Chapter 1550

"Truly forty years———"

"To be precise, it's forty-three years."

"Forty years, forty years———"

"Wuhu, wuhu, big brother, good morning, I've been working hard!"

The Third Prince ran past Liang Qu, folded his paws, and Liang Qu nodded with a smile.

"Well done—this month everyone's salary is doubled."

"Good!"

The cheers gradually faded, Long You spun dizzy, muttering incessantly.

Forty years, the flood dragon that had seized and occupied the Long Gong was captured and made into a bridal gift; forty years, the culprit behind the Dragon Lord's disappearance was subdued and lost consciousness; forty years, the daughter grew up, the dragon folk were freed———

He felt as if he had dreamed a very long, very long dream, and upon waking, arrived in another world.

Hey, Rainbow-Bridging Son-in-Law!

The Dragon Lord vanished, the flood dragon invaded, the bloodline withered———

All those insurmountable, extraordinary dilemmas vanished like smoke, the path ahead became wide open beyond compare.

Water plants swayed, bubbles drifted faintly.

The dragon folk returned to the mortal world, stepping one after another on heels, bumping into backs.

The venerable elder Long Shu stared blankly.

Long Xi tilted his head up, eyes wide, pupils reflecting light and shadow.

Long Lingxuan shifted in midair, reflecting cloth shadows, vortices spread throughout the central hall—dragon folk, shark folk, giant frogs, turtles, water beasts———

The same, yet all different.

"Ashui, is this———is this still the Long Gong?"

"Yeah." Liang Qu grinned, "Back then I drove out the flood dragon, aside from renovating the areas altered by the snake clan, everything else remained unchanged. Now everyone's busy with the enthronement ceremony. If it weren't for today's revival, the Grand Elder would be negotiating with the imperial court about the ceremony proceedings."

"Then what are all these things———" Long You pointed at the cloth shadows.

"Most of the ideas were mine, but as for implementation, it's definitely everyone's effort. Also, those vortices overhead are whirlpool channels—enter them and you can reach everywhere, crossing the Great Shun in just a few quarters, going anywhere is convenient."

Dragon folk and dragon sturgeons perked up their ears, kept taking deep breaths, intense emotions surged in their chests, they longed to inspect every corner clearly.

Seven mouths, eight tongues, discussing everywhere.

Liang Qu twisted everyone's shadows, as if leading a tour group of grandparents, sightseeing everywhere.

"That———son-in-law."

"What's wrong?" Liang Qu turned back, "We're all family, Father-in-Law, just speak up if you have something."

"Hey, that's fine—is Eying in the Long Gong now?" Long You fidgeted with his fingers, awkward, "Son-in-Law, your divine powers are vast—you can turn us into normal human size. Could you, of course, I know you want to surprise Eying, just let us sneak a peek from afar, unseen by her—shouldn't be a problem, right?"

"Don't keep causing trouble for people!" Long Xi tugged Long You, "Ashui, don't mind him."

"Haha, trouble isn't trouble, Eying is indeed here, but I think this kind of surprise should be mutual—both sides should keep it hidden, otherwise if one side sees the other early, it won't be as fun later." Liang Qu politely declined.

Not having met yet is best.

If Long You and Long Xi were to meet early, it would inevitably embarrass Eying—at least Liang Qu himself wouldn't want to suddenly see his parents and find they'd already secretly looked at him.

Parents' revival is an emotional surprise, not a real one. In reality, we're already adults—having parents stare at us is too embarrassing and awkward.

"That's right." Long You sighed.

"There are too many acquaintances in the Long Gong—for now I can only take things in bulk. Would my in-laws like to visit my Wang Fu?"

"Wang Fu? You have a Wang Fu?" Long You exclaimed.

"Yeah, I'm not a dragon folk—I'm a subject of Great Shun. After making my name, serving in the imperial court naturally earned me a princely title. Most of the time I live with Eying in the Wang Fu—its foundations are solid, more interesting than the Long Gong by a bit."

"Good good, let's go see, let's go see!" Long You clapped his hands in approval.

Long Xi also wanted to get close to Liang Qu, to understand his life.

Unlike Long You, Long Xi, upon the sudden appearance of the Rainbow-Bridging Son-in-Law, felt more———

Fear.

The most important point in close human relations is shared experience—without it, an eternal emotional barrier exists between people. The astonishing pressure brought by Rainbow-Bridging will forever remain.

No matter how vividly Liang Qu describes it, it's still just a "story."

"Just right, sit awhile and experience the water channel———" Long You clenched his fists, rubbed his palms.

"Or should we just swim past?" Long Xi suggested, "We want to see the current Huaijiang all along, observe the changes."

"Why go through all this trouble—why not just use that water channel? It's quite good———"

Long You scratched his head, Long Xi glared at him, and he immediately shut his mouth.

"Alright, let's take the southwest corner? That's where the dragon folk have lived for the past few decades, still many dragon folk guarding—perfect to look together?"

"Anything works." Long Xi pursed her lips and smiled, "You arrange it."

Long Chen led some dragon folk to stay in the Long Gong to give introductions.

Liang Qu took Long You and Long Xi, along with Elder Long Shu and others, headed for Yixing, the group slowed their pace, introducing water beasts along the way.

Not long after, Long You first sensed something off.

"Strange, why does it feel———so empty?"

Long Xi startled, then reacted—indeed, though many tribes dotted the route, often between tribes lay vast wilderness"—not to mention water beasts, even plants were scarce.

Long You wondered: "How many li have we swum?"

"About five thousand li." Elder Long Shu replied.

Long You exclaimed: "Really five thousand li? Son-in-Law, haven't we arrived yet? Did the dragon folk relocate their homeland to the waterside?"

"Oh, five thousand li used to be near the shore, but now it's different." Liang Qu, leading the way ahead, turned back to explain, "Yesterday I expanded the Jianghuai."

"Expanded———the Jianghuai?" Long You stared blankly.

Does Liang Qu think he's become the Water Lord, digging out the Huaijiang to such a size?

But how big can it get—

"Previously crossing the river's heart, the straight-line distance was about ten thousand li or so; now it's close to forty to fifty thousand li? The Long Gong to the shore, folded over, requires over twenty thousand, five thousand li—we've just covered a quarter, still a long way to go, so everyone feels the emptiness."

Long Shuo and the other elders were all stunned.

"Is this... the Huaijiang Marsh?"

"I thought today's shock was enough, that I'd be prepared for whatever comes next—result—"

"What the hell? How did you dig it?" Long You exclaimed in shock, "Did you hollow out all of Nanzhili?"

"Expanding from ten thousand to fifty thousand li—did you give all of Nanzhili to the Huaijiang? And where did all that water come from?"

"Well, I filled in the moon."

"?"

"?"

"What do you mean?" Long Xiti asked cautiously.

"Wasn't I fighting the Whale King and the Great Li Taizu a couple months ago? I don't know when I shattered the moon, then I made a new one, used the old as material, and stuffed it into the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, so distances generally expanded, making things feel more empty.

I changed many things, including climate and water volume, shrinking the sea—especially the Huaijiang—now places like Peng Ze and Dongtian Lake are as large as the original Huaijiang, including many tributaries, all spread out, the entire continental framework altered, though I filled the Huaijiang with many islands, with future plans—

No need to overthink—you're just moving into a bigger house."

Long Shuo: "?"

Long You: "?"

Long Xiti covered her mouth, after a moment she couldn't help but say: "Ashui, don't use such a casual tone to say something so terrifying

."

Clearly, we'd already braced ourselves mentally along the way.

Yet we still can't accept it—what a terrifying son-in-law!

"Haha, Mother-in-law, we've only just begun—not just you, but the tens of thousands who died in my battle with the Whale King and the Great Li Taizu have all been revived in one breath these past two days, feasting everywhere.

Not only resurrection—the old tribal chief contributed the transformation fruits of the southern borders, and many are lining up to enter, where broken limbs can be restored."

Long Shuo: "?"

Long You: "?"

So it's really just a matter of lifting a hand?

Long You shivered, emotions surging: "Worthy son-in-law, is this Huahong truly omnipotent?"

"It depends on the place—in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths, it's not truly omnipotent; for example, ordinary death beyond six months means I can't revive them, understandable as worldly resistance preventing full power.

"Not in the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths?" Long You asked.

"If it's in my own world, then it's truly omnipotent—time reversal, yin-yang inversion, opening heaven and earth, creating all things, eternal life—" Liang Qu paused, "Anyway, as long as I want it."

Long You gaped, a thought suddenly welling up inside him.

Good daughter!

"We've arrived, Dragon People's Territory—" Liang Qu reached forward, "The Third Elder planted a vast field of giant lotuses, unwilling to abandon it, so he kept it as a cultivation plot, 'cannot move' will come monthly to fertilize—"

"The enthronement process generally goes: announcing to heaven, announcing to ancestors, bestowing the seal, receiving congratulations in the main hall, issuing edicts to change the era. During this, the Directorate of Astronomy or the Ministry of Works sets the throne, the Bureau of Astronomy sets the time, the Bureau of Treasures sets the treasure case, the Bureau of Rites sets the presentation case, the Feathered Guard displays the regalia, the Bureau of Music prepares the music."

"Wait, this—" Long Binglin sweat beaded on his forehead, "Sir, just now you said those things—my Long Gong has none of them."

"Haha, Lord Long, rest assured." The clerk laughed heartily, "Whatever needs preparation, my Great Shun can handle it, including setting the hours—just some minor details requiring coordination and joint discussion.

"Generally speaking, ordinary enthronement requires plain robes to mourn the late emperor, but Huaijiang seems to have no late emperor, so this doesn't apply—

"Also, what hour does the Dragon People consider auspicious? The water folk and I, the human folk, may differ—for example, raging storms and rain, we humans think it's inauspicious, but the water folk may not.

"Besides, what format and style should the edicts use, how are ranks divided, what materials and styles for the treasure case and seals, what music for different times and stages during enthronement, what attire, what banners—

"The time set by the Huaijiang King is indeed too tight—what usually takes months to discuss must be compressed into seven days—"

Long Binglin's temples throbbed: "Wait, let me go ask the Third Elder."

"Thank you for the trouble."

"Have fun."

Main Hall.

"Are the Spiny Pig Clan and Doghead Fish Clan fighting? After expanding heaven and earth, aren't they supposed to be far apart?" Long Eying pinched the bridge of her nose.

"Originally that was correct, but the two clans expanded their territories on the first day, bordering again, the Spiny Pig Clan, relying on their relation with the Black Great Fish, insists on driving out the Doghead Fish Clan."

"Understood, you may go now."

Long Eying waved her hand, and the main hall fell silent for a moment.

No one around on either side.

The legs beneath the table quietly lengthened, thighs pressing against the stool's edge into a curve, Long Eying rotated her ankle, slipped off her long boots, and exhaled deeply.

"So tired—"

"The grand ceremony must proceed—this isn't even finished yet."

Huaijiang expanded dozens of times, all major water clans clenched their fists, relentlessly pushing forward their territories, violent bloodshed incidents cropping up constantly, and overseas merfolk clans hope to relocate, the Ray King and Merfolk King await disposal, plus a large batch of demon kings' participation applications.

Relying solely on the original Dragon People and Dragon Sturgeon Clan is utterly insufficient.

"Where has my husband gone?"

Long Eying supported her cheek, pondering, she always felt something strange.

From last night to today, I haven't seen Liang Qu's shadow.

Longing—

"Splash."

"Hey, son-in-law, your place is awesome! With mountains and water."

"Haha, this was designed by Chief Engineer Li, built by A Fei and Fist. Since Father-in-law likes it, another day I'll parcel out some land and we'll be neighbors. These past couple of days Eying has been at the Long Gong more often; if Father-in-law and Mother-in-law don't mind, you can pick a room and stay."

"Good, good, good! Polite, polite, I'll do it, I'll do it."

Long You took the tea Otter Otter handed over and talked at length about what Eying was like as a child.

Morning sunlight gradually rose higher; the shadows on the bookshelf lowered along with it.

Long Xiti walked before the bookshelf, opened a bookmark, and touched the handwriting Eying had left behind.

Long Xiti walked before the bookshelf, opened a bookmark, and touched the handwriting Eying had left behind.

A distant shout drifted across several rooms.

Long You and Long Xiti looked up.

"Haha, Master missed you to death! Day and night I waited, finally waited till Master returned! Congratulations to Master on martial arts perfection, eternal life!"

Liang Qu laughed loudly: "Hahaha, Little Stone."

Wen Wen Shi Yun spread his wings like a great roc, leapt into the study, sat himself down, poured his own tea, spread out a sheet of paper, and was just about to speak at length when he caught sight of Long You and Long Xiti beside him and startled: "Master, these two guests are——"

Wen Wen Shi Yun spread his wings like a great roc and leapt into the study, sat himself down, poured his own water, spread out a sheet of paper, and was just about to speak at length when he caught sight of Long You and Long Xiti beside him and exclaimed in surprise: "Master, these two guests are————"

Liang Qu leaned close to Wen Wen Shi Yun's ear and whispered a few words.

Liang Qu leaned close to Wen Wen Shi Yun's ear and whispered a few words.

Wen Wen Shi Yun's pupils dilated, then he immediately slapped his chest: "Master rest assured, this matter is on me."

"Done. Then it's perfect. You entertain them here; I'm making a trip to Pingyang Prefecture. Anything that needs introducing, I'll leave to you."

Sensing his mother-in-law's stiffness, Liang Qu cleverly made Wen Wen Shi Yun the narrator.

Sensing his mother-in-law's stiffness, Liang Qu deftly made Wen Wen Shi Yun the narrator.

After a brief leave-taking, the next instant Liang Qu vanished from the study.

Long You, naturally familiar, warmly greeted: "Kid, you're the son-in-law's disciple? Did your master tell you everything about our business?"

Wen Wen Shi Yun bowed respectfully: "My lord rest assured, I'll handle everything from here! Guaranteed good food and drink!"

"Hah, don't be so serious, let's sit together and chat."

"Hah, don't be so serious, let's sit down together and chat."

Long Xiti closed the book, also wanting to listen in and learn more.

"Tsk, that impressive?"

"Of course. That year my grandfather had just ascended the dragon, recruiting talents all the way. When he reached Jianghuai, my master plucked me out with a snap. My grandfather was stunned! And also——"

Long Xiti nodded silently, then suddenly glanced at a sheet of paper nearby, still carrying the scent of ink. She scanned the title twice and recited aloud:

Long Xiti nodded silently, then suddenly glanced at the paper to one side, still carrying the scent of ink; he swept his eyes over the title and recited aloud:

Long You looked over at the sound: "Huh, what's this?"

"Hah, an article I wrote. Recently the imperial court issued a mission, centered on the Martial Hall, having everyone write their cultivation insights to promote martial cultivation. Good writing gets rewards, and I'm determined to win! Starting from when I first entered the martial path, then taking Master as a model — truly penetrating and thorough. Everyone who's read it says they were deeply inspired. I brought it to ask Master to correct."

"Impressive. Without even seeing the content, just hearing the title it's champion material!" Long You gave a thumbs up.

"Hard to say." Wen Wen Shi Yun sighed.

"Could someone's writing be even better than yours?" Long You wondered.

"This time everyone can enter without restriction. I heard there's another article titled 'My Huahong Junior Brother' — that's my arch-rival!"

"No restrictions?" Long You perked up.

"Right. The imperial court wants to encourage martial study, all comers welcome. As long as it's related to the Martial Hall. Could it be——" Wen Wen Shi Yun's eyes lit up.

He could feel that his master's father-in-law was also a remarkable person!

"Haha, exactly! Got brush and ink?"

"Yes." Wen Wen Shi Yun familiarly opened the cabinet, precisely found brush and ink, then on the antique shelf opened a box and dug out good tea leaves.

"Kid, grind ink for me!" Long You rolled up his sleeves.

"Kid, grind ink for me!" Long You rolled up his sleeves.

Under Long Xiti's death glare, Long You took the brush, swung his hand, dragon-flying phoenix-dancing, six big characters.

Under Long Xiti's death glare, Long You took the brush, swung his hand in a broad stroke, and wrote six large characters in flying, dancing calligraphy.

"Bang!"

The door slammed open.

Zong Lichan, who had just gotten up, jumped: "Congjian? Early in the morning, what are you doing here?"

"Haha, Lichan, opportunity's come!" Guan Congjian waved the invitation in his hand. "You get this? It just appeared on me this morning. Must be Master Ancestor waking from his great slumber."

Zong Lichan nodded: "Got it, got it. Huai King's invitation. What's it got to do with us——"

"How's it not related!?" Guan Congjian glared. "You forgot what I told you before?"

"How can it be unrelated!?" Guan Congjian glared, "Did you forget what I told you before?"

Zong Lichan thought, memory quickly drifting, arriving at the June 6th River God Festival, that wild idea. Her eyes widened.

"Ninth day of the ninth month, a grand wedding under heaven! Let's get married together!" Guan Congjian cheered.

Long Gong, Yang Residence, Imperial Capital———

Just after waking, the first night busy with a round of reviving everyone, Liang Qu once again turned back to the East Sea. He reached out, gripping tight.

Just after waking, the very first night he busied himself a full round; Liang Qu, who had revived everyone, once more turned back toward the East Sea, reached out his hand, and gripped it fast.

A brilliant little sun emerged inside the Ze Ding.

【Golden Crow】

ps: The manhua drama is out. Click the book description page to jump in.

PS: The manhua adaptation is out; click the book's synopsis page to jump straight to it.