Chapter 216: Secrets of the Dragon Python and Divine Sparrow
Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Secrets of the Dragon Python and Divine Sparrow
Mr. Chunzhi set down his teacup, his gaze growing profound.
"According to legend, the Red River Dragon Python was once just an ordinary Water Python in the Red River. It was quite unremarkable until, by a stroke of chance, it encountered and devoured the River God of the Red River, thereby awakening its Spiritual Wisdom."
"A River God?" Zhu Ge raised an eyebrow. "The Red River’s River God?"
"Correct." Mr. Chunzhi nodded.
"The people on both banks of the Red River constantly offer up the Power of Incense, but because the river is so vast and fast-flowing, this power would gather but never coalesce."
"If not for this great python, a River God might not have formed for a thousand years."
Indeed.
Hearing this, Zhu Ge nodded.
Becoming a god is a thousand times harder than becoming a Ghost.
This is especially true for great rivers and towering mountains.
Their forms are too immense, and the Power of Faith has no fixed point on which to concentrate, making it difficult for a deity to arise naturally.
Without some coincidence or human intervention, a true River God would likely never have come into being.
Mr. Chunzhi continued, "The people around the Red River prayed for favorable weather, so their incense offerings never ceased. Year after year, they performed sacrifices. With nowhere else to go, that power from their incense and wishes was intercepted by the Red River Dragon Python. It accumulated over days and months, helping the python break through its limits and become a Great Demon."
Zhu Ge’s brow furrowed slightly. "So it’s essentially a demon that stole the incense meant for a god?"
"Precisely." Mr. Chunzhi nodded. "Because of this, it retains the savage nature of the Demon Race, yet also possesses some of a god’s authority—the ability to control the Red River’s currents and stir up great waves."
"This is the source of its confidence to join forces with the Plague God Sparrow and besiege the Hongmi Immortal outside Yuan Yang City."
"What about the Plague God Sparrow?" Zhu Ge frowned. "Killing this Red River Dragon Python might not be so simple."
’The Red River Dragon Python could be called a Great Demon, but it could also be called a River God.’
’To kill a god, one must destroy its shrine.’
’He had done just that when he destroyed the Fungus God’s shrine in Jianshan Village.’
Mr. Chunzhi sighed. "The Plague God Sparrow’s origin is even stranger."
"It was originally an ordinary bird from Nanyue Mianhuang. It mistakenly ate the remains of an ancient Plague God and was transformed into a vessel for the Plague God."
"That Plague God was an ancient, powerful deity from Nanyue Mianhuang. It was grievously wounded by the Hongmi Immortal back then. No one expected a common sparrow to seize its destiny."
"Now, it doesn’t need incense. It grows stronger just by spreading plagues and harvesting despair and fear."
"So that’s why it spreads plagues everywhere?" Zhu Ge recalled the inexplicable plague in Jianshan Village and remembered that his master had left the village because of it, never to return. A surge of anger rose in his heart.
’It was his master’s death that had set this whole chain of events in motion.’
"That’s right." Mr. Chunzhi stroked his beard. "Wherever the Plague God Sparrow passes, plagues run rampant, leaving devastation in their wake. Nine times out of ten, the plagues in Red River Prefecture these past few years are related to it."
"Those two beasts—one stealing incense, the other spreading plagues—neither is any good," Yan Liyuan said coldly. "If Palace Master Zhu needs help, just call on me. I’d like to go and meet them myself."
"Brother Yan is righteous," Zhu Ge said with a clasped-hand salute.
’However, he had no plans to provoke those two anytime soon. It wasn’t part of his plan.’
’He had to stick to his original plan and not get greedy by rushing ahead.’
Mr. Chunzhi took a sip of tea and sighed. "They are immensely powerful. Working together, they even managed to gravely injure the Hongmi Immortal. If you want to break the siege of Yuan Yang City, you must plan carefully."
"I know." Zhu Ge nodded. "That’s why I plan to first check the other fallen cities, gather useful resources and intelligence. I need to know my enemy and myself to ensure victory."
"You’re going to the cities occupied by Demon Beasts?" Yan Liyuan was a little surprised. "Those places are now nests for the Demon Race, incredibly dangerous."
Mr. Chunzhi was also somewhat astonished.
"Dangerous or not, I have to go." Zhu Ge smiled. "Those cities have weapons, provisions, Array materials, and possibly even survivors. All of those things will be useful to me when I attack Yuan Yang City."
Yan Liyuan was silent for a moment, then nodded. "I’ll go with you."
"No need." Zhu Ge shook his head. "Brother Yan has his own affairs to attend to. Besides, I have a way to conceal my presence. It’s more convenient for me to go alone."
Yan Liyuan glanced at him and didn’t insist. "Then be careful."
Zhu Ge nodded and rose to take his leave.
Since they had discussed most of what was needed, there was no reason for him to stay.
He had come here to save Lvchun City and take the Strong Monkey King with him in the first place.
With his business concluded, he needed to leave quickly. He still had much to do.
Mr. Chunzhi personally saw him to the door and took a scroll from his sleeve, handing it to him.
"Palace Master Zhu, this is a map I’ve drawn. It marks the specific locations of the thirteen cities in Red River Prefecture, as well as the distribution of the surrounding Demon Beasts."
"I’ve also marked the approximate territories of the Demon Beasts in the six fallen cities. Take it, it might be useful."
Zhu Ge took the scroll. As he focused his gaze on it, a detailed map suddenly unfolded in his mind.
The locations of the six fallen cities were clearly marked, and next to each city were simple annotations recording the intelligence Mr. Chunzhi had gathered.
"Thank you, Mr. Chunzhi," Zhu Ge said.
Zhu Ge accepted the scroll and carefully tucked it into his robes.
Mr. Chunzhi fell silent for a moment. It seemed he was using his Divine Sense to arrange something.
After a short while, several servants came out carrying a few large chests.
"Palace Master Zhu, Lvchun City may be poor, but we can still spare some supplies." Mr. Chunzhi pointed at the chests. "I have prepared five hundred measures of grain, two hundred pounds of medicinal herbs, one hundred weapons, and thirty sets of leather armor."
"It’s not much, just a token of our appreciation. I hope Palace Master Zhu will not find it lacking."
The next moment, the servants opened the chests.
Inside, the grain was high-quality red rice, the herbs were dried Spirit Grass, and while the weapons and armor weren’t of the finest quality, they were a godsend for replenishing the army’s losses.
"Mr. Chunzhi, you are too kind." Zhu Ge cupped his fist. "These are exactly what we desperately need. I won’t refuse."
"It is only right." Mr. Chunzhi stroked his beard and smiled. "Palace Master Zhu works tirelessly for the people of Red River Prefecture. This is the least I can do to help."
Yan Liyuan also took out a jade tablet and handed it to Zhu Ge.
"Brother Zhu, this is my token. If you run into trouble in Yuan Yang City, crush this tablet. I will be able to sense it from up to three hundred miles away and will come as quickly as I can."
"However, Nanyue Mianhuang is also of critical importance, so I might not be able to stay for long."
"I understand. Thank you, Brother Yan." Zhu Ge accepted the jade tablet. It was warm to the touch, and carved on it was the character for ’Yan’.
"Don’t mention it." Yan Liyuan clapped him on the shoulder.
「Later that afternoon」
Zhu Ge left Lvchun City with his contingent.
Liu Jianjian rode a Second Realm Deer Demon, her hair inexplicably stuffed full of tiny Demon Beasts. She chatted and joked with the others, her face alight with excitement.
The Strong Monkey King perched on Liu Jianjian’s shoulder, clutching a bunch of bananas and eating with great delight.
The column of troops marched north along the main road, a vast and impressive sight, kicking up clouds of dust.
"Master, where are we going?" Liu Jianjian rode her Deer Demon closer to ask.
"Alu City."