Chapter 25

Chapter 25

“When did you guys form the contract?”

“About … about two days ago.”

Zhou Chong Wen glanced around at the devastationcomparable to the site of an earthquake: “A dragon cub’s spiritual power can’tcause such destruction.”

“Yeah, yeah, even I was bitten byhim.” The young dragon wept, numbly touching his injured leg. “But I’man adult dragon.”

Zhou Chong Wen’s expression darkened, andthe dragon youth quickly shut his mouth.

“Although he’s currently weak inspiritual power, his divine bone is extremely strong. The sudden chest pain andweakness you just felt, was a result of him using the contract to drain yourspiritual power.”

Bai Huo’s lips were bloodless.

“Theoretically, when two parties sharespiritual power in the contract, the stronger one should have to voluntarily transferit to the weaker one. This is the first time I’ve seen it go the opposite way. Becausethe spiritual power was too strong, it was far beyond his divine bone’s currentability to load, and this damaged it.” Zhou Chong Wen stared at Bai Huo, “Thechild is too young to understand what he’s doing, but you’re an adult dragon, BaiHuo, you’ll have to be held accountable for this incident.”

The abandoned building was so quiet that a needledrop could be heard, no one spoke for a long time.

A long while later, Bai Huo hugged thelittle dragon cub, who was mumbling in pain, and said in a soft voice, “Shige,I understand what you mean, I’m willing to be punished on his behalf, but couldyou please let me take him to the clinic first? “

Zhou Chong Wen stared at him and saidnothing.

Fearing that he wouldn’t agree, Bai Huohurriedly said: “I promise I won’t escape, if you’re worried, I can drawout my divine bone and give it to you as leverage.”

Zhou Chong Wen shook his head.

Bai Huo clenched his teeth, but then Zhou ChongWen said, “The clinic can’t cure him, you have to go to Beichuan.”

Bai Huo was stumped for words.

The sound of footsteps echoed downstairs, withthe dragons’ sensitive hearing, both of them could naturally tell that it wasDing Ping, she must’ve followed the smell of blood.

“Go quickly.” Zhou Chong Wensighed.

Bai Huo didn’t hesitate, carrying the childout the window: “Thank you Shige, I’ve caused trouble for you again.”

*

When Ding Ping pushed open the door, Zhou ChongWen was the only one left in the room.

“Where’s Bai Huo-my God!” DingPing saw the humans sprawled on the ground and hurriedly tested their breath.

“This …” Ding Ping retractedher trembling fingers, looking at the already blackening bite marks on thehumans’ bodies, her expression was unbelieving.

In an open area, the dragon youth was stillkneeling upright, his head drooping heavily, Ding Ping ran over and tapped hisshoulder: “Hey.”

The young dragon fell straight backwards,raising the dust on the ground, his eyes were wide open on his sickly-lookingface, staring vacantly up at the ceiling.

“Eek-” Ding Ping was frightened,stumbling to the ground.

Downstairs, the whine of police sirens wasgetting closer.

Zhou Chong Wen pulled his gaze away fromthe window and brushed the dust off his clothes: “Bring back the dragon corpse.”

Ding Ping stared at his retreating back, herlips trembling uncontrollably, after a long moment, she mumbled: “…Yes.”

*

Beichuan was located in the depths of theglaciers in the extreme polar region, it was the water dragons’ base of operations.

Bai Huo was in his dragon form, hugging thelittle dragon cub, he flew all the way, arriving early the next morning.

This area was covered by snow and ice allyear round. The lowest temperature could reach minus forty degrees, it could beregarded as a natural barrier to exclude humans.

In this place, Bai Huo wouldn’t have toworry about being discovered, he could wander around in his dragon form withouta care. Because he was half water dragon, he was more cold-resistant than apure fire dragon, but because of his injuries, standing in the deep snow, hewas shivering from head to toe.

“Cub, do you want some fish?” BaiHuo caught a fish from the snow and shaved its scales, carefully feeding it tothe little dragon cub.

But the little dragon cub was lethargic,the cold sweat on his forehead soaking his feathers. He heard Bai Huo’s voice, andopened his eyes weakly, then he buried himself in Bai Huo’s bosom and closedhis eyes again.

Not even fish …

Bai Huo threw the fish away, hugging thelittle dragon cub tightly, incessantly smoothing his feathers, trying toalleviate his suffering: “Shhh, Dad will take you to the doctor rightaway.”

The little dragon cub’s cheeks were burningred, pitifully nesting in Bai Huo’s arms, not moving at all.

Bai Huo stood in the snow, his amber eyesstaring silently at the water vortex in the distance. His white scales had notrace of variegation, reflecting the golden light of the first rays of morningsunshine, the strands of long hair behind his ears fluttering in the wind.

“We’re about to enter water, don’t be startled.”Bai Huo bumped the little dragon cub with his nose, distressedly licking thecold sweat off his forehead. “You have to hold on to Dad in a moment, okay?”

The little dragon cub gripped the scales onhis chest with his small paws, grunting.

“Good boy.” Bai Huo gently rubbedhis head, holding him tightly with one arm, he opened the way with the other,jumping straight into the whirlpool.

*

As a hybrid dragon, Bai Huo really didn’tlike coming to Beichuan. If nothing else, he really couldn’t understand, withtoday’s modern technology, why did they rely on this vortex for a conduit? Itfelt like being thrown into a drum washing machine, very unpleasant.

In the latter half, he almost couldn’t holdhis breath, reaching the edge of the enchantment using only the strength of hispaternal love. When he saw a child in blue clothing shouting in alarm and runningtowards him, he passed out from overwhelming relief.

When he woke up, as expected, he had alreadybeen sorted out and moved to the Water Dragon Palace. Above his head, a blue waterdragon looked at him curiously, seeing he wake up, he excitedly jumped off thebed.

“Patriarch, patriarch, he’s awake…”

Bai Huo sat up, covering his sore shoulders.

This was a palace built with special spiritstones. It was located at the bottom of the deep sea, separated from the seawateroutside by a transparent bubble-like material. The inside was huge, and couldaccommodate thousands of dragons. This palace had been built thousands of yearsago, and was one of the water dragons’ greatest treasures. Generally, non-waterdragons were forbidden from entering. Of course, with such a convoluted entrance,a non-water dragon couldn’t enter even if they tried.

The ceiling was a combination of three hugeclam shells, which were inlaid with three night pearls for lighting.

Bai Huo looked around and slowly got out ofbed.

The small blue dragon who just ran out hadmost likely been scolded, this time, when he came back in, he was in his much moreorderly human form, dressed in a Duan Da, and carrying a plate of greenstuff. When he saw Bai Huo getting out of bed, he hurriedly blocked him: “Ah,the patriarch said that you shouldn’t move yet, lie down quickly, quickly, youcan’t disturb the medicine on your shoulder. “

“Little handsome boy, where’s thelittle dragon cub I brought with me, do you know?” Bai Huo asked, sittingon the bed.

“He’s in the patriarch’s chambers.”The little blue dragon temporarily forgot about his proper conduct after beingpraised as a ” little handsome boy”, blabbing carelessly. Realizing thathe might have leaked some secret, he covered his mouth, saying vaguely. “Thepatriarch said to wait on you, he’ll come see you later. “

“It’s fine, I’ll go to him.” BaiHuo stood up, planning to leave.

The little blue dragon had probably never meta dragon that didn’t listen to instructions before, he stared at Bai Huo, stupefied,before hurriedly holding out the plate in his hand: “Umm … then please eatthis, otherwise granny will scold me for not entertaining the guests.”

“What is it?”

“Seaweed mixed with seagrassroots.”

Bai Huo stared at the suspicious greenslime, saying in his heart, the ‘dark’ food followed him all the way out here?

Such kindness was difficult, but Bai Huoalso didn’t want to get someone else in trouble. He closed his eyes and swallowed,but unexpectedly, except for a fishy taste, there was no other strange flavor.

“Okay, thank you, little handsome boy,it was delicious.” Bai Huo unwillingly praised it.

“Really? Then I’ll bring some for youtonight!”

Bai Huo waved his hand, hastily fleeing:“I’m going to look for your patriarch.”

“Do you know where he is, or should Itake you there?”

Bai Huo thought to himself, the dragonshere were really simple. Turning back, he smiled, “No need, I know wherehe is.”

Outside the door was a long hallway madeout of red coral, crisscrossing and extending in all directions. Bai Huo trackedhis son’s position, along the way, each dragon he came across all stopped andbowed in greeting, making Bai Huo bow in imitation, slightly embarrassed.

Not only was the palace retro decorated, sowere the people. Because they’ve been isolated from the rest of the world for solong, the dragons here still retained the clothing and customs of a thousand yearsago. Most of the dragons also wore wide-sleeve coats, regardless of gender.

The palace was strangely quiet for itspopulation, and the inhabitants’ travels were all orderly. In some places, thecoral hallway was too narrow, and only one person could pass at a time. Eventhen, no one behaved impatiently, each person quietly waiting their turn. Insuch a humble and courteous atmosphere, the always unbridled Bai Huo also couldn’thelp but act dignified.

The entrance to the patriarch’s chamberswas guarded, when Bai Huo rushed to the doorway, the dragon guard dressed inpurple greeted him: “Are you Mr. Bai?”

Bai Huo was a little surprised that heactually used the word “Mr.”, nodding.

“Please follow me.” The purpledragon led him in.

The patriarch’s chambers were much moreextravagant than elsewhere. The walls were studded with priceless fine jewels, whenBai Huo saw this, he couldn’t help the crooked thoughts that popped up as hewalked. If he wasn’t worried about his son’s safety, he would definitely beunable to stop himself from sneakily digging out a few jewels and selling them onthe human market.

“We’re here.” The purple dragon bowedagain, then withdrew.

Bai Huo shifted the hanging curtain andentered, the room was small, a crib-sized crystal bed placed next to the wall.His baby boy was lying quietly on the bed, a giant immortal jellyfish hangingabove him, wrapping his body in light blue tentacles, it seemed to be doingsome repair work on his nape.

Bai Huo was startled by this scene, butjust as he was about to move forward, a clear voice echoed from the other sideof the room–

“He’s healing.”

Bai Huo looked toward the voice.

On the other side of the room, a young man wearinga long, indigo blue robe slowly turned around, revealing a pair of clear peachblossom eyes.

Although he’s known him for many years,every time Bai Huo saw him, that shocking feeling of being in the presence of acelestial being never faded away.

“Jing Lan.” Bai Huo smiled andsaid.

Jing Lan smiled faintly, walking towardshim, his pale blue ceremonial gown trailing slightly behind him. With his long ink-blackhair, loosely tied up with a blue rope, and spilling over his shoulders, he lookedrelaxed and noble. He didn’t look the slightest bit disheveled, instead, he exudedan indescribable “Immortal Aura”. His skin was extremely fair, and thecorners of his mouth were curved slightly upwards. His eyes were clear but notsharp, and between his brows, a blue spirit stone symbolizing his status glowedfaintly.

One of the three major dragon races, thepatriarch of the water dragon clan, Jing Lan.

If each person had a meaningful existence,the patriarch of the water dragon clan existed to show the world the meaning ofthe phrase ‘As separate as the clouds in the sky, and mud on the ground’, andthe saying, a natural born noble. As Shan Hu describes it, “If the mostwicked villain in the world meets him, they’d not only unconsciously restrainthemselves out of shame, they’d politely bow down in salute.” These wordswere by no means an exaggeration.

“Every time I see you, I feel like myeyes have been purified.” Bai Huo joked.

“You jest.” Jing Lan approached slowly,his smile was very warm, “Is your injury better?”

“I’m fine, but my son …” BaiHuo worriedly looked at the little dragon cub on the crystal bed. The child’sfever should have receded, because his complexion looked much better, but hestill hadn’t woken up.

