Dance Of The Dragons

Chapter 550: Chapter 550 : (Extras) Strolling Down Memory Lane (1)

When Xie Jianshen ascended the Dragon Throne, he ushered in a new era by abolishing the archaic rule that restricted Palace Masters and Heavenly Emperors to male alphas. This decree sparked widespread celebration across the realms. Unfortunately, his decree did not affect the line of succession.

Alphas, regardless of primary gender, were still necessary to ensure the continuation of a family’s bloodline through future generations.

Xie Junjie, the only heir to the Xie family at the present time, felt the weight of expectation press down on him with every birthday.

So much so, that he grew to detest his own birthday.

One month shy of his sixteenth birthday, Xie Junjie took Lei Zhen with him and disappeared from Fuxi Palace. He left behind a letter to explain that he was going into a secluded seclusion in the Human Realm. No one should bother looking for him, because he ought to return when he achieved a breakthrough.

It was a blatant lie, because Xie Junjie did not go off to meditate. Instead, he traversed treacherous mountains and sprawling valleys to get in touch with human beings, hoping to gain some enlightenment pertaining to his fear of differentiation.

One week later, he found that he had made zero progress all along.

Dejected, the dragon prince sulked at a certain Lucky Pearl Restaurant in a certain Rainbell Town and attempted to get drunk on several pots of warm tea. After some time, the owner’s son, Chen Yan, came to talk to him out of pity.

"Young lad, ah," he took a seat opposite Xie Junjie. "Why are you so unhappy on this beautiful day? Did clouds gather and flood your house with localized rain?"

He laughed at his own joke because Xie Junjie’s lips did not move even an inch.

"Alright, alright, what is bothering you really? Talk to Brother Yan, Brother Yan will definitely help you!"

Xie Junjie sighed.

"Unfortunately, Brother Yan, I don’t think that anyone can help me, including myself."

"Aiyoyoyo~" Chen Yan swatted the air around Xie Junjie, as if trying to shoo away the bad luck surrounding the youth. "Why are you being so overly pessimistic about your situation? Nothing is beyond help, I tell you. In fact, let me tell you of a story."

Xie Junjie’s posture shifted, a flicker of interest replacing his dejection. While Chen Yan had told this story countless times before, Xie Junjie was the first to offer such genuine attention. Determined to captivate his audience, Chen Yan thus launched into a meticulously detailed narrative.

"A long, long time ago, when your Brother Yan was but a wee little kid, he lived in the slum area of the Rainbell Town with his sickly mother."

His gaze flicked towards Madam Chen, whose boisterous presence stood in stark contrast to his recent portrayal of her illness.

Chen Yan cleared his throat.

"I promise you, it was not a lie.

Anyway, your Brother Yan and his mother lived a very miserable life. Everyone in Rainbell Town more or less lived a desolate life, not wanting to die but also unwilling to stay alive. Until two handsome youths came to town. They were about your age. And..." freewebnσvel.cøm

Chen Yan leaned closer to Xie Junjie and furrowed his brows at the young man.

"It has been almost twenty years since then, but I think one of them kind of looked like you."

"....."

"Oh, well."

Chen Yan dismissed his own words with a superfluous hand wave.

"Forget it. You handsome men all look alike anyway."

Xie Junjie took another sip from his tea and said nothing.

"So yes, these two men were Brother Zhang and Brother Xie."

Xie Junjie’s surprise nearly sent a spray of tea across the table. Fortunately, he caught himself in time, converting the impending splatter into a well-timed cough. freewebnσvel.cøm

"Brother Zhang and Brother Xie opened this restaurant and started giving out free lunches for people. Your Brother Yan here," he puffed his chest proudly, "gathered all his courage to ask for more food for his mother, who was sick at home.

Brother Zhang and Brother Xie were kind enough to give me extra food. They even beat up bad people who tried to steal my food!"

As Chen Yan recalled the past, a layer of mist gathered over his eyes.

"Brother Zhang and Brother Xie were the best. They even allowed us to work in this restaurant.

But their contribution to Rainbell Town was more than just opening a restaurant.

Mother told them that Rainbell Town was cursed, that’s why we were all so poor.

And then, you know what, in order to dispel the curse, they married each other and thus saved the town."

This time, Xie Junjie really sprayed out the tea in his mouth.

"Cough... Cough... Cough...!!!"

Chen Yan gingerly reached out to pat Xie Junjie on the back.

"Are you alright? Oi."

Xie Junjie’s face was burning red.

His... His father and mother actually got married in the Human Realm??? And their marriage saved an entire human town???

It felt sinful to even listen to stories about his parents, but he couldn’t help it. He wanted to hear more.

"A... And?"

"It’s true, you know, however unbelievable it was," Chen Yan insisted. "After they got married, they moved away. Before they left, they gave me and my mother this Lucky Pearl Restaurant."

A wave of nostalgia washed over Chen Yan as his gaze swept over the opulent restaurant. It was the first establishment of its kind in Rainbell Town, a testament to the years of sweat and pride poured into its creation.

He paused, lost in the memories, before continuing his story.

"They came back to Rainbell Town several years later, you know. Brother Xie was even pregnant with Brother Zhang’s baby."

"....."

He was the baby!

Well, one of the babies!

Xie Junjie felt extremely self-conscious, as if a figurative red arrow were flashing above his head, pointing persistently at him.

"Anyway, the point of the story is that you must never give up no matter what. There is no such thing as hopelessness. Help is just around the corner. All you need to do is ask, and good people will come to help you."

Xie Junjie rubbed at his flushed face and excused himself soon after.

Behind him, Chen Yan waved his hand enthusiastically and shouted, "Remember! Always be optimistic and positive! Remember Brother Zhang and Brother Xie!"