Is It Really That Hard to Seduce a Dragon? - Chapter 4

The Divine Dragon’s speed was truly efficient, and it didn’t take long before Ji Aqing heard the sounds of clothes being shaken out and hung up.

He opened his eyes and looked over, seeing that the man had rigged a pole across the cave. He was currently hanging Ji Aqing’s clothes on it to air-dry them near the warmth of the fire.

As he watched the man’s clumsy attempts to smooth out the wrinkles, Ji Aqing was about to speak, but his gaze was instantly drawn to the clothes pole itself.

The surface of the pole was smooth as a mirror, with a wood-grain texture. Upon closer inspection, it was covered in dense, intricate scriptures. The rod was a purplish-black, interspersed with silvery-white lightning patterns, and a massive, deep-blue spirit bead was embedded at the top.

If his eyes didn’t deceive him, this had to be the Vajra Zen Staff the sect treasure of the Fire-Lotus Temple, which had been lost for years and was the object of a frantic search by those monks.

“…” Whoa!

Exhaling, Ji Aqing immediately retrieved a recording stone from his storage bag. He hadn’t expected that falling off a cliff would bring such an unexpected windfall.

He couldn’t wait to see the expressions on the faces of those bald monks the ones who always wore such solemn faces, chasing behind him and shouting, “Show mercy!” “Absolutely not!” and “This act is harmful to public morals!”

“What’s wrong?” Cang Ming, seeing the youth pull out a recording stone, was puzzled. He subconsciously stood up straighter, and the flames he manifested in his hand burned more steadily, just to ensure his figure would look taller and more dignified in the recording.

“Just recording something.” Ji Aqing stowed away the stone after capturing the entire rod and the clothes drying on it. He carefully avoided including the tall man himself, only letting his hands remain visible as they tended to the fire. “Done.”

Cang Ming finally relaxed a little. Once the clothes were mostly dry, he withdrew his divine fire, let the lingering dampness dissipate, and walked over. “Feeling better now? I’ve brewed some medicinal soup; you should drink it while it’s hot.”

Having failed at his first attempt to “seduce” the dragon, Ji Aqing was temporarily mired in self-doubt. He felt he needed to summarize his experience before trying again.

Thus, he was now obediently huddled inside the plush blanket, sinking into its softness. After recording the staff, he retracted his hand, leaving only his clean, delicate face visible.

He nodded quietly, watching the man approach with a bowl that was intricately patterned and trimmed with gold.

Ji Aqing blinked.

What a magnificent, gaudy, and ugly thing. It looked quite out of place in the simple, rugged cave. And it wasn’t just the bowl; everything else was the same.

Because the cave’s resident was a Fire-element Divine Dragon, he was naturally warm and had no perception of cold, which explained why there were no heating elements in the cave. The furnishings were primitive; looking around, the only comfortable thing seemed to be the spot where Ji Aqing was sitting.

Even his sleeping area appeared to be nothing more than a clear space the dragon had hastily cleared, covered in a shimmering, colorful blanket.

However, the blanket was likely not a common item. It looked thin, yet it effectively blocked the chill radiating from the ground. The blanket he was wrapped in was equally vibrant and luxurious, keeping him from feeling any cold even though he was naked.

With so many priceless, gaudy things, it seems the Divine Dragon really does love splendor and sits upon treasures, just as the rumors say.

However, there is one piece of information the Thousand Machines Pavilion never obtained he is not as ostentatious or extravagant as the rumors claim. On the contrary, he is low-key, possessing the wisdom of knowing not to flaunt his wealth.

Ji Aqing pondered silently: If his identity hadn’t been fully exposed to me from the start, I think that even if I had braved the wind and snow to investigate this cave, I would never have guessed that a Divine Dragon lived here, nor would I have ever associated this gaudily-dressed man, who looks so much like an upstart, with a Divine Dragon.

The “gaudy upstart” sat down on the ground beside him, carefully avoiding the blanket to make sure he didn’t press on Ji Aqing. He blew on the medicinal bowl: “I kept it warm with my spiritual energy; the temperature should be just right now.”

