Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

Lu Mingfei forced himself to say, "Strong and calm."

Frillie replied, "Gentle, Lu Mingfei is very gentle."

They both answered questions about the past in a way that appeared to outsiders as highly in sync, but in reality, there was a serious asymmetry in the amount of information they shared. Strangely, their answers always resonated with and impressed other couples, who felt they were "deeply knowledgeable" and had "unique experiences."

In the end, thanks to Frilian's unwavering honesty and Lu Mingfei's reckless daring, they won first place in the game by a narrow margin!

Now the advantage is in my hands, let's grab the discount!

The host handed a glittering 50% off coupon to Frilian. Frilian took it, looked at it carefully, and then handed it to Lu Mingfei, a very faint smile appearing on her face, like a small flower quietly blooming on an ice field.

"Great! The money we saved can buy more of that Pu'er tea stuff."

Looking at her smile, then at the heavy coupon in his hand, and recalling the game that had made his heart race, as well as the comments from those around him about how "perfectly matched" and "perfectly in sync," a complex mix of emotions welled up inside Lu Mingfei.

I wonder how Frilian views herself?

Pushing the shopping cart, which seemed even more worthwhile due to the 50% discount, Lu Mingfei followed Frillian toward the checkout counter.

Chapter 254 Welcome to Yunnan

Let's talk about two days ago.

After deciding to cooperate with the Zhu family, Lu Mingfei reported the situation to the academy via an encrypted channel. Vice Principal Flamel's reply was concise: "Approved. Be careful, collect data, call for backup if trouble arises," effectively giving the operation its official stamp.

Norma then sent some encrypted information about the history of dragon activities in Yunnan, as well as some practical advice on wilderness survival and ruins exploration, but information about the dragon ruins mentioned by the Zhu family was still scarce.

After packing their bags and bidding farewell to the film studio where they were temporarily staying, Lu Mingfei and Frillian embarked on their journey to Yunnan.

The massive Boeing 787, like an elegant steel whale, pierced through the thick clouds and began its slow descent. Outside the window, the once boundless, fluffy sea of ​​clouds was gradually torn apart, revealing the rolling green mountains and the winding, ribbon-like rivers below.

Lu Mingfei leaned against the window, his forehead gently pressed against the cool glass, looking down at this unfamiliar land.

Yunnan, a name existing only in geography textbooks, travel magazines, and martial arts novels, now appeared before his eyes in a tangible, magnificent expanse of green. He was dressed casually in a simple hoodie and jeans, looking somewhat relaxed.

"We'll be landing in about half an hour," Lu Mingfei said in a low voice, as if talking to himself, or perhaps to the person next to him.

Beside him, Frilian sat upright. The elven girl was dressed today in a beige trench coat and trousers suitable for long-distance travel. Her long silver hair, like flowing moonlight, was tied back with a simple ribbon to avoid inconvenience in the confined space. Her pointed ears twitched slightly, catching the rhythmic roar of the airplane engine, the friction of airflow over the fuselage, and various subtle sounds inside the cabin.

"Hmm," Frillian responded softly, her gaze also falling on the window, but more so on observing the movement of the clouds and the subtle changes in the light.

“The ‘qi’ here becomes more active and complex as it approaches the ground,” she said in a voice only the two of them could hear, using ancient Elvish vocabulary that Lu Mingfei could barely understand. It referred to the energy or life force flowing through the environment.

“Yunnan is said to be a kingdom of flora and fauna, with beautiful mountains and rivers. Maybe that’s what it feels like,” Lu Mingfei tried to explain, then paused and added, “When we meet the people who are picking us up, try to be, well, ordinary.”

He recalled the instructions given by the academy before his departure, as well as the invitation from the Zhu family.

Frillie glanced at him, her emerald green eyes like the purest lake, calm yet seemingly able to see through everything.

"I understand, I won't cause you any trouble."

For this trip, Frillie even temporarily disguised her ever-present staff, making it look like a uniquely designed hiking stick.

Recalling his experience before boarding the plane, Lu Mingfei still had some doubts. During the security check, Frillie's small bag, which appeared to be empty but actually contained something mysterious, caught the attention of the staff. Fortunately, he had prepared a set of seemingly reasonable "special material craftsmanship" instructions that the academy had arranged in advance, which allowed him to barely get through.

The plane began its descent, and a slight feeling of weightlessness began to creep in. The flight attendants began their final pre-landing checks, and a pleasant announcement reminded passengers to straighten their seatbacks and stow their tray tables.

