Chapter 113 This is how Xiqi teaches etiquette...
The snow from winter melts, seeping into the soil and nourishing the flowers that bloom in the world.
Peanut blossoms fall, the tide rises and falls.
The season of Grain in Ear has arrived.
The wheat, harvested and regrown, grew back in abundance; the golden rice paddies swayed in the wind. Farmers, taking advantage of the good sunshine, rose early to harvest and dry the rice. A child following behind, binding the rice stalks, suddenly heard a loud bang and looked up into the distance:
In the distant distance, two wisps of smoke swirled and danced in the fragrant sky, eventually becoming drifting clouds.
The Western Zhou had rebelled. Before his death, King Wen of Zhou, Ji Chang, appointed his second son, Ji Fa, as King Wu, and ordered him to appoint Jiang Ziya as his prime minister to lead the Zhou dynasty in its conquest of the Shang dynasty. The Western Zhou army marched to this place and set up camp not far away. Grand Tutor Wen led his troops to quell the rebellion and invited ten Taoist priests to set up the Ten Deadly Formations. While the people were fighting, the immortals were also fighting, and the conflict between the Chan and Jie sects continued.
However, King Wu was a wise ruler, and even though war broke out everywhere, he did not harm the common people.
The child withdrew his gaze, picked up the wheat, and left. Unexpectedly, the loud noise wasn't from a battle, but rather from a distant field. A gentle breeze parted the wheat stalks, revealing a beast-like creature with light yellow fur, resembling a small bear. Three talismans were affixed to its forehead, mouth, and belly, and its angry eyes revealed the image of a young girl before it.
Three years have passed in the blink of an eye, and of the twenty-four ghosts in the Ghost Gate, only the last three remain.
They are “魀”, “魆”, and “魌”, respectively.
Once she collects all three ghosts, she can go home.
For the past three years, Pingyu has spent her days and nights crawling and struggling in the deadly mountains, even dreaming of learning magic from Lu Ya. The Taoist priest, taking advantage of her talent, recklessly crammed her head with all sorts of strange and unorthodox teachings. Every day, she woke up to face poisonous insects, ferocious beasts, vengeful ghosts, and bandits; either she or someone else would die. Pingyu lost an arm, had her internal organs eaten, and was revived by elixirs only to be thrown back into the mountains. This cycle repeated itself endlessly, and even Pingyu herself didn't know how many times she had been resurrected.
Thirty years were compressed into three years, and now Jiang Ziya has finally arrived at this place.
She walked out of the village, where Lu Ya had been waiting for a long time. The Taoist was still riding his old donkey, looking at her lazily: "Wen Zhong went to Mount Emei to seek Zhao Gongming's help. Zhao Gongming possesses a great treasure and has exquisite Taoist magic. For the time being, no one in Jiang Ziya's group can do anything to him."
"They're gone."
He patted the donkey, and its tail swayed gently.
"The remaining three demons will reveal themselves during the campaign against King Zhou. Your master is taking you to meddle in other people's business."
Pingyu followed behind Lu Ya, finally understanding what he meant by "the time has come." In the original story, Zhao Gongming was killed by Lu Ya. Nezha had already become the vanguard in Xiqi, and the thought of meeting him soon made Pingyu's heart pound inexplicably. She clutched her chest and slowed her pace.
Lu Ya noticed his apprentice's unusual behavior and chuckled to himself. He asked, "Nervous?"
“It’s not like I’ve never seen anyone before, why am I nervous!” Ping Yu retorted stubbornly, adding, “It’s just that I’m used to being wild in the mountains, and I’m afraid that I might lose my manners and offend the Prime Minister.”
"I see," Lu Ya's smile was almost impossible to hide: "You and Nezha used honorifics when you were kids?"
Pingyu: ...
That old geezer, he's not even going to act anymore.
Seeing Lu Ya's mocking expression, Ping Yu sneered, "You won't get any barbecue today."
Lu Ya immediately became alert, and took something from his leopard-skin bag, tossing it to his disciple. The girl caught it and saw it was a thin veil hat. Ping Yu was puzzled, but then heard Lu Ya say, "I'll use this to trade for roasted meat. You can wear it before we enter the camp."
