Chapter 216: The Dragon Returns to the Sea, Words Break the Zen Heart

Li Xian felt uneasy and looked at Wen Caishang.

Wen Caishang laughed and said, "Go ahead and speak boldly, I won't blame you." She also wanted to hear it, her eyes filled with anticipation. She thought to herself, "Let's see what you have to say, kid."

Li Xian pondered: "Madam is quite ruthless, and I have a very close relationship with her. It's not surprising that we've been intimate. But if we're talking about our relationship, I'm really not sure! Never mind... this matter should be discussed more carefully than lightly, so let's make it sound a bit cheesy."

Li Xian carefully prepared his words and said, "Since Senior Long wishes to hear, and Madam has agreed, then I will speak. My wife and I are truly..."

Suddenly, the roar of pythons and dragons could be heard, the water surface seemed to boil, and the boat shook violently.

The python writhed in the river, its body instantly covered in countless wounds, blood flowing freely. Yet, looking around, the river was wide, and there were no experts blocking its way on either bank.

For no apparent reason, and with no experts around.

Wen Caishang frowned, sensing something amiss. She drew her sword from her sleeve and plunged it into the river. When she drew her sword back, a crimson shrimp-like creature appeared in her hand.

No bigger than a palm, with pincers as strong as iron. It turns out that "red-clawed shrimp" have been released into this waterway, and these shrimp are a pest in the water, a major enemy of boats.

The iron clamps are powerful enough to chisel through the bottom of a ship.

Wherever red-clawed shrimp are rampant, there are bound to be river bandits.

Wen Caishang calmly said, "Little Fairy, bring me the jar of wine from my room."

Li Xian did as instructed, fetching fine wine. He unwrapped the seal and poured it into the river. The red-clawed shrimp all became intoxicated, a truly peculiar sight.

Before long, the river dolphins, smelling the alcohol, swam over and began to devour the red-clawed shrimp. A great crisis was thus easily averted.

Li Xian sighed, "Madam is erudite and wise; she has truly made thorough plans. By her side, I have learned a great deal about the ways of the world and how to conduct myself in society."

The dragon exhaled several breaths of foul air and cursed, "Damn it, a bunch of little shrimps, they've really gone too far, daring to try and eat me!"

It was besieged by a swarm of shrimp, and the scabs left by the lightning tribulation were torn open and bleeding. The old wounds had not yet healed when new ones were added. Although its whole body was golden and it was no different from a dragon, it was extremely disheveled and had no dragon's majesty whatsoever.

Wen Caishang sat sideways, her waistline fully exposed, and said, "Surprised? A dragon roaming the waters is an enemy of heaven and earth. Besides, aren't there many who want to eat you?"

The python remained silent, its spirits low. Having reached this point, it was utterly exhausted. Whether it could transform into a dragon in the sea depended entirely on Wen Caishang's assistance.

The python praised, "Brother Li, your wife is truly extraordinary. Today she helped me transform into a dragon, and one day she may very well help you ascend to a higher realm."

Li Xian thought to himself, "Although Old Dragon's words were unintentional, they were meant to stir up trouble and harm me! How could Madam help me climb higher? She would never allow me to be taller than her skirt."

Still lucid, recognizing both the genuine gratitude and the real constraints, she said, "Senior Dragon, you are mistaken. Madam need not help me; she is capable of climbing on her own..."

Wen Caishang interrupted softly, "Are you upset that I didn't help you?"

Li Xian said, "Absolutely not. My current cultivation level is entirely due to your help, Madam. My words just now meant that I had no intention of competing with you. It was just that I spoke hastily..."

"Alright," Wen Caishang said. "I've mentored you, so I know your temperament."

Wen Caishang walked over slowly and said, "You are so young, you should have the ambition to compete. How could I blame you? The past few days have been tiring by boat, with many people and eyes on board. Now it is quiet and peaceful, the water is neither too fast nor too slow, and the river view is quite nice. Come and massage my feet."

Li Xian skillfully removed her boots and placed her fair feet on her knees. Wen Caishang said, "Lift up my skirt a little."

The implication is that you should have ambition. I need to see your spirit and demeanor before I can appreciate and like you. But you also need to stay at my feet, holding up my skirt, before I will be obedient and at ease.

