Chapter 818: The Three-Headed Serpent Demon King (6000 Words)

Chapter 818: The Three-Headed Serpent Demon King (6000 Words)



Over the next few days, Mingzhou was abuzz with excitement.

Some wealthy gentlemen in the city found a vegetarian book inside a fish's belly, which had the words "Mingzhou Wang, Tianxia Chang" written on it. They were amazed and considered it a divine sign, sparking much discussion.

At night, a craftsman heard foxes howling in the wilderness, calling towards the direction of Mingzhou Prefecture, crying out, "Heavenly Mandate appears, protecting grain and General Yang!" They gathered in groups and continuously bowed in the direction of Mingzhou Prefecture.

Others, while traveling at night, heard voices from the graves in the nearby chaotic graveyard. Small ghosts were chatting, "A true dragon is about to be born. Mingzhou is such a blessed land..."

"Alas, it's just our misfortune. If we had died a few years later, we would have been protected by the King of Mingzhou, and our bodies wouldn't be lying in this wilderness..."

"..."

One by one, these incidents spread, and soon everyone was talking about it—from the storytellers in the alleys to the tea-selling Wang Po, the workers, and the traveling merchants. All were discussing the arrival of the Heavenly Mandate for the Granary Protection General.

Moreover, many insiders revealed that once the Granary Protection General was crowned king, Mingzhou would experience several years of favorable weather and abundant crops.

Some even claimed that once the king was crowned, he would show gratitude to the people by exempting Mingzhou from taxes for three years. The commoners, being practical, wrote petitions in their thousands, demanding the General be crowned king.

Elderly villagers from the countryside even came to the city, refusing to leave until the General was crowned.

How could the Granary Protection General refuse such a request?

He repeatedly declined, saying, "Oh dear, this won't do, this won't do. Please, let the elderly rise..."

"I am a general of Duyi, and I am loyal to the Emperor. How can I claim the title of king? It's against the laws and customs."

"..."

But with the three armies kneeling and the people united in their request, the General had no choice but to give in.

Thus, in front of the Mingzhou Prefecture, they held a ceremony to worship Heaven and Earth, and the General was crowned King of Ming. The mansion in the city was renamed the Royal Palace.

Taking advantage of the coronation, they waived three years of taxes for Mingzhou to show gratitude to the people.

Furthermore, during this time of heightened reputation for Mingzhou, the three armies were rewarded, and three generals were appointed: General Zhou Liang on the left, Vice General Zhao Zhu, General Zhang Yanbei on the right, and General Shen Hongzhi, the former left protector of the Red Lantern Society, as the central general. Each general led an army.

After the army was established, they issued a proclamation to subdue rebels, stating that there were too many unruly people in the world, and they could no longer stand by. They were determined to leave Mingzhou to suppress these rebels.

The first target was the Three-Headed Serpent Demon King, who had been stirring up trouble in Lake State.

The Granary Protection General's men were filled with enthusiasm. They all exclaimed, "That old demon has been coveting Mingzhou's land for a long time and even sent people to cause chaos. This is great! We'll go and find him!"

"..."

"..."

"Senior Brother Non-Eater Ox is indeed very professional at these fancy tricks..."

At this time, in the Greenstone Town's village, Hu Ma also heard about the commotion in Mingzhou and couldn't help but feel amused. Even the villagers in his village were well aware of the King of Mingzhou, and they believed it to be a natural and just occurrence.

However, Hu Ma was not interested in the coronation excitement. Instead, he was more concerned about the upcoming move against the Three-Headed Serpent Demon King.

"They say it has a thousand years of cultivation?"

Hu Ma felt a bit disdainful: "What nonsense! Even if I count my own cultivation, I only have two hundred years of practice. How can its cultivation be five times greater than mine?"

Twenty years make one pillar, and with ten pillars, it amounts to two hundred years of cultivation.

According to the records of the Dalaofa Religion, this was the first time such a cultivation level had been achieved since the creation of the world. Yet, now a thousand-year-old demon had appeared?

"How can your two hundred years of cultivation compare to their thousand years?"

Old Abacus had already inquired about the Three-Headed Serpent Demon King's background from the disciples of the Dalaofa Religion. He sighed, "For the past twenty years, the Ten Surnames have been watching over the world."

