Chapter 45: Chapter 45: The Mortal Marketplace, Jianghu and Court

“Master Kui, please come in. Is it the usual?”

“Good morning, Taoist Zhang.”

“Good morning, Taoist.”

Zhang Kui smiled as he walked through the tavern hall, and all sorts of unfamiliar people would stand up and greet him respectfully.

Exterminating two Grain Avoidance Realm Old Demons was no small matter. Captain Chen had to prepare various reports, including the account of the corpse disaster in Lu City and organizing manpower to transport the bodies.

For Zhang Kui, the main thing was waiting for the two bottles of “Jade Flower Rose Pill” obtained in exchange for the Old Demons’ bodies.

Compared to that old zombie, the “River King” was still lacking; he only gained six skill points.

Zhang Kui wasn’t in a hurry to use them and instead wanted to boost his mana further with the pills. After all, the further south he went, the more dangerous the situation became, so being more prepared could never be wrong.

This tavern served Lu City’s specialty dishes, which Zhang Kui grew fond of after discovering them. Within a few days, he became a regular customer.

Soon, the waiter brought the dishes.

Lu City’s specialty rotten meat stew, with top-notch pork knuckle cut into chunks and stewed until tender, supplemented with wild rice shoot, tofu, golden mushrooms, and vermicelli, filled the air with fragrance, reminiscent of the large stew from his past life.

The main dish was fluffy and soft millet cake, wrapped with jujube paste, sweet and enticing.

“Haha, good.”

Zhang Kui inhaled the aroma with delight.

In his past life, he didn’t care at all about wearing brand names or driving fancy cars, but his gluttonous habit was something he feared he’d never change, even if he became an Immortal.

While enjoying the millet cake and devouring the dishes, Zhang Kui leisurely gazed at the hustle and bustle on the street through the wooden window.

The peddlers’ shouts, bargaining quarrels, the playful laughter of children, the clanging sounds from the blacksmith’s shop… chaotic and noisy.

With all the evil spirits eradicated and the gloom dispelled, even quotidian matters like oil, salt, soy sauce, and vinegar were enjoyable, alongside the prosperity, savoring a pot of aged wine was a delight.

Why do Immortals long for the mundane world?

They deeply love the human realm’s smoke and fire.

Zhang Kui cherished this feeling; if it weren’t for the calamity, he would likely still be a pig slaughterer, living as a recluse cultivator in the marketplace.

Halfway through eating, he suddenly paused, splaying open his left hand, where the peculiar stone sphere he obtained from the Three-eyed Giant Corpse appeared in his palm.

At this moment, the stone sphere was vibrating slightly.

This was the fourth time in consecutive days; Zhang Kui was no longer surprised. More importantly, he finally pieced together some clues.

Focusing his mind, various voices faintly emerged from inside the stone sphere, both male and female, seeming both distant and near.

“Taoist Zhang’s great kindness will surely be worshipped sooner or later…”

“Thank you, Immortal, for protecting Lu City…”

“Thank you, Taoist, for saving my entire family…”

Indeed, this thing could collect Wish Power.

From the first time he dispelled the plague in the street and saved people, this thing started reacting. By the time he exterminated the two demons and Captain Chen posted notices and disseminated propaganda, it finally revealed its peculiarity.

Was it Merit?

Zhang Kui didn’t believe it at all. The Great Path is ruthless and follows its own laws, not governed by human will.

The so-called Merit is merely something people set down, and besides, it’s not all good in there.

“Damn Taoist, may you die a miserable death…”

This was the old man from the River King Temple conspiring with demons, deserving capital punishment. Although he avoided execution, he couldn’t escape punishment and was suffering in the prison, cursing Zhang Kui day and night.

Zhang Kui recalled the murals he saw in the Ancient Secret Realm.

Initially, he thought it was similar to the myths of tribal heroes and leaders from his past life.

But now it seemed that, in that ancient era, a form of Divine Path cultivation truly existed, and this stone sphere was likely a tool for such cultivation.

What is the Divine Path?

It gathers the Power of Incense Fire, wielding the power of beings to transcend, yet also being encumbered by them, so how could it be carefree?

Zhang Kui showed a hint of disdain, put away the stone sphere, and ignored it.

“Waiter, bring a pot of aged wine!”

…

Southwest of Qingzhou, in a certain region.

The ancient cypress and pine trees in the mountains were lush and verdant, with the old trunks and gnarly branches slanting sideways. The fragmented sunlight filtered through the treetops, dappling the ground, as the branches and leaves swayed in the wind with a rustling sound.

An ancient temple lay hidden within, its walls cracked and peeling, and stone crevices filled with moss, making it indistinguishable when it was built.

Not far from this temple, a few monk corpses were carelessly tossed, already decaying with bones exposed, a flock of crows perched atop them, pecking until eyeballs dropped.

The scholar Qin Yi took a deep breath, staring at the eerie ancient temple before him, a hint of gloom appearing in his eyes as he bowed and walked inside.

Inside the grand hall, phosporescent flames flickered, and the Nine-Child Ghost Witch was touching a Small Bronze Cauldron with her skeletal hand, from which black smoke billowed, faintly carrying the cries of children.

Qin Yi entered without daring to raise his head, clasping his hands in respect:

“Godmother, the Blood Corpse King is gone in Lu City, and the one responsible is that Zhang Kui scoundrel.”

“Oh…”

The Nine-Child Ghost Witch was first taken aback, then mocked with a strange laugh, “That old zombie deserved it for not heeding my advice, hence his misfortune.”

Qin Yi’s face was full of resentment, “That Zhang Kui is also arrogant. Godmother, would you like to intervene?”

The Nine-Child Ghost Witch picked up the Bronze Cauldron and took a deep breath, absorbing all the black smoke filled with the cries of children into her belly.

“Intervene… Why should I intervene?”

The white-haired old woman let out a laugh like a night owl.

“Those fools, if that Tianji Zi hadn’t stirred trouble, they would have long abandoned the idea of unity. I even hope that little Taoist gets fiercer, to make those folks understand that listening to me is the right thing to do.”

“Focus on preparing for the Qin Mountain Ancient Path affair. If it succeeds, there will be benefits for you then.”

“Yes, Godmother.”

Qin Yi lowered his head and replied, but his heart was full of doubts.

Compared to joining forces with the demons and ghosts to find the “Reincarnated One,” this old enchantress seemed more concerned about the alliance at Qin Mountain Ancient Path.

What on earth is there?

Qin Yi dared not ask more, but his heart started to plan, preparing to investigate this matter in private.

Just as he was about to leave, the Nine-Child Ghost Witch smiled slightly, “Dear child, leave tomorrow.”

Qin Yi felt a wave of nausea in his heart,

“Yes, godmother.”

…

On the other side, inside the Black Water City Astronomical Bureau.

“Is it really so?!”

Wu Siyuan’s face was full of delight as he slapped the table and stood up.

“Good, good, Taoist Zhang is indeed mighty.”

After news from Lu City arrived, Eunuch Yin immediately came to discuss it with a stack of records in hand.

“In the Realm of Enlightenment, consecutively slaying three demons of the Grain Avoidance Realm, this matter, even in the Capital City, would cause a sensation. Given Taoist Zhang’s age, I’m afraid His Majesty will eagerly choose a princess again.”

Eunuch Yin was also in a good mood and rarely made a joke.

Wu Siyuan was also laughing happily.

The current Emperor, for some reason, besides three princes, the rest are all princesses. So whenever he sees a promising young talent, he always wants to bring him in as a son-in-law.

This makes the daughters of the Capital City nobility suffer; if there’s an ideal groom, they must take action first, or else the princess might get ahead, becoming a big event in the Capital City’s social scene.

After joking for a while, Wu Siyuan’s face gradually became gloomy and he slapped the table hard.

“If only Tianji Zi would take half the responsibility, the situation in Qingzhou wouldn’t be like this. Truly, I don’t know what importance that demoness holds.”

It was rumored that traces of the demoness were found in the Northern Border Mountain Area, and Tianji Zi took a group of men to chase, otherwise he wouldn’t dare to discuss so openly.

Eunuch Yin’s eyes flashed,

“Could that demoness… be the ’Reincarnated One’?”

Wu Siyuan was taken aback, contemplating,

“It’s possible, but with Tianji Zi being so tight-lipped, if he doesn’t say, would we dare to ask?”

Eunuch Yin’s eyes suddenly turned sly,

“Whether she is or not isn’t important to us, but if those demons and evil spirits believe it is?”

“You mean…”

Wu Siyuan was initially startled, then quickly shook his head,

“Not appropriate, this move is too risky, if Tianji Zi finds out, our lives might not be saved.”

Eunuch Yin’s eyes showed a trace of ruthlessness,

“Lord Wu, we act under the Emperor’s orders. If the situation in Qingzhou continues, with the Emperor unwilling to move the National Guardian True Man, it’s only a matter of time before we are made to take the blame.”

Wu Siyuan remained silent, his face gradually turning grim…

…

After a hearty meal and a leisurely walk to digest, Zhang Kui hummed a little tune as he returned to the inn.

Just as he entered the courtyard, he saw Ye Fei standing inside, wearing a brand-new robe, his face uncertain.

“Why have you come?”

Zhang Kui smiled slightly, he had a favorable impression of the young swordsman.

Ye Fei took a deep breath and suddenly knelt on the ground,

“Ye Fei implores the Taoist to accept me as a disciple, to serve by your side.”

Zhang Kui was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head,

“We have no such fate, my magic technique is not something you can learn.”

Ye Fei’s face turned deathly pale, his body swayed, filled with bitterness, “I was… I was presumptuous.”

Zhang Kui felt helpless, he was telling the truth, unless the system could produce offspring, he was destined to be a solitary person.

Seeing the young man in despair, Zhang Kui blinked,

“Foolish, isn’t there a sword cultivator next door? Wouldn’t it be more suitable to go find him?”

A glimmer of hope appeared in the young man’s eyes. After kowtowing on the ground, he ran next door, Zhang Kui followed with interest.

Sword cultivator Zhu Sheng was meditating with his sword in hand, and upon hearing the plea, he nodded without hesitation, “Can you endure hardship?”

“I can endure any hardship!”

Kneeling on the ground, Ye Fei nodded quickly.

Zhu Sheng nodded expressionlessly,

“Very well, go up the mountain and pick some ores to forge a sword and show me. Once you pass, you can enter my sect.”

Ye Fei’s face was full of joy, and after kowtowing heavily, he dashed out.

Zhang Kui nodded with a smile,

“So this is the initiation challenge of sword cultivation, quite interesting indeed.”

Zhu Sheng did not answer, but lit an incense stick and quietly brewed a pot of tea.

“Do you know what sword cultivation is?”

Was this to be a discussion of Dao?

Zhang Kui was taken aback for a moment, then smiled,

“I am willing to hear in detail.”

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep