The Demon-Slaying Grandmaster

Chapter 183 Having connections makes things easier

Seeing that the two ghost messengers were on the right track, Li Jingxiao couldn't help but feel a sense of goodwill towards them.

Moreover, he has always been accustomed to give and take.

When you ask someone for a favor, you should offer them a reward so that you can get along well with them in the future.

He casually took out a jar of Monkey Spirit Wine from his inventory.

As soon as the cork was popped, the air was filled with the aroma of wine, and a wisp of spiritual energy wafted out as well.

The two ghost messengers and Yue Zhongjie couldn't help but move their throats.

Although the spiritual energy wasn't abundant, the aroma of the monkey wine was incredibly enticing.

That's the good thing about games; the quality is absolutely guaranteed.

The combination of spiritual energy and fine wine, coupled with the rarity of monkey wine itself, makes this wine a valuable item even in the underworld.

Seeing that the Monkey Spirit Wine also attracted the ghost messengers and the mountain god, Li Jingxiao felt relieved.

He casually tossed the wine jar to Yue Zhongjie, saying, "General, you've worked hard all day, take a break."

Yue Zhongjie was overjoyed, caught the wine jar, and carefully drank it sip by sip.

The two ghost messengers, smelling the aroma of the wine and watching Yue Zhongjie as if he were savoring fine wine, swallowed even more frequently.

Li Jingxiao then smiled and said, "I invited you two officials here for no other reason than this."

"All I want is to find the real culprit who killed my elder brother from Zhenwu Temple a year ago."

Upon hearing this, the two ghost messengers, seeing the Ma brothers firmly bound by the Immortal Binding Rope, immediately understood.

He hurriedly cupped his hands and said, "Don't worry, Your Excellency, this is a small matter that my brother and I can handle."

After saying that, he looked at Li Jingxiao again and said hesitantly, "But this matter needs to be discussed with the judge of the 'Investigation Department'."

At the very least, you should go to the local City God; he should be able to find information about those who died unjustly.

We brothers could consult the judge of the 'Investigating Department,' that is...

Li Jingxiao immediately understood that this was a bribe.

He casually took out ten jars of Monkey Spirit Wine from his inventory.

After thinking for a moment, he took out four gold ingots weighing 50 taels each. "The wine and pastries are not bad. I happened to meet two officials today. Would you mind quenching your thirst?"

Seeing Li Jingxiao blatantly calling the gold ingots pastries, the smiles on the faces of the two ghost messengers became even brighter.

He hurriedly thanked them, put away the gold ingots and 10 jars of spirit wine, and bowed to Li Jingxiao.

"Please wait a moment, Your Excellency. We will be right back."

When the two ghost messengers returned to the underworld, they did not go directly to Judge Lu of the 'Inspection Department'.

If you can get the information from the City God, there's really no need to go to the Judge.

Upon arriving at the Underworld, find the patrolling official and present him with two jars of spirit wine.

In just half an hour, the two obtained the information that Li Jingxiao wanted.

However, just as the two ghost messengers were about to leave, they were stopped by the patrolling envoy.

The two ghost messengers knew that the other party had seen through their tricks and was trying to get more benefits.

They could only reluctantly hand over two gold ingots and two jars of Monkey Spirit Wine before the patrolling envoy smiled and let the two go.

By the time the two ghost messengers returned to the mountain stronghold, the moon was already high in the sky.

Li Jingxiao and Yue Zhongjie had just started a fire, roasting a whole sheep while drinking monkey spirit wine.

As soon as the two ghost messengers appeared, they smelled a rich aroma of wine and meat.

Li Jingxiao knew that the ghost messengers could drink alcohol.

But whether he could eat meat was something he wasn't sure about.

In Uncle Ying's movies, it was mentioned that ghost messengers liked to drink alcohol and eat eggs.

Since eggs are edible, it's actually normal to eat meat.

Sure enough, Yue Zhongjie casually tore open the two roasted lamb legs and threw them to the two ghost messengers.

