Journey to the West: Cultivation Begins at Jindou Mountain

Chapter 385 Conviction
Zhongnan Mountain area, Hefeng Peak.

Zhong Liquan looked at Lü Yan in front of him and nodded with a big laugh.

"You mean the White River Water God? I know him, he's the fourth prince of the West Sea Dragon King's family. That little dragon has a good temperament, I would be happy for you to befriend him."

Lu Yan was slightly surprised and said:
"Since Brother Ao Wang is the fourth prince of the Dragon King's family, why would he come to the Baihe River in the Zhongnan Mountains to become a water god?"

He has been cultivating Taoism for so long that he is no longer the novice he once was. Since he became a disciple of Zhongli Quan, he has learned many things from his master and his two senior brothers and sisters.

In any case, it seems rather strange that the dignified Dragon King of the West Sea, the fourth prince of the Rain God's family, would be the water god in such a small river.

Upon hearing this, Zhongli Quan's smile faded somewhat, and he sighed:
"Every family has its own troubles, and this is true even among immortals. The four princes of the West Sea Dragon King's family have also produced a boy who has gone astray. This matter may bring disaster to the West Sea Dragon Palace."

"The eldest and third princes of the West Sea Dragon King's family have both achieved great success in their cultivation, so there is no need for him to pay much attention to them. However, the fourth prince is still far behind. The old Dragon King sent him out this time, partly to avoid trouble."

As Zhongli Quan spoke, he coughed lightly. Bai Yu and Bai Lu, who were listening intently beside him, immediately understood. One of them quickly stepped forward to massage his shoulder, while the other quickly picked up a teacup from the table and brought it to her master's lips.

Seeing this, Zhongli Quan picked up the teacup, took a sip, nodded in satisfaction, and then, after a moment of contemplation, began to recount the events of the West Sea Dragon Palace.

Meanwhile, on the other side.

On Daojun Mountain in Xiniu Hezhou, as the Old Man of the Moon took his leave, not long after, another immortal came to visit Daojun Mountain.

In the magnificent incense-burning space, an old man with dragon horns sat facing the Daoist Master.

"Alas, this time I have truly made a laughing stock of myself in front of Daojun. My younger brother is usually quite shrewd, but he has neglected to discipline the family, which is why he has caused such a disgraceful incident."

Seeing Ao Guang, the Dragon King of the East Sea, sigh, Daojun looked towards Zhongnan Mountain and slowly spoke:

"I have already sent a message to Venus, and he will explain to His Majesty on behalf of Dragon King Ao Run in the Lingxiao Palace. As for me, I will also take good care of little dragon Ao Wang."

The Dragon King of the East Sea quickly cupped his hands in thanks and said:
"In that case, I am truly grateful to Daoist Lord and Star Lord."

The four Dragon Kings are all brothers, and their families are closely connected. Now that the West Sea Dragon King is in trouble, the three of them will certainly not stand idly by.

However, this matter involves the Heavenly Laws and Regulations. Although they are both the Great Dragon Gods in charge of rain, when it comes to speaking in the Lingxiao Palace, they still have to consider the opinions of Taibai Jinxing and the person in front of them.

In fact, both Ao Guang and Dao Jun were well aware that the second prince, Ao Rong, would not escape this time. He had devoured many sea creatures with his demonic powers, leaving none alive. Such a heinous crime could not possibly be tolerated.

As for the West Sea Dragon King Ao Run's crime of lax supervision, it could be a minor or major offense. If Taibai Jinxing and the other three Dragon Kings pleaded for him, the punishment would probably not be too severe.

Daojun himself sighed at this matter, and Ao Run, the Dragon King of the West Sea, was the most far-sighted among the four Dragon Kings.

When he met Ao Xuan in the West Sea, he listened to Taibai Jinxing's advice and was willing to give up the Water Spirit Pearl to befriend him.

Over the years, he has nurtured the eldest prince, Ao Moang, into a man of great talent, earning him immense prestige in the Western Sea and making him the undisputed heir. As for the Third Prince of the Jade Dragon, he needs no further introduction; he is now one of the Eight Heavenly Dragons. Daojun also knows something else: the position of Jing River Dragon King has remained vacant for so many years, likely because the Western Sea Dragon King intends to completely quell the Jing River affair before appointing his second son or one of his nephews to the position.

Besides, the old dragon king spoke highly of his fourth son to him several times, implying that he wanted to send his fourth son to his service.

Daojun himself found Ao Wang quite pleasing to the eye. Although the little dragon had always stayed in the Dragon Palace, he was kind-hearted. In Daojun's opinion, the little dragon was the one most like his father, but at present, he was still an uncarved jade.

All of this was being pushed forward by Ao Run, but now, the jealousy and resentment that Ao Rong had unknowingly accumulated in his heart had completely destroyed it all.
After pondering for a moment, Daojun addressed Ao Guanglong King opposite him:

"Well, after much thought, I'll also go to heaven tomorrow. When His Majesty the Jade Emperor summons the Dragon King of the West Sea to the Lingxiao Palace, I'll plead with His Majesty together with the Star Lord. Although this may seem like a redundant step, it will still be my way of doing my part."

"As for Ao Wang, I will make the decision. Once this child has cultivated in Baihe for a hundred years, I will take him under my command and have him work for me in the future."

Upon hearing this, Ao Guang's expression turned solemn. He quickly stood up and bowed to the Dao Lord opposite him.

"In that case, then I, Xiaolong, thank you on behalf of my younger brother and nephew, Daojun."

"Your Majesty is too kind. I have known you for many years, and it is only natural that I would not stand idly by."

A few days later, in the Heavenly Court's Lingxiao Palace, Ao Rong had already been taken to the Demon-Slaying Platform to be punished, while the West Sea Dragon King Ao Run was responsible for his lax discipline. He was originally to be punished by the Jade Emperor with being burned by heavenly fire for a thousand years, but fortunately, with the intercession of the Daoist Lord and Taibai Jinxing, he was instead punished with being struck by lightning nails a thousand times and imprisoned in the West Sea for five hundred years to reflect on his mistakes and not allowed to go out.

The punishment was neither too lenient nor too severe, but it was entirely within Ao Run's tolerance. He immediately accepted the decree, expressed his gratitude, and kowtowed to thank His Majesty for his kindness.

However, after this incident, Ao Run seemed to have aged considerably. No matter how evil Ao Rong had done, he was still his child.

This time, he will not only be punished by lightning, but also suffer the pain of losing his son.
In the Lingxiao Palace, as the immortals dispersed, Daojun was asked by His Majesty the Jade Emperor to stay and go with him to the Queen Mother's Jade Pool.

In this long corridor adorned with dragons and phoenixes, the Jade Emperor walked slowly with his hands behind his back, while the Daoist Lord followed closely behind him.

"Do you think I punished the Dragon King of the West Sea too harshly this time?"

Daojun shook his head without hesitation and said:

"In my opinion, this father and son from the Western Sea should be dealt with in this way."

"Although I have a very good personal relationship with Ao Run, this time Ao Rong has been practicing demonic arts and devouring sea creatures. He is almost insane and deserves to be punished. As the Dragon King and Ao Rong's father, Ao Run is guilty of failing in his duties and in his familial duties."

This is actually why Daojun prioritizes a person's state of mind when accepting them.

Firstly, his master placed great importance on cultivating one's mind; secondly, Ao Rong lost his balance due to jealousy, committed various wrongdoings, and implicated the Dragon King of the West Sea.

If his subordinates do something wrong, Daojun himself will not be able to escape responsibility. Fortunately, he also values ​​the cultivation of the mind of his many subordinates.

(End of this chapter)