Shen Xiuhan followed the Wang family manager toward the north of the city.
Within less than an hour, a grand mansion appeared before his eyes.
The vermilion-lacquered gates were wide open, flanked by stone lions on either side, baring their fangs and claws. Hanging high above was a black plaque with gold characters, written in a powerful, vigorous hand:
The Wang Mansion!
Stepping over the threshold, he entered the front courtyard. The ground was paved with blue bricks, and covered corridors with beautifully carved and painted beams ran along both sides.
Turning past a screen wall and traversing two more corridors, he arrived at the main hall, where the sound of laughter and conversation drifted out.
The hall was spacious and brightly lit, with red candles burning high, illuminating the calligraphy and paintings on the walls.
Red sandalwood tables and chairs were arranged on either side, with tea cups placed on the tables.
Shen Xiuhan swept his gaze across the room.
In the two seats of honor at the head of the hall, Wang Zhidao was speaking in low tones with Zhao Zheng.
Xiao Wu, Wang Xuanyang, Luo Tangyin, and Ji Ning had already arrived, each seated behind their respective tables, either sipping tea slowly or conversing in low voices.
Only Lin Sheng from Changshui County had yet to arrive.
Xiao Wu was quick-eyed; the moment he spotted him, he waved and called out, “Brother Shen, over here.”
Seeing this, Shen Xiuhan walked over and sat cross-legged behind the empty table to Xiao Wu's right.
A moment later, maidservants bustled back and forth in the hall, carrying red-lacquered food boxes and arranging dishes on everyone's tables.
Steamed sea bass, braised pork trotter, soy-sauced beef, sweet-scented osmanthus sticky rice lotus root...
And several flasks of high-quality Zhuyeqing.
Half an incense stick's time later, Lin Sheng also walked into the main hall, led by a manager.
Seeing that everyone had arrived, Wang Zhidao stood up with his wine cup, looked around at everyone, and smiled. “For all of you to fight your way into the top three of the Longxiang Martial Feast, you are truly the geniuses of our Changyun and Changshui counties. For this first cup, I, Wang, toast to you all, wishing you prosperous martial paths in the future!”
Hearing this, Shen Xiuhan and the others raised their cups and drained them in one gulp.
Then, Zhao Zheng stood up as well.
He grabbed his wine flask, took a massive swig straight from the spout, wiped his mouth, and laughed heartily. “I, Zhao, am a brute of a man who doesn't care for formalities. Everyone, eat and drink to your heart's content! Don't hold back. Who knows... perhaps in the future, you all will be my comrades and brothers-in-arms in the Longxiang Army!”
As soon as Zhao Zheng finished speaking, he raised his flask and drank deeply.
This hearty, unrestrained display put everyone in the hall at ease, softening the atmosphere considerably.
...
After several rounds of wine and dishes, the six youths in the hall toasted and got to know one another. Naturally, their conversation turned to the wonders of the Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool.
“Brothers,” Lin Sheng of Changshui County said as he set down his wine cup, cupped his hands, and asked humbly, “I come from a humble background. Normally, I only hear its name but have never seen it, and I know nothing about the Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool. I wonder if anyone could enlighten me?”
Hearing this, the gazes of the other four at the table all turned toward Wang Xuanyang.
He was a member of the Wang family and the son of the Zhendong General.
Since this treasure belonged to his family, involving the secrets of their heritage, he was naturally the most suitable person to explain.
A smug smile curled the corners of Wang Xuanyang's lips. Setting down his jade chopsticks, he swept his gaze over the crowd and said with an air of profound wisdom, “Very well... Do you all know of secret realms?”
“Secret realms...” Xiao Wu's eyes flickered slightly as he probed, “Like the Grotto-Heavens and Blessed Lands?”
Wang Xuanyang let out an “er,” paused, rubbed his nose, and said, “The Dragon Blood Essence-Infusing Pool is actually a spiritual realm manifested from the ancient spiritual artifact, the Taidi Dragon-Binding Lock.”
“Though it cannot compare to the wonders of a true Grotto-Heaven or Blessed Land, it is still a rare treasure land in this world.”
Intent on showing off, he looked at everyone with burning eyes and lowered his voice, adopting a mysterious tone: “Do you know who ‘Taidi’ is?”
The crowd fell silent for a moment, exchanging glances.
Only Luo Tangyin picked up her tea cup, took a light sip, and said calmly, “The Sovereign Emperor Taidi, Ying Jiao, was a native of the ancient Zhao State. He possessed great talent and bold vision, sweeping across the lands and achieving eternal merit. He was also a martial genius who shook both the past and present.”
She paused, set down her tea cup, her voice cold and clear like a spring: “According to the Great Qi's Chronicles of the Old State: Taidi's talent was extraordinary. At six years old, his mind was already clear and luminous, and he was accepted as a core disciple by the ancient Sword Immortal Ge Nie, who passed down supreme Dao laws to him.”
