Chapter 1204: The Appearance of the Luo Fruit, Five Years Later (Seeking monthly tickets, Happy National Day!)

Finless porpoises swam in circles, shrouded by bubbles.

"Good heavens, A-Shui, this place of yours is truly magnificent, so wide and vast that one could get lost—it's no worse than the Imperial Palace in the capital." Xiang Zhangsong walked across the white jade plaza with his head tilted back, turning in a circle, looking left and right, his eyes unable to tear away. He was then completely captivated by the fire tree and silver flowers crowned with orange light in the center, and he reached out to touch it. "Hiss, is this tree made of coral?"

"I wouldn't dare compare it to the Imperial Palace. This is a Long Gong beneath the water, so it has a unique, novel charm that makes it seem strange to you, Cao Shixiong. And while it's called a Long Gong, it's more like a Dragon City. With three levels above and below, and caves all around, the Old Dragon Lord lives together with the aquatic tribes, which is why it appears so large. If you want to compare it, you should compare it to the entire capital..."

Liang Qu walked in front with a smile, having completely shed the tension of facing the Heavenly Tribulation. As he led the way, he introduced the scenery, "What you are touching, Cao Shixiong, is indeed a coral tree. It is rare in this world. Historically speaking, it has quite a deep origin; it was a gift from General Peng Ze, who brought a branch when the Long Gong was first built, before he went to Peng Ze."

"General Peng Ze, who hadn't gone to Peng Ze yet? That must have been a thousand years ago, give or take?"

"Just about. Maybe not a thousand, but several hundred years."

"Whoa."

The lifespan of the Peng Ze demon chief was too long, and the impression left on the world was mostly one of inviolable majesty and long-lasting prestige. Suddenly, an item from the past appeared, as if letting people see the current demon chief as a little turtle, the way he looked when he presented the treasure to the Dragon Lord.

This contrast in status was truly thought-provoking.

"In that case, all who have come here are big shots. I must touch it more to soak up some good fortune." Xu Zishuai put down the wine jar in his hand, went to the front, and hugged the entire fire tree and silver flowers, pressing his face against it to rub. "Who knows, maybe I can become one too. If anyone asks for an introduction in the future, it will be: The Dragon Lord built the Long Gong, the General gifted the branch, the Flood Dragon knocked it down, the Huai King saved it, and the Handsome King blessed it."

Su Guishan and Yang Dongxiong burst into laughter.

The sightseeing group was interrupted by Xu Zishuai and gathered around. Even Lu Gang couldn't help but stretch out his palm, press it against the trunk, and absorb some kind of metaphysical power, closing his eyes to pray.

Liang Qu looked up.

The orange light was brilliant, and fire butterflies danced.

Through a year of cultivation by Long Zong Yin and Tie Tie Mu Shan, the once-withered fire tree and silver flowers had bloomed again, radiating new life.

The years pass, and the fireworks return every year.

There are always too many things in a year, with setbacks and disappointments, but as long as we can gather, it's like grass and trees storing strength in the soil during winter, passing through the year to grow tall in the spring.

"Let's go." With half a foot on the steps, Liang Qu beckoned. "Eat first. If you want to rub it tomorrow, Cao Shixiong, you can rub it all you want. You can even build a treehouse on the tree to live in. It's getting late, let's go into the palace first; the Third Elder has everything prepared."

"Got it!"

The group climbed the stairs to the palace entrance and couldn't help but pause again.

Looking back.

The Long Gong spread out before them, glowing blue jellyfish lanterns floating in the water like lanterns, dotting the night sky. Dragon people and dragon sturgeons moved freely through the vortex waterways, and various demon beasts were busy among them—some prosperity, some mystery.

The painting was beautiful and magnificent, and a surge of energy gathered in their chests, making people want to let out a long breath.

Long Gong! Long Gong!

Death, fruit status, rebirth, water lord battles—so much calculation, so much slaughter, so much injury, so many twists and turns. Until this magnificent scene appeared before their eyes, all the fatigue and all the bitterness vanished like smoke.

"Liang Shidi, are you planning to get married to your fiancée in the Long Gong next year?" Lu Gang asked as he walked into the palace.

