The world is like a prison, my body is holy

Chapter 140 Nine Tribulations Returning to Origin Body (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
'No wonder even the Dawnbreaker's spear couldn't pierce that dark fellow...'

Wang Wen suddenly understood and was overjoyed.

He had previously thought that the physical strength of these powerful demons was the same as that of this giant crocodile.

You should know that his Dawnbreaker Spear is a magic weapon-level treasure spear. When it was forged, he specially solidified the two treasure restrictions of sharpness and armor penetration. In theory, even a two or three-inch steel plate could be pierced by the Dawnbreaker Spear.

As a result, during the fight, the tip of the spear got stuck in the skull of the six-legged black crocodile.

This almost changed his plans for his spiritual path...

Now it makes sense. The reason why the six-legged black crocodile was able to withstand the Dawn Spear with its bare body was not because it had a special talent, but because it had cultivated a body-refining technique.

The monsters that manage to stand out during this period are indeed blessed with good fortune.

But even the greatest fortune must be cherished and good deeds done in order to be retained.

If you don't accumulate good deeds and cherish your blessings, your good fortune will transfer to other people who do.

For example, in a young, promising, and virtuous person like him, Master Wang.

Unable to hide his excitement, Wang Wen looked up at Ma Feng and said, "This item is very useful to me. You have done a great service!"

Upon hearing this, Ma Feng was overjoyed and clasped his hands, saying, "It is all thanks to Your Majesty's invincible divine might and skillful command. How dare this humble servant take credit!"

"Haha, you can talk!"

Wang Wen laughed and waved his hand: "Go on, get on with your business first, and I'll reward you later!"

Ma Feng: "Here you go!"

He turned and quickly left, his hand on his knife.

After Wang Wen waited until he entered the water, he once again focused his divine sense on the broken stele in front of him, observing the blurred characters on the stele while listening attentively to the voice within it.

He soon discovered that the seemingly weathered and blurred characters were actually miniature diagrams of cultivation routes and visualizations. Combined with the mental incantations recited by the deep voice in the broken stele, they formed a complete body-refining profound technique...

To say it completely might not be accurate enough.

The inscription on this stele is indeed incomplete. According to the general outline of the mental cultivation method, this profound skill called "Nine Tribulations Returning to Origin Body" is divided into nine levels. Each level takes an extreme calamity power into the body to temper the physical body, and finally integrates the power of many calamities into one, transforming it into a calamity divine body that is similar to a primordial demon god.

On the broken stele, only the cultivation route and visualization diagrams for the first seven levels were found; the crucial last two levels were missing…

This problem might be quite troublesome for other cultivators, and they might even have to abandon this profound skill due to the loss of the latter two levels.

After all, this profound skill is like a manual for manufacturing a precision instrument. The first seven levels guide practitioners on how to manufacture the parts of this precision instrument by category, while the last two levels involve assembly techniques.

How many people would go to great lengths to manufacture a bunch of parts that are destined to be impossible to assemble?
Are you trying to level up your skills here?

But for Wang Wen... this is no problem at all!

He only needs to record this profound skill into the Mountain God Token, and then leave the rest to the Mountain God Token to worry about. He just needs to keep throwing merit points into the treasury.

This process is roughly like...

Wang Wen: 'The Mountain God's decree: This is the method for cooking steamed buns.'

The Mountain God decreed: 'Let me see. To make steamed buns, you must first plant wheat, harvest wheat, thresh wheat, then grind the wheat into flour, add water to knead the dough, ferment it, and steam it…'

Wang Wen: 'How much is one?'

The Mountain God commanded: 'Two pieces.'

Wang Wen: "They're a bit pricey, I'll take one."

The Mountain God said, "Alright, sir, please wait a moment!"

……

"Let me see what you've got up your sleeve."

Wang Wen skipped over the general outline of the mental cultivation method with a cheerful mood and began to browse the visualization diagrams: "The first layer is the power of a torrent, the second layer is the power of a mountain fire, the third layer is the power of a severe drought, the fourth layer is the power of a hurricane, the fifth layer is the power of a sandstorm, the sixth layer is the power of extreme cold, and the seventh layer is the power of a thunderstorm."

"The power of a torrent flows to the kidneys and governs the bone marrow; the power of a wildfire flows to the heart and governs the blood vessels; the power of a severe drought flows to the lungs and governs the skin and hair; the power of a hurricane flows to the liver and governs the tendons and vessels; the power of a sandstorm flows to the spleen and governs the flesh and blood; the power of extreme cold generates yin; the power of a thunderstorm generates yang..."

"What a magnificent Nine Tribulations Returning to Origin Body!"

He couldn't help but cheer, inwardly marveling at the ingenious idea behind this profound skill: 'Science, absolutely science!'

Starting with the element of water, which benefits all things without contention, one gradually gathers the power of the five calamities and transforms it into one's own through the method of mutual restraint of the five elements. On one hand, one tempers the physical body, and on the other hand, one generates and develops the physical body. Then, by unifying yin and yang, one achieves a perfect balance and creates the supreme divine body of calamity.

This bold idea, combined with this careful execution, is simply amazing!

Moreover, this idea is remarkably similar to his previous plan to balance Yin and Yang through body refinement, integrate martial arts and Taoist practices, and thus escape the dead end of the path of the Ghost Immortal.

However, compared to his planned approach, the scope of this profound skill is still a bit small.

Based on his current understanding, this level of Yin-Yang and Five Elements balance is probably not enough to help him escape the dead end of the Ghost Immortal path...

However, it's not a big problem. This body-refining technique doesn't involve martial arts, Taoist methods, or the soul. He can use it as a foundational body-refining method to replace the Shaolin Temple's "Indestructible Vajra Divine Skill" that he had planned before. He can continue on his path as before without being affected.

Moreover, the ideas behind this profound skill greatly inspired him. Designing his own body-refining profound skill based on the foundation of this skill would inevitably result in a more powerful and domineering one!

On the shore, Wang Wen was intently studying the body-refining techniques inscribed on the broken stele.

Underwater, Ma Feng, having received Wang Wenjia's praise, became even more energetic. He commanded a hundred underworld soldiers to thoroughly search the six-legged black crocodile's cave several times with the speed and efficiency of scraping the ground three feet deep and plucking feathers from a passing goose.

Not only did he not miss a single piece of the wealth and goods offered by the merchant ships that were stored deep inside the cave, but he also kept all the luminous pearls used for lighting that were embedded in the walls of the cave.

He didn't even spare the corpses of fish, shrimp, and crabs that exuded a strong demonic aura.

A shelled pry bar.

Scales without shells.

If it doesn't even have scales, just skin it!

After squeezing out all their value, they were dragged ashore and piled up together. Dry branches and rotten leaves were gathered and set on fire, determined not to give these fish, shrimp, and crabs in Chaohu Lake the opportunity to continue to become spirits and wreak havoc on the area.

As expected of a tough guy who served as an officer and fought against the barbarians in the Northwest, he handled this kind of thing with far more clarity and order than self-taught street fighters like Xu Wu and Chen Feng.

A giant eel, as thick as a child's arm, hid in the silt at the bottom of the lake, only its eyes, the size of soybeans, peeking out tremblingly at the churning blood in front of it... These two-legged bastards are too cruel!

This is truly frightening for demons!
……

Three days later, Wang Wen arrived at Xima Bridge in Yangzhou by boat.

The three accompanying cargo ships were loaded with all sorts of valuables that Ma Feng and his ghosts had looted from the cave of the Six-Legged Black Crocodile, worth a fortune.

When Wang Wen jumped off the cargo boat carrying the broken stele, Xu Wu and others, who had rushed over upon hearing the news, were already waiting outside with their hands on their swords.

"Big brother!"

Xu Wu stepped forward and reached out to take the broken tombstone covered with a red cloth from his shoulder.

