Early morning.
Wu Zhi opened her eyes, her face still flushed.
She was startled to find Wu Ming absent from beside her.
“Has the young lady risen?”
Two maids immediately stepped forward, offering salt and perfumed water, assisting Wu Zhi in getting dressed, and chattering: “The young master rose early but didn’t want to disturb you, instructing us to let you sleep a little longer…”
“Hmm!”
In fact, Wu Zhi was usually very busy with official duties and had to rise at the first crow of the rooster every day. However, compared to Wu Ming, a semi-immortal who had transcended the mundane and practically required no sleep, she still couldn’t match him.
After finishing dressing, she went to the main hall where maids were setting out breakfast. Various pastries and dim sum steamed with flower dew filled the air with fragrance. Nothing special, except for a centerpiece floral arrangement on the long table. Plum blossoms bloomed on it, exuding vitality and a particular spiritual aura, as well as an air of encompassing the entire landscape within itself, slightly moving Wu Zhi.
“This was specially picked by the young master for you when he was strolling in the garden this morning!”
Several maids flattered, bringing a slight smile to Wu Zhi’s face.
She then asked, “Where is he?”
“He just went to gather the morning’s rosy glow and was slightly delayed. Has E Xu been upset with me?”
As she was asking, Wu Ming strode in, wearing only a light robe with his hair loose, looking relaxed and graceful. Truly the image of a refined and elegant gentleman, causing the other maids’ eyes to sparkle with admiration.
Even though he was already a terrestrial immortal with a blessed land supporting him, compared to the morning’s rosy glow, it was but a drop of water to the sea. Yet Wu Ming still did not neglect this daily practice.
He deeply understood the principle of water dripping through stone and the importance of persistence.
At this point, with his mindset broadened, daily refining the purple energy also allowed him to perceive some deficiencies in his previous cultivation, enabling him to strengthen his foundation.
“I should be the one apologizing for not serving my husband in the morning…”
Wu Zhi stood up and sat down with Wu Ming.
She was the daughter of a noble family, accustomed to a life of luxury since childhood. After becoming the military governor, however, she practiced frugality rigorously, repeatedly cutting the mansion’s expenses, although in Wu Ming’s eyes, it was still somewhat luxurious.
At this time, maids served breakfast: crystal-clear crab dumplings, fragrant pine nut and lily bulb pastries, jujube paste cakes, sesame cakes, and various other delicacies reminiscent of spring rolls and shumai from Wu Ming’s past life. The meal was accompanied by thin porridge and a refreshing, sweet-and-sour beverage.
Although Wu Ming had not yet reached the level of subsisting on dew and wind without earthly food, he was already self-sufficient and not much in need of external sustenance.
After casually sampling a few pieces, he stopped eating and poured himself tea, contentedly watching Wu Zhi devour her food with a touch of playful charm, which made him smile.
Speaking of this woman’s dedication to governance, how could she possibly waste on purpose?
It was just that as a Grand Master of martial arts, her vital energy was intense, leading to high consumption, hence her large appetite. Despite the variety of dishes served, they were actually just enough for her to be satisfied.
“…”
As if sensing Wu Ming’s gaze, Wu Zhi’s face slightly reddened: “Husband?”
“Haha…”
Wu Ming teased the beauty, feeling delighted in his heart, and playfully said: “I was just feeling relieved…”
Looking at the puzzled Wu Zhi, he smiled: “Relieved that I have a solid foundation, otherwise marrying you as my first wife might have worried me about being eaten into poverty… Haha…”
Wu Zhi was instantly furious but couldn’t show her anger, somewhat transforming her indignation into appetite, quickly devouring the dishes as if a storm had swept through.
The maids cleared the tableware and served water for rinsing mouths.
Wu Ming handed her a cup of green tea. Wu Zhi gave him a glance but still sipped it delicately, waiting for what he would say next.
“Ah… E Xu, your reaching the Grand Master level is indeed very rare. However, after becoming a Grand Master, such a diet is still somewhat coarse… As the ancients said, ‘The more refined the food, the better; the more delicate the minced meat, the better.’ I’ve heard that disciples of the great sects within the blessed lands always drink only nectar and eat only delicacies. When I get the chance, I’ll also get you a batch of seeds…”
The blessed lands are rich in spiritual energy, and the crops grown there are all divine seeds. Even ordinary people eating them can prolong their lives, and they are especially beneficial for martial cultivation.
“I also want that, but unfortunately, those are all divine seeds. Even if we can get them, we can’t grow them…”
Wu Zhi sighed.
Clearly, she only thought Wu Ming was at the level of a human immortal, completely unaware of the blessed land.
Wu Ming touched his chin, wondering whether to tell her this “surprise,” but Wu Zhi spoke first: “Has my husband had any good news lately?”
“Oh? Why do you say that?”
“I’ve noticed my husband, before you were always methodical in your actions, yet there was always a hint of haste for quick success… Recently, however, you’ve been strolling leisurely, even finding time to go out for walks, considering meals, and enjoying tea at home, giving people the impression that you’ve already achieved great success and are composed and at ease…”
“Haha…”
Wu Ming laughed: “No wonder you’re E Xu!”
He hadn’t deliberately hidden this matter; the change in mindset affected his attitude, which naturally made it easy for those close to him to notice.
“Speaking of planting… have there been any good news lately from your inspection of the two prefectures?”
