Chapter 555: Living is Everything

She smiled faintly. "Of course, if this is used correctly, it can divert the attention of the gods."

Shao Jian carefully took note.

He Lingchuan, however, paid attention to her use of the word "some."

Conversely, only a few of these Execution Dragon Pillars would alert the gods; most leave no trace.

Mi Tian's intentions were truly venomous.

She finished her instructions and stood up to leave.

Zhong Shengguang's brow had also relaxed. He clapped Shao Jian on the shoulder and said, "I have to leave now and won't be back for a few days. When I return, come to my house, and we'll drink until we drop!"

"Alright, I'll go explore the city first," Shao Jian replied, not standing on ceremony. "I also have something important to discuss with you regarding this trip to Serpent Dragon City, but we can talk about it in a few days."

The two men laughed heartily and walked out of the Dry War Hall side by side.

Zhong Shengguang was busy after all; he exchanged only a few words before excusing himself to return to his office.

He Lingchuan had been assigned as Shao Jian's personal guard and was to remain by his side at all times. This suited He Lingchuan perfectly, as he hoped to subtly extract more information from Shao Jian about the many mysteries behind the Yuan Kingdom.

Even in Serpent Dragon City, Shao Jian dressed like an ordinary merchant. His clothes were neither luxurious nor shabby, and the inn he stayed at was neither extravagant nor cheap. He maintained a modest appearance. Standing on Wanglin Street, he was inconspicuous amidst the bustling crowds.

Shao Jian observed the bustling crowds, filled with a sense of novelty. "This place is much more prosperous than before. Three years ago, the foot traffic on Wanglin Street wasn't even half of what it is now. Do you see that tailor shop? It used to sell steamed buns."

He Lingchuan said, "Serpent Dragon City opened up to internal and external trade five years ago, and money and goods have gradually started flowing."

"That makes sense," Shao Jian nodded repeatedly. "I told Zhong Liyong a long time ago that Serpent Dragon City needed to communicate externally, otherwise it would be like a river without a source. For the past decade or so, Serpent Dragon City was fighting wars while also managing civilian life; everyone had a very difficult time, precisely because of its self-imposed isolation."

However, He Lingchuan could actually understand Zhong Shengguang's previous decisions. Before rewarding the gods, he feared Serpent Dragon City would be infiltrated by spies and rebels, forcing him to close the city gates.

As the lord of a city surrounded by enemies, he had too many long-term factors to consider.

It wasn't until the Great Square Pot could release the Three Corpse Worms that Serpent Dragon City dared to open its doors wide and take the first step toward external trade.

It didn't actually take long to transition from opening up to actively encouraging trade.

While shopping, Shao Jian didn't forget to buy souvenirs for his business partners in distant lands. He not only asked He Lingchuan for advice but even listed price ranges for the gifts.

He Lingchuan watched, realizing that this person had integrated his disguise into his very life.

In addition to a large array of local specialties, he also recommended fluorescent spores from the Ghost Needle Stone Forest and aphid dew from Madam Zhu's ranch to Shao Jian.

Fluorescent spores, needless to say, were portable cold light sources, even used by the Precious Tree Kingdom in reality.

The so-called aphid dew was actually honeydew produced by aphid cattle herded by subterranean spiders. Its quality was high, and its purity was impressive. Shao Jian exclaimed in surprise, "Honeydew, isn't that, isn't that...?"

He Lingchuan coughed lightly. "Yes, don't mind the details."

Not only did subterranean spiders love aphid dew, but Serpent Dragon City residents also praised it after tasting it, saying its sweetness rivaled honey and its unique flavor was even superior.

Both adults and children loved it.

"This one has a slightly charred aroma," Shao Jian said, tasting another type of aphid dew. "Hmm, this one is even stranger. How can it be sweet with a hint of spice?"

"The aphid cattle eat different feed, so the aphid dew they produce has different flavors," He Lingchuan chuckled. "Madam Zhu has been experimenting with the ratios."

"That prehistoric great demon?" Shao Jian clicked his tongue in wonder. Such a ferocious spider demon could actually produce such a sweet taste.

Except for Beijia, honey was a luxury everywhere. Now, with aphid dew as an alternative to honey, merchants from outside had seized this business opportunity, and sales had surged in recent months.

Of course, Serpent Dragon City had secured exclusive distribution rights for Madam Zhu's products, and the output from her ranch had become the city's star product.

Shao Jian was also very interested after tasting the aphid dew, thinking of promoting it. After all, the last time he visited the Serpent Dragon Wilds, Madam Zhu was still the unruly mistress of the Ghost Needle Stone Forest, and these products hadn't entered the Serpent Dragon market at all.

However, in Serpent Dragon City now, various beverages and pastries made with aphid dew were even starting to appear.

Sitting in a riverside tea shop, the two could see small boats floating on the river through the wooden window. The autumn lotuses had withered, but their seed pods were full and plump. Local fishermen were rowing over to harvest them, while also clearing away the decaying lotuses and tidying the river scenery.

In the past, how could Serpent Dragon City have had the leisure to attend to such trivial matters?

Leisure and enjoyment always came after one's belly was full. Shao Jian sighed sincerely, "This is truly wonderful. Serpent Dragon City today has really exceeded my expectations."

His homeland had fallen, but the seeds of hope had taken root and flourished in a foreign land. Only He Lingchuan, who had witnessed his conversation with King Yuan, could truly understand this subtle emotion.

Shao Jian's "exceeding expectations" likely stemmed from his initial disagreement with Zhong Shengguang using the Great Square Pot to summon the god Mi Tian, and his belief that this action would not bring any good results to Serpent Dragon City.

After all, the belief of the Shao family, represented by King Yuan, was that "rewarding gods brings no good results, except for Beijia."

