Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

Lu Mingfei's gaze swept across the ravaged battlefield, fixing firmly on the dark bronze coffin on the central platform. The coffin remained silent, its dragon carvings and flowing dragon runes gleaming coldly under the light of Frilian's staff; the dark red ruby ​​dragon eyes were so deep they seemed to suck in souls. An invisible spiritual pressure emanating from within the coffin surged forth in waves, attempting to shake his will.

He took a deep breath, confirming that what lay ahead held an extraordinary attraction for him, or rather, a destiny he had to confront. He stepped onto the stairs leading to the platform, his footsteps echoing clearly in the deathly silent hall.

"Having come all this way, are we really going to leave empty-handed?"

Frillie silently followed, the light from her staff acting as a loyal guardian, dispelling the chilling aura emanating from Lu Mingfei. Zhu Ling'er gritted her teeth, signaling Yun'er to take care of the wounded, while she gripped her short sword tightly and followed closely behind.

The platform was constructed of a material neither gold nor stone, its touch icy cold. The alchemical matrix patterns on it were intricate and detailed, with energy flowing slowly within, ultimately converging on the bronze coffin at its center. Upon closer inspection, the coffin's immense size and oppressive presence became even more apparent; it resembled less a burial vessel and more a sleeping fortress, a prison.

Lu Mingfei stood before the coffin, an arm's length away from the ferocious dragon head relief. He stared at the dark red gemstone dragon eye, as if thick blood was slowly flowing inside the gemstone, or like a pupil that had been frozen with a thousand years of resentment and bitterness.

"Be careful, there are strong mental remnants, even fragments of consciousness," Frilian warned. She could sense that what lingered around the coffin was not just energy, but also a vortex of intense emotions and memories.

Lu Mingfei seemed not to hear, his mind completely captivated by the pair of dragon eyes. As if possessed, he slowly raised his hand, not to attack, nor to defend, but simply to extend it out, his fingertips about to touch the cool, smooth surface of the gemstone.

The instant his fingertips touched the longan.

"boom!!!"

A colossal wave of mental power! Lu Mingfei felt his consciousness being pulled out of his body by an irresistible, violent force, and thrown into an endless vortex of memories and emotions.

The exclamations of Frilian and the warnings of Zhu Ling'er from the outside world all seemed distant and unreal, as if separated by a thick curtain of water.

Darkness, spinning, then frozen.

A salty, pungent wind, carrying the earthy scent of the Yellow River, swept over me. The air was filled with deafening shouts of battle, the clang of clashing weapons, the neighing of warhorses, and the cries of the dying. The ground beneath my feet trembled slightly, the result of thousands upon thousands of feet and hooves trampling beneath my feet.

Lu Mingfei found himself standing on an ancient city wall, its surface weathered and covered with marks of swords and axes, as well as dried blood. He wore heavy, cold, luminous armor, the helmet pressing down on him so hard he could hardly breathe, and in his hand he gripped a bloodstained spear, its tip still dripping with viscous liquid.

He became "him," Li Chonghui, a military governor who held sway over a region and commanded a large army during the late Tang Dynasty.

As far as the eye could see, below the city walls, rebel troops surged like a tidal wave. Dressed in variegated uniforms and wielding various weapons, they swarmed up the siege ladders like locusts, charging frantically upwards. Logs and stones rained down from the city walls, accompanied by screams of agony. Hot oil poured down, and rockets were launched in unison, instantly igniting a sea of ​​fire, the stench of burning flesh nauseating.

"Your Excellency! The East Gate is under attack! Commander Wang requests reinforcements!" The captain, his face covered in blood, staggered up to him, his voice hoarse.

Without hesitation, Lu Mingfei, driven by the instincts and memories of this body, shouted in a deep voice, "Send my personal guards to the front! Tell Wang Ke that if he can't hold the east gate, he'll bring his head to me!"

"Understood!" The captain turned and ran off.

Lu Mingfei's gaze swept across the battlefield, as calm as a frozen lake. He could see the fear and determination on every soldier's face, and hear the exhaustion and struggle in every breath. He could feel the surging power within these bodies, their superhuman physique, reaction speed, and almost instinctive familiarity with killing.

A hybrid. This military governor is a powerful hybrid whose incantations enhance the morale of the group or the combat power of the individual. Under his lead in the charge, the originally crumbling defensive line can always be miraculously stabilized.

