Chapter Seventeen: The Great Crab General

The Fish Maiden rose to her feet, offering a shy, graceful bow. Her delicate cherry lips parted, and a pale blue pearl emerged from her mouth, spinning softly before landing in her snowy, jade-like palm. Holding the radiant pearl, she addressed Yang Nan, “Miss, you once showed me kindness. I see you are shrouded in a watery aura, so I presume you practice the water arts. Though this Water Pearl is no celestial treasure, it is wondrously effective for absorbing water energy and refining essence. I am bold enough to present it to you, as a gift.”

Chiyang shook his head and laughed. “Fish demon, we do not covet your pearl. Besides, we are in the midst of the Hun River; it is best not to offend the Water Lord. You and your brother should go your own way.” As the saying goes, a mighty dragon does not oppress the local serpent. With Chiyang’s cultivation, he had no fear of a few minor demons, but aboard the ship, provoking the Water Lord was unwise. He would rather avoid trouble if possible.

Yang Nan nodded, agreeing with Chiyang’s approach. She said, “Fish Maiden, this is already the Water Palace of Dejiang. You should remain here and cultivate, do not return to the Water Palace of Deyang. I doubt the Crab Demon will cross boundaries to pursue you. It is best you keep your pearl.”

Seeing the pair unwilling to accept her gift, the Fish Maiden’s face fell, her voice low. “Since you refuse, I dare not insist. Yet this pearl is still yours; should you ever achieve mastery in the Dao, it will be a token of fate.”

Yang Nan, moved by the Fish Maiden’s sincerity, waved her hand to summon Baiyi, instructing her to offer a Clear Lotus Heart in exchange. The pearl was clearly the Fish Maiden’s treasured artifact, which Yang Nan did not value highly—her cultivation in the Profound Azure Water Technique was merely a pastime. If she truly ascended Kunlun Mountain, the Dao and its trappings could be cast aside. These minor demons had endured centuries of cultivation; how could she take their life-saving pearl?

The Fish Maiden saw the Clear Lotus Heart, vivid green and fragrant, its scent clearing the mind. She knew it was a rare item for Daoists to focus and gather Qi. Immediately, she pulled her brother to their knees, kowtowing repeatedly and expressing heartfelt thanks.

Yang Nan observed the Fish Maiden’s composure and grace, her understanding of propriety, and felt a deep admiration. She ordered Baiyi and another maiden to escort the siblings to the river. Baiyi opened the window, checked that no one was behind the ship, and prepared to usher the siblings into the water. Suddenly, a column of water surged up from the river, waves roiling below. Fish and shrimp darted as the water rippled, and atop the crest appeared a man clad in bizarre black armor.

He had fierce brows and angry eyes, his expression savage, his gaze narrow and slit-like, his wide mouth gaping as he shouted at the Fish Maiden and her brother, “You little white fish, the great lord has favored you, and you dare to flee? If I don't catch you, scrape your scales and gut you for a dish to accompany my wine, how can Crab Lord maintain his dignity?”

The man was truly menacing. The Fish Maiden’s face paled in terror, unable to speak.

Chiyang stepped forward and demanded, “What manner of demon are you, daring to cause havoc on the river in broad daylight?”

The man chuckled darkly, shaking his head as he recited, “Born to wield eight claws, I dominate Hun River’s palace; the River God bestowed jade talismans, known as Crab General!” He squinted in pride. “Now do you know who I am? Kneel quickly and welcome the Water Lord!”

This demon had no discernment, mistaking Yang Nan and her companions for mere mortals. Mischievous Baiyi, amused by the Crab Demon’s attempt at poetry, could not help but giggle. The Crab General was broad and burly, his face sooty and ugly, and his poetic performance drew laughter from all.

The Crab General, noticing several beauties aboard the ship more alluring than the Fish Maiden, narrowed his eyes into slits, pointing at Yang Nan and laughing. “If you hand over these two little fish and give me one mortal maiden, I’ll overlook your offense to the Water Lord. Otherwise… hmph, hmph…” He rubbed his hairy hands together, looking every bit the fiend.

Seeing the Crab Demon demanding tribute, Chiyang was both amused and annoyed. He pointed to the crowd of kneeling, fearful townsfolk on the shore. “Water Lord, do you not know that river demons must not appear in the mortal realm so lightly? As Water Lord, you lead in breaking the palace’s rules and dare to demand mortal women—what punishment do you deserve?”

The Crab General snorted angrily, his coarse, black-haired hands suddenly wielding a pair of iron pincers. He brandished them, shouting, “I came to capture these audacious fish demons; who cares about mortal appearances? I am the law!”

Yang Nan saw the Crab Demon’s brutishness and lightly pointed, summoning the image of a green dragon on her wrist. The dragon opened its mouth and inhaled, draining the water column beneath the Crab Demon completely. The demon stumbled and crashed into the river with a great splash.

Everyone laughed as the Crab General fell, and the river surged as he emerged again, raising several columns of water, now accompanied by dozens of shrimp and crab soldiers. “Outrageous! You dare mock the Crab General—prepare to fight!”

Chiyang feared the demons would leap onto the ship and destroy it, so with a cold laugh, he summoned his natal sword from his brow, transforming it into a giant firebird. Stepping onto its back, Chiyang flew toward the Crab General, his Fire Yuan Sword flashing red, clashing fiercely.

Yang Nan saw the situation could not be resolved peacefully and began to deal with the shrimp and crab minions. Her Azure Water Technique had mastered several Daoist spells; with a thought, her dantian’s water pool responded, sending power to the green dragon image. She pointed, turning river water into a shield, blocking the little demons’ path. Those creatures, barely able to take human form, simply stabbed about wildly, unable to break the shield.

