Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

Lu Mingfei still seemed listless, dressed in ordinary casual clothes, hands in his pockets, his eyes scanning his surroundings with a hint of curiosity. Frilian maintained her calm and expressionless demeanor.

Zhu Ling'er once again expressed the Zhu family's apologies to the two of them and explained the arrangements for the day.

Lu Mingfei scratched his head, somewhat surprised by this elegant way of apologizing, but still said, "It's alright, we didn't lose anything anyway." Frillie nodded slightly, her gaze falling on Ye Zhi Qiu, who was slowly walking out of the thatched hut.

Ye Zhi Qiu had changed into a slightly more formal black robe today, which added to his solemnity. He exchanged glances with Lu Ming Fei and Frillie for a moment, without much small talk, and simply made a "please" gesture, leading everyone to the old plum tree in the courtyard.

On the stone table, a set of simple and elegant purple clay teaware and several tea canisters of various shapes were already laid out.

"Please have a seat, my two young friends," Ye Zhi Qiu said in a calm voice, carrying a soothing quality.

Lu Mingfei and Frilian sat down as instructed, with Zhu Ling'er and Yun'er sitting beside them.

Ye Zhi Qiu did not rush to begin, but first washed his hands and burned incense. A faint wisp of sandalwood incense rose, mixing with the aroma of tea and the fragrance of herbs in the courtyard, creating an ethereal and tranquil atmosphere.

Lu Mingfei thought to himself, "As expected of a master, he always has so much to do."

"The way of tea begins with herbs and trees, and is perfected by the human heart," Ye Zhi Qiu began. "Today, I will share with you a few kinds of coarse teas, so that you may savor the essence of heaven and earth and the taste of time."

He opened the first simple celadon jar and used a tea scoop to take out a small amount of tightly rolled, dark, and finely veiled tea leaves.

"This is 'Hongpao Yun,' produced on the cliffs of Wuyi Mountain. It has been roasted over charcoal, resulting in a mellow flavor and a long-lasting rocky aroma," he explained as he warmed the teapot, placed the tea leaves, and began brewing. When the teapot was poured from a height, the water flowed like a waterfall into a pool, and the tea leaves tumbled in the pot, releasing a rich aroma of roasting and fruit.

The tea leaves were poured into the cups, and the tea soup was a bright orange-red.

Lu Mingfei took it and, imitating him, took a sip. He felt a warm and powerful force flow down his throat, carrying a unique mineral flavor and a sweet aftertaste, which gave him a slight boost of energy.

"The second course," Ye Zhiqiu said, rinsing the teaware and opening a white porcelain jar containing emerald green tea leaves covered in fine hairs and shaped like snails. "This is 'Biluochun,' which comes from the shores of Taihu Lake. It is beautiful in shape, vibrant in color, rich in aroma, and mellow in taste, and is known as 'intimidatingly fragrant.'"

He used the top-pouring method, first filling the cup to seven-tenths full, then adding the tea leaves. The tea leaves, like green butterflies fluttering, slowly sank to the bottom of the cup, gradually unfurling, producing a clear, bright green liquor with a delightful aroma. This tea had a fresh, sweet, and mellow taste, completely different from the previous Hongpao flavor, as if the spring colors of Jiangnan had been infused into the water.

Lu Mingfei felt his mouth filled with a refreshing scent, and the slight fatigue from before vanished. Frillie closed her eyes slightly, savoring the vibrant life force lingering on her nose and tongue.

Ye Zhi Qiu observed the two's reactions and continued brewing the third infusion of tea. This time, the tea leaves were covered in white down, resembling needles.

"This is 'Silver Needle White Tea,' produced in Fuding. It is not fried or rolled, but only withered and dried, thus preserving the true nature of the tea to the greatest extent." After brewing, the tea soup is light yellow and clear, with a delicate and elegant aroma, a fresh and refreshing taste, and a long-lasting sweet aftertaste.

This tea appeared exceptionally pure and natural, and Lu Mingfei felt his mood become much calmer. Frillie looked at the upright tea buds in the cup, wondering if this master was also a high-level hybrid.

"The world's teas come in a thousand forms, each with its own characteristics, just like the myriad aspects of life," Ye Zhi Qiu said slowly as he brewed the tea. "Wooden rock tea is strong, green tea is refreshing, and white tea is pure. No matter what kind of tea it is, its essence is still that leaf, which presents different appearances due to the region, process, and time. To taste tea is also to taste nature, to taste creation, and to taste one's true self."

He looked at Lu Mingfei and Frilian: "Grievances and losses are sometimes like the tea leaves in this cup. They may seem chaotic and unpredictable, but they will eventually settle and leave behind their true flavor. I hope this cup of tea can wash away some of the troubles of the world, express the Zhu family's apologies, and also forge a good relationship."

Lu Mingfei listened to these words, watching the tea leaves floating in his cup, lost in thought. Frillie gently turned her teacup, understanding dawning on her; they had come for the Zhu family.

It seems they came prepared; we must be on guard.

Zhu Ling'er and Yun'er stood quietly by her side, hoping to sever Zhu Ming and Zhu Qi's ties with the Zhu family.

Chapter 262 A Trip to the Tea Garden

After several courses of tea, the lingering fragrance on the lips and teeth brought a sense of peace and joy.

Ye Zhiqiu put down the teapot, looked at Lu Mingfei and Frilian, and extended an invitation: "What you learn from books is never enough. If you two young friends are interested, why not come with me to this tea garden and see for yourselves the origin of this beverage, and experience the process from picking to making it yourself?"

This suggestion took Lu Mingfei by surprise. He looked at Frillie and, seeing that she didn't object, nodded in agreement: "Okay, that sounds interesting."

It's springtime, and the tea gardens are a vibrant green, with rolling tea ridges resembling green waves undulating across the hillsides. The unique, refreshing aroma of tea is delightful. Many tea farmers, wearing straw hats, are busy in the fields.

Ye Zhi Qiu first led them to a patch of thriving tea trees. "Picking tea is the first step, and also a crucial one."

He personally demonstrated, deftly pinching off a tender shoot with his fingers. "Look, you need to take this 'one bud and one leaf' or 'one bud and two leaves,' which must be even, clean, fresh, and tender. You need to use your fingertips skillfully, without damaging the leaves or including any old stems."

Lu Mingfei tried to imitate her, clumsily plucking the tea leaves, either crushing them with too much force or breaking off old leaves. Frillie watched quietly, then stretched out her slender fingers and plucked the standard buds and leaves, her movements so light and graceful as if afraid of disturbing the tea leaves' dream, her speed even matching that of the skilled tea farmers beside her.

Upon seeing this, Ye Zhi Qiu's eyes flashed with surprise and admiration once again.

What kind of deity has the Zhu family offended? These two seem to be high-level hybrids.

"Miss Frilian is very talented," Ye Zhi Qiu said, offering a rare and direct compliment.

Frillie simply tilted her head slightly without responding.

After experiencing the hard work and skills involved in picking the leaves, Ye Zhi Qiu took them to visit the withering area. The freshly picked leaves were spread thinly on bamboo mats and allowed to lose moisture naturally in a gentle, well-ventilated environment.

"This process is to dissipate the grassy smell, bring out the inner aroma, and at the same time soften the leaves to make them easier to knead later."

Next comes the "killing the green" process. Next to a stove, tea farmers put the withered tea leaves into a hot iron wok and stir-fry them quickly by hand. In an instant, the aroma of tea fills the air, and steam rises.

"High temperatures rapidly destroy the activity of enzymes in tea leaves, preventing oxidation and fixing their quality and form. This is a key step in forming the color, aroma, and flavor of tea," Ye Zhiqiu explained.

Lu Mingfei watched the tea farmer's hands flying across the hot pan and secretly clicked his tongue in amazement.

