Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

Candidates: Lu Mingfei, Chu Zihang, Caesar Gattuso, and Frilian.

Note: This proposal is still under evaluation and requires final approval from Principal Angers and the current head of the Sheqi family.

Lu Mingfei stared at the words on the screen, his mouth slightly open, unable to close it for a long time.

Japan? An internship assignment? With my senior, Caesar, and Frilian?

He recalled what the little devil in the suit with the wicked smile had said in the bathroom mirror less than three hours earlier:

"How about learning a few Japanese phrases after this holiday?"

Chapter 229 Second Semester Japan Internship

At the time, Lu Mingfei thought the suggestion was inexplicable, even a bit nonsensical. But now, looking at the words "Japan" and "internship mission" clearly displayed on Norma's screen, Lu Mingfei felt a chill run from the soles of his feet to the top of his head!

"Damn it," he couldn't help but mutter under his breath, clicking his tongue with an indescribable expression on his face. "Lu Mingze, is your mouth cursed with some kind of magic?!"

This isn't just prophecy; it's practically a precise prediction! Or rather, a hint in some sense?

A chill ran down Lu Mingfei's spine. Just how much did Lu Mingze know? Had he merely seen a possibility, or had he even influenced the proposal of this mission to some extent?

I can't tell the difference, I really can't tell the difference!

Frillie noticed Lu Mingfei's drastic emotional fluctuations, turned her gaze from the window to him, and gave him a questioning look.

Lu Mingfei pointed at the screen, "Frilian, look, we're going to be busy next semester, we might be going to Japan."

Frillie tilted her head, looking at the mission summary on the screen, which was a mix of Japanese and English. Her expression remained unchanged as she simply asked, "Japan? Is that far away?"

“Well, it’s separated by a sea, so it’s not close,” Lu Mingfei explained. “The key is that going there might involve dealing with those ‘Fierce Ghosts’ or ‘Snake-Headed Eight Families’ mentioned in the information.”

He paused, recalling Lu Mingze's words, and added with a wry smile, "Besides, we might have to speak Japanese there, and I only know a few phrases I learned from anime."

If someone throws out a few broken Japanese phrases, they'll be laughing their head off.

Frillie thought for a moment and said calmly, "Language can be learned. Danger can be dealt with."

Their attitude remained as direct and pragmatic as ever, as if going to Japan was no different from going to the convenience store downstairs.

Seeing Frillie's calm demeanor, Lu Mingfei felt the turmoil in his heart subside slightly. Yes, for Frillie, who had experienced far more incredible events, this might really be nothing. But he himself couldn't remain completely calm. Lu Mingze's shadow, like a silent tide, once again washed over his heart.

That little devil always manages to remind him of the direction of his fate at crucial moments, in this seemingly casual way.

He closed Norma's interface, leaned back in his chair, and let out a long sigh. What he had thought would be just a peaceful holiday morning had turned into a series of bombshell messages: the threat from the Oni Clan, the complexities of the Snake-Headed Eight Families, and an impending, unknown trip to Japan.

"Learn Japanese," Lu Mingfei muttered to himself, this time not as a complaint, but with a resigned seriousness. He took out his phone, opened the search engine, and typed in "basic Japanese for beginners".

The sun was still shining brightly outside the window, but Lu Mingfei knew that his upcoming vacation would probably not be so relaxing anymore. At the very least, he would have to polish those few broken Japanese phrases like "yoshi," "sukoichi," "kotoni," and "arigato" to make them sound more authentic before the start of the next semester.

After all, no one knew what awaited them on Japanese soil. And Lu Mingze's suggestion was never unfounded.

night.

Dusk enveloped a secluded Japanese-style room. Paper sliding doors filtered out the city's hustle and bustle, leaving only a warm, dim light that illuminated the intricate patterns on the tatami mats. A faint scent of sandalwood wafted through the air, along with a cool fragrance reminiscent of night dew on camellia blossoms.

Yuan Zhinu leaned against the soft cushions, wearing a dark green silk nightgown that made his skin appear even whiter and almost transparent.

He wasn't sickly; he had simply developed a languid and elegant demeanor, as if everything in the world was worthy of his leisurely appreciation. At this moment, his slender fingers held a few thin pages of documents, his narrow, alluring eyes gleaming with amusement, and a faint smile playing on his lips.

