The Legend of the Dragon King

The closer he got, the more he longed for Gu Yuena.

Relying on his memory for directions, he charged into the basin and sprinted toward the little yard he rented earlier. He had almost reached it when an emerald light suddenly flashed and a spot of light flew toward him.

Tang Wulin smiled faintly. He swiped his hand and caught the Emerald Demon Bird that had flown toward him.

The Emerald Demon Bird squawked twice with dissatisfaction, but it was ignored by Tang Wulin.

He had left Gu Yuena alone here. The Emerald Demon Bird was the reason why he was not worried that she would be in trouble. The combat strength of the Emerald Demon Bird was definitely more powerful than a Soul Emperor. If he had not donned his battle armor, he might not have been able to fend it off. With its protection of Gu Yuena, he naturally had nothing to fear.

At the door to the small courtyard, Gu Yuena stood there waiting in her gown. She was getting a little impatient until she saw Tang Wulin. She immediately ran out of the door. Like a swallow returning to a familiar embrace, she threw herself into Tang Wulin’s arms.

“Father, I miss you so!” Gu Yuena hugged Tang Wulin tightly.

Tang Wulin hugged her delicate frame as well. He smelled the sweet fragrance that came from her. He immediately felt the exhaustion in his body vanish in an instant.

Tang Wulin hugged her tightly. How could he not miss her? When he realized that she had not regained her memory, he heaved a sigh of relief. However, he quickly resented himself for having such feelings.

He hoped that she would stay by his side. However, if she did not have her past memory, she would not be her true self. Chances are, once she regained her memory, she would most likely leave him.

Back then, when Tang Wulin still had the support of Shrek Academy, Gu Yuena left him without even looking back. Without any such backing now, his situation was as precarious as a stack of eggs. He reckoned that she was worried that she would be a burden to him.

He caressed her long, smooth hair and enjoyed her fragrance. Tang Wulin gradually cast away all thoughts in his mind. In any case, she was in his embrace now. That was enough.

He planted a light kiss on her long hair. Tang Wulin loosened his arms around her and supported her shoulders.

Gu Yuena lifted her head to look at him. She looked healthy, her beautiful face was rosy, and her eyes were filled with longing.

He could not stop himself from kissing her forehead again. Tang Wulin said with a gentle tone, “How’re you these days? Have you been living well?”

Gu Yuena pouted her red lips. “You didn’t even come back once. How can I be well?”

Tang Wulin laughed hysterically and said, “Don’t get mad, okay? I’ll be back more often after this. If you’re lonely, you can take a walk around the basin, the security around here should be fine. However, it’s best if you wear something with a hood when you go out and put on a mask as well. You’re so beautiful that it’s easy to stir up trouble just by having people looking at you.”

“Alright, alright. I will,” said Gu Yuena with a sweet smile.

“Father, I want to eat barbequed meat.” Her gaze was earnest.

“Okay.” Tang Wulin acceded to her request without hesitation.

They went to the barbeque shop, which they had visited before, and ordered some barbequed meat.

The owner still had fresh memories of Tang Wulin’s appetite. When he saw Gu Yuena removing her mask to reveal her peerlessly beautiful face, he could not help but said with a smile, “It’s been a long time since you were here. Why aren’t you eating as much this time?”

Tang Wulin said with a smile, “My appetite has shrunk.” He was telling the truth. After he had his Dragon Core, his appetite had reduced noticeably.

The owner left them. Tang Wulin looked at Gu Yuena with curiosity. “You never came back after our last meal here?”

Gu Yuena nodded. “Of course not! When you weren’t around, I didn’t come.”

“So, what’ve you been eating all this while?” asked Tang Wulin.

Gu Yuena said, “Anything simple I can get my hands on. I’ll cook some simple meals at home. If I have the time, I’ll go for a walk and sightsee. Sometimes, I’ll play with Little Emerald.”

The Emerald Demon Bird landed on her shoulder. Upon hearing what Gu Yuena said, it nodded.

The barbequed meat was juicy and tender with a crispy finish. The customers who tried the dish were full of praises for it. Although Tang Wulin did not need to eat as much anymore, he still could not help but ordered extra to satiate his taste and belly.

“Do you have anywhere else that you’d like to go? I’ll keep you company,” Tang Wulin asked Gu Yuena.

