Chapter Seventy-Seven: A Common Enemy

When the time comes, it will depend on her own choices, as it is inevitably tied to her own path. Regardless, she must enter the world and temper her heart. He then spoke to Qing.

“You will still need to take a journey through the world of mortals.”

Qing thought it over and agreed, feeling enthusiastic about the prospect of venturing into the realm of humanity. She said, “My elder brother and second sister always told me the outside world is dangerous, and it could be risky for someone like me. When I see my elder brother, could you speak well of me? Then he’ll let me go.”

“Your elder brother? Aren’t you three sisters—Da Qing, Er Qing, and Xiao Qing?” Wang Yuanfeng assumed, hearing Qing and Er Qing, that there must also be a Da Qing. He hadn’t asked carefully, falling into a misunderstanding. But from Qing’s words, he realized he was wrong.

“No, not at all.” Qing shook her head, seeing Wang Yuanfeng’s confusion about her siblings’ origins, and explained, “The three of us are siblings. My elder brother is called Da Jiao, my second sister is Er Qing, and I am Xiao Qing.”

“Qing is right. Our elder brother is of the jiao-dragon lineage. I imagine you have guessed something about our origins?” A sudden voice came from afar, a flash of azure light transformed into a dignified and graceful woman—Er Qing, who had been summoned by Qing’s message.

Wang Yuanfeng nodded to her, both as a greeting and to acknowledge that he indeed knew they were beings who had attained the Dao by other means. With Xiao Cui at home, who had accompanied him for five years, he was quite familiar with the aura of such beings and had long confirmed their identities. Yet he had never used any spell to scrutinize them, showing his respect. After all, no one wishes to be observed inside and out—it would be impolite.

Qing saw Er Qing and ran over cheerfully. “Second sister, you’re here! Brother Yuanfeng is amazing. He said if I behave well, he’ll teach me magic.”

“Sorry to trouble you,” Er Qing looked at Qing helplessly, knowing Qing was fond of playful mischief. She offered an apologetic look to Wang Yuanfeng.

Wang Yuanfeng waved his hand. “No trouble at all. Miss Qing is sincere by nature, and besides, in my current state, I rely on her.”

Er Qing looked at Qing by her side and sensed something different. Qing, who used to act thoughtlessly, now seemed to have matured, as if suddenly understanding much more. It was a good sign. She secretly thought this gentleman truly was extraordinary. But since he didn’t speak of himself, she didn’t ask, silently keeping this kindness in her heart.

She noticed Wang Yuanfeng’s puzzled expression and realized he must be curious about their elder brother, so she said, “Are you wondering why our elder brother is a jiao-dragon, while Qing and I are of serpent lineage?”

Wang Yuanfeng nodded, indeed finding it strange. Most importantly, when Er Qing mentioned the jiao-dragon body, a tremor ran through his spiritual consciousness, specifically in the eastern Azure Dragon position. There were several of these, which he had to take seriously. The integrity of the cosmic instrument was crucial to attaining the Dao; he could not afford to be careless.

He wished to know their elder brother and perhaps forge a connection. He listened as Er Qing explained.

“The three of us siblings once followed a snake charmer, whom we call Old Father. We all originated as green snakes of Daofu Mountain and later attained the Dao.

But our elder brother, during an evolution, entered a state of suspended animation. Old Father thought him dead, and as it happened on Lake Tai Xuan, he buried him beside a small mountain by the lake.

Unexpectedly, he was buried right where the Tai Xuan dragon vein produced a dragon pearl, and the burial coincided with the solar term of Awakening of Insects. The dragon energy was absorbed by our elder brother. Though we were originally green snakes with no dragon blood, he transformed into a jiao—a dragon without horns, distinct from true dragons, purely of jiao lineage. Thus, he is called Da Jiao.”

Wang Yuanfeng understood now. With the right time, place, and people, and the dragon vein in play, such a rare phenomenon occurred. That jiao form, he suspected, was unique under heaven.

This anomaly matched precisely the form of the Horned Jiao in the eastern Azure Dragon quadrant of his cosmic instrument. He resolved to meet this being in the future. Hearing mention of Lake Tai Xuan, which lay in the Southern Continent and matched his own destination, he surmised Da Jiao, having inherited the dragon vein, must be a natural water deity. It would be logical for them to be together. Judging by their tone, their relationship was strong; it made no sense for Qing and Er Qing to reside here instead. Yet, considering the chaos in the Southern Continent, he wondered if their brother was involved. He hoped not to find themselves on opposing sides.

He asked, “I’ve heard of rebellion in the Southern Continent, dragons stirring everywhere. Do you know anything about this?”

Er Qing sighed. “It’s true, rebellion has left the people displaced, suffering, and on the surface, it looks like dragons are rising everywhere.”

“Oh?” Wang Yuanfeng sensed this was not a simple matter and asked, “Is there more to the Southern Continent rebellion?”