As he spoke, he pulled a spoon encrusted with gold fragments from his storage like a magician, and stirred the bottom of the bowl: “Let me mix it up.”

This dragon is actually quite nice.

“Tha…” Ji Aqing, surprised by the dragon’s attentiveness, reached out his hand. However, he paused when he clearly saw the remnants of several poisonous creatures floating in the dark yellowish-brown liquid.

Even though these were common medicinal ingredients, that didn’t mean he could remain composed while seeing the insect carcasses, each with dozens of leg segments, floating in the soup.

Ji Aqing’s pupils dilated.

As the most pampered Young Master of the Ten-Thousand Sword Forest, and the most talented disciple of the younger generation in Cold Mountain, he had lived a life of luxury for decades. Before his disaster, he had been doted upon by his parents, sister, and teachers. He had always been given spirit pills and medicinal treasures, and he had never had to drink such “all-natural” concoctions.

Even during the years he was being hunted and at his lowest, his supply of refined pills had never run dry.

Cang Ming looked confused. He gazed at the medicine bowl in his hand, then at the youth who had turned his body away. “Do you not like this bowl? I’ll change it for another one.”

He rummaged through his space and pulled out yet another exquisitely designed bowl, placing it beside Ji Aqing. Seeing no reaction, he frowned and pulled out a new spoon.

Out of the corner of his eye, Ji Aqing caught sight of the new bowl and spoon. He blinked, his expression subtle. He parted his lips slightly, wanting to see just how much inventory the dragon had, so he remained still.

Cang Ming was completely focused on the youth’s reaction. Thinking he had found the right approach, he began to empty his “gold vault.”

One bowl, another bowl, a stack of bowls.

Then, a stack of spoons.

Soon, the area beside Ji Aqing looked like a street stall, layered stack upon stack.

Seeing that there was no more room, and the man was even taking a step to make space for more, Ji Aqing couldn’t help but reach out and grab Cang Ming’s arm. He gritted his teeth as he met the man’s quiet gaze.

Is this Divine Dragon… for real?

Although he didn’t actually care about the bowls and spoons, he couldn’t help but be distracted as he watched the man present each item as if it were a treasure, even though every single one was gaudier than the last.

“Do you see one you like?” Cang Ming didn’t understand the youth’s helplessness, and his voice was full of surprise. “Which one is it? Or do you need to pick a few more?”

Although he had been an adult for a long time and lived alone in his cave, Cang Ming still remembered the time, hundreds of years ago, when he was small and arrogantly rejected his parents’ feeding because the bowls were “not good-looking.”

Recalling the sorrow of being beaten by his hot-tempered mother until he was tearful, yet still having to accept a plain, ugly bowl, he felt he understood the youth’s feelings very well and became even more generous: “Pick whatever you want; I have a lot in storage.”

He said this proudly with a wide wave of his hand. Before Ji Aqing’s widening eyes, the cave was directly transformed into a mountain of bowls and a sea of spoons.

Fearing the man would continue, Ji Aqing quickly grabbed a random empty bowl from the man’s hand and, with lightning speed, snatched the medicine bowl, poured out the liquid, and stuffed the dregs—without even looking at them back into the man’s hand. He closed his eyes, parted his lips, and rapidly finished the culprit responsible for this inexplicable display.

“Take your time.” The Divine Dragon’s gratified voice was still chattering in his ear. Ji Aqing had just finished the last drop and was about to say something when he heard the man finally get to the point: “There’s still plenty in the pot over there.”

He pointed to the other side of the cave, which was hidden by clothes.

Ji Aqing followed his finger and, sure enough, saw a massive pot. He couldn’t catch his breath; the bitter medicinal taste lingering in his mouth made him choke and hiccup.

“…”

A rare wave of manic emotion surged in his heart. The youth jerked his head to the side and looked at the man with a scrutinizing gaze. His pitch-black pupils held no emotion, making no secret of his appraisal as he attempted to intimidate the man with such cold, sharp eyes, hoping to see him slip up.

Ji Aqing seriously suspected that this seemingly sincere and honest Divine Dragon had long seen through his goals and was now using these ridiculous tricks to tease him.

