Chapter 349: Chapter 268: Inviting the Wolf into the House

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Yuntong Dragon Palace.

The main hall.

Strings and bamboo flutes played in harmony, while the dance and music floated through the air.

Ao Xuan sat in the seat of honor, shaking his head and savoring spiritual wine, laughing loudly from time to time.

Seated to his right, Monk Hong Yun asked, “What makes the king laugh so heartily?”

“I laugh at the Green Cloud Mountain God, who, despite being a Nascent Soul ancestor, is such a timid and fearful creature.”

Ao Xuan said, “Three years have passed, and he has not even cleaned up the wild gods of Qingyun Mountain, much less dared to step half a foot outside his temple, causing me undue concern.”

Seated to his right, the wolf demon said enviously, “We once sat at the same table with that mountain god, never imagining that in a blink of an eye, he would become our superior.”

The two Golden Core Demon Kings in the hall became interested when they heard this and asked for more details.

After the wolf demon recounted the story, the assembly of spirits and monsters marveled, enviably and jealously mocking the Green Cloud Mountain God’s timidity and cowardice. Even if they dare not move against the Dragon Palace, they should still kill a few wild gods to account to the Imperial Court.

Ao Xuan disdainfully said, “After all, he’s just a loose cultivator from the mountains with no backing or support. Having fortuitously achieved his path, he will naturally treasure his own life and not dare to act rashly.”

“He is nothing like the Dragon King!”

“As a true dragon descendant, not even the Imperial Court dares to act recklessly, let alone a mere sixth-rank Mountain God.”

“That mountain god lacks proper manners, knowing that the Dragon King is a true dragon descendant, he should have come to pay his respects long ago!”

“All the deities of Qingyun Mountain look up to the Lord of Yuntong River; which mountain god would dare act rashly? When the Imperial Court eventually assigns blame, they might be frightened and come seeking the Dragon King’s salvation!”

“…”

After imbibing three or five jars of spiritual wine, the atmosphere became more cheerful, and their speech grew more unrestrained.

Embroidered with exaggerations and boasting, their words intoxicated Ao Xuan, who began to imagine using the might of his dragon lineage to bully the helpless Green Cloud Mountain God.

Of course, this was just a thought.

As inebriated as Ao Xuan was, he still didn’t dare to be presumptuous in front of a Nascent Soul ancestor, at most he could only sneer a few insinuations in private.

Monk Hong Yun drank deeply and ate his fill, reminding, “The Dragon King must still be cautious and not be deceived by the mountain god’s ploy to appear weak!”

“Rest assured, Monk.”

Ao Xuan said to the people in the hall, “I have requested talismans from the emperor. Should that mountain god really come knocking on our door, we only need to hold out for a while, and my father will arrive from Ji River.”

“That’s very good.”

Monk Hong Yun sighed in relief and laughed, “Unless that mountain god has gone mad, he wouldn’t dare to come knocking on our door personally. It’s more likely that he will find a puppet to stir up trouble, which we can handle.”

“The Monk speaks sensibly.”

Everyone agreed with loud approvals, fortunate to have pledged allegiance under the Dragon Palace’s banners.

For nearly twenty years, the Great Heng Imperial Court had conducted examinations and grand plans; the proper gods of the capital had been reviewed several times over. Compared to days of old, the administration could be considered purer and clearer, and the tax revenue from the Wish Power Beads had multiplied several times.

The Imperial Court benefited, and naturally, their next step would be dealing with the wild gods.

Nevertheless, unlike the proper gods, wild gods had complex backgrounds and deep entanglements, so the Imperial Court dared not act rashly.

They probed each other, back and forth.

As of today, no prefecture had truly begun the purge of wild gods.

Just then.

Boom!

A loud noise came from the outside, followed by shaking in the Dragon Palace. Tiles fell, and tables and chairs toppled over.

“What’s going on?”

Ao Xuan’s face showed anger as he ordered his attendants to investigate. Just then, General Crab came tumbling into the hall.

“It’s bad!”

“My Lord, a Taoist has appeared outside claiming to be the River Lord appointed by the Imperial Court. General Shrimp had just exchanged words with him when he was obliterated by a few bolts of lightning.”

General Crab’s voice trembled, clearly terrified.

Ao Xuan’s brows knitted slightly, exchanging a knowing look with Monk Hong Yun and others. He already had a guess and barked a question.

“Just one Taoist?”

General Crab nodded vigorously: “Just one.”

“Hmph! A mere Taoist dares to run wild in my Dragon Palace?”

Ao Xuan was immediately reassured and, as the Monk had anticipated, said, “Quickly summon three thousand water demons. The four esteemed guests might as well join me to meet this so-called River Lord of Yuntong?”

“Yes!”

The crowd resoundingly agreed, following Ao Xuan out of the palace.

Moments later.

The current on the surface of Yuntong River surged, suddenly spawning whirlpools. Then, thousands of water demons emerged, ready for battle.

Drums and horns sounded in unison, their cries thundering.

Roar–

The roar of a dragon resounded, as nine black flood dragons pulling a chariot soared out from underwater,

Wind tigers and dragons amongst the clouds.

The very moment the black flood dragons appeared, the sky was smoked with dark clouds, and thunder rumbled, swiftly followed by a downpour.

Ao Xuan stood at the head of the dragon chariot, clad in a purple robe, with his hands clasped behind his back, his countenance stern as he looked forward into the misty rain–a figure in a dark blue Taoist robe stood aloft, reprimanding.

“Who is this junior, daring to make a ruckus in my Dragon Palace?”

“Such a display from a mere wild god!”

The Taoist was none other than Wang Hong, who held up a Yellow Register in his hand and declared, “I am the River Lord of Yuntong River, appointed by the Green Cloud Mountain God. Today, I come to assume my duties, and all spirits and monsters in the river shall fall under my command!”

“Ha ha ha!”

Ao Xuan as if he heard a joke, laughed loud and long, mocking, “I am also a spirit of Yuntong River; let’s see if you have the guts to give orders and whether I will listen!”

Wang Hong, with a righteous aura, declared loudly, “Ao Xuan, you serpent demon, still not kneeling before me?”

Ao Xuan was taken aback for a moment, and in a fit of rage and embarrassment, he said, “The audacity! I shall tear out your soul and seize your spirit…”

Before he could finish, Wang Hong spoke again.

“Yuntong River serpent demon Ao Xuan, you defy the orders of the River Lord and boast of attacking a proper god of the Imperial Court. By the laws of Great Heng, you shall be executed!”

As he spoke.

Before Ao Xuan and the others could react, they saw Wang Hong’s sleeve fly open, releasing the Imperial Seal treasure which spun and grew to the size of a small mountain, enveloped in boundless Xuanhuang divine light, and crashed down fiercely.

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