Mountain Patrol Military Officer

On the other side, outside the Dragon Taming Pass, dozens of miles downstream, a mighty river surged fiercely, about a mile wide!

In the sky, the moon shone brightly among sparse stars, its light fragmented by the clouds, spilling onto the river, turning the cresting waves into flowing silver scales, layering upon layers, rolling up a thousand heaps of snow, then shattering like a burst silver flask.

This great river, lying dormant, winding through the mountains, at this moment tore the night apart with thunderous momentum, the waves like thousands of wild silver-maned horses galloping and crashing in the deep black riverbed.

At this time, a colorful stream drifting down from the distant mountains, like a celestial river, slowly merged into this great river, enchanting and magnificent.

Between the streams, one could see beautiful oil paper lanterns floating on the water, casting a myriad of colors on the surface, like a colorful belt of light merging into the river.

As the calm stream joined the surging river, the lanterns illuminated the pitch-black water.

At this moment, under the gloomy, dark surface, a shadowy black figure flickered through the water.

"Splash!"

A massive black figure leaped out of the water, sending waves crashing, submerging several lanterns, then with a splash, it returned to the depths.

It was a dragon fish, two zhang long, entirely black, with sharp teeth!

Soon, shadows leaped from the water, devouring the lanterns, then disappearing below the surface.

Among them, grotesque fish, and shrimp, enormous and fierce, created an unusual spectacle!

Meanwhile, at the banks where the river and stream met, another scene unfolded.

Little glows of fire adorned the area, under the flickering firelight, armored soldiers in black armor held fire torches, riding tall horses, their eyes fixed on the demonic waves rising from the water.

Almost one man every ten steps, one post every hundred!

Amidst these flickering lights, on a hill at the river's mouth, a general clad in purple armor, with a red cape, sporting slanted eyes, a face with wild, sharp eyebrows, high nose, broad face, rode a tall striped tiger, eyes watching the scene of the water demons in the river below, frowning.

"Lord, something seems off, there are fewer water demons coming for the offerings, and they are hurried, heading downstream, quieter than usual, fewer demons cavorting and making waves on the water."

At this time, a stream of light swiftly flew over, landing on the hill, bowing before the general on the big cat to report.

"Indeed, something's amiss. This time, the Old Flood Dragon's birthday celebration is grander than before, countless water clans, demons come to pay respects, there should be more coming for the offerings." You Qingfeng, Lord of Dragon Taming Pass, watched the scene on the river, speaking slowly, his voice heavy, tinged with suspicion.

The Old Dragon Fish of Bailong River, celebrating its six hundredth birthday, countless demons and water clans from the nearby Dragon Ridge Mountains were expected, a real demonic gathering.

In the past, this Old Dragon had a minor celebration every ten years. According to some established rules, the locals of Dragon Taming Pass would organize incense gatherings, release lanterns, and hold dragon dances as offerings to the river's water clans. Over time, it became a local custom of the city.

Just like today, continuing for three days!

And this time, for the Old Dragon's six hundredth birthday, rumors had it that demons from all directions would gather, with even Great Demons appearing. As the local lord, to prevent unforeseen events, he personally brought troops to guard this section of the river closest to the city.

Although years ago, Dragon Taming Pass reached some agreements with the Old Flood Dragon of Bailong River, ostensibly they refrained from interfering with each other, the Jiao Longs of Bailong River often stirred trouble outside the border, and with this grand celebration, unpredictable variables increased with the appearances of ancient monsters from the Dragon Ridge depths. Should any go berserk and unreasonable, Dragon Taming Pass being closest to Bailong River would be in trouble.

Thus, he must keep an eye on every movement of Bailong River in these few days.

"I don't know, I have patrolled the nearby riverbanks, aside from this, detected no other anomalies."

"It's likely due to the grand feast; all the water clans have gathered at Bailong Pond, 200 miles away."

"Lord, you can be somewhat at ease!"

Yet, You Qingfeng's brows furrowed deeper, where there's an anomaly, there must be a demon, every slight disturbance must be heeded, at times like these, being more suspicious is never wrong,

"At ease? You go down the river secretly, capture some local water clans and ask what's going on."

"Do not alert others."

"Yes!" The person accepted the command, their form misted, turning into a wisp of smoke disappearing into the night, quietly diving into the river below.

Thirty minutes later, at the riverbank below the hill, a splash erupted, and the commander who had received the order emerged from the water, bringing with them a wave, and splashed a few small fish and shrimp onto the shore.

"Lord, I found out."

"The Third Prince of Bailong River was killed by unknown means on the way to the Old Flood Dragon's birthday banquet this morning; many water clans have gone downstream to hunt the culprit."

The subordinate returned with news, a hint of schadenfreude in their eyes.

You Qingfeng listened, his brows furrowing more severely, forming a 川 shape, his eyes widened,

"The Third Prince? I seem to recall it's a little flood dragon, a direct bloodline of the Old Flood Dragon. If this fellow died, then it's even more dangerous!"

"Are there any villages or towns under our jurisdiction downstream? Did you find out the exact location?"