263 - Mistress, I Was Wrong
Chapter 263: The Dragon God (1) The question momentarily stunned everyone. Aside from Zi Yu, who had been struck by her own powers, Ke Han and the Dragon Queen were most aware of the situation. With a face full of complex emotions, he stared at Dongfang Minghui—a mix of anger and heartbreak—and roared, "What you have with you is Xiang Jun's Heart-Protecting Scale. You humans are truly cruel." Dongfang Minghui wanted to defend herself but found she had no words. Before, she had insisted that there were good and bad people, but in reality, defining "good" and "bad" was not so simple—there is black because there is white. They say every part of a dragon is a treasure, and not only because dragons love to hoard valuables, but because their very bodies are valuable: dragon tendons, dragon scales, dragon blood... She gently touched her chest, realizing the Heart-Protecting Mirror she'd had for so long was actually a scale from that blue dragon. Beneath her fingers, it still emanated a faint warmth, yet her heart felt as cold as an icy abyss. The Heart-Protecting Scale was like a reverse scale; if it were plucked by a human... Xiang Jun would die. No wonder Ke Han's attitude had changed so much over time. Dongfang Minghui felt oppressed, putting herself in their shoes; if someone took Toothless's Heart-Protecting Scale, she'd likely fight to the death too. Now she could understand why they wanted to kill her. Qian Wanyu stood protectively in front of Dongfang Minghui, meeting the Dragon Queen's gaze resolutely, "You call humans cruel, but aren't dragons just as cruel? This happened a hundred years ago, and we had no involvement or knowledge of it. It has nothing to do with us; a hundred years ago, we weren't even born. If you want to hold us accountable, then really, dragons aren't any better." Her tone shifted, "And speaking of your dragon daughter Xuan'er, a hundred years ago she was just an abandoned dragon egg. If it weren't for Little Nine hatching her and taking care of her, do you think she could have survived at all among cruel humans?" Given Toothless's simple-minded nature, she might have ended up as a delicacy on a human table, like a stir-fried dragon egg. The Dragon Queen let out a soft rebuke, "You admit a human from your side saved Xuan'er, yet she possesses Xiang Jun's Heart-Protecting Scale. How do you propose we resolve this?" Yu Chi Shou seemed uncertain about what to choose, especially since he had gradually formed a friendship with Qian Wanyu and Dongfang Minghui, though he initially held a deep-seated dislike for humans. "If the item was a gift, how can we let Little Nine bear this blame? Does the Dragon Queen wish to attribute another crime to us?" "Do I need to?" Dongfang Minghui tugged at Qian Wanyu's sleeve, asking firmly, "Then what do you want?" The Dragon Queen's enchanting eyes shifted slightly, her slender finger pointing at Qian Wanyu as she laughed coldly, "I want her life." "Seventh Sister!" "Run." "Trying to escape! Ke Han!" Cold sweat broke out on Dongfang Minghui's forehead; the Dragon Queen truly was mad, wanting to kill at the slightest disagreement. The topic originally centered on her, yet it suddenly shifted to Seventh Sister, "Pig Immortal Grass, what should we do now?" Pig Immortal Grass, seeing them flee with a plan, calmed down, "Qian Wanyu previously set up an array there, capable of delaying them momentarily. You must use this time to find a place of refuge." "Oh." A place of refuge—they had discussed it with Seventh Sister earlier. Wait, when did Seventh Sister lay down an array? How was she unaware? They ran according to their previously established plan, and as they ran, Dongfang Minghui tossed out some aromatic pills to try and mask the dragon scent on them, "Seventh Sister, can my method hide us?" She had always been pleased with herself for being able to enter and exit the dragons' lair, but now realized this dragon scent was a burden. If those dragons tracked her and Seventh Sister by scent... Dongfang Minghui suddenly halted, realizing she might end up getting Seventh Sister killed. "Keep going." "Seventh Sister, I have Xiang Jun's scent on me. If I keep running with you, they'll find us soon." Qian Wanyu saw her stepping back