cigarette butt. The bright red light flickered slowly. Angers exhaled a puff of smoke and finally felt a sense of grounding. “Should we continue with the plan? It would be strange if those two lunatics didn’t realize what was going on.”

“I encountered Odin underground at Genji Heavy Industries,” Lu Mingfei said. “The situation in Japan is more complicated than we thought; perhaps that so-called ‘god’ is just prey.”

"So?" Angers raised an eyebrow.

"The attack started a few minutes ago," Lu Mingfei said.

He went to check on the three unconscious people.

The mental attacks suffered by Uesugi Yue, Chu Zihang, and Caesar were the same as those suffered by Genjiro, only slightly weaker. Golden light ignited in Lu Mingfei's eyes, and his mental pressure relentlessly invaded the minds of the three.

In a dreamlike world where they are separated yet all shrouded in black mist, a mother and child in a church outside Lyon, a mother and child on a meadow at the foot of the Alps, and a family of three in a dilapidated house—all three children simultaneously see the black mist coming from afar. All the scenes are disintegrating and fading away, until finally, the faces of those around them are revealed.

……

The vice-principal of Kassel College made a rare appearance in the central control room, carrying a half-empty bottle of whiskey in one hand and two black cards in the other. He inserted the black cards into the slots in front of Schneider and Manstein, then turned the metal handle on the control panel.

The sound of wind rising into the central control room sounded like a heavy helicopter hidden in a basement. However, the wind wasn't coming from the basement, but from a massive computer fifty meters underground, where dozens of server racks stood side-by-side, each densely packed with CPUs, forming a honeycomb-like array. All the chips were running at overclocked speeds, their combined heat output comparable to a small steel furnace, and giant turbines blasted the scorching air to the surface.

The images on all the screens switched one by one, all displaying the same girl's face. She was innocent yet indifferent, with deep blue characters shifting in her pupils. Finally, her giant portrait appeared on the central screen, exuding an overwhelming sense of power.

“Eva… this is the academy’s mainframe at 100% capacity.” The vice-principal shrugged and explained to the two people beside him, “The principal’s orders are for Eva to break through Kaguya’s defenses.”

"I've finished familiarizing myself with the mission list and I've read through it. The attack on Princess Kaguya will begin now."

As Eva spoke, a massive data stream flowed through gateways worldwide to Japan, simultaneously cracking hundreds of encryption locks set up by Princess Kaguya. The technicians understood better than anyone what those data streams meant: in the virtual world constructed of data, they represented a vast army, and the girl named Eva was the king leading that army. From that moment on, Kassel College launched a counterattack against the Snake-Headed Eight Families.

……

A terrace atop the Genji Heavy Industries building, named Awakening Temple, is actually an ancient-style meeting hall with a rough bluestone floor. It is surrounded by flowing water, and a black stone table is placed under a vermilion torii gate. The heads of the Miyamoto, Fuma, and Sakurai families of the Snake-Headed Eight Families are gathered here.

Two minutes ago, the patriarch, Tachibana Masamune, summoned them here.

Their expressions were all solemn. This urgent meeting, apart from the missing young master, the ailing Uesugi family head, and the out-of-town Ryoma and Inuyama family heads, was almost a gathering of all the forces that could be assembled at Genji Heavy Industries in a short period of time.

As the highest-ranking officials in different fields within the Snake Clan, they each possess some intelligence, but they are currently unable to piece together a complete picture of the situation. They can only guess that the patriarch has noticed something.

Tachibana Masamune pushed open the door and entered. "You probably already know the situation, right?"

"Princess Kaguya is mobilizing all computing resources to block Eva's invasion, but it's only a matter of time before she's breached," said the head of the Miyamoto family.

“Several government officials with ties to the Ghost Clan were found dead at home from heart attacks, and several councilors with close family ties have all received warnings,” said the head of the Fuma Clan. “The Metropolitan Police Department has just released its investigation results, and all the deceased officials died of natural causes—both from heart attacks… Whoever is behind this is simultaneously warning us and the Ghost Clan.”

"The Tokyo Environmental Protection Fund withdrew funds from three of the family's subsidiaries in a short period of time, two of the main family's companies defaulted on their debts, banks downgraded their credit ratings, and many debts are at risk of premature maturity," said the head of the Sakurai family. "Finally, the most troublesome issue is that the gene therapy research and development department of the family's pharmaceutical company resigned en masse, and at the same time, a certain group in the United States filed a lawsuit against us, demanding the termination of the contract."

“It sounds like the family is truly besieged on all sides,” said Tachibana Masamune. “Do you know who the enemy is?”

“Kassel College?” the head of the Miyamoto family replied. “The only organization capable of launching such a comprehensive attack on a family is the Secret Party.”

"The pressure exerted on our government leaders was likely achieved by the Secret Party through certain channels within the US government," the head of the Fengmo family agreed.

“There is almost no economic connection between the family and the secret society. Regarding my predicament, the investigation shows that Su Sang may be expressing her dissatisfaction…” The head of the Sakurai family frowned. “But she is not such a murderous person. At least she should have expressed her demands before giving us a hard time. A businessman only cares about interests. The family has not lost its value to her yet.”

When Su Sang was mentioned, even the eyes of the Miyamoto family head and the Fuma family head, whose eyes were usually filled with the glint of swords, softened considerably.

Susan has never revealed her real name; everyone in the Snake Clan calls her by her surname. However, her foundation manages 75% of the Snake Clan's overseas assets and 45% of its Japanese assets, while also holding approximately 20 billion euros in debt. Dealing with the Snake Clan is far easier for her than dealing with the Secret Party. Without funds, neither attacking the Demon Clan, nor fighting the Secret Party, nor even the God of Destruction would be possible.

At this critical juncture of internal and external troubles, if Su Sang insists on plunging the Snake Clan into chaos, that would be the worst possible news.

Chapter 202 Intelligence

“Our intelligence has always portrayed Lu Mingfei as an vassal of the Secret Party. However, according to the latest intelligence, Lu Mingfei actually wields power and influence comparable to that of the Secret Party,” Tachibana Masamune said slowly. “Today, our family is besieged on all sides, and the mastermind behind this hostility is actually Lu Mingfei. He is coming soon.”

"I will immediately notify the Fuma clan's ninjas to return to headquarters!" The Fuma clan head's expression was one of shock.

The Fuma family is known for training ninjas. At this moment, there are about twenty black-clad ninjas hiding in this building and the surrounding residences. However, considering Lu Mingfei's abilities, which far exceed the level of S-rank, the head of the Fuma family does not believe that dozens of A-rank hybrids can subdue the other party.

“No need.” Tachibana Masamune waved his hand. “I didn’t call you here for battle… Chisei has already been defeated. We may be able to defeat the Oni Clan, but we can’t deal with Lu Mingfei, who can mobilize the Secret Party’s resources, when we are attacked from both sides.”

"What do you mean?" The head of the Miyamoto family frowned, adjusting his glasses, "that the family is negotiating with Lu Mingfei?"

"Hahaha." Tachibana Masamune chuckled wryly, "That probably depends on what Mr. Lu wants... You've been listening for so long, aren't you coming out yet?"

The expressions of the remaining three family heads immediately changed. The Sakurai and Miyamoto family heads were both civil officials, but the Fuma family head immediately straightened his body. His senses were many times stronger than ordinary people, and he had undergone special training; he could even hear the sound of a pin dropping in a bustling city. Yet, he noticed nothing unusual at the Awakening Temple.

There was no space inside for people to hide, and guards patrolled outside. Even the sound of four heartbeats could be clearly heard.

A faint mist appeared in Tachibana Masamune's shadow. The Fuma clan's ninja selection process places particular emphasis on children who possess the Kotodama: Meishou (Spirit of the Underworld). The head of the Fuma clan himself also deals with enemies who possess Meishou. If that mist were under the light, he would have noticed something, but the other party cleverly followed Tachibana Masamune's shadow in.

No wonder the patriarch was the first to notice something was wrong.

Two figures emerged from the mist, one being Lu Mingfei, and the other surprisingly being Genjiro. However, Genjiro looked exhausted, his eyes bloodshot... The heads of the various clans were all heavy-hearted; Amaterasu, who carried the hopes of the clan, had not only been captured but also seemed to have been tortured.

Now that even the patriarch has decided to make peace, peace is undoubtedly a complete failure for the Snake Clan... and who knows what harsh demands Lu Mingfei will make.

A "crack" sound broke the silence, followed by the crisp tinkling of metal hitting the ground.

Everyone except Lu Mingfei looked at Fuma Kotaro. The old man sat upright, gritting his teeth and tensing his expression. The "sizzling" sound was from the ninja star in his hand being heated until it was red-hot and burned his palm. For a moment, he showed murderous intent towards Lu Mingfei, and then he was burned.

