Chapter 852: Stunned Like a Wooden Chicken

"Clang—"

"The envoy of Dazhen is here to congratulate Lady Ying—"

The distant clang of gongs and shouts drifted with the current. Ji Yuan and Zao Niang had already heard them. Instead of seeking the source, they stood at the bottom of the river, watching a bright, vast expanse of righteous qi spreading towards them from afar.

The attention of the surrounding water creatures was entirely drawn to the direction of the sound. Some looked peculiar, others perplexed; most didn't understand what was happening, while a few suddenly realized.

"Mr. Ji, isn't this a bit ostentatious?" Zao Niang looked curiously into the distance. Seeing the burst of righteous qi, she knew Master Yin must have arrived.

"It is a bit showy, indeed, but if it weren't, this move would be meaningless. Without a bit of ostentation, how would the name of Dazhen spread throughout the world?"

Zao Niang frowned, wanting to ask more but feeling she couldn't articulate her question. Ji Yuan looked at her and offered an explanation. "Most of these water demons from all directions have no particular impression of Dazhen; it's just another human kingdom. But after this event, their impression of Dazhen will be defined by this ship. Among the human kingdoms of today, Dazhen's fame might not yet spread far, but in the grand scheme of the world, the name of Dazhen is bound to rise to prominence."

"Is this reputation very important?"

Ji Yuan watched the approaching light in the distance and said softly, "It's very important, and very significant. Times are different now; humanity, after all, needs to rise. Ruoli's Dragon Transformation banquet is a rare opportunity."

As Ji Yuan spoke with Zao Niang, countless water creatures around them were also abuzz with discussion. With Ji Yuan's hearing, he caught the expected array of conversations amidst the jumbled voices, mostly discussing what exactly that white light on the spiritual perception level was.

Some water creatures or river gods who were originally from the waters near Dazhen were even more surprised, looking up at the distance to confirm again and again.

Closer to the Dragon Palace, the underwater tables were already set, and many water creatures had even taken their seats, but now their attention was drawn by the sound of gongs from afar.

"A ship?" "People from Dazhen?"

"Why would Dazhen's envoy come?"

"This righteous qi, could it be Lord Yin himself?"

"No mistake!" "So ostentatious? What does Dazhen intend to do?"

"Are they really here to congratulate Lady Ying?"

While several water creatures from Dazhen's vicinity were discussing animatedly, a few water demons from overseas, seated at a nearby table, quickly leaned over to inquire.

"Hey, folks, do you know the background of this Dazhen envoy?"

"Yes, at an occasion like Lady Ying's Dragon Transformation banquet, daring to be so ostentatious—are they here to provoke?"

An old man from Dazhen's side, hunched and with a few fish scales on his cheek, looked sideways. "You few are from overseas, aren't you?"

"Indeed, we came all the way from the North Sea specifically to witness Lady Ying's transformation!"

"Oh, well, you've certainly asked the right people. That ship must be Dazhen's official vessel, and that light isn't the aura of some magical artifact; it's the righteous qi emanating from a person."

"Precisely. That person is Yin Zhaoxian, Lord Yin, the current Prime Minister of Dazhen."

While they were discussing, Dazhen's towering ship drew nearer. Zao Niang, standing beside Ji Yuan, immediately spotted Yin Zhaoxian and Yin Qing at the bow, her face instantly lighting up with joy.

"Master, it's little Yin Qing and Master Yin! They're both on the ship. They haven't seen me since I gained my physical form!"

Ji Yuan smiled and encouraged her. "Then go say hello."

"Okay! Uh, aren't you going, Master?"

Ji Yuan shook his head. "I won't go yet. You can go by yourself; don't be afraid."

Hearing Mr. Ji say this, Zao Niang nodded, then leaped up directly, using the power of a water current to rise into the necessary path of the towering ship.

As Dazhen's towering ship sailed along, those on board were actually feeling a sense of tension, even Yin Zhaoxian and Yin Qing couldn't escape it at first. The difference was that Master Yin from the Yin family remained outwardly calm and quickly composed himself internally. The scene was indeed shocking, but its impact was brief. Others, however, were still holding their breath, as arriving with such fanfare might very well lead to being intercepted by demons. Below them, there were even many flood dragons, after all.

Fortunately, no one had obstructed them along the way, allowing them to proceed unimpeded. But at this moment, a streak of light rose from below.

