Soon, the thunderous roars of the Serpent Clan echoed across the skies above Liangzhou. Their scales flashed with an eerie, cold sheen in the sunlight as their massive bodies slithered through the mountain forests. Wherever they passed, vegetation withered and life was laid to waste. The human people were panic-stricken; the elderly, the weak, women, and children huddled together, while the young and strong gripped crude weapons, trying to defend the peace of their homeland.
"Brave warriors of the Serpent Clan, we humans have lived in peace with you for generations. Why have you suddenly launched such indiscriminate attacks today?" An elderly man with a white beard and hair stepped forward. Though his voice trembled, it was resolute as he tried to reason with them. "We understand the laws of nature and have never crossed boundaries or committed aggression, nor have we ever heard of anyone harming your clan's prodigy. There must be some misunderstanding in this!"
Among the Serpent Clan, a leader draped in black scales with eyes like cold stars slowly stepped out. His voice was low and majestic, reverberating through every inch of the air. "Misunderstanding? Hmph, humans are cunning and honey-tongued. If not for your assassination, how could our prodigy Moyuan Chen have fallen? He was destined to become a dragon, the future and hope of the Serpent Clan. This blood feud is irreconcilable!"
Chapter 26