Chapter 52: Fatal Disaster

The pond belonging to Yu Datou was crystal clear, with shrimps, crabs, fish, and frogs swimming freely within it. As the sunlight streamed down, it slowly ushered in the warmth of a new day. Zhu Xiu and Mao Dahong drove a small donkey carrying two baskets of pots, bowls, and pans to the riverbank to wash the tableware.

Mao Dahong immersed the two grease-stained baskets into the pool water, and the floating oil slick polluted the clarity, turning iridescent in the scattered sunlight.

Zhu Xiu also tossed in a dirty rag to scrub, turning the multicolored water turbid once again. She said, "Big Brother Dahong, those two iron pots need to be washed as well. Hurry back with the donkey to fetch them, while I wash these here."

A stone pier jutted out at this spot, with a depth of water suitable for washing, alongside a stone stool convenient for sitting. This was the exact place where Hao Meili had just washed her face. As Zhu Xiu washed bowls here, she naturally caught sight of Yu Datou and Xiao Bugui.

After Hao Meili departed, Yu Datou offered some psychological counseling to Xiao Bugui: "Are you a fool? I can tell that Hao Meili fancies you."

Xiao Bugui replied, "I like her too."

Yu Datou said, "Since you like each other and she likes you, why are you acting like this? Now that the weather is warm and the sun is bright, on such a fine day, wouldn't it be wonderful to get intimate and have a child?"

Xiao Bugui said disdainfully, "Even though I like her, I cannot have children with her. I am destined to return to the Celestial Immortal Isle. Can liking someone grant immortality?"

Yu Datou countered, "All living things have life, and with life comes death. Among us demons, I have seen some live to three hundred, and heard of those reaching five hundred. Demons of a thousand years are merely legends; I have never witnessed anyone who is truly undying and ageless. The immortality spoken of by immortals must be a trick to fool a simpleton like you."

Xiao Bugui said, "Regardless, I must gather the Jianghu Tokens and return to the heavens."

Yu Datou asked, "It seems you lived a very happy life in the heavens?"

Xiao Bugui answered, "A bit less happiness, a lot more hardship."

Yu Datou said, "Then aren't you a fool? There is so much joy to be found in the mortal realm. When I make merry among mortals, humans fear me and demons adore me. The sun shines upon me, flowers perfume me, and there are fat fish, fine crabs, thriving grass, and chirping orioles—what a wonderful life. If you don't like Lady Hao, could it be that you fancy Hu Jiao?"

Xiao Bugui said, "I do like Hu Jiao. But I cannot have children with Hu Jiao either. One cannot simply have children with everyone they happen to like."

Yu Datou decided to stop beating around the bush and bluntly stated, "I know you are merely a fickle and romantic wanderer. I warn you, I regard Hu Jiao as my own elder sister, and you are forbidden to harm her."

"Since I cherish Sister Hu Jiao, naturally I would never harm her." The affection Xiao Bugui meant was friendship, whereas the affection Yu Datou understood was romantic love. Thus, a misunderstanding arose.

A small boat drifted close to where Zhu Xiu was washing bowls. Zhu Xiu stared fixedly, trying to recognize Yu Datou, even taking out a hidden silk portrait for comparison. After several careful observations, she confirmed beyond a doubt that this was indeed Yu Datou.

Realizing he was being watched, Yu Datou assumed he had captured the adoration of a stranger. He paused his preaching to Xiao Bugui and declared, "Let me show you how I, Yu Datou, go about courting a young maiden."

Yu Datou leaped into the water. Startled, Zhu Xiu hastily tucked the silk portrait into her bosom, pulled out a cloth bag filled with fishing bait, and scattered it all into the water before pretending to busy herself with washing bowls.

Her eyes were not fixed on the grime of the bowls, but rather on the fish gradually gathering in the water—among them Yu Datou, who was looking up at her from beneath the surface.

Blinking her bright, watery eyes, Zhu Xiu feigned innocence and asked, "Are you a spirit from the water?"

Yu Datou poked his head out of the water, smiled, and said, "My name is Yu Datou, and I am a fish demon. May I ask the fair maiden's esteemed name?"

Zhu Xiu did not reply immediately. She fell into deep contemplation: should she catch him off guard and kill Yu Datou right now, or get to know him first as a friend and wait for a better opportunity to kill him later?

Seeing Zhu Xiu remain silent, Yu Datou assumed she was either too shy or too terrified, completely unaware that she was plotting his demise. He flirtatiously teased, "Fair maiden, do not be afraid. Despite my odd appearance, I have a kind heart and never harm anyone. There is no need to be shy either. Since you know my name, if we are to be friends, it is only natural that I know yours."

"My name is Zhu Xiu." Zhu Xiu stroked her sharp hair and lowered her head shyly. The sunlight striking her hair gave it a metallic sheen.

Mao Dahong returned, leading the donkey burdened with the iron pots. He wore a headscarf to conceal his red hair and used his robe to cover his worm-like torso. He wriggled forward like a man with crippled limbs, appreciating Yu Datou from a chef's perspective, and could not help marveling: "Such a big head. If it were made into a chopped pepper fish head dish, it would surely be delicious."

Naturally displeased by Mao Dahong's remarks, Yu Datou demanded, "Where did you come from? Let me tell you, the fish in this pond are my private property, and you are forbidden to kill and eat them. If I catch any of you stealing my fish, I will make you pay with your lives."

Mao Dahong retorted, "Who are you? What right do you have to stop me from eating fish?"

"I am Yu Datou of the Silver Rakshasa, one of the Seven Rakshasas of the Demonic Cult!"

Yu Datou proclaimed his name in an attempt to intimidate them. To his surprise, upon hearing this, Mao Dahong became utterly ecstatic and asked for confirmation repeatedly, "Who did you say you are? I didn't catch that clearly just now."

Presting his hand against his chest, Yu Datou stated, "My name is Yu Datou. Did you hear that clearly?"

Without a shred of doubt, the reckless Mao Dahong simply tore off his headscarf, flung open his robe, revealing his entire torso bristling with red hair-like needles, and shouted sternly, "I heard it loud and clear—you are Yu Datou. For our first meeting, I'd like to present you with a handful of fur!"

The flying hairs shot forth like needles, aiming straight for Yu Datou's eyes. To dodge them, Yu Datou arched his back and plunged into the water. Sensing that Yu Datou was in danger, the Rakshasa Spear thrust directly at Mao Dahong, causing Xiao Bugui's posture to resemble a monkey sticking its butt out and thrusting its tail upward, facing his demonic enemy with his rear end.

Before Mao Dahong could figure out whether that was a tail or a spear, the Rakshasa Spear pierced straight through his chest, pinning him against a large tree.

Mao Dahong spat out green fluid, plucked another extremely fine needle-hair from his body, and shot it right into Xiao Bugui's rear end, cursing bitterly, "My needles are poisonous; if I die, don't expect to live either."

Wincing in agonizing pain, Xiao Bugui retracted the Rakshasa Spear. As Yu Datou sank back into the water, a school of fish swam to the surface, forming terrifying written characters: *Save me!*

Soaring high above, Shang Qiufeng naturally witnessed the wondrous spectacle of fish breaking the water's surface, realizing at once that Yu Datou was in mortal danger. He first ignited a firecracker in mid-air, flashing a burst of sparks to alert the other demons.

At that exact moment, Cao Dan had just encountered Yuan Lang, barely managing to say one sentence: "Brother Yuan, long time no see!"

Acting haughtily and ignoring him completely, Yuan Lang only had eyes for the fireworks blooming in the sky. Scrambling like a monkey scaling cliffs and scaling walls, he used his arms as legs to rush toward the scene.

Judging that a major crisis must have occurred and fearing that his own craftsmen might have provoked some disaster, Cao Dan hurried along behind him. Though his pace was fast, he was after all a mortal, and could only run behind, panting heavily.