Then he pointed to the wine jar on the ground, "Pour your own wine."

After saying that, he took out a small knife, cut a few pieces of tender lamb tenderloin, put them on a jade plate, and handed them to Li Jingxiao.

Li Jingxiao smiled and accepted the gourd, took out the purple-gold gourd, and toasted with Yue Zhongjie and the two ghost messengers from a distance, taking a big gulp of wine.

Only then did he smile and begin to eat the meat.

After eating and drinking their fill, the two ghost messengers quickly wiped their hands and handed over the information they had found in the Underworld to Li Jingxiao.

Li Jingxiao took it and examined it, confirming that Ma Yaoyang was the real culprit who killed his grandmaster and master.

Moreover, when our master and the others were ambushed, it was Ma Boyang and two other evil cultivators who launched the sneak attack, which is why none of our master and the others escaped.

Li Jingxiao looked at the Ma brothers and saw their fear on their faces. He felt that simply killing them was not enough to vent his anger.

He smiled and said to the two ghost messengers, "My lords, I accuse these two men of being Han Chinese who are trying to sow discord between the Great Zhou and Annam."

They also spread rumors, framed and slandered officials of the Great Zhou Dynasty.

He even killed people to cover up his crimes in the Great Zhou Dynasty.

He also instigated discord among the villagers, including fathers, sons, brothers, and sisters.

To cultivate Gu worms, they wantonly slaughtered livestock and living people.

He was just captured by me, but he refuses to confess his crimes and the truth of what happened back then.

They disrespect their parents, take crooked paths, and blaspheme against the gods.

Before Li Jingxiao could finish speaking, the two ghost messengers and Yue Zhongjie's expressions grew increasingly grim as they listened.

According to Li Jingxiao, these two evil Taoists are enough to send you to the eighteenth level of hell.

They would have to endure countless years of torture in at least seventy or eighty hells without ever being able to escape.

With a little extra effort, you could easily enjoy a meal that's like living in the deepest hell.

Seeing Li Jingxiao looking at them, the two ghost messengers nodded hurriedly, "Don't worry, sir, we will definitely report the matter you mentioned to Judge Zhong of the Punishment Department."

However, how Lord Zhong decides is not something that my brother and I can decide.

but,,,".

Li Jingxiao smiled. Despite Zhong Kui's iron-fisted and impartial nature, he was not inflexible.

Since the crimes committed are enough to send one to multiple hells, it is already destined that one will never be able to escape from hell.

Some hells, once you enter, have punishments that last for at least ten thousand years.

Some have taken hundreds of thousands, millions, or even hundreds of millions of years.

Therefore, being sentenced to multiple levels of hell for punishment will ultimately lead to the same result.

After thinking for a moment, Li Jingxiao took out a level 10 Azure Cloud Fan from his inventory.

"This item is a treasure of my Zhenwu Temple. I have heard that Judge Zhong is also a master of using folding fans. Please take it to Judge Zhong for his appraisal."

It would be even better if a piece of calligraphy could be left behind.

The two ghost messengers and Yue Zhongjie immediately understood that this was a disguised bribe to Judge Zhong.

As long as Li Jingxiao doesn't go to the underworld, and Zhong Kui doesn't come to the human world to see Li Jingxiao, only heaven knows when the fan will be returned.

Even when they met, they would make an excuse that they had a pleasant conversation and forgot to return the item.

If Zhong Kui were to give Li Jingxiao a gift, especially something like the Four Treasures of the Study, it would be a matter of courtesy between scholars.

The leading ghost messenger took the Azure Cloud Fan with both hands and instantly sensed its extraordinary nature.

Everything produced in the game is made with the best craftsmanship and materials.

Moreover, with attributes that increase spell power by 15% and reduce spell cost by 15%, the more skilled the player, the more practical this fan becomes.

After sensing the fan's extraordinary nature, the ghost messenger was extremely careful and meticulously tucked it into his sleeve.