It was as if I was being consumed by the flames in my own heart... truly a formidable enemy comparable to Amaterasu.

“You do it,” Lu Mingfei said to Yuan Zhisheng. “After the handover, I need all the secrets Bondarev possesses.”

After speaking, Lu Mingfei casually found a seat amidst the questioning gazes of the family heads. It was the stenographer's seat, hidden in the shadows. As a meeting place with the highest level of security, the Awakening Temple would most likely hold its strategic meetings if the Snake Clan were to launch a campaign against a god. Therefore, there were no electronic sensors in the temple, and regular meetings were recorded by stenographers using pen and paper.

"Father, isn't it time to tell us something?" Genjiro sat down next to Tachibana Masamune.

"Are the Inuyama family head and the Ryoma family head well?" Tachibana Masamune asked solemnly, not in a hurry to answer.

Yuan Zhisheng was taken aback. "They're alright."

“Alright.” Tachibana Masamune said in a deep voice, “You must have figured out Herzog and me thoroughly, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have cooperated with them without any struggle, Chisei… It’s my fault. I originally wanted to take this secret to my grave. Since you are all here today, please listen to my story and my confession.”

Genjiro realized that Tachibana Masamune had misunderstood something. What had stopped him from struggling wasn't the information provided by Lu Mingfei, but rather Lu Mingfei's own violent suppression. However, he didn't want to explain. In the family's eyes, Amaterasu was almost equivalent to a totem of military power. Even if Genjiro was the weakest emperor in history, the family heads probably wouldn't accept the fact that Lu Mingfei could defeat him so easily.

"The sins I committed in the first half of my life are too numerous to count. There is only one way in this world to absolve me of my sins, and that is death," Tachibana Masamune said softly. "My real name is Bondarev, a KGB intelligence officer, and I personally sank the Lenin into the Japan Trench..."

……

After listening to the story of Black Swan Harbor again, Genji still felt very uncomfortable. The horror of the conspiracy and the unpredictability of the protagonist were chilling.

"Father, can you tell me the truth now? Do you want to resurrect the god?" Genji asked.

“No, my true intention is to kill God. The so-called path of evolution must first revive God, but I cannot allow it.” Tachibana Masamune clenched his fist. “After eliminating the Demon Clan, my plan is to kill God with a nuclear bomb.”

Just as everyone was engrossed in Tachibana Masamune's narration, Lu Mingfei suddenly stood up.

"I need to know the details about the path of evolution and the resurrection of the god."

The Royal Domain and the Precepts unfolded simultaneously, and the sudden mental pressure struck the depths of everyone's minds like a heavy hammer. Lu Mingfei's figure appeared differently in the eyes of the three family heads, but the only similarity was that it was a projection of what they feared most. In the terrifying illusion, even the surrounding lights seemed to be teetering on the brink of collapse.

They were not experiencing fear, but rather a near-death experience.

If Lu Mingfei's domain had been even slightly stronger, they would have all died from cardiac arrest.

Targeted by this mental attack, Tachibana Masamune groaned, blood trickling from his nose. Yet, he mechanically raised his head and murmured, "The blood of the gods is the ultimate evolutionary medicine. Hybrids who drink it can not only evolve into emperors, but also go further, becoming truly noble pure-blooded dragons..."

His body seemed to be affected by the domain, trembling, but he continued to answer, "It is me... I am the sinner who resurrected the god!"

Upon hearing this, Genjiro's expression hardened. He was relatively composed in Lu Mingfei's domain, so he was listening to Tachibana Masamune's explanation, just like Lu Mingfei.

"I accidentally sank the Lenin, which had been corrupted by the ancient dragon's embryo, but deep beneath the sea lies Takamagahara, the burial ground of the gods! The ancient dragon's blood opened the gates to the divine realm, sending in the key to the gods' resurrection..."

"Is that really so?" Genji's breathing quickened. "Twenty years ago?"

But Lu Mingfei frowned, feeling that things were a bit too simple. He came today hoping to hear information about Odin, but all he got was the story of two madmen, only this time it was a version of pious atonement.

Condition

After the IV drip was stopped, my condition lasted for a day. I've had a headache for the past two days. I didn't write a sick leave note because I felt I couldn't have a headache all the time, but it really has been a constant headache.

I've been feeling dizzy and half-asleep all day, and I'm only starting to feel a little better now. I slept for five or six hours at noon, and I'm planning to stay up late tonight to write a bit. This kind of illness usually heals on its own within a week, and I feel like I'll feel much better from here on out, so don't worry.

