He spent his nights listening to her quiet voice, and for the first time in a long while, he did not feel so lonely.
Then, one evening, the woman placed not one but five jars beside the puddle.
“I probably won’t be able to bring you food anymore,” she said softly. “You’ll have to take care of yourself from now on. Eat slowly, make it last.”
Yuan Rutang stared, confused, his eyes wide.
The woman continued, “Tomorrow I’ll be married. The man is from a wealthy family, very fine, very respectable. There’s no better groom in all the land.”
But as she spoke, two lines of tears slid down her cheeks. If he was such a fine man, Yuan Rutang thought, why was she crying?
“I don’t know if you’re nearby,” she whispered, “but I’ve always wondered, are you a man or a woman? A person or a beast?”
Yuan Rutang hesitated for a moment, then transformed into his human form and walked carefully out of the grass.
It was night, and the shadows were deep. When she saw him, the woman frowned slightly in surprise.
He looked embarrassed. His clothes were rough and tattered, his hair messy, his skin smudged from days of wandering.
The woman gave a soft, bitter smile. “You’re just like me,” she said gently. “Thin, pale, and pitiful. You must have gone hungry too.”
Yuan Rutang’s throat tightened. He tried to speak, but no words came. His eyes shimmered faintly, reflecting her candlelight.
She turned and went back inside. Yuan Rutang returned to his hiding place and fell into a heavy sleep, thoughts swirling in his chest.
That night he dreamed of her. He saw her smiling sweetly, her face glowing beneath a red bridal veil, but two clear tears rolled silently down her cheeks and fell into the earth.
Yuan Rutang woke with a start to the sound of a rooster crowing. Dawn was just breaking.
If she didn’t want to marry, then he would take her away. She was a good person, and she had shown him kindness. He would repay that kindness.
He rushed into the hut, but it was empty. The furniture was gone, the bridal chests carried away.
She was already married off. But to where?
Yuan Rutang darted out, following the faint traces of her scent in the air. He searched clumsily, anxiously, but he never found her bridal sedan chair. Instead, he saw crowds of people gathered on the roads, carrying offerings and banners, beating drums and blowing horns.
“What a fine day!” one said. “A perfect day for celebration!”
“It’s the Dragon King’s blessing,” another replied. “He keeps the skies clear for us.”
“Boy, today is the Water God Festival,” a man told his son. “Beat that drum hard and pray for the Dragon King’s protection!”
So today was the Water God Festival, the very same day as the woman’s wedding.
Yuan Rutang soared above the crowd, scanning the masses, when a snatch of conversation froze him midair.
“I heard the Wu family’s daughter is gentle and fair,” someone said. “Is it true she’s to be married to the Dragon King?”
Yuan Rutang’s heart stopped. The woman’s surname was Wu.
“Yes,” another voice replied. “That’s the one. Poor family though.”
“If they weren’t so poor, her brother wouldn’t have given her away to marry the Dragon King.”
Yuan Rutang’s mind went blank.
Married to the Dragon King? How could humans even know where the Dragon King was?
Someone sighed. “What a pity. She’s so young.”
“Pity? What pity is there? Once she’s dropped into the river, the Dragon King himself will come and take her to his palace.”
Yuan Rutang understood. He understood everything. His eyes turned crimson with fury as he streaked toward the Yuan River.
So that was why she had cried, why she had spoken so gently in farewell. “Marrying the Dragon King” sounded like a grand honor, but it was nothing more than sacrifice.
They were going to drown her.
He had never felt such rage before. The world blurred around him as her face rose in his mind, her gentle smile, her quiet words, the warmth of her voice.
“Today’s stew is a bit hot,” she had said softly. “Eat it slowly.”
He flew faster.
When he reached the riverbank, the place was packed with people. The entire county had gathered.
The river was surrounded on all sides. Officials shouted and held up a notice.
“Whoever sees the man in this portrait, report it at once! A hundred taels of silver for capture!”
And the man in the portrait was Yuan Rutang himself.
But he no longer cared.
Because on the river, in the middle of the crowd’s cheers, he saw her, dressed in red, sitting on a wooden raft, drifting slowly toward the center of the river.
Yuan Rutang took human form again, his eyes blazing red. He pushed through the people with desperate strength, running straight toward the water.
A large altar stood by the riverbank, piled high with offerings, while a troupe sang a ritual play.
And on the left side of the river rose a two-story wooden pavilion, newly built, the palace for the Dragon King, just as the woodcutters had once said.
