Chapter 217 - Kun Peng (1/2)

"Master, is it really fine for you to beat them up like this?"

Qing He followed behind her master while her heart tumbled unsettling. She mumbled lowly, "After all, they are the scions of the dragon race, the dragon blood in their body is of nobility, what if they complained their elders…."

"I'm here as a guest, one of utmost importance; I'm not here as a sandbag or a medium for them to vent their emotions!"

Zhong Yue clasped his hands behind his back and said placidly, "You don't have to worry too much. The Ao Clan will never allow me to come into harm's way. Even if they were to complain to their elders, whether it be the Yu Clan, Jiao Clan or any other clan, they still can't do anything to me! After all, I'm the key for the dragon race's campaign to conquer land!"

Qing He hesitated for a second, she gritted her teeth and asked, "Master, why did you betray the monster race…."

Her heart was thumping heavily in fear, but nevertheless, she took the risk and asked boldly. The worst scenario would be death and even so, she was hoping to bring him back towards the righteous path.

Zhong Yue cast his gaze over, a blurred expression that looked like a smile climbed onto his face as he replied with a question instead, "Qing He, you are older than me, so why don't you tell me, where do I stand now and what should I do?"

Qing He was stunned, she thought of Zhong Yue's position right now, and immediately, she understood the reasoning behind his actions — being a monster lord in the East Barren while at the same time talking to the dragon race. She could see with her own eyes, hear with her own ears, everything that happened proved that her dragon master was badly treated in his own race, to the point to he had to leave for the East Barren for a better future.

However, even when he had arrived at the East Barren, despite the name and reputation he had gained for himself, even coupled with the fact that he had become Shi Buyi's disciple, his situation wasn't any better. His teacher, Shi Buyi, doubted and suspected him, attempting to kill him more than once!

If it wasn't so, how could Zhong Yue be hunted for so many times? Wasn't it all because Shi Buyi had given his tacit approval?

In the East Barren, the land of monsters, Zhong Yue would die at anytime. While the dragon race would be his only support; hence, even if he held a notable position in the monster race, he could only accept the request to be a spy to gain the support of the dragon race.

Qing He placed her hand on her chest, right where her heart was, she asked herself sincerely, and came to a realization — she would have done the same if she was placed in his shoes.

Compassion and sympathy rose in her heart as she once again looked at her master — she could feel the pain and struggle that burdened him, the sadness of being scorned and condemned by both of his races – the monsters and dragons. And that the hardship was something he had to endure everyday as he continued to live.

"Master, you … your heart, it must be very bitter, mustn't it?"

Qing He was after all, more of a delicate lady than a callous and decisive heroine. She grew sentimental when she thought of the incidents and misfortunes that had befallen Zhong Yue and she sighed and said, "This ruthlessness and indifferent brutality of yours ... it was a product of the reality you lived in. All the other Qi Practitioners had only seen your fame and reputation that shone brightly, but no one understood the sadness and sorrow that was hidden in the shadow of that light. Your fierce and vicious persona is only a facade you put up to conceal the pain in your heart…"

Zhong Yue nodded solemnly, his eyebrows undulated,  Her heart is quite pure, but it's destined that I'll have to disappoint her … for I do not belong to the dragon race nor the monster race; I'm a human, a human spy that is double-crossing both races.

The sea race seneschal chose their best guest accommodation for Zhong Yue. Zhong Yue would stay in the inner room, while Qing He would stay in the outer room so that she could arrange his daily activities. Faced with such an arrangement, Qing He did not raise up any objections either.

Xin Huo was excited, he said, "Brat Yue, this little girl is having thoughts of love, as long as you call her over, she would rush into your arms instantly."

Zhong Yue smiled in reply, "Xin Huo, you are talking nonsense again. Qing He is an elegant and refined young girl. Her intelligence and cleverness destined that she would be resentful towards me as I forcibly snatched her as mymaidservantt. Not a single second went by where she did not long to escape from me. So, how would a girl like her have thoughts of love towards me?"

Xin Huo continued to make his case, "Don't trust me? Why don't you give it a try and see whether or not she comes over?"

"Alright, I'll make you see the truth and prove you wrong."

Zhong Yue took a breath to calm his heart and he cast his gaze over to Qing He. The young lady was elegant, petite and was also furtively stealing glances at him. She was just like a pure lotus in the clear pool.

With a thought, Zhong Yue raised his hand and beckoned with his finger; immediately, Qing He's face blushed red, while she subtly bit on her lower lip before standing up and nervously strolling forward with her hands pinched at her blouse. The ambiance took an ambiguous turn almost immediately as the young girl slowly moved forward. Zhong Yue could clearly see the affection in her eyes and could smell the lotus fragrance wafting from her body. He was stunned and his heart palpitated like a frisky monkey, and his mind racing like a cantering horse, She came over, she is really coming….

"Master, you've summoned me, what can I do for you…." Qing He whispered tenderly.

KRONG—

All of a sudden, the whole dragon race saint city quaked violently; the buildings trembled and the windows cracked. Zhong Yue awoke from his stunned stupor and quickly stood up and looked out through the window.

Outside, the dragon city was quaking violently, while the enormous air bubble that surrounded the city cracked like a mirror!

It was never an air bubble but a protective barrier formed by countless totem patterns, an enormously huge soul weapon unlike any other, forged by an uncountable number of dragon race expert cultivators — the Dragon Barrier!

But right now, there was a huge claw of over a few thousand feet clasped over the Dragon Barrier. The tips of the claw strained the protective barrier's elasticity to its breaking point, deforming it as the sharp claw reached for the center of the saint city!

The huge claw was gold-green in color, pressing on the transparent Dragon Barrier, it slashed past the roofs of the palaces in the Earth Courtyard and went straight for the saint palace of the dragon race – the Dragon Palace, that sat at the center of the dragon city!

Zhong Yue and Qing He was shocked, the affectionate ambiance was now gone but Qing He's heart was still thumping. She quickly regained her composure and cast her gaze over at Zhong Yue who had already flown out and was standing on the rooftop.

Qing He quickly followed, the two of them stood side by side on the rooftop and stared at the huge claw; it was sharp and covered with scales that shimmered with the emerald sheen of totem patterns. Although it was unable to break through the Dragon Barrier, it greatly stressed the limits of the Dragon Barrier's elasticity as it pressed down onto the most dignified Dragon Palace!