When he looked at Li Jingxiao again, his gaze became even more respectful.

In their eyes, it was merely a matter of revenge; they were even willing to give away such a superior magical artifact. If you offended them, who knows what kind of retaliation you would face in the future?

As for embezzling this treasure, the two ghost messengers didn't even dare to think about it.

Seeing that the two had put away their fans, Li Jingxiao smiled and flicked two pebbles with his finger.

It easily pierced the heads of the Ma brothers, killing them instantly.

The two ghost messengers chuckled, reached into their sleeves, and pulled out two dark iron chains, swinging them out.

Passing through the corpse, he pulled on the souls that bound the Ma brothers, instantly dragging the two vengeful spirits out of the body.

Even in their spirit form, the Ma brothers' faces revealed a deep sense of fear.

Li Jingxiao smiled and nodded at the two ghosts.

The two ghost messengers chuckled and bowed to Li Jingxiao, saying, "My lord, we will now escort these two into Fengdu City."

Li Jingxiao rose and bowed respectfully.

After watching the two ghost messengers leave, he smiled and said to Yue Zhongjie, "General Yue, I am about to return to the capital and would like to take some local specialties with me."

General, do you have any good recommendations?
"I am willing to exchange this for spirit wine, healing pills, and qi-replenishing elixirs."

Yue Zhongjie was overjoyed.

As a mountain god, he knows exactly what gems are in the ground, what good medicinal herbs and exotic flowers and fruits are in the mountains.

He had just cut up the roasted meat for Li Jingxiao and served it on a jade plate.

He clasped his hands in a fist and said, "Please wait a moment, my lord. I will be right back."

After saying that, he used a teleportation technique to quickly run towards his mountain god temple.

The speed of earth-遁术 (earth-遁术 is a type of technique that allows one to burrow underground) is naturally much faster than walking.

In the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Yue Zhongjie returned with a bundle.

Upon opening it, illuminated by the campfire, one finds jade, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, and even top-quality Panax notoginseng, Ganoderma lucidum, and Angelica sinensis.

Li Jingxiao readily accepted them all and gave Yue Zhongjie 50 jars of Monkey Spirit Wine and three bottles of 9 Nine-Flower Jade Dew Pills.

Overjoyed, Yue Zhongjie kept thanking him, while Li Jingxiao took the opportunity to ask Yue Zhongjie for another favor.

They sought out other mountain gods and local deities, and found the other two evil Taoist priests who had ambushed their master's ancestor.

Yue Zhongjie was eager for Li Jingxiao to assign him some tasks.

Not only will he receive a bottle of spirit wine as payment, making Li Jingxiao owe him a favor, but the return will certainly be substantial.

Li Jingxiao was still thinking about how to maintain contact with Yue Zhongjie.

Unexpectedly, the man smiled and said, "Don't worry, Your Excellency, as soon as there is news, I will send a message to the 'City God's Office' in the capital."

Messengers will come to your door at night or during the day, or they will appear in your dreams.

However, to avoid trouble, after you return to the capital, please go to the 'City God Temple' to offer incense and prayers.

It would be best to also send some small sacrificial animals, five kinds of fruit, and wine for the City God and his servants to enjoy.

"From now on, when they receive letters from adults, the City God's underworld officials will be more proactive."

“No problem,” Li Jingxiao nodded with a smile. The three sacrificial animals were nothing more than chicken, fish, and pig.

The three sacrificial animals are cattle, sheep, and pigs, but they are only used in high-ranking priestly activities.

The five fruits are simple: dates, plums, apricots, chestnuts, and peaches.

If it's not the right season, other fruits can be used as substitutes.

To put it simply, the type of fruit is not important; what matters are the five seasonal fruits.

And your attitude when giving gifts.

Li Jingxiao nodded to Yue Zhongjie and casually put the bodies of the Ma brothers into his inventory.

