Dragon Raja: Lu Mingfei finds a Freylian

The headlights sliced ​​through the thick night like sharp blades. A black Hummer SUV with a raised chassis recklessly drove off the road, over the shoulder, crushed the sparse vegetation on the salt flats, and headed straight into the darkness.

Genjiro gripped the steering wheel with one hand, a smoky, unlit cigarette between his fingers, his gaze calmly fixed on the endless darkness ahead. In the passenger seat, Sakura looked down at the GPS screen, the dim light illuminating her delicate, expressionless face.

"What kind of place is this? Why would they build an airport here?" Genji asked.

“Yes, there is one, but it has been abandoned for a long time and the runway is not very long,” Sakura replied. “But I think that with the skills of Principal Angers’ personal pilot, the delegation from headquarters can land safely.”

She wore a black suit and slim-fitting trousers that allowed for easy movement, her high ponytail giving her a neat and capable look, and a pair of non-prescription glasses perched on her nose. This outfit made her easily overlooked, perfectly embodying the role of a ninja—always in the shadows, ready to become the deadliest blade or the most silent shield when necessary.

Genjiro's assistant team consists of three people: the valiant Yasha, who charges into battle; the cunning Crow; and his personal assistant Sakura. In ancient times, the junior servant of a daimyo was often a handsome young man, but Sakura is a dashing woman.

In terms of combat strength, Genjiro, possessing the bloodline of Amaterasu, far surpasses Yasha. As for strategy, Crow is only a strategist within a specific circle, not a figure of public concern. Only Sakura is meticulous, reliable, and indispensable. Without her, Genjiro wouldn't know how to handle those mundane daily tasks, and there would be no one to echo his complaints.

"It's just ahead, that's the runway," Sakura pointed out through the windshield.

At the end of the barren salt flats, a dilapidated runway actually appeared, half of which was still on land, while the other half had been mercilessly swallowed by the rising sea.

“As you can see, only half of it is usable,” Sakura continued, “The runway was originally built in 1941. At that time, the greenhouse effect on Earth was not as pronounced, and the sea level was not as high as it is now.”

Yuan Zhisheng parked the Hummer at the end of the runway, aligning the front of the vehicle with the runway direction, and turned on the high beams. Two thick beams of light pierced the darkness, providing the only ground guidance for the approaching aircraft. In this completely unlit, makeshift airport, this was practically the only way to welcome them.

“The headquarters specialist will arrive in three minutes,” Sakura said, glancing at her watch.

“Then we must do our best to be hospitable,” Genjiro said, getting out of the driver’s seat, lightly leaping onto the Hummer’s sturdy bumper, and sitting down. “We’ll hold a welcoming ceremony. Mr. Masamune said we should treat the guests from headquarters with courtesy.”

Sakura did as she was told. She spread a snow-white linen napkin on the hood of the engine room and smoothly placed three tulip-shaped champagne glasses on it. A bottle of chilled champagne was expertly opened, and with a soft "pop," the golden, clear liquid, carrying tiny bubbles, poured into the glass. A bright yellow tulip was placed beside the glass, symbolizing victory and fulfillment.

Finally, she took out three small Japanese flags, inserted them into thin slices of lime, and then skillfully placed the lime slices on the rim of the cup.

This was probably the most elaborate welcome ceremony in the history of the Japanese branch, with a special car for transportation, bouquets symbolizing good fortune, and celebratory champagne. All that was missing was a warm hug, but Genji had no intention of doing so.

Firstly, he disliked unnecessary physical contact; secondly, based on the intelligence he had, this so-called ace team consisted of a spoiled brat, a violent maniac, a long-eared individual of unknown origin, and a vaguely rated S-rank. Genji simply had no interest in embracing these people.

Within the Japanese branch, the Kassel College headquarters is often jokingly referred to as a kindergarten because most of the staff sent are inexperienced young people. The reception work is therefore privately known as "childcare."

Genjiro didn't like taking care of children. He had originally planned to leave the airport pickup to Crow and Yaksha, but after thinking it over, he was still a little worried. Could these tender and delicate boys and a girl from headquarters arrive at the hotel unharmed in the hands of those two obviously violent guys?

Ultimately, he decided to personally bring Sakura, the most reliable member, to pick him up at the airport, as a show of respect for the ace of headquarters.

