Chapter 27: The Dragon Shrine
In just a few days, the once vibrant atmosphere in the city turned eerie. Initially, the townsfolk were excited about Zhou Chu's plan to rid them of the menacing flood dragon. However, as the initial fervor waned and rumors spread, some people began to oppose Zhou Chu's actions.
The issue was simple: they feared Zhou Chu might fail. After all, they were dealing with a dragon. Even though it was identified as a flood dragon based on its characteristics, it was still a dragon. How could a human possibly defeat a dragon?
Killing the Southern Mountain Tiger was one thing; it was just a beast. If Zhou Chu failed, it would only mean more trouble for the tiger. But the flood dragon was different. This dragon lord had gained some intelligence. If Zhou Chu failed to kill it, who would bear the brunt of the dragon's wrath? Certainly not Zhou Chu or his well-guarded family. The common folk would suffer. Sacrificing a few children each year was a small price to pay for peace. Why provoke the dragon at all?
Moreover, rumors spread that Zhou Chu was merely seeking glory, not genuinely considering the townspeople's well-being. They believed he could escape unscathed if he failed, leaving them to face the dragon's fury. The temple priest at the Dragon Shrine even warned that the dragon was already aware of Zhou Chu's plans and demanded the immediate sacrifice of ten pairs of children to quell its anger, or it would flood the city.
Fear took hold of the people. They cursed Zhou Chu, questioning why he couldn't leave well enough alone. Sacrificing a few children each year was a small price for peace. Why risk everything?
"Bang!" Zhou Chu smashed a sturdy wooden table into pieces in anger, turning to Lu Li. "These ungrateful bastards! I'm doing this for their sake, and yet they see me as a threat!"
Lu Li chuckled. "People are mostly content with the status quo. As long as life is bearable, they will cling to it. Even if you're trying to help them, if it threatens their stability, they will see you as the enemy."
"So, what do we do? The city lord is pressuring my family, telling me to stay put. It's laughable," Zhou Chu fumed. Just a few days ago, the city lord had honored him for killing the Southern Mountain Tiger, and now he was being told to stand down?
"It's simple." Lu Li toyed with his oil-paper umbrella, shadow magic carving strange patterns on it. "Where did those rumors originate?"
"You mean the Dragon Shrine?" Zhou Chu wasn't slow to catch on after Lu Li's hint.
"Exactly. Your plan to kill the flood dragon threatens the shrine's interests the most." Lu Li nodded. "I did some asking around. The Dragon Shrine is run by the priest Xu and his large family. They don't produce anything themselves but live comfortably off the annual offerings."
"If you kill the flood dragon, who will still worship at the shrine?" Lu Li's words made Zhou Chu seethe with anger toward Xu and his family.
"Solving this is simple." Lu Li narrowed his eyes. "The people oppose you because they have an easier option: sacrifice a few children each year and offer some incense money to the shrine for a stable life. Why take the risk of fighting the flood dragon?"
"So, you just need to cut off that option." Lu Li smiled. "Destroy the Dragon Shrine, kill Xu and his family, and the people will have no choice but to support you."
Zhou Chu nodded, deep in thought. When he opened his eyes again, they gleamed with fierce determination.
Outside the city, near a river embankment, stood the Dragon Shrine, inscribed with three large characters: "Dragon Shrine." Inside was a statue of a dragon-headed deity, with a Zhu Poba dragon coiled at its feet.
The priest Xu lived in a large residence near the shrine. After breakfast, Xu walked to the shrine, smiling at the crowds offering incense. The chaos caused by Zhou Chu had its benefits, instilling fear in the people, leading to more offerings to appease the dragon.
Xu feigned a stern expression, pretending the dragon was angry. In reality, he hadn't informed the dragon about Zhou Chu at all. The flood dragon had no idea a human planned to challenge it. The extra offerings would line Xu's pockets, and he could claim the sacrifices were his doing, earning the dragon's favor and possibly rewards like treasure or the dragon's breath.
As Xu reveled in his thoughts, he sensed an unusual presence. He practiced a cultivation technique that heightened his sensitivity to such things. Looking up, he saw a young man in black, holding an oil-paper umbrella adorned with black patterns, standing at the shrine's entrance. The river breeze stirred his long black hair.
Lu Li hadn't cut his hair since the college entrance exams, and the shadow magic accelerated its growth. His hair almost reached his shoulders now. He smiled at Xu, an ominous feeling rising within the priest.
A pitch-black shadow spear materialized, its speed so great Xu couldn't react. If aimed at Xu, it would have pierced him instantly. But Xu had no time to feel relieved as the spear shattered the dragon-headed statue, unleashing thorny vines that reduced it to rubble. From the river came a furious roar—Xu knew things had taken a disastrous turn...