Chapter 68

"Even a talented student like you, Zhu Xuedi, is worrying about the team matters. I had already made arrangements with a few other classmates. If you want to join us, you're welcome too. After all, Zhu Xuedi is so strong, everyone is very willing to have you on the team," Chu Yanyan said with a smile.

Zhu Minglang scratched his head awkwardly. It was his own fault for not attending classes regularly and rarely chatting with his classmates, which made his social circle quite narrow.

"We plan to set off early the day after tomorrow. Shall we meet at the Broken Bridge then?" Chu Yanyan said.

"Sure, thank you, Senior Sister," Zhu Minglang replied.

"Not at all, our team is average, and we might need your prowess to deal with powerful demons," Chu Yanyan said politely.

Zhu Minglang smiled modestly.

"Oh, where is Teacher Bai Yishu?" Chu Yanyan suddenly remembered something and looked for Teacher Bai Yishu at the front of the classroom. "Zhu Xuedi, I have to go now. I have a few questions to ask Teacher Bai Yishu..."

Before Zhu Minglang could respond, Chu Yanyan quickly walked out of the classroom.

In fact, as soon as the class ended, many senior and junior sisters had followed Teacher Bai Yishu out, all saying they had questions to ask. Chu Yanyan was probably too late to find a spot.

Walking out of the classroom, Zhu Minglang saw a group of eager female students surrounding Teacher Bai Yishu, and he couldn't help but sigh.

In terms of looks, they were all on par, but in terms of knowledge, they still fell short. He should also strive to become a well-learned person...

...

Back at the dormitory, before entering, Zhu Minglang saw a slender figure standing at the gate. He was standing there meticulously, as if afraid to disturb but also very patient.

Zhu Minglang was a bit surprised, not expecting it to be this person.

"Brother Zheng." Zhu Minglang smiled, as this was someone he greatly admired.

"Brother Zhu!" Zheng Yugu was still the same, maintaining his serious etiquette even after meeting many times and becoming familiar.

Zhu Minglang also bowed in return.

Interacting with someone like Zheng Yugu made him feel less rash.

"I haven't had the chance to thank you for the silver-blue ore you sent. I didn't expect you to come here first, I feel quite ashamed," Zhu Minglang said.

The mining operation in Wu soil had just started, and Zheng Yugu had already sent so much silver-blue ore, showing that he had put in a lot of effort. Zhu Minglang was very grateful, as without the silver-blue dragon armor, he and Da Heiya might have met with disaster.

"Not at all, it was just a return gift. I just finished mourning Teacher Ke Bei, but I don't know where Teacher Duan Lan is. I wanted to thank and apologize to him in person..." Zheng Yugu said.

Zhu Minglang thought Zheng Yugu had just said it casually, but he didn't expect him to travel all the way to Zulong City just to mourn Ke Bei.

Upon closer inspection, Zheng Yugu indeed looked weary from the journey.

"Let's go inside and talk." Zhu Minglang led Zheng Yugu into his room.

He poured a cup of hot tea for Zheng Yugu, whose lips were a bit chapped.

Zheng Yugu, a frail scholar, was indeed too particular, as he could have waited inside the courtyard but chose to stand at the gate.

"Teacher Duan Lan has been taken back by his clan for recuperation. I visited, but his clan said he needs peace and quiet and isn't suitable to see visitors. I couldn't meet him," Zhu Minglang told Zheng Yugu.

"I gathered some silver and bought some lingzhi, hoping to contribute a little," Zheng Yugu said.

"I can give it to Teacher Xiaoli at the sanatorium; she should be able to deliver it for you," Zhu Minglang said.

Xiaoli seemed to be closer to Duan Lan, and as a woman, she would find it easier to see him.

"Thank you, Brother Zhu." Zheng Yugu stood up again.

"Don't, don't, don't. Sit down and catch your breath. Drink some hot tea to warm up. You must be busy in Ronggu City. Why did you come all this way? You could have instructed your subordinates to handle these matters," Zhu Minglang said.

"Mourning is something that should be done in person. Besides, Chief Zhang Tuo in Wu soil is indeed a capable person, so I don't need to worry much about that. However, the mining route needs to be established urgently, and I need to travel to the city often," Zheng Yugu said.

"Establishing the mining route is a good thing. Zulong City is rich, but it has always lacked minerals, which we have to buy at high prices from neighboring cities," Zhu Minglang said.

"Yes, the Lady has a long-term vision. She hopes I can quickly establish the mining route between the city and Wu soil. Unfortunately, there are many obstacles. I planned to visit the upstream cities, contact old friends, and persuade other city lords to support the trade route, but the recent demon chaos has made them uninterested, and even the soldiers are unwilling to escort me, sigh..." Zheng Yugu said with a bitter smile.

"You, a scholar, not skilled in martial arts or dragon taming, could easily lose your life in the upstream cities during this period," Zhu Minglang said in surprise.

"Although I believe in the saying 'success depends on heaven,' sometimes one must try... It's a pity I can't have a long talk with Brother Zhu. Once the trade route is established, we can have a drink together," Zheng Yugu stood up, clearly thinking of ways to reach the upstream cities.

"Brother Zheng, don't rush. Why don't you listen to my suggestion?" Zhu Minglang said.

Zheng Yugu had already raised his hand to bow, so he slowly sat down again.

"Two days from now, I will be going to the upstream cities with other students from the academy. Our main goal is to protect the people and kill the wandering man-eating demons. Brother Zheng can come with us, and I will be your guard," Zhu Minglang smiled.

Zheng Yugu looked at Zhu Minglang, seemingly trying to gauge if he was serious. He didn't want to trouble Zhu Minglang because of his own matters.

"I can't bear such a favor." Zheng Yugu said.

"Dragon Taming Academy is already dealing with the demon chaos. Taking you along is just a small favor," Zhu Minglang said.

"Oh, oh, oh, that... that is really too much, Brother Zhu." Zheng Yugu stood up again and bowed earnestly.

Zhu Minglang knew Zheng Yugu was particular and didn't stop him.

It was indeed a small favor. They were already planning to visit several cities, and Zheng Yugu needed to persuade the city lords. Traveling together would be good, and Zhu Minglang didn't want Zheng Yugu to die in the upstream cities, even with soldiers protecting him.

"Let's not be so formal in the future. We are friends now," Zhu Minglang said.

Zheng Yugu was someone Zhu Minglang wanted to befriend.

"That would be an honor," Zheng Yugu said.

"Not at all, I admire you, Zhu Minglang," Zhu Minglang said.

"Admire what?" Zheng Yugu raised his eyebrows, as if asking a rhetorical question.

Zhu Minglang was taken aback.

Not being so formal anymore?

"You said, 'I see Brother Zhu as a wise person.' Your ability to recognize talent is what I admire," Zhu Minglang said.

Zheng Yugu was also taken aback.

You're one step ahead.

Zheng Yugu laughed dryly, clinked his teacup with Zhu Minglang's, and drank it all in one go, using tea as a substitute for wine.

...

...

After packing his bags, it was the day of departure. As Zhu Minglang stepped out, he saw Li Shaoying from the next room also carrying luggage, ready to travel.

"Li Shaoying, have you finally been expelled from the academy?" someone in the courtyard mocked.

Li Shaoying, easily provoked, turned red with anger and explained, "I'm going home to visit. My family is in the upstream city area!"

"Oh, be careful. If something happens to you, we won't have a regular laborer here anymore," the person continued.

The courtyard still maintained the tradition of weekly duels. Li Shaoying always participated when provoked, but he always came in last, responsible for cleaning the dormitory.

"We'll see. I will definitely surpass you all and become a dragon tamer. When that happens, you won't even be worthy of cleaning my shoes!" Li Shaoying stormed out, his spirited words echoing in the courtyard for a long time.

Daily mockery had become the most enjoyable thing in the courtyard. Zhu Minglang shook his head, feeling that living in the dormitory was more lively.

Li Shaoying, who was not qualified, had applied to the academy to visit home and would likely be taken along by a team, so he didn't need to worry about the journey.

...

Zhu Minglang went to Baiyan Bridge and saw that others were already gathered there, including Chu Yanyan and Zheng Yugu.

Chu Yanyan knew Zheng Yugu and, upon learning he was also traveling with them, excitedly told the other students about his heroic deeds in Ronggu City.

There were some fragmented rumors about Ronggu City in Zulong City, but most people didn't understand how it survived the chaos. Hearing that Zheng Yugu had used such a method to stop the chaos, the students were even more impressed.

Zheng Yugu was also a skilled speaker and quickly became familiar with the dragon-taming students. They discussed matters related to the upstream city area.

"Zhu Minglang, over here, over here." Chu Yanyan extended her slender, white arm, waving at Zhu Minglang. Her wrist was adorned with delicate silver bracelets that jingled.

There were many people gathered, mostly those setting off for the upstream city area today.

Zhu Minglang arrived and found that the team wasn't particularly large, consisting of six people, five of whom were women and one man. With Zhu Minglang and Zheng Yugu, the ratio was five women to three men.

"Are you Zhu Minglang??"

"You don't look strange at all?"

"Do you really have a secret relationship with the Lady??"

"How did you meet the Lady?"

"Is Li Yunzi really the most beautiful woman in Zulong City? How do I compare, is she more beautiful or am I?"

Several female students immediately bombarded Zhu Minglang with questions, not giving him a chance to answer properly, and they didn't even wait for his responses, asking all their curiosities at once.

"Everyone is here, let's set off. We can't fall behind others," the only male student said, his tone somewhat cold.

"Okay, let's follow Senior Brother Jin," Chu Yanyan said at this moment.