One Shot, One Soul
"Draw lots!"
Long Zongyin clasped his hands in a gesture of respect, pressing them against the Algae Leaves.
The algae are drooping.
It's impossible to tell which one is longer or which one is shorter.
The elderly Dragonfolk whispered amongst themselves, and the patrolling youths dared not approach, diligently patrolling and dispersing any loiterers.
"Third Elder, isn't it too hasty to decide such an important matter as the clan's Qi Consumption by drawing lots?" A tall, thin Dragonfolk with a full head of gray hair stepped forward, his tone full of doubt.
Some people were willing to be the first to speak out, and the remaining old Dragonfolk responded one after another, trying to dissuade them.
"Yes, why don't we discuss this with the First Elder and the Second Elder first?"
"The lottery was too careless."
"Third Elder, please reconsider!"
How can the selection of Grandmaster be decided by drawing lots? How hasty!
"If we can't draw lots, you come up with a plan to select people to eat this Heavenly Water Morning Dew?" Long Zongyin stared at the gray-haired Dragonfolk who spoke first.
"This..."
The gray-haired old Dragonfolk lowered his head and remained silent.
Deciding who Qi Consumption right now is by no means a display of the Elder' power; however, they will be held responsible if anything goes wrong in the future.
The great responsibility for the future of the community.
And barring any unforeseen circumstances, a verdict will be reached within twenty years.
No one answered.
Long Zongyin withdrew his gaze, stared at the three strands of waterweed in his hand, and sighed softly.
It's not that I think my clansmen have any ill intentions in trying to seize power.
The departure of the Dragon Lord caused the Dragonfolk to lose confidence, like children who had lost the support of their parents.
Holding onto their parents' remaining inheritance, they want to do this and that, always striving for perfection. They carefully consider every move, wishing they could see fifty or even a hundred moves ahead with each piece they place.
How could that be possible? Even the Dragon Lord lost two out of three games of chess.
Thinking too much only adds to your troubles.
Long Zongyin straightened his spine and said loudly, "First Elder, the Second Elder has entrusted me with this matter, so I naturally have the authority to make the decision! Binglin, E Ying, Yan Rui are all good children. By the grace of the Dragon Lord, let Heaven's Will decide!"
"Good!"
"That's right!"
Voices echoed across the water, resounding in my ears.
Two Dragonfolk, a man and a woman, swept across the darkness, their robes billowing without disturbing the water, and stood quietly behind the crowd.
"First Elder! Second Elder!"
When the old Dragonfolk saw the two, they bowed slightly and knelt on one knee to greet them respectfully.
"Get up."
The flowing water transformed into ribbons, helping everyone to their feet.
First Elder, Second Elder...
Liang Qu looked at the approaching person.
Judging from his position, the leader must be the First Elder, who is seven feet five inches tall, or two and a half meters, which is considered tall among the Dragon Man Tribe.
The one half a step behind is the Dragon Girl, who should be the Second Elder. She is about six feet two or three inches tall, which is a little over two meters, and is considerably shorter.
Both of them were dressed in plain-colored cloaks, which floated like two shimmering waves.
Unlike Long Zongyin's full head of silver hair, the two Elder looked much younger, more like middle-aged people.
Two Grandmaster of the Dragon Man Tribe...
"Lord Liang?"
The First Elder looked at Liang Qu. He didn't need to distinguish him; he could easily tell from his height that he was similar to the Dragon Girl, or even slightly shorter.
Liang Qu bowed deeply and said, "Before the Grandmaster, I dare not address you as 'sir'."
"Lord Liang a man of great stature and bearing. He will surely have a place in the Jiang Huai Great Marsh sooner or later. Becoming a pillar of the court is only a matter of time. We two would never dare to presume upon our seniority." The First Elder returned the greeting with his hands clasped together.
The old Dragonfolk around looked surprised.
They only knew that Liang Qu was special and had made contributions, and that the Dragon Man Tribe should treat him well, but they didn't know just how special he was.
First Elder Tingzhu! What makes you say such a thing?
"Who can predict the future? Let's make the most of the present." Liang Qu pointed to the algae in Long Zongyin's hand.
"Lord Liang's words are insightful and to the point." The Second Elder also felt that Qi Consumption was of utmost importance. "In that case, let's draw lots."
