Chapter 33: The Kiss – The Master Kissed Him…

After noon, Ming Shuang noticed that Xiang Lun’s attitude had undergone a subtle change following his second conversation with Xuzhi.

Ming Shuang had a favorable impression of this grandfather he had just met. The man was powerful yet kind and gentle, and he even had a cute snow fox by his side.

Ming Shuang knew that Xiang Lun disapproved because he had referred to Xuzhi as his master.

In the time he had spent following Xuzhi, Ming Shuang had quietly observed how other beast tamers interacted with their magical beasts. Typically, the beasts were the ones who obeyed orders.

But Ming Shuang had always felt that he was the most special to Xuzhi—like among all the card beasts, only he and Xuzhi could form a mental link.

Xuzhi did not reply right away. Ming Shuang asked again, “Master, what did Grandpa say to you at noon?”

“Some things from the past,” Xuzhi said. “I might have met your mother.”

Ming Shuang froze for a moment. “My mother?”

Xuzhi did not elaborate. He had lost all his memories, so everything was mere speculation. Besides, he did not want Ming Shuang to think he had been abandoned.

He pulled Ming Shuang into his arms and pinched his cheek. “I’ll tell you when I remember.”

Xuzhi also needed to figure out the space magic within his body.

If he could open the space again… would that mean he could hide Ming Shuang inside once more?

Ming Shuang’s eyes filled with anticipation, and he nodded eagerly.

Xuzhi continued, “Also, from now on, you don’t need to call me Master anymore.”

Ming Shuang was immediately displeased. “Why not?”

“You can do it in private,” Xuzhi said, lowering his gaze to meet Ming Shuang’s. “But not when others are around—no matter who they are.”

Ming Shuang had been consuming more and more magic stones, and as his shapeshifting stabilized, he could no longer call out to Xuzhi like that at any time.

Seeing Ming Shuang still sulking, Xuzhi paused for a moment before adding, “You can call me Brother instead.”

“Brother?”

Ming Shuang thought about it blankly for a second, then brightened up. “Okay!”

Going from Master to Brother still sounded intimate.

The more Ming Shuang thought about it, the more he liked it. He nuzzled into the crook of Xuzhi’s neck, mumbling “Brother” indistinctly before switching back to “Master” a moment later.

Xuzhi tilted his head slightly, his breathing hitching briefly.

He recovered quickly and steadied Ming Shuang by the waist. “In front of Dean Xiang from now on, it’s best if you don’t act too close to me.”

Ming Shuang lifted his head, puzzled once more.

“Like we are right now,” Xuzhi said, pausing as he took Ming Shuang’s hand. “Dean Xiang might not like it.”

Even as he spoke, Xuzhi did not push Ming Shuang away.

Ming Shuang’s first reaction was that he had always been this close to Xuzhi before. Why would adding a grandfather change that?

They were very near each other at that moment. As Ming Shuang gazed at Xuzhi, a vague realization dawned on him.

In his eyes, Xuzhi seemed no different from before—same tone, same expression, same look in his eyes when regarding Ming Shuang.

Yet there was something different. They were even closer now.

For instance, the pre-amnesia Xuzhi had limited hugs to brief moments, and after Ming Shuang turned sixteen, they had not slept together again.

It was Ming Shuang who, taking advantage of his return to childhood form and their long separation, wanted to stick to Xuzhi all day long.

Ming Shuang pondered silently for a while before sitting up slowly. “Oh…”

He looked a bit dazed, as if he had not fully grasped it. Xuzhi naturally released his hand. “You go sleep first. I’ll read a bit more.”

Ming Shuang yawned and scooted closer again. He noticed the book on space magic beside Xuzhi’s hand—it was one they had found in the mountaintop house.

He remembered the three ice magic books in his storage bracelet and wanted to keep reading alongside Xuzhi.

But Ming Shuang was truly exhausted. He had only just pulled them out and flipped through two pages when he dozed off against Xuzhi.

