Chapter 860: Being Cheated, Mr. Xie

At Ji Yuan and Yin Zhaoxian's table, Ji Yuan was pleased to see that Ying Feng hadn't taken the wine pot. He weighed it, finding it still more than half full.

"Mr. Ji," asked Yin Qing, "River God Bai is here, but where are the big green fish and the old turtle?"

It was Yin Qing who spoke. He had been chatting with Hu Yun for a while and learned that Bai Qi had brought the big green fish and the old turtle. Hu Yun was eager to be with the big green fish, and Yin Qing also wanted to see the creatures who once enjoyed listening to him read by the river.

"Hmm, the rules of the main hall probably dictate that those who haven't transformed into human form, or at least a highly illusory one, are not permitted. I imagine the old turtle is likely in one of the side halls with the big green fish."

Yin Qing nodded and looked at Hu Yun.

"I see. In that case, we'll have to find them after the banquet."

At that moment, Xiezhi was seated next to Du Changsheng, quietly savoring the Dragon Palace's dishes. He still couldn't discern what method Ji Yuan had used earlier to make the dragon prince's inner energy surge so dramatically in a mere moment—perhaps a type of illusion, yet it left no discernible trace.

Du Changsheng had been intently observing every aspect of the Dragon Transformation Banquet, from the awkwardness and tension of the various gift-givers to the dragon princess's discomfort and the dragon prince's curious gossip. Only now did he finally have the leisure to turn his attention to the food and wine before him.

"Mr. Xie, you don't seem to be enjoying the Dragon Palace's dishes much?"

Du Changsheng noticed that while Xiezhi occasionally picked at the food, he mostly just took a small bite, sometimes even showing a hint of distaste. Du Changsheng himself had tasted the dishes and found them refreshing and rich in spiritual energy—a rare delicacy in the human realm.

Xiezhi glanced at Du Changsheng and smiled.

"Hmph, these aquatic creatures simply prefer this style. It's as bland as water in the mouth; what flavor can it possibly have?"

"But I, Du, find these dishes to be rare delicacies in the human realm. Mr. Xie, you truly have a very discerning palate, hehehe..."

Xiezhi, who was currently in the guise of a chivalrous wanderer, stroked the beard on his chin when he heard Du Changsheng's words, then suddenly chuckled.

"Du Changsheng, as the Imperial Advisor of Da Zhen, you must frequently attend grand banquets in the imperial palace, correct?"

"Uh, indeed. Does Mr. Xie have any particular insight to share?"

"No, no, it's not advice. I simply believe that the culinary skills of some human chefs far exceed the dishes served here in the Dragon Palace today. *Those* are truly flavorful. These dishes may carry a hint of watery spiritual energy, making ordinary people find them palatable because they sense the spiritual nourishment. While the quality of ingredients is certainly important, merely relying on methods that deceive the palate—to put it strongly—is an insult to true deliciousness!"

Ji Yuan, with his excellent hearing, paused his wine-pouring in front of them, surprised that Xiezhi had such a systematic way of speaking about it.

Du Changsheng, on the other hand, was completely taken aback.

"Uh, it's not *that* serious, is it?"

"Why not? When it comes to the world's most exquisite flavors, at present, I only acknowledge two treasures in Ji Yuan's possession."

This person actually dared to call Mr. Ji by his given name? Among all the people Du Changsheng had encountered throughout the world, anyone who knew Mr. Ji—whether out of reverence or fear—never addressed him so informally.

Du Changsheng's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a calm facade, slowly adopting an interested expression as he turned towards Xiezhi.

"Oh? It seems Mr. Xie has quite a bit of expertise on this. I'd be delighted to hear more!"

"Hehe, just a little research. Let me tell you, Ji Yuan possesses two treasures: one is spirit root nectar, and the other is fire-refined chili powder. These two, one is so sweet it refreshes the soul, and the other is so spicy it tingles with savory numbness. They are a truly unique combination of spiritual essence and flavor. A little added to any dish can transform the mundane into the miraculous. It's just that the quantities are limited, and very few people ever get the chance to taste them."

Du Changsheng's eyes widened slightly, and he cautiously cast a glance at Ji Yuan's back.

"Mr. Ji knows how to cook?"

"Not only does he know, but his culinary skills are exceptional. It's just that he's a bit stingy and rarely cooks. The dishes here in the Dragon Palace certainly can't compare, and even the food at some taverns outside tastes better than this."

"This... surely not. How could dishes from outside taverns possibly compare to those of the Dragon Palace?"

"Let's set that aside for a moment. Since you're the Imperial Advisor of Da Zhen, arranging a court banquet with the emperor should be a simple matter. How about you take me to try one sometime?"

Du Changsheng smiled and nodded.

"That's a small matter. If Mr. Xie is genuinely interested, you can come to me anytime. It would even be fine to have the imperial kitchen chefs go specifically to a location Mr. Xie designates to cook for you."

"Oh, you hold quite a prestigious position as Imperial Advisor, and you're a straightforward person! As for me, I always believe in fairness. Since you're so obliging, I must also show my appreciation."

"Hehehe, Mr. Xie, you're too kind."