"Yes!" As soon as this topic was mentioned, Liang Qu became interested and gestured grandly, "Right on the stairs beneath our feet, cover it all with a red carpet, extending to the outside, and plant it full of epiphyllum on both sides—"

"That sounds good."

"Of course."

Liang Qu had even thought about renting out the Long Gong specifically for others to hold weddings.

Five hundred thousand per time, no cheating, a majestic Long Gong—how much face would that give?

He could reuse his own wedding red carpet and other items to spread the cost, but after thinking about it, this act would damage the dignity of the Water Lord—selling the venue openly while selling face secretly—so he gave up on the idea.

"Why epiphyllum?"

"Because it's the flower that symbolizes the love between Eying and me."

Long Eying couldn't help but smile, but feeling it was unseemly, she pursed her lips and lowered her head to tuck her hair.

"Pfft, that's really cheesy."

"Haha, eat, eat! Carrying the Heavenly Tribulation made me hungry."

Long Zong Yin had prepared everything early. Monkeys stir-fried dishes, Long Yao and Long Li served them, and the otter wore a tall white hat, crushing green onions with its claws and sprinkling them over the grilled fish, which was steaming hot.

The beavers were on holiday, grinding ore with their teeth, and the monkeys and little otters lined up to carry the jars to the table.

Liang Qu didn't like to drink, but his Master and Great-Uncle loved it.

And they had to open the jars.

"Wait!"

Holding the jar without opening it, Liang Qu blocked it with his arm: "I saw Cao Shixiong holding a wine jar earlier, I thought you weren't going to take it out. Did you spend a fortune and bring something good?"

"You bet!" Xu Zishuai hugged the wine jar and patted the jar body. "Guess, what kind of wine?"

"Drunken Immortal Brew from Langyun Tower?"

"Wrong, guess again. It's from Master's garden!"

"From Master's garden?" Liang Qu was puzzled. He didn't remember Yang Dongxiong brewing wine, and as for hidden wine—a flash of inspiration hit him. "Green plums! Is it plum wine?"

"Roar!"

The scene exploded, and everyone looked up.

"Fourth Cao Shixiong, I told you Liang Shidi would guess it!"

"Quick, pay up."

"I only guessed it because I reminded you, okay? It doesn't count."

"Pay up! Third Cao Shixiong! Fourth Cao Shixiong is a rascal!"

"A bet is a bet," Lu Gang said.

"Fine, fine, fine, here you go, here you go, you debt collectors." Xu Zishuai took out some broken silver, threw it to Hu Qi, Xiang Zhangsong, and Cao Rang, and patted the wine jar open, tilting the jar mouth. "You guessed right, green plum wine!"

The wine was amber in color, with a unique, sour, and astringent plum fragrance permeating the air, making everyone's appetite soar.

Liang Qu was stunned and looked up, asking, "How did you think of bringing plum wine?"

"It's something from a long time ago, I don't know if you remember." Xu Zishuai set out the porcelain bowls one by one and poured the wine. "Back then, you had just passed the Four Gates, became a Martial Artist, and went to the government office to change your household registration. That night, we set up wine at Langyun Tower..."

Liang Qu smiled and picked up the thread: "Cao Shixiong, you said that when the plums in Master's garden ripened in April, we would make plum wine, and that would be the best wine. Everyone was making a fuss, and just then, the news came that the Marquis of Weining had become a Saint, and it was celebrated throughout the land."

"Master, Mistress, I remember, I remember it all!"

Everyone clapped the table and cheered.

Yang Dongxiong laughed even louder.

Liang Qu laughed along; he was never the only one who remembered.

"There was such an event?"

"King Yue? Great Master?"

Long Pingjiang led the two into the palace, and it was indeed King Yue and the old monk. The atmosphere suddenly became even more enthusiastic and noisy.

Everyone is here! Everyone is present!

Xu Zishuai stepped on a stool and shouted:

"There was indeed such an event! That day when A-Shui went to the capital, I thought of this, and when I came back, I rummaged through Master's cellar and actually found a few jars. This year is A-Shui's first year as a Wu Sheng, and his first year spending the New Year in the Long Gong, so we should drink plum wine; it's the most fitting!"

"Great Master, Teacher, please take your seats quickly!"

"Good!"

"Pour it full! Pour it full!"

At this moment, nothing else mattered—not the underworld, not the fruit status, not the Great Hunt.

No need to think, no need to worry, no need to be disturbed.

The youngest Wu Sheng in the world, the little overlord of the Jianghuai, who had connections on both land and water, and people in both the yin and yang worlds—how could there be so many worries? Why have so many troubles?

Play what should be played, sing what should be sung.

The wine should be freshly brewed, and the people should be wealthy!

The otter stepped on the wine jar and rolled it out.

Late at night.

The banquet was in full swing. Liang Qu pushed away his stool, asked Long Pinghe to bring a sand table, and gestured grandly, talking about the future planning of the territory:

"Senior Brothers and Sisters, look, I have set up thirty waterways in total, twenty-five specifically for transporting goods, and five specifically for transporting people! To create a scenic route!"

"A scenic route, is that the 'tourism' you mentioned, Liang Shidi?" Hu Qi stroked his chin.

"Yes, after the New Year, in the first lunar month, I plan to start making it a 'conveyor belt.' First, start from Pingyang, string it into the first line: the peach blossom shade of the Huaiyin Martial Hall, the shadow play of Jiangchuan County, and praying for blessings at the Pingyang Temple—here I need to ask Mistress for a favor."

"Me?" Mistress Xu looked up. "What favor can I do for you? Go to the pier and carry sandbags to build walls for you? I can't carry them."

"How could that be building walls?" Liang Qu pointed his finger in a circle, pointing to the capital. "I'll treat you and Master to food, drink, and fun, and all the expenses will be on me!"

"There's such a good thing?"

"Cough, of course. Just a small request. Every time you set off, you go with Eying or Master, take the waterway to the capital, to the southern capital, to Huangzhou, anywhere—wherever there are acquaintances, go there. When you go to the capital, take Lady Xu, Lady Ran, and the others, and come to Pingyang to play together. It's the New Year, anyway, visiting relatives and friends.

In the morning, go to the Martial Hall to see the winter peach blossoms—a special variety I asked Tie Tie Mu Shan to urge to grow. At noon, eat river and seafood on the Jianghuai, and watch the finless porpoise performance. In the afternoon, go to the Pingyang Temple to pray for the New Year. It just so happens that the Great Master has agreed to stay for a few more days.

In the evening, the whole family goes to Jiangchuan County to watch the latest shadow play. That's the process. You'll have to work hard to take them around and get them familiar with it."

"Liang Shidi, I'm not afraid of hardship or fatigue, and I can do this job." Xu Zishuai raised his hand.

"Next time."

"How many people can I bring like this?"

"Slowly, there will be more. The point is to experience and get familiar with it first, so that everyone won't be embarrassed!"

People are always afraid of coming into contact with new things, especially afraid that the unfamiliarity they show in the process of contact will become "stupidity" in the eyes of others.

But as long as someone leads, those who are familiar will develop a sense of superiority and will continuously become the "leader."

Mistress Xu became the first leader, and the rest would be a chain reaction.

Especially during the New Year, visiting relatives and friends is the easiest way to spread it and lead to a "trend."

The rest of the construction is still early, and the pockets are shy, so we must make some money first.

"I didn't know there were so many fun places in Pingyang Prefecture?" Xiang Zhangsong recalled. He remembered that Pingyang used to be just a big town, not a place with so many interesting things.

"They are all newly built, and I have many more ideas. The water and sky are one color, I guarantee that everyone will come back, and every time it will be different! It will get more and more lively! Flourishing!"

"Got it, let's start tomorrow! It just so happens that there's nothing to do during the New Year. But let's not talk about this first. What about this year's New Year's greeting? Who's going to do it?"

"It must be A-Shui. A-Shui is the protagonist!"

"Greeting! Greeting! Greeting!"

Everyone clapped the table and called out.

"Don't rush, let me think, let me think." Although there were several elders present, Liang Qu was in high spirits this year and did not decline. "Spring enters the gate, and we see the willow silk green again. Facing this scene, one year is a lifespan, and one blessing is added."

"Good! Spring enters the gate, and we see the willow silk green again. Facing this scene, one year is a lifespan, and one blessing is added!"

"Croak!"

In the frog tribe's territory, they were celebrating the New Year and the birth of new life in the same way. Old Toad wrapped gauze around his head, swaying and burping, holding two empty jars, and calling out. He always felt he had forgotten something, and in a daze, he returned to his dark, empty home, dropped his head, and lay on the rattan bed snoring.

"Huhu, haha, it's all mine! Bold! I am the National Teacher!"

"I, White Ape on the left, Frog King on the right, Flood Dragon, pull the cart for this Duke, Iron-headed fish, take off my boots! Huhu..."

The next day, at dawn, the purple energy came from the east.

More than a hundred water columns still stood in the sky, with hot mist floating in the cold—

"Ah!!!"

A sharp frog croak, full of infinite grief, suppression, and despair, woke all the big frogs from their dreams.

"This sound... it's the Elder! No, something happened to the Elder!"

Big Fat and Second Fat were startled, did a carp jump, and hurriedly rushed to Old Toad's cave. Halfway there, they heard another shout.

"Treasure, my treasure!"

Big Fat and Second Fat braked urgently, plowed ten feet of ground, looked at each other, and turned their backs outward—

"Bang!"

The cave exploded, Old Toad stepped on the gate, broke through the air to surf, turned into a meteor, and flew down!

"You beast! Where are you running?"

"Slap!"

"Where is the treasure? Where is my treasure?"

"What? You ate it? How dare you! I gave it to you, that doesn't mean you can eat it! Give me your life! Ora ora ora—"

Liang Qu stepped into the sky, witnessing Old Toad beating Big Fat and Second Fat in the water. First, he used an inch-force to open the sky, knocking the two frogs out of the water, and then performed a "Lion Combo" in the air, hitting them with his webbed feet—he withdrew his gaze, bowed to King Su and King Jing, and thanked them for their support.

King Jing shook his head: "I have long heard that the multi-treasure toad of the Jianghuai Great Marsh is extraordinary, raising a demon king all by itself. Seeing it today, it is well-deserved. I thought it would be a fierce battle, but who knew it could turn a thunder tribulation into a thunder treasure? We are the ones who benefited."

This trip was thought to require great effort, but who knew Liang Qu had higher means? He didn't know what method he used to deceive the heavens and cross the sea, letting the multi-treasure toad advance first and then break the thunder tribulation, not only dealing with it easily but also gaining an extra piece of good fortune.

"It was what the two of you deserved, how could you say you benefited?"

"If the Huai King is truly grateful, when the East Sea Great Hunt officially begins in the future, you and I should take care of each other. I heard that the Huai King is the designated organizer appointed by the Whale Emperor."

Liang Qu was surprised: "Are the two adults planning to participate?"

King Jing shook his head: "It depends on the difficulty and the rewards. It's just that since the immortals are taking action, it shouldn't be stingy. If we can easily obtain the supreme treasure, why not?"

"We are all people of the Great Shun, how can there be no reason to take care of each other? Don't worry, two adults! If I can take care of you, I will!"

"Thank you."

"See you again!"

There was much back and forth in the conversation, and King Su and King Jing stepped into the air and left.

The mission to save the multi-treasure toad ended perfectly!

The "Stone in the River" dispersed.

The Southern Frontier and the Northern Court breathed a sigh of relief, putting down the burden in their hearts, and were disappointed that there was no opportunity to take advantage of.

Liang Qu thanked the other demon kings, then shook his spirits and threw himself into the New Year's work.

The prosperity of the King, the promotion of the multi-treasure toad, one production and one harvest, flourishing—it is time to take bold action and seize the opportunity.

First, according to the imperial court's approval, he arranged a sufficient number of 【Vortex Escape Paths】 in the north-south direction. Secondly, he settled the water spiders and "capsules." Immediately after, he went to Jiangchuan County and built a large number of 【Sky-Propping Pillars】 between Jiangchuan County and Pingyang, stretching for more than ten miles.

"What are you doing? Preparing to pave the road?" Long Eying asked.

"No, I want to build a water boardwalk!" Liang Qu stood up. "Take off your shoes and step on it."

Long Eying took off her shoes, revealing her round and jade-like toes, and walked barefoot in the water ripples.

"Walk two circles."

Long Eying rolled up her trouser legs, walked two circles, and stepped out ripples.

"How is it?"

Long Eying thought for a while: "Like walking on flat ground?"

