The Dragon

Between Life and Death

Gu Fuyou burst into laughter. So much time had passed, everything had changed, and now even Zhong Michu was cursing people. But knowing her character, she wouldn’t go any further; harsher words just weren’t in her nature.

Gu Fuyou’s laughter brought tears to her eyes as she slumped onto the stone table. She felt a sense of melancholy and an inexplicable sense of loss. There was no one left to scold her, to teach her how to behave, saying, “Ah Man, you shouldn’t do this.” Those from her past were no longer there. It was a sad thing, and she should have shown bitterness, but instead, she found herself laughing uncontrollably.

Resting her head on the stone table and looking up at Zhong Michu, Gu Fuyou smiled and said, “I am a scoundrel, but you’ve known that about me from the very beginning, haven’t you, Senior Sister?”

Zhong Michu, at a loss with her, sighed deeply and sat beside her, choosing to remain silent.

Si Miao examined Zhong Michu’s injuries. Gu Fuyou watched eagerly, and the three-legged crow declared, “She’s recovering very well.”

She breathed a sigh of relief, sat up straight, and got to the point, “Senior Sister, there should be few in these four continents who can match you. How did you get injured? Were you ambushed? Can you contact anyone from the Dragon Clan? If not, I could make a trip to the Eastern Sea.”

Zhong Michu’s face was icy, and she stared at her silently.

“What’s wrong?” Gu Fuyou asked.

“I was expelled,” Zhong Michu finally said.

Gu Fuyou’s face wrinkled in confusion, “Huh???”

“I was expelled from the Dragon Clan,” Zhong Michu clarified.

Scholar Zhai, the three-legged crow, and Gu Fuyou were speechless.

Gu Fuyou, trying to keep the mood light, said, “Senior Sister, I’m talking seriously, don’t joke around.”

Zhong Michu, with a stern face, said, “I’m not joking.”

Gu Fuyou’s smile faded. Zhong Michu wasn’t one for jokes, especially not such a ridiculous one.

But how could someone like her be expelled? It was unheard of, utterly absurd, and made no sense.

“Why would they expel you?” Gu Fuyou asked.

Zhong Michu glanced at her and said, “Because I was disobedient.”

Gu Fuyou: “…” Why did she look at me while saying that?

Gu Fuyou didn’t believe it. Not only did Zhong Michu’s explanation lack credibility, but considering the situation in the Eastern Sea, besides the old Dragon King, the royal family only had Zhong Michu left. Even if she had caused a huge disaster, the Dragons, inherently loyal to a fault, would have still rallied around her.

Gu Fuyou thought perhaps Zhong Michu had some reasons for temporarily hiding her whereabouts from the Dragon Clan. She suggested, “Maybe you can contact the Merchant Association first.” The Merchant Association was an influence under the dragon clan, and naturally served Zhong Michu after she took control of the Four Seas.

“In Wanttong City, there should still be some undercover agents of the Merchant Association, right?” Gu Fuyou asked.

Zhong Michu said, “I was expelled, so naturally the Merchant Association won’t deal with me.”

Gu Fuyou: “…” She didn’t understand why Zhong Michu was being so serious while spouting such nonsense.

Gu Fuyou suggested, “Then you can go to Xuan Miao Sect. I heard you’ve taken over Xuan Miao Sect and are now its leader, you could…”

Zhong Michu looked at her, “Are you trying to send me away?”

Gu Fuyou: “No, I…”

Scholar Zhai glanced at the two of them, half-covering her face with a folding fan, and shook her head without a word.

Zhong Michu said, “I’m gravely injured and have nowhere to go, and you want to drive me away?”

Gu Fuyou was taken aback, feeling a tightness in her chest, not knowing whether to be upset or relieved. She wondered why dealing with Zhong Michu had become so difficult. Was this still the same Zhong Michu who would silently listen to whatever she said and, even when arguing, would fall silent if she couldn’t win the debate?

She didn’t realize that the Zhong Michu who now governed the Four Seas was no longer the girl on Gushen Peak, uninvolved in worldly affairs.