Wang Wen waved his hand and declined his offer: "You can't carry this thing."

This broken stele is somewhat mysterious. He studied it for three days but still couldn't figure out where the deep voice inside came from.

The broken stele contained neither magical treasures nor arrays or talismans for maintenance, yet it could automatically play incantations and mantras when divine sense approached…

He suspected that the broken stele was most likely not the work of a human cultivator.

Upon hearing this, Xu Wu picked up a corner of the red cloth, somewhat unconvinced, and then fell silent.

He really can't carry this.

Seeing his speechless and dejected look, Wang Wen comforted him, saying, "There are quite a few spoils of war on the ship. Keep an eye on them and take inventory. Sell what needs to be sold and put what needs to be put into storage. Oh, and there's also a big crocodile on this ship, known as the Dragon King of Chaohu Lake. Hurry up and get the paperwork ready and send it back to the Demon Suppression Division in the capital. Ask the Demon Suppression Division to present it to the Emperor on my behalf."

According to the rules, as the Demon Suppression General of Huainan Road under the Demon Suppression Division, he could only report to the Demon Suppression Division level.

Reporting work to superiors without going through the proper channels has always been a major taboo in officialdom.

However, Wang Wen, the General Who Slays Demons in Huainan Circuit, was granted the special privilege of establishing his own government and military headquarters by the emperor. He was a recipient of imperial favor and could report directly to the emperor.

This is similar to the situation during the Republic of China era, where officers from the Whampoa Military Academy, even those at the battalion or company level, could write directly to Chang Shenkai and address him as "Principal."

Moreover, Chiang Kai-shek would certainly be very happy to receive letters from officers of the Whampoa Military Academy, because it would mean that these "students" still remembered him as their principal.

The same applies here...

The reason he still included the Demon Suppression Division was to show them that Wang Wen knew the rules. He had already made a gesture, so shouldn't the Demon Suppression Division reciprocate?

A sedan chair is carried by many people!

"I'll take care of it. You go home and rest first. I'll come find you at home after I'm done."

Xu Wu readily agreed, without any hesitation despite having never done such a thing before.

Wang Wen patted him on the shoulder, then carried the broken stele away.

Xu Wu quickly waved his hand, and immediately a group of demon-suppressing guards in bright armor came forward, took the broken stele from Wang Wen, and followed him back to the Qinghe Gang's headquarters.

After returning to the hall, Wang Wen went straight to the main hall to report to Huang Xingde that he was safe, but he met someone he never expected in the main hall.

"Uncle?"

Upon seeing Jiang Jin seated on the right side of the hall, Wang Wen asked with delight, "When did you arrive?"

His joy was contagious, and even the usually stern Jiang Jin couldn't help but stroke his beard and smile slightly, saying, "I arrived in Yangzhou yesterday, and only just now did I hear your father say that he had to go out on urgent business..."

He suddenly stopped laughing halfway through his sentence.

Because he discovered that he couldn't see through Wang Wen's skill!

To be precise, the Wang Wen he saw showed no trace of internal energy circulation; he appeared as ordinary as a strong and healthy person.

But is this possible?
Not to mention his last visit, Wang Wen already possessed the strength of a Transformation Realm expert.

Just look at the position he's in now—could an ordinary person or a cripple whose powers have been destroyed sit there?
Therefore, after eliminating the only remaining possibilities, the truth is becoming increasingly clear...

Jiang Jin's smile froze. She hesitated, stroking her three-inch beard with her right hand, staring blankly at Wang Wen who was striding over.

"You're coming back this time, so please stay for a few more days!"

Wang Wen smiled warmly and said, "Last time, we two didn't get to try any of the delicious food or drink any of the fine wine. This time, we'll make sure we eat and drink to our hearts' content. You can go and attend to other things..."

Hearing this, Huang Xingde, who was in the hall, squinted and chuckled, "What kind of talk is that? Your senior uncle is only here for your few bites of food and drink?"

Wang Wen laughed and said, "Of course, my senior uncle didn't come here for a few bites of food and drink, but as a junior, I can't be disrespectful to my senior uncle!"

In Da Zhou, only Huang Xingde and Jiang Jin made him feel the love from his elders.

That kind of care was pure, not because Wang Wen was outstanding, nor because he was particularly successful...

Just because he was a junior member of their family, they unconditionally protected him from harm.

They did not protect Wang Wen from the wind and rain because of his excellence or success.

Wang Wen naturally did not change his attitude towards them just because his own strength and status changed.

"Good good..."

Jiang Jin swallowed hard, then happily pulled out the tall, white-robed, golden-crowned young man standing behind her, pointed at Wang Wen and said, "Zhixuan, hurry up and greet your Second Senior Brother Hu!"

'Senior brother?'

The tall young man glanced furtively at his master, thinking to himself, "Isn't he my junior brother?"

But considering his fellow disciple's current official position, he felt that calling him "junior brother" was indeed a bit inappropriate, so he clasped his hands in a proper bow to Wang Wen and said, "Senior Brother Wang, junior brother Xie Zhixuan greets you!"

Wang Wen glanced at his fellow apprentice, who was almost as handsome as him but acted very rigidly, and then stole a glance at Jiang Jin, who was squinting and secretly amused. He knew exactly what was going on.

He hesitated for a second, but still stood up and returned the greeting with a fist and palm salute, saying, "Thank you for your courtesy, Junior Brother. We're brothers, so there's no need for such formalities. Just be casual... Your senior brother here isn't much of a talent, but I do have some standing in Huainan. If you ever find yourself in a difficult situation here, please don't hold it against your senior brother!"

He hesitated because of Jiang Jin, and he also accepted the title of senior brother because of Jiang Jin. He's an old man, so he can be coaxed like a child.

Xie Zhixuan couldn't help but smile upon hearing this, thinking to himself that this Senior Brother Wang was indeed a rare and straightforward person: "Senior Brother is right, Junior Brother will remember it. Junior Brother now works in the Enforcement Hall and has some connections in the martial arts world. If Senior Brother ever needs me to run errands in the future, please don't be polite. My life is Senior Brother's life, and my body is Senior Brother's body. I will do anything for you, even die for you!"

Jiang Jin stroked his beard and said "good" repeatedly. Finally, he turned to Huang Xingde in the hall and said, "The bond between us two brothers will be passed down from now on. As for how those two brothers fare in the future, that's up to them!"

Huang Xingde's heart skipped a beat, but he smiled and nodded, saying, "What you say is true, Senior Brother!"

At that moment, Huang Xingde's attendant Lei Zi bowed and entered, clasped his hands in greeting, and then quickly walked to Huang Xingde's ear and whispered something.

He spoke softly, but those sitting below, all sharp-eared martial arts masters, clearly heard him say, "Sir, the head manager of Lou Wai Lou restaurant has led a group of cooks and chopping tools waiting outside. They said they heard Brother Tiger has returned and have come to prepare a feast to welcome him back..."

Huang Xingde turned his head and glared at him halfway through the conversation, without saying a word.

Lei Zi understood, crossed his hands, bowed, and withdrew.

After he left the lobby, Jiang Jin chuckled and said, "It's only human nature!"

Huang Xingde shook his head: "This little guy hasn't seen much of the world, I'm sorry to have made him laugh."

Wang Wen knew the old man was worried that his senior uncle would misunderstand, so he immediately took the initiative to speak: "Senior Uncle, your return this time is just in time. I was planning to send someone to invite you to come over when you have some free time. You must have heard about my General's Mansion. There are only a handful of people there, and they can't even put on a proper air. I've been so worried about them lately that I'm almost losing my hair. Do you think you could think of a way to help your nephew?"

They're all shrewd people, so how could Jiang Jin not know that he was giving her a way out?
He picked up the teacup beside him and took a couple of sips. He was too embarrassed to act like an old man, so he said with a half-joking, half-serious smile, "Uncle is getting old. He hasn't been in charge of things for the past few years. The people under him are now being kept in check by your junior brother. You two brothers can talk things over. They're all young and easy to talk to. If you like any of them, just pick a few to use. If you don't like any of them, you don't need to worry about your junior brother's feelings... As for the headquarters, Uncle will handle it."

He couldn't help but point out that they were on a mission from the headquarters.

"Whether or not the headquarters is separate is something I haven't had time to worry about yet."

Wang Wen also smiled and replied half-jokingly and half-seriously, "I'm just worried that your family won't be easy to manage, Uncle Master... Speaking of which, if Uncle Master is willing to let people go, I think Junior Brother is quite capable. It just so happens that there is a vacancy for the position of Demon Slayer Commander. If Junior Brother doesn't mind, you can come to my place and take a position as Demon Slayer Commander to play around with."

His Demon-Slaying General's Mansion is an army unit, with a full complement of 2500 officers and soldiers.

These 2500 officers and soldiers were divided into five commands, each with 500 officers and soldiers. The officers in charge of these troops were called commanders.

As for Xu Wu, Wang Wen arranged for him to be his deputy, the chief steward of the general's mansion.

The so-called power to establish one's own government and military command means that all military officers do not need to be appointed by the court; they can arrange their own affairs and then report to the court.

This is why so many people try to get in through his connections, because he really has the final say when it comes to matters concerning the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion!
It's obvious which is easier, managing one person or managing a group of people...

After Wang Wen spoke, both Jiang Jin and Xie Zhixuan, the master and apprentice, showed signs of interest.

The commander of the local army was only a minor official of the seventh rank.

However, Wang Wen's Demon-Slaying General's Mansion is a "Dao" level government office, and all the officials in the mansion are low-ranking but high-ranking.

Originally a seventh-rank commander, he was immediately promoted to a sixth-rank commander after the words "Demon Slayer" were added to his name.

Of course, this is not the point.

The key point is that the jurisdiction of the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion covers the entire Huainan Circuit.

The special function of the Demon Suppression Division determines that all officers and soldiers of the Demon Suppression Division are one rank higher than their superiors.

In other words, a sixth-rank Demon-Slaying Commander is already able to easily control all prefectures except Yangzhou, including some very sensitive locations... such as the Grand Canal!
Seeing the eager expressions on the faces of the master and his apprentice, Wang Wen knew that the matter was settled.

His background as a member of the Grand Canal Gang is indelible; I reckon even the emperor knows about it.

The Grand Canal Gang had indeed done nothing to wrong him, so he had no reason to sever ties with them and end their kinship.

Yes, we definitely will.

This was something he and Huang Xingde had discussed long ago.

But we can't give it out of the ordinary, nor can we give it too easily or too much...

Otherwise, some people within the Canal Gang might actually think that the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion doesn't belong to Wang Wen, but to their Canal Gang.

Although Wang Wen's current strength and status mean that no matter what the higher-ups in the Grand Canal Gang think, he poses no threat to them...

But it's clearly a good thing, so why does it have to escalate to the point of tearing each other apart and never speaking to each other again?
Giving the profits that should have gone to the Canal Gang to Jiang Jin and his apprentice would be just right.

Their master's close relationship with Huang Xingde and his son Wang Wen set an example. Any future high-ranking member of the Canal Gang who coveted the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion would have to ask themselves first: 'What gives you the right? What makes you think you can gain anything from the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion?'

If they don't ask themselves these questions, when they get to Wang Wen, he'll have to ask them: 'Who do you think you are? Why should I give you face?'

In this way, the remaining connection between the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion and the Canal Gang was maintained, the relationship between the father and son and Jiang Jin and his apprentice was preserved, and the mouths of the cunning members within the Canal Gang were shut down.

Three birds with one stone.

Wang Wen enjoys doing things like cooking one fish in multiple ways.

(End of this chapter)