Chapter Forty-Five: The Glorious Dragon Knight (Part Two)

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"Glory Dragon Knight? What is that?" Qin Anyi pondered for a moment, certain this was the first time he’d heard the term, and couldn’t help but ask curiously, “Is this your family background? Why does it sound like something from an online game or a novel?”

“Glory Dragon Knight isn’t an online game,” Wang Yiran replied, “but a special department directly under the jurisdiction of the government. Unlike other departments, this one isn’t known to the public. Only the highest-ranking officials within the government and a few hostile foreign organizations are aware of its existence. Outsiders usually refer to us as the Dragon Division, and our emblem is the five-clawed golden dragon.”

As she spoke, Wang Yiran sat down on the floor, crossing her long legs and holding her ankles, her posture accentuating her figure.

“What you’re describing… sounds a lot like being a secret agent,” Qin Anyi scratched his head, mimicking her and sitting down on the floor as well. He knew the government had some hidden special departments—this was an open secret even for ordinary people. However, what these departments did, how many people they had, how they were structured—these were things absolutely inaccessible to the public, and even many powerful figures were unaware.

“We’re not really agents. We are the guardians of the Republic, its most unyielding steel wall. The agents you refer to are probably those from the National Security Bureau, an officially recognized intelligence agency. We move in the shadows as arbiters, hunting down traitors and defectors worldwide, and resisting all hostile forces trying to infiltrate and sabotage our country,” Wang Yiran said with pride. “We are nameless heroes; ordinary people have no idea we exist, but the world trembles because of us! In times of peace, we are the nation’s sharpest blade. Honor is our life!”

“Cough, Yiran, you’re getting a bit carried away… Could you tell me something more practical?” Qin Anyi coughed twice, noticing a rare hint of fanaticism in her gaze, which surprised him. In his impression, Wang Yiran was always the epitome of calm; it was unexpected to see her so passionate.

“As for practical matters, there’s not much I can share with you right now. You only possess the qualification to become a probationary Dragon Knight; only when you truly earn the title will you learn more. What I can tell you is that we answer directly to the highest council, and we are the most elite warriors of the nation.”

The fervor in Wang Yiran’s eyes gradually faded as she spoke, returning to her usual serenity.

“Probationary Dragon Knight? Well… Yiran, are we somehow mistaken? I never said I wanted to become one,” Qin Anyi laughed awkwardly. Her matter-of-fact tone made him sweat inwardly, unsure how to respond.

“Some things are beyond our control. Let me put it this way, Anyi: the reason I’m striving to reach a certain level of strength within a year is because of a man. I don’t want my fate to be tied randomly to another man’s life, so I must resist. That man is now a Glory Dragon Knight, the youngest in history,” Wang Yiran smiled again, her voice thick with anticipation. “He hasn’t paid much attention to me yet; he’s an extremely proud man. But when he realizes things are slipping from his expectations and control, his nature will compel him to act with thunderous force. I am his fiancée in name, and you, as someone who has helped me and whose relationship with me is ambiguous, will be his primary target.”

Qin Anyi was dumbfounded. He had no concept of Glory Dragon Knights, but from Wang Yiran’s description, he could imagine their might. With the analytical and combat abilities he’d gained after acquiring the Qilin, Wang Yiran herself had only just reached the threshold for probationary Dragon Knights, so a true Dragon Knight must be far more powerful.

But that wasn’t the problem. The real issue was, according to Wang Yiran, he now had one foot on a path of no return, about to face the wrath of a Dragon Knight whose strength was unimaginable?

Instinctively, Qin Anyi stood up, troubled, tilting his head. “Yiran, I think there’s some misunderstanding between us. I’m not dissatisfied with my peaceful life. I just want my family to live better, so I’m really not interested in what you’re talking about. I’ll pay back that ten thousand, and I won’t get involved in anything else. What do you think?”

Wang Yiran gazed at Qin Anyi in silence for a long time, her quiet demeanor making him feel embarrassed, as if he were a deserter.

“Ah…” She sighed softly, her face suddenly showing deep exhaustion and disappointment. After finding a way to potentially change her fate under immense psychological pressure, she realized it might not work, and the blow was heavy.

“I understand, really. This is my issue, and I was too reckless to drag you into it without your knowledge. But I can’t think of a better way. I don’t want to be controlled by fate; I want to walk my own path. So, when I met you and realized you truly had this ability, I couldn’t help but hope for your help.”

