"Little Grandmaster-Uncle, this wasn't your idea, was it?" That's bold, Zhao Qi thought. They dared use that figure's true form as a fireworks design. Did they have something planned?
Wen Xu missed the first firework, but he felt the sudden hush around him. He opened his eyes and glanced at the sky. Then... he fell silent too.
He knew Chunchou revered his master, but he hadn't expected this level of reverence. Then again, as his master's only disciple, Wen Xu naturally knew his master's true form was a Divine Dragon. What that Divine Dragon actually looked like, though, he didn't know.
Cultivation texts described dragons in wondrous terms: foremost among scaled creatures, with antlers like a deer's, a head like a camel's, eyes like a rabbit's, a neck like a snake's, a belly like a mirage beast's, scales like a fish's, claws like an eagle's, paws like a tiger's, and ears like an ox's. Grown large, they raised clouds and breathed mist; shrunk small, they hid their forms. They could turn dark or bright, slender or immense, short or long. At the spring equinox they ascended to heaven, and at the autumn equinox they plunged into the abyss. The texts spared no praise.
Wen Xu had realized Chunchou was no great wordsmith. These fireworks, though... truly drew on the finest qualities of every source. If his master saw them, he would surely be delighted.
"...Mm. More or less."
At Wen Xu's answer, Zhao Qi stopped dwelling on it and moved to lead everyone swiftly away from this dangerous place. After tonight, the balance of power in Baigu City was bound to change.
Boom— A third firework burst in the sky. Perhaps it was his imagination, but Zhao Qi felt as though the fireworks were drawing closer and closer.
*I really