The Blood Shark King steadied himself and checked again, only to find that he could still smell the pungent stench of burning bones.
It was the smell of countless corpses burning amid grass and wood, their fat and moisture already wrung dry, leaving only the most stubborn marrow to sear. Inevitably, it brought flames and death to mind.
At first, the smell merely lingered in his mind, surfacing now and then like a stray thought and disturbing his peace.
Gradually, however, it passed from illusion into reality, affecting the material world. Even those around him could smell it.
The Blood Shark King turned his head and saw several servants fearfully carrying the great fish away from the flames. They thought they had burned it, and that the scorched smell was coming from inside.
With a beckoning gesture, a slab of raw fish over ten feet across flew into his hand. In an instant, he squeezed it into a compact ball, which turned into a streak of blood-red light and entered his gaping mouth. He tipped his head back and swallowed it.
"It isn't this thing. You, come here and sniff. See whether it's coming from me."
He licked the corner of his mouth, pointed at the Black Market Trader, then propped up his enormous foot and aimed it at him.
The Black Market Trader stared in astonishment, then approached with a bitter expression, saying what he did not mean. "Your Majesty is heroic, pure, and fragrant... urgh! Your Majesty, something's burned-you're burned!"
His eyes widened as he discovered, to his horror, that the scorched smell was indeed coming from the Blood Shark King.
"Hahahaha! Well played, Li Ling! What a trick!"
The Blood Shark King burst out laughing, then suddenly rose, vaulted over the nearby railing, and jumped down.
A