Lu Wuming was stunned.
He certainly didn't understand, nor did he want to.
If his junior sister and the dragon were going to leave together regardless of the outcome, wouldn't his trip be in vain?
Sensing his thoughts, Liu Buli reached out and pinched Lu Wuming's cheek. He said, "Have you forgotten everything I've taught you? The bond between fellow disciples is very important. Your junior sister is your most important friend in our sect. Are you just ignoring my words?"
Hearing this, Lu Wuming knew Liu Buli was a little angry. He quickly shook his head and said pitifully, "I didn't mean for my junior sister to leave the sect. I just wanted to consider her happiness more. I truly had no other intentions."
He spoke with utmost sincerity.
Unfortunately, Liu Buli knew him too well.
Not believing a word he said, Liu Buli pouted, "Your junior sister is already very happy if you can just stay out of trouble. As for this dragon, I believe it's only staying here because it has nowhere else to go. There's no need to slay it like in the novels. After all, just as humans occupy forests and lakes to build their homes, it's too subjective to label it as evil simply for that reason. Therefore, I don't want to kill it. I want to take it back and observe. If it can adapt to our lifestyle, it will be an asset to us in the future. If it cannot adapt, we can discuss other solutions then, and it won't be too late."
Liu Buli was always like this.
Although he often appeared interested in everything, upon closer inspection, one would realize that the things he was interested in were always those that would become his assets in the future.
Yun Xiang was like that, and so was this dragon.
Listening to Liu Buli's explanation, Lu Wuming couldn't help but sigh. He pulled Liu Buli into his embrace and murmured, "Master, do you have so little faith in my strength? You're bringing so many allies for me, are you that afraid I'll lose?"
"Yes, I'm terrified," Liu Buli admitted readily, nodding. He continued, "What we've encountered before was merely child's play. What worries me are the pressures from the cultivation world and the situation with the ghost tribe. You should have realized this from the last martial arts tournament. The ghost tribe already knows about your existence. They call you their young lord and claim that the damned Ghost King is your father. So, what are the chances they'll let you live a normal and peaceful life?"
The question was too sharp.
Lu Wuming couldn't answer and could only pout, choosing to remain silent.
Seeing his reaction, Liu Buli knew he was sulking again. He smiled, stroked Lu Wuming's head, and continued, "But don't worry, I've thought of all these things and have arranged solutions for them. Now, I've rallied all the powerful beings in this world to our side. If we still can't resolve the trouble then, it will only mean fate has decreed it, and I will accept it."
Lu Wuming remained silent.
His unusual quietness made Liu Buli somewhat uncomfortable. He reached out and pinched Lu Wuming's cheek, asking softly, "Why aren't you talking? Do you have something else on your mind?"
Lu Wuming shook his head.
After a moment of silence, he asked, "Master, am I very troublesome?"
Not just his existence, but also the troubles that stemmed from it.
He felt as though his master was constantly busy with his affairs, rarely getting any rest.
Hearing this, Liu Buli glanced at him. He feigned deep thought, and after a moment of quiet, he nodded and replied earnestly, "Yes, you are incredibly troublesome."
Lu Wuming froze.
Did his master really think he was a burden?
However, in the next second, Liu Buli burst into laughter. He turned and hugged Lu Wuming, letting him feel the beat of his heart. Liu Buli murmured, "But even if you're troublesome, you're still the person I love the most. I can't possibly abandon you, so I can only bear your troubles and help you find solutions, can't I?"
His words were incredibly gentle.
And with this simple sentence, Lu Wuming's smile returned.
His master truly doted on him the most.
Lu Wuming loved this feeling of favoritism dearly.
...
The dragon's injuries were far more severe than they had imagined. According to Yun Xiang, its abdomen had been almost cut in half. Fortunately, it had sufficient spiritual energy to prevent excessive bleeding, managing to cling to life.
Hearing this, Lu Wuming frowned in confusion. He said, "I haven't heard any rumors of dragon slayers recently, nor have I heard any mention of dragons existing. Who inflicted these wounds on it? It couldn't have done it to itself, could it?"
"Of course not. These wounds are hundreds of years old," Yun Xiang explained with lingering fear. "There was a dragon-slaying craze in the cultivation world back then, and almost all of its companions perished. It was the only survivor. For the past few hundred years, it has been hiding in this river, afraid to show itself, using its own spiritual energy to heal its wounds. But the injuries were too severe, and it didn't know any healing spells. So, after all these years, the wounds are still so prominent."
Upon hearing this explanation, Liu Buli's brow furrowed. He wanted to ask why there was a dragon-slaying craze, but looking at the people around him, Yun Xiang had always lived in an isolated secret realm, so asking her would be pointless. As for Lu Wuming, it was out of the question.
The dragon was a victim itself. It likely wouldn't know why it was victimized.
After some thought and elimination, Liu Buli finally murmured, "It seems that after things are settled, I'll have to pay a visit to You Siqi. Why don't you go to the Valley of Medicine Masters first, Wuming? If You Siqi isn't busy, can you bring him here?"