Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 476 It's nothing unusual

Wang Tong's expression was grim. Back then, he had sworn never to go back, not wanting to associate with certain people.

Now he has to beg those people for help; Wang Tong really can't bear the shame.

Wang Tong looked at the Water Dragon King and said calmly, "You are the River God of the Water Department, so you should think of a way to solve this problem for me."

The Dragon King of Clear Water looked conflicted; wasn't this putting him in a difficult position?

The Dragon King's thoughts raced, and suddenly something occurred to him. He said, "Yunmeng Marsh! Has Young Master Wang gone there to invite some powerful figures to come and cast a spell to bring rain? Does Young Master Wang know anyone there? I do have a few old acquaintances, but their cultivation is not high enough to be of much help..."

"Yunmengze..."

Wang Tong stroked his chin. He did know a few Qi Refiners there, but their relationships weren't particularly close.

Those friends aren't that enlightened, so inviting them over wouldn't be of much use.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng, who was standing nearby, had an idea and asked, "If we can invite people from there, can we guarantee that they will help alleviate the drought here and be permitted by the local gods and officials?"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King said, "This... I need to consult my superiors; I cannot make the decision on my own."

Wang Tong looked at Lu Zheng with a surprised expression and asked, "You have acquaintances over there?"

Lu Zhengdao: "Yes, but there's no guarantee they'll come, after all, this is Chu territory..."

Wang Tong's eyes lit up, and he patted his chest, saying, "I'll vouch for you!"

"you?"

Lu Zheng's eyes flickered slightly. "Forget it... I would like to ask the Clear Water Dragon King to take me to see your superior, the Water Goddess, so I can have a talk with her."

Wang Tong felt rejected and quickly said, "Hey, don't you trust me? Fine, I'll apologize to her! Let me tell you, she has an incredible artifact that can hold an entire lake. We can borrow it to fill up the Yunmeng Marsh with water..."

"Let's go directly to the capital to find her. I'll show you the way!"

Without saying a word, Wang Tong took out a silver shuttle and cast a spell to take Lu Zheng to the city.

Seeing Wang Tong's eagerness to make a name for himself, Lu Zheng had no choice but to board the Spirit Shuttle with him.

The shuttle was incredibly fast, heading straight for the city.

Wang Tong sat to the side and began to tidy his clothes and appearance.

Seeing Lu Zheng's gaze, Wang Tong said, "You'll be meeting a lot of old acquaintances in the prefecture. If you're not dressed up for serious business, you'll embarrass yourself!"

Lu Zheng thought to himself, what does this have to do with him? He wouldn't care if Wang Tong acted even more dissolutely.

A moment later, Wang Tong tied up his hair, dressed neatly, and looked quite handsome.

Holding up a mirror, Wang Tong blinked and stared at himself, muttering to himself, "It feels like I've become a different person. I'm really not used to it!"

He used to be unkempt and dressed casually.

After a little tidying up, Wang Tong almost didn't recognize himself.

Wang Tong put away the mirror, then looked down at his own clothes, and sat there somewhat uncomfortably.

Wang Tong turned to Lu Zheng and asked with a smile, "Brother Lu, where have you been traveling?"

Lu Zheng glanced at Wang Tong but said nothing.

Wang Tong coughed lightly, "I'm over a hundred years older than you, is there any problem with addressing you like that? Or you can call me 'brother' if you like."

Lu Zheng said calmly, "Whatever you say."

Wang Tong smiled and said, "Brother Lu, you seem quite different from the Confucian scholars I've met before."

The State of Chu was not without Confucian scholars, and Wang Tong even had dealings with some of them.

But he didn't sense any Confucian spirit from Lu Zheng.

Lu Zheng said, "There are different kinds of Confucian and Taoist students in the world, so it is impossible for everyone to be the same. Besides, I mainly study Confucianism and Taoism, so I can't be considered a pure Confucian scholar."

"Hmm?" Wang Tong narrowed his eyes slightly. "You also study other subjects?" Lu Zheng said, "I learn from the strengths of all schools of thought. Confucius once said, 'Among three people walking together, there must be one who can teach me.' Why limit myself to Confucianism?"

Upon hearing this, Wang Tong waved his hand and laughed, "Wonderful! I always felt that those scholars nowadays don't quite resemble Confucian scholars..."

Wang Tong asked curiously, "Besides Confucianism, what else are you good at? I am also good at studying various disciplines, so we have a lot in common."

Lu Zheng asked, "I've heard of drought demons in the world. Can such a severe drought be cleared away by a drought demon? And how do drought demons cultivate themselves?"

"A drought demon?" Wang Tong's eyes darted around upon hearing this.

He didn't know why Lu Zheng would think of such a creature, but he couldn't appear ignorant.

Wang Tong thought for a moment and said, "The drought demon is said to have appeared in the Chu Kingdom before, but it was captured by the imperial court and its whereabouts are unknown. If it is a drought demon, it should have the ability to alleviate drought."

"As for how such beings cultivate, I don't really know either. After all, I'm not a drought demon, so why would I have bothered to study this before?"

"You'll have to ask other people; some of the priests in the state capital might know."

Wang Tong said leisurely, "I know all those officials. I'll ask around for you later."

Wang Tong paused, then said, "Don't tell me you think this drought is caused by a drought demon?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "If that were the case, your great gods in Chu would have already stepped in to solve the problem."

Wang Tong thought about it and realized that it was indeed the case; this severe drought was likely a natural disaster, not the work of living beings.

The two rode the spirit shuttle and soon arrived in the city.

Wang Tong and Lu Zheng headed towards the city gate, preparing to enter the city.

There were city guards at the city gate, including officials under the City God.

Those people recognized Lu Zheng at a glance, but when they saw Wang Tong, they didn't recognize him at first.

Wang Tong swaggered ahead, saying to the city guards, "This is my brother, no need to check!"

An official under the City God stopped Wang Tong, asking suspiciously, "Who are you? Show me your identity!"

Wang Tong's expression froze, and he couldn't save face. "What kind of looks are you giving me? I am Wang Tong!"

Which Wang Tong?

The city guards sized up Wang Tong as if he were a stranger.

Others looked at Lu Zheng and politely asked, "Young Master Lu, who is this person?"

Wang Tong almost choked. These people knew Lu Zheng, yet they didn't recognize him. It wasn't like he had never been here before. Had he really changed that much?
Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Isn't there a famous scholar in your Chu Kingdom named Wang Tong?"

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately remembered who it was, and they all looked at Wang Tong, only to find that it really was Wang Tong.

They all looked as if they had seen a ghost.

The city god's subordinate official gave an awkward smile, "So it's Young Master Wang. I almost didn't recognize you after you put on your clothes. Please forgive me..."

Wang Tong: ...

Wang Tong glared and said, "When I came to the city before, did I come naked? With eyes like that, you call yourselves city guards? Go home and raise pigs!"

The city guards, suppressing their emotions, quickly stepped aside, not daring to block the way.

Wang Tong entered the city feeling depressed, while Lu Zheng remained calm and composed, having seen it all before.

After the two left, the city guards couldn't help but take another look.

Someone muttered, "This is really strange, why is Wang Tong dressed like that..."

"Who knows? What if Lu Zheng takes care of them?"

(End of this chapter)