Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

Lu Mingfei, watching from the sidelines, thought to himself: Holy crap! Frillie's aura is incredible! How come she's not nervous at all? She walks with such confidence, she's more like a female official than a real one from ancient times! No, she's more ethereal than a female official! Look at the way Teacher Zhang, who plays Zhuge Liang, looks at her, he seems to have been stunned for a moment? Is she really just an extra?

Frillie walked to the designated spot and stopped, her movements fluid and natural, without the slightest hesitation. She bowed slightly, the degree just right, showing both respect and graceful posture. Then, she raised her head, her gaze fixed on Zhuge Liang, and her voice rang out clearly, neither too loud nor too soft, yet carrying a strange penetrating power that echoed in the silent tent:

"Report—The envoy from the Marquis of Wu has arrived outside the gate."

Her tone was flat and even, without much emotional fluctuation, but every word was enunciated precisely, exuding an unquestionable reliability and composure. It was as if, from her mouth, even the most momentous matter was merely routine official business. This extreme calmness, rather than any deliberate performance, served to highlight the tension within the military tent and the impending diplomatic storm.

Director Wang leaned slightly forward behind the monitor, staring at the close-up shot of Frillie.

He stroked his chin and whispered to the executive director beside him, "This girl, something's not right. She's too steady, too steady for an ordinary messenger, more like a character with hidden depths. It's a pity there's no such character in the script. Wait, maybe we could add a scene later where a reclusive master enlightens Zhuge Liang."

"Cut! Great! One take!" Director Wang's voice was filled with great satisfaction.

Upon hearing the sound, Frillie bowed slightly again, then turned and, with her usual steady steps, quietly slipped out of the tent. The entire process was fluid and seamless. Her performance brought a sigh of relief to the staff present, while also leaving a deep impression. This extra was no ordinary person.

After removing their makeup and changing back into their everyday clothes, Lu Mingfei and Frilian prepared to leave the bustling photo studio area. The afternoon sun, around four or five o'clock, had become gentle, casting long shadows on the dusty ground. Lu Mingfei was still savoring the heart-pounding excitement of the shoot and the exhaustion he felt after finally passing, chattering to Frilian about where he could have done better.

A middle-aged man dressed in a casual polo shirt and wearing black-rimmed glasses, with a more artistic temperament than the domineering presence of Director Wang, walked over from the direction of a photography studio with a sign that read "Republic of China Street." He was just passing by, his gaze casually sweeping over Lu Mingfei and Frilian, but lingering on Frilian for a moment before revealing an expression of interest.

He quickly stepped forward and politely stopped the two: "Excuse me, may I interrupt? Miss, were you just filming on the set of 'New Romance of the Three Kingdoms'?"

Lu Mingfei was taken aback, and stepped half a body in front of Frillie, asking with a hint of wariness, "Who are you?"

The middle-aged man smiled kindly, took out a business card from his pocket and handed it over: "Don't misunderstand, I'm not a paparazzi. My surname is Lin, Lin Wenbin, and I'm an independent director. I just happened to see this young lady coming out of the Three Kingdoms film crew. She has a very unique temperament, so I took the liberty of coming over to ask her something."

Lu Mingfei took the business card, which read "Director Lin Wenbin" and had a line of smaller print and a phone number below it, suggesting it was a personal studio. He relaxed slightly and nodded, "Yes, Director Lin, we just finished filming."

Director Lin's gaze fell on Frillie again, with undisguised admiration: "Excuse my boldness, but who is this lady in the play?"

“Oh, she plays a female official in the Shu Kingdom, just one scene, one line,” Lu Mingfei answered on her behalf.

