Chapter 430: Break Your Word, and Be Slain

In the blink of an eye, the two towering giants began to shrink.

Within moments, they had returned to human-sized forms, even smaller than when they first appeared on Mount Ye, now standing eye-to-eye with Song You.

The once-vast ocean beneath their feet seemed like solid ground.

“Greetings, Immortal Master.”

“Thank you, Immortal Master.”

Both white rhinoceroses bowed deeply to Song You in gratitude.

“Long time no see,” Song You said, returning their bow with a sigh. “It seems that life overseas is no easier than in Great Yan.”

“With Mortal Dao ruling the world, life will never be easy no matter where we go,” one of the great demons replied.

“You mentioned searching for a certain kind of earth, Immortal Master?” the other demon asked.

“Yes, one of the Five-Directions Soil—Eastern Soil.”

“And where is this soil located? If you don’t know the exact place, we can help search for it. And if you do know, there’s no need for you to personally retrieve it—we can go get it for you,” the first demon offered.

“That won’t be necessary,” Song You replied, looking at them steadily. “But tell me, what exactly is the source of your conflict with the Sea Dragon King?”

“It’s just as we mentioned earlier,” one demon replied.

“That flood dragon is arrogant and vain, fickle and capricious. It’s just a flood dragon, but it tries to pass itself off as a true dragon. It wants the coastal regions of Great Yan and the overseas nations to revere it as if it were divine. Perhaps it’s upset that we can see through its façade, or maybe it’s worried we’ll steal its limelight,” the second demon added, his voice heavy with disdain. “As expected of a demon that hails from the untamed wilderness.”

“And what about the recent storms at sea?” Song You asked.

“Most of them were caused by that flood dragon,” the demon replied.

“And why is that?”

“Maybe because it couldn’t deal with us, so it took its frustration out on passing ships. Or maybe it’s just annoyed by the sight of ships from Great Yan, knowing that we’re from there.”

“...”

Song You fell silent for a moment before finally speaking. “Well, after all, it was here first, and this is its domain. It’s only natural that your sudden arrival would provoke its displeasure. There are plenty of places in the ocean rich in spiritual resonance. Now that you’ve agreed on a mutual non-interference pact, let’s see if it sticks to the agreement.”

𝐟𝕣𝗲𝕖𝕨𝗲𝐛𝗻𝗼𝐯𝗲𝚕.𝗰𝚘𝐦

“We will follow your guidance, Immortal Master,” the two demons said in unison.

“There are two nearby islands,” Song You continued. “One is a large island under the domain of the Yaksha Kingdom, and the other is a smaller island under the jurisdiction of the Beast Kingdom. Neither may be as ideal as the ones you initially chose, but they are both rich in spiritual resonance. In fact, they’re among the most extraordinary spots in the ocean.”

He paused briefly before continuing, “I will first go retrieve the Eastern Soil. During that time, you can conceal yourselves and scout out the two islands. Once you’ve made your choice, I will speak with the local inhabitants on your behalf. If you’re willing to take on the role of deities, you might even receive certain benefits in return. And if you don’t like either island, I’ll find another place for you.”

“Dare I ask, Immortal Master, what exactly is the role of a deity?”

“It’s not really about being a deity,” Song You explained. “It’s simple logic—if you choose to inhabit either of these islands and take up residence in someone else’s territory, it’s only natural to protect the area and ensure favorable weather and abundant harvests. With your abilities, this would be a trivial task.”

He continued, “When you safeguard the local environment, the inhabitants will naturally begin to worship you. It’s a natural cycle.”

Gasp

. The two demons were momentarily stunned.

It seemed they had only now realized that this was no longer the mainland of Shenzhou, but a remote overseas region far from Great Yan’s influence.

Neither the Heavenly Court nor the gods of the mainland would concern themselves with this distant place.

“Thank you, Immortal Master!”

“In the same vein,” Song You continued, “if storms arise and ships pass by your area, you can lend a hand to ensure their safe passage. Sailors are deeply devoted to honoring protective deities. If you safeguard their voyages and ensure smooth sailing, you won’t even need to make a grand proclamation. Simply revealing your true forms on occasion will be enough. Over time, they’ll naturally come to worship you.”

Song You had already learned back on Mount Ye that these two demons weren’t particularly quick thinkers, so he wasn’t stingy with advice. “The devotion and incense offerings you’ll receive can help compensate for the lack of spiritual resonance compared to the sacred mountains and immortal caves of Shenzhou.”

“But what if the storms are caused by that flood dragon?”

“Then slay it.”

Song You pulled a talisman from his sleeve and casually tossed it toward them. The talisman hovered in midair, drifting toward the two demons. “This is just an ordinary fire talisman, but it’s infused with my spiritual energy. If you ever need to activate it, I’ll sense it, no matter where I am—even tens of thousands of li away. But only use it if the flood dragon truly stirs up storms and endangers maritime travel.”

“Thank you, Immortal Master! We will remember this well!” One of the demons carefully accepted the talisman.

“Once I’ve retrieved the Eastern Soil, we’ll meet again here.”

“Immortal Master,” the other demon asked hesitantly, “when will we be able to return to Shenzhou?”

“You still wish to return to Great Yan?”

“Of course we do...”

“We think about it all the time!”

“Heh...”

It seemed that the longing for home wasn’t just a human trait. For anyone who had grown up on that land—be they human or demon—its influence ran deep.

Perhaps it was the power of civilization.

Having witnessed the most brilliant and profound civilization, how could they be content living in a wild and untamed land?

“Still the same advice: if you sense a major shift in the land of Shenzhou and are willing, you may return and assist me when the time comes. If you’re unwilling, then wait patiently for a while longer. When the time is right, quietly return to investigate. If the Heavenly Court has majorly changed by then, you can go back freely.”

Song You’s tone was calm, not pressing them for a response. After saying this, he paddled the boat gently.

The small boat turned on the sea and gradually drifted away.

The two great demons stood upon the waves, silently watching it fade into the distance.

***

The sea was now calm, with blue skies and white clouds. The small boat glided smoothly over the water, becoming smaller and smaller as the rainbow faded into the background.

Lady Calico’s eyes remained wide open.

Meanwhile, the white dog stood in the boat, exhilarated.

“Extraordinary, truly extraordinary. Thanks to you, sir—truly, it’s all thanks to you! To witness the battle between the Sea Dragon King and the great demons, to travel alongside a figure like you, a true immortal... After seeing such wonders, I can die without regret...”

“I’m just a practitioner of some humble spells,” Song You replied modestly. “Traveling with you has been a pleasure for me as well.”

“It’s a pity that we’ve nearly reached the Little Kingdom, and I can’t accompany you any further. I can only imagine how vast and marvelous the world you’ve seen must be, far beyond anything I could dream of.” the white dog shook its head with a wistful sigh.

After seeing the Sea Dragon King, witnessing the great demons defer to the Daoist, and observing the Daoist confront the sea dragon without fear, what impressed the white dog most wasn’t the Daoist’s magical abilities—it was the breadth of the world he had experienced.

“On land, there are simply more mountains and rivers. When it comes to grandeur and splendor, it’s difficult to compare. They’re just different kinds of beauty,” Song You replied sincerely. “Ever since we arrived at sea, we’ve encountered countless breathtaking views that have left us awestruck time and again.”

“Sir, you truly are a fascinating person!”

“You flatter me,” Song You responded modestly.

“About ten or so li ahead, there’s a dense fog. They say that even the most formidable sea monsters and demons get lost in it, unable to distinguish directions. Within that fog lie countless isolated islands, forming a labyrinth. Only those with fate on their side—by sheer coincidence—can make it to the Little Kingdom. Whether anyone else has found a way through, I don’t know. But here in these three nations, it’s said that only I know how to reach it.”

The white dog began recounting stories of the Little Kingdom, “The wise men of the three nations all claim I hold the key to navigating the route. Some even spread the rumor that I was given secret mantras or incantations by the rulers of the Little Kingdom, which I’ve sworn to keep secret. Ha, that’s just nonsense. The truth is, my first time there was pure chance.

“But once I befriended the nation’s rulers and scholars, something strange happened—after I left, I just naturally knew how to find my way back. When it comes to keeping secrets, I have, of course, followed the instructions of the esteemed figures from the Little Kingdom and have never leaked any information. If you ask me to explain the route, I really can’t put it into words.”