Then comes the "rolling". After the tea leaves are killed, they are placed on bamboo strips and repeatedly rolled by hand to curl them into strips, squeezing out some tea juice to adhere to the surface, so that the flavor can be released when brewing. "The intensity and speed of rolling affect the strength of the tea soup and the shape of the tea leaves."

Finally, there is the "drying" process. The kneaded tea leaves are placed in a drying basket and slowly dried over charcoal at a low temperature to thoroughly remove moisture, fix the quality, and develop the aroma.

"Only then can a fresh leaf become the dry tea that we can brew."

Throughout the process, Ye Zhi Qiu explained in detail the key points and significance of each step.

Although Lu Mingfei only half understood what he was hearing, he deeply appreciated the enormous amount of manpower required to create such a small tea leaf.

This is such a hassle.

As the sun set, the day's tea garden experience drew to a close. Ye Zhi Qiu presented Lu Ming Fei and Frillie with a package of freshly made and dried tea that he had personally prepared that day.

"Although this tea is simple, it is a tea that you two personally participated in and witnessed the creation of. Drinking it may allow you to reminisce about today's events."

Lu Mingfei took the still-warm tea bag. "Thank you, sir. I've learned a lot today."

Frillie bowed slightly in return.

As night fell again, Lu Mingfei and Frilian left the tea garden, carrying with them the special packet of tea, the aroma of tea, and their own stories and experiences.

On the carriage back to the thatched cottage in the Western Hills, Ye Zhi Qiu closed his eyes to rest. Zhu Ling'er sat beside him and sincerely thanked him, saying, "Today, thanks to you, sir, we were able to turn danger into safety. On behalf of the Zhu family, I thank you again for your great kindness."

The layman slowly opened his eyes, gazing at the flowing night outside the window, and said calmly, "No need for thanks. The essence of the tea ceremony lies in communication and reconciliation. Today's situation is less due to my own efforts and more due to the magnanimity of those two gentlemen and your sincerity. That young friend Lu may seem ordinary, but he possesses an inner brilliance that is unfathomable. As for that young lady Frilian, her purity of spirit and keen perception are unparalleled in my life. The Zhu family should treat her with sincerity in the future and refrain from causing any further trouble."

Zhu Ling'er replied solemnly, "Ling'er will remember the layman's teachings."

Meanwhile, back at his temporary lodging, Lu Mingfei brewed a cup of the new tea he had helped make, which was still a bit rough in taste. Savoring the flavor, he smiled at Frillie and said, "Today was quite interesting, wasn't it? I didn't expect there to be so many intricacies to drinking tea."

Frillie sat by the window, gazing at the stars in the night sky, holding a cup of the same tea in her hands, and softly hummed in agreement.

The night was deep, but a solitary lamp was still lit in Zhu Ling'er's inner room.

Yun'er quietly brought over a cup of warm, calming tea and said softly, "Miss, it's late, you should rest."

Zhu Ling'er rubbed her temples, not touching the cup of tea, but instead looked up at Yun'er, "Yun'er, the matter with Master Ye during the day can be temporarily put aside, and Young Master Lu and Miss Frilian have accepted our apologies. But the festering sores within the family cannot be delayed any longer. Zhu Ming, and Zhu Qi, who is backing him up and giving him advice, must be dealt with."

Yun'er's expression hardened, knowing that her mistress was about to get serious. She lowered her voice and said, "How does Miss intend to deal with them? Young Master Zhu Ming has behaved improperly and bullied others by abusing his power. The evidence is conclusive. Miss Zhu Qi, although she did not take direct action, secretly instigated and provided manpower. Her intentions are despicable."

“According to clan rules, Zhu Ming’s actions have tarnished the family’s reputation and made enemies for the clan. At the very least, he should be stripped of his allowance and confined to the ancestral hall for three years to reflect on his mistakes. Zhu Qi, who fueled the flames, should be severely punished, and some of his authority should be stripped as a deterrent,” Zhu Ling’er said.

