Chapter 111: Jun Yao

"Lord Jiuqu is dead! Come out and face me, you monkeys of the island!"

A waterfall of foul-smelling serpent blood cascaded down, splashing and instantly staining the surrounding seawater a deep crimson. The ten-thousand-foot-long Ba serpent let out another shrill hiss and lashed its tail with immense force. Its hideous, bone-exposed body coiled and surged, churning the clouds and waters into chaos, triggering thunderclaps from the clear sky!

Massive tidal waves roared like a continuous barrage of lightning. Within a radius of dozens of miles, the spiritual energy was thrown into utter disorder. Countless fish, shrimp, turtles, and crabs were shaken to death on the spot, their pale bellies floating to the surface. As the rolling waves swept over them, they tumbled and were carried off by the currents in all directions.

Surging waves roared, and a black haze shrouded the sky! Under the pressure of this chaotic phenomenon, the vast Linjiao Island beneath the Ba serpent seemed like a loose dune in a gale, tottering on the brink of destruction. It appeared as though a slightly stronger gust of wind would shatter it into nothing more than a heap of dust.

As Yue You, the Ba serpent, grew increasingly enraged, a young boy clad in golden robes and holding a bronze disc stepped onto a beam of cloud light, drifting leisurely out from Linjiao Island.

Seeing the scene, he revealed a faint, cold smirk. Unhurriedly, he activated the bronze disc in his hand and chanted a spell. A brilliant, expansive light bloomed like a canopy, spreading outward. Within a few breaths, it quelled the raging wind and rain, calmed the agitated sea, and forcibly suppressed the chaotic spiritual energy within dozens of miles into submission.

"Uncle Yue You, you truly have a volatile temper. Your anger has claimed the lives of many aquatic creatures in this sea."

The boy tossed the bronze disc into the air and swallowed it, then glanced at the deep red seawater beneath his feet and the dense piles of aquatic carcasses floating between the waves. He bowed to the towering, imposing Ba serpent coiled among the drifting clouds and glowing mist, smiling playfully.

"You must know that Heaven delights in life. It would be better for you, Uncle, to commit fewer killings in the future and spend more time quietly reciting the Qingjing Huangting. If your cultivation is hindered by karmic retribution later on, it would be a pity."

"Bullshit! You people on Linjiao Island are all of the ape tribe—just a bunch of mountain monkeys. Where do you get off preaching benevolence and morality? Do you really think that by putting on some clothes and learning a few characters and rituals, you’ve actually become human?"

Yue You sneered in disdain and lowered his body. His red-gold snake eyes, like two miniature suns, loomed closer, casting an eerie, hazy glow over the surrounding sea. A single glance was enough to make one’s heart tremble, a terrifying chill creeping over their skin, standing their hair on end.

"Your Linjiao Island has quite the cunning schemes and ambitions. Your father, Yuan Ju—that old monkey—also has great aspirations and spirit! But you aren't stupid enough to think that just by getting rid of Lord Jiuqu, you can rest easy in the East Sea from now on, are you?"

The coiled, hideous serpentine body slid down from the clouds. Though the movement was slow, it carried an indescribable sense of oppression. It felt like a massive dragon-pillar, spanning from the depths of the earth to the highest heavens, slowly toppling over right before one's eyes, pressing down until chests tightened and breath grew short.

"Even if I helped you eliminate Lord Jiuqu and wiped out his entire Wanjiu Island, can your Linjiao Island truly secure a foothold in these East Sea territories?"

By now, the gargantuan snake head was less than a hundred feet away from the boy. The flickering snake tongue darted out like a dazzling red mist, and the foul stench from its maw was nauseating.

"The old dragons of the East Sea will not tolerate such lawless rogues in their waters without cause. How can one allow others to snore beside one's own bed?"

Yue You hissed a laugh.

"Lord Jiuqu was a guest of the Third Prince. By having me kill him, your Linjiao Island has insulted the Third Prince of the East Sea and slapped his face! Has your father also defected to another prince? Otherwise, how could he be so bold as to risk his life?"

This laughter and questioning boomed like clashing thunderclouds. The boy on the cloud light acted as if he hadn't heard a word, his face remaining wreathed in playful smiles, offering no response.

"At such a young age, how are you so slippery? Judging by your heart, you’re no saint; you must be full of wicked schemes."

Seeing the boy smile without answering, Yue You suppressed his curiosity and stopped wasting breath. He spoke directly:

"Your father promised me that if I killed Lord Jiuqu for your Linjiao Island, he would lend me the 'World-Escaping Shuttle.' Does that still stand?"

"My father's word is as heavy as nine tripods; naturally, it stands," the boy replied, bowing toward the north with a smile.

