They Won't Come? Sooner or Later, I'll Go to Them

Third Lord Jiao's head rolled to the edge of the stone steps and lodged in a small pool of blood.

His jaw twitched. His lips parted, and a ragged breath squeezed from deep in his throat. Terror filled his face.

"Do you know who you're killing?"

Yang Xiao stood amid the blood, turning the Flood Dragon Core he had just dug out between his fingers. The orb was blue-green, with a sheen of water swirling over its surface. It was rather beautiful.

He did not answer.

The villagers pressed against the hall walls barely dared to breathe.

"My name has been known along the Canglan River for two thousand seven hundred years. At every village entrance and river fork along its banks, people have burned incense for me."

Third Lord Jiao seethed, but words were all he had left to wield.

"Kill me today, and tomorrow the Waterfolk of the Canglan River will know."

"They'll follow the river straight to Qingzhou."

Yang Xiao glanced down at him.

"If they don't come, sooner or later I'll go to them."

Third Lord Jiao's cheeks puffed twice. The retort left him at a loss for words.

What arrogance. Anyone who didn't know better might think a Demon Suppression General in black armor and a red cloak stood there.

"That child on the table is the Little Dragon King of the Canglan River's own flesh and blood. The Old Dragon King's blood runs through him."

"If a single hair on his head is harmed," Third Lord Jiao said faster, a bloody gurgle rattling in his throat, "those lords of the Canglan River will turn Qingzhou upside down."

"Your blade may be fast, but can it cut down the Flood Dragons of an entire river?"

Yang Xiao's hand paused.

He walked over and stopped beside