Chapter 114 (Look at me, Ping Yu)
Ping remained frozen in place.
Nezha leisurely twirled the red silk in his hand, the Hun Tian Ling wrapping tighter and tighter around Ping Yu, making the boy look like a tarantula catching a butterfly in its web. As if he had thought of something, Ping Yu saw the people turn around and said, "You can go back first, this fellow Daoist and I will follow shortly."
After saying that, he turned to Ping Yu with a fawning expression: "Our business is yours and mine to resolve."
"how?"
Ping Yu was drenched in sweat: It's not good.
Jinzha and Muzha were about to leave when Huang Tianhua and Lei Zhenzi were caught in their arms and taken away together.
In desperation, Pingyu shouted, "Don't go!"
She immediately regretted shouting, because Nezha's smile became even more hearty. The two Nezha, Jinmu and Erzha, gave her a look that said "good luck," and fled without looking back, carrying the two younger ones and a corpse.
Yang Jian's gaze lingered between Nezha and Ping Yu for a moment, then remained unmoved.
Nezha: "I told them not to leave, why are you letting me go?"
As the distance closed, the veil on Ping Yu's face swayed. Through the thin veil, Nezha's eyes churned with a coldness like turbulent mud, his gaze following Nezha's fingers as he gestured to lift the veil, both falling upon Ping Yu. The young man smiled brightly, his voice gentle: "Why are you covering your face? Have you done something you're ashamed to do to me?"
Ping Yu thought to himself: If I'm going to follow your standards, then I've done quite a lot.
She tried to dodge, but her breath caught in her throat. The Hun Tian Ling sensed her intention and tightened its grip suddenly. A violent squeezing sensation washed over her, like an embrace that could knead her flesh and blood. The girl's fear intensified, and she trembled as she gasped for breath.
Her true appearance will soon be revealed.
His wrist was gripped tightly by the third party's hand, and no matter how hard he tried, he couldn't move an inch.
"Yang Jian," he said in a flat tone, "what do you mean by this?"
The damp, oppressive feeling around Nezha was broken, and Pingyu recovered. Her breathing resumed, and her fingers secretly began to move rhythmically, continuing the incantation she had just begun. The future Erlang Shen, Yang Jian, didn't answer Nezha, but instead reminded the girl, "Hurry up and leave."
Pingyu nodded, and the decision was made.
The binding of the Hun Tian Ling (a magical ribbon) began to loosen, and Nezha, seeing the situation was dire, slashed out and grabbed someone. Yang Jian blocked again, not giving an inch. Since the Chang Hong Escape (a magical technique) had allowed him to escape the Hun Yuan Jin Dou (a magical vessel) of the Three Immortals, breaking free from the Hun Tian Ling was naturally a piece of cake.
With his hands clamped, Nezha could only watch as the girl transformed into a streak of light and vanished into the sky.
"What's wrong with you?"
Nezha forcefully shook off the young man's restraints, his forehead veins bulging with rage: "She escaped!"
Having said that, he clenched his fist and revealed the magical artifact, the Universe Ring, as if he wouldn't give up until he got an explanation.
Yang Jian was not annoyed and explained to him, "The time is not right, she cannot enter the camp."
Nezha remained silent, staring intently at him.
"You also entered the camp under orders from your master, how could you not know her hardships? Going against the will of Heaven will bring disaster. The rise and fall of Zhou is ordained by Heaven, and in every difficulty, there will be a benefactor to help. Since this fellow Daoist appeared when Zhao Gongming blocked the way, she must be the benefactor who resolved the matter. Although this battle has ended, it is not over yet, and you will meet again soon. Nezha..."
The young man advised, "Why are you in such a hurry?"
Indeed, destiny cannot be defied.
They were like stars in the sky, destined to return to their places at the right time. Nezha knew that if he set aside personal feelings, Yang Jian's words were the right path.
But why rush things?
The words spoken by those watching from across the river are indeed light and easy.
The person he had been longing for day and night was right in front of him; how could he let her go again!
The woody fragrance that had filled his nose crept into Nezha's body. He sniffed it on his fingertips, like a dog sucking on a bone whose meat flavor had almost faded. As the fragrance dissipated, longing and desire hatched and gnawed at his lungs. His hand gripping the Universe Ring trembled with tension, a desperate attempt at restraint. Yang Jian waited for the confused youth to sort out his thoughts; for a moment, only the sound of the wind whistled between them.
Half an incense stick later, Nezha suddenly raised his head.
He opened his mouth, and before he could speak, a ball of fire surged high. Yang Jian didn't even blink, smelling a burning odor. Nezha, having fully matured, restrained himself. The Samadhi True Fire burned off a few strands of Yang Jian's hair, a gesture of venting his anger.
"If you don't know the truth, then stop wasting your time."
The boy rode his fiery wheels into the air, looking down at his calm and rational companion. After a long pause, Nezha snapped, "Mind your own business."
.
Nezha returned to the camp, and Pingyu also successfully returned to the city.
She fled in panic, nearly kneeling when she returned to the mountain cave. Little Bear Cleaner, unfazed, silently lowered the silk curtain at the cave entrance.
Lu Ya, who had returned early, was brewing tea. The Taoist priest was sitting comfortably on the futon with his legs crossed. He glanced at his panicked disciple, clicked his tongue a few times, and made a sarcastic remark: "So, what do you think of the etiquette of Xiqi?"
“Very bad,” Ping Yu said, still shaken. “So bad it’s outrageous.”
After saying that, she jumped up and started packing her things: "Master, those people are so rude. Let's go, let's not help them!"
Was it that others were of poor character, or was he feeling guilty? Lu Ya knew perfectly well what was going on, and laughed so hard he almost fell over. He pointed a finger, "That won't do."
The cup in Pingyu's hand floated up and wobbled into the Taoist's hand. He said, "In a few days, we will officially join Xiqi. You need to be prepared before then."
Ping Yu tentatively asked with a bitter face, "How about I travel on my own? I'm willing to be a wandering knight-errant without being formally employed."
The master smiled at her twice and said, "Whether you walk with me or get tied up, it's your choice."
Ping Yu was utterly despondent, burying herself in the clutter like an ostrich. She grabbed two blankets and wrapped herself in them, curling into a pathetic ball. Lu Ya took a couple of sips of tea, utterly unable to comprehend her reaction: "Taiyi's disciple has always listened to you since childhood. Are you unable to out-argue or out-beat him? What are you afraid of?"
"Oh dear!" she exclaimed angrily, "Master, you don't understand!"
"What don't I understand?"
Lu Ya put down his teacup: "If you're really afraid of that lotus boy, I'll teach you a killer move."
Ping Yu pricked up his ears: "What's your secret weapon?"
"When you meet him, the first thing you should do is cry foul!" the Taoist priest advised. "As long as you shift the blame to him first, then it won't be you who's in the wrong. Let him panic first, and you'll have gained the upper hand."
Lu Ya became increasingly exasperated as he spoke: "You foolish disciple, don't you understand the meaning of being spoiled and arrogant? Since he likes you, he should listen to whatever you say. If you say he's wrong, then he's wrong."
Pingyu seemed to be deep in thought.
It seems that when she was little, Nezha would always give in whenever she got angry. This method works!
Inside the cave, the sounds of sheng and qing (traditional Chinese wind instruments) resonated in unison.
In contrast, at the Xiqi camp, chaos reigned as everyone gathered around Jiang Ziya's corpse. Amidst the grief and sorrow, Guang Chengzi came to their aid. Jiang Ziya, saved by a miraculous elixir, was brought back to life.
Three days later, Lu Ya suddenly got off the Biyou bed: "I'm leaving."
Ping Yu opened his eyes: "The time has come?"
Zhao Gongming borrowed the Golden Dragon Scissors from the Three Immortal Maidens.
Lu Ya picked up the girl: "Xiqi can't do without us."
He asked, "Have you remembered the special moves your master taught you?"
“I remember,” Ping Yu straightened himself up and nodded seriously: “When I see Nezha, I turn black into white and make a scene.”
Lu Ya: It doesn't need to be so succinct.
To formally meet with the people of Xiqi, Pingyu removed the veil that Lu Ya had given him.
