On the banks of the Tongtian River lay an unremarkable little ditch in a secluded spot.
The night was dark and windy. Not even the cry of a waterbird could be heard among the reeds.
The Roc Demon King and the Macaque King were armed to the teeth, with only two pairs of darting eyes exposed. They had come fishing in the wilderness in the dead of night, yet wore heavy armor and helmets. No matter how one looked at it, they hardly seemed to be here for a discussion.
Of course they weren't.
They were here to fight.
The Macaque King's voice sounded muffled through his helmet's face guard. "Third Brother, when Second Brother gets here, let's not rush into fighting. We should talk things through with him first, appeal to his feelings and reason, and persuade him to go to his death willingly. If he'll lend us his head of his own accord so his brothers can enjoy wealth and honor, it'll save us the trouble of fighting for our lives. He can even keep his corpse intact."
The Roc Demon King neither agreed nor disagreed. Naturally, avoiding a fight would be best.
A moment later.
A ripple spread across the water, and a sinister wind swept through the reeds.
The Flood Demon King materialized beside the ditch. He spotted his two dear younger brothers at once and said with a smile that never reached his eyes, "My dear brothers, why are you wearing helmets to go fishing?"
With their intentions exposed to their faces, the Roc Demon King chose to be brazen about it. He cupped his hands. "Second Brother! Let's talk."
"About what?" The Flood Demon King sneered and stood with his hands behind his back, stopping precisely three paces from his two younger brothers. His