The Red Fish from Lotus Root Lane went on a long journey. Before leaving, she gave Miss Yun of Tang Manor a lotus flower. It couldn’t ward off evil spirits, but it could bring good luck.
Hong Jin asked, “Sister Yun, won’t you co see the outside world too?”
Yun Xiang patted her head and smiled. “I’ll stay. You be careful out there. Don’t let monsters gobble you up.”
She handed a money pouch to Hong Jin and warned, “This is for your travels. No more stealing. And go easy on the wine—it’ll get you into trouble.”
Hong Jin’s eyes glead at the silver. She accepted it gratefully. “Thank you, Sister Yun.”
“But… are you really not coming? Aren’t you bored staying here so long?”
Yun Xiang shook her head. “?…”
No reason followed.
Hong Jin seed to understand. “Are you waiting for him?”
Yun Xiang lowered her head. She smiled but stayed silent.
“Is Chen that powerful? Soone as good as you waits for him.”
“He must be.”
Yun Xiang chuckled, patting her head again. “Alright, off you go. Bring back sothing tasty when you return soday.”
“You’ll treat to wine then!”
“Deal.”
Yu Hongjin left Lotus Root Lane. Overnight, the lotus pond outside looked drained—as if missing sothing, perhaps spiritual energy.
Clearly, she wasn’t just any red fish.
Yu Hongjin journeyed along the great river, eting humans and monsters alike.
Evil water demons were rare in Tongtian River. Word was the Dragon Palace’s Crown Prince kept order; none dared harm humans. So Hong Jin sailed smoothly.
She reached a place called Donglin. Hoping for wine, she tried to enter Donglin Quarter but got stopped.
“This land falls under my rule. Outsider monsters aren’t welco.”
Hong Jin blinked at the creature. “Your… rule?”
The Badger Demon coughed. “I am Donglin Quarter’s Netherworld Tribunal City God. Turn back. We admit no outsider monsters.”
Hong Jin stared. “Do you even believe that?”
Since when could monsters be City Gods?
The Badger Demon’s mouth twitched. “I didn’t choose it. But here I am.”
“Fine, you win.”
“You seem to look down on .”
Hong Jin blinked. “Was I obvious?”
She raised her wine gourd and gulped loudly.
“That really pisses off!”
The Badger Demon clenched his fists. “I was once a Great Demon! Now even a fish scoffs at ?!”
His gaze turned sly as he eyed Hong Jin.
“Intruding monsters… do fall under the City God’s jurisdiction…”
Yu Hongjin froze, scrambling back two steps.
“Hey! What’re you planning?”
“Stay back! I’m warning you!”
The Badger Demon snorted, advancing. “A puny fish dares insult ? You’ll learn a lesson.”
Hong Jin gulped, backing away. “I-I…”
She’d never faced such a threat. His power dwarfed hers.
Biting her lip, she racked her brain—and blurted out:
“Listen up! My Master is Chen Changsheng! If you hurt , he’ll end you!”
The na made the Badger Demon freeze.
“Who’s your master?”
Hong Jin hid a smirk. Mr. Chen’s really that useful?
“Ahem.”
She planted her hands on her hips. “My Master is the legendary Mr. Chen Changsheng! Scared now?”
The Badger Demon’s face darkened completely.
Chen Changsheng again…
If she hadn’t said it, he might’ve let her go. But now? A beating felt deserved.
But… what if she really was Mr. Chen’s disciple?
I’m done for…
After agonizing, the Badger Demon lifted his foot.
“I said no outsider monsters! Scram!”
Hong Jin’s eyes went wide—just as his kick sent her flying clear out of Donglin Quarter.
Splash. She plunged into the river.
Mid-air, every curse known to mortals spilled from her lips.
“Phew…”
She surfaced, rubbing her sore bottom. Couldn’t help a frustrated sigh.
Mr. Chen’s na worked… just not well enough.
Ugh.
She swore she’d return stronger and repay this kick.
“I’ll rember this, Hong Jin!”
anwhile, the Badger Demon humd cheerfully back to his temple. His mood? Excellent.
Later… things changed.
Every ti trouble found her, Yu Hongjin whipped out the na.
“I am Yu Hongjin from the Lotus Pond! Disciple of Chen Changsheng of Flowing Cloud Temple!”
Sotis it worked. Sotis not. She suffered but also gained favors.
Her peak ca when a Dragon Palace Crown Prince sought her. He showered her with food and gifts.
Through Crown Prince Yingyuan’s tales, Hong Jin learned of Chen Changsheng’s might—commanding dragon fates, shattering golden spears barehanded. Even Tongtian River’s Dragon Lord respected Mr. Chen.
That powerful!?
Hong Jin morized every word—and felt a chill.
She wasn’t his disciple! She’d made it all up!
Seeing her pale face, Yingyuan asked, “Are you alright?”
“N-nothing…”
Hong Jin smiled weakly, inwardly screaming dood eight hundred tis. Yingyuan revered “Uncle Chen,” treating Hong Jin as Mr. Chen’s honored disciple—feasting her with wines and delicacies.
Figuring she’d dug her grave, she drank herself silly. Drunk, she feared nothing.
Except… once in Shangjing City, a ghost cultivator approached: a beautiful spirit seeking news of Chen Changsheng.
Convinced by the ghost’s stories, Hong Jin still guarded the temple’s location.
Hearing no answers, the ghost vanished. Hong Jin muttered angrily:
“And Sister Yun waited all this ti… only for you to have another out there!”
“How awful.”
“You don’t even spare ghosts.”
Tsk. She cursed Chen Changsheng again in her heart.
“Spare ghosts how?”
A voice spoke behind her.
Hong Jin whirled around. A man in black robes stood there, studying her—this fish demon.
“Since when did Mr. Chen take a fish as a disciple? I’d recall.”
Hong Jin t his gaze… and froze.
Dragon pupils!
She forced calm. “I am the Red Fish beneath Mr. Chen. My Master wanders the world, appearing like mist. No wonder you don’t know.”
“Is that so?”
Moyuan chuckled. “I am Moyuan, Black Dragon General and Left Door God of Flowing Cloud Temple! I’ve served Mr. Chen for years! He’s never taken a monster disciple!”
“Reveal yourself, imposter who dares use Mr. Chen’s na!”
Yu Hongjin’s legs buckled, hitting the ground.
“I… was wrong.”
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