Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

"Where are you?" Chu Zihang asked.

"Me? I'm in a place full of artistic atmosphere~", Xia Mi looked around at the blood-soaked and messy warehouse and chuckled, "conducting some cultural exchange. By the way, senior brothers, you've been in Beijing for so long, have you noticed anything special? Like, why do earthquakes keep happening there for no reason?"

She asked the question seemingly casually.

Chu Zihang paused for a moment, considering whether to share the information.

After a moment, he spoke, his voice as steady as ever, "I reviewed the earthquake monitoring data for the past fifty years in the Beijing area. I found three abnormal fluctuations."

"Oh?" Xia Mi became interested. "Tell me more?"

"The first one, seven years ago, was a weak earthquake, about magnitude 1.5, with a very shallow focal depth of about 500 meters, and the center point was roughly located somewhere in the Xishan Scenic Area. The energy release pattern was similar to low-frequency vibrations caused by biological activity."

"The second one, three years ago, was a magnitude 2.0 earthquake with a focal depth of 800 meters, and the epicenter shifted northward to the vicinity of the Yuanmingyuan Ruins Park. It was more frequent and shorter in duration."

"The third one, three months ago, had a magnitude of 2.8 and a focal depth of about 1500 meters. The epicenter shifted again, and was roughly located underground in a park outside the North Fourth Ring Road. The energy intensity is showing an upward trend."

Chu Zihang spoke calmly, as if he were giving an academic presentation.

"Based on waveform analysis, source migration trajectory, and energy growth, there is a 90% probability that it is related to the awakening of Fenrir, the king of the earth and mountains. It is speculated that its lair may be located in the underground space from the forest park to the north."

Xia Mi's smile faded slightly beneath her mask, a hint of surprise and admiration flashing in her eyes.

Chu Zihang's ability to analyze earthquake data to this extent using only publicly available and internal academy data is almost groundbreaking.

This insight and analytical ability truly live up to his reputation as a ace in Kassel.

"Wow! Senior brother, you're amazing!" she exclaimed in an admiring tone. "You could even analyze that! Are you guys about to go slay a dragon? Do you need any help? I'm really good at fighting!"

“There is no action plan at the moment. We need more evidence and precise coordinates,” Chu Zihang replied. “Moreover, the situation is complicated. Recently, a large number of external mixed-race organizations have poured into Beijing with the same goal, which increases uncertainty and risk.”

"Really? Others have come too?" Xia Mi became worried. "Then you must be careful, senior brothers! Those people might be dangerous! Do you need my help?"

"No need," Chu Zihang interrupted her. "Take care of yourself. Beijing has been a bit turbulent lately."

His tone remained calm, but his final words, "Be careful," made Xia Mi pause slightly.

"Okay, thanks for your concern, senior! I won't bother you with your data analysis anymore! Good luck! I'll be waiting for your good news after you successfully slay the dragon!"

She hung up the phone before Chu Zihang could respond.

The warehouse fell silent again.

Xia Mi looked at Chu Zihang's name on her phone screen, and a very soft, complex sigh came from behind her mask.

"They're so perceptive it's almost frustrating," she muttered to herself. "Looks like I need to speed things up."

She stood up, took one last look at the mess on the ground, and then disappeared into the shadows.

Meanwhile, a bustling night market street near the North Fourth Ring Road.

Everywhere you look, there's the aroma of charcoal grilling, the pungent smell of spicy seasonings, and the sweet smell of syrup.

The place was bustling with noise and full of lively atmosphere.

Lu Mingfei and Frilian sat at a simple plastic table, which was covered with various snacks.

"Is this good?" Frillie asked hesitantly, carefully poking at the steaming bowl of hot and sour noodles in front of her with a bamboo skewer.

For her, who was used to bland food, this strong visual and olfactory impact was a bit too stimulating.

"Delicious! Absolutely delicious!" Lu Mingfei mumbled, his mouth full of grilled squid. "It's just a little spicy, so eat slowly and blow on it first."

As he spoke, he casually pushed an open bottle of Arctic Ocean soda in front of Frillie, saying, "Drink this to relieve the spiciness."

Frillie followed his example, picking up a few strands of powder, carefully blowing on them, and then putting them in her mouth.

The next second, a variety of strong flavors—sour, spicy, fresh, and fragrant—exploded in her mouth, creating a taste sensation she had never experienced before—brutal, direct, yet addictive.

She took a slight breath, and a hint of moisture welled up in her emerald green eyes, making her usually aloof expression much more lively.

"How about it?"

“It’s quite delicious,” Frillie said, picking up a bite with her chopsticks.

Lu Mingfei chuckled and pushed over a plate of sizzling lamb skewers, sprinkled with cumin and chili powder. "Try this one too! The soul of the night market!"

Next came grilled chicken wings, grilled chives, and grilled bread slices. Lu Mingfei introduced the various snacks as if presenting a treasure.

Frillie accepted everything offered and tried a little of everything. Although her face remained expressionless, she ate faster and more frequently than when she ate at the hotel restaurant.

Finally, Lu Mingfei magically produced two ice cream cones. "Dessert after dinner!"

Frillie took the ice cream cone, looked at the spiral-shaped cream ice cream on top, and licked it.

The cool, sweet taste neutralized the previous spiciness, and she squinted her eyes slightly, like a cat being stroked, revealing a satisfied expression.

The two sat in the bustling night market, eating cheap but delicious snacks and watching the crowds coming and going.

The atmosphere was relaxed and comfortable, completely different from the subtle tension in a hotel.

“Speaking of which,” Lu Mingfei said vaguely, taking a bite of ice cream, “it feels like we’ve been on vacation these past few days, eating, drinking, and playing games. We’ve almost forgotten what we came here for.”

“A brief period of calm is something to cherish,” Frillie said, looking at the flashing neon lights in the distance. “The sea is often calmest before a storm.”

“The storm,” Lu Mingfei sighed. “To be honest, I’m still a little scared. The Dragon King and all that, it sounds terrifying. My senior brother doesn’t seem worried at all, and that carefree Fingel is even less of a concern. Frilian, you’ve been through so much, are you nervous facing an enemy of this level?”

Frillie paused for a moment, then gently twirled the ice cream cone in her hand. "Yes. No matter how many times we experience it, awe and vigilance are necessary when facing unknown and powerful beings. But fear itself is useless; it only interferes with judgment."

After finishing their ice cream, the two slowly walked back along the night market street.

A cool evening breeze was blowing.

Lu Mingfei secretly glanced at Frillian, who was walking quietly beside him.

"Hey, I heard there's a really famous douzhi (fermented mung bean juice) shop nearby. Want to go try it together tomorrow morning?" he mustered up his courage and extended the invitation.

Frillie looked at him for two seconds, then nodded slightly. "Okay."

Chapter 144 China Expert

In the afternoon, sunlight filtered through the branches and leaves of the old locust tree, casting a shadow on the gray alley wall.

An elderly man, dressed in a simple gray Zhongshan suit, with his hair neatly combed and wearing reading glasses, strolled out of the alleyway with his hands behind his back, blending into the bustling crowd on Qianmen Street.

He is Lin Fenglong.

He's lived in Beijing for probably more than half a century. The neighbors all know this kind but somewhat reclusive German old man. They know he runs an antique shop called "Fenglongtang" and rarely goes out. His greatest hobbies are taking walks and listening to music.

Lin Fenglong stopped at a street corner where a crowd had gathered.

It was a small open-air storytelling venue. The storyteller, dressed in a long gown and with gray hair, sat behind a small table, holding a gavel and spitting as he recounted "The Romance of the Sui and Tang Dynasties." When he got to the part about Li Yuanba shaking Siping Mountain with his hammer, he described it vividly. The old people and children listening around him were completely engrossed.

Lin Fenglong didn't squeeze in; he just stood on the outside, leaning against a telephone pole, listening with his eyes slightly squinted.

He listened with utmost concentration, his fingers tapping lightly on his knees. When he heard something particularly exciting, a barely perceptible smile would appear on his lips—it was a complete immersion in the experience.

After finishing a passage, the gentleman picked up his teacup to drink water, and scattered applause and cheers rose from the surroundings. A few coins were tossed into the enamel basin on the ground, making a crisp clinking sound.

Lin Fenglong also took out a few coins from his pocket, walked over, bent down and put them into the basin.

The storyteller put down his teacup and happened to see Lin Fenglong. He smiled and cupped his hands in greeting, "Oh, Mr. Lin, you've found the time to come and support us today?"

Lin Fenglong returned the greeting with a smile, and in his authentic Beijing accent with a touch of old Beijing alleyway flavor, he blurted out: "Mr. Wang's explanation was brilliant. He brought Li Yuanba's reckless and unruly spirit to life. It was a real treat to listen to!"

Mr. Wang laughed heartily, looked Lin Fenglong up and down, and said, "Mr. Lin, your Chinese is getting better and better. If it weren't for your appearance, I wouldn't be able to tell you're a foreigner if I closed my eyes and listened. You don't have a single accent, and you speak better than many people from the south!"

