Black Snake found the scene before him absurd beyond words. Nourished by incense, the great ghost rode in on a cloud with something of the imposing presence of a descending deity. Together with its robes, it certainly looked the part.
Meanwhile, lurking with his head hidden and tail exposed, he really did look like a monster being hunted down by a god.
That incense power was genuine. With enough worshippers and sufficiently sincere devotion, it could gather and utterly transform a ghost.
Yet its intelligence had not grown with it. It remained muddleheaded, acting on instinct, unable even to tell whether its enemy was stronger or weaker.
The great ghost charged in on its Incense Cloud, glaring with eyes like bronze bells and roaring.
"Kneel at once!"
As the great ghost drew closer, Black Snake sank lower, then lashed his tail and shot upward!
A colossal black shadow erupted from the depths, more than half his body bursting above the surface into the air. Spray scattered like shattered jade as he opened his jaws and bit at the charging ghost! He passed silently through it, biting away a great mouthful of incense essence.
With his tail still in the water, his enormous body traced an arc through the air before crashing back into the River!
The heavy splash startled the villagers bowing in worship. They raised their heads and saw a mass of white waves explode inexplicably in the distance, but the evening gloom kept them from seeing clearly.
The people chanting scriptures were surprised as well, but their eyes shifted, and they quickly caught on and raised their voices.
"Do not panic! The Dragon King has manifested, battling an evil creature to keep the River peaceful!"
At those words, the villagers first fell silent, then erupted with joy.
"The