Ao Guang rode a water cloud straight toward the South Heaven Gate.
Along the way, the old Dragon King rehearsed his performance over and over in his head. He expertly squeezed out a few tears, even deliberately tilting his Heaven-Pacifying Crown and tugging his Dragon Robe askew to make sure he looked suitably wretched.
He knew this routine well.
After Sun Wukong had wreaked havoc in the Dragon Palace all those years ago, this was exactly how he had gone to the Heavenly Court to lodge his complaint before the throne.
Only, back then, he had lost the Sea-Calming Divine Needle. This time, Chen Xiang and Chen Xiaochan had been abducted.
He had truly been frightened back then, whereas today was an act, but these were two very different performances.
The East Sea Dragon Palace had been smashed to pieces. Someone had to settle the bill.
He hurried through the South Heaven Gate and arrived at the White Jade Square outside Lingxiao Palace.
Ao Guang was just about to clear his throat and let out a couple of tearless wails to attract the Duty Lingguan when he noticed an elderly immortal in white robes, a fly-whisk resting in his hand, already waiting with a smile at the foot of the Jade Steps ahead.
"Dragon King!" Taibai Jinxing flicked his fly-whisk and stepped forward to greet him.
"Oh, Star Lord!" Ao Guang froze, then hastily abandoned his wailing pose, took two steps forward, and bowed deeply with his hands clasped in greeting.
When he raised his head, the old Dragon King forced an anxious expression onto his face. "Please hear me out, Star Lord. Well, just now, the two Little Star Lords, Chen Xiang and Xiao Chan, were visiting my palace when a band of villainous Daoists sprang out of nowhere..."