Dragon Tamer

In fact, within the vast majority of ruling classes, the status of the Monarch and the State Preceptor is often quite similar, with one in the limelight and the other behind the scenes.

In some countries, the influence of the State Preceptor may even surpass that of the Monarch, existing in every citizen’s heart like a faith, with ephemeral Monarchs and the enduring State Preceptor.

Li Yunzi had little interest in power; she was more like a Valkyrie, protecting the Li Chuan Continent.

It was ultimately Commander Cheng who came.

Zhu Minglang couldn’t help feeling somewhat disappointed.

He had thought that once he left the Cloud Dragon Country, after waiting another week, he would be able to see Li Yunzi.

But it turned out that she wasn’t the one who came.

“The current stability in the Ancestral Dragon City-State owes much to you both. Without you, we would have struggled on the battlefield,” Commander Cheng said.

“Uncle Cheng can take care of it,” Nan Lingsha said, disinterested in state affairs and appointments, and showing a hint of fatigue, she had decided to rest.

“Alright, you need not concern yourselves with the remaining matters. I will handle them. The Supreme Court Imperial City has already issued an order prohibiting war until after the New Year celebrations, so our Ancestral Dragon City-State can finally have a peaceful year,” Commander Cheng said.

Zhu Minglang returned to Zhu Gate, back to the small building.

He was also somewhat tired. Even with a special life artifact like the Light Jade, in an environment like the Cloud Dragon Country, one’s energy drains away, necessitating a good period of rest and recuperation. This was specifically mentioned by the guards as well.

After a hot bath, Zhu Minglang felt his body and nerves somewhat relaxed.

Dressed in clean clothes, maybe because his nerves were still a bit tense, Zhu Minglang couldn’t fall asleep, so he walked out of the house, planning to lie down in a small boat by the lake.

It was his unique way of relaxing.

And his mood would always smooth out afterward.

“Where’s my boat?” Zhu Minglang arrived at the inner court lake only to find his personal light craft missing.

Had he not tied it up properly, allowing it to drift away with the waves?

That was awkward.

Zhu Minglang, feeling helpless, had no choice but to walk around and ended up stealing a wooden boat from a clan cousin whose name he couldn’t recall, filled with the pleasant scent of sandalwood and quite nice indeed.

Boating is all about going with the flow.

Once away from the shore, wherever it drifts, it drifts; trying to purposefully steer it elsewhere would lessen the surprises. The inner court lake was very large, and there were many sights Zhu Minglang himself had never seen, like last time when he accidentally drifted into a bustling marketplace.

He closed his eyes to rest and rejuvenate.

With the gentle breeze blowing, time always seemed to pass quickly.

“Thump!”

Suddenly, the wooden boat gently bumped into something, the body of the boat trembling slightly, stirring Zhu Minglang from his daydreams back to reality.

We’ve arrived at the shore so quickly, is it an island in the lake, or the banks of the Willow Forest Lake?

Zhu Minglang slowly propped himself up and looked behind, only to find that he was still in the vast inner courtyard lake, surrounded by gently rippling blue waves, graceful and enchanting.

And what his boat had bumped into was not the shore, but another small boat, one that looked very familiar at first glance.

On the small boat, there was a woman with a graceful figure, whose perfect curves entered the field of view without warning, causing an irresistible dryness in the mouth, and when he raised his eyes to gaze upon her face, there was a sudden palpitation.

This stunning beauty seized all his thoughts in an instant.

Zhu Minglang was somewhat lost in a daze, and finally could only give an apologetic smile and said politely, “It turns out to be Miss Lingsha, are you also boating?”

She did not speak, just stood there, her beautiful eyes outshining all the scenery of the inner courtyard lake, staring at Zhu Minglang.

“Is there something troubling you?” Zhu Minglang asked, somewhat puzzled.

“No,” she shook her head.

“I was just thinking, I wanted to wait for Yunzhi to come to the Imperial City before we headed back to Li Chuan together. There’s no need to endure here until the yearly celebration. After resting for a few days, we can go back to Li Chuan, how about that?” Zhu Minglang asked.

“I want to travel around and not return to Li Chuan for the time being.”

“Ah?” Zhu Minglang scratched his head and after a while said, “Then we may have to part ways for now. Miss Lingsha, please take care as you travel alone in the Supreme Court Courtyard Continent.”

Alas, the Dragon Shepherd Team that had just been formed was being separated like this.

Where could he find another God and Mortal to escort him without the need for a salary?

And I wonder if my lady would like to travel around with me. If I could take her with me, I wouldn’t even want to become a god in heaven!

Speaking of which, Li Yunzi should have a great interest in exploring this world, as could be seen from her previous discussions with me about Wutu.

Now that Ancestral Dragon City-State has ceased warfare, it won’t be invaded by other nations of the Supreme Court until the yearly celebration. And with almost half of autumn and a whole winter before the celebration, it might be possible to ask Li Yunzi if she would like to travel with me after returning to Li Chuan, to perfectly enjoy our time together… three’s company too if the Prophet Li Xinghua counts.

That’s a good idea!

Li Yunzi has done so much for the citizens of Ancestral Dragon City over the years and has worried about the survival of the city-state she grew up in for so long; she too deserves to relax and look around the wider world.

With some peculiar and exotic lands as persuasion, maybe it will actually work.

Nan Lingsha herself said she wants to travel around.

Li Yunzi must have the same thoughts!

“Winter is coming, and Snow Heko Country is quite special. I passed through there once and saw countless Dancing Butterfly Spirits in Snow that could not be numbered. When they rested quietly, they covered the land like a thick layer of soft snow. As the morning light shone, they came to life, fluttering their wings, with seas of silver, white, and moon-colored flowers gently rising and diffusing between heaven and earth… At that moment, I wanted to capture that scene in a painting, but alas, my drawing skills are poor. I have not forgotten that enchanting scene, and if Miss Lingsha is undecided, you might consider visiting Snow Heko Country,” Zhu Minglang said.

“Just hearing you describe it makes it sound beautiful.”

“Or Man City is quite nice too, a city on the Western Sea near the Neon Sea. Actually, the city is located in a white shallow sea, its foundation is numerous colorful Coral Wood. The pavilions, the lofts, the workshops are all built over the seawater, anchored on those sturdy Coral Wood. When the sunset is reflected on the sea surface, the city becomes incredibly splendid. I regret that my literary skills are limited, and it’s difficult for me to describe it in poetry, but it’s truly worth a visit,” Zhu Minglang recalled another unforgettable place and hurriedly spoke.

“But it still remains clear in your mind, doesn’t it?”

“Yes, when I was young and impetuous, I traveled through many places, always wanting to prove to the world how unparalleled I was. Yet the things that touched me, that I kept in my heart, I let them dissipate like clouds and smoke,” Zhu Minglang sighed softly.