“Just one line.” A hint of surprise flashed in Director Lin’s eyes, then he nodded knowingly. “No wonder. That calm yet story-filled aura is very captivating on screen. I’m currently preparing a low-budget art film about a modern craftsman who lives in seclusion in the mountains. There’s a character in it who is a mysterious ‘mountain spirit’ or ‘guide’ who appears, enlightens the protagonist, and then disappears without a trace. I haven’t been able to find a suitable actress; they’re either too down-to-earth or their acting is too contrived. But this young lady’s aura is very close to the character I’ve imagined—ethereal, serene, as if she doesn’t belong to this world, yet she understands everything.”

He looked at Frillie and said sincerely, "I wonder if you'd be interested, Miss? Although the role isn't large, it offers more room for development than a minor part. The film isn't big, so the pay might not be high, but the creative atmosphere will be more free. If possible, could we exchange contact information? I'd like to invite you to audition when the project officially starts."

Lu Mingfei was dumbfounded. He never expected that Frillie, with just a minor role and that unique aura that couldn't be hidden anywhere, would be "picked up" by the director on set and even directly offered a role! This was like something out of a novel!

Frillie listened quietly, her face remaining expressionless, as if she weren't the one being invited. She glanced at Lu Mingfei, then at Director Lin, and said in her usual calm tone, "Thank you for the invitation. But I'm not a professional actress; this is just an experience."

Director Lin wasn't surprised. Instead, he smiled and said, "Sometimes, non-professional actors can bring the most authentic and touching things. It's okay, this is just a preliminary intention. Would it be convenient to leave your contact information? Even an email address would be fine. Even if this collaboration doesn't work out, we can still be friends, and perhaps there will be other suitable opportunities in the future."

Frillie, of course, didn't use a cell phone. Seeing this, Lu Mingfei quickly took out his own phone: "Director Lin, she doesn't use these. Would you like to write down my phone number and WeChat? I'm her, uh, friend and temporary assistant. You can contact me first if you need anything, and I'll pass it on to her."

Director Lin readily agreed, saved Lu Mingfei's contact information, exchanged a few more pleasantries, and then politely took his leave, once again expressing his admiration for Frillie's temperament before departing.

Watching Director Lin's departing figure, Lu Mingfei excitedly shook Frillie's arm: "Frillie, did you hear that? A director asked you to act in a movie! It's an art film. Is this your debut being your peak? No, it's going from extra to featured, or even being handpicked by the director!"

Frillie let Lu Mingfei shake her, and simply said, "It's just a coincidence."

But Lu Mingfei was still very excited, as if he were the one who had been chosen.

Chapter 220 The Fierce Ghostly Japanese Cuisine

Leaving behind the hustle and bustle of the film studio, Lu Mingfei and Frillie strolled aimlessly along the streets of the town, which were gradually lighting up with neon lights. The tension and excitement of the day had faded, leaving behind a sense of leisurely comfort. Lu Mingfei stroked his chin, still savoring the dramatic moment when Director Lin discovered him, while Frillie quietly observed the town's completely different appearance as the lights came on.

Hey, this is really authentic! Lu Mingfei hasn't seen such a unique town in a long, long time.

"Frilian, what do you want to eat tonight? Let's celebrate!" Lu Mingfei asked enthusiastically. "We can't just have tofu pudding and scallion pancakes again, can we?"

Frillie's gaze swept over the dazzling array of signs lining the street, finally settling on a rather inconspicuous corner. There hung a black wooden sign with the words "Fierce Demon Japanese Cuisine" written in sharp white lettering, next to which was an abstract, somewhat ferocious Hannya mask. The sign looked old and out of place against the surrounding flashy lights.

"That restaurant has a rather unusual name. How about we eat there?" Frillian suggested, pointing to a spot.

"Ghostly Japanese food?" Lu Mingfei grinned. "That name is really scary. But it looks quite unique. Why don't we give it a try? Anyway, the two of us combined probably can't mess with any ghosts."

He remembered Frillian's magic and that he was at least an "S" rank, though it was largely undeserved, so he became bolder.

Even the fiercest and most vicious demons and monsters would have to dodge when they see the two of them.

Pushing open the heavy wooden door of the "Haunted" Japanese restaurant, the wind chimes jingled crisply, as if knocking on the door to another world. Inside and outside the door were two completely different realms. The hustle and bustle of the town outside was instantly shut out, replaced by a dim, quiet, and slightly oppressive atmosphere.

It's hard to describe the feeling; it's like someone has done something wrong and then bows privately in Marseille.

The shop's lighting mainly comes from a few low-hanging paper lanterns above the bar and warm-colored light strips hidden on the walls. The light is soft but not enough to illuminate every corner, making the ukiyo-e prints depicting demons and ghosts appear even more eerie and vivid in the interplay of light and shadow.

The shop was filled with all sorts of smells: the fresh scent of aged wood, the rich aroma of brewed soy sauce, the subtle sweetness of mirin, and an indescribable, faintly fishy and salty smell that seemed to come from the deep sea or an ancient well, along with a very subtle chill, like the frost of early winter.

"We've found a treasure, Frilian! This shop is great."

"Yeah, it's just that the head chef doesn't look very friendly."

Behind the bar, only one head chef was busy. He was tall and burly, wearing a standard Japanese chef's uniform with the collar buttoned up, yet it couldn't hide his bulging muscles. He had a buzz cut, a rugged face as if carved by a knife, and his brows were habitually furrowed. His eyes were focused on the ingredients in his hands with an almost fierce intensity.

"Wow, tattoo guy!" Lu Mingfei exclaimed in surprise.

The chef's bare left arm, from wrist to shoulder, was covered with intricate, dark blue tattoos. The designs were not the usual dragons, tigers, or flowers, but rather a twisted, ferocious image of a demon, seemingly struggling and roaring in karmic fire. The tattooing technique was extremely high, with incredibly realistic details. With his powerful movements of cutting, gripping, roasting, and pinching, the demon on his arm seemed to come alive. Every tension in his muscles caused subtle changes in the design, adding a terrifying aura.

If the eldest brother is involved in the underworld, he must have a high status in Japan.

Lu Mingfei and Frilian found two empty seats at the bar. The bar was made from a single, thick piece of dark wood, polished to an extremely smooth finish, and warm to the touch. Neatly arranged on the bar were a ceramic soy sauce bottle, a chopstick rest, small plates, and a cup of steaming genmaicha (brown rice tea).

As they sat down, the chef didn't even lift his eyelids, completely absorbed in his own world. He was preparing a rather large bonito. He was using the traditional "shari-setsu" method, first searing the skin over a high flame to lock in the flavor, then quickly immersing it in ice water to cool it. Next, using a huge, gleaming bonito shaver, like a carpenter planing wood, he shaved the bonito into thin, paper-like, curled bonito flakes. His movements were swift and precise, the bonito flakes falling and piling up in the bamboo basket below, emitting a rich, smoky aroma.

The bar wasn't crowded, but it was quite eye-catching. Besides Lu Mingfei and Frilian, two middle-aged Japanese men in well-fitting suits, who looked like businessmen, sat at the other end of the bar, conversing quietly in Japanese, with sake bottles and snacks in front of them. They were well-mannered, but there was a hint of fatigue in their eyes. Occasionally, they would raise their glasses to each other, and their conversation touched on business dealings.

In another private room sat an elderly woman dressed in an elegant kimono, eating a salt-grilled sweetfish slowly and gracefully, as if performing a silent ritual. Occasionally, she would look up at the chef cooking, her eyes filled with appreciation.

At the other table were three young people dressed fashionably, but judging from their fluent Japanese and the occasional anime references they made, they were likely Japanese people studying or working in China. They ordered mostly popular dishes such as fried chicken and dumplings, and the atmosphere was quite lively, but they kept their voices down, not daring to disturb the tranquility of the restaurant.

I reckon Lu Mingfei and Frilian are the only two new customers in this shop; the rest are regulars.

The entire store was filled with a peculiar atmosphere: quiet.