Gu Yuena shook her head and proceeded to take his hand. “Father, let’s go home.”

Go home.

When Tang Wulin heard the words, for some unknown reason, his strong character buckled and his eyes moistened instantly.

Yes, go home!

He had not heard those words for a long time now. It has been almost ten years since his parents went missing without any news of their whereabouts. No information about them ever reached his ears. He was completely clueless where they were.

Apart from his parents, Na’er was the only kin he had left. However, the Gu Yue before him right now seemed to have merged with Na’er, since she looked every bit like Na’er. There were countless riddles in his heart that needed solving, but he had no way of knowing the answers if Gu Yuena did not regain her memory. He was genuinely afraid that it would be something bad. He suspected that the reason Gu Yue left was somehow related to Na’er.

Go home. Two extremely simple words which melted his heart instantly.

How he wished he had a home! It did not have to be big or luxurious. All he wanted was for his family members to be together just like old times. To have his father, mother, little sister, and now her by his side.

He held Gu Yuena’s hand tightly. He seemed worried that she might disappear at any moment. They walked toward their house in the Fire Basin.

The interior of the house was spotlessly clean. Gu Yuena pulled Tang Wulin to a chair and sat him down. Then, she sat on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck with a sweet, beautiful smile as she rested her body within his embrace.

Her silvery hair was gently caressing Tang Wulin’s cheeks. She was filled with a longing for him.

She did not say anything. Slowly, her breathing became rhythmic.

Tang Wulin’s heart was filled with a gentle feeling. He carefully lifted her slender frame and placed her onto the bed. He tucked her in and lay down next to her. He caressed her face gently and closed his eyes as he, too, fell asleep gradually.

There was no inkling how much time had passed. Two drops of shiny tears fell silently along her cheeks. She opened her eyes slowly.

There was no longer the childlike clarity in her eyes. Her gaze was currently as profound and deep as a cold sea. As she looked at him, she pressed her lips together. She softly raised her hand and placed her palm on his face.

She pulled on the blanket to cover him. Then, she wriggled herself into his embrace and placed his hand on her face. She planted her whole body into his warm embrace. After wiping off the tears on her face, she closed her eyes once more and fell into a deep sleep.

Tang Wulin woke up early the next day. He bought breakfast for Gu Yuena. It was the beginning to a wonderful day together.

The Fire Basin was a vast place. There were many places that were worth visiting. During the whole day, he took her to a few tourist spots and had some delicious food along the way.

During the excursion, he did not wield his Golden Dragon Spear. He just wanted to take the opportunity to fully enjoy her company.

Time flew when one was having fun. Tang Wulin held Gu Yuena’s hand as they stood in the courtyard and looked up at the starry night sky.

“Gu Yue, I have to go,” said Tang Wulin gently.

“Don’t go.” Gu Yuena immediately hugged his waist.

Tang Wulin laughed bitterly. “I don’t want to go either, but I have to. I’ll be back to visit you soon, alright? I’ll leave after you’re asleep.”

Gu Yuena did not say anything, but her eyes were red.

How could Tang Wulin’s heart not be filled with reluctance? Today could be regarded as the most relaxing and happiest day he had experienced ever since he knew Gu Yue. They had toured the scenic spots like a true couple. If they could spend every day like this, Tang Wulin would not even trade it for the chance to be a god!

“Let’s go back into the house. I’ll leave after you’re asleep.” Tang Wulin hugged Gu Yuena softly.

“No, I want to watch you leave.” Gu Yuena’s expression suddenly turned stubborn.

Tang Wulin was stunned. He looked down at her flickering tear-filled eyes. How could he part with such a look on her face?

“I’ll stay with you for a while longer.”

They sat in the courtyard and looked up at the stars in the night sky as they leaned on each other. Time passed by quickly. Finally, Gu Yuena fell asleep on Tang Wulin’s shoulders.

He gently carried her back into her room. Tang Wulin raised an arm and tapped on the Emerald Demon Bird’s head. “Take good care of her, will you?”

The Emerald Demon Bird’s red eyes blinked.

He lowered his head and hesitated slightly. In the end, Tang Wulin planted a light peck on her lips. He covered her snugly with a blanket.

When he was at the door, he could not help but turn around again. He returned to her side to kiss her one more time.

“I’m leaving.”