Chapter 203 Interrogation

In this meeting hall, the three family heads had the most complicated feelings. They came here today thinking that they were going to attend a war meeting, then they thought it was a peace talk or a war, but in the end they heard about the bizarre background of the current head of the Snake Clan who was leading the Snake Clan to regain its strength.

The war between the Snake-Headed Eight Families and the Demon Clan, the curse borne by the White King's bloodline, the threat from the Secret Party, the threat from the gods... these are already heavy enough, but now we learn that behind everything there is a series of conspiracies surrounding the "Path to the Underworld," a conspiracy so extensive that it is chilling, and its shadow is behind almost every event in Japan.

The three patriarchs' reactions were not simply surprise or resentment at being deceived. They understood that this matter would shake the family's moral principles, but those principles were for those below them to hear. What they had to do was lead the family to victory, or rather, escape from their current predicament.

And most of this predicament comes from the young people in front of us.

“Lord Lu, according to the latest battle report, we have wiped out most of the Oni Clan’s fighting force,” said the Sakurai family head. “Except for ‘King General,’ ‘Dragon King,’ and ‘Ryoma,’ the rest of the high-ranking members have been confirmed dead or arrested. We can cooperate to stop Herzog’s conspiracy.”

"The patriarch did indeed order us to develop deep-sea diving equipment many years ago," Miyamoto Shio said. "With the supervision and assistance of the academy, it is highly feasible to use nuclear bombs to destroy the divine kingdom or the gods."

"Are you the head of the Rock Flow Research Institute?" Lu Mingfei suddenly asked.

Miyamoto Shio stood up and bowed: "I am Miyamoto Shio, head of the Miyamoto family, a graduate of the 95 class of Kassel College, majoring in Practical Alchemy, and currently the director of the Ganryu Research Institute. You can think of me as the highest technical person in charge of the Snake Clan."

He was not yet 30 years old, with a handsome and upright appearance. He wore old-fashioned tortoiseshell-rimmed glasses, his hair was neatly combed, and he was dressed in a white research coat. At first glance, he did have the air of those young professors in the alchemy laboratory of Kassel College.

"Have Princess Kaguya lift the network restriction," Lu Mingfei said calmly, then looked away.

Miyamoto Shigeo's gaze immediately fell on the dazed Tachibana Masamune, and then turned to Genjiro.

Genji noticed the pleading and inquiring gaze, but did not respond immediately. Agreeing to this request would mean the Snake Clan's twenty years of hopes would be in vain... Well, that didn't really matter to him. More importantly, agreeing to this request was a symbol. Genji hadn't thought it through yet. He didn't trust the Secret Party, and his feelings for Lu Mingfei were complicated.

Finally, he nodded.

As the young patriarch of the family and the head of the clan, with the patriarch having lost his qualifications, he chose to trust Lu Mingfei and hand over the initiative in the fate of the family.

"I will personally go to Princess Kaguya's server room to oversee the matter. Please allow me to leave for a moment," Miyamoto Shigeo said after receiving authorization from Genjiro.

“Okay,” Lu Mingfei readily agreed.

Miyamoto Shigeo took a deep breath, took off his glasses, and hurriedly left the Awakening Temple.

"How confident are we in killing a god with a nuclear bomb?" Lu Mingfei continued to ask Tachibana Masamune. "The essence of a god is bones. Does it have life? Can it be killed? Takamagahara is described as a magnificent city. How do you consider the yield of a nuclear bomb?"

“God is indeed a bone, but the flesh and blood of the ancient dragon will provide Him with the nutrients to grow a body. The God Burial Ground is now His incubation ground…” Tachibana Masamune seemed to have recovered somewhat from the mental shock. “With a body, nuclear bombs can harm Him. God in embryonic state cannot hide the core, and He cannot find any host at the bottom of the sea thousands of meters deep.”

"If even gods can create bodies, why is there only one heartbeat at the bottom of the sea?" Lu Mingfei frowned.

"I...I don't know..." Tachibana Masamune looked bewildered. "Gods are different from ordinary dragon kings. Although they are far inferior to the black emperor, they possess the same status as the black emperor. We cannot even understand dragon kings, let alone gods themselves...Perhaps it is their self-defense mechanism. As the supreme being who controls the spiritual elements, they may have developed self-awareness in the embryonic stage..."