The world is like a prison, my body is holy

His emotions were like a rollercoaster, going up and down. When Qing came to his senses, the whole corpse... was a complicated situation.

It silently retreated, creating a safe distance between itself and Wang Wen, indicating that it had no intention of killing him. In the process, it did not forget to pull out the silver spear stuck in its chest and toss it to Wang Wen from afar.

Having dealt with Wang Wen twice, it had pretty much figured things out.

Wang Wen's request for the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder was not without cost; on the contrary, the price he had to pay was certainly very high.

Wang Wen would only invoke the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder as a last resort.

The last time, the battle at the Ma family's old house was like this.

This time, it's the same...

Therefore, it was certain that as long as it minimized the threat to Wang Wen, Wang Wen would most likely not ask the Purple Heaven Divine Lightning to strike it.

This is certainly very frustrating.

But this little bit of frustration is nothing compared to its long, agonizing existence.

It is a zombie that has survived from the ancient times when humans and gods coexisted and powerful beings roamed freely, to the present day when immortals and gods have disappeared, all thanks to its ability to endure humiliation and survive, and to be flexible and adaptable!
As it expected, as soon as it returned the silver spear, Wang Wen, who was almost at the end of the thunder magic ritual, immediately lowered his voice...

Hmph, what can a mere child do to escape the ancestor's scheme?
Take advantage!

Wang Wen smiled awkwardly, feeling genuinely embarrassed... but not much.

Evil and heretical people should be killed by everyone!
What's the big deal about a mere lack of martial ethics!
"The fight's over. Now, what do you want from today? Draw up your explanation!"

Qing took the initiative to break the awkward silence, her only thought being to get rid of this plague as soon as possible.

Wang Wen understood, and boldly held up two fingers, displaying a strong sense of advantage: "Easy, meet my two conditions, and I'll turn around and leave immediately."

"First, immediately hand over the demons and monsters that have crossed the border into our Huainan region to commit evil deeds and wreak havoc on the people, and behead them as a warning to the world!"

"Secondly, your Taihu Water Palace must cooperate with my Demon-Slaying General's Palace to implement the 'Regulations for the Management of Demons and Ghosts'!"

He didn't give Qing a chance to question or bargain, and laid out both conditions in one go.

Upon hearing his words, both Ao Qing and Bai Zimo behind Wang Wen, as well as the demons and monsters who had escaped from the bottom of the lake below, felt their hearts leap into their throats, fearing that the two giants might clash again and fight to the death.

Their lives and deaths are entirely in the hands of these two giants!
As the saying goes, "Don't advise others to be good if you haven't experienced their suffering; if you have experienced my suffering, you may not be as good as I am."

Since you weren't struck by lightning, you can certainly feel that saving face is more important than life and death.

If you were struck by lightning, you'd probably be thrown into the air even faster than we are...

Qing slowly straightened her clothes, trying her best to think through her stiff mind.

Wang Wen's conditions are somewhat excessive.

But it saw an opportunity in it!
An opportunity it had been waiting for for countless years!
After thinking it over for a long time, it finally spoke up to bargain: "If I remember correctly, Ancestor, you are the Demon-Slaying General of Huainan, right? The Demon-Slaying General of Huainan, you also manage the affairs of demons in Jiangnan?"

Wang Wen responded without hesitation: "You've misunderstood something. I am first and foremost a human cultivator, and only then the Demon-Slaying General of Huainan Road. All matters concerning the human world and the human race that I can handle fall under my jurisdiction!"

What you say makes sense.

Qing nodded in agreement with Wang Wen's words, then said casually, "But without proper authority, why should the ancestor command his sons to follow the lead of your Huainan Demon-Slaying General's Mansion? It can't be just because Wang Erhu has high magical power, can it? If the ancestor also bullies others by abusing his power, the entire Jiangnan region should become the ancestor's bed."

Upon hearing its words, Wang Wen looked the old devil up and down in surprise, wondering if he had misunderstood.

If he heard correctly, this old devil was asking him... for an official position?

Good heavens, just how long has this old devil lived?

They even learned the essence of murder, arson, and surrendering to the government.

However, it doesn't seem like it's impossible...

After much deliberation, Wang Wen tentatively asked, "What you say makes sense. How about this: I will petition the court on your behalf to appoint you as the Garrison Commander of Taihu Lake."

Qing shook his head in deep thought: "Our ancestor doesn't recognize any imperial court, our ancestor only recognizes you, Wang Erhu."

Wang Wen frowned slightly, unsure of what the old devil was up to. He continued to probe, "So that you may know, no one in Yangzhou has dared to call me by my nickname for a long time. If you feel that calling me by my full name is disrespectful, I will allow you to call me by my nickname, 'Tiger Wang'."

Qing Yaoyao clasped her hands together in a gesture reminiscent of ancient times: "Ancestor was momentarily out of line and offended you. Please forgive me, General Wang."

