Bearing the blue sky

Chapter 217 The Secret of the Dragon, Python, and Divine Sparrow

Mr. Chunzhi put down his teacup, his gaze becoming profound.

"According to legend, the Red River Dragon Python was originally just an ordinary water python in the Red River, nothing special. But by chance, it came into contact with the river god of the Red River, devoured him, and thus gained sentience."

"River God?" Zhu Ge raised an eyebrow: "The Red River God?"

"That's right." Mr. Chunzhi nodded: "The people on both sides of the Red River often have the power of incense spreading and gathering, but the Red River is too vast and turbulent, so the power of incense gathers but does not condense."

"Without this giant python, the river god might not have been able to materialize for thousands of years."

This is true.

Zhu Ge nodded upon hearing this.

Becoming a god is a thousand times harder than becoming a ghost.

This is especially true for great rivers, mountains, and peaks.

Because the body is too enormous, and the power of faith has no fixed point of concentration, it is difficult to generate naturally.

Without coincidence or human intervention, the Red River Python would never have been born in its lifetime.

Mr. Chunzhi continued, "The people around the Red River hoped for favorable weather and abundant harvests, so the incense burned continuously, and they offered sacrifices every year. The incense and prayers had nowhere to go, so they were intercepted by the Red River dragon and python. Over time, this helped it break through its shackles and become a great demon."

Zhu Ge frowned slightly: "So, it's essentially a demon that stole the offerings from the gods?"

"Exactly." Mr. Chunzhi nodded: "That's why it retains the ferocious nature of the demon race, and also possesses some of the powers of the gods—controlling the flow of the Red River and stirring up trouble."

"This is also the source of its confidence in joining forces with the Plague God Sparrow to besiege the Red Rice Immortal outside Yuanyang City."

"What about the Plague God Sparrow?" Zhu Ge frowned. "Killing this Red River Dragon Python might not be so simple."

The Red River Dragon Python can be called a great demon, but it can also be called a river god.

To kill a god, you must destroy his shrine.

This is how he destroyed the shrine of the fungus god in Jianshan Village before.

Mr. Chunzhi sighed: "The origin of the Plague God Sparrow is even more bizarre."

"It was originally an ordinary bird in the wilderness of southern Vietnam and Myanmar, but it mistakenly ate the remains of an ancient plague god and was thus transformed into the body of the plague god."

"That plague god was an ancient deity from the southern wilderness of Myanmar. He was severely injured by the Red Rice Immortal back then, but unexpectedly, a sparrow stole his opportunity."

"Now, it doesn't need incense offerings; it only needs to spread plagues and reap despair and fear to keep getting stronger."

"So that's why it spread the plague everywhere?" Zhu Ge thought of the inexplicable plague in Jianshan Village, and how her husband had left the village and had not returned since. A surge of anger welled up in her heart.

The gentleman's death led to this series of events.

"That's right." Mr. Chunzhi stroked his beard and said, "Wherever the Plague God Sparrow goes, plagues rage, and nine out of ten houses are empty. In recent years, eight or nine out of ten plagues in Honghe Prefecture have been related to it."

"These two beasts, one steals incense offerings and the other spreads plague, are neither good people," Yan Liyuan said coldly. "If Palace Master Zhu needs them today, just summon me, and I'll go and meet them."

"Brother Yan is kind and righteous." Zhu Ge bowed.

However, he doesn't plan to provoke those two in the near future, as they are not part of his plans.

He must proceed according to the original plan and not be greedy or reckless.

Mr. Chunzhi took a sip of tea and sighed, "They are incredibly powerful. When they joined forces, even the Red Rice Immortal was seriously injured. If you want to lift the siege of Yuanyang City, you need to plan this carefully."

"I know." Zhu Ge nodded. "So I plan to go and check out the other fallen cities first, to gather some useful resources and intelligence. Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated."

"You're going to those cities occupied by demonic beasts?" Yan Liyuan was somewhat surprised. "Those places are now the lair of the demon race, extremely dangerous."

Mr. Chunzhi was also somewhat surprised.

"We'll go even if it's dangerous." Zhu Ge smiled. "Those cities contain weapons, provisions, formation materials, and possibly even survivors. All of these things will be useful for our attack on Yuanyang City."

Yan Liyuan was silent for a moment, then nodded: "I'll go with you."

"No need." Zhu Ge shook his head: "Brother Yan has his own things to do. Besides, I have a way to conceal my aura, so it's more convenient for me to be alone."

Yan Liyuan glanced at him but didn't insist: "Then you should be careful."

Zhu Ge nodded, stood up, and took his leave.

Since he had said almost everything, there was no need for him to stay.

They originally came here to rescue Green Spring City and take away the Mighty Monkey.

He had to leave quickly after finishing his business, as he had a lot more to do.

Mr. Chunzhi personally escorted him to the door and then took out a scroll from his sleeve and handed it to him.

"Palace Master, this is a map I drew, marking the exact locations of the thirteen cities of Honghe Prefecture, as well as the distribution of the surrounding monsters."

"I've also marked the approximate territories of the demonic beast forces in the six fallen cities. Take these with you; they might come in handy."

Zhu Ge took the book and stared at it intently. Suddenly, a detailed map unfolded in his mind.

The locations of the six fallen cities are clearly marked on the map, with simple annotations next to each city recording the information known to Mr. Chunzhi.

"Thank you, Mr. Chunzhi," Zhu Ge said.

Zhu Ge took the book and carefully put it into her bosom.

Mr. Chunzhi remained silent for a moment, as if his divine sense was arranging something for someone.

A short while later, several servants came out carrying several large boxes.

"Palace Master, although Green Spring City is poor, we can still provide some supplies." Mr. Chunzhi pointed to the box and said, "I have prepared five hundred shi of grain, two hundred jin of medicinal herbs, one hundred weapons, and thirty sets of leather armor."

"It's nothing much, just a small token of my appreciation. I hope you won't find it offensive, Palace Master."

The next moment, the servant opened the box.

The provisions inside were top-quality red rice, the medicinal herbs were dried spiritual herbs, and although the weapons and leather armor were not of the finest quality, they were a timely help in replenishing the army's losses.

"Mr. Chunzhi, you're too kind." Zhu Ge clasped his hands in a fist and palm salute. "These are exactly what we need, so I won't refuse."

"It's only right," Mr. Chunzhi stroked his beard and smiled. "I'm just doing my part to help the people of Honghe Prefecture, and that's all I can do."

Yan Liyuan also took out a jade token from his hand and handed it to Zhu Ge: "Brother Zhu, this is my token. If you encounter trouble in Yuanyang City, crush this token, and I will be able to sense it within a thousand miles and come as soon as possible."

"However, the southern Vietnam and Myanmar regions are also of paramount importance, so I may not stay long."

"I understand, thank you, Brother Yan." Zhu Ge took the jade pendant, which felt warm and smooth to the touch. The character "Yan" was engraved on it.

"Don't mention it." Yan Liyuan patted his shoulder.

That afternoon, Zhu Ge led his team away from Lvchun City.

Liu Jianjian rode a second-realm deer demon, her hair stuffed full of demonic beasts, chatting and bragging with them, her face full of excitement.

The mighty monkey perched on Liu Jianjian's shoulder, holding a bunch of bananas in its hands, and was eating them with great joy.

The procession marched north along the official road, a grand and imposing procession, raising clouds of dust.

"Master, where are we going?" Liu Jianjian asked, riding a deer demon.

"Alu City".

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