Trafford's Trading Club

Chapter 1435: Chapter 162: The Man with White Gloves

The lady with butterfly wings collected quite a few snow lotuses and some other herbs along the way, “Sister Long, I found a good wild one on the mountain peak over there… huh?”

Holding a lot of things in her hands, the lady with butterfly wings blinked, staring at the shivering figure in the snow.

This should be the Golden Dragon she’s seen before… But she didn’t remember Fafnir being so weak?

How is the Golden Dragon before her?

Like a skeleton barely holding up the clothes on its body, then continuously shivering in the cold wind, skin dim and dull… even the face looked like it aged hundreds of years, full of wrinkles, struggling to remain upright.

“Oh, you’re back? Let’s continue on our way then, we should be home before nightfall.”

The true dragon of China was inspecting something similar to a compact mirror, octagonal in shape—it’s a device the Management Bureau uses to view internal network information… kind of a standard for formally employed personnel at the Bureau.

As one of the highest advisors of the Shen Zhou Administration Bureau, Long Xiruo certainly wouldn’t be without this thing… and it’s specially made.

“Sister Long, what’s wrong with Mr. Fafnir?” Luo Pianqian hesitated for a moment, but couldn’t resist asking out of curiosity.

“Oh… he’s having a bad uncle.” The true dragon of China replied without looking up, “Make some brown sugar water for him when we get back.”

A… bad uncle??

The lady with butterfly wings widened her eyes at the shriveled Fafnir, as if discovering something entirely new.

“Old, old lady, lady grannie… what you did to me… you… you’ll face consequences… I curse, curse you to bleed to death this month! From unbearable pain… unable to… stand up straight!”

The true dragon of China slowly raised her head at this moment, a cold laugh escaping her lips.

The shivering Golden Dragon gulped… but fortunately, Long Xiruo’s mood seemed good enough not to make things more difficult, she simply said dismissively, “Don’t you know I’ve already slain the Red Dragon long ago?”

It had no idea what “slain the Red Dragon” meant, just felt like its intelligence had been crushed again… Who knows when this miserable life will end?

It already knew that Dazzle had entrusted it to this eastern evil dragon… with no specified duration!

Though spiritual energy has been increasingly abundant due to the resurgence within China, it’s not the magic essence it needs… The Golden Dragon’s recovery speed here is extremely slow.

Even though such abundant vitality is indeed beneficial for it, it’s a cumulative benefit, with no immediate effect visible in the short term. Meanwhile, the true dragon of China is in its home ground here, with all sorts of buffs maxed out—see how none from the Western World dare encroach openly?

“Pianqian.” Long Xiruo suddenly raised her head, looking at the lady with butterfly wings and asked, “Have you played network games?”

“Hmm?” The lady with butterfly wings was taken aback, unsure why Sister Long suddenly asked this, she instinctively replied, “Nope.”

“Then what are you doing on the computer every day?” Long Xiruo rolled her eyes.

The lady with butterfly wings replied innocently, “I’ve signed up for lots of online tutorials!”

“…Forget I asked.” The true dragon of China shook her head, perhaps this is what a true genius is.

“Sister Long, why did you suddenly ask about this?”

“Nothing much…” Long Xiruo said casually, “Seems like there’s a new network game recently reported to swallow people… Apparently, two to three thousand have been affected already. These people, while playing the game, had their consciousness drawn into the game. Those trapped have been managed, and the matter has been suppressed for the moment, so there’s not much external reporting yet.”

“Two to three thousand… that many?!” Luo Pianqian was shocked… as far as she knew, even a few human deaths in a fire would be considered major news!

“That’s just within China.” Long Xiruo frowned, “Globally, it seems the figure is even more… The Management Bureau has taken a significant interest in this matter.”

“Sister Long, are you planning to assist the Management Bureau?”

Long Xiruo considered, “They haven’t reached out to me, so I assume they’ve thought of a solution, or are working on one… But, I’ve got two accounts ready, I’ll go to the hospital and install the game there to check it out.”

As she said this, the true dragon of China quietly unlocked the previously restored functionality of the Intelligence Channel—Fafnir, as the final Golden Dragon, inherently possessed immense potential, and though Golden Dragon blood may not be on par with that of the true dragon of China, it was sufficiently valuable to cover her signed expenditures.

However, Long Xiruo had secretly decided, unless absolutely necessary, it’s best not to use the Intelligence Channel if possible—it feels like a villain’s GPS placed on her.

The more she uses it, the more the villain knows—having witnessed the villain’s ability to observe everything in the world at any time, the true dragon of China feels anxious even when bathing.

If even her thoughts leak due to the Intelligence Channel… Then she truly wouldn’t escape the villain’s Five Finger Mountain!

Moreover, she can’t always overdraw Fafnir’s blood… the same amount, another extraction could significantly decrease this Golden Dragon’s potential.

If it’s extracted a third time, its potential might drop by more than half… if there’s a fourth extraction, it might truly become a waste dragon.

Emmmm… Let’s see about that.

“Should we book tickets for our flight back? The nearest airport is quite far from here!” The lady with butterfly wings pondered aloud.

“I’ll fly you back, it’ll be much faster.” Long Xiruo gestured, instantly lifting the lady with butterfly wings and Fafnir.

The azure sky over the snow peak was immediately streaked with white.

…

…

Saint Andrews Campus.

Actually, Luo, the Boss, doesn’t feel much of an unfamiliarity with campuses—yet this renowned school possesses a particularly strong local character, even if it’s not a place to reside for a while, it still makes for a great tourist spot.

The atmosphere of freedom within the campus is easily palpable—Furthermore, it maximizes the preservation of its original construction style, so overall, it doesn’t appear particularly modernized.

