Great Zhou Wensheng

Chapter 94 Taihu Demon Court, Crystal Dragon Palace!
The vast expanse of Taihu Lake stretches for eight hundred miles, with undercurrents surging deep within its depths.

Suddenly, golden light burst forth from the water, reflecting off the lakebed as if a galaxy had fallen.

A majestic coral crystal palace rises from the depths of the lake, a cluster of palaces, glazed tiles reflecting the deep blue water, and vermilion pillars entwined with blood-red coral.

A plaque hangs high in front of the hall, its four gilded ancient seal characters appearing as new as if washed clean by the water flow—"Taihu Demon Court".

Outside the palace.

In front of a hundred-foot coral reef.

Shrimp soldiers, armed with spears, lined up in formation.

The crab general, clad in armor, led the way.

The dark blue carapace reflected the deep blue water as a hundred aquatic spirits shouted in unison, "Congratulations to the Demon King on ascending to the throne!"

May my king rule over the eight hundred miles of misty waters, and be immortal for a thousand autumns!

A blood-red banner, hundreds of feet long, fluttered in the wind, its words embroidered in gold thread shimmering and glowing in the water.

"Boom-"

The shrimp soldiers and crab generals shook the bronze demon gong throughout the water palace, the sound waves causing the sand and stones at the bottom of the lake to rustle and roll.

Ten black tortoise war drums sounded simultaneously, startling the fish into scattering.

Between the drumbeats, an old tortoise suddenly hissed, "Enthronement Ceremony, Sacrifice—" A troop of yakshas, ​​escorting iron cages, broke through the waves, the blood of the prisoners within slowly spreading.
Outside the Crystal Palace, the Lake Patrol Yaksha held a cold iron fork, his body covered in blue scales, his malevolent aura condensed into a black mist that swirled around him, and the blade of the fork was tinged with blood.

Inside the hall, twelve clam maiden enchantresses held up pearls that had been there for millennia. As the soft light shone, the luminous pearls embedded in the dome shone as brightly as day.

The pearly light reflected in the water illuminated the entire Demon Court, revealing every detail, even making the dragon reliefs coiled on the pillars seem about to burst through the wall.

"Let's dance!"

"Roar--"

Suddenly, the depths of Taihu Lake boiled!

Tens of thousands of demon soldiers revealed their true forms, giant turtles stirred up waves, pythons writhed and roared, their might shaking the heavens.

Demonic energy condensed into a sky-covering water curtain, raising the surface of the eight-hundred-mile lake by three feet! As the waves crashed against the sky, countless shipwrecks could be vaguely seen floating and sinking with the current.
Crystal Palace.

The moon hung high in the sky, its pale light piercing through the vast lake and casting dappled, eerie shadows on the jade steps inside the palace.

On the night of the full moon,

The time when Yin energy is at its peak.

Suddenly, a group of shimmering scales swam in the shadows, and a group of shadowy creatures, resembling dragons but not quite, swept across the palace wall. The opening and closing of their scales produced a metallic clang, startling a string of tiny bubbles.

"Boom!"

The bronze kui drum suddenly rang out, shattering the bubbles within a three-zhang radius.

"Your Majesty has arrived!"

Eight black sharks pulled a chariot through the waves, each with inky black scales and blood-red soul fire flickering in its eye sockets. They carried a chariot, riding the waves amidst billowing demonic mist.

Amidst the churning demonic mist, a hand covered in blue scales slowly lifted the carriage curtain.
"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

The demon soldiers roared like thunder, causing the beams and pillars of the Crystal Palace to tremble.

Tens of thousands of demon soldiers and generals knelt in worship outside the palace, the sound of their scales clashing like a torrential downpour.

From within the black shark chariot, a demonic figure in black armor emerged, riding the waves. Clad in black armor, wearing a dragon-horned crown, and wielding a "water-splitting and mountain-crushing halberd."

With each step it took, the lake water beneath its feet froze into ice.

The black armor was wrapped in the cold air of the Netherworld, and lightning could be faintly seen flowing in the dragon horn crown. The "Water-Splitting Mountain-Cleaving Halberd" dragged by and actually split the water flow into a vacuum crack!
"Be flat!"

The icy voice echoed in the hall, and all the demon generals involuntarily shivered.

Ao Li slowly ascended the throne of the Demon King in the palace, his scaled eyes filled with a chilling aura.

Those dark golden vertical pupils swept over the group of demons, and wherever his gaze fell, even the fiercest demon cultivators lowered their heads.

Ao Li!

The fourteenth son of the Dragon King of the East Sea Dragon Palace!

