Chapter 283: 'little black's' new name

"VENERABLE one, is there really nothing you could remember?" Luo Yan asked the dragon.

"Are you saying that this king is lying?" the dragon said, seemingly annoyed by Luo Yan's question.

"No, of course not," he quickly said. "I was just hoping that we could get some important clue regarding your identity if you remember anything. Even the smallest detail would be helpful."

The dragon became silent for a while, obviously falling into a deep thought. He was probably digging into his missing memories. Doing his best to find any important clues. And then his face was suddenly filled with frustration. With just that, Luo Yan could tell that he couldn't really remember anything. That's a no go, huh. It seemed like they had to start from scratch then.

"Anyway, what does it matter if I remember anything or not? It's obvious that this king is an important dragon," the dragon said in a quite stubborn manner. 

Well, Luo Yan had to agree on that. This dragon obviously had the habit of referring to himself as 'king'. Which meant that he was either a dragon belonging to royalty or something equally similar. But wait- was there even such a thing as royalty in the Legendary race? 

"Yes, the venerable one is correct," Luo Yan could only say. "I think we should temporarily give you a name. It would be inconvenient to not even know what to call you." He turned to Shen Ji Yun. "Don't you think so too, Brother YUN?"

Shen Ji Yun only nodded. He was no longer interested in this dragon. He decided to just go with the flow. Since he only took this task because of Luo Yan, he would just follow whatever the other decided.

"Then what name do you think is good?" Luo Yan asked that to Shen Ji Yun because this dragon would soon be his pet. It was only right for Shen Ji Yun to name the dragon. 

Shen Ji Yun glanced at the dragon, his beast-like amethyst eyes had no emotions in them. It was like he was looking at an insignificant ant rather than a mythical dragon. "I think Little Black is good."

Eclipse went into a fit of laughter after Shen Ji Yun said that. [Yes, yes, that name really suits you. Good thinking, Captain. You're the best!] – he said even if Shen Ji Yun couldn't hear him at all.

The smile on Luo Yan's lips almost turned into a grimaced when he heard that. He wasn't sure if it was because Shen Ji Yun didn't have any naming sense or he simply didn't like the dragon. He had a feeling it was more of the latter. 

As expected, the dragon reacted violently. If he had a fur, all his hairs were probably standing up by now. Like some pissed off cat. "Do you dare call this king a name that even a pet would be embarrassed to have?"

Shen Ji Yun only glanced at the dragon with a look as if silently saying 'yes, I dare, do you have a problem with that?'. Which made the dragon even more infuriated. Luo Yan quickly stepped between the two before Shen Ji Yun really sliced the dragon. He had a feeling that the other would really not hesitate to do that if he's given a chance. Of course, he had to stop that before it could happen. 

"Then how about the name 'Dusk'? I think it has a nice ring to it. And it totally compliments the color of your scales. It's a beautiful black. Just like the night dusk – the darkest part of twilight," he said, smiling. "What does the venerable one think?"

"Hmp! It would suffice." 

Even though the dragon snorted and turned his head to the side, one could clearly see that he was very satisfied with this name. It probably helped that Luo Yan unabashedly complimented his scales. 

"That's great! Then Master Dusk, let me introduce ourselves. You already know Eclipse. The one carrying him is called YUN. As mentioned before, he's a qilin. And my name is Noctis. As you may have already noticed, I'm a moon elf. And you're currently at the moon elves' Origin Village," Luo Yan explained, trying to see any reaction on the dragon's face when he mentioned the place they were in.

But Dusk only tilted his head, as if wondering how he ended up at this place. 

Luo Yan took that chance while the dragon was in deep thought to talk to Shen Ji Yun. 

"Brother Ji Yun, we should probably go back to the village and talk to the Elder. Maybe he knows something more about the dragon," he said in a voice that only the two of them could hear. Well, except Eclipse, since he's still happily nesting in Shen Ji Yun's arms. Besides, there was still that thing with the Gatekeeper of the village asking them to visit his home.

"Okay, let's do that," Shen Ji Yun agreed.

"We might not be able to finish this task today. I don't think we could find that much information from the Elder."

Shen Ji Yun actually thought the same. But not finishing the task today would mean that this dragon would be with them for a much longer time. He sighed inside. If Luo Yan insisted for this dragon to be really his pet, then that time would extend even longer. Thinking about that was already giving him a headache.

"What are you two whispering about?" Dusk interrupted.

"We're just talking about going outside this cave," Luo Yan answered. "So, Master Dusk, will you go with us?"

"Where should I go if not with you?" Dusk said in an arrogant manner. Although what he said showed that he already put his trust on them.

Luo Yan chuckled. "That's true. Then what shall we do about all these treasures of Master Dusk here in the cave?"

Dusk looked around the cave filled with gold coins and other things that might either be valuable or not. "Seal the cave. Then this king will come back once everything is settled."

And here Luo Yan thought that they could have a go with all these treasures. Well, what Dusk said was very understandable. After all, dragons were known to be quite possessive of their treasures. Anyway, maybe the contents of this cave would be part of the rewards that would be given to them once they finished the hidden task.

"Shall we leave then?" he asked once they decided what to do with the treasures in the cave.

Dusk raised his head and looked at Luo Yan. "You, carry me."

Luo Yan raised one of his brows. Before he could answer, Eclipse suddenly jumped to his arms. Then Shen Ji Yun picked up the dragon by the scruff of his neck.

"What are you doing? Put down—" Dusk was unable to continue what he's saying because of the ice-cold glare the qilin gave him.

"I will carry you, understand?" Shen Ji Yun said in a voice as cold as ice.

The dragon couldn't do anything but nod.