There were voices, but they were all kept quiet. The guests tacitly followed some unwritten rule, focusing their attention more on the food and their own world. The background music was a very low-pitched shamisen piece, the ethereal melody adding to the sense of mystery.

"Gentlemen, what would you like?" The head chef finally finished preparing the bonito, wiping his hands with a white cloth as he looked up at Lu Mingfei and Frilian. His voice was deep and husky, carrying an undeniable authority; it was more of a declaration than a question.

Lu Mingfei was intimidated by the imposing manner and stammered as he picked up the menu: "Uh, your cooking is really good. Ours, take a look at the menu."

"Guest, please speak Chinese, I understand."

"Uh, sorry." It seems that using broken Japanese won't work.

The menu is handwritten, with Japanese and Chinese side-by-side, and the handwriting is strong and vigorous. The menu is not extensive, but the prices are high, with a focus on various seasonal sashimi, Edo-style sushi, and charcoal-grilled dishes.

"The Hokkaido sea urchins are very fresh today, and the goldeneye snapper just arrived this morning. If you trust my skills, you can try the chef's set menu," the chef suggested, his tone flat, but you could hear his confidence in his ingredients.

Lu Mingfei looked at Frilian, who nodded slightly. Lu Mingfei then said, "Okay, then I'll leave it to you, Chef's Set Menu."

The head chef nodded slightly, said no more, and turned to take out various ingredients from the giant freezer behind him.

Chapter 221 I've Found You, My Savior

"The first course: the appetizer, also known as the starter," the chef said, bringing out an exquisite covered lacquer bowl.

Frillie opened the lid, revealing a translucent kudzu starch jelly filled with tiny shrimp, shiitake mushrooms, and okra, drizzled with a light dashi sauce—Japanese broth, as Lu Mingfei had secretly looked up on his phone. It was topped with a small pinch of freshly grated wasabi and yuzu peel. The texture was refreshing and smooth, the aroma of yuzu instantly awakening the taste buds. Frillie took small sips with a spoon, her eyes brightening slightly, seemingly quite interested in this delicate combination of flavors.

"The second course: three kinds of sashimi served together."

The chef took a huge block of ice from the freezer and began slicing sashimi on it. First was the red sea bream, which he sliced ​​at a specific angle using a Yanagiba knife, creating slices as thin as cicada wings, almost transparent at the edges, with a pale pink hue, which unfolded like flower petals when plated. Next was the tuna belly, with its evenly distributed fat, displaying a beautiful marbled pattern of pink and white, sliced ​​slightly thicker to highlight its rich texture.

Finally, there's the Hokkaido purple sea urchin, its orange-yellow petals carefully laid out on a small wooden board lined with perilla leaves. It's served with hand-shredded wasabi and a special brewed soy sauce.

Following the example of the Japanese customers next to him, Lu Mingfei placed a little wasabi on the sashimi and then dipped it in a little soy sauce. The sea bream was crisp, tender, and sweet, the tuna belly melted in his mouth with the aroma of fat exploding, and the sea urchin was extremely sweet and rich, as if he had swallowed a whole concentrated ocean.

Frilian had a particular fondness for sea urchins and savored them for a long time.

The chef's culinary skills reminded her of the seaside town she visited during her adventures, where the seafood was just as fresh and sweet.

The third course: Chawanmushi (steamed egg custard).

The steamed egg, seemingly simple, was exceptionally smooth and tender. The custard trembled like pudding, concealing shrimp, ginkgo nuts, chicken, and a small piece of ginkgo seed. The broth was a rich and flavorful stock made with bonito and kelp. Frilian ate it with an elegant, delicate porcelain spoon.

The fourth course: five pieces of sushi.

The chef then began to demonstrate his true skill—Edo-style sushi. He washed his hands, soaked them in ice water to keep them cool, and then began to shape the sushi. The temperature, moisture, and firmness of the vinegared rice were just right.

