The Jianglong of Longkuo (龙口走蛟)

About our Longkou Town

nestled between mountains and sea.

It's rainy and humid here.

So us locals

are experts at catching loaches.

Loaches are also called Fallen Dragons.

Though dragon-shaped,

they lack a dragon's destiny.

But exceptions exist in all things.

In Longkou Town,

There hides an

old loach seeking to defy fate.

Biding its time,

desperately trying to transform into a dragon.

Ah!

What was that?

Don't scare me!

Don't scare me!

Monster!

Stay away!

Stay away!

Ah!

Don't come near!

Fortune!

Struck it rich!

Golden.

All mine!

How bizarre.

Why's it raining so hard?

Fourth Brother，.

What are you doing out in this downpour?

How was your catch today?

Worked all day.

Didn't catch a thing.

Oh!

Look how the loaches keep squirming out.

What a great haul.

Let me see.

Quack.

Quack quack.

Quack.

Quack.

Quack.

Help!

Help.

Help!

Help.

Help.

You didn't answer me.

Tell me!

Where have you been?

Why so fishy?

Go take a bath quickly.

Don't touch me.

I'm not in the mood today.

Hey!

You're pushing your luck now.

Ah!

Old Four.

What is this, Old Four?

Ah!

Master,

What is this thing?

This...

Do you know of The Dragon's Rite?

The Dragon's Rite.

Snakes cultivate for centuries to become water spirits.

Water spirits take five centuries

to become flood dragons.

Flood dragons need millennia to become true dragons.

After millennia of cultivation

comes the heavenly tribulation.

Legend says they must endure

three trials: Heaven, earth, and man.

Using celestial phenomena,

torrential rains and floods to reach the sea.

Only then can they ascend

and be recognized as true dragons.

This is The Dragon's Rite.

But what's that got to do with this?

Always so impatient.

Let me explain properly.

Ah.

To know what is, know why it is.

This sword is called.

The Dragon-Slaying Sword.

During The Dragon's Rite,

they harness celestial power,

often causing numerous disasters.

At best destroying roads and bridges,

At worst unleashing devastating floods.

Bringing suffering to people.

So we hang this ancient sword here,

as a sign of reverence.

Hoping flood dragons will detour,

to protect this land's peace.

Ah, right.

But Master, I don't understand.

Why such persistence?

Centuries upon centuries of struggle,

wouldn't it be simpler to just be a long worm?

Ah, all things have spirits,

Ah

And all have desires.

To ascend and improve is our nature.

But how many can truly achieve it?

Don't chase.

Don't ask.

Don't pause.

This saying of yours truly baffles me.

That's why you must stay here,

and cultivate yourself properly.

Only then can you help

save people.

Go.

What for?

The other day you dreamed of a golden dragon.

There must be a tribulation here for you to overcome.

Work on tempering your character.

Your master won't disturb you further.

Hey.

You.

You're utterly unromantic.

Can we get in sync for once?

You focus on your cultivation.

This master is leaving.

Old dog.

Gone.

Wait

I'm saving you.

Why save me?

She's awake! She's awake!

Thank goodness you're awake.

Ah, Master.

We're truly grateful for your help.

Thank you,

Xiaoyun.

How could you do such a foolish thing?

We told you not to go up the mountain.

So you tried to kill yourself?

I know.

Your heart is heavy with grief.

But that person has been gone for so long.

You should let go.

Guo Hai's passing

also pains my heart.

But you can't

take your own life because of it.

We're all your family here.

Yes,

We're all one family, truly.

We're all family here.

Exactly.

Yes.

Clan leader.

What exactly happened?

Here, Master.

Master.

Leave this place.

Don't provoke the Fallen Dragon.

The recent events in our Longkou Town

are truly like a cripple's backside

utterly bizarre.

The woodcutter Old Four went up the mountain

to catch loaches.

Came back insane.

Killed his sworn brother Hei San.

Then burned himself and his house down.

Even his wife.

Went mad, seeing loaches flying in the sky.

Loaches running on the ground.

Loaches everywhere.

Loaches that can talk.

Loaches that can talk.

Clan leader.

Our clan has taboos.

Or of consumptive diseases.

Those who die suddenly

must be buried quickly according to tradition.

Bodies shouldn't stay home more than seven days.

Ah.

But this rain

has lasted five or six days,

and shows no sign of stopping.

But if we don't attend the funeral anymore.

You're about to commit a major taboo.

Strange occurrences may happen.

Clan leader, honorable elders,

The rules set by our ancestors must not be broken.

I am willing to brave the rain

to carry the coffin up the mountain.

However,

the mountain path is muddy and slippery.

If anything goes wrong,

it could be fatal.

It's fine, I'm not afraid.

We are not afraid either.

I am also willing to go up the mountain.

I am also willing to go up the mountain.

These are our clan's protective talismans.