Pingyu flipped her hat upside down and casually pulled it up over her head. She asked, "Where do we go before entering the camp?"
As the veil fell away, Lu Ya replied, "I'll go help you recall the proper etiquette."
.
This etiquette is different from that etiquette.
Ping Yu and Lu Ya were skilled in esoteric arts; they affixed concealment talismans and lay in wait in the forest. Before long, a Taoist priest riding a black tiger emerged from the camp, whip in hand. Ping Yu's eyes widened:
Holy crap, the God of Wealth!
Ping Yu felt a chill run down his spine at the thought of provoking this person.
She thought to herself, "We're all on different sides, so let's just go with the flow. Don't blame me."
Zhao Gongming, having been entrusted by Wen Zhong, rode a tiger to the road. Upon reaching the middle of the road, he shouted, "Jiang Shang, come out here!"
A young general dressed in red stood in front of the Xiqi camp. Upon hearing this, he turned and went into the tent to report: "A Taoist named Kuahu is making a fuss outside. Please answer him, Uncle."
The septuagenarian sat at the head of the tent, calculating with his fingers. He had no time to respond until he finished a divination. However, the Taoist Ran Deng beside him said to the others in the tent, "It is Zhao Gongming from Luofu Cave on Mount Emei. This man is difficult to deal with. You should act according to the situation... Do not linger in battle."
Jiang Ziya retracted his fingers, his expression slightly somber.
He was trying to divine the secrets of heaven, but his vision was obscured by dark clouds, and he couldn't tell whether today would bring fortune or misfortune. It must be a matter of life and death for him, and heaven was unwilling to reveal its secrets to him.
But Jiang Ziya also foresaw the movement of the Red Phoenix Star, with the red thread pointing directly to the Heavenly Pearl. The old man glanced subtly at the advance officer waiting to the side, and pointed, saying, "Nezha, you, along with Lei Zhenzi, Huang Tianhua, Yang Jian, and Jinmu Erzha, will come with me."
Nezha's right eyelid twitched, and he accepted the order to accompany him.
Jiang Ziya cleared his mind of distractions and led his generals out of the camp. Ping Yu claimed he wasn't nervous or indifferent, but his eyes were fixed on the direction opposite Zhao Gongming. Faced with the challenge, Jiang Ziya had no choice but to meet it. Nezha, accompanying the Prime Minister on his right, slowly appeared before the young girl's eyes.
The "etiquette" that Lu Ya mentioned has arrived.
Three years ago, the figure that emerged from the water-repelling pearl had no face. Now, seeing Nezha's appearance clearly, Pingyu felt breathless. He was dressed in red, wearing golden armor and a lotus-patterned shoulder cape, already resembling a young boy. Her heart pounded in her throat, almost suffocating her. She couldn't distinguish between joy and longing; the emotions of reunion surged like a tidal wave. She almost lost her balance and staggered back two steps.
As if sensing something, Nezha looked to the side.
He looked precisely at where Pingyu was, freezing him in place. The girl knew he couldn't see her, but she still covered her mouth nervously, cold sweat soaking her clothes. Nezha saw grass, trees, and branches, with the occasional insect flying by, but nothing else.
Huang Tianhua noticed his friend was lost in thought. He glanced at the Prime Minister and quietly tugged at Nezha: "What's wrong?"
Nezha looked away and raised his head: "It's nothing."
It's weird that I always feel like someone's watching.
Jiang Ziya, adhering to proper etiquette, bowed to the Taoist riding a tiger first: "May I ask which famous mountain and cave you come from, friend?"
Zhao Gongming said, "I am Zhao Gongming from Luofu Cave on Mount Emei. Jiang Shang, it is truly hateful that you relied on your Taoist magic to kill six of my fellow Daoists! You also hung my Jie Sect disciple Zhao Gao in a reed hut. Do you not take my sect seriously? How hateful! How infuriating! I know you are a disciple of Yuxu Palace, and I came down the mountain today specifically to learn from you. If I do not take your life, I will be unworthy of being a member of the Jie Sect!"
Having said that, the Tiger-Slaying Taoist unleashed a long whip. The whip flashed like lightning, aiming straight for Jiang Ziya's face.
War is imminent!
Ziya, unable to dodge in time, fell from his horse. The flames stung Pingyu's eyes. Seeing his uncle fall, Nezha rushed to help. He thrust his fire-tipped spear, blocking Zhao Gongming's whip. Pingyu, anxious, reached for her talisman, ready to join the battle. Suddenly, her arm was restrained. She turned her head, and Lu Ya shook his head, stopping her: "No, the time is not yet right."
Jiang Ziya faces a life-threatening ordeal today, which he must overcome.
Ping Yu flipped her hand and grabbed Lu Ya's wrist. Her tone was firm, refusing to back down: "I'm going!"
Her parents were brutally murdered by King Zhou, and unable to avenge them, she left her hometown to learn martial arts. Now, having mastered her skills, she descends the mountain to fight King Zhou, and how could she not help her friend in trouble! Lu Ya loosened his grip, feigning helplessness, and ordered, "Help him and leave immediately; do not return to camp with him."
"yes."
Ping Yu readily agreed and disappeared.
Taking advantage of Nezha's distraction of Zhao Gongming, Jinzha snatched Jiang Ziya back from the ground. His arms were soaked in blood, and the old man's face was pale; he was no longer breathing. The young man looked at the whip marks on his uncle's back and cried out in anguish, "Uncle is dead!"
The young players were stunned at first, then their anger flared up.
Nezha loosened his grip and then tightened it again, the spear shaft twirling in his hand several times to deflect Zhao Gongming's whip. The weapons clashed, sparks flying. The young man's eyes flashed with murderous intent, his teeth clenched in hatred: "Today I will surely take your head to comfort the spirit of my uncle in heaven!"
"Your youthful spirit is admirable!" Jiang Ziya was dead, and Zhao Gongming laughed heartily: "My head is right on my neck, come and take it if you dare!"
After several exchanges of spear and whip, Nezha gradually found himself outmatched. The Taoist lashed out with his whip, and the boy, caught off guard, was knocked off his fiery wheels. The wind whistled past his ears, and a wave of weightlessness washed over him. Nezha swung his Fire-Tipped Spear to try and find a foothold, but the expected pain did not materialize.
A scent of wood wafted into his nose, and Nezha's pupils shrank to pinpoints as he instantly fell into someone's arms.
"who!"
No one present realized that there was a Lei Zhenzi hiding there, flying in the sky, and they shouted in surprise.
Nezha snapped out of his daze and shook his head.
The veil of his hat brushed against his face, causing a ticklish sensation. Ping Yu placed him on the ground and whispered, "Fellow Daoist, I'm here to help you."
The newcomer was a young woman. She wore a veiled hat, obscuring her face, and dressed in a white, close-fitting outfit. Her open, light blue long robe was tied tightly at the waist with a pale silk sash. She wore wooden bracelets on her wrists and was adorned with copper coins and jade ornaments strung together with red coins, which jingled when she moved.
The girl appeared calm, but her neck was actually drenched in sweat. Although Lu Ya had cast a spell on Qing Sha, Ping Yu was still afraid that Nezha would see her face. Even the closest of friends would feel awkward reuniting after many years. Furthermore, Ping Yu hadn't visited Nezha even once during their time at the temple, making her so nervous and guilty that her hands were trembling.
She wasn't mentally prepared; she would faint if she were recognized!
Nezha touched the tip of his nose, sniffing the lingering scent on his fingertips like a dog. He stared intently at the veiled girl and chuckled inexplicably.
Pingyu heard the laughter and was immediately terrified.
The group present were all outstanding disciples of their respective generations, yet none of them noticed the person hiding nearby. Unsure whether this person was friend or foe, or of which side they belonged to, the group remained silent for a few moments, each lost in their own thoughts, hesitant to make a move. Ping Yu, facing Nezha, was about to cower again, remembering Lu Ya's words and only wanting a swift victory.
