Chapter 146

Da Wang followed a humpback whale around the waters near Secluded Prefecture, and even picked up a genuine Secluded Prefecture Pearl from the seabed, then happily returned to his mansion.

At dinner time that evening, he went out to Sea-Tasting Pavilion to intercept Xie Yuan.

Even someone as composed as Xie Yuan gave Da Wang several furtive glances—could this King of Secluded Prefecture have become a different person? Why is he so enthusiastic today?

Da Wang told them about his New Year event, about Secluded Prefecture's cuisine, about the deep seas he'd visited, showing especial warmth and friendliness, hoping that even if they themselves didn't help, they'd give him face, and later introducing him to a great scholar would also be good.

He also said he would build an academy at Pen Rack Mountain west of the city, the name already chosen, and later vigorously develop education in Secluded Prefecture.

Xie Yuan naturally approved of running schools, pouring out kind words as if they were free.

Da Wang earnestly urged them to stay until April or May, when spring is warm and flowers bloom, because by then his academy would be finished, letting academic bigwigs give him advice.

Xie Yuan said it wasn't certain; it depended on whether Chen Commandery had urgent business. If not, he could stay a few more days, and he also liked Secluded Prefecture, etc.

Learning they had come for his koi, Da Wang earnestly invited them to come after the New Year to view fish at the King of Secluded Prefecture's mansion.

"You like ink wash painting, right? Then you've found the right person—my lake has plenty of them. What's there to see in the aquatic world? Just a few are caught from the king's mansion. After the New Year, I'll send you an invitation to come view fish."

When it came time to settle the bill, Da Wang simply waived the charge.

Good grief, finally I understand why the King of Secluded Prefecture, despite being granted a poor fief, lives so comfortably.

Not only is the aquatic world his, but this tavern is his too.

I heard that Sea-Tasting Pavilion, City of Myriad Phenomena, and the inn are all decided by a single chief steward—could it be that this whole street belongs to the King of Secluded Prefecture?

Lu Xin simply couldn't estimate how much this street's assets were worth, and no longer dared to treat Da Wang as a child—he himself lacked the ability to lay out such a spread, and didn't know what colossal force backed him.

As he was leaving, Da Wang warmly called out, "Mr. Xie, if you stay at our Northern Border Academy as Superintendent of Sacrifices, I'll give you a lifetime membership card, with free lifetime access to Sea-Tasting Pavilion."

Xie Yuan: ……

The dagger appears when the map is exhausted, right?

He didn't think the King of Secluded Prefecture had suddenly taken an interest in his scholarship overnight; there must be some reason he doesn't know about.

Xie Yuan shook his head, bade Da Wang farewell, said a few words of thanks for the hospitality, then ran off, afraid he might otherwise agree.

The temptation of crab-meat lion's head for the rest of his life is too hard to resist!

Because Da Wang said Sea-Tasting Pavilion would soon serve this dish.

Stepping out of the tavern, Xie Yuan stood on the street watching the crowd winding endlessly from the entrance of Rising Peace Sea Products next door, their faces all smiling. Those smiling faces in the cold wind moved him somewhat.

Lu Xin stared for a moment, then suddenly said, "This King of Secluded Prefecture is not simple."

Xie Yuan chuckled, "Not only that. Before coming to Youzhou, I never imagined that the border prefecture of Youzhou would be like this."

"Do you think... it's a blessing for the Great Jin?"

"It's a blessing for Youzhou. Nothing else matters for now."

The king went to the Phoenix Market at night as scheduled to block Qiao Yi, telling him payment could be made, but his little companion had no intention of leaving.

Qiao Yi had already gone to check the sea beasts sold at the Spirit Beast Pavilion for him; hearing that he was sure to buy, he asked, "Any other requirements? For example, would it be okay if the origin, i. e., the lineage, is unclear?"

The king exclaimed in shock, "What does unclear mean? Stolen? Contraband?"

Qiao Yi quickly waved his hands, "No, no, that's not what I mean! I mean the breed's origin, the lineage—you understand, right?"

"Oh oh~ What does it matter? As long as it can go in the water. Besides, we don't even recognize the sea beasts from your place here, so there's no need for all those formalities—raising a pet still requires checking its lineage!"

Qiao Yi thought about it and agreed—your realm doesn't have the snobbishness we have here; spirit beasts are ranked in three-six-nine grades, while ordinary people are classified into five-six-seven-eight levels based on aptitude.

The king hurriedly asked his other concern, "What's the price? Is it scary?" After all, it's a spirit beast bought from the Spirit Beast Pavilion!

"You should be able to accept it—it only costs 5000 yuan treasure, the only sea‑going spirit beast available for purchase in our small town. I was thinking, if you mind, I could go to the neighboring big city to look for another."

This time the king frantically waved his hands, "No need, no need, five thousand is fine!" Five thousand equals fifty thousand taels, which isn't cheap. The Spirit Beast Pavilion in the big city? The king feared his newly filled purse would shrink straight away—what's that called, the money‑vanishing technique?