Chapter 129: Selfless Respect Comes in Due Time

Ji Yuan wanted to return the old dragon's bow, but he was too dizzy and lacked strength. If he hadn't focused his will to suppress it, blood might have started oozing from some of his orifices. Therefore, he couldn't return the bow at all.

To outsiders, it looked as if this "distinguished guest" dared to remain casually seated while accepting the Dragon King's bow, as if he considered it his due.

What was even more peculiar was that the Dragon King, upon seeing this, looked delighted and showed no anger.

However, for most of the aquatic spirits and demons present, they had no idea why the Dragon King suddenly bowed and offered thanks to the guest on his right, only able to guess inwardly.

A few, like Bai Qi, the River God of Chunmu River, who had some understanding, were shocked and had mixed feelings, but with the Dragon King speaking, no one dared to ask questions.

Seeing his daughter barely suppressing her emotions, the old dragon glared at her and said, "Ruoli, rein in your dragon qi! Do not disrupt my birthday banquet!"

"Your daughter understands!"

In truth, Ying Ruoli greatly desired to transform into her dragon form and swim around Tongtian River, but the occasion was unsuitable. She could only strive to restrain her aura. After a few breaths, the trembling sensation that had affected the dancers and serving spirits finally vanished.

The old dragon turned to the many guests, a smile gracing his face.

"Hahahaha... My apologies for my daughter's rudeness, which disturbed your enjoyment. Let the music and dance resume, and the banquet continue!"

At the old dragon's command, the spirits, having recomposed themselves, resumed their duties. The banquet halls once again filled with song, dance, and clinking cups. However, many of the aquatic creatures' thoughts were no longer on the feast.

Ying Feng had been dumbfounded by his sister's earlier display. Now that the music and dance had resumed, he felt restless. He excused himself to the aquatic creatures he was friendly with.

"Please excuse me, everyone. I just remembered I haven't toasted Uncle Ji yet. I must go quickly!"

With that, Ying Feng picked up his wine pot and cup, about to stand. Gao Jue, the Flood Dragon of Tianshui Lake, grabbed Ying Feng's hand, refusing to let him go.

"Your Highness, you must tell us what just happened. Did the River Godess's dragon form receive some benefit?"

"Oh, Gao Jue, just let go of me! I don't know yet myself; I'm even more eager than you are! Let me go find out first!"

"Alright, alright, Your Highness, don't forget to tell us once you find out!" "Yes, Your Highness!"

Ying Feng gave a vague reply, then quickly got up with his wine pot and cup, walked around the side of the dance floor, and headed towards Ji Yuan.

At that moment, the Dragon Girl was concentrating on calming her aura. Seeing her brother approach from a distance, she subconsciously glanced at Ji Yuan and noticed that "Uncle Ji" seemed to have temporarily lost interest in the banquet and was once again studying the water mansion's tableware.

Carrying his wine pot and cup, Ying Feng slowed his pace as he neared Ji Yuan's table. He looked up at the main seat on the high platform; his father seemed to glance at him as if by illusion while enjoying the dance.

Seeing Ji Yuan's apparent disinterest in the banquet, Ying Feng took small steps closer, trying to put on a friendly smile.

"Uncle Ji, I've been busy toasting guests all over the hall and have finally finished with most of them. Now I can come and keep company with closer family!"

Family?

Despite his whole body aching, Ji Yuan lifted his head to look at the dragon prince. Wasn't he just enthusiastically calling out "Ji Yuan" this and "Ji Yuan" that? Now it's "Uncle Ji," his family?

"Come, come, Uncle Ji, let me fill your cup!"

Ying Feng, very much at ease, poured Ji Yuan a cup of wine. Ji Yuan then spoke frankly with Ying Feng.

"Your Highness, Elder Ying has just advised me to drink less, so I won't drink after this cup. As for what just happened, it would be more appropriate for you to ask the River Godess!"

"Yes, yes, Uncle Ji is right!"

Ying Feng poured Ji Yuan wine, and then drank a cup himself. He dared not act presumptuous in front of Ji Yuan at this moment. After nodding in agreement, he quietly slipped over to sit at the same table as the Dragon Girl.

"Little sister... what just happened?"

Ying Feng spoke very softly, but the Dragon Girl was still adjusting herself and ignored him.

"Little sister... you're going to drive me crazy! You must have received some great benefit from Uncle Ji, right? What was it that made Father disregard the occasion and bow in thanks?"

Actually, Ying Feng wanted to add, "Why didn't I get any?"

The Dragon Girl gave him an annoyed look and whispered back,

"You should have come over to toast him first from the beginning. Don't even think about that benefit. Father himself said the grace was too profound; for me to receive it even once was a colossal destiny. If you want more, it would be excessive..."

These words made Ying Feng almost frantic. It meant his little sister truly received an incredible benefit, and he wasn't part of it?