"With the support of the four grand officials from various sects and the prefecture lords and wandering deities in each prefecture, they have managed to maintain stability in the world."

"However, since the Ten Surnames do not hold official positions and only monitor from the shadows, it's like ruling the world through the underworld. How can they truly keep everything under control?"

"Not only are there loopholes, but it's almost like a sieve. So, despite the Ten Surnames' great reputation, there are still many talented and extraordinary individuals in this world who are not under their watch or part of their sects."

"This Three-Headed Serpent is one such extraordinary being."

"According to the teachings of the Dalaofa Religion, each of the three thousand worlds forms its own heaven and earth. But our world is closer to the Celestial Year God, and since ancient times, there have been many legends of malevolent spirits and monsters. Occasionally, a few monsters with considerable cultivation appear."

"However, they are suppressed by the Ancestral Altar and never gain significant influence. The old serpent in Lake State is one such monster that has managed to thrive."

"What sets it apart from other monsters is that this serpent should have gained spiritual intelligence about five hundred years ago. At that time, the Zhang family ruled, and Duyi had not yet risen. The serpent couldn't gain prominence, so even with its intelligence, it hid and continued its cultivation."

"Usually, such a monster would be destroyed by heavenly punishment within three to four hundred years. Although it has some abilities, it's merely sentient and can deceive people. At most, it can enter the dreams of the nearby villagers, but it doesn't have much power."

"If it truly angers the locals, hunters and farmers will collaborate, and even a hoe can be used to kill it."

"However, this thing obtained an opportunity and happened to coincide with the Celestial Year God's descent, such a good time."

"During the Celestial Year God's descent, malevolent spirits flourish between heaven and earth, causing chaos and harm everywhere. But it's also clever, occupying a deep mountain lake bottom, a place unseen by others, where it devours blood offerings and hides in secrecy, not causing trouble. It just quietly cultivates."

"In these two hundred years, its abilities have grown so rapidly."

"But because it's cautious, it first feared the Exorcism Mansion, and later was wary of the Ten Surnames, always hiding, not letting others know of its existence. Naturally, it never had the chance to be officially recognized."

"Without official recognition, other demons and spirits would also stop here, stagnating. But this one is different. By feeding on the Celestial Year God, it extended its cultivation, gradually gaining supernatural powers. According to my fellow sect member who sensed its existence, this ancient serpent is at least beyond the human realm."

"..."

"Indeed, it can be called a heavenly anomaly."

Hu Ma listened and nodded, saying, "If it's usually so cautious, why is it causing trouble now?"

"And out of a thousand choices, it specifically chose a place near Old Yin Mountain, Bright State?"

"..."

Bright State is where I offer sacrifices to the mountain, where a new deity has emerged, and is now the most revered place on earth. Other demons and spirits would rather hide, but it dares to send its Daughters' Sect's demon followers to cause trouble, showing its audacity.

"Perhaps it feels that its heavenly mandate has arrived."

Old Abacus shook his head, saying, "This thing was extremely cautious before. Anyone who sensed its existence would be devoured by it."

"But thirty years ago, when Duyi fell, it also took the path of reincarnation, entering the body of a peasant woman, thus reincarnating into the human world. This demon's transformation method is no less than official recognition, but unfortunately, its root is foreign, and even after reincarnation, it remains so."

"Now, borrowing a human form, it deludes the commoners, collects incense offerings, and raises an army to become a king. We guess that it must have sensed the reappearance of the heavenly mandate and wants to raise an army to compete for it."

"If it succeeds, it can self-proclaim its official recognition, becoming a righteous being in this world."

"With this ambition and its abilities, it has suppressed its temper for a lifetime, and now it's suddenly bursting forth, even more ferocious than others."

"But if we talk about cultivation, it's only thirty years old now, but including its years in the serpent body, it's already five hundred years old, claiming a thousand years of cultivation, which is an exaggeration."

"..."

"If we're talking about cultivation, it's indeed the greatest demon I've ever seen in my life."

Hu Ma listened with interest and said, "But if even the Ten Surnames couldn't see it, how do you know so much about it?"

