"Why are we going to see that old fossil again?"
Snow Kui dragged his feet as Guizhong pulled him toward the exit.
"You don't want to attend Stone Dust's wedding?"
"Humans serve food at weddings. I like food. I'll go."
The instant food was mentioned, Snow Kui's dead-fish eyes regained life.
Stone Dust's wedding to Miss Shuang was only days away.
Ever since Stone Dust presented the Ningsang Flower balm Snow Kui helped make, Shuang had accepted his feelings. The man had been practically floating since then—Snow Kui doubted Stone Dust's feet had touched the ground in weeks.
"Then that settles it. But you can't attend wearing… that."
Snow Kui looked down.
Then twisted to check his back.
"…What's wrong with it?"
His clothes weren't torn. He washed them regularly.
From his perspective, this outfit had no problems.
Guizhong sighed softly.
"When attending someone's most important moment, dressing well is a form of respect."
She twirled lightly, showing off her elegant outfit.
"You don't have to dress like me, but you also shouldn't look like a wandering street child."
"?"
"Humans call it ritual. A way of showing importance to the moment—and to the person."
Snow Kui thought for a bit.
"Like… how two humans who like each other must hold a wedding ceremony before living together?"
He truly didn't understand humans.
If you like someone, just stay with them. Why the extra steps?
But weddings had banquet food, so… acceptable.
"Then why visit the old dragon?"
Guizhong coughed.
"…because his tailoring techniques are better than mine."
Snow Kui stopped walking, eyes widening.
"You—lost—to him?"
Guizhong's expression darkened.
"Don't make me repeat myself."
Before Snow Kui could tease her further, a wall of earth erupted before them—closing like a trap, circling around both of them.
Snow Kui blinked.
Guizhong frowned.
The earthen prison froze mid-process.
Then slowly receded into the ground.
Snow Kui rubbed his chin.
"Big guy, what was that for?"
There were only a very few beings capable of manipulating geo around Guizhong and Snow Kui without either noticing in advance.
The presence was familiar.
A moment later, a tall man walked forward—white hair, calm gaze, posture steady as a mountain.
The dragon — Ruòtuó.
Compared to the confused, freshly awakened creature of the past, Ruòtuó now carried himself with quiet maturity. His tone polite, his movements unhurried—very unlike the time Snow Kui used to poke him daily.
"Lady Guizhong. Snow Kui."
Snow Kui responded with a casual wave.
Ruòtuó's expression softened further when looking at Snow Kui.
Not because they looked similar—though they did—but because Snow Kui was the one who dragged him into the world of humans.
…by picking fights with him every few days.
Ruòtuó bowed apologetically.
"Forgive the sudden barrier. We've been strengthening defenses. Troubling matters have arisen lately."
Guizhong raised a brow.
"What happened?"
Ruòtuó took a breath.
"Recently, new gods have been born."
Snow Kui's eyes lit up with dangerous excitement.
Guizhong nodded.
"I sensed environmental disturbances far away. New divinity… pushing against the world."
Ruòtuó continued:
"Not all gods are benevolent. Some… claim to love humans, yet harm them under the excuse of love. People have gone missing in nearby regions. The traces left behind are unmistakably divine."
He looked between Guizhong and Snow Kui—two beings with power rivaling gods.
"So I urge you both — stay alert."
Guizhong smiled lightly.
"Thank you for the warning… Dragon King."
Ruòtuó froze.
"Please don't call me that. It's just a nickname mortals made up."
He lived on land borrowed from Morax; he did not deserve a title implying dominion.
Yet Guizhong shook her head.
"It is respect, not mockery. You defend the people. You stand against evil gods. Just as Rex Lapis bears the title of Emperor, so too have mortals given you a name."
Ruòtuó opened his mouth to refuse—
—but two pairs of eager eyes stared at him.
Especially Snow Kui.
"Dragon King… that's so cool! If I become famous enough, will my title spread to other lands too? 'Snow Kui the Medicine Immortal' has a good ring to it!"
The praise, the reverence, the spark in that young yaksha's eyes—
Ruòtuó exhaled, giving up resistance.
"…Very well."
If that title shone in Snow Kui's eyes like that—
then he would accept it.
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