As the story ended, everyone in the group sighed in pity for the Jiao-dragon’s plight.
“So that monster is right here in Shouzhou? The thing stirring up trouble today—all this thunder and rain—is actually that very same Jiao? Amitabha, Amitabha...”
The pear seller prayed repeatedly in fear, whispering, “Keep your voices down, everyone! They say monsters have minds no bigger than a needle’s point and hold terrible grudges.
“What if that Jiao-dragon has Thousand Mile Eyes or Far Hearing Ears? If it finds out we're talking about it, it might hold a grudge against us!”
The broker listened to the story and marvelled at the old man’s tale: “When you think about it, that Jiao actually saved the lives of you and your father. Who would have thought a little boy shouting out its true form would ruin its transformation into a dragon? It really is quite pitiful.”
“Aiya, that's not necessarily true. Monsters are treacherous by nature. Who knows if that Jiao only refrained from eating them because it was exhausted from the heavenly thunder?”
Among the pair of traveling performers, the father, who had remained silent all this time, suddenly spoke up:
“I haven't heard many tales of monsters saving people, but aren't stories of monsters devouring humans written in every storybook and told by every storyteller?
“Its destiny was ruined, its Crossing Jiao failed, and its true form was exposed—it’s bound to hold a grudge against humanity forever.
“If it manages to transform into a dragon this time, I fear it will inevitably stir up winds and waves, bringing disaster to the mortal realm in the future.
“Besides, the way I see it, its repeated failures to transform are simply Heaven's will. That beast was never fated to turn into a dragon and enter the sea; it belongs on the ground as a snake.
“A snake is a snake. Ultimately, it’s just a clawless, cold-blooded creature born from moisture and eggs. How could it ever become a dragon?”
Beside him, his son didn't entirely agree, but he merely frowned without speaking up.
Presumably, he tacitly accepted this logic as well.
Hearing these words, the old sharpener's complexion turned terribly grim. His pupils contracted into vertical slits, flashing with murderous intent.
Seeming to sense something, the nun sitting by the window smiled softly at the old man, her expression gentle and peaceful.
Damn it! How could I forget this old woman is still here!
【These two speak with such disrespect, and I can’t even teach them a lesson?!】
The old man glared bitterly at the father and son, suppressing his fury as he transmitted his voice secretly:
【Nun Miaoyun, I know the rules. I came merely to seek a propitious word to smoothly transform into a dragon. Why must your Demon Suppression Division be so overbearing?!
【Do not forget the rules set by your Demon Suppression Division!】
【Naturally, I have not forgotten the rules of the Crossing Jiao.】
The nun smiled slightly, her eyes tranquil:
【Lord Jiao, do not be anxious. I am merely fulfilling my duty of supervision. So long as Lord Jiao does not strike, I shall remain a mere spectator.
【Lord Jiao may regard me as a clay statue. If Lord Jiao prefers that I hear nothing, see nothing, and pay no heed, that would be acceptable as well.
【However, besides cultivators, there are common folk present. I hope Lord Jiao will show compassion and refrain from terrifying them.】
The old man met with a polite refusal, yet had no choice but to gnash his teeth in resentment and slowly exhale:
【Your Demon Suppression Division is truly overbearing to the extreme!】
【I came only to seek a single sentence, so I naturally will not strike at anyone else!】
【Including this little demon suppressor you are protecting!】
...
A moment later, someone spoke up again.
“Brother, that’s not necessarily true either.”
Nan Zhi took a sip of hot wine and leisurely countered:
“You haven't even met that Jiao-dragon, so how do you know it has committed evil deeds?
“The old master and his father survived because of the Jiao-dragon, which was an act of kindness. Afterward, the Jiao-dragon never sought revenge against his family, which proves it isn't an inherently wicked creature.
“The way I see it, the child back then was only six years old, uneducated and ignorant. Shouting out the Jiao-dragon's true form was unintentional, so it cannot be considered a grave sin.
“Yet the Jiao-dragon’s rescue was genuine kindness, and it never sought petty revenge later. Though I don't know this Jiao-dragon's true nature, one can glimpse a bit of it from these actions.
“As for its current attempt to cross into a dragon, whether it succeeds or fails has little to do with us. Why speculate so recklessly and invite unnecessary trouble?”
At least there's a smart person here.
The old sharpener’s expression softened considerably, his eyes blinking as his pupils returned to normal.
“It’s just a story anyway, meant for entertainment. Why argue over it?”
Having heard Nan Zhi’s words, the young fellow looked thoughtful and quickly stopped his father from speaking further:
“Father, you’re tired. Let me help you back to our room to rest.”
Unexpectedly, the man simply waved his hand and continued arguing with Nan Zhi:
“Young lady, hearing your words just now, you seem to hold quite a favorable view of monsters.
“Though our meeting is merely chance, I must offer a word of advice. In this world, monsters are adept at disguise, and ghosts are skilled at deceitful arguments. When dealing with them, one must exercise extreme caution.
“Otherwise, if you drop your guard for a moment, you might lose your life, destroying your bright future along with it. That would be a loss far outweighing any gain!”
He spoke with earnest sincerity, his eyes straying intentionally or unintentionally toward the oil-paper umbrella where Wanniang was hiding. Clearly, he was also a fellow cultivator.
【???: Qi Refinement level 3】
Now that I've left the beginner village, why are cultivators everywhere?
“Thank you for the advice, brother.”
Nan Zhi discreetly pulled the oil-paper umbrella behind her, replying neither humbly nor haughtily, “However, I have my own discretion when handling my affairs.”
Seeing her unmoved by his advice, the man could only shake his head:
“Once you suffer a loss and recall my words, you will understand the saying: the evil of monsters and demons is fundamentally different from that of humans.”
Their conversation seemed to consist of cryptic riddles; apart from the two of them, everyone else was left entirely in the dark.
“What a wonderful story! My grandfather was an herb gatherer too back in the day. When the flood struck, my father wasn't even as tall as a stool! Who knows, maybe his old self saw a Crossing Jiao as well!
“When I get home later, I can tell this story to my wife!
“Come on, everyone, have some pears! These pears were grown using water drawn from my village's well—they're sweet, crisp, and delicious!”
The pear seller was overjoyed. He quickly picked out a few golden, gleaming pears from his basket and shared them with everyone:
“Old master, have a pear.”
The old sharpener naturally received one as well. But holding the pear, he hesitated to eat it, instead asking the pear seller:
“Young master, do you think this Jiao will manage to break free today?”
The pear seller scratched his head and said honestly, “How would I know? But if that Jiao is a good one, it will naturally succeed...”
The old man’s eyes lit up as if waiting intently for the young man to finish the rest of his sentence. He was so focused that he didn't even notice he was crushing the crispy pear in his grip.
Crack!
Rumble! Rumble! Rumble!
Another deafening thunderbolt split the sky, scaring the pear seller into swallowing the remaining half of his sentence.
Damned Heavens! You truly push people too far!
The old sharpener shook with rage, nearly spitting blood:
“Heaven has failed me! Heaven has failed me!!!”
A sudden gust of wild wind blew out the lanterns, plunging the establishment into dim darkness. As another thunderbolt struck, everyone saw clearly:
There was no old sharpener at all!
Standing—or rather, writhing—there was a massive green-skinned serpent several zhang long and as thick as a water vat!
Tapering from thick at the top to thin at the bottom, the serpent had flared, arc-shaped gills on both sides of its head. Its scales opened and closed, flaring up inch by inch, rhythmically undulating with rage!
Two bulges protruded from its forehead, white on the outside and red on the inside, showing a fleshy pinkness, as if something were about to burst forth at any moment—
The snake’s cold, vertical pupils fixed intently on everyone. Its inner-curved, terrifying fangs were snowy white and translucent, resembling the sharpest of hooks, dangerous and fatal.
Flicking its long, split tongue, the giant serpent hissed menacingly as its thick underbelly scraped against the floor, producing a heavy drag:
【Young master, look at me... Am I a snake, or am I a dragon?】
Rate on N.U.
