As Chun Zang turned back, there was still a line of faint footprints beside those he had left on the beach. They belonged to Zhen Kong! Of Chun Zang's four disciples, Zhen Jie, Zhen Feng, and Zhen Han all rode the wind, while only Zhen Kong had supported Chun Zang as they walked step by step across the beach.
"Clang, clang, clang..." At that moment, gongs rang out again from the distant fishing village, followed by a cacophony of cries. "Come quickly! Sea demons are eating people..."
Amid the noise, a group of sturdy fishermen rushed out of the little fishing village, roaring as they charged toward the beach with fish spears, long lances, curved blades, and other weapons in hand.
"Amitabha..." Chun Zang withdrew his gaze from the sea, then looked at Zhen Jie standing in the air. "Zhen Jie, this is all trouble you caused. Why haven't you gone to apologize to the fishermen?"
"Yes, Master!" Zhen Jie nodded, but then raised a hand and punched Dragon Horse Zhen Feng on the rear as he carried Lü Cao and Er Dan through the air. He barked, "Go! Why aren't you hurrying over to apologize to the fishermen?"
"Why is it me again? What does this have to do with me??" Zhen Feng cried indignantly. Just as he was about to throw down the burden, a violent gale suddenly rose from behind them at the East Sea Shore. The sky, which had previously been covered in sunset clouds, was now layered with bands of black and white, as though driven by the raging wind, yet also as if space itself were folding. At the place where sea met sky, a pitch-black demon cloud rapidly spread across the surface of the ocean, within it emerging the outline of an enormous