Chapter 44

Over the course of three days, Yang Zhen thoroughly enjoyed himself in the capital of Biquo Kingdom, visiting all the scenic spots and enjoying all the famous delicacies. He hadn't felt this relaxed in hundreds of years. Yang Zhen took advantage of this rare three-day period to let loose, almost to the point of forgetting his homeland.

Fortunately, Yang Zhen hadn't forgotten his main task. Today was the day when the King of Biquo Kingdom would hold the grand ceremony to worship the heavens. At the hour of Chen, the king, accompanied by the queen, the prince, and the civil and military officials, set off from the royal city, heading towards the altar.

Along the way, all the common people followed the king's procession, slowly moving towards the altar. Today's ceremony to worship the heavens was not just the king's affair but also the affair of all the people of Biquo Kingdom. It concerned their future lives, so most of the residents of the royal city spontaneously gathered around the altar, ready to worship the heavens with the king.

Yang Zhen hid in the air, watching everything below without intending to lend a hand.

He would only act when the king was at a loss and everyone had lost faith in Biquo Kingdom. Only by helping at the most difficult moment could he leave the deepest impression. Therefore, today Yang Zhen was just a spectator, content to watch the performance of those people.

The king's procession played music all the way and finally arrived at the altar.

At the auspicious time, the king led all the subjects of Biquo Kingdom to worship the heavens. First, he paid respects to the previous kings of Biquo Kingdom, then began the formal worship of the deities, seeking their forgiveness.

After reciting a long and tedious prayer, the king began to admit his mistakes. It wasn't until noon that the entire ceremony to worship the heavens was officially over.

After the ceremony, the king led the civil and military officials back to the royal city, and the common people gradually dispersed. Some people had smiles on their faces, seemingly full of hope for the future, believing that today's grand ceremony to worship the heavens would certainly move the heavens to send rain and save Biquo Kingdom.

However, some people had worried expressions, clearly not believing that the situation in Biquo Kingdom would improve.

After the grand ceremony to worship the heavens, Yang Zhen left Biquo Kingdom and flew towards the river near the capital of Biquo Kingdom.

The Biquo River is the mother river of Biquo Kingdom. The people of Biquo Kingdom have been drinking the water of the Biquo River for generations, so they call this river the Biquo River, naming it after their country.

As the saying goes, "A mountain need not be high, as long as there is a fairy; a water need not be deep, as long as there is a dragon." In the world of Honghuang, water has always been the domain of the dragon clan, from the four major seas in the east, west, south, and north to lakes, ponds, rivers, and wells of various sizes, almost everywhere has the trace of dragons.

In "Journey to the West," some well-known small dragon kings include the Jinghe Dragon King, the Bi Bo Pond Dragon King, and even the Well Dragon King of Wuji Kingdom.

Although the dragon clan has declined, there are still many dragons with thin bloodlines. Normal immortals generally do not like staying in water, so the waters have become the domain of the dragon clan. For thousands of years, apart from the aquatic demons, no one has contested their territory.

The Dragon King of the Biquo River, although having a position in the Heavenly Court, is ultimately just a minor deity. Yang Zhen estimated that the Dragon King of the Biquo River must have been dissatisfied with the actions of the King of Biquo Kingdom and reported to the Heavenly Court, hoping for punishment for the King of Biquo Kingdom.

The Heavenly Court, which has always had no good feelings towards those who disrespect the deities, thus issued this so-called punishment.

Arriving at the shore of the Biquo River, Yang Zhen used a water-repelling spell and dove into the river. In no time, he found the location of the dragon palace.

It was, after all, a small dragon palace. Although it was also shining with gold, compared to the Lingxiao Hall of the Heavenly Court, it was like a dilapidated thatched cottage.

Before Yang Zhen could approach the dragon palace, a pair of patrolling shrimp soldiers and crab generals blocked his way.

"May I ask where the immortal comes from and what brings you to the dragon palace of the Biquo River?" The leading crab general stepped forward and asked. Although his words were a question, he did not have an overbearing attitude. After all, their dragon king was just a small river dragon king, and compared to the great demons of Xiniu贺zhou, they were not even worth mentioning. If they provoked a great demon, they would have nowhere to seek justice even if they were killed.

"Is your dragon king here?" Yang Zhen asked.

"Please wait a moment, immortal. I will go and inform him." The crab general bowed to Yang Zhen and swam back to the dragon palace.

In no time, Yang Zhen saw a person in a dragon robe with red hair swim out of the dragon palace, followed by dozens of shrimp soldiers and crab generals. They soon arrived in front of Yang Zhen.

After sizing up Yang Zhen, the Dragon King of the Biquo River said, "Where does the immortal practice, and what brings you to the Biquo River?"

"I want to ask you, why has there been no rain in Biquo Kingdom for one and a half years? As the dragon king, can you just watch the people of Biquo Kingdom suffer?" Yang Zhen demanded.

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of the Biquo River immediately became fearful and said, "The immortal may not know, but the king of Biquo Kingdom is utterly unreasonable. He dared to order the capture of a small dragon. As a mere mortal, he dared to show such disrespect to the deities. How could he be easily forgiven?

It happened a year ago when the king of Biquo Kingdom went hunting and passed by the Biquo River. He saw the true form of the small dragon. Instead of kneeling and worshipping, he ordered his soldiers to cast nets to capture the small dragon and continued to do so for three days. It was truly infuriating. Immortal, please judge. If we let him disrespect the deities without punishment, how could they ever respect the heavens in the future?"

Yang Zhen nodded and asked, "How long do you plan to punish them?"

"The king captured me for three days, so I will not send rain for three years to punish them. Immortal, rest assured, after three years, Biquo Kingdom will surely have favorable weather and bountiful harvests. After all, I am a deity, and I will not hold a grudge over a mortal's minor disrespect. This is just a small warning," the Dragon King of the Biquo River said.

"Before I came, I saw the people of Biquo Kingdom worshiping the heavens. Dragon King..."

Before Yang Zhen could finish, the Dragon King of the Biquo River said, "Immortal, please do not worry. The three-year drought is the decree of the Jade Emperor. Although the worship of the heavens by the people of Biquo Kingdom has made me feel better, I dare not disobey the decree of the Jade Emperor."

"Um!" Yang Zhen nodded in understanding, asked the Dragon King of the Biquo River a few more questions, and then declined the Dragon King's invitation to stay, leaving the Biquo River.

The matter was now clear. Since the heavens would not send rain to Biquo Kingdom, Yang Zhen had to take matters into his own hands.

Yang Zhen was proficient in the art of summoning wind and rain, after all, it was not a difficult spell. He would wait until Biquo Kingdom was in despair before making his move.