“Yes, Your Excellency!”
With those words, the Earth God swayed and vanished into thin air.
“Your Excellency, please come inside my humble abode for a chat!” The Well Dragon King made a welcoming gesture toward the mouth of the well.
“Dragon King, please wait a moment.” Lu Chen waved his hand.
Just a few breaths later, the Earth God returned, holding Lu Chen’s backpack in his hands.
“Your Excellency, your bag.”
“Much obliged.”
Lu Chen took the backpack, then pulled out two sheets of yellow paper. Using his magical power, he fixed them in mid-air.
He then took out a cinnabar brush and began to paint on the yellow paper with swift, dragon-like strokes.
“What is this…?” The Well Dragon King and the Earth God looked at each other, completely baffled.
After about the time it takes to burn an incense stick, Lu Chen’s hand, which had been moving like a blur, finally came to a stop.
“I came to visit you rather abruptly today. These are just small tokens of my regard, hardly worth your attention. I hope you two will do me the honor of accepting them!”
With that, he snapped his fingers.
The two sheets of yellow paper burned up in an instant.
Before the man and the dragon could react, a set of magnificent robes and a pair of boots gleaming with treasure light appeared in front of each of them.
This was precisely the same kind of magic as the Dragon-Phoenix Robes he had burned as an offering for the God of Wealth Jun earlier.
The spell is called: [The Clothes Transformation Spell].
The Earth God and the Well Dragon King’s eyes went wide.
“Your Excellency possesses such divine powers?!”
“Go on, try them on first.” Lu Chen smiled and nodded.
“Alright!”
The man and the dragon opened their mouths and inhaled. In an instant, they were completely transformed, looking brand new.
The Well Dragon King wore a splendid golden dragon robe, golden boots on his feet, and a royal crown with tassels. He looked incredibly majestic and dignified.
The Earth God had also undergone a remarkable transformation. Dressed in a dark red robe, he had gone from looking like an old farmer to resembling a country landlord.
“Old Muddy Eel, this outfit of yours is truly awe-inspiring! You look just like the old Xu River Dragon King back in the day!”
“Hahaha, you old fellow, you’re not looking too bad yourself!”
The two of them sized each other up, showering each other with compliments.
Lu Chen’s lips curled into a smile.
Truly, fine feathers make fine birds, and just as a Buddha needs fine gold leaf, a change of clothes brought out a whole new spirit and energy in them.
“Thank you for your generous gifts, Your Excellency!” The man and the dragon were overjoyed and bowed deeply to Lu Chen.
“You two mustn’t stand on ceremony. They’re just little trinkets.”
“Your Excellency, please, after you!” The newly dressed Well Dragon King stood up straight, his face radiant with vitality.
Lu Chen didn’t refuse this time and took a step forward.
The Well Dragon King gave a great sweep of his sleeve, and the three of them transformed into a streak of light, plunging straight into the dry well.
Before long, a hidden realm revealed itself beneath the well.
A visibly dilapidated water palace gradually came into view.
However, the four gold-gilded characters on the main plaque reading “Spring Source Water Palace” shone brilliantly.
“Your Excellency, please!”
The main gate swung open, and the surrounding water automatically parted, forming a clear passageway.
Lu Chen stepped onto it, walking as easily as if he were on dry land.
Of course, given how ugly the dragon looked.
It was only natural that his place of residence wouldn’t be much to look at either.
But even though he had mentally prepared himself.
After Lu Chen stepped into this “Spring Source Water Palace,”
He was still shocked by what he saw.
This was the first time he had visited a deity’s home and witnessed the true meaning of “bare walls and nothing else”!
Apart from a stone table, a few stone stools, and a stone bed,
There was absolutely nothing else.
“Dragon King, do you live here… all alone?”
Lu Chen couldn’t help but ask.
In his mind, no matter how down-and-out he was, a proper Dragon King should have at least a couple of shrimp soldiers and crab generals, right?
There were none.
Not a single soul.