The tone shifted, tinged with a hint of helplessness: "However, things are not that simple. Zhu Qi has cultivated relationships within the clan for many years, and his connections with several elders are deeply entrenched. If we suddenly launch an attack now, they will certainly be dissatisfied, and may even unite to obstruct us under the pretext of 'not airing dirty laundry in public' and 'not allowing internal turmoil during the stay of our distinguished guests.' At that time, not only will we fail to punish them, but we may also alert them, making them wary, and they might even secretly sabotage Young Master Lu and his group's exploration of the ruins."

Yun'er immediately understood the crux of the matter, her delicate brows furrowing slightly: "Miss is concerned. Those old masters, cough cough, elders, value superficial harmony and their own interests the most. Moving against Zhu Qi and Zhu Ming at this moment would indeed face too much resistance."

“Not bad.” Zhu Ling’er stood up, walked to the window, and looked at the deep night in the courtyard. “Lu Mingfei and Frilian are going to explore the newly discovered dragon ruins on the outskirts of the city. This matter is of great importance. It may contain opportunities, or it may harbor unknown risks. The family needs to maintain stability. At least in external affairs, we must be united. We cannot start internal strife at this time, distract them, or make ourselves a laughing stock in front of outsiders.”

She turned around, the candlelight flickering in her eyes: "Therefore, dealing with Zhu Ming and Zhu Qi must be postponed. Everything will be discussed after Lu Mingfei and Frilian return safely from the Dragon Ruins and the exploration is settled. At that time, we can then free up our hands to properly clean up our own house."

Yun'er nodded, "Miss's thinking is thorough. A small act of impatience can ruin a great plan. At this moment, stabilizing the family and ensuring the smooth progress of the exploration of the ruins is the priority. Let Zhu Ming and Zhu Qi enjoy their freedom for a few more days. We will settle accounts with them after things have calmed down."

Zhu Ling'er let out a soft sigh. "Hmm, let them be smug for a few more days. Send someone to keep a close eye on them and gather more evidence. When the time is right, I want them, along with those old fogies who tried to protect them, to know that the Zhu family will ultimately not tolerate such rampant corruption."

"Yes, Miss," Yun'er bowed and accepted the order.

Chapter 263 Everything Depends on Heaven's Will

Deep in the mountains, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, lies a secluded valley shrouded in an ancient feng shui formation. This is the ancestral home of the Zhu family, not a village or residence in the ordinary sense, but rather a vast array of formations built following the contours of the mountains and the dragon veins.

The dark blue stone buildings, covered in moss from the passage of time, blended seamlessly with the surrounding pines and cypresses, exuding a somber and austere atmosphere. Ordinary clansmen, without a summons, were never allowed to set foot here in their entire lives. Only the core elders of each generation and those old monsters who sought transcendence were qualified to reside here permanently, exploring the depths of the Zhu family bloodline and the ultimate secrets hidden in this world.

Deep within the ancestral land lies a stone chamber completely embedded in the mountainside. The chamber has no windows, its only light coming from a few ever-burning lamps fueled by mermaid oil on the walls, casting an eerie glow inside.

In the center of the stone chamber is a huge Bagua plate carved from a single piece of black basalt. It is over three zhang in diameter and is covered with densely packed ancient runes that have long been lost. The grooves of the runes are filled with a dark red substance, like dried blood, mixed with fragments of crystal.

Around the Bagua plate, various strange items were arranged in specific positions: the skull of an unknown beast, a bronze ritual object with a dull color, a strange heart that was still slightly pulsating in a jade bowl, and several finger bones that were sealed in transparent crystal and slightly curled up as if they were still alive.

A figure, hunched over, sat cross-legged in the very center of the Bagua plate.