Zhong Michu chuckled, a laugh with an unclear meaning. Gu Fuyou: “…”

Zhong Michu looked away, her voice somber, “So, you really don’t care for me.”

Gu Fuyou widened her eyes in disbelief, “How can you say I don’t care for you?”

“You returned and didn’t want to see me. Now that you see me, you can’t wait to get rid of me.”

“I didn’t… You’re the Dragon King, you have many responsibilities. It’s not good for you to always be with me. And the person who injured you must be powerful. It’s safer for you to return to the Eastern Sea.”

“I’m not the Dragon King anymore.”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Am I being ridiculous?”

“Zhong Michu.”

“Ah Man.”

Gu Fuyou was shocked and fell silent. She had spoken too hastily and had stood up, but now she slowly sat down again. After a moment of silence, she said, “You know I’ve been in contact with the Zuo family.”

Zhong Michu’s hand on the stone table clenched slightly. Gu Fuyou continued, “The Zuo family must be searching for this Qingluan everywhere. Being seen with me is bad for both of us.”

“Is that so?” Zhong Michu stood up, pausing for a moment before bowing to the three of them.

They watched her, bewildered. She said to Gu Fuyou, “I won’t trouble you any further. To avoid causing you problems, I’ll leave now.”

Gu Fuyou watched her walk away, stunned, until she reached the back door. She hurriedly stood and followed her, “Wait.”

Zhong Michu turned, “Is there something else?”

“Where will you go?”

“There’s a place for me somewhere in this vast world.”

With that, she truly walked out the door.

Gu Fuyou watched her leave, internally wanting to stop her but reasoning against it. After coming back to her senses, she turned to Scholar Zhai and Si Miao, asking somewhat confusedly, “Was she just acting out of spite?”

Scholar Zhai replied, “Letting Miss Zhong leave like that might not be good. Having her on our side would be a great help.”

Gu Fuyou walked back and sat beside Scholar Zhai, resting her cheek on her hand, staring at the back door, silent.

Si Miao shook her head while the three-legged crow commented, “Her way of doing things is different from ours.”

Si Miao glanced at Gu Fuyou, and the three-legged crow added, “Don’t worry, her injuries have almost healed, and there are people from the Merchant Association in Wantong City. They won’t ignore her.”

Gu Fuyou remained silent for a while before suddenly standing up, “I remember we’re out of wine at home. I’m going out to get some.”

As Gu Fuyou walked out, Si Miao and Scholar Zhai watched her go, then turned to look at each other. Si Miao was expressionless, while Scholar Zhai shook her head with a smile.

Gu Fuyou left the back street wearing a mask. There was a wine shop in the alley, where winds brought news from the entire area. Rumor had it that a White Dragon had passed by here. She walked into the shop and called out, “Shopkeeper.”

The owner greeted her with a smile. Gu Fuyou requested, “Two jars of green plum wine, please.”

“Coming right up.”

Leaning against the door frame, Gu Fuyou gazed into the distance, where her view ended in a light purple haze. It was a quiet street in Wantong City, lined with wisteria trees, recently used for the Flower Festival.

The place was usually deserted, but she overheard two passersby in a hurry, one saying, “That person must be from the Dragon Clan. I saw the Dragon horns on her head…”

The other shushed him, “Shush, don’t say it out loud. She might hear us. Let’s hurry. If we upset her, our lives are at risk.”

Gu Fuyou’s expression changed. Why would she expose her Dragon horns, as if she wanted everyone to know she was a Dragon? Taking the two jars of wine from the shopkeeper, she lightly touched the ground with her toes and leaped out like a kingfisher. In no time, she caught up with that person.

The street, blanketed with wisteria flowers, looked like a carpet of broken blossoms, surrounded by soft purple clouds. It was beautiful and serene. The person walked slowly in the middle, the tip of a snowy tail peeking out from beneath her lake-colored dress, her mane resembling a cloud of white.

Gu Fuyou flew past her, hovering beside her, and lifted her mask slightly to softly call out, “Senior Sister Zhong.”

