Chapter 37: Ceding Four Cities

“What’s the big deal? It’s not your dragon. Stop acting so flustered. Go tell Segment Lan’s family,” the old man said.

“Why do we have to notify the family again? Master, please think of another way—my heart can’t take it if Seg Lan dies!” Xiao Li nearly burst into tears.

“Die? She’s not dead! Her soul’s been shattered. If her family doesn’t find a spiritual remedy, she’ll never wake up in this lifetime!” The old man snapped, irritation thick in his voice.

“Oh… she’s not dead then? So we just need to find a cure for her soul?” Xiao Li calmed down slightly.

“Still takes half a year or so. The damage is too severe. Lucky the dragon didn’t die—once a dragon’s soul is broken, even gods can’t save it.”

Xiao Li dashed off in a hurry. Spirit remedies weren’t easy to come by. She had to get Seg Lan’s family on it fast—otherwise, who knew how long Seg Lan might stay unconscious?

The old man washed his hands, his gaze drifting inevitably toward the healing pool, where a black crocodile spirit was slowly transforming into a dragon.

“You’re that little black croc who loves eating meat silkworms, aren’t you?” he mused, squinting.

When the Healing Pavilion wasn’t busy, the old man liked to linger in the Dragon Storage Hall. Being around these lively little spirits always brought him peace. He’d feed them, tend to them, and occasionally hand out young spirits to struggling scholars.

He remembered every single one—the tiny dragons, the fledgling spirits, even those he’d released into the wild. They were like lost little pets, and he hoped each would find a good home, whether dragon-born or mortal-born.

“So fast to transform into a dragon… must’ve found a great master.”

“The Storage Hall hasn’t seen a true dragon transformation in ages. Make sure you log your record. That way, I won’t get shut down by the headmaster.”

…

…

Pine trees encircled the palace, its halls solemn and imposing.

Li Ying sat atop the grand hall early in the morning, facing a stack of letters concerning the Ancestral Dragon City-State. He didn’t know where to begin—each matter seemed tied to the city-state’s very survival.

“Take a break,” Kong Tong said softly, stepping in with a steaming cup of fresh tea. “You’ve been staring at those papers for hours.”

“The east still worries me,” Li Ying sighed.

“The envoy from Lingxiao City-State is arriving soon. Once peace is secured, we can focus entirely on crushing the rebels in Wutu. They won’t stir up trouble again.”

Kong Tong walked behind him, gently massaging his shoulders.

At that moment, a guard rushed through the hall. Kong Tong shot him a sharp glare—how dare he barge in without proper respect.

But the guard looked frantic, barely pausing to bow. He hurried to Li Ying and whispered urgently into his ear.

Li Ying’s face turned pale. He nearly leapt from his seat, slamming a fist onto the desk.

Kong Tong startled, instinctively reaching out to soothe him.

“Summon General of the Flying Birds immediately!” Li Ying roared.

Not long after, the general arrived, kneeling before the throne.

“Master,” he said quietly, “what is it?”

“Word has come from the Dragon Taming Academy—East Xu Fortress has fallen. Rebel forces are marching straight into the Li Chuan Plains!” Li Ying’s voice trembled with fury.

“No battle reports have reached us. Who said this?” the general asked, stunned.

“The messenger is already on the way. He’ll explain everything. This can’t wait. Send the Flying Birds to Ronggu City right now—kill every rebel. Do not let them cross into the Li Chuan Plains!”

East Xu Fortress and Ronggu City formed a natural barrier between the city-state and Wutu. The Li Chuan Plains were vast and flat—once the rebels scattered across them, looting cities, we’d need massive armies to wipe them out.

And worse—those cities all had grain stores and weapons. If the rebels seized arms and armor, they’d become a force far more dangerous than mere bandits!

“But the Flying Birds…” the general hesitated.

“Go!” Li Ying commanded.

The general bowed and strode out swiftly, vanishing into the empty hall.

The hot tea spilled onto the desk. Kong Tong wiped the stains with her delicate handkerchief, murmuring, “If this is true, why haven’t we heard anything?”

“Someone intercepted the messenger,” Li Ying said coldly.

“Who? How could the rebels know our messengers?” Kong Tong gasped.

East Xu was remote, roads treacherous—yes, messages were hard to deliver. But messengers weren’t always soldiers. Some disguised themselves as merchants, farmers. Only high-ranking officers knew them. How could the rebels pinpoint them so precisely?

“We have a traitor in our ranks,” Li Ying said. “The student from the Dragon Taming Academy has already arrived. He’ll tell us everything.”

“The Flying Birds are on their way. You don’t need to worry. But the envoy from Lingxiao City-State is due soon. We can’t delay the peace talks,” Kong Tong said gently.

“I know. Bring everyone into the hall,” Li Ying replied.

“I’ll keep the news contained for now—no one should hear about East Xu yet,” Kong Tong said.

“Good.” Li Ying nodded.

Lingxiao City-State was the biggest obstacle. If we could secure peace, we’d have nothing to fear on the west. And by winter, we could crush Wutu once and for all.

But we couldn’t let the rebels march unchecked. We needed reinforcements sent east immediately. The Flying Birds were the strongest and most mobile force in the Ancestral Dragon City-State. Sending them would mean the rebels would be cut down to the last man.

…

Inside the Li Family Imperial Court’s grand council hall, a crimson ceremonial procession slowly made its way across the courtyard, climbing the steps with deliberate grace.

At the front stood a man in ornate green-red official robes, wearing a feathered crown. His features were refined, his movements elegant—clearly someone of noble blood.

Behind him, soldiers carried wooden chests. Each wore a ceremonial flower on their chest. Clearly, they weren’t here to fight—they were here to celebrate.

The chests were exquisite, carved with intricate patterns. The man in the feathered crown ordered them opened.

As the lids lifted, gold and jewels spilled out—silks, brocade, treasures beyond count. The Ancestral Dragon City-State was wealthy, but when it came to sheer wealth, it paled beside Lingxiao. Lingxiao had endless gold mines and boundless grain reserves.

“Our Lingxiao City-State has always treated neighbors with generosity,” the man said, pride glinting in his eyes, yet manners perfectly preserved. “For this marriage alliance, our lord naturally wouldn’t be stingy. These gifts are the dowry for Lady Yujun. We hope the esteemed guests of the Ancestral Dragon City-State will find them pleasing.”