"Fasten your seatbelt," Lu Mingfei reminded Frillian, and casually fastened the tray table in front of her. This subtle gesture made Frillian glance at him, but she didn't say anything, simply checking the seatbelt as instructed.

With a slight jolt and an increasingly noticeable roar of tires hitting the runway, the aircraft finally landed smoothly on the runway of Kunming Changshui International Airport. The reverse thrust device emitted a loud noise, bringing the high-speed aircraft to a steady stop.

Six hours later.

"We've arrived." Lu Mingfei let out a long breath. No matter how many times he takes a plane, the sense of security he feels at the moment of landing is always real.

After retrieving their checked luggage, which didn't seem to contain much, with most of Frillie's belongings apparently in that magical little bag, Lu Mingfei and Frillie followed the flow of people toward the arrival hall.

If Lu Mingfei were to describe it, it would be completely different from the dry and cold north; the air here is humid and carries the sweet scent of plants.

The arrivals area was bustling with people, holding up various signs and craning their necks in anticipation. Lu Mingfei scanned the crowd and soon noticed a rather conspicuous group among them.

Leading the group were two women. The one in front was a young woman of similar age, wearing a well-tailored, light purple, modernized cheongsam with a thin white cardigan over it. She had fair skin, delicate features, and long, black hair styled in an elegant updo, adorned with a simple jade hairpin. Her gentle demeanor exuded an undeniable air of nobility, and she smiled at them with clear eyes.

Half a step behind her was a young girl dressed in simple clothes, dressed as a maid. She had her hair in two buns, her eyes were bright, and she was whispering something to the girl in front of her. Her gaze was also on Lu Mingfei and Frilian.

Ah, it's Zhu Ling'er and her maid Xiao Yun.

Lu Mingfei noticed that behind the two women, there were a few young people scattered around, both men and women, dressed smartly, but with different expressions. Some looked curious, while others made no attempt to hide their scrutiny, or even slight contempt.

This group of people stood out from the ordinary passengers who were anxiously waiting around them, creating their own unique aura.

"Are you Mr. Lu and Miss Frilian?" The girl in the cheongsam took two steps forward when she saw Lu Mingfei looking at her. Her voice was clear and melodious, with a soft and gentle tone like that of people from the Jiangnan water towns, yet her pronunciation was clear and accurate.

“It’s me, Frilian is here.” Lu Mingfei nodded quickly and tugged at Frilian beside him.

"Welcome to Yunnan, both of you." The young girl smiled, her face blooming like a spring flower. "I am Zhu Ling'er, and this is my maid, Xiao Yun. My family arranged for me to receive you. I will be in charge of your itinerary and your accommodations during your stay in Yunnan."

Her words were polite and her posture humble, but Lu Mingfei could sense that the gazes of the young people behind her instantly became sharper, especially when they fell on Zhu Ling'er, with a hint of watching a show.

Tsk, I wonder if I've been dragged into a conflict between powerful families. What a hassle.

"Thank you for your trouble, Miss Zhu," Lu Mingfei said politely.

"Miss Ling'er, you're too kind. We've been too kind to you," he said, trying to make his tone sound more befitting of an invited guest.

"The car is already waiting outside. Shall we set off now? Our accommodation is a bit far from the airport, right by Erhai Lake." Zhu Ling'er stepped aside to lead the way, and Xiao Yun obediently stepped forward to help with the luggage, but Lu Mingfei politely declined.

Chapter 255 The Provocateur

Just then, a young man in a flashy pink shirt with slicked-back hair sneered and said in a sarcastic tone, "Oh, Ling'er, is this the 'distinguished guest' that the family repeatedly told us to treat well? He looks quite plain."

He deliberately emphasized the word "distinguished guest," his gaze sweeping over Lu Mingfei's outfit, which probably cost no more than five hundred yuan, and Frilian's overly delicate yet expressionless face.

Another girl, dressed in a tight dress and wearing heavy makeup, chimed in, "Exactly! I thought they were some important person. Sister Ling'er, you'd better treat them 'well' and not neglect them. After all, this is your first time independently receiving guests. If you mess it up, it won't be easy to explain to Third Uncle."

The gloating in his words was almost undisguised.

Zhu Ling'er's smile faded slightly, but she still maintained her composure. She turned back and glanced at the two men, her voice steady: "Zhu Ming, Zhu Qi, watch your words. You are guests of the family, and it is not your place to comment on yourselves."