Therefore, He Lingchuan could sense a hint of confusion within his joy.

Seeing Shao Jian's enthusiasm, He Lingchuan seized the opportunity to start a conversation. "Mr. Wu, you are an old acquaintance of Commander Zhong. Do you know the origin of the black flood dragon carvings on the walls?"

"Black flood dragon?" Shao Jian came back to his senses, just as he noticed a brick carving of a flood dragon head on the high wall opposite the temple entrance on Wanglin Street. It was five feet in diameter, nine feet off the ground, and the dragon's eyes were specially adorned with red paint.

Below the dragon head, there was also an offering table with three-colored fruits, and incense smoke curled upwards from the censer.

Except at night, the incense offerings here rarely ceased.

He Lingchuan knew that in the former capital of the Yuan Kingdom, Thousand Stars City, this flood dragon head motif was also seen in many places. From King Yuan to Zhong Shengguang, their philosophies were consistent, and both cities worshipped the black flood dragon. "Behind the south city gate, there's an even larger one, a full-body statue of the black flood dragon. I've asked many people, and they all offer ignorant worship, thinking it's a protective divine beast."

Shao Jian chuckled, "How do you know it's not a protective divine beast?"

"My homeland Xiluo even has a Golden Ox, which is a genuine great demon; the common people of the capital often hear its roar," He Lingchuan said. "But the people of Serpent Dragon City have never seen a black flood dragon, nor heard its cry, and no one has even mentioned where a black flood dragon resides."

Shao Jian then asked, "Do you know what a 'jiao' (flood dragon) is?"

He Lingchuan thought for a moment. "A small dragon?"

"Correct. A jiao cultivates itself in lake abysses and, with the right conditions of wind and rain, can transform into a dragon," Shao Jian said. "Before humanity, true dragons were the most favored by heaven, also known as 'Sons of Heaven,' or heaven's favored children. But dragons are creatures born of spiritual energy; even if they didn't perish in ancient wars, they died out in the middle ages. There are no true dragons left in the world today, only jiao."

He Lingchuan still didn't understand. "Then what about this pattern?"

"Creatures of the jiao-dragon kind are most sensitive to changes in the spiritual energy of heaven and earth. Therefore, by observing this jiao head, one can discern the scarcity or abundance of spiritual energy," Shao Jian explained with a smile. "When this jiao head grows into a dragon head, the good times of ancient eras will have returned."

He Lingchuan was stunned. "So this is for observing changes in spiritual energy? That's all?"

If that were the sole purpose, why would Zhong Shengguang expend so much manpower to erect a giant sculpture at the South City Gate?

"All the jiao head patterns face east." He Lingchuan wasn't discouraged. "There's nothing more to it?"

He had long noticed that all the jiao head patterns in both Serpent Dragon City and the Yuan Kingdom's Thousand Stars City were built facing east, towards the rising sun.

Shao Jian asked him, "Then what do you think?"

He Lingchuan's gaze shifted slightly. "Is this perhaps the symbol of a certain immortal sect?"

Shao Jian chuckled, "Why do you think that?"

"The war between gods and immortals three thousand years ago drove the so-called deities out of the world. I thought that at least some immortals would still be alive today, watching over humanity." This was by no means just He Lingchuan's personal speculation.

If Madam Zhu could survive until now by shedding her skin, then in such a vast world, who was to say there weren't still immortals alive?

"Even if there are still immortals surviving, what can they do?" Shao Jian chuckled. "This is no longer the world of immortals. Even if they re-emerge, what can they accomplish?"

His expression was complex, perhaps remembering his fallen homeland.

The Yuan Kingdom fought unyieldingly for three years but was inevitably destroyed. If immortals existed in the world, where were they then?

"Furthermore, with the world's spiritual energy having declined to this extent, don't the immortals bear any responsibility?"

Seeing his indignation, He Lingchuan raised his bowl of water as if it were wine, saluting him with half a bowl, and quickly changed the subject. "Does this black flood dragon pattern have any other use besides indicating spiritual energy concentration?"

Shao Jian glanced at him. "So young, yet so pragmatic?"

"Practical," He Lingchuan replied seriously. "Serpent Dragon City's survival amidst powerful enemies also relies on practicality."

"You're not wrong about that; everything comes from being alive," Shao Jian said, setting down his bowl. "Actually, the black flood dragon pattern is not unique to Serpent Dragon City, but its secret is held by those in power. I can only surmise that any city or state that reveres it will benefit, otherwise how could they be so resilient? And this black flood dragon pattern isn't something just anyone can draw on a wall to make it effective."

He Lingchuan exclaimed in surprise, "Could it be that it needs a blessing or consecration?"

"Coincidentally, many years ago, I also asked Zhong Liyong this very question."

"How did Commander Zhong answer?" He Lingchuan listened intently.

"He said, 'One must first establish a heart for Heaven and Earth.'"

Shao Jian finished speaking, then stood up to settle the bill with the shopkeeper. The conversation ended there.

Even though He Lingchuan was a guard appointed by Zhong Shengguang, Shao Jian hadn't completely let down his guard and hadn't told him everything—who would be foolish enough to confide fully in a stranger they'd just met?

Furthermore, the fact that he could remain in exile for over twenty years after the fall of the Yuan Kingdom without being captured by Beijia surely meant he was extremely cautious and had his own set of survival rules.

He Lingchuan was not discouraged; he followed closely behind the distinguished guest. Now that he and Shao Jian would be seeing each other constantly, perhaps by cultivating a good relationship over the next few days, he could extract more information about Beijia?

The revelations from the Dry War Hall earlier were significant, and He Lingchuan had been working hard to process them.