Fifty li away, deep in the forest, lay a frigid pool.
In the dead of winter, the pool had not frozen over at all. Its rippling turquoise waters seemed faintly sinister.
A man in white sat cross-legged beside the pool.
He had fiery red hair and handsome features. Holding a fishing rod made of green bamboo, he sat there with his eyes half-closed, as if an old monk lost in meditation.
Three meters away from him, a bonfire crackled.
A burly, shirtless bald man sat beside it, wolfing down grilled fish with oil glistening around his mouth.
The fish the red-haired man caught seemed to end up in the burly man's stomach.
The two looked no different from ordinary men, save for the small flood dragon horns on their foreheads, which marked them as anything but ordinary.
At their waists hung several Demon Suppression Bureau badges glowing red.
Clearly, the two of them had sent out the distress signal.
Looking at this strange pair, one would think they were out on a picnic, not luring in and killing the Demon Suppression Bureau's prodigies.
Not far away, the Chen family's three silver-haired elders stared at one another, their expressions rather odd.
According to the plan they'd discussed earlier, they'd managed to bring in the Flood Dragon Palace's enforcers. But these two were far too eccentric to inspire any confidence.
After a moment's hesitation, Chen Youdao cleared his throat twice, stepped forward, and asked the red-haired gentleman who was fishing:
"Lord Wuyan, will this baiting scheme really lure Gu Cheng here? That brat is full of tricks. I'm afraid he won't take the bait so easily!"
"Ah, you Chen family people are always in such a hurry."
Jiao Wuyan slowly opened his eyes, revealing golden, demonic pupils—majestic and sinister all at once.
"So what if he comes? And what if he doesn't? The point of fishing isn't the result. It's enjoying the wait."
"..."
The Sixth and Seventh Elders exchanged a glance, both wearing expressions of utter exasperation.
This fishing fanatic was beyond saving!
They'd long heard that the Flood Dragon Palace's longworms did whatever they pleased and never followed convention. Seeing it for themselves today, they knew the rumors were true.
Chen Youdao also furrowed his brow, anxiety gnawing at him.
This matter was of great importance. If it was exposed, the Flood Dragon Palace would have nothing to fear, but Famous Sword Villa would be doomed.
He opened his mouth, about to offer a few words of advice, when Jiao Wuyan's expression darkened. A powerful dragon's might swept over them, choking off the words before they could leave Chen Youdao's mouth.
"If you keep running your mouth and scare my fish away, I'll use you for bait!"
The red-haired man's voice was ice-cold. The three elders immediately fell silent, not daring to make another sound.
Just then, the bald man beside them finished his grilled fish, wiped his mouth, and said to the three:
"Don't worry. Since Grandpa Jiao sent my brother and me to handle this, that Gu brat is as good as dead. It's only a matter of time."
He licked his fingers, a vicious glint flashing in his golden eyes.
"Didn't you say the brat's destination was the Crimson Rock Mountain Range?
"If he doesn't take the bait this time, I'll go kill him myself and twist his head off for you!"
The three elders hurriedly bowed. "Then we thank you, Lord Tielin!"
"No problem. It's a small matter."
Jiao Tielin grinned, seeming good-natured. But when his gaze swept over the Seventh Elder's curvaceous figure, the heat in his eyes was impossible to hide.
"!!!"
The Seventh Elder's heart jolted, and her pretty face instantly paled. She quickly lowered her eyes.
As far as she knew, these two innate flood dragons were the sons of the Old Flood Dragon King's second son, Jiao Potian.
It was said that the second son of the Flood Dragon King was lecherous and depraved. Like father, like son—his two boys could hardly be any better.
If Jiao Tielin had his eye on her, it would spell nothing good...
Just as the Seventh Elder was overcome with fear,
a sharp SMACK! rang out. A green bamboo fishing rod whipped across Jiao Tielin's face, cutting off his lecherous thoughts.
"Idiot! Have you forgotten Grandpa Jiao's warning?"
Jiao Wuyan snorted, his voice edged with exasperated anger.
"There's something very wrong deep in the Crimson Rock Mountain Range. Our Flood Dragon clan must never enter it without permission!"
"This..."
Jiao Tielin's expression turned grave at those words, as if he'd remembered something. He immediately reined in his earlier frivolity and said no more.
Chen Youdao and the others exchanged glances, their expressions strange.
Famous Sword Villa and Hundred Beasts Villa had long been at odds, so they knew something odd was going on in the Crimson Rock Mountain Range. But they'd never heard what, exactly, was unusual about it.
Now that even these two unruly flood dragon brothers were so wary of the place, their curiosity only grew. Still, they didn't dare ask too many questions.
Just then, an unfamiliar voice suddenly rang out:
"Oh? So you two know the secret of the Crimson Rock Mountain Range?"
Jiao Tielin reflexively shook his head.
"We don't know exactly what the secret is, but if Grandpa Jiao said it, he must be right. We just have to do as he says and—"
He stopped halfway through, suddenly realizing something was wrong.
Everyone jolted and turned toward the voice in unison.
Ten steps away stood a young man in dark robes, his hands behind his back and an amused smile playing on his lips.
It was none other than their target for this operation—Gu Cheng!
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