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Minister of Rites acted according to the plan and sent someone with the Maio Wanzhu to Tubo. The envoy and his party traveled westward and arrived at the foot of Tianshan. They found the canyon path rugged and narrow, allowing only one rider to pass at a time. The group had to climb along the cliff walls, following the mountain stream in single file. After traveling several hundred miles, the road gradually widened, and they were finally able to set up camp and rest their horses.
Along the way, the soldiers were exhausted from the journey and suffered from thirst. They searched for a water source but found none. Suddenly, they spotted a large lake below and rushed over joyfully to drink. However, as soon as the water touched their lips, those who drank turned blue and purple, unable to speak, collapsing in terror and convulsing on the ground, clearly on the brink of death. Minister of Rites hurried over upon hearing the news and was horrified by the scene at the lake's edge. The water appeared green as if dyed, unfathomably deep, emanating a chilling aura that felt like being in a frost-laden autumn. Minister of Rites suddenly realized this must be the Snake Valley mentioned by fairy Niaoyang. He quickly ordered his men to dig wells for water. The soldiers wielded shovels and pickaxes vigorously, and before long, they had dug several hundred wells, each ten fathoms deep, but not a single well yielded water.
Seeing this, Minister of Rites felt frustrated and was about to order a retreat to find a place with abundant grass and water when suddenly he heard deafening war drums echoing from both ends of the valley. The ground shook, the valley roared, and cries of battle filled the air. The troops from Tubo had already set an ambush here, trapping Minister of Rites and his men in the valley; their path forward was blocked while their retreat was cut off. With hunger and thirst overwhelming them, morale plummeted, and the situation became extremely dire. Minister of Rites sat in the central tent pondering strategies to break through but could not come up with a good plan. Anxious and restless, he was utterly fatigued and could only lay down at his desk to sleep.
After an unknown amount of time, he suddenly caught a whiff of an enchanting fragrance that filled the entire tent. Minister of Rites opened his eyes to see two young girls standing before him. Upon closer inspection, he noticed that these girls had unusual features that did not resemble ordinary humans; they looked like celestial maidens or legendary spirits.
One of the girls stepped forward and bowed gracefully to Minister of Rites, saying, "My lady has something to say to you, esteemed Minister of Rites. Please follow me to our humble abode where she will explain in detail."
Hearing this, Minister of Rites felt puzzled and asked, "Who is your lady? Where is she now?"
The girl replied, "My lady is the daughter of the Dongting Dragon King. She recently left the Crystal Palace and is temporarily residing nearby."
Upon hearing this, Minister of Rites laughed heartily and said, "The Dragon Maiden resides in her watery palace; I am just an ordinary man with no connection to her. How could I possibly meet her?"
The girl said, "My lady has prepared divine steeds waiting outside your tent. You only need to ride one of them to reach her palace; it is not far at all, so please do not worry."
Minister of Rites followed the girl out of his tent. Outside stood dozens of attendants dressed in strange attire with peculiar appearances. With their assistance, Minister of Rites mounted one of the divine steeds.
The horse was indeed magnificent; it ran like lightning without stirring up any dust beneath its hooves. Before long, they arrived at a grand palace known as Crystal Palace, which was majestic like an emperor's residence. The guards at the palace gates were all Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals. Several young girls emerged from within the palace to welcome Minister of Rites inside.
They entered a large hall where there was a white jade chair facing south. Several maidservants invited Minister of Rites to take a seat while laying down an embroidered carpet leading into the inner hall. After a while, more than ten maidservants surrounded a woman who slowly walked in from an archway. The beauty of this woman and her splendid attire were truly beyond description.
One maidservant knelt before Minister of Rites, reporting: "The daughter of the Dongting Dragon King has come to pay her respects to you, esteemed Yang Marshal." Upon hearing this, Minister of Rites was taken aback and wanted to rise to avoid her but was stopped by two maidservants who restrained him.
The Dragon Maiden approached him gracefully and bowed deeply; he heard her ornaments clinking softly as an enchanting fragrance wafted towards him. He invited her to take a seat, but she humbly declined and instead sat on a small mat beside him.
