On the second-floor corridor of the Moniyahe, Lu Mingfei leaned on the railing, watching the busy engineers on the ship. Every one of them was a part of the Family; a strong bloodline bound them together, allowing their efforts to converge.
Occasionally, he could hear their idle chatter. There were not only members of the Liu Family on board but also some from the Zhang and Lü families.
Although the Lü and Zhang families were subordinates of the Liu Family within the Family, he heard no talk of oppression from the Liu Family from their mouths. Instead, they expressed admiration for the Liu Family's upbringing. To have a son like Liu Tongchen seemed to be everyone's aspiration, and being able to become Liu Heguang's right-hand man already filled these people with envy.
Liu Heguang was now presiding in the captain's cabin, a two-meter-long wooden box resting on his lap. Inside was the weapon he had specially brought from home: a large spear that allowed him to exert his full strength.
Liu Tongchen, clad in a raincoat, huddled beside the drilling machine, observing real-time data, seemingly directing the drill's orientation and speed.
Ye Sheng and Shuhtome Yaji sat by the ship's rail, chatting. Yaji's fist occasionally struck Ye Sheng's shoulder, and then they would both laugh.
The storm lashed against them. Such a downpour seemed to instill no fear in them. The adults said that all couples about to marry were like this; their thoughts had already drifted to the future.
'We'll get married after this mission' seemed to be a flag that was often heard.
Zero sat alone on the first floor, staring blankly at the beaded rainwater. Known as the 'Three-No Girl,' she quietly watched the curtain of rain, her mind unknown.
Lu Mingfei suddenly had an impulse to chat with Lu Mingze. That guy always appeared out of nowhere and disappeared just as mysteriously. He couldn't fathom Lu Mingze's thoughts. Sometimes, he just had to call Lu Mingze's name in his mind, and the guy would appear, but other times, no matter how much he called, it wouldn't work.
Like now, for instance. He had called Lu Mingze several times to no avail.
He recalled Lu Mingze's cheat code, 'Black sheep wall.' That guy said it was created to save Ye Sheng in the Bronze City. He wondered if it was still useful now, if this cheat code had expired.
Lu Mingfei suddenly felt a strange fear. This impulse came out of nowhere. Before, every time Lu Mingze appeared on his own, something big happened—World Tree, destiny. He was afraid that thinking of Lu Mingze at this moment would be related to these things.
What exactly was under the water? Weren't Next Generation Species enough?
He turned his gaze to Ye Sheng and Shuhtome Yaji, or perhaps, had fate been set back on track?
This was the worst-case scenario. He hoped it wouldn't happen.
"What are you thinking about?" A man in a raincoat walked up behind Lu Mingfei. Through the faint light on the deck, it was clear he held something in his hand.
Liu Heguang had taken down the flag on the ship.
"Nothing much, just a bit nervous waiting for the operation to begin," Lu Mingfei smiled. Liu Heguang had given him a very good impression of the Family, but no matter who it was, even Liu Heguang himself, everyone thought the Family was not a great organization.
"Indeed, you've only been part of the hybrid society for less than a month," Liu Heguang nodded in greeting. "Don't speak of nervousness before a great battle. Focusing on the plan can effectively prevent such emotions."
"Thanks for the advice."
"Angers thinks highly of you, and I also look forward to your future, so no matter what, I won't let you die down there. If necessary, even if it's life-threatening, I will go down to save you," Liu Heguang said.
"I understand what you mean. Actually, I've always been a coward," Lu Mingfei said.
"That's good. The Family covets the Dragon King's cocoon, but I don't wish for them to obtain this item, so I want you to get it and bring it back to Kassel College," Liu Heguang said faintly. "I don't want those old fogeys to extend their lives with the cocoon, even if the chance is slim."
"Maybe it'll hatch right when I get there. Then, with a Rune: Candle Dragon, perhaps we won't have to worry about such things," Lu Mingfei joked.
"Good adjustment, excellent mindset," Liu Heguang smiled. "In fact, there are already weapons of sufficient yield aimed here. Once the Dragon King is confirmed to awaken, they will strike immediately. We might not die from a Rune."
"You guys are ruthless," Lu Mingfei paused.
"Dragon slaying is the consensus of all legitimate dragon-slaying organizations in the world. No matter how corrupt they are internally, they will never forget to exterminate the dragon race," Liu Heguang still smiled with narrowed eyes.
"For your safety underwater, I specifically brought this for you," He handed over the flag he held.
Lu Mingfei looked at the battle flag in Liu Heguang's hand. On the red flag, dragon patterns soared, and a large character 'Han' was written, outlined in gold, making it incredibly imposing.
"Military flag?" Lu Mingfei recognized the item.
"A diving suit might not withstand a few claws from a Next Generation Species, but this might. I activated its living spirit with my own blood. It can save your life at a critical moment," Liu Heguang said.
"Living spirit." Lu Mingfei realized the extraordinary nature of this item.
"It's a Family inheritance, only recognizing the blood of the Lu clan, the purer the better," Liu Heguang said earnestly. "It's the orthodoxy of the Family's alchemical artifacts; all secrets are tied to it."
"The Family's intention?" Lu Mingfei asked, looking at the military flag.
"My intention. Most people in the Family don't really acknowledge the Lu clan's descendants anymore. The few who do pay attention to you covet your bloodline and want you to return to the clan as a stud. But to the Family, a stud can always be found, so they don't really care about your life or death. I specifically found this item."
Liu Heguang had no pretense of doing good deeds anonymously; he directly expressed his intention to look out for Lu Mingfei.
"Thank you," Lu Mingfei said solemnly. "My intuition tells me I will definitely use this. The situation in the Bronze City might be worse than we imagine."
"Don't lose it. If this thing is lost underwater, even I will be disciplined by the Family rules when I return. Given the Liu-Li contention, if that person from the Li Family found out, I would lose a lot of face," Liu Heguang reminded him.
"May I ask what the consequence of being disciplined by Family rules is?" Lu Mingfei was a little curious about this punishment that made Liu Heguang feel he would lose face.
"Fifteen strokes on the buttocks in front of the court," Liu Heguang said.
Lu Mingfei's hand, rolling up the military flag, visibly paused. For the young master to be spanked in public, it was indeed... indeed quite a loss of face.
"I understand. I'll definitely bring it back to you."
Liu Heguang smiled. "I hope you can keep your promise and bring it back alive."
Lu Mingfei was startled. These words had a similar ring to what Senior Brother Fingel said. Could it be said that they were indeed brothers who almost became sworn siblings?
In any case, he was extremely grateful for Liu Heguang's help.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted on the deck, as if some clue had been found.
Lu Mingfei and Liu Heguang stopped talking and peered over the railing. Liu Tongchen, standing next to the drilling machine that plunged deep into the river, held up his tablet high. The screen displayed a greenish-black scale.
"Found it." Lu Mingfei and Liu Heguang exchanged a glance, then quickly walked towards the stairs, heading straight for Liu Tongchen's location.