Chapter 1417

Zhang Longxiang and Liang Qu were both enfeoffed as Pillar of the State, reaching the pinnacle of merit nobility, and then ascended the Wangyue Tower, where the Sage Emperor praised them as "Crouching Dragon and Fledgling Phoenix," the Emperor's left and right arms; within half a day, the news spread throughout the imperial capital, filling every street and alley with clamor.

One thirty, one a hundred years old, in the prime of life.

For anyone else, this would be the age to strive, the age to venture forth, yet the two had already reached the summit!

Fame must be seized early; if it comes too late, joy is not true joy!

"Heh, excessive!"

The Beiting envoys entered Dashun, intending to reclaim the Fierce Tiger King; hearing the commoners on both sides mutually praising them in envy, one envoy spat a mouthful of saliva onto the ground and looked at his colleagues: "Liang Qu, Zhang Longxiang, that they today attained such ranks is entirely because they harmed our Beiting's heaven's pride. In this life of mine, I shall not forget this humiliation!"

"I dare not forget either!"

The Xu Residence.

Lady Xu was deeply worried, helping Xu Wenzhu take off his outer robe: "Ah——you say, the king title has been granted, the fief has been given, today's court session saw the merit nobility reach its limit, it's all reached the end. Going further down, isn't all that's left adding the Nine Bestowments and granting the ceremonial axe? That Liang boy is only thirty; won't he have nothing left to be enfeoffed with in the future? Merit so high it overshadows the sovereign?"

With the coat removed, Xu Wenzhu felt his body lighten; in high spirits, he cursed softly: "A woman's view! What do you understand? What is 'merit overshadowing the sovereign'? It is nothing more than the subject's merit not being shared with the sovereign, covering up the sovereign's brilliance, inviting jealousy. The Huai King and the Longxiang King were both personally promoted by the Sage Emperor, clearly visible. Especially the Huai King — how many resources were poured in?

Not to mention our Western Army connections; during the tiger hunt he presided over the altar, and afterward the favors never ceased, all relying on His Majesty's discerning eye. However much merit was achieved, His Majesty had a share in it. Today His Majesty is sage and wise; gaining this merit only highlights his wisdom further. It's not like they popped out of some mountain village, wild men who never received the court's grace in their youth."

Lady Xu felt wronged: "Even if it's not merit overshadowing the sovereign, there's still the issue of nothing left to be enfeoffed with, right? Can a special first rank be created above?"

"Hmph, creating a special first rank, what's wrong with that? It's just that after creating it, having nothing left to be enfeoffed with is also the world's greatest absurdity." Xu Wenzhu took a sip of tea to rinse his mouth, "What is 'nothing left to be enfeoffed with'? In other words, it's simply nowhere left to advance.

You think the Huai King and Longxiang King have nowhere left to advance? The two of them are young to an excessive degree; in the future they are both people who will achieve immortality and become patriarchs! Nowhere to advance is merely nowhere to advance within the court's framework; one step ascending to heaven, transcending and going out — isn't that possible?"

"Achieve immortality and become a patriarch?" Lady Xu covered her mouth, incredulous, "The Huai King? Achieve immortality?"

"Of course!" Xu Wenzhu affirmed, "Whether Zhang Longxiang can, I don't know, but Nephew Liang definitely can! Thirty years old, even the ancient Overlord Xiang Yu couldn't compare! One person attains the Dao, even chickens and dogs ascend to heaven. Nephew Liang values loyalty; even the water voles he raised became beacon experts. You go to Pingyang more often, interact with the Xu clan; following along to ascend in the future might not be impossible."

Lady Xu was greatly shocked.

The Liang Residence.

On the parasol tree, the Third Prince unwrapped the bandage on his tail, saw a touch of blood red, worriedly bound it up again, looking gloomy.

Under the parasol tree, the 【Vine Soldiers】 spread out; Liang Qu lay horizontally, basking in the warm winter sun, his head resting on Eying's thighs.

Long Eying gently stroked the back of Liang Qu's head, her palm sliding over his face, fingertips tracing his brow ridge, nose bridge, and jaw, then pressing on his lips, a smile appearing on her face.

The parasol leaves had all fallen; wind passed through the dead branches. Liang Qu caught words in the wind, turned onto his side, and rubbed his forehead against Eying's lower abdomen.

"My Pillar of the State General, what's wrong?"

"They're scolding me."

"Scolding you? Really? What are they scolding you for?"

"Scolding me for being a Crouching Dragon——"

"Hm?"

", Madam won't understand."

Long Eying laughed, and stroked Liang Qu's head again: "If Husband explains clearly, won't I understand?"