“After entering the sect, he broke through to the Mingjin Rank at ten, entered the Anjin Rank at thirteen, shattered the Huajin Rank barrier at fifteen, and formed Gangjin at the age of majority. Before forty... he unlocked the gates of ‘Divine Ability,’ achieving the Divine Descent Rank.”
“Subsequently, he established the ancient Wei State, swept across the lands, unified the world, and ascended to the position of Daoist Monarch, holding the title of Sovereign Emperor of the Wei Martial Radiance...”
Luo Tangyin spoke unhurriedly, listing the details as if they were familiar family treasures.
“As expected of the eldest young lady of the Luo family, truly well-read and knowledgeable!” Wang Xuanyang laughed heartily and clapped his hands in praise.
Then, he pulled back his smile and continued in a lowered voice, “Although Taidi swept across the lands, ruled the four seas, unified the world, and proclaimed himself emperor, this process was by no means smooth sailing. He experienced countless hardships and obstacles along the way.”
“For example...”
He picked up his wine cup, took a sip to moisten his throat, and continued, “When the Wei army crushed the six states and pushed the borders to the shores of the four seas, they ran into a hard bone to chew.”
“At that time, the East Sea Dragon Lord, Dongfang Sheng, who ruled over the vast ocean, issued a command to gather countless dragon kings, demon kings, and millions of aquatic tribes in the sea, blocking the Wei army at the shores of the East Sea.”
“At the same time, he also allied with the three other dragon lords of the North, West, and South Seas, attempting to drive the Wei army back to the land and prevent them from encroaching upon the sea.”
“However...” Wang Xuanyang shook his head, a trace of regret appearing on his face as he said, “Except for the North Sea Dragon Lord, Dongfang Lu, who intended to join forces with him, the remaining dragon lords of the South and West Seas had their own designs and refused to put in any effort.”
“When Taidi and several Wei State Daoist Monarchs fought a great battle in the sea, the South and West Dragon Lords turned coat on the battlefield. They led their dragon palace forces to retreat far into the border seas, abandoning their ancestral domains. They even changed their surname from Dongfang to Yin to avoid the sharp edge of the Great Wei.”
At this point, a touch of lamentation crept into Wang Xuanyang's tone: “That battle was fought until the heavens collapsed and the earth shattered. The North Sea Dragon Lord, Dongfang Lu, was slain south of the East Sea, near what is now Tingling Island...”
“Even after thousands of years, the water in that sea region remains vermilion. Thus, later generations named it the Zhu Lu Sea.”
“As for the East Sea Dragon Lord, he was hunted down by three Daoist Monarchs. No one knows where he ultimately fled, and all trace of him was lost.”
“Subsequently, Crown Prince Ying Changying led many Wei generals to wage fierce battles against a host of dragon kings and great aquatic demons.”
“Though those remnants of the dragon race had lost their dragon lord, they were still fiercely untamable. The crown prince could do nothing to them, failing to break them despite prolonged attacks.”
“Thus, Taidi appeared...”
“He plucked a piece of water grass from the sea and raised his hand casually. That water grass instantly transformed into a chain that blotted out the sky!”
“When the chain emerged, ten thousand rays of brilliant light burst forth, binding all the dragon kings of the East Sea, and even their children and grandchildren, rendering them completely unable to move.”
“Afterward, the various imperial princes and Wei generals entered the dragon palace to feast, decapitating dragons, hacking off their limbs, severing their loins, roasting or steaming them to gorge on dragon meat... using every method to humiliate the dragons.”
“Drenched in dragon blood day and night, the chain gradually developed mystical properties, and its spirituality increased immensely.”
“Because the Wei general Fan Yuqi presented two dragon girls for the imperial descendants to enjoy, establishing a great merit, Crown Prince Ying Changying bestowed the chain upon him.”
“Fan Yuqi was extremely proud. He named the treasure the Taidi Dragon-Binding Lock and hung it from his waist daily to display his military achievements.”
Having spoken to this point, Wang Xuanyang leaned back slightly, resting against the back of his grandmaster chair as his tone turned deep and profound.
“Later on... the Chu State rose, and the Wei State collapsed. When the Chu troops breached the Wei capital, seemingly aided by the dragon race from behind the scenes, Fan Yuqi was burned to death, his life and cultivation completely extinguished.
“In their panic, the descendants of the Fan clan migrated south as a whole to escape the north. They happened to encounter the Sea-Overturning Daoist Monarch achieving his Dao, so they offered up the Taidi Dragon-Binding Lock to seek protection... Their wish was granted, and they were admitted into the Nanxiang Swamp of Dou Weixiang, the second disciple of the Sea-Overturning Daoist Monarch.
“Now, thousands of years have passed, and through the shifting of eras, all those Daoist Monarchs and almighty figures have turned to ashes. Only this Taidi Dragon-Binding Lock has been passed down through countless hands...”
Reaching this point, a smile curled at the corner of Wang Xuanyang's mouth: “And ultimately... it fell into my father's hands.”
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