The roar grew louder as it approached from the dark horizon. The sky was overcast, obscuring both stars and moon, but the sound foreshadowed the approaching metallic behemoth, accompanied by wind and thunder.

“Here I am.” Genji glanced at his watch.

Just as the aircraft's tires touched the section of the runway not yet submerged by seawater, the Sleibniz suddenly switched on all its lights. The blinding light tore through the water curtain, and the black Gulfstream resembled a demon suddenly emerging from the abyss. It violently charged onto the makeshift runway paved with cinders, its tires scraping against the rough ground, sending up a series of dazzling sparks.

Genjiro sat expressionlessly on the bumper, a mild Seven Stars cigarette dangling from his lips, watching the massive steel bird hurtling towards him, unable to come to a complete stop on the short runway. In the final fifty meters, a torrent of intense heat suddenly shot forward from beneath the Gulfstream's nose. The engines unleashed their reverse thrust at full power, the hundreds of degrees Celsius of heat almost enough to make the Hummer, with its handbrake engaged, sway violently.

However, Genjiro remained completely still, without even blinking.

"squeak!"

The ear-piercing screeching of friction echoed across the beach. The Gulfstream came to a stop just meters from the front of the Hummer, like a raging bull being pulled back by the tail at the last moment before it could topple a matador. Had the pilot's skills been slightly off, or if the modified aircraft's engine had failed to reverse in time, Genji, caught between the two, would have been doomed.

The cockpit window slid open, the pilot leaned out, forcefully raised his middle finger at Genjiro, and yelled, "FUXK!"

If it were someone from another branch, the pilot would probably have jumped out of the plane and thrown a punch. But this was the Japanese branch, a place known for its yakuza culture and its emphasis on courage and a willingness to face death.

Here, remaining unmoved even when faced with a collapsing mountain is considered a mark of a great general, a highly admired aesthetic. By their standards, the principal of Angers could be considered a dashing hero, the vice-principal perhaps a chivalrous knight-errant, and the men in the equipment department were probably just cowardly scoundrels.

The pilot only noticed Genjiro's unwavering composure, failing to see the equally calm girl behind him holding a bouquet. This was less a reckless gamble and more a subtle expression of contempt and a show of force by the Japanese branch towards the passengers.

Of course, given Genji's status, he certainly didn't disregard his life. He simply knew the skill level of Angers' personal pilot and completely trusted Sakura's judgment. Sakura's choice of this runway meant she was confident the plane could land safely.

It's just a pity for the pilot; he's now cursing Genjiro's ancestors for eighteen generations in his heart.

The hatch slowly opened. Yuan Zhisheng should have stepped forward to greet him warmly, but he remained seated, even raising his voice to call out towards the hatch:

"We need a lighter. Any of the specialists at headquarters have one?"

Chapter 343 Frilian X Lu Mingfei X Caesar X Chu Zihang's Visiting Delegation

Genjiro stared intently at the hatch, his eyes seeming to hold the chilling glint of swords. His father, Masamune, had once said that he possessed a pair of awe-inspiring, sinister eyes; a coward who met their gaze would feel as if stung by a scorpion. Therefore, Genjiro rarely looked people directly in the eye, lest they feel uncomfortable.

But today, he deliberately used that look to convey a clear message: Welcome to Japan. Here, the rules are set by the Japanese branch. Those excellent ratings you received at headquarters are worthless here. Family background and lineage are completely irrelevant. If you're not strong enough, you'd better be sensible and show the respect, admiration, and even trepidation you should have shown your seniors.

For example, you could come over and light a cigarette for him.

Yuan Zhisheng guessed that after such a violent sudden stop, the cabin must be in disarray, and there might even be people vomiting in vomit bags.

The gangway was lowered.

The first sound that reached my ears was the crisp, rhythmic "click" of wooden clogs on metal steps.

Immediately afterwards, three elegantly colored oil-paper umbrellas, each painted with a different pattern, floated out of the cabin like duckweed and slowly opened in the dim light.

Three figures, dressed in fine traditional printed kimonos of various colors and textures, with white socks and wooden clogs, slowly descended the gangway. They even held up umbrellas to shield themselves from the fine night rain on the Yokohama beach.