Not long after, Xuzhi carried Ming Shuang to the bed.

Ming Shuang slept deeply. Xuzhi tucked him in, turned off the room’s lights, and went to the sofa.

~~~

The next morning, Ming Shuang had reverted to his little dragon hatchling form. He groggily poked his head out from under the covers.

Xuzhi took the little dragon hatchling to freshen up. As he held him and pushed open the door, they ran into Xiang Lun, who was knocking on the neighboring room.

The door to the next room opened, revealing a yawning Tomato. Xiang Lun turned his head and spotted Ming Shuang in Xuzhi’s arms.

The Little Dragon hatchling waved his claws in greeting. “Rawr!”

Xiang Lun opened his mouth, then remembered the space magic in Xuzhi’s body and closed it again.

Fine… Ming Shuang’s shapeshifting was unstable, and having a familiar person care for him during his regressions to infancy was for the best.

Ivan emerged from the other end of the corridor. “Dean, breakfast is ready.”

The flying vehicle was parked in Herl’s Manor, waiting to continue to Central City.

Xiang Lun acknowledged him and walked ahead. Xuzhi frowned slightly but followed.

He wasn’t sure if it was due to yesterday’s events or sleeping late, but his body felt faintly unwell.

That discomfort vanished quickly, however, leaving no trace to pinpoint.

Xuzhi lowered his head and touched the little dragon hatchling’s cool claws in his arms. His thoughts eased.

After breakfast, Ming Shuang counted the fluffy plushies as they entered the vehicle compartment, instructing them to behave and stay still.

Once everything was in order, the flying vehicle set off.

Tomato flew alongside behind them, while the other magical beasts were in the rear compartment—including the snow fox, which could keep an eye on things.

The front compartment was more elaborate, with a partitioned soft couch and low table.

Xiang Lun had not slept well the night before and planned to catch up before reaching Central City.

He drew the curtain and lay down. Shortly after closing his eyes, he heard the little dragon hatchling’s startled cry.

Xiang Lun shot up and saw Xuzhi slumped against the chair back, head bowed in unconsciousness.

Ming Shuang was in his arms, anxious and at a loss, casting a pleading glance toward Xiang Lun.

Xiang Lun strode forward. “What’s wrong with him?”

Ming Shuang shook his head and stepped aside, watching as Xiang Lun checked Xuzhi’s magic veins.

He had no idea what had happened. Xuzhi had collapsed suddenly, without any warning.

Ming Shuang watched Xiang Lun intently, filled with worry.

Xiang Lun frowned deeply as he gave Xuzhi a rough examination.

He did not know healing techniques and could only perform the most basic scan, but Xuzhi’s condition was peculiar.

Xiang Lun could not clearly sense Xuzhi’s magic veins at all… The outlines were indistinct, the magic elements indistinguishable, and chaotic mana surged wildly everywhere. It resembled mana disorder, yet it was not quite the same.

Xuzhi’s body temperature was rising too, his skin growing scorching hot, though his exterior showed no signs—not even a bead of sweat.

Xiang Lun withdrew his senses, lowered the chair back to let Xuzhi lie flat on the soft couch, and took out a bottle of medicine pills.

“These regulate mana disorder,” Xiang Lun said. “I don’t dare give him anything else. I’ll contact a doctor in Central City right away. Once we land, they can treat him.”

The Little Dragon hatchling whimpered softly beside him, clearly very worried and likely frightened by the sudden turn of events.

Xiang Lun instructed Ivan to notify the pilot to go full speed ahead, then reassured him, “He’ll be fine. We’ll be there soon.”

He had already contacted Central City’s doctors the night before, originally planning to bring Ming Shuang for a visit. Now Xuzhi was the one in trouble first.

At the command, the flying vehicle accelerated sharply, its destination changed to a medical clinic near the Academy.

Ming Shuang stayed by Xuzhi’s side, his claw gently brushing Xuzhi’s feverish cheek.

Tomato, hearing the commotion outside, peered in through the window and stared blankly at Xuzhi’s state.

Ming Shuang calmed down a bit and recalled a previous incident when Xuzhi had suddenly fallen unconscious like this.

Back then… the situation had been similar, and Xuzhi had woken up on his own, saying he was fine.

Was it the same this time?

Like a recurring condition that struck at intervals.

