As the story ended, the group felt a deep sense of pity for the jiao's misfortune.
“So that monster is right here in Shouzhou? The one causing all this thunder and rain today is actually that jiao? Amitabha, Amitabha...”
The pear seller was so frightened that he began to pray repeatedly:
“Keep your voices down. They say monsters have hearts as small as the tip of a needle and hold grudges fiercely.
If that jiao has something like Far Hearing Ear or Thousand Mile Eye and finds out we’re talking about it, it might hold a grudge against us!”
The broker, having heard the story, marveled at the old man’s experience:
“In a way, that jiao actually saved your lives, yet it failed to become a dragon just because a child called out its true form. It really is a bit pitiful.”
“Hmph, I wouldn't say that. Monsters are treacherous. Who knows if that jiao only refrained from eating people because it was exhausted from the heavenly lightning?”
Among the pair of traveling performers, the father, who had remained silent until now, suddenly spoke up:
“I haven't heard many stories of monsters saving people, but aren't the stories of monsters eating people common in books and from storytellers?
With its opportunity ruined, its Crossing Jiao a failure, and its true form exposed, that monster is bound to hate humans for a lifetime.
If it had successfully transformed into a dragon this time, it would likely have stirred up wind and waves to plague the world in the future.
Besides, in my view, its repeated failures to transform are simply the will of Heaven. This beast was never destined to become a dragon and enter the sea; it was meant to be a snake on the ground.
A snake is a snake. Ultimately, it belongs to the wet-born, egg-hatched, clawless lot. How could it ever become a dragon?”
Beside him, his son didn't quite agree, but he only furrowed his brows.
He likely accepted this reasoning by default.
Hearing these words, the sharpener's face turned extremely grim. His pupils constricted, suddenly shifting into a pair of vertical slits that radiated murderous intent.
As if sensing something, the nun sitting by the window gave the old man a faint smile, looking gentle and peaceful.
Oh no, how could I forget this old woman is still here!
【These two are being insolent! Can I not even teach them a lesson?!】
The old man only shot a hateful glare at the father and son, suppressing his fury as he sent a secret telepathic message:
【Nun Miaoyun, I know the rules. I only came to seek a propitious word to successfully transform into a dragon. Why must your Demon Suppression Division be so overbearing?!
Do not forget the rules established by your Demon Suppression Division!】
【The rules of the Crossing Jiao? I certainly haven't forgotten them.】
The nun smiled slightly, her gaze peaceful:
【Lord Jiao, do not be anxious. I am merely performing my supervisory duties. As long as you do not strike, I will remain a mere spectator.
You may treat me as a clay statue. If you wish for me not to hear, see, or smell anything, that is also possible.
However, among those present, besides practitioners, there are also common folk. I hope Lord Jiao will be compassionate and not frighten them.】
The old man met a soft rebuff and found himself powerless against her. He could only bare his teeth in indignation and slowly let out a breath:
【Your Demon Suppression Division is truly arrogant to the extreme!】
【I came only for a single sentence. Naturally, I will not attack anyone else!】
【Including this little demon suppressor you are protecting!】
...
Just a moment later.
Someone else spoke up.
“Brother, I wouldn't put it that way.”
Nan Zhi took a sip of hot wine and slowly countered:
“You've never met that jiao, so how do you know it has committed evil?
The old gentleman and his son were saved by the jiao; that is a good deed. The fact that the jiao didn't retaliate against his family afterward is enough to show it isn't utterly evil.
As I see it, the child was only six years old at the time and hadn't yet begun his education. Calling out the jiao's true form wasn't intentional, so it shouldn't be considered a great sin.
But the jiao saving people was a true act of kindness, and it didn't seek petty revenge later. Though I don't know this jiao's temperament, I can glimpse a bit of it from this.
As for this Crossing Jiao, whether it succeeds or not has little to do with us. Why bother arguing about it and inviting unnecessary disputes for no reason?”
At least there's a smart one here.
The sharpener’s expression softened considerably. His eyelids blinked, and his eyes returned to normal.
“This was just a story for entertainment. There's no need to argue.”
The son performer listened to Nan Zhi's words and looked thoughtful. He then cut off his father's words:
“Father, you’re tired. Let me help you back to the room to rest.”
Unexpectedly, the man just waved him off and continued to argue with Nan Zhi:
“Young lady, from what you just said, you seem to have a rather high opinion of monsters.
Though we are but strangers meeting by chance, I must say one more thing. In this world, monsters are good at disguises and ghosts are good at clever arguments. When dealing with them, one must be cautious.
Otherwise, if you are careless for even a moment, you might lose your life and livelihood, and your bright future will vanish. That would be a loss not worth the cost!”
He spoke earnestly, and as he did, his gaze intentionally or unintentionally fell upon the oil-paper umbrella where Wanniang was hiding. He was clearly a fellow cultivator.
【???: Qi Refinement level 3】
Now that I’ve left the beginner village, are there cultivators everywhere?
“Thank you for the advice, brother.”
Nan Zhi quietly pulled the oil-paper umbrella behind her and said with composure, “However, I have my own way of doing things.”
Seeing that she was impervious to his advice, the man could only shake his head:
“Once you've suffered for it, you'll remember my words and understand that the evil of monsters and spirits is fundamentally different from that of humans.”
The conversation between the two felt like they were speaking in riddles. Except for themselves, the others were completely lost.
“That’s a great story. My grandfather was also a herb gatherer back then. When the flood hit, my father wasn't even as tall as a stool! Maybe he saw a Crossing Jiao too!
When I get home, I’ll tell this story to my wife!
Come, come, everyone have some pears. These pears were grown using the well water from my village. They’re sweet, crisp, and delicious!”
The pear seller was delighted and quickly picked several golden pears from his basket to share with everyone:
“Old gentleman, have a pear.”
The sharpener naturally received one as well, but he held the pear without eating it. Instead, he asked the pear seller:
“Young man, do you think this jiao will be able to succeed today?”
The pear seller scratched his head and said honestly, “How would I know? But if that jiao is a good one, naturally it can become...”
The old man’s eyes lit up, as if he were waiting for the young man to finish that sentence. He was so focused that he didn't even notice he had crushed the crispy pear in his hand.
Crack—!
Rumble!!!
Another thunderclap struck, frightening the pear seller into swallowing the rest of his sentence.
Damned heavens! You are going too far!
The sharpener trembled with rage, nearly spitting out blood:
“Heaven has failed me! Heaven has failed me!!!”
A sudden gale blew out the lamps in the shop, plunging it into darkness. Another thunderclap struck, and in the flash, everyone saw clearly:
There was no sharpener!
There was only a green-skinned giant snake, several yards long and as thick as a water vat!
The snake was thick at the top and tapered at the bottom. On either side of its head were two flaring, arc-shaped double gills. Its scales were standing on end, pulsing rhythmically with its rage!
Two bumps on its forehead, white on the outside and red on the inside, showed a fleshy pink—as if something were about to burst out of them at any moment—
The snake's cold vertical pupils stared fixedly at the crowd. Its inward-curving, hideous fangs were snow-white and translucent, like the sharpest hooks, dangerous and fatal.
The giant snake flicked its long, forked tongue with a loud hiss. Its massive belly scraped against the ground as it moved, producing a heavy, grating sound:
【Young man, look at me. Am I a snake or a dragon?】
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