NABC Chapter 85 Some things, perhaps... are all fate.
Chapter 85 Some things, perhaps... are all fate.
Chapter 85 Some things, perhaps... are all fate.
"That's right!" someone chimed in, lowering their voice even further. "Now, Luyang Prefecture is truly going to have a life-or-death feud with that Overturning Sea King of Luoxingze! I've heard that behind that king is the real Dragon Palace power deep within the Yunmeng River—this turmoil is likely to shake up half of the Southern Region's martial arts world!"
These whispers drifted to the ears of Chen Zijing, Fang Jingsong, and others who were disembarking, making their expressions even more grave.
Zhang Yuan followed silently in the group, listening to the information about the "Yunhai Gang", "Changhai Sect", "Yingjiao Post", "Luoxingze", "Overturning Sea King" and even "Yunmeng Dragon Palace", his heart filled with turmoil.
At this moment, from the words of these martial artists, he felt more clearly that the relationship between the human race and the demonic forces in this world was not simply black and white, or completely opposed.
There are giant monsters like the Overturning Sea King who cause floods and wreak havoc on the region, as well as forces that can coexist with humans and may even cooperate deeply.
The attitude of the Great Yu court towards this matter was clearly pragmatic: as long as the power was controllable and could be used for its own purposes, it could be accommodated.
On this vast and dangerous land, humans and demons have a complex relationship of mutual infiltration, mutual checks and balances, and even fusion on some levels.
Xing Daorong's ability to possess powerful demonic magic and yet hold the position of Zhenwu Guard Captain is clear evidence of this complexity.
Zhang Yuan stepped onto the bluestone bank, his gaze sweeping over the prison cart covered with a black cloth, and then over the chattering crowd.
After a day of rest, the team left the Linshan County dock and set off again on the official land road.
After traveling about a hundred miles, the road ahead was blocked by a group of people.
The leader was a middle-aged man with a handsome face, wearing a long robe with a blue background and silver patterns.
He possessed an elegant demeanor, with a faint mist swirling around him, and his aura was as deep as the sea, clearly indicating that he was a Grandmaster-level expert.
His entourage, all dressed in uniform, had a pattern of surging waves and solitary peaks embroidered on their chests—the very symbol of the Changhai School.
Changhai Sect is not a top-tier sect, but it has several grandmasters in charge, and few can rival it within a radius of a thousand miles.
Moreover, their sect is said to be able to do business on the river and has considerable resources.
Before the convoy, Captain Xing Daorong raised his hand.
The line came to an abrupt stop, and the atmosphere instantly became tense.
The Blackscale Knights rested their hands on the hilts of their swords, their gazes as cold as ice.
The guards of Fengming County held their breath, as if facing a formidable enemy.
Xing Daorong sat upright on his horse, looking at the newcomer. His face showed no surprise, but a subtle, complex emotion flickered deep in his eyes.
"Commander Xing, it's been years since we last met, but your demeanor remains as impressive as ever." The blue-robed master rode forward a few steps, his voice gentle yet clearly reaching everyone's ears.
Xing Daorong nodded slightly, his voice low and even: "So it's Master Fan of the Changhai Sect, the Azure Wave Sword. Long time no see. What brings you here?"
Master Fan's gaze swept over the prison cart tightly wrapped in black cloth, and he sighed, "Brother Daorong, let's not beat around the bush. I've come here for the 'Azure Dragon Prince' inside the cart."
With a flick of his wrist, he produced a blue invitation card that was neither gold nor jade, but engraved with intricate cloud patterns.
"This is the Welcoming Dragon Invitation. The Overturning Sea King has ordered the young master to return to Falling Star Marsh. Remembering our shared history fighting side-by-side in the Northern Frontier, we humbly request Brother Daorong—to grant us this favor."
"A favor?" Xing Daorong's lips curled into a cold smile, and his seemingly ordinary black robe fluttered without wind.
"boom""
A powerful, imposing aura of iron and blood, mixed with a faint, eerie fluctuation, suddenly burst forth from his body, as if a sleeping ferocious beast had opened one eye!
Even his magnificent warhorse couldn't help but paw back a step.
"Brother Fan, since you know my temperament, you should understand that military orders are absolute, and this is my duty! This scoundrel has wreaked havoc in the Shensha River, slaughtering civilians; he is a serious criminal of the court. I am ordered to escort him, and there is absolutely no reason for me to release him en route!"
The oppressive aura, a mixture of martial arts energy and demonic runes, was so tangible that it made the Changhai Sect disciples behind Master Fan turn pale, and even Chen Zijing, Fang Jingsong, and others felt a slight difficulty breathing.
Master Fan frowned slightly, clearly sensing Xing Daorong's hidden yet domineering power, which far surpassed that of ordinary masters.
He remained silent for a moment, a deep sense of helplessness and regret on his face, and sighed again: "Alas—I know Brother Daorong's temper all too well. But duty and righteousness come first, and I dare not force him."
He paused, then turned his gaze back to the prison van.
"But—could I possibly see you, young master? I could offer you a healing pill, which would be a token of our old friendship?"
Xing Daorong's gaze lingered on Master Fan's face for a few moments, as if trying to see through him.
Finally, he slowly nodded and said in a deep voice, "Alright. Zeng Bo, lift the curtain!"
Under orders, and with the close watch of two Black Scale soldiers, squad leader Zeng Bo carefully lifted a corner of the black cloth at the bottom of the prison cart, revealing the steel bars inside.
Master Fan dismounted and slowly walked forward.
This was the first time Zhang Yuan had seen the contents of the prison van up close.
It was a huddled-up figure.
Its upper body was covered with dark blue, wet, decaying scales, its fingers and claws were sharp, and a huge, hideous wound on its neck, though scabbed over, was still shocking to behold.
Although the head had a human-like outline, the lower jaw protruded like a fish, and a single, dark blue horn about an inch long grew on the top of the forehead. A pair of cold, vertical pupils looked indifferently at the approaching Master Fan.
"Young Master—"
Master Fan's voice was low and deep, carrying a hint of emotion that was difficult to detect.
With a flick of his finger, a pill the size of a longan, exuding a rich aura of blood and the fragrance of herbs, precisely passed through the gap in the fence and landed in the blue dragon's hand.
Without the slightest hesitation, Young Master Qingjiao swallowed the pill directly.
A moment later, an astonishing scene unfolded!
The scales on his body flowed and contracted slowly like mercury, eventually disappearing completely beneath his skin.
The single horn on its forehead also quietly retracted.
In the blink of an eye, the hideous half-human, half-demon in the prison cart disappeared, replaced by a boy who looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years old.
The boy's face was as pale as paper, his lips were bloodless, and his exposed skin was covered with scars of varying depths, with the scar on his neck being particularly glaring.
He was thin and frail, dressed in tattered clothes, huddled in the cold cage.
Only those eyes remained deep and cold, carrying an indifference and mockery beyond their years.
He stared coldly at Master Fan outside the fence, his voice hoarse yet crystal clear: "The Overturning Sea King sent you to find me only to have my bloodline nourish his Reverse Scale True Blood."
"If I go to Luyang Prefecture, his plan will fall through."
His tone was full of mockery and a hint of barely perceptible sadness.
Master Fan's body trembled slightly, his facial muscles twitched, and finally turned into a deeper sigh, as if he had aged a lot in an instant.
He shook his head, his voice low and almost a soliloquy: "Some things, perhaps—are all fate."
T
After saying this, he stopped looking at the boy in the prison cart and turned to walk towards Xing Daorong.