Volume Three: Blossoms in Pair, Alone Against the Odds Chapter Six: The Serpent Lord

The Serpent Lord lazily yawned, forcing himself to be alert as he spoke, “Very well! I have no idea how many years I’ve slept this time. It must have been ten thousand years since you and your wife last visited me. It’s rare that you’ve kept your word, never using your status as a Primordial Lord to pressure me. I’ll go down now and fish that big fellow up for you.”

Zhuo Hua hurriedly interjected, “Please wait, Serpent Lord. Back during the ancient war, if not for your extraordinary abilities in subduing the dragon clan, Lanling and I would’ve had to endure much more hardship to end that dreadful conflict. The agreement back then was that you would guard this Cloud Palace treasury, and for every visit we paid you, we’d spar once. Since you’ve honored your promise and watched over this treasury beneath the Azure Water Chilling Pool for so many years, as the master of Cloud Palace, I cannot break faith. Please, allow me to pay my respects!” With that, Zhuo Hua assumed a ready stance.

Unexpectedly, the old Serpent Lord burst into hearty laughter, the thunderous sound reverberating through the enclosed great hall.

With a hint of embarrassment, the Serpent Lord said, “Little Zhuo Hua, your words truly make this old serpent ashamed! I know full well that even if I hadn’t subdued that rascal Lin Xiaoyun back then, you two would have dealt with him eventually. Rather than be forced to become your enemy later, I figured it was wiser to take the initiative early. Besides, the dragons and serpents have always been mortal enemies. Before you arrived, my serpent clan had suffered under Lin Xiaoyun’s cruelty for ages, nearly facing extinction. In single combat, we serpents never feared the dragons. Controlling clouds and rain, summoning thunder and lightning—we’re better at it than they ever were. The only vexing thing is their innate ability to ride the clouds and mist; every time they were about to lose, they’d simply take flight and escape. We serpents, on the other hand, must endure countless tribulations and hardships before we can grow wings and ascend. Another thing: dragons can breed every thousand years, producing nine eggs each time, while we serpents, though we only need eight hundred years, can only lay one egg at a time. No matter how brave and fierce my kin were, after millions of years, our numbers still dwindled.”

At this point, the Serpent Lord became visibly saddened, and tears glimmered in his crimson eyes.

Zhuo Hua tried to comfort him, saying, “Please don’t be grieved, Serpent Lord. Nowadays, the serpent descendants cultivate themselves in Cloud Palace, studying the arts and refining their skills. Among the many demon disciples, they are counted among the finest. There’s no more need to worry about wandering outside, suffering the oppression of other clans.”

The Serpent Lord nodded his massive head in agreement. “Little Zhuo Hua, you speak far more pleasantly than that girl Lanling—she always has a sharp tongue. The reason I decided to ally with your Cloud Palace back then was not without self-interest. After several wars, my people had lost nearly all our males. We desperately needed a sanctuary to recover and thrive. Besides, what kind of person is Lin Xiaoyun? If I had allied with him, I’d have been constantly watching my back for betrayal. It was better to join you, deal with that Lin fellow, and enjoy a peaceful post guarding the Azure Water Chilling Pool, savoring my twilight years. And now, my offspring have a good home.”

Zhuo Hua stepped forward and bowed deeply. “Thank you, Elder, for decisively refusing Lin Xiaoyun’s alliance all those years ago, sparing countless lives from his torment.”

Then, with bitterness, he added, “I should never have let that fickle villain live out of a moment’s hesitation. Now I regret it bitterly.”

The old Serpent Lord caught the implication in Zhuo Hua’s words. His huge eyes rolled as he pondered for a moment, then bent down and whispered, “Little Zhuo Hua, has that scoundrel Lin Xiaoyun betrayed us again?”

Zhuo Hua nodded. “Yes, the dragon clan has rebelled once more.”

The old Serpent Lord snorted coldly. “Treacherous and fickle scoundrel. What’s his scheme this time?”

Zhuo Hua replied, “The Umbral Howl clan—he’s joined forces with them this time.”