and, without a flustered heart, lied smoothly, "I have a plan, run quickly, or they'll catch up." In that critical moment, Dongfang Minghui's blind trust kicked in, "Then let's go this way. We can bypass those dragons and hide in the Dragon God's palace." Dongfang Minghui, unfamiliar with the dragons' territory, could only rely on the flowers and grass around them for direction. Even when encountering patrolling dragons, the plants would guide them on shortcuts. They navigated so smoothly that they soon left the Dragon Queen and the others, trapped in the array, far behind. Ke Han hit a block and didn't know how to break through the array. Yu Chi Shou sighed softly in his heart, watching Qian Wanyu and Dongfang Minghui's retreating figures, and turned to the Dragon Queen, "The young master has returned, and the situation is critical. Please, Dragon Queen, make a swift decision." The Dragon Queen's eyes darkened, "That person carries the aura of death; leaving them alive would be a calamity. Ke Han, find them quickly." "Yes, Dragon Queen." The Dragon Queen cast her sharp glance at Yu Chi Shou, "Why didn't you leave with them?" Yu Chi Shou lowered his head earnestly and replied, "Reporting to the Dragon Queen, I only met them by chance. If not for the young master always clinging to that human, I would have killed that human long ago." It was his most genuine thought before, so he wasn't lying. The Dragon Queen raised an eyebrow displeased, "Xuan'er clings to that human?" Yu Chi Shou knew he misspoke, and explained, "As Dragon Queen heard from Qian Wanyu earlier, since the young master broke out of its shell, it has only been in contact with that human. It's normal to become reliant." This statement struck a chord with the Dragon Queen's weak spot. For a hundred years, she had been missing her own Xuan'er constantly. She sighed slightly before saying, "Tell me in detail about Xuan'er." "Yes." --- Dongfang Minghui nearly cursed as she looked at the patrols going around the Dragon God's palace, "These little guys didn't mention it, saying the Dragon God's palace is empty. If it's empty, why are there guards?" "Stay calm." Qian Wanyu found the oddity intriguing. She noted the patrollers mostly seemed lax, resting in groups of three or five. "Wait, having guards actually makes it convenient for us to hide." "Eh?" "The Dragon Queen wouldn't expect us to hide here." Moreover, the location she and Ke Han discussed didn't include the Dragon God's palace. By human nature, what's remembered tends to be what's mentioned. Qian Wanyu estimated that if they successfully sneaked into the Dragon God's palace, they wouldn't be found for some time. She'd also have time to restore the spiritual energy she'd used up—multitasking with multiple benefits. "Ninth Sister, send Ding Ding in to scout ahead for us." "Ding Ding, huh." Ding Ding had been nestling inside her clothes since the Dragon Queen appeared, and Dongfang Minghui suspected it might have fallen somewhere. She reached into her clothes, retrieving Ding Ding, who lay sprawled in her palm, looking utterly dispirited. Hidden in shadow, Dongfang Minghui poked its little belly with a finger, "Ding Ding, are you afraid of that female dragon?" Ding Ding leaped up, seeming agitated, but then drooped its tiny head, muttering, "Little Nine, that female dragon is a bit scary." Being near her made Ding Ding very uncomfortable. Seeing its pitiful state, Dongfang Minghui guessed it was still traumatized from a hundred years ago when the Dragon Queen hit it with her tail. She quickly encouraged it, "How could that be? Our Ding Ding is so formidable, not to be afraid." With a few soothing caresses, Ding Ding soon shook off its gloom. And importantly, the patrolling dragons posed no issue for it. Assigned the task, Ding Ding fluttered its wings, utilizing advantageous terrains, and deftly slipped into the Dragon God's palace right under those patrols' noses. In less than half the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Ding Ding returned and whispered into Dongfang Minghui's ear. "Seventh Sister, Ding Ding confirmed there's no one inside." "Then we'll sneak in during the patrol shift." "Okay." And so, they waited until it was nightfall. When the patrols didn’t come, but