Longevity Martial Arts: I have a Mysterious Water Snake Avatar

Spirit Fox Island, at the center of the island, a group of old yet powerful Fox Cultivators had gathered.

The Island Master Huan Yuelong, standing at the center of the meeting place, had a somber expression. At this moment, she did not resemble the queen of a large island who ruled over Fox Cultivators. Instead, she looked more like a mother eager to exonerate her daughter from criminal charges.

"I must have been blind with foolishness. I should have dealt with the root of the disaster properly from the start. I never expected that Xuan Guangqiao would hold such a high status in the heart of the Black Dragon Demon Saint," Huan Yuelong lamented.

Huan Yuelong did not regret sheltering Huan Shuangmeng. Huan Shuangmeng was the posthumous child of her sister. After her sister's death, it became Huan Yuelong's responsibility to raise Huan Shuangmeng. Their bond was like that of a mother and daughter, an affection incomprehensible to outsiders.

WHOOSH.

A gust of wind blew as Qing He escorted Huan Shuangmeng to the center of the gathering.

Huan Shuangmeng had disheveled hair and a dejected demeanor. She had clearly been informed by the Fox Cultivators of the great price Spirit Fox Island had paid because of her.

"Clan Leader, Huan Shuangmeng has been brought to the scene," Qing He reported in a grave tone.

"Mm, let the trial begin," Huan Yuelong responded.

Huan Shuangmeng, her hands tied, knelt before the statue of the Spirit Fox Holy Maiden. Huan Yuelong's face darkened as she shouted angrily, "You have been well-educated since childhood, deeply understanding of the ways of the world. I have repeatedly warned you that as a demon, one must conduct oneself with respect. If you had just listened, how could such a disaster have befallen us?"

Huan Yuelong picked up the Full Thorn Vine Whip and continued, "Now, all the tribes on the island have suffered losses and are in crisis. If I do not kill you, how can justice be served? Your death is a small matter, but leading our kind astray is a grave one."

With those words, Huan Yuelong swung the Full Thorn Vine Whip, striking Huan Shuangmeng.

Huan Shuangmeng fell to the ground, crying out in pain as blood flowed and pooled, yet Huan Yuelong continued to whip her without a change of expression.

If another Fox Cultivator had been the executioner, Huan Shuangmeng would surely have been beaten to death. But with Huan Yuelong handling the punishment herself, she could ensure that Huan Shuangmeng would be close to death but not quite dead. Even if the clan elders knew, they would have no choice but to reluctantly accept it.

Shuangmeng, my daughter, it's Mother who has failed to protect you! Huan Yuelong wept inwardly, her heart bleeding at this moment, yet she had to maintain a facade of calm. The canonical source for this content: M|V|L2EMPYR.

In this cruel world, strength was the only currency.

「Pengcheng, General's Mansion.」

Hong Yuan and his Senior Brother's trusted strategist Chen Ke rode together in a carriage towards the Dongyu District.

Hong Yuan wasn't the least bit worried about someone trying to trip him up in his new position in the Dongyu District. If anyone dared not to show him respect, the strategist by his side was not to be messed with!

"Young friend Hong, the forces within the Dongyu District are complex and intertwined, with all sorts abounding. However, you just need to keep a tight grip on Joy Building," Chen Ke advised, explaining the primary asset to protect in the Dongyu District. "If Joy Building is secure, the Dongyu District will not descend into chaos." Hong Yuan nodded and listened silently.

As the General's Mansion carriage entered the bustling Dongyu District, regardless of status, everyone made way, clearing a large space for the carriage to pass.

"People from the General's Mansion."

"Quite rare to see. Could it be that enigmatic General Black Wolf has appeared?"

"Hey, do you think it's about the matter of the Dongyu District Official?"

As the carriage moved farther away, onlookers keenly discussed matters concerning General Black Wolf.

Meanwhile, Hong Yuan arrived at the Dongyu District government office, which was the district authority. Hong Yuan looked up and was met with the sight of two earthy yellow beams, with two stone lions standing under them. Stepping inside, one could see several lean yamen runners as well as some elderly officials clad in official attire leisurely chatting and playing chess.

This is where I'll be working for a year, Hong Yuan thought with a lack of enthusiasm as he glanced around. Although the place was also luxurious, it paled in comparison to the General's Mansion where Senior Brother Mo resided.

"Officer Xu!" Chen Ke shouted. Immediately, a seasoned constable ran out from the inner hall and quickly approached Chen Ke.

Chen Ke ordered, "Officer Xu, have them all come out. The Dongyu District Official has arrived."

Two hours later, Hong Yuan waved goodbye to Chen Ke, while he himself returned to the Dongyu District Official's room to rest.

Having arrived at the East Flourishing District Market, Hong Yuan didn't make any sweeping reforms, such as redefining the allocation of interests and the like. Everything remained as it was. He wasn't concerned with the earnings of the market; what he valued more was the safety of his position there.

In the end, Hong Yuan assumed the role of Dongyu District Official without incident or alarm. Yet even without Hong Yuan doing much, those who depended on the East Flourishing District Market revered his connection with Mo Jiuyou and continually offered up the benefits from the grey areas.

On the surface, Hong Yuan was supposed to receive a stipend of one hundred Energy Stones per month, but in reality, the amount he received every day was far greater.

「Two days had passed.」

The Giant Whale Gang Leader, Lu Sheng, unexpectedly paid a visit. Hong Yuan initially didn't want to entertain him, but Lu Sheng brought with him a Variant Seed Red Dragon Carp, and Hong Yuan was quite interested in Luck Tao.

The Red Dragon Carp, a Luck Tao Variant Seed, was rumored to contain a trace of the True Dragon's weak bloodline within its body. Keeping it in one's residence was said to bring a slight increase in one's fortune.

"It's heard that the lord is adept at identifying Demon Beasts. I obtained this creature but do not know its name, so I've taken the liberty to request the lord's help in identifying it, to satisfy my curiosity," Lu Sheng said obsequiously.

In front of Hong Yuan, Lu Sheng didn't at all resemble the powerful gang leader who controlled over three thousand canal transport workers and the fates of countless families. Instead, he looked like a mere servant, utterly lacking in dignity.

"Oh, then I must take a good look at it," Hong Yuan said, rolling up his sleeves as if to examine the creature.

Lu Sheng stood by, smiling as he watched Hong Yuan inspect the Red Dragon Carp.

To capture this Red Dragon Carp, he had almost mobilized the entire Giant Whale Gang's power, scouring the Cang River over and over again. After spending a great amount of manpower and wealth and searching for nearly half a month, he finally captured this extremely rare Red Dragon Carp. All these efforts did not come easily.

Lu Sheng sighed inwardly. Sigh... I had initially planned to keep it for myself, but that Zhang Kaihe pressed me too hard. Fortunately, he didn't become the Dongyu District Official; otherwise, my Giant Whale Gang would have had no choice but to reluctantly retreat to the background.

Since Zhang Kaihe had broken through to the third-tier Martial Artist realm, the Long Lake Sect had been steadily pressing the Giant Whale Gang. They forced the gang back step by step, to the point where it nearly lost control over the Cang River.

"Ah, Gang Leader Lu, I can't quite figure it out in such a short time. I'll need to observe it for a few more days," Hong Yuan said.

"No hurry, no hurry. If it causes any inconvenience to your work, that would be regrettable," Lu Sheng hastily replied, very considerate of Hong Yuan's situation.

Seeing how the so-called Giant Whale Gang Leader Lu was so understanding, Hong Yuan was very pleased.

Hong Yuan sat down in a red chair, took a sip of tea, and spoke softly, "Tell me, what difficulty have you encountered?"

Lu Sheng, while carefully watching Hong Yuan's expressions, slowly began, "Without concealing anything from the lord, I wish to continue the lease for plots A06 and A07 to keep the Giant Whale Trade Union running…"

If Hong Yuan so much as frowned slightly, Lu Sheng would immediately cease speaking, extremely cautious and respectful.

In front of Hong Yuan, where was Lu Sheng's former fervor for battling the rivers and his passionate spirit that once stirred up storms?