Chapter 12: The Person I Trust Most
"You're asking who I trust the most? Qing Lan, of course!"
Tanoshi spoke without a second of hesitation. To her, it was a fact as absolute and natural as the sun rising in the east. Below her, the members of the Magic Wolf tribe began to whisper amongst themselves.
"As I thought. No matter how hard the Clan Leader tries, he's destined for third place."
"Lord Tanoshi actually chose her sister-in-arms over love and career!"
"But... can Lady Qing Lan truly live up to that kind of trust?"
"Who knows."
Tanoshi didn't mind the idle chatter. These were the youngest of the Magic Wolves—lively, energetic, and lacking any sense of boundaries. If it had been Breno or his three sons, they never would have dared to ask such an impertinent question.
Coincidentally, those elder brothers had just discovered a few plants resembling green vegetables and were busy taking samples to bring back for Tang Ping to study.
Tanoshi reclined on a massive water-sphere sofa, speaking lazily. "She and I go way back. Besides, my family showed great mercy to hers—the Sub-Azure Dragon clan. The bond between us is much deeper than you imagine."
"Are there any interesting stories between you two?" a young Magic Wolf girl asked, her eyes sparkling with curiosity.
Tanoshi found it amusing and began to recount the past. "That... was a long, long time ago."
On a secluded beach not far from the TOSTTO base, the green-haired Dragon Princess stood alone. She was barefoot, allowing the cool seawater to wash over her pale feet.
This was Qing Lan's secret sanctuary, a place she had never brought Tang Ping. Part of her had hoped he would come looking for her, but he hadn't appeared.
Tanoshi was returning tomorrow. For the past few days, the two of them had lived in a haze of indulgence; the project proposals and inventory checks they were supposed to complete hadn't even been touched. She assumed he was likely back at the base now, working feverishly to catch up.
Qing Lan sat down on the sand, feeling the faint magic in the seawater and the comfort the water elements brought her. She didn't feel the "Will of the World" rejecting her. Was it because of her bloodline? Was this... a place where her grandfather had once lived?
Bit by bit, memories flooded back, and Qing Lan drifted into deep thought.
"Once upon a time," Tanoshi told the group, "a powerful dragon accidentally tore through a rift in space-time and arrived in our world."
"He had magnificent emerald scales, a serpentine body, and a dragon pearl in his maw. He was nothing like the dragons of our world. He possessed a holy aura, a hatred for injustice, and a profound sense of righteousness. Everyone who saw him loved him. He was Qing Lan's grandfather, the pinnacle of the myths of the Great Ocean Continent, the wielder of the Four Symbols, and the ancient guardian of the East—the **Azure Dragon**."
Back on the beach, Qing Lan's thoughts echoed this history.
*Our clan's bloodline can be traced back to the Ancient Sea Emperor Sacred Dragons. But as the lineage was diluted, the dragon blood in our veins grew thinner. To others, we weren't even fit to be called dragon descendants. To mock us, they even gave us a nickname: the Sea Emperor Snakes.*
A bitter smile played on Qing Lan's lips. At the time, her people were furious but powerless; they were simply too weak. In the hostile "White Sand Sea," the Sea Emperor Snakes were fourth-tier weaklings—easy targets for anyone. Her elders told her it was a living hell; kin were killed daily, yet they never dared to strike back for fear of retaliation.
Everything changed about three thousand years ago when that powerful deity—the Azure Dragon—arrived.
"Soon after the Azure Dragon arrived, he stumbled upon the Sea Emperor Snake clan just as they were on the brink of extinction," Tanoshi explained. "Being upright and kind, he couldn't stand to see a fellow dragon-kin suffer such a pathetic fate, so he stepped in to save them. From then on, he became their guardian deity. They finally had a backer, and the slaughter of their people slowed."
"Wait a minute," Breaks interrupted, having returned with his vegetables. "If he traveled through a space-time rift to get here, didn't the Will of the World pressure him?"
Tanoshi rolled her eyes, her face clearly saying, *You really are an idiot.*
"Are you stupid? He's one of the Four Gods, a member of the 'Good God' faction, and one of the world's top combat powers! If you were the Will of the World and you realized someone like that had arrived and might not be able to leave, would you try to kick him out, or would you do everything in your power to make him stay?"