instead a few scattered dragons began napping, Qian Wanyu hurried Dongfang Minghui to scatter some sedative pills. As the drug took effect, the remaining dragons fell into slumbers. Only then did the two of them stealthily enter the Dragon God’s palace. In contrast to the Dragon Queen’s opulent chambers, this place was desolate, lacking even the most basic furnishings. They walked inward until they reached the deepest part of the cave before stopping. "Seventh Sister, if we're discovered hiding here, wouldn't we have nowhere to escape?" Previously, she had critiqued the Dragon Queen's dwelling—a cave-style residence. While it could be stunning if well-designed, it had numerous drawbacks. Having experienced numerous cave-ins, Dongfang Minghui had developed an instinctive fear of such places, dreading the thought of being crushed under falling debris before she could escape. Qian Wanyu, however, inspected every corner meticulously, uncovering that the items weren't old but quite new and frequently relocated or used. "Little Nine, you've been tricked by those little creatures; this place is indeed occupied." "What?" At midnight, the cave was pitch dark, and this revelation was as shocking as the sound of a bell tolling in the dead of night, giving them quite a scare. Dongfang Minghui approached and whispered, "Did you discover something, Seventh Sister?" Qian Wanyu pointed at the teacups and utensils. "Someone has been living here long-term. Look at the soil beneath the cups; there's a kind of mark." Using a moonstone, she revealed the deep-colored stains fused with the platform made of baked clay. She picked a piece off and sniffed it. Though the solidified residue wasn't identifiable by smell, the mixed scents were unmistakably medicinal. Qian Wanyu also took a bit of the residue to examine. "Can't you discern any scent, Little Nine?" "Pig Immortal Grass, what is this?" "It's the residue of medicinal liquid." "No wonder I thought there was a slight scent of medicine," Dongfang Minghui remarked. "Does that mean the resident was injured?" The solidified dark-stained concoction indicated either time-lapsed accumulation or copious usage, suggesting that the occupant—more likely a dragon—was severely injured. Yet what kind of dragon could dare linger in the Dragon God's palace? Dongfang Minghui and Qian Wanyu exchanged glances, whispering simultaneously, "Could it be the Dragon God?" They then echoed, "He's not dead?" Qian Wanyu shushed gently, "If the Dragon God resides here, those patrolling dragons outside are utterly incompetent. The Dragon Queen wouldn't keep such negligent dragons around." "But outside, the plants claimed this place was uninhabited," Dongfang Minghui retorted. She believed the naïve plants wouldn't lie, and the unimpressive guards at the entrance evidenced abandonment. "Seventh Sister, do you think there might be tunnels or secret rooms where dragons reside?" In that case, a cave dwelling might pass muster. Qian Wanyu listened quietly; the dragons outside were sound asleep. "Take a moonstone, and let's search this place thoroughly." "Alright." "Ding Ding, let's play a game." Unable to sit idle, Dongfang Minghui brought Ding Ding out from her sleeve. Ever since meeting the Dragon Queen, it resembled a beached fish on the verge of death. "Ding Ding, let's see who finds the secret room first." "What secret room?" "It’s an underground passage, typically with a mechanism to discover. Ding Ding, want to play?" "Sure." Ding Ding perked up, sweeping through the room, but after a circuit, everyone came up empty-handed. Dongfang Minghui began to doubt her earlier theory. "Seventh Sister, why don’t you rest a bit? Your injuries are not fully healed." "Rest is indeed needed," Qian Wanyu agreed, acknowledging that until her spiritual power was restored, they were not entirely safe. "I need to meditate for a while. If someone comes, wake me immediately." "Got it." After Seventh Sister entered meditation, Dongfang Minghui pondered her own predicament. "Pig Immortal Grass, how can I suppress Xiang Jun's dragon scent on me?" "There's no method," Pig Immortal Grass bluntly shattered her hopes. "The Heart-Protecting Scale is a dragon's most crucial scale. Humans often say a dragon's reverse scale brings