However, after scanning him over and over again, the man’s emotions remained open and honest. He even scratched his head, grinning with a mixture of heartiness and bewilderment.

After meeting the man’s clear, pure eyes for the third time and seeing the undisguised concern in his red pupils, Ji Aqing gave up completely.

I can’t see anything. There are no signs of a disguise.

This is a genuine, authentic Divine Dragon who is illiterate, defenseless, slow-witted, clumsy, and annoying all while being completely oblivious to it.

Ji Aqing, who had realized the truth, felt a complex mix of emotions. After a long while, he sighed and reached out, gesturing for the “silly dragon” to come closer.

Cang Ming had already been feeling restless under the youth’s intense gaze, which felt as if it were stripping something away from him. Relieved by the gesture, he leaned in obediently.

“The bowls,” Ji Aqing tapped his hand, “put them away.”

Cang Ming did as he was told, and then, caught off guard, he felt the youth’s arm wrap around his neck. His heart accelerated from the surprise. Worried that the youth might be uncomfortable in that position, the man lowered his head: “What’s wrong?”

“Don’t ask.” Having seen the man’s honest true face, Ji Aqing felt a surge of daring. Gone was the weak, pitiful act; he suddenly cupped the man’s face.

“Okay.” The Divine Dragon answered subconsciously, stunned as he listened to the youth ask one question after another in a fierce tone.

“How old are you?”

“520 years old,” the man answered instantly.

“Are you an adult?”

“I am an adult,” Cang Ming replied without hesitation. He had been an adult for 20 years.

“Do you have a partner?”

“No.” The Divine Dragon blushed, not knowing why the youth would ask such a question. His heart was thumping, yet he answered honestly.

“Very good.” Only then did Ji Aqing pat his cheek. A hint of satisfaction appeared on his face, though he pulled his fingertips away when the dragon subconsciously tried to grasp them.

The cave was simply too cold. The youth, who hadn’t yet figured out how to seduce the Divine Dragon again, didn’t plan to continue suffering in the cold. Not noticing the man’s reaction, he quickly shrank back into the plush blanket. “Now, immediately, right now, put away your collection, and throw that terrible medicine along with the pots and bowls far away.”

“But…” The Divine Dragon looked troubled.

“No ‘buts’.” Ji Aqing shot him a fierce look. “Listen to me.”

After confirming that the Divine Dragon was truly an honest dragon, Ji Aqing, who didn’t consider himself a “good person,” felt even more at ease and even began to order the owner of the cave around: “Hurry up, will you?”

“Mm.” After a moment of silence, Cang Ming, under the youth’s shimmering, moist gaze, silently felt his ears turn red and followed every instruction.

The clean bowls and spoons were returned to his space, and the medicine pot, which had been hidden behind the clothes so Ji Aqing couldn’t see it, was carried out of the cave.

After finishing everything, the Divine Dragon returned.

“Not bad, very obedient.” He was simply too tame and obedient. His eager look made Ji Aqing subconsciously use the tone he used to coax his sister’s spirit pet to praise him with a smile. He reached out to adjust his own blanket, not noticing the man’s face turning bright red as he lowered his head.

Then, he lifted a corner of the blanket, patted the spot beside him, and said: “Let’s rest together, shall we? You’re warm, and I want to get warm.”

The Divine Dragon, whose head was about to steam over, didn’t answer. Without a sound, he followed the youth’s overbearing words and lay down inside.

Watching with reddened eyes as the youth picked his spot and nestled into his embrace, his eyelids growing heavy, Cang Ming subconsciously licked his lips. He felt an inexplicable dryness in his throat, which he suppressed in silence.

The person in his arms soon fell asleep. Cang Ming didn’t dare to move, his mind repeating the praise the youth had given him.

He said I was “good.”

The Divine Dragon thought.

After hesitating for a long while, he retrieved the colorful medicine furnace he had secretly put back into his space and, wrapping it in spiritual energy, threw it away.

This time, it’s truly gone.

Cang Ming exhaled secretly.

I am “good.”