Lin Fenglong waved his hand and said modestly with a smile, "You flatter me. I've lived here for decades. If I still can't learn, wouldn't I be a fool? I've just heard a lot and blindly followed the neighbors."

"You're being too modest," Mr. Wang said, exchanging a few more pleasantries with him before preparing to move on to the next part.

Lin Fenglong stopped bothering him, nodded, and continued strolling forward with his hands behind his back.

The warm sunshine felt wonderful on my skin.

He enjoys the lively atmosphere of the marketplace and loves listening to these stories that carry historical shadows and folk wisdom.

This made him feel that he was truly living in this city, and not just a detached stranger observing from the sidelines.

After walking for about half an hour, he felt his legs getting tired, so he hailed a pedicab.

"Master, Liulichang East Street, Fenglongtang," Lin Fenglong said familiarly, then got into the car.

The man pedaling the bicycle was an elderly gentleman in his fifties, with dark skin, a kind smile, and a booming voice: "Alright! Hold on tight! Fenglongtang. Hey, sir, you must be that German gentleman who owns the antique shop? I've heard of you!"

"Oh? You've heard of me?" Lin Fenglong asked with a smile, leaning back in his chair.

"Of course!" the old rickshaw puller said, pedaling hard as he shouted, "Everyone in this area knows there's an old German gentleman in Liulichang who speaks fluent Chinese and is very kind! They all say your shop has a lot of treasures, all old items, and they're very valuable!"

Lin Fenglong chuckled, "What treasures? Just some scrap metal and old books, enough to make a living."

"Look at you, so modest!" The old master, caught up in the excitement of pedaling, started talking non-stop.

"Hey, sir, isn't it strange? It seems like a lot of foreigners have come to Beijing lately. There have been quite a few before, but never this many these past few days! When I'm out doing fare work these past few days, I keep running into foreigners dressed in weird clothes, like they're going hunting in the mountains. And they all have such... well, how should I put it, they're really... stern!"

Lin Fenglong's eyes flickered slightly, but his face still wore a warm smile. "Really? Maybe you're here for tourism. Beijing is famous, after all."

"Tourism?" The old driver curled his lip. "Doesn't seem like it! What kind of tourists go to those deserted nooks and crannies all day long? Yesterday I even picked up two people who insisted that I take them to that old steel mill in the western suburbs that has been abandoned for many years. That place is so desolate that even ghosts don't go there! But they are generous with the money."

"Oh? Is that so?" Lin Fenglong asked with just the right amount of curiosity.

"Absolutely!" The old man got even more excited after receiving the response. "And another thing, a few nights ago, I was waiting for work on the East Third Ring Road when I saw several foreigners go into an abandoned air-raid shelter. They were holding some kind of compass-like thing and acting all mysterious. What do you think they were doing going into that place so late at night? Looking for treasure?"

Lin Fenglong adjusted his reading glasses and said slowly, "They're probably adventure enthusiasts. Young people like to seek thrills."

"Exciting? I think it's suicide!" the old man scoffed. "That place is full of yin energy! But speaking of which, sir, you're a foreigner, what do you think they're doing here? Did they hear there's some treasure buried underground in Beijing?"

The master craftsman lowered his voice, his tone carrying a hint of mystery.

Lin Fenglong laughed and shook his head. "I wouldn't know. The capital has a long history. Who knows what might be buried underground? Maybe there really is something that attracts them."

He paused, then casually remarked, "However, as the old saying goes, 'One should not linger in places of trouble.' If anything seems amiss, it's best to stay away; safety first."

“You’re absolutely right!” the old master craftsman agreed wholeheartedly. “We’re just rickshaw pullers, earning a meager living through hard work. We wouldn’t dare get involved in anything supernatural or ghostly! You have such a comfortable life, listening to storytelling, looking at antiques, it’s so peaceful!”

The tricycle weaved through the alleys and turned into Liulichang East Street, stopping in front of a small shop with a sign that read "Fenglongtang".

Lin Fenglong paid the fare and gave an extra tip, saying, "Thank you, driver. It was quite interesting chatting with you."

The driver took the money, beaming, "Oh, thank you so much! Take care! Come back to me next time you need a ride!"

Lin Fenglong nodded, took out his key, and opened the old wooden door of Fenglong Hall.

The shop was dimly lit and filled with various porcelains, wood carvings, calligraphy and paintings, old books, and some strange trinkets whose names I couldn't recall.

Closing the shop door shuts out the noise of the outside world.