296 The Patrol (1/2)
The Dragon Palace was opulently grandeur and precious materials lined the floors and walls. Even though it was the most grandiose palace Fang Yuan had ever seen, he was unamused as he had seen similarly magnificent palaces before.
The tortoise guard was caught off guard by Fang Yuan's indifference.
”My master is the richest amongst all in the seas and this palace is home to many treasures of Golden Court Lake; even the previous visitor, the Monkey God, was in utter awe of the palace. Yet, I can't believe unlike others, you are so indifferent to such opulence! Perhaps, you are from the seas?”
With greater reverence, the tortoise guard led Fang Yuan inside a large plaza.
Inside the plaza, a black water dragon opened its eye.
”Leave him here and the rest of you all are dismissed!” he ordered with a powerful demeanour.
”Yes, your majesty!”
With the Golden Court Dragon God's command, all the water dwellers solemnly and respectfully retreated.
However, Fang Yuan's expression changed suddenly as he gazed at the black water dragon. ”This can't be right…, that's not his true form!”
”Splash!”
Under the soft noise of water splashing, it was as though the mirage was dispelled by water.
Akin to a soap bubble bursting, the humongous body of the black evil dragon suddenly disappeared and left behind a majestic deity. The deity was donned in a royal crown and had two dragon horns coming out of his forehead.
”God Dao Golden Body!”
Fang Yuan was in awe and paid respects again, ”It is my honour to meet you!”
The golden body was cast from the beliefs of the people dao and possessed boundless powers that were even greater than that of the dragon body.
Unfortunately, it was after all built from the intangible beliefs of the people dao and was not bound by flesh.
”So the Golden Court Dragon God's true form is actually a people dao deity!” he thought.
It was a sudden realization for Fang Yuan as all his doubts were cleared at once. ”No wonder the clearing of the evil gods' offerings went so smoothly, behind those righteous gods, there was help from this greater god!”
”Ah, no need for formalities!”
The Dragon God raised his hands slightly and a surge of force lifted Fang Yuan.
”I have been paying attention to you for a long time!”
The Dragon God smiled and continued, ”I welcome you inside to talk!”
The two of them then entered the palace hall behind the plaza.
The palace hall was colossal. It had forty-nine sturdy golden pillars supporting a golden dome roof. Above it, ripples of water could be seen and it was truly a sight to behold.
”This is the heart of my Dragon Palace, Blue Water Hall! Whatever we discuss here cannot be leaked, and it can even conceal secrets and mislead those who try to predict!”
He then sat on his main seat and gestured towards Fang Yuan, ”Have a seat too!”
Fang Yuan sat on the Fire Jade Coral Chair and felt warm and comfortable.
At that moment, a puzzled expression appeared on his face. ”Paid attention to me for a long time? Have we met before…?”
”Ah, I have been noticing you ever since you destroyed the Monkey God's magical clone. However, I was busy doing my dragon transformation and was too wary of you. Hence, even though I thought of inviting you many times, it is such a pity I ended up backing out every time…”
The Dragon God grinned, ”Also, about that Black Dragon General's Temple of yours? I was also the one who sent people to tidy it, else people would have stopped visiting and providing offerings…”
It was all clear to Fang Yuan.
The Golden Court Dragon God was in charge of all the water deities in the surrounding radius of Golden Court Lake, he must have noticed Fang Yuan since that period.
But was he biased towards the humans since then?
Fang Yuan was even more certain that he could achieve his goals during this trip.
Initially, he simply wanted to meet him first while transformed as a horned dragon and then look for more information later on.
However, he could now complete it in one step.
”This Dragon God's water dragon incarnation is already destroyed, what's left is just the embodiment of people's beliefs. He can be influenced the most easily now, and there's no doubt he is biased towards the humans.” Fang Yuan thought.
Fang Yuan stood up and bowed, ”Thank you Dragon God! However, I have a favour to ask of you!”
”Go ahead!”
The Golden Court Dragon God gestured.
Although he was already a people dao deity, his heart was still influenced by his previous form. Thus, he had a warmer attitude towards this fellow horned dragon.
”The prefecture minister of Golden Lake Prefecture, Xu Ren, deeply pities the commoners' tough life and furthermore, pirates are rampant over there. He wants to eradicate those pirates but however, the Golden Court Lake is so vast with thousands of islands. So please, I seek your helping hand, Dragon God!”
Fang Yuan narrated Xu Ren's situation and added, ”If you help out the commoners of Golden Court Lake, they would be tremendously grateful for your benevolence!”
”Ah, even if you did not mention this matter, I was already prepared to do so!”
The Golden Court Dragon God stroked his beard with satisfaction.
As a people dao deity, it was beneficial for him to maintain both the peace and stability of the environment and a large number of believers.
”As a righteous god, I, the Golden Court Lake Dragon God, would definitely know the hiding locations of all those pirates… Just that gods and humans should not interact too closely, hence, I still require a human aide!”
The Golden Court Dragon God exclaimed with radiance in his eyes, ”You! How about you?”
”Of course I can!”