Chapter 864: Extra Chapter 4: 101

Liu Junyan's body slowly rose within that golden light, his clothes gradually changing as he rose, and he was draped in a golden dragon-patterned robe out of thin air.

"The imperial edict of the upper realm, known to heaven and earth."

A resonant, vigorous voice sounded from above; Xiao Jiu jerked his head up and saw only a white, indistinct figure above, unable to see its face, yet exuding an immortal aura.

He held an edict and proclaimed it loudly.

"The heavenly pivot initiates fortune, the primordial chaos regains light; now there is a lower-realm scholar, Liu Junyan, bearing the earth's qi, steadfast in mind, commanding the world's dragon veins, suppressing the malign forces of mountains and rivers, protecting the peace of all beings..."

Xiao Jiu held Xiao Lao San, gazing at Liu Junyan standing within the golden light; beside his ear was the upper realm's lengthy praise, summarizing Liu Junyan's over ten years of arduous struggle point by point, affirming his contributions.

Liu Junyan had long been conferred the title of Earth Vein Dragon God, but in truth it had always been merely an empty title.

This title was a thread the upper realm held over him, yet it never truly materialized.

He had done the work, endured the hardship, but aside from a title, he had nothing else—for example, the dragon-patterned robe he now wore, or the mansion and seal that should rightfully belong to the Earth Vein Dragon God... none of it existed.

Not to mention other things, even when Li Qingying had transformed back into a jiao and been appointed to oversee the Pearl Plate River, there was still her mansion beneath the river.

But Liu Junyan had nothing.

Xiao Jiu knew Liu Junyan didn't care about these things; he didn't even want the title of Earth Vein Dragon God.

But not caring and whether the upper realm gives it to him are two different concepts.

I don't know when, but Xiaoye and the others also rushed over.

Everyone gathered around Xiao Jiu, all gazing at Liu Junyan standing within the golden light, each person feeling excited.

They were whispering something; Xiao Jiu also felt someone tugging her, seeing panicked silhouettes, but she could neither hear nor see clearly.

At that moment, her eye sockets were filled with hot steam, tears blurring her vision.

Over these past ten-plus years, how arduous Liu Junyan's journey had been, Xiao Jiu knew best.

She felt pity for him, and also glad that today he finally received an official investiture, being clearly granted a title, mansion, golden seal, and authority.

I don't know how long passed; when that golden light completely vanished, a burst of cheers erupted in his ears, and Li Qingying's voice pierced Xiao Jiu's ears: "Xiao Jiu, snap out of it, what are you staring at? Quickly look at Seventh Lord—he looks so imposing!"

Li Qingying said, having already taken Xiao Lao San from Xiao Jiu's embrace, holding him in her arms, and affectionately rubbed him: "Our Chuanchuan's fleshly form has finally returned, he's also grown plump, his chubby little self is truly adorable..."

Chuanchuan giggled nonstop from being teased by Li Qingying.

When this child was just born, for various reasons he was timid and behaved extremely oddly, worrying people to death.

Now he has not only returned to normal; in this affair he is a great contributor—who could fail to love him?

After Liu Junyan fell back to the ground, the golden light around him quickly faded, and the Big Family eagerly went forward to congratulate him.

Xiaoye firmly embraced Liu Junyan, saying nothing; everything was understood without words.

Back when the Linghai Dragon Clan was being rebuilt, Xiaoye had once privately told Zhong Susu that, judging by contributions to the Linghai Dragon Clan, this dragon king ought to be Āyàn.

He was the one among Liu Junyan's siblings who most wished for Liu Junyan's well-being.

Now Liu Junyan has truly been invested as Earth Vein Dragon God, and he has his own mansion, with his authority clearly defined; for Xiaoye, the lingering regret in his heart can finally dissipate.

Liu Junyan also returned Xiaoye's embrace firmly, patting his back with a big hand; the brothers soon parted, and Xiaoye then bumped his right shoulder with his fist, saying: "From now on, the waters our brothers oversee will be connected, our hearts as one—it will only get better."

Liu Junyan nodded in response, not yet having a chance to say anything, when Hui Moqiong rushed over and hugged him: "Seventh Lord, you're so handsome! Now that you hold a divine office, will our status also rise with the tide? You have your own mansion—will you still return to the Nine Flames District?"

Hui Moqiong's questions were too many.

When he asked, the Big Family also followed suit with questions.

Li Qingying, forehead black-lined: "This guy still acts so impulsively; when he gets happy he doesn't distinguish occasion—is now the time for him to ask east and west?"

She said, about to rush over, wishing she could grab Hui Moqiong's ears and yank him out.

But Xiao Jiu held Li Qingying back, laughing: "Let them ask; let them be happy."

Xiao Jiu naturally understood that Li Qingying had always been on her side.

In such moments, Li Qingying felt that Liu Junyan should come to her side first and foremost.

But Xiao Jiu didn't mind.

Xiao Jiu was also happy in his heart.

Everyone present had accompanied them on their eastern and western campaigns, having fought their way here; Liu Junyan's glory includes a share from each of them.

Xiao Jiu was not in a hurry, for she knew that no matter how long the wait, eventually Liu Junyan would come to her side.

Just now she had been dazed the whole time, even failing to hear clearly where the upper realm had assigned Liu Junyan's Earth Vein Dragon God mansion.

Xiao Jiu softly asked Li Qingying, who replied: "At the confluence of the three waters in the East Sea, Yellow Sea, and Yangtze River Mouth, located in the upper reaches of the Linghai Sea, not far from our Nine Flames District; the mansion also bears a name, Jiuzhou Fu, and we'll be able to move in in a few days—I'll accompany you there then."

Liu Junyan's duty is to oversee the entire China's earth veins and dragon veins.

And in cultural and geomantic meaning, Jiuzhou signifies the total map of China's earth veins, representing the nationwide pattern of mountain rivers, dragon veins, and qi fields.

As Earth Vein Dragon God, Liu Junyan's mansion is called Jiuzhou Fu—perfectly fitting.

After a while longer, the crowd finally dispersed.

Xiao Jiu lifted his head and saw Liu Junyan striding toward him.

She instantly felt a surge of heat rush to the top of her head; that dazed feeling returned.

But soon she was enfolded in a broad, warm embrace, the familiar scent of sandalwood wrapping her whole body, making Xiao Jiu instantly feel utterly at ease.

"Xiao Jiu, from now on we can finally live peaceful days."

Liu Junyan spoke those words not loudly, right beside Xiao Jiu's ear, softly, carrying the relief of long-borne burdens and his guilt toward Xiao Jiu for the past ten-plus years.

Xiao Jiu's nose tip instantly soured; she murmured in response, her heart full of a thousand words yet unable to utter a single one.

Liu Junyan gently stroked her back and continued: "After we tidy up Jiuzhou Fu and move in, shall we hold a make-up wedding?"

Xiao Jiu's body stiffened instantly, instinctively wanting to shake her head and refuse.

How many years have they been together? They have three children.

No, it's four, plus Feng Ran.

At this point, holding a make-up wedding, Xiao Jiu always feels odd, as if people would laugh at them...