Chapter Sixty-Four: Brandishing Power and Prestige

“Researcher Yu, are you heading abroad?”
Wang Xiaobing barely had time to catch her breath before she hurriedly asked.

“Yes, I am,” Yu Xiaomin replied with a smile and a nod. “If I don’t go abroad and wait for the Black Dragon to awaken there, how else can I hand these books over to it?”

“But isn’t that far too dangerous?” Wang Xiaobing’s voice was tinged with both worry and confusion. “When the Black Dragon is abroad, it’s like a completely different creature from when it’s here. If it suddenly turns hostile, wouldn’t you be putting yourself in great peril?”

“It won’t come to that,” Yu Xiaomin answered with confidence. “Not only do I trust my Black Dragon friend, but even if it did act out, our base is armed with plenty of missiles, not just for show. And we’re so close by; I’m sure they’d avenge me if necessary.”

“The Black Dragon has seen firsthand what our people are capable of. It’s extremely intelligent; it won’t do anything reckless.”

“But you never know, right? Accidents happen no matter how careful you are. You’re clearly risking your life here!” Wang Xiaobing persisted in her persuasion.

“It’s all right, Reporter Wang. You know as well as I do: some risks must be undertaken by someone.” Yu Xiaomin dismissed her concern lightly. “The Black Dragon is a proud creature. To truly earn its friendship, recognition must come while it is fully conscious and at its strongest.”

“That’s why, when the Black Dragon awakens abroad, I have to be there and speak with it myself. Only then will all our previous efforts not be in vain.”

“…”

“Is there anything else? If not, I really must be on my way.” Yu Xiaomin spoke as she was about to start the car and leave, but Wang Xiaobing suddenly called out, “Wait! Just a moment, Researcher Yu!”

“What is it now?”

“Can you take me with you?”

“Take you? You want to come too?” Yu Xiaomin feigned surprise, then decisively shook her head. “Absolutely not. It’s far too dangerous; you can’t come!”

In truth, this was exactly what Yu Xiaomin was waiting for. The reason he lingered around Wang Xiaobing and the others was to tempt her into volunteering to accompany him abroad, to arrange interviews for Mr. Huang, and to lay the groundwork for future developments.

But some things couldn’t be said outright; it had to come from Wang Xiaobing herself, that way it would feel more real and make for better television.

“But didn’t you just say it wasn’t dangerous? Why is it suddenly dangerous when it comes to me?”

Wang Xiaobing pressed the issue.

“It’s not the same,” Yu Xiaomin replied, half amused, half exasperated. “The Black Dragon and I have at least some friendship; it doesn’t know you at all. It might allow me near, but you? That’s a different story… If anything happened to you, I couldn’t bear that responsibility.”

“I don’t need you to be responsible!” Wang Xiaobing declared immediately. “Just take me along. If anything happens, I’ll take full responsibility myself!”

…

The heavy truck carrying the Black Dragon’s body slowly crossed the boundary. At almost the same instant, cameras set up abroad in advance captured—wind rising!

No, it wasn’t mere wind—it was a frenzy of magical elements surging through the air!

The Black Dragon’s body was like a terrifying black hole coming to life, wildly devouring the surrounding magical energy. The force of it was so great that a cyclone visible to the naked eye formed around it!

Thump! Thump! Thump!

What’s more, the Black Dragon’s once sluggish heartbeat began to accelerate and strengthen, each thundering beat resounding in the ears and striking terror into the hearts of all who heard, making their scalps tingle with fear.

This was the true majesty and might of a transcendent being!

Everyone watching the live broadcast was struck by the same thought: compared to when it was within the country, the Black Dragon abroad was at least ten times more terrifying!

All eyes were fixed on the awakening Black Dragon. In that moment, time itself seemed to freeze.

“It moved! It moved!” someone cried out at last, as the Black Dragon’s claw twitched. The audience erupted in excitement, and the director promptly zoomed the camera in on the dragon’s face.

Sure enough, it wasn’t long before the Black Dragon opened its eyes, not disappointing its eager viewers.

What eyes those were! Every spectator involuntarily drew a sharp breath.

Bathed in the abundance of magical elements abroad, the Black Dragon’s very aura had undergone a transformation. In its amber vertical pupils, bright lights surged—like flames dancing, like storms gathering—profound and vast, inspiring awe and making it impossible for anyone to meet its gaze.

Sensing the scrutiny of the people from Xia, the Black Dragon’s pupils narrowed, fixing the main camera with a piercing stare, its gaze seeming to pierce space itself, meeting every viewer’s eyes, imposing its abyssal, prison-like presence into every heart.

A single glare that seemed to confront a billion eyes…

This intense stare lasted nearly half a minute, forcing every viewer to instinctively avert their gaze, and even compelling the national broadcaster’s director to switch the feed, no longer daring to show the Black Dragon’s eyes.

Only then did the Black Dragon withdraw its gaze in satisfaction, slowly rising and stretching its massive body as it paced around. Then, without warning, it let out a thunderous roar and unleashed a torrent of dragonfire at the nearby truck!

The jet of flame shot out for dozens of meters, nearly pure white in color. The truck didn’t even have a chance to explode; it simply melted into a pool of molten metal!

Such was the terrifying energy contained in that breath—the gasoline in the truck didn’t even ignite, it was instantly transmuted.

Clearly, the Black Dragon was demonstrating its might, flaunting its power!

Many viewers understood the dragon’s intention. While awed, many also felt a prick of defiance—show off all you want, but if we really wanted, we could drop a couple of mushroom clouds and teach you a lesson!

Sensing that the mood and tension had reached a peak, Yu Xiaomin knew it was time to make his entrance. He turned to Wang Xiaobing in the passenger seat.

“Don’t speak at first. Let me communicate with the Black Dragon.”

“All right.” Wang Xiaobing nodded obediently. She had gone to great lengths to get permission from her superiors for this rare chance to interview the dragon, and she certainly didn’t want to ruin it. Besides, the Black Dragon’s display had deeply shaken her—and she was well aware how dangerous this encounter might be. It was best to follow the handler’s instructions.

The pickup truck carrying the two of them crossed the boundary. Almost instantly, the Black Dragon whipped around, lips curling back, pupils contracting, its entire body radiating menace.

“Mr. Black Dragon, please don’t be alarmed!” Yu Xiaomin stopped the car and got out, hands raised, calling out loudly, “It’s me, your friend Yu Xiaomin!”

“Fri…end…” the Black Dragon scrutinized him for a moment, then slowly articulated two syllables in the language of Xia.

“Yes! Friend!” Yu Xiaomin played along, stepping forward with a bright smile. “It’s only been a few hours since we last met—surely you haven’t forgotten your friend already?”

“Friend!” The Black Dragon emphasized the word, matching Yu Xiaomin’s performance, lowering its massive face until it was nearly level with his, watching his every move for several long minutes before finally pulling back and, in halting Xia, declared, “Very good. You have courage. You are indeed worthy of being my friend!”

“I, Dius, have never understood the meaning of gratitude, but this time, I acknowledge the debt. Thank you, people of Xia, for saving me and for letting me go.”