https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-149-Leaving-Tingyang-Prefecture-Seeking-Chen-Qiankun/12941090/
https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-151-Killing-Three-Dragons-as-a-Greeting/12941093/
Chapter 150: I Count to Three (Thanks to the Alliance Leader, Happy Tyrant Dragon)
Chapter 150: I Count to Three (Thanks to the Alliance Leader, Happy Tyrant Dragon)
In Qingzhou, Linjiang Prefecture, the bustling streets were filled with peddlers and commoners, seemingly no different from any other day.
In the teahouses, the storytellers faced an audience far larger than before, straining their voices to earn a few extra coppers. Unfortunately, while there were many listeners, those willing to pay were few.
The common folk couldn't understand the situation, and they could only gather bits and pieces of information about Qingzhou's experts and demons from the exaggerated rumors.
However, their keen sense of danger was their innate survival instinct.
When they saw the officials patrolling the streets, they sighed, or when they noticed unfamiliar faces with solemn expressions in the city, they would replace the coarse rice in their pots with bran, swap the two pieces of oily residue in their bowls with dark, salty pickles, and save the coppers to buy provisions, hiding them in inconspicuous places in their homes.
A horse-drawn carriage slowly made its way down the long street, coming to a halt outside the slightly dilapidated Demon-Suppressing General's Manor. It seemed like years had passed since its last renovation.
An old man with trembling hands swept fallen leaves with a broom at the entrance, appearing hard of hearing. It wasn't until the driver pulled on the reins to stop the demonic horse that the old man, after hearing three consecutive shouts, raised his head in a daze, "Who are you looking for?"
The next moment, the figure emerging from the carriage caused him to subconsciously drop the broom, straightening his stooped back as much as he could, and shouting in a hoarse voice, "Huang Jian, reporting to the Attendant General!"
The young man had his hair tied with a hollowed dark gold crown, wearing a cloak with a pattern of a wolf swallowing the moon, and an embroidered yin-yang fish on his collar. He carried a jade belt and a three-foot ink blade across his waist.
All of these signified that he was the general in charge of guarding Linjiang Prefecture.
However, the young man's clean and fair face filled Huang Jian with regret and self-blame, as he couldn't recall the other's name no matter how hard he tried. It seemed that old age had taken its toll on his memory!
The young man nodded slightly and spoke in a gentle tone, "Shen Yi has a matter to report to General Chen Qiankun. Please inform him."
"Yes, yes, please wait a moment, General Shen. I'll go right away..." Huang Jian seemed flattered and excited, turning around and patting his forehead vigorously.
He looked back and said, "General, Elder General Chen is not in the manor."
Huang Jian's earlier shout seemed to have alerted those inside, and soon several young captains rushed out. Seeing Shen Yi's attire, they were momentarily stunned before one of them seemed to remember something and exclaimed, "You're from Green Peak Mountain... Please come in, General Shen!"
The young captain quickly recalled the secret order. The matter of slaying the dragon was top-secret, and even he had only overheard half of it during a casual conversation between two deputy generals. He was then severely whipped three times and ordered to leave the tent.
"I never expected that Elder General Chen would even invite you back."
The captains exchanged pleasantries and invited Shen Yi into the manor, "General Shen, are you heading to Shuiyun Township?"
Shen Yi stopped in his tracks and asked, "What happened?"
The captains looked at each other and sighed, "The Yangchun River's water tribe has gone mad. The five Dragon Lords suddenly left the river and started attacking people. Most of the demon hunters have come to capture them, and General Chen is keeping an eye on that old dragon..."
"The Yangchun River stretches over four thousand li, with both ends even beyond Qingzhou. How can it be guarded effectively?"
"Never mind, you should hurry there."
The captains dared not speak frankly. The Yangchun River's dragon tribe was clearly testing Elder General Chen's patience, waiting for him to become exhausted before the old dragon would make its move.
The other attendants ran along the riverbank, utilizing their skills to assist the demon hunters in tracking down the three Dragon Lords and ensuring their swift capture.
"Not yet." Shen Yi shook his head.
They had been traveling at a leisurely pace, allowing both the Azure Vermilion Twin Rays and the Celestial Sunbreaker Bow to recover.
However, the Celestial Demon Outer Pill remained empty, and the White Deer Demon's core had not been utilized either. After all, the Fifth Transformation had taken nearly three and a half millennia, and their current demonic lifespan was still slightly lacking.
"Then what about you?" The captains were a bit bewildered.
"I'm going to earn some extra money." Shen Yi took out the Silver Bell and sent a message through it.
Soon, a nearby demon hunter gave him a general direction.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, the young man's eyes flashed with brilliance, like that of a golden eagle gazing into the distance. Suddenly, he soared into the sky and transformed into a gentle breeze, sweeping across the vast expanse.
H
...
Linjiang Prefecture, Qiping County.
During this time of turmoil, a wealthy local family funded the construction of a new temple.
It was said that the Yangchun River God could ensure favorable weather, bless marriages and childbirth, and suppress evil spirits.
The truth of these claims was uncertain.
Qiping County was a large county, not a remote place like Shuiyun Township.
Building a shrine by the river was a different concept from building one in the county, but surprisingly, the Demon Suppressing Bureau did not say much. They merely sent two captains to take a look and then left it at that.
Perhaps they had also noticed that the locals were overly tense and in dire need of spiritual solace.
As a result, this newly constructed temple became incredibly popular, with a long line of worshippers forming to offer incense.
Inside the temple, the statue of the deity sat solemnly, its palms resting flat on its knees. A luxurious flowing cloud-patterned cloak draped over its shoulders, and a straight treasure saber hung at its waist. The sculpture was predominantly ink-black, exuding a sense of solemnity with a hint of killing intent.
One by one, the worshippers knelt on meditation cushions, and as news of deaths spread like wildfire, their prayers shifted from wishing for a plump child to praying for the well-being of their families.
Amidst this scene, two things stood out as particularly jarring.
First was the long line of people outside the temple on the mountainside, where dozens of differently dressed martial artists had gathered, occasionally reaching for the bells hidden in their waistbands.
The second was the tall figure inside the temple who neither offered incense nor prayed.
"The Yangchun River God?"
The middle-aged man stood with his hands behind his back, gazing up at the statue that looked down upon him indifferently. A smile spread across his face.
The curve of his lips became increasingly exaggerated.
Eventually, he couldn't hold back his laughter, "Heh...Ha!"
"In front of this lord, you dare call yourself the God of the Yangchun River?!"
The Fifth Prince of the Dragon Lords laughed without restraint, drawing the ire of the worshippers. They frowned and shot him disapproving glances.
In an instant, he suddenly turned his gaze away.
His eyes, bloodshot and filled with murderous intent, shook the spirits of all the worshippers, and those with weaker hearts soiled themselves on the spot.
"What? Am I not worthy to comment on your wild god?"
"How about this, then."
The Fifth Prince seemed to enjoy this pre-meal amusement. He retracted his ferocity and smiled calmly, "Now, I plan to eat you all. I'll count to three, and let's see if your river god will..."
Before he could even raise his finger, the Fifth Prince suddenly realized that all the worshippers around him had widened their eyes.
The next moment, a soft whooshing sound reached his ears.
Upon closer inspection, he found a white, bloodstained hand reaching out from his throat.
As the hand withdrew, he trembled and turned to look back, only to see a slightly swaying ink-black cloak.
The young man stood with one hand resting on his sword sheath, gazing at him indifferently.
(End of Chapter)
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