Chapter 396: Ambush (4k)

April 17, consecutive days of clear weather.

On the Jianghuai Wetland, not a single sail was visible; birds flew overhead, fish leapt from the water, yet only shimmering ripples surged—utterly lifeless, dead silent.

The great serpent coiled there; no boat dared sail, and ordinary birds and fish dared not surface.

Hundreds of soldiers stood atop the river mouth, erecting a ritual platform that cast a continuous shadow; beyond its center, a large crowd of civilians gathered, murmuring about the figures on the high platform.

"Neighbor, neighbor, I just arrived—can you tell me, who's the Water Control Commandant?"

"There—he's the tall, most handsome one to the left of the county magistrate."

"Why's he so young? Not as weathered as my eldest brother—how can he control the great serpent?"

"What do you know? Scholars say: ambition isn't bound by age! He's favored by the Emperor—do you understand?"

Hearing it was the Emperor's favored man, the questioner fell silent and stretched his neck to join the crowd.

But they were too far to see what was happening on the platform—only glimpses of figures whispering to each other.

On the ritual platform, County Magistrate Liu Liu Shiqin stepped forward and asked:

"Daoist, what does the divination show?"

The old Daoist's face was grim, his white beard trembling: "Treading the tiger's tail, it bites—ominous! My lord, today is unfit for warfare—it will bring bloodshed!"

"Ah, this…"

All present exchanged glances, turning their eyes to Liang Qu.

Liang Qu was indignant.

He never wanted divination—Magistrate Liu Liu Shiqin insisted on it, boasting of a famed Daoist—but now, before everyone, he'd produced an omen of doom.

Zhang family, Li family—now they need a Liu family too.

Liang Qu rummaged in his satchel and tossed out an object: "Daoist, burn this instead—divine again."

The old Daoist reached out and caught it—a pitch-black turtle shell. His fingertips traced its surface; though smooth to the eye, it felt rough with granular texture.

"This… an Xuan Turtle Shell!? Lord Liang possesses such a treasure?"

"Found by chance. Daoist, please divine once more for me."

The old Daoist said nothing. He ordered the platform removed, gathered firewood, spread incense ash on the ground, then ignited the dry wood with collected Chi Yang Fire.

Crackling.

Flames roared high—the old Daoist hurled the Xuan Turtle Shell into them.

Flames wrapped and licked the shell; cracks spread radially from its central line like branching twigs.

When the fire died, the Daoist pried the shell loose with a wooden sword, studying its patterns.

Everyone stretched their necks.

Liu Liu Shiqin asked again: "Daoist, what does the divination show?"

"Treading the tiger's tail, it does not bite—auspicious!"

Li Li Xiaoheng interjected: "Auspicious? So it's good fortune?"

"No. Treading the tiger's tail, yet not bitten—means danger with hidden fortune. Temporary hardship, but no fatal peril."

"Then it's a good omen?"

"A good omen." The old Daoist wiped sweat from his brow. "My skills are crude—I nearly delayed matters. Shameful, shameful. Lord Liang, might you part with this Xuan Turtle Shell? I'll pay dearly!"

"We'll discuss it after."

"Lord Liang Shui, my Zhang and Li families also have modest strength—would you need…"

Zhang Wenhua and Li Li Xiaoheng stepped forward to inquire.

They'd been reluctant to hand over treasures, but now facing the great serpent, they hoped for any edge.

"No need. The serpent stirs chaos in the water—your men joining me would only add needless casualties."

Saying this, Liang Qu ignored them, jammed a mouthpiece filled with elixirs between his teeth, seized his long spear, and walked alone to the riverbank, leaping in.

Splash.

Foam bubbled on the shore.

The crowd pressed closer, eyes following the foam's drift.

The wetland shimmered—no trace of a human remained.

"Incredible speed!"

"My lords, what now? Wait?"

"To Kui Pavilion!" Liu Liu Shiqin turned, pointing to a tall tower by the river. "The highest point in my county—perfect view of the entire wetland!"

The group hurried back.

Li Li Xiaoheng and Zhang Wenhua moved fastest.

If the serpent wasn't slain, and the desperate rat bit the weasel, their families must be ready to flee.

The villagers outside followed closely behind.

Kui Pavilion stood atop a low hill; even if soldiers blocked access, the view was far superior.

————

Splash~

Liang Qu plunged into the water, instantly activating Water Movement—the surroundings shimmered into blue light.

When the transformed scene stabilized, countless silver bubbles drifted upward.

Underwater beasts sensed the aura and raised their heads one by one.

"My lord!"

Long Pingjiang and Long Pinghe approached, holding explosive spears; Fat Catfish, "Can't Move," and other beasts gathered around.

Liang Qu, mouth full of the mouthpiece, could not speak. He stowed the explosive spears and gazed at the large net behind them.

