PDLP Chapter 35 Invitation to the Spring Dragon Banquet
Chapter 35 Invitation to the Spring Dragon Banquet
As the second day of the second lunar month approaches, winter is over and spring is coming, a time when all things revive.
Following the prayers of the believers, Yun Chonghua sent a light rain to the banks of the Sishui River to help with spring plowing, and then immediately returned to the Water Palace.
But the turtle clerk from the East Sea had been waiting in front of the Water Palace for a long time.
Upon seeing Yun Chonghua return, the tortoise clerk hurriedly went to greet him and immediately kowtowed, saying, "Little tortoise greets the Dragon Lord of Sishui."
Yun Chonghua landed in front of him and then asked, "Registrant Gui, what brings you here today? What business do you have with me?"
After straightening up, the Turtle Clerk took out a gold-threaded invitation from his sleeve and said, "Reporting to the Dragon Lord, I, the humble turtle, have come on the orders of my king to invite you to a banquet at the East Sea Dragon Palace on the second day of the second lunar month, the Spring Dragon Festival. I hope the Dragon Lord will honor me with your presence."
Yun Chonghua, having been in this world for so long, was also aware of the "Spring Dragon Festival" mentioned by the Turtle Registrar.
This "Spring Dragon Festival," commonly known as "Dragon Raising Its Head," marks the beginning of spring plowing. It doesn't have any particularly special significance.
But it's different for dragons.
The second day of the second lunar month is the birthday of the ancestral dragon. All those of dragon lineage gather with relatives and friends on this day to celebrate the birthday of their ancestor. This festival is equivalent to the "New Year" of the dragon clan.
Yun Chonghua never expected that the East Sea Dragon Palace would invite him to their "New Year's" celebration.
He looked at the invitation handed to him by the clerk and thought, "It's been more than half a year, and I've become familiar with most of the things I need to know. I've been living a carefree life and almost forgot about that old mudfish. It's time to find an opportunity to get back at him. Since he's invited me, there's no reason not to go. At least this time, I can still get something out of it."
Although Yun Chonghua was determined to go, he said to save face, "The Dragon King's invitation is certainly kind. However, in the mortal world, people often exchange gifts during festivals, and I have never had anything of value. It would be impolite to arrive empty-handed on this festive occasion. After much thought, I think it's best not to go. Turtle Clerk, please go back and tell the Dragon King that I appreciate his kindness, but I am too poor to attend the banquet, which would be impolite."
Upon hearing Yun Chonghua's words, the Turtle Clerk quickly replied, "What are you saying, Dragon Lord? My king said that the Dragon Lord is a celestial immortal, and it is an honor for the East Sea for him to grace us with his presence. We would never consider the Dragon Lord's gifts."
After bowing again, the Turtle Registrar said, "I humbly request that the Dragon Lord grace us with his presence during the Spring Dragon Festival."
After receiving this message from the Turtle Registrar, Yun Chonghua accepted the invitation and said, "Very well, since the Dragon King doesn't mind these worldly formalities, I will certainly pay my respects on the Spring Dragon Festival."
Hearing Yun Chonghua's agreement, the tortoise clerk was overjoyed. He said, "In that case, little tortoise, don't delay any longer, return to the East Sea immediately and tell my king this good news."
Yun Chonghua put the invitation away and then said, "Please go ahead."
After bowing to Yun Chonghua again, the clerk didn't dare to delay for a moment and hurriedly returned to the East Sea to report the good news and prepare to receive the reward.
The turtle clerk returned to the Dragon Palace and reported the good news to the Dragon King of the East Sea. The Dragon King of the East Sea was overjoyed upon hearing this.
He immediately summoned the Turtle Prime Minister and arranged the family banquet in advance.
Today happens to be the day when the little dragon god of Jidu comes to visit his uncle before the festival.
Seeing the East Sea Dragon King's elaborate arrangements, he asked in bewilderment, "Uncle, what is the background of the Sishui Dragon King? Why are you making such a fuss? Besides, this Spring Dragon Festival is a time for family reunion for our dragon clan. All married princesses and dragon lords who rule their own palaces spend it in their own palaces, and even the closest blood relatives only exchange greetings before the festival. Why did you invite an outsider like him here, Uncle?"
The Dragon King of the East Sea said, "My dear nephew is far away in Jidu, and we have been infrequently in contact. He is unaware of recent events. The newly appointed Dragon King of the Sishui River is a celestial dragon who has been blessed with good fortune and is a favorite of His Majesty the Jade Emperor. I had some grudges against him before, and although there is no longer any animosity, I am still quite uneasy about it. Since this is an auspicious day, I will try to invite him here so that we can turn hostility into friendship."
"Furthermore, this Dragon Lord of Sishui has not yet formed a marriage alliance with my Ao family. If we let him go unchecked, he might threaten our position in the Yuan Realm. After all, he is not comparable to that good-for-nothing Old Dragon of Ten Thousand Saints. This time, I also intend for one of your sisters to choose a husband to marry him. Firstly, to turn hostility into friendship, and secondly, to take this opportunity to win him over. Of course, this is only if he is willing to marry."
Upon hearing this, the little dragon exclaimed in surprise, "So that's how it is! I never imagined this person was a celestial dragon. If we could form a marriage alliance with him, we would have someone to rely on in heaven. It's much easier to talk to family than those immortals who aren't of our kind."
At this moment, Xiao Lilong asked, "Uncle, may my four brothers accompany you to welcome the envoy?"
The Dragon King of the East Sea shook his head and said, "There's no need for that this time. The Dragon Lord of the Sishui River is a true Heavenly Dragon, with immense magical power. Not only can he control the clouds and rain over a vast area, but he also grants every request from the people. This has affected the offerings to the Huai River. Your eldest brother, Little Yellow Dragon, has come to the East Sea several times, wanting me to speak with him, but I haven't had the chance. Little Yellow Dragon has a fiery temper. With you four brothers here, it's better to avoid him doing anything inappropriate during the banquet and offending the immortal again. I'll find another opportunity for you to meet him next time."
After hearing this, Xiao Lilong said, "Very well, in that case, I won't stay any longer, nephew. Farewell."
After saying this, the little dragon led its followers and left the East Sea Dragon Palace.
On this day of the Spring Dragon Festival, Yun Chonghua arrived at the East Sea for the banquet as promised. He found the East Sea Dragon Palace decorated with lanterns and colorful streamers, and the shrimp soldiers and crab generals had already come out from more than ten miles away to welcome Yun Chonghua.
When the tortoise clerk, who had gone ahead to prepare, saw the golden dragon approaching, he immediately went to greet it.
"This little turtle has come to greet the Dragon King on the orders of my king."
Yun Chonghua said, "Your Majesty is too kind. I am truly flattered."
Of course, Yun Chonghua was just saying that to put it politely. The old mudskipper treated him this way only because he was afraid that Yun Chonghua would take the opportunity to retaliate now that he had gained power.
He would never truly appreciate such hypocrisy.
However, just thinking about that old mudfish, with a "knife" hanging over his head, making him unable to eat or sleep, Yun Chonghua couldn't help but laugh.
Then Yun Chonghua followed the turtle clerk and swam towards the East Sea Dragon Palace.
The shrimp soldiers and crab generals who lined up to welcome him on the road were all amazed when they saw Yun Chonghua's golden, glittering celestial dragon form. They marveled that this five-clawed celestial dragon was far more imposing than their king's true dragon form.
A moment later, Yun Chonghua, along with the Turtle Prime Minister and the Turtle Registrar who had come to greet him, arrived outside the East Sea Dragon Palace.
Meanwhile, the Dragon King of the East Sea, along with the Dragon Granny, the princess, and the prince who were still in the East Sea, stood outside the palace to welcome them.
When Yun Chonghua, transformed into the true form of a celestial dragon, swam over from afar, his magnificent dragon body, radiating dazzling golden light, truly caused the princesses and princes present to gasp in amazement.
Although they were all dragons, this was the first time they had ever seen a "Heavenly Dragon." After all, the Heavenly Dragon, such as the Golden Star Lord of the Upper Realm, was not someone that princes and princesses of the Lower Realm could meet casually.