It is still a demon general, and has not yet been promoted to demon king!
However, that's okay.

Every dragon son is born a king, two levels above the demon general, enough to make all demons kneel in submission!
The aura of the dragon bloodline is far beyond what ordinary demons can match.

Where those dark golden vertical pupils swept, even the waves froze in the cold.

Because it committed many evil deeds in the East Sea Dragon Palace, it was personally driven out by its father, the East Sea Dragon King, and led its followers to have nowhere to settle in the vast ocean.

"Though I have been banished from the East Sea, I have nowhere to call home in the four seas!"

"but--

A dragon will always be a dragon!

"boom--!"

Its water-splitting, mountain-cracking halberd suddenly plunged into the ground, causing the entire Taihu Lake to tremble!
The wound from which the Dragon King of the East Sea had personally removed a scale was still bleeding, yet the wicked dragon's laughter grew even more ferocious.

"Since the East Sea will not tolerate me, then I will fight my way out!"
Go upstream!

Here on Taihu Lake, let us re-establish the [Taihu Demon Court]!

It roared to the sky, its dragon's cry shaking the rivers and seas.

After Ao Li and the Dragon King of the East Sea fell out,
In a fit of rage, he simply led his tens of thousands of demon soldiers and generals up the Yangtze River from the East Sea to Taihu Lake—a place where there was once the ruins of a dragon palace, which could serve as a place for him to establish his government.

It also passed by Niuzhu Palace in the middle of the Yangtze River halfway there.

But that palace was too small.

With a sweep of its dragon tail, the entire Niuzhu Palace Water Mansion was covered in dust.

The three-zhang-high palace gate actually bumped into the dragon horn on its forehead, causing the demon generals behind it to suppress their laughter until their faces were contorted.

Is a mere shallow shoal and small gateway worthy of a true dragon's dwelling?
It disdains it.

Only before my eyes, this Taihu Lake—!
When Ao Li led his demon soldiers and generals, breaking through the vast waves of the great river, and finally saw the boundless lake, his dark golden vertical pupils suddenly contracted.

right here!

The ruins of the dragon palace, which lies dormant at the bottom of the lake, with its twelve broken dragon pillars, seem to be welcoming their true master.

Amidst the ruins, glimpses of its former glory can still be seen.

Although the twelve dragon pillars had fallen, the reliefs of the slain dragons on them, just like Ao Li's pupils, gleamed with the bloodlust of revenge!
Tens of thousands of demon soldiers and generals began moving the giant rocks from the seabed.
The Yaksha warriors carried the entire sunken ship to serve as the palace's beams and pillars.
A clam spirit spewed out a thousand-year-old pearl to adorn the dome.

As the blood-stained lake water churned, a black palace rapidly took shape at the bottom of the lake—the Taihu Demon Court, the Crystal Dragon Palace!

By establishing this vast lake that connects the five lakes and four seas as the foundation for his own existence, and by setting up the new Taihu Demon Court, he can establish himself as the Demon King.

Only in this vast Taihu Lake, with its dragon palace, is it worthy of the status of the fourteenth son of the Dragon King of the East Sea.

"From this day forward."

"The three thousand miles of waters surrounding Taihu Lake all belong to me—Ao Li Demon Court!"

A fierce storm raged over Taihu Lake, its sound carrying for miles.

A banquet was held at the Dragon Palace, attracting a multitude of demons from the surrounding areas to pay homage.

Inside the Crystal Dragon Palace at the bottom of Taihu Lake.

The banquet proceeded in a continuous stream.

The mermaid songstress's throat gushed out seductive melodies, while the snake demon dancer's waist twisted as if boneless.

The demons filled bone cups with blood wine, and drinking it greatly increased their demonic power.

The table was laden with all sorts of rare and exotic herbs and fruits, the origins of which were unknown, perhaps from some hidden underwater realm?

"Congratulations, Your Majesty, on establishing your residence and court in Taihu Lake!"

"Congratulations, Demon King, on establishing a Demon Court here. From now on, you shall be the Demon King and no longer be subject to the control of any other Demon King!"

"We, the demon soldiers and generals, are willing to obey Your Majesty's commands!"

Numerous lesser demons from all corners of the land offered generous gifts to offer their congratulations.

The Yaksha of Dongting Lake presented the caravan with its valuables and gold ingots.

Crabs from the Qiantang River offer up treasures from a sunken ship.

The carp spirit of Poyang Lake offered three golden pills.

Around Taihu Lake, various water spirits, mountain monsters, and wild creatures offered their tributes—various spiritual materials, blood offerings, and literary treasures—to show their submission and allegiance.

The demons in the hall looked at Ao Li, who sat on the throne, with a mixture of envy and fear in their eyes.

Those who dare to establish a demon court are all overlords who dominate a region!

He established his own court and established his own demon court, thus standing on equal footing with other demon courts and no longer needing to obey orders.

In the demon realm, only the Lord of the Demon Court may sit alone in a seat during council meetings!

Not everyone would dare to do that.

Even a demon king, with a thousand years of cultivation, would not dare to easily establish his own demon court.

Without overwhelming ferocity, unparalleled strength, and a network of connections throughout the demon realm, rashly establishing a court is tantamount to courting death!

"Good, that's a good point!"
From this day forward, with the 800-li Taihu Lake as the center, all waters within a radius of 3,000 li, including rivers and lakes, shall be under my control!
From this day forward, Taihu Lake is the territory of my Demon Court. Any mortal who dares to enter shall die!

Those who offer blood sacrifices or spiritual treasures may enter my demon court to cultivate and attain enlightenment!

The evil dragon got completely drunk and laughed wildly.

East Sea Dragon Palace?

Ah,
When it has cultivated for a hundred years and its blood transforms into a true dragon, it will surely make that old mudfish bow down and submit!
But see,

The sky was filled with a white light.
"boom--!"

The sky suddenly split open, demonic clouds surged and hung upside down, and a group of demonic cloud chariots broke through the air and headed straight for Taihu Lake!

The originally azure-gold cloud vortex instantly transformed into a ferocious, blood-red vortex, and deep within the vortex, a black banner with red patterns fluttered in the wind.

Embroidered on the flag is a demonic marquis, the White-browed Marquis, with fierce eyes and menacing fangs!
"The White-browed Marquis?"

The demons in the hall paled in horror. This demon lord was a renowned demon lord from the northern demon kingdom.

"Lord White-browed Marquis, your esteemed presence is an honor!"

The welcoming fairy immediately screamed.

In the Crystal Palace, on the Demon King's throne, Ao Li's golden eyes narrowed sharply. He stood up abruptly, laughing loudly as he greeted the king, "White-browed Marquis, you've actually come to attend my grand ceremony of establishing my court!"

"Hahaha--!"

A burst of wild laughter erupted, causing the beams and pillars of the Crystal Palace to vibrate!
The white-browed tiger demon was clad in crimson armor, its forehead marked with blood-red demonic markings. Its tiger eyes shone with fierce light, yet it showed no hostility. Instead, it spread its arms and strode forward.

"Ao Li, you have quite the nerve! You've finally decided to take Li Ting on!"
I told you long ago. You have a multitude of demon soldiers and generals under your command; you need to go out on your own to truly achieve great things!
Your father, the mighty Dragon King of the East Sea, is so timid and cowardly that he dares not enter the inland territory of the Yangtze River to seize land. What great things can he accomplish?
"I was fighting the humans in the north when I heard you'd established a court by Taihu Lake, so I came straight here to cheer you on!"

The white-browed tiger demon slapped Ao Li's back armor hard, grinning maliciously.

With a flick of its wrist, a blood-jade wine jar crashed into the hall, the aroma of the wine mixed with a fierce aura instantly filling the air!
"This is a celebratory drink, let's drink until we're drunk!"

The two great demons, one a demon king and the other a demon lord, were like brothers reunited after a long and arduous journey. They walked hand in hand into the crystal palace.

"Boom——!"

The sky suddenly darkened, and the demonic clouds surged like a raging sea!

The clouds tore apart, and dozens of demon generals descended from the sky, their murderous aura surging like a tide!
A massive, jet-black banner swept through the air, its surface fluttering in the wind. Embroidered with the words "Royal Fish Demon General," its scales were like sharp blades, and its demonic aura soared to the heavens!

The leading Royal Fish Demon General was tall and slender, clad in silver-scaled armor, with fins like blades, and a pair of vertical pupils as cold as an abyss, overlooking the entire Taihu Lake!

"The Demon King of the East Sea Demon Court has arrived—!"

The little demon shrieked, its sound piercing the sky, and ripples instantly spread across the surface of Taihu Lake!

"Royal Fish Demon General!"
One of the demon generals of the East Sea Demon Court!

The demons were terrified.

The crab's claws clicked, and the yaksha gripped his steel fork tightly.

"Haha, welcome, Brother Royal Fish!"

Ao Li laughed loudly, his voice shaking the crystal palace, his dragon eyes gleaming with a sharp light.

"I wouldn't dare! Your Highness is too kind to the young general!"

"Your Highness has established your residence and court in Taihu Lake; it is only natural that I, the young commander, should come to offer my congratulations!"

The Demon King Huangyu immediately bowed respectfully.

It was a demon general, but it was two levels below the demon king.

You can politely address Ao Li as "brother".

But it would never dare to act superior in front of Ao Li, the fourteenth son of the Dragon King of the East Sea.

"Please take your seat, Brother Royal Fish!"

The Imperial Fish Demon General observed the guests and very consciously sat down below the seat of the White-browed Marquis.

"Palace Master of Niuzhu Palace, Demon General Qingyao's wife has arrived!"

Before he finished speaking, a patch of auspicious blue clouds suddenly appeared on the horizon.

As the rosy light shimmered, a graceful woman arrived in her chariot, escorted by a host of demon generals, riding on clouds.

She was dressed in a long, flowing blue gauze dress, surrounded by a light mist; she was none other than Lady Qingyao, the mistress of Niuzhu Palace!
"Madam Qingyao has arrived!"

Ao Li laughed loudly.

"This humble woman pays her respects to Your Majesty, the Demon King! Congratulations on establishing your residence and court!"

Madam Qing bowed gracefully, her posture respectful yet elegant, her voice as melodious as a clear spring.

"No need for formalities, please take your seats!"

Ao Li nodded slightly.

Although Niuzhu Palace is just a small demon general's residence, today's opening banquet will naturally welcome as many demon generals as possible to offer their congratulations.

After Madam Qing took her seat, she sat quietly alone amidst the noisy banquet, without saying much.

She observed the expressions and noticed the demon soldiers and generals under Ao Li's command shouting and clamoring at the banquet.

I shook my head secretly.

For three hundred years, Niuzhu Palace has been located on Niuzhu Islet in the Yangtze River, and it has been obediently refraining from crossing the boundary, which is why it has survived to this day.

Ao Li, the fourteenth son of the Dragon King of the East Sea, had just led his demon army to establish a foothold in Taihu Lake when he unleashed a natural disaster of floods and allowed his demon soldiers to shout and kill.

Do you think this place is the East China Sea?

The East Sea has the Old Dragon King who spoils it, and no great demon dares to touch it.

But this is human territory!
How long can this [Taihu Demon Court] last?

How many months?

Or several years?

The humans of the Great Zhou Holy Dynasty are all murderous and not so easy to talk to!

Of all the demons present, including their generals, commanders, and guests, not a single one offered any advice. Instead, they all added fuel to the fire, clearly harboring ill intentions.

Especially that Demon Lord—the White-browed Marquis, who traveled all the way from the north to the Jiangnan region, his intentions are sinister!

Could it be that Marquis Bai'e wants Ao Li to step forward and test the strength of the human race in the ten prefectures of Jiangnan Province of the Great Zhou Dynasty?

In just one day, a multitude of demons gathered at Taihu Lake.

Inside the Crystal Palace Demon Court Hall,

The radiant pearls reflected the fragrance of fine wine, and guests from all directions had already gathered together.

The fierce demon generals of the northern barbarian kingdoms, the cunning and powerful demons of the southern demon kingdoms, and even demon generals and lords from all corners of the world, all flocked to the scene.

The atmosphere at the banquet was filled with demonic energy, exuding an awe-inspiring presence.

"I have recently established my residence and court at Taihu Lake. I am deeply grateful for your presence and for joining me in this grand occasion! Come, let us drink this cup to the brim!"

Ao Li sat high on his throne, his dragon-like eyes surveying the demons, holding a golden goblet aloft, and laughed loudly.

"Report! Demon King!"

But then I heard...

A demon general rushed into the palace in a panic, "Your Majesty, the Crab General who was sent to Wuxi County to collect sacrificial offerings has been killed by Zhou Shanzhang, the Jiangzhou Prefectural Master, a Jinshi (successful candidate in the highest imperial examination) of the human race!"

Our army has lost several hundred demon soldiers and generals; the remaining troops are fleeing back from Wuxi County.

"Humph!"

Ao Li frowned immediately and slammed his cup down.

"I have not occupied any of the other people's cities or territories!"

However, he opened his residence at the bottom of the 800-li Taihu Lake and invited many guests to celebrate.

They simply dispatched demon generals and soldiers to a nearby human county to borrow some offerings for the celebration!

This is a small matter.

How could they have been ambushed and killed by Zhou Shanzhang, a scholar from the human race?

How could this human race be so domineering?!

(End of this chapter)