Wu Zhi gave Wu Ming a glance, as if seeing through his small attempt to change the subject. However, when it came to official matters, her expression turned serious: “Not good at all…”
“Although I’ve already issued military orders to provide oxen and seeds, and personally led the efforts to build water conservancy projects, these measures are just drops in the bucket. If the drought continues, the spring planting will certainly be delayed. This year, not only will there be no military action, but we might even be attacked…”
At this point, a trace of worry appeared on Wu Zhi’s face.
No matter how one looked at it, this was the first year she, a woman, had taken full control of the two prefectures, and she was facing such a major crisis, which was a heavy blow to her authority.
“Oh? What about the River God of the Angry Dragon?”
Wu Ming blew the mist off his teacup: “Even if the season is dry, couldn’t it just tilt a little, distributing rain and dew more evenly?”
“This is precisely what worries me…”
Wu Zhi smiled bitterly: “The conditions this deity has proposed are too harsh, putting me in a difficult position!”
“Didn’t our previous cooperation go well? Why change the terms suddenly?”
Wu Ming was also somewhat puzzled.
In the previous campaign against the Chufeng Prefecture, the Southern Feng army received great assistance from the River God of the Angry Dragon. They used the waterways for military transportation and swept the entire prefecture in an instant. As a reward afterward, they built a temple for the River God along the riverbank, with official recognition from the government. It was a win-win situation.
According to general logic, the relationship should still be quite good. Moreover, with Wu Ming’s existence, it was an additional heavy bargaining chip.
The Angry Dragon River traverses two prefectures, both under the jurisdiction of Wu Zhi. Although the River God’s domain differs from that of the City God and does not heavily depend on human worship, Ao Nu’s actions still took Wu Ming by surprise.
“What conditions has it proposed?”
“Granting it the position of City God!”
Wu Zhi only said these four words, but Wu Ming already understood: “This River God actually wants to encroach on the domain of the City God? How bold!”
In his heart, he was sneering.
He had previously eliminated Wang Zhong, creating a vacuum in faith, and now Ao Nu was so eager to reap the benefits. Had it even asked him?
“Actually… if it were only this matter, it might be negotiable…”
Wu Zhi said slowly: “But this deity changes its stance too unpredictably, with an unusual scent. Also, with the external winds and clouds gathering, I’ve ordered people to investigate and found traces of external manipulation…”
“Are you saying… the province?”
Wu Ming shook his head: “Is it the Provincial Governor Xu Chun? The Inspector Gao Shun? Or that Director of the Judicial Department? No! Given the stagnant atmosphere within the province, I doubt they could manage this…”
“Exactly! I suspect it’s directly from the imperial court!”
Wu Zhi pointed toward the direction of the secondary capital: “The Zhou dynasty has reigned for three hundred years, deeply rooted in the people’s hearts. There are always some who are foolishly loyal…”
“If that’s the case, it can certainly explain things!”
Wu Ming finished his tea: “My dear wife still needs to work harder! I won’t disturb your routine matters anymore…”
His lazy demeanor made Wu Zhi secretly clench her teeth, wishing she could assign Wu Ming some title to drag him into the hustle and bustle.
…
Other matters can be set aside, but since I’ve been the one in contact with Aonu all along, I also bear some responsibility if anything goes wrong…
In the back garden, Wu Ming gazed at a blooming peach tree, his expression thoughtful.
He guessed that Wu Zhi informing him of the situation also implied a request for him to go investigate.
After all, the few mages under Wu Zhi’s command were hardly respected by Ao Nu, and misunderstandings were possible.
However, a wife couldn’t command her husband, so she only mentioned it briefly, leaving the specifics to Wu Ming’s own decision.
“Well… seeing how hard E Xu has been working these days…”
A faint smirk appeared on Wu Ming’s lips: “Just… asking me to meet Ao Nu?”
If it had been before, it would have been fine, but now… a mere River God of the Angry Dragon wasn’t even worth Wu Ming’s attention.
He immediately summoned a female warrior from the Fire Phoenix Guard, took out a jade talisman, and ordered: “Take this to Longmen Gorge, cast it into the water, and summon Ao Nu for me!”
“Understood… understood!”
The female warrior was slightly taken aback, but her long-term training immediately made her obey the command.
Military orders are as heavy as mountains! In theory, Wu Ming was both her sovereign and her family head. Even if he ordered her to her death, she couldn’t refuse, or she would be disloyal!
She immediately left the governor’s mansion, took two riders with her, and galloped swiftly to the foot of Longmen Gorge.
Arriving at the riverbank, the female warrior hesitated for a moment before throwing the jade talisman into the water.
…
Under Longmen Gorge, a spiritual land shimmered, its waters surging and transforming into the image of the Angry Dragon River.
At the center of this spiritual land was a dragon palace, patrolled by numerous water soldiers, with pearl and clam maidens dancing gracefully. The palace buildings stretched endlessly, with night pearls and colorful coral trees visible everywhere.
In the grand pearl hall, the newly appointed River God of the Angry Dragon River, Ao Nu, sat high on the main seat, his face full of vigor and excitement, hosting a banquet for the aquatic beings: “Come! Let’s continue drinking! No one leaves tonight without getting drunk!”
Looking at the full hall of guests and the prosperity outside, Ao Nu’s heart was filled with pride.
Previously, the dragon palace was in ruins, and the water soldiers were gone. After taking office as the water guardian, he worked hard to rebuild and finally managed to restore a certain level of prosperity.
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