The Legend of the Dragon King

“Are you sure you’re fine? You don’t have to force yourself.” Concern coated Zhen Hua’s voice.

Tang Wulin flashed a smile. “Yes, Uncle-master. Thanks for rescuing me!”

Zhen Hua shook his head. “There was no trace of any hostiles when I arrived. You can’t exactly say I’m the one who saved you. But really, your body’s recovery speed is amazing. Without any help, you healed so quickly. How about I take you for another examination?”

“I’m fine,” Tang Wulin said, shrugging. “I already inspected myself. There’s just some minor clogging in my meridian channels from the wounds. They’ll unblock themselves in a few days. Everything else is under control.” He frowned, clearing his throat. “Uncle-master, what happened to the conductor? She was attacked too.”

Zhen Hua knitted his brows, sinking deeper within his sea of thoughts until only his head stayed unsubmerged. “If I remember correctly, she isn’t doing too well. I heard she was sent into emergency care, but her brain.” He sighed. “Her brain’s pretty damaged and so is her spirit. I’m sorry Wulin, but they don’t know when she’ll wake.”

Tang Wulin felt as if he were plunged in freezing water, sinking deeper and deeper, the light at the top shrinking into silent darkness. The air surrounding him condensed, thick and viscous and hard to contain in his lungs. He had guessed it. He had guessed this outcome but had turned his cheek in the face of reality, and was now suffering the stinging slap. His hands, cold and damp, curled into fists at his side. How could this happen to Big Sis Mo Lan?

“Uncle-master,” he broke the silence after what seemed like hours, “can you bring me to see her? Big Sis Mo Lan is a good person. She did all she could to protect the passengers both this time and the last. She didn’t hesitate to sacrifice herself for their lives.” Tang Wulin’s voice grew frantic, uncontrolled. “She’s a saint! Please! Can’t you help her?”

“I must escort you to give a report on what happened first. The only eyewitnesses of the whole ordeal are you and that train conductor. Since you’re the only one in any condition to talk…” Zhen Hua frowned, not sure how to frame his words. “Anyway, you’ll give your statement first, then we can go visit her. Alright?”

“Okay.”

With that settled, Zhen Hua led Tang Wulin out of the Blacksmith’s Association and the two boarded a car to the city’s administrative offices.

The Blacksmith’s Association had a good relationship with the city administration. Captain Liu An of the 1st Mecha Regiment was specially sent to receive them.

“Hello, Your Eminence,” Liu An said as he opened the car door for Zhen Hua.

Zhen Hua and Tang Wulin got off the car. The sight of Tang Wulin startled Liu An. He clearly recalled how severe Tang Wulin’s state was a few days ago. He could hardly believe how quickly Tang Wulin recovered.

“Let’s go. We can talk inside.” Famous as he was, Zhen Hua was in a hurry to get out of the public eye.

“Your Eminence, this way please.”.

Their footsteps echoed upon the pavement. “I have already informed Administrator Mo of your arrival,” Liu An said as he walked. “He’s currently in a meeting, but he will come meet you as soon as it concludes.”

Even without a government position, Zhen Hua was one of the most influential people on the continent. That Mo Wu stayed in the meeting rather than receive Zhen Hua personally spoke volumes of its importance.

“It’s fine. I don’t want to trouble him. I’ve brought Tang Wulin to give his statement. Perhaps he can provide assistance in catching the criminal.” Zhen Hua smiled kindly. He was sure there wouldn’t be any problems. He had questioned Tang Wulin himself during the ride here, and was satisfied with how Tang Wulin handled everything.

“Please wait a moment then. I’ll take his statement right away,” Liu An said courteously, wasting no time in escorting them to a private room. A black-grade mecha pilot might have high status, but he was nothing compared to Zhen Hua. He couldn’t afford to waste such a man’s time.

“Please state your full name, age, and what school you attend.”

“Tang Wulin. Fourteen years old. Shrek Academy’s first grade,” Tang Wulin answered.

Liu An raised a brow. No wonder the Divine Blacksmith values him so much! He’s a Shrek student! Knowing this, he instantly eliminated any possibility of Tang Wulin’s involvement in the act of terrorism. There was no need to question the morals of a Shrek Academy student.

“Please tell me what happened that day.”

Tang Wulin did. From the moment he boarded the train to the point when he lost consciousness, he left nothing out.

Liu An gasped. “So you’re the young hero who saved all those passengers during the last terrorist attack?” Respect welled in Liu An’s heart for this brave boy. Although he had known more than most about the true hero of the last terrorist attack, namely that they came from Shrek Academy, and that said academy kept the student’s identity secret, he didn’t expect to come across the hero so soon. Yet here he was, in the flesh.

Tang Wulin could make out muffled voices from the other side of the door before it swung open, revealing Mo Wu. His expression was dark, eyes bloodshot and clothes flaunting fifty shades of disarray.

“Lord Zhen Hua,” Mo Wu said, bowing slightly.

“No need to be so formal, Administrator. I’m just here with this junior of mine to help with the investigation.”

Mo Wu’s grave expression refused to budge. “I have to take responsibility for this incident. It happened in my jurisdiction.”

“Nobody can blame you for what happened. Those evil soul masters are too cunning. It won’t be easy to catch one. You’re all doing your best anyway.”

Liu An approached Mo Wu. “Administrator, I’m nearly done taking his statement. This boy and the hero of the last attack are one and the same. He just happened to get involved in this incident as well.”

Mo Wu’s eyes were bright as he studied Tang Wulin. “You’re Tang Wulin? The young hero who saved Mo Lan?”

“Hello Administrator. I’m not really a hero. I’m just Tang Wulin.”

Finally, the cold exterior of Mo Wu’s expression melted away. “I want to thank you on behalf of Heaven Dou City. If it weren’t for you, the previous tragedy would have been far worse. I reviewed the reports and accounts of the recent incident as well. The other carriages were cut from the ninth carriage, saving many lives. Were you the one responsible for that?”

Tang Wulin nodded.

“Once again, thank you for your bravery.” Mo Wu managed a faint smile.

Liu An handed his written record of Tang Wulin’s statement to Mo Wu. After skimming through a few pages, Mo Wu frowned. “Phosphor Fire Soul Refinement?”

“Yes,” Tang Wulin said. “That’s what the terrorist called it. Administrator, is Big Sis Mo Lan alright? She’s not in danger, is she?” His voice came out in near whimper.

Tears formed at the corner of Mo Wu’s eyes, threatening to fall. He did his best to hold back from breaking down. “Thank you for your concern. To tell you the truth, I’m her father. You don’t have to be so formal with me. Just call me Uncle.” He sighed. “You’ve saved her life twice already. She’d be dead if it weren’t for you.”

Tang Wulin’s eyes went wide. He had found the administrator to look somewhat familiar, unsure of where to place his face. To hear that he was Mo Lan’s father was unexpected, but at the same time, given a better opportunity to examine the man, Tang Wulin was able to pick up the striking resemblance between them.

“So where’s Big Sis Mo Lan?” The Phosphor Fire Soul Refinement had been pain incarnate. Tang Wulin couldn’t help but worry for Mo Lan, couldn’t hope for an ordinary person like her to be as resilient as him, a soul master.