Minglong

Chapter 319 The Great River Flows East
Shortly after, in the living room.

Nangong Ye sat in the chair, his eyes fixed straight ahead. He had changed into a black and white Daoist robe, and his head was adorned with a white jade crown. He had regained his ruthless and desireless sword immortal demeanor, as if he had only experienced a minor setback on his cultivation path.

Linghu Qingmo hadn't recovered yet. He sat to the side, head down, staring at the tips of his shoes, silent and not daring to utter a sound.

Bu Yuehua sat opposite her, her eyes looking rather strange, glancing left and right, seemingly lost in thought.

Upstairs, Xie Jinhuan pretended to pack his things, but secretly pulled out his seemingly delicate and scheming wife and whispered:

"Good sister, are you teasing me on purpose? You can do such fancy tricks as teleporting back to your original position, how could you not be able to teleport back to your original position? Are you waiting for me to chisel the lump next time, switch Qingmo back, and then..."

Ye Hongshang leaned against the headboard, arms crossed, watching Xie Jinhuan pretend to make the bed, and shrugged slightly.

"Otherwise what? If I don't help, with Bing Tuozi's ostrich-like nature, when do you expect the master and disciple to finally meet naked? If I didn't want to give them a push, I would have switched them back that very day. If you don't find it interesting, then I won't help you anymore."

Xie Jinhuan found it interesting, but a bit too stimulating:
"Everything takes time; doing this all the time is taking a toll on my heart. Have they switched back now?"

"Yes. But my sister has a backup plan. If Bing Tuozi needs anything in the future, she can still find the mark on Qing Mo's body and temporarily possess him..."

"Why keep this as a backup plan? How can the ice block be replaced again..."

Ye Hongshang said earnestly, "I devised this method based on Bu Qingya's Soul-Swapping Technique. In the future, the two of us will not be able to share the same feelings, but we can be possessed by ghosts for a short time. This way, if something happens, Bingtuozi can use the technique of summoning immortals to go back for help, or ask his family to come and help, so that we don't have to send Meiqiu back to deliver a message like last time."

Xie Jinhuan took this more seriously:
"How far is acceptable?"

Ye Hongshang straightened his chubby head and said, "As long as my sister acts as a medium, and I don't escape the Five Elements and Three Realms, I don't escape my sister's grasp. Normally, I can go as far as I want."

Xie Jinhuan felt that these words were a bit too domineering, but he had witnessed the strength of the ghost. It could sense the Demon-Suppressing Tomb from the confluence of the three rivers and detect the unusual activity in the capital from Huzhou. Therefore, as long as this method worked, it could indeed achieve real-time communication in a roundabout way.

After a brief exchange, Xie Jinhuan understood the general situation and went downstairs back to the living room.

Nangong Ye and Linghu Qingmo were too embarrassed to speak because of their awkward experience earlier, so they didn't react much.

Bu Yuehua, with her legs crossed, sized up the awkward master and disciple opposite her and asked:
Did they get their items back?

Xie Jinhuan sat down under the plaque bearing the inscription "A Gentleman of Uprightness," and said with a smile:

"I just used a secret technique of the Hidden Immortal Sect, and I've already switched back..."

Snapped--

Upon hearing this, two sounds of slamming the table rang out simultaneously.

Linghu Qingmo wanted to glare at him angrily, but when he saw his master slam the table first, he lowered his head in shame.

Nangong Ye, filled with shame and anger, gritted his teeth and questioned:

"You were just being intimate with Qingmo, and then you used your supernatural powers to switch back your soul? What do you mean?"

Xie Jinhuan knew this was a big problem, but he had to bear the consequences of his heartless wife's actions, no matter how difficult it was to explain. He then said earnestly:

"I've been researching how to get you to switch back these past few days. I had a sudden inspiration just now, so I tried it, and I didn't expect it to actually work..."

Linghu Qingmo couldn't hold back any longer and looked up in disbelief:
"Were you multitasking just now?"

Xie Jinhuan had been so well served that he almost forgot his own name. He said he was still studying other things, which might offend his considerate Momo. After thinking for a moment, he said:

“I’ve always been used to multitasking since I was a child. Although I didn’t think about it openly, I was subconsciously thinking about the method, um… background processes. This was also to help you recover as soon as possible. I didn’t expect to suddenly figure it out, and it actually works…”

After Xie Jinhuan finished making up a story, he explained his idea of ​​'instant messaging and invoking spirits,' and then said:
"As long as I use a secret technique to leave a mark on you, you can invite the gods to possess you no matter how far apart you are. Of course, this is only based on Senior Nangong's subjective willingness. If Senior Nangong does not use this method, then there will be no connection between us."

All three of them were hearing about this secret technique for the first time. Bu Yuehua asked in confusion:

"Does that mean we've all left our marks on Sect Leader Nangong, so that we can possess her whenever we need to?"

Nangong Ye thought that if this method worked, wouldn't she become a public bus? Anyone could be possessed and driven around like that. With the demoness's methods, who knew what kind of mess she would be made of? Therefore, he strongly opposed it.
"Why must she possess my body? Logically speaking, Bu Yuehua has a strong yin energy, she is more suitable for this method..."

Xie Jinhuan slightly raised his hand and explained:
"I'm just giving an example. As long as I use a secret technique to leave a mark, two people can be in contact over a long distance, and it's not limited to one person."

Nangong Ye secretly breathed a sigh of relief and said seriously:
"The secret techniques of Zihui Mountain cannot be shown to outsiders. I can only contact Qingmo directly when necessary. I don't care about anything else."

Bu Yuehua didn't mind taking turns with Wanyi, since their progress was about the same. Occasionally, she could let Wanyi ride along as her disciple, which would help her quickly familiarize herself with the techniques. Therefore, she generously said:
“Alright, from now on, I will contact Wanyi and Zisu. That way, when we’re out and about, Zisu can help us with our advice, and I can also take care of the gang’s affairs. Otherwise, Wanyi might not be unaware of the dangers of the martial world and lose all her savings.”

Nangong Ye got soaked himself and didn't want the demoness to use an umbrella, but the demoness was completely indifferent and didn't care, so he could only interject:

"Don't switch the wrong person. If you switch Zisu with her when she's causing trouble outside, she might corrupt the children."

Bu Yuehua naturally understood what the sassy Taoist nun meant. She blinked and suddenly felt that she had been at a disadvantage.

After all, she, Wanyi, and Zisu are three generations of master and disciple.

The flirtatious nun and the young nun are from two different generations. If something really goes wrong, the flirtatious nun will be the laughingstock of the others...

Oh right, Nangong Ye has Qixia Zhenren above him, which can match his level, while she has...

She also has a female fairy on her head...

Four generations living in the same room...

There's no one on the white-haired fairy's head anymore...

Ugh……

Even though Bu Yuehua was a witch from the sorceress cult, she felt that this idea was too outrageous and rebellious. She quickly cleared her mind of distractions, stood up, and said:

"Is there anything else? If not, I'm heading back to Xiaoyao Cave. These days, the sect makes tens of thousands of taels of silver a day, so I really don't have time to chat idly with you, you lazy nun..."

As the head of Zihui Mountain, Nangong Ye also cared about his disciples' food, clothing and daily necessities. Seeing that the demoness was now making a fortune by relying on her monopoly, how could he not be envious? When he found that the demoness dared to show off in front of him, he narrowed his eyes slightly, but did not make a move.

After all, she had made a promise with Xie Jinhuan that he would bully the demoness in front of her, and she would first mock her, and then endure the humiliation and be forced to be bullied.

Now that she's back, the journey to Dragon Bone Beach can obviously be brought to a close...
-
On the other side, Dragon Bone Beach.

Spring breezes sweep across the land, and the hills stretch for miles, where grass grows tall and birds sing. Rivers crisscross the landscape, flowing towards the land of sunrise.

Shuanlong Port is located along the Jing River, whose source is the Yanjiang River. After taking a boat from Yanjing through Xuanjia Pass, one can go south downstream to reach this port, which is the northern entrance to Longgutan.

This place is named Shuanlonggang because, according to legend, a great demon that transformed into a dragon wreaked havoc here in ancient times and was stopped by the ancestors of the human race. The truth of the legend is hard to know, but there is indeed a river in the mountains and hills called Zoulong River.

A hundred years ago, the Valkyrie was also ordered to block the northern exit alone and block the remnants of the demon army, while the remaining main force was besieging the Corpse Ancestor in the south, where Dragon Cloud Valley is now located.

In the end, the Corpse Ancestor mingled among the remnants of the northern forces and was encountered by the Valkyrie alone. He almost perished on the spot, but the Valkyrie still fought to the death to stop him and successfully waited for the main force of the righteous path. The Corpse Ancestor was captured on this spot.

Because of its extraordinary historical significance, Shuanlong Port, although called a port, is actually more like a city without walls. Caravans and even laborers from the north stop here, and various forces within Longgu Beach also trade local specialties here. The port is directly under the jurisdiction of Yanbo City.

At midday, a restaurant located along the Zoulong River was filled with diners. Besides Taoist, Buddhist, witchcraft, and martial arts practitioners, one could even see characters from demonic sects and witches from the Hehuan Sect.

However, unlike the evil demonic sects in legends, these small factions, which can only be passed down in Dragon Bone Beach, are quite disciplined and have many rules and regulations. For example, they must wear conspicuous insignia so that the Discipline Hall can conduct inspections and spot checks, and those who conceal their identities will be treated as demons.

Those who practice demonic arts must purchase genuine Blood Essence from designated shops in Yanbo City. Those who perform blood sacrifices privately, even if they are using birds or beasts for alchemy, will be treated as demons and evil beings, and their mental condition will be checked regularly.

Practicing the Hehuan Gongshu (a type of sexual cultivation technique) requires the other party's consent and a signed agreement; otherwise, it will be considered forced sexual exploitation...

……

Normally, as long as these unequal regulations are observed, people in Dragon Bone Beach should have equal human rights. However, this is only in legal terms. In real life, these people still cannot avoid discrimination and suspicion.

He Can had a deep understanding of this.

In the kitchen behind the restaurant, overlooking the river, several large wooden basins were placed on the ground, filled with various fresh vegetables.

Wearing an apron, He Can vigorously tossed the wok, his eyes glancing at the Baihualin roast chicken, its long, white legs exposed, enjoying the view by the river. He was practically radiating blood, and whispered:

"Why is that? Righteous cultivators can hit on our boat and have fun without paying, but when we offer them money, they ignore us..."

Zhang Chu, dressed similarly, leaned against the side, slicing potato shreds with extraordinary knife skills. Having not had meat for several months, he was also a little salivating.

“We heretics, do you really expect to be treated like normal people? In the eyes of these sluts, even the essence of those old Taoist geezers is sweet, and it's harmless to swallow it; while we vermin, no matter how vigorous we are, are still filthy, who knows what disgusting things we've refined…”

He Can was somewhat unconvinced: "You're a heretic, but I'm a righteous and upright sorcerer..."

"The status of a ghost witch is only slightly higher than that of a demonic Taoist. Do you think she's any more righteous?"

Zhang Chu placed the sliced ​​potato shreds on a plate and sighed.
"Dragon Bone Beach is said to have few restrictions, but the hierarchy is stricter than outside. Take those sluts in Hundred Flowers Forest for example: Buddhist monks seeking pleasure can be personally received by the sect leader; Taoist monks can be paid; martial artists don't need money; but even pimps like poison sorcerers, ghost sorcerers, corpse sorcerers, and demon Taoists won't be accepted."

"That's fine, alchemists and weapon refiners are all scrambling to hire Buddhist monks and Taoist priests. They can make a living just by knowing how to stand in the 'Immovable Vajra Zen' stance; but I, a third-rank demonic Taoist, can't even get hired as a bodyguard..."

He Can shrugged slightly: "Alright, what's done is done. Luckily, I've been cooking for my master since I was little, so my culinary skills are pretty good. I even gave the restaurant a good name, and now we're making a fortune! With this restaurant, we can live comfortably. Once we've built up some wealth, we can find two blind female warriors to be our wives, and then life will be stable..."

Zhang Chu used to be a mid-level figure as the leader of the Underworld God Sect, but now he's reduced to doing odd jobs for Manager He, which is quite a shock.

However, now that he no longer has to worry about being hunted down by Xie Laomo, he can even buy a bottle of genuine Blood Essence Essence and drink it a couple of times with his spare money. He can live peacefully without worrying about being arrested by the government and has nothing to complain about. He can just consider it an early retirement from the martial arts world.

At this moment, Zhang Chu handed the stir-fried dishes to the hired Taoist priest, and went back to the kitchen to wash the vegetables. While he was busy, he suddenly noticed a large ship floating by on the river outside.

The ship was flying the flag of the Northern Underworld Sect, and the people coming and going were all wizards dressed in white robes. At the top of the deck, there was a witch wearing gorgeous silver ornaments. Although she was covered up and even wore a veil, she was tall and had a mysterious temperament. She exuded a sense of holiness, which was completely different from the roast chicken by the river. At this moment, she was looking at the riverbank and examining the restaurant's flag.

Zhang Chu was slightly taken aback upon seeing this, and observed it carefully:

"Are these people from the Northern Underworld Sect?"