The Little Dragon hatchling kept watch for a while before curling up on Xuzhi’s chest. He leaned in to lick his chin, then covered an ice ball with his claw to cool him down.

Xiang Lun sat opposite, occasionally checking his communication device.

Finally, after accelerating for an hour, the flying vehicle arrived.

Xiang Lun had made arrangements in advance. The medical clinic staff rushed Xuzhi to a treatment room, where the Pavilion Master attended to him personally.

The fluffy plushies were left in the vehicle compartment for now. Ming Shuang hid in Tomato’s wings and followed, eavesdropping quietly on Xiang Lun and the Pavilion Master’s conversation.

The Pavilion Master appeared to be in his fifties and treated Xiang Lun with great respect. “Dean, his condition does resemble mana disorder, but I’ve never seen anything like this… Forcing him awake could cause complications. Let’s use healing magic first.”

He placed several magic stones at the bedside. Gentle light magic and wood magic lit up simultaneously, weaving into a crisscrossing magic array that enveloped Xuzhi.

Once finished, the Pavilion Master added, “If he hasn’t woken by one in the afternoon, we’ll try other methods.”

Even the Pavilion Master of the medical clinic could not pinpoint the issue… Xiang Lun’s expression darkened slightly. “Alright, I understand.”

After the Pavilion Master and his assistants left, Ming Shuang immediately slipped out from Tomato’s embrace.

He passed through the magic array and stayed close by Xuzhi’s side.

Xiang Lun said softly, “Don’t worry. Another physician is on the way and should arrive this afternoon.”

“Mmm…” The Little Dragon hatchling responded faintly, his eyes still brimming with concern.

Xiang Lun sighed quietly. With no better way to comfort Ming Shuang, he could only hope Xuzhi woke soon.

He kept vigil with Ming Shuang for a bit before standing and leaving quietly.

As he stepped out of the treatment room, Herl hurried toward him.

“Dean!” Herl had received the news and rushed over. “Who got hurt?”

Xiang Lun hesitated, then gestured for Herl to keep quiet so as not to disturb those inside. He whispered, “See for yourself.”

Herl stepped forward and peered through the half-open door at the glowing healing magic array within.

He couldn’t make out who was lying on the bed, but he spotted a silver-white little dragon hatchling curled up right by the pillow.

Herl’s eyes widened, his white beard quivering.

He turned to Xiang Lun, who seemed to have been waiting for just that reaction. Feigning calm, Xiang Lun said, “I took a trip to Netherworld Mountain and found my long-lost grandson. His name is Ming Shuang. He’s a Silver Frost Dragon…”

A boom exploded in Herl’s mind. He struggled to find his voice. “Then who’s the one inside?”

Thinking of Xuzhi, who was still unconscious, Xiang Lun’s expression sobered, his tone turning grave. “I’ll explain that later. He suddenly developed some abnormality. Even the Pavilion Master couldn’t pinpoint the cause just now.”

Herl took half a step back, pressing a hand to his brow as he drew a deep breath.

He could guess that plenty had happened on Netherworld Mountain. If it had simply been Xiang Lun reuniting with his long-lost grandson, it would have been wonderful news. But…

Herl’s thoughts raced, and he quickly formed a suspicion. “The Dragon Clan showing up out of nowhere… it’s for the young dragon?”

Xiang Lun wanted to clarify that Ming Shuang was already grown, but that would lead to even more explanations.

Right now, Ming Shuang was inside worrying over Xuzhi. This wasn’t the moment for a long talk.

He answered vaguely, “Possibly.”

Herl hesitated. “Then you…”

“The Dragon Clan vanished for a century. No one knows their current state. Better to tread carefully,” Xiang Lun said. “That Yan Si—wasn’t he looking for me? Where is he?”

He had it all figured out. First, he’d meet this Dragon Clan member and get a read on the clan’s situation. Then he’d tell Ming Shuang.

He’d let Ming Shuang decide for himself whether to meet his kin.

Herl replied, “On the roof of my Alchemy Tower.”

He still had a pounding headache, his heart weighed down.

Over the past year, the miasma fog outbreaks had grown more frequent. The Dragon Clan’s reappearance now was terrible timing.

And this mysteriously appearing young dragon had turned out to be Xiang Lun’s only grandson…

Wait… Could it be a mixed-blood dragon?

Herl drew a deep breath. Whatever was happening, none of it could leak out.

