CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43 WHY IS IT DIFFERENT FROM WHAT I THOUGHT?

Li Jing also felt this matter should be addressed early, so the next morning, just as the morning light crept over the mountain, he climbed out of bed and headed to the storeroom.

He searched from wall-mounted cabinets to floor-standing ones, opening every locked chest, and finally had the steward fetch the inventory list to compare twice, making his head ache even more.

He spoke with a tone of distress, "Why has the expenditure been so high this past half year?"

The steward, with a beard turning grey, pretended to be mute, looking at his nose with his eyes, and at his heart with his nose, but finally, seeing Li Jing’s bloodshot eyes persistently staring at him, he could no longer pretend and said, "Sir, usually we only entertain a few lords from Chentang Pass and family relatives, but this year, we’ve had several doctors from Zhaoge, especially Fei Zhong and You Hun, whose spending is extravagant. Moreover, the lady’s shops are changing tenants, so there hasn’t been any rent for the past couple of months, hence the financial imbalance."

"Humph, that woman is deliberately trying to piss me off!"

Li Jing sighed; he knew the old steward wasn’t wrong. But going to the Dragon Palace, he still had to offer apologies, and he couldn’t go empty-handed.

So he searched through the government storeroom again, used Earth Style to travel to the seaside, sent a message, and was then ushered into the palace by the envoy of the East Sea.

Having visited his old neighbor, the Dragon Palace of the East Sea, multiple times before, Li Jing was even more puzzled by the sight of a thorny, armored fish beside him.

Li Jing cupped his fist and inquired, "May I ask, General, where is Mr. Zhao, the palace envoy who usually handles receptions? Why haven’t I seen him this time?"

The Thorn Fish General chuckled and said, "General Li, don’t worry. The Old Dragon King has gone to the South Sea and won’t be back soon. This time, it is the Third Prince Ao Bing who will meet with you, so I’ve been sent to fetch you."

"I see."

With a gift in his left hand, Li Jing was led into the reception hall by the Thorn Fish General. From afar, he saw a young lord in a brocade robe standing with his hands behind his back. Judging by the presence and demeanor full of spiritual energy, it must be Ao Bing.

He hurried forward, bowed, and said, "I am Li Jing, the General of Chentang Pass, paying respects to the Third Prince Ao Bing."

Upon hearing his voice, Ao Bing immediately came down the steps to greet him. This time, his overly handsome face did not bear its usual cold and arrogant look but instead was awkwardly plastered with a smile. Holding Li Jing’s hand, he said, "Uncle Li and my father are peers. This gift is too much for this nephew to accept. Please, take a seat."

He turned his head to the side and called out, "Fishes, serve the tea!"

The two sat at the table, and Li Jing hadn’t expected that the notoriously unreasonable Ao Bing would be so easy to talk to. Although a century of cultivation isn’t long among the dragons, calling him Uncle seemed a bit too much.

With this thought, he worried that Ao Bing’s smile might hide a knife, otherwise, how could he explain the situation where Nezha killed Li Gen and yet they are still treating him so warmly here at the East Sea?

The two made small talk, asking about the Old Dragon King and Li Jing’s family. After finishing one cup of tea and having a second one, Li Jing felt it was time and tentatively asked, "Your Highness, my visit today is actually for—"

Ao Bing said, "Uncle, don’t be anxious. Let me guess, it must be about the Sea Dragon King ritual."

Li Jing’s heart tightened, and looking at Ao Bing’s meaningfully smiling face, he felt something significant was amiss and thought silently, here it comes.

He nodded and said, "Previously, while I was at Wild Horse Ridge training warhorses, my ignorant young son caused trouble with the Dragon Palace. When the Dragon King returns, I hope Your Highness will speak kindly for me. I would be infinitely grateful."

"Of course, since Uncle Li has come personally, if I don’t agree to such a small matter, it would make me look petty, wouldn’t it?"

