The Long Wharf River emerged from the northwest of Ludong County, winding around the Floating Surplus Mountain Range. It cut diagonally across Ludong County as it flowed southeast, eventually joining another river before emptying into the Lu River.
The place where the two rivers met was known as Three Rivers Mouth.
It was also a key hub of waterborne transport, with quite a few Humble Gate towns gathered there, living off the river.
It could be said to bustle with life, even forming a black market.
Yet a place like this had demon beasts entrenched not far away! The more Liang Zhaohuang learned of the situation, the more certain he became that something was seriously amiss.
But even knowing there was a problem, he had to investigate first and find a way to resolve it.
The River Patrol Division vessel sped downstream along the river, reaching the lower reaches of the Long Wharf River in less than half a day.
They were still several dozen li from where the demon beast had entrenched itself.
Liang Zhaohuang stopped the vessel rather than proceeding farther. From dozens of li away, he activated the newly acquired Heavenly Eye Ability and looked toward the demon beast's lair.
Nothing obstructed his view across that distance, and Liang Zhaohuang immediately spotted the demon beast coiled in the river.
The demon beast was over three zhang long from head to tail, and its appearance was indeed rather strange.
Its upper body resembled an alligator dragon, while its lower body was plainly that of a python!
It looked as though an alligator dragon and a giant python had been cut apart at the waist, then their head and tail halves glued together.
"Looks like this is a hybrid variant born from two kinds of demon beasts!"
Liang Zhaohuang