Chapter 44 Happy New Year (Part 3) "Shanglu, it's me."...
(Forty-four)
Demonic Realm.
The perpetual miasma and demonic fog lingered around the eaves of the palace. The once extravagant Demon Lord's palace was now covered in cobwebs. The snow-white jade walls exuded a slippery, damp chill. Candlesticks, covered in dust, lay fallen beside the palace pillars, and no one was lighting them anymore.
At the head of the hall, a figure in black clothes sat alone on a chair, holding a wine jug.
"Coming?"
The black-robed man looked at the demonic mist rising before him, chuckled softly, and poured a sip of wine into his mouth. "Qianxu, it's been a long time."
The demonic mist gradually transformed into a humanoid form. With an emotionless smile, it bowed towards him and saluted, "Qianxu greets the Honorable Lord. I didn't expect the Honorable Lord to still remember me."
The man in black casually threw the wine jug on the floor tiles, his eyes lazy. It was Helan Jin who had changed into a brand new body.
"How could I forget you? You're quite capable," Helan Jin propped up his chin and looked at him, his eyes dark. "You were able to cast a spell on Li Shanglu without anyone noticing, a spell that even I couldn't detect. You're truly amazing."
Qian Xu said as if he had suddenly realized something, "So the Lord is looking for me for this matter. I am truly wronged."
Helan Jin's expression turned cold.
"It was the Lord who said that we must proceed with caution when dealing with Shen Changyi. It was after hearing this that I thought of casting an additional spell to help the Lord improve his plan. I just forgot to tell you."
He is good at making excuses and is insidious and cunning. Although Helan Jin does not trust him, he has to admit that he has some abilities.
No one knows how long Qianxu has lived, but his ancient spells are extremely powerful.
Helan Jin never knew this man's true purpose, but the Demon Realm was filled with those with ulterior motives. Even his subordinates wouldn't serve him obediently unless they had signed a life-and-death blood pact with those demon cultivators and generals.
Doubting the past one by one was of no use to him and was just a waste of effort.
So Helan Jin came straight to the point and said calmly, "Never mind, I want you to refine a puppet."
As soon as the words fell, Qianxu raised his eyes and understood his plan almost instantly, "But to refine the puppet, we need Shen Changyi's blood essence or soul... Where will the Lord get these things?"
Helan Jin said coldly, "You don't need to worry about it. I just need you to do one thing for me."
Hearing his plan, Qianxu frowned, looking a little confused, "Does it have to be this way?"
Helan Jin clenched his fingertips and smiled faintly, "It has to be this way."
"Okay, I'll follow the Lord's orders."
*
Tomorrow Sect.
Today is New Year's Day.
Before dawn, firecrackers were heard outside the door. The two kids were woken up and started crying. Li Shanglu pushed Shen Changyi off the bed.
Shen Changyi quickly stood up, picked up the cubs from the crib gently, and coaxed them in a low voice. After coaxing one, he coaxed the other. The sound of firecrackers soon stopped, and the two cubs calmed down under his gentle coaxing.
Li Shanglu woke up in a rage. He was woken up by firecrackers and couldn't fall asleep again, which made him even more upset.
She stayed up all night with him yesterday to celebrate the New Year's Eve and played chess all night long, so she really couldn't get up.
"Shanglu." After coaxing the two little ones, Shen Changyi sat down beside the bed and began to coax her again, "Wake up, it's already five o'clock."
She felt awkward and didn't want to move, pretending not to hear.
"Shanglu, it's time to offer sacrifices and incense."
"Didn't we just offer incense yesterday?"
"Yesterday I offered incense to my parents, and today I offer incense to all the gods."
Hearing this, Li Shanglu turned over and said lazily, "You are a god, I will just bow to you twice. I will sleep for a while. Don't call me."
Shen Changyi had no choice but to tuck in the corner of the quilt for her.
He took the incense and offerings by himself, placed them on the tribute table, lit the incense and prayed for blessings.
Dear gods and immortals in heaven, Chang Yi is here to pray for blessings again this year.
In the new year, I hope that the pokeweed, the small oranges and the small tomatoes will be healthy and safe.
By the way, Shanglu didn’t come because she had just given birth and her body had not yet fully recovered. She needed more rest every day. It was not because she did not want to worship on purpose. Please forgive me, gods, and continue to bless her happiness and success.
After the worship, Shen Changyi inserted the incense stick into the incense burner and smiled faintly.
In fact, he didn't know whether the gods in heaven could hear him, but every year when he worshipped, he would think that if someone he once knew in heaven came to listen to his wishes, maybe they could help him realize them.
I hope Zhu Xuan has better popularity in heaven.
After sleeping until dawn, Li Shanglu finally stretched and got up.
As soon as she finished washing up, Xie Du came to pay New Year's greetings.
As soon as they entered the room and hadn't chatted for a few words, Xie Du suddenly knelt down and kowtowed twice to her and Shen Changyi. In Li Shanglu's astonished eyes, he took two red envelopes from Shen Changyi as if he was familiar with it.
"Thank you, Master and Madam. I wish you a long and happy life and a happy marriage."
He seemed to really think of himself as Shen Changyi's child. He was only five years younger than Shen Changyi and three years younger than Li Shanglu.
Chen Changyi said calmly, "He said that once a teacher, always a father. He kowtows every year, so Shang Lu should accept it."
Li Shanglu pinched her forehead. Why did she feel as if Xie Du was planning to rely on them for the rest of his life? Could it be that this bastard was planning to never become a disciple for the rest of his life?
The couple spent the first morning of the new year welcoming and seeing off guests, and Li Shanglu was exhausted.
I really don't know how Chen Changyi knew so many people. At most, the guests who came to pay New Year's greetings almost filled the entire Shutong Pavilion.
Later, she thought about it and realized that many people had their lives saved by him, and even more people came to him for the title of Sword Immortal. Shen Changyi, this idiot, probably didn't even remember who was who.
At lunchtime, the guests finally stopped coming.
They had just finished their meal when Shen Changyi mentioned the gift and was about to go out, "Shang Lu, it's time to go and wish the Lord a Happy New Year."
Lord Duheng was the one who taught him the method of cultivation and was like a benefactor who gave him a new life. He must visit him on such an important day.
Li Shanglu was so exhausted from making tea for the guests that she collapsed on the bed to catch up on some sleep. "Go ahead and bring me some auspicious words."
Shen Changyi nodded, "Well, then go to sleep."
Shang Lu has worked hard. She just gave birth to a child two months ago. I believe Shangjun will understand.
When he reached the door, Shen paused for a moment, then turned around and asked, "Can I bring Little Orange and Little Persimmon to see the Lord?"
He and Shanglu's child really wanted to show it to the Lord.
"Take it, take it."
Shen Changyi happily wrapped the cubs in a bundle and carried them on his back.
After a pause, he strengthened the formation around Shutong Pavilion. He had set it up specifically after the Helan Jin incident. As long as Shang Lu didn't leave, he would be fine. Shang Lu had just said he needed to catch up on some sleep, so he probably wouldn't be leaving. Plus, with Xiao Huang around, he had a double layer of security, ensuring Shang Lu's safety even if he left.
Thinking of this, he stepped out of the door with confidence, and his figure disappeared in the blink of an eye.
The room was rarely quiet. Li Shanglu took out a piece of candied fruit from his pocket and put it in his mouth. It tasted sweet.
She didn't expect that she could live such a peaceful life after so many years.
Dad, Mom.
Shanglu takes good care of himself. Isn’t that amazing?
She wanted to catch up on her sleep, but couldn't fall asleep for a long time. She turned over leisurely on the couch, her eyes inadvertently sweeping across the wall, and her hair stood on end.
On the wall, there was a human figure printed.
She stood up in shock, but a cold hand pressed her shoulder.
"Shanglu, it's me."
Hearing that familiar voice, Li Shanglu instantly calmed down. She tilted her head to look at the other person, "Why are you back so soon? Where's the child?"
Shen Changyi smiled slightly and said softly, "I'm sleeping in bed, do you want a hug?"
Hearing this, Li Shanglu continued to rest his head back on the pillow and said casually, "Why hold her when she's asleep? You'll have to coax her when she wakes up."
"Um."
He responded, still looking at her.
Li Shanglu turned around and looked at him, wondering, "What's wrong? Come up."
Hearing her words, Shen Changyi's expression paused for a moment, and after a while, he moved, as if wanting to obey her and lie down beside her.
After a moment, he shook his head and said, "Shanglu, there's a circus troupe coming to the city today. Let's go and see it."
Circus troupe?
Li Shanglu really loved watching acrobatics when she was a child. After all, she had free time, so after watching the acrobatics troupe, she could buy some food and go shopping. She got up from the bed and slowly put on her shoes and socks.
The two walked side by side on the mountain road. The weather had improved a lot in the past two days, and the snow on the ground had melted. Only some old snow at the roots of the plum trees could not be melted.
It’s good to walk. After lying down for two months, she really likes walking now.
This was the first time Li Shanglu went down the mountain after giving birth. She had not planned to bring Xiao Huang with her, as she wanted Xiao Huang to look after the child. However, Shen Changyi said that the child was asleep and bringing it with her could help her carry things, so she took Xiao Huang with her.
Although it was a nice sunny day, the cold wind still made it a bit chilly.
Li Shanglu couldn't help but lean towards Shen Changyi. He had spiritual power that could warm his body, making him perfect as a heater in winter.
But unexpectedly, this time Shen Changyi's body was not as warm as she had imagined.
Sensing Li Shanglu's approach, Shen Changyi's body stiffened.
"Why don't you use your spiritual power to warm yourself up? My hands are almost frozen." She complained, but to Shen Changyi it sounded like she was acting coquettishly.
He was silent for a moment, raised his hand to help her tighten her cloak, and whispered, "When we get to Laiqu City, I'll buy you the warmest hand warmer."
Li Shanglu was just about to say that it was too much trouble when suddenly a white crane flew up from the treetop beside him, and the remaining snow on the tree fell down.
Before the snow fell on her head, Shen Changyi raised her sleeves to block the remaining snow.
Li Shanglu subconsciously leaned into his arms, then realized that it was just the white crane leaving the tree. He cursed softly, "What a stupid bird! Catch it when it comes back. I'm going to stew it."
She leaned so close that Shen Changyi was slightly startled for a moment, staring at her intently.
"Dazed again," Li Shanglu glanced at him, "Didn't you hear what I said at all?"
Chen Changyi lowered his eyelashes, reached out his hand, and removed the snowflakes from the ends of her hair.
"You look so beautiful today, even more beautiful than before giving birth." He suddenly said.
Li Shanglu: “…Oh.”
What does it mean to praise her suddenly? She must be thinking about something messed up again.
She took the hand of Xiao Huang beside her and quickened her pace pretending to be nonchalant.
Shen Changyi saw her red ears.
His eyes dimmed, and he followed her silently until they were completely out of the range of the Ming Zhou Sect's formation.
"Shanglu!"
A voice suddenly sounded from not far ahead.
Li Shanglu paused slightly and looked at the person in front of him in surprise.
"Elder, why did you come back today?"
Elder Teng, carrying a bundle of sausages, waved at her and said, "Silly girl, I can't stay at home all the time. The sect still has a lot of things to do."
Seeing Elder Teng, the expression in Shen Changyi's eyes changed slightly.
"Master Sword Immortal is here too! Happy New Year!" Elder Teng bowed and said with a smile, "Where are you going?"
Shen Changyi said nothing, just nodded.
Li Shanglu said, "I was just about to go down the mountain to watch the acrobatics. Has the elder seen it?"
Elder Teng stroked his beard and said with a smile, "Great! I love watching acrobatics, too. You know what? Although the circus members are ordinary people without magical powers, they can breathe fire and water, which is really quite interesting..."
Hearing that Elder Teng was leaving, Shen Changyi sighed.
The sigh was very light, but Elder Teng and Li Shanglu heard it, and both turned to look at him.
"Elder Teng, why are you so ignorant that you insist on going with us?"
Elder Teng looked at him in confusion.
Li Shanglu was a little unhappy, "How can you talk like that?"
However, the next moment, Li Shanglu's pupils suddenly shrank, his whole body was filled with horror, and he staggered back half a step.
——That most familiar face gradually changed its appearance and became another face.
Helan Jin!
Is it an evil ghost crawling back from hell?
Li Shanglu turned around and wanted to run, but he heard Elder Teng beside him exclaim, and he was trembling as he tried to go forward and hug the man.
"Lan Jin, you're still alive!"
"Elder, don't!" Li Shanglu's heart skipped a beat and she rushed forward to pull Elder Teng to run together, but before she could touch Elder Teng, a long knife pierced through his chest, and the blood and flesh were revealed in front of Li Shanglu.
"Lan Jin..."
Danfeng's most proud disciple, the elder's beloved disciple personally accepted by him, a fellow disciple trusted and loved by everyone.
Elder Teng looked at him in disbelief, blood gradually flowing out of his mouth.
How could this be...
Lan Jin, how could this happen?
With a swish, Helan Jin pulled out the long sword expressionlessly, reached out and patted Elder Teng on the shoulder, and watched indifferently as his body suddenly fell down.
"Thank you for your care over the past three years, Elder. Go with peace of mind."
Li Shanglu stopped breathing and did not move.
Helan Jin came forward, still holding the bloody long knife in his hand, and smiled at her with his head tilted.
"Shanglu, Happy New Year."
She was still stunned, her eyes fixed on Elder Teng's fallen body.
Three years ago, she had also seen bodies lying on the ground like this: her parents.
Helan Jin walked towards her slowly, and just as he was about to reach out to hold her hand, his eyes suddenly became cold, and he subconsciously raised his long sword.
The swords clashed, making a clanging sound.
Xiao Huang held the sword and protected Li Shanglu, refusing to give in.
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The author has something to say: The little old man will not die, I like him very much.
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