death if touched. This scale protects the dragon's most vulnerable part, and the aura it carries can't be dispelled." Dongfang Minghui felt a chill, "Seventh Sister lied to me." Pig Immortal Grass flicked its tail-like foliage, silently protesting that Qian Wanyu's tricks weren't few... "Don't be so frustrated. If you can find a secret room, it could shield the aura for a time. Plus, the heavy aura from the lazy dragons outside might suffice to obscure your faint dragon scent." "Couldn't you just say that directly?" Only moments ago, she was guilt-ridden and contemplating confessing everything. But if she left, Seventh Sister, unfamiliar with the terrain, would get lost. Pig Immortal Grass leisurely flicked her wrist with its tail, silently voicing its protest. Dongfang Minghui resumed the search for a mechanism, feeling the walls inch by inch. Ding Ding also flitted around, ultimately to no avail. "How come there's nothing?" Sitting dejected on the ground, she held the moonstone, illuminating a small area before her. She noticed droplets of medicinal liquid dripping down and disappearing into the corner. "Pig Immortal Grass, what did you say earlier?" "I said nothing." The subterranean area can hide the aura well. Dongfang Minghui traced the trail of droplets, finding old and new marks indicating frequent usage. Some routes were obscured by earth, but there was indeed a secret room. "Find the mechanism." "Ding Ding, search within this area." Dongfang Minghui crouched, revisiting previously overlooked corners, and discovered a mushroom-like object in a shadowy nook she hadn't noticed before due to the dark and the prevalence of shadows at every corner. “Could it be this?” A mushroom mechanism… Whoever designed this had an affinity for aesthetics. Crack, crack— With a gentle touch, the wall split open, revealing a blackness akin to a yawning maw waiting to swallow her. Dongfang Minghui hesitated, "Had I known the mushroom was the mechanism, I would've waited for Seventh Sister to wake." "No need," Qian Wanyu, sensitive to surrounding auras, had struggled to maintain her meditation. The odd sound startled her awake. "Since it's open, let's see what's inside." Dongfang Minghui quickly pulled Ding Ding into her embrace. "Ding Ding, with it being so dark, don't wander. If you get lost, I can't find you." Ding Ding snuggled securely in her arms, quiet as a mouse. The underground passage lacked stairs and seemed to extend naturally from the cave. The deeper they went, the damper it felt. Qian Wanyu led the way, wielding the moonstone high in one hand, while the other held Dongfang Minghui's hand. "Is that the Dragon Queen?" Their steps halted abruptly, and tension overcame Dongfang Minghui, her palms sweating. The voice sounded aged, suited to a senior. The direct mention of the "Dragon Queen" indicated he was not the Dragon God. If someone uninhibitedly occupied the Dragon God's secret quarters, yet wasn't the Dragon God, Qian Wanyu swiftly ruled out wild dragons sneaking in. Given the medicine residues outside, a probable identity emerged in her mind. Both remained silent, causing the room’s tension to spike. Evidently, their silence caught the other party off guard too. Dongfang Minghui heard a porcelain clatter followed by a figure hurriedly rising inadequately, stumbling, then questioning frantically, "You're not sent by the Dragon Queen. Who are you?" Qian Wanyu tugged Dongfang Minghui forward, stopping before the elder. Tossing the moonstone, it fixed tidily overhead, bathing them all in light. Opposite stood a frail, white-haired old dragon, blue eyes clouded, as helpless as a normal human. Qian Wanyu brandished her water-thunder whip with fury, "Driven by the Dragon Queen, we stumbled upon this passage, old man. Who are you? Speak truthfully, and we might spare your life." Dongfang Minghui couldn't help but sweat at Qian Wanyu's words, which sounded like a robbery rather than something she'd expect from Seventh Sister. Yet, the elder remained unfazed by her feigned menace, glancing toward Dongfang Minghui, "Xiang Jun?" "..." Why did everyone everywhere seem to know her? This feeling was overwhelming. "I'm not the Xiang Jun you're referring to," Dongfang Minghui said, tears almost welling, "You've