The Reincarnation of Dragon Emperor

Chapter 6: Shadows of the Past.

Long Rui, that's his name now, not Long Zhi, the Great Dragon Emperor. However, the fact that his memories of being an emperor still existed made him somewhat confused.

Sometimes, he remembers how he ruled. The nobles who didn't listen to his orders would be executed immediately, some would be put into prison.

Most orders given to the nobles would be favorable to the people.

However, the political world was not that simple. Although he tried to rule fairly, there were always those hiding behind a fake smile, waiting for an opportunity to stab him in the back.

And at last, they succeeded.

The betrayal by the Seventh Prince is proof that even one's blood can turn toxic. The empire he built with strength and wisdom crumbled in a single night. He died in a humiliating way, stabbed in the back by the very person he was supposed to protect.

Now, in his second life, he is just Long Rui. A young man living in the mountains, far away from the palace, far away from political intrigue.

Yet, with each passing day, the memories bothered him more and more. He could try living as an ordinary man, but would the world let him stay like this? Would the people who destroyed his life in the past remain silent?

And more importantly, would he be able to keep quiet?

He couldn't keep quiet, wouldn't keep quiet. He would take the throne, albeit with a new body, and a new name.

"Daydreaming again!" Mei suddenly arrived and interrupted his daydream. She flicked him on the forehead for the umpteenth time.

"Can't you just let me daydream alone?"

"Yes, you can daydream, but not in the house."

Rui massaged the bridge of his nose, his relationship with Mei was a bit awkward after the incident some time ago, but Rui managed to hide that awkwardness.

Mei crossed her arms on her chest, looking at Rui with an ignorant expression. "If you keep daydreaming like this, don't blame me if you suddenly get married to me without realizing it."

Rui snorted softly. "Huh? You're still talking about that?"

Mei laughed lightly and then sat next to him. The mountain breeze blew gently, carrying the scent of wet soil and leaves. For a moment, only the sounds of nature filled the silence between them.

Rui took a glance at Mei. There was something strange about her. Since the last incident, he sensed a slight change-whether it was in the way she spoke, the look in her eyes, or perhaps... the aura she had been hiding.

"Mei."

"Hm?" Mei turned her head with a small smile.

"Who are you... actually?"

The smile on Mei's face faded slightly. Her cheerful gaze turned deeper, as if there was something she wanted to say, but was holding back.

"Do you want to know?" she asked softly.

Rui nodded, his eyes full of determination.

Mei took a deep breath, then looked up at the sky that was slowly turning orange. "Alright... I'll tell you. But after dinner."

Rui could only sigh in resignation. The answer he was looking for would not come easily. However, he did not expect Mei to be so straightforward.

A few moments later, after dinner. Rui waited on the dining chair, his eyes kept staring at Mei who was cleaning the tableware.

Rui's mind flew everywhere, and various speculations about Mei entered Rui's head.

Mei looked calm as if she was in no hurry to speak. Every movement she made while washing the dishes looked natural, but Rui could sense that she was hiding something.

Rui tapped the table with his fingers, trying to hold back his impatience. "Mei," he called finally.

Mei paused, then turned her head with a faint smile. "I know you're curious, but let's not rush things. Some things take time to reveal."

Rui squinted. "You said you would tell me after dinner."

Mei nodded, putting the last plate on the shelf. Then, she sighed and walked towards him. "Alright," she said softly. "But I can only tell you part of it... for now."

Rui's heart beat faster. How big of a secret was Mei keeping?

This was the first time Rui's heart was beating so fast, the last time he could feel this way was when he ascended the throne.

"I'm actually...."

"Hm?"

"I... Actually..."

Rui glared at Mei, his heart continued to beat fast.

"I... Was..."

"What?!"

"Your future bride-to-be, hehe..."

"Damn, crazy woman!" Rui massaged his forehead, feeling like he had just been played. "I'm serious, Mei."

Mei chuckled, then sat next to him with a relaxed expression. "I'm serious too, Rui~" she said while leaning her head against the table.

Rui looked at her sharply, trying to look for any signs of a lie. But as always, Mei remained unpredictable.

"Tsk. You really..." Rui let out a deep breath. "Never mind, I'm not going to force you to talk if you're not ready."

Mei gave a faint smile. "Thank you, Rui."

However, in the gathering darkness of the night, Mei's eyes flickered for a moment. There was something she was hiding, something she was not yet ready to reveal.

Well, maybe it was Mei's secret, and no one would know about it, including Rui.

