Chapter 367- Pure-Hearted Prince vs. Giant Dragon Boss (06)
Feeling that his beloved was truly innocent, easy to please, and so easily satisfied, Mu Jin couldn’t help but want to spoil him a little more. He smiled and said, “Since this is a dream, you don’t have to hold back. Any dream or desire you have can come true here.”
“Norris, do you want to ride a dragon? I can take you outside and let you experience the feeling of soaring through the sky!”
Norris was momentarily stunned by Mu Jin’s suggestion. It was clear who the dragon in question was. But he hadn’t expected Mu Jin to offer to carry him. Wouldn’t that mean Mu Jin was essentially becoming his mount?
Riding a dragon was undeniably tempting—countless people had dreamed of such a heroic feat since childhood: flying through the sky on a majestic mount and becoming a great warrior. And to ride such a magnificent and imposing creature like a dragon! But Mu Jin wasn’t just any dragon—he was his partner. Was it really appropriate?
“You don’t need to worry; it’s not humiliating for me,” Mu Jin reassured him. “But let me make this clear: my back is for my mate alone. If you climb onto my back, you can never leave me—dream or not.”
Norris had been conflicted, feeling that this might not be right. But upon hearing that only a mate could ride Mu Jin and that doing so would bind them together forever, he found himself growing eager.
Mu Jin chuckled at the change in Norris’s expression. Then, right before his lover’s eyes, he transformed into a massive silver-white dragon. The dragon’s appearance was awe-inspiring and majestic, exuding an air of overwhelming power. Yet, those emerald-green eyes were filled with nothing but tenderness as they gazed at him.
To Norris’s astonishment, the dragon lowered his head, signaling for him to climb onto his back.
This was no ordinary dragon—this was one of the most powerful and noble creatures, a being so mighty that the entire continent feared him. And yet, here he was, willingly offering himself to carry Norris through the skies.
Norris was deeply moved, his heart swelling with emotions he couldn’t quite put into words. Seeing the encouragement in Mu Jin’s eyes, he took a deep breath and carefully climbed onto the dragon’s back.
Even though Norris knew this was just a dream, he was still worried about hurting Mu Jin. But Mu Jin didn’t seem to mind at all. With a snort and a reassuring smile, he said, “Don’t worry, my body is very strong. Just hold onto the ridge of scales on my back.”
Hearing this, Norris quickly tightened his grip on the sturdy scales. Once Mu Jin felt that Norris had a secure hold, he began striding swiftly toward the palace gates.
When they stepped outside, they were greeted by complete darkness. It was then that Norris realized that even within the dream, their consciousness was still anchored in the palace deep within the abyss. Now that he thought about it, this palace seemed to be the only structure in the endless silence and darkness of the abyss.
Had Mu Jin been living alone in this darkness for so many years? The thought pierced Norris’s heart with sorrow.
“Yes, for all these years, I’ve been living here alone in solitude. But it’s not so bad. Most of the time, I’ve been asleep,” Mu Jin replied.
Only then did Norris realize he had unknowingly spoken his thoughts aloud. Hearing Mu Jin’s response, however, made him feel even worse.
Though Mu Jin couldn’t see Norris’s expression, he could sense his lover’s emotions and felt a warm surge of affection. Still, he said nothing. Instead, he spread his wings and launched into the air, carrying Norris out of the abyss at top speed.
After all, there was nothing worth lingering over in this darkness.
In the dream, there was no need to worry about leaving the palace or flying too fast. With Mu Jin protecting him, there was no chance of Norris losing his grip or encountering danger. In no time, they broke free from the chasm and emerged under the open sky.
At this moment, the dream’s sky was adorned with a crescent moon, its soft light cascading like a curtain. A gentle breeze rustled through the night forest, creating an air of tranquility that made the dream feel astonishingly real.
Norris could even feel the breeze brushing past him as he soared high above the ground. The moon seemed so close, and clouds occasionally drifted right beside him.
The dragon carried him, rising and dipping through the air, gliding over the vast, familiar continent. They flew over countless landscapes, eventually circling back to Norris’s royal palace. Mu Jin spiraled above the grand structure, taking him to the highest tower, where he could gaze down at the entire kingdom.
As Norris surveyed the scene, from the distant villages with their occasional flickering lights to the vast expanse of his homeland, a deep sense of calm washed over him. What made it even more special was the presence of the one he loved by his side. For the first time, Norris felt a kind of fulfillment he had never experienced before.
The two wandered through the skies for a long time, allowing Norris to revel in the joy of flight. Finally, Mu Jin brought him to the top of a tall tower in the capital city. The tower had an open-air terrace, perfect for admiring the view. Once Norris was safely on the terrace, Mu Jin shifted back into his human form.
