Chapter 2: Kneel and Sing for Surrender

Over half an hour later, Mayu Yano was already pale as a ghost, barely alive, incapable even of uttering a plea for mercy. At last, Lu Ming ceased his assault with a muffled groan.

He rose slowly, heading to the bathroom for a shower. When he returned, he lit a cigarette and sat down in a chair, exhaling smoke in lazy curls. His gaze remained unabashed, sweeping over Mayu Yano's naked body, making her shudder inwardly.

After a moment, Mayu Yano felt a faint trace of strength return to her. She struggled to her feet, donned her torn uniform, and approached Lu Ming. He regarded her calmly; the crimson blaze in his eyes had faded, replaced by tranquility.

Gone was the icy arrogance from her face. Instead, reverence filled her expression. She knelt humbly before Lu Ming and spoke: “Honored lord, please forgive my ignorance. I dared to challenge someone as powerful as you. Please accept me—even as a concubine, Mayu Yano would serve willingly.”

She had been the foremost warrior of Fusang, proud and aloof, looking down on all others. Yet, to avenge her mercenary brother, she had come to China, to stand before Lu Ming. In their brief encounter, she was awed by his power, conquered in both spirit and flesh. The strong revered strength; before this unprecedented force, her original purpose no longer mattered.

What mattered now was the opportunity to follow this man, to walk alongside a true master, and thus tread further on the path of cultivation.

Lu Ming found her submission unexpected. He had assumed that, upon regaining her mobility, she would either fight him to the death or flee and seek another chance. Never did he imagine she would surrender so completely.

As for himself, due to that incident, he had not only acquired the strength of a dragon but also inherited its temper. When attacked, he became impulsive, irritable, and cruel—the very reason he had dominated Mayu Yano with such ferocity.

Mayu Yano’s illusions were powerless against the dragon’s formidable resistance within him. Gazing at the now docile Mayu Yano kneeling before him, and at the crimson stain on the bed, Lu Ming pondered briefly before speaking in a slow, measured tone: “Leave your contact information. Depart from here. When I need you, I will call.”

Mayu Yano nodded submissively, withdrew a business card from her tattered uniform, handed it to Lu Ming with both hands, and bowed her way out of the room. No matter what the lord meant by “need,” she was willing to comply, so long as she could remain near him.

Watching her leave, Lu Ming examined the exquisite card.

“President of Changwu Corporation, Chairman of Fusang Martial Arts Union, Mayu Yano.”

Seeing these titles, Lu Ming smiled. Changwu Corporation was a considerable conglomerate, among the top in Fusang, with global influence—a heavyweight indeed.

Chairman of the Martial Arts Union was even more intriguing. Clearly, Mayu Yano was a major figure in Fusang.

He glanced at the card and tossed it aside. Such things were of no importance to him.

Next, he took out the jade pendant, pondering whether to “offer it in sacrifice.” At the thought, Lu Ming was filled with endless emotion.

A few years ago, he had been an overseas mercenary, leading his own team—one of the world’s three great mercenary groups. He himself bore the title “King of Mercenaries.” His associates were global tycoons, heads of state, even presidents of small countries. His network was formidable, and within a few years, he amassed great wealth.

But a year ago, a strange incident occurred on a remote island overseas. Rumor had it that the sky split open, and a giant dragon descended from the heavens, scattering treasures across the island.

Such wonders could not be missed. Lu Ming, with his team, hurried to the island.

The other two top global mercenary groups arrived as well. For the legendary treasure, the three sides fought fiercely, battling for half a month around the island.

Ultimately, Lu Ming’s unmatched prowess forced the other teams to retreat, though his own suffered heavy losses.

Upon landing, Lu Ming was utterly stunned. There were no rumored treasures, but there was indeed a dragon!

The creature was grievously wounded, as if it had endured a brutal battle, and was near death.

Even Lu Ming, worldly and experienced, was dumbfounded by the sight of the colossal beast.

Legend claimed that dragons were treasure-laden; naturally, none should be wasted.

He ordered his men to seal the island. It took him half a year to consume the entire dragon.

For reasons unknown, he gained all the dragon’s memories, and within him appeared a “Dragon God Altar.”

According to the dragon’s memories, this altar was a gift from the great Dragon God. If one offered sufficient objects in sacrifice, the Dragon God would bestow blessings and fulfill wishes.

The condition: the offerings must contain enough energy. Otherwise, nothing would be gained.

Lu Ming distributed his fortune to comfort his fallen men, disbanded his team, and returned to his homeland, devoting himself to arduous cultivation. He sent a message throughout his network:

“Collect all ancient artifacts. In return, I will grant one service.”

This message stirred a storm among the world’s elite. To secure a favor from the King of Mercenaries, the Bloody Killer, any rare item was worth the trade.

Thus, countless items were sent to him, though few possessed enough energy to be sacrificed and receive divine blessings.

Only three qualified. With each, Lu Ming chose to strengthen his own physique.

From the dragon’s memories, he learned a cultivation technique called the “Dragon Soaring Sutra,” perfected by the dragon race over millennia according to their unique constitution.

To cultivate this Sutra, one needed a dragon-like body. Though he had consumed a dragon, he merely reached the threshold for practice, far from mastery.

According to the memories, once perfected, the Dragon Soaring Sutra allowed one to roam the stars, traverse the cosmos, attain immortality, and become godlike.

Lu Ming had trained in martial arts since childhood; for him, becoming stronger was an eternal pursuit. With such an opportunity before him, he seized it tightly.

His current goal: to gather every ancient artifact he could find, fortify his body, and lay the foundation for cultivating the Dragon Soaring Sutra.

He put away the jade pendant, deciding not to use it yet. Its energy was limited, insufficient for sacrifice; better to wait until he accumulated enough items.

He lay on the bed and soon fell into a deep sleep. With each breath, a layer of invisible radiance flickered over his body—a sign of cultivating the Dragon Soaring Sutra.

At seven the next morning, Lu Ming awoke punctually, washed, ate breakfast outside, and returned to his Forget-Worries General Store. He opened the shop, then sank back onto the sofa for a nap—another dragon trait: a fondness for sleep.

So it was, until nearly noon. At exactly eleven o’clock, Huo Yutong appeared at the door.

She pushed her way in, frowning at Lu Ming sleeping on the sofa. Behind her was a younger girl, whose features bore a striking resemblance to Huo Yutong.

The girl glanced around at the surroundings, then at the sleeping Lu Ming, and spoke: “Sister, seriously? You found this guy to solve our problem? Are you out of your mind?”

“Don’t speak carelessly.” Huo Yutong glared at her sister, Huo Yufeng. “Show respect to Mr. Lu.”

Huo Yufeng stuck out her tongue, saying nothing further, though her face was full of disdain.

Lu Ming slowly awoke. Though he was cultivating in sleep, his senses were extremely sharp; he’d noticed the sisters as soon as they entered.

He lit a cigarette, took two drags, and said, “Let’s go.”

With that, he turned and headed outside.

“Hey, are you really going out dressed like that? This is a society gala, not a roadside diner,” Huo Yufeng exclaimed incredulously.

Lu Ming glanced at the sisters in their luxurious evening gowns, scratched his head, and said, “It’s just a party, a few words and it’s done. Why so formal?”

“Well, you certainly like to brag,” Huo Yufeng scoffed. “Sister, this guy doesn’t even own a decent outfit. Don’t be fooled—get the jade pendant back and let’s find another solution.”