“His situation is morecomplicated.” Jing Lan walked to the side of the crystal bed, his darkblue eyes a little melancholy. “His divine bone is damaged and his pulse isunstable. I’m afraid that he won’t completely recover in a day or two, you needto be mentally prepared. “

Bai Huo’s heart thudded.

Jing Lan noticed his unusual expression,and asked, concerned: “What happened?”

The water dragons made great doctors, andJing Lan, as the patriarch, was naturally the person with the highest medical knowledgein the water dragon clan. Bai Huo had nothing to hide from him, honestly layingout the sequence of events.

“So that’s the case, I was wonderinghow a child could…” Jing Lan wondered out loud, but suddenly stopped, findingsomething odd, “Oh? Is your child a water dragon?”

“Not biological,” Bai Huoexplained, adding a moment later, “But we’re closer than a biological family.”

Jing Lan smiled and nodded, not questioningit.

“He’ll wake up in about an hour, butbecause his divine bone is damaged, he can’t leave the repair crystal for thetime being, you can stay here with him.”

“Thank you.” Bai Huo saidgratefully.

Jing Lan didn’t say much, after instructingthe maid to deliver their meals, he left. Hurrying to do his own work. Afterall, he was the head of a clan, he had a lot of things to deal with. He had alreadyspent more than half a day here because of Bai Huo’s sudden intrusion.

The maid’s meal was almost the same as whatthe little blue dragon had given him, it was also a sticky green seaweed like paste.The only difference was the addition of two plates of meat: a plate of a deep-seafish Bai Huo had never seen before, and a plate of plump oysters. Oh, and itwas all raw.

If only there was beer, Bai Huo thought tohimself.

The immortal jellyfish dutifully kneadedthe dragon cub’s acupoints with its tentacles. As Jing Lan said, the littledragon cub’s eyes twitched two hours later. Bai Huo quickly sat next to the crystalbed, wanting to be the first sight his son saw after waking up.

“Lin Xi?” Bai Huo anxiouslycaressed his son.

The little dragon cub opened his eyesslowly, blinking at Bai Huo, then he cautiously recoiled.

“Cub?” Bai Huo was dazed, he reachedout to hug him, but was tearfully pushed away by the little dragon cub.

“Don’t, you, you’re a fake Dad.” Thelittle dragon cub said, crying.

“I’m not a fake Dad, I’m real, if youdon’t believe me, just look.” Bai Huo, not knowing whether to laugh or cry,stretched out his palm, revealing the unhealed contract scar, “Feelit.”

The little dragon cub looked at him, thenlooked at his palm, then he hesitantly raised his little paw and placed it on BaiHuo’s palm. The contract lit up, emitting a glimmer in response.

“This is Dad’s fault, Dad let the badguy take you away,” Bai Huo pulled him into an embrace, and said in a softvoice, “I’m sorry baby, I let you get hurt.”

The little dragon cub laid on Bai Huo’sshoulder, weeping. Smelling the familiar scent, his heart finally loosened up,and his tears flowed freely, rubbing his runny nose on Bai Huo’s shoulder.

Bai Huo’s shoulder was still injured, andit wasn’t long since he’d applied the medicine. It was very sensitive, a stingingpain spreading out when the little dragon cub rubbed against him.

The little dragon cub noticed his tension,and forced himself to stop crying. Sniffling, he reached out carefully and openedBai Huo’s shirt, finding the appalling bloody holes in his shoulder.

The little dragon cub was stunned, bitinghis lower lip, he asked: “My … my bite?”

Bai Huo laughed flippantly: “No, it’s anaccident from when Dad was fighting with the Evil Dad.”

The little dragon cub’s eyes reddenedagain: “No, my bite.”

“No… I……”

But the little dragon cub wasn’t listeningto his fake explanations anymore, switching to Bai Huo’s uninjured shoulder, heburied his head and cried.

Bai Huo’s heart broke from his sobs.

It’s over, why are you crying even moredeeply?

===================================================================

T/N:

Granny- Notrelated. Lit. wet nurse

Duan Da: