Han quietly equipped a few battle-oriented talismans and began to retreat cautiously.

The appearance of the giant crab and shrimp at the riverbed was too bizarre. He had never seen a beastman wielding weapons before.

Maybe these weren’t just beasts, but something else from the beastkin tribe: demons.

"Human boy, wait a moment."

A male voice rang out in his ear, and Han jumped in surprise. He saw the crab's mouth move.

Did... did the crab just speak?

It’s definitely a demon!

"You’re from the Taibai Martial Arts Academy in Black Cloud Town, aren't you?"

"I am indeed a disciple of Taibai Martial Arts Academy. And may I ask who you two are?" Han didn't expect these demons to recognize the Taibai attire.

"You don't need to concern yourself with who we are," the crab replied arrogantly.

"I have a question for you. Just answer honestly."

"Since you’re able to enter the water, have you noticed anything unusual around this section of Yunjiang near Black Cloud Town?"

"For example, have you seen a large number of water barbarians die or the river drying up?"

The shrimp waved its pincers and added, "At least, we're talking about the deaths of dozens of water barbarians—your killing of those three or four doesn't count."

Han was taken aback. He didn’t expect these demons to have noticed.

But at the same time, Han felt relieved. It didn’t seem like these demons were causing trouble for him because of his hunting.

"I’ve been under the water for a few days, but I haven’t seen anything unusual as you’ve described."

The crab and the shrimp both stared at Han, seemingly assessing the truth of his words.

"Since you haven't found anything unusual yet, would you be willing to help us with something?" The crab asked.

"We don't need you to do anything extra. Just, when you come to Yunjiang in the future, pay attention and see if anything strange happens."

"If you agree, we'll tell you about several resource locations as a reward. You’re diving into Yunjiang for cultivation resources, right?"

Han didn’t expect things to develop this way. After a moment’s thought, he asked,

"I still don’t know who you two are?"

"Heh, the entire Yunjiang is the territory of our master. What do you think our identity is?"

The master of Yunjiang?

Han's mind suddenly clicked. He knew.

The legendary Dragon Lord of Yunjiang who protects Black Cloud Town and keeps the water barbarians away!

The Dragon Lord of Yunjiang was real after all.

These demons in front of him... Could they really be the shrimp and crab generals?

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

"You can ask your master about the greatness of our lord," the crab said smugly.

"So, what’s your decision? Are you willing to help us?"

Han agreed in the end.

He feared that if he refused, these demons might turn hostile.

...

"Big brother, this kid’s cultivation is weak, what use is he?"

"We can't go ashore, and we can’t act recklessly in this stretch of the river near Black Cloud Town."

"Lord Dragon has given orders that we cannot touch the spiritual treasures or other valuable items in this river stretch. It’s worth exchanging a few items we can’t get for this strange human boy’s help."

"That’s true, he has no water kin bloodline, but he’s able to move freely underwater. Seems he has some skills."

"Who knows, maybe it’s some treasure helping him. After all, Taibai Martial Arts Academy is even mentioned by Lord Dragon."

"..."

The shrimp and crab generals watched Han as he left with their token, continuing to communicate in their unique manner.

Han didn’t continue exploring underwater. He went directly to shore.

"So soon?" Bai Ruoyue was surprised.

"Junior brother, your ability doesn't last long, does it?"

"Master, something bad happened! I encountered two demons underwater!"

Bai Ruoyue’s expression turned strange. "So you got robbed again by those two demons?"

What is going on with this junior brother? Robbed on land, robbed underwater?

Does he have some kind of "robbery magnet" physique?

"No..." Han explained what happened underwater.

"Shrimp and crab generals?" Bai Ruoyue rubbed the corner of her clothes. "Should be them. I didn’t expect you’d run into such a situation."

"Master, from the way the shrimp and crab generals spoke, does this mean that our teacher knows about the Dragon Lord of Yunjiang?"

Bai Ruoyue seemed uncertain. "He should know about it, yes."

"My father never explicitly told me, but he did warn me not to show disrespect to the Black Mountain Mountain God and the Dragon Lord of Yunjiang."

"I didn’t pay much attention at the time, but now it seems like he definitely knew something."

"Let’s go ask Aunt Mo, she must know more."

"Dragon Lord of Yunjiang?"

Lu Qingmo gave Han a surprised look. She hadn’t expected Han to have indirectly interacted with such a being.

"Since you've encountered them, then you’re qualified to learn about them."

"The Dragon Lord of Yunjiang exists, and so does the Black Mountain Mountain God. In Daqi, only counties and cities above that level have Xuan Du Sect cultivators stationed."

"The reason I’m stationed in Black Cloud Town is partly due to the presence of these two beings."

"But you can know about them, just don’t go around spreading it. Most deities in Daqi are not allowed to openly proclaim their names or spread their beliefs."

The Mountain God, the Dragon Lord...

Han suddenly felt like he had stepped into a myth, glimpsing the real side of this world.

"What should I do about what the shrimp and crab generals told me?"

"Just do what you agreed to. The Dragon Lord of Yunjiang is a benevolent figure in Daqi, and his subordinates will follow the rules in Black Cloud Town."

"But there are abnormalities in Yunjiang now?"

"Junior brother, do you still want to go to Yunjiang?"

"I’ll go take a look. The shrimp and crab generals gave me several resource points. There might be some good things there."

Although the shrimp and crab generals were arrogant, they were efficient. They gave Han the agreed reward right away.

Bai Ruoyue decided to accompany Han. She simply didn’t trust him to go alone.

She always felt like her junior brother attracted trouble...

"Master, don’t you think there seem to be more warriors heading to Black Mountain lately?"

"Black Mountain has been in chaos for some reason, but chaos also means opportunity. Some warriors choose to leave, but naturally, others will go in to seek adventure."

"In fact, more warriors are likely choosing to go in and take risks."

"Beasts, spiritual plants, and rare treasures are easier to obtain in such times."

"But it’s also easier to die. Even my father dares not offend the terrifying entities within Black Mountain."

Crisis often comes with opportunities, and vice versa.

Han fully agreed, "Yunjiang is better. It’s rich in resources, and the water barbarians aren’t that strong."

Every time Han went to Yunjiang, he could find spiritual plants, but in Black Mountain, it was common to search for days and come up empty-handed.

Bai Ruoyue shot Han a sideways glance. "For you, that's normal. What normal warrior has the ability to go on adventures in Yunjiang?"

"Junior brother, if your ability gets exposed, most warriors would be jealous of you."

Even Bai Ruoyue was somewhat envious. Her junior brother's ability was just too convenient.

While others were grinding and risking their lives in Black Mountain, her junior brother could casually find treasures in Yunjiang, only needing to deal with the water barbarians in the Body Refining Realm.

It was an entirely different level of gameplay.

For most warriors, exploring was a difficult challenge; for her junior brother, it was easy mode.

She almost wished she could trade places.

"Is it my fault?"

Han shrugged in response to Bai Ruoyue’s words, looking like a mischievous little bear.