Sakurai Kogure knelt a short distance below him, her posture respectful and dignified. She wore an elegant kimono, her hair neatly styled, her eyes lowered in demure grace, like the most perfect lady in a painting. She was "Ryoma" of the Oni Clan, responsible for intelligence and some external affairs, and one of the very few who could serve this "Dragon King" at such close range.

"There's finally some movement from Kassel College," said Yuan Zhinv, her voice slightly languid and husky, like the rubbing of fine silk. "Next semester, an interesting team will be coming to Japan for an 'internship'."

He gently shook the paper in his hand, making a soft sound.

“Yes.” Sakurai Kogure nodded slightly, her voice clear and steady. “According to the intelligence we intercepted and analyzed, the members include: Lu Mingfei, an S-class student at Kassel College with an extremely high bloodline rating, but whose daily behavior is quite controversial. He has participated in many important operations, and his specific strength remains a mystery.”

Yuan Zhinv chuckled softly, her gaze still fixed on the somewhat lazy-looking photo of Lu Mingfei in the documents: "S-rank, Lu-kun, don't disappoint me."

Sakurai Kogure continued her report: "Chu Zihang, Super A-rank, his Word of Power is the extremely destructive 'King's Flame. He has a cold personality, outstanding execution ability, and is a pure force specialist."

"Oh? 'Junyan', a power as scorching as the sun, I wonder what kind of brilliance it will display on the stage at night."

"Caesar Gattuso, heir to the Italian Gattuso family, Rank A, Word of Power 'Kamaitachi'. Proud personality, with leadership qualities."

“The prince of the Gattuso family,” Genji nodded. “Proud people often have fragile hearts, making them best suited to break down at the climax of a drama.”

Finally, Sakurai Kogure hesitated: "The last one, Frilian. Information is extremely scarce. She is registered as Lu Mingfei's companion. She possesses unknown Word Power abilities; their specific strength, origin, and purpose are all unknown. She is almost a blank page in our database."

"Blank?" Genji finally looked up from the documents and turned to Sakurai Kogure, her bewitching eyes filled with even more interest. "Under the noses of Norma and the Snake Clan, it can still maintain such mystery? Interesting, very interesting. It seems that this time, the academy has sent not only a sharp blade, but also a completely unfathomable fog bullet."

He put down the documents, his fingertips lightly tapping the edge of the tatami mat, lost in thought. A brief silence fell over the room, broken only by the silent burning of sandalwood incense.

A moment later, Genji raised her head, her smile becoming deep and alluring, as if she had foreseen some interesting future.

He looked at Sakurai Kogure and instructed, "Kogure, prepare two invitations in my name. Use the best washi paper, and the ink should be fragrant."

"Yes. May I ask what the contents and the recipient are?" Sakurai Kogure asked respectfully.

"This is for Mr. Lu Mingfei and Miss Frilline. Invite them to come and see my theatrical performance in a few days."

My gaze pierced through the walls of the Japanese-style room, looking towards the distant, unknown stage.

"I think they will definitely be the most special audience."

Chapter 230 The Girl in Costume

The hustle and bustle of the day and the onslaught of information gradually subsided. Lu Mingfei forced himself to temporarily put aside the "Fierce Demon Clan," the "Snake-Headed Eight Families," and that headache-inducing "Japanese internship assignment." After all, the holiday wasn't over yet, and the daily life in front of him was the real thing.

He led Frilian on a aimless stroll through the film studio, looking at the antique-style buildings, watching the film crew shoot, and even joining in the fun to try some local snacks. Frilian maintained a calm curiosity about everything, occasionally pointing to a strange prop or an unfamiliar plant and asking Lu Mingfei about it. Lu Mingfei racked his brains to explain with his limited knowledge, but often failed to grasp the point, finally concluding that "it's probably unique to this area."

In the evening, the two returned to the vicinity of their hotel to have dinner.

The enticing aroma of noodles wafted from an unassuming noodle shop. The shop was small, barely able to fit five or six old wooden tables, but it was impeccably clean. The owner, a middle-aged man with a kind smile and wearing a white apron, stood before the steaming stove.

Lu Mingfei and Frilian chose a seat by the window.

"Boss, two bowls of beef noodles, one regular, and the other, um, something light," Lu Mingfei ordered loudly.

"Alright! Two bowls of beef noodles, one thick and one thin!" the owner responded loudly, quickly getting to work.