Wang Wen waved his hand casually, but inwardly he was shocked... Did this old devil really want to join his ranks?

He pondered for a moment, and realized he didn't possess any domineering aura whatsoever! Why did this old devil bow down and worship so readily?

Could it be... the prestige of the Heavenly Dao?
Oh right, I let it slip when I was threatening that old devil.

"If you want to join this group, that's not out of the question..."

Wang Wen still didn't quite believe the old devil. After pondering for a moment, he chose to continue testing him: "However, even bandits from the common people who come to the mountain have to give a pledge of allegiance. My Demon-Slaying General's Mansion is, after all, a major port by land and water. It can't be that anyone can come and go as they please, just because they feel like it."

Qingzhi replied tactfully, "General, you are right. In your opinion, what kind of pledge of loyalty should I submit?"

Wang Wen smiled and transmitted his voice, "I don't ask for much. As long as you are willing to have a good chat with me about who was behind the conflict between the Xiangxi Witch Clan and the Longhu Mountain Celestial Master's Mansion, I will consider you pass!"

This matter had been on his mind, though it wasn't exactly a thorn in his side.

But the thought of a pair of lustful eyes secretly observing them, searching for their weaknesses, and plotting against them...

He still felt a bit uneasy about it.

He felt that his demands were not unreasonable, after all, the Heavenly Lord's prestige was undeniable.

Unexpectedly, Qing, who had been answering fluently and without hesitation just a few seconds ago, and who seemed ready to agree to any request he made without hesitation, hesitated for a long time with flickering eyes, and was unable to give him a definite answer.

Wang Wen asked again via telepathy, "Is this a difficult question?"

Qing: "I don't lie in front of a true person. General, this question does indeed put me in a difficult position."

Wang Wen: "Are you on very good terms with the mastermind behind this?"

Qing: "That's not the case. That man isn't much older than the general. What kind of relationship could I possibly have with him?"

Wang Wen: "Does he have some kind of leverage over you?"

Qing: "General, you flatter me. Although my cultivation is not up to par, there are few people in the world besides you who can defeat me in three rounds."

Wang Wen: "What's so difficult about it?"

Qing: "I hope you will understand that I cannot go into the details, General. I can only tell you that this matter concerns my chance to attain enlightenment!"

This reason is strong enough.

As the saying goes, to obstruct someone from achieving enlightenment is like killing their parents.

Since it had already said that, Wang Wen really couldn't ask any more questions.

As he pondered and pondered, he simply couldn't imagine what opportunity to attain enlightenment could surpass the prestige of the Heavenly Dao.
Could it be...? Wang Wen: "Then why do you wish to join my ranks?"

Qing hesitated for a moment, wanting to answer, but her gaze involuntarily drifted towards the gloomy sky. In the end, she chose to answer honestly, "It's also for that sliver of opportunity to achieve enlightenment!"

Wang Wen laughed and teased, "Betting on both sides, huh? The old ancestor really is eight parts human."

Qing sighed inwardly, feeling that the matter was probably hopeless...

This is the greatest opportunity bestowed upon us by Heaven!

Unfortunately, it is a zombie, born from the resentment of heaven and earth, and rejected by heaven and earth from the six realms of reincarnation.

The chances of it succeeding by clinging to the coattails of the chosen one and attaching itself to the powerful forces of Heaven are extremely low!
'Well, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.'

It comforted itself with this thought...

Just then, Wang Wen's voice rang in its ears again: "Very well, since this concerns your chance to attain enlightenment, I will not make things difficult for you. As long as you swear a solemn oath to the Heavenly Dao that you will not side with the mastermind when he tries to scheme against me and my Demon-Slaying General's Mansion, I will consider you to have passed the test!"

Qing was overjoyed: "General, is what you say true?"

Wang Wen: "A gentleman's word is as good as his bond!"

Without hesitation, Qing pointed to the sky and swore: "Heaven above and Earth below, I, Zhi Baiqing, a heretical zombie, hereby swear that as long as General Wang Wen keeps his promise and treats me with sincerity, I, Zhi Baiqing, will never collude with foreign enemies to harm General Wang Wen and the Huainan Dao Demon-Slaying General's Mansion. If I break this oath, I, Zhi Baiqing, will surely perish under the Purple Heaven Divine Thunder, and my body and soul will be extinguished!"

No sooner had it finished speaking than a bolt of lightning struck down from the low-lying dark clouds, hitting its head with lightning speed and precision, instantly cleaving out its black-furred, fanged body.

Zhi Baiqing was completely paralyzed and dared not move at all.

Wang Wen, beaming, crossed his arms and bowed three times towards the sky.