Old Abacus smiled upon hearing this and said, "The disciples of the Dalaofa Religion have only one task: to travel the world, observe the aura, and seek destiny. Staying by those with heavy destinies, certain matters naturally become more comprehensive than what the Ten Surnames can see."

"Of course, even the Dalaofa Religion can't guarantee to see everything. There may be those with heavy destinies who know how to hide, enjoying their freedom and not interacting with us."

"..."

Hu Ma didn't ask further, just smiled and said, "In that case, let's go and witness this so-called thousand years of cultivation!"

On the surface, Yang Gong is sending troops to suppress the rebels, but in reality, it's me who wants to eliminate the Grassroots King, seize the heavenly mandate, and refine the divine seal. Therefore, Hu Ma is not negligent and doesn't need to follow the Grain Guard Army's grand march. He only brings Old Abacus to secretly investigate Lake State.

To put it bluntly, this is also for the sake of seizing the heavenly mandate and refining the divine seal, which adds some complications.

If killing the Grassroots King directly could refine the seal, Hu Ma would have done it himself. But the heavenly mandate is formed from the hearts of the people.

If I kill the Grassroots King, the heavenly mandate will still be there. Naturally, another Grassroots King will emerge locally. Even if no one dares to claim the title, the heavenly mandate will only disperse, not be taken by me. So, I must act righteously.

After some investigation, I also gained some understanding of Lake State.

In the Grain Guard Army, things are getting more difficult.

They are about to issue the rebel suppression order, and have already set their sights on Lake State. Naturally, the Grain Guard Army is preparing.

Food, weapons, horses, and armor, but in addition, they also need to build warships.

Lake State is a special place, surrounded by water on three sides with two roads leading out. The troops and mages under the Three-Headed Serpent Demon King are mostly skilled in dark and evil water spells.

If the Grain Guard Army advances by land, there's a risk of enemies attacking from the water on both sides, or the enemy cutting off the army's retreat, leaving the front and rear unable to support each other. Or if the enemy retreats into the water, they can't be pursued.

Therefore, before the troops are dispatched, they must first prepare warships.

But it's precisely this aspect that makes the Grain Guard Army face difficulties even before setting out.

Among the Non-Eater Ox's demon followers, there are countless capable individuals, and building ships is not a problem. The challenge lies in launching them.

The water is foul and evil.

Non-Eater Ox has led the manufacturing camp to build numerous ships overnight, but when testing them in the water, they suddenly discovered that the rivers and lakes around Lake State are filled with demons and evil spirits. The ships, just as they entered the water, were capsized by the waves.

In the water, a diver ventured in for a test, but soon disappeared without a trace. After a great effort, he was pulled out, only to find his calves covered in greenish handprints.

Even the scouts of the Granary Guard Army, who took the land route, went to scout the terrain, but upon entering Lake State, they lost contact.

It was then that they realized the true power of the ancient serpent. Not only did it control a thousand-mile stretch of water, but it had also fortified the surrounding villages, turning them into an impenetrable fortress.

Everywhere, either its subordinate serpent soldiers occupied the land, or the female disciples of the Daughters' Sect, whom it had nurtured, filled the area. The Granary Guard Army, despite its formidable strength and numerous troops, faced a challenge merely entering Lake State.

The creatures in the water were different from those on land. On land, the army's might was enough to deter most demons and evil spirits, but on water, people naturally felt reverence, and this aura of evil was significantly weaker.

"If we want to conquer Lake State, we must first deal with the water monster!"

Seeing this, the military advisor Iron Mouth, under the Bright Province King, spoke up, "Let's not send the remaining boats into the water for now. I'll burn incense tonight and seek a powerful expert from Bright State."

After hearing this, Yang Gong decided to set up camp temporarily, waiting for the expert to deal with the water monster before advancing with the army.

That night, the military advisor Iron Mouth, accompanied by two attendants, went to the water's edge. He set up an altar, performed sorcery, and burned three sticks of incense to summon the Turtle Head God from the Cow Family Bay in Bright State. As he chanted, dark clouds quickly gathered, and the water began to steam.

Soon, ripples appeared on the vast water ahead, and bubbles rose as if an earthquake had struck the lake bottom.