Zhao Gongming cautiously inquired, "May I ask which immortal mountain you reside on, and which cave your master is from?"
As soon as he finished speaking, a flash appeared before his eyes.
The young girl moved like a nimble snake, her longsword slashing swiftly. She shouted back, "What are you standing there for? Come and take him down!"
The Xiqi forces then realized what was happening and surrounded Zhao Gongming. Two fists can't fight four hands; Zhao Gongming was blocked from all three sides, becoming a trapped beast. Nezha stood to the side, his eyes dark and unfathomable. Ping Yu hadn't seen that gaze in a long time; it was like a venomous python crawling from the ground, ready to strangle and devour her.
None of them recognized this nameless fellow Daoist, but she seemed to have some disagreements with Nezha.
Yang Jian glanced at Nezha and released his Howling Celestial Dog.
The dog bit Zhao Gongming, its sharp teeth wounding his neck and its claws tearing at his Taoist robe. The Taoist had no choice but to flee from the tiger and return to his camp.
As Ran Deng said, Zhao Gongming is indeed a difficult opponent.
Although the battle was over, Jiang Ziya was dead. Thinking of the potential unrest in the army, the Xiqi group dared not relax. Looking at their sudden arrival, they asked, "May we ask why you have come, friend? Would you like to return to camp with us?"
The cultivators of Xiqi all came in accordance with their master's orders, and it is unknown which immortal also joined their camp at that time.
Pingyu took a few steps back: "The time is not right yet. We will meet again another day."
After saying this, the girl hurriedly prepared to leave.
She had just taken a step when she suddenly felt a gust of wind rushing past behind her. The crowd cried out in alarm, "Nezha, no!"
Pingyu turned to dodge, but the Universe Ring was aimed at her. However, her movement was exactly what Nezha had anticipated; the Universe Ribbon had been waiting nearby. Pingyu couldn't dodge a second time and was caught by the red ribbon. She tried to pull, but Nezha didn't budge.
The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, and she gave her master a pleading look. But Lu Ya mouthed to her, "Politeness."
He shut his mouth and walked away.
This was a classic case of shooting oneself in the foot, and Pingyu laughed in exasperation. She looked up at Nezha, her tone deliberately unfriendly: "I said the time wasn't right, what do you mean by that, fellow Daoist?"
Huang Tianhua and Lei Zhenzi each grabbed one of Nezha's arms, chattering, "Nezha, he's here to help us! Your uncle's matter isn't resolved yet, so don't provoke this fellow Daoist!"
Jinzha and Muzha felt that Nezha's eyes seemed familiar, and they saw through some clues.
It feels like...it seems like...
Hmm, uh... oh!
Memories are flooding back.
The two brothers exchanged a glance and shared their answer.
They stepped forward, pulled Huang Tianhua and Lei Zhenzi away, covered their mouths, and whispered in their ears, "This is not something children should be involved in!"
The two who were banned from speaking: Aren't we all of the same generation?
Nezha leisurely wrapped the Hun Tian Ling (a magical ribbon) around his hand a few times. Seeing Ping Yu being dragged forward, the distance between the two was forced to close. He said, "There's no time like the present. We've been dealing with a lot of trouble lately and are short-handed. Since you're willing to join our camp, why don't you come back with us today?"
"Treating kindness with enmity, abducting people into your camp. Is this how you Xiqi behave!"
Pingyu refused to give in and made a hand seal to leave. She had learned the Rainbow Escape Technique, so if she wanted to escape, Nezha wouldn't be able to catch her.
Nezha recognized the source of the hand gesture and immediately called out, "Lin Pingyu."
Jinsha & Muzha: We knew it.
The girl swayed slightly, but she remained stubborn and silent.
Nezha activated his spiritual power to awaken his magical artifact.
Pingyu's bracelet contracted, releasing a water-repelling bead that floated in mid-air. Pingyu stared at the bead, his heart finally at ease.
Now that we have physical evidence, there's no escaping it.
The boy smiled and seemed very approachable: "What, have I been impolite to you?"
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