Dragon Tamer

An Qingfeng is not a minor character, although Zhu Minglang hasn’t had much dealings with him, but like father, like son, King An is sinister and cunning, constantly scheming to crush Zhu Gate, creating lots of trouble for Zhu Heavenly Officer in the Imperial City. Likewise, this An Qingfeng is also very troublesome. It is said that he manages the numerous small teaching factions, small influences, and small sect vassals under King An’s Mansion.

Zhu Minglang didn’t expect Zhu Huo to be able to handle An Qingfeng, so merely exposing him was already a display of some ability.

“It’s the hall steward, the same one who received you during the day. I’m afraid he’s a spy who has been planted in our Zhu Gate for a long time. It was the steward himself who suggested that since you came all this way, we couldn’t allow you to be bored and hence had Wang Xiao come over to guide the way,” Zhu Huo said.

Zhu Minglang seriously analyzed the words Zhu Huo had said.

In fact, Zhu Huo’s suspicions had not been completely cleared, Zhu Minglang only wanted to hear the results of his investigation. If there was anything unrealistic, Zhu Huo basically couldn’t expect to leave alive.

Speaking of that day’s hall steward…

After Zhu Minglang and Zhu Rongrong returned and had dinner, they instructed the steward not to let anyone disturb them.

Zhu Huo and Wang Xiao suddenly barging into the courtyard was in itself a dereliction of duty on the part of the hall steward.

So it was this fellow pulling the strings.

“I’ve already taken control of the person. Do you want to question him yourself?” Zhu Huo asked.

One is Wang Xiao who manages trade in the outer court, and the other is the hall steward…

Although neither of them is a core member of Zhu Gate, they already have access to a lot of things.

Moreover, spies and traitors are not the kind of things that can be planted overnight. King An’s hands had long reached into the Little Inner Court of Qin City.

“I’m not interested. Whoever did this, just bring the person before me,” Zhu Minglang said.

“It’s easy to deal with Wang Xiao and the hall steward Miao Sheng, but Zhao Yin Ge is the Princely Heir…” Zhu Huo hesitated, but upon seeing the look in Zhu Minglang’s eyes, he immediately realized that if he wanted to thoroughly clear his suspicions, it was impossible without capturing the mastermind Zhao Yin Ge.

“If you can’t do it, you go and explain the situation to the third Sect Leader yourself,” Zhu Minglang said indifferently.

As a core member of Zhu Gate, Zhu Huo’s blunder was actually unforgivable. If it weren’t for Zhu Minglang’s previous favorable impression of him from their early meetings and the fact that he managed to take care of Lu Mu, the courtesan, Zhu Minglang might as well have gotten rid of Wang Xiao and Zhu Huo at the same time.

“Young Master, I will capture Zhao Yin Ge and give you an explanation,” Zhu Huo seemed to have made a decision and earnestly said, half-kneeling on the ground.

Zhu Huo didn’t want this matter to reach Zhu Wangxing’s ears, as that would mean all his years of effort would be completely in vain.

He was a person whom the Little Inner Court had carefully cultivated, a future number two or number three in the Little Inner Court. Even if this incident wasn’t his doing, it happened due to his warm invitation, and once he had the stain of plotting against Zhu Gate’s only son, he would basically no longer be reused, and might even be dispatched to a remote branch of the outer court…

For the mistake he made, he had to pay the price to atone for it.

“Go ahead, you don’t need to investigate An Qingfeng any further, just focus on dealing with Zhao Yin Ge,” Zhu Minglang said indifferently.

…

…

In the following days, Zhu Minglang didn’t go out much.

If Zhao Yin Ge was in Qin City, they would definitely be like flies, looking for every opportunity to make trouble for him.

Zhu Minglang had no particular interest in Zhao Yin Ge at the moment, but An Qingfeng and Zhao Yu were the ones he was more concerned about.

The stormy weather gradually calmed down, and the distant sea appeared tranquil like a vast blue painting. The sea breeze was gentle, carrying the fragrant flowers and grasses blossoming on the sea cliffs and slopes. With spring approaching, many early spring flowers were also starting to embellish the street corners of Qin City…

That day, Zhu Wangxing summoned some people to his side.

There were eight of them in total, four of whom were elders, and the others included Zhu Wangxing, Zhu Rongrong, Zhu Minglang, and a female Hall Master.

“How come Zhu Huo big brother hasn’t come? Isn’t he always present on every occasion?” Zhu Rongrong asked somewhat puzzled.

“He’s got other important matters to deal with,” Zhu Minglang replied.

“My lord, Zhu Huo is indeed a rare talent and one of the key successors we are cultivating in the Main Inner Court of Qin City. It’s one thing for you to ask him to do some things usually, but this journey to the secret realm is particularly important…” At this point, one of the elders in a brown robe spoke up.

Zhu Minglang glanced at the elder in the brown robe.

However, Zhu Wangxing just smiled and said, “Yuan Lao, it’s certainly Zhu Huo’s honor to be able to work for Zhu Minglang. This time it’s just a routine inspection; whether he is present or not is not important.”

The elder known as Yuan Lao had no more to say and summoned a giant Ancient Dragon with massive flesh wings on its back. Everyone rode on this flesh-winged Ancient Dragon and flew towards the ocean.

…

“Only I, the Sect Leader of the Little Inner Court, and these four elders know the location of the secret realm… When we’re almost there, I’ll explain the details to you,” Zhu Wangxing said to Zhu Minglang.

“Is it a special Refining Fire?” Zhu Minglang asked.

“Indeed, this Flame is not an ordinary thing, and its location is also very peculiar. We need to go and collect the Flame periodically,” Zhu Wangxing nodded in confirmation.

“But we are flying over the Neon Sea,” Zhu Minglang expressed his confusion.

“My nephew, as I’ve said, this Flame is no ordinary thing… By the way, has Zhu Huo gotten himself into some trouble? If it’s not a major issue of principle, try to give him a chance to redeem himself for the sake of this old face of mine,” Zhu Wangxing tentatively asked.

Zhu Wangxing only had one daughter, and that was Zhu Rongrong.

Zhu Huo was adopted, and Zhu Wangxing regarded him as his own, planning to cultivate him into the second or third in command of the Little Inner Court.

This time, going to the secret realm, Zhu Minglang directly kicked him out, which naturally caused Zhu Wangxing some worry.

“Uncle Wangxing must have some backup candidates for cultivation,” Zhu Minglang remarked.

“There are indeed…”

“I’ve given him a chance, it’s up to him to seize it. If he can’t be vigorous enough, Uncle Wangxing should still consider cultivating someone else sooner rather than later,” Zhu Minglang said very directly.

Zhu Wangxing understood a bit from Zhu Minglang’s tone.

It seems that Zhu Huo has indeed gotten into a major issue of principle.

By not stating it clearly, Zhu Minglang was already giving him a chance. Otherwise, if the matter spread to the Main Inner Court, to the ears of Zhu Heavenly Officer, Zhu Huo might not even be able to stay within Zhu Gate any longer.

“Actually, the Flame we’re going to retrieve is beneath the ocean,” Zhu Wangxing changed the subject, beginning to talk about the Flame.

“Under the sea??” Zhu Minglang asked.

“Deeper, within the Undersea Vein!” Zhu Wangxing replied.