The ritual continued until midnight when the military advisor Iron Mouth finally concluded his sorcery and returned to camp. "The Turtle Head God has already come and gone during the night."

"It was during a battle against hungry ghosts that it appeared to protect the people's food supply, earning the gratitude of the people and the establishment of its temple. So, when I summoned it, it readily came."

"But the outcome wasn't as favorable as expected."

"It only said that there are many creatures in the river, and they all possess formidable abilities."

"In its own Cow Family Bay, it can defeat these water creatures, but in others' territories, it struggles against them. Not to mention, there's a powerful entity deep within Lake State keeping watch. So, it couldn't be of much help in this matter."

"..."

"Not only did it come to observe, but it also left some river delicacies as a token of respect..."

Bright King Yang Gong pointed to a wooden basin in front of the tent. Inside were several loaches and a pair of crabs. He sighed, "I dreamed last night of a fat, wide-backed figure bowing and apologizing in front of my tent. Now I understand why."

"Feeling guilty for not being helpful, it even sent these river creatures as a gesture of goodwill. I wonder when these spirits became so polite... Could it be someone we've encountered before?"

"..."

Everyone felt a bit disheartened by this turn of events.

In the past, before they rose to prominence, they had fought this old turtle and were fortunate to escape with their lives. Now that it had become obedient, there was no need to trouble it again.

However, the Granary Guard Army, on its first campaign out of Bright State, sought a smooth and triumphant victory. But now, they faced a challenge? If only they had chosen an easier target!

"Has it been less than two years since that old turtle established its temple and enjoyed the incense offerings?"

Hu Ma, who was also in the Lake State area, couldn't help but feel amused. "Its abilities haven't improved much, but it has certainly learned all the rituals."

The night before, when Iron Mouth summoned the Turtle Head God to deal with the water monster, Hu Ma had witnessed it as well, without trying to hide. So, the old turtle had noticed him.

Not only did it send river delicacies to Yang Gong, but it also delivered a few fat fish and a bag of gold and silver ingots wrapped in a torn fishing net to Hu Ma, bowing its head several times before leaving. Your gesture is appreciated, but the task remains unfinished...

Dealing with the water creatures wouldn't be a problem for Hu Ma. He could dive in and slice them with a couple of swings.

However, the Granary Guard Army's ultimate target was not these demons and evil spirits but the top sorcerers of the Ten Surnames and the most formidable warriors in the world.

While having powerful allies was crucial, the Granary Guard Army itself needed to be strong. Yet, on their very first campaign out of Bright State, they were already relying on personal intervention. How could they hope to face even more formidable opponents? In this game where the world was the battlefield, one couldn't afford to have weak links in the chain.

"I'll do it! I'll do it!"

Just as Yang Gong and Hu Ma were deep in thought, a plan emerged from within the Granary Guard Army.

To everyone's surprise, it was Dong Qiaoyun, the younger sister of the Center General Shen Hongzhi, who stepped forward. She was married into the Lu family and lived in Guncheng Town of Wutong. Originally a rice seller, she later joined the Red Lantern Society but had rarely taken the lead.

This time, she had come to visit her sister-in-law and decided to help when she saw everyone at a loss.

The entire army was unaware of her abilities, and doubts arose. However, Center General Shen Hongzhi vouched for her.

Following her lead, they arrived at the lake, where two boats were dragged ashore. Without burning incense or performing rituals, Dong Qiaoyun formed intricate hand seals with her fair hands, and two paper figurines flew out, emitting a faint purple aura.

She placed the two paper figurines on two boats and clapped her hands, saying, "All set."

"With these two boats leading the way, the river won't stir up any waves. We can send as many boats as we want, and see how powerful the thing in the river really is!"

The crowd was skeptical, so Shen Hongzhi offered a reward, and two brave men stepped forward to board the boats and row towards the center of the lake.

Suddenly, a chilling wind blew across the lake, growing stronger by the moment, as if trying to create huge waves to capsize the two boats.

Unexpectedly, despite the fierce wind, the river remained calm and wave-free, as if something was suppressing it.

Even the wind, upon reaching the boats, seemed to surrender, not only unable to move the boats but also failing to budge the paper figurines by the slightest. The entire lake surface seemed to be under a mysterious suppression.

