Chapter 363: A Monk, a Daoist, and a Beggar! The Water-Dividing Pearl! Entering the Chu River!

As for the ultimate weapon, the Five-Lightning Talisman, Li Yanchu was unsure how effective it would be under water. Since its power at the fifth enhancement was already immense, its lightning techniques overbearing beyond measure, he did not attempt a sixth enhancement.

Instead, he merely raised the Spirit Officer Summoning Talisman to the fifth enhancement as well, In total, he had spent forty thousand merit points.

For now, Li Yanchu paused, refraining from enhancing any further treasures. After checking his tally, he found he still had 681,000 merit points left! That extra thousand came from the shrimp soldiers and crab generals of the Dragon Palace, who had transformed into litter-bearers.

Yingchuan Prefectural City is rich in talented people. If I can gather more allies, this matter will be all the more secure

, thought Li Yanchu.

***

Two days later!

Li Yanchu and Fang Qinglan were invited to the Prefect’s

yamen

. The government hall was grand and imposing, guarded by large numbers of soldiers. Led by an official, they passed through the main hall and entered the back chamber.

The room was elegantly arranged, solemn yet refined. At the center sat the Prefect himself, engaged in conversation with three others: a monk, a Daoist priest, and a beggar. Beaming, the Prefect rose to greet them.

“Daoist Master Li, Miss Fang, please, come in and sit. Allow me to make introductions.”

The three turned their gazes toward them. After introductions were exchanged, Li Yanchu realized these were the very people the Yingchuan prefecture had invited to slay the dragon.

They were Daoist Spiritual Master Ling Song[1], a Daoist of the

Zhenwu Temple

[2]. Master Benxin[3], a monk of

Jiming Temple

[4], and an old beggar surnamed Hong, whom Li Yanchu had once met before the very same man who had loudly proclaimed at the inn that the Dragon King ate people, only to be driven out by the innkeeper.

“Boundless Heavenly Venerable! To think my Daoist sect has such a young and outstanding talent, truly, it’s a matter for celebration.” Daoist Spiritual Master Ling Song stroked his beard with a smile.

At the side, Master Benxin’s mouth twitched uncontrollably.

The two of them had been friends for many years, but as the foremost representatives of Buddhism and Daoism in Yingchuan, each naturally held firm to their own lineage and traditions.

The old beggar glanced at Li Yanchu. “Daoist Master, we meet again.”

In response, Li Yanchu cupped his hands in salute. It seemed these were indeed the strongest forces Yingchuan Prefecture could muster at present. He then released the great green-scaled fish, and roused it with a surge of spiritual power.

“This is the Chu River Dragon Palace’s River Patrol General. This time, we’ll have him guide us into the palace.”

The restrictions on the fish demon were withdrawn, and it once again transformed into a youth with the head of a fish and the body of a man.

He opened his eyes, still basking in the joy of regaining his demonic power, when suddenly he shuddered. Lifting his gaze slightly...

Gasp!

The fish demon gasped. Around him, several auras surged, each incomparably formidable. When his eyes fell upon Daoist Spiritual Master Ling Song, Master Benxin, and the old beggar, his limbs instantly turned cold.

Even the Prefect of Yingchuan himself, as the ruler of the region, bore the protective aura of imperial mandate, making him difficult to look upon directly.

The fish demon’s mouth went dry. Before this group, he dared not stir in the slightest, terrified that one careless move would see him casually cut down.

“Let me ask you, what exactly is going on in this Dragon Palace!?” Master Benxin’s voice rumbled sternly.

The fish demon bowed his head devoutly, a strange and sacred sensation arising in his heart. Suddenly, he was overwhelmed with remorse for the bloody sins he had committed, and regret consumed him!

Tears welled up in his eyes, and he confessed everything about the Dragon Palace without concealment.

Meanwhile, Li Yanchu arched a brow in surprise. This Master Benxin’s methods were truly remarkable.

Just now, even he had been touched by that gentle wave of Buddhist power, a surge of compassion arising in his heart. But in an instant, the divine light within his primordial spirit dispelled it. The fish demon recounted everything in detail, and the people in the room all nodded slightly.

“Daoist Master Li, this matter is of great consequence. I feared any oversight, hence I employed a Buddhist technique. It was not that I mistrusted you.” Master Benxin turned to Li Yanchu as he spoke.

“Master, you worry too much.” Li Yanchu shook his head.

Since nothing seemed amiss, the three experts in the room exchanged glances.

Daoist Spiritual Master Ling Song was the first to speak, “Prefect, this affair has already sown chaos among the people. The Dragon Palace’s crown prince is debauched and cruel, preying on innocent lives. The Dragon King stirs up storms, his moods unpredictable. Left unchecked, he will surely become a great calamity.”

“We shall enter the Chu River at once, to capture and slay this Dragon King!”

The Prefect rose and bowed deeply to them all. “On behalf of the people of Yingchuan, and for the court itself, I thank you all for your aid. When the matter is done, I shall memorialize the court, and see that each of you is commended!”

Whether Buddhist or Daoist, to spread their teachings among the common folk, they could never do so without the support of the imperial court. After all, no one lived in a vacuum.

The group prepared themselves, then escorted the fish demon to the banks of the Chu River. The demon had once again assumed human form, appearing as a stern-faced, proud-eyed youth.

But having seen how easily the fish demon could change his face, acting like some interpreter swapping masks, Li Yanchu could no longer take that cold, proud visage seriously.

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

So much for the saying ‘appearance is born of the heart’. On this fellow, it doesn’t apply at all, he thought to himself.

With the three great masters of Yingchuan joining them, the venture now carried far greater assurance. Unless the Dragon King turned out to be a third-realm elder dragon, his ashes would surely be scattered to the wind!

Yet Li Yanchu considered that unlikely. After all, if a third-realm flood dragon really existed, why would it hole itself up in the Chu River, skulking in the dark and stirring up petty storms? To command wind and rain, to slaughter without restraint,

that

was the bearing of a third-realm flood dragon!

Take Ao Lie, the flood dragon sealed within Jinguang Temple: after being bound for a thousand years, the moment he broke free he sought to massacre the entire temple, even going head-to-head with Master Yushu, a third-realm cultivator. That was the true majesty of a great third-realm demon!

Now they arrived at the banks of the Chu River. Within ten li, not a single soul could be found, as fishermen and boatmen were forbidden from entering. This was an official decree, ensuring that when cultivators engaged in battle, innocent lives would not be harmed. Li Yanchu found the Yingchuan Prefect’s arrangements quite considerate; to think of such details showed real foresight.

The fish demon was so nervous he scarcely dared breathe. Though these people were mere human cultivators, their cultivation was unfathomably deep. To him, the psychological pressure was unbearable. If anyone were to mistakenly think he intended to escape, he’d die the most unjust death!

“Everyone, please follow me!” the fish demon said nervously.

Yet inwardly he couldn’t help but wonder,

since these people were not of the water clans, how could they possibly enter the surging currents of the Chu River?

Just then, the old beggar chuckled. From his rags, he pulled out a small yellow pearl. He tossed it forward, and the pearl hovered quietly in the air, radiating divine light. With that, the river waters roared as they parted to either side, opening a broad passage. It was a Water-Dividing Pearl!

Li Yanchu raised his brows. This shabby-looking old beggar really did have some skill. He actually possessed such a treasure! Meanwhile, Daoist Spiritual Master Ling Song and Master Benxin remained expressionless, clearly already aware of this beforehand. The fish demon couldn’t help but click his tongue in amazement.

With him leading the way, the group advanced smoothly toward the Dragon Palace. Under the protection of the Water-Dividing Pearl, and with their “translator” fish demon as a guide and turncoat, the journey was practically effortless.

At this time, Li Yanchu cast a glance at Master Benxin and Daoist Spiritual Master Ling Song. From the conversation along the way, he gathered that the Prefect had invited these two as the foremost leaders of Buddhism and Daoism in Yingchuan.

The old beggar, on the other hand, had shown up uninvited, but after casually displaying a spell of real power, he had been accepted by the others.

In other words, since these two dared to descend into the river to slay a dragon, they naturally possessed the confidence to fight underwater, though their exact methods remained unknown.

1. 灵 suggests spirit, intelligence, or a mystical quality, while 松 refers to the pine tree, long admired in Chinese culture as a symbol of resilience, longevity, and steadfastness. To me, 灵松 evokes the image of a wise, enduring presence, someone that is both strong and spiritually attuned. ☜

2. 真武 refers to the Zhenwu Dadi, a prominent deity in Daoism associated with protection, martial prowess, and spiritual authority. ☜

3. Literally meaning “original heart” or “true mind,” 本心 evokes the idea of returning to one’s core nature, untainted by external influence or distraction. To me, 本心 suggests sincerity, purity, and authenticity, reflecting someone who values inner truth and moral clarity above all else. It conveys a sense of calm wisdom and self-awareness, implying a character or place that embodies integrity, reflection, and the pursuit of one’s essential purpose. ☜

4. The name 鸡鸣寺 literally means “Rooster Crowing Temple,” immediately evoking a vivid, serene image of early morning life and the start of a new day. In Chinese culture, the crowing of a rooster symbolizes awakening, vigilance, and the dispelling of darkness, both literal and metaphorical. To me, the name 鸡鸣寺 suggests a place of spiritual alertness, where practitioners awaken to insight and moral clarity. ☜