Reborn as a Hatrack in the Mystical Land-Chapter 612 - 69: Poisonous Plot
Dusk has settled, with the moon quietly climbing over the high walls of the Imperial City.
The majestic Imperial City, bathed in a frosty white moonlight, exudes grandeur.
Red walls and green tiles, the towering perimeter walls, with roads laid out like a chessboard—under the moonlight, all were transformed into a tessellation of black and white light and shadow.
A procession of carriages dedicated to the preparations for the Dragon Pulling Test in a few days was en route to the Imperial City Training Ground.
Leading the carriages was a robust captain of the Imperial City Guard. Upon reaching the training ground, he strode back and forth, shouting orders, directing the miscellaneous Imperial City workers to unload the supplies from the carriages.
"In a few days, the Dragon Pulling Test will commence. Move the Dragon Pillars into place, and be careful not to startle the giant dragons. Even ten heads would not suffice to compensate for that."
What was being unloaded from the carriages were pillars made of colored glaze that, at first glance, seemed no different from the decorative ones found in the wealthy households of the Imperial City.
But upon closer examination, one would discover that each pillar emanated extremely powerful energy fluctuations.
Inside the pillars coiled or laid Sub-Asian Dragons.
These Dragon Pillars were a unique magical setup known as the Dark Array in the Dragon War Empire, designed to look like pillars. They are specifically used for breeding Sub-Asian Dragons within six months of hatching.
The Sub-Asian Dragons, as the remaining descendants of the Dragon Clan on the continent, though of mixed blood, possess a formidable physique and intelligence superior to other Dark Beasts.
A Sub-Asian Dragon, from the time it hatches until it is six months old, is known as the undiscovered period. During this phase, the Sub-Asian Dragons do not exhibit the ferocity of the Dragon Clan and are more amenable to bonding with humans.
According to the annals of Dragon Riders, the chance of taming and forming a pact with a Sub-Asian Dragon is highest before they turn six months old.
The Dragon Pillars, varying in color according to the type of Sub-Asian Dragon sealed within, come in red, blue, green, and black.
Yet, this year’s Dragon Pulling Test had the exceedingly rare appearance of a Five-Colored Dragon Pillar.
The Five-Colored Jiao Long Ji Xuechen was sealed inside this particular pillar.
After returning to the Imperial City with Yunhu Commerce’s Yun Rui and others, it was transferred by Yunhu Commerce to the Imperial Dragon Cave.
The breeders of the Imperial Dragon Cave used a purifying Dark Array to temporarily seal it
Compared to other Sub-Asian Dragons under six months of age, Ji Xuechen, albeit only several months old from hatching, had an unusually long incubation period. Its extraordinary origins endowed it with an intelligence nearly comparable to that of an adult dragon upon hatching.
Most of the red, black, blue, and green dragons in the Dragon Pillars were sound asleep, oblivious to the world outside their columns, except for the Five-Colored Jiao Ji Xuechen, who was practicing its own Dark Skill.
"Foolish Dragon Clan, to think by allying with humans, they could gain formidable power," Ji Xuechen stretched out lazily. The pillar it resided in was the sturdiest of all, and the Dark Energy contained inside was also the most abundant.
As per the earlier agreement with Yue Jinghua, Ji Xuechen accompanied Yunhu Commerce back to the Imperial City. Once Yue Jinghua’s July Team completed their task, it was to regain its freedom.
It would then be free to soar to the heavens as it wished.
However, after being brought to the Dragon Cave, Ji Xuechen, which intended to leave, encountered trouble—it was trapped inside this so-called "Dragon Pillar" prison.
This prison, euphemistically called a Dark Array used for breeding Sub-Asian Dragons, is arguably said to be the very cage that confines Sub-Asian Dragons.
Over a month in captivity has dulled the wildness in most of the young Sub-Asian Dragons, rendering them toothless and docile creatures.