His smile, as seen by Zhi Baiqing, was nothing short of fawning!
Wang Wen ignored its horrified yet slightly disdainful gaze, stood up, and waved his hand nonchalantly, saying, "Alright, now that you're my own corpse in the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion, things will be easier. First, hand over those demons and monsters who dared to run rampant in my Huainan Road, and punish them in a public manner!"

Zhi Baiqing readily agreed and clasped his hands in salute: "It is entirely up to the General to decide!"

Wang Wen nodded appreciatively, then waved his hand, ordering Ao Qing and Bai Zimo, who were hiding far behind, to come up and find all the monsters that dared to cause trouble in his Huainan Road in Taihu Lake, and kill them all!

Zhi Baiqing's defection to the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion was a transaction.

It was a deal that both of them knew was profitable!
From Wang Wen's perspective...

To say that he was completely unconcerned about Zhi Baiqing betting on both sides would be a lie.

However, recruiting Zhi Baiqing was not part of the original plan for this trip to Taihu Lake.

If you didn't plan to do this, but unexpectedly achieved this goal, isn't that like finding money on the street?

As for Zhi Baiqing betting on both sides... well, he never trusted that guy anyway.

This fellow was betting on both sides, and he used this as a pretext to exclude him from the core of power in the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion, making it a nominal superior-subordinate relationship but in reality a cooperative one.

In this way, his Demon-Slaying General's Mansion could easily take over the entire Jiangnan region!

Putting everything else aside, how many demons and monsters must there be in such a vast area as Jiangnan?
These are all fresh and tender chives!

Aside from gaining a nominal superior-subordinate relationship, Zhi Baiqing could not obtain any substantial benefits from him.

Tiger skin?

Even Hongze Lake Water Mansion, which can be considered an original shareholder of the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion, was never allowed by Wang Wendu to openly use the name of his Demon-Slaying General's Mansion.

How could Zhi Baiqing, a newcomer, possibly raise the banner of his Demon-Slaying General's Mansion?

In short, the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion first took advantage of the benefits of Taihu Lake and Jiangnan.

As for the welfare and treatment of Zhi Baiqing and his Taihu Water Mansion, we shall see how things go!

If it doesn't obey, what's the point of talking about welfare and benefits?

If it is truly obedient, why not give it the benefits and treatment it deserves?

If we give Wang Wen a few more years, even if Zhi Baiqing develops a rebellious streak, how much trouble can he cause?

From Zhi Baiqing's perspective...

It also didn't lose much of its substance.

Having established a superior-subordinate relationship with Wang Wen, the Taihu Water Mansion remained under its control.

At most, it just means that it and its little demons and monsters will have a less carefree life from now on.

If Wang Wen is a person without conscience or morality, he can now lead the Taihu Water Palace to join the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion, and later he can lead the Taihu Water Palace to rebel against the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion!
When it swore its oath, it made it very clear that Wang Wen would keep his promise and treat it with sincerity, and that it would not collude with foreign enemies to harm Wang Wen or the Demon-Slaying General's Mansion...

But if Wang Wen is a person of conscience and morality...

Then it will make a fortune, a huge profit!

Overall, both parties are currently quite satisfied with the deal.

As for how long this deal can last and to what extent... we'll have to wait and see.

Wang Wende observed Zhi Baiqing's attitude.

Zhi Baiqing also had to consider Wang Wen's attitude.

They're the type who won't act until they see a clear benefit...

……

Ao Qing and Bai Zimo charged into Taihu Lake with sinister smiles, dragging the demons and monsters who had committed bloody crimes in Huainan Road one by one in front of Wang Wen. In front of all the demons in Taihu Lake, they chopped off their heads with a single stroke, and blood splattered across the sky!
These demons and monsters, who managed to sneak into Huainan Road to commit crimes despite being surrounded and intercepted by the Hongze Lake Water Palace, were all well-known and famous demons and monsters throughout Jiangnan.

Most of them escaped disaster thanks to Wang Wenfang's deliberate actions.

At this moment, under the suppression of the two great mountains, Wang Wen and Zhi Baiqing, they were picked up one by one by the two demons, Ao Qing and Bai Zimo, and beheaded in mid-air like eagles snatching chicks. The scene was extremely tragic, and the cries were like the mournful cry of a cuckoo.

Wang Wen kept a straight face and observed Zhi Baiqing's attitude without showing any emotion.

Then Zhi Baiqing turned his face away, not looking at his former subordinates, but there was still a hint of reluctance in his eyes.

When it came to the black carp spirit with a mouth full of sharp teeth, it finally couldn't hold back and begged, saying that this carp spirit had served it for many years, and asked if it could spare it this time for its sake.

After inquiring about the black carp spirit's record of challenges in Huainan Road, Wang Wen rejected Zhi Baiqing's plea for mercy without hesitation.

But in his heart, he wondered if Zhi Baiqing's plea was just an act for him...

'For a zombie, its emotions are a bit too abundant.'

He muttered to himself. (End of Chapter)