Chapter 398

Chapter 398: Dragon King Teng

“So, how’s your relationship with the other three seas?” Ming curiously asked while observing Ao Yiner’s reaction.

If Ao Yiner seemed resistant or cautious, he’d drop the subject.

But Ao Yiner didn’t overthink it and maintained her usual innocent demeanor.

“Our relationship with the four seas is pretty average.”

After pondering for a moment, Ao Yiner continued, “It’s not particularly great, but it’s not bad either. We rarely meet, but we do attend each other’s celebrations.”

“However, the relationship between the other three seas and the Northern Sea isn’t good. The Northern Sea seems distant from us. The Eastern, Southern, and Western Seas have a better relationship.”

“I see,” Ming nodded.

Listening to Ao Yiner’s explanation, the relationship among the four seas was akin to that of ordinary relatives.

Not too close, not too far, they don’t contact unless necessary, and only when needed.

This kind of relationship could easily turn into one where relatives would take advantage of others’ misfortunes.

As for the estranged relationship between the Northern Sea and the other three seas, it was normal since the Dragon Empress didn’t seem like the type who enjoyed visiting relatives.

Based on Ming’s understanding, among the four seas, the Dragon Empress was actually the strongest.

It wasn’t impossible that the other three seas banded together to resist the Northern Sea.

“Xu Ming, it’s my turn! It’s my turn! Let me ask again—have you humans on land really been eating chicken and duck? Is it tasty?” Ao Yiner continued her inquiries.

Ming replied to the girl’s question: “Not everyone can eat chicken and duck. Most commoners eat grains just to fill their stomachs. Those who can eat chicken and duck at every meal aren’t ordinary households; their families must be well-off. As for whether it tastes good…it depends on the chef’s skills.”

“Eh?” The girl looked surprised, “So you can’t eat meat every day?”

Ming, looking at this innocent girl, said, “No, chicken, duck, and pork can only be eaten occasionally, or during festivals. It’s impossible to have them at every meal.”

Ao Yiner: “Then why don’t you eat fish? Don’t people on land like fish?”

“…Ah…” Ming felt this sister had a bit of an out-of-touch vibe, but it was understandable since she was so well-protected. What did she know?

Ming patiently explained, “Fish can only be eaten by those in coastal areas. Generally, it’s hard to transport them long distances without them going bad. Not only would they lose freshness, but they could also cause problems if consumed. For most people, fresh fish is even more precious than chicken or duck.”

“Ohhh…” Ao Yiner nodded sympathetically, “Your ordinary folks on land are truly pitiable. In our four seas, even a small fish can eat algae until it’s full.”

Ming: “…”

“When productivity improves, life will get better for the common people, but it will take time,” Ming said.

“What’s productivity?” Ao Yiner, hearing a term she didn’t understand, fully exercised her spirit of asking questions whenever she didn’t know something.

“That’s a bit complicated to explain,” Ming said. “Ohhh…” Since Ming didn’t elaborate, Ao Yiner stopped asking.

Ming looked at this capricious yet pure-hearted girl, “Does Miss Ao know the general process of the Four Seas Ceremony?”

Ming only knew that the Four Seas Ceremony was the most important event for the four seas, where representatives from all four seas came to celebrate, but his knowledge was limited.

Since the Wu Kingdom was quite far from the Northern Sea, there was no mention of the Northern Sea in Wu Kingdom’s power dynamics. This invitation from the Northern Sea was an unexpected joy.

Thus, the Wu Kingdom didn’t know much about the Northern Sea.

Not to mention Ming left in a hurry and didn’t have time to read detailed documents. He could only quickly familiarize himself with some basic etiquette and precautions of the Northern Sea to avoid any diplomatic mishaps.

“Of course I know!” Ao Yiner nodded, “It’s something every child of the Dragon Palace must learn.”

Ao Yiner earnestly explained to Ming, taking on the role of a little teacher, “The timing of the Four Seas Ceremony isn’t fixed, ranging from five hundred to a thousand years. Do you know why?”

Ming: “Why?”

“Hum hum hum~” Ao Yiner proudly lifted her chin and glanced at the teacup in front of her.

Ming chuckled and poured her a cup of tea, “Young lady, please have some tea to moisten your throat.”

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After drinking a cup of tea and coughing a few times, Ao Yiner finally spoke, “That’s because of our Four Seas treasure—the Dragon King Teng.”

Ming: “Dragon King Teng?”

Ao Yiner nodded, “Exactly, the Dragon King Teng. It’s the totem of the Four Seas, passed down from ancient times. The Dragon King Teng isn’t just an ordinary divine weapon. I heard from Father that what we call divine weapons is merely the highest level of Dharma Instruments. Our Dragon King Teng surpasses divine weapons—it might even be called an Emperor Weapon?”

Ming curiously asked, “What does this Dragon King Teng do?”

Ao Yiner shook her head, “Father told me that the Dragon King Teng has the ability to stabilize the Four Seas, but exactly how it stabilizes them, I’m not sure. Returning to the topic, because the Dragon King Teng has the ability to stabilize the Four Seas, every now and then, the East, West, South, and North Seas need the Dragon King Teng for guarding. And each time the Dragon King Teng is handed over, it’s the Four Seas Ceremony.”

Ming furrowed his brows, thought seriously, and had an uneasy suspicion, “Miss Ao, which sea currently holds the Dragon King Teng?”

Ao Yiner smiled, “Naturally, it’s in our Eastern Sea.”

Ming questioned, “Then how will the Eastern Sea hand it over to the Northern Sea? Could the Eastern Sea possibly have taken the Dragon King Teng?”

And just as Ming asked this question, he realized that this question was rather sensitive.

But Ao Yiner had absolutely no guard against Ming. She simply laughed and said, “Who says the Dragon King Teng needs to be physically taken out to be transferred?”

…

…

[Today I went to watch a movie and played around a bit. Originally, I planned to write 10,000 words. Actually, I’ve already written 8,000 words, but calculating the time, reaching 10,000 words seems impossible unless it goes until midnight.

If I don’t release 10,000 words, I feel like something is missing. So, after some thought, I’ll release 4,000 words today and definitely release 10,000 words tomorrow. I’ve already written two extra chapters.]