Leng Jing followed a narrow path toward the villa. He wasn't particularly worried about the mob of monks and priests; Leng Qingqing and the minor demons were more than enough to handle them. However, trailing behind the main group was a small sedan chair draped in green cloth. The spiritual energy emanating from the person inside seemed far superior to that of the rabble in front. It was likely more than the other demons could manage.
Leng Jing shadowed the sedan in silence. The person inside seemed to have sensed him long ago, for after a few turns, the sedan veered off the main road and into a forest not far from the Leng Villa. Only then did Leng Jing reveal himself from the shadows.
"Friend, what is your intent?" Leng Jing asked. "Why have you led me here?"
A voice as clear as ice crystals drifted from the sedan. "I am here to exorcise demons."
"Do you take me for a demon?" Leng Jing countered.
"Though you are not a demon, you consort with them," the person inside replied, their words sharp and prejudiced. "To collude with such creatures makes you no different from them."
"You are far too judgmental," Leng Jing said coldly.
His silhouette blurred as he accelerated, reaching the front of the sedan with a speed that defied reaction. By the time he pulled back the curtain to see the occupant’s face, the person inside gasped in startled realization that Leng Jing was already upon him.
The occupant was a refined, scholarly young man dressed in purple. He looked to be no more than twenty years old, but his eyes were vacant and unfocused. He was blind.
"Vile dragon! How dare you!" the youth shouted as he recovered. He swung a string of purple crystal prayer beads toward Leng Jing. The beads were infused with immense spiritual power, a single strike capable of obliterating a thousand-year-old specter. Upon being swung, the crystals transformed into a surging wave of purple mist, knocking Leng Jing backward.
The youth immediately commanded the palanquin bearers, "Bring the Dragon-Binding Cable and secure him!"
Sure enough, a moment later, Leng Jing—who appeared to have been knocked unconscious—was bound in golden chains and tossed onto the ground covered in withered leaves. Guided by his servants, the youth in purple felt his way to Leng Jing’s side. He touched the youth's chest and cheek before speaking.
"This dragon possesses formidable magic; the prayer beads alone cannot kill him. I shall revert him to his original form and have him cultivate anew before my seat. Hold him down; I must apply a seal to suppress him."
The servants pinned Leng Jing’s limbs. The youth bit his finger and used the blood to draw a sealing incantation upon Leng Jing’s forehead. Once finished, he ordered the servants to stuff Leng Jing into the sedan. He shared the small space with his captive as they began the journey back to his residence.
The blind young master lived in an ancient villa on the outskirts of the city. He had Leng Jing carried inside and submerged in a pool of clear green water in the garden. A young maidservant, about ten years old, greeted him with a grin.
"Young Master, did you have a great harvest today?"
The youth pointed toward the pool. "I caught a bold, reckless dragon."
The maid peered into the water. "This dragon is still quite young. I fear the strike from your prayer beads might have damaged his primordial energy. I hope the waters of this Cloud Pool can wash away the demonic aura clinging to him."
"I intend to perform the Spirit-Washing Method on him," the youth said. "I will seal the hostility within his body and cleanse him of his past sins and memories. However, after the ritual, the dragon will inevitably be weak and muddled. When that time comes, Lian’er, he will be your junior disciple. You must look after him well."
The maid tried to stop him. "Young Master! That will consume half of your spiritual power! Your health is already poor; there is no need to risk your life for a dragon of unknown origin!"
The youth shook his head. "This dragon’s potential is extraordinary. If guided properly, he may yet turn toward the path of goodness. My mind is made up. Stand aside and protect me while I cast the spell."
The maid stamped her foot in frustration. Her master was always sacrificing himself for others!
***
As dusk approached, Leng Jing stretched his neck and rose from the pool. A hand reached out from the shore, and the voice that had been like ice crystals now held a hint of gentleness.
"Take my hand."
Leng Jing looked up and met a pale face. The man smiled and said, "Do not be afraid. I am not a bad person. I am your master—Su Luo."
Leng Jing said nothing and climbed onto the bank. Su Luo felt around until he caught Leng Jing’s arm, saying earnestly, "You must feel unwell, don't you? I will take you to your room to rest. From now on, you are my disciple, Su Bai."
Leng Jing looked up at the sky and then said, "I want to go home."
"This is your home now," Su Luo replied.
Leng Jing ignored him.
In the span of a few heartbeats, Leng Jing was back at the Leng Villa.
