Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

"Don't be too hasty in making a decision," Lu Yu said earnestly. "This time, it's me who will be escorting you back to your uncle's home, and there's an opportunity waiting for you there. This is something your father exchanged his life for; you mustn't miss it."

With Lu Yu's consolation, Lao Qi finally resolved his emotional turmoil and regained some of his former vitality. After apologizing to Lu Yu, he hurried back to his room.

The Dragon Queen, who was hiding on the side, stepped forward and bowed slightly to Lu Yu, "Having a teacher like Mr. Lu is a blessing for Xiao Qi."

The Dragon Queen understood very well that Lu Yu came to the Dragon Palace entirely out of obligation; he didn't need to bother with several children. Yet, this teacher never shirked his responsibility nor did he act perfunctorily; instead, he taught with care. She could clearly feel the growth of the children.

A master teacher like this was hard to find even if one searched with a lantern, and for her family to have encountered him was indeed a fortuitous gift from the heavens.

"I'm merely fulfilling the duty of a teacher! By the way, the Dragon King has now taken the matter of the Tang King to the Underworld. I happen to have quite a few connections with the gods of the Underworld. If the Dragon Queen wishes, it is possible to meet him," said Lu Yu gently.

This revelation struck the Dragon Queen as incredible news. She had never imagined that she would have a chance to meet her husband and thus asked with some disbelief, "Really?"

After speaking, she laughed embarrassedly, "Look at me, I'm so happy that I'm confused. The words of Mr. Lu, how could they be untrue."

"Ha-ha, it's a common reaction. I understand. Please prepare yourself, Dragon Queen. I will take you to meet the Dragon Lord shortly," Lu Yu said with a smile as he bowed his hands, before walking away without looking back.

In a hurry, the Dragon Queen ran into her room and scrutinized herself carefully in the bronze mirror. Looking at her haggard reflection, she touched her face and said, "You heartless man, to have left me here all alone."

As night fell over the Imperial Palace of Changan City, a chilling wind suddenly rose from the empty land, and several figures appeared out of nowhere. Dressed in a ceremonial robe and pale-faced, a ghost was escorted by two people, one in black and one in white.

"Old Dragon King, my brother and I can only take you this far. Any further, and the Fortune and Destiny of the Human Path will suppress us both. Only you, with a karmic debt to settle with the Emperor and the protection of the Ancestral Dragon, can pass without hindrance.

Remember not to harm his soul and spirit; otherwise, if the Holy Emperor and the Sages of the human race blame us, we would be unable to endure their wrath," the man in black instructed the ghost.

"Don't worry, Black and White Impermanence. Old Dragon knows this and won't cause any trouble," the Old Dragon King said, maintaining the dignity he had in life even in the form of a ghost.

"It's just a pity that you sacrificed your flesh and blood, which is tantamount to severing your spiritual path. From now on, you can only linger on in the Underworld," the man in white remarked with a sigh.

"Being able to retain my soul and spirit is already more than I could have hoped for. I dare not expect more," replied the Old Dragon King with a bitter smile.

As the three were conversing, a voice suddenly came through, "I didn't expect the two elder brothers to personally make an appearance here."

Following the direction of the voice, they finally noticed that, without their knowledge, Lu Yu had already arrived with the Dragon Queen not far from them, smiling as he looked at them.

"So it's you, Lu Yu, the youngster. You gave me quite a fright. What brings you here?"

"Someone wanted to meet the Old Dragon King, and I, Lu Yu, would feel bad refusing," Lu Yu said with a smile, pointing to the woman next to him.

Black and White Impermanence suddenly realized and laughed as they pushed the Old Dragon King next to Lu Yu. Then they walked over, slung their arms around Lu Yu's shoulders, and said, "Come on, let's have a good chat together, brother. You've been away for so long without coming to see us. Are you afraid that we'll drink all your fine wine?"

"My supply of wine is sufficient; I'm not afraid of you drinking it all." Lu Yu said proudly, patting the wine gourd on his waist.

"Good, that's what I want to hear. Don't you regret saying this today."

As the voices of Black and White Impermanence and Lu Yu faded away, the Old Dragon King turned to his wife with a guilty face and said, "My lady, you have suffered."

Upon hearing this, the Dragon Queen could not help but burst into tears, lamenting, "You know of my suffering, yet you threw everything away, leaving me with this mess. If it weren't for Mr. Lu's assistance, how could a woman like me have held onto our heritage?"

"Ah! I know your hardships, yet caught in the calamity, I had no control. Being able to preserve my soul and spirit was already quite difficult, but having Mr. Lu here, I am quite reassured. Have the futures of the children been decided yet? Has that stubborn snake caused any trouble?"

"Hmph, that snake came storming on the first day after your death, intending to seize the Dragon Palace. Unfortunately, it encountered Mr. Lu and got baited like a big fish. In the end, it got its head chopped off, and now its head hangs above the gate of the Crystal Palace."

"The children are all well; the Heavenly Court has already taken them away and arranged places for them." The Dragon Queen conveyed the events of the past few days, giving the Old Dragon King a detailed understanding of the current situation.

He nodded his head repeatedly, relieved, and said, "Inviting Mr. Lu was the best decision I've made in my life. Now with that snake's head as a deterrent, you'll have enough time to escape."

"Why did you just give away this territory that you worked so hard for to the Heavenly Court? What were you thinking?" The Dragon Queen couldn't help but ask, confused. She never understood why her husband did not let their children inherit his Dragon King title and instead gave it to the Heavenly Court.

The Old Dragon King laughed proudly and said, "Now, with the great changes of Heaven and Earth imminent, the world will eventually be dominated by the human race. The land I ruled is where the human race's Fortune and Destiny are at their strongest. In the future, as the Human Path prospers, it will inevitably suppress the path of the deities. When the calamity comes, we won't even know how we die.

Only by seizing this opportunity to withdraw can I follow the true path."

The husband and wife shared their feelings, unaware of time passing. Before long, Lu Yu and the two Impermanence returned, and a strong smell of alcohol wafted over, causing the Dragon Queen to cover her nose.

"Old Dragon King, it's time to go, or else if we miss the timing, we can't afford the consequences."

"I thank the great Impermanence and Mr. Lu for your kindness. I, the Old Dragon, will now go to meet the Human King!" the Old Dragon King bowed deeply as a gesture of gratitude for allowing him and his wife to meet.

After speaking, he transformed into a gust of wind and floated into the Imperial Palace. Inside, a brilliant golden light shone as a Dragon of Fortune appeared out of thin air, roaring as if it wanted to tear the Old Dragon's soul to pieces. However, at that moment, an imperial edict hanging in the sky emitted a golden light, and the Dragon of Fortune seemed to gain sentience.

It looked down at the Old Dragon and then stepped aside to let him enter.

This brought grief to Li Shimin, who lay sleeping in the bedchamber, as he dreamed of the bloodstained Old Dragon tugging at his sleeve, angrily demanding his life in retribution. In his dream, he could only apologize profusely, without a trace of the Celestial Khan's dignity.