Minister of Rites quickly said: "I am merely an ordinary man; you are the esteemed Dragon Maiden, such honor truly overwhelms me!" The Dragon Maiden replied: "I am indeed the daughter of the Dongting Dragon King, named Lingbo. When I was born, my father ascended to heaven just then; coincidentally, Zhang Zhenren passed by and read my fortune. He said: 'This girl was once an immortal in her past life but fell into disgrace as a dragon king's daughter; now she seeks to regain her human form and will marry a nobleman as a concubine enjoying wealth before ultimately returning to Buddhism for enlightenment.' Although my dragon clan leads among aquatic beings, transforming into human form is our greatest honor; pursuing immortality is our lifelong goal.
My cousin initially married the Dragon Lord of Jing River but had an unhappy marriage leading to enmity between our families; later she married one of Master Lü's disciples named Liu Zhenjun, who is revered by nine generations in her family. As for me achieving great fortune will surely surpass my cousin's status. Since my father heard what Zhang Zhenren said about me being favored more than others after I grew up gradually.
The son of the South Sea Dragon King named Wuxian heard I possessed some beauty and sought my hand in marriage from my father. Our Dongting Lake falls under his jurisdiction; thus my father dared not refuse him directly but went personally to South Sea to convey what Zhang Zhenren said while firmly opposing this match.
However, that South Sea Dragon King’s son was incited by arrogance; he thought my father was misled by absurd words so he became furious and intensified his pursuit for marriage. Knowing that if I stayed with my parents any longer I would eventually be forced into marriage against my will; I left without saying goodbye from Dongting Lake. I braved hardships alone into this desolate place just trying to survive day by day.
But that South Sea Dragon King's son relentlessly pursued me with his army composed entirely of shrimp soldiers and crab generals demanding marriage even more forcefully! My parents were helpless against him saying: 'A girl who disregards her parents' wishes has left on her own accord; we no longer wish to interfere—handle it yourself!' That madman took advantage of his numbers bullying me alone; he personally led his navy surrounding me wanting forcibly take me back for marriage.
I swore never to yield; heaven took pity on me causing this marshy water body here turned icy cold dark like hell itself making it impossible for his troops even approach hence allowing me survive until today! Today I specifically invited you here because one—I want share my experiences with you; two—I wish assist you in your endeavors!
Now your army has been trapped here for days without access through waterways or wells running dry despite soldiers’ hard work digging wells yielding nothing even if we hollowed out mountains wouldn’t find even drop wasted manpower! This pool originally called Clear Water Pool known for its sweet quality since when taken out by South Sea Prince during campaign changed bitter foul taste causing illness hence renamed White Dragon Pool!
Now that you have arrived here I finally found support—why envy heavenly realms? Since I entrusted my life into your hands willing serve diligently how could I not do everything possible help you achieve great success? Just let me cast some spells restoring sweetness back into this pool like before allowing soldiers drink freely without fear illness those already sick shall recover without treatment."
Upon hearing this,Yang Marshal exclaimed: “Today listening divine maiden’s melodious voice reveals we are indeed fated together! It seems that old man under moonlight has already tied our red thread! But what does divine maiden think?”
The Dragon Maiden, blushing shyly replied: “I am merely a humble willow tree wishing not offend esteemed general however there are three matters must inform you.”
Yang Marshal, eager responded: “Please speak freely.”
The Dragon Maiden: “Firstly marriage is significant matter requiring parental consent thus I cannot promise myself without proper arrangements which would be unfilial; secondly though I can transform into human form being still dragon lineage cannot hide true nature fearing it might offend your sight; thirdly South Sea Prince has long coveted my beauty sending spies here frequently should you insist upon pursuing this matter it may provoke him bringing unnecessary troubles! You are pillar state should prioritize national affairs swiftly quell rebellion returning victorious then I shall personally visit your residence serving beside you.”
Yang Marshal: “Your words hold merit yet consider: though you came here intending uphold virtue it’s also because your father desires you await arrival from Shao You fulfilling what Zhang Zhenren foretold regarding heavenly fate! Our meeting today surely aligns with your father’s plans? Being descendant divine being possessing extraordinary abilities allows free movement between realms—how could one belittle oneself due lineage? Shao You may lack talent yet holds imperial decree commanding millions troops treating South Sea youth as mere pests! Should he overreach himself attempting pressure upon us it would merely tarnish my sword! Tonight moon shines bright winds gentle fueling ambition—how can we let such beautiful moments slip away? How can we miss out on such splendid opportunities?”
Thus he took hold of Dragon Maiden spending delightful night together lost within dreams.
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