The two brothers understood at once, pulling out two massive fishing nets.

The nets were enormous, crammed with dense schools of tiny fish; the lingering serpent aura made them thrash wildly.

Liang Qu's eyes blazed golden, molten lava swirling in his pupils, releasing overwhelming pressure that swept invisibly through the water.

Instantly, the thrashing fish stilled, turning as one to face Liang Qu—like a disciplined army awaiting command.

Long Pingjiang and Long Pinghe's pupils shrank.

Only now did they understand why Liang Qu had ordered them to catch fish.

Liang Qu opened and closed his fingers; the current pulled the net open.

Countless tiny fish, their silver bellies flashing in sunlight, surged forth like a silver storm, scattering in all directions to hunt the serpent.

According to the Zhang and Li families, the serpent was at least a Tiger-Mid realm beast—its sense of aura was sharp. Sending Fat Catfish or the Dragon People to search was too dangerous; a full realm gap meant instant death if they erred.

The Zeling Zerong was fully fused—every underwater technique enhanced. Even if the fish escaped the Golden Eyes' control, the command would last at least half a day, obeying instinctive orders—perfect as expendable scouts.

Yet before the dispatched fish returned any signal, two black serpents first sensed the anomaly and surged toward them from afar.

Their long black shadows intertwined, each over twenty zhang in length, radiating terrifying power.

Two great spirit beasts!

The serpent had blocked vast stretches of Xiangyi's waterways, causing the common people to wail—clearly, it wasn't acting alone! 【126】 Then, strands of dark blue lightning flickered, and the spearhead of the pure white water spear turned wax-yellow.

Liang Qu turned his head.

"My lord, leave them to us!"

Long Pingjiang and Long Pinghe didn't hesitate—they charged forward to intercept; "Can't Move" and other beasts followed.

As they maneuvered, swirling water bubbles obscured the battle between Dragon People, water beasts, and serpent monsters.

Yet the serpent monsters were too bulky to match Long Pingjiang's agility—he sidestepped and slammed his fist into the serpent's chin, dazing its head.

"Can't Move" seized the chance, gaping wide and biting the serpent's tail, spewing thick black blood, then tearing and rolling—ripping off nearly half the serpent's body in one strike!

Long Pingjiang never imagined the crocodile blessed by Lord Long could be so ferocious. The thrill of victory stirred memories of his humiliation—driven from the Dragon Palace by the dragon—his battle fury surged!

Liang Qu glanced briefly, his focus fixed on the fish.

Dragon People and "Can't Move," three against two, already held advantage; with Yuan Tou and others aiding, losing would be the oddity.

Soon, black serpent scales flew through the water, blood gushing from severed bodies, staining vast patches of water, rising in thick clouds.

The battle raged fiercely.

Then, one of Liang Qu's dispatched fish sent back a signal—he tensed.

"Here it comes!"

No sooner had he spoken than Long Pinghe, still pounding the serpent's head, froze—overwhelming pressure and murderous intent surged from all sides. He looked up: a monstrous black shadow, over a hundred zhang long, hurtled through the murky water toward them!

As Liang Qu focused his Golden Eyes and saw the shadow clearly, a strong sense of familiarity rose—he clenched Dragon Fubo tightly.

That serpent… looked familiar… as if he'd cut it down before…

————

Beneath Kui Pavilion, crowds surged, noise thick.

With lives at stake, more and more civilians climbed trees to watch.

Many trees snapped under weight and collapsed, yet still could not stop the masses climbing the hill, murmuring over the blood staining the river.

"Blood! Blood! Half a tail just flung out! So long!"

"So long—that's the serpent? The imperial court's men are truly powerful!"

"No, not the serpent—I saw it before! That serpent was much bigger—at least a hundred zhang long!"

"Hey hey hey, look south! Look south! Huge waves!"

All turned—and gasped in horror.

A silver thread appeared at the horizon, as if the wetland's surface had been thinly plated with silver.

That was in fact a colossal tide reaching to the sky, its crest bearing rolling white waves!

Under clear blue skies, how could such massive waves appear?

Someone with sharp eyes shouted: "There's something beneath the waves!"

Everyone scrambled higher and suddenly saw that beneath the endless white foam lay an unmissable, elongated black shadow!

So huge!

Terrifyingly huge!

One villager's limbs went weak, his legs trembling, unable to grip the branch any longer—he fell.

"Wait, that's no snake—it's a dragon! It's a dragon!"

On the top floor of Kuige, Li Li Xiaoheng and Zhang Wenhur peered out the window more clearly, gripping their fists tightly.

Even seasoned wolf-smoke experts couldn't help but tremble before that terrifying size.

Over a hundred zhang long.

That's no snake—it's a dragon!

Just as the crowd panicked, a hazy, vast fog suddenly rose from the marsh, spreading like milky milk, engulfing the entire marsh and expanding outward.

Liu Liu Shiqin stared in shock, leaning out and gazing upward.

Bright sun, clear sky, midday—perfect weather, couldn't be better.

Why were there massive waves ahead and thick fog behind?

On the water, the great waves collided with the dense fog, churning it violently—but that was all; the waves were instantly swallowed by the fog, as if swallowed by the sea.

Beneath the water.

The vast pressure of the giant snake collapsed like a mountain, surging in layers; the small fish under Liang Qu's golden eyes shattered into blood mist, mixing with the lake water, leaving no trace.

The dragon-man tensed every muscle, overwhelming fear surging in his heart.

This was an instinctive, uncontrollable reaction to a powerful creature!

Only the aquatic beasts under Liang Qu's command showed no great disturbance; "Don't Move" released the dying spirit-snake, and its twin horns emitted blue light, weaving the Divine Wood imprint.

Facing the monstrous snake charging from over ten li away, carrying a tidal wave, Liang Qu's golden eyes blazed as he drew the Deepwood Longbow, opening his vortex orifice—a water spear materialized.

Whirling storm winds swirled, revealing a sky dragon tens of meters long, its scales opening and closing, its long whiskers fluttering as they infused the water spear with a faint blue glow.

Then, strands of dark blue lightning flickered, and the spearhead of the pure white water spear turned wax-yellow.

Blood stains spread across the Deepwood Bow; the string snapped with a crack, and a white streak shot forth—even the dragon-man brothers sensed immense danger.

The water spear moved through the water without resistance, reaching its target in an instant—but the snake, despite its devastating power, did not dodge—it charged straight into it!

BOOM!

Violent currents whipped the seabed like whips; the spear merely scraped along the scales, leaving only a faint scratch in Liang Qu's golden eyes!

Long Pingjiang realized something was wrong—the snake demon was stronger than he'd imagined!

"My lord, we must flee at once!"

He knew Liang Qu had a technique allowing him to leap through water at unimaginable speed—perfect for escape; the snake demon couldn't catch up, or he'd have already begged to die.

But Liang Qu acted as if he heard nothing—like a man who'd swallowed a scale, determined to face the snake demon; his bones and tendons cracked like a string of firecrackers, water spears continuously emerging, arrows flying in rapid succession.

Suddenly, the underwater space filled with muffled booms, a vast rain of arrows bursting forth like a school of fish leaving their nest, covering the sky and earth.

The snake demon, now within three li, had no choice but to close its eyelids, its ferocious face twisting with even greater rage.

The arrows surged like a tide; though they caused no harm, they stung like ants biting—infuriating!

Just as the snake demon closed its eyes, shielding its weak point, Liang Qu flicked his forearm, nocking a short, thick solid arrow onto the Deepwood Bow, firing it amid the countless water spears.

A flicker of dread passed through the giant snake's mind.

It snapped its eyes open—the short spear was already upon it; there was no time to dodge!

The torrent swept past its wildly twisting, monstrous head, striking its waist.

The bursting spear split open layer by layer, releasing a terrifying aura like a blooming flower.

BOOM!

A white sphere erupted, violent currents slamming forward.

The dragon-man plunged downward, clinging desperately to the riverbed mud.

On the river's surface, shrouded in thick fog, nothing could be seen—until a mountain-like bulge swelled, then exploded like a volcanic eruption!

Thousands of tons of water burst outward in chaos.

The thick fog swelled into a bubble hundreds of meters wide, then—as if pierced by an unseen needle—briefly revealed the churning river beneath.

Yet almost instantly, a second bubble swelled!

There were only two bursting spears—and perhaps only one chance to use them!

Liang Qu decisively pressed the advantage!

Long Pingjiang witnessed the extraordinary power of the bursting spear for the first time—he never imagined the two short spears he carried had such devastating force; he stood speechless.

Long Pingjiang couldn't help but ask:

"Is it dead?"

But what awaited him was not an answer—it was violent, ferocious water!

The instant the snake demon entered his perception circle, Liang Qu's mind snapped—the vortex violently tore the dragon-man aquatic beasts apart to either side.

A monstrous, terrifying snake head burst from the chaotic currents, missing its target but sending up a spray of white foam!

The dragon-man, flung far away by the vortex, turned back—overjoyed.

The snake demon's overwhelming aura had plummeted; its entire right flank, from waist to belly, had lost all scales—as if a vast chunk of flesh had been torn away, leaving only a thin membrane over its organs!

The short spear's effect was astonishingly effective!

But this only enraged the snake demon utterly; its dark yellow eyes filled with bloodshot veins, fixed unblinkingly on the culprit.

Liang Qu whipped his spear, no words—slashed straight down!