"Grand Preceptor, someone is approaching!"

"Calm yourselves. You are Dazhen's Heavenly Masters; respond to all changes by remaining unchanged!"

"Yes, sir! Yes, sir!"

Du Changsheng stopped his colleagues' unease. Looking at the people beside him, he noticed that apart from the Yin father and son, who appeared normal, the government officials were calmer than his fellow Heavenly Masters. Even some of the younger princes behaved far better than them, who were cultivators.

'Is it ignorance that breeds fearlessness, or is it because Lord Yin is present…'

"We are envoys of Dazhen. Who is obstructing us ahead?" Du Changsheng stood at the bow and transmitted his voice towards the sword-wielding woman in the distance beyond the water barrier. Meanwhile, Yin Qing on the side had already frowned. Although the woman was still far away and her appearance unclear, he felt a sense of familiarity.

"Little Yin Qing! Master Yin!"

Yin Zhaoxian paused, looking at his equally stunned son. In this world, the people who would address them this way could be counted on one hand, and all of them were connected to Ji Yuan.

"It's me! I'm Zao Niang!" Of course, Zao Niang had no intention of obstructing the towering ship. She quickly swam to its side, moving with it, and looked through the water barrier at Yin Qing and Yin Zhaoxian inside, ignoring everyone else.

"Zao Niang?" Both father and son from the Yin family frowned. They hadn't heard that name before. But Yin Qing quickly recognized the sword in Zao Niang's hand.

As if realizing something, Zao Niang quickly added, "It's me! I'm the big date tree! I have a name now; Master gave it to me. I'm Zao Niang! Look, what I'm holding is Qingying, Master's sword. It can't be fake, can it?"

As Zao Niang spoke, she raised her sword. The immortal sword hummed softly, and its sword intent spread. Many nearby water creatures felt as if they'd been zapped by electricity, a chill sweeping over them like a gust of wind. Many instinctively shivered.

"The big date tree!"

"Father, it's the big date tree, the one from Mr. Ji's courtyard!" Yin Qing's face lit up with joy, while Yin Zhaoxian slightly cupped his hands towards Zao Niang.

"Master Yin, may Zao Niang board the ship?"

Hearing Zao Niang's voice, Yin Zhaoxian gestured to the side. "Please do."

Zao Niang smiled, then stepped directly from the river water outside towards the towering ship. Streams of colorless sword intent flowed around her, ignoring the restrictions and water barrier set up by Du Changsheng and others, and she stepped into the ship without any hindrance.

"Zao Niang greets Master Yin!" While Zao Niang could be informal with Yin Qing, she had always held Master Yin in respect since she gained consciousness. Recalling how Mr. Ji, upon his first departure, only acknowledged Master Yin as a friend, and Master Yin had just offered a cupped-hand salute, she immediately held her sword and gave a deep bow in return upon boarding the ship. After raising her head, she looked at Yin Qing.

"So, little Yin Qing, do I look pretty?"

Yin Qing answered with a smile, "Radiantly charming!"

Zao Niang walked directly to Yin Qing's side, as if time had completely failed to erase her closeness to him. Facing Yin Qing, who was already middle-aged, she still reached out and gestured to her own chest. "I always feel like you're still only this tall," she said, "Here."

Zao Niang handed Yin Qing a handful of dates. Seeing this, Yin Qing quickly cupped his hands to receive them. "Thank you, Zao Niang! Father, I haven't had these dates in so many years!"

"Hahaha, yes, it has been many years."

"Master Yin, Zao Niang has more here, please have some!" Zao Niang then directly pulled out a gauze pouch from her sleeve and handed it to Yin Qing; it contained many dates.

The surrounding officials, the imperial guards, and the Heavenly Masters from the Heavenly Master's Bureau were all quite surprised. They hadn't expected to meet acquaintances of the Yin family here? Several younger princes leaned closer, even more curious.

Yin Qing looked at the people around him and raised the gauze pouch in his hand. "Zao Niang, you've given these to me and my father. Can I share them with others?"

Seeing Zao Niang nod, Yin Qing directly took dates and distributed them to everyone around, one per person, even the imperial guards. The entire bag was handed out, leaving the Yin father and son with only one each.

"Zao Niang, Mr. Ji is here too, isn't he?"

When Yin Zhaoxian asked this, Zao Niang looked out from the ship's railing but couldn't see where Ji Yuan was below. "Master is here. He was just standing below. Anyway, Master is in the Dragon Palace, and Hu Yun has come too. Since it's Ruoli's family's place, they're definitely here."

Just then, two Yakshas approached the towering ship and cupped their hands outside. "We are river-patrolling Yakshas. The Dragon Lord commands that the Dazhen envoys follow us into the Dragon Palace."

After those on the ship returned the salute with cupped hands, the two Yakshas guided a current of water to support the towering ship from below. Du Changsheng and the others carefully controlled the ship, guiding it little by little into the Dragon Palace.

Inside the main hall of the Dragon Palace, the Dragon Clans of the Four Seas, including several Dragon Lords, all looked towards the outside of the hall. That bright expanse of righteous qi was impossible to ignore, illuminating almost half of the front part of the Dragon Palace.

"Dragon Lord Ying, who is arriving?"

"It should be Yin Zhaoxian, the current Prime Minister of Dazhen. He is a great Confucian scholar of this age, an extraordinary man of letters. His righteous qi purges evil, symbolizing his heart, his will, and his vast moral integrity. He is favored by heaven and earth, a person born under the Wenqu Star."

"Born under the Wenqu Star? What does that mean?" The old dragon looked at the questioner.

"This is a saying from an old friend of mine. As for its meaning, I imagine it's not difficult to grasp, is it?"

Yin Zhaoxian's righteous qi had already fully formed years ago. Now, with both literary and martial fortunes intertwined, the literary and martial destinies of humanity complement each other like Yin and Yang. Although Yin Zhaoxian's righteous qi appears normal, it has undergone a qualitative change, much like the human realm itself.

During the brief exchange, the Dazhen envoys, led by the Yakshas, entered the main hall. Everyone straightened their backs, striving not to bring shame upon Dazhen. Yin Zhaoxian led the way, with Yin Qing at his side.

From afar, the righteous qi manifested as bright light, but up close, it made Yin Zhaoxian and the others appear particularly distinct, with indistinct, shifting auras faintly swirling above their heads.

"Yin Zhaoxian, Grand Imperial Secretary of Dazhen, leading the Dazhen envoy delegation, respectfully presents the Imperial Edict from the Emperor of Dazhen to congratulate Lady Ying on her successful dragon transformation! The gift list is presented!"

After speaking, Yin Zhaoxian bowed towards the old dragon on the main seat.

"Lord Yin, you are too courteous!" After receiving the bow, the old dragon stood up and returned Yin Zhaoxian's salute with cupped hands. Although he didn't bow deeply, the fact that a Dragon Lord stood up to return a salute made Du Changsheng and the others stare in wide-eyed astonishment.

The Dragon Clans of the Four Seas on both sides of the hall felt similarly. Many exchanged glances and murmured amongst themselves, wondering if the Dragon Lord's returned salute was excessive.

"Lord Yin, those wearing crowns on both sides are all Dragon Lords of the Four Seas. This one is the Yellow Dragon Lord." The old dragon gestured to both sides. Hearing this, Yin Zhaoxian turned to the nearest elder, and with courtesy, bowed to him.

"Yin Zhaoxian pays his respects."

The Old Yellow Dragon had merely been seated, but the moment Yin Zhaoxian saluted him, a strong sense of gravitas arose in his mind. He seemed to see resplendent righteous qi swirling and condensing like rain clouds clinging to a dragon. In a trance, the palace seemed to have no roof, and the heavenly Wenqu Star shone like the sun, with the boundless literary fortune of the human realm intertwined and connected to the Wenqu Star, like a brilliant galaxy.

At that moment, the Old Yellow Dragon couldn't help but rise and return Yin Zhaoxian's salute with cupped hands. "Lord Yin, there's no need for such excessive courtesy!"

Old Dragon Ying Hong smiled slightly at the corner of his mouth and introduced another person. "This one is the Azure Dragon Lord."

Yin Zhaoxian bowed and greeted again. The Azure Dragon, who had just been surprised by the Old Yellow Dragon also rising to return the salute, likewise found it difficult to resist. He too stood up to return the salute. Thereafter, all the Dragon Lords present followed suit…

Not only were Du Changsheng and the others dumbfounded, but all the Dragon Clans of the Four Seas present were equally stunned.