He picked up a large, deep pot and ladled in beef bone broth that had already simmered to a milky white color. The broth churned rapidly under the licking flames, releasing thick, white steam. Then, he grabbed a handful of hand-rolled, thick noodles, flicked his wrist, and the noodles separated like silk threads, sliding into the boiling broth. Long chopsticks gently stirred the noodles in the water to prevent them from sticking together.

On the other side, he skillfully scooped out tender, flavorful chunks of stewed beef from another small pot and evenly spread them at the bottom of two large bowls. He then sprinkled a handful of bright green scallions and cilantro on top of the meat. By this time, the noodles were cooked to perfection, springy but not mushy. The owner used long chopsticks and a slotted spoon to deftly scoop the noodles out, drain them, place them in the bowls, and then pour boiling hot broth over them.

Finally, a spoonful of bright red and fragrant chili oil was drizzled over Lu Mingfei's bowl, while Frilian's bowl remained clear. Two steaming bowls of beef noodles, bursting with meaty aroma, were then placed before them.

"Be careful, it's hot, enjoy!" the owner said with a smile, wiping his hands with his apron.

Lu Mingfei eagerly broke apart the disposable chopsticks, stirred the noodles, and mixed the beef, scallions, and broth thoroughly. He slurped up a big mouthful, blowing on it because it was hot, but squinted his eyes in satisfaction: "Mmm! Delicious! This broth is amazing!"

Frillie picked up a noodle, blew on it, and put it in her mouth, chewing it slowly and savoring the aroma of wheat and the rich flavor of the broth.

While slurping his noodles, Lu Mingfei habitually scrolled through his phone, checking local news and event information.

Suddenly, a push notification caught his attention.

"Ancient town opera stage, classic reborn! The large-scale immersive traditional drama 'The Azure Phoenix's Tribulation' will premiere tomorrow! Featuring renowned artist Zhu Ling'er in the leading role!"

The announcement was accompanied by several visually striking stills from the play. In the center of each image was a woman in magnificent costume and a kingfisher feather headdress, her features exquisite, her bearing extraordinary, her flowing sleeves creating an atmosphere as if she might leap from the painting at any moment. The background was a brightly lit ancient opera house, enhancing the overall ambiance.

"Huh? There's a theatrical performance here tomorrow night," Lu Mingfei said, turning his phone screen towards Frillie. "It looks pretty lively. Want to go check it out? I don't have anything else to do tonight anyway."

Frillie leaned closer, her emerald eyes fixed on the actress named Zhu Ling'er in the still. After a few seconds, she nodded: "Good. Her clothes are beautiful."

Seeing that Frillie was interested, Lu Mingfei immediately perked up.

He didn't know much about traditional drama, only a few glimpses he'd seen on TV with his uncle and aunt when he was a child, leaving him with a vague impression of slow, drawn-out singing. But since he was with Frilian, experiencing the local culture wouldn't hurt, it was better than staying cooped up in the hostel dealing with all that annoying academic information.

The following evening, as dusk settled, the area around the ancient town's opera stage was brightly lit and even more bustling than usual. The main street leading to the opera stage was noticeably more crowded, mostly with local residents and tourists, young and old alike, chatting and laughing, creating a festive atmosphere. Steam rose from the roadside food stalls, and children crowded around the vendors selling sugar figurines and blown sugar paintings. The air was filled with the aromas of various foods and the sounds of laughter, a scene of harmonious joy.

Lu Mingfei and Frilian mingled in the crowd, heading towards the theater. Frilian found the lively, bustling atmosphere somewhat novel, her gaze frequently sweeping over the dazzling array of small commodities and local snacks on both sides. Lu Mingfei was slightly nervous, subconsciously paying attention to his surroundings; after all, recent events had left him somewhat on edge.

However, the simple smiles on the faces before him gradually put him at ease. It was just an ordinary night, an ordinary folk performance, he told himself.

The opera house was an antique-style building with upturned eaves, appearing magnificent under the lights. The ticket line at the entrance was quite long, but orderly. People wore expectant expressions, chatting amongst themselves, and clearly appreciated the fame of this "Zhu Ling'er."

Inside the opera house, there is a traditional courtyard-style structure with an open courtyard in the center and two-story viewing platforms and corridors on all sides. Their seats were on the lower floor, near the front, with a great view. On the stage, the curtain was closed, and the bands on both sides began to tune their instruments, with the sounds of erhu and gongs testing their instruments adding to the atmosphere of the performance.

The lights dimmed, and the noise from the audience gradually subsided. A melodious flute tune began to play, as if it came from a distant horizon, and the curtain slowly rose.