"That shouldn't be. You should be surprised, amazed, and feel that the water and sky are one color, very beautiful—oh, I understand." Liang Qu held his forehead. "You are a dragon girl, and you are used to this in your daily life, so you can't feel this novelty."

"Novel?" Long Eying took two more steps, kicked out water splashes, and her heart moved. "It seems a bit novel?"

"Did you feel it?" Liang Qu was pleasantly surprised.

"Yes." Long Eying looked at the water surface, her hair dancing. "Ordinary people can't experience this feeling of walking on the water, right? And it's different from looking out from the beach pier. The road is completely transparent, quite dreamy."

"That's right, dreamy!"

The 【Sky-Propping Pillars】 are completely transparent, and there is no entity underneath, obstructing the fish, just like God walking on the water.

This road is like a special "glass bridge" hidden in the water, which will definitely become a big selling point, and at the same time, it will be convenient for others to enter and exit Jiangchuan County, solving the problem of only being able to take a boat.

"It's cold in winter, so not many people walk, but in summer it will definitely—"

"Yo, Huai King! I finally found you! I went to your house, and your house was being rebuilt. They said you were at the Yang Mansion. I went to the Yang Mansion, and they said you were on the river. I thought I wouldn't find you today, but I didn't expect to bump into you while fishing."

Liang Qu looked up.

"Brother Xu? Why call me Huai King? Can't you just call me A-Shui? Did the promotion also promote your seniority? What's the matter?"

"I dare to say it, but you don't dare to call it. In the whole world, only you are so young, making people struggle with how to address you." A lonely boat came, and Xu Yuelong put away his fishing rod. "Let's not talk about the address first, let's discuss something."

"Speak first."

"When the sea merchants came back then, wasn't there a volcanic algae? Putting it into fire stone can generate heat."

"Yes, my house built two hot soup baths, and didn't the River Po Office also purchase some? For cold relief and reimbursement."

"Ha, that's it." Xu Yuelong got straight to the point. "I'm thinking of opening a big hot spring pool on Pingyang Mountain, and I'm here to ask for your opinion. If you agree, I'll pay, and we'll split it three-seven."

Pingyang Mountain is not within Liang Qu's fief, but it's not appropriate to do this without saying hello, especially when Liang Qu is leading the development.

When his mother came to Pingyang this morning, Xu Yuelong discovered a business opportunity.

"Okay! Good idea! I'll take three, you take seven."

"I take seven?"

"The same as before."

Xu Yuelong was stunned and laughed: "Okay."

"Why isn't Brother Xu accompanying Lady Xu? She should have arrived in Pingyang, right?"

"Alas, if there were no waterway, I would definitely accompany her. It's so rare. Now that there is a waterway, it's like being next door. A group of noble ladies are swaying slowly, slowly, and I can't stand it, so I came out to fish... why are you...?"

Xu Yuelong followed Liang Qu and looked up, suddenly seeing a white cloud falling from the sky, manifesting as a cloud giant.

This appearance—

Xu Yuelong was terrified and hurriedly bowed.

He had entertained the Whale Emperor!

The cloud giant bowed: "Yun Bo, I have met the Huai King."

"Does the Whale Emperor have any instructions?"

"No instructions for now, only two things. Taking advantage of the New Year's holiday, when every family is reunited, I am here to announce it widely, and prioritize informing the Huai King."

He was thinking about it last night, and today there was a response. The New Year is truly a big day. Liang Qu remained calm and leaned forward to listen respectfully.

"The first thing is that the East Sea Great Hunt is tentatively scheduled to be held in five years."

Five years?

Liang Qu's heart relaxed. The time was neither long nor short. "The second thing is to announce some of the ranking rewards in advance to encourage experts from all sides to participate. Huai King, please take a look."

The cloud giant handed over a scroll.

Liang Qu unfolded the gold-patterned scroll and saw the first line of rewards. His pupils shrank violently, and a wisp of electric light flashed across his mind. He suddenly understood the reason for the strange movement of the Charm Fruit some time ago.

Xu Yuelong also leaned over.

"The top prize is just one Luo Fruit—what is this? A heavenly treasure? A kind of fruit?"

"It's a position fruit—a small position fruit!" ===== CHAPTER 1205 =====