This wasn't just watching; it was complete immersion. Lu Mingfei could clearly feel the bulging of Li Chonghui's muscles with each swing of his spear, feel the excruciating pain in his hand as he parried a heavy blow, smell the thick, overwhelming scent of blood and death in the air, and taste the salty bitterness of sweat and blood mingling in his mouth.

He could even share Li Chonghui's thoughts: his resentment towards the court's suspicion, his heartache over the deaths and injuries of his men, and his complex feelings for the land he had sworn to protect.

A battle to defend the city raged from the blazing sun to the blood-red sunset. As the last wave of rebels retreated like a receding tide at the sound of retreat, leaving behind mountains of corpses beneath the city walls, Lu Mingfei stood amidst the carnage, leaning on his long spear. Gazing at the blood-stained sunset on the horizon, his chest heaved violently. There was no joy of victory in his heart, only endless exhaustion and desolation.

Scene switching.

No longer a desolate battlefield, but the rear garden of the governor's mansion, with its carved beams and painted rafters, and the air filled with the fragrance of incense. The moon hangs high in the sky, its clear light bathing the courtyard. A pear tree is in full bloom, its petals fluttering down in the gentle breeze.

Lu Mingfei removed his heavy armor, changed into a loose-fitting dark-colored casual outfit, and sat on a stone bench. Before him sat a woman in a moon-white ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress). She wasn't a stunning beauty, but her features were gentle and her demeanor refined. She lowered her head, intently playing the guqin on the table. With each pluck of her slender fingers, clear and ethereal music flowed forth, seemingly capable of cleansing the dust from one's soul.

This is his wife, née Liu, whose given name is Qingyi.

Lu Mingfei could sense that when Li Chonghui's gaze fell upon Liu Qingyi, his heart, which was as hard as stone on the battlefield, would instantly soften. It was a love and dependence deeply rooted in his bones.

Liu Qingyi was not of mixed race; she was just an ordinary, intelligent woman from an official family. Yet, she was like the only tranquil harbor for Li Chonghui, the giant ship sailing through turbulent waves.

“My husband’s murderous aura is particularly strong today.” Liu Qingyi stopped playing the zither, raised her eyes, and looked at him with a clear but worried expression.

Lu Mingfei picked up the wine glass in front of him and drank it all in one gulp. The spicy liquid burned his throat, but it couldn't dispel the gloom in his heart. "The court has sent another imperial envoy, ostensibly to reward the army, but in reality to keep watch. Heh, under the emperor's nose, among all these high-ranking officials, I'm afraid I, Li Chonghui, will be the next to lead my troops westward to seize the throne."

Liu Qingyi gently took his hand, which was resting on the stone table; her hand was slightly cool. "Great achievements can overshadow the ruler; such things have always been the case. My husband, I only ask that you have a clear conscience and safeguard the peace of this land."

"I have a clear conscience," Lu Mingfei murmured, then turned and gripped his wife's hand tightly.

Lu Mingfei could feel the struggle within himself: his disappointment with the imperial court, his wariness of power, and the deep-seated yearning for greater strength and a wider world brought about by his dragon bloodline, all constantly being torn apart by his responsibilities and emotions as a human being.

"Qingyi, if one day—and I mean if one day I have to walk down a path of no return—you will..."

Chapter 282 Late Tang Dynasty Military Governors (Part 2)

Liu Qingyi gently pressed her finger to his lips, stopping him from saying anything more. She smiled, like the brightest star in the night sky: "Wherever you go, I will go. In the netherworld or the heavens, we will never be apart."

At that moment, Lu Mingfei clearly felt the tremor in Li Chonghui's soul. He held his wife tightly in his arms, as if he wanted to meld her into his very bones. The delicate fragrance of pear blossoms lingered in the air, mingling with the faint sweet scent emanating from the woman in his arms, creating a moment of the most luxurious tranquility in this chaotic world.

The scene shifts again.

Inside the resplendent yet somber Zichen Hall of the Chang'an Palace, the Emperor's face was blurred on the dragon throne, exuding both imperial majesty and suspicion. On either side stood courtiers dressed in crimson and purple, appearing dignified yet harboring their own ulterior motives.

Dressed in court robes, Lu Mingfei knelt on the cold, gold-brick floor, recounting the military situation and difficulties of the border town, and requesting supplies and provisions. He could feel the gazes cast upon him—jealousy, fear, scrutiny, and undisguised malice.