The foreplay has begun.

The stage setting was exquisite, like a moving ancient painting. The landscape backdrop was evocative, and the pavilions and towers were refined and elegant. The actors took the stage one by one, their singing, recitation, acting, and acrobatics all imbued with a stylized beauty.

At first, Lu Mingfei was a little unaccustomed to the unique singing style and rhythm, but he was quickly attracted by the gorgeous costumes, exquisite movements and dramatic plot.

"The Azure Phoenix's Tribulation" tells a love story with mythological elements. The female protagonist is an azure phoenix that has cultivated for a thousand years. By chance, she descends to the mortal world, meets and falls in love with a human general, but they encounter obstacles from heavenly rules and go through many hardships.

The actress playing the female lead, Zhu Ling'er, instantly became the focus of the entire audience upon her appearance. Her portrayal of Qingluan was initially lively and charming, like a mountain spirit; when she fell in love, her eyes sparkled with tenderness; when faced with obstacles, her flowing sleeves fluttered, her movements were resolute, and her singing was sometimes soaring high and sometimes melodious and lingering, perfectly interpreting the character's joys and sorrows.

The curtain closes, and the foreplay ends.

"?", Lu Mingfei sensed something was wrong.

A faint aura emanated from Zhu Ling'er. She was clearly no ordinary person, possessing a strength akin to that of refined steel forged through countless trials.

A hybrid? And its bloodline level is probably quite high!

Lu Mingfei was secretly alarmed. A mixed-race person of A-level or even higher rank was actually performing in a folk opera troupe? This was too unusual. Considering the announcement that she was "legendarily a descendant of Zhu Yuanzhang," it added another layer of mystery to the actress.

"His movements are full of power; he must be a trained professional," Frillian said softly from the side. She had been watching the stage intently, especially Zhu Ling'er. "She doesn't seem as delicate as she looks."

Lu Mingfei nodded and said in a low voice, "Yes, she might not be an ordinary person."

He didn't explicitly say "half-blood," but Frilian understood what he meant.

Chapter 231 The Person in the Melody

The drumbeats gradually increased in intensity, like the rumble of thunder before a sudden downpour. A clear, melodious flute note pierced the air, like a phoenix's cry echoing through the heavens, instantly captivating the listeners. A huge velvet curtain slowly slid open to both sides, revealing a meticulously painted backdrop of mountains, rivers, pavilions, and terraces. The flowing lights created a dreamlike, ethereal atmosphere.

Then, Zhu Ling'er reappeared, and the sequel began.

Without a single line, just a silhouette, a profile, was enough to exude unparalleled beauty. Zhu Ling'er, playing Qingluan, made her first appearance with her back to the audience, dressed in a moon-white soft satin pleated dress, the hem flowing like moonlight. She slightly turned her head, revealing a beautifully shaped chin and a hint of red lips, her flowing sleeves drooping gracefully, her figure elegant, as if a fairy from a painting had mistakenly descended to the mortal world. With just a still appearance, her otherworldly aura enveloped the entire audience.

As the band played a melodious tune, she slowly turned around, her lotus-like steps light and graceful. The lights shone perfectly on her face, her eyebrows like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn waters rippling across the surface, radiant with every glance. Her singing began, clear and melodious, carrying an ethereal charm, each word perfectly enunciated, yet full of emotion, perfectly capturing the curiosity, agility, and a touch of innocent naiveté of a phoenix newly arrived in the mortal world.

She mimicked the posture of a bird, her fingertips slightly raised, her steps light, her eyes pure and curious as she surveyed this unfamiliar world. Occasionally, her water sleeves would flutter lightly, creating a gentle breeze, as if a pair of invisible wings were gently flapping.

When she encounters the young general played by a martial arts actor, the plot shifts to a warm and tender tone. Zhu Ling'er's performance also becomes gentle and graceful. Her eyes change, adding shyness, joy, and longing. During their scenes together, she lowers her head slightly, but her eyes can't help but steal glances upwards. She conveys the delicate charm of a young girl in love with extremely subtle movements and eyes, without any affectation, making her all the more endearing.

In a scene depicting their mutual affection, she and the general worked together seamlessly, their flowing sleeves intertwining and their figures twirling like two fluttering butterflies, creating a scene full of poetic beauty. Her singing also became tender and poignant, plaintive and plaintive, conveying Qingluan's happiness and unease about human love, touching the audience's hearts with every nuance.