"Within a month, I'd eaten everything in the village. I was so hungry I had no other choice, so I resorted to robbing passersby for food.
"But this fishing village is so remote that only one traveler came through in a whole month, and he was a peddler. His carrying baskets were full of children's toys. I searched through everything and only found two packets of pastries.
"Those two packets barely kept me alive for half a month.
"Today, I finally had the fortune to meet you, great immortal. I failed to recognize your greatness and was blind enough to try robbing you. Please be magnanimous and let me go. I'll never dare do it again!"
After finishing its account, the octopus spirit began bawling. Tears and snot smeared its face as it wailed incessantly, sobbing so hard it could barely breathe. Every so often, it stole a glance at Cui Jiuyang's expression to gauge his reaction.
Amused by its behavior, Cui Jiuyang nudged it lightly with his foot and asked, "Stop crying. Tell me, do you know how things have been at the East Sea Dragon Palace lately?"
The octopus spirit's sobbing stopped abruptly. Blinking its reddened eyes, it gave an embarrassed smile. "Great immortal, my cultivation is truly meager. I'm just an insignificant little demon. I don't even know which way the East Sea Dragon Palace's gates face. How would I know what's been happening there?
"Still, if that's what you're asking about, I did overhear a few things when other sea demons were boasting. I don't know whether they're true.
"I'll just tell you what I heard, and you can take it for what it's worth.
"Apparently, a few years ago, His Highness Ao Luo, the Dragon King's twelfth son, disappeared while roaming the sea for pleasure.