Three paper umbrellas: one depicts a white crane spreading its wings and a chrysanthemum defying frost, elegant and aloof. Another portrays Mount Fuji erupting, majestic and imposing. The one at the very front is the most eye-catching, its surface devoid of any specific design, bearing only four large, bold characters in flowing ink: "天下一番" (meaning "Under Heaven, First Place").

At the waist of this top-ranking official, a long sword with a black sheath was prominently displayed.

Genjiro was momentarily stunned. What kind of mess had the headquarters sent this time? A swordsman cultural exchange delegation?

"Good heavens, Frilian Frilian, have we come to the wrong place? Is this an airport? It looks rather shabby," the one holding the white crane and chrysanthemum umbrella said, her tone sounding a bit bewildered, and also carrying a hint of weariness from a long flight.

"It's probably because it's in a remote area," a woman's voice came from inside the plane.

"Hmph, this place is too remote and cold," Tianxia Yifan complained, shrugging his shoulders. "Isn't there a VIP airport? The branch is so dilapidated."

"Does anyone know why we wear kimonos?" the white crane and the chrysanthemum asked again.

“The gifts from Principal Angers were all custom-made,” Tianxia Yifan replied, somewhat helplessly. “I don’t really like them.”

"Caesar, do you think the branch will receive a high-level reception?" White Crane and Chrysanthemum's voices revealed a hint of longing. "We are special envoys specially dispatched by Principal Angers."

"Probably," Tenkaichi said, considering himself the team's Japan expert. "It would be great if a long line of beautiful girls came to present us with flowers. Ah, Frilian, for you, how about a handsome host?"

"No need," the person on the plane said, having finished getting dressed.

Genji felt a slight sense of disorientation. Judging from this conversation, this wasn't some group of swordsmen; they were clearly a tour group eagerly anticipating an in-depth, Japan-themed carnival!

They eagerly anticipated a limousine parked on the runway, filled with scantily clad, sweet-smiling girls, so they could embrace them on either side and head straight to an izakaya to drink sake and party until dawn.

Even though they knew this was a bunch of losers, didn't these people even think of trying to make themselves look a little more professional?

A surge of anger quietly rose in Genji's heart. He rarely got so angry, but his tolerance for good-for-nothings and those who willingly degenerate was always zero.

Just as he was about to speak, welcoming these unruly headquarters specialists in an even colder tone,

A fourth figure appeared at the cabin door.

She is also wearing a kimono, but she is completely different from the previous three.

The background is extremely light, almost moon white, with lotus patterns in pale pink and lotus root color scattered sparsely and gracefully. The lotuses are either budding or just beginning to bloom, their postures elegant and serene, as if one can smell their delicate fragrance. Fine silver threads are faintly visible in the fabric, outlining the traces of rain, like spring rain quietly falling on a tranquil lotus pond.

The obi of the kimono is a slightly darker bluish-gray, tied in a simple yet elegant taiko knot. It has no excessive decorations, but it has its own charm that has been refined over time.

The woman wearing the lotus and spring rain kimono was a slender young girl. She held a plain, light blue oil-paper umbrella, the edge of which was slightly lowered, obscuring most of her face, revealing only her beautifully shaped chin and a touch of pale lips.

Her long, silvery-white hair cascaded over her shoulders, still shimmering faintly in the dim light. Her emerald eyes, slightly raised from under the umbrella, were as clear and transparent as the finest jade.

Her gait was composed, the sound of her wooden clogs soft and steady, a subtle contrast to the three people ahead of her. She didn't speak, but stood quietly at the foot of the gangway, her gaze calmly sweeping over the Hummer not far away, Genjiro inside, Sakura holding flowers beside him, and the rather grand welcoming ceremony setup on the hood.

"Oh right, and Frillie too." Lu Mingfei, who was holding a white crane and chrysanthemum umbrella, seemed to have just remembered and looked back. "The principal also prepared one for you, but your outfit looks much better than ours, doesn't it?" His tone was a little envious and a little proud.

"The fabric feels wonderful, and the pattern is interesting," Frillian said, her voice like a clear mountain stream. "It's just a little inconvenient to move around in. But since it's a gift, I'll accept it."

Genji's gaze lingered on her for a moment. Silver hair, blue eyes, long ears, and a serene demeanor that seemed out of place with her surroundings. This was the special agent mentioned in the intelligence report, Frillian, whose Word of Power was that of a magician.

