MTLNOVEL Chapter 10 Azure Flower King
Many years ago, the former Jing River Dragon King passed away, and the new Dragon King was still young. Azure Flower King took this opportunity to seize control of the Water Mansion and declared himself the Dragon King, enjoying much glory at the time.
Unfortunately, he was after all born a demon, without recognition from the Heavenly Court. He was not considered legitimate, and he also lacked the divine seal of the Jing River water domain.
Once the Dragon King came of age, he borrowed a large force from the Four Seas Dragon Palaces, expelled the false Dragon King, and thus earned the titles of Chief Steward of the Eight Rivers and Grand Dragon God of Rain.
Now, with the news of the Old Dragon King's death, Azure Flower King naturally came seeking vengeance, ready to wash away his past humiliation.
He gathered his little demons and, with great fanfare, set off towards the Jing River Dragon Palace, causing the surrounding aquatic tribes to disperse in fear.
Members of the long-lived Turtle Tribe, upon witnessing this scene, couldn't help sighing, "It's that damned skin-shedding snake again. It looks like he's heading for the Dragon Palace. He must have heard of the Dragon King's death and couldn't contain himself."
A curious youngster then asked, "Grandfather, who is this skin-shedding snake? Is he very powerful?"
"Many years ago, this guy was the ruler of these waters. He was brutal and no good at all. If it hadn't been for His Majesty the Dragon King driving him out, who knows how many of our Jing River Aquatic Tribe would have suffered," Lao Gui explained softly to his grandchild, but his face showed signs of worry.
After all, the news that the Jing River Dragon King had been beheaded for violating the Heavenly Stripes had spread far and wide. With the skin-shedding snake bearing down menacingly, Lao Gui was secretly concerned. If this skin-shedding snake actually seized the throne of the Dragon Palace, ordinary members of the aquatic tribes would have hard times ahead.
"No, I must contact some old friends. I can't just sit by while the skin-shedding snake takes over the Dragon Palace," Lao Gui resolved in his heart and quickly headed towards the Dragon Palace.
Meanwhile, the skin-shedding snake Lao Gui referred to was feeling extremely smug. Looking at the rushing Jing River, he said, "After so many years, I've finally returned. It's just too bad that old thing is already dead, or else I would have avenged the past."
Azure Flower King spoke through gritted teeth, recalling how imposing he once was. If it weren't for the Old Dragon King's unexpected rise, he would still be residing in the Crystal Palace.
Thinking of this, his hatred for the Jing River Dragon King grew even stronger, oblivious to the fact that if he had continued to occupy the Jing River, the Heavenly Court would have likely eliminated him long ago.
"This time, Great King, with your move, you will definitely conquer the Dragon Palace, and then the entire Jing River water domain will be under your rule," said a subordinate, trying to butter up Azure Flower King.
These sycophantic words made Azure Flower King beam with joy, and he laughed heartily, "This Jing River water domain was originally under my rule. If that Old Dragon hadn't shamelessly joined the Four Seas Dragon Clan, how could I have failed? Now he's been struck down by heavenly punishment, which serves him right."
"It's just a pity about the Dragon Queen. I've heard she is extremely beautiful, and now she is left to be a widow."
"Once you take over the Crystal Palace, that beauty will be yours for the taking, Great King. No doubt the Dragon Queen has been lonely. Once she becomes your wife, won't we all be related to the Dragon Kings of the Four Seas?" The subordinates of Azure Flower King broke into raucous laughter at the thought.
Hearing this, the demon's heart stirred, sensing a grand future ahead. Considering his own looks, winning the Dragon Queen over seemed like an easy task. He already started imagining marrying the Dragon Queen, becoming the son-in-law of the West Sea Dragon Palace, and then being free to go anywhere in the vast world.
"Great King, there's a situation!"
A shout woke Azure Flower King from his daydream. He glanced angrily at the little demon who had raised the alarm and said, "What is it that you're shouting about? Do you want to be whipped by me, your Great King?"
"Reporting to the Great King, there's a small boat on the water ahead," the little demon replied tremblingly.
The capricious demon was always unpredictable, lashing out at his little minions at the slightest provocation, and it's unknown how many had died at his hands. Now, seeing him enraged, the little demons were terrified and their hearts trembled with fear.
"Hmph, a mere boat, I want to see who dares to block this Great King's path." Azure Flower King pushed a little demon aside and looked forward, indeed seeing a small boat crossing the river, with a green-robed scholar sitting at the bow, fishing with a rod.
"What a rare spectacle, a human scholar has you all frightened," the Azure Flower King said with pride. "This man is clearly a weakling, unfit to truss a chicken. Watch as I capture him and feast upon him."
But the little demon wore a troubled look, for if he hadn't misjudged, there was another person in the boat, who appeared to be the Seventh Prince from the Jing River Dragon Palace, standing by the scholar's side with respectful demeanor.
It was well-known that the Seventh Prince of the Jing River Dragon Palace was notoriously difficult to deal with, not even the Old Dragon King received such treatment. What merits and abilities did this scholar possess to make such a fearsome star willingly serve at his side, his attitude clearly wholehearted?
Unfortunately, at that moment, the Azure Flower King was too full of himself and immediately moved to act against the frail-looking scholar, not waiting for the little demon to finish speaking.
Watching the direction in which the Azure Flower King had gone, the little demon thought, "This man is blinded by greed; he likely won't meet a good end. I better leave quickly to avoid trouble by association."
With that thought, the little demon made up his mind, gradually slowed his pace and started to drift away from the main group. As an insignificant, nameless little demon, no one would care about his departure or death.
Meanwhile, the Azure Flower King, blissfully unaware that someone had already sentenced him to death in their heart, continued to strut towards the human scholar's small boat with a proud tilt of his head.
Lu Yu was fishing with Lao Qi on the boat when he saw Lao Qi ask with a puzzled face, "Master, your way of fishing is really strange."
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"How is it strange?" Lu Yu asked with a smile, noting that Lao Qi's mood had greatly improved since leaving the Crystal Palace.
"Although I've never fished, I know that when humans fish, they need not just a rod but also a line and a hook. Unlike you, Master, who has only a rod," Lao Qi observed.
"Isn't this a fishing line?" Lu Yu said, swinging the rod in his hand which had a thin line made of water hanging down into the water.
"Even if that's a line, you don't have a hook, how do you plan to catch fish?"
"You don't understand, I am emulating the sages, as it is said: 'Jiang Taigong fishes, those who wish will take the bait.'"
Lao Qi immediately curled his lip, always feeling that the master was just pretending to be lofty, but he didn't dare to say it out loud, as he didn't want to be thrashed again.
"Look, isn't the fish I want to catch on its way?" Lu Yu said to Lao Qi with a gentle laugh.
Following the direction Lu Yu was referring to, Lao Qi indeed saw a group of demons under the water, clearly heading towards them.
By now, the Azure Flower King had approached the boat. He prepared to showcase his divine skills and overturn the small craft before capturing that green-robed scholar. Human scholar meat was considered a delicacy among the human race, and at that thought, he already started to salivate.