"Lord Jiuqu is dead. I even smashed his Wanjiu Island to pieces with my tail. Every bird-kin on that island is dead and lies in my belly," Yue You said. "If you don't believe me, send a few monkeys to check; you'll see. I have fulfilled my end of the bargain; now it is your turn."

The boy on the cloud light looked deeply at Yue You. Compared to when he had left, the ten-thousand-foot snake body was covered in gruesome wounds. In several places, the flesh had been torn open, revealing the stark white bone beneath—a truly horrific sight.

*My father said that this Yue You only sent a spiritual projection here, not his true self. How could he possibly defeat Lord Jiuqu? Not to mention that Wanjiu Island is heavily fortified with arrays, as solid as an iron barrel. My Linjiao Island has been at odds with them for nearly sixty years and never managed to break their gates. How could a mere spiritual projection of Yue You possess such power? Is he trying to fool me because I am young? Does he just want to get his hands on the 'World-Escaping Shuttle' and run away?*

Thinking this, the boy found his logic sound. It was as if clouds had parted in his mind, leaving him clear-headed. Yue You’s true body was in the Southern Chan Province, within the 'Water-Borne Longevity' of the Innate Demon Sect. Even if he took the shuttle and fled, would they dare travel thousands of miles to that province to trouble him?

Not only would Linjiao Island not dare, but even if the twenty-four demon tribes of the South Sea joined forces and grew a hundred times the courage, they wouldn't dare. They would likely be turned into corpse puppets from afar before they even got halfway there. Life would be worse than death...

***

Thinking of this, the boy felt even more certain. He concluded that Yue You’s wounds were the result of a failed attack on Wanjiu Island, and that he had retreated in disgrace. Seeing that he was the only one guarding the island, Yue You was trying to trick him, banking on his perceived immaturity.

*I thought so. How could a mere spiritual projection have such heaven-shaking power? Does he think I’m ignorant and wants to treat me like a child? You foolish snake, I am not so easily tricked. How could you know the wisdom of Yuan Ping?*

The boy sneered inwardly. He had always despised Yue You’s arrogant and presumptuous nature, but he had feared his power. Now that he felt he had guessed Yue You’s sinister motives and caught him in a lie, he felt immensely smug.

"Uncle, are you certain you have killed Lord Jiuqu?" the boy asked, masking his inner amusement with a polite bow.

"Nonsense! I already told you. If you don't believe me, send a few monkeys to see for yourself!" Yue You said impatiently. "Hurry up and bring me the 'World-Escaping Shuttle.' I have important business and no time to waste here!"

"Wanjiu Island is quite a distance from our borders. My clansmen and I lack your cultivation level, Uncle, and cannot travel back and forth so easily," the boy smiled. "My father is currently away on an errand. Why not wait for his return to discuss this? As for the 'World-Escaping Shuttle,' it is a matter of great importance; I, with my meager standing, cannot make the call."

"Yuan Ping, didn't your father order you to act with full authority while he was away?" Yue You frowned.

"That is true, but if something were to go wrong, my small shoulders would hardly be able to bear the responsibility," the boy sighed, his lips curling into a smile. "How about I suggest two solutions for you, Uncle?"

Yue You stared at him.

"The first is to invite you to stay as a guest on Linjiao Island for a few days until my father returns. The second is for me to make the tiring journey myself to verify the situation at Wanjiu Island." The boy sighed. "However, the seas are rough, and with my limited cultivation, I fear you would still have to wait a few days on the island."

"Of course, if you are truly in a hurry to borrow the shuttle..." Seeing Yue You remain silent, the boy grew even more smug and spread his hands. "You need only produce Lord Jiuqu’s head or his personal artifact for me to witness, and then there will be no obstacle. How about that?"

After a moment of silence, the boy felt sure that Yue You had no answer. He displayed a cold, undisguised smirk, bowed dismissively, and drove his cloud light away, ignoring Yue You as he flew toward Linjiao Island.

*This Yue You is incredibly rude, constantly looking down on our ape tribe as if we were nothing but fur-clad beasts. Yet Father treats him with such respect—it’s infuriating! Now he thinks he can trick me because I’m young? Keep dreaming!*

As he felt smug, he secretly sent several messages to confidants on the island, planning to give Yue You a hard time. But before a result could be reached, the sky suddenly seemed to grow dark!

"Yue You... how dare you?!"

The boy was startled and looked up. One glance was enough to shatter his composure. A massive snake tail, carrying unparalleled force, was descending from the sky!

The wind roared, the gale clouds shattered, and the sea parted! Despite a desperate attempt to manifest a small relic before his face, the boy was struck by the tail like a kite with a broken string. His cloud light dissipated, and he plummeted violently into the sea.

"Damn it! Chen Yushu is waiting to see Chen Heng. In normal times, I might have the patience to play with you, but do you know what time it is, you brainless creature?"

