“Most of those coming to the Dragon Palace to celebrate His Majesty's birthday are deities from the Heavenly Court.”
“There's the Kitchen God, Heavenly King Li, Nezha, Pleiades Star Lord, Erlang Shen...”
“And... some minor gods of rivers and basins, as well as some Grass-Headed Deities.”
“The Dragon King enjoys making friends far and wide, so he has quite a large circle.”
Turtle Prime Minister slowly read off the names while leading Su Qing and the others toward the Dragon Palace.
Su Qing had heard most of these names before, and she had even met or recognized several of them.
After all, at the Three Sacred Mother's immortal gathering last time... Su Qing had indeed made the acquaintance of many deities.
Although her relationship with most of them was only average, they were at least familiar faces...
“Speaking of which, are all the guests for this birthday celebration deities? Are there no demons?” Su Qing asked, looking at the old turtle.
She remembered that the Old Dragon King wasn't just on good terms with the gods; he also socialized with many of the demon kind.
It seemed rather odd that only deities were coming to offer their congratulations this time, didn't it?
Hearing Su Qing's question, the old turtle paused for a moment before explaining:
“Immortal, the gods of the Heavenly Palace are not like you or His Majesty; they cannot treat demons as equals. Therefore, this first banquet is only for the heavenly gods, as well as you and your companions.”
Upon hearing this, Su Qing nodded slightly.
She had almost forgotten about that.
Even though she was well-received among the heavenly gods, it was because she cultivated the righteous path and had connections to the Old Mother of Mount Li and Taishang Laojun.
But for those wild monsters and man-eating spirits...
Obviously, they wouldn't be welcomed.
If they didn't get subdued immediately upon meeting, a fight would surely break out.
“So, from what you're saying, there's a second banquet?” Su Qing noticed his phrasing and couldn't help but ask.
The old turtle dared not hide anything and replied respectfully, “Indeed, Immortal. There is a second banquet, and it is for the various demon kings of the world.”
Su Qing wasn't surprised. She simply smiled and said, “This Dragon King... he really did invite both sides. Isn't he afraid the Heavenly Court will find out? He might end up pleasing no one.”
The old turtle didn't answer, merely continuing to lead the way in silence.
And Su Qing's eyes shifted as a realization dawned on her.
She suspected the Heavenly Court already knew exactly what the Old Dragon King was up to.
They were likely turning a blind eye, pretending not to see.
Perhaps as long as the Old Dragon King didn't cause any major scandals, the Heavenly Court wouldn't bother interfering...
“But what exactly is the Heavenly Court thinking?”
Su Qing couldn't quite wrap her head around the logic of the Jade Emperor and his lot.
Of course, there was no real need for her to understand it anyway.
It didn't have much to do with her.
As long as it didn't affect her, she was fine with it.
Shaking off her wandering thoughts, she followed up with another question: “Since the second banquet is for demon kings, who exactly is attending? Given the Dragon King's nature of making friends across the five lakes and four seas, the list must be quite long, right?”
“To answer the Immortal, there are indeed many.”
The old turtle didn't dare hide it, nor could he... he just honestly answered Su Qing's questions.
Su Qing didn't know most of the demon kings invited to the second banquet.
However, it wasn't as if she knew none of them. She recognized famous names like the Bull Demon King.
But that was the extent of it.
To her, most demons were obscure and unheard of.
“Does the Immortal... wish to attend the second banquet?” the old turtle asked after finishing his explanation.
Su Qing shook her head slightly. “No, there's no need. If I were to show up at the second banquet, I'm afraid I would only disrupt the proceedings.”
Though many demons had become immortals... she was already a deity. Appearing abruptly at a banquet meant for demon kings would be quite awkward.
It might even look like she was looking for trouble.
It wouldn't be good if a fight broke out.
This was the Dragon Palace, Ao Ying's home. It would be a shame if anything got broken.
Besides, she was just a mere mountain god and wasn't particularly good at fighting.
Hearing this, the old turtle said no more, silently leading the way for Su Qing's group.
Actually, he wanted to say that since she was the Dragon King's intended son-in-law, there wouldn't be any problem even if she did attend.
But since she said she wouldn't go, there was no need for him to speak further.
The rest of the journey was exceptionally smooth.
While not as fast as riding on Ao Ying's back, the path was just as unobstructed.
Inside the Crystal Palace, many people were busy preparing for the birthday banquet the following day.
The Old Dragon King stood in the main hall, watching his soldiers and servants bustle about while waiting for Su Qing and her companions to arrive.
As soon as Su Qing's group entered the East Sea, a reporting yaksa had sent word of their arrival.
That was why the Old Dragon King was waiting right there...
After all, he had to show proper respect to this important “son-in-law.”
He didn't have to wait long.
Before long, the old turtle arrived at the Crystal Palace with Su Qing's group.
Seeing Su Qing and Ao Ying, the Old Dragon King's face lit up like a blooming chrysanthemum, his whiskers swaying in the water.
“It's been quite a long time! My dear daughter, and my son-in-law!” the Old Dragon King said with a booming laugh.
Seeing the Old Dragon King in such high spirits, Su Qing couldn't help but smile slightly. “Greetings, Senior Dragon King...”
Leng Xiang and Gongsun Zhixue also followed suit and bowed.
“Greetings, Father!” Ao Ying said, remaining perfectly poised.
The Old Dragon King wasn't surprised by his daughter's behavior.
He turned to Su Qing and said, “There's no need for such formality. I've said it before—just treat this as your own home. We'll be family sooner or later anyway. Isn't that right, my dear daughter?”
He didn't ask Su Qing; he asked Ao Ying.
Naturally, he knew Ao Ying would back him up.
After all, the father and daughter had reached an agreement on this matter decades ago.
Ao Ying nodded with a smile and said, “Sister has visited so many times now; she should just treat it as her own home. There's no need to be formal with my father.”
“Yes, exactly. No need for such politeness with me,” the Old Dragon King added.
Su Qing felt a bit helpless seeing the two of them working in such perfect harmony.
If this usually discordant father-daughter pair could reach an agreement on that one specific subject...
It was likely the only thing they could agree on so quickly.
Su Qing nodded slightly and said, “By the way, since I've come to celebrate your birthday, I brought along a little something as a gift!”
Regardless of the circumstances, since she had chosen to attend, she had to prepare a gift.
It was a matter of basic etiquette and custom.
“Oh, there's no need for gifts. I'm already overjoyed that you and my daughter could come back to celebrate with me.” Hearing her words, the Old Dragon King first smiled and then shook his head. “The sentiment is more than enough.”
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