The two demons flanked Wang Canglan, hemming him in.
Their stance made it clear: unless he kowtowed, he would not be leaving today.
Wang Canglan looked at the two beasts before him, foxes swaggering under a tiger's borrowed might.
He wanted to cry, but had no tears.
Why did I choose to come here to ask...
But those who achieve great things do not quibble over trifles.
As long as... as long as I can learn that girl's whereabouts from them afterward... I can count this as enduring humiliation for a greater purpose...
At that thought,
Wang Canglan clenched his back teeth and squeezed the words out through them.
"You are both right... I was too attached to outward appearances."
"I shall pay my respects now. Right now."
Hearing that,
Old Red Flood Dragon finally released him in satisfaction, clasped his hands behind his back, and swaggered ahead.
They stepped over the high threshold.
Incense smoke wreathed the main hall.
On the altar at its center stood a clay statue several dozen feet tall.
The statue was carved with lifelike detail: black robes, ink-dark hair, and cool, aloof eyes.
It bore Jiang Yuechu's likeness.
Wang Canglan stood before the statue and raised his head to look at that face of peerless beauty.
Hatred surged sky-high in his heart.
This was the woman who had destroyed Azure Luan Mountain, killed Junior Brother Liu, and severed his path through the Dream-Borrowing Path Technique.
And now he had to bow his head to her here.
"What are you standing there for? Kneel."
Standing beside him, Old Red Flood Dragon lit three sticks of incense and shoved them into Wang Canglan's hands.
"Your kowtows must be loud, your lips must recite Her Highness's mighty name, and your heart must be devout."
Wang Canglan gripped