Chapter 4: The School Beauty and the Dragon
Seeing no escape, Jiang Shuying took a deep breath.
“Take another step, and I’ll release Mini Dragon into the Heavenly Pool!”
“If this escalates, none of us will make it out alive!”
“You know exactly how dangerous this restricted zone is…”
………
Hearing the girl actually threaten them, the lead black-suited man smirked coldly.
“You dare threaten me?”
“If you really toss that Mini Dragon into the pool, fine—I can’t stop you.”
“But you won’t get away!”
“Unless you’re brave enough to jump in yourself—but then, good luck surviving.”
“Hand over the Mini Dragon quietly, and we’ll let you go…”
“Otherwise, a pretty face like yours in our hands? Don’t expect mercy.”
“Come out, Arbok!”
“Bring me that Mini Dragon!”
The man hurled a Poké Ball, and in a flash, a vicious Arbok materialized before Jiang Shuying.
The serpent hissed, slithering toward her.
A flicker of despair crossed Jiang Shuying’s eyes.
Was this really the end?
Glancing down at the Mini Dragon in her arms, she made a silent decision.
Even if I have to jump into the pool, I won’t let these monsters take it.
………
She peered over the cliff’s edge at the boundless blue waters below, bit her lip, and shut her eyes.
Just as she prepared to leap—
A sudden warmth enveloped her. Someone pulled her into a firm embrace.
“Jiang Shuying, what’s so unbearable that you’d jump off a cliff?”
“This is Kunlun Mountain, the Dragon’s Restricted Zone. You think you’d survive that water?”
The voice was familiar. Slowly, she opened her eyes, and froze in shock.
“Chen Nian?! Why are you here?”
“Shouldn’t you be more concerned about why you’re here, Jiang Shuying?” Chen Nian smirked. “Stealing a Mini Dragon from the Restricted Zone? Bold. Very bold.”
………
Watching Chen Nian casually chat with Jiang Shuying, the black-suited leader snapped.
“So you’ve got backup?”
“Ignoring us, kid? You’ve got guts.”
“Shut up.”
Chen Nian turned, his gaze icy.
“Leave now, if you value your lives.”
………
The man’s eyes darkened with murderous intent.
“You dare act tough here?”
“Fine. Both of you can die together.”
“Arbok—Poison Sting!”
The serpent lunged, spewing a stream of purple venom straight at them.
Jiang Shuying screamed, instinctively shutting her eyes, but the attack never landed.
After a long pause, she cautiously peeked—
And gaped at the scene before her.
………..
Chen Nian stood shielding her, an invisible barrier halting the venom mid-air.
The toxic droplets hung suspended, unable to advance or fall.
The black-suited man’s pupils shrank.
“A psychic?!”
“You—you’re a damn esper?!”
“Everyone, attack—!”
His lackeys hurled their Poké Balls.
Crobat, Weezing, Fearow—
Multiple Pokémon materialized, surrounding Chen Nian.
But before they could strike—
A deafening roar split the sky.
The men paled as they looked up.
A massive Dragonite hovered above, its furious eyes locked onto the ground.
………
The leader’s face twisted.
That Dragonite must be the Mini Dragon’s parent.
Normally, he’d try capturing it too—but this was Kunlun Mountain.
The Dragon’s Sanctuary.
If they fought here, other dragon-types would swarm them. They’d be dead before they knew it.
Gritting his teeth, he made the only choice left.
“Retreat!”
One lackey’s Weezing spewed smokescreen, and the group vanished into the forest.
………
The Dragonite ignored them, its focus entirely on Jiang Shuying, or rather, on the Mini Dragon in her arms.
The little dragon chirped happily at the sight of its parent.
Chen Nian glanced at Jiang Shuying.
“Its family’s here. What now?”
Her eyes dimmed with reluctance, but she made her choice.
Gently, she knelt and placed Mini Dragon on the ground.
“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have taken your child.”
“I return it to you. Please… spare us this once.”
“I never meant any harm…”
The Dragonite didn’t move, its gaze unrelenting.
Jiang Shuying’s heart clenched.