The First Elder and the Second Elder had no objections, Long Zongyin dared not delay.
"Wait a minute." The First Elder drew a semi-circle with his fingertip. "Why don't we let them come?"
Who? The Fat Catfish looked around and realized that the Dragonfolk Elder was pointing at him and the other beasts. It scratched its head.
Long Zongyin suddenly realized.
Three people and three beasts, a perfect match.
The two sides had not communicated beforehand, and the three beasts were of low strength, eliminating the possibility of cheating in the draw.
As the gaze fell upon him, Liang Qu stepped back two paces and raised his palm to the side.
"Alright then." Long Zongyin looked at the three of them. "Choose for yourselves."
Long Yanrui originally wanted to give up the competition, since everyone had the same rate of Qi Consumption.
But then I thought about it again and felt it was unfair to Binglin Sister E Ying.
Being young is no excuse for shirking responsibility.
After much thought...
Long Yanrui chose the Fat Catfish in the middle, which looked quite auspicious.
Long Binglin selected the River Dolphin Round Head.
Long E Ying selected Giant Crocodile "Cannot Move".
"Lord Liang, who wants to go first?"
Liang Qu noticed that the Fat Catfish was eager to try, so he gave it the opportunity to be the first one to go.
"A Fei, step forward!"
The Fat Catfish rubbed its Long Whiskers, triumphantly bumped past the Round Head, and swung its tail to come in front of Long Zongyin. Looking at the three strands of seaweed that were blocked by his palm and overlapped together, it nodded back and forth with its Long Whiskers, but hesitated.
I'll take it, but I won't smoke.
Jump to another one.
Over and over again.
Every Long Whiskers fall and curl, Long Yanrui's heart would leap into his throat.
The Dragonfolk didn't want to rush him, so he let the Fat Catfish struggle with its dilemma.
Liang Qu was quite embarrassed.
"Don't be picky!"
Upon receiving the urging, the Fat Catfish gritted its teeth, picked the middle one, and pulled hard.
Pull.
A thin algae, about two inches long!
Long Yanrui asked anxiously, "Third Elder, are these two inches... short or long?"
Long Zongyin remained silent and opened his palm.
The remaining two are both three inches long...
The Fat Catfish One Shot, One Soul! It hit!
Long Yanrui: "?"
The Round Head fish, its fins wobbling, was greatly disappointed, having thought it would have its chance to shine.
Cannot Move, it just flicks its tail, blends in under the Great King Lotus, and disguises itself as a green stem, Unmoving in Wind and Rain.
Long Binglin and Long E Ying stood quietly, their emotions a mixture of regret, melancholy, and relief.
Perhaps even they themselves don't know whether they are happy or sad at this moment.
The Fat Catfish, its whiskers twitching amidst the seaweed, seemed oblivious to sadness, and cheerfully handed the fish to Long Yanrui, patting his shoulder with its fin.
Long Yanrui stared blankly at the short algae in his hand, seeing the Fat Catfish whiskers flicking out afterimages, but he didn't quite understand.
"Sir, what did it say?"
Liang Qu: "If it brings you Fugui, don't forget it. If you become Grandmaster in the future, don't forget it either."
The Fat Catfish has a big head.
Long Yanrui gave a wry smile, "Don't worry, sir, I will certainly not treat you unfairly."
He finished speaking.
Long Yanrui composed himself, a resolute look appearing on his face, and grasped the Ice Orb puck, clasping his hands in a fist salute.
"Please make arrangements for Yan Rui, Elder! I will certainly not disappoint the clansmen's high expectations!"
"Alright." The Second Elder patted Long Yanrui on the shoulder. "There's no need to put too much pressure on you. Lord Liang has drawn the best lot for you. You've won the lottery. You're blessed with destiny, so there's no possibility of failure. Come with me."
"Yes!"
"Get down, all of you."
After seeing the two off, the First Elder dismissed the remaining elderly Dragonfolk.
Only those who knew Liang Qu's true identity remained in the room.
The First Elder bowed again.
Liang Qu turned his body to the side, not understanding why.
"Why did the First Elder bow again?"
"I have a favor to ask."
An unreasonable request?
"The First Elder can say, but I cannot guarantee whether it can be done," Liang Qu replied ambiguously.
"I would like to request that Lord Liang become the Fourth Elder of my Dragon Man Tribe!"