BXBX NOVEL Chapter 623: 624 Shrimp Soldiers and Crab Generals
Atop each building rested a Luminous Pearl, casting its light and illuminating the darkness.
Looking down from above, Li Xiaobai immediately spotted the huge Imperial City structure at the very center with a gigantic Luminous Pearl atop it. It was several times larger than the one he had previously stolen from the Linglong Pagoda.
This Dragon Palace was truly dripping with wealth, treasures strewed everywhere. How he longed to set it ablaze with a single fire, to contribute to the rise of Hellfire.
However, now was not the chance. Even if he did that, not to mention whether the Hellfire could indeed ascend to a higher level, the Old Dragon King would most certainly slap him to death.
“Boy, down you go.”
A cyan dragon claw threw Li Xiaobai down into the undersea world. The figure flickered, transforming into an old man with white hair, who strode valiantly towards the city gates.
This was Li Xiaobai’s first glimpse at the full appearance of the other party—a determined old man with a presence that commanded respect without anger, clearly accustomed to holding a position of power, exuding the demeanor of authority.
His temples were streaked with white, his eyes bright as torches, full of vigor in every move he made, without a trace of stiffness commonly found in the elderly.
“Old sir, to be honest, I still think that a marriage arranged for one as a child is for the best. It’s fate, a match made in heaven, and there’s certainly no room for an outsider to interfere.”
“How about you let me go, and I’ll persuade Lady Long to accept this arranged marriage?”
Li Xiaobai asked tentatively, kicking at the door, still making his last struggle.
“Do you wish to live or die?”
The old sir halted in his step, glanced at Li Xiaobai with indifference, and asked.
“Live!”
Li Xiaobai responded without hesitation.
“Then shut up and obey,” the old man said.
“Understood!”
“Swallow this!”
The Old Dragon King flicked his hand and threw out an elixir, speaking indifferently.
“Right away.”
Li Xiaobai didn’t fuss; not caring that it was an elixir, he swallowed it down his throat.
He who knows the times is wise, and he understood this; besides, with the System in place, a mere elixir meant nothing.
[Attribute Points +3000…]
Judging by the effect of the medicine, it was rather ordinary.
“Courageous and astute. Not bad,” the Old Dragon King praised, glancing at Li Xiaobai. The elixir he had tossed was a Binding Pill; once ingested, spiritual power would be sealed, as difficult to mobilize as if mired in sludge. With this, even if Li Xiaobai had an astounding ability, he would still have no chance of escaping under his watch.
“Just average.”
Li Xiaobai touched his nose and followed the Old Dragon King obediently through the city gates.
This place didn’t at all seem like an undersea world; it was completely as bright as daylight. The planning and allocation of the city were no different from those on land, and if it weren’t for the possibility to gaze up and see the unfathomable sea, he would have almost forgotten that this was the Sea Dragon Palace.
The city gates were a hundred meters tall, with a relentless stream of people coming and going, including cultivators but mostly commoners.
On both sides, the guards were strictly checking the passersby, meticulous and unerring.
Li Xiaobai observed his surroundings intently. The guard on the left was a giant shrimp, while on the right stood a crab, both untransformed Demonic Beasts guarding the entrance to the Sea Dragon Palace like two guardian deities.
Wasn’t this the very definition of shrimp soldiers and crab generals?
However, judging from the aura they emitted, it was clear the guards were no pushovers.
Upon seeing the Old Dragon King’s return, the two Demonic Beasts reverently said, “Welcome back, Dragon King!”
“Take him to the dungeon, watch him closely. Remember, no matter what he says, ignore it. If there’s any problem, it’s your heads!”
The old man spoke indifferently and casually waved his sleeves as he left; only Li Xiaobai with a confused face and the shrimp soldiers and crab generals exchanging glances remained behind.
What did that mean?
Hadn’t they said he was to become a son-in-law of the Eastern Sea?
Dragging him to the dungeon, this hardly seemed like the way to treat a son-in-law!
However, before Li Xiaobai could ask any more questions, the aged figure stepped forward and instantly disappeared without a trace.
“Which of us shall take him to the dungeon?”
asked the shrimp soldier.
“Naturally, I will.”
the crab general stated calmly.
“Why? You already went last time; it’s my turn now!”
The shrimp soldier’s long antennae quivered, clearly discontented, as he spoke.
“Then we’ll stick to the old rules: rock-paper-scissors, and the winner takes him.”
the crab general suggested after some thought.
“Fine!”
“Rock-paper-scissors!”
“Rock-paper-scissors!”
“…”
The shrimp and the crab ended up playing rock-paper-scissors right in front of Li Xiaobai, and no matter how many rounds they played, both sides kept throwing scissors, making it impossible to determine a winner.
Li Xiaobai was speechless inside. Shouldn’t you two have more important things to do? Is it really okay to keep playing like this?
“Ahem, Mr. Shrimp, try putting your claws together?”
suggested Li Xiaobai.
“Rock-paper-scissors!”
This time, the shrimp soldier put his claws together to form a rock, while the crab general still threw scissors, and the game was decided.
“Kid, you’ve got a sharp eye, Mr. Shrimp appreciates that. I won’t make it too difficult for you later on.”
The shrimp soldier’s long antennae trembled, clearly taking to heart Li Xiaobai’s address of “Mr. Shrimp.” It was a demonic beast that enjoyed flattery, Li Xiaobai deduced, and said with an excited expression, “Thank you, Mr. Shrimp!”
“Hahaha!”
“Come on, Mr. Shrimp will take you to the dungeon. Don’t worry, I will make sure they don’t give you a hard time!”
The shrimp soldier was in a great mood, having found the surefire way to beat the crab general. From now on in rock-paper-scissors, it would never lose again.
Watching the shrimp soldier stride away with pride, the crab general looked somewhat gloomy and muttered to himself, “Who would have thought this new human kid was so clever, actually knowing that putting claws together makes a rock? Next time, grandpa crab will use this move too, and I’m sure to win!”
Watching the two dumbfounded demonic beasts, Li Xiaobai couldn’t help but laugh internally. If the big shots of the Undersea World were all of this intelligence, he could turn the place upside down with his wits.
“Old Crab, keep a good watch on the gate.”
The shrimp soldier led Li Xiaobai away.
As they walked along the street, Li Xiaobai felt increasingly as if he were back on land. On both sides of the street sat various shops, where the cries of vendors rose and fell in an endless stream, displaying a bustling scene.
Most were selling demonic beast materials, taking advantage of the sea’s resources. The ocean was inexhaustible and often had valuable inventory on hand.
It was hard to imagine that, in the Undersea World, they could be self-sufficient.
“Mr. Shrimp, may I ask what kind of place the dungeon we are heading to is? Can one come out once inside?”
Li Xiaobai inquired.
The shrimp soldier smacked his lips and slowly said, “Well, the dungeon is where prisoners are kept. What did you do to have the Dragon King come for you personally?”