Ji Yuan naturally knew what the dragon prince was thinking. However, the Dragon Girl's success in "tapping into his heart" and achieving such an unimaginable effect was entirely due to the alignment of her own state of mind. This was precisely where her "destiny" lay. If the same experience and mental barrier were presented to the dragon prince, the outcome might have been insignificant, whether he succeeded or failed.

In the corner of the great hall, Bai Qi, the River God of Chunmu River, no longer displayed his previous aloofness. He couldn't sit still in his seat and was now carrying wine, uncharacteristically approaching aquatic creatures of some standing, asking around.

As for what he was asking, it was naturally Ji Yuan's identity. However, none of the aquatic demons he knew had any idea who that "distinguished guest" was. They only knew the Dragon King held the person in very high regard, which was useless information—anyone could see that, given he was seated on the right and had the Dragon Girl accompanying him at his table!

The main banquet lasted all night. Afterwards, the guests departed. The water mansion would continue to host feasts for the next three days, but the Dragon King, the guest of honor, might not attend. In reality, the main part of the birthday celebration was over, and many aquatic creatures could leave early without issue.

It was approximately noon on the third day when Ji Yuan and the old dragon sat opposite each other at a stone table in a coral garden deep within the water mansion.

Although the water here was still incredibly clear, it was said to be seawater from the East Sea, brought specifically to cultivate this garden of colorful corals.

The surroundings were as beautiful as the underwater corals seen on TV in a previous life. There were even tiny, colorful fish swimming around, and the lighting was bright, the environment cleaner, with water so transparent it was like air.

"Hahahaha... Mr. Ji, I've won again! This time, I beat you by nine and a half eyes!"

The old dragon laughed heartily, letting a demoness beside him clear the chessboard while he personally poured wine for Ji Yuan. Ji Yuan, meanwhile, frowned and pondered deeply.

The outcome of the game was usually clear by the halfway point, and Ji Yuan often wanted to resign, but the old dragon insisted on playing every game to completion, never allowing a concession.

'This old dragon is completely out of Master Yin's league!'

Ji Yuan had thought his Go skills should have greatly improved after practicing "Yanqi" (deductive chess), but apparently, they were still not enough in front of the old dragon. Moreover, the "Yanqi" system was about two pieces complementing each other, while orthodox Go was about two pieces contending. Although Ji Yuan had the insight to see through the moves, it wasn't enough yet.

"One more game!"

Ji Yuan constantly corrected the discrepancies between "Yanqi" and orthodox Go in his mind, searching for points of convergence, and also supplementing the deficiencies of "Yanqi" from a new perspective. The crystal chessboard before him seemed to slightly overlap with a different realm.

'Whether contending or complementing, the goal is to occupy territory on the board.'

A new game began. The old dragon noticed that after winning so many games, Ji Yuan's playing style started to change. The opening was no longer rigidly adhering to established patterns; instead, there was a strange feeling of following and connecting, as if he wasn't trying to seal off the old dragon's black stones but rather co-operating to draw lines together, like a child casually placing stones while learning to play.

As they played, the old dragon realized his own strategy was being subtly influenced. Suddenly, Ji Yuan made a "jab," and the old dragon found that a section of his stones couldn't be "connected."

"Father, Bai Qi of Chunmu River is still here, wanting to see you again!"

Just then, the Dragon Girl hurriedly entered from outside the garden. The old dragon immediately stood up upon hearing this.

"Bai Qi is, after all, a righteous River God. It's truly improper to keep him waiting so long. Mr. Ji, I will go see him!"

Ji Yuan: "..."

Just when he finally saw a winning chance, the old dragon slipped away. After a thought, Ji Yuan decided to take his leave as well.

"Elder Ying, I have imposed for quite some time. If I don't return soon, the fisherman who rented me the boat will report me to the authorities. Moreover, that Bai Qi's true intention lies elsewhere; I don't wish to invite trouble."

The old dragon paused and looked back at Ji Yuan, a smile appearing on his face as a thought crossed his mind.

"Mr. Ji is right. Besides, you need to wait for Master Yin to enter the capital, so it's indeed not advisable to stay long. It's just that it won't be easy for Bai Qi to find you again..."

The last sentence was truly heartfelt from the old dragon; it was genuinely difficult to find Ji Yuan. Even if Ji Yuan were fishing on Tongtian River, Bai Qi wouldn't be able to find him, unaware of the circumstances.

Ji Yuan smiled and added:

"When Elder Ying goes, please convey a message to the River God of Chunmu River: 'Vain pursuit is not destiny; true cultivation is the real path. For a dragon, righteous conduct is key; for a god, protecting one's domain. With a heart lacking nothing, there will naturally be a time for incense to be offered!'"

The old dragon frowned upon hearing these words but didn't ask further. He simply nodded and departed, while Ji Yuan, led by the Dragon Girl, took the small covered boat and left the water mansion from the rear.