The Demon-Slaying Grandmaster

Chapter 186 Everything is for myself

Li Jingxiao watched as his brother-in-law appeared dazed and pale.

It's obvious at a glance that he has indeed become a ghost.

He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

She saved him once, but little did she know that just over a year later, their next meeting would be a separation of life and death, a separation between the living and the dead.

However, they were able to stabilize Jia Zhu's spirit and leave his ghost in the world.

It seems that Jieshou Lake has a rich history.

Otherwise, when the underworld officials come to collect your soul, you can't just stay as you please.

But thinking about it, even a Dragon King is still an official, and even if he is just a Dragon King in a lake, he should at least be a seventh or eighth-rank official.

Even though he wasn't recognized by the Heavenly Court and was just a wild dragon king, the turtle prime minister had said that his dragon king was visiting relatives at Pengze Lake.

Dealing with the underworld officials isn't actually that difficult.

Yesterday, I used some monkey spirit wine and four 50-tael gold ingots to deal with the two ghost messengers.

Given the wealth of the Lake Dragon King, it should be even easier.

Moreover, the good things in the big lakes are not necessarily more than those in the mountains and rivers.

But since humans can't reach the bottom of the lake, there are actually more good things in the lake.

Since Jia Zhu has become a ghost with the chance of immortality, he is indeed easily blinded by temptation.

Once Jia Zhu reached the shore, a group of shrimp soldiers and crab generals carried and arranged exquisite tables, chairs, and wine sets.

Then a dozen or so young women, carrying trays filled with fine wine and food, walked ashore from the lake.

She placed it on the table, and then said in a sweet voice, "My princess is already engaged to Young Master Jia, so it is not appropriate for her to appear before you, sir."

Please forgive me, young master.

Li Jingxiao waved his hand, saying that since the so-called Third Princess had been educated, it was actually a sign of her being polite and understanding of etiquette not to meet with outsiders before marriage.

But he always felt that the Dragon King and his daughter from Jieshou Lake had ulterior motives.

They scoffed at the idea that she liked talented men.

It's possible that Jia Zhu might try to take advantage of him.

Therefore, Li Jingxiao was still very wary at this moment.

Moreover, Li Jingxiao also thought that once a person becomes a ghost, their thoughts will most likely be different from before.

But since he is Jia Zhu's brother-in-law, it might be the best choice for him to persuade Jia Zhu to reincarnate in the underworld.

Ghost cultivation is inherently much more difficult than demon cultivation or human cultivation. If things go wrong in the future, both body and soul will be destroyed.

Then they would truly disappear completely from this world.

Li Jingxiao deliberately provoked Jia Zhu, saying, "Brother Zhu, although your situation is somewhat special..."

However, marriage is a major event that is determined by the parents' wishes and the matchmaker's words.

Besides, you are a scholar who has studied the classics. Even if you have hidden reasons and hardships, you cannot make a private engagement with someone.

At the very least, you should have informed them. Why are you in such a hurry to remarry?

Jia Zhu blushed instantly, her eyes darting around, making Li Jingxiao even more suspicious that there was something going on.

However, when Jia Zhu looked at Li Jingxiao, who was dashing and handsome, he was surprised.

Instead, it made me even more convinced that my choice was right.

He picked up the wine pot and personally filled a cup for Li Jingxiao.

He handed it to Li Jingxiao and said, "Brother, you are a once-in-a-century genius."

At only sixteen years old, his Taoist magic and supernatural powers astonished heaven and earth and made ghosts and gods weep.

Once on the battlefield, he could emulate the champion, who fought across thousands of miles, leaving the grasslands draped in mourning cloth and adorned with white silk.

He can be described as a hero among men, one of a kind in the world.

But what about me, brother?
"I'm over twenty, and I've been studying for ten years, yet I've accomplished nothing."

Li Jingxiao disagreed with this statement; this kid was now a Juren (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

A twenty-year-old who has passed the imperial examination, especially one from Nanjing, a city known for its highly competitive examinations, is already a remarkable achievement.

If I pass the provincial examination next year, I will surely become a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations).

The so-called "twenty young scholars who passed the imperial examination"

Even if a twenty-year-old Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) is only a third-class Jinshi, he is still incredibly prestigious.

Given the Jia family's connections, he would definitely be promoted much faster than other graduates of the same cohort.

However, seeing Jia Zhu's absent-minded appearance, Li Jingxiao couldn't bring himself to say some of his words.

Just assume that he was making excuses for himself out of helplessness.

Sure enough, Jia Zhu said again, "And let me tell you the truth, brother."

The classics are good, but I've really had enough of them.

He began his education at the age of five, passed the county-level imperial examination at the age of fourteen, and became a provincial-level scholar at the age of twenty. He has endured countless hardships over the years.