mistaken me for someone else, sir." Unlike Ke Han, the old man wasn't persistent. After hearing Dongfang Minghui's explanation, he nodded knowingly and murmured to himself, "Of course, Xiang Jun is dead. I diagnosed her myself." Diagnosed personally… This indicated that the old man was once the apothecary of the Dragon Clan's previous generation, and was likely Zi Yu's mentor. It made sense why Dongfang Minghui had heard rumors about him retreating from the world, refusing to treat anyone anymore—he was hiding in this secret room, focusing on honing his medical skills? But that didn't seem right. The old man sniffed curiously, his clouded eyes scrutinizing Dongfang Minghui. "The Heart-Protecting Scale of Xiang Jun is on you." "How do you know that?" Dongfang Minghui felt a bit of admiration for the old man. She previously thought Zi Yu was simply helping her, but she likely had ulterior motives for trying to extract the Heart-Protecting Mirror. Thinking back to her gratitude toward Zi Yu, she realized how foolish she'd been. "I remember when Xiang Jun was brought back from outside, covered in blood, already without breath. I examined her wounds. The fatal wound was at the heart, and the protective Heart-Protecting Scale was missing." The situation then was chaotic, with many young dragons injured. He was overwhelmed, and his direct disciple Zi Yu, still a young dragon, couldn't assist him at all. It wasn't so much that he didn't want to save Xiang Jun, but rather that he couldn't. That year marked the most tragic for the Dragon Clan. Though a century had passed, for him, these memories felt as recent as yesterday. Hearing this, something heavy settled in Dongfang Minghui's heart. She didn't intend to defend herself, "I didn't know." She had no idea how this Heart-Protecting Mirror had come to her… The old man, having sensed Dongfang Minghui's innate warmth and familiar aura, spoke at length but soon grew wary again. "Why did you trespass into the Dragon Clan's land? The Dragon Queen sealed the Dragon Clan's territory in a mirror long ago. How did you get in?" "Sealed in a mirror?" Could it be the Soul Leaving Mirror? "A desperate measure." Qian Wanyu, seeing the elder as an ordinary dragon, retracted her water-thunder whip but stayed alert, her hand at her waist. She surveyed the chamber, noting a path leading further. "Old man, are you here to treat the Dragon God?" The old man flinched, then smiled bitterly, "The lady is perceptive. Indeed, I was placed here by the Dragon Queen to treat the Dragon God." Confused, Dongfang Minghui asked, "Was the Dragon God gravely injured in the battle with the Emperor Tong, causing him to recuperate?" A look of astonishment crossed the old man's face, "Young girl, you know of the battle between the Dragon God and Emperor Tong from a hundred years ago?" "Because of Xiang Jun's Heart-Protecting Mirror, I sometimes dreamed of the Dragon Clan. I dreamt of the Dragon God answering Emperor Tong's challenge, their fight was ferocious. But who won that battle?" "Sigh." The old man sighed heavily, his earlier tension ebbing away. He patted where he'd been sitting. "Young lady, your aura is soothing. I feel our meeting was destined. Don't fear I might harm you; I'm powerless, and nearing the end of my days." "Why?" Dongfang Minghui realized her question was foolish. It's rare for ordinary apothecaries to live a century, and the man was already aged. "Are you injured, sir? I'm also an apothecary. May I examine you?" "A young apothecary? You remind me of my disobedient disciple. I wonder how she's doing now." Dongfang Minghui recalled Zi Yu's attempt to extract her heart, resulting in serious backlash. Though sad, it seemed deserved as Zi Yu harbored malice first. However, she stayed silent and listened to the old man's story, asking, "If you miss her, why not visit her? Are you forbidden from leaving while treating the Dragon God?" "I haven't seen sunlight in fifty years." Feeling a pang of sympathy, Dongfang Minghui was about to speak when Qian Wanyu suddenly pulled her. "Old man, we need to see the Dragon God. Guide us, or I'll kill you." Qian Wanyu exuded a violent aura, enough to make the old man uneasy. He struggled to stand, "Ladies, it's not that I won't take you. The