Chapter 9: With Laughter to the Open Sky, We Are Not Mere Weeds
Li Mingzhu calmly stepped onto the deck of the Dragon Boat, outwardly calm and collected, but inwardly, he was continually observing this Dragon Boat.
The Dragon Boat seemed enormous, but once aboard, he discovered it housed a vast Grotto Heaven, far larger than it appeared.
The structure was built with gold and jade, and paved with pearls; Li Mingzhu couldn't help but sigh, what a lavish display.
More accurately, it was outrageously lavish.
Of course, what lay deeper were arrays and prohibitions that Li Mingzhu couldn't fully discern but knew were formidable.
Since boarding the Dragon Boat, he hadn't dared to let his guard down for even a moment; his defensive methods were already discreetly arranged.
Trust is a luxury he couldn't afford, especially when the person in question was Ao Bing.
Following the opulent path paved with extravagance, Li Mingzhu moved forward steadily until he reached the grand hall where Ao Bing previously resided.
Calling it a grand hall, it was essentially a palace—extravagant.
In the hall, Li Mingzhu fixed his gaze unflinchingly on the yellow-robed Ao Bing. Though he was in a position far inferior to Ao Bing, he matched him in aura without the slightest concession.
This composure was not something just anyone could have; considering he faced the lord of the East Sea, the Third Prince of the Dragon Clan.
"Fellow Daoist, please, someone offer him a seat."
Ao Bing said casually, not elevating his view of Li Mingzhu despite his poise, after all, he was just a drifter.
"No need, Your Highness, if there's anything you wish to discuss, please do so directly. While I'm not in a hurry, I don't wish to linger," Li Mingzhu replied unhurriedly, with calm dignity.
Just Ao Bing, no doubt being antagonistic with him wasn't wise at the moment, but Li Mingzhu truly didn't fear him, there was no need to compromise unnecessarily.
"How dare you! The Crown Prince's invitation is an honor, yet you dare defy him so recklessly?"
Before Ao Bing could speak, a burly man with a blackened face pointed at Li Mingzhu and shouted angrily, his already dark complexion now darkened even more.
"His Highness is magnanimous, why would he bicker with someone as insignificant as me? Otherwise, wouldn't it sound terrible if word got out?"
Li Mingzhu chuckled slyly, his words insinuating that if anything were to happen to him, their Dragon Palace's reputation would take a hit.
"Hmm, reasonable. Would His Highness quibble with such a petty person?" The turtle Prime Minister stroked his beard and laughed.
"Blabbering nonsense, get out!"
As soon as the turtle spoke, Li Mingzhu secretly amused himself. What kind of subject was this? Clearly, he was speaking in Li Mingzhu's favor. If Ao Bing lowered himself to deal with Li Mingzhu, it wouldn't have been much.
But with the turtle's praises, it indeed became more difficult for Ao Bing to strike. Wasn't this helping Li Mingzhu?
Sure enough, Ao Bing, who was calm just moments ago, now angrily shouted.
"Your Highness, don't be upset, the turtle Prime Minister only spoke out of sincere loyalty."
Li Mingzhu stepped forward earnestly and said, his expression, tsk tsk.
If one didn't know any better, they might really think Li Mingzhu was Ao Bing's subordinate. One had to admit, his acting skills were top-notch.
"Of course, I know the turtle Prime Minister's sincerity. But given that, today I'll ask the Prime Minister to make a sacrifice—I want turtle soup. Take him away and stew him."
Ao Bing said coldly, the old turtle did nothing wrong, only spoke at the wrong time. Even without Li Mingzhu's assistance, he wouldn't meet a good end.
Being a courtier is perilous, and amidst cries, the turtle Prime Minister was taken away, while Li Mingzhu's expression remained unchanged.
"I thought you'd plead for that old turtle." Ao Bing slowly descended his seat, speaking softly with a hint of chill.
"Why should I plead for him?" Li Mingzhu gently shook his head; the one dying was your Dragon Palace's Prime Minister, what did it have to do with him?
"You truly surprise me, but it ends here. You have two choices: hand over the Spirit Vein and submit, or die!"
Ao Bing's patience seemed exhausted, or perhaps the turtle Prime Minister's incident had stirred his bloodlust, showing no intention of engaging in verbal sparring.
"Can't hold back anymore? You're far off, compared to your father, you're really not in the same league."
Li Mingzhu laughed, though he had only seen the East Sea Dragon King once in a past life, his demeanor was indeed unmatched by Ao Bing.
Facing the Jade Emperor's various pressures, still managing the Dragon Clan with outstanding success was no trivial matter.
"Insolent!"
Seeing Li Mingzhu's disregard for the Dragon King and the Crown Prince, the military generals and followers under Ao Bing's command shouted without needing his order, swords drawn.
"What, resorting to murder and looting? Destroy evidence?"
Li Mingzhu's lips slightly curved, whether in mockery or something else.
As he suspected, he and Ao Bing were indeed natural enemies. Though they started differently, their personalities now seemed distinct from their legendary counterparts, yet the result seemed to steer in the same direction.
Of course, this was just a trend, the final outcome remained unknown.
As Li Mingzhu's words fell, the entire hall turned tense, pin-drop silence.
"Do you truly believe I won't kill you for mere pride of the Dragon Palace?" Ao Bing sneered, waving his left hand gently backward.
The sound of clashing constantly echoed, as the armored soldiers enclosed Li Mingzhu in orderly fashion, ten layers deep, leaving no escape.
Li Mingzhu smiled without speaking, offering no retorts, for actions spoke louder than words.
"Originally, a mere Spirit Vein wouldn't require all this trouble, yet somehow, I just can't stand you, and you, not knowing your place."
Ao Bing gently stroked the Jade Ruyi he didn't know when he took out, speaking slowly, without any arrogance, as if the current scenario was all too expected.
"What if, after all your Dragon Palace's effort, you're still unable to keep me here?" Li Mingzhu laughed, brimming with confidence even in certain doom.
"You think you can get out? That's a colossal joke!"
Ao Bing laughed heartily, dismissing Li Mingzhu's bravado.
"Oh? And now?"
Li Mingzhu's smile turned peculiar, as if walking in an empty space, he traversed the encirclement, body ethereal, passing through the soldiers.
"Illusion! It's an illusion!"
The black-faced man exclaimed in fright, tangled with an illusion for so long without realizing it, leaving them stunned.
If this young man used the Illusion Realm against them, could they fend it off?
"Knowing it's an illusion, why haven't you sought his true form?"
Ao Bing, with an iron-blue face, spoke darkly, though unshowing his rage, like the calm before a storm, promising an upheaval at any moment.
And in the East Sea, he indeed had that power.
"Yes, Your Highness!"
The black-faced man dared not delay, immediately leading troops to search.
Li Mingzhu coldly watched, seeking his true form?
"How was it?" Li Mingzhu's controlled illusion finally uttered again.
"Consider this your win, but as long as we're in the East Sea, I refuse to believe you can escape my grasp."
Ao Bing spoke coldly, revealing murderous intent.
"Then let's see!"
Li Mingzhu replied, leaving one unspoken phrase, let's see who kills whom!
"With laughter to the sky's expanse, we shall never be mere weeds!"
Li Mingzhu's illusion laughed freely, robes fluttering as he drifted away.
Leaving only shrimp soldiers, crab generals, Ao Bing, and his generals in the hall, Ao Bing's face icy, his subordinates shivering, dared not speak.