Chapter 134

After hearing Hong Zun's words, Xu Jie truly is a figure hated by both men and heavens, a great demon that heaven and earth cannot tolerate—he's simply wicked beyond measure.

Seeing Hong Zun about to speak, Xu Jie knelt deeply, but whispered a sentence.

"Sect Master, didn't Shīzūn know you've come to Jinhai Yingdi?"

The voice wasn't loud, but Hong Zun heard it clearly, and immediately shifted his tone.

"After all, you are my disciple; as the saying goes, if the child is not taught, it is the father's fault. When a disciple goes astray, the master also bears an inescapable responsibility. I will teach you well from now on, and you must strive to reform and return to the right path as soon as possible."

Upon hearing this, Xu Jie replied loudly.

"Disciple will keep the master's teachings in mind."

"Hmm, not yet beyond redemption."

He nodded slightly, appearing teachable.

Ye Zhangqing, who had witnessed the whole process, now seemed to understand why the third senior brother was like this; the answer was found—having such a master, it's no wonder he taught such a disciple.

Seeing Xu Jie raise his head again, together with Hong Zun's kind master and filial disciple, Ye Zhangqing sincerely sighed, they are a perfect match; if they weren't master and disciple, it would be against heavenly principle.

After Xu Jie and the others sincerely apologized, Hong Zun and Qing Shi then lifted their cultivation restrictions.

Not wanting to look for lodging, they simply stayed at Ye Zhangqing's place; the courtyard is large with many rooms, so having Hong Zun and the other stay doesn't matter.

After a few casual words, Zhao Zhengping and the others were driven away; on the way back, Zhao Zhengping looked suspicious and asked Xu Jie.

"Third junior brother, why didn't you let me speak about Elder Wang Tieshu just now?"

"How could we say that? We mustn't let the master be on guard."

Huh???

"Think about it, Senior Brother; if the master knew this, how could we still trick him into going to San Sheng Shi?"

Huh???

Listening to Xu Jie's explanation, Zhao Zhengping's expression grew ever stranger; he suddenly felt the master's words made some sense—this guy is truly full of rebellious spirit.

Just now he was crying with tears like pear blossoms, and now he's thinking how to stab the master in the back?

He stared fixedly at Xu Jie, sizing him up; after a long silence, Zhao Zhengping patted his shoulder meaningfully and said.

"For the master to have a disciple like you is truly a fortune across three lifetimes."

Having said that, he turned and returned to his lodging, silently deciding that as a mere mortal, he probably shouldn't take on disciples—his fate isn't strong enough to endure it.

In the following days, Hong Zun and Qing Shi could be said to have lived very comfortably.

Not only did disciples bring them meals at every mealtime, so they didn't have to lift a finger; thanks to the pair's coaxing, Ye Zhangqing would occasionally prepare a late-night snack for them.

Such a life left them feeling light as immortals, to the point they could hardly walk the Dao.

However, as time passed, an old recurring problem surfaced before everyone again: the ingredients had run out.

After dinner, in the rear courtyard, Ye Zhangqing, Hong Zun, Qing Shi, Zhao Zhengping, Liu Shuang, Xu Jie, Lu Youyou, Wang Yao, and the others sat in a circle, all gazing at Ye Zhangqing.

"How much is left?"

"Just for tomorrow; if we conserve a bit, we might stretch it another two or three days."

"What nonsense—food is heaven to the people; how can we skimp on meals?"

As for this, Hong Zun was the first to object: "I've cultivated to immortality, reached sagehood—can't I even eat my fill? Then what's the point of cultivating at all?"

Since there are no ingredients, we must find a way to get some; the essence blood of the flood dragon from Jiaomin still remains, so we'll contact the flood dragon clan again and ask them to send reinforcements.

Wang Yao took out the essence blood, about to cast the secret art, but Qing Shi stopped her.

"How do you plan to speak to that old dragon king?"

"Just say the front lines need support."

Hearing this, Wang Yao replied doubtfully, "Wasn't that what we said before?" Yet Qing Shi responded with a look of exasperation.

"How have I usually taught you? Using the same method too often renders it useless—why can't you remember?"

"What should we do then?"

"Give me the essence blood."

Wang Yao knows the secret art, and Qing Shi naturally knows it too, even more proficient; he cupped the essence blood in both hands, forming seals while saying to Wang Yao.

"Watch closely, master will teach you again."

"Mm."

The little girl nodded seriously, watching intently, only to see Qing Shi slowly speak.

"Son Jiaomin congratulates the Father King; after successive bitter battles, although the Divine Sword Peak disciples fought to the death, they could not withstand the Father King's troops. Now the Jinhai Yingdi has been taken by the Son, the Divine Sword Peak disciples have all been slain, and here I congratulate the Father King, wishing his might to reach Dongzhou."

"Although Jinhai Yingdi has fallen into the Son's hands, to guard against a Dao Yi Sect reinforcement attack, the Son specially requests the Father King to send more water-tribe warriors to help defend Jinhai Yingdi."

"May the Father King live ten thousand years; the Son Jiaomin bows."

Hearing Qing Shi's words, everyone present was stunned; Wang Yao looked as if she had learned something.

"As expected of the master."

"Heh, this is called adaptability; always using the same excuse, even if the old dragon king is foolish, he'll eventually grow suspicious. This trick of mine will surely delight him beyond measure, leaving him no reservations."

"Master is mighty."

"Study well, you still have a long way to go."

Watching the master and disciple pair—one fawning, the other self-satisfied—Ye Zhangqing weakly said.

"Indeed, old ginger is still spicy."

I thought Wang Yao was already formidable, but compared to Qing Shi, she's nowhere near his level.

Think of that old dragon king, also pitiful, completely played by this master-disciple pair in the palm of their hand.

As the essence blood flew away, Hong Zun also nodded in satisfaction.

"Let's go, make preparations outside the camp and await the water tribe's arrival."

"Master, how can this be called the water tribe? It should be called food."

Xu Jie, standing to the side, laughed and said; upon hearing this, Hong Zun also immediately showed a smile.

Exactly, exactly, how could you call them aquatic? No wonder you're the master's disciple—your vision is penetrating; the ingredients should be called ingredients.

It's all the master's teaching.

Sigh, the master leads you to the door, but cultivation depends on the individual; Xu Jie, you're not bad, I, as your master, have high hopes for you.

Thank you, Master.

Heh heh heh.............

The master and disciple, like an old fox and a young fox, locked eyes and both emitted a sinister laugh; immediately, Qing Shi, Zhao Zhengping, Liu Shuang, and others joined in.

Laughter rose and fell in the back courtyard, while Ye Zhangqing watched the crowd gathered together, feeling as if he had fallen into a demon cave—no, could you guys restrain yourselves a bit? This laughter is more demonic than the demon cultivators.

If a demon cultivator were to come now and see Hong Zun and the others, they would probably think they'd met their kind and step forward to shout, 'Fellow Daoist!'

Heh heh, go, get ready, get ready to welcome the ingredients arriving at our door.

Yes, Master.

Afterwards, everyone quickly departed; as they left, they all patted Ye Zhangqing on the shoulder, telling him to rest well and that he would soon obtain the ingredients.