She does look more presentable than the other three, but only in appearance.

He suppressed the surging anger within him, at least outwardly, and nimbly leaped off the Hummer's bumper, taking a few steps forward. A cigarette dangled from his lips, unlit.

"Welcome to Japan," the voice regained its composure, but carried a condescending indifference. "The ace team of Kassel College headquarters. I am Genjiro, the director of the Japan branch's executive bureau. I will be in charge of all matters concerning you during your stay in Japan."

His gaze swept over the four: Caesar Gattuso, dressed in the most prestigious attire in the world; Lu Mingfei, carrying a white crane and chrysanthemum robe, who seemed the most out of place; Chu Zihang, dressed in a Mount Fuji robe, expressionless but with sharp eyes; and, finally, the silver-haired Frillie, holding a plain umbrella and dressed in lotus-themed spring rain, standing quietly in the rain.

“The car is over there,” he gestured to the Hummer behind him, “The champagne is for you all. But before we start celebrating.”

He paused, then looked back at Caesar and Lu Mingfei. "Does anyone have a light? I'm waiting to light my cigarette."

Chapter 344 Unconventional Approach

Genjiro's words, "May I borrow a light?" drifted in the night wind, but received no response.

The people under the four paper umbrellas walked forward on their own, their wooden clogs making a soft crackling sound as they stepped on the wet, salty ground. They either didn't hear it at all, or they heard it but didn't care.

Lu Mingfei, who was holding up the white crane and chrysanthemum, muttered to himself, "Why is this rain still not stopping? I wonder if the hotel has a hot spring."

Tenkaichi Caesar frowned as he looked at his oversized kimono sleeves: "These sleeves are such a nuisance; I can't even stretch them out properly when I'm fighting."

Chu Zihang walked along expressionlessly, his golden eyes faintly visible in the night.

The silver-haired girl, Frillie, carrying a plain light blue umbrella and dressed in a lotus-patterned spring rain gown, didn't even glance in Genji's direction. She simply walked quietly, her steps steady, as if all the surrounding noise was irrelevant to her.

Only when passing by Genjiro did her emerald eyes glance at him briefly and without any emotion, her gaze as indifferent as if she were looking at a roadside stone or a withered tree in the rain.

Then she walked over.

Genjiro stood frozen in place, an unlit cigarette dangling from his lips. His carefully prepared intimidation and deliberately exerted pressure had been completely ignored.

In his rage, the light in his eyes, known as the Evil Eye, grew even colder and sharper, almost materializing into blades as it pierced the impudent figures behind him.

Just then, Mount Fuji erupted, and Chu Zihang suddenly turned his head and glanced at him.

Actually, Chu Zihang hadn't seen anything clearly; his eyes were just a little uncomfortable. This mission came so suddenly that even someone as meticulous as him made a small mistake—he wore his contact lenses backwards.

This made his already sensitive corneas, aggravated by intensive use, even more uncomfortable, so he simply removed his colored contact lenses before disembarking. At that moment, his ever-burning golden eyes were directly exposed to the air.

It was just that one glance.

A surging, pure dragon bloodline pressure pierced through those golden eyes, shooting into Genji's mind as if it were a tangible force. It felt like standing on the edge of a cliff facing an abyss, or being stared at by the cold, vertical pupils of an ancient dragon!

Yuan Zhisheng felt his hair stand on end, and he couldn't help but want to lean back and dodge. The intimidating aura of the Evil Eye that he had deliberately created earlier collapsed and crumbled instantly in front of those real golden eyes.

He forcefully stopped the urge to back away, but fine beads of cold sweat had already seeped from his forehead.

In a mere half-minute, Genjiro suffered two blows: first, he was completely ignored, and then he was intimidated by Chu Zihang's unintentional gaze. All his carefully prepared intimidation tactics failed before they could even be deployed.

Genjiro took a deep breath, sensing that the upcoming reception task would be exceptionally difficult.

However, reality was even more outrageous than he had imagined.

The four members of the sightseeing tour group were completely oblivious to his presence as the head of the Japanese branch's executive office. They chatted as they walked past him, seemingly oblivious to his presence, and then began to toss their luggage into the Hummer.