75: Escorted by guards, they left the raging dragon.

The next day, at dawn, the morning light dispelled the last wisp of mist in the mountains, illuminating the Angry Dragon Stockade in a golden glow.

By the Angry Dragon River, below the stronghold, people were already bustling.

The river surged, turbid waves crashed against the banks, and the roar was unceasing.

Li Yinglong stood shoulder to shoulder with Clan Chief Dragon Stone, followed by some core figures of the Clan.

Aya tightly held Lin Xiaowan's hand, standing slightly ahead.

On the bank, a strangely shaped boat was moored.

The boat was about ten zhang long, entirely crafted from “Iron Heart Wood,” a dark brown, dense, iron-like wood. Its hull had smooth lines, with the bow and stern slightly upturned, resembling a small flat boat, yet it was much wider and sturdier than an ordinary one.

Simple Dragon patterns were carved on both sides of the hull. The sail was already furled, and it was controlled solely by oars and a rudder, appearing ancient and practical.

This was the “dragon boat” used by the Angry Dragon Clan for river travel and transport.

Four elite Angry Dragon Clan warriors stood solemnly by the boat. Their attire was slightly different from the stronghold guards; they wore waterproof oilcloth over their leather armor, and besides curved knives, ropes, grappling hooks, and other tools hung from their waists, clearly indicating they were skilled in navigating waterways.

Clan Chief Dragon Stone pointed at the dragon boat and said gently to Li Yinglong:

“Brother Li, the journey ahead is long. Although the waterway is more convenient than crossing mountains, it requires passing through several checkpoints and traversing the territories of other clans. These four warriors are all skilled in waterways and adept at handling situations within our Clan. With their escort, negotiations at checkpoints and provisions along the way will be worry-free.”

He paused, his tone becoming somewhat solemn:

“Following the Angry Dragon River eastward, in less than seven days, you can exit the southern mountain regions and enter the coast of the South Sea. Then, heading north along the coast from there, bypassing the Minzhou Peninsula, you can directly reach the East Sea. The route map and our Clan’s token have already been given to Captain Long Tao of the escort team.”

Li Yinglong’s gaze swept over the four steady-breathed, sharp-eyed guards. Knowing this arrangement was extremely thoughtful, he cupped his hands in sincere gratitude:

“Brother Long Shi’s meticulous planning and proper arrangements are deeply appreciated by me. With such strong support, this journey will surely be smooth.”

He changed the subject, continuing:

“Upon my return, I have also prepared a small gift: one hundred bolts of silk and satin from the East Sea, and one hundred bolts of fine linen, for the Clan members to keep warm and make new clothes; ten shi of Huai’bei green salt and ten shi of Min land sea salt, for cooking and curing; fifty loads of dried seafood such as dried fish, scallops, and sea cucumbers from the East Sea, to enhance the freshness of meat; some pre-Qingming Longjing, Min land rock tea, and Yunnan Pu’er, for enjoying fine tea during leisure; ten boxes of various porcelain, to serve as elegant daily utensils; and one box of spices such as pepper, cloves, and cinnamon purchased from the Nanyang, to add flavor and aroma.”

“These are all daily consumables. Though not rare treasures, I believe they can meet the daily needs of your stronghold. I hope you won’t find them crude! Once I arrive, I will have Captain Long Tao and his team sail them back. In the future, if your Clan has any daily or cultivation needs such as salt, iron, cloth, Medicinal Pills, or classics, just send a list, and my Li Family will do its utmost to procure them, without any refusal!”

Clan Chief Dragon Stone’s face showed a trace of emotion upon hearing this, and he repeatedly waved his hand:

“Brother Li, this… how can this be! You have already gifted our Clan such a generous gift as the companion spirit seal, helping our totem be reborn! Our Clan has not yet been able to repay even a fraction of your kindness, how can we accept such a generous gift again? Wouldn’t this make everyone in our Clan restless day and night?”

Li Yinglong laughed heartily, patting Dragon Stone’s arm:

“Brother Long Shi, you are mistaken! Since our two clans have sworn a blood oath and established the ‘Three Mutual Principles,’ we are brothers connected by Bloodline! Among brothers, mutual exchange and assistance are our duty. How can there be talk of a generous gift? Could it be that Brother Long Shi finds my Li Family’s supplies crude and unpresentable?”

He deliberately put on a stern face, but his eyes held a smile.

Clan Chief Dragon Stone was speechless by his words, a warm current flowing in his heart. He knew that this brother was sincerely planning for the long-term benefit of the Angry Dragon Clan, unwilling to let his Clan members be constrained by basic necessities.