"The Human Race is cunning and full of tricks, among them are extremely formidable masters. This time, I was careless," Ji Xuechen had planned well, to seize the opportunity when the Dragon Pillars cracked open during the foolish Human Race’s Dragon Pulling Test, and escape in the chaos.
The Dragon Pillars were neatly placed on the training ground, waiting for the Dragon Pulling Test in a few days.
After transporting the Dragon Pillars, the guards set up a Dark Array outside the training ground, then left the field.
At this moment, two shadows moved swiftly from the walls of the Imperial City.
One shadow was tall and the other short, seeming to be a man and a woman.
"Are these the Dragon Pillars for the Dragon Pulling Test?" the shorter figure asked through the Dark Array.
"Indeed, that one emitting a five-colored light is the Five-Colored Dragon Pillar, and also the only Five-Colored Jiao Dragon in the Empire for a century," the taller man said, "You didn’t bring me here tonight just to look at these Dragon Pillars, did you?"
The man’s words were tinged with discontent.
"Is there a way for Yue Minzhi to die before the Dragon Pillar on the day of the Dragon Pulling Test in three days?" A cold glint flashed across the man’s eyes.
Moonlight slanted across the man’s face, revealing him to be Long Jiuzun.
"Who would’ve thought, you’re quite the protective big brother for your sister," the woman said and then tossed a bottle to Long Jiuzun, "It contains powder made from grinding Dragon Eggshells. Just sprinkle this powder on Yue Minzhi... or anyone else. The desperate protective nature of the Sub-Asian Dragons will erupt, and by then, it won’t just be Yue Minzhi alone—if you want, you could take down everyone from the Yue Residence."
"A scorpion’s sting at the tail end. I thought you were a simple girl, but it turns out you’re quite the ruthless one. What’s your vendetta against the Yue Residence, aiming to drive them to death?" This unfamiliar woman had unexpectedly burst into the General Mansion a few days ago, and tonight, she had invited Long Jiuzun out.
Until they met, Long Jiuzun only then realized she was Lie Sisi, the one who fetched Cheng Ying that day.
She seemed frail and innocent, but who would have guessed she was a poison-wielding femme fatale.
"I hold no grudge against the Yue Residence. But, with Yue Jinghua, I share a feud that cannot coexist under the same sky. As for the actions in the Imperial City, those are orders from Elder Danlu. If you wish to win Cheng Ying’s heart, just follow through. Not only would you fend off a romantic rival like Yue Jinghua, but you could also eliminate Yue Minzhi, who covets the fame of the General Mansion. For Lord War God, it’s a perfect chance to kill two birds with one stone," Lie Sisi finished speaking, flipped over, and left the training ground.
Long Jiuzun held the bottle of Dragon Egg Powder in his hand but did not leave immediately. With a sweep of his hand, he struck towards the Dark Array inside the training field.
The Dark Pill inside the Dark Array cracked upon command, and the array in the training field dissipated instantly.
Long Jiuzun approached a few Dragon Pillars, his hand flickering with Dark Energy, and slammed it against one of the pillars.
Suddenly, a furious roar emanated from within the pillar, and the previously iron-hard body of the Dragon Pillar slowly developed a fine crack.
However, this fine crack was hardly noticeable unless looked at closely.
After completing these tasks, Long Jiuzun pocketed the bottle of Dragon Eggshell Powder, replaced the Dark Pill within the array, reactivated the Dark Array, and restored the training field to its former state.
Assured that it would be nearly impossible for ordinary people to notice, Long Jiuzun’s figure flickered and vanished from the training field like a shooting star.
Dozens of Dragon Pillars stood silently erect.
Within the Five-Colored Dragon Pillar, Ji Xuechen shook its head, "The Human Race is indeed a complex species. Never mind, I won’t meddle in these muddy waters. On the day of the Dragon Pulling Test, I’ll just flick my tail and escape, no matter the Dragon Eggshell or the Dragon Riders."