The Ba serpent shifted, and with a flash of gray light, transformed into a young man in gray robes with an enchanting and wicked appearance. He fished the unconscious boy out of the sea, sneered coldly, and looked up.

His sudden outburst could not be hidden from the apes of Linjiao Island. Before long, battle formations were rolling, war cries shook the heavens, and demonic light surged—an army filled the sky. They only refrained from attacking because they feared for the boy’s life.

"I don't care what urgent business he has; tell Yuan Ju to return at once, or his son won't live! Also, open the island's protective barrier. I’m tired from fighting and want to go inside to rest!" Yue You said disdainfully. "You fur-clad beasts don't think this little formation can stop Yushu’s combat talismans, do you? I’m trying to be civil, but if you push me, I will shatter your entire island!"

This abuse made the hot-tempered apes boil with rage, their eyes turning blood-red. They leaped about in the clouds, desperate to swarm him and tear Yue You to pieces.

"Sir, you are a person of status; why bother with a little monkey? Ping’er is indeed rude..." At this critical juncture, several old apes with significant cultivation flew out of their caves, bowing and smiling bitterly. "But your slur about us being 'fur-clad beasts' is truly too much. Our ape tribe has long promoted civilization and established order—"

"Who wants to argue about that with you? I came to Linjiao Island days ago, and your island master, Yuan Ju, promised me that if I killed Lord Jiuqu for you wild monkeys, he would lend me the 'World-Escaping Shuttle'." Yue You lifted the unconscious boy and said, "Yuan Ju is away on orders now. I don't know whose orders, and I don't care. But he clearly entrusted the matters to this fool, and this little monkey has been obstructing me with evasive tactics. If not for Yuan Ju’s sake, I would have swallowed him already!"

"Sir—"

"Get Yuan Ju here immediately, or you monkeys decide for yourselves to give me the shuttle. Stop the nonsense!"

The old apes smiled bitterly. After a brief consultation, they called off the enraged apes, opened the barrier, and invited Yue You into a treasure pavilion. After seating him in the place of honor, they served tea and fruit, and sent a group of mermaid dancers to entertain him.

"The Island Master is already on his way back. Could you please release Ping’er? The child is young and ignorant; I hope you will not hold it against him." After much fawning, the old apes could not help but hold up their cups, bowing and pleading.

Yue You glanced coldly at the boy lying at his feet—who was paralyzed but glared with unhidden fury—and did not respond. The old apes felt helpless but dared not press him further, so they could only force a smile and continue to toast him.

Half an hour later, just as Yue You was enjoying his wine, a sudden gust of wind whipped through the hall, causing the drapes and veils to dance wildly. When the wind died down, a middle-aged man dressed as a military general stood in the hall.

"Father!" The boy at Yue You's feet exclaimed with delight.

Before he could say more, the middle-aged man glared coldly, and the boy shut his mouth in shame.

"You're here?" Yue You set down his cup and sneered.

"My son is ill-mannered; I hope you will forgive him," the middle-aged man said with a bitter smile, performing a hand seal.

In a stone chamber on Linjiao Island, a beam of blue light shattered its seal. It circled a few times before flying into the hall like a weary bird returning to the forest. Yue You reached out and grasped it in his palm.

"So this is the World-Escaping Shuttle? A fine treasure!" Yue You caressed the blue light with his fingers, praised it, and reluctantly tucked it away. He then tossed a head from his sleeve toward the man below. "You, Yuan Ju, have a brain, but it’s a pity your son is such a fool; he isn't worthy of the foundation you’ve worked so hard to build."

Yuan Ju caught the head and, upon seeing it, revealed a trace of joy. "Lord Jiuqu! You thieving bird!"

The old apes watched this exchange and couldn't help but grumble inwardly. *Yue You had already killed Lord Jiuqu; if he had just produced the head earlier, none of this would have happened. Why make such a scene? This serpent's nature is truly sinister and unfathomable.*

"Sir, by killing Lord Jiuqu for me, you have truly removed a great threat to Linjiao Island." Yuan Ju put the head away and smiled. "Perhaps—"

Before he could finish, the entire hall shook violently, as if caught in the grip of a giant. The entire Linjiao Island rocked fiercely, causing rocks to tumble and dust to rise.

"What is this?" Yuan Ju rose into the air in shock. One look outside left him paralyzed. "A True Immortal on patrol? A primordial spirit manifestation? But what True Immortal’s manifestation could cause such a massive disturbance?"

He turned to look at Yue You, intending to ask for advice. But upon turning, he saw that the once-arrogant Yue You had already transformed into a beam of gray light, fleeing frantically toward the edge of the island, his face showing a panic he had never seen before.

"Jun Yao? Damn it, Jun Yao!" Yue You cursed internally. "That cursed short-lived ghost is here again! Damn it, he’s coming to ruin Yushu’s plans again!"