“Thank you!” Norris said with heartfelt emotion as he turned and hugged Mu Jin tightly, his voice soft with gratitude. It truly had been an incredible experience.
Mu Jin nodded with a warm smile and replied, “You’re welcome. I know many stories mention the dream of riding a dragon, don’t they? It’s a game many children play.”
“I’ve always believed that flying must hold a special allure for humans. So, ever since I decided to make you my mate, I’ve been thinking about letting you experience it.”
“Norris, I just want to make you happy.”
The man by his side was undeniably powerful, yet in front of him, he was so considerate and tender. Perhaps it was the enchanting night, or perhaps it was the heartfelt words of the person beside him, but Norris couldn’t help himself. As soon as Mu Jin finished speaking, Norris lowered his head and kissed him deeply, savoring the sweet taste of his beloved.
Mu Jin responded by parting his lips, an action that served as the greatest encouragement for Norris. He kissed his lover fervently, wishing he could remain lost in this dream forever. They stayed locked in that tender embrace for a long while before finally parting, leaving Mu Jin nestled in Norris’s arms, breathing softly. The atmosphere between them grew increasingly intimate.
The scenery before them was breathtaking, yet Norris’s attention was wholly fixated on the person in his arms. When he noticed Mu Jin gazing at the surroundings with a mix of nostalgia and melancholy in his eyes, he immediately asked, “What are you thinking about?”
Hearing Norris’s question, Mu Jin gently rubbed his hand and sighed softly, saying, “The view outside is truly beautiful, but it’s such a shame I can only see it in a dream. I just… I really wish I could truly carry you like this, flying together and admiring all this beauty for real.”
Sensing Mu Jin’s melancholy, Norris thought about the deep, dark palace where Mu Jin had spent so much of his life. Unable to stop himself, he asked, “Have you been unable to leave for a long time?”
Mu Jin nodded at the question, his voice tinged with sadness as he explained, “Yes, I can’t leave the palace in the abyss so easily.”
“I’m not sure how much you’ve heard about me in the present day, but in the past, my name became known across the land because I suppressed the demon army and saved this continent.”
“But that was tens of thousands of years ago, and I doubt anyone remembers it now. Over all these years, I’ve been slumbering in the palace within the abyss, using my magic to suppress the lingering demonic energy left behind by the demon army.”
“If I don’t stay in the abyss, the demonic energy will spread unchecked, and the demon army and their king—those I’ve kept sealed—will awaken once more. If that happens, the entire continent will be plunged into chaos and suffering.”
The dragon had been suppressing the demon army for tens of thousands of years!
Hearing Mu Jin’s words, Norris instinctively tightened his embrace, his heart aching unbearably for the person in his arms. At the same time, he despised himself for having misunderstood the dragon based on mere rumors.
Just as Mu Jin had said, after all these years, no one remembered the dragon’s heroic deeds. Instead, they only feared his immense power.
People often said that a single dragon was strong enough to destroy an entire kingdom, yet they failed to acknowledge the dragon’s kindness—he had never destroyed any kingdom.
In fact, he had spent countless years confined in the depths of the abyss, hailed as the “Lord of the Abyss,” when in truth, he was there to suppress the demonic energy and protect the world.
Norris clenched his fists, unsure how to comfort the person before him, who had sacrificed everything only to be remembered with fear and misunderstanding.
To his surprise, Mu Jin turned to him with a gentle smile and said, as if to reassure him, “Don’t feel sad for me. This was my choice. If the demon army had truly destroyed this land back then, I wouldn’t have had the chance to meet you.”
As Mu Jin spoke, he reached out and gently caressed Norris’s cheek, a trace of shyness in his expression. “Actually, I’m not as good as you think. I’ve made my share of mistakes.”
“For most of these years, I’ve been in deep sleep. It was only a few days ago that I woke up. After waking, I realized how lonely I’d been. I desperately wanted someone to stay by my side.”
“It was wrong of me to force the king to find me a companion. But after enduring tens of thousands of years of solitude, I couldn’t take it anymore. I just wanted a kind and understanding partner to be with me.”
“Although I can’t leave the abyss, my magic allows me to hear what’s happening across the land. That’s how I learned about your sister, Princess Bernice.”
“Her praises were sung throughout the kingdom, and at first, I really believed she was as wonderful as the songs said. So, when the king offered her to me, I didn’t refuse.”
“But later, out of curiosity, I used my magic to gather more information about her, and I discovered she was nothing like I had imagined. All her supposed virtues were a façade. Bernice is not a kind person; she’s deceitful, malicious, and manipulative.”
“A woman like that—I couldn’t bring myself to have any association with her.”