Chapter 401: The Black Dragon’s Embarrassing Arrival
This novel is translated and hosted on Bcatranslation
With a deafening roar, the Black Dragon, adorned in a flamboyant floral jacket, made a dazzling entrance from the sky.
Every head tilted upward, eyes wide as bronze bells, stunned into silence.
Lu Chao Chao had imagined a grand, awe-inspiring arrival.
Standing atop the Black Dragon’s horns, gripping tightly with both hands, her hair fluttering in the breeze—undoubtedly, she would look incredibly cool!
Surely, she would astonish the entire crowd.
But…
The moment Zhu Mo soared into the sky, Lu Chao Chao regretted everything!!
The Black Dragon’s sleek, obsidian scales gleamed under the heavens, exuding a chilling majesty and undeniable presence.
Then, he turned his head, revealing the blindingly vibrant floral jacket wrapped around his massive form.
A multi-colored floral dragon!
Lu Chao Chao, who had just managed to rise to her feet, immediately crouched down, hugging her head, curling into a tiny ball—determined to make herself invisible.
Bound by their master-servant contract, the Black Dragon’s voice rumbled low, “Chao Chao, don’t I look dashing?”
“Look at them, all dumbfounded! Ah, they must be too overwhelmed to gaze directly at my magnificence. Some are even covering their eyes in sheer awe!” Zhu Mo lifted his head high, pride gleaming in his massive dragon eyes.
This was his first grand appearance in a thousand years—surely, it would be a moment sung for generations.
[More like an eyesore…]
“Did you see? The Southern Kingdom’s emperor has shown great sincerity, even inviting painters and historians to record my heroic figure!”
After being sealed away for a millennium, Zhu Mo’s emergence was a moment of triumph.
“My portrait will be passed down for eternity.”
“The painter must be stunned by my valor! Why hasn’t he started painting yet?” Zhu Mo twisted and flipped through the clouds, striking multiple dramatic poses.
“How about… we go down now…?” Lu Chao Chao, despite being only three and a half years old, could already feel the unbearable weight of secondhand embarrassment.
Her toes curled against the dragon’s scales in pure agony.
“No way! This is my grand debut after a thousand years. I must ensure it is etched into the memories of all who witness it!”
“You are my master; this is an honor for you as well—”
Lu Chao Chao fell silent.
[Honor? No thanks.]
[In all my life, I have never been this humiliated.]
[Why didn’t he take off that ridiculous jacket!?]
Huddled tightly, Lu Chao Chao drowned in utter despair.
Outside the Grievous Prison, Shi Yun stood anxiously, shielded by Rong Che and Xie Jing Xi to keep her from being jostled by the crowd.
Her expression had been filled with worry.
That was, until the Black Dragon soared between the heavens and the earth, and suddenly…
She heard Lu Chao Chao’s long-lost inner voice!
[Hahaha! I, Lu Chao Chao, have returned! Clutching the dragon’s horns, soaring through the sky—so cool!]
[Ahhh, this stupid dragon! Why didn’t he take off that floral jacket!?]
[So embarrassing! Quick, hide! I, Lu Chao Chao, cannot endure such humiliation!]
[Heavens, how long is this dumb dragon going to keep flying? Bodhisattva, please, let them not see me…]
Shi Yun, tears still clinging to her cheeks, suddenly let out a giggle.
“Brother Che, can you see if Chao Chao is up there?” she whispered to Rong Che, who was ever vigilant beside her.
Rong Che hesitated briefly—his martial training granted him exceptional eyesight.
Xie Jing Xi also squinted skyward, observing for a while before commenting, “That Black Dragon is certainly flashy, darting through the clouds non-stop. However… there does seem to be something unusual atop its horns.”
“Chao Chao rode the dragon out?” Rong Che’s stern expression softened, his lips curving into the faintest smile.
“I see a small figure gripping the dragon’s horns tightly, face buried in her arms… hiding in shame.”
Excitedly, Xie Yu Zhou jumped up, “See? I told you! I wasn’t lying!”
“Wow, she’s riding a dragon…” His eyes shone with admiration and envy.
The little fat bird perched on his shoulder rolled its eyes dramatically. “Would you like to trade places with her?”
Xie Yu Zhou blinked.
Gazing at the Black Dragon wrapped in its garish floral attire, he then noticed the painter meticulously sketching the scene. The realization hit, and he felt a tinge of secondhand embarrassment. “Uh… actually, never mind. I think I’ll pass.”
So terrifying… This painting was going to be preserved for a thousand years!
After Zhu Mo had flaunted himself enough, he finally shot upward, disappearing into the clouds.
When he landed in human form, exhilaration still lingered in his handsome features. Lu Chao Chao, keeping a safe distance behind him, took several steps back.
“Why are you standing so far away?” Zhu Mo asked, puzzled.
Lu Chao Chao inhaled sharply. “You are now the National Spirit of the Southern Kingdom. Such glory belongs to you alone!”
A hint of pride flickered in Zhu Mo’s expression.
“You are my master. Sharing this honor with me is only natural. Zhu Mo does not mind!”
[I do! I mind a lot!!]
“Come, let’s take a walk through the streets. See my believers!”
“Surely, my heroic presence has already become the talk of the town?”
Zhu Mo strode forward boldly, and Lu Chao Chao—despite her greatest efforts—could not stop him.
The streets of the Southern Capital bustled with people, many bearing an excited fervor.
“Did you see the Black Dragon? He’s not quite as I imagined…”
“From now on, our kingdom has a National Spirit.”
Zhu Mo puffed out his chest proudly, only to glance down and catch sight of the vibrant red floral jacket still clinging to his human form.
His expression twisted in distaste.
“Good thing this ugly jacket is on my human form and not my dragon body…” he muttered.
Lu Chao Chao visibly trembled.
Her eyes scanned the crowd, searching desperately for her mother.
Zhu Mo approached a clay figurine stall. “Make me a Black Dragon. It must be the most magnificent and imposing one!”
The craftsman beamed. “You’ve come to the right place! I am the best clay artist in the Southern Capital. I will recreate it with absolute precision!”
“Look, this floral jacket—isn’t it just perfect?” The craftsman proudly handed over a figurine.
Zhu Mo’s smile froze.
He stared blankly at the clay model. Every scale was intricately crafted, every detail lifelike… But wrapped around its body—
A vividly colorful floral jacket!!!
“Oh, sir, your jacket looks just like the National Spirit’s! Where did you buy it? I’d love to get one for good luck.”
“Yes! I was about to ask, little brother, where did you get that Black Dragon-style floral jacket?”
“Such an honor! Wearing the exact same thing as the Black Dragon himself!”
A crowd quickly gathered around.
“To be honest, I thought dragons were high and mighty divine creatures. But seeing our grand Black Dragon wearing a floral jacket… it actually makes him feel a little more relatable!”
Zhu Mo’s jaw hung open, his eyes bulging in sheer horror.
“B-Black… Black Dragon in a floral jacket!?” His voice cracked with disbelief.
“Yes! Look!” A scholar selling paintings had just completed his latest masterpiece. He proudly displayed it to Zhu Mo.
It was an exact replica!
A mighty, awe-inspiring Black Dragon… draped in a ridiculously bright floral jacket.
Zhu Mo staggered back.
His eyes filled with terror.
[No… This must be a nightmare!]
He had flown in the sky for countless circles, believing his entrance was unparalleled in grandeur.
But in reality—
He was nothing more than a gaudily dressed spectacle!?
Black Dragon: My reputation… is ruined.