Her skirt was lifted, revealing her fair ankles. A red string was tied around her left wrist, adding a touch of elegance. After several days of arduous boating along the river, the lady was slightly sweaty, and a faint fragrance of perspiration could be detected.

Wen Caishang felt comforted and at peace as she felt the touch on Li Xian's feet. She gently pressed her fingers against the red mole between Li Xian's eyebrows, thinking to herself, "What's mine is in my hands, and there's no reason for me to lose it."

"No matter how beautiful you are, what good is it?"

She slightly raised her foot, her toes touching Li Xian's throat, and gently turned her toes.

The python darted into the river. Realizing its mistake, it had intended to praise Wen Caishang's extraordinary abilities. Now, reflecting on it, it realized Wen Caishang was driven by self-interest; why would she help someone climb higher without a reason? Wouldn't it be better for her to climb even higher herself with that energy?

...

...

The river, stretching for nine thousand miles, gradually widens.

She encountered numerous dangers and obstacles along the way, but all were resolved by Wen Caishang's wisdom and resourcefulness.

The water diversion is nearing its end.

Forty-three thousand li away.

Suddenly, a strange sound was heard, and from both sides of the riverbank, someone laughed loudly: "Friend from afar, if you can play a tune for me, you can roam freely on this wide river."

After he finished speaking, the ethereal sound of a jade flute rang out.

The flute music was gentle and soothing, captivating the mind. After the first three notes, my eyelids grew heavy, and a deep drowsiness washed over me. After the next three notes, my breathing became lighter, as if I had already fallen asleep.

After listening to a few more notes, my heartbeat gradually stopped, and my blood stopped flowing. Just then, the flute music suddenly became extremely shrill, invigorating me and filling me with rage.

But it was too late; his body was no longer in his own hands. His blood stopped flowing, his heart stopped beating. Only his dying spirit remained, tormented by the demonic sound.

He was gripped by immense fear and despair, suffocating to death. Such a death was truly cruel. Not a drop of blood was seen, yet it made one wish for their head to be severed.

Wen Caishang said, "So you are a master from Niaoyue Mountain. Since you are hiding your face and dare not meet me, you use sound to kill me. Well then... it is impolite not to retaliate. Please listen."

She made strange hand gestures and blew a tune. The whistle sounded, and the flute music stopped. Wen Caishang snorted coldly, changed her hand gestures, and whistled again.

The whistle sounded sharply again. Dense spray rose from the river, and the rocks on both banks trembled violently.

"Stop! Stop... We have already lost, spare us, spare us!" Cries of agony echoed from both sides of the strait.

Wen Caishang said, "Now that Caishang has played, how can we not enjoy it to the fullest? You may all listen for now." Her hand gestures changed again, becoming intricate and connected, forming complex hand seals. Her red lips blew again.

The whistle sounded incredibly deep, causing the mountain to tremble slightly. In the distance, a huge boulder was shaken off a high mountain, tumbling down and crashing into the river.

“A petty scoundrel,” Wen Caishang said calmly.

There was no further sound; the riverboat sailed past.

Those who had been hiding in the shadows and playing the flute were now bleeding from all five orifices, their eye sockets ruptured, and they had died a gruesome death on the spot. Their corpses lay scattered haphazardly on the shore.

Li Xian exclaimed, "What amazing martial arts! What terrifying methods... I still can't figure out Madam's true strength. Even if I have the reward of hard work, without any extraordinary encounters, I'm afraid I'll need to hone my skills little by little for a long time before I can surpass Madam."

"But there's no rush. Let's keep a steady pace. Small improvements are fine; surpassing Madam... is my first goal!"

Li Xian's cultivation was still shallow, and he was unaware of the profound mysteries involved. Otherwise, he would have been even more astonished. Wen Caishang was indeed proficient in phonetics, but the three whistles just now were not phonetic martial arts, but rather fist techniques!

She has mastered many powerful martial arts techniques, integrating them seamlessly, and her understanding of martial arts principles is astonishing. The technique she just used was the "Five Elements Long Fist," but she executed it with a whistle, unleashing a powerful burst of internal energy.

These flute-playing murderers all died from internal organ destruction. They died from fist techniques, yet showed no signs of fist wounds.

Although the python was old, its age was unknown.

Then proceed.

Forty-five thousand li away.

The Benhua River flows into Yuzhou and Qiongshan Prefecture. The route passes through a sparsely populated forest.