Dragon God isn't fit for guests." "Why?" "Enough chit-chat, take us." "Very well, but be cautious." Following the old man, Dongfang Minghui detected a familiar scent—the acrid odor of decay she had grown accustomed to in recent days. "Seventh Sister, be careful." "Okay." Qian Wanyu forced the issue out of curiosity to determine if the Dragon God was truly dead or alive. If alive but gravely ill, it shouldn’t be impossible to see him. The Dragon Queen’s elaborate attempts to cover up the Dragon God's survival were suspicious. The reality was a black dragon, mighty in posture but bound by hefty chains, resembling Toothless slightly. Anyone who had seen Toothless in beast form would recognize them as father and daughter. "Oh dear." The overwhelming stench turned Dongfang Minghui's stomach. She almost didn't need to look to understand the widespread speculation about the Dragon God’s fate and why the Dragon Queen was desperate to hide everything, even trapping this old apothecary for fifty years to ensure the secret didn’t escape. Everyone assumed he was merely ill, but he was practically living in death—a fate worse than death. "A living dead." "Indeed, a fierce, undead dragon," Dongfang Minghui surmised. Without these bindings, he would likely have destroyed the Dragon Clan. During the invasion years ago, those who attacked must have been necromancers. Nearby, the old man cautioned, "Be careful. In recent years, the Dragon God has grown confused, unable to recognize anyone." Dongfang Minghui almost pitied the apothecary; this was beyond confusion—an utter loss of identity, savage and violent, the essence of a "living dead." "You've cared for the Dragon God all this time. You've been infected, haven't you?" Retreating slightly, his guilty expression betrayed him. "Seventh Sister." "See if you can treat him." "Okay." The white-haired elder retreated, "You both must leave this place; it's unsuitable for you." Dongfang Minghui didn't waste words, "Pig Immortal Grass, bind him." Pig Immortal Grass emerged with disdain; the tunnel's stench was unpalatable. It quipped, "As long as the Dragon Queen doesn’t come herself, you could hide here for a while." "I can't stand it for that long." "Quickly bind him." Startled, the old man watched the Pig Immortal Grass wrap its tendrils around him, securing his limbs. "Young lady, what do you intend to do?" Dongfang Minghui whispered to Qian Wanyu, "Seventh Sister, it’s too dark here. Light more moonstones." Then, speaking to the elder, "As I mentioned, I’m an apothecary. You know the consequences of infection." The consequence was an insatiable craving for raw meat, attacking others to consume them. The elder had witnessed the Dragon God prey on his kind. He ceased struggling, sighing, "It’s useless. I tried." Dongfang Minghui's research into the living dead had been halted abruptly, so she only knew that her blood could potentially aid, but the Sanguis Child physique did not extend to others. "Sir, where are your injuries?" "My hand." She uncovered his left arm, then his right, and saw his wrist had become skeletal, discolored with dark hues and emitting a rotten stench. It was unimaginable how he endured such a state in this gloom. A sane person would go mad in these conditions, not to mention living here for years. "I will heal you." The old man smiled gently, "Young lady, I’ve studied this for a century. You’ve seen the Dragon God. I failed the Dragon Queen. My death will be an apology." Dongfang Minghui rolled her eyes, replying bluntly, "Old man, it's up to me if it's futile. Stay put, and don’t move." Qian Wanyu remained wary of the Dragon God, having witnessed spirit masters turning into formidable undead, much like Qian Ziyan, who became a weapon easily controlled by Meng Ruoyu. She suspected that without Little Nine’s intervention, a similar fate might have awaited him. "How did you manage to keep him so calm?" After observing for some time, she realized something was off with the Dragon God. He wasn't like the frenzied undead; otherwise, the chains couldn't have restrained him. The old man spoke with pride, "I developed a new sedative elixir that keeps him asleep for a long time. However—" "However, what?" "Every time the Dragon God awakes, he becomes extremely