Upon first arrival, there’s even a feeling like stepping into the magic school attended by a little wizard boy with a lightning bolt on his forehead.

“`

Because the new semester had already started some time ago, the campus didn’t have as many students as it did at the beginning… Or perhaps it’s simply because most students are in class now.

“The counseling office should be over there.” The maid pointed to a building on the campus.

“I want to go check out that building over there.” Boss Luo pointed to a building ahead and said, “Leave the enrollment procedures to you.”

“That is… the Theology Institute.” The maid smiled gently, “I understand, Master. I will get the paperwork done quickly and come back to you.”

Boss Luo suddenly said, “Why don’t you also enroll.”

The maid was taken aback, having never considered this… She looked at her master in surprise and instinctively asked, “Enroll?”

Luo Qiu laughed and said, “Yes, you don’t have to study the same subject as me, just pick one you like. Then we can go to school together during the weekdays.”

The maid thought for a moment and said, “Then what about the shop… if I also go to school, there won’t be much time to clean the shop.”

“Just open it here.” Boss Luo suddenly winked and laughed, “For example, turn it into a club or something. What do you think?”

“A club?” You Ye was taken aback, then chuckled lightly, her eyes brightening as she seemed to find the idea fascinating, “Sounds pretty good.”

“Then, I’ll leave the club application to you.” Luo Qiu pinched the maid’s palm.

“Hmm… like the club’s name or theme?” The maid was still very specific about tasks.

“Indeed, it requires a theme… How about something like counseling… or a place where people can share their thoughts.” Boss Luo thought aloud.

“I see…” The maid nodded, “I understand.”

“Then thanks for your hard work.” Boss Luo said, reaching out to brush aside the strands of hair on the maid’s forehead, and lightly kissing her there.

The maid went off with a light step to handle the task… Boss Luo watched her enter the building, took out his phone and casually snapped a photo to send to Ren Ziling, preventing her from bombarding him with daily messages.

Boss Luo then headed to the Theology Institute—his chosen area of study at St. Andrews Academy.

Theological studies.

…

Ancient brick buildings were scattered across the calm lawns, with the occasional sight of small groups of students passing through… They resembled free-roaming little animals.

The pace was not fast.

Luo Qiu walked past them, like a gentle breeze, adjusting his presence to be within an unnoticed range by ordinary people, as if he were an invisible person.

People could see him, but never truly notice him, as if everything before their eyes merged into one… as if he were a part of the scenery itself.

Boss Luo couldn’t quite recall the mood when he chose to study theological research… but he remembered the motives quite clearly.

He wanted to gain mysterious knowledge—through his own study, rather than using the intelligence function of the altar—even though the function was more efficient but required a cost.

Of course, now he no longer worries about such small costs—indeed, theological research seems almost insignificant and unnecessary.

He was simply accustomed to completing tasks he once planned to do… perhaps delayed, but never letting them slip away altogether.

Boss Luo stopped before a painting hanging in the corridor—a depiction of the Holy Mother, apparently a work of a former student here.

In the painting, Maria, with a white stone headscarf, holds a pink rose. Her gaze is lowered as if she’s looking at something… gentle yet melancholic.

Perhaps there’s something causing her sadness.

“Did you know, Maria is referred to with different titles in various places and scriptures.” A magnetic voice softly sounded beside Boss Luo.

Luo Qiu naturally felt someone approaching… He wasn’t concerned about anything approaching him—nothing could bring danger while approaching him, something proven many times.

He was merely curious, curious about the kind of person who could perceive more than a normal person’s senses and discover his presence—of course, they could perceive his existence, but wouldn’t know how he differs from ordinary people… unless Luo Qiu revealed something he’s hidden.

It was a typical Caucasian appearance—the person slightly taller than Boss Luo, brown slightly curly hair simply tied back, a white shirt and black pants, with semi-new leather shoes, and no extra adornments… except for the white gloves on his hands.

Thus, the hands of this seemingly thirty-something man were hidden—his appearance wasn’t particularly handsome or memorable.

Only his voice, filled with magnetism, could leave a lasting impression—if he spoke when you first met him.

“What would be an example?” Following the topic opened by the other, Boss Luo asked curiously.

“For instance, in the insular country, they would call her Guanyin, Maria Guanyin.” The man smiled slightly, “In the Quran, she’s known as Maryām, which also means ‘bitter’ in Aramaic. Like Jesus is referred to as Īsā… In Jingjiao, she’d be called Moyan, among others.”

Boss Luo continued to ask curiously, “What kind of woman do you think she was?”

“A woman?” The man was a bit surprised, then thought for a moment and said, “The Dead Sea Scrolls once described Maria as a young girl; the New Testament mentioned Mary was still a virgin when she conceived through divine inspiration… Thus, she is certainly pure.”

Boss Luo nodded and naturally extended his hand to the man, “Hello, my name is Luo Qiu, I’m a new student at the Theology Institute today.”

“No wonder I haven’t seen you before.” The man smiled in realization, then nodded and extended his gloved right hand, shaking it lightly, “Nice to meet you… My name is Prin, I’m a teacher at the Theology Institute. Perhaps we’ll meet in class soon.”

Boss Luo smiled slightly, yet his gaze brushed over Prin’s hands.

Noticing this, Teacher Prin casually remarked, “Don’t mind it, I injured my hands before.”

“I suppose before the injury, these hands were quite beautiful.” Luo Qiu smiled lightly.

Teacher Prin paused, sensing an indescribable feeling from this East Asian new student, akin to… a ferryman standing at the gates of the Underworld.