A Letter from the Dragon King

"In short, I will continue to issue detailed rules. Now, immediately announce the event plan to all crew members and begin personnel organization, preliminary selection of participants, and pre-competition acclimatization training." Su Ming thought for a moment and added, "In addition, the cultural performance can also be arranged concurrently, taking place on the last evening."

The Dodder Group was extremely efficient and did not spend too much time compiling a detailed and comprehensive sports meet plan. It included the competition rules, the schedule, specific venue requirements, and a detailed personnel scheduling plan.

Su Ming printed out the plan documents and tossed them directly to the management team members, then nonchalantly turned around and became a leisurely "hands-off manager."

****

After spending some time alone in the workshop, Zijin's depressed mood calmed down a bit. She picked up a golden dragon scale that was wider than an adult's palm. It was given to her by the Blue Dragon Lanlie, and it was a letter from the Gold Dragon Gelie.

When Dragon Race engage in solemn and formal communication, they traditionally use scales as letter paper to signify their importance and status. Judging from the unique aura and texture of the shimmering golden scale before us, it must have originated from the body of the Gold Dragon Gelie Lie himself.

Su Ming curiously approached and, sure enough, saw that the inner side of the dragon scale, which shimmered with an inner luster, was densely covered with fine dragon language characters.

Zijin rummaged through drawers and found an old dragon language dictionary with a worn cover and yellowed pages. She began to painstakingly translate it word by word, following the patterns on the scales.

"Wait," Su Ming looked at Zijin in surprise, "You... don't know Dragon Language?"

"Spoken communication is no problem, but I truly don't recognize the written language of the Dragon Race," Zijin replied confidently. "In the entire academic world, there isn't a single research paper or academic paper written in Dragon Language, nor are there any technical terms named after Dragon Race vocabulary—so I've never studied it at all."

"... But aren't you a dragon?" Su Ming felt even more confused.

"Aren't you asking too much of a dragon, a mere teenager who's still learning to speak, to leave the Dragon Race's settlement?" Zijin gave him a disgruntled look.

"... Okay." Su Ming was speechless for a moment.

Zijin continued translating, but judging from her furrowed brow and slow pace, the task was clearly not easy.

"This lousy dictionary is so difficult to use," she couldn't help but complain. "It's an old edition published two hundred years ago, the way to look things up is extremely inconvenient, and it's full of poorly marked errata."

"Is it because so few people are buying it that they haven't released a new version yet?" Su Ming asked.

"That's right." Zijin nodded. "There aren't many dragons to begin with, and they live in a remote corner of the world, rarely engaging in in-depth communication with the outside world. Moreover, Dragon Race have long lifespans, and most members are fluent in a common language, which is sufficient for communication under normal circumstances."

After quite some time, Zijin finally managed to complete the translation of the letter, albeit with some difficulty.

"It's an invitation letter, addressed to both of us," she said, handing the translated manuscript to Su Ming.

Su Ming unfolded the paper and read:

--

Respectfully presented to Bone King Su Ming and Dragonborn Zijin:

The heavens shine with radiance, and the mountains and rivers are blessed.

I, Gelie, hereby extend this golden letter with dragon scales, a sincere invitation to the two of you to attend a secret ceremony at the Dragon Court.

I earnestly hope you can make time for this appointment; I am filled with anticipation!

Su Ming almost spat out blood when he read it. Even though he was very familiar with the common language of the other world, it took him several minutes to painstakingly sort out this literary and archaic letter.

No wonder Zijin struggled so much with the translation!

"Judging from the wording and tone..." Su Ming suppressed his awkwardness and read it again carefully, "We should... not need to fight with your people anymore, right?"

"Yes," Zijin nodded firmly, "This is a formal invitation for talks from the Dragon King, and the wording is completely different from the last one."

"Last time?" Su Ming, puzzled.

Zijin immediately retrieved an almost identical golden dragon scale from the storage cabinet, along with the translated manuscript placed next to it.

"It was also sent by Gelie," Zijin explained. "I received it shortly before I met you at Cui'an Sea Cliff."

Su Ming took the old translated manuscript. It was also a letter inviting Zijin to Dragon Valley, but the wording was far less polite than the new letter. He read it haltingly, pointing to a sentence and asking, "'Defeated, fly humbly with folded wings; victorious, please offer your wings'—what does this mean?"

"Simply put, if they lose, they have to back down and leave, never to interfere again; if I lose, they'll 'pluck my wings.'" Zijin's tone carried a hint of coldness. "The number of Starlight Wings a Faerie Dragon possesses is directly related to the types of magical elements she controls—so 'plucking her wings' means weakening my power."

The Dragon Race really loves to make a fuss about their wings, Su Ming couldn't help but think to himself.

At that time, Zijin was trapped on the Cui'an Sea Cliff, isolated and helpless, and was unwilling to submit to this unreasonable invitation. But now, the power they wield is vastly different from before, and the Dragon Race has no choice but to lower their stance and change their wording.

"Your people's way of doing things is really... a bit domineering," Su Ming commented.

"Yes," Zijin replied with a hint of anger, "That's why I really want to find an opportunity to teach them a lesson!" She imagined the scene, "Ideally, I'd hang them up and pluck their scales one by one to sell for money!"

****

Su Ming turned on his computer, opened the Pansy II modification data he had previously obtained, and began to study it.

The scholar also participated in the research. She didn't wallow in grief but returned to work. As a Pansy that blends technology and arcane magic, the knowledge of the Zijin is indispensable.

The main weapon system is currently the most pressing issue to be determined. As Su Ming continues to expand the resources and manpower he controls in the other world, the logistics system is about to see a significant improvement.

The MK71, an old-fashioned "electrified" heavy naval gun, is increasingly unable to demonstrate its full advantages.

The first option is to replace it with a 155mm shipborne ballistic gun. Although the reduced caliber would decrease the power of a single shot, the gun's range, rate of fire, accuracy of fire projection, and density would all be comprehensively improved.

The application of programmable projectile technology will make this weapon more complete and comprehensive in its functionality.

The second option is to replace it with an electromagnetic railgun.

This contestant is a "monster" in terms of pure numerical values. The electromagnetic railgun's performance in terms of initial velocity and rate of fire far surpasses that of traditional artillery!