Zhong Michu kept walking, ignoring her. Gu Fuyou gracefully spun around, as light as a feather, flying from Zhong Michu’s left to her right, still in mid-air. Gu Fuyou, with her affinity for wind, had always loved using wind talismans, which suited her perfectly. Now, skillfully riding the wind, she seemed to become one with it, softly and persistently asking, “Senior Sister Zhong?”

Zhong Michu stopped and responded, “Junior Sister Gu.”

Caught off guard, Gu Fuyou couldn’t hide her surprise. Zhong Michu usually called her Gu Fuyou or Ah Man, but addressing her as Junior Sister Gu was a first.

Gu Fuyou gently said, “You’re angry.”

“No, I’m not.”

Gu Fuyou noticed the fully grown dragon horns on her forehead and said, “Why have you exposed your Dragon tail and horns? Aren’t you afraid of being discovered by the Zuo family?”

Zhong Michu kept walking, “I’m injured and don’t have the energy to keep them hidden.”

Lies.

Gu Fuyou glanced at the snowy fluff at the tail’s end and asked, “What are your plans now? Are you going to seek help from the Merchant Association? Let me take you there.”

Zhong Michu replied, “I’ve been expelled.”

This again.

Unable to hold back, Gu Fuyou burst out, “Aside from the old Dragon King, you’re the only royal White Dragon. If they expelled you, who would take the throne?”

Zhong Michu said, “I have a daughter.”

Lies.

Zhong Michu looked at her calmly, “I have a daughter.”

Gu Fuyou was startled, realizing she had unconsciously voiced her thought, “Lies.” Seeing Zhong Michu’s expression, she froze; Zhong Michu wasn’t lying. She really had a daughter. In that moment, Gu Fuyou’s face scrunched up, her features bunching together like the pleats on a bun.

Her heart felt like a jar of mixed flavors had been overturned, leaving her emotions complex and tangled, rendering her momentarily speechless.

How could she have a daughter? Yet, why wouldn’t she? It was perfectly normal. She was so outstanding, held a high position, and surely had many admirers. Besides, she was from the Dragon Clan and almost at the age of maturity…

“Did you… did you really marry Jiu Yao?”

Zhong Michu had been watching her expressions and replied with a hint of a smile in her eyes, though her tone remained light, “No.”

So, she had a child without getting married. The rumors spoken by Zuo Qingqing were true…

How could it be? Zhong Michu wasn’t that kind of person.

Gu Fuyou looked at her, realizing that Zhong Michu was silently observing her. Feeling like her peeking had been discovered, she hastily averted her gaze and asked again, “What are your plans now?” She didn’t realize she had already asked this question in her haste.

Zhong Michu replied, “I’ll find a cave nearby to rest and recuperate.” Her tone sounded pitiful and somewhat wronged.

Gu Fuyou still felt a bit gloomy inside, but hearing this, she said, “This is the territory of Nanzhou.”

Zhong Michu responded, “Then I’ll go to another region. I can always find a cave to shelter in.”

Gu Fuyou thought to herself, “…really fixated on caves.”

Gu Fuyou sighed, “You should come back with me. Stay with Si Miao for now. We can talk more once your injuries are fully healed.” According to Zhong Michu, the Dragon Clan had probably appointed her daughter as the new ruler. This seemed unlikely, but Gu Fuyou couldn’t explain Zhong Michu’s injuries and wasn’t sure how much of her story was true. Nonetheless, she was concerned about Zhong Michu wandering around with her Dragon horns and tail exposed and decided it was better to be safe.

Zhong Michu, however, said, “It will cause you trouble. It’s not good for you, nor for me.”

Gu Fuyou was speechless.

Zhong Michu kept walking, approaching the city gate. Gu Fuyou landed, grabbed her wrist, and led her back, saying, “I was wrong. It’s not a bother.”

Zhong Michu didn’t resist and followed her obediently. Behind Gu Fuyou, her lips slightly curled into a faint smile.

The setting sun cast a warm red glow on their path, and a cool evening breeze rose as they walked through the sea of wisteria flowers.

