Waves crashed against the shore, and the cold wind howled.
A massive shadow slipped silently beneath the water, frightening the fishermen into clutching the edges of their skiffs and pressing them down tight, not daring to stir even the slightest ripple, until they saw the black shadow swimming upstream toward the shore.
Oh no!
Splash!
The water bulged, white foam surged backward, and flocks of birds scattered in alarm! A fish fin broke the surface first, a streak of mottled brown-green tearing through the Water Membrane covering it before rising fully from the water, as though an island had appeared out of nowhere in the lake! Sharp fangs interlocked, taller than a man. Dense scales reflected the sky light, radiating a biting chill, while its hollow fish eyes still retained a vicious gleam. It was hideous and terrifying!
A demon! A demon had come Shang An!
Clang!
A long bench toppled to the ground, and the tavern banners were blown down by the wind, yet no one went to set them upright.
The teahouse waiter fell flat on his buttocks, both legs trembling. Overwhelming terror descended upon him, and he felt a little urine threatening to burst from his crotch. Yet in his daze, he found the scene before him strangely familiar, as if he had seen it somewhere before.
A flash of inspiration struck him, and he blurted out.
"Master Liang?"
Master Liang?
Everyone froze.
"Well now! You're certainly a bold one!"
A young, familiar voice came from inside the fish's head, bringing with it an unusual sense of security and calm. A few drops of the waiter's nearly escaped urine squeezed out, only to be forcibly held back in.
The fish spoke?
Of course not.
"Is it really Master Liang?"
The crowd could hardly believe it.
A huge