agitated. Once, when I attempted to evaluate his condition, he bit my hand." Fortunately, he reacted swiftly, amputating a chunk of flesh to save himself. Even recalling it still gave him the chills. Dongfang Minghui became intrigued with the concoction he had crafted, "Could I take a look at your elixir, sir?" The old man, having no reason to hide, nodded toward where he’d been sitting. "All the vials are there, but be cautious not to mix them up." "You need to stop using it the moment you see him become excessively agitated. Otherwise, one day he might break free and slaughter everyone outside, or… turn them into monsters like himself," Qian Wanyu warned the old man in a low voice. "You… do you know something?" Qian Wanyu chuckled softly and turned her attention away from the Dragon God and the old man, leaning toward Dongfang Minghui. "Little Nine, the Dragon God has become undead. The formula for the undead from a century ago must be flawed. You managed to save our big brother. Could you find a way to restore the Dragon God's sanity?" The old man tried to listen intently to their conversation but couldn’t catch any details. Though he was aged and frail, he had been an apothecary all his life. Seeing the two facing the Dragon God without fear, even considering a cure… "You, young lady, you…" "Quiet." Qian Wanyu sharply commanded, effectively silencing the elder. Having quickly grasped Seventh Sister's plan, Dongfang Minghui skeptically inquired, "Seventh Sister, do you intend to use this to bargain with the Dragon Queen?" Qian Wanyu gently tapped her tiny, adorable nose. "You're becoming more and more perceptive, Little Nine." "I learned from the best, Seventh Sister." It seemed like a valid strategy. However, Dongfang Minghui hesitated, doubting her medical skills. Her previous experiments were disrupted, and she hadn't developed a definite remedy for the undead issue. Saving her big brother was partly due to luck. As for others… "Seventh Sister, I no longer have the Sanguis Child physique. Using only my blood, the best outcome might be like our big brother's condition before we left the Qian family." Caught between a decaying body and a sporadic return of sanity, anyone aware of their transformation would likely refuse to accept such a severe fall from grace. Qian Wanyu gently caressed her hair. "The decision is yours to make." Dongfang Minghui felt even more torn. On one hand, the Dragon God was Toothless's father, and privately, the Dragon Queen's relentless pursuit might be rooted in the attack by necromancers a hundred years ago. Resolving this might stop her from hunting down Qian Wanyu. "I'll do my best. But keeping him confined in this secret passage is not beneficial. And, Seventh Sister, the Dragon Queen needs to be notified and cooperate with us." Back then, the Qian family fully supported her, giving her the courage to take the risk. "I'll handle that. Focus on crafting your medication. If you need help, perhaps the old man over there could assist." "Seventh Sister, you shouldn't keep calling him 'old man.' He’s not so bad." "Not so bad?" Qian Wanyu's voice rose. "Given that he trained such a reckless disciple who nearly killed you, calling him 'old man' is quite polite." Startled like a quail, Dongfang Minghui quickly nodded. "Yes, his disciple was indeed impulsive." Especially attacking without distinguishing right from wrong, and in the end, suffering the consequences herself—utterly foolish. Qian Wanyu, understanding her little sister’s thoughts, didn't press her further. She walked over and roughly grabbed the elder, lifting him like a chick. "Old man, we have a way to restore some of the Dragon God's sanity." "Really?" The elder didn’t mind her roughness. At the mention of a solution, his cloudy eyes lit up. Overwhelmed with joy, he exclaimed, "If you can truly help the Dragon God regain his sanity, I would be willing to serve you both." "But your Dragon Queen wants to kill me. Why should I help her husband?" "This..." The old man, faced with a dilemma, felt his hope doused with cold water. Qian Wanyu saw his hesitation and made a proposition. "I have an idea, but it requires your Dragon Queen to discuss it with me directly. Otherwise, we can save him or end him. What do you think?"