Frauds and Idiots

Chapter 29: Now It's Official

Year 147, Month 9

Once the four mercenaries who had originally followed Huang Fengxian received their rewards--large kegs of liquor and a separate dinner with the other foot soldiers--the two identical, opulent palanquins were carried inside by stone golems. Only the gods themselves and a few high-ranking sorcerers were permitted beyond the lair door into the cave where Ao'Gua had slumbered for thirty-six centuries.

Not that the interior was pristine. From what Shangsong remembered, the lair had once been relatively well preserved, with no visible cracks in the metal and stone walls. But after the tremor-causing battle between the Archon of Earth and the Archon of Storm, the walls now bore visible fissures, and the ceiling had nearly collapsed in several places.

Not that it mattered too much though; Lord Yandi, already leaving his palanquin and walking ahead of the other gods, actually mentioned how lucky they are; the damages are only superficial and thus, actually safe to enter.

As the lair door closed behind the palanquins, one immediately opened, revealing an old, but still strongly built man in regal yellow robes--Lord Huangdi, the Yellow Emperor. Notably, the other palanquin seemed significantly heavier, with water spilling slightly from within.

"We meet again under truly auspicious circumstances, my students," spoke a dolphin with arms, a being Shangsong immediately recognized as Master Jirgiimind--the Void Dragon himself. Shangsong quickly offered a deep bow, his fist clasped respectfully, while Yifei and her father stood dumbfounded at the sight of this Yaoguai God, who appeared so distinctly non-human compared to the others.

And for a minute, Huang Fengxian and Yifei were basically standing there in utter confusion, until Shangsong whispered to them. "Father, Yifei, he's Shangdi, the Void Dragon himself."

"The Void Dragon...?" Huang Fengxian uttered in disbelief, and both he and Yifei prepared to kneel and prostrate themselves. However, they were stopped by Lord Zhurong, who motioned for them to offer only a standing bow.

"Pi pi pi pi pi... There is no need to submit yourselves to us," said the dolphin, waving them to rise casually. "By helping my daughter achieve an otherwise impossible victory over that Ancient Hag Prithivi, you’ve earned the honor of being treated as the highest of Dark Sorcerers. And though Shangsong already knows my true form, let me explain why I am not in my more familiar form--the Metal Dragon. Shangsong saved me from certain death with his surgical skills. Though I have recovered somewhat since being ambushed by that Sanctimonious Bitch, the Ancient Hag, as well as their ilks who ambushed me like dishonorable bastards they are, I am not yet strong enough to return to my more fearsome form. After all, no one fears 'The Void Dolphin.' But 'The Void Dragon'? Now that’s something to be feared."

"Jii Jii!" Ao'Gua exclaimed as she embraced the Void Dragon, who gently patted her head from his palanquin, now clearly revealed to be shaped like a bathtub inside. The two spoke in an unknown language, and from the expressions of some of the other Dark Gods, it was apparent that only a few understood the tongue.

As the Void Dragon gave Ao'Gua some instructions, he turned his attention back to the others. "That was the Anunnaki language, the tongue of the Original Gods. And while Lord Huangdi here is the progenitor of you, the Shang people... He shall have few words with you three."

"Thank you, Master," said the Yellow Emperor solemnly. "As the Grand Sovereign has said, I am the original divine ruler of the Eastern Heavens. But the usurper Yuhuang seized my throne more than three millennia ago, aided by the Vedic Pantheons loyal to the Archon of Earth, as well as those hated Titans of Heldra. Your recent victory--humiliating the Queen Mother of the West without losing a single life--will fill those dishonorable usurpers with fear. For that, I offer my deepest gratitude."