AZI Volume 7 Prologue - Prologue – Serpent Deity Village

"…"

"…"

Emerging from the forest, the foreign weapon spirits are treated to the sight of a massive river.

Near the shores of the river is a large wooden bridge with a watermill attached to its side.

Beyond the bridge is a giant plot of farmland, and passing the farmland are houses with glazed-tile roofs.

"…"

Glancing at the foreign weapon spirits, who are taking in the view of their village, Yang Hai says—

"Welcome to Serpent Deity Village."

The feature that stands out the most in this village is the 15-meter stone sculpture of Lord Tian She Zi, which is situated at its heart.

"…"

Continuing to take in the sight, Shao Tianming mutters—

"Never thought I'd see a rural land village inside of a ruin…"

"Indeed."

Letting the foreign weapon spirits take in the scenery for a few moments more, Yang Hai eventually says—

"Come then, the village chief is expecting us."

"Un."

"…"

As everyone else starts to move along, Long Hua turns to Yao Ying, and asks—

"Well? Still feeling something calling out to you?"

"…Un."

Turning to Long Hua, Yao Ying nods, and replies—

"Much more clearly now. It seems to be coming from… Underground?"

"Hmm."

Leaning her head over, Tian Cheng asks—

"Shall we sneak out tonight, master?"

"After getting a good look of the lands, sure. For now, let's just follow the others."

Following Yang Hai's lead, the group crosses the bridge, and on the other side—

"Hm? More of them?"

"Their attires look really odd as usual…"

"What did you expect? Hm? Hey, is that Lao Teng and Gui Lian?"

The gathered villagers examined the group with great curiosity, as they entered.

"All of them are dressed like Immortals…"

"This place is…-? It's really old fashion…"

Similarly, the foreign weapon spirits looked back at the villagers with the same degree of curiosity.

Eventually, the group is brought over to the heart of the village, where the giant statue of Lord Tian She Zi is situated.

"Hm?"

Seeing other foreign weapon spirit groups present, Ye Chen mutters—

"Looks like we weren't the first ones to get here…"

"Not too surprising. If we were first, those villagers should have showed more astonishment."

"…"

Standing in front of the giant statue is a man with white hair and red eyes, Zhu Xu, the village chief.

Turning to the foreign weapon spirits, Zhu Xu asks—

"Among you all, which of you holds status in your society?"

"…"

"…"

Representing the Ashen River Hall are Shao Tianming and Wang Yongning.

"…"

As for the military, a man with white hair and blue eyes—steps forward.

On the right cheek of this individual is a scar, and attire wise, he is wearing an armored vest with a dark blue body suit.

"So, General Liang is the one in charge this time?"

"Something special about him?"

"I heard he hates Sinners—despite being one himself."

"…"

Hearing this, Liang Jin He glances at the weapon spirit—who made that remark, causing the latter to turn silent.

"General…"

Standing behind Liang Jin He is Jue Yun, who nervously reminds the former—

"Please don't start anything…"

Similarly to Liang Jin He, Jue Yun is also dressed in the same combat attire; and having undergone Moon Guard modifications, two uneven red horns are currently protruding from his forehead.

Towards Jue Yun's reminder, Liang Jin He replies—

"That depends on whether or not they want to start anything."

Momentarily, representatives of various Guilds came forward.

"…"

Keeping these faces in mind, Zhu Xu says—

"First of all, welcome to Serpent Deity Village. My name is Zhu Xu, and I serve as the village chief. I won't bore you all with the details of our village's history, but you're more than welcomed to ask our people about it later. I'll say this in advance, but all the villagers here are able to use Partial-Apotheosis."

"…Uh?"

"What?"

Making a rough count in his head, Wang Yongning estimates there to be well over 300 villagers present.

"Even the children?"

"Even the children. In fact, some of those children are probably older than you expect."

"Ah?"

Raising his finger, Zhu Xu points to a child, who is dressed in light-colored robes, and states—

"That one is around 130 years of age."

"How?!"

"The hell?!"

"If you all keep asking questions, we won't get anywhere. Let me move onto the main topic."

Drawing in a deep breath of air, Zhu Xu continues to say—

"The Immortals. It's important that we get rid of them as soon as possible. As for what happens to this village afterwards… Well, that is a discussion for another time."

The plan that Zhu Xu has in mind—is to seal the gates of this ruin, as soon as these foreign weapon spirits leave.

However, if things go badly, there might be a need to move the villagers out of this ruin completely, and assimilate themselves to modern society.

"Hang on."

Raising his hand, Liang Jin He says—

"That face formed of dark clouds; we believe there to be precious treasures in this ruin because of it. The world outside of this ruin, it's desperately trying to fight back against the Immortals. Even if your village has no intentions to aid our efforts, it's only appropriate for you to at least compensate us for helping you out, right?"

"…"

Turning his attention towards Liang Jin He, Zhu Xu asks—

"How old are you, kid?"

"Hm?"

"Just answer."

"I'm 55 this year."

"…"

Shaking his head, Zhu Xu, who looks to be only around 30 years of age, states—

"And I'm over 1,200 years old."

"…?"

Immediately, Liang Jin He puts on a look of disbelief, while Zhu Xu continues to say—

"You say, it's only appropriate for us to compensate you all for your aid. However, are you all deserving of our compensation—when you all could have been the ones to bring those Immortals here?"

"What proof do you have of us doing that?"

Raising a sinister chuckle, Zhu Xu says—

"Is proof that important?"

"…?"

To Zhu Xu—at this point in time, it doesn't matter if these foreign weapon spirits had been the ones to bring the Immortals here or not; for so long as they are present, they are expected to help this village defend itself because—

"Shī Huáng!"

Shouting this, Zhu Xu's body is quickly covered in a set of white armor.

The helmet of this armor is designed to look like the head of a lion with a crown decorating it.

Similarly styled pauldrons covered the shoulders; however, none of the armor's details are that important because—

"Th-This is…?"

"…Ah?"

Zhu Xu's stature in his Weapon Spirit True Body state is at least five meters in height—making all the foreign weapon spirits, who are forced to look upwards, to meet his helmet-covered face, feel like they are nothing more than ants in front of a towering giant.

"…Basically, an executive of our hall in strength."

"Indeed."

Just as Shao Tianming and Wang Yongning had made that exchange, Zhu Xu raises the colossal battle axe in his right hand, and smashes its base onto the ground—silencing the foreign weapon spirits.

In a booming voice, Zhu Xu states—

"Might makes right, if you all do not wish to aid us—I shall butcher you all right this instance! And if any of you wishes to be compensated, then you had best work your hardest to have the rights to make such demands of our village!"