Tanoshi barked at him, while the other Magic Wolves snickered behind their hands.
"Oh..."
Tanoshi got angrier the more she thought about it. Both were manifestations of the World's Will, so why was her home world's version so understanding, while the one here treated her like a nuisance? *If you don't leave, I'll keep making your life miserable,* it seemed to say.
*Hmph, stingy bastard!*
"Lord Tanoshi, ignore him. Please continue," Breno said, bowing in apology while shooting his dim-witted son a warning look.
Far away on the beach, Qing Lan continued her silent recollection.
*Grandfather couldn't find a way back for a very long time. Depressed, he accepted the invitation of the World's Will to become a part of this world. After settling down, he took many females of the Sea Emperor Snake clan as wives and sired many offspring. These descendants had high blood purity and many draconic features; they were later known as the **Sub-Azure Dragons**.*
"You mean Qing Lan's grandfather crossed over and started a harem?!" Breaks exclaimed, his jaw dropping. The others were equally stunned.
"Pretty much," Tanoshi replied.
"How come nothing like that ever happens to me... OW! That hurts! I'm kidding, I'm kidding!" A young Magic Wolf man clutched his side where his fiancée—a fierce-eyed girl—was pinching him with all her might.
"Hmph! Men really do think with their lower half!"
"Big Sister, keep going! I want to know what happened next," Helios said, flapping his wings as he descended with a twitching tuna in his talons.
Since he was a child, no one expected him to do serious gathering work. Aside from asking him for aerial photos, they let him play freely. Seeing the crowd's anticipation, Tanoshi continued.
"With their bloodline strengthened, the Sub-Azure Dragon clan's power skyrocketed. They regained the pride of the dragon race and became top-tier predators in the White Sand Sea once again. But being stronger meant more enemies. They faced endless wars, and their population began to dwindle."
"As the Clan Head, the Azure Dragon had to find a way to fix this. But by then, he had been corrupted by luxury and the fires of war; he no longer had the strength to change the tide. So, the old dragon went back to his old tricks—trying to force a power boost through 'lineage improvement.' He claimed all the young, beautiful females in the clan for himself to expand his harem."
Tanoshi's face was full of disdain. *How could such a hypocritical guy be more favored by the World's Will than me? Just because I killed a few humans?*
"Eventually, every female in the clan was carrying his blood, but the strength of the young dragons didn't improve much. The old dragon grew desperate. That's when he set his sights on his own descendant—his granddaughter, Qing Lan."
Recalling that foul past, Qing Lan's fingers dug into the sand.
*Truthfully, my mother was against it, and even Grandfather was conflicted. He accompanied the clan on hunts every day and returned covered in wounds. Even I could tell. His sense of justice wouldn't allow him to do something so immoral. He delayed for as long as possible, waiting for the clan to grow strong enough so he wouldn't have to violate his conscience... until that day.*
Qing Lan took a deep breath. *The hunting party was ambushed. The younger generation was wiped out. My father, my uncles, my cousins... everyone we had carefully groomed died there. Grandfather couldn't accept it. He couldn't let his legacy—the feat of bringing this dragon-kin back to the peak—be destroyed. That night, he arranged for me to be brought to his chambers. But just then...*
"I showed up," Tanoshi announced.
"Huh?!" The Magic Wolves looked at her in disbelief.
"What? Is that so weird?" Tanoshi rolled her eyes. "I'd heard there was a guy nearby whose strength and looks were supposedly better than mine—an ancient dragon descendant, no less! I'd been wanting to settle who was superior for a long time. I happened to be free that night, so I went over. And then..."
The Magic Wolves swallowed hard.
"I got beaten half to death by that bastard. Luckily, my Lord Father and Lady Mother were coming to visit me. When they saw me, they were furious. They killed the Azure Dragon on the spot and took the entire Sub-Azure Dragon clan as vassals, saying they would spend the rest of their lives atoning for the shame their daughter suffered."
"And just like that, Qing Lan's problem—and the clan's problem—was solved."
The Magic Wolves' expressions were priceless. It was such a bizarre turn of events that they didn't know whether to call it a happy ending or a tragedy. The good news: Lady Qing Lan wasn't violated. The bad news: her whole clan became slaves.
*Well... that definitely fits the style of Lord Tanoshi's family.*
Qing Lan let out a soft, tired laugh on the beach. *Actually... Tanoshi isn't that bad. She never took advantage of me. She told me, 'Once your wounds are healed, we'll fight. If you win, I'll free your clan. If I win, here is a servant contract—put your hand on it yourself.'*
*A year later, at my peak strength, I was beaten until there wasn't a single part of me left unbruised. I had multiple fractures, and I doubt I had fifty scales left on my body. If she hadn't given me a magic crystal sealed with healing spells afterward, I would have died right then and there.*
Here is the translation of this intense and pivotal chapter. I have maintained the emotional contrast between Tanoshi's blissful ignorance and the desperate, frantic energy of the two lovers, leading up to the shocking conclusion.
"Later, to repay that debt of gratitude, Qing Lan took the initiative to become my vassal," Tanoshi continued. "Every time I went out to fight, she was by my side, ensuring no one interfered with my battles."
"There were several times when I faced unimaginable crises, and she was the one who carried me as we fled. Though we come from different backgrounds, we are as close as sisters. If there is one person in this world who cares for me more than my Lord Father or Lady Mother—someone truly worthy of my trust—it is Qing Lan. We have been through far, far too much together."
Tanoshi looked up at the sky, her voice softening. "Even though this is a strange planet and even the World's Will rejects me, I'm not worried about the future. I have Qing Lan, I have my Loyal Servant, and I have all of you. The people I trust most are right here!"
The members of the Frozen Tundra Magic Wolf tribe wore complex, subtle expressions as they listened to Tanoshi's heartfelt confession. Their sense of smell was incredibly keen; even if one used holy water to cleanse their body, as long as the flesh still radiated pheromones, they could sense the truth.
As outsiders, they had realized what was happening long ago. But now... it seemed they would have to take this secret to their graves.
*Yes, we can't say a word. Not even if it kills us!*
When the tribe's collective gaze shifted toward him, Breaks felt a cold sweat break out. He quickly shot everyone a look, silently vowing: *I won't say a word, you guys can relax.* The others remained silent, praying he would actually keep his promise.
"Are you avoiding me?"
At dusk, a voice came from behind. Qing Lan turned around, knowing exactly who it was.
"....No."
"Liar! You didn't come to the dining hall, and you didn't reply to my messages. You're clearly avoiding me!"
"You have quite the ego," Qing Lan scoffed, her face full of disdain. "Why would I bother avoiding you?"
It was the first time Tang Ping had seen this side of her. She felt like a complete stranger.
"Don't be like this, please. I'm scared..."
"Did I do something wrong? Was I too rough? Did I hurt you?"
When Qing Lan remained silent, Tang Ping grew agitated. "Say something! What exactly are you afraid of—"
Finally, Qing Lan snapped.
"Do you really want me to spell it out? Fine! I'll tell you!" She stood up abruptly and shoved Tang Ping back, her emotional defenses finally crumbling. Tears began to stream down her face.
"I'm afraid you'll pretend we're barely acquaintances! I'm afraid you only see me as a tool for your lust, while I'm the only fool who thinks this is love! And I'm afraid... I'm truly terrified... that if Tanoshi finds out about us... she... she'll kill you!"
By the time she finished, Qing Lan was sobbing uncontrollably. This was the one outcome she couldn't bear. Tang Ping, still not fully grasping the weight of her words, tried to comfort her.
"Aren't you overthinking it? Maybe things won't—"
"I've known her for over a thousand years!" Qing Lan roared. "Do you think you know her better than I do?"
"..."
"She is a person who settles every grudge. She will never allow anyone to betray her—not her fiancé, and certainly not her best friend!"
"Surely you're overthinking it," Tang Ping said sincerely. "How could Lord Tanoshi ever be interested in someone like me?"
He truly believed this. While he found Qing Lan's sudden affection slightly mysterious, he could feel that her love was real—it wasn't the liking of a friend, but the passion of a partner. He had never seen a spark of that emotion in Tanoshi.
"Don't let her casual attitude fool you. Her mind is sharper than mine. Once she sets her mind on something, she will do anything to achieve it. You are the turning point of her life; she likely holds special expectations for you, which is why she signed that contract with you."