He took out the 'Wu Yue Sword' and flew into the sky, heading towards Dali.

They took away the ashes of their master and others, which were kept in the Yi Shun Prince's family temple.

Li Jingxiao originally wanted to return directly to the capital, but then he thought that he had only been out for less than a day.

They traveled from southern Xinjiang and back, at an alarmingly fast pace.

After thinking about it, he decided to go to Jinling to see Jia Zhu, but he said it was to see his brother-in-law.

Actually, he wanted to find a suitable reason to see what Xue Baochai and Lin Daiyu looked like.

However, before leaving Siming Prefecture, Li Jingxiao did not forget to repair the mountain god temple for Yue Zhongjie.

After thinking it over, Li Jingxiao did not go to find the Embroidered Uniform Guards in Siming City.

Instead, they went to Yunfeng Temple on Yunfeng Mountain.

Since they are Yue Zhongjie's neighbors and also virtuous cultivators, it would be more prudent to entrust the repair of the mountain god temple to them.

When they landed outside Yunfeng Temple on their swords, it was already midnight.

In the quiet night, the knocking sounded somewhat eerie.

The young Taoist boy guarding the gate inside the temple turned pale.

With a trembling voice, he asked from behind the door, "Who is outside? It's so late. If you have something to do, come back tomorrow."

Li Jingxiao laughed heartily, sensing the fear in the child's voice.

"Young boy, don't be afraid. I only wish to stay for one night. Moreover, I will not stay for free; I will offer incense money tomorrow."

However, to the young Taoist boy's ears, these words were like the Big Bad Wolf tricking Little Red Riding Hood into opening the door.

Asking for lodging so late is fine, but for a Taoist priest to ask for money for incense after asking for lodging doesn't sound like the behavior of a Taoist priest who travels around.

Don't be fooled by the fact that some Taoist priests are incredibly skilled at exorcising demons; in reality, the vast majority of them are just poor ghosts.

Taoist priests, especially those who travel far and wide, are even poorer.

Therefore, when traveling and staying at a Taoist temple, not only is the accommodation free, but food and drink are also free.

However, most Taoist temples and Buddhist monasteries are unwilling to receive wandering Taoist priests and monks.

Not every temple or Taoist monastery is wealthy, nor is every wandering Taoist a highly accomplished master.

Most of them are just swindlers who cheat and deceive.

Seeing that the young Taoist boy refused to open the door, Li Jingxiao had no choice but to step back a few steps, take out a Luohan bed from his inventory, and sit cross-legged to cultivate.

However, Li Jingxiao was not stupid; he remembered to release the Golden Bell Shield while cultivating.

Fortunately, the golden bell aura can be hidden when the Golden Bell Shield is not attacked.

After drinking a few sips of Monkey Spirit Wine and practicing sword control, a night passed by in the blink of an eye.

Only after daybreak did the young Taoist boy dare to open the door and look outside.

Li Jingxiao was seen meditating and cultivating in the open space outside the temple, facing the morning sun.

The young Taoist priest then realized that he had apparently kept a highly accomplished person from spending the night outside the temple.

I immediately felt nervous.

Fortunately, Li Jingxiao had no time to argue with him. Not long after, he heard footsteps approaching.

He then finished work and opened his eyes.

Seeing a dozen or so Taoist priests, they quickly followed two old Taoist priests out of the temple gate.

Li Jingxiao did not rush to get up, but continued to sit cross-legged on the Luohan bed.

When the abbot of Yunfeng Temple, his junior brother, and a dozen disciples saw Li Jingxiao's bright red robe with gold thread, they were immediately startled.

He hurriedly bowed and greeted them, "May I ask where you reside, sir, and what brings you to my Yunfeng Temple?"

Li Jingxiao didn't waste any more words with the abbot.

After introducing himself, he waved his hand and took out thirty fifty-tael silver ingots from his inventory.

They were neatly placed on the bluestone slab in front of the old Taoist priest.

(End of this chapter)