The truth was, despite Young Master Su Luo spending the entire afternoon performing grand rituals to wash away Leng Jing’s memories, it seemed he had merely become another person played for a fool by the "ugly little snake."
Upon returning to the villa, he found the demons, looking rather disheveled and dusty, celebrating their "great victory" over the monks and priests. Leng Jing walked onto the stage and tapped on the table; the demons took the hint and dispersed. Leng Qingqing immediately rushed over, gesticulating wildly with excitement as he described how the "Millennium Great King" had heroically led the charge.
Leng Jing waited for him to finish before speaking. "Father, do you remember what happened in Qingzhou?"
Leng Qingqing’s eyes widened. "Huh?"
"The strange, massive whirlwind in Qingzhou that eventually killed everyone in the city. The spiral-shaped monster," Leng Jing said.
"Gah! Why would you bring up that horrible thing?" Leng Qingqing asked in shock. "Has that monster appeared again?!"
"No. But today I met a man whose spiritual aura... felt exactly like that monster," Leng Jing said gravely.
That man was Su Luo.
***
The moment Leng Qingqing heard Leng Jing’s words, he rushed into the house without a word and began packing their things to move.
Leng Jing followed him. "I don't think he's a monster, just an ordinary mortal. There's no need to be this tense."
Leng Qingqing’s face darkened. "No. We must leave tonight. Xiao Jing, if you don't listen to me, I will no longer recognize you as my son!"
"You're overthinking it," Leng Jing said. "I want to observe him further."
"No!" Leng Qingqing’s attitude became uncharacteristically firm.
"Father, just wait one more day," Leng Jing persisted.
"Xiao Jing! Leng! Jing!" Leng Qingqing’s expression was solemn. It was the first time he had addressed him by his full name like this. He looked directly into Leng Jing’s eyes and said, word for word, "I do not want you involved in anything related to the Heavens! Absolutely not!"
"Uh..." For the first time, Leng Jing was intimidated by his father's aura, leaving him momentarily speechless.
Suddenly, Leng Qingqing pulled a golden dagger from his sleeve and thrust it toward Leng Jing’s chest. The dagger shimmered with a golden light that resonated with the golden chain on Leng Jing’s wrist. Leng Jing felt his entire body stiffen, unable to move—the golden chain Leng Qingqing had personally fastened to his wrist was actually a powerful binding artifact. He had no way to dodge the strike.
With tears in his eyes, Leng Qingqing drove the dagger into Leng Jing’s chest. Upon contact, the blade transformed into light and vanished into Leng Jing’s body. Cold sweat broke out on Leng Jing’s brow as he collapsed before Leng Qingqing, falling into unconsciousness.
The White Marten, who had been hiding in the shadows, scurried out and shifted into human form. He ran to Leng Qingqing, pleading, "Old Master, please don't kill the Young Master! His offense doesn't warrant death!"
"I didn't kill him. I only sealed seventy percent of his spiritual power." Leng Qingqing stroked Leng Jing’s face. Suddenly, his chest heaved, and he spat out a mouthful of blood.
The marten was horrified. "Are you mad? You used a method that consumes your own True Essence to cast that seal!"
"Don't worry about me! Carry Xiao Jing to the room. We must leave this place immediately!" Leng Qingqing said, his face pale as he covered his mouth.
"But... but..." The marten paced in circles, frantic. Because his spiritual power had been sealed, Leng Jing could no longer maintain his human form. Silver light began to dissipate from his body as he slowly reverted to his dragon shape. There was no way the marten could carry an entire dragon!
"Why did it turn out like this! Argh!" Leng Qingqing hadn't expected this result either. He pounded the ground in frustration. He had thought that by subduing Leng Jing for a while, they could escape early. He had completely forgotten that Leng Jing was still a young dragon; losing the majority of his spiritual energy would force him back into his true form!
Desperately suppressing the nausea caused by the loss of his magic, a distressed Leng Qingqing had the marten bring cold water to splash on the white dragon's face. After a moment, Leng Jing finally opened his eyes.
"Father," he whispered hoarsely, "you're truly ruthless."
"Xiao Jing, forgive me. Please, just endure it for a little while, alright?" Leng Qingqing held him, his heart aching.
The white dragon closed his eyes and struggled to gather his remaining spiritual power. His body began to shrink until he finally became a beautiful, naked young man again. However, he was completely drained of strength, slumped limply in Leng Qingqing’s arms.
Leng Qingqing quickly took off his outer robe to cover him. The marten, sensing the urgency, hoisted Leng Jing onto his back and carried him toward the waiting carriage.