As she spoke, Wang Yiran stood up, waving her hand dispiritedly. “If you don’t want to, I won’t force you. But later I’ll give you a probationary Dragon Knight identification—consider yourself a peripheral member. Don’t worry, the Dragon Division’s affairs will be unrelated to you. It’s just a protective identity. Dragon Knights are forbidden from internal strife. With this identity, those who know you spent time with me these days won’t dare harm you.”

Looking at Wang Yiran’s helpless expression, Qin Anyi suddenly felt a pang in his chest. In eighteen years, he’d never dated anyone. He’d had crushes on girls in elementary and middle school, but they were merely innocent feelings.

It wasn’t until high school, when he first saw Wang Yiran, that he found himself unable to control his affection for her. The vast gap between them made him never dare even to think about it.

Now, he realized the distance between them was closer than ever. He was sure Wang Yiran bore immense pressure, but at school, she never showed any sign of fatigue.

But now, right in front of him, the girl he’d secretly liked for so long was revealing her truest self, with no reservation or pretense…

Qin Anyi found he couldn’t bear to turn away, even knowing that staying would mean stepping into a mire he might never escape.

At such a crossroads, perhaps no man could truly remain uninvolved.

Blessed are the young and passionate, who love beauty more than power. Throughout history, many have indulged in a life of pleasure and romance—how could he, a common man, resist?

Somehow, Qin Anyi took a step forward, standing face-to-face with Wang Yiran. At that moment, they could even feel each other’s breath.

“I’ve liked you all along—two years now,” Qin Anyi had countless words he wanted to say, but after standing there for a while, only this sentence came out.

“I know,” Wang Yiran nodded calmly.

“Uh? You know?” Qin Anyi was surprised.

“Is there any boy at school who doesn’t like me?” Wang Yiran retorted.

“No…” Qin Anyi scratched his head, feeling the conversation was going nowhere, so he continued, “I’m timid and don’t have grand ambitions. I just muddle through life.”

“Those who can be content with ordinary lives are the bravest of all,” Wang Yiran said earnestly.

She still misunderstood—thinking he’d been hiding those inhuman abilities throughout his two years in high school. Qin Anyi understood, but couldn’t explain, so he continued, “Honestly, I don’t like trouble of any kind. But you said you’re someone’s fiancée, and if you don’t meet certain requirements in a year, you’ll have to marry him. And for some reason, the thought of you marrying someone else makes me really unhappy.”

“So?” Wang Yiran’s eyes regained a bit of sparkle.

“So, I want to be brave, just once, for the girl I love—even if she doesn’t like me. At least, I can’t give up without trying.”

Qin Anyi scratched his head again, turning his face aside, embarrassed.

“Thank you,” Wang Yiran breathed a sigh of relief, stepped back two paces, and bowed deeply to Qin Anyi.

“Uh… so, do I have a chance?” Qin Anyi still didn’t dare look directly at Wang Yiran, feeling the question sounded opportunistic given the circumstances.

But he couldn’t help but ask. Now that he realized the gap between them wasn’t as insurmountable as he’d thought, and that the goddess who once only appeared in his dreams was no longer so distant, he was desperate to know.

“I just don’t like being arranged by others. It’s not that I refuse romance. Besides… I’ll have to marry someday,” Wang Yiran replied, somewhat evasively. Seeing Qin Anyi’s dazed expression, she suddenly smiled, “But there’s something you can help with—pretend to be my boyfriend at school. This year will be very hectic, and I don’t want to waste time dealing with pursuers. You’d make a perfect shield.”

“Ah?” Qin Anyi hadn’t expected her to say that, and blurted out, “Is there hope for promotion?”

“I don’t know—show me what you’ve got. Here, take this.” Wang Yiran tossed him a ring.

“What’s this? Should I wear it?” Qin Anyi caught it and asked curiously.

“It’s your probationary Dragon Knight ID. The material is unique and impossible to duplicate—be careful not to lose it. If you do, you’ll lose your qualification. A Dragon Knight who can’t even protect his ID isn’t fit for the role.”

“It looks like a wedding ring…”

“It could be used as one.”

They fell silent, standing face-to-face, and after a long moment, suddenly laughed together—freely, heartily, and with great joy.