Chapter 64: Moyuan of Bibo Lake

“What covers one’s clear vision is selfish desire…”

Tang Mingjing pondered these words over and over as he walked. He wasn’t a man obsessed with power or wealth, so what could they mean?

What made this even stranger was that Tong Zhihuan hadn’t seemed to speak a single word to the master at all. So how had those words been delivered?

And then…

The rain that had stopped precisely after fifteen minutes.

Exactly fifteen minutes.

Tang Mingjing’s sense of time was precise. He felt certain it hadn’t been a moment longer or shorter.

“Too strange…”

He turned and looked back at the Taoist Temple upon the hill, his brow deeply furrowed.

“Brother Mingjing, what are you thinking about?”

“Nothing.”

Tang Mingjing snapped back to reality and withdrew his gaze. He dismissed it as just spooking himself and didn’t think about it further.

The group of four first returned to Autumn Moon Market and then took a horse cart back to Yan County.

But unexpectedly, their journey…

Was far from peaceful.

…

Miss Tao’er grew tired of bickering with Tong Zhihuan, so she came to the backyard to watch the master practice his sword.

Truthfully, the master’s sword practice wasn’t particularly impressive. There was no aura of deadly sharpness, nor any special beauty. Sometimes his movements were even slow and sluggish. Yet, Miss Tao’er watched patiently.

She felt there must be deep truths hidden within the master’s Sword Art.

“You awakened your spirit in winter, didn’t you?”

Chen Changsheng asked as he practiced his sword.

“Yes,” Tao’er replied.

Chen Changsheng said, “A summer cicada wouldn’t know about autumn wasps. Though I often come to Autumn Moon Market, I have never seen snow here. Though I heard about a heavy snowfall many years ago.”

Tao’er blinked and asked, “Master, do you like snowy days?”

Chen Changsheng answered, “I wouldn’t say I like them. I just miss seeing them, as it’s been too long.”

Tao’er asked curiously, “Didn’t it snow anywhere the master has been these past years?”

“The places I go…”

Chen Changsheng shook his head, “Have no wind, no rain. And no snow.”

Tao’er hummed thoughtfully, “Tao’er has seen the wind blow, listened to the rain fall, and even seen snow at the temple. That means the master hasn’t lived as well as Tao’er.”

Hearing this, Chen Changsheng chuckled, “People everywhere live better lives than me.”

Tao’er declared, “Master, don’t worry. Master will see snow. When it snows at year’s end, Tao’er will save some snow. When Master returns, Tao’er will show it to you.”

Chen Changsheng laughed warmly, “Because you haven’t seen the world, you have this pure innocence. Rare and precious indeed. From now on, you can grind the ink for me here.”

Tao’er’s eyes lit up, “Can Tao’er look at the things Master writes?”

Chen Changsheng sheathed his sword and nodded, “Of course.”

Tao’er felt a rush of excitement. She bowed gratefully, “Thank you, Master! Thank you, Master!”

The characters Master wrote couldn’t be ordinary! Seeing them would be like an Immortal guiding the way!

If she could gain even a little understanding from them, it would be a great fortune!

…

The sky slowly darkened.

The rain that had stopped around noon began to fall again, though it was much lighter now.

Chilly gusts of wind swept through, making Tong Zhihuan shiver as he worked on his medical record in the Main Hall. It forced him to go inside and put on an extra layer.

“Creak…”

The temple gate seemed pushed by the wind, swinging open a crack.

“Is the wind so strong it can blow open doors?”

Tong Zhihuan saw this, lifted his head, and stood up to go close it.

As he reached the door, he stretched out his hand to push it shut. But through that crack, he saw an enormous shape sprawled before the temple entrance.

“Huh?!”

His eyes widened in horror that he couldn’t hide!

“Ma-master!!”

Tong Zhihuan shouted.

Bang!

He slammed the door shut, pressing his back against it, his heart pounded wildly.

His breath came fast, his throat swallowing hard.

Chen Changsheng walked into the Main Hall, seeing Tong Zhihuan in panic near the door. “Why the noise?” he asked.

Tong Zhihuan gasped, looking towards the master, “Master… outside… outside… there’s a snake!”

“A snake?”

Chen Changsheng frowned slightly, “Surely someone your age isn’t afraid of snakes?”

Tong Zhihuan gulped, “A huge snake! At least… fifty or sixty feet long!”

Chen Changsheng’s frown deepened. He walked forward.

Tong Zhihuan stepped aside.

Chen Changsheng opened the door a crack.

His gaze looked outside. There were dark, ink-black scales almost covering his view, followed by a head that seemed part snake, yet not entirely snake. Golden blood seeped from its mouth, dripping onto the ground.

Bang!

Chen Changsheng closed the door. He stood behind it, thinking.

Seeing the master nearby somewhat calmed Tong Zhihuan’s panic. “Master,” he asked nervously, “what was that…”

Chen Changsheng glanced sidelong at him and answered.

“A flood dragon!”

Hearing the word, Tong Zhihuan froze on the spot.

His lips moved, but no words came out.

Chen Changsheng lifted a hand and lightly touched the space between Tong Zhihuan’s brows.

A wisp of Golden Light sank into Tong Zhihuan’s forehead.

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Tong Zhihuan instantly felt calmer. He looked at the master.

Chen Changsheng said, “Go to the backyard. Remember, don’t look again!”

Tong Zhihuan started to speak, but fear seized his heart again.

He nodded, then obediently headed towards the back.

“What’s wrong?” Miss Tao’er asked as he entered.

Tong Zhihuan just shook his head, offering no explanation.

So, Miss Tao’er followed him deeper into the backyard.

The temple courtyard grew quiet.

Chen Changsheng paused. He opened the door again and stepped outside.

Snap.

The door closed behind him.

Chen Changsheng looked upon the immense Black Flood Dragon stretching dozens of feet before him. It gasped for breath, crackling arcs of lightning flickered on its charcoal-black wounds.

These were wounds inflicted by a Heavenly Tribulation!

The Black Flood Dragon opened its eyes. Its pupils shimmered with an oppressive force – Dragon’s Might. Already, it had dragon’s eyes!

“I am Moyuan of Bibo Lake. Master Chen… I beg your help.”

Its voice was faint, life clearly slipping away.

It had somehow endured the Tribulation, but its Dragon Ascension remained incomplete. Without completing the Water Crossing now, it feared it would die mid-journey.

Chen Changsheng frowned, “Shouldn’t you have undergone your Tribulation and Water Crossing two years ago?”

The flood dragon gasped, “There was… trouble. It was delayed until now. The Dragon Lord told me… only you could help me. That is why I came.”

Chen Changsheng fell silent.

This flood dragon wasn’t lying.

“The Heavenly Tribulation… I cannot heal its wounds. Seek another healer.”

Chen Changsheng made to turn away.

But he heard Moyuan speak again, “Not to heal my wounds… Master, please wait…”

Chen Changsheng stopped and turned back. “Then how can I help you, if not healing?”

Moyuan replied, “Beneath the West Bridge at Autumn Moon Market hangs a sword. If the Master can help me take down that sword… and aid my smooth Dragon Ascension… Moyuan will gladly bow down to serve you, Master.”

Chen Changsheng was stunned.

“That simple?”

“Yes.”