Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 44 Everything Has a Cause
CHAPTER 44: CHAPTER 44 EVERYTHING HAS A CAUSE
Li Jing constantly swallowed, a cold sweat dripping down his forehead. It was just a momentary pause, but it felt like an excruciatingly long time to him.
Ao Bing’s next words felt like a death sentence to him.
Yet, Ao Bing paused slightly and said, "This Li Gen, his death is... truly a well-deserved death."
"Ah?"
"Heavenly principles favor preserving life; he was bestowed with the supreme grace of the Heavenly Emperor and received the generous pay of the Heavenly Court. Yet, he saw such heaven-offending and grievous evil and not only did he not intervene to stop it, he instead added fuel to the fire and implicated our Dragon Palace in unrighteousness. Truly, his death was less than he deserved! Speaking of which, I really should thank Nezha for taking action and cleaning house for our Dragon Palace."
With his mouth agape, Li Jing stared at Ao Bing, who was looking back at him with shining eyes, completely bewildered by what was happening.
Was there something wrong with his own brain, or was it Ao Bing’s brain that had malfunctioned? How could he speak such words from the perspective of the Dragon Palace?
Even saying ’Brother Nezha’ so casually, are you that familiar with him?
Seeing such heaven-offending and grievous evil and not intervening?
This incident took place within my jurisdiction and I seem to have not intervened either, but aren’t you the heinous person behind these evil deeds?
Li Jing couldn’t make sense of it at all.
At that moment, the porcupine general came to report; following a cough from Ao Bing, the porcupine general, towering at twelve feet tall, walked in respectfully with a moderately-sized lacquer wood box, holding it low as he entered.
Li Jing looked at the box, feeling somewhat numb at this point, and asked, "Your Highness, what is this?"
Ao Bing waved his hand grandly and said, "Uncle, your visit this time met with inadequate hospitality from the Dragon Palace, and I apologize for any offense. Here is a modest gift, and I insist that you accept it."
Li Jing pushed with both hands and said righteously, "This should not be done."
"If uncle refuses, it would be tantamount to not giving the Dragon Palace face!"
"Well then, I will respectfully comply."
Actually, even now, Li Jing still had no peace of mind; after all, he was an experienced man of the world.
So, he could discern from Ao Bing’s handsome and spirited face the unapproachable altitude exclusive to the Dragon Palace Third Prince, and he could feel from the other’s warmth a kind of deep-seated indifference that pushed people thousands of miles away.
In other words, Li Jing could tell that Ao Bing was deliberately showing enthusiasm in his presence, though he didn’t understand why Ao Bing was doing so, but it did not affect Li Jing’s mood at the moment.
Li Jing felt quite pleased because many years in officialdom had also turned him into a very skilled actor.
With a slight buzz from the wine, his spirit was even better. As the delicious dishes of the Dragon Palace were served, the man and the dragon continued toasting each other, oblivious to what they ate, drank, or even to what they said, only remembering that both host and guest enjoyed themselves, with the Dragon Palace Third Prince Ao Bing humbly yet passionately entertaining.
It wasn’t until Ao Bing said something that Li Jing suddenly grasped the main point again.
"Nezha, the young hero with a rare heart of justice, I deeply admire him and sincerely wish to become friends. I hope, uncle, that when you return you will speak favorably of me to the young dragon."
So that was it!
Li Jing suddenly understood.
Nezha.
Li Jing’s mind flashed with his younger son’s name, and recalling past events, he felt even more certain that his guess was correct.
Nezha, a mere child of seven, was really not worth the Dragon Palace’s attention, yet he was accepted as a disciple by a high-ranking member of the Chan Sect.
Compared to the grandeur and proliferation of distinguished individuals within the Chan Sect, the Dragon Palace seemed insignificant.
Li Jing readily agreed, and both parties felt relieved; enjoying food, wine, and the company of beauties, the afternoon passed unnoticed.
Li Jing was escorted back to shore by two maids who served during the meal in Ao Bing’s palace; though mermaids, they were pretty and graceful, presenting a unique charm in their own right.
At the time of parting, a gratified Li Jing waved goodbye and watched the two women slowly disappear among the dancing waves, feeling somewhat disheartened.
Reinvigorating his spirits, he glanced at the lacquer wood treasure box under his arm, opened it to see dazzling gold light—it was filled with gold and jewels, which were much needed back home.
Li Jing took a sharp inhale, thinking to himself how generous this modest gift turned out to be.
With these, the financial gaps at home were finally filled.
No longer worried, Li Jing felt the cold wind sober him up considerably, the calm sea and the sunset over the mountains bringing him a sense of expansive peace.
He muttered to himself, "Who would have thought that danger would turn into safety, all thanks to that reckless scoundrel; well, I will have to question him thoroughly when I get back, to find out what exactly happened all these days."
Li Jing took off his coat to wrap the treasure box and carried it on his back; looking around at the rocky surroundings and then into the dark water depths unknowable, he suddenly realized, "This is Lizhu Gorge, it’s been a long time since I last came here, but it’s a pity that I didn’t encounter any pearl divers to relieve the itch in my heart with some earthly delights."
With a sign in his heart, he stepped onto the main path. He hadn’t walked a few steps before a strong smell of blood assaulted his senses from the trail ahead.
Li Jing frowned, tightened his pack, and rested his hand on the hilt of his treasure sword in silence.
He carefully moved forward, his thick leather boots stepping on the damp, slightly decaying leaves accumulated on the path, trying to make as little noise as possible.
The further he walked, the stronger the smell of blood became. The sound of the wind rustling through the trees and the leaves whirling in the air intensified.
Taking a deep breath, the blood smell hit his senses hard; his eyes, usually dulled by indulgence, sharpened. He advanced a step and rounded the corner, ready to draw his sword!
But as he registered the scene before him, his heart started pounding wildly and horror nearly split his eyes wide open.
He saw a villain in full armor, gruesomely pinning down the bloody corpse of a young man, tearing it into two halves!
With a swish of his sword, the cold light flashed—Li Jing’s sword was already in his hand.
He shouted, "What demon dares to commit murder here!"
Li Jing, a cultivator of the God Absorption Realm and former disciple of Du Er Perfected of West Kunlun, though not versed in the art of immortality, still had no fear against several minor demons.
The murderous villain on the road, hearing someone was behind, turned hastily, his face bloodied and savage, looking even more terrifying.
Yet, upon seeing Li Jing’s face clearly, he displayed a look of horror, his face ashen, and promptly fell to his knees, trembling, and said, "Your subordinate has seen the General."
"Feng Xiaonian?"
Li Jing recognized this ’demon’; it was none other than Feng Xiaonian, an officer under his command.
On this forest path, one man lay dead, another knelt, and one stood—silence prevailed. The once dreadful whistling of the wind now carried the chirping of cicadas, adding a sense of noise to the silence.
After a long while, Li Jing slowly started speaking, "I had heard that you practiced the Left Dao Technique, but I never imagined you would become so vicious; is this the karmic consequence?"
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