Zhong Michu looked at the wrist Gu Fuyou was holding, her eyes gradually warming up. Her expression turned sad as she remembered a time long past when Gu Fuyou had held her like this, with Ah Fu pushing them from behind. They were descending a mountain, moving quickly. The figure in her memory was blurred, and the face was no longer visible, but the sound of hearty laughter echoed in her mind, lingering for a long time.

Zhong Michu’s throat felt blocked as she softly called out, “Ah Man.”

Every time Gu Fuyou heard her call like that, her heart would flutter, her grip on the wrist tightening unconsciously.

With a sorrowful voice, she said, “Ah Man, seven hundred years is really too long…”

Seven hundred years, long enough to wear down mountains and fill rivers.

“I’m almost unable to remember your face.”

Gu Fuyou replied, “I remember. In Xian Luo, I didn’t spend as long as seven hundred years. It must have been a long time before I woke up, like a dream. The days in Xian Luo passed in a flash, and I only realized it had been seven hundred years when I came out. I still remember many things from before so clearly.”

Zhong Michu said, “You remember, yet you didn’t come to find me.”

“Ah Man, why didn’t you want to see me?” This question lingered in her heart, unable to dissipate.

Gu Fuyou stopped, turned around after a long while, looking at her with a deep, somber gaze, “Senior Sister, when I was in Lihen Tian, I was bound by a slave contract set by Zuo Yuezhi.”

Zhong Michu’s heart clenched suddenly, her eyes slowly widening, staring intently at Gu Fuyou. She was unaware of this matter; Si Miao had never mentioned it, and the people of the Zuo family certainly wouldn’t have told her. Her lips parted slightly, “You…”

Gu Fuyou gave her a small smile. Zhong Michu felt that her smile was infused with the humiliation and despair of being trapped by the Zuo family. She wanted to go to her, to embrace and comfort her, to warm her and shield her from the storms, to offer her a place to belong. But Gu Fuyou had set up a barrier between them, making it impossible for Zhong Michu to embrace her as passionately as before, unable to burn away all obstacles and hold the one she wanted to hold.

Gu Fuyou said, “I was so full of hatred then, wishing to tear Zuo Yuezhi to pieces. I felt humiliated, almost wishing death. I thought of you, and I did the same to you with the contract. Do you hate me for it?”

Zhong Michu replied, “It’s not the same, Ah Man…”

Gu Fuyou said, “But you must feel some disgust towards me, right? Senior Sister, I was a despicable person before, and you must have hated me. I will only become more despicable in the future, and your hatred for me will only grow.”

“No, I won’t!”

Gu Fuyou said, “Senior Sister Zhong, let me finish. Since your challenge to Zuo Taisui, I’ve known. Despite your indifferent facade, you are a person of integrity, kind and gentle at heart. You would seek revenge openly, taking lives but not tormenting others. I am different, and so is Si Miao. Simply killing the Zuo family isn’t enough for us; I want to torture them to the brink of despair, making them suffer unimaginably. For revenge, I can be without limits, but you, Senior Sister, you can’t.”

She knew they had become different people, “In this world, few people know me, fewer still are good to me; you and Si Miao are among them. I didn’t want to see you so soon because I’d rather you despise me after knowing everything than slowly become disappointed and leave me.”

“I didn’t want you to see the hideous side of me when I take my revenge.”

Zhong Michu firmly grasped Gu Fuyou’s hand, “I won’t despise you, I won’t hate you, never.”

Gu Fuyou looked down, somberly, “Life is unpredictable, who can be sure?”

Zhong Michu’s expression was resolute, “Life may be unpredictable, but I am certain.”

Gu Fuyou looked at her, her heart skipped a beat, her mind numbing slightly. After a while, she calmed down, “Alright, alright, you won’t. We should go back.”

As Gu Fuyou led Zhong Michu by the hand, Zhong Michu asked, “You don’t believe me, do you?”

Gu Fuyou replied, “I believe you.”

Zhong Michu’s stubbornness showed, “You don’t believe.”

“Alright, I’m a little skeptical.”

“You don’t believe me.”

“…”