The Taoist priest rode a donkey, followed by his disciple, and the two strolled leisurely towards the Xiqi camp as if on a leisurely mountain tour. Inside the camp, the immortals were discussing how to confront Zhao Gongming. Upon hearing that Ran Deng's sika deer had been cut in half, everyone felt a chill run down their spines. Jiang Ziya, seated at his shrine, cast divinations, and the instant he caught sight of the hexagram, he pointed at the red-clad youth: "Nezha, go wait outside."
Nezha, who had been waiting patiently with his arms wrapped around his head, was given the order to leave the hut.
He's been restless lately, constantly dreaming of Pingyu. Nezha dreams of them as children, of the day they met. The dream always ends with Pingyu vanishing like a wisp of light, slipping smoothly across his palm. Even plants and trees seem to have hearts, causing the young man to become increasingly ruthless in battle. Unaware of the vanguard commander's sudden bloodlust, the soldiers avoid him, fearing to incur his wrath.
This can't go on...
He's not a child anymore; his master sent him down the mountain to accomplish great things.
We must not disappoint our master.
Nezha exhaled a breath of turbid air and stepped out of the tent.
But as soon as he stood still, he saw two people walking towards him from not far away.
Lately, Taoist priests have been visiting the camp. Who is it this time? Nezha rubbed his face, changing his gloomy and tense expression. He was about to go to greet them, but stopped in his tracks the moment he saw who it was.
Pingyu's face was not covered and was completely exposed to Nezha's eyes.
The girl swallowed hard, her gaze darting away, and she raised her hand in a small greeting: "...Hi?"
Surprisingly, Nezha did not make any rash moves. He didn't even glance at Ping Yu, simply turning his gaze away.
It felt like being lifted up heavily and then gently put down.
Is he angry?
Why is that?
Ping felt increasingly uneasy, a tightness running down his spine.
Her thoughts were completely extinguished by his words, leaving her with a feeling of utter helplessness, like punching cotton. The calm on Nezha's face, like the calm before a storm, only intensified her fear.
Without waiting for her reaction, Nezha went straight back to camp to report.
Pingyu grabbed his master's sleeve, stammering, "Master, what should we do?"
At that moment, an announcement came from within the camp: "Please come in."
What can we do?
Lu Ya pulled out his sleeve, shook his head, and sighed, "You're finished."
Pingyu, who was sentenced to death, was dragged into the tent by his master.
The two became serious as soon as they entered the tent. Ran Deng, who was above, asked, "What brings you here, fellow Daoist?"
As he spoke, his kind, smiling eyes subtly observed the two of them. Lu Ya then changed his appearance again, becoming a short Taoist priest dressed in a red robe and wearing a fish-tail crown. The girl beside him, with her hair tied in a low bun, was beautiful, no less so than the fairies or Nezha.
Speaking of Nezha...
Jiang Ziya, who was standing to the side, became quite interested.
The sign indicated that the vanguard officer's lucky star had arrived today, suggesting that the red thread of fate was tied to the girl before him.
Even a fierce and imposing young vanguard officer has someone he admires; love is truly a wondrous thing.
Lu Ya replied, "My name is Lu Ya, and I am a nameless and unregistered person. I am a wild man who travels among the Five Sacred Mountains and amuses people all over the world."
Ziya asked, "May I ask who this person beside me is...?"
Ping Yu then spoke: "Replying to my fellow disciples, my name is Ping Yu, and I am my master's disciple."
Lu Ya explained, “Zhao Gongming protected the false and destroyed the true, and then used the Golden Dragon to cut down the mountain and seriously injure you fellow Daoists. Therefore, I have come here to meet him and let him know that the arts of Dao are endless, and there are nine higher realms in the human world and the heavens.”
“My little disciple does not belong to the three religions. Heaven has commanded her to take back the twenty-four ghosts and close the gates of hell again. Her destiny is special, and I think it will be of great benefit to the cause of overthrowing King Zhou.”
Ran Deng stared intently at Ping Yu, and then his face showed understanding.
After listening, Jiang Ziya repeatedly exclaimed in approval: "We in Xiqi have suffered greatly at the hands of Zhao Gongming for many days, and have stumbled quite a bit. Before you arrived, we were still brainstorming and discussing countermeasures. With you and your disciple participating, our side is truly like a tiger with wings!"
Ping Yu smiled, but her gaze wandered aimlessly. She saw Nezha standing silently to the side, the boy with his arms crossed, as still as a statue.
What is he thinking?
Pingyu was surrounded by inescapable landmines; she had nowhere to go but to step on them, with no way to avoid them.
In the world of immortals, people come and go, exchanging pleasantries. Throughout history, mutual flattery in business has always followed the same template.
Pingyu was bored and stared at his toes. Finally, when it came time to discuss important matters, Jiang Ziya said, "Let's have our business; the child doesn't need to wait here like an idiot."
"Nezha".
At this shout, Ping Yu trembled, and the crimson "sculpture" beside him came to life. The young man walked up to the master and disciple, bowed, and said, "Uncle-Master, I'm here."
“Take this junior disciple away,” Ziya said meaningfully, “We will be working together in the future, so introduce her to the other generals.”
"good."
Nezha obeyed and stood up. Pingyu watched him turn and leave first, then whispered in her ear, "Come with me."
Pingyu dared not take a step and looked at his master.
Lu Ya laughed and said, "Why are you looking at me? Go ahead."
You old geezer!
Ping cursed inwardly.
She felt that everyone was waiting to see what would happen between her and Nezha, and her disrespectful master was even more unabashed, practically wearing the words "There's something to talk about" on his face.
She had no choice but to follow.
Nezha's steps were steady and rhythmic. Watching his back, one sensed an impending storm. Each step was a test of Ping Yu's vigilance. The tent wasn't large; it would only take a few steps to get outside. But Ping Yu felt the journey was exceptionally long. Scattered lights peeked through the tent flap, and she wanted to speak several times but kept quiet.
As soon as we stepped outside, daylight began to appear.
Pingyu's eyes were blinded by the light. Nezha suddenly quickened his pace, as if trying to leave her behind. Pingyu missed a beat and the distance between her and the boy increased. She panicked and instinctively hurried to catch up.
"Nezha..."
She shouted.
The boy seemed to be sulking, his steps never faltering.
"Nezha..."
Pingyu, oblivious to the changing footsteps beside him, jogged to catch up. Nezha remained silent, continuing to walk forward.
Why are you ignoring me?
Pingyu was somewhat worried and doubted herself. She called out names hesitantly, forgetting the special techniques Lu Ya had taught her, and looked uneasily at the boy's back.
However, a short while later, a gust of wind suddenly blew, and the branches and leaves rustled. Ping Yu suddenly came to his senses and found himself unknowingly taken to the woods outside the camp.
...We've fallen for their trap!?
She stopped abruptly and turned to leave.
Suddenly, everything blurred before his eyes, and Pingyu's pinpoint pupils were filled by a mud-like eyeball. Taking advantage of his unpreparedness, Nezha suddenly attacked. He was expressionless and acted decisively. Pingyu's mouth, which was about to open, was covered, and Nezha used his tiger's mouth to hold the lower half of the girl's face, forcefully pressing her against the tree trunk.
Pingyu instinctively closed his eyes, but felt no pain.
The Hun Tian Ling (a type of sash) was placed behind her, gently supporting her.
Pingyu tried to turn his head to check.
But Nezha wouldn't allow it.
The hand that Yang Jian had previously blocked now pressed unimpeded against the girl's face. Nezha abruptly withdrew his fingers as if punishing her, always pushing his luck. It was like a tiger stomping on a rabbit it had been hunting for a long time. Nezha's long, slender fingers were like steel nails, pressing so hard that Pingyu was unable to move. She was nailed to the tree trunk, staring straight into the unsatisfied lust in Nezha's eyes.
Nezha leaned closer and nuzzled the girl's nose affectionately.
"You're not allowed to look at anything else."
The boy's shadow and scent were extremely aggressive, forcefully enveloping her. Like a plant grown in a pond, Nezha's cold skin resembled snake scales and a snake's core; his body, composed of lotus roots and lotus stems, had no heartbeat, like a ghost crawling out of the water. His pulse was so still it chilled Ping Yu to the bone, causing everything else in the girl's eyes to lose its color.
Pingyu was unable to make a sound because his lips were blocked by the tiger's mouth.
"I've been waiting for you for so long."
Nezha's gaze made her feel as if she had been licked by a hungry beast. She trembled and passively allowed Nezha to sprinkle his lotus-scented breath on her face.
"Pingyu..."
The boy whispered, "Look at me."
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