"Even if I say it you won't understand; it's a kind of indescribable, faint melancholy——forget it, it's me borrowing trouble." Liang Qu flipped over and sat up, stretched lazily, and put his arm around his wife, "The day after tomorrow we go to the Yellow Shahe; I've already coordinated with His Majesty, calling over our grandpa, the Second Elder, Third Elder, Binglin, Yanrui, Pingjiang and Pinghe, all together to go scoop up benefits."

"Second Elder, Third Elder, Binglin, Yanrui, Pingjiang, Pinghe — call them all over, let's go grab the benefits together."

"Your Laozu Sect this time will probably live out a second life; we need to give red envelopes, ah."

Long Eying's eyes widened, then she knitted her brows: "What about the Grand Hunt? The Laozu Sect living a second life, won't that expose the news and ruin Husband's plan? Was it the Laozu Sect who made you do this?"

Liang Qu hadn't expected Eying's first reaction to be this; he cupped her face and kissed her hard: "My wife, your elbow's turning outward."

Long Eying crossed her arms: "I haven't even seen the Dragon Lord's face."

"Hahaha, it's fine." Liang Qu rested his head on Eying's chest, feeling the softness, "This matter was discussed by the Sage Emperor long ago; various changes after the Old Dragon Lord emerges were preset, there are solutions.

Two years ago it might truly have had an impact, but now everyone has prepared for three years, expended effort and cost, and delayed various matters. Things have come to this; even if they don't want to open it, they have to. Forcing it open, if they really can't handle it, immortals will intervene jointly; don't forget, this was something everyone supported together back then, and now it can't be vetoed by a single person, unless——"

"Two years ago it might truly have had an impact, but now everyone has prepared for three years, expended effort and cost, and delayed various matters. Things have come to this point — even if we don't want to open it, we have to. Biting the bullet and opening it, if we really can't find a way, the immortals will step in together; don't forget, this was something everyone supported together at the start, and now it can't be vetoed by a single person — unless————"

Long Eying recalled the situation in Huangzhou, understood, and set her mind at ease.

"The non-aggression treaty originally signed! Does your Dashun want to go back on its word?"

"Did my Dashun invade Beiting? The one who invaded Beiting was the Lotus Sect's new Venerable; he took away your Fierce Tiger King and then attacked my Dashun.

It was the Huai King and Longxiang King who exhausted their strength to slay the new Venerable; out of consideration for our friendship with your Beiting, they saved the Fierce Tiger King — you should be thanking our Dashun!

For this the Huai King and Longxiang King suffered severe injuries; your Beiting wants to take him back without lifting a finger? Let me tell you, impossible!

So please, Ambassador, understand clearly: we have never been extorting your Beiting; this is the Huai King and Longxiang King's medical expenses!"

"Don't think we don't know; wasn't that Lotus Sect new Venerable a trick of yours?"

", food can be eaten indiscriminately, but words cannot be spoken indiscriminately; our Dashun is also a victim. Look what state the Yellow Shahe has become. By the way, His Majesty isn't in the capital; the second half of this year he's on a southern tour, now he's gone on a northern tour; talking to us is useless."

"Rice can be eaten carelessly, but words cannot be spoken carelessly; our Great Shun is also a victim — look what the Yellow Shahe has become. Besides, His Majesty isn't in the capital; in the second half of this year he went on a southern tour, and now he's gone on a northern tour — talking to us is useless."

"Damn it! Damn it! These Dashun officials are too unruly!"

"My lord, what do we do now?"

"What can we do? Prepare horses, go to the Yellow Shahe!"

The Court of State Ceremonies; the Beiting envoy burst out the door. He had been left cooling his heels for three days, only to be informed that the Fierce Tiger King Suhebaru had left early, together with the Dashun Emperor, to the Yellow Shahe; any matters were to be discussed at the Yellow Shahe. Short of a cerebral hemorrhage, he had no choice but to hurriedly head north again.

At the Court of State Ceremonial, the Northern Court envoy rushed out the gate; he had been left cooling his heels for three days, only to be told that King Meng Hu Suhebaru had left early and gone to the Yellow Shahe together with the Great Shun Emperor — any matters, go discuss them at the Yellow Shahe. Apart from a cerebral hemorrhage, there was no choice; he could only hurry north again in great haste.

The Yellow Shahe's ice surface was broken open; the surging river water rarely calmed down.

A thousand-zhang fissure hung high above the river surface, reflecting bloody light.

The Skyfire Sect listed the Dragon King's Lair as forbidden ground; Dashun likewise sealed off this stretch of river. The vortex waterways were severed from then on; merchant ships had to go ashore fifty li ahead, detour, and reconnect fifty li behind. Merchants with keen noses had already discovered a huge business opportunity.

"Right right right, that's the spot, that's the spot, drive it in."

Lan Jicai led the Imperial Observatory officials, using the artificial Dragon King method snatched from the Southern Frontier, to set up a grand formation, guiding the spiritual mechanisms of heaven and earth.

"Peep peep, peep peep! Old Dragon Lord! You're out, you're safe.

"Pipi, pipi! Old Dragon Lord! We're out, we're safe."

3

Liang Qu ran along the river, calling out.

On the surging, turbid river, hearing the familiar call, the slumbering Liuguang gave a start, first carefully observing the outside situation, confirming there was no problem, only then slowly coalescing into a dragon shape and surfacing.

"Yo, Old Dragon Lord, haven't seen you in a few days, how come you're so slack?"

"Piss off!"

"Haha, don't be angry, just a joke. A dragon meeting a happy event feels refreshed in spirit; finally escaped, gotta be happy about it."

The dragon shadow rolled an invisible white eye; first, it was used to Liang Qu's way of speaking, so it didn't get angry; second, in over a hundred years, this was the first time breathing fresh air — awesome!

"What's the matter?"

"Didn't we agree back then? Retire and rehire, serve as the Yellow Shahe Dragon King, work together, grow big and strong, create glory again!" Liang Qu plopped down on the riverbank, pursed his lips, "Look, Mr. Lan of the Qintian Supervisory Bureau is setting up a grand array to draw spiritual opportunity. Your Majesty is here too, want to go see? Discuss together what to do next.

5

"Fine."

"Deal, let's go!"

The Old Dragon Lord didn't hesitate, following Liang Qu downstream; having finally broken free, he'd lost everything clean, only preserving his soul; he had already seen through it all.

Tower ship.

Long Chen, Long Qingyi, Long Zong Yin trembled with excitement, not daring to enter and disturb, fists clenching and unclenching, unclenching and clenching, like three old men waiting outside the delivery room for a grandson.

On the table, two square, neat containers sat properly placed, guarded by Zhang Longxiang.

The Sage Emperor saw the dragon shadow coalescing in the water vat, traveling right at the water's surface, gave a slight start, and immediately offered congratulations: "Congratulations, Old Dragon Lord, on breaking free and gaining new life — truly joyous and worthy of celebration!"

The Old Dragon Lord mooed————

The dragon shadow sighed: "No need for such formality. When I was the Jianghuai Dragon Lord, I might have met your ancestors; we count as friends. Now the past is gone with the wind; I've lost everything — physical body, position fruit, can't even hold onto a half-immortal; it's just that my soul quality is higher, able to withstand the weathering of heaven and earth. What about Linchuan? He didn't come?"

"The immortal cannot conveniently show his face at this time; he is communicating with the Old Dragon Lord." The Sage Emperor explained.

"Makes sense."

"The Old Dragon Lord's great position fruit is already gone?" Liang Qu's expression turned serious.

"Yes, after the Fifth Immortal awakened, the refinement progress on me surged. Fortunately, I had left a crack back then, allowing a breather; otherwise I would have perished long ago. Later, the kid Liang opened a gap, and I rammed it with my life, burst my hemorrhoids, barely made it out."

Burst hemorrhoids?

Whose hemorrhoids? The furnace even has this thing?

The Sage Emperor suppressed a strange feeling and asked: "I heard the Old Dragon Lord once had two great position fruits? Both taken by the Great Li Founding Ancestor?"

Both are, both were seized; then Great Li would be able to completely create four Furnace Immortals!

"I'm not clear; I suspect it's one each from the two."

"Can you say what the second one is, besides the Water Lord position fruit?"

"I don't know."

"Don't know?"

Liang Qu, Zhang Longxiang, and the Sage Emperor looked at each other in blank dismay.

The dragon shadow nodded: "I never refined it."

Never refined————

The three were shocked.

"A naturally born great position fruit?!"

"Yes, I chanced upon it in the Boundless Sea; however, that great position fruit was burning hot throughout, incompatible with me, so I could never find a way to refine it."

A naturally born great position fruit————

This is far too rare.

Liang Qu's eyes flashed.

Naturally born and raised, nine out of ten are minor position fruits; to become a middle position fruit is already ascended. Self-gestated ones only have a probable chance of middle position fruit.

A naturally born great position fruit — perhaps only the Huaijiang Dragon Lord has one, water and land converging, spiritual opportunity violently oscillating; result: it was actually in the lifeless Boundless Sea?

No, that's not right————

The dragon shadow said: "I suspect perhaps it's not naturally born; the Boundless Sea is dead and silent, no spiritual opportunity, not even heaven-and-earth long qi; where would a position fruit come from? And a great position fruit at that? Perhaps it's the legendary fallen sun, dropped into the Boundless Sea."

The three shook again.

Liang Qu once again thought of the Old Yin Whale's "Three Realms Unified", opening the Heavenly Realm, seizing the sun from the sky.

Silence for a long while.

The Sage Emperor asked many questions; the Old Dragon Lord answered everything he knew.

"The Great Li Founding Ancestor — this person is no ordinary figure; the Whale Emperor is even negotiating with a tiger for its skin; both of them, I can't see through at all. You want the Grand Hunt to continue being held, right?"

"Correct." The Sage Emperor's voice was deep. "First stay unchanged to meet ten thousand changes; if there is a change, I will request to cancel participation or postpone the Grand Hunt, while the immortal will take the opposite stance; thus positive and negative coercion, implicitly informing.

In the past, holding the grand gathering was unanimously agreed and supported by the immortals of the four directions: Great Shun, Southern Frontier, Northern Court, and Eastern Sea. Now preparations have taken three years; all have contributed effort. It wants to cancel directly but it's too late; the leader has instead changed."

The dragon shadow pondered a moment: "Indeed it hasn't reached the point of completely tearing face; it's not a bad idea. The Whale Emperor truly fears a mishap; at most he'll just treat it as a normal competition, make no moves, waste a minor position fruit."

"Exactly the intention."

"Haha, immortals are all free and at ease, yet this time they've all tensed up; good, since Linchuan has ideas, I'll respectfully obey rather than decline. How to proceed next?"

"Requesting the Old Dragon Lord to become the Yellow Sand Dragon King, fully govern the Yellow Shahe waters, assist the Huai King in ascending to the Long Right Fruit." The Sage Emperor cupped his hands.

"Refine the Fengyi position fruit? Or something else? I have no physical body now; even a minor position fruit isn't simple to refine."

"Old Dragon Lord need not be anxious; heroes under heaven are like crucian carp crossing the river; the Southern Frontier Tusi is indeed a heroic talent, and with Liang Qing assisting, the Old Dragon Lord just needs to wait."

"Liang Qu?" The Old Dragon Lord looked toward Liang Qu.

Liang Qu stepped forward half a pace, nodded lightly.

The Old Dragon Lord nodded: "Done!"

Lan Jicai was busy to the point his feet didn't touch the ground; Liang Qu once again launched flood control.

The Yellow Shahe roared once more in the winter sun.

Huaijiang: 【River Dominance: 19.9 (River Favorability: 92.0499)】

Yellow Sand: 【River Favorability: 89.4574】!

The flood control period had long exceeded a year; commoners on both banks had witnessed it continuously, establishing temples, and the Yellow Shahe's favorability was incomparable to the past. When favor was first gained back then, there were even notification prompts.

【Assume control of Huaijiang, stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Yellow Sand】

【Promoted to Water Ape Great Sage, grasp Yellow Sand authority, can appoint Yellow Sand generals, prop up heaven-and-earth pillars, uphold the marsh nation】

【Yellow Sand Generals: None】!

Liang Qu had made full preparations, fully capable of appointing the Yellow Shahe Dragon King; the only prerequisite was grasping the Yellow Sand authority, which he could now access just the same via the Fengyi Position Fruit.

However, refining this minor Position Fruit was no simple matter.

But it was just perfect!

The Southern Frontier Tusi provided a perfect, genius solution. Given that Dragon Kings and Dragon Lords are such special existences, special creations, by arranging a corresponding grand array to reverse-engineer a Position Fruit with suitable attributes, they could directly accomplish the three-way "Harmonization of the Dao" between heaven-and-earth, the Position Fruit, and the Dragon King, recreating a Dragon King in one stroke, completely bypassing the refinement process!

Earlier, Great Shun had bribed the Southern Frontier Yaowang through the Southern Frontier to sabotage Great Shun's flood control efforts, pressured the Southern Frontier, extorted them—no, seized this method.

All the Southern Frontier's preparations for the Luchang River became the foundation for today's Yellow Shahe general appointment.

Only before that, a physical body capable of containing the Old Dragon Lord's soul still needed to be found.

What a coincidence, wasn't it.

Creating a flesh body from scratch, Liang Qu couldn't do it, but what he excelled at most was precisely having a discerning eye for talent, coordinating resources from all sides, enabling others to achieve what they can.

There was a pair of Yaowang brothers who could!

Seahorse Clan territory.

"Great King, Great King, disaster! That damn black pufferfish is back again!"

"What?"

Da Mawang was shocked.

Last time that black-and-white fish, as long as it was wide, came, it made them cut off all offerings and took them away to gestate another body; right now is the critical moment for Second Brother gestating a body, and it comes again? It suddenly had a bad premonition.

The fat fish puffed up its belly, its fins twirling its long flowing whiskers, holding up a drop of essence blood, swimming leisurely into the palace hall.

"Ah!!!" Xiao Mawang let out a sharp scream, rolling about inside the nest body, "Endurable, what is unendurable? Big Brother, let's blow it up!"

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