The old Serpent Lord drew in a sharp breath, and a gust of wind whipped up around them. He asked in astonishment, “How did he get involved with the Umbral Howl clan? Has our location been compromised?”

Zhuo Hua, arms crossed behind his back, replied worriedly, “I can’t hide this from you any longer, Elder.” He then recounted everything—Lanling possessing Tian Chong to steal the Primordial Relic, drawing Yuan Kang of the Sun Worship Sect into the Cloud Palace void, the disappearance of a thousand Spirit Helm soldiers, and the combined attack of the Shark and Dragon clans against the palace’s Star Lords—all in detail.

After hearing everything, the old Serpent Lord, initially surprised, grew calm. He mused, “So, although the Lanling void has been exposed, it will still be tens of thousands of years before the Umbral Howl truly arrive here. The so-called Sun Worship Sect and Spirit Helm soldiers are nothing but small fry, Lord Primordial. Your Star Lords are more than enough to handle them. The real problem is with the demon clans. Their power is vast, their strength formidable, and most importantly, they know this place inside and out. If they side with the Umbral Howl, it will be like wildfire—impossible to contain. Besides the dragons and the clearly rebellious sharks, what of the eagles and whales? Dealing with the demon clans is now your most urgent task. Yet what puzzles me is why Lanling would join the Umbral Howl. She is the pride of Primordial Heaven—she should be their sworn enemy. Could there be some misunderstanding?”

Zhuo Hua shook his head. “I am certain it’s truly her. She appeared in person, urging me not to interfere with her coming actions. Everything so far points to a meticulous, long-laid plan—each step following seamlessly upon the last.” Zhuo Hua sighed, his mood turning somber.

The Serpent Lord tried to console him, “Don’t be disheartened, Zhuo Hua. I believe Lanling must have her reasons. Ask yourself honestly: if she truly wished you dead, could you stop her?”

Zhuo Hua replied, “In cultivation and cunning, I am no match for her. I keep trying to convince myself that she must have her reasons. But as the Lord of Cloud Palace, I have a duty to my brothers who risk their lives, and to all living beings. Whoever violates Primordial Heaven must be punished, no matter how far they flee.”

The Serpent Lord let out a long sigh. “Ah, how fate toys with people. Once a pair of celestial lovers, now forced to stand on opposite sides, locked in mortal struggle. As they say, if heaven could feel, it too would grow old; it’s hard for true hearts to endure to the end.”

The two fell into a long silence.

After some time, the Serpent Lord spoke. “Zhuo Hua, is there anything this old one can do for you?”

Zhuo Hua snapped out of his reverie and quickly waved his hand. “You promised to enjoy your twilight years here, Elder. How could I trouble you to leave your post again?”

The Serpent Lord shook his head. “Though we are tens of thousands of years apart in age, we both love poetry and are friends across generations. I have always admired you, youngster. Besides, if Cloud Palace falls, what good end awaits us lonely souls? If the skin is gone, can the hair remain attached? Zhuo Hua, what you lack is Lanling’s fierce spirit. You’re too hesitant, always looking before you leap. Don’t waver—this old serpent and all my kin are at your command.”

By now, Zhuo Hua’s face was streaked with tears. All these days, he had constantly reminded himself he was the master of Cloud Palace, that he must stand firm and never let others see his inner turmoil and helplessness. But with the Serpent Lord, whom he had only met a handful of times, he found a true gentleman’s friendship.

Lowering his head, Zhuo Hua wiped away his tears and managed a smile. “Then I shall accept your kindness. Oh, right—the reason I came is to help a disciple who lost his left arm to the Lin father and son on the Linbo Sea, so I must trouble you, Serpent Lord, to fetch the Thousand Mechanisms Jar from the bottom of the pool.”

The Serpent Lord boomed, “That’s more like it! If you ever feel troubled again, come talk to me. Though I’ve lived a few tens of thousands of years longer than you, I’ve gained some insight. Foolish boy, wait here a moment—I’ll go fetch that great jar for you.” With that, he plunged headfirst into the Azure Water Chilling Pool, sending up towering waves. Caught off guard, Zhuo Hua was drenched once again.