Deep within the Dragon Palace of the East Sea, dark purple seaweed climbs the coral walls, swaying gently in the azure waters. Before the Crystal Palace gates, Sea-Patrolling Yaksha is stomping the last basket of offerings into the hall, the plump pigs and sheep crashing against the jade pillars with dull thuds.
The leader of the yaksha grabbed the old tortoise's shell and shook it back and forth, taking two fruits from it.
"What's all the noise outside?" A loud shout shook the coral, causing it to fall in a shower. The Dragon King of the East Sea, Ao Guang, was startled awake, his whiskers trembling violently with rage. The Turtle Prime Minister hurriedly stepped forward, his tablet creating translucent ripples in the water. "Your Majesty, it's because of a severe drought outside. They have begged Your Majesty to send rain and have already brought tribute."
"Who wants these pigs, sheep, melons, and fruits?" The Dragon King suddenly stood up, his dragon claws swatting the offerings away, scattering the pigs, sheep, melons, and fruits on the ground. "They must send forth young boys and girls, or not a drop of rain will fall!"
Ao Guang roared angrily, "Sea-Patrolling Yaksha!"
The Sea-Patrolling Yaksha entered the hall, and as he knelt on one knee, his steel fork slammed heavily onto the ground, sending up a series of bubbles. The yaksha said, "Present."
The Dragon King ordered, "Go and urge them to pay!"
The Sea-Patrolling Yaksha responded, "Yes."
But what they didn't know was that a figure was watching this scene.
On the shores of the East Sea, waves crashed against the rocks, emitting a low roar as if foreshadowing an impending storm. Nezha ( Huo Yuhao ) stood atop the rocks, his white robes fluttering in the sea breeze, a deep worry etched on his brow.
He had a clear understanding of the current situation, but he was at a loss as to what was to come.
Because the demon dragon in this world eats people, it needs to sacrifice young boys and girls. It is evil, and innocent villagers suffer as a result. Nezha did not want to cause trouble, but the Yaksha attacked him first, and the little sister was also taken away by the Yaksha.
It was also evil, Nezha's retaliation was not wrong in itself, but if the Dragon King were to hold him accountable, the people of Chentang Pass would also suffer.
Ao Bing, the Third Prince of the dragon, was also skinned and dismembered for eating people. Since he did evil, he had to pay the price for his evil deeds.
It can be said that Nezha here was not wrong; in the end, he committed suicide, a tragedy.
To ensure that the people of Chentang Pass are not implicated because of him, and that the Dragon King does not eat people, so that he can peacefully control the clouds and rain.
Rescuing the little sister and stopping the Dragon King from eating people is impossible, so the only remaining method is to use violence to combat violence, but the Dragon King will not obediently listen to him.
However, this illusion seemed to be more complex than it appeared, and a strange feeling lingered in his mind.
"The Dragon King committed evil deeds and was greedy, so he should be killed. The Yaksha kidnapped the little sister and attacked Nezha, so he should also be killed. Ao Bing ate people, so he should be killed. Kill the Dragon King and massacre the Dragon Palace!" Huo Yuhao clenched his fists, his nails digging deeply into his palms.
"In this way, the people of Chentang Pass will not suffer, and by killing Li Jing, Nezha will not have to commit suicide. This is the best ending, the most perfect solution!"
A golden light gradually appeared in his eyes, and his killing intent surged like a tide. A strange thought rose in his mind, as if a voice was constantly bewitching him: Kill, kill, kill, kill! Slay all obstacles!
However, just as his murderous intent reached its peak, a strange sense of unease washed over him. He snapped back to reality, looking at his slightly trembling hands, and broke out in a cold sweat. This illusion was far more dangerous than he had imagined!
It is not only a test of strength, but also a trial of character. If, as that voice in one's heart says, one goes on a killing spree, one will likely fail completely and begin the next cycle.
The sea breeze, carrying a salty smell, rushed towards him. Huo Yuhao took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. He knew that violence was not a good solution.
To truly change everything, rescue his little sister, and make the Dragon King behave himself, he had to find another way. But how exactly could he break this deadlock? This question loomed over his mind like a dark cloud, refusing to dissipate.
"There must be other ways," he muttered to himself.
The salty sea breeze whipped up small waves that lapped against the embankment. Nezha ( Huo Yuhao ) was deep in thought, pondering a way out of the predicament, when he was suddenly startled back to reality by a clear voice. "Hey, kid, what are you daydreaming about on the shore of the East Sea?"
He whirled around, cold sweat beading on his forehead—the murderous intent from just moments ago lingered like a persistent ailment, still faintly appearing deep within his consciousness. "No... that wasn't my thought!" He pressed his throbbing temples, his knuckles turning white from the pressure.
Beyond the shallows, in the twilight, a faint blue halo rose from the depths of the East Sea.
A few minutes earlier, the Dragon Girl, bored out of her mind, spoke as she drifted toward the shore with her long, blue hair wavy.
"Why does Father make humans send young boys and girls..." she muttered, blowing bubbles. "Isn't it the duty of the Dragon God to ensure good weather and abundant harvests in the human world?" To relieve her boredom, she transformed into human form and leaped onto the reef, only to see a white-clad boy standing on the shore, staring blankly at the sea.
"What's so interesting about this?" The Dragon Girl tiptoed closer, the pearl tassels in her hair brushing against the boy's hand. "There's nothing here but salty seawater!" She tilted her head, examining his pale face, and suddenly remembered her father always saying that humans were as timid as mice. She couldn't help but tease him, "Whose child is this, staring blankly at the East Sea?"
The moment Nezha looked up, his pupils suddenly contracted. The stunningly beautiful girl from the sea had a glittering dragon horn on her forehead that shimmered slightly, and her long, wavy hair reached her ankles. Her golden eyes were exactly like those of the Dragon King in his memory.
But there's clearly no Dragon Girl in the story! Cold sweat broke out on his back, secretly relieved that his murderous intent hadn't been acted upon. ( Nezha's eyes widened as if he'd seen a ghost.) "Is this right? I clearly remember there's no Dragon King's daughter in the story at all. What's going on?"
" Dragon Clan " Nezha ( Huo Yuhao ) thought to himself, "Are all Dragon Clan so ostentatious these days? Luckily, it was just a thought, otherwise it would have been troublesome."
"And who are you?" He took a half-step back warily.
"I am the daughter of the Dragon King of the East Sea!" The Dragon Girl raised her chin. "What's your name?"
" Nezha," he replied briefly, his gaze lingering on the other person—this sudden turn of events might be the key to breaking the deadlock.
The Dragon Girl's eyes lit up. " Nezha, what a beautiful name!" She suddenly leaned closer, her sea-like eyes filled with curiosity, " Nezha, why are you staring at the sea? Are you looking for some treasure?"
"It's nothing, the flood a few days ago washed me here," Nezha said, lowering his eyes to conceal the calculation in them. "I didn't expect the East Sea to be so vast..."
"Then why don't you go home?" The Dragon Girl tilted her head, the coral pendant in her hair jingling.
"Home is boring," he sighed softly. "My father always treats me coldly; it's much more comfortable outside."
These words resonated with the Dragon Girl, who sighed, "My father has been yelling at me a lot lately! Those shrimp soldiers and crab generals in the Dragon Palace only know how to flatter me with words like 'Princess is wise,' not a single one of them is genuinely playing with me!"
Suddenly, the Dragon Girl thought to herself, "This child is willing to talk to me, is handsome, has a pleasant voice, and isn't afraid of my Dragon Clan identity. Perhaps..."
She tugged at Nezha's sleeve, her eyes sparkling, "Can... you be my friend? We can play together."
Nezha ( Huo Yuhao ) watched the girl's joyful expression, a subtle smile playing on his lips. Perhaps this was a breakthrough point; the Dragon Girl's persuasion of the Dragon King might become the best anchor point.
So he nodded solemnly and said, "Okay, then you're my second friend!"
The Dragon Girl blinked in confusion. "A second friend?"
Nezha ( Huo Yuhao ) said: That's right, my first friend was a divine deer, which could travel a thousand miles a day.
The Dragon Girl stomped her foot, somewhat disgruntled, thinking, "So this guy has someone who's always been there for him."
But when she realized what was happening, "A divine deer?"
The Dragon Girl thought to herself, "Isn't that just a mount? Nezha is so silly. In that case, I'm his first friend, hehe."
The Dragon Girl laughed and said, "You are my first friend, Nezha."