Chapter Thirty-Four: Ignition

Jiang Xiaotian didn’t answer Zhang Guodong immediately; he wasn’t stupid.

“Did you know from the very beginning how to save her?” he asked.

Zhang Guodong neither confirmed nor denied it, but Qin Lulu, who stood by, exploded, “You old geezer! You actually gave my house key to a stranger! What if he’s a bad guy? You owe me compensation for emotional distress! And my attendance bonus for the month—you’d better include that too!”

“You’re hardly ever around for even a day, and you want an attendance bonus?” Zhang Guodong shot her a look, then pulled a crumpled sheet of paper from his pocket. “Here, sign your name and make your mark. From now on, you’re one of us. Not only will you get a salary, but it’s respectable work—and as for Chen Yu, headquarters guarantees he’ll participate in the Martial Arts Tournament.”

Jiang Xiaotian hesitated as he saw the handwritten words. “Is it really this informal? Is this even real? Or do martial artists simply not get any respect?”

Zhang Guodong chuckled. “What, do you want me to bring out classified documents in a public place for you to sign?”

“You old fox! You used me as bait—to lure someone else! I... I’m furious!” Qin Lulu seemed to revert to her tantrum-throwing self, whining and rolling about.

But Zhang Guodong paid her no mind, offering Jiang Xiaotian an apology. Qin Lulu was still young—only seventeen this year—but she came from a family renowned for martial healing, and her talent was extraordinary. That’s how she’d become a military doctor at such a tender age, and everyone cut her some slack.

Jiang Xiaotian understood. Qin Lulu really was like a child.

Once Zhang Guodong promised to treat her to a meal, the tempest subsided. She sat aside, quietly cleaning her silver needles, leaving the two men to talk.

Jiang Xiaotian had a vague sense that Zhang Guodong was using him as a pawn, but since the man worked for the court—and Jiang Xiaotian was already locked in a life-or-death struggle with Chen Yu—what harm was there in being used for a bit?

He signed the document and asked why Chen Yu was certain to appear. Zhang Guodong only replied it was a state secret. The higher-ups said he’d come, so he would.

Jiang Xiaotian didn’t press further. Zhang Guodong then handed him a badge, embroidered with a lifelike eagle.

“This—when the Martial Arts Tournament is over, you’ll know what it means. For now, focus on your first assignment.”

Jiang Xiaotian nodded. “Understood, sir.”

Zhang Guodong clicked his tongue. “Still calling me ‘sir’? You should change that.”

Jiang Xiaotian paused, frowned, and hesitated, “Dad...?”

Zhang Guodong erupted in a fit of coughing, clearly incensed, while Qin Lulu doubled over in laughter.

“What’s wrong with you? Call me ‘Captain’! I’m your captain!”

Jiang Xiaotian was mortified. How was he supposed to know? No one had explained.

Zhang Guodong then answered a phone call and left, saying he had business to attend to. Qin Lulu also needed to return home, but insisted Jiang Xiaotian escort her.

Truth be told, Jiang Xiaotian couldn’t really tell if she was a miracle doctor, but since she’d helped, he didn’t refuse her request.

Qin Lulu was now much more at ease, but she was also incredibly lazy. On the way, she made Jiang Xiaotian carry her medical kit, and managed to extort quite a sum from him by complaining of hunger and thirst.

“Who exactly are you? Old Zhang is so stubborn, yet he brought you into the team himself.” Sipping milk tea and munching on fried chicken, Qin Lulu seemed in better spirits and spoke to Jiang Xiaotian with newfound civility.

He had no answer for her—everything seemed bizarre, but as long as he wasn’t being set up, he didn’t care. Zhang Guodong had said it himself: after the Martial Arts Tournament, all would be revealed. For now, his only concern was saving Ye Wan’er. As for Chen Yu—he could not let him live!

When they reached her home, Qin Lulu collapsed on the sofa like a phone out of charge and promptly fell asleep. Jiang Xiaotian left her be, bought some food, and returned to his own place.

Ling’er was there as always, watching TV. But when she saw Jiang Xiaotian, her expression grew a bit awkward, as if she’d suddenly remembered something.

Still, faced with good food, she was her usual cheerful self, eating with gusto.