"Minister Li has served the border with great merit and hard work," the Emperor's voice came from above, his tone unreadable. "However, the national treasury is empty, and expenses are tight in all regions. You should be considerate of the court's difficulties and take matters into your own hands."

"Raise the money yourselves?" Lu Mingfei looked up, his straightforwardness as a military officer and the pride of his mixed heritage making it almost impossible for him to suppress his anger. "Your Majesty! The soldiers of the three armies have fought bloody battles to protect the borders and the people, and now they can't even guarantee enough food to fill their stomachs and warm clothes to keep warm. How can you expect the soldiers to fight with their lives? How can you expect the people to feel at ease?"

"Insolence!" a minister shouted sternly.

"Li Chonghui, mind your place!" another sinister voice rang out.

In the imperial court, words clashed and undercurrents surged. Lu Mingfei sensed Li Chonghui's pent-up frustration, resentment, and almost bursting anger, as well as the deep disappointment and disdain hidden beneath that anger for the increasingly corrupt empire and the scheming among humans.

The dragon bloodline roars, yearning to purify all this hypocrisy and injustice with power and fire.

War has broken out again. This time, it's not an external enemy, but an internal purge. The court's suspicions have finally translated into action, uniting with other regional warlords in an attempt to weaken or even eliminate his powerful and uncontrollable force.

Smoke signals filled the air, and corpses littered the ground. Lu Mingfei, mounted on his warhorse and brandishing his long spear, charged through the enemy ranks like a god of war. His power of words erupted in full force, his body seemingly enveloped in an invisible force field, making him invincible. His former subordinates, his brothers who had shared life and death with him, fell one by one beside him, their blood staining his battle robes and his eyes.

Lu Mingfei could feel the excruciating pain, the fury of betrayal, and the despair of watching his cherished possessions crumble and perish bit by bit. The violence and destructive desires within his dragon bloodline were amplified to their extreme at this moment, and he was almost completely consumed by the killing.

"Prime Minister! Watch out for stray arrows!" The loyal old general shoved him aside, but was himself pierced through the chest by several crossbow bolts, his blood splattering on the spot.

Before his death, the old general looked at him, his lips moved as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he only gave him an encouraging look before slowly falling down.

"Ah—!!!" Lu Mingfei roared like a beast, his eyes bloodshot, his dragon blood boiling, almost breaking free of his human form.

The final scene returns to the governor's residence. But it is no longer a peaceful backyard; instead, it is a purgatory engulfed in raging flames.

The mansion gates were breached, and soldiers poured in. Liu Qingyi did not flee. She changed into a bright red wedding dress, just like on their wedding day, and sat quietly in the burning hall. Her face, illuminated by the firelight, was breathtakingly beautiful, yet heartbreakingly serene.

Lu Mingfei, covered in blood, looked like a demon returned from hell, having fought his way through numerous encirclements to reach this place. He saw his wife in the sea of ​​fire, his eyes wide with rage.

"Qingyi!"

When Liu Qingyi saw him, a smile appeared on her face. She opened her mouth, but no sound came out. However, through Li Chonghui's perspective, Lu Mingfei clearly understood her lip movements.

"Live."

Then, a burning giant beam collapsed with a crash, cutting off their view and swallowing the red figure.

"Do not--!!!"

Lu Mingfei let out the most piercing and desperate roar of his life. The dragon blood within him went completely out of control at this moment, and an ancient and terrifying power was awakening, but it was also thrown into chaos by extreme grief.

Amidst soaring flames and desperate roars, the scene shattered like a broken mirror.

Lu Mingfei staggered, his consciousness being abruptly pulled back to reality from the vast and tragic vortex of memories, like a fishhook being flung at high speed. He was still standing before the bronze coffin, his fingers still resting on the dark red gemstone dragon eye, but the touch was now icy cold.

His face was frighteningly pale, his forehead was covered in a fine layer of cold sweat, his breathing was rapid, and his chest heaved violently. It was as if he had truly experienced a person's entire life, the life of a late Tang Dynasty military governor who was busy with military campaigns, intertwined with love and hate, and ultimately lost his country and his beloved forever.

"Mr. Lu! How are you?" Zhu Ling'er stepped forward with concern. She saw that Lu Mingfei was swaying slightly and in very poor condition.

Frillie stared intently at him, the soft light of her staff enveloping him and dispelling the dense, persistent negative spiritual lingering around him. "You've accessed the memories of the coffin's owner?"