~~~

Inside the sickroom, Ming Shuang kept vigil until noon, but Xuzhi showed no sign of waking.

Xiang Lun stopped by several times, bringing lunch with him.

The fluffy plushies were quietly relocated to Ming Shuang’s side, crowding the room all at once. Fortunately, they were all well-behaved, squatting quietly in a group.

Ming Shuang hardly touched the lunch. He curled up against Xuzhi’s neck.

Last time, Xuzhi hadn’t been out this long.

His body temperature refused to drop, and his breathing remained heavy.

Ming Shuang grew more and more worried, helpless about what to do.

He lay there a while longer, then pawed out two magic stones and ate them. He swallowed a third and kept making ice balls.

Before long, Ming Shuang successfully shapeshifted.

He rubbed his eyes and slipped a small ice ball into Xuzhi’s palm before settling by the bedside to keep watch.

In that moment, Xuzhi’s consciousness drifted in a fog.

He floated in chaotic darkness, some strange voice murmuring indistinctly at his ear.

Gradually, it felt like he slipped into a dream.

He stood amid familiar woods under warm sunlight. He looked up, and a little dragon hatchling leaped from a tree branch, landing squarely in his arms.

“You can fly now?” Xuzhi stroked the little dragon hatchling’s chin. “Took you long enough.”

The Little Dragon hatchling seemed displeased and nipped at his fingertip, gnawing lightly.

The dream faded quickly, and Xuzhi awoke.

He opened his eyes to an unfamiliar room.

“Master!” Ming Shuang’s voice trembled with excitement and nerves. “Y-you’re awake! How do you feel…”

Xuzhi pushed himself up on the bed and sat, murmuring softly, “I’m fine.”

Ming Shuang wasn’t convinced. He touched Xuzhi’s hand and cheek, confirming that the fever had dropped rapidly.

Only then did he relax a little—but fear and grievance welled up, and he buried his face in Xuzhi’s chest.

“I was so worried about you, wuwu…” Ming Shuang hugged him tightly. “Grandpa found a doctor, but even the doctor didn’t know what was wrong…”

A clock hung on the room’s wall. Xuzhi knew exactly how long he’d been unconscious.

Just like last time, his condition had terrified Ming Shuang.

“Don’t be scared. It’s over now,” Xuzhi murmured, half-coaxing him. “Where are we?”

Ming Shuang lifted his head, answering in fits and starts. “A medical clinic… Grandpa brought us here. We’re in Central City.”

Grievance filled his face. His beautiful blue-gold heterochromia eyes shimmered wetly, teardrops clinging to the corners.

Xuzhi’s chest tightened. His mind, freshly roused, still felt hazy.

He murmured an acknowledgment, savoring the warmth in his arms. Unable to resist, he leaned in and brushed a kiss against Ming Shuang’s cheek.

The kiss was featherlight, barely there—but Ming Shuang froze.

Seeing his reaction sobered Xuzhi at once. He pulled back.

With a flash of white light, the little dragon appeared on the bed’s edge, staring blankly at Xuzhi.

Master had kissed him…

~~~