Journey to the West: Treasure Vase of the Great Dao

Chapter 81 Flying Sword Slays the Serpent

Three hundred years ago, when the Great Chen Founding Emperor was crossing the Heng River by boat, a servant caught a white fish, which, according to popular legend, was an incarnation of the Dragon King. Hence, the emperor ordered the fish's release.

Later, as the Founding Emperor battled for supremacy across the Central Plains, he fled to the banks of the Heng River after a defeat, with no hope for survival as no boats were available for crossing. Suddenly, a white shadow emerged from the river, and a huge white carp appeared, speaking in human tongue that it wished to repay a life-saving grace from the past.

This enabled the Great Ancestor to escape with his life.

Having regained power and secured the realm, the Founding Emperor, out of gratitude for the white fish's rescue, issued a sacred decree naming the white fish the Heng River Dragon King and ordered the people from both banks to make sacrifices in all four seasons.

However, in the years that followed, the white fish never appeared again, and people later said the Dragon King had successfully traversed Dragon Gate and transformed into a True Dragon.

No one expected that it would appear now, during Lu Zhang's grand ceremony to worship heaven and earth—bearing a seemingly menacing demeanor.

"Which Serpent dares approach? Retreat at once!" Chang Chunzi shouted at the Serpent.

But at this moment, the Serpent had completely lost its reason. With a skyward roar, dark clouds instantly covered the sky; as the saying goes, 'when the Dragon emerges, the cloud follows, and the wind heralds the Tiger.' With the Serpent's appearance, the wind and clouds shifted unpredictably.

Lu Zhang, however, found himself in an awkward position. Facing the Serpent directly, retreating would surely damage his image, especially since it was his coronation day. If his aura faltered, people might doubt the legitimacy of his emperorship.

But if he stubbornly stood his ground, he risked being caught up in a major battle, which could end in disaster.

As he hesitated, uncertain whether to move forward, a familiar voice reached his ear: "Keep going, don't stop." It was none other than Lu Yu's voice, transmitted to his heart through their blood relationship and the bond of Fortune and Destiny.

Upon hearing the voice, Lu Zhang immediately knew it was from his uncle. His heart filled with joy, and all his fears and anxiety vanished. Without giving anything away, he continued his firm strides, getting closer to the Serpent.

As a result, the Dragon Qi within him gradually grew stronger, and the Serpent formed by the Dragon Qi let out its own roar. The white Serpent seemed attracted by the roar, staring at Lu Zhang with its lantern-like eyes, as if an inner voice was urging it to tear apart the man before it.

The Serpent, having lost all its reason, obeyed the voice from within. It opened its gaping maw and lunged at Lu Zhang.

In full view of everyone, Lu Zhang showed not the slightest fear; his composure, even as catastrophe loomed, drew admiring looks from those around him.

In their eyes, Lu Zhang's demeanor was truly fitting for the title of Emperor. The previously panicked crowd gradually calmed down, and under their leaders' guidance, they formed battle formations to confront the oncoming Serpent.

"It seems to be muddled by the Human Path Fortune and Destiny; this Dragon Qi is truly selfish. Seeing its own demise, it actually manipulates this Serpent to attack. The Serpent is also too ignorant, not severing its bond with it over so many years. An experienced one would have severed the bond long ago, not letting it linger until today," Lu Yu mused to himself.

He pointed lightly, and the Sword of State shot forth as a rainbow light towards the direction of the Heng River.

Lu Zhang looked at the huge serpent before him, and to say he wasn't frightened would be a lie. However, with his uncle's words in mind, he felt reassured and did not show any sign of fear. He stared quietly at the serpent as it attacked.

Just as the serpent was about to bite Lu Zhang, a dazzling rainbow light flew in from the horizon, tearing through the thick clouds with an indomitable will, and struck the serpent's head. The huge head of the serpent soared into the air, and its blood drenched the land.

I have a three-foot green blade, where there are serpents, I shall slay serpents.

Lu Zhang stood rooted to the spot, witnessing the mighty serpent being beheaded with a single stroke. The shock in his heart was unimaginable, but at that moment he concealed all his emotions, for as a monarch, he could not afford to show perturbation in front of his subjects. However, to those around him, this was seen as the demeanor befitting an emperor, the noble bearing expected of a sovereign.

The Sword of State did not return after having slain the serpent but hovered quietly in front of Lu Zhang.

"I lend you this sword for self-defense. Return it to me once you've established your empire!" Lu Yu's voice echoed in Lu Zhang's heart.

Lu Zhang couldn't hold back his expression anymore and a smile broke across his face. Ever since he used this treasured sword to slay the giant python, he had longed to grip it again. That innate sense of unity with the sword intoxicated him, but knowing it was his uncle's personal weapon, he had never dared to ask for it. Now that his wish was fulfilled, joy danced in his eyes.

Explore hidden tales at empire

Grasping the Sword of State in hand, that miraculous sense of unity resurged. As he stepped on the serpent's blood, it was as though he were treading on a red carpet. The sunlight poured down on him, as if draping him in a cape of blazing splendor, and he walked up to the altar, planting the sword into the ground. He then turned to the bewildered Ritual Officer and asked, "What is the next step?"

The Ritual Officer, looking at the figure before him, suddenly felt an urge to bow in reverence. The sight of Lu Zhang holding the treasured sword and walking up the altar through the serpent's blood was immensely powerful: it seemed the heavens had bestowed their mandate upon him.

"Your Majesty, the next step is to present the offerings and worship Heaven and Earth," said the Ritual Officer with excitement.

Lu Zhang, observing the cattle and sheep laid out on the table, asked the Ritual Officer, "I would like to use the serpent's head as the offering to worship Heaven and Earth. Would that be acceptable?"

The Ritual Officer seemed stunned by Lu Zhang's words. He had never heard of using a serpent's head as an offering and said, "The historical records have no precedent for this, but the offerings for Heaven and Earth are indeed more valued the more precious they are. Surely, the serpent's head should be better than cattle and sheep."

"Good, if that is the case, let us replace the offering with the serpent's head," declared Lu Zhang with great spirit. He knew this spectacle would spread throughout the lands and that everyone would recognize him as the True Dragon Emperor, greatly aiding his quest for unified rule.

The massive head of the serpent was placed upon the altar, and Lu Zhang burned incense and bowed to Heaven and Earth, proclaiming his ascension to the throne. As for the national title, Lu Yu had already chosen it for him: inheriting the Fortune and Destiny of Chu Kingdom through the Nether Dragon Court, it would naturally be named Chu.

Now that Lu Zhang had ascended to the throne, it was time to reward his loyal subjects. With the expectation in the eyes of the civil and military officials, Lu Zhang granted titles to his followers: Lu Chengqian was named Princely Heir, Han Jiangxue the Empress, Hu Shengliang the Prime Minister, Xiao Ke the Chief of Staff, and Liu Qingyun was appointed as a General.

Given Liu Qingyun's military exploits, his position should not have been so modest. But he was too young; a rank too lofty could pose issues for future rewards. Therefore, as compensation, Liu Qingyun's father, Liu Feihu, was made a marquis.

Lu Zhang had anticipated that Liu Qingyun, with his youthful vigor, might struggle to accept this outcome and had prepared to persuade him earnestly.