Du Changsheng's mind raced through several thoughts in an instant. In the end, he refrained from saying anything like "no need," opting instead for a polite "you're too kind," which was both reserved and unlikely to be misunderstood.

Xiezhi looked at the golden star crown Du Changsheng was wearing.

"In the future, when your Celestial Master Office has more celestial masters on secondment, some might come from renowned immortal abodes. If you feel you can't keep them in check, you can have them add an extra oath before taking up their posts—they can simply swear an oath to 'Xiezhi.' Do you have paper and a pen?"

"Oh, yes, I have them."

Du Changsheng quickly took out paper and a pen, clearing some plates on the table. With both hands, he offered the ink-stained pen to Xiezhi, who took it, pondered for a moment, and then began to draw on the white paper.

After drawing for quite some time, when he finally put down the pen, Xiezhi's eye twitched uncontrollably, while Du Changsheng on the side frowned at the paper.

"This is..."

"This doesn't count!"

Xiezhi snatched the paper, crumpled it into a ball, and then crushed it into powder in his hand. His drawing skills were truly subpar; having grown accustomed to Ji Yuan's fluid brushwork in both calligraphy and painting, his own efforts seemed as crude as connecting outer circles. He couldn't even stand to look at it himself.

"Ji Yuan, Ji Yuan..."

Xiezhi called out to Ji Yuan twice. His voice wasn't particularly loud, but before Ji Yuan could even turn around, every pair of eyes in the vicinity collectively shifted to him.

"Who is that?" "How dare he call Mr. Ji by his given name?"

"Is he from Da Zhen?" "Doesn't seem so."

"It appears Mr. Ji brought him."

"Is that right?"

Ji Yuan then turned to look at Xiezhi, who raised his pen.

"Come draw this for me. I know you heard everything. You won't refuse, will you?"

Ji Yuan, of course, wouldn't refuse. On the contrary, he had intended to further this matter. After saying a word to Yin Zhaoxian, he stood up and approached Xiezhi and Du Changsheng.

"The drawing and the name, right?"

"Yes."

Moving the white paper on the table closer to him, Ji Yuan didn't use the pen Xiezhi held. Instead, he simply raised a hand, and a brush spun out from his sleeve into his grip, still stained with ink.

Ji Yuan then began to draw directly on the white paper. In mere moments, a strange and fearsome creature emerged under his brush: it possessed dense, dark fur, bright, spirited eyes, a large horn growing from its forehead, thick limbs with four sharp, hook-like claws, a short tail, a stout body, and a large mouth with long teeth.

At first glance, the monster evoked in Du Changsheng a feeling that was both terrifying and majestic, sending shivers down his spine.

After completing the drawing, Ji Yuan wrote the two large characters "Xiezhi" below the image before putting down his brush. He then looked up at Xiezhi.

"Since you've taken this step yourself, why not be more generous? Could law enforcement officials in Da Zhen also swear an oath in your name when they take office?"

Xiezhi, who had been admiring his own heroic depiction, suddenly felt a prickle of unease and repeatedly refused.

"No, no, no! Officials in Da Zhen are as numerous as ox hair, and every official can claim some connection to law enforcement. You, Ji Yuan, are digging a pit for me to jump into! Mortals are easily tempted, and their resolve is most fragile. If I follow your suggestion, won't I be worked to death?"

Ji Yuan frowned slightly.

"It doesn't need to be overly strict; as long as the general principles are upheld, it should be fine."

"No, no, that's not the point of strictness. Besides, if the entire scholarly officialdom across the nation were bound by such an oath, wouldn't it become utterly lifeless?"

"You have a point..."

Ji Yuan nodded thoughtfully, then his expression suddenly shifted as he continued.

"Then how about this: truly dedicated judicial officials, such as Supervising Censors and those within the Censorate, could swear an oath to you. These officials hold high positions and significant power, involved in imperial prisons, law revision, and oversight of all other officials. Only those who are truly just and strict can serve in these roles, and their numbers are not large. This should be acceptable, yes?"

"This..."

"Didn't you just say I possess two of the world's most unparalleled seasonings? I'll simply give you more."

Xiezhi's eyes lit up, but he immediately frowned again. There was no doubt that Ji Yuan was setting a trap for him. However, knowing Ji Yuan, it wouldn't be *just* a trap; there would certainly be benefits for Xiezhi, perhaps by leveraging Da Zhen's national fortune. But then again, the cultivators from the Celestial Master Office had also said that involving officials might give him a feeling of being bound to Da Zhen.

"It's merely witnessing an oath, and whether you pay attention to it or not is entirely up to you. If you feel it's inappropriate, simply disregard it."

Since Ji Yuan had put it that way, Xiezhi nodded.

"Alright, so be it."

Ji Yuan smiled and looked at Yin Qing.

"Qing'er, remember this: anyone holding positions related to imperial prisons, revising laws, or overseeing all officials may swear an oath to Xiezhi. Additionally, an image of Xiezhi may be depicted on the headwear of these officials."

Xiezhi grimaced, still feeling as though he had been tricked, yet unable to articulate why.

As guests at various tables in the main hall mingled and toasted each other, some of the aquatic creatures present began discreetly exchanging glances. In the side halls, other aquatic beings also started leaving their seats, converging towards the entrance of the main hall.