...

At night, Rui opened his eyes. He woke up from his sleep because he felt a Qi fluctuation coming from outside the house.

Rui immediately looked through the window in his room, he stepped his feet to the window to check it out.

Out there was Mei practicing, Rui suppressed his Qi until it was almost undetectable, then observed Mei in silence.

The moonlight illuminated the woman's body, her long hair fluttering as she gesticulated gracefully. However, what transfixed Rui was not her movements, but the aura surrounding her. It was no ordinary Qi it was too pure.

'This isn't just ordinary training,' Rui thought.

He saw Mei close her eyes for a moment, then in one swift movement, the air pressure around her changed. The ground beneath her feet cracked finely, and the leaves around her began to fly. In an instant, she disappeared from her spot and appeared a few meters ahead at a speed that was difficult for ordinary human eyes to follow.

Rui's heart was pounding.

'There's no mistaking it... She was hiding her power all this time.'

But the question was, Why?

Why did Mei hide her power? Rui did not know what kind of motive made Mei hide her power.

That woman was indeed full of mystery, there were times when she would be strong, and times when she would be weak.

Rui was confused, especially with Mei's statement to marry him.

Rui sighed softly, his eyes still glued to Mei's figure who continued to train under the moonlight.

'If she's this strong, why did she seem so fragile back then?' he thought, remembering the incident with the bandits a few years ago.

Rui clenched his fists. There were too many questions that remained unanswered. Who exactly was Mei? What was her purpose for staying with him all this time? And most importantly, why had she chosen to keep her powers hidden?

Amid Rui's raging thoughts, Mei suddenly stopped moving, and then slowly turned her head toward Rui's window.

Their eyes met each other.

Rui holds his breath.

Mei gave him a faint smile. "You were peeping at me, weren't you?" her voice sounded soft, but there was something behind her tone that was hard to decipher.

Rui realized one thing, Mei knew she was being watched from the start.

The matter of the Throne and the grudge was not over yet, but now a mysterious Luna Mei was added.

Rui was confused right now.

He could have just gone down and asked directly, but his instincts told him it was not a good idea. If Mei was hiding something, then she must have a good reason for doing so.

Rui sighed softly and backed away from the window. He had to be patient. If Mei wanted to keep her power a secret, then the only way to know the truth was to wait until she was ready to reveal it herself.

However, one thing was certain, Mei was no ordinary woman.

And sooner or later, Rui had to be ready to face that fact.

Fight? It didn't seem like a good idea to reveal Mei's identity, as the woman was strong, stronger than Rui at the moment.

However, if his strength as the emperor was still there, then he would be able to defeat Mei.

Well, the only way was to practice again.

Rui clenched his hands into fists. He knew that to get answers, he had to become stronger. Right now, he could only wait and observe, but that was not his style.

If Mei was hiding something, then the only way to uncover it was with patience and strength.

He took a deep breath, looking up at the star-studded night sky.

Tomorrow, she would start training harder.

Not to face Mei, but to prepare for any eventuality that might come.

...

The next morning, Rui was already in the middle of the forest before the sun had fully risen. The cold air pierced his skin, but he didn't care.

He stood on a boulder, his eyes closed, feeling the flow of Qi around him. If he wanted to surpass his limits, he had to understand what was holding him back.

'That wall is still there...' Rui frowned. Every time he tried to break through to the Emperor Realm, something was holding him back. It was as if there was a force locking down his potential.

The sound of light steps came from behind. Rui did not open his eyes, but he knew who was coming.

"So diligent so early in the morning," Mei's voice sounded casual, but Rui could feel her watchful gaze.

He opened his eyes slowly, looking at the woman standing not far from him, the morning breeze playing with her long hair.

"You followed me?" Rui asked, his voice flat.

Mei smiled slightly. "I was just curious."

Rui stared at her silently. He knew Mei was not someone who was just 'curious.'

"Or perhaps," Mei stepped closer, "you're trying to chase me?"

That teasing tone made Rui smile sarcastically for a moment. "I just want to be stronger," he said quietly, his eyes implying a deep desire.

Mei gave a small nod, but her gaze turned slightly serious. "Then, how about I help you?"

Rui was surprised for a moment, but he soon realized something. Mei couldn't possibly offer to help for no reason.

"What do you want?" he asked carefully.

Mei smiled mysteriously. "I just want to see how far you can go, Rui."

The wind blew harder. Rui felt something different in this atmosphere.

Mei wasn't just talking.

She was serious.

End of chapter