Lu Mingfei slowly withdrew his hand, his fingertips trembling slightly. He closed his eyes, took a few deep breaths, and tried to calm the turbulent emotions churning in his mind and the intense emotional imprint of Li Chonghui. After a long while, he reopened his eyes, forcibly suppressing the turmoil within them, but the heaviness in them could not be completely concealed.

"Hmm," he responded softly, his voice a little hoarse, "a long and painful dream of a resentful dead man."

His gaze returned to the bronze coffin, his expression becoming complex. He now understood the loyalty of the corpse guardian, the resentment flowing from the dragon runes on the coffin, and the deep red gemstone dragon eyes that held not only hatred, but also endless longing and regret.

This third-generation descendant, who calls himself Li Chonghui, may have transformed into a full dragon only after utterly despairing and becoming a dragon himself. He was not born a demon; he was once a military governor who protected a region, a devoted husband, and a commander whose subordinates were willing to die for him.

The tides of time, the court's suspicion, and internal betrayal ultimately drove him to his doom, leading to his final tragedy and transformation into a dragon. He buried himself here, carrying with him his eternal anger and sorrow, and his obsession with everything that had happened.

"Who is he?" Zhu Ling'er couldn't help but ask, as she could sense a subtle change in Lu Mingfei's demeanor.

Lu Mingfei was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "A former military governor, Li Chonghui. During the late Tang Dynasty, he was in charge of the Hebei region."

Chapter 283 Young man, cherish the people in front of you

As Lu Mingfei's fingertips left the cool, dark red gemstone dragon eye, the lingering echoes of war, love, and hate still reverberated in his mind, washing over the banks of his consciousness like a tidal wave. His face was pale, his breathing shallow; he had just witnessed the collapse of an era and the annihilation of a deep affection.

In the dead silence, a voice resounded clearly and directly in the depths of Lu Mingfei's mind, its tone hoarse and weathered:

"You who come after, do you see it?"

It was Li Chonghui! His fragments of consciousness, or rather, his immortal spirit bound here by the power of the dragon race, had awakened.

Lu Mingfei stared at the coffin and murmured in his heart, "I see it. Your rivers and mountains, your battlefield, your Qingyi."

The dragon patterns on the coffin glowed faintly, and the voice in my mind trembled uncontrollably—a pain that remained vivid even after a thousand years: "Qingyi, in the end, did she resent me?"

Lu Mingfei seemed to see that resolute yet calm red figure amidst the flames again. He paused for a moment, then truthfully replied, "She only wanted you to live."

"Live on, ha ha ha ha! To eke out a living here, neither human nor dragon, clinging to this cold shell and eternal regret, is this how she wants to live?"

The laughter subsided, turning into a long sigh. "So be it. After a thousand years of entanglement, it's time for an end."

The dragon-patterned patterns on the coffin shimmered and gradually converged on the ground in front of it. The stone slab there slid open silently, raising a stone platform on which lay a sheathed longsword.

The scabbard is ancient and dark blue, carved with simple cloud and thunder patterns and dragon shapes. It has no gemstones, yet it naturally exudes a sinister and murderous aura. The guard is shaped like folded dragon wings, and the hilt is wrapped with dark, unidentified animal hide, which remains sturdy despite the passage of time.

"This sword is named 'Huiming'. It has accompanied me in battle for half my life, drinking countless blood, and has also... protected a region. It is engraved with the power of my laws and words, which can destroy evil spirits and cut through falsehoods."

Lu Mingfei's gaze fell on the Huiming Sword, and he could feel the powerful force contained within it, which vaguely overlapped with the invincible spear shadow on the battlefield in Li Chonghui's memory.

"Your bloodline is pure and powerful, and even more remarkable is that your mind has not been completely enslaved by power. Obscurity and Light are bestowed upon you. May they remain in your hands and not be tarnished."

Lu Mingfei didn't immediately reach for the sword, but instead looked up at the coffin: "Conditions?"

He did not believe in gifts given without a reason, especially not from an ancient being with deep-seated obsession and great power.

"Condition. Take it somewhere. To the place where Qingyi left. Let Huiming take one last look on my behalf. That's all."

There was no demand for revenge, no demand for a physical restoration, no demand for any earth-shattering feats. It was merely a humble wish that transcended a thousand years: to visit the place where his beloved had passed away.

Lu Mingfei remained silent.

"Okay," he agreed.

The Obscure Sword on the stone platform trembled slightly.