Chapter 47

Some of these vegetables needed their tips pinched off, some needed their leaves thinned, and some needed bamboo poles set up for them to climb... There were countless little chores.

Lu Ao worked in the fields while waiting for Song Zhou.

Just as the sun was about to set, Song Zhou finally arrived.

Song Zhou glanced at the sky, then at Lu Ao's sun-reddened cheeks. "Sorry to keep you waiting."

"It's fine. It's not too late yet." Lu Ao wiped away his sweat and ran to the edge of the field with a basket in hand. "I'm ready. Are we learning how to make it rain now?"

"Yes." Seeing the tension and anticipation in his eyes, Song Zhou smiled. "Don't be nervous. Commanding wind and rain is originally an ability of your Dragon Clan. You just need to become familiar with it and use it."

"Alright. How do I do that?"

"To use a Dragon's abilities, you first need to identify as a Dragon. The first thing you need to do now is understand from the bottom of your heart that you are already a Dragon, not a human."

Lu Ao looked thoughtful. He had been a Dragon for some time now.

Yet he rarely thought about his identity.

Most of the time, he still lived as a human and never revealed anything unusual about himself.

He looked at Song Zhou. "How am I supposed to identify that way? Hypnotize myself into admitting that I'm a Dragon?"

"I'm not too sure about that either." Song Zhou admitted, "This is the first time I've encountered someone like you, who transformed from a human into a Dragon. I can't tell you how to identify as one. I can only tell you some things about the Dragon Clan."

"Hm?"

"Come on. Let's sit down and talk."

Song Zhou moved over two stones and placed them on the field ridge. He summoned dark clouds overhead to block the sun and a cool breeze to fan them, then pulled Lu Ao down to sit. In an unhurried tone, he said, "Dragons are divine beasts and kings of all beasts."

Lu Ao nodded.

Song Zhou smiled. "That sentence is simple, but it contains an important piece of information."

Lu Ao ventured, "King of all beasts?"

"Exactly, king of all beasts." Song Zhou said, "Becoming the king of all beasts doesn't just mean you can suppress them. It also means you can command them. Put into practical use—"

Song Zhou raised a hand and pointed. "For example, the pests in your fields. If you don't like them, you can drive them away directly. As long as your aura remains in the fields, they'll never dare return."

That skill was practical. Lu Ao's eyes lit up.

Seeing his sparkling eyes, Song Zhou's smile deepened. "That's just one small example."

"Take your geese, for instance. Caring for them every day is troublesome. You have to feed and water them, and drive them out for exercise. But if you raise them as a Dragon, it doesn't have to be so complicated. You can directly command them to go to the river to find food and water, then come back to sleep when it gets dark."

Lu Ao could not help asking, "It can be used like that too?"

"Of course. This is merely an insignificant little trick. In truth, once you identify with your status, it has many uses. If you wish, you can command any kind of living creature on this continent to work for you, including humans."

Lu Ao looked at him and asked, "That must be difficult, right?"

Song Zhou readily agreed. "It is difficult, extremely difficult. But theoretically speaking, you can reach that level."

Lu Ao thought seriously for a moment. "I understand. What should I do now?"

"I'm not entirely sure either, but you can try communicating with any nonhuman creature you can communicate with. Once you get used to it, practice will make perfect."

"Alright."

The two talked from when the sun hung high in the sky until it set.

Song Zhou also helped bring down a rainstorm.

Then the two went home for dinner.

After dinner, Lu Ao said, "By the way, I'm going back to Xiding City tomorrow to go fishing at sea."

"What are you fishing for?"

"Yellow croakers." Lu Ao explained, "Wild Large Yellow Croakers. They've been selling for quite a high price lately."

"Alright, I understand." Song Zhou reminded him, "You can also try communicating with fish when you go fishing, like we discussed this afternoon. Generally, you won't be able to hold a conversation with fish, but you can receive a certain amount of feedback."

Lu Ao looked thoughtful. "Alright, I'll try it then."

Song Zhou poured him a cup of tea. "What day will you be back?"

"Probably the night of the twenty-fifth."

Song Zhou smiled. "Then shall I water your crops for you these next few days?"

"Sure, I'll leave it to you. Thanks."

"You're welcome. I've eaten plenty of meals at your place too. It's only right."

Song Zhou was reliable. Lu Ao was not worried about leaving his home in his care.

Before dawn the next day, Lu Ao got into a car bound for Xiding City with Lin Manzhang and Lin Qiyan.

It was already past three in the afternoon when they arrived in Xiding City.

Tian Mingzhi and the other two came to pick them up at the station, then took them out for food, saying they would properly play host.

Over the meal, they thoroughly discussed the next day's fishing trip, settling on the location, bait, rods, lines, and everything else.

It was already past eight at night by the time they had eaten and drunk their fill.

Lu Ao had not been home in a long time. After dinner, he simply brought the other two back to his house for the night.

His house was large, with more than one hundred and sixty square meters on a single floor. It could easily accommodate all three of them.

Tired after a long day, the three washed up and went to bed early.

At a little past three the next morning, the three got up early and headed to the docks to meet up and board a boat for the fishing spot.

Tian Mingzhi and the other two had arrived early. When Lu Ao's group got there, the three of them were waiting on the dock.

"Come on, come on. We bought some breakfast. Let's eat first, then get ready to board."

Tian Mingzhi warmly handed breakfast to Lin Qiyan and Lin Manzhang, then separately handed Lu Ao a large bag. "God Lu, this is yours."

Lu Ao lowered his head and glanced into the bag. It contained dumplings, wontons, savory pancakes, bread, cake, milk, and more—everything one could want.

A smile appeared in his eyes as he nodded. "Thanks for the trouble."

"No trouble at all. Buying one portion is buying, and buying three portions is buying too." Tian Mingzhi cheerfully ushered them aboard. "We already moved everything onto the boat. Let's get ready to set off. None of you get seasick, right?"