Journey to the West: Demon Emperor: Beginning as a Little Toad

Chapter 601 The Eight Immortals' Scheme Traps the Dragon King
Meanwhile, Lü Dongbin went to contact the Eight Immortals, including Tieguai Li, Zhongli Quan, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, and Zhang Guolao, and arranged to meet.

Although the Dragon King of Dongting Lake had seen Princess Qiongzhi's blood-written letter, he still did not fully believe it and secretly sent people to inquire about Princess Qiongzhi's whereabouts.

Upon learning this, it was indeed as Lü Dongbin had said.

The Dragon King of Dongting Lake was secretly filled with resentment, but fearing the power of the Dragon King of Jinghe River, he dared not speak out. He did not dare to directly break ties with the Dragon King of Jinghe River, and could only place his hopes on the power of the Eight Immortals of Taoism.

The details of this matter will not be elaborated upon here.

……

Southern Jambudvipa.

The land of Jingchu.

On the shore of Dongting Lake.

There were originally no buildings on these mountains of Dongting.

later.

As more and more literati, poets, and ordinary people came to admire the scenic beauty of Dongting Lake, buildings were erected along the lake.

Pavilions and towers gradually rise above the mountains of Dongting.

One of the tall buildings is near Yueyang City and overlooks the vast blue waters of Dongting Lake.

The locals call this building "Yueyang Tower".

This building is built on the shore of Dongting Lake, overlooking the waters of Dongting Lake and facing the beautiful Junshan Mountain, making it an excellent location.

An ancient poem praises it as follows:
"The southeast of Wu and Chu is torn apart, and heaven and earth float day and night."

"The wind shakes Mount Junshan, the waves surge, the clouds return to Mount Heng, the moon shines brightly."

Today, however, Yueyang Tower is not an ordinary sight.

By this time, the Dragon King of Dongting had already dismissed all irrelevant people from Yueyang Tower and arranged it to be quiet and elegant.

The top chefs of Dongting Dragon Palace each displayed their unique skills, serving up rare delicacies, celestial fruits, and fine wines in a continuous stream, fully demonstrating the hospitality of the host.

The Nine-Turned Exquisite Shrimp was a deep red, like agate, with its whiskers and claws outstretched, steaming with wisps of pure water essence, its aroma lingering and not dissipating.

The slices of fresh clam from Dongting Lake are as thin as cicada wings, translucent and white. Placed on an ice-jade plate, they still retain the chill of the deep water. Served with the juice of a thousand-year-old spiritual sunflower, specks of starlight flow over the slices of meat.

The thousand-year-old ice lotus soup is served in a warm jade bowl. The lotus petals are unfurled, crystal clear, and the misty cold air and the warm spiritual energy are strangely intertwined.

The exquisite nectar, served in a crystal-clear glass, is as clear as the autumn moon reflected on a lake. The moment it is opened, its rich and mellow aroma fills the air, invigorating the spirit and making one feel as if they are absorbing the essence of heaven and earth.

There are also thousand-year-old jade lotus roots from Dongting Lake, sliced ​​like white jade, with colorful clouds emanating from the holes; lotus seed and hibiscus cakes shaped like lotus buds, releasing a sweet lotus fragrance when they bloom... a dazzling array of products.

The celestial fruit and spiritual tea are rare finds in the mortal world, shrouded in ethereal energy and exuding a rich fragrance.

Each delicacy is otherworldly, possessing color, aroma, shape, charm, and spirit—all five elements interwoven to create a celestial feast that stimulates the five senses.

The atmosphere amidst the carved railings and painted beams is elegant and solemn.

Inside Yueyang Tower.

This banquet was to entertain the Eight Immortals of Taoism who had secretly gathered at the invitation of Lü Dongbin!
The Dragon King of Dongting Lake transformed into a refined and wealthy gentleman in the mortal realm, while the Dragon Queen of Dongting Lake became a graceful and beautiful woman in the mortal realm. The two sat upright, their brows furrowed with worry, yet their hospitality remained impeccable.

The Dragon King of Qiantang also transformed into a "strong and muscular man" in the mortal realm to keep him company.

At this moment.

Through Lü Dongbin's connections.

The Eight Immortals of Taoism are Lü Dongbin, Tieguai Li, Zhongli Quan, He Xiangu, Lan Caihe, Han Xiangzi, Zhang Guolao, and Cao Jingxiu.

These eight immortals secretly gathered at Yueyang Tower to plot a great event.

Lu Dongbin wore a blue robe, his eyes concealing a sharp edge, his intent deeply restrained, and his demeanor extraordinary.

He stood against the wind beside the carved railing, carrying the Chunyang sword box on his back. It was ancient and heavy, faintly revealing a crimson edge, as if the blazing sun flowed within it.

Her long, ink-black hair and the blue sword tassel fluttered freely in the misty waves of the lake that flowed through the hall.

Tieguai Li (Li Xuan) leans against a vermilion railing, his hair disheveled and his body limping. He appears dejected, yet his eyes exude an air of authority.

"Buzzing..."

"Buzzing..."

The enormous "Medicine King Gourd" around his waist hummed, as if a terrifying beast lurked within.

He Xiangu had bright, expressive eyes and an exquisite face. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her lips like newly blooming cherries, and her temperament was gentle and graceful. Every smile and frown revealed her tenderness.

She sat quietly on the illusory lotus platform, her delicate hand holding a pink lotus leaf covered in dew, her silk robe adorned with dew, exuding an elegant and otherworldly charm.

The silk ribbons moved without wind, dancing and fluttering around her like clouds in the sky.

As the reincarnation of a celestial flower-bearing official, He Xiangu once served the myriad flowers of the heavens, and wherever she went, flowers bloomed in abundance.

Zhongli Quan wore a coarse linen robe, casually leaving his chest open to reveal his bronze-colored, bushy chest.

"Crackling, crackling, crackling..."

"Crackling, crackling, crackling..."

As he gently waved the "Post-Heaven Banana Leaf Fan" in his hand, the Six Ding Divine Fire swirled around it.

Lan Caihe wore open-toed straw sandals, and stardust flew from his flower basket. The young man's eyes held a cynical smile, and his wooden clogs tinkled as he tapped the stones.

Zhang Guolao rides backward on the back of a snow-white donkey, tapping a fish drum lightly on his knees. His long eyebrows droop like a snow waterfall, and the donkey bells sway with the sound of the waves.

……

The Eight Immortals of Taoism have returned to their rightful places and are now working together in the human world to promote the ideals of Taoism.

They addressed each other as fellow Daoists and brothers.

……

"Master Li, please drink this cup to the brim!"

"Please, Master Zhang!"

"Fairy Maiden, please try this Moonlight Clam Slices; it is the best for calming the mind and spirit!"

"Master Zhong, this Ice Soul Snow Lotus Soup must be consumed when ice and fire are in harmony to truly appreciate its wonder!"

The Dragon King of Dongting Lake and the Dragon King of Qiantang Lake warmly welcomed the Eight Immortals of Taoism.

Delicious dishes and exquisite wines are served in a continuous stream.

After exchanging toasts and enjoying the delicacies of the Dragon Palace, the atmosphere at the table gradually shifted from initial politeness and restraint to a more familiar and warm atmosphere.

The rich aroma of Dongting Immortal Wine and the nourishing essence of delicacies seemed to temporarily dispel the gloom that shrouded the brow of the Dongting Dragon King.

After several rounds of drinks, the lake and the building reflected the fine wine.

Tieguai Li (Li Xuan), as a direct disciple of Laozi and a member of Laozi's clan, and the head of the Eight Immortals of Taoism, was the first to put down his wine cup, his voice booming like a bell, setting the tone:
"Fellow Daoists, please hear me out!"

Li Xuan's gaze swept over every immortal present, his eyes flashing with a sharp light. His previous affability vanished, and an invisible pressure spread out, even causing the flowing smoke outside the building to pause.
"We, the Eight Immortals, are one body, of the same breath, and have always stood together through thick and thin!"

"Since Junior Brother Lü Yan and the Jinghe Dragon King's lineage have long been mortal enemies!"

"They have been using their superior numbers to their advantage, and for many years they have been relentlessly pursuing and killing Junior Brother Lü Yan. The two sides have now reached a point of no return!"

"So……"

He snorted coldly, and slammed his iron crutch down heavily:
"Then... this is not just a personal vendetta of Junior Brother Lü Yan, but a vendetta of all Eight Immortals!"

There was a "ding" sound.

Tieguai Li gave a cold snort, slamming his iron crutch to the ground with a piercing clang of metal against stone.
"This lineage of the Jing River Dragon King has been arrogant and domineering, wreaking havoc on the human world for a long time!"

"He not only fails to restrain his own relatives, but also allows his sons and grandsons to commit numerous evils, harm living beings, and slaughter the innocent!"

"Furthermore, he deceived and humiliated the innocent daughter of the Dragon King of Dongting Lake through marriage."

"Then there's nothing more to say!"

Li Xuan surveyed the crowd with a sharp gaze:
"Better to die than to die, my fellow Daoist!"

"Let us have a showdown with this Jing River Dragon King's lineage! Let's settle this karmic debt with him!"

"For the sake of us brothers, I beg for a moment of clarity!"

"And for those who have suffered under its tyranny, let us fight for a bright and just world!"

Upon hearing this, Zhongli Quan abruptly snapped his "Banana Leaf Fan" shut with a "whoosh"!
The Six Ding Divine Fire, which had been silently swirling because of his fan, suddenly stopped, and the atmosphere inside the building instantly froze.

He responded in a deep voice:

"It is only right! How can such an evil god be allowed to exist in the world for long!"

"We should kill them!"

Zhang Guolao was originally a wandering demon. Although he has now entered the Taoist sect, he still has a lot of fear of the gods of the Heavenly Court.

His hand, which was stroking his long, snow-white beard, paused slightly. With a hint of hesitation, he said in a slightly low voice:
“What Brother Li said makes sense.”

"only……"

Zhang Guolao looked up at the crowd, his expression grave:

"The Jinghe Dragon King is, after all, a god officially appointed by the Heavenly Court. He is the 'Great Dragon God of Rain,' who is in charge of the eight rivers of Chang'an and in charge of controlling clouds and rain. He is a true 'official appointed by the Heavenly Court.'"

“Even if we each use our supernatural powers and can defeat him and kill him… how can we, as wandering immortals of the lower realm, presumptuously kill righteous gods of the Heavenly Court?”

At this point, Zhang Guolao frowned, looking worried:

"Isn't this act... tantamount to defying Heaven?"

"I fear this will incur the wrath of the Heavenly Court, which will unleash a thunderous wrath, bringing disaster upon myself."

"At that time, not only will we be in trouble, but it will also jeopardize our great cause of spreading the faith and jeopardize the foundation of the human tradition!"

"Hahaha……"

Upon hearing this, Lü Dongbin laughed heartily, breaking the brief moment of solemnity.

His gaze was intense and confident. He surveyed the assembled Daoist disciples and several Dragon Lords and declared loudly, "Since this matter originated with me, Lü Yan, it is my turn to end it."

"On the way to summon you fellow Daoists here, I had already thought things through and had a plan in mind."

He paused slightly, a glint of light flashing in his eyes, and then smiled:

"Why kill someone yourself, giving others a pretext to criticize you?"

"Since he is a righteous god of Heaven, then..."

His gaze was intense, and he spoke each word clearly and forcefully, his voice echoing in the silent Yueyang Tower, reaching the ears of everyone present:

"Only the Heavenly Court can kill him!"

"Let's borrow this 'heavenly sword' to kill him!"

"Use the Heavenly Court's sword to kill him?"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of Qiantang raised his thick eyebrows, his surprise mixed with urgency, and hurriedly asked:

"What brilliant plan does Master Lü have? Tell me quickly!"

Lu Dongbin's gaze was steady as he turned to the Dragon King of Dongting, who sat in the main seat with a complex expression.

The Dragon King of Dongting Lake had a look in his eyes that showed both anticipation and a hint of trepidation.

Lü Dongbin asked:
“Dongting Dragon King, you and the Jinghe Dragon King are related by marriage, so you must have had many dealings with him.”

"What is the true nature of this Jing River Dragon King?"

"I implore the Dragon King to enlighten me, for this matter concerns the success or failure of our grand plan, and I urge you not to conceal it."

"Hey!"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of Dongting Lake's face flashed with a complex expression of shame, indignation, pain, and self-reproach. He sighed heavily, as if to vent all the humiliation that had been building up in his heart:
"What talk of in-laws! I am utterly ashamed!"

"They have so humiliated Qiongzhi and trampled on the dignity of my Dongting Dragon Palace. Have they ever treated me as a relative?"

"This... to be honest, it's truly embarrassing!"

"The thought of my daughter still suffering..."

"All my aquatic creatures of Dongting Lake have had their intelligence erased and their marrow extracted to turn them into sheep..."

"But I..."

The Dragon King of Dongting clenched his fist, his knuckles turning white. He took a deep breath, suppressed his emotions, and slowly recalled:

"However, I have indeed had some dealings with the Jing River Dragon King."

"This person now controls the eight rivers of Chang'an, the core water area of ​​the Southern Continent, and his power is extremely prominent. His sons all hold high positions as dragon gods of the four rivers."

"Having held a high position of power for a long time, he had long since become arrogant and disdainful of everyone, hence his extremely conceited, stubborn, and domineering nature!"

A flicker of regret and pain flashed in the eyes of the Dragon King of Dongting Lake, and he continued:

“Back then, my daughter was both beautiful and talented, and was famous among the Dragon Clan. She was praised as: ‘Of the ten parts of the beauty of Dongting Lake, the Dragon Girl of the lake accounts for eight parts.’”

"It was the Jing River Dragon King who personally visited the Dongting Dragon Palace with betrothal gifts, his words laced with coercion, forcibly arranging a marriage between his son, the Ji River Little Dragon, and his daughter!"

"I...I was also intimidated by his power and dared not disobey him back then!"

"Um……"

Lü Dongbin nodded slightly, his judgment of the Jing River Dragon King's character confirmed.

His gaze then turned to the menacing Qiantang Dragon King, who was already exuding murderous intent, and he asked:

"Qiantang Dragon King, I have heard that you were once the 'Yellow River Dragon King' and the 'Wei River Dragon King' in your early years, and you were in charge of the clouds, rain and water veins of Chang'an."

"I wonder if you are familiar enough with the waterways of the Eight Rivers of Chang'an?"

"Is its water system network and functional affiliation still clear?"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of Qiantang's eyes flashed with a mixture of reminiscence and pride, and a crimson light seemed to flicker in his beard and hair as he said with a sigh:
"Master Lü is too kind! I am far more than just knowledgeable!"

After speaking, the Dragon King of Qiantang straightened his chest, as if he had returned to the glorious years when he ruled the Yellow River.

"Watching the water is a specialty of our dragon race."

"Currently, the eight rivers flowing through Chang'an are the Wei River, Jing River, Ba River, Feng River, Lao River, and Chan River..."

The Wei River is the largest tributary of the Yellow River.

"Among the eight rivers of Chang'an, the Wei River has the largest drainage area and the most abundant water volume!"

"And the Jing River is next, being the largest tributary of the Wei River!"

"Therefore, the Wei River and the Jing River have always been the most important of the eight rivers in Chang'an, and they control the rainwater of Chang'an."

Qiantang Dragon King's voice was loud and clear, as if he knew the details by heart:
"Therefore, in ancient times, the area near Xianyang, now Chang'an, was mostly governed by the 'Dragon King of the Wei River' or the 'Dragon King of the Jing River' among the eight rivers of Chang'an."

"However, the current Jing River Dragon King has gained power and has gone a step further, now controlling all eight rivers of Chang'an."

"Now, the eight rivers of Chang'an, including the Jing River, the Wei River, and the Ba River, are all under his jurisdiction."

"It's all his territory."

Speaking of it.

"Hehehe..."

The Dragon King of Qiantang smiled slightly, a hint of self-deprecation in his expression, and then his arrogance as the Dragon God of the Yellow River, the one who controlled the Yellow River, reappeared:
“But back in the day, a certain family also served as the ‘Dragon King of the Yellow River,’ overseeing the entire Yellow River region.”

The Wei River is a tributary of the Yellow River.

"The Jing River is a tributary of the Wei River."

"The Jing River and the Wei River are also connected and their waterways are intertwined."

"Back then, the Wei River and the Jing River... were both under my jurisdiction!"

"Later... although I was demoted, I served as the 'Dragon King of the Wei River' for nearly a thousand years, and I was also in charge of the rain in Chang'an. I knew the hydrology, meteorology and functions of the area like the back of my hand!"

