["The atmosphere between the two grew somewhat heavy and awkward."]
["To break the stifling silence, Jing Yuan smiled faintly and took the initiative, 'Let's talk about something lighter. Your friends from the train are here right now. Don't you want to see them?'"]
["'Stelle, March, and Uncle Yang… you brought them here?'"]
["'Yes, they're up ahead at the Dragonvista Rain Hall,' Jing Yuan said, taking the lead and turning back with a smile toward Dan Heng. 'Come on, your friends are waiting for you.'"]
——
Akame ga Kill
"This Jing Yuan really has everyone figured out—not just Dan Heng, but even Blade wasn't spared," Najenda chuckled, lighting a cigarette. "Using Blade to force Dan Heng into revealing his Dragon Sovereign form was probably part of his plan too, wasn't it?"
"But there's still a loose end—he didn't account for that beautiful master of his," Leone said, shrugging. "Wouldn't it have been better to let Jingliu take on the Emissary of Destruction?"
"…Leone, saying that only shows you're underestimating her Mara-struck state," Najenda exhaled a puff of smoke. "When her Mara flares up, she'd cut down even her disciple Jing Yuan without hesitation. Who knows if the Astral Express crew would end up dying by Phantylia's hand or Jingliu's sword?"
"Someone that powerful and completely uncontrollable has to be the first to be ruled out of any plan."
"Besides… Leone, haven't you noticed? Jingliu, Jing Yuan, and Dan Heng clearly knew each other long ago but parted ways over some incident from years past—most likely tied to that 'great sinner' Dan Feng."
"If Jingliu saw Dan Heng's face and it triggered memories of old friends, causing her Mara to flare up and lash out…" Najenda shivered at the thought.
If such a scene actually unfolded, Jing Yuan would probably have to chase Kafka down overnight to fix it, wouldn't he?
["Dan Heng and Jing Yuan walked side by side toward the Dragonvista Rain Hall."]
["Along the way, they passed an ancient mirage gazing at the distant ancient sea."]
["'According to ancient texts, this body of water is part of the Primordial Sea brought from our homeland, pure and untainted,' the aged voice said. 'The Dragon Ancestor nurtured us with the water of life, granting the Vidyadhara immortality. We were born from this place and shall return to it.'"]
["The mirage of the Vidyadhara elder stirred Jing Yuan's memories of the past. He said to Dan Heng, 'Did you know? When Dan Feng committed his grave crime, the Ten-Lords Commission insisted on your destruction. The Vidyadhara? Half agreed, half opposed. Haha, because the Dragon Sovereign's inheritance was only half-complete. The elders despised you but didn't dare kill you.'"]
["'To appease the Ten-Lords and the Sky-Faring Commission, under pressure, they performed the forced scale-shedding ritual on Dan Feng—but deliberately left a flaw. The elders thought they could fool the Ten-Lords Commission. Hmph, a clever plan, but you can't hide the truth forever…'"]
["Dan Heng didn't respond. The past Jing Yuan spoke of felt too distant…"]
["Upon reaching the Dragonvista Rain Hall, they saw Stelle fighting a group of Antimatter Legion soldiers."]
["'Look, your friends are battling the Legion's minions… Hurry up, let's lend them a hand,' Jing Yuan urged."]
["But Dan Heng was already taking action. Without needing Jing Yuan's prompt, the Abyssal Pearl in his hand began to hum, and with a light flick of his fingers, he called out, 'Celestial Flood Surge!'"]
["A towering wave transformed into a surging water dragon, crashing toward the Antimatter Legion on the battlefield, instantly pulverizing the enemies into dust!"]
["When the water receded, only a massive crater remained, identical to the one left when he struck Yanqing."]
——
Emiya Household
"Hmm… ever since this kid got his hands on that Abyssal Pearl, his strength has jumped more than a few levels," Cú Chulainn observed, eyeing the small pearl in Dan Heng's hand. "His fighting style went from Lancer to Caster in an instant, and even his whole demeanor has fundamentally changed."
"What? Are you planning to switch your class too, Lancer?" Saber, sitting across from him at the kotatsu, cast a curious glance.
As a hero of Celtic mythology, Cú Chulainn wielded the eighteen Primordial Runes. If he wanted, he could easily take on the Caster role.
"…It's not impossible, but this spear still feels more natural in my hands," Cú Chulainn said, waving a hand dismissively, a hint of regret on his face. "I was hoping to pick up a few Xianzhou spear techniques from Dan Heng, but halfway through, he switched to magic attacks… Oh well, I guess I won't be learning that."
Seeing Jingliu and Yanqing's moves yield results for Assassin and Saber, Cú Chulainn, though he'd come to the Emiya household intending to mooch a meal, couldn't help but feel a twinge of envy at returning empty-handed.
——
["'Jing Yuan, you're finally here!' Fu Xuan turned and saw Jing Yuan and Dan Heng arriving together, her face lighting up with joy."]
["'Haha, I'm late. Thanks to Master Diviner Fu for holding things together. I've received the war report from the Seat of Divine Foresight. As for Phantylia's plan…'"]
["'The Ambrosial Arbor—the greatest anomaly lies there,' Fu Xuan blurted out. 'It's said that Phantylia, the Lord Ravager, manipulates things to collapse from within. She must be targeting the Ambrosial Arbor, spreading the power of the Plague of Longevity… turning the Luofu into a hell overrun by undying monstrosities.'"]
["'I understand,' Jing Yuan nodded, gesturing for her to hold off for now. He turned to Stelle and the others. 'Everyone from the Astral Express, I've brought someone you'll definitely want to see.'"]
["Dan Heng stepped silently out from behind Jing Yuan."]
["Faced with this noble-looking youth, March 7th could hardly believe her eyes, covering her mouth as she gasped, 'You… you're… Dan Heng?! No way…'"]
["March 7th looked him up and down several times, still incredulous. 'You… you are Dan Heng, right? What's with those horns on your head?'"]
["'It's a long story, March,' Dan Heng said, unsure where to begin with all that needed explaining. 'In short, it's me.'"]
["'No way, you actually have hidden powers?!' March 7th, though confused, was utterly shocked."]
["Back on Belobog, she'd jokingly said something like that, and it turned out to be true? Was she the great prophet all along?"]
——
St. Freya Academy
"Sister Bronya, I have a question," Seele said, her delicate brows furrowing as she sensed something amiss.
"What is it?"
"Do you remember the underground boxing ring in Belobog?" Seele recalled. "Back then, Sampo gave Dan Heng the nickname 'Cold Dragon Young.' Compared to everyone else, it's like he already knew Dan Heng's true identity."
"Indeed," Bronya said. Though she wasn't fond of Sampo's slick demeanor, she was quite intrigued by the hidden forces behind him.
"Even with the ability to see through Dan Heng's true identity at a glance, he still likes to play weak in front of everyone. That Sampo guy…"