CHAPTER 40: CHAPTER 40: LIFE IS LIKE A BOWL OF SCALLION EGG NOODLES (PLEASE FOLLOW!)

It has been nearly ten days since any news from the Dragon Palace after Ao Bing returned. Life has been tranquil.

Nezha has been cultivating daily and has absorbed more than half of the Primordial Qi contained within Li Gen’s Golden Core. Now, in his Qi Sea, the accumulated Primordial Qi has formed a calm pond about thirty feet in diameter.

Meanwhile, a nearby fishing village was stirred with people wanting to elect a Great Witch. Nezha personally took action and quelled the situation by striking down three people with his thunderous methods.

Many villagers, having seen the previous sacrifices shortened and then witnessing Nezha successively slaying Yaksha and the Great Witch, noticed that the Dragon Palace no longer troubled the border. Even the fishermen’s daily ventures were calm and bountiful.

There were even rumors saying that the Dragon Palace did not stay idle but sent Ao Bing, the third prince of Dragon King, to capture Nezha, only to be killed by him.

People had mixed opinions, some celebrated, believing that the sacrifices to the Sea Dragon King could finally end. Others pessimistically thought breaking from tradition is not good, viewing this peaceful period as the calm before a storm, predicting that great troubles await Chentang Pass, and sighed all day long.

Nevertheless, despite these events, most people’s lives went on as usual—the butcher continued selling rotten meat-filled buns, the liquor sellers kept selling liquor, and the fishermen went on fishing.

Nezha’s days were also peaceful.

Today, he got up early and took Lu Zhu’er to the kitchen for two big bowls of scallion and egg noodles. Holding the large bowls and savoring the refreshing scent of scallions, the two children squatted on the doorstep and enjoyed their meal.

Yesterday, after a day of playful antics at home, the girls craved candied fruits and pulled Nezha to continue paper-making and asked him to get some preserves from the kitchen.

Coincidentally, Mr. Fan was resting these days. With no classes, Nezha decided to tackle this long-delayed task.

Everyone was busy all day—pounding the pulp, scooping the paper, sun drying, and peeling the paper. The young girls were exhaustive, but the results were rewarding, and they actually managed to make smooth, white paper.

Of course, Nezha’s "smooth white" was compared to the pile of dingy blackened bamboo slips Mr. Fan prepared. Anticipating that with better tools and improved techniques, producing truly high-quality paper in the future wouldn’t be far away.

Elated, Nezha’s goodwill led to the mishap of all the preserves in the storeroom being handed out to his young friends.

Firecrackers sounded in the front courtyard, and Nezha suddenly remembered that Lady Yin had instructed him the other day, mentioning a letter from Li Jing, who was returning home today—he almost forgot.

He quickly packed up the preserves, grabbed Lu Zhu’er’s hand, and was about to run to the front courtyard when Cui Yu came calling breathlessly, her full chest undulating dazzlingly.

"The masters, what time is it now and you are still hiding here? The master has arrived at the front gate. Hurry over, or he’ll be angry if he doesn’t see you soon."

Cui Yu had just written and immediately pulled the children back. Lu Zhu’er, running anxiously, tightly gripped Nezha’s hand.

"Master, does your father often lose his temper?"

They say good food nourishes people, and the little girl, initially adorable, now added some flesh to her cheeks, presenting a potential to be breathtaking despite her young age.

Without turning back, Nezha helplessly said, "Don’t worry, Little Piggy, even if we go, he will still be angry. Perhaps, he’s come back this time just to be angry."

"Ah? What should we do then?"

Nezha smiled and said, "Just let him be angry. Little Piggy, do you know how people become stronger? It’s through performance."

Lu Zhu’er, half comprehending, responded while running, "Master, I’m not a pig, I’m Lu Zhu’er. Don’t always call me Little Piggy, it makes one dumb."

Nezha looked back at her, explaining earnestly, "Master, of course, I know. The ’Little Piggy’ I call refers to the real pig."

Lv Zhu’er uttered an "Oh," feeling no difference in her heart, and thus accepted the situation.

Cui Yu sighed, raising her hand to wipe the fine beads of sweat on her forehead, and spoke with relieved tone, "We’ve finally made it in time."

At the main entrance, two rows of weapons were placed side by side, guards were lined up on both sides, and right at the front, Li Jing rode a tall horse, dressed in red armor, leading the procession, while dozens of soldiers guarded the carriage convoy, as for Lv Ping and a few other maids and servants, they walked in the middle of the procession.

The procession halted at the entrance, shouting ’Great Victory’ three times, and then the locals who came to watch the ceremony as well as the people inside the manor all knelt on one knee, shouting ’Great Victory’ three more times, not for Li Jing, but for the victorious soldiers returning home.

After the ceremony was completed, people like Hong Fei led a group of maids out, helped Li Jing remove his armor, and summoned a physician to check his health; seeing no injuries, the physician shouted to all around, "The master is healthy, may he live forever!"

Then they proceeded with the agenda and by the time everything concluded, it was already noon.

Cui Yu, now experienced in supervising such events, waited until everyone dispersed. Li Jing, together with Lady Yin and Nezha, entered the dining hall where the chef had just begun serving dishes.

The family of three sat down at a small round table; if one ignored the attending servants, the sumptuous decorations around, and the seemingly simple but actually complex and meticulously prepared dishes on the table, it almost looked like a family dinner at an ordinary household.

Because of this, Nezha felt a bit out of place.

In his past life, he was an orphan; this life, however, unexpectedly endowed him with parents. Deep down, he still held some expectations for Li Jing.

Because of these expectations, there were disappointments.

The dishes were all served, yet no one started eating; Li Jing was starving but showed no desire to eat, his face looking rather grim.

Beside him, Lady Yin, clearly understanding the situation, became anxious and said, "Let’s eat first; if we wait any longer, the food will get cold."

"No rush,"

Li Jing turned his head to look at Nezha, their eyes meeting. He seemed to look for signs of panic, obedience, or regret in those black pupils.

Unfortunately, he saw none, which only made his inexplicable irritation more apparent.

The atmosphere was somewhat tense.

Li Jing slowly said, "Nezha, on the way home, I’ve heard some things."

"Ah? What things? Father, please speak."

"You still play dumb and show no repentance! Of course, it’s about the Sea Dragon King’s sacrificial matter!"

Nezha, of course, pretended to be clueless. In fact, seeing Li Jing angry, he already understood his attitude. He didn’t care about whether he got angry or not and simply said, "Father, don’t praise me yet; this is all what Nezha ought to do. Taking advantage of your campaign at Wild Horse Ridge, the Dragon Palace dared to harm our people of Chentang Pass. Any man with some ability and courage in his bones wouldn’t sit back and let them be."

Seeing Nezha’s words filled with scorn and sarcasm, Li Jing’s face flushed with restraint.

Until he was seven years old, Nezha was almost in a chaotic state; even though Li Jing kept him close, he felt mostly disgust for Nezha.

But now, his youngest son was not foolish or mute anymore, what he didn’t expect was that in just a few days of his absence, his son had caused such a significant incident!

And not only did he not repent for his mistakes, but he even subtly ridiculed his own father!

Li Jing angrily said, "You unfilial son, are you a reincarnated demon?"

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