Qing Lan wiped her eyes, her voice trembling. "I don't want to be with you in the shadows. It feels... so undignified."
She thought of the sweetness of the past few days—how they wanted to be glued together every second. Once Tanoshi returned, she would have to act as if nothing happened, watching her man flirt with another woman while she pretended to be blind. The thought made her feel pathetic. Why did she have to live so small? Just because Tanoshi was her savior?
"Then I'll go tell Tanoshi," Tang Ping declared, emboldened by her pain. "I'll ask her to let us be together!"
"Telling her that is the same as slapping her in the face!" Qing Lan countered. "Her fiancé and her most trusted friend sleeping together, and she's supposed to just bless them? Do you really think Tanoshi is that forgiving?"
To her, the man in front of her seemed dangerously naive.
"Then... what do we do?" Tang Ping spread his hands. He was out of ideas.
Qing Lan took a deep breath. "Let's break up. While she's still not back, we both need to cool down. Maybe... maybe then I can control myself."
"What's wrong with you? Why say that all of a sudden? Do you... do you regret it?" Tang Ping felt a chill at her coldness.
"I don't regret it! Truly! Finding the courage that night was the best thing I've ever done in my life—I still believe that! It's just..." Qing Lan closed her eyes, suppressing the turmoil in her mind. When she opened them again, they were filled with a grim resolve. "...We really can't go on like this."
"Fine... if that's how it has to be." Tang Ping lowered his head. He knew he was powerless.
They returned to the dining hall and ate dinner in silence. The meal was curry—a common, domestic dish—but the atmosphere was suffocatingly heavy. The clink of stainless steel spoons against ceramic bowls rang out sharply. The sound of chewing was deafening in the quiet space. Though the food was steaming, the air between them was frozen.
Not a single word was exchanged. Just as Qing Lan finished and prepared to leave, Tang Ping spoke.
"Stay a while longer. I haven't finished teaching you how to use the computer." He spoke calmly, without a trace of personal emotion.
"...Alright." She agreed; it was work, after all.
"This is the power button. Press it, and the computer starts..."
"Mm..."
"Next, we try entering this... so we can..."
"Mm..."
Tang Ping taught her step by step. He didn't try to touch her or take advantage of her as he usually did. It was as if time had been rewound to when they first met. Tang Ping spoke eloquently, showing his talent and professionalism. Qing Lan was as she always was—calm and capable. She followed every instruction perfectly, the ideal assistant.
But it was a facade. Inside, Qing Lan was falling apart. She never imagined that if Tang Ping became cold toward her, her heart would ache this much. This pain surpassed even the fear of Tanoshi. It was the bitter, suffocating taste of a broken heart.
Late into the night, despite her chaotic mind, she didn't fall behind in her learning. She mastered the computer, the copier, the rice cooker, the oven... one appliance after another. Finally, Tang Ping announced the lesson was over.
They walked back to the hotel. No holding hands, no hugging, no talking. They reached Tang Ping's door. Qing Lan's room was actually on the floor below, but she hadn't pressed her floor in the elevator. She had simply followed him.
She knew she had to leave. As Tang Ping turned the key in the lock, she turned to walk away.
"Just once more... otherwise, tomorrow we'll..."
That sentence was the final straw. Qing Lan couldn't take it anymore. She turned and sprinted back, grabbing his collar and pinning him against the door to kiss him.
*This is the last time! This is really the last time!* Before the carriage turned back into a pumpkin, she didn't want to wake from the dream.
"Husband... my husband alone! Love me!"
She bit at his neck, frantically tearing at his clothes. Tang Ping responded with equal fervor. As the kiss grew more violent, their clothes fell away until they were in their most primitive state. They craved each other's bodies, singing of their love until they were one.
"I love you so much!"
"I love you too!"
"Don't leave me, please!"
"I won't! We'll be together forever!"
Hearing his sweet words, Qing Lan wept with joy. It was okay. Everything was under control. Tanoshi wouldn't know. Just one more time. Tomorrow... tomorrow I'll—!
**CRASH!**
The glass door leading to the balcony shattered into a thousand pieces.
Standing there in the darkness of the night sky was the silver-haired devil herself.