I found a picturesque spot in the human world, a tranquil mountain valley with crystal clear streams and lush greenery, and set up a protective barrier to claim it as my new dragon nest.
Worried that Bai Mu, my little white dragon, might cause trouble or try to find me, I kept myself in human form and wandered subtly among the crowds of mortals. With so many people in the world, there was no way he could track me down in this lifetime.
I cherished the five black eggs like priceless treasures, diligently incubating them and checking their condition daily. I was deeply afraid that if I was not careful, one of them might fail to hatch, condemning the Hei Black Dragon lineage to extinction.
However, dragon eggs were nothing like chicken eggs. Chicken eggs hatch quickly, but my dragon eggs one year, two years, even five years later still showed no sign of cracking open.
My anxiety grew and grew. I summoned every mountain spirit and woodland critter nearby to ask if they knew how long it took for dragon eggs to hatch.
The mountain raccoon scratched its head sheepishly. Dragon Queen, I have no idea, I am just a small mountain raccoon. How would I know about dragon eggs?
The magpie chirped brightly, My lady, I do not know either. We magpies hatch eggs much like chickens do.
The fox flicked her tail with a sly smile. Dragon Queen, I know even less I am a fox. We do not bother hatching eggs.
The tiger growled, We tigers do not hatch eggs either. You should ask other dragon clans, or maybe the phoenix tribe.
Still no answers, so I returned to the human world and sought out an old fortune teller conducting divinations by the roadside.
Do you know how long a dragon egg takes to hatch, I asked him.
The old man blinked in shock and stared at me incredulously. Dragon eggs? If dragons really exist, their eggs must take at least a hundred years to hatch, maybe more.
Why is that, I pressed.
He stroked his chin thoughtfully. A divine clan as mighty as dragons must need a very long time to gestate new life. Otherwise, if dragons hatched dozens of eggs at once, they would overrun the world. So naturally, these divine beings take a long time to reproduce.
His logic was sound.
After all, I had laid nine eggs in one go, something even Bai Mu found astonishing. According to him, the Bai White Dragons had never seen anyone lay so many eggs at once.
One afternoon, passing by a teahouse, I overheard a boastful storyteller weaving tales at the street corner.
They say in Baiyun Town, there was a little white dragon kidnapped by a big black dragon. The big black dragon then laid four white dragon eggs with the little white dragon, but soon abandoned the little white dragon and fled.
I froze for a moment. This all sounded way too much like my story with Bai Mu. How did this tale get out? It had to be that rascal Bai Mu, spreading rumors everywhere to ruin my reputation. Not that I had much of one to begin with.
Old sir, I stepped closer to the storyteller, where did you hear this story from?
The old man stroked his goat-like beard and whispered conspiratorially, "This story? Come closer, and I will tell you in secret".
I stepped forward without suspicion, urging him," Go ahead, I am listening."
But in the next instant, the storyteller’s hand shot out and grabbed mine tightly, revealing his true form none other than Bai Mu in disguise. Of course it was him, pretending to be a storyteller just to lure me out.
Bai Mu, what are you doing? I forced a sheepish grin, trying to cover my guilt.
What am I doing? Of course, I am taking you back. He glared at me with deadly seriousness. You shameless big black dragon, how dare you kidnap me and sneak away with the black eggs? And what about the white eggs you left behind?
I immediately protested, I left those especially for you. Since you do not like the black eggs, I took them with me and left you the white eggs, just fulfilling your wish.
Then why did you separate the black and white eggs?
Because I thought it looked better that way.
Bai Mu pouted angrily and, with a flick of his wrist, used the Mystic Binding Chains to tie me up. The pain made me hiss involuntarily. Truly, this was karmic justice at its finest, what goes around comes around.
You are just a lecherous liar, he whined as if he had suffered the greatest humiliation in the world.
I was still not convinced. That is not fair. Did I not treat you well? Was I not cooking for you daily, fattening you up nice and plump? I am gorgeous, I am your wife, what more could you want? And I even gave you nine dragon eggs in one go. You should be happy.
I puffed out my chest indignantly. Free husband included, what complaints could he possibly have?
But, you abandoned me without hesitation too. Bai Mu’s eyes locked onto mine, his expression a strange mix of coldness and a sly smile.
I am taking you back to Baiyun Town first. The rest can be settled later.
Panic flared inside me. No way. Our five black dragon eggs are still out there nearby. If I do not go back, what if someone steals them?
Bai Mu fell silent for a moment, glaring at me as if holding back tears, a rare, almost pitiful look of hurt.
Fine, I said quickly, I will come back with you. But you must promise to help me keep those eggs safe.
He looked away, muzzle twitching slightly.
"I knew it, your heart has only ever been with the dragon eggs. You never cared about me at all."
After a brief pause, Bai Mu finally agreed to come back with me to the Dragon Gully, taking the five black dragon eggs along for the return trip to Baiyun Town.
I was brought back to Baiyun Town tied up just like I had once bound Bai Mu back in the Hei Dragon Gully.
Once inside our room, I saw the other four white dragon eggs resting safely on the bed.
Nine dragon eggs in total, but not a single hatchling among them yet.
Bai Mu, are you sure you are up to the task? We have nine dragon eggs, and not even one baby dragon has hatched.
My anxiety was mounting. After all, the whole point of being with Bai Mu was to have lots of children to revive the dragon bloodline.
Yet here we were, nine eggs scattered before us and not even a crack on the shells.
Bai Mu snorted dismissively and rolled his eyes.
What nonsense are you talking? Dragon eggs take at least a thousand years to hatch. There is no way they will just pop out like that.
I was stunned so dragon eggs really needed centuries to hatch?
Too bad my parents passed away early, or they might have taught me such basics.
Qing Yao, forget about the eggs for a moment. Let’s settle our accounts first.
Though still tied up, I was not about to let him off the hook.
Do not try to dodge responsibility. You enjoyed it just as much as I did.
I snorted proudly, lifting my chin.
Sure, I tied you up at first, but I also let you go later, gave you a chance, and you refused to leave. That is on you, not me.
Bai Mu huffed defiantly.
I was just worried you could not handle the dragon eggs on your own. Even though you forced me into marriage, a real man has to be responsible. Unlike you, who ran off leaving your eggs behind.
I scoffed, I do not buy that for one second. You only stayed because you like me. Qing Yao is naturally beautiful, like a flower in full bloom, free to be your wife, and you are secretly thrilled about it.
Bai Mu's face flushed scarlet, and he angrily waved his hand before storming off.
I called after him anxiously, but a shimmering barrier suddenly blocked my way.
My dear, do not leave yet.
Bai Mu ignored me, standing outside the barrier as he removed the Mystic Binding Chains.
With his freedom regained, I tried to break through the barrier myself, but it was solid. Escaping would take a huge effort.
Worried about damaging the precious dragon eggs resting on the bed, I gave up trying to leave.
After much thought, I transformed back into my dragon form and coiled my massive body protectively around all nine dragon eggs.
As I incubated the eggs, I pondered the next steps carefully.
Chapter 04
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