He took a deep breath, no longer being overly polite, and nodded heavily:

“Good! Since we are brothers, I, your Elder brother, will shamelessly accept! In the future, all that the Angry Dragon Clan possesses will also be the treasury of the Li Family!”

The two looked at each other and smiled, everything understood without words.

Li Yinglong’s gaze turned to Lin Xiaowan, who was beside him, her eyes slightly red and trying to suppress her parting sorrow. His tone became exceptionally gentle:

“Little Wan.”

“Grandpa Clan Chief!”

Lin Xiaowan quickly stepped forward, her voice tinged with a sob.

Li Yinglong looked at her, his eyes full of anticipation and affection:

“Stay in the Angry Dragon Stockade and study diligently under Elder Long Yun, the medicinal priestess. The Dao of spiritual plants and medicine concerns the future Foundation of our Family, so do not be negligent. In one year, I will also ask Brother Long Shi to send intelligent young disciples from the Clan to return to Linhai City with you, to observe and exchange ideas at my Li Family.”

“One year is neither long nor short. For this temporary farewell today, Grandpa only has one thing to say: strive hard, live up to your original heart, and let other things be. There is no need to force them!”

Clan Chief Dragon Stone immediately interjected:

“Brother Li, rest assured! Little Wan is intelligent and kind-hearted. Elder Long Yun is very fond of her and will certainly teach her everything! In one year, I will surely select the most promising young disciples from our Clan to visit your esteemed residence with Little Wan. I hope Brother Li will not hesitate to guide them!”

The two Clan Chiefs thus decided on the major policy of future mutual study and exchange among their disciples.

Aya also shook Lin Xiaowan’s arm, cheerfully assuring:

“Grandpa Li, you can rest assured! Younger Sister Xiaowan is my good sister now. In the stronghold, if anyone dares to bully her, I’ll be the first to object! I guarantee that in one year, I’ll return a chubby, well-learned Younger Sister Xiaowan to you!”

Everyone laughed at her words, and the sadness of departure was somewhat diluted.

Lin Xiaowan nodded vigorously, tears in her eyes and a smile on her face:

“Grandpa Clan Chief, Little Wan will work hard and definitely live up to your expectations!”

Li Yinglong nodded with satisfaction, then looked around at everyone, cupping his hands in a circle:

“Everyone, a journey of a thousand li ends with a farewell. May the green mountains remain and the green waters flow, we shall meet again!”

“We shall meet again!”

Clan Chief Dragon Stone and everyone else returned the salute in unison.

Li Yinglong said no more, nodded slightly to the four guards, turned, and stepped onto the dragon boat with steady strides.

At Captain Long Tao’s command, two warriors untied the ropes, and the other two warriors put their oars into the water, gently pushing off the bank, and the dragon boat glided downstream into the center of the river.

“Woo-aoh~”

Just as the sails were fully unfurled, as if to add a touch of mountain wilderness grandeur to this important farewell, several adult Mountain Dragon Lizards, who had been waiting on the bank, suddenly raised their heads and collectively let out a deep, powerful roar that echoed through the river valley!

The roar was filled with an ancient aura, both a send-off and a declaration of the Angry Dragon Clan’s attention!

Wind filled the sails!

The dragon boat, like an arrow released from a bow, under the perfectly skilled control of the four Angry Dragon warriors, used the strong east wind and the surging river current to suddenly break free from the bank’s restraint and depart!

The boat cut through the rapids, stirring up turbid waves a zhang high, which fiercely crashed against the carved Dragon head on the bow, as if activating the spirituality of the ancient totem.

The dragon boat slightly raised its bow, and with a swift and fearless posture, instantly merged into the fastest and most turbulent, roaring channel in the center of the Angry Dragon River!

Li Yinglong stood at the stern, the morning wind blowing his dark robe, making it flap loudly.

He watched the crowd on the bank, who were continuously waving, his gaze finally resting on Lin Xiaowan, who was vigorously waving her arm. He nodded slightly, then turned to face the east.

The rising sun stretched his figure long, merging him with the dragon boat, the river, and the distant mountains, like a freehand scroll painting.

On the bank, Aya was still shouting loudly:

“Grandpa Li, have a safe journey~”

The dragon boat cut through the golden river surface, moving further and further away, gradually turning into a small black dot, and finally disappearing into the winding river and the vast morning mist.

Only the roar of the Angry Dragon River continued unabated, carrying new alliances and hope, flowing towards the sea, towards an unknown path whose Foundation had already been laid.