After Lu Zheng, Liu Qingyan, and their friend Liu Qingquan didn't show up, Ao Qian felt a bit bored over the New Year and decided to head to Tonglin County to hang out with Lu Zheng, bringing along three guardians.

"Guardians?!" Ao Kuo glared, "I'm here to assume the position of Water God of Gui Ling River. Escorting Qian Bao'Er is just a side task!"

Gui Ling River is a branch of the East Celestial River in the Lingbei Dao region, and it's one of the most important rivers in Lingbei Dao.

"Oh?" Lu Zheng raised an eyebrow, "The Water God's position for Gui Ling River? You need to assume it?"

Ao Kuo nodded, "The previous Water God of Gui Ling River was also from the Dragon Race."

Lu Zheng's eyes flickered as he nodded.

The Eastern Sea Dragon Race has a good relationship with the Central Plains Dynasty. With dragons adept at water manipulation, the Central Plains Dynasty collaborates with the Eastern Sea Dragon Race. Dragons are sent to help guard the waters, while the Central Plains Dynasty offers spirit veins and Water God incense to aid their cultivation.

A win-win cooperation!

Ao Kuo explained, "Half a year ago, my clan uncle's lifespan ended. He submitted his resignation to the Court and returned to the Dragon Race. Subsequently, the Central Plains Court sent a request to the Dragon Palace, asking the Dragon Race to dispatch another true dragon to guard Gui Ling River. So, I came."

Lu Zheng nodded, "Gui Ling River is north of Lingbei Dao and flows into the East Celestial River. If you're not in a hurry, stay a few days in Tonglin County before going. Once you assume the Water God position, you probably can't leave easily, right?"

Lu Zheng knew the River God of Lu River, who rarely leaves his River God's Mansion, except during the Zhu Yushan incident.

"That's true." Ao Kuo nodded, "Water conditions are complex, and we have to manage the water veins. During spring and summer, floods are frequent. With Gui Ling River located near Lingbei Dao, Zhongyang Dao, and Guanglin Dao, the region is mountainous and watery. Last winter wasn't cold, so there might be floods this year."

Lu Zheng squinted, "Floods again?"

Ao Kuo nodded, "The Observatory issued a statement, which has been communicated to the Dragon Race, prompting them to send me."

Ao Kuo may not be as skilled as Ao Qi, but he's a master of the Dragon Race, with eight to nine hundred years of Dao practice and magical treasures at hand. With the support of the Water God position, even abnormal people with over a thousand years of Dao practice might find it hard to challenge him.

"However, it's just the start of spring, so there's no rush." Ao Kuo said.

"Then stay here for a few days." Lu Zheng said.

Ao Kuo is here on official duty to assume the Water God position for Gui Ling River in the Central Plains. Ao Yun and Ao Run are purely accompanying the kids since they hung out with Lu Zheng in the Dragon Palace last year, so they are accompanying Ao Qian on this trip.

"Just the four of you? No one else?" Lu Zheng asked, "Shrimp soldiers, crab generals, clam girls, turtle aspects?"

"It's not like we're traveling the world; why bring so many people?" Ao Kuo said, "The Gui Ling River Divine Mansion has prefects, chief clerks, and vice generals left behind by my clan uncle."

"Understood, follow me home then." Lu Zheng said, "Qian Bao'Er is staying with the Liu Family, so you all can stay at my place. I'll cook at noon, and we'll have a drink."

"Sounds great! Wonderful!"

Meanwhile, Liu Qingyan and Du Yueyao went to Renxin Hall to see patients, intending to close the doors at noon then head home with Elder Liu.

Lu Zheng then led the four dragons back to Tongyi Lane.

Liu Qingquan and Ao Qian met up and immediately started laughing and joking around, confirming their plans to head to the Eastern Sea.

"What's so interesting about the Dragon Palace!" Ao Qian waved dismissively, "It's either Jade Mountain or Treasure Pearl Sea. No good operas, no storytellers, nothing good to eat or play with. It's not as fun as here."

Just back from the Eastern Sea, Yue Honghai left with tears of envy.

Liu Qingquan nodded, "Exactly! In Tushan, spending New Year's was dull too. Just a bunch of kids chasing me for snacks."

Ao Qian nodded vigorously in agreement.

Then Liu Qingquan shared her snacks and drinks with Ao Qian, waiting for lunch.

…

At noon, upon hearing Ao Qian had arrived, Shen Ying and Si Lingxi returned.

"Seems similar to that old dragon." Si Lingxi nodded, "I didn't expect him to have such a young daughter."

Ao Qian blinked her adorable eyes, "Who are you, sister?"

Si Lingxi patted her little head, "I know your dad. Since you call Lu Lang brother-in-law, you should call me Sister Si."

Ao Qian elegantly bowed, her mouth sweet as honey, "Sister Si, you're so beautiful!"

Lu Zheng asked Si Lingxi, "You know the Jade Dragon King?"

"I visited the Eastern Sea back then and exchanged moves with the Jade Dragon King and Cyan Dragon King." Si Lingxi nodded.

Si Lingxi spoke casually, while Lu Zheng inhaled sharply, "And then?"

"I didn't really win, and they didn't really lose." Si Lingxi said lightly.

But the implication was clear that she gained the upper hand.

The eyes of Ao Kuo and the others shrank with intensity. Ao Yun seemed to remember something and swallowed hard, "You bear the surname Si, are you from Southern Border Phoenix Mountain…"

Si Lingxi nodded, "That's me."

"Greetings, Sect Leader Si!" Ao Kuo and the others bowed deeply in unison.

Si Lingxi waved her hand, raising them, "No need for such formalities."

However, Ao Qian looked at Si Lingxi, then suddenly dashed behind Lu Zheng, clutching his clothes and afraid to show her face.

Lu Zheng turned back, looking at the fearful little girl, asking curiously, "What's the matter?"

Ao Qian peeked at Si Lingxi again, "Brother-in-law, Sister Si... she won't eat me, will she?"

Lu Zheng was puzzled, "Why would she eat you?"

"Because Dad used to scare me, saying if I misbehaved, he'd give me to the Southern Border Phoenix or the Western Golden Roc to eat." Ao Qian said with a serious face.

Lu Zheng was speechless, "How could the Jade Dragon King talk like this about Lingxi?"

Si Lingxi blushed slightly, softly explaining, "I went to the Eastern Sea back then out of curiosity about the taste of dragon meat."

Everyone was speechless, "..."

Si Lingxi then shook her head, "But since then, I haven't eaten dragon meat. I can't believe that old dragon remembered and spoke bad things about me to kids. Next time we meet, I must ask him about it."

Basically?

Lu Zheng glanced at Si Lingxi, his words stifled.

Si Lingxi noticed his look, worried about frightening Ao Qian, so she whispered to him, "Later, some evil dragons wreaked havoc in Southern Border, and I ate them."

Lu Zheng gestured an OK sign, then pulled Ao Qian out, saying insincerely, "Sister Si doesn't eat dragon meat; she prefers snake meat, so no need to be afraid."

"Oh, okay!" Ao Qian felt relieved and came out to greet Si Lingxi.

…

The little misunderstanding resolved, they had lunch together at home.

In the afternoon, Shen Ying took the two little girls and Ao Yun and Ao Run to Peach Blossom Plain for fun, while Yue Honghai led Ao Kuo to Yu Ling Garden to enjoy opera and songs.