Towering trees lined both banks, with venomous snakes coiled among their branches. Wen Caishang retrieved meat from the kitchen and threw it into the river. Countless piranhas swam to vie for the food.

Just when I was at my leisure.

Suddenly, I saw something ahead...

An elderly man with one arm sat cross-legged on a bamboo stalk, bending it so that it hung suspended right in the middle of the river.

This person has a protruding mouth, no cheeks, and hair on his face. He resembles a monkey.

"I am an ascetic monk practicing asceticism in southern Chongqing, with the Dharma name Ape Monk. I am concerned that if a dragon enters the sea and stirs up the wind and waves, it will cause floods and devastation to the people. Therefore, I am here to stop you. Please go back."

The ape monk spoke calmly, his body exuding a strong sense of Zen.

Li Xian thought to himself, "That sounds nice, but it's all for his own benefit." Knowing that they were enemies, not friends, there was no need for politeness. Intending to tease them, he asked curiously, "Senior, are you a real monkey or a fake monkey?"

The ape monk said calmly, "All things arise in an equal state. What difference does it make whether one is a human, a monkey, or an ape? Whether I am a human or a monkey, say what you will."

Li Xian said, "Senior, your magnanimity is admirable. But I have one request, and I hope you will grant it."

“If you want me to make way, then you need not say anything more,” the ape monk said.

Li Xian said, "How could I talk about such mundane matters?"

"Oh?" the ape monk said, "Then tell me."

Li Xian said, "Please turn around, senior, and take off your pants. I want to see if your buttocks are red."

Wen Caishang chuckled, and the python laughed so hard it rolled around, saying, "This kid is really interesting."

"Old monkey, did you hear that? Let the three of us take a look at your butt."

The ape monk stood up angrily and cursed, "You brat, how dare you humiliate me!" Li Xian said, "It seems that you are a monkey rather than a human, senior. Your buttocks are very red. I already know that. You don't need to take off your pants."

The ape monk roared, "You brat, die!"

It leaped from the bamboo and charged forward.

Li Xian took a half step back and stood behind the lady. Wen Caishang struck with her palm, the shockwave sending the ape monk flying back several dozen feet.

Li Xian said, "It seems that you, senior, have failed to see through appearances. What a pity, what a pity. The common people of the world are not for a monkey to worry about."

The ape monk was furious. He possessed the appearance of a reborn monkey, a rare and precious appearance in Buddhism, which greatly benefited his meditation practice. After years of reciting the Buddha's name, he believed he had transcended all things and appearances, and that his Buddha-mind was clear and bright.

Yet, deep down, I truly despise this appearance. I am usually powerful, hold a high position, and am revered by others. I failed to realize this.

Having suffered such humiliation today, I wish to refute it, but find it difficult to express myself. Moreover, although Li Xian's words were harsh, they contained a degree of sincerity.

"Um?"

The ape monk was taken aback, suddenly feeling his internal energy surging wildly.

Li Xian laughed and said, "Senior Old Ape, you have cultivated Buddhism for decades, yet you don't even know whether you are a human or a monkey. How pitiful, how pitiful."

The phrase "a monkey wearing a crown" is truly a creation of our predecessors.

The ape monk was furious, but he felt his internal energy surging wildly. His mind wavered, and he had no time to care about slaying the dragon.

Suddenly, it let out a long howl and flew away into the distance.

Wen Caishang covered her mouth and chuckled, finding Li Xian increasingly amusing. This ape monk was an extremely powerful martial artist from the Yu Nan Dao region.

He was angered by just a few words and left.

The python swam in the river, thinking, "These two are quite a good match. Wen Caishang is learned and knowledgeable, and her martial arts are terrifying. This kid is quick-witted and very clever. If it weren't for him, this trip would be quite troublesome."

Forty-eight thousand li.

Ninety-nine percent have already left.

Today, the river is calm and still.

A black iron ship stood horizontally, its hull pitch black, with a black flag flying high. The flagpole was golden, intricately carved, and the flag was embroidered with dragon patterns.

Wen Caishang frowned and murmured, "The Black Dragon Cult?"

At the bow of the ship, a middle-aged man stood proudly, his clothes fluttering, and said calmly, "I never thought that the dragon's journey would end up here."

At the bow of the ship stood a middle-aged man.

(End of this chapter)