“It must be that you are destined to be connected with them and possess a rare, clear, and understanding heart, which allows you to come and go freely,” Song You replied.

“You flatter me. But, sir, I must say—considering how peculiar that place is, if any evil demons or vicious beasts were ever to make it there, it could spell disaster. Yet all these years, no such incident has ever happened.”

“That’s truly remarkable...”

Song You’s curiosity about the Little Kingdom deepened.

Just as the white dog had described, a faint mist appeared on the horizon, resembling a distant veil of water vapor.

After traveling another ten li, they entered the fog.

The mist was thick and disorienting, making it difficult to distinguish directions. The white dog remained their guide, pointing out the proper path.

As they ventured further, they encountered a series of scattered islands.

Some of the islands were small, others quite large. Some had dark, rocky surfaces, while others were barren and covered in yellow soil. None of them had any vegetation. The waterways between them varied in size—some as wide as great rivers, others as narrow as small creeks.

Following the white dog’s guidance, Song You skillfully maneuvered the boat through this maze of desolate islands.

The fog remained thick, obscuring the sky. However, as the light dimmed, it was clear that evening was approaching.

“We’ve reached halfway,” the white dog said, glancing at the misty surroundings. “Judging by the time, night will soon fall. As we discussed earlier, I will go ahead to speak with the leaders of the Little Kingdom.”

The white dog maintained his firm stance, not swayed by the impressive display of Song You’s power. “But after observing the kind of person you are, sir, I can assure you that I will do my utmost to advocate for you.”

“How will you make your way there?”

“I’ll swim.”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

They exchanged respectful bows.

Without hesitation, The white dog turned and, with a splash, dove into the water.

The dense mist quickly swallowed him. His form blurred as he swam, and after taking a few turns, he vanished completely from view.

“...”

Song You withdrew his gaze and smiled faintly.

This The white dog truly embodied the virtues of a noble scholar.

A promise made was a promise kept.

Settling down in place, he looked around, but there wasn’t much to see. So, he lowered his head and noticed that Lady Calico, sitting properly on the boat, had her tail sweeping the deck lazily from side to side. Her gaze was still fixed on the direction The white dog had disappeared.

Sensing something, she suddenly turned her head and met Song You’s eyes.

“What are you thinking about, Lady Calico?”

“Thinking about that dog fellow.”

“Lady Calico, you seem to have some thoughts?”

“Thoughts!”

“Thoughts.”

Lady Calico’s eyes were big and round, gleaming with a lively glimmer. She seemed to hesitate for a long time before finally turning her head away, avoiding Song You’s gaze, and softly speaking, “The Cat Kingdom and the Dog Kingdom over there—they seem smarter than Lady Calico...”

“How could that be possible?” Song You blurted without a second thought.

“

Meow

?” The cat turned her head back toward him.

“There isn’t only one kind of intelligence. Intelligence comes in many forms, and everyone’s wisdom shows itself in different ways,” Song You said, lowering his head to meet the amber gaze of Lady Calico.

“Take me, for example. I’m good at learning spells—that’s one kind of intelligence, my intelligence. But foxes can deceive us so effortlessly—that’s their intelligence. The State Preceptor governs the country with unmatched skill—that’s his intelligence.

“Just because they’re not as skilled as I am in spellcraft doesn’t mean they’re not as smart as I am, and I’ve never considered myself less intelligent simply because I’m not as good at strategy as they are.”

“What about me?”

“You have your own talents.”

“...” The cat stared at him with her large eyes, her gaze flickering, as she said, “I think I’ve heard that before.”

“Well, now you’ve heard it again.”

“And what about being impressive?”

“It’s the same,” Song You responded casually. “Some people excel at military strategy, some have exceptional talent, and some are bold and charismatic, leading entire eras. Everyone shines in their own way.”

“And what about me?”

“Lady Calico, you’re unmatched in catching mice.”

“...!” The cat’s expression instantly tensed. Even her eyes narrowed slightly.

The Daoist, on the other hand, had already reclined comfortably, laughing as he lay down amid the lonely islands and the boundless sea. He no longer cared where the white dog had gone or whether the kingdom of little people would agree to their request. As the evening deepened, he allowed the cat to curl up beside him, and together they drifted into a peaceful, pleasant slumber.