Chapter Sixteen: General Octopus!

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After hearing this, Yang Nan was deeply shocked. With the emperor setting such a precedent, every sect and faction would scramble for territory, plunging the world into endless chaos! Every demon sought to establish temples to receive incense offerings; every school desired to found their own sects and select disciples. Whichever prince they supported who ultimately triumphed would become the greatest sect in the land!

In the eyes of these factions, only land, orthodoxy, and profit mattered—whoever cared about world peace?

No wonder even the sea demons dared to come ashore at will to pillage! A chill flickered in Yang Nan’s eyes as he angrily exclaimed, “Those scoundrels! How dare they meddle with the sacred artifacts of the realm! If the Supreme Deity were still here, they would be taught a lesson!”

Such actions by the factions meant they were enemies of Yang Nan. Reflecting on the elder’s grand vision now marred by such upheaval and difficult to accomplish, Yang Nan’s heart burned with fury.

The shipmaster Wang wore a bitter smile and said, “The emperor has made repeated offerings to Heaven and Earth for years, but neither has responded. Common folk have set up altars to worship the heavens multiple times, yet all efforts failed. In ten years, five or six years saw severe droughts. Only immortal cultivators could summon rain. Where is this Supreme Deity? The mortal world has long ceased to believe in gods and instead trusts in immortal masters!” Wang’s words revealed the true sentiment of the people.

‘No wonder demons no longer fear consequences and act recklessly!’ The princes were not the greatest threat, nor the demons themselves, but the absence of true governance that plunged the entire realm into chaos.

“I wonder how the Southern Continent is faring?” Yang Nan suddenly remembered his ancestral home and tomb, then asked.

Wang Chang nodded, “The three Confucian sects have united into one faction, supporting no one but guarding their own territories. I heard the Qingming Mountain Poplar Academy is the orthodox Confucian school, with General Tefang Hou leading soldiers to maintain order. The Southern Continent seems much calmer.”

Only then did Yang Nan’s worries ease. Since chaos had already spread across the world, it was impossible for him alone to restore order. He could only act according to circumstances. Except for a few top-tier sects, nearly all were embroiled in this conflict. This journey down the mountain promised many unpredictable twists.

“Shipmaster Wang, since trade is so perilous, why do you still brave these seas?” Seeing that over a thousand had died on this ship, Yang Nan felt a pang of sorrow. To demons, ordinary mortals were as insignificant as ants, utterly defenseless.

Wang Chang shook his head and sighed, “Overseas lies the Divine Machine Kingdom, famous for producing fire crossbows and divine machines. I was entrusted by Lord Li, with several immortal masters sent to assist me. So I risked my life to trade there. But upon entering the Western Sea, these demons attacked without warning and robbed us. There was no other choice.”

He had planned to retire quietly and cease trading, but with the prince’s orders, he dared not disobey. All who died were loyal retainers of many years, leaving him heartbroken.

Fire crossbows? Yang Nan frowned. These were akin to gunpowder and rocket-like weapons in this world. With such arms and powerful cultivators, the princes’ strength had become even more fearsome.

‘Has Prince Chun arrived at the Southern Continent yet?’ He had already sent people to notify Prince Chun to meet at Qingming Mountain. Now that the world was in turmoil, the prince must be in danger.

“Immortal Elder, where are you heading next? I could escort you part of the way.” The shipmaster knew that this former official’s daughter now wielded great power and hoped to gain favor.

Yang Nan smiled, understanding his intent, “Your kindness is appreciated. I have a sea patrol token—hang it on your ship’s bow. Some demons in the Western Sea will show some respect for it. After this journey, if the world remains unsettled, I shall return home to rest. I will not trouble you further.”

Wang Chang bowed in gratitude, “Thank you, Immortal Elder. I am truly honored.”

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Yang Nan shook his head with a smile, “Since we have old ties, no need for formalities. I will give you some elixirs. They cannot grant immortality, but they will prolong life. If we meet again someday, we shall reunite.”

Stepping out of the cabin, Yang Nan waved farewell to Captain Wang. The celestial rainbow boat soared out from the Jiangshan Seat, swelling with the wind, transforming into a splendid ship shimmering with flowing light. Wang Chang and the dozens of immortal cultivators aboard marveled at Yang Nan’s magical treasure. With a slight incantation, the celestial boat became a streak of light fading toward the horizon.

Only then did Wang Chang regain his composure, gazing at the purple jade and coral token in his hand, feeling both amazed and lost. Ten years had passed, and the once young immortal had already attained such profound power. Mortals and immortals truly belonged to different worlds.

The token gifted by Yang Nan was a treasure bestowed by Long Yao, made from rare purple jade coral. Yang Nan had some understanding of Long Yao’s intentions and considered giving the token to Wang Chang as a way to settle their bond.

Sitting inside the boat, Yang Nan watched as Old Crab and the Shrimp Commander, along with a few dozen demon soldiers, tortured the Octopus General. The methods—Snow on Flowers, Drunken Dream, Rage Burning—were cruel beyond measure. The tortures sent chills down everyone’s spines.

Still, those standing nearby, including Chiyang and others, loathed this man-eating demon with deep hatred. Even with one hundred and eight forms of torture prepared, fewer than ten had been used before the Octopus General was already terrified, battered all over.

Old Crab sneered in his heart. No matter how strong this Octopus was, could he compare to the Golden Scale King or the Golden Peak Roc of old? Even Grandmaster-level demons had to submit. This petty master-level demon dared to act arrogantly before him—truly reckless!

Seeing the demon soldiers torment the Octopus General relentlessly, Yang Nan grinned as he approached, “General, may I ask about the affairs of these seas now?”

Having suffered through numerous unfamiliar and excruciating human tortures, the Octopus General had no will to resist. He cried out, “Master, ask whatever you wish. I dare not defy you again!”

Seeing his obedience, Yang Nan took hold of the long whip artifact the Octopus wielded and smiled slyly, “The Western Sea is ruled by the Dragon Clan. How dare you cause havoc here?”

The Octopus General wished he could confess all his ancestors’ sins. Though physically formidable, he could not endure flaying, bone-pulling, muscle-stretching, and gut-hooking. The Shrimp Commander was known as Yang Nan’s top executioner; if he didn’t want you dead, even with one head left, you wouldn’t die!

Piece by piece, they peeled his skin. Various potions heightened his pain. Mirrors around him reflected his agony so vividly that even immortals would waver. But his magic was sealed; he had no means to resist and could only endure silently.

“I... Master, please stop! I’ll tell all... Though the Dragon Clan governs these seas, not all true dragons are benevolent. There are rogue dragons too! Orders come from above to abduct humans for food. Mortal flesh is delicious. I, too, must obey. Master, spare me! I would gladly follow you through fire and water...” Watching his tortured comrades unable even to scream, the Octopus General was terrified to the core, near collapse.

‘Are there truly any hardened men in this world? Only ones unafraid of torture.’ Yang Nan thought. Even he would not endure such torments. The Octopus’s behavior was understandable. Under such agony, he spilled all he knew, answering every question fully and logically.

The Western Sea Dragon King had twelve sons. The seventh son, Long Yun, ruled this region. Dragons were difficult to breed; many had not reproduced for centuries. Long Yun was wild and cruel, once swallowing boats and devouring people, wreaking havoc and causing countless deaths. Emperor Xuanming Haofang ordered his divine general to capture him, strip his scales, administer three hundred lashes, and imprison him frozen in the far northern glaciers for three hundred years before release.

Despite punishment, the rogue dragon’s nature remained. He transformed into a mortal to conceal his misdeeds. The Dragon King ignored this. Ten years ago, after Long Yun was injured and returned, the Dragon King reluctantly gave him a sea region to recuperate. As his wounds healed, he again craved mortal flesh, repeatedly sending the Octopus General to abduct people ashore.

Though aware of the impropriety, the Octopus General felt powerless amid the fading heavenly laws and lack of oversight. Little did he expect to encounter Yang Nan, a calamity that would capture him in one fell swoop.

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‘Rogue dragon... returning injured ten years ago... Isn’t this the great white dragon my master fiercely battled a decade ago?’ Yang Nan’s heart jolted. Though Master Buxu’s strength had waned then, matching Long Yun evenly, that white dragon was a novice elder-level power—no trivial matter.

The sea demons fleeing to the depths would surely report to Long Yun. Though Yang Nan could escape, the shipmaster would face grave danger. Snapping back to reality, Yang Nan looked at the Octopus General and smiled, “General, since you have turned over a new leaf, I have a favor to ask. Can you assist me?”

Old Crab and the demon soldiers saw their master smiling again and shuddered inwardly, thinking, ‘That eight-armed freak is going to be in serious trouble... Who told him to eat humans?’

They had no ties to the Octopus and saw no reason to warn him. Yang Nan hated man-eating demons most of all. Offending him meant losing skin if not life—a temperament well known to his troops.

Delighted, the Octopus General said, “Master, please speak. This little demon will obey everything!”

Yang Nan chuckled, “Good. Since you wish to reform, I want to use you to lure out Long Yun. You are the octopus’s true form; surely you have plenty of ink. That demonic ink should attract Long Yun. I suppose you don’t mind giving up a little ink?”

The Octopus General nodded foolishly, “There’s plenty of ink inside me. Master, ask for as much as you want.”

Yang Nan shook his head, “I don’t want you to spit it out. I want it to flow out naturally...”

“Flow out? Ink is my life treasure. How can it flow out on its own?” The Octopus General was dumbfounded, not knowing how he could release ink without spitting.

Yang Nan’s smile turned cold as he waved, “Shrimp Commander, where are you?”

The Shrimp Commander, still laughing breathlessly, immediately understood his master's intent and patted his chest in assurance, “I understand! I will make sure that eight-armed freak’s ink flows out naturally!”

Yang Nan smiled faintly, “Very well, let this man-eating general enjoy that feeling!”

The Octopus General suddenly seemed to grasp the situation and was about to protest, but the Shrimp Commander clamped his mouth shut. Several demon soldiers rushed forward, grabbing him and dragging him away.