The young man in the pink shirt named Zhu Ming shrugged, seemingly unconcerned. Instead, he took a few steps closer, his gaze landing directly on Frillie, a hint of frivolity in his eyes: "This foreign girl is quite a rare beauty. May I ask your name? Which country are you from? Are you dyeing your hair and wearing colored contact lenses?"

As he spoke, he reached out to touch a strand of silver hair that fell over Frillie's shoulder.

Lu Mingfei frowned, about to make a move, but saw that Frilline merely tilted her head slightly, her emerald green eyes calmly looking at Zhu Ming's outstretched hand. There was no anger, no emotion, as if she were looking at an insignificant object.

"?!" Zhu Ming's hand stopped a few centimeters away from Frilian's hair, as if he had touched an invisible and cold barrier. An inexplicable chill instantly spread from his fingertips to his arm, making him shiver and subconsciously withdraw his hand, a look of surprise and uncertainty flashing across his face.

"Zhu Ming!" Zhu Ling'er said angrily, "If he behaves disrespectfully again, I will report to the Hall of Affairs and deal with him according to the family rules!"

Zhu Ming reluctantly withdrew his hand, but still retorted, "It was just a joke, Ling'er, why get angry? Let's go, let's not keep our distinguished guest waiting."

He deliberately ignored the strange feeling he had just experienced, thinking it was just his imagination, but when he looked at Frillie again, there was a hint of apprehension in his eyes.

Zhu Qi also pursed her lips and didn't say anything more, but her eyes were still full of provocation when she looked at Zhu Ling'er.

Lu Mingfei observed all of this with perfect clarity. It seemed the Zhu family was not a monolithic entity, and Zhu Ling'er's role as hostess was far from easy. And these two distinguished guests, in some people's eyes, were likely uninvited guests, or even tools used to embarrass Zhu Ling'er.

The group split into several cars and left the bustling airport, heading towards Dali along the highway. Outside the car windows, the scenery gradually changed from the outline of the city to the silhouettes of open fields and distant mountains. The sky was a clear, deep blue, and the clouds hung low, seemingly within reach.

After about an hour's drive, the vehicle exited the highway and turned onto the lakeside road. The vast, azure Erhai Lake suddenly appeared before us, shimmering in the sunlight. On the opposite shore, the Cangshan Mountains stretched like a screen, majestic and continuous, their peaks faintly visible, capped with snow. The scenery was breathtakingly beautiful, like a painting.

Finally, the convoy stopped in front of a quiet courtyard nestled on the shores of Erhai Lake. The gate was a rustic wooden structure with a plaque bearing two large, elegant characters: "Zhu Lou" (朱楼). The courtyard was lush with greenery both inside and out, creating a serene and tranquil environment.

"This is the accommodation I arranged for you two. It's also one of the properties under the Zhu family, and I'm currently managing it," Zhu Ling'er said, leading Lu Mingfei and Frilian into the courtyard.

The courtyard is a typical Bai ethnic minority dwelling, featuring a three-courtyard layout with a screen wall, a four-sided courtyard with five patios, whitewashed walls, painted murals, carved beams and painted rafters, exquisite yet rustic. A pond with flowing water is located in the courtyard, where koi swim and flowers and plants flourish.

"The environment is wonderful, thank you so much, Miss Ling'er," Lu Mingfei exclaimed sincerely. This place has a completely different charm compared to the style of Kassel College, making it a truly refreshing experience.

Frillie was quite satisfied with the environment and nodded slightly.

Seeing that they liked it, Zhu Ling'er's face also showed genuine joy: "I'm glad you two like it. I've already had the two best rooms with a view prepared, where you can see Erhai Lake as soon as you open the window. Xiao Yun, please lead Mr. and Miss Frillie to their rooms and settle in."

“Yes, Miss,” Xiaoyun replied and stepped forward.

However, just as they were about to follow Xiaoyun to her room, an untimely voice rang out again.

"The best view rooms?" Zhu Ming and Zhu Qi and the others had followed them in at some point. Standing on the veranda, Zhu Ming crossed his arms and glanced at Zhu Ling'er. "Ling'er, weren't those two rooms reserved for the important guest who's coming in a few days, as instructed by Seventh Uncle? You just gave them to outsiders without my permission?"

Zhu Ling'er's expression darkened slightly: "I will explain to Seventh Uncle myself. Since the family has entrusted me with the management of 'Zhu Lou,' I know how to arrange the guest rooms. Those two rooms are just sitting empty anyway, so what's wrong with using them to receive guests invited by the family?"

"Oh, what a big mouth you have!" Zhu Qi shrieked. "Sister Ling'er, you've only been in charge for a few days, and you already don't respect the elders' words? Besides, who knows what kind of people these two you invited are? What if they're some shady characters who tarnish the tranquility of our 'Zhu Lou'? Can you bear the consequences?"

That was a rather harsh remark. Lu Mingfei frowned; he could feel that Frilian's breathing had become stagnant beside him, and the surrounding air seemed to have cooled slightly. He gently touched Frilian's arm, signaling her to calm down.

"Zhu Qi!" Zhu Ling'er's voice turned completely cold. "Mind your place! Mr. Lu and Miss Frilian are officially invited guests of the family. You are not allowed to use such foul language here! If you dare to spout nonsense again, get out of 'Zhu Lou'!"

Zhu Qi was taken aback by Zhu Ling'er's sudden outburst of power, but then became furious and embarrassed: "You! Zhu Ling'er, what right do you have to tell me to get out? This 'Zhu Lou' belongs to the family, not just you!"

"Because I'm in charge here now!" Zhu Ling'er retorted without backing down. She usually seemed gentle, but the decisiveness and authority she displayed at this moment left Zhu Qi speechless.

Seeing this, Zhu Ming's eyes darted around, and he put on a peacemaker's face: "Alright, alright, we're all family, why are you arguing? Since Sister Ling'er has made the arrangements, let's leave it at that for now. However..."

He changed the subject, looking at Lu Mingfei and Frilian, and said with a forced smile, "Gentlemen, although our Zhu family is hospitable, we also have some rules. There are some forbidden areas in this 'Zhu Building,' such as the ancestral hall and library in the backyard. Please do not wander around there casually, so as not to cause any unnecessary misunderstandings. After all, those who are not of our kind are bound to have different intentions, haha."

His words, seemingly a reminder, were in fact a blatant xenophobia and warning.

Lu Mingfei sighed inwardly as he watched the farce unfold before him. It seemed this trip to Yunnan was destined to be anything but peaceful. He forced a somewhat lazy, even bewildered smile, scratched his head, and said, "Oh, I see, thanks for reminding me. We're just here for tourism, we won't wander off."

His seemingly harmless demeanor further convinced Zhu Ming and Zhu Qi that the two were nothing special, so they snorted and said no more.

Zhu Ling'er took a deep breath, suppressing her anger, and gave Lu Mingfei and Frilian an apologetic smile: "I'm sorry, you two must have been so embarrassed. Please go to your room with Xiaoyun to rest first. I will treat you to a welcome dinner later."

Lu Mingfei nodded, took Frilian's hand, and followed Xiaoyun toward the guest rooms. Behind them, they could still faintly hear the discontented murmurs of Zhu Ming, Zhu Qi, and others, as well as Zhu Ling'er's suppressed anger and low rebukes.

Chapter 256 Hiring Thugs

The city's neon lights can't illuminate every corner, especially in places like "Old Cat" bar, a den of iniquity. The sour smell of cheap tobacco, alcohol, and sweat is nauseating.

Under the dim light, around a few dilapidated pool tables, several young men with fierce eyes and covered in tattoos smoked cigarettes and casually swung their cues, the sound of the claps hitting the tables particularly jarring amidst the loud music.

In a more secluded booth at the far end of the bar, Zhu Ming sat upright, completely out of place with his surroundings. He wore a well-tailored, custom-made suit, his fingers lightly tapping the table, his eyes filled with a condescending indifference. His sister, Zhu Qi, sat beside him, her face showing a mixture of excited and malicious anticipation. She frequently peeked towards the door, almost impatiently.

"Brother, why haven't they arrived yet? Are they reliable?" Zhu Qi asked in a low voice.

Zhu Ming glanced at her, his voice steady: "Be patient. The Viper gang, though they're not exactly respectable, are ruthless and their hands aren't clean, making them perfect for this kind of thing. Isn't that exactly the kind of reckless arrogance we need?"

My sister is too impatient; haste makes waste.

As they were talking, the curtain to the booth was lifted, and a man with a buzz cut, a hideous scar near his eye, and a dark blue snake tattooed on his neck walked in, followed by three thugs with fierce-looking eyes. The leader was Snake, a notorious gangster in the area, known for his ruthlessness, and rumored to have at least one murder on his hands.

"Young Master Zhu, Miss Zhu, we apologize for keeping you waiting." Viper forced a grotesque smile and sat down opposite Zhu Ming with a swagger. His triangular eyes swept over Zhu Qi without any restraint, filled with undisguised lewdness. His henchmen behind him also let out a few cryptic chuckles, their gazes equally unruly.