He was an extremely thin old man, wearing a wide robe whose original color was no longer discernible, hanging loosely on his emaciated body. His face was covered with layers of wrinkles, like the bark of an old tree, making his original features almost indistinguishable, except for a pair of eyes that gleamed with a sharp light in their deep sockets.

He is Zhu Liao, one of the most senior and mysterious members of the Zhu family.

Most people outside the Zhu family, and even within the family itself, believed that he had passed away many years ago. Only a very few people at the very core knew that this ancestor had been existing in a strange state between life and death in the stone chamber of this ancestral land, pursuing the ultimate goal that had troubled countless emperors, generals, alchemists, and eccentrics since ancient times—immortality.

At this moment, Zhu Liao was performing an extremely mentally taxing divination. His withered, claw-like hands moved slowly across the Bagua plate with a rhythm that defied human anatomy. His fingertips traced patterns in the air just inches above the dark red rune grooves, and as they moved, the dark red substance within the grooves seemed to be drawn by an invisible force, faintly shimmering with a blood-red glow.

Zhu Liao muttered incantations, uttering extremely difficult and strangely syllableed words. It was not any existing language, but rather a combination of a low roar like a dragon and an ancient shamanic prayer. Each syllable stirred an invisible force field within the stone chamber, causing the flame of the eternal lamp to flicker slightly, and the shadows on the walls to twist and dance accordingly.

The theme of the divination, as always, concerns the "path to immortality".

Zhu Liao's lifespan has long surpassed the limits of humankind. He has forcibly extended his life to this day by relying on the Zhu family's ancestral mixed-blood secret techniques, as well as various plundered natural treasures and even some forbidden evil arts.

However, this method comes at a huge cost and is not true immortality.

His body decayed and deteriorated over the long years, like a leaky bucket that needed constant external force to fill the leak and maintain its limbo. He longed for true, perfect, and eternal life, to transcend the constraints of this decaying body and become a higher being.

The crimson halo on the Bagua plate grew stronger and stronger, and the ancient runes seemed to come alive, beginning to swim, combine, and separate on the surface of the stone plate like tadpoles.

Zhu Liao stared intently at the changes in the runes, his breathing becoming rapid and heavy, his chest heaving violently as if it might fall apart at any moment.

Suddenly, the flowing runes froze, combining into a strange pattern—at the core of the pattern was a faint dragon-shaped phantom radiating endless antiquity and power. Within the swirling and circling dragon shadow, the outline of a broken yet magnificent palace complex could be vaguely seen, and deep within the ruins, golden light shimmered.

"Dragon Clan, Ruins." Zhu Liao's voice was hoarse and excited, like two pieces of sand rubbing together. "Indeed, the ancient records are true. Only by touching the true core secrets of the Dragon Clan can one obtain immortality!"

Dragons, as life forms far older and more powerful than humans, likely hold the ultimate secrets about the essence of life within their ruins. This perfectly aligns with the goal he has pursued throughout his life!

However, the divination did not stop there. Beside the illusory image of the dragon ruins, the frozen runes underwent another subtle change, with new lines emerging and gradually forming a blurry humanoid silhouette. This humanoid figure and the dragon ruins shared a fateful, inseparable connection.

Zhu Liao held his breath, concentrating all his mental energy in his eyes, trying to make out the blurry human figure. He bit his tongue, spitting his blood onto the corresponding area of ​​the Bagua compass.

"puff!"

As the essence and blood merged into the runes, the blurry humanoid figure instantly became slightly clearer.

It was a young man with black hair, who looked somewhat ordinary and even a bit decadent—it was Lu Mingfei!

"It's him?!" Zhu Liao's pupils shrank sharply.

Although he lived a secluded life, he was not entirely unaware of the outside world. He had heard a little about the conflict between Zhu Ming, Zhu Qi, Lu Mingfei, and Frillie, but initially dismissed it as mere childish play and didn't take it to heart. However, at this moment, the divination clearly showed that this young man named Lu Mingfei was crucially connected to the dragon relics he was pursuing, and even to his own grand plan for immortality.