Chapter 129: Past Events Within

"Crack!" The Crocodile Demon bit down on the fin extended by the Whisker-Fish Demon, his body instantly swelling into a giant crocodile a zhang in length.

"Rip!" With a sickening tear, the Whisker-Fish Demon's arm—which had transformed back into a fish fin—was wrenched clean off.

The Whisker-Fish Demon let out a muffled groan, forcing himself to endure the agony. In a hoarse, strained voice, he growled, "Blood Escape Technique!"

"Boom!" Most of the flesh on the Whisker-Fish Demon’s body exploded into a cloud of crimson blood mist. Aside from his head, tail, and the remaining fins, nothing was left but a skeleton and tattered internal organs.

"Escape!" With a low, guttural roar, the blood mist—carrying the mangled body—smashed a hole through the palace wall and streaked toward the depths of Dongting Lake like a bolt of blood-red lightning.

"Boom!" The sound of the impact only reached them a moment later, as the shockwave of the massive collision nearly caused the Crocodile Demon to stumble. Yet, a look of relief flickered in his eyes, as if he had been secretly hoping for the Whisker-Fish Demon to escape.

He cautiously turned to look at the Dragon Lord. Seeing that the Dragon Lord, though furious, did not seem overly troubled by the escape, the Crocodile Demon shifted back into his human form. He stepped forward, knelt before the Dragon Lord, and said, "This humble subject has failed in his duties and allowed the Whisker-Fish Demon to flee. I beg the Dragon Lord to punish me!"

He prostrated himself on the ground, appearing utterly submissive as he awaited the royal decree.

The Crocodile Demon’s brothers were left dazed by the unfolding events. Watching the Dragon Lord butcher over a dozen demon generals like cutting vegetables had sent a chill down their spines. These were not mere shrimp or crab soldiers conjured through basic magic; these were demons who had attained their power through long, natural cultivation.

Most of these demons were lords of their own territories, and none who came here were simple. Seeing the Dragon Lord’s terrifying prowess, they felt a deep, growing fear and a sense of profound wariness.

Seeing the Crocodile Demon prostrate and so submissive, they finally understood why he had suddenly shifted his stance. Exchanging glances, they walked up behind the Crocodile Demon and knelt in a great wave, saying, "We were unaware of the Whisker-Fish Demon's hidden treachery and failed to react in time, letting him escape. We beg the Dragon Lord’s punishment."

The Dragon Lord, seeing more of them bow in submission, felt a surge of immense satisfaction. He felt as though he had only just discovered the true pleasure of power. He had always found the Crocodile Demon disagreeable in the past, but now, he seemed quite useful indeed.

The remaining demons looked at one another, nodded, and stepped forward to kneel before the Dragon Lord. "We deserve death; we beg the Dragon Lord for punishment."

"Hahahaha!" The Dragon Lord let out a hearty laugh, feeling truly invigorated. In the five hundred years since he had become the Dragon Lord, he had never felt as gratified as he did today. Even the injuries he had sustained from his luck being drained felt less painful. Looking at the demons prostrate before him, he experienced the intoxicating sensation of holding the power of life and death in his hands.

He turned and walked back to his throne, sat down, and said, "Rise, my loyal subjects."

"We thank the Dragon Lord," the demons replied in unison. They stood and took their places on either side. The Crocodile Demon reached into his sleeve and produced a white jade tablet, holding it before him. The other demons followed suit; those who had tablets held them with both hands, while those who did not used their magic to fashion makeshift tablets from whatever objects they carried.

The scene suddenly took on an air of great solemnity, resembling a royal court. The Dragon Lord realized that although he had always found the Turtle Chancellor’s insistence on such formalities tiresome, it was actually quite impressive. He decided he should rely on him more in the future.

He gazed down at the demons and said, "Although I have suffered some minor injuries today, the removal of those who long harbored treason is a great fortune amidst misfortune."

He continued, "The rest of you remain loyal to me, and you shall be rewarded."

"We thank the Dragon Lord!" the demons bowed.

"Rise," the Dragon Lord said. Once they stood, he continued, "For leading the court, setting an example, and managing to tear a fin from the Whisker-Fish Demon with your formidable power, I hereby appoint Commander Crocodile as the Grand General of the Dongting Water Mansion. You shall have command over all forces in Dongting Lake and be tasked with expanding our borders."

The Crocodile Demon quickly stepped forward, knelt, and said, "I thank the Dragon Lord! May the Dragon Lord live for ten thousand years and unify the world!"

"Good. General Crocodile is truly a pillar of the Water Mansion," the Dragon Lord nodded with satisfaction. "As for the other commanders, each is promoted one rank to become a General of the Water Mansion."

The eyes of the other demons lit up. They had expected nothing, yet they had received promotions. The Water Mansion had not seen promotions in nearly a hundred years. A promotion meant wealth, larger territories, richer resources, and an increase in one's own luck.

With luck came the promise of increased cultivation. Previously, they had governed their own small domains, and with too many demons and too little land, they had been constrained. Looking at the dozen corpses on the floor, they felt their hearts stir. Those who lay dead were all demons who had cultivated for years and harbored grand ambitions; their territories were definitely substantial—a feast waiting to be claimed.

The demons scrambled to step forward and kneel, fearing they would be left behind. "We thank the Dragon Lord! May the Dragon Lord live for ten thousand years and unify the world!"

"Ha! Excellent," the Dragon Lord laughed. "Return, consolidate your forces, and assemble tomorrow. Under General Crocodile’s leadership, we shall sweep across the Southern Continent. Court dismissed!"

"The Dragon Lord is wise!" the demons cheered in unison.

The Dragon Lord rose and left, followed by the rest of the demons, save for his own inner circle.

The departing demons looked at the Crocodile Demon with genuine gratitude; had it not been for him, many more would likely have died today.

A Catfish Demon stepped forward and said, "Many thanks, General Crocodile. Had it not been for you, we would likely have met our end here today."

"Think nothing of it. We are brothers; we must look out for one another. I understand the principle that if the lips are gone, the teeth will be cold," the Crocodile Demon replied courteously.

This Catfish Demon represented another faction. While all were titled commanders, five hundred years ago, there had only been four: the Whisker-Fish, the Catfish, the Crocodile, and the Eel.

They had been sworn brothers: the Crocodile as the eldest, the Whisker-Fish as the second, the Eel (the current Dragon Lord) as the third, and the Catfish as the fourth. It was hard to believe how they had become like strangers over the centuries.

The Eel had become the Dragon Lord after awakening the dragon bloodline within him—thin, but true. Through cultivation and being ordained as the Dragon King of Dongting Lake by the human imperial court of the previous dynasty, he had gained the backing of the land’s fortune, allowing his cultivation to soar far beyond the others.

The Catfish Demon nodded silently. Ever since the Eel had turned into a dragon, they had drifted apart. To reach such a point today—even killing the Whisker-Fish—was harrowing. If the Crocodile Demon hadn’t intentionally let his guard down, it was questionable whether the Whisker-Fish could have escaped at all.

"Fourth Brother will remember this favor, Big Brother," the Catfish Demon said quietly. "Whatever you need in the future, just say the word."

The Crocodile Demon patted the Catfish Demon’s shoulder. "I will."

The two then split the demons into two groups and went to attend to their respective affairs.