Er Qing nodded and explained what she knew. “It’s all the work of the Dragon King of Dongting Lake. He’s triggered every dragon vein, large and small, in the Southern Continent to break them one by one, aiming to unify the region and secure his divine seat.

Normally, our brother would bring us to the snake cave of Daofu Mountain each year, but this time, with the Dragon King shrouding Dongting Lake in fog, our brother came here to guard against him.”

Wang Yuanfeng felt relieved—so they did not often come here, and it seemed they were not allied with the Dragon King of Dongting Lake. From their tone, they were clearly preparing to oppose him. He decided to share his own purpose.

“To be honest, my destination this time is also connected to the Southern Continent. My father is Marquis of Wu’an, who leads the imperial army to quell the rebellion. I am headed there, but know nothing of the land. I hope you may help me when the time comes, Miss Er Qing.”

Er Qing thought to herself, so it was as expected. She knew Wang Yuanfeng was from Shengjing, and wouldn’t come here without reason. The route from Shengjing to here formed a straight line, and a hundred miles ahead lay the water veins of Dongting Lake.

Though the Great Liang dynasty was in turmoil, the greatest issue was the rebellion sweeping the entire Southern Continent. The dynasty was divided into five regions: the Central Continent where Shengjing was located; the Eastern Continent ruled by the King of Nine Mountains; the Northern Continent under the General of Zhenyuan; the barren Western Continent; and the Southern Continent now in revolt.

For the dynasty, this was a matter of utmost urgency. The Marquis of Wu’an was renowned, his reputation intimidating monsters and demons across the realm, keeping the peace. Er Qing thought, if the Marquis was going, it would be no problem. She was surprised to learn Wang Yuanfeng was his son and said,

“With the Marquis of Wu’an on the march, I expect the monsters of the Southern Continent will soon be suppressed.”

“Alas, it’s not so simple. My father only leads ten thousand troops. Though all are elite, they are no match for tens of thousands of rebels.” Wang Yuanfeng sighed, feeling helpless.

“What? What is the emperor thinking, sending ten thousand to their deaths?” Qing was angry, knowing the entire Southern Continent was in revolt. Even the imperial garrison of a hundred thousand had been beaten back to Jiangnan at the border of the Southern and Eastern Continents. Sending the Marquis with ten thousand, however elite, was sending them to die.

Er Qing considered the emperor’s years of suspicion toward the Marquis, the rumors of seeking immortals and longevity medicine, and thought the emperor capable of such schemes. She began to worry for the ten thousand troops.

“Let’s finish our business here and hurry back to the Southern Continent. I can contact my brother, and together we can confront the Dragon King of Dongting Lake.” Er Qing voiced her thoughts.

She reasoned that with the Marquis’s elite troops, her brother’s Tai Xuan Lake faction would not be so vulnerable.

Wang Yuanfeng agreed, seeing the logic—if they could ally, his father would be much safer. He was not optimistic about the situation, hoping only to survive. The intelligence from the Jia Commerce indicated that Tai Xuan Lake was a force to be reckoned with.

The Southern Continent had two main water veins. Dongting Lake dominated much, but Tai Xuan Lake could not be underestimated. If their alliance stabilized a third of the land, it would be a win-win. Action was needed quickly, but his father’s army’s movements were unknown; he would have to go himself and assess the situation.

Wang Yuanfeng said to Er Qing, “Thank you, Miss Er Qing. I’ll contact my father as soon as possible and reach out to your brother. The sooner, the better. Let’s resolve this matter first.”

Qing nodded in agreement. “Let’s deal with that deer spirit. If we don’t, it remains a hidden danger. Once that’s settled, I’ll contact my brother.”

The three discussed and decided to resolve the matter of the deer spirit quickly. They planned to follow the tracks and find him. Daofu Mountain had only a few spirits who had attained the Dao; a sudden appearance was surely abnormal. Whether he sought the snake cave’s spiritual vein or was connected to the deer spirit, it needed investigation.

The three concealed their auras and followed the trail left by Flower Maiden and her companions.

Sure enough, after a quarter of an hour, they found a small cottage made of thatch. They quickly hid themselves.

Wang Yuanfeng sensed carefully and was startled. He thought to himself, it was as expected.

“What is it, Brother Yuanfeng? Did you discover something?” Qing noticed his expression and asked.

Er Qing watched intently, holding her breath, afraid the cultivator here might notice. Hearing Qing speak, she signaled Qing to remain silent.

Wang Yuanfeng waved his hand, setting up a simple barrier around them—a basic screen against spiritual and divine senses, useful in the wild to keep beasts at bay. At this distance, it sufficed.

He told them his findings, “Our guess was correct. This is indeed the deer spirit’s temporary refuge.”

He thought for a moment, then continued, “The man pushed off the cliff was An Youyu. But there are two other monsters here. If we fight head-on, we’ll be at a disadvantage. We must wait for the right moment.”

Er Qing and Qing agreed, realizing that even with Wang Yuanfeng’s current state, dealing with the deer spirit would be difficult, let alone with two more. They nodded in assent.