He Can casually said as he tossed the large ladle while stir-frying the vegetables:

"Judging from her appearance, she's a holy maiden of the Northern Underworld Sect, destined to remain chaste and serve the gods, never touching a man. We can forget about it. We'd be lucky to even snag a little witch from the Witch Cult as our proprietress..."

"How could I dare to even consider such a thing? The Holy Maiden of the Northern Darkness Sect came here for the opportunity at Dragon Bone Beach?"

"I guess so. Quite a few important figures have come recently. I wonder if Old Demon Xie is coming too?"

Zhang Chu was frightened upon hearing the name and shook his head, saying:
"Xie Jinhuan's reputation is too great. If he comes, others won't have a chance to seize the opportunity. All the heroes will definitely kill him first, so he shouldn't be in danger. Besides, even if he comes, he'll go through Dragon Cloud Valley. We're hiding in the north, so there's no way we'll run into him again..."

He Can thought about it and agreed. Just as he was observing, he suddenly noticed that the kitchen curtain had been lifted and a middle-aged man in a brocade robe walked in, holding a booklet in his hand.

"Oh my! Mr. Liu!"

Upon seeing this man, He Can reacted as if he had seen a ghost or a god. He quickly put down the spatula, wiped his hands, and came over, fawningly saying:

"Didn't we already pay this month's taxes? The shop just opened and business hasn't been great yet, Mr. Liu, please have mercy..."

Upon seeing this person, Zhang Chu immediately put on a humble smile, bowing and scraping as he helped pour tea.

After all, this middle-aged man was a staff member of the Yanbo City Tax Office, responsible for tax collection in Shuanlong Port.

In the Southern Dynasty, tax evasion could be suppressed if one had strong connections, but in Dragon Bone Beach, even the Five Realms Ancestors were powerless against tax evasion, since it was the very foundation of Yanbo City's existence.

However, Yanbo City doesn't force people to drink blood; it simply charges silver normally. If you don't want to spend money, you can donate blood to offset the cost. Since the amount is small and doesn't affect your health, most people choose the latter. That's why the righteous path can't say that Shang Lianbi is wrong.

The two men initially thought the tax collector was trying to extort money or kickbacks, but the middle-aged man didn't just grab a few pork knuckles and cabbages; instead, he opened the booklet:

Who is He Can?

"I...Does Master Liu need to see me?"

"Yes. You've hit the jackpot, kid. The taxes you paid a few months ago were sent to Yanbo City for examination, and they said you have extraordinary bone structure and want you to report to Yanbo City..."

"what?"

He Can was slightly taken aback and said in disbelief:
"You think you can tell I have extraordinary bone structure just by exchanging a bit of blood essence? Aren't all these people supposed to be mixed up together?"

The middle-aged man frowned:
"Who knows what's hidden in this mess? Everyone in Dragon Bone Beach has a record of paying taxes. The experts above can tell what's going on with just a glance. Many people are sick but don't know it. They still have to be treated by doctors sent by the higher-ups. My Yanbo City is a reputable sect. Do you think this is some kind of evil little workshop? Hurry up and pack your things. The experts from Yanbo City are waiting outside."

"..."

He Can truly hadn't expected Yanbo City to be so professional, even conducting a physical examination for the sacrificial offerings first. He knew the true nature of his bloodline; if Yanbo City discovered it, he feared it wouldn't end well. After thinking for a moment, he said:
"Can I not go? This restaurant has only been open for a few months..."

"What do you think?"

Knowing that he could not escape his fate, He Can had no choice but to take off his apron.

Seeing this, Zhang Chu reluctantly said goodbye:

"Farewell. I'll look after 'Jin Huan Stir-Fry Restaurant' for you. If you come back alive..."

"No, we must live and die together, Master Liu, I must go with my brothers..."

"Hey? You son of a bitch..."

"Yanbo City isn't going to kill you. What kind of restaurant can you run without a cook? If you want to leave together, pack your things now. Hey you, hurry up!"

"..."

Zhang Chu looked bewildered. After taking a deep breath, he raised his hand and pointed at He Can, then took off his apron and threw it heavily onto the stove...

……
-
Volume 5: The Rebellious Dragon Subdues the Court (The End)

Volume 6: Forging Bones in the Eastern Sea, stay tuned...

……

I originally planned to write about Southern Xinjiang for the second volume, but then I found it uninteresting, so I changed it to Dragon Bone Beach. The detailed outline is scrapped, and I'll have to take a day off tomorrow to rewrite it.
(End of this chapter)