Inside the county government office.
The divine statue suddenly burst forth with tens of thousands of golden rays.
As the light slowly faded, Lord Wealth God’s slightly puzzled voice came through:
“My virtuous brother, where is this?”
Lu Chen immediately bowed with his fists clasped. “Brother, it’s a long story. Your younger brother is here today because I have an important favor to ask of you.”
“Oh?” Lord Wealth God chuckled softly, his tone as warm and gentle as a spring breeze. “Why be so formal with me, brother? I told you before, if you’re in trouble, just speak up.”
“Alright!” Lu Chen didn’t stand on ceremony either. He immediately told his brother everything about his trip to Longhu County, in full detail and exactly as it happened.
“So it’s about this matter.” Lord Wealth God realized.
“Brother, have you heard of this before?”
“Indeed, I’ve heard a little about it. I’m told the Water Department sent a Dharma Protector God down at the time to mediate.”
“Right, I’ve heard people mention that too.”
Seeing that Lord Wealth God knew the inside story, Lu Chen felt a bit more at ease.
“Brother, please understand. I’ve already come to an agreement with the Well Dragon King. The trouble now is the pressure from the East Sea Dragon King’s side. Speaking of which, the Four Seas Dragon Kings trespass on forbidden territories and act with complete disregard for the rules. Doesn’t the Heavenly Court really do anything about it?”
“My virtuous brother, you may not know this, but the Heavenly Court’s rules have always moved according to cause and effect.”
“Cause and effect?” Lu Chen frowned deeply. “What about those River and Lake Dragon Kings who were innocently harmed? Was that also cause and effect? But they were just doing their jobs properly and were killed for no reason or rhyme — you call that cause and effect?”
“Don’t get anxious, brother. This so-called cause and effect is nothing more than four words: the general trend. The Four Seas Dragon Kings govern the oceans. In your modern terms, it’s also a form of resource consolidation. That’s why the Heavenly Court hasn’t interfered too much.”
“Then isn’t that still just the law of the jungle?” Lu Chen couldn’t help but retort.
“If you understand it that way… you’re not wrong. After all, your elder brother here is facing the same situation right now. My incense offerings are all being seized by that Zhao Gongming, and the Heavenly Court still turns a blind eye.”
Lord Wealth God’s voice was slightly chilly.
“So, it seems the Heavenly Court’s rules are quite flexible indeed.”
“Careful with your words, brother. The Heavenly Court’s rules are not something that a mortal like you can casually criticize,” Lord Wealth God cautioned.
Lu Chen nodded and returned to the main topic. “Brother, the Well Dragon King’s only worry right now is that the East Sea Dragon King will come down hard on him. So, regarding this matter, your younger brother dares to ask if you, brother, could have a word with the Dragon King’s superior — the Planet Lord of Water Virtue?”
The Planet Lord of Water Virtue, as the principal deity of the Water Department, governed all water-related affairs under heaven.
The Four Seas Dragon Kings were merely a few Dharma Protector Gods within the Water Department.
“You mean you want me to say something to the Planet Lord of Water Virtue, to have Him restrain the East Sea Dragon King and not interfere in this matter.”
Lu Chen took a deep breath and nodded solemnly. “Exactly!”
Since the Dragon King could bully the weak, then naturally, Lu Chen could also use influence to pressure others.
“You clever lad!” Lord Wealth God suddenly burst into hearty laughter. “Your cultivation level is still quite low in the mortal world, yet you dare to scheme against the principal deities of the Heavenly Court. Truly, a newborn calf is not afraid of tigers.”
Lu Chen looked a bit embarrassed. “Your younger brother was too forward.”
“Not at all! Not at all!” Lord Wealth God’s tone shifted abruptly, now full of praise. “I, your elder brother, actually admire your courage! Young people should be ambitious and enterprising. At such a young age, you dare to make a move on the cosmic chessboard. This courage and foresight bring me great comfort!”
Lu Chen scratched his head sheepishly and smiled. “Brother, you flatter me. Your younger brother is just borrowing your influence.”
“Being able to borrow influence is a skill in itself. Tell me, how many young men in the mortal world can compare to you?”
Lord Wealth God’s tone carried a hint of pride.
Hearing this, Lu Chen couldn’t help but straighten his back.
“Don’t worry, brother. I agree to this matter. As it happens, the Planet Lord of Water Virtue owes me a small favor as well. I doubt He’ll want to refuse me.”
Upon hearing this, Lu Chen immediately bowed deeply with his fists clasped. “Then, on behalf of all the people of Longhu County, your younger brother thanks you, brother!”
“It’s nothing. The people of Longhu County are innocent to begin with. Besides, they’ve already suffered three years of severe drought. That’s punishment enough. Just wait quietly for good news from me…”
“Wait a moment, brother!”
Lu Chen quickly called out to Him.
“Is there something else?”
“Brother, to be honest, the Well Dragon King is extremely cautious. If we only get the East Sea Dragon King to not obstruct this time, without guaranteeing his safety afterward, I suspect the Well Dragon King will still refuse to come out.”
“Then what do you have in mind, brother…”
“Brother, to be honest, I haven’t quite figured that out yet, so I wanted to ask for your advice.”
Lord Wealth God chuckled again. “What’s so difficult about that? The Well Dragon King is just afraid that the East Sea Dragon King will settle the score with him later. I’ll just give him some protection, won’t that suffice?”
Lu Chen’s heart tightened. “What do you mean, brother?”
Lord Wealth God: “As it happens, I am also lacking a Dharma Protector God. If the Well Dragon King is willing, I will accept him as a Golden Dragon Dharma Protector under my seat. On normal days, he can still remain in Longhu County to benefit the people. If I need him, he can come and protect the Dharma for me.”
Lu Chen clapped his hands together. “Excellent, excellent! So, the Well Dragon King has truly obtained a tremendous stroke of luck — to become a Golden Dragon Dharma Protector under your seat, brother! With you as his backing, he’ll surely be able to hold his head high and command the clouds and rain here without any worries! Your younger brother will thank you on his behalf right away!”
“It’s merely a small effort. I’ll be off now. Take the divine statue with you. When I have news, I’ll let you know through the statue.”
“Yes! I bid you farewell, brother!”
Lu Chen bowed to see Him off.
After the golden light on the statue faded.
He finally stood up straight, smacked his lips, and smiled. “It’s true — having friends in high places makes everything easier!”
Then, Lu Chen picked up the statue of Lord Wealth God and returned to Wang Zhongmin’s office.
“How did it go, Xiao Lu?”
Seeing Lu Chen return, Wang Zhongmin and Chen Tiansheng asked impatiently.
“Wait for news, but… there’s a chance.”
Since things weren’t successful yet, Lu Chen didn’t want to open the champagne halfway and raise their expectations too much.
“A chance is good enough, a chance is good enough!”
Hearing this, Wang Zhongmin and Chen Tiansheng were already satisfied.
“Do you need us to do anything?”
“Not for now. Once the news from that side is confirmed, I’ll tell you about the next steps.”
“Alright! We’ll wait for your news, then.” Wang Zhongmin said, then looked at Chen Tiansheng. “Old Chen, you should rest for a while. I’ll go down and take a look. It’s not good for us to stay out of sight for too long.”
“I’ll go with you.”
“Forget it, with your health…”
“It’s fine. I can manage!”
Chen Tiansheng struggled to his feet.
Lu Chen nodded. “It’s good to go and reassure them. Ask them to wait a little longer. No matter what, I will give you, and them, an answer.”
“Alright. If this succeeds, from now on, Xiao Lu… no, Mr. Lu, you will be the great benefactor of us all in Longhu County!”
Wang Zhongmin and Chen Tiansheng both clasped their fists and solemnly took their leave.
The office was now left with only Lu Chen and Sun Yourong.
“Hey, aren’t you going to give me a hint? Satisfy my curiosity a little.”
Sun Yourong tugged at Lu Chen’s sleeve.
“Don’t rush. You’ll find out once it’s done.”
“Hmph, so stingy.”
Sun Yourong shot him a playful glare of feigned annoyance, walked over to the sofa, and plopped down.
Lu Chen gazed at the divine statue in his hands, his eyes deep and thoughtful. “I hope my brother hurries. The people downstairs probably can’t wait much longer.”
…
Heavenly Court, Xuan Dou Palace.
This was the temporary palace of the Planet Lord of Water Virtue, the principal deity of the Water Department.
Here, countless magnificent palaces stood, with glazed tiles for roofing and white jade for steps. Incense offerings and the power of wishes converged from the mortal world below, illuminating the entire palace in splendid, golden brilliance.
The Planet Lord of Water Virtue was meditating on a cloud platform, surrounded by a dense, misty aura of water and flowing Daoist charm.
“Reporting to the Planet Lord,” a celestial attendant bowed and entered. “Lord Wealth God of the Finance Department requests an audience outside.”
“Oh?” The Planet Lord of Water Virtue slowly opened His eyes and waved His sleeve gently. “Please, invite Him in.”
Before long, Lord Wealth God arrived on an auspicious cloud, dressed in magnificent robes, His bearing as noble as ever.
“Brother Water Virtue.”
“Brother Lord Wealth!” The Planet Lord of Water Virtue greeted Him with a smile. “A truly rare and honored guest.”
“Brother Water Virtue jokes. I’m hardly a rare and honored guest anymore,” Lord Wealth God said with a faint, self-deprecating smile.
“Brother Lord Wealth is too modest. You are one of the five principal deities of the Finance Department. At any time, you deserve the title of honored guest. A temporary setback means nothing. There will always be a time when misfortune turns to fortune. Come, come, come. Sit, sit, sit.”
Attendants served exquisite nectar and jade brew, and the two deities took their seats as host and guest.
“May I ask why Brother Lord Wealth has honored me with your presence today? What guidance do you have?”
“How dare I offer guidance. To be honest, I have come today because I need to ask a favor.”
Lord Wealth God got straight to the point.
The Planet Lord of Water Virtue’s eyes glimmered slightly.
He knew that Lord Wealth God wouldn’t visit without a reason.
But given the other deity’s usual aloof and proud nature, the fact that He would actively ask for a favor actually piqued His curiosity.
“Oh? What is it? Brother Lord Wealth, please speak freely!”
Lord Wealth God nodded. “Brother, do you still remember the matter concerning Longhu County…”
