Early the next morning
Ne Zha slung a leather bag over his shoulder, adjusting the red armor that glinted in the sunlight. "Hurry up. Tong's men can't be far."
Erlang Shen nodded, his boots crunching over frost-kissed grass. He'd folded their straw mats and tucked them away, his third eye hidden beneath a layer of qi—no need to reveal his divine identity yet. "Stay sharp. We don't know how many of them there are."
They set off toward the forest, the trees growing thicker as they walked. Meanwhile, on the opposite edge of the Ironwood Forest, Tong's men were packing up their tents, their faces still tired from the night's boar chase.
"Boss, you sure we're doing the right thing?" the gray-bearded old man asked, slinging his knife belt over his shoulder. "Master's gonna be mad we didn't find the lotus first."
Tong adjusted his torn silver scorpion robe, his jaw tight. "We'll find it—after we get the tool. Now move. The faster we reach Serpent Moon Grotto, the faster we're back."
They trundled toward the forest exit, boots kicking up dry leaves. And that's when they saw them—two figures walking toward the forest, one in bright red armor, the other in a blue robe.
Tong's men froze. The young man reached for his knife, and the short man tensed, ready to run.
"Who are you?" a scar-faced man yelled, stepping forward. "This is our territory—what're you doing here?"
Ne Zha's hand twitched toward his fire-tipped spear, but Erlang Shen placed a hand on his arm, shaking his head. Play it cool.
Erlang Shen stepped forward, his voice calm, even deferential. "Apologies, sirs. We're just passing through—looking for a friend who wandered into the forest. We didn't mean to intrude."
Tong narrowed his eyes. There was something off about these two—especially the one in red. His armor looked too fine for a common traveler, and the other's posture was too straight, too regal. But he didn't sense any immediate danger.
"Your friend?" Tong asked, stepping closer. "What's his name? We've been in this forest for days—haven't seen anyone but boars and bugs."
Erlang Shen hesitated, then let out a sigh—as if he was giving in to something. "All right. We're not here for a friend. We're Heavenly Soldiers—sent to capture a fugitive: Master Tai Chu. He's hiding in this forest, and we need to find him."
Tong's eyes widened. Heavenly Soldiers? He'd heard stories—immortals from the Heavenly Court, with powers beyond mortal men. His Master had warned him to avoid them. But… if they were after Master Tai Chu too…
Ne Zha stepped forward, feigning irritation. "We weren't supposed to tell anyone. But since you're already here—you've been looking for Master Tai Chu too, haven't you?"
Tong tensed. He didn't want to admit it, but lying would be useless. "What if we have? It's none of your business."
Erlang Shen held up a hand, a faint smile on his face. "Calm down. We're not here to fight you. In fact—we can help each other."
"Help each other?" the gray-bearded man scoffed. "Why would Heavenly Soldiers need help from us?"
"Because Master Tai Chu's hidden," Erlang Shen said, his voice dropping. "He's got a barrier around his cave—we can't find it. But you've been searching longer. You know this forest. If you help us find Master Tai Chu… we'll let you have whatever you want from him. Gold, treasures—even that golden lotus you're after. We only care about Master Tai Chu himself."
Tong's heart raced. The golden lotus—exactly what his Master wanted. And Heavenly Soldiers helping him? It sounded too good to be true. But he wasn't stupid. "What's the catch? You're immortals—you don't need our help for nothing."
Ne Zha leaned in, his tone sharp—threatening, but not hostile. "The catch? If you don't help us, we'll find Master Tai Chu on our own. And when we do… you get nothing. No lotus, no treasure. Nada. But if you help? You walk away with everything you came for. Your Master will be thrilled. You'll be his favorite."
Erlang Shen softened his tone, adding the "carrot" to Ne Zha's "stick." "Think about it. We have the power to break Master Tai Chu's barrier once we find it. You have the knowledge of the forest. Together, we're unstoppable. And we promise—we won't touch the lotus. It's all yours."
Tong glanced at his men. The scar-faced man looked eager, the young man nervous. Then his eyes met his 'Strategist s—the thin, sharp-eyed man who'd been with him the longest. The Strategist shook his head slightly, a faint frown on his face—like he sensed something wrong. But Tong ignored him.
Double profit. That's what he saw. Help the Heavenly Soldiers find Master Tai Chu, take the lotus for his Master, and maybe even get a reward from the Heavenly Court. It was perfect.
"Fine," Tong said, crossing his arms. "We'll help. But if you lie to us—if you touch the lotus—we'll make you regret it. Even if you're immortals."
Ne Zha grinned. "Deal. Now—you're heading out of the forest, right? We'll go in and keep searching. When you get whatever tool you need from your Master, meet us back here in three days. We'll share what we find."
Tong nodded. "Three days. Don't be late."
Erlang Shen extended a hand. "Pleasure doing business."
Tong hesitated, then shook it. Erlang Shen's hand was cold, like stone.
They parted ways—Ne Zha and Erlang Shen heading into the Ironwood Forest, their steps light, their eyes sharp. Tong's men turned toward the mountains, where Serpent Moon Grotto lay hidden.
The Strategist fell back, walking beside Tong. "Boss," he whispered, "that's a bad idea. Those two—they're lying. I can feel it. They don't care about us—they're using us."
Tong glanced at him, a smirk on his face. "I know. But so what? We're using them too. Once we get the tool from Master, we'll find Master Tai Chu first. Grab the lotus. And by the time those Heavenly Soldiers figure it out? We'll be long gone."
The Strategist frowned, but said nothing. He still felt uneasy—like they'd just made a deal with a pair of tigers. But Tong was the boss. For now, he'd follow.
The path to Serpent Moon Grotto wound up the mountain, the air growing colder as they climbed. The trees thinned, replaced by jagged rocks and patches of moss that glowed faintly in the shade—tainted by the Grotto's demonic qi.
"Almost there," Tong said, pointing ahead.
Through the rocks, they could see it—Serpent Moon Grotto. Its entrance was a huge cave mouth, framed by jagged stone that looked like coiled snakes. Vines hung down like green hair, and the air smelled of damp stone and something sweet, sickly—like rotting fruit mixed with venom.
As they approached, a low hiss echoed from the cave. Two small snakes slithered out, their scales emerald green, their eyes fixed on the men. They didn't attack—just watched, as if waiting for permission.
"Stay back," Tong said. "Master's here."
From the depths of the cave, a voice rumbled—low, smooth, like silk wrapped around a blade. "Tong. You're back early. Did you find the lotus?"
Tong stepped forward, bowing deeply. "Master Nagasith Varamon. I… we haven't found it yet. Master Tai Chu has a barrier around his cave. We need a tool—something to break through it."
The cave went quiet. Then, a figure stepped into the light.
Nagasith Varamon. The Serpent King.
He was tall, his skin pale as moonlight, his hair long and black, flowing down his back. His robes were made of silk the color of midnight, embroidered with silver snakes. But what caught the eye was his face—sharp, elegant, and in the center of his forehead, a silver-green crescent snake mark. It glowed faintly, like a tiny moon.
His hands were long, his nails painted emerald green—and when he moved, the light caught his forearms, revealing faint scales that shifted from emerald to cold silver in the sunlight. Moonscale.
"You dare return empty-handed?" Nagasith's voice was calm, but there was an edge to it—like a snake coiling, ready to strike. His eyes, slit-pupiled and gold, fixed on Tong.
Tong bowed lower, his voice shaking slightly. "Master, please. We almost died—chased by a boar, lost in the forest. But if we have a tool—something to see through illusions—we'll find Master Tai Chu. I promise. And I'll bring you the golden lotus."
Nagasith tilted his head. The crescent mark on his forehead glowed brighter. He took a step forward, and a faint, sweet mist drifted from his lips—Moon Venom Qi. The men behind Tong tensed, but none dared move. The Serpent King's Phaya Naga Breath hung in the air, a silent threat—low-level snake demons would have knelt, their bodies trembling. Even Tong felt his blood run cold.
"Very well," Nagasith said, after a long pause. "I'll give you the Moon-Eye Mirror. It can see through any barrier, any illusion. But if you fail again… you won't come back. Understand?"
Tong's face lit up. "Yes, Master! Thank you! We won't fail!"
Nagasith waved a hand, and a servant—half-man, half-snake—slithered out of the cave, holding a small mirror. Its frame was made of silver, inlaid with green gems, and its surface glowed with a faint silver light.
"Take it," Nagasith said. "Three days. Bring me the lotus. Or don't come back."
Tong took the mirror, clutching it tightly. "Yes, Master."
They bowed again, then turned and left—hurrying down the mountain, the mirror burning in Tong's hand.
Inside the cave, Nagasith watched them go, his gold eyes cold. He whispered to himself, his voice like a snake's hiss: "Foolish boy. Thinking he can outsmart Heavenly Soldiers. But… if he finds Master Tai Chu… the lotus will be mine. One way or another."
Outside, the sun climbed higher. Tong's men hurried toward the Ironwood Forest, eager to meet the Heavenly Soldiers. Tong grinned, clutching the Moon-Eye Mirror.
Three days. That's all he needed.
Three days to grab the golden lotus. Three days to become Master's favorite. Three days to win.
Little did he know—Ne Zha and Erlang Shen were thinking the same thing.
Three days. Three days to use Tong, find Master Tai Chu, and capture him.
Three days. And then, the real fight would begin.