Am I an Auspicious Omen?

"Oolong!"

The big black dog leaped over the wall, its tail whirring like a little fan and whipping the rain into a cold mist.

Liang Qu's palm was licked until it was sticky and slimy.

After more than a month apart, Oolong had grown even bigger, no different from a small calf. Meat was never absent from its meals, and its fur was sleek and oily. An ordinary household simply could not afford to keep it.

Other than Oolong having grown much larger,

nothing else at home had changed.

He first went to the West Wing to greet his master, then took a hot bath to wash away the dust of travel.

Curious about what exactly had happened,

Liang Qu changed into clean clothes, estimated that the time was about right, and returned to the River Conservancy Office.

The arrival of the Mermaid Tribe had kept the entire River Conservancy Office busy without pause. After greeting several familiar Record Keepers, he headed straight up to the third floor.

The study door was open.

Jian Zhongyi and Xu Yuelong were drinking tea and talking on the third floor. A large sand table sat on the table.

Liang Qu stopped outside the doorway and cupped his hands in salute.

"Prefect Jian, Commander Xu."

"Sit! No need to be reserved. This is not our first meeting." Jian Zhongyi pointed to the Arhat Bed opposite him, smiling. "Leaving aside last year at the academy, you heard my music this summer as well."

The academy?

Liang Qu had not expected Jian Zhongyi to have such a good memory, remembering a single encounter so clearly. He flattered him, "Prefect Jian's attainments in music are profound. I benefited greatly from your piece, 'Secluded Bamboo Enlightenment.'"

After a brief exchange of pleasantries,

Liang Qu took the initiative. "May