King Yang Gong of Bright State was overjoyed and immediately ordered, "Lower the boats to escort the royal carriage. The army shall march towards Lake State and kill the ancient serpent!"

"Are these the paper figurines she refined in the capital city?"

From a distance, Hu Ma watched this scene with a sense of awe, "I never thought that the first merit would be established by Sweet Potato Burn."

Back in the capital, Sweet Potato Burn had relied on paper money to save countless lives, and now those lives were embodied in the three paper figurines by her side. Even she couldn't estimate the power of these three paper figurines.

By placing the paper figurines on the boats, she had suppressed the river's surface, which wasn't even a direct confrontation, but merely prevented the entity in the river from creating chaos.

Upon seeing the problem resolved, King Yang Gong immediately ordered the boats to be lowered, and various leaders were dispatched with two thousand troops on board, positioned on both sides, while the main army advanced in the center, coordinating with the other two groups. They marched towards Lake State.

Along the way, they encountered several storms and some scattered troubles, but these were no match for the Granary Protection Army. Even the entities in the water, suppressed by the paper figurines, couldn't cause chaos with the iron-bottomed boats adorned with talismans.

Some entities emerged from the water to attack, but they were quickly speared to death by the soldiers on the boats.

After two days of marching, they entered the territory of Lake State. As they passed through a village, they saw ragged villagers kneeling on both sides, shivering and afraid to raise their heads, fearing that the soldiers would come to plunder and burn their homes.

Unexpectedly, the Granary Protection Army, unlike the rebels, passed through the village without harming anyone or seizing food. However, suddenly, some villagers secretly signaled, and then they quickly removed their outer garments, revealing crimson belly wraps underneath.

Holding knives and chanting incantations, they charged towards the Granary Protection General, who was protected by the main army.

This village was a sect altar of the Daughters' Sect, and upon seeing the army's arrival, loyal disciples gathered to take advantage of the opportunity to assassinate King Yang Gong.

Unfortunately, they didn't know that the leader of the army was the Left General Zhou Liang, commanding a portion of the troops who had returned from the capital and undergone a purple aura cleansing, the true elite of the Granary Protection Army.

Facing these shouting demons, Zhou Liang didn't even bother to lift an eyelid. Instead, the deputy general Zhao Zhu, holding a steel fork, stepped forward. He took a deep breath, placed his hand on his ribs, and then his tongue unleashed a spring thunder.

"Halt!"

The deep command resonated like thunder, and the masculine energy, combined with the army's killing intent, shook the air.

The crimson belly wraps on the demons were instantly dispelled of their dark energy, leaving them dizzy and disoriented.

Zhou Liang waved his hand, and the Granary Protection Army deployed a cavalry unit. They raised their spears and charged, instantly impaling the demons, making the once-feared crimson belly wraps look like tattered rags.

With just a hundred-man squad, they swept through the village twice, annihilating the demons of the Daughters' Sect and destroying their altar.

This decisive action immediately sent shockwaves through the Lake State's underworld, causing those seeking to establish merit through assassination to retreat. They all headed towards the direction of the Lake Prefecture City.

As the main force of the Granary Protection Army advanced like a mighty force, reaching the lakeshore just before Lake Prefecture City. They saw a massive stone city ahead, its walls taking on a dark green hue due to the lake's mist. On the city walls, numerous large banners stood, emitting a demonic aura.

Below the city, a large army had already assembled, with countless boats, their armor and weapons gleaming in formation.

As the two armies faced off, within the Lake Prefecture City, Hu Ma, standing behind the Granary Protection Army on a nearby hill, looked up and saw the city enveloped in demonic energy, with countless rays of divine light shimmering within.

He couldn't help but sigh, "I, a reincarnated Grassroots King, have now become the Incense Deity within this Lake Prefecture City."

Whether the Three-Headed Serpent Demon King had a thousand years of cultivation or not, his intelligence was indeed rare. However, this very intelligence made him an ideal target for Hu Ma to refine the Divine Seal in his possession. Subtly, Hu Ma even felt a resonance emanating from the seal.

When he had retrieved the first two characters, the seal had been passive, but now, as he sought the third character, the seal itself had begun to develop a consciousness of its own.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end