Chapter 132: The Dragon King

"Why be so blunt..."

Lu You shook his head with a wry smile. Suddenly recalling the Dragon Lady's words from earlier, he couldn't help but gasp: "Just now, that Water-Managing Envoy said, 'Young Master, don't wander off once you wake up.' Could it be that they slept in the same room?"

"No way!" Zhao Kun exclaimed, his eyes turning green with jealousy. He refused to believe it. "To be a Water-Managing Envoy is a position far beyond the reach of those lowly maids with merely a trace of dragon blood. Someone so noble and arrogant—how could she possibly fancy a human? Even if she did, how could he be a mere Human Immortal?"

Zhao Qian shook his head. "That's not necessarily true. Didn't you see how she acted like a bashful village girl complaining to him just now?"

That did hold some water, and she hadn't even hesitated to whisk Liu Ping away earlier...

The three men exchanged glances. Lu You then glanced at a nearby water soldier and asked, "Young man, may I ask if you know what Liu Ping's status is?"

As he spoke, he offered a small bribe. The water soldier took it, grinning, "You've come to the right person, sir. Most people wouldn't have a clue, but I happen to know."

Hearing this, the three became instantly intrigued. Yet, the fellow stopped speaking, wearing a smug, punchable grin that made his intentions painfully obvious.

His insatiable greed left the three men exasperated, but they handed over another spirit stone. Only then did the soldier continue: "That young master is not like you lot; he is an honored guest personally invited by the Dragon King. As for his relationship with the Water-Managing Envoy..."

He stopped again. The three men gritted their teeth; this soldier was truly asking for a beating!

They were on the verge of attacking, but this was the Dragon Palace. Even if they had a hundred lives, they wouldn't dare strike without cause. To satisfy their curiosity, they were forced to offer another spirit stone.

The soldier accepted it, gestured for them to lean in, and whispered a single sentence. The three men were struck as if by lightning. Their eyes widened, and they gasped, "How is that even possible!"

"Absurd! Nonsense!"

"Are you playing us?!"

"I saw it with my own eyes. Believe it or not," the soldier said, showing no desire to argue.

Yet, his demeanor and tone didn't sound like a lie, and he had no reason to fabricate such a story.

The three men looked at each other again. After a long silence, Lu You smiled bitterly: "I thought he was just a disgraceful bumpkin. I never imagined he was such a big shot."

Zhao Kun said, still shaken, "Luckily, our attitude earlier was... well, not exactly rude."

Zhao Qian sighed melancholily, "Indeed... it seems that the beautiful Water-Managing Envoy really is his woman..."

The single sentence the soldier had whispered was:

"When he arrived, he was riding on the head of a Green Dragon."

***

"The Dragon King wants to see me? Alone?" Liu Ping asked as Ao Jinyu pulled him along the palace corridor.

Hand in hand, they drew the side-glances of many maids. Those further away whispered among themselves. Though they kept their voices low, Ao Jinyu, with her current cultivation, could hear them clearly. Her cheeks flushed, and she quickly let go.

Hearing his question, she replied, "Yes."

Liu Ping nodded. "Then let's go quickly."

He reached out and took Ao Jinyu's hand again. The feel of her soft, delicate hand was far too pleasant to let her pull away so easily.

Ao Jinyu struggled, but couldn't break free. She opened her mouth to speak, but decided against it, letting Liu Ping lead her.

They walked until they reached a grand hall and stepped inside. On the throne sat an old man with white hair and a beard, draped in dragon robes. He wore a golden crown, and though he appeared aged—like a setting sun—the brilliant, sharp light in his eyes revealed infinite vitality. His entire presence carried a profound, deep-as-an-abyss quality.

Liu Ping took one look and felt his vision darken. A flicker of fear arose in his heart. He frowned slightly, realizing the truth.

This must be the Dragon King. Otherwise, no one could possess such an aura. However, the fact that the Dragon King was intentionally projecting this pressure was strange; he could easily have concealed it. By displaying it now, he was clearly issuing a show of strength.

Ao Jinyu felt it too. Her expression darkened, but she said, "Grandfather Dragon King, I have brought him here."

Liu Ping bowed. "Greetings, Dragon King."

The Dragon King nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then said indifferently, "A disciple of the Green Emperor... I didn't expect such a talent. Who is your master?"

Liu Ping was startled. With just one look, the Dragon King had seen through his cultivation method? He was even more formidable than expected.

"My master is Xuan Zhenzi."

The Dragon King was clearly surprised. "It is him... so you are a fourth-generation disciple of the 'Huang' lineage? Truly remarkable... But it is strange. You people of the Immortal Sects—you wish to meddle in the affairs of the mortal court?"

The Immortal Sects were known for being indifferent to fame and fortune, disregarding worldly matters in favor of transcendence—a strategy diametrically opposed to the Daoist sects. How could he not be surprised that this disciple of the Green Emperor was a mere scholar?

Liu Ping opened his mouth to reply, but a thought struck him. He remained expressionless and said nothing.

The Dragon King paused, then shook his head, saying lightly, "I have been presumptuous. The affairs of your Immortal Sects are not for me to govern."

Liu Ping remained silent.

Only then did the Dragon King address the real matter: "I have already heard a general account of how you helped Ao Jinyu against the other dragon kin. You are not to blame, and I hope you will not take it to heart. Let us put it behind us. Inviting you to this banquet today is by way of an apology."

Liu Ping bowed. "I dare not accept such an honor."

The Dragon King said, "There is nothing you cannot accept. In fact, there is something I wish to consult you about."

"Consult me?" Liu Ping was surprised.

"It concerns the secret arts of the dragon kin... I have heard that your insights into these arts are piercing, pointing out flaws that others have failed to see. Therefore, I wish to ask: how might these secret arts be improved?"

"I do not know."

"You don't know?"

"Naturally. I am not of the dragon kin. While I can perceive the flaws, that is all. I believe that discussing this with an outsider is less effective than you and your kin debating how to cover those three specific defects yourselves, don't you think?"

"What you say is reasonable, but..." The Dragon King looked disappointed, shaking his head slightly. "In that case, so be it. Please, go enjoy the banquet. Someone, take him to the Nanming Hall."

"Yes." Two maids entered—Xuan'er and Xuan'er. Seeing Liu Ping, they were stunned. What a coincidence!

Ao Jinyu wanted to follow, but the Dragon King said, "Wait, I have something to discuss with you regarding your father."

As the three walked along the corridor, they hadn't gone far before Xuan'er couldn't help but ask, "Young Master Liu, were you dumped?"

Such an abrupt question nearly made Liu Ping choke. "What do you mean by 'dumped'?"

Beside her, Xuan'er's sister turned pale and glared at her, hissing, "Sister, don't spout nonsense!"

"I'm just making a logical deduction!" Xuan'er stuck out her tongue, looking at Liu Ping, and continued unabashedly, "Of course, you were abandoned by Sister Ao Jinyu. She is a Dragon Lady known as the 'Pearl of the South Sea,' and she is now a Water-Managing Envoy for a whole prefecture. It really makes one envious and jealous."

Xuan'er's sister was so angry she nearly fainted. It was one thing to talk nonsense usually, but to be this bold in front of others? "Don't be so lawless, my sister! You're going to bring a great disaster upon us sooner or later."

Hearing this, Liu Ping couldn't help but smile. "And how did you reach this conclusion?"

"Obviously, because when you went in, you were holding hands, but only Young Master Liu came out," Xuan'er said as if it were a matter of course.

"Because I had business to attend to." Before they knew it, Ao Jinyu had appeared beside them. Her sudden voice made the two maids jump.

"Sister Xuan'er is young and speaks without thinking. Please, Your Highness, do not take offense!" The older sister's face turned white as she hurriedly apologized, regretting that her sister had finally brought the very disaster she had feared.

Even the mischievous Xuan'er dared not say another word.

"You're here." Liu Ping smiled as he looked at Ao Jinyu.

"Yes," Ao Jinyu replied, nodding. She looked coldly at the two maids and said, "Do not gossip again. I will let it go this time, but there will not be a next."

"Yes!"