"After several transfers, I have now been exiled to the Qiantang River."

"But I am naturally very familiar with the eight rivers of Chang'an, and I can outline their layout even with my eyes closed!"

"I know the course of the eight rivers of Chang'an, their sources and tributaries, their hydrological characteristics, where they are prone to flooding, where they are prone to drought, where there are hidden reefs and dangerous shoals, and where they are water gates and passes... I know them all by heart!"

While talking.

The Dragon King of Qiantang waved his hand.

In an instant, water vapor rose and rippled.

The scroll depicting the eight rivers of Chang'an, crisscrossing and magnificent, slowly unfolded before everyone's eyes.

The waters of the eight rivers of Chang'an, including the Wei River, Jing River, and Ba River, rippled gently, their surface shimmering with a captivating light, a sight to behold.

Upon seeing the scroll depicting the watercourses of the eight rivers of Chang'an, Lü Dongbin's eyes gleamed brightly. He clapped his hands and laughed, exclaiming three times:
"Good! Good! Good!"

"The Dragon King of Qiantang had an excellent understanding of the eight rivers of Chang'an, especially the Jing and Wei rivers..."

He glanced around at the Eight Immortals and the two Dragon Kings present, his gaze finally settling intently on the Dragon King of Qiantang, and said decisively:
"In that case, the plan has succeeded! The fate of this evil dragon of the Jing River rests on this one move!"

"However, if this matter is to succeed, we still need the strong assistance of the Dragon King of Qiantang!"

"Only by borrowing the divine power of the Dragon King can we move this intricate and complex chess game!"

Upon hearing this, the Dragon King of Qiantang stood up without hesitation.

He clasped his hands in front of his chest, his expression passionate and stirring, and said:
"What do you mean by helping?! This is a matter concerning my Dongting Dragon Clan, and even more so, it is a matter of deep-seated hatred for my own niece!"

"I will do my utmost to serve Master Lü! Whatever you need, just say so! I will gladly sacrifice myself!"

At this moment, Li Xuan turned his gaze to Lü Dongbin and asked:

"Lu Yan, what's your plan? Tell me quickly!"

"I have a plan in mind, but I still need your help, fellow Daoist..."

Lü Dongbin smiled slightly, his strategy already decided and his mind at ease.

He rose from his seat, his steps unhurried, and walked to the side of Tieguai Li, the leader of the Eight Immortals. He leaned close and began to whisper in unison:
"So...so...like this...like this..."

Tieguai Li (Li Xuan) listened intently, his face first showing astonishment, as if he was shocked by this sudden and ingenious plan.

Then, the astonishment gradually turned into joy.

Finally, Li Xuan couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh loudly:

"Wonderful! Wonderful! Wonderful!"

“Lu Yan, Lu Yan, it’s a pity that you have long since seen through the mortal world, severed your worldly desires, and entered the path of immortality.”

"Otherwise, with such a strategy and such ingenious plan, it would be enough to secure the country and bring peace to the nation, and to be ennobled and appointed as a minister in the mortal world, reaching the highest position among officials!"

He sincerely admired this ingenious scheme of using someone else to kill a god.

Lü Dongbin smiled nonchalantly, cupped his hands in a humble manner, and said:
"Haha, fellow Daoist, you flatter me!"

"The worldly riches and honors are nothing but a fleeting dream, illusory and unreal."

His gaze fell upon the vast and boundless Dongting Lake outside the window.

His green robes fluttered, like an immortal descending to earth. The pure Yang sword intent flowed subtly, reflecting the vast blue waves and seemingly merging into one.

"A hundred years pass in a flash; worldly riches and honors turn to dust and vanity in the blink of an eye. Why be greedy for them?"

Lü Dongbin, filled with heroic spirit, proclaimed in a loud voice:
"Why not wield a sword in the mortal world and eliminate all injustices? That would be true freedom for us!"

……

At first, no one paid attention to this disaster, thinking it was just an ordinary flash flood, a wildfire, or a common cold... until this disaster became relevant to everyone.

This is the end.

The human realm of the Three Realms, the lands of the Four Continents, the four seas of the East, West, South, North, and South, the Taoist sects, the Buddhist sects, the Heavenly Court, the Dragon Clan, the Demon Clan, the Human Clan... the wind is rising.

(End of this chapter)