"Not at all, Your Highness really knows how to joke." Li Jing often heard rumors from the shrimp soldiers and crab generals about the Dragon Palace Third Prince’s erratic nature, but now it seems, perhaps the rumors were not entirely true. "Rest assured, Your Highness, since the Dragon Palace is magnanimous and won’t hold this incident against Chentang Pass, regarding the Sea Dragon King ritual, I, Li Jing, will take charge and in the future—"

Li Jing waved his hand grandly but was interrupted by Ao Bing, who grabbed Li Jing’s hand and said, "Just as the General said, the Sea Dragon King ritual harms the harmony of heaven and earth and must not continue!"

"Ah?"

Li Jing was stunned. How Ao Bing’s response could be so different from what he expected, he thought, are you playing with me?

This harm to the harmony of heaven and earth isn’t a new issue; it’s been hundreds or thousands of years, and just recently, the Dragon King wrote me asking to shorten the ritual period. How did things turn around 180 degrees so quickly?

Seeing Li Jing’s face full of shock, Ao Bing felt the restriction he should hardly feel subtly tightening, and he quickly said, "Doesn’t Uncle believe? I’ve already written the draft to the Dragon King to abolish the Sea Dragon King ritual at Chentang Pass, see for yourself?"

Saying so, Ao Bing actually took out a scroll and handed it to Li Jing. Li Jing suspiciously took the scroll, and after reading it, he spent a long time calming his emotions.

Although he still didn’t know what was happening, it seemed things weren’t as bad as he had imagined.

If the Sea Dragon King ritual were truly abandoned, then it would be even better. After all, he hadn’t benefited at all from the incense power.

He cupped his hand and said, "If this can happen, the people of Chentang Pass will forever be grateful for the Third Prince’s grace. I, Li Jing, will indeed rally the people to erect a temple for Your Highness, ensuring perpetual worship!"

This response satisfied Ao Bing greatly. Indeed, although he was constrained by Nezha, being able to take advantage of Li Jing’s father was a handsome counterattack!

Ao Bing said, "Come, Uncle, take a seat. I have Jade Dew Immortal Brew bestowed by the Heavenly Court. It has the effect of prolonging life and strengthening the body. I’ve been seeking an occasion to drink it at a banquet. Uncle’s arrival today is the perfect opportunity!"

"I dare not, I dare not."

After three rounds of wine, Li Jing grew dizzy from Ao Bing’s enthusiasm.

Upon coming here today, especially hearing that the Dragon King wasn’t present and the rumored Third Prince of the Dragon Palace would meet him, he had prepared mentally to be humiliated and disgraced by the Dragon Palace, but everything was contrary to his expectations.

Fortunately, it was enthusiasm that overwhelmed Li Jing rather than the fragrant and mellow celestial wine. Despite being a tippler, Li Jing knew why he had come.

However, with Ao Bing’s earlier attitude, he wasn’t as worried as before. Taking advantage of the slight intoxication, he smiled and said with great relief, "Li Jing was narrow-minded, utterly unexpected that the Dragon Palace was so generous. It’s just hateful that my son was mischievous and harmed the Yaksha’s life earlier. But rest assured, Your Highness, once I return, I will definitely—"

Unsurprisingly, Li Jing’s words were interrupted by Ao Bing once more.

This time, Li Jing seemed somewhat prepared, watching Ao Bing, who looked graceful as jade and whose human form bore dragon horns, await him to say something dismissive like, "This matter is no big deal," like the previous times.

Ao Bing lightly tapped the crystal table with his fingers, his face that was full of smiles gradually turned serious, and he slowly opened his mouth, "The patrol Yaksha Li Gen was assigned to the East Sea Dragon Palace by the decree of the Lingxiao Palace. His death—"

Upon hearing the words of being assigned by the decree of the Lingxiao Palace, Li Jing instantly sobered up from the wine, feeling as if his blood was freezing inch by inch from head to toe.

He cried out in his heart: It’s over.

No wonder there was such courtesy before; Ao Bing was deeply disguising himself, waiting for the old man here!