However, in order not to embarrass his parents and family, he worked hard for many years and finally achieved some success. In this autumn examination, he passed the Jinling provincial examination with top honors in the Five Classics.

I thought it would bring honor to my ancestors.

In reality, many of his fellow townsmen and classmates in Jinling believed that his brother's success in passing the Five Classics Examination was entirely due to his family's power and the favor of the officials in charge of the examinations.

I am filled with sorrow and have no one to confide in.

A few days ago, I fell into the water. Actually, I was just feeling down. While sailing, I thought I'd have a few drinks to get rid of my worries and then sleep it off.

Unexpectedly, while drunk, he felt hot all over.

While enjoying the river breeze on the boat, I accidentally fell into the water.

Li Jingxiao was stunned. He had always suspected that someone was trying to harm him, but he never expected that the truth was that he had accidentally fallen into the water.
Damn, is their mental resilience that low?
For a moment, Li Jingxiao truly couldn't believe it.

He looked at Jia Zhu with an expression of disbelief on his face.

Jia Zhu gave an awkward smile, but still said again, "It was indeed due to a moment of carelessness that I fell into the water."

Li Jingxiao rolled his eyes at Jia Zhu, regardless of whether he had been framed or not.

Suddenly, I felt that Jia Zhu might be feeling depressed and drunk, and in a moment of despair, he might have suicidal thoughts.

This excuse would actually make Li Jingxiao believe it.

Moreover, if it were truly suicide, no one would be comfortable telling the truth, so they would say it was an accidental drowning.

If that's the case, things are actually simpler.

Li Jingxiao sighed, picked up the wine pot, and poured a cup of wine for Jia Zhu and himself.

The two brothers clinked glasses.

Jia Zhu then continued, "Ever since I was rescued by my father-in-law, I have personally witnessed the Dragon Palace of Jieshou Lake."

My brother suddenly understood; all he thought about was cultivating the Tao and achieving immortality.

My heart can never go back to what it was before.

Li Jingxiao could understand this. In the past, Jia Zhu studied hard to take the imperial examinations, which was something he had no choice but to do.

But then I suddenly came across the legendary people and things like the Dragon King and the Dragon Palace.

And they have the opportunity to cultivate Taoism and achieve immortality, an opportunity that is right in front of them.

Anyone in that situation would probably have made the same choice as Jia Zhu.

Even from a purely profit-driven perspective.

The rewards from cultivation are far greater than those from the imperial examinations.

Once one possesses extraordinary power, the allure of the imperial examinations and becoming an official will certainly diminish significantly.

But Li Jingxiao wanted both.

Li Jingxiao sighed, raised his glass to Jia Zhu and said, "Well, everyone has their own ambitions, and which path they choose is their own decision."

Jia Zhu thought he would have to use more persuasion to convince Li Jingxiao.

He was surprised that Li Jingxiao understood him after he had only said a few words from the heart, and he couldn't help but feel grateful.

He secretly thought that his younger brother Jingyou was indeed no ordinary person.

However, Li Jingxiao still had some doubts.

Some things, upon closer examination, still don't make sense.

Whether Jia Zhu jumped into the river on his own or accidentally fell in, the boat he was on shouldn't have capsized, right?
Even if the boat capsized, the dozen or so people on board shouldn't all have died.

At least the boatmen who row the boat are usually excellent swimmers, so it's understandable that one or two of them would die.

If they're all dead, then that doesn't make sense.

Therefore, Li Jingxiao still suspected that there was something wrong with this matter.

After thinking it over, I decided to try again.

Therefore, it appears difficult.

He sighed and said, "It's just a pity for my sister-in-law, living like a widow at such a young age."

Lan'er is so young, yet she can't spend much time with her father.

Jia Zhu was at a loss for words.

No matter how you look at it, I truly feel sorry for that mother and son.

It is also a great act of filial impiety to be unable to fulfill one's filial duties to one's parents and grandmother.

He broke his promise to his lawfully wedded wife and failed to fulfill his responsibilities and care as a father to his only son.

Feeling confused and remorseful for his lack of filial piety towards his parents, Jia Zhu was immediately struck by these thoughts.

I almost gave up and went back with Li Jingxiao.

Hearing this, the Dragon King, Dragon Girl, and Earth God of Jieshou Lake, who were eavesdropping at the bottom of the lake, thought to themselves, "What a sharp tongue!"

If Jia Zhu had even a shred of shame or morality, he shouldn't have abandoned his family and career.

But if one can see through the illusions of the world and devote oneself to cultivating the Tao.

Then he wouldn't have any real feelings for the Third Princess of Jieshou Lake.

However, people are selfish. Jia Zhu actually hoped that Li Jingxiao would say that he wanted to cultivate, and that he, as his brother-in-law, could help him.

