That Elusive, Mysterious Protagonist (24)

The black dragon moved at an astonishing speed. When Si Jiu had just called out to Charles, the wind rushed into her throat, almost making her choke. In anger, she slapped the massive creature beneath her several times.

If she hadn’t shouted for it to stop, Charles might have been torn apart by the black dragon already. “I’ll deal with you later,” she thought, burying her face against the dragon’s scales to shield herself from the wind. Despite her irritation, she felt a hint of helplessness.

After her earlier attempt, she was certain that simple touch wouldn’t heal Charles’s injuries. Did her healing ability truly require a kiss? What an indecent skill to possess.

She had no qualms about kissing a black dragon—she approached it as one would a beloved pet. Kissing Charles didn’t bother her either; after all, he was handsome. But then she remembered he might be the world's protagonist, and recalled the obsessive antics of a certain Shen after she’d once piqued his interest. Si Jiu felt a lingering unease.

A task was a task, romance was romance. She firmly upheld her professional ethics.

Tsk. Her head ached.

Frustrated, Si Jiu waited. The black dragon had already arrived at the forbidden land, placing her gently in a cave. Its tail wrapped around her, signaling for her to stay put, before it flew away. Si Jiu had no idea where it took the dragon bones. She waited alone in the cave for a long time before it returned.

When the black dragon came back, its mood seemed noticeably low.

Afterward, the black dragon carried Si Jiu back to the royal city. The Temple of Light stood close to the city, an expansive, magnificent structure dominated by platinum and white. Its grandeur inspired awe, a sense of reverence that discouraged any hint of disrespect.

The black dragon’s immense body couldn’t fit inside the rooms, so it was settled within the main hall. Soft, pristine long-pile carpets covered the floor, making it exceptionally comfortable—a clear sign they had been laid out for the dragon’s temporary stay.

Si Jiu’s chambers, however, were far from the hall. The maid had barely begun to introduce them when the impatient dragon interrupted, its tail curling around Si Jiu’s waist to bring her to its side.

The black dragon lay down, enclosing Si Jiu with its wings and closing its eyes, declaring through action: she would not go to any other room; she must sleep beneath its wings.

Si Jiu didn’t care where she slept, but she did mind the increasing arrogance the dragon’s pampering was fostering. She thanked the maid, saying she would ask for anything she needed, but now wished to be alone with the Lord Dragon. The maid quickly excused herself.

With a huff, Si Jiu tugged at the dragon’s wing—not that it could hurt the beast. Still, the black dragon reluctantly folded its wings away.

“Let go,” she said, patting the tail still wrapped around her waist.

The black dragon gazed at her silently, its pupils reflecting two tiny golden figures—Si Jiu herself. It seemed as if, in its eyes, only Si Jiu existed, nothing else. Such singular focus was astonishing.

Si Jiu’s hardened resolve melted again at the dragon’s gentle demeanor.

“I feel filthy and uncomfortable. I want to wash up and change clothes. Be good and let me go.”

A hint of confusion flashed in the dragon’s eyes as it slowly released its tail. Then it leaned in, opening its jaws.

Si Jiu was stunned. “I warn you, don’t lick. If you dare—oh hell!”

From head to toe, she was subjected to an involuntary bath of dragon saliva.

Though, unexpectedly, the dragon’s saliva didn’t stink, Si Jiu was instantly repulsed. “I told you not to lick!” she nearly roared.

No one had ever pushed her to such a furious outburst before.

“Stay here alone today!” she pointed at the innocent-looking dragon, gritting her teeth.

She wiped her face vigorously, stepped back, and watched the dragon’s tail twitch restlessly. Si Jiu’s gaze sharpened. “If you move, I’ll never see you again.”

The same threat as before.

Not long ago, she had used this to stop it from killing Charles. Now she wielded it to prevent the dragon from touching her.

Irritation flared in the dragon’s chest, but seeing how truly angry Si Jiu was this time, it didn’t move.

She shot it a fierce glare, then strode out of the hall.

The black dragon stared fixedly at the empty doorway, never shifting its gaze. Each time there was a sound at the entrance, its tail tip would twitch hopefully, only to droop when it realized Si Jiu had not returned.

Restless, it wished it could rush out immediately.

But its treasure forbade it from moving. It didn’t want to risk upsetting her.