Chapter 837 — Tea Offered on the River
The Herdsman of the Wasteland · Page 3 of 5
The old dragon king hastily made his obeisance and said, "This little dragon has the undeserved honor of being the dragon king of this stretch of the Heavenly River. From the Longhan Heavenly Court down to this day, a million years, my family has guarded this place generation after generation, maintaining the Heavenly River's course. Yesterday I witnessed the High God display his mighty power, and today the High God passes this way again; therefore I have come up to offer you hospitality."
"High God?"
Shen Mu laughed heartily and shook his head. "I am no High God. I am merely one who has opened the Heavenly River Divine Treasury; I am still one step short of the Divine Realm."
The old dragon king answered meekly, "The High God must be weary from his journey. I have brought a humble gift, all of it produce of the Heavenly River."
Shen Mu leaped down from Lord Dragon Keeper's back and landed on the water's surface. The old dragon king waved his hand, and at once shrimp soldiers and crab generals, dragon sons and dragon kin came forward, using their magic power to command the waters and build a palace upon the river, inviting Shen Mu to take a seat.
The palace in the river was formed of the waters of the Heavenly River; its tables and chairs were carved of white jade. Sitting within, one felt neither wind nor sun, yet could see all the scenery outside.
Shen Mu took his seat, and the old dragon king sat with him.
The two dragon maidens hurried forward and presented the treasures and the tea.
Shen Mu drank the tea, glanced at the treasures, and said, "Lord Dragon Keeper, take them for now."
Lord Dragon Keeper was overjoyed and hastily gathered up the jewels of every kind.
Shen Mu looked deeply at the old dragon king across from him and said, "I have already conferred upon Lord Dragon Keeper the title of Dragon King of the Heavenly River. If from now on you follow him, I can guarantee that your sons and grandsons for generations will live here in peace."
The old dragon king hesitated, then said cautiously, "High God, Lord Dragon Keeper is wise and valiant, but his bloodline is impure..."
Shen Mu laughed. "If bloodline were of any use, how could I have slain Prince Qiuming with a single sword? If bloodline were of any use, why would the Earth Mother Primordial Sovereign have been defeated and killed?"
The old dragon king did not dare speak.
"Since your family has guarded this place for generations, I will not make things hard for you. This stretch of the Heavenly River shall still be governed by your clan. I want favorable weather here; you are not to unleash floods at will to bring disaster on the people of both banks. You may enjoy the offerings of the people along the shore, but you may not seize or enslave them."
Shen Mu set down his teacup and walked out of the water palace, saying, "Lord Dragon Keeper will conclude a Little Earth Lord's Pact with you; rebellion will not be tolerated. The tea is drunk and the offerings accepted. Withdraw. After I cross the river, Lord Dragon Keeper will come to find you."
The old dragon king assented. The water palace suddenly collapsed with a splash, and the old dragon king vanished together with his many dragon sons and grandsons.
"A Little Earth Lord's Pact?"
Lord Dragon Keeper blinked, overjoyed beyond measure, and thought to himself, "A Little Earth Lord's Pact is even more vicious than an Earth Lord's Pact. Who knows, I may truly become the Dragon King of the Heavenly River."
Elated, he carried Shen Mu and the Dragon Qilin onward. Before they had gone far, another dragon king appeared on the river with treasures of every kind, offering fragrant tea.
Shen Mu drank the tea, said his piece in much the same way, and continued on his way.