Jiang Xiaotian had little appetite, but after eating just enough, he explained his plans.

Ling’er made no objections, only asked with a hint of jealousy, “Is Ye Wan’er really that important to you?”

Jiang Xiaotian faltered, then quickly denied it. “No, it’s not that. I just feel—if I can’t even protect her, how could I ever hope to protect you, Ling’er? I couldn’t bear to watch her die before my eyes. If it were you in her place, I’d be even more desperate, because I know you’re the most important person to me.”

He wasn’t trying to flatter her; it was the truth. Ling’er’s presence had changed his once bleak life. To a boy with no family, she truly was the most important, and he would risk everything to protect her from harm.

Long Ling’er gazed into his eyes and knew he wasn’t lying.

“Hmph, as if I care,” she said with feigned disdain.

But the smile blooming on her face betrayed her, impossible to hide.

For some reason, this foolish boy always managed to cheer her up.

“After all, my first kiss went to—Ah! I was wrong! I’ll shut up!” Jiang Xiaotian hadn’t finished before his backside was on fire once more.

Ling’er put away her smile. He never could take a compliment.

When everything was settled, Ling’er had him stand before her.

“If you’re serious about entering the Martial Arts Tournament, you’d better prepare properly. Don’t embarrass yourself up there.”

As she spoke, she snapped her fingers, and a small flame danced at her fingertips.

Jiang Xiaotian always found it cool when Ling’er conjured fire like that. The last time he’d seen it, though, he’d been an absolute novice—now things were different.

He’d already broken through to the First Heaven. Though human, he’d become a dragon cultivator, fundamentally different from martial artists.

Martial artists train their bodies, mastering mostly physical techniques, but dragons cultivate spiritual energy, which far surpasses martial discipline.

At his current level, Jiang Xiaotian was likely the equal of a martial artist at the peak of External Strength. The Chen Yu who once crippled him with a single blow was no longer a threat.

Jiang Xiaotian tried to move his spiritual energy, gathering it at his forefinger, but no matter what he did, he couldn’t produce a flame like Ling’er.

“Just keep practicing,” Ling’er told him. “When you can maintain a flame like mine, you’ll have truly mastered Dragon’s Breath.” With that, she returned to her room to watch TV. The fact that she’d lowered herself to teach Jiang Xiaotian was already a significant gesture.

Jiang Xiaotian had no intention of sleeping. He was brimming with energy, but no matter how hard he tried, not a single flame appeared. He practiced endlessly, and by dawn, he was still standing in the living room like an idiot, his fingers nearly cramped from effort.

Just as he was about to rest, he received a call from Brother Long.

Before Jiang Xiaotian could say anything, Brother Long broke down in tears. “Mr. Jiang! You’re alive! That night… Mr. Chen nearly killed me! He kept asking for Miss Ling’er’s whereabouts—I made up a story and ran. I’m so relieved you’re safe!”

Brother Long was clearly shaken. If Jiang Xiaotian had died, he—this “swindler”—wouldn’t have survived long either. Being hunted by martial artists was no joke.

Jiang Xiaotian’s opinion of him improved a little. Whatever Brother Long’s motives, at least he hadn’t betrayed them—he’d shown some decency.

Brother Long still dared not show his face, and was in hiding. Zhang Guodong’s timely arrival was thanks to him.

Terrified and desperate, not knowing where else to turn, Brother Long had finally contacted the authorities for help.

It was a twist of fate: if he hadn’t called, perhaps Chen Yu would already be dead—but then Ling’er would be branded a murderer, and things would have gotten very messy.

Though Brother Long was scared out of his wits, he still had connections and could provide information.

“Oh, right, Mr. Jiang—there’s word that the reward for the Martial Arts Tournament has been changed. If you win first place, you’ll be sent directly to the Zhao family of Dragon City!”

Jiang Xiaotian didn’t understand, so Brother Long quickly explained, “The Zhaos are a big deal—even I don’t know the details. But I heard that martial artists who once feared Chen Yu and wouldn’t enter are now signing up like mad!”

Jiang Xiaotian’s mouth twitched. This was surely Zhang Guodong’s doing—was he really helping, or setting him up for disaster?