Now, Mingniang falsely claimed that she had fallen for the old monk.
The enormous shock instantly sobered Little Alligator Dragon.
Little Alligator Dragon found it utterly impossible to accept.
The woman he had adored for so long, yet could never win, was now actually going to...
Whenever he imagined that scene, a piercing pain tore through his chest, nearly driving him mad.
Little Alligator Dragon raged, "Mingniang, I won't let you leave! You're not going anywhere!"
Mingniang said, "Great King, why must you press me so relentlessly? My husband will be coming to fetch me soon. If you insist on keeping me here, I'm afraid someone will come to harm."
Little Alligator Dragon said, "I'm not afraid. If he dares come, I'll kill him!"
Mingniang said, "Great King, if you mean to kill my husband, then please kill me first!"
Little Alligator Dragon staggered three steps back in fury. "Mingniang, you! You're so devoted to an old monk, just because he serves under Bodhisattva Manjushri?"
Mingniang said, "Great King, I have no feelings for you. You've imprisoned me in your palace all these years, but you've never forced yourself on me. I know you're a good man. Please grant my wish!"
Hearing this, Little Alligator Dragon felt his chest tighten even more.
Suddenly, something occurred to him. "Wait, he's an old monk. How can he marry you? Wouldn't that violate his monastic rules?"
Mingniang said, "He won't marry me. He'll simply take me into his home, and we'll act as husband and wife in secret."
Little Alligator Dragon nearly spat blood at her words. He said,
"Mingniang, you'd rather follow that old monk without even the status of a wife than marry me?"
Mingniang smiled softly at his words. Though she said nothing outright, disdain showed on her face.
Just