“Dragon Tiger County?”
The Water Virtue Star Lord was stunned. He never expected that the God of Wealth would suddenly bring up this place.
The God of Wealth explained with a smile, “To be honest with you, elder brother, I recently took on a new sworn brother in the mortal world. As it happens, my sworn brother accepted a mission to pray for rain in Dragon Tiger County. After learning the inside story, he entrusted me, your little brother, to mediate. He wanted me to ask you, elder brother, to put in a good word, to get the East Sea Dragon King to look the other way and lift the severe drought disaster in Dragon Tiger County.”
The Water Virtue Star Lord suddenly understood, but couldn’t help frowning. “But Brother God of Wealth, this might not be appropriate. You know, the Thirteenth Crown Prince of the East Sea Dragon King was exactly killed within the borders of Dragon Tiger County. Now you want me to plead for the East Sea Dragon King to go back there and make rain—that’s really asking too much. The hatred for a murdered son is irreconcilable. Back then, we exhausted our words just to persuade the East Sea Dragon King not to start a war with the human race. Not giving rain to Dragon Tiger County now is already his biggest concession.”
His face showed difficulty, and his words were full of refusal.
The God of Wealth smiled calmly, having expected this attitude from the Water Virtue Star Lord.
He said leisurely, “Elder brother, this matter needs to be looked at from two sides. First, while it’s true that the mortal awakener killed the Dragon King’s thirteenth son, what does that have to do with the people of Dragon Tiger County? The land has suffered a drought for three years—surely that’s punishment enough.
Second, asking you to mediate doesn’t mean forcing the Dragon King to make rain. According to my sworn brother’s idea, it would be enough if the East Sea Dragon King would just stop interfering and hindering them from releasing clouds and dispensing rain.”
“Release clouds and dispense rain on their own?” The Water Virtue Star Lord laughed in disbelief and explained, “Brother God of Wealth, you don’t know this, but Ao Guang has set up a Dragon King Formation in Dragon Tiger County. No one outside the dragon clan can release clouds or dispense rain there.
The Rain Masters and River Earls under my command have recently received many prayer offerings asking for the drought to be lifted, but unfortunately, they’re all powerless to help.”
The God of Wealth waved his hand and laughed. “Elder brother, don’t worry. My sworn brother will handle the rain prayer himself. As long as you, elder brother, can keep the Dragon King in check a little, that’ll be enough. Whatever happens after that, you don’t need to worry about.”
“Is it really that simple?”
“Really that simple!”
After thinking briefly, a look of sudden realization appeared again in the Water Virtue Star Lord’s eyes. “Could it be that your sworn brother found a River Dragon King who managed to survive?”
The God of Wealth smiled but didn’t say a word.
The Water Virtue Star Lord’s gaze sharpened. He knew he was probably right.
He stood up thoughtfully, pacing back and forth in front of the hall with his hands behind his back.
After weighing the options several times, he turned back to look at the God of Wealth and nodded. “Alright, since you, Brother God of Wealth, have asked, how could I, the Star Lord, refuse you and lose face? I’ve received many favors from you in the past. I accept this matter. I’ll immediately send a Dharma Protector to the East Sea Dragon Palace. However…”
He paused, his tone a bit uncertain. “As for whether the Dragon King will actually listen or not, I can’t make any promises. I hope you, Brother God of Wealth, will understand.”
The Water Virtue Star Lord clasped his fists.
The God of Wealth had a smile on his face, but inwardly he cursed the old fox.
It seemed he’d have to offer some benefits after all.
He stood up, turned his hand over, and a stack of Heavenly Gold appeared in his palm.
“Elder brother, that’s not quite right. You command all the water affairs under heaven with awe-inspiring divine might. That little East Sea Dragon King is insignificant, not worth mentioning. How would he dare not follow your decree?”
Saying this, the God of Wealth presented the Heavenly Gold with both hands.
“Brother God of Wealth, this…”
Seeing that the stack of Heavenly Gold was probably ten thousand taels in total, the Water Virtue Star Lord’s expression changed slightly, and his pupils contracted.
He thought to himself: Didn’t this God of Wealth fall on hard times? How can he still produce this much Heavenly Gold all at once?
This guy—this is almost a full year’s salary for him!
“Elder brother, I came too hastily today and didn’t prepare a gift. I’m truly ashamed! This is just a small token from your little brother. I sincerely hope you’ll accept it.”
“But…”
“Elder brother, no buts. You manage water affairs across the world every day, busier than anyone, handling the food, clothing, and expenses of the thousands of heavenly soldiers and generals under your command. You can keep this Heavenly Gold to reward your subordinates as encouragement, or use it for palace administration. In any case, keep it for protection—that’s always a good idea.”
“Well… how can I accept this?”
“How can you not accept this?”
The God of Wealth laughed and pressed the ten thousand taels of Heavenly Gold into the other’s hands.
Originally, the one hundred thousand taels that Lu Chen offered up was precisely for unexpected needs.
Now that the crucial moment had arrived, the God of Wealth wasn’t stingy. When asking gods for help, you naturally have to offer some benefits.
As for the wonderful uses of Heavenly Gold, they were numerous.
It’s the公认 circulation currency of the Heavenly Court.
Anything sellable in the Heavenly Court could be exchanged for Heavenly Gold.
Even divine positions, official titles, magical power, and merit could be exchanged one by one in the Heavenly Court Treasury.
The God of Wealth had been barely sustaining his divine status from falling by using the salary he received each month to exchange for some merit fruits.
Otherwise, with his almost completely cut-off incense offerings, how could he have lasted until today?
He would have perished long ago.
As for where Heavenly Gold came from.
Its essence is incense offerings.
Various gods receive incense offerings from the mortal world, then go to the Incense Supervision Bureau to exchange them.
For every one hundred portions of incense, you get one tael of Heavenly Gold.
That means ten thousand taels of Heavenly Gold equals one million portions of incense.
Looking across the entire Heavenly Court, aside from a few gods like Zhao Gongming who have extremely abundant incense offerings,
even for a Water Department的正神 like the Water Virtue Star Lord, whose incense is also quite plentiful, this was still a considerable sum.
No wonder the Water Virtue Star Lord couldn’t take his eyes off it.
After all, the bigger your household and operations, the more money you need to maintain them.
“Elder brother, my sworn brother is a fledgling just starting out. If this mission ends in failure, it would probably be a big blow to him. Your little brother’s authority is limited, so I’m entrusting everything to you, elder brother!”
The Water Virtue Star Lord gripped the heavy Heavenly Gold, took a deep breath, and his tone immediately became firm. “Brother God of Wealth, you are so loyal and righteous. Your sworn brother must surely be an extraordinary talent! In that case, leave this matter to me, your elder brother! If that East Sea Dragon King dares to disobey my decree, I’ll immediately order him captured, throw him into the Heavenly River Prison, and lock him up for a few years!”
“In that case, your little brother thanks you greatly for your help, elder brother!”
The God of Wealth immediately clasped his fists and bowed.
“Brother God of Wealth, you’re too polite.” With that, the Water Virtue Star Lord called out toward the outside of the hall, “Ji Shui Bao!”
“Your subordinate is here!” A golden light flashed into the hall.
Ji Shui Bao, one of the four subordinate gods under the Water Virtue Star Lord and one of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, clasped his fists and saluted.
“Go quickly to the East Sea Dragon Palace. Tell Ao Guang that Dragon Tiger County will soon resume receiving rain. He must not interfere, and he must not seek revenge. If he does otherwise, tell him to drag himself into the Heavenly River Prison and wait there.”
Ji Shui Bao looked at the Water Virtue Star Lord in surprise, then glanced at the smiling God of Wealth beside him. Seeming to understand something, he immediately accepted the order. “Yes, Star Lord!”
Then he transformed into a beam of light and vanished.
“Brother God of Wealth, I have here a bottle of thousand-year-aged brew gifted by the Queen Mother. Since we’re in a good mood today, how about you and I drink heartily?”
“Elder brother, I truly appreciate your kindness. But I need to quickly tell my sworn brother this good news. How about another day, when we brothers can drink without worrying about going home?”
“Alright, business comes first. We’ll drink another day then!”
With the matter settled, the God of Wealth took his leave.
Watching his departing figure,
the Water Virtue Star Lord weighed the thick Heavenly Gold in his hand and murmured, “Could it be that he also obtained some kind of lucky break? If that’s the case, the Ministry of Finance is probably going to get lively from now on.”
Facing the God of Wealth, who controlled his own purse strings, the Water Virtue Star Lord was naturally willing to stay on good terms.
In comparison, what was a mere East Sea Dragon King? Truly insignificant, not worth mentioning.
…
A short time later, at the East Sea Dragon Palace.
“Honorable Lord, what did you say? Dragon Tiger County will soon receive rain? Who? Who dares to make rain there?!”
The East Sea Dragon King, Ao Guang, stood up in shock.
Ji Shui Bao said calmly, “Don’t worry about that. This is the Star Lord’s will. Just do as you’re told.”
Ao Guang hurried forward. “But Honorable Lord, the Star Lord knew all about the Dragon Tiger County situation. Why the sudden change of heart?”
As he spoke, Ao Guang produced an object from his hand and slipped it into Ji Shui Bao’s embrace.
Ji Shui Bao looked at it, sighed, and said, “Oh well, oh well. The God of Wealth took the lead on this and asked the Star Lord to handle it.”
Ao Guang was completely confused. “The God of Wealth? What does he have to do with this?”
Ji Shui Bao replied, “I don’t know the details either. I only vaguely heard outside the hall that the God of Wealth has a sworn brother in the mortal world who happened to run into this Dragon Tiger County business, so he asked the God of Wealth to act as an intermediary and beg the Star Lord to intervene.”
Ao Guang’s face was full of question marks. “The God of Wealth’s sworn brother is some mortal kid? This, this…”
Ji Shui Bao comforted him, “Brother Ao, let it go. Dragon Tiger County has suffered disasters for several years now—that should be enough. As for that mortal kid, he’s certainly either rich or noble, with an extraordinary background. I advise you, just avoid his fierce momentum for now.”
Ao Guang exclaimed, “What! I should avoid his fierce momentum!? I, the majestic East Sea Dragon King, avoid a mere mortal’s fierce momentum?”
Ji Shui Bao snorted coldly. “If you don’t avoid it, fine. The next time we meet, it’ll probably be in the Heavenly River Prison. Take care of yourself.”
With that, Ji Shui Bao transformed into golden light and left the Dragon Palace.
Ao Guang was furious.
“ROAR!!!!”
In an instant, a shocking dragon’s cry rang through the East Sea.
That day, the entire East Sea was churned up, and all the fishing boats, large and small, were terrified…
…
At the same time,
in Dragon Tiger County, unbeknownst to all, evening had arrived.
“Many thanks, elder brother!!”
Receiving the message that things were settled, Lu Chen immediately bowed to the statue, clasping his fists in deep gratitude.
“Don’t be so formal with me, your elder brother. Now that things are settled with the East Sea Dragon King, from here on, little brother, you just go all out. When that Well Dragon King releases clouds and dispenses rain, I will personally make a move and transform him into a Golden Dragon under my command.”
“Yes! Your little brother understands! On behalf of all the people of Dragon Tiger County, I thank you again, elder brother, for your great kindness!”
After seeing the God of Wealth off, Lu Chen took a deep breath, his heart surging with emotion!
“The mission is almost complete!”
Listening to the increasingly loud protests coming from outside the house,
Lu Chen was not worried but rather happy, unable to contain his excitement. “More and more people! Great! The more, the better!”
“That Well Dragon King’s incense offerings are cut off, and his magical power has greatly decreased, right?”
“Now everything is ready—all we need is this east wind!”
“Come on! I hope the people of the entire Dragon Tiger County come!”
Lu Chen had made his decision!
It was time to let the deities of this world experience what the ultimate shock of a ritual truly meant!!
