Chapter Sixty-Six: Azure Flood Dragon

This blue-faced, single-horned dragon was originally a green snake living in the forests beside Taixuan Lake. After absorbing the dragon qi of the land, it transformed into a flood dragon. As for how it made its way here, it never disclosed the story to anyone.

He knew well enough himself. He had once been a green snake named Great Green. From birth, he followed a snake charmer, obeying his commands daily, performing tricks for coins tossed by passersby. For ten years, he and the snake charmer relied on each other for survival. One day, he felt the urge to shed his skin, instinctively entering hibernation.

The snake charmer thought he had died. At that time, the charmer was near the market by Taixuan Lake and buried him in the mountain forest beside the lake. By chance, there was dragon qi from the green wood present. When he awoke, he discovered a single horn had grown from his head, and four claws had sprouted.

He went searching for the snake charmer, nearly destroyed by demon slayers along the way. Eventually, he found another green snake in a forest. Upon inquiry, she revealed her name was Second Green. She had followed the snake charmer for over ten years, but grew too large for him to carry, so she was released back into the wild.

Second Green, accustomed to human company, was unafraid and sought closeness, often dashing about and frightening many with her ever-growing size. Numerous demon slayers came for her, but she dispatched them all without ever taking a life. Eventually, they summoned the snake charmer, who told her she had gained spirituality and should cultivate quietly in the forest, refraining from scaring people.

Second Green agreed, but seeing the snake charmer aged and alone, she brought a spirited green snake to keep him company, so he could continue snake charming and not be lonely. This snake was named Little Green.

After Little Green accompanied the snake charmer until his lonely death, she returned to the forest.

Little Green joined Second Green and the flood dragon in life thereafter.

Originally named Great Green by the snake charmer, he found the name too feminine after learning to read, especially now that he had become a flood dragon. So he gave himself the name Great Flood Dragon.

The three lived together at Taixuan Lake. Later, they noticed the Dragon King of Dongting Lake wreaking havoc, causing suffering among the people. Once, the Dragon King's son came ashore and devoured humans, witnessed by Little Green while playing outside. Unable to stand it, she tried to intervene and ultimately killed the Dragon King's son.

This seeded enmity. The shrimp soldiers and crab generals came seeking vengeance, threatening to raze Taixuan Lake unless Little Green was handed over. He refused, fought them off, and subdued the waters of Taixuan Lake by force, establishing his own domain.

He had no surname, and the snake charmer had never mentioned his own. Considering that the three siblings belonged to the wood element, and his horn resembled wood, and they lived in water, he decided on the surname Mu. Thus, he became Mu Great Flood Dragon, Second Green became Mu Second Green, and Little Green became Mu Little Green. He planned to tell them when they returned.

As for the Dragon King of Dongting Lake, although he could not defeat him, the king could not easily subdue him either. Taixuan Lake had dozens of rebel kings, but under his leadership, there was no rampant warfare—some conflicts, perhaps, but the people could still live in peace.

The Dragon King wanted to recruit a son-in-law; he, on the contrary, would not let him succeed. Not only did he intercept the invitation, but he planned to disrupt the event. Though at odds with the Dragon King, the latter had never met him, and he feared no others. Mu Great Flood Dragon turned, transformed into a handsome young man clad in blue. Satisfied with his reflection in the mirror, he laughed, leapt into the air, and flew out of the palace.

He fixed his gaze in the direction of Dongting Lake and soared toward it.

Meanwhile, three hundred miles ahead of Tianzhu Mountain, near the border of the Southern Prefecture, two young women in verdant attire walked along the road. The elder, graceful and about eighteen, the younger, no more than fourteen or fifteen, with a hint of childishness lacking the elder’s gentle composure. Along the way, they alternated between hunting mountain fowl and chasing wild rabbits.

At that moment, the younger was teasing a little red monkey she had caught, dangling it playfully. The monkey, intimidated by her mischievousness, dared not show its anger, baring its teeth and grimacing incessantly.

She addressed the monkey, "Come, give sister a smile."

The little red monkey only grimaced harder. Noting its audacity, she grabbed its hands and tickled its armpits.