Just a lone commander with no army? * “You must forgive my shabby home, Your Excellency.” The Well Dragon King looked sheepish. “There are no attendants or yamen runners in this water palace. Only this humble dragon guarding this lonely dwelling. Your Excellency’s visit today truly brings light and splendor to my meager abode! Please, have a seat.”
After the three of them sat down, the Well Dragon King served some fresh tea.
“Might I ask what brings Your Excellency here today?”
Seeing the dragon’s evasive eyes, Lu Chen knew what was going on and decided to be direct. “To be honest, my purpose in coming to Dragon-Tiger County is precisely about requesting rain.”
“Requesting rain?” Although he had expected it, hearing those two words still made the Well Dragon King’s expression change slightly. He gave an embarrassed smile. “Your Excellency may not be aware, but there’s a hidden reason behind Dragon-Tiger County’s three-year drought.”
The Earth God couldn’t help but interject: “Why play dumb, Old Muddy Eel? Since I’ve brought Your Excellency here, I’m obviously aware of the inside story. Just give us a straight answer: will you make it rain or not?”
“Mind your tongue!” The Well Dragon King’s draconic countenance flashed with anger, but when he turned back to Lu Chen, his smile returned. “Since Your Excellency knows the inside story, you must understand my predicament. It’s not that I’m unwilling, it’s that I truly cannot! The East Sea Dragon King is ruthless and cruel; crushing me would be like squashing an ant for him. I’ve eked out a precarious existence here, only seeking to live out my days in peace. Therefore, regarding the matter of Dragon-Tiger County, I’m afraid I have the will but not the way.”
“Your Excellency naturally understands your predicament.” Lu Chen waved his hand nonchalantly to show his understanding, but then quickly changed his tone. “But what if I had a way to ensure the East Sea Dragon King doesn’t come looking for trouble with you? Would you be willing to help then?”
As long as he could get the Well Dragon King to agree to make rain, Lu Chen believed his elder brother could handle the pressure from the East Sea Dragon King.
If even that couldn’t be done… then maybe this mission wasn’t worth having in the first place.
“Your Excellency can make the East Sea Dragon King back off?” The Well Dragon King’s expression was a mixture of doubt and hope. “That dragon king’s thirteenth son, Ao Kun, was brutally slain at the Great Dragon Pool. How could the East Sea Dragon King let go of the enmity for a murdered son?”
“I have my own plans for this matter. If, in the end, there is no way to resolve it, I will absolutely not force your hand.”
The Well Dragon King gave a bitter smile and bowed. “Well… I truly appreciate Your Excellency’s kind intentions. But I’ve been hiding here, just trying to stay alive. To be honest with you, even the old Xu River Dragon King never discovered my whereabouts here.”
“I’ve managed to get through this long, long time like this. Given the current situation, I really don’t want to take any risks.”
“Even if the East Sea Dragon King doesn’t pursue the matter this time, who’s to say he won’t come after me later, once he knows I exist?”
“Then I’d be like a turtle in a jar, with no escape. I probably wouldn’t survive. No, no, this won’t do!”
As he spoke, the Well Dragon King stood up and paced back and forth, waving his hands repeatedly, looking completely stubborn and immovable.
“Old Muddy Eel! You’re a dragon god, for heaven’s sake! Can you bear to watch the people of Dragon-Tiger County suffer this terrible drought? If it weren’t for that dragon king’s restriction that only dragon-kind can make rain, who would need to come begging you, this useless dragon!”
The Earth God said angrily.
Lu Chen quickly intervened: “Earth God, that’s not right. We came to request the Dragon King’s help, we can’t force him against his will! Besides, his concerns are perfectly reasonable. If I were in his shoes, I wouldn’t agree easily either.”
Hearing this, the anger on the Well Dragon King’s face subsided slightly. He cupped his hands and said, “Thank you for your understanding, Your Excellency. If it weren’t for the Four Seas Dragon Kings violating forbidden territories, destroying palaces and mansions, and slaughtering their own kin… I would be willing to risk half my life to make it rain for the people of Dragon-Tiger County. But with enemies ahead and tigers behind, I truly feel powerless.”
Lu Chen raised an eyebrow at this. “I understand the ‘tigers behind’ part, but what do you mean by ‘enemies ahead’?”
The Well Dragon King waved his dragon robe sleeve and sighed. “Your Excellency may not know this. I have been without incense offerings for over a hundred years now. My magical power is barely a tenth of what it used to be. Even if the external threat could be resolved, this broken body of mine is hardly up to the task. While summoning clouds and dispensing rain is an innate ability of the dragon race, it still requires magical power to sustain. Given the vastness of Dragon-Tiger County, even if I were to exhaust my very life… I’m afraid I could only manage to make rain at most two or three times!”
As soon as he said this, the Earth God had been about to plead further, but the words died in his throat, replaced by a long, heavy sigh.
He clearly understood his old friend’s difficult situation.
But then, Lu Chen suddenly laughed.
The man and the dragon both looked at him in surprise.
“What’s so funny, Your Excellency?”
“Is that all?” Lu Chen said calmly. “If this is the issue, then Dragon King, rest assured. Isn’t it just a lack of incense offerings? From this day forward, I will have the people of Dragon-Tiger County worship only you, a single Dragon King. The incense offerings from hundreds of thousands of devotees will be more than enough for you to feast on. If you still feel your strength is insufficient, no problem! I can first grant you a great merit to help you restore your cultivation. Then summoning clouds and dispensing rain should be well within your capabilities.”
“Grant me merit first?” The Well Dragon King was stunned on the spot.
Merit is the power of ultimate good deeds between heaven and earth. How could one simply grant it away?
But looking down at the shimmering, radiant dragon robe on his body, his heart skipped a beat.
This man’s methods are so profound and unfathomable… could he truly go against the will of heaven?
Seeing the Well Dragon King was clearly tempted, Lu Chen pressed his advantage. “How about this, Dragon King? If you agree to come back into action, I will take care of the trouble with the East Sea Dragon King. If it turns out there’s really no way to resolve it, I absolutely won’t force you.”
“After all, the lives of the people in Dragon-Tiger County are precious, and so is your life. I will not favor one over the other.”
“But if the trouble is resolved, I’ll ask you, Dragon King, to summon clouds and dispense rain for Dragon-Tiger County.”
“As for your current lack of cultivation, I will naturally find a way to help you recover.”
“Just follow my commands. When I tell you to appear, you appear. That way, I can naturally ensure you receive merit, and your magical power will revive like dead wood in spring.”
“After the deed is done, I will also have the people of Dragon-Tiger County build a temple for you and gild your statue.”
“Then, you will become the new Xu River Dragon King! From now on, I guarantee your incense offerings will never fail!”
“How does that sound?”
“The… Xu River Dragon King!”
These four words struck the Well Dragon King like a thunderclap, shaking his very soul. His pupils contracted violently.
“What are you still hesitating for, Old Muddy Eel! His Excellency has put it all out there! If you don’t agree now, when will you?”
The Earth God was so excited his face was flushed red, and he jumped to his feet.
The Well Dragon King stared straight at Lu Chen, seeing no evasion in the other’s eyes, only overwhelming confidence and self-assurance radiating from him.
It made the dragon’s heart suddenly race, his draconic blood surging wildly. He took several deep breaths, swallowed hard a few times, before lowering his voice, suppressing his emotions, and tentatively asked, “Does Your Excellency truly mean what he says?”
“My word is my bond!”
“Excellent!” The Well Dragon King slammed the table and stood up. “If Your Excellency can truly help me escape this cage, regain my freedom, and restore my incense offerings! Then protecting Dragon-Tiger County with favorable weather will be my bounden duty!”
“I don’t mean to boast, Your Excellency. Even though I’m just a Well Dragon King, when it comes to the local area, I’m more effective than the East Sea Dragon King! Once all the shackles are removed, I guarantee that Dragon-Tiger County will have wind whenever it wants, and rain whenever it wants!”
Upon hearing this, Lu Chen also stood up abruptly. “Do you truly mean that?”
The Well Dragon King raised his hand to the sky and said decisively, “Without a single false word!!!”