Mackerel (snow bream): A silver-skinned fish, briefly marinated in salt and vinegar to remove fishy smell and enhance freshness. The fish meat is firm and chewy, carrying the taste of the ocean.

Hamachi (young yellowtail): moderate fat content, crisp texture, and sweet taste.

Boiled abalone: ​​The abalone is simmered in wine and sauce until tender and soft, then brushed with a thin layer of sauce. It has a chewy texture and a rich flavor.

Untan (Sea Urchin) Gunkan-maki: Vinegar rice rolled up with nori seaweed and topped with a thick layer of Hokkaido sea urchin, an ultimate luxurious treat.

Eel Hand Roll: Made with freshly killed and grilled eel, the skin is slightly charred, the meat is plump and juicy, and the sauce is perfectly balanced between sweet and salty. Rolled up with crispy seaweed, it's best enjoyed hot for a lingering, delicious flavor.

[Author's Note: Actually, I prefer hot, steaming Chinese food.]

Each piece of sushi is brushed with sauce by the chef, allowing guests to eat it directly without dipping it in any other seasoning. Lu Mingfei ate with great care, as if afraid of ruining this perfect combination. Frilian watched the chef's every subtle movement, from taking the rice, shaping it, brushing on the sauce, to handing it out, appreciating a beautiful art.

"Fifth course: Charcoal-grilled Wagyu beef, guests should take a good look."

The chef sears a small piece of top-grade A5 Wagyu beef on hot binchotan charcoal. With precise control of the heat, both sides are quickly seared with beautiful grid-like char, while the inside remains an enticing pink. Sprinkled with a touch of sea salt and black pepper, the beef melts in your mouth, the aroma of the fat filling your palate—a truly blissful experience.

"Sixth course: Tonkotsu ramen."

Oh, here it is! It's the kind of food that Lu Mingfei often sees in Japanese anime. It must be delicious.

Finally, a small bowl of ramen finished the meal. The broth was milky white and rich, the essence of pork bones simmered for a long time. The noodles were chewy, the char siu was thickly sliced ​​and tender, and the soft-boiled egg had a perfect runny yolk. It was topped with dried bamboo shoots, shredded wood ear mushrooms, and chopped green onions. After eating a bunch of cold and raw food, this bowl of hot ramen was especially comforting.

Throughout the meal, the chef remained almost completely silent, focusing entirely on cooking. Only when a particular ingredient was served would he announce its name in brief Japanese or broken Chinese: "Sea urchin, fresh," or "Wagyu beef, A5."

His focus and skill are themselves a form of silent communication.

Xiao Lu gave it a five-star review. This is what craftsmanship is all about. It's much better than praising all sorts of odds and ends as craftsmen and then just keeping it to yourself when you make a mistake.

Lu Mingfei ate to his heart's content, almost forgetting the restaurant's eerie name and atmosphere. Frillie was also very satisfied with the dinner.

Just as Lu Mingfei finished the last sip of noodle soup and let out a contented sigh, he inadvertently looked up and his gaze fell upon the slightly swaying dark blue curtain at the end of the bar. Through the gap in the curtain, a pair of extremely beautiful eyes with upturned corners were staring at him, filled with curiosity and a playful smile.

Lu Mingfei was suddenly taken aback.

Then, a voice, so clear it seemed to be right next to his ear, with a languid and eerie tone, drilled into his mind:

"Found you, my savior."

Lu Mingfei's chopsticks fell onto the bar with a "clatter".

Startled, he nearly spilled the miso soup in front of him. He blinked hard, and when he looked at the curtain again, the gap had closed, as if everything that had just happened was just his hallucination.

"What's wrong?" Frillie noticed his unusual behavior and put down her chopsticks to ask.

Lu Mingfei's heart pounded. He lowered his voice and said, "Frilian, did you...did you see that just now? It looked like someone was watching me from behind that curtain? And...and even spoke to me?"