The monkey struggled, squeaking loudly, making the girl burst into a peal of laughter like silver bells.

The elder girl watched her mischievous antics. Whether in town markets or wild fields, the younger always found amusement, often at others’ expense. This monkey was originally in a hunter’s possession, but the younger snatched it. Seeing her fondness, the elder bought it from the hunter for ten silver coins. She shook her head and said helplessly, "Little Green, stop being so naughty; you’ll wear the monkey out."

"Second Sister, look how fun it is! Let me play a while longer," Little Green replied without a second thought, continuing to tease the monkey.

These two were none other than the two green snakes who followed the snake charmer at Taixuan Lake—Second Green, gentle and graceful, and Little Green, lively and mischievous.

Second Green gazed at the monkey dangling lifelessly in Little Green's hand, feeling a pang of sympathy, and warned, "If you keep this up, I’ll send you home first next time."

Seeing Second Sister’s irritation, Little Green grew fearful. The water palace of Taixuan Lake was dull; everyone there had suffered her tricks. Her brother never took her out, so this rare outing with Second Sister could not be squandered. She rushed to Second Green and pleaded, "Second Sister, don’t send me back! I promise to behave."

She put on a pitiful face.

Second Green shook her head, having seen this act countless times. The promises always vanished as soon as she turned her back. Remembering their mission, she said, "We’re almost at Blade-Axe Mountain. We need to collect stalactites from the Snake Cave. Keeping the monkey isn’t convenient; let it go."

Little Green considered this. The Snake Cave at Blade-Axe Mountain was her brother’s birthplace, home to many snakes and stalactites, which were harvested annually. Her brother usually brought them, but due to the Dragon King’s troubles, Second Sister had to lead the trip this year.

Thinking of the Dragon King, Little Green was filled with resentment. If not for him, the three siblings would not be separated. He abused his power as the water god, bullying others. If she ever became a water god, she would fight for justice. The idea seemed viable.

She glanced at the adorable monkey, reluctant to part. She looked plaintively at Second Sister.

Second Green pressed a hand to her brow, defeated by Little Green’s antics. “We are creatures who attained the Dao. We followed the old master because he treated us as his children, always saving the best for us. Look at the monkey—it’s lively and playful. Holding it captive, it surely isn’t happy.”

The little monkey listened intently, showing human-like gratitude toward Second Green.

Little Green pondered. Second Sister’s "old father" meant the snake charmer, whom the siblings affectionately called so. She remembered how he spent all his earnings on her, took her everywhere, and always resolved the trouble she caused. Fearing she would be unprotected after his death, he moved with her to the forest.

Thinking of the snake charmer, she looked at the monkey’s earnest gaze and softened. Still reluctant, she said, "Little monkey, I can release you, but you must promise not to run away and stay by my side. If you agree, nod your head."

The monkey’s eyes widened, and it nodded vigorously.

Little Green patted its head and smiled, “That’s better. You’ll enjoy good food with sister.” She set the monkey on the ground.

The monkey stood obediently at her side, but its eyes darted furtively.

Feeling accomplished, Little Green turned to Second Green, “Second Sister, what do you think?” Suddenly, she noticed Second Sister’s ambiguous smile. Glancing around, she muttered, “Where’s the monkey?”

Looking into the distance, she saw a fiery red figure darting across the treetops, vanishing in a blink. Little Green shouted after it, “Next time, don’t let me see you!”

She felt crestfallen, having trusted it only to be deceived. Second Green comforted, “Its nature is different from ours. Raised in the wild, it will return once it understands.”

Little Green looked at Second Sister, “Really?”

“Mm.” Second Green nodded solemnly. “Both your brother and I did the same—thinking fondly of the old father, we secretly went back to see him.”

Little Green considered this, nodded seriously, and the two continued toward the Snake Cave at Blade-Axe Mountain.

Meanwhile, at the Mountain God Temple atop Tianzhu Mountain—once called Black Wolf Mountain—the place had grown lively. Jia Cheng, following the Fourth Young Master’s orders, had reported to the Jia family. The family head sent support; workers, shopkeepers, and apprentices from all over had gathered, numbering more than a hundred, with more still arriving.

End of page.