Chapter Eighteen: The Serpent Spirit

Led by the Fish Maiden, the group quickly arrived before the lair of the Flood Dragon. Though called a palace of the aquatic tribe, it was merely a massive cavern, yawning deep beneath the muddy river hundreds of feet below. The vast, shadowy cave loomed like the gaping maw of an ancient beast, crouched underwater, its fierce jaws laid open in a menacing welcome.

Two shrimp soldiers stood guard at the entrance, long spears in hand. Upon seeing Yang Nan and his companions, one shrimp soldier brandished his spear and barked, “Who goes there? How dare you trespass upon the Water Palace of De River?!”

The Fish Maiden stepped forward, bowing respectfully. “Shrimp brothers, we come to seek an audience with the Water Lord. Please, deliver our request.”

The shrimp soldier was an odd sight, half-transformed into human form, still wearing a shrimp shell atop his head. This delicate maiden hardly looked the sort to cause trouble, and the soldier’s tone softened a touch. “Seeking the Water Lord? What for? Our master is very busy. What could a young maiden want with him?”

Yang Nan, annoyed by the shrimp’s chatter, conjured a crystalline water sword in his palm and said crisply, “Just do as you’re told and report. Why all the fuss?”

Only then did the shrimp soldier notice the Daoist behind the maiden, a cultivator, and he was startled. Hastily, he grinned and said, “Forgive me, Immortal Master, no offense! I’ll go report to my lord right away.”

As the shrimp soldier trotted off, he sighed inwardly: “This young lord is handsome, but his temper seems sharp…” Still, he knew that Daoist cultivators were said to possess boundless powers, far beyond the likes of minor spirits such as himself. He hurried into the cave, where the Crab General sat in the main hall, wailing to a man seated at the head about his severed hands.

The shrimp soldier knelt before the man in green robes and an ornate crown. “Reporting, my lord, several Daoist immortals have arrived outside, requesting an audience.”

The Crab General’s eyes widened. “Who are they? Is it that Fish Maiden and a bearded Daoist?”

The shrimp soldier nodded repeatedly. “General, your insight is keen; among them is indeed a big-bearded man, shrouded in a red aura. Quite formidable!”

Hearing that the sword-wielding enemy had come, the Crab General shuddered and turned once more to the man in green, sobbing, “Brother, you must uphold justice for me! That Daoist was most disrespectful. I merely went to capture the impudent fish spirit, and he, ignoring your prestige, severed my hands!” Losing his claws was nothing—he could regrow them in time—but the humiliation of Water Lord’s reputation being sullied was a grave matter.

The man at the head, his face fleshy and eyes fierce, comforted him. “Brother, don’t fret. Let me bring them in, and then we’ll decide what to do. Just watch from the side for now.”

Cultivators tended to band together in sects, their power greater than these so-called Water Lords. Killing a lone Daoist was one thing, but offending a whole sect was serious trouble. It was said a demon king in Demon Valley once defied a sect, killing several junior Daoists; in retaliation, countless elders descended, unleashing a thousand swords to obliterate the demon king.

Strike the young, and the elders will come—a truth both ancient and modern…

The Flood Dragon pondered, his eyes flashing dangerously. Though hot-tempered, he knew that spirits were no match for human Daoists. He would invite them in; if they proved influential, the feud must be dismissed. If the Daoist was without backing, he would show no mercy.

The shrimp soldier received his orders and hurried outside. Bowing to Yang Nan, he said, “Immortal Masters, my lord invites you inside.”

Yang Nan entered the cavern from the river and felt suddenly lighter. The cave was protected by a watery barrier: outside, the currents surged, but within, only mist hung in the air—no need for a water-avoidance spell. Following the shrimp soldier, Yang Nan examined the Water Palace of De River. The Flood Dragon’s power was evident, having carved out this enormous cave beneath the muddy river. Pearls embedded in the walls illuminated the cavern, turning darkness into daylight.

The Water Lord had a certain grandeur. Yang Nan followed the shrimp soldier into the main hall, where the Flood Dragon greeted them with a broad smile. “Honored guests, your presence brings glory to my humble abode. Please, be seated! Attendents, serve tea!” At his command, several maidens—clam spirits and snail spirits—emerged, carrying shell trays to serve tea.

Minor spirits flitted about, bearing tea and pastries in abundance, easing the once-tense atmosphere.

Yang Nan observed the Flood Dragon’s fierce appearance but noted his courteous manner, responding in kind. “Thank you, Water Lord, for your hospitality. Forgive our abrupt visit.”

Red Sun glanced at the Crab General sitting nearby, casting a fierce glare. The poor Crab General, still traumatized by Red Sun’s earlier wrath, trembled at the sight.

The Flood Dragon, with his keen cultivation, saw that Yang Nan was merely at the Practitioner level, with Red Sun at third-tier Warrior. The others—White Robe and Fish Maiden—were of little consequence. He smiled and asked, “May I ask where you two are from? Which sect do you belong to?”

Yang Nan sensed the Flood Dragon’s ill intent and replied, “I am a disciple of Kunlun Sect; Brother Red Sun is from Xuantian. We are both disciples of the Warrior School. The Fish Maiden and her brother have a minor dispute with the Water Lord of Deyang, which I believe you are aware of. I humbly ask you, Water Lord, to resolve this feud.”

The Flood Dragon maintained his smile but mused internally: “This little Daoist’s powers are weak. He claims to be a Warrior disciple of Kunlun, yet Kunlun is the greatest sect, with disciples classified as registered, outer, inner, or orthodox. Could he truly be an outer disciple of Kunlun?”

Though Kunlun is the main Warrior sect, its outer and registered disciples often study auxiliary arts like spells, forging, or formations. Seeing Yang Nan’s confident demeanor, the Flood Dragon hesitated to judge.

He scrutinized Red Sun, accepting his claim to Xuantian, but Xuantian was a second-rate sect, far away in Central Continent, thousands of miles from Heaven Continent—unlikely to meddle in De River affairs.

Yang Nan noticed the Flood Dragon’s silent contemplation and remained wary. Red Sun whispered, “This Flood Dragon is formidable—likely a demon master. If a fight breaks out, you all handle the minor spirits; leave the Flood Dragon to me.”

Yang Nan was startled; Red Sun had explained the ranks of cultivation in detail. The master realm was not easily attained—it required top-tier techniques and a spiritual spring. For the Flood Dragon to achieve mastery, even if his magical abilities were fewer than a human cultivator’s, he was still extraordinary.

Any magical art, once mastered, becomes extraordinary.

After a brief silence, the Flood Dragon suddenly laughed. “So, disciples of two great sects! Forgive my ignorance. Since you have pleaded for mercy, it is no great matter. Let me settle this feud.” He turned to the Crab General with a slight smile. “Brother, aren’t you going to apologize to these Daoists?”

The Crab General, seeing the Flood Dragon refuse to champion him and Red Sun’s murderous glare, reluctantly stepped forward, bowed, and said, “Forgive my rudeness, Daoists. I acted out of turn, offending you—please accept my apologies.” Outmatched, the Crab General had no choice but to yield.

Yang Nan breathed a sigh of relief. It was best to avoid conflict with the Water Lord; such demon masters were not to be trifled with. Even with a human body, he couldn’t match the Flood Dragon.

“Crab Daoist, no need for excessive formality. We, too, have caused offense. To drink together in friendship is a joy.” Yang Nan responded graciously, earning the Flood Dragon’s silent nod of approval.

Seeing the guests relax, the Flood Dragon summoned maids to clear away the tea and set out wine cups. With hearty enthusiasm, he toasted repeatedly, and Yang Nan and his companions reciprocated, soon feasting together.

The Fish Maiden, grateful that Yang Nan’s intervention had earned respect from the Water Lord, felt deeply indebted. After three rounds of drinks, Yang Nan rose to take his leave. The Flood Dragon did not press him to stay, and seeing the Fish Maiden and her brother preparing to depart with Yang Nan, he smiled and said, “Fish Maiden, you are of the Muddy River tribe. Cultivating here is far superior to the land. My crab brother may be rough, but he’s not lawless. If you do not wish to return to Deyang, stay here in the waters of De River. As long as I am here, no one will dare bully you. Besides, your name remains in the aquatic tribe’s Smoke and Wave Register. Traveling with these Daoists brings inconvenience.”

The Fish Maiden considered his words and glanced hesitantly at Yang Nan. He understood: the Smoke and Wave Register of the aquatic tribe was akin to the Spirit Ledger among mountain spirits, recording the origin of each creature. As a member of the Muddy River tribe, it made little sense for her to follow a Daoist without cause. Turning to the siblings, Yang Nan said gently, “Fish Maiden, it’s your choice. If you wish to come with me to Kunlun, I will help you erase your name from the register. If you prefer to remain in the river, you’ll be spared the hardship of a long journey.”

Traveling by land was far more difficult for aquatic spirits than by water. The Fish Maiden, moved by Yang Nan’s generosity, knew her brother’s cultivation was weak and feared only burdening him. She nodded softly. “Thank you, young master, for your kindness. My brother and I will remain in the river. When our cultivation is complete, we will seek you out to repay your favor.”

With her wisdom and understanding, the Fish Maiden recognized it was improper to follow her benefactor further. She had grown up in these waters and was reluctant to abandon her home without reason.

Yang Nan cared little about repayment; he simply wished to help these kind-hearted siblings. Traveling with aquatic spirits was indeed inconvenient. He nodded and turned to the Flood Dragon, bowing. “I entrust the Fish Maiden and her brother to your care, Water Lord. When I return from seeking the Dao in Kunlun, I will repay you handsomely.” He emphasized Kunlun, wary the Flood Dragon might not be sincere.

The Flood Dragon readily agreed, and, together with the Crab General, saw Yang Nan and his companions out. Yang Nan performed a water-avoidance spell, Red Sun summoned a fire shield, and they, with White Robe, ascended to the river’s surface.