Three days later, while the two travelers heading west were still making their slow way through a remote mountain ravine in the Southern Continent, the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace had already received orders to bring rain to Blossom Mountain.
The torrential downpour instantly swept away the stifling heat that had plagued Blossom Mountain for six hundred years, turning the entire mountain into a swamp.
Faced with this sight, all the demons rushed out of their caves, running and celebrating wildly in the rain.
For them, this meant that the six-century disaster that had haunted these lands was finally over.
But for others, it meant something more.
News of rain on Blossom Mountain quickly spread throughout the Three Realms, astonishing gods and demons alike. Among them, those with a keen mind sensed something unusual.
......
In a hidden cave-manor deep in the mountains, firelight painted everything a vivid red.
Louis Quickpaw, sporting a waist-length beard and looking frail with age, paced back and forth with trembling steps, muttering non-stop like an old man lost in his own excitement.
On both sides of the room, a row of chairs was filled with a dozen demons seated in silence.
"Why would the Heavenly Court bring rain to Blossom Mountain? Why now, after all these years? We’ve fought them for six hundred and fifty years—six hundred and fifty! They never backed down, and now, suddenly, they take the initiative to bring rain."
"And not only that—just days ago, they recalled every Celestial Army unit scattered in the mortal world. Word is, all Heavenly troops are now on full alert. Right after that, the rain came."
"If they wanted reconciliation, they’d send envoys to meet the Demon Kings directly, show goodwill, and claim credit. But they haven’t. That’s not the Heavenly Court’s style."
"So, I sent people to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to investigate, to find out what was really happening. And what did we discover? Something thrilling!"
At this, the wrinkles on Louis Quickpaw’s face bunched together as he broke into a smile.
The demons seated on either side pricked up their ears at once.
Arms folded, the Serpent Lord in his white scholar’s robe furrowed his brow and fixed his gaze on Louis Quickpaw.
Sweeping his eyes over the gathered demons, Louis lowered his voice and said slowly, "The Great Sage... has returned!"
For a moment, every demon was stunned, staring in disbelief at Louis Quickpaw, who was grinning like a child.
After a long pause, the Serpent Lord whispered, "Father, is this news certain?"
"It’s certain—absolutely certain!" Louis Quickpaw scanned the crowd of demons, his excitement palpable. "I sent people to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to uncover the truth behind this rainfall, but they found nothing—only that it was the Jade Emperor’s decree. However, from a few low-level attendants, they learned that just days before the rain fell on Blossom Mountain, a monkey demon visited the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace."
The assembled demons exchanged glances. After a moment, the Serpent Lord asked with a hint of doubt, "Could it have been Little Seven? As far as I know, Little Seven often goes to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace to beg for food."
"Would Princess Tina Ao personally come out to greet Little Seven? Would she treat him with such respect?" Louis Quickpaw’s eyes widened in excitement. "Besides, everyone in the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace knows Little Seven. Think about it—who could make the Jade Emperor mobilize all the Celestial Army? Who could force him to bring rain to Blossom Mountain? We fought for six hundred and fifty years with no result, yet that monkey demon visited the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace just once, and the rain came! What does that tell you? Huh? It has to be the Great Sage! It must be!"
The demons remained silent, confusion written on their faces.
The Serpent Lord hesitated, then asked, "So, where is the Great Sage now?"
"That... that’s still unclear." Louis Quickpaw licked his dry lips. "The palace people said he’s already left the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace, whereabouts unknown. I also sent people to Blossom Mountain, but no one has seen him. Nothing’s happened at Mount Hua either. Still, I’m sure it was the Great Sage—based on the attendant’s description, I can guarantee it!"
Again, the demons exchanged silent glances.
After a long pause, the Serpent Lord frowned and said softly, "Father, isn’t it a bit reckless to decide it’s the Great Sage just based on this? And if he’s back, why hasn’t he contacted us? Princess Tina Ao definitely knows where we’re hiding. I think we need to be more cautious."
"True, we can’t be absolutely certain yet. That’s why we’ll send a special envoy to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace right now—to meet Princess Tina Ao in person and ask her directly."
"Will she tell the truth?" The Serpent Lord stroked his chin. "She’s always kept her distance from us to avoid suspicion."
"If the Great Sage really is back, she wouldn’t dare avoid us anymore!" Louis Quickpaw replied firmly.
......
About half an hour later, several demons left the cave together, the Serpent Lord among them.
A fox demon asked in a low voice, "Do you believe what Father said?"
"It’s plausible, but we should still be careful." The Serpent Lord looked up at the round sun in the sky. "Father is obsessed with restoring Blossom Mountain; anything about the Great Sage makes him emotional. If the Heavenly Court uses that weakness to set an ambush at Blossom Mountain, we’re finished."
He smiled faintly. "Still, Father’s right about one thing: the Dragon Palace is a fence-sitter. If the Great Sage really did visit Princess Tina Ao, her attitude toward us will have changed. Meet her, and we’ll know everything. Of course, we should stay on guard. Go prepare a gift—I’ll go to the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace myself."
"Understood," the fox demon nodded.
......
While Louis Quickpaw was still plotting to contact the Eastern Sea Dragon Palace and uncover the truth behind the rainfall at Blossom Mountain, someone else had already made a move ahead of them.
......