But Li Jingxiao didn't mention it at all, so Jia Zhu knew in his heart that he probably wouldn't be able to learn the cultivation method from his brother-in-law, Li Jingxiao.

This further solidified his resolve to stay.

When Li Jingxiao saw Jia Zhu's expression gradually calm down, he knew in his heart that he couldn't persuade him anymore.

With a helpless smile, he realized that despite his efforts to persuade Jia Zhu, he remained unmoved, and he had done his duty as a relative by marriage.

From Jia Zhu's perspective, Li Jingxiao was just talking without understanding the situation.

You're someone with cheat codes, you have no shortage of cultivation techniques or magical treasures, and you can even level up to improve your innate talent and comprehension.

The cultivation speed is so fast it's like taking off.

They simply cannot comprehend the immense price one must pay to cultivate immortality and achieve eternal life.

Fortunately, Jia Zhu still couldn't completely let go of his parents, wife, and children, and beckoned to a dragon palace maid.

He took a bag of the finest freshwater pearls and placed it in front of Li Jingxiao.

"Jingyou, this is a small token of my respect to our parents and grandmother. Please pass it on to them."

Furthermore, barring unforeseen circumstances, a generous gift will undoubtedly be sent to the capital every year during festivals and holidays.

Li Jingxiao casually opened it and his eyes lit up.

Twenty or thirty pearls, each round and lustrous, with kernels as large as longan seeds, truly excellent freshwater pearls.

One of them can easily sell for two or three hundred taels of silver.

This bag contains five or six thousand taels of silver, which is quite a lot.

After Li Jingxiao agreed to pass it on to his father-in-law, Jia Zhu added, "Jingyou, I have another request."

Li Jingxiao thought to himself, "They're here."

He didn't rush to speak, but just silently watched the boy.

Helpless, Jia Zhu could only tell the whole story, "My father-in-law has been dedicated to maintaining the Sui and Tang Grand Canal since the establishment of the Dragon Palace. He has never intended to harm anyone and has made great contributions."

However, over the years, Jieshou Lake has been affected by the backflow of the Yangtze and Huai Rivers, causing multiple large lakes to converge and now forming an even larger lake.

As a result, they have many grudges and conflicts with other aquatic creatures.

In particular, a powerful figure has recently arrived in the neighboring Baoying Lake and has been causing a lot of disturbance to Jieshou Lake.

Even boats passing through the canal and fishing boats carrying large fish often capsized.

He then wanted to ask Jingyou to report to Maoshan and invite a celestial master to subdue the demon.

Li Jingxiao burst into laughter after hearing this.

The Third Miss of the Dragon Palace is in love with a scholar.

The Dragon King had a fortuitous encounter and saved Jia Zhu.

All the talk about the powerful figures causing trouble ultimately boils down to the goal of upgrading from the Dragon King of Jieshou Lake to the Dragon King of Gaoyou Lake.

Back then, Jieshou Lake was only a small part of the entire Gaoyou Lake.

It might be less than one-fifth.

Once someone becomes the only Dragon King in the entire Gaoyou Lake, they will receive worship and incense offerings from the people around the lake.

Perhaps they can even leap over the Dragon Gate like a carp, truly transforming into a dragon.

The benefits involved are enormous, no wonder they insist on finding a son-in-law from an extraordinary background and a distinguished family.

And once a person becomes a ghost, they are indeed different from before.

Thinking of this, Li Jingxiao couldn't help but burst into laughter again.

Jia Zhu looked embarrassed, but pretended to be surprised as she looked at Li Jingxiao, who was laughing uncontrollably.

"Jingyou, why is this?"

Li Jingxiao stopped laughing, and sneered inwardly.

Regardless of whether his brother-in-law had become foolish from studying too much or had been misled.

Or perhaps they're pretending not to understand, and together they're trying to fool themselves.

Then, they went to Maoshan to invite a master to help them eliminate their opponent.

Jia Zhu can also use this as a basis for advancement, so that he can live a stable life as the prince consort in the Dragon Palace in the future.

In short, I will never trust this guy again.

However, Li Jingxiao had a sudden thought. No matter what their schemes were, demons and monsters were just experience to him.

Even the Dragon King of Jieshou Lake, if he is a treacherous villain disguised as a loyal one, will be able to eliminate the aquatic forces of Baoying Lake after that.

He turned around and wiped out the entire Dragon Palace of Jieshou Lake.

Moreover, Maoshan is very close to this place, and it is only about 270 or 280 li from Gaoyou to Changzhou.

It's even closer to Maoshan, so if you really encounter a powerful demon, you can indeed ask for help.

So after putting on an act, Li Jingxiao said, "Inviting the immortals of Maoshan is not difficult, but I can't just go up the mountain to ask them without any real knowledge."

In the eyes of the Maoshan immortals, having a different perspective than their elder brother would actually be a bad thing.

Jia Zhu was taken aback. In his heