Chapter 299: Happy New Year

Shen Qing and the others returned to Martial Sun Prefecture three days ago.

Through the heavy snowfall, the shadow of the capital could already be seen, and faint sounds of firecrackers and fireworks could be heard.

Upon seeing the capital, Zhang Dao Yi also breathed a sigh of relief; these past few days have indeed been quite stressful.

Zhang Dao Yi was about to tell Shen Qing he wanted to return to the Dao Sect for a trip, but Shen Qing spoke first.

"I've troubled you this time, but ultimately it was my oversight—I brought too few people; you two must be under a lot of pressure."

After all, there had been a lot of killing this time; Zhang Dao Yi and Cha Hun had never experienced such large-scale slaughter before, so it was inevitable that they felt some pressure while killing.

Since Shen Qing had already noticed them on Tai Island, after the battle at Fu Sen City on Tai Island, he didn't let Zhang Dao Yi and Cha Hun kill indiscriminately; instead, he either did it himself or sent the sea‑beast army, while the two were responsible for slaying those at the Primordial Elixir Realm.

Even so, they were still somewhat affected.

Zhang Dao Yi said, "Lord Shen, you're too kind—I feel burdened killing others, but how could killing Wokou be stressful?"

Shen Qing waved his hand: "Enough, stop being stubborn. Stay a few more days at the Shen clan; I'll have the Nurturing Heart Hall opened for you to rest and calm your minds."

"Our Dao Sect actually also has…"

Shen Qing glanced at him: "I know your Dao Sect has a Nurturing Heart Hall, but how does ours compare? You don't know—our Shen clan's Nurturing Heart Hall contains a Bodhi Ancient Tree that our forefather brought back."

The Bodhi Ancient Tree is a sacred nurturing‑heart tree; its aura can suppress evil thoughts and resist heart demons, making it extremely precious.

Shen Qing then looked at Wu Nian: "Wu Nian, you should go in too—I recall the Bodhi Tree holds special meaning in Buddhist scriptures; see if you can gain any insight."

Zhang Dao Yi, Wu Nian, and Cha Hun all said, "Thank you, Lord Shen/Patron Shen."

As soon as the four returned to the Shen clan, Shen Qing ordered the Nurturing Heart Hall opened; the Shen clan's Nurturing Heart Hall is guarded by nine great feng shui formations, made of bronze, and as soon as the door opened a mysterious aura flowed out.

Cha Hun turned his head blankly, because Shen Qing was standing at the doorway watching them, with no intention of entering.

Cha Hun said, "Lord Shen, aren't you coming in?"

Cha Hun and Zhang Dao Yi had been killing on Tai Island, but Shen Qing had slaughtered from start to finish across the four islands, and even half of the Wokou on Fusang Island were killed by him.

Shen Qing smiled: "Go ahead and enter; I'm fine."

What a joke—does Shen Qing even need to nurture his heart? Nurture what? He even complains that there are too few Wokou.

After sending Wu Nian and the other two inside, Shen Qing returned to his own room.

Someone was already waiting here—it was Zhu Lingyue, dressed in a white gown, who flung herself into Shen Qing's embrace.

"You're back—are you alright?"

Shen Qing held Zhu Lingyue: "I'm fine, just my clothes are dirty."

Zhu Lingyue whispered, "I've prepared a few new sets of clothes for you."

"How should I thank you?"

Saying this, Shen Qing scooped Zhu Lingyue up in a horizontal hold and walked toward the room; Zhu Lingyue understood what he intended and instantly blushed.

Clouds and rain overturned.

After a few days, the firecracker sounds in the capital grew more frequent, and the fireworks in the sky never ceased.

Today is New Year's Eve; the year has arrived.

Needless to say, not only the capital but the whole of Great Wu is like this; the southeastern commanderies are even more exaggerated, especially Jia Shui Jun and East Sea Prefecture, where there are no firecracker sounds.

Because these two commanderies have suffered the longest from Wokou ravages, the news of Shen Qing's extermination of the Wokou spread through them at a terrifying speed.

Before the year's end, Shen Qing had wiped out the Wokou—this could be called a double blessing.

People from both commanderies flocked to Shen Qing's temple to offer sacrifices; the temple had been built by the locals when Shen Qing previously drove the Wokou away.

Afterward, this became a custom: at year's end one must go to worship at Shen Qing's temple.

Shen Qing sat in a pavilion on Qilin Mountain, quietly watching the fireworks over the full city.

Suddenly, footsteps sounded behind him; Zhu Lingyue sat beside Shen Qing and rested her head on his shoulder.

The two chatted intermittently as the sky grew dark.

Just then, footsteps sounded again from behind, and several excited voices called out: "Boss! Boss!"

Shen Qing turned around and saw the scholar and Old Li.

After stabilizing the Shen clan and the capital, Shen Qing had someone go fetch them.

Shen Qing smiled: "You've come; I told you to bring your families along—where are they?"

The scholar hehehed: "Thanks for your concern, Boss; they've already arrived in the capital."

Shen Qing pulled Zhu Lingyue over and said, "Everyone, come meet her—this is your sister‑in‑law Zhu Lingyue, and also the current emperor of Great Wu."

Upon hearing this, the scholar and the four others shuddered, instinctively dropping to one knee: "Greetings, Your Majesty."

Zhu Lingyue extended her vital energy to stop the four: "Shen Qing and I have told you about this—you've just arrived in the capital; hasn't Shen Qing arranged lodging for you yet?"

"In that case, I'll give you four mansions on Chessboard Street and four mountain villas outside the capital as gifts."

Zhu Lingyue spoke those words calmly, and it knocked Old Li and the others unconscious.

Is this what money power is?

Chessboard Street, the most prosperous street in the capital, also has the capital's four mountain villas.

Shen Qing smiled: "What are you standing there dazed for? Hurry up and thank us."

Old Li hurriedly nodded: "Thank you, Your Majesty…"

At that moment, the scholar grabbed Old Li's arm; Old Li turned his head, puzzled, only to see the scholar shout.

"Thank the sister‑in‑law!"

Old Li and the others immediately realized this wasn't the imperial court or outside—it was the Shen clan's home—and they hurriedly shouted.

"Thank the sister‑in‑law!"

Just then, a plaintive loli‑like wail came from the mountain as the White Tiger, crying and carrying on, ran up Qilin Mountain.

It ran straight to Shen Qing, rubbing its head against him while wildly complaining: "Master, in your absence they've bullied me and won't even let me eat."

The White Tiger had learned to speak, still in that loli voice, and had grown thin to the size it was when Shen Qing first saw it.

Shen Qing stroked the white tiger's head: "It's fine, it's fine."

Besides, did you forget? The order not to let you eat was mine.

The white tiger stared, eyes full of disbelief: "?"

Shen Qing smiled: "But today, let you eat your fill, eat to your heart's content."

The white tiger instantly forgot yesterday's worries and began to fantasize about tonight's dinner.

Soon, night fell, and the Shen household was decked with lanterns and banners, firecrackers going off nonstop.

Dishes were served one after another; at Shen Qing's request, the scholars and others brought their families to attend the banquet, and Wu Nian, Zhang Dao Yi, and the others also came out from the Nurturing Heart Hall.

Many things happened this year, everyone was excitedly discussing when suddenly someone shouted.

Great ancestor, say something.

Zhu Yin smiled and waved his hand: "I'll stay out of it; I never speak, let the young people handle this, Shen Qing."

Shen Qing was sitting with Zhu Ling Yue, gobbling down food.

Many legendary events occurred this year, most related to Shen Qing, and the people around looked at him with hopeful eyes.

Shen Qing stood up and glanced at the night sky outside.

He then turned his gaze to the people inside: "If you must say something, then say some words of blessing."

In the new year, I wish everyone.

May you have smooth sailing, two dragons soaring, three yangs bringing prosperity, four seasons of peace, five fortunes arriving at the door, six-six great smoothness, seven stars shining brightly, wealth from all directions, nine-nine united hearts, tenfold perfection, all things proceeding smoothly, a thousand things auspicious, ten thousand things as desired.

I wish you all.

Happy New Year.