Supreme Golden Palace

Chapter 156 The Wei River (Part 2)

The old man clapped his hands and sighed, saying, "A noble person with a broad mind is truly extraordinary."

After speaking, he paused for a moment and said, "However, since you have the will to protect the land and its people and the heart to serve the country with loyalty and courage, you should also take care of your own health."

"Here I have a family heirloom, the 'Guiding Exercise Chart,' which contains guiding exercises that originated in ancient times. It contains the techniques of bears stretching and birds extending their wings. Our ancestors used this to regulate their qi and nourish their bodies, to guide their qi, and to correct their posture. It is wonderful beyond words."

As the old man spoke, he reached into the inner hem of his raincoat and pulled out a scroll with an animal hide as the axis and silk as the cover.

The scroll was embroidered with cloud patterns along its edges, and despite the passage of time, its colors remained as vibrant as new. The silk also faintly revealed ancient tadpole-like symbols.

"Your Excellency may wish to follow this diagram for guidance, which will surely prolong your life."

The old man looked intently at Lü Shang and said, "Honorable sir, please accept this painting."

"I dare not refuse a gift from an elder."

Faced with the old man's kindness, Lü Shang seemed thoughtful, accepted the scroll with both hands, bowed respectfully, and said, "Shang, thank you for your generous gift, sir."

The old man waved his hand and said softly, "How could I, a mere villager from the mountains, dare to accept such a generous gift from a distinguished guest?"

"You flatter me, you flatter me!"

However, although the old man said this, he did indeed accept Lü Shang's courtesy.

"This child is teachable."

After Lü Shang bowed in thanks, the old man smiled and nodded, his figure suddenly rippling like a reflection in water.

Then his body transformed into specks of fluorescent light, like fireflies scattering, slowly drifting into the Wei River, leaving Lü Shang alone standing on the boat.

"Shang thanks the Dragon Lord,"

Lu Shang was not surprised by the old man's sudden display of supernatural abilities. He bowed again in the direction where the old man had disappeared.

This old man's true appearance could deceive ordinary cultivators, and even most of the earth immortals in this world, but it could not deceive Lü Shang's divine eyes.

What Lü Shang saw with his divine eyes was not the lone fisherman on the boat, but only a true dragon coiled among the waves of the Wei River.

Under his divine gaze, this true dragon was a hundred feet long, its scales shimmering like ice silk, shimmering with five-colored light. With each breath, it resonated with the Wei River, truly possessing immense power.

Judging from his appearance and abilities, and considering that he was located on the Wei River, as far as Lü Shang knew, he could only think of the Wei River Dragon King, who was known as the head of the eight streams.

Lu Shang initially thought that the Dragon King of the Wei River had only manifested his mortal form on a whim and was fishing in this lonely boat.

Unexpectedly, after he only went up and chatted with the Dragon Lord for a few words, the Dragon Lord directly gave him a scroll of "Guiding and Breathing Diagrams".

Lü Shang's mind raced: "Guiding Diagram,"

He certainly wouldn't look down on this "Guiding Diagram," as the saying goes, "Don't say the Dragon King has no treasures."

Even the monkey's armor and weapons came from the Dragon Palace of the Four Seas. Even a small well dragon king in Wuji Kingdom had a treasure like the "Face-Fixing Pearl," let alone this "Guiding Chart" which came from the Wei River.

It should be noted that the Wei River is the head of the eight rivers, second only to the four seas and four rivers. Although the Jing River was appointed by the Heavenly Court as the chief of the eight rivers and the great dragon god in charge of rain, in terms of actual power, the Wei River Dragon Lord was no less powerful than the Jing River Dragon Lord.

The common saying that the Jing and Wei rivers are clearly distinct refers to the Jing River and the Wei River.

The gifts given by such a person should not be taken lightly.

After bowing, he carefully tucked the "Guiding Diagram" into his sleeve, then turned and leaped back to the main ship.

Fang An, the military advisor who was watching all this from the bow of the ship, hurriedly stepped forward and whispered, "My lord, that old man..." He swallowed the words back.

Lu Shang stood at the bow of the boat, looking at the deserted lone boat. He saw the boat turn into a wisp of light and disappear before his eyes.

He glanced at the surprised and doubtful expressions on everyone's faces and said calmly, "This is an extraordinary person, and he should be treated with respect."

"promise,"

The people around responded.

After thinking for a moment, Lü Shang said, "After the boats dock, you should prepare some sacrificial offerings of three kinds of animals. I want to offer sacrifices to the Wei River on its banks."

"Yes,"

Fang Zian and others, who had personally witnessed the miraculous effects of the Wei River, immediately responded.

After this strange event, Lü Shang and his party had an extremely smooth journey. Although the Wei River was turbulent, their seven boats sailed on it almost as if they were on calm water.

The white sails on the boat were always billowing like a full moon. The boatmen held poles and dipped them in the water, as if a huge force was supporting the bottom. The turbulent current swirled and eddies brushed past the side of the boat.

After the seven boats arrived at the shore, people were already waiting on the north bank dock. The person in the lead was dressed in a scarlet official robe and wore a Jinxian crown, followed by a row of guards.

The man in the scarlet official robes was as tall and straight as a pine tree. The ribbon on his official hat fluttered in the river breeze, and the fish-shaped tally and pendant at his waist jingled as they struck each other.

He cupped his hands to Lü Shang and said, "I, Yang Wang, the Prefect of Qin, greet you, Lord Lu. I am here to welcome you on the orders of the Governor. The Governor has prepared lodgings for you. Please follow me into the city with your entourage, Lord Lu."

After disembarking, Lü Shang said, "I really don't deserve to be welcomed by you, Chief Secretary. We have already caused you a lot of trouble by passing through your territory, and I feel ashamed. How can I trouble you all to welcome and see us off again?"

"Please inform the governor that we will go to the post station to stay overnight. There is no need for you all in Qin Prefecture to see us off again."

Yang Wang was slightly taken aback upon hearing this. His gaze lingered on Lü Shang for a moment. Seeing that Lü Shang's expression was upright and not at all like a polite excuse, Yang Wang cupped his hands again and said, "Lord Lu is of noble character and integrity. I will certainly convey your message."

"The post station in the prefecture has been cleaned and prepared in accordance with regulations. I hope that Lord Lu will not find it too simple."

Lü Shang nodded and said, "Chief Secretary, there is no need to be so modest. The post station is sufficient for us to stay in."

When facing Yang Wang, the Prefect of Qinzhou, Lü Shang showed him the utmost respect through his words and actions.

After all, Qin Prefecture was a superior prefecture, while Liang Prefecture was a middle prefecture. The Prefect of Qin Prefecture held the rank of fourth grade, which was only one grade lower than the Governor of Liang Prefecture.

The reason Lü Shang was able to be personally greeted by the Prefect of Qin was not because of his official rank of fourth grade, nor his title of Duke of Lu County, nor his honorary title of Grand General, but because he was a maternal relative of Emperor Yang Jian.

Lü Shang was quite clear-headed about this. It was precisely because of his status as a relative of the emperor that the governor of Qin Province, a superior province, had to treat him differently.

After Yang Wang took his leave, Lü Shang stood on the dock and watched his entourage leave until they slowly entered the city.

Then, he turned to Fang Zian, the military advisor, and said, "Zian, quickly lead your cavalry into the city, prepare the sacrificial offerings, and place them on the north bank before Shenshi (3-5 PM)."

"Yes,"

Fang Zian accepted the order and immediately selected five strong and capable soldiers to mount their horses. Their hooves pounded the fine sand on the shore as they headed towards the east gate of Qin Prefecture.

After Fang Anyuan left, Lü Shang turned his gaze to the calm Wei River and sighed softly, "When I was seeking the Dao, I traversed deep clouds and mists, knocked on rocks and asked pines, and searched everywhere for traces of immortals, but I could not find one."

"Now that I no longer seek the Dao, my heart is free of worries, and the gates to immortality open on their own. Crane carriages and phoenix chariots come one after another. Ahead, I encountered Zhongli Quan, Zhengyangzi, and Su Xuanlang, Qingxiazi, two great patriarchs. Now, crossing the Wei River, they can actually alarm the Dragon Lord of the Wei River."

"What a cruel twist of fate!"

(End of this chapter)