The members of the Song clan stood solemnly by the riverbank, dancing their ritual dance with eyes full of reverence. From time to time, they knelt and bowed toward the deep waters of the Yuan River in worship.
The entire Water God Festival was crude and hastily arranged, with its meager decorations and plain offerings. Even the most generous estimate could not have cost more than two hundred taels of silver.
Yuan Rutang shoved past the crowd and sprinted toward the river.
For a heartbeat, the sound of drums and gongs faltered. Then someone shouted in outrage, “Whose reckless child is this? How dare he disrupt the Water God Festival? Drag him down at once! When the ceremony is over, he shall answer for his crime!”
Dozens of men surged forward, reaching out to seize him.
Suddenly, a startled cry pierced the noise. “Look! Isn’t that the fugitive in the wanted poster?”
Up on the high platform, the county magistrate jolted upright from his grand chair, his eyes blazing. “Guards! Seize that criminal alive, no matter what it takes!”
The constables rushed toward the riverbank, but the water grew deeper the closer they got, forcing them to call for boats.
The Song clan, too, had seen him by now. Rage burned in their chests, but they dared not break from the ritual dance until it was finished. As they chanted reverently, murmuring “May the Dragon King forgive us” and “May the Dragon King bless us,” they finally cast aside all restraint and volunteered to lead the pursuit.
In moments, the entire Yuan River was surrounded. Twenty-some boats filled with over a hundred men spread out across the water, determined to capture the audacious intruder.
Yuan Rutang plunged toward the small wooden raft drifting in the middle of the river.
The bride seated upon it heard the commotion. Startled, she lifted her red veil and saw him swimming toward her. Her eyes widened in disbelief, and tears welled up as she cried out, “Thank you, but you must go back quickly!”
When she heard the words wanted criminal, confusion flashed across her pale face. Guilt twisted in her chest. “You should not have come,” she whispered shakily, clutching her red handkerchief. “You should not have come for me…”
Yuan Rutang grabbed the edge of the raft and hauled himself up. Water streamed from his tattered clothes as he glanced around the river crowded with boats and people.
“I will take you away,” he said firmly.
The woman looked stricken. “How can we escape? There’s no way out! We are surrounded, look around you! There are thousands of people here. We cannot run.”
Her eyes brimmed with tears, her lips trembling. “I have only brought you harm.”
But Yuan Rutang had come fully prepared to make a scene of this.
He was a dragon. No mortal could stand against him.
Even if the heavens themselves descended in wrath, even if the red and black mists of divine punishment fell again, he would not retreat.
Hearing her sobs, he spoke softly, as if trying to calm her heart. “Do not be afraid. We will make it out.”
The Song clan’s boats were the first to close in. Oars splashed as men rowed with fury, their faces twisted with hatred. One of them lifted a heavy wooden pole high above his head, ready to bring it crashing down upon Yuan Rutang.
Yuan Rutang thought grimly that he might have to stain his hands with blood today.
Yet before the strike could fall, the world went utterly still.
A vast golden radiance poured over him, enveloping his body in sacred light.
Yuan Rutang’s eyes lost their focus for a moment as a voice, faint and echoing, sounded deep within his mind. It told him that saving the woman was an act of virtue and that this light was his reward.
The golden light coursed through him faster than ever before, flooding his veins. His pupils grew hazy, his golden irises fading into the whites of his eyes as a faint mist clouded his gaze.
Then visions flooded his mind.
He saw a time long, long ago, hundreds of thousands of years in the past, when the ancient Phoenix clan brought their young to the Immortal Flame Mountain.
The phoenixes cried out in unison, their bodies turning into pure fire that merged with the mountain itself. A small phoenix stumbled forward, flapping desperately as it tried to reach the summit.
The ancient Phoenix clan had perished. Like the dragons, their kind had withered away until their once-proud lineage had thinned to a faint trace of blood.
Joy! Pure overwhelming joy, rose in Yuan Rutang’s chest. His enemies were gone. The ancient rival clan of the phoenixes had vanished from this world. There was no longer anyone who could threaten him.
What was there left to fear?
He was a dragon, the mightiest of all beings beneath the heavens. He could reveal his true form openly, without shame or dread. Let the world see him for what he was, who could stand against him now?
Even if he soared in his true body every day, even if all living things looked up and trembled at his sight, he would not care.
The tension that had bound his heart for so long dissolved completely. A wild, elated smile spread across his face.
The onlookers, members of the Song clan, the officials, the citizens of Linshui County, all stared in horror. To them, he looked like a madman.
From his high platform, the county magistrate’s hands trembled slightly. Fear tightened his chest. If Yuan Rutang had truly gone mad, they would never obtain the divine water formula they sought.
Yuan Rutang laughed, a deep, echoing sound that rolled across the river. Then his laughter broke into fury.
“Worship the Dragon King?” he shouted, his voice thunderous. “The Dragon King does not want your worship! The Dragon King despises you! He loathes you! He will never bless you!”
His words struck like daggers at the hearts of every person in Linshui County. Rage erupted from the crowd. They shouted curses, faces twisted with hatred, longing to tear him apart.
A man from the Song clan bellowed, “Yuan family brat, how dare you speak such blasphemy! What do you know of the Dragon King’s will?”
Yuan Rutang’s eyes burned like molten gold. “The Dragon King?” he sneered coldly.
At that moment, the heavens themselves seemed to respond.
Dark clouds gathered above the Yuan River, swallowing the light of day until the entire sky turned black. A cold, fearful silence spread through the crowd as the wind picked up, howling through the reeds.
Lightning split the heavens apart. Purple bolts streaked across the clouds like cracks in a shattered mirror.
Panic seized the people. Even the proud Song clan members faltered, trembling in their boats.
Then came the true terror. Yuan Rutang’s face began to change before their eyes.
His features twisted, his eyes expanded until they gleamed like molten gold, and from his cheeks sprouted whiskers that curled in the wind.
A thunderous roar shook the air. A vast golden dragon’s head burst forth from the storm clouds above.
Several of the Song clansmen screamed and tumbled into the river in fright.
Before the eyes of the entire county, Yuan Rutang shed his human shell and revealed his true form, an immense golden dragon that soared into the dark clouds.
Since the rains had first fallen over Yanzhou, he had grown from a creature of ten zhang in length to one of a hundred.
Each of his scales shimmered with radiant gold, bright enough to make the onlookers shield their eyes in pain.
The colossal dragon coiled above the sky, its body vast beyond imagination. When its enormous head emerged from the clouds and plunged toward the earth, the waters of the Yuan River began to flow backward.
That single dragon head alone was larger than the entire Dragon King’s palace built upon the water.
✦ ✧ ✦
Vynellia
[Translator]
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ChaptersChapter 1 · Little DragonChapter 2 · Selling FishChapter 3 · DraughtChapter 4 · Giving LifeChapter 5 · MeritsChapter 6 · Dragon can summon Rain?!Chapter 7 · Wicked Dragon?Chapter 8 · Dragon likes sweetChapter 9 · Dragon WineChapter 10 · Snow Mountain ElixirChapter 11 · The official forced the dragon to rebelChapter 12 · Ministers kneel down and confess their sinsChapter 13 · Court struggle, faith is the dragonChapter 14 · Why do others have auspicious signs, but I don’t?Chapter 15 · Corrupt officialsChapter 16 · The dark side of officialdomChapter 17 Part 1 · Transforming into a golden dragon in full view of all!Chapter 17 Part 2 · Transforming into a golden dragon in full view of all!Chapter 18 · Wrath of the True DragonChapter 19 · Give him a ninth-rank official position!Chapter 20 · The days of being loved by Longlong have begunChapter 21 · Pamper the little dragon, finally full!Chapter 22 · It’s perfectly normal for humans to like dragonsChapter 23 · Avenge Longlong against corrupt officialsChapter 24 · Is being an official like the Dragon King difficult?Chapter 25 · Dragon-shaped woodChapter 26 · Emperor felt the vibrancy of lifeChapter 27 · Do you like the obedient and affectionate little dragon?Chapter 28 · Your Majesty’s PastChapter 29 · A ray of light in a noisy worldChapter 30 · Let’s give the dragon a lake!Chapter 31 · Dragon, don’t run aroundChapter 32 · YaunBaoChapter 33 · Recruiting soldiers and buying horsesChapter 34 · Expand Dragon armyChapter 35 · Longlong is in a dilemmaChapter 36 · Being a king is difficultChapter 37 · Attended the morning court session.Chapter 38 · Secretly feeding the dragonChapter 39 · The restless little golden dragonChapter 40 · Your Majesty foreshadowed thisChapter 41 · Fostering teacher student bondsChapter 42 · Now that the dragon has an official positionChapter 43 · If a dragon wants to become an official, why not touch it?Chapter 44 · Longlong enters officialdomChapter 45 · The Emperor’s disciple?Chapter 46 · Long day’s laborChapter 47 · Being a dragon is comfortableChapter 48 · Thank you, YuanbaoChapter 49 · Very sleepyChapter 50 · The Dragon Who Saves the WorldChapter 51 · Strange storiesChapter 52 · Dragon God saying it wanted to eat peach crystal cakesChapter 53 · The tree is aliveChapter 54 · We can just hold a family feastChapter 55 · What kind of worship?Chapter 56 · Don’t be naughtyChapter 57 · Why does Teacher always avoid my human formChapter 58 · I will be an indifferent learning machineChapter 59 · Jinlong made a fortuneChapter 60 · Ten thousand taelsChapter 61 · FamilyChapter 62 · Will you accompany the dragon?Chapter 63 · What did you hunt, sir?Chapter 64 · From fifth rank to proper fourth rankChapter 65 · Orange PeelChapter 66 · Great Xuan may have enough to eatChapter 67 · Poisoned GrainsChapter 68 · The balance of the mortal world is about to changeChapter 69 · Teacher’s lap truly was very comfortable.Chapter 70 · Caught the little dragonChapter 71 · Only he alone could see that golden lightChapter 72 · Great King must not declineChapter 73 · The top scholarChapter 74 · I do not like other defying meChapter 75 · Great Xuan truly has quite a number of martial expertsChapter 76 · What was there to fear?Chapter 77 · Then Teacher can raise the dragonChapter 78 · Little Dragon Steals Peaches.Chapter 79 · Resentment and Poison.Chapter 80 · Male PartnerChapter 81 · How about choosing a human?Chapter 82 · Young Lord Zhen has a friendChapter 83 · Morning DewChapter 84 · Earth DragonsChapter 85 · Greetings, Your MajestyChapter 86 · Then what am I allowed to do?Chapter 87 · What exactly Happened?Chapter 88 · Praise The golden Dragon!Chapter 89 · ComplexionChapter 90 · Gift is almost readyChapter 91 · Surely Sir would no longer refuse himChapter 92 · Seven YearsChapter 93 · She is really just a childChapter 94 · Good YuanbaoChapter 95 · Ten Thousand year old JadeChapter 96 · They were overwhelmed with griefChapter 97 · Villain: So what if I use magic?Chapter 98 · The Dragon Clan MeetingChapter 99 · The Big reveal!Chapter 100 · The prototype of His MajestyChapter 101 · Autumn HuntChapter 102 · This painting was created by the Emperor’s consortChapter 103 · They gave themselves away and caught the plush rabbit doctor.Chapter 104 · The Rabbit gangChapter 105 · The scars on the fox spirit’s handsChapter 106 · Wang JinzhongChapter 107 · I don’t believe the White Tiger doesn’t protect its foodChapter 108 · Karmic SinChapter 109 · Yuanbao, would you take me a thousand li away?Chapter 110 · Pear FrostChapter 111 · If Yuanbao ever loses sight of the road ahead, then come find meChapter 112 · Let’s take a step at a time..Chapter 113 · The imperial marriage was announced to the public.Chapter 114 · The army, navy, and air force are preparing to attack the Yujing River.Chapter 115 · The attack on Yujing River-humans should not spread rumors!Chapter 116 · King Golden Dragon ascends the throneChapter 117 · Sir, would you like a bowl of dragon soup?Chapter 118 · Wedding celebrationChapter 119 · Establish the Demon RealmChapter 120 · Lord of the Demon RealmChapter 121 · Flourishing and decliningChapter 122 · The Ling Dynasty was defeated, and father and son fought amongst themselvesChapter 123 · The gentleman’s is dragon-themedChapter 124 · People from HeavenChapter 125 · The truth behind the White TigerChapter 126 · Azure Dragon, WarChapter 127 · A great war is about to break outChapter 128 · Victory in the great battleChapter 129 · Side Story (1)Chapter 130 · Side Story (2)Chapter 131 · Side Story (3)Chapter 132 · Side Story (4)Chapter 133 · Side Story (4)Chapter 134 · Side Story (5)Chapter 135 · Side Story (6)Chapter 136 · Side story (7)Chapter 137 · Side Story (8)Chapter 138 · Side Story (9)Chapter 139 · Side Story (10)Chapter 140 · Side Story (11)Chapter 141 · Side Story (12)Chapter 142 · Side Story (13)Chapter 143 · Side Story (14)Chapter 144 · Side Story (15)Chapter 145 · Side Story (16)Chapter 146 · Side Story (17)Chapter 147 · Side Story (18)Chapter 148 · Side Story (19)Chapter 149 · Side Story (20)Chapter 150 · Side Story (21)Chapter 151 · Side Story (22)