âBig Brother, are we really going to let the Imperial Baby stay there?â the crocodile asked.
Lu Benwei slowly exhaled. âThat was his own choice. It is also his right as a person. After all, he was sealed from birth. No one can withstand thousands of years of loneliness. If it were you, what would you do?â Lu Benwei asked.
The crocodile pondered for a while. âIâve been sealed in the mine for almost a month, let alone thousands of years. The first thing I did after I came out was to find a muddy ground and roll around.â
Lu Benwei nodded slightly.
âHe has to shoulder the responsibility of being a prince of the Tianqi Empire, but he also has the right to be a human.â
Back in the Jixia Dynasty, Xiong Hu, the old chief, the Great Peacock King, and Liu Qinghe were all there. They prepared a banquet for Lu Benwei and celebrated the two of them.
âBrother Lu, letâs get drunk tonight!â the old chief said in a very straightforward manner.
Now, he had used the spirit ores in the divine earth spirit mine to break through to level 95. He was in high spirits, and his eyes were shining.
The Bright Peacock King, Liu Qinghe, and Xiong Hu had all leveled up. Especially Xiong Hu, his height had increased by half a meter, and his muscles were as firm as a horned dragon.
The Bright Peacock King handed the only gemstone box to Lu Ben and said, âI have the remaining spirit ores here. Now that Brother Luâs hometown is about to go into a battle, these spirit ores are of great use to Brother Lu.â
Lu Benwei was not so pretentious. He thanked him and accepted the treasure chest. Xiong Hu also took out a storage treasure and handed it to Lu Benwei.
âIâll eat my fill, and my entire family wonât be hungry. Iâll give the extra spirit ores to you, kid!â Liu Qinghe also gave the remaining spirit ores to Lu Benwei.
Lu Benwei thanked him again and again.
These spirit mines belonged to the Southern Desert Continent. Lu Benwei was an outsider and had no reason to monopolize them, so he shared them with everyone. Now, everyone had given it to Lu Benwei, which deeply moved him.
âOh no!â
The old chief slapped his head, his expression extremely awkward. âI only cared about my clansmen and forgot to leave some for Brother Lu.â
âItâs fine. Drink a few more drinks with me tonight!â Lu Benwei smiled faintly.
âNo problem!â The old chief laughed heartily.
â¦
After three rounds of wine, everyone drank happily.
A sharp voice sounded outside the inn. âEmpress Ji Wuyue is here!â
As soon as he finished speaking, the sound of hooves came from outside again. It was rumbling as if thousands of troops had come. Everyone was stunned at first, then hurriedly got up and went outside to welcome her.
Outside, thousands of warriors were riding on warhorses, and behind them was some unknown baggage.
âIs the Jixia Dynasty going to war again?â
Everyone had some doubts.
âI havenât heard of any war recently,â said the Great Peacock King.â
Right at this moment, nine blood-soaked horses pulled the carriage over.
Empress Ji Wuyue had a golden phoenix crown on her head, and she was wearing a red, gilded imperial robe.
Behind her, Ji Han was wearing a bright king-colored needle-straight silk and chrysanthemum soft satin. Her lower body was a cloth skirt embellished with orchids and green cranes, and she was draped with a golden shawl.
Her exquisite hair was adorned with a vermillion hairpin. She looked radiant and dignified, but at the same time, she revealed her youth and beauty.
Just as they were about to bow, Ji Wuyue raised her hand and said, âNo need to be so polite.â
After saying that, she gestured to the accompanying ceremonial officer with her eyes. The ceremonial officer immediately stepped forward and bowed to everyone.
âI heard that Mr. Luâs hometown is in trouble. Her Majesty specially asked me to prepare godly metal and countless medicinal herbs to give to Mr. Lu.â
Everyone was enlightened. It turned out that Ji Wuyue had come here in such a grand manner to give Lu Benwei a gift.
Lu Benwei did not refuse. After thanking Ji Wuyue, he took the godly metal and herbs.
It had to be said that the empress was very generous. The godly metal and medicinal herbs were enough for an army of a million.
âI wonât disturb Mr. Lu and your friends. Farewell,â Ji Wuyue said.
After saying that, she let the coachman lead the army back. When everyone heard this, they immediately bowed and bade farewell.
Ji Han stayed behind. She wanted to send off her last friend.
The few of them continued to drink until late at night, and everyone was a little tipsy.
âBrother Lu, you really donât want us to go back with you?â the old chiefâs face was flushed, and he spoke in a drunken manner.
Liu Qinghe also echoed, âIf we go back with you, weâll be a great force. I believe we can help Brother Lu solve the crisis.â
âNo need.â
Lu Benwei rejected everyoneâs good intentions.
The disaster that the Dragon Kingdom experienced this time was different from the past. The monsters were about to go all out.
âI appreciate everyoneâs good intentions. But the danger my hometown is facing is no small matter. There will definitely be bloodshed and sacrifices.â
âSo what?!â
The old chief grunted, and his voice carried the smell of alcohol.
âAsk everyone who is sitting here. Who is afraid of death?â
Lu Benwei slowly exhaled. âIâm not talking about this. Everyone, please think about it. If the people of the two continents know of each otherâs existence, what will happen?â
âThisâ¦â
Everyone was speechless.
âIt will cause a conflict, right?â Ji Han interrupted.
Lu Benwei sighed and nodded. This was also what Lu Benwei was most worried about.
The people of the two continents had different beliefs, so it was inevitable that conflicts would erupt.
âForget it, forget it. Letâs not talk about this anymore. Everyone, continue drinking!â the old chief waved his hand and said.
Lu Benwei pondered for a moment and said, âCome, continue drinking.â
The crowd continued toasting until dawn.
The cold wind of the night poured into the inn through the windowpane, and the snoring in the hall continued.
The old chief and Xiong Huâs voices were like muffled thunder.
The Great Peacock King was also drunk and was sleeping on the shore.
Lu Benwei called out to the shop owner, draped a blanket over them, and then kicked the crocodile awake.
âDonât sleep. Itâs time to go.â
The Six-tailed Crocodileâs eyes were hazy and drool dripped from the corner of his mouth. âAh, arenât we leaving tomorrow morning? Maybe he doesnât want to experience the scene of parting!â
Lu Benwei sighed. He had only stayed in the Southern Desert Continent for less than a year, but he had gotten to know these life-and-death friends. This trip was not in vain!
The crocodile nodded and stood up, preparing to leave.
The two of them arrived outside the southern gate of the imperial capital. Lu Benwei soared into the sky and tore through the void.
âCrocodile, come up!â
âIâm here!â
The giant crocodile also soared into the sky. The two of them were prepared to step into the spatial rift.
âHongyi!â
At the city gate, Ji Han suddenly called out. She did not call Lu Benwei by his real name.
Lu Benwei immediately looked back.
âWill you come back?â