Fish Maiden and Baiyi also unleashed their arts, conjuring weapons and stepping onto the water to surround and slaughter the demons.

Chiyang’s swordsmanship was unparalleled; his blades flashed in every direction, surrounding the Crab General with sword light, sparks like fireworks dazzling the onlookers.

Using the Fire Yuan Sword and firebird in tandem, Chiyang soon struck the Crab General countless times. The demon, though shivering and sweating, gritted his teeth and endured, his armor askew, all semblance of majesty gone.

His black armor, forged from centuries of cultivation, was exceptionally tough, and the Fire Yuan Sword only showered sparks upon striking it. Though sharp, it could not wound him. Chiyang saw the armor as a rare treasure and began attacking his limbs and eyes, the vulnerable spots. The Crab General could not withstand it, his pincers flailing in vain against Chiyang’s skillful swordplay.

Within a few moves, the Fire Yuan Sword severed his hands. The Crab General howled, his giant pincers dissolving into black mist to block Chiyang, then fled into the river.

With the Crab Demon defeated, the lesser demons fled in terror, diving into the water one after another. Chiyang did not pursue, retrieving his natal sword and returning to the ship. Yang Nan frowned. “Now that the crab has escaped, we may have stirred endless trouble. Our battle was seen by those onshore; cleaning up may be difficult.” River demons surfacing would terrify ignorant mortals, causing chaos at the docks.

Chiyang’s brow furrowed as well. Defeating a few minor demons was trivial—most lacked significant power—but the Water Lord of Dejiang’s Water Palace was rumored to be a formidable flood dragon. This encounter might provoke him.

Yang Nan, determined, said, “Perhaps we should descend into the river and settle this matter directly?”

Chiyang agreed. Since the deed was done, regret was useless; otherwise, endless calamity would befall the boatman. Decisive and resolute, Chiyang and Yang Nan were quick to act. As they spoke, the Fish Maiden respectfully stepped forward. “I have brought disaster upon you, and deserve punishment. If you are to enter the river and vanquish the demon, I know the location of Dejiang Water Palace and can assist you.”

Yang Nan laughed. “I am no ‘Miss’; just call me ‘Young Master.’ Fish Maiden, though you caused this trouble, with Brother Chiyang here, we have nothing to fear. The Water Lord is likely no more formidable; we’ll go teach him a lesson.”

As cultivators, they were beings the demons avoided and feared. The Crab General’s insolence was mere folly.

Only now did the Fish Maiden realize Yang Nan was a young man, not a lady, marveling inwardly. Yet she and her brother now enjoyed his protection; joy overcame all, regardless of his gender.

Yang Nan shed his female attire, ordering Dieyi to imitate his appearance and sit in the cabin to mislead others. He himself, with Chiyang, Baiyi, and the Fish Maiden siblings, entered the river. Her Azure Water Technique had achieved some mastery; she cast a Water-Dividing Spell around Chiyang, forming a giant bubble to keep the river at bay.

Baiyi and the Fish Maiden siblings needed no such spell, being water creatures themselves, moving freely. Yang Nan dove into the river, descending to the bottom. The underwater scene was entirely different—dark currents and mysterious depths, strange rocks, shadowy valleys. Fish and shrimp scattered from their approach. Yang Nan inhaled, sensing that Hun River truly deserved its name; its vast aquatic spiritual energy contained traces of earth energy, unlike ordinary river water.

Hun River had its source in snowy mountains but flowed through Tianzhou’s Yellow Dragon Prefecture, a highland famed for its yellow earth. As the river passed, its pure water became tinged with dense yellow soil, turning slightly turbid.

Chiyang, a fire cultivator of the martial sect, was subject to the cycle of the five elements. The hidden earth power in Hun River, generated by fire, provided mutual reinforcement. His previously suppressed powers loosened significantly.

The Fish Maiden led the way, illuminating the dark riverbed with her pearl. Chiyang deployed his natal fire weapon, forming a protective aura, sparing Yang Nan from expending spiritual energy.

Seeing their willingness to help, the Fish Maiden spoke of the Water Lord’s origins.

Dejiang’s Water Lord was a flood dragon who had cultivated for a thousand years. Centuries ago, he was appointed Water Lord by the Hun River God. Before his appointment, the Dejiang flood dragon was fierce, wreaking havoc, swallowing boats and men. Eventually, he was caught by the Hun River God, lashed three hundred times, and had his precious dragon horn broken off. Only then did he behave.

Even so, after becoming Water Lord, his cruelty persisted. If passing ships failed to offer proper sacrifices, he would destroy them and kill their passengers, earning a fearsome reputation as the tyrant of Dejiang Water Palace.

After hearing of the flood dragon’s misdeeds, Yang Nan frowned deeply. This dragon was no pushover like the Crab General; a millennium-old monster was not easily handled. If things went awry, mortals on the river would suffer.

Chiyang, holding his Fire Yuan Sword, said coolly, “If the dragon refuses to let this matter pass, we will simply slay him.” To cultivators, demons who preyed on humans were deserving of death. Many sects indiscriminately hunted demons for their inner cores. Chiyang’s words were already mild.

Yang Nan, hearing his murderous resolve, nodded in agreement. “If the old dragon is obstinate, we’ll have to exert ourselves.” He was no saint; if a demon dared harm mortals, he would kill it and harvest its core for cultivation.