Chapter 0: A Heart’s Inclination
“No, actually, I can provide reasonable explanations for everything I’ve said so far. I implore King Tàihǎi and Madam She to allow me…”
“Enough said. It’s all in the wine.”
“What?”
Ao Junling picked up his wine cup and said with a serious face, “This old dragon is a rough man with no ulterior motives; he only believes in the principle of ‘truth comes out after drinking.’ If Celestial Master Qin truly has something to say, why not wait until this banquet ends?”
Qin Gou showed a look of difficulty. “But compared to King Tàihǎi, I really can’t hold my liquor.”
“Wouldn’t that be even better?” Ao Junling’s eyes sparkled.
“Hmm?”
An hour passed.
A large number of empty wine jars were neatly placed aside, and the potent spiritual wine was completely drained, not a drop left.
The entire great hall echoed with unrestrained laughter of pure joy.
“Esteemed son-in-law… No! You are my good brother, Ao Junling!” Ao Junling, flushed red as he was drunk, put his arm around Qin Gou in extreme intimacy.
Qin Gou, his eyes blurry from drink, slowly put down his wine cup. His expression seemed calm, but his words were no longer coherent. “Is King Tàihǎi drunk and confused? What brother? Isn’t the generation order all messed up? Call me Big Brother!”
Ao Junling chuckled and blurted out, “Big Brother, Big Brother! That sounds good!”
Qin Gou was then satisfied. He nodded vigorously, gripping Ao Junling’s hand tightly. “Second Brother, no need for formalities!”
Beside them, Madam She abruptly covered her face.
“Big Brother…”
“Speak, Second Brother!”
Ao Junling, slurring his words and swaying uncontrollably, his eyes hazy and drunken, hiccuped, “That… uh, what this younger brother discussed with Big Brother before… I hope you’ll take good care of my young daughter, Banwei, and treat her well in this life!”
“A joke! What are you saying? Of course, absolutely!” Qin Gou’s eyes were hazy and unfocused. He patted his chest. “Banwei, Little White Dragon! What a good child she is! I watched her grow up from a young age. Whoever marries her is truly blessed for generations. She is indeed a dragon-riding… Dragon-riding son-in-law!”
Upon hearing this, Ao Junling’s expression turned indignant. “But the problem is, someone clearly accepted my daughter’s Love-betrothal dragon pearl and yet, they want to go back on their word. What kind of person does that!”
“Who? Which ungrateful brat! I’ll twist his head off and use it as a ball to kick!” Qin Gou glared angrily. “Let me kick him a few times too!”
“Good! With those words from my esteemed son-in-law, I’ll toast Big Brother!” Ao Junling immediately raised his wine cup.
The two cups clinked. Qin Gou mumbled hazily, “Brother, drink well.” Then, he subconsciously looked at Madam She beside him. He was stunned for a few seconds before suddenly raising his wine to toast her. “Third Brother, have a sip?!”
Madam She: …
…
The next day, Qin Gou woke up.
As a cultivator, he didn’t experience blackouts. With a single thought, countless images flooded his mind. Qin Gou ran his hands through his hair, making it a mess, and asked with a strange expression, “What exactly did I do?”
Qin Gou walked out of the room with a sigh. Not far from his own dwelling, he met the early-rising Ao Banwei by a small pond.
“Master, you’re awake.”
Ao Banwei smiled purely and waved her small hand, greeting Qin Gou.
Qin Gou stared intently at Ao Banwei. He strongly suspected that he had been tricked by this little impish dragon. But the problem was, after interacting for so long, Banwei was by no means a girl with so many schemes.
Feeling uncomfortable under Qin Gou’s gaze, Ao Banwei said guiltily, “I’m sorry, Master. Banwei forgot to mention, but actually, Father is nicknamed ‘Drunken Dragon’ among the Sea Race. He has no limits when he drinks. Master must have had a very hard time yesterday.”
Qin Gou asked with half-belief, “Yesterday, Master and Banwei’s parents discussed some matters at the banquet. Did they mention anything to you afterward?”
“No,” Ao Banwei replied truthfully.
Qin Gou immediately relaxed. That’s good, it’s not embarrassing at all!
“By the way, Master, I have good news for you. The Nether Moon you bestowed upon Banwei earlier has now achieved minor success. Banwei can now manifest a moon’s reflection in water.” As she spoke, Ao Banwei pursed her small lips, smiled, and pointed towards the small pond, “If you don’t believe me, look.”
Qin Gou looked carefully and saw a luminous moon, about the size of a human head, floating in the water.
Back then, the Nether Moon that Qin Gou had Ao Banwei cultivate could greatly increase her strength at the specific time when the bright moon hangs high. Now, Ao Banwei could actively summon a reflection of the moon in the water, which was indeed significant progress.
“Very good,” Qin Gou praised, then changed the subject. “But the moon you summoned is a bit too small and weak. Perhaps there’s a slight error in your cultivation method? Come, Master will draw you a diagram of your circulation pathways. Look carefully.”
With that, Qin Gou casually picked up a slender peach branch from the ground and lightly drew in the mud.
“Banwei, esteemed son-in-law, you are here.”
However, not long after, a hearty laugh was heard.
Ao Junling and Madam She arrived side by side.
At the same time, Qin Gou was still earnestly teaching Banwei, and the Little White Dragon was full of, “Disciple remembers Master’s teachings.”
Seeing this, Ao Junling suddenly patted Madam She on the shoulder and said with a peculiar tone, “Let’s not disturb the young couple’s time together.”
Hearing this, Qin Gou’s nose flared with anger. He quickly shouted, “King Tàihǎi, I am truly Banwei’s teaching master. Our master-disciple relationship is pure!”
Ao Junling immediately smiled helplessly and looked at his wife. “What do you think, my dear wife? Madam She!”
Madam She couldn’t help but reveal a knowing smile. “Then, have you heard the saying, Celestial Master Qin? When one’s heart is set on someone, even if they don’t say it, it will escape from their eyes?”
“What?”
As they spoke, Qin Gou turned his head, and his gaze met the Little White Dragon’s pair of tender, adoring, and pitiful golden eyes.
Indeed.
Such affectionate, flowing eyes… But the problem was, the so-called ‘love’ could manifest in many ways!
At this moment, if one looked closely, they would realize that Ao Banwei’s gaze was actually more drawn to the peach branch in Qin Gou’s hand – a branch that, if used to strike someone, would surely deliver a swift and satisfying blow!
What could Qin Gou do? He was helpless too. Should he just say that your esteemed daughter’s orientation was slightly unique? But compared to my other good disciples, she was still relatively normal? He’d probably be thrown into the pond on the spot.
This troublesome, foolish Little White Dragon!
The day of departure arrived again.
Ao Banwei bid farewell to her parents and returned to the Spirit Boat. The Little White Dragon, who had finally achieved her wish of having Master visit her home, was very content. A hidden sweet smile bloomed on her pretty face.
Qin Gou glared at the girl annoyingly. “Still smiling? King Tàihǎi and Madam She have now completely given you, this little foolish dragon, to me! From now on, if I tell you to go east, you can’t go west. Wherever I go, you must follow closely, keeping me company day and night. Believe in cherishing each other! You can’t resist no matter how much I bully you, you little dummy… This is a sin! It’s as if we’ve truly become Dao Companions!”
“Is that so?”
Ao Banwei nodded obediently like a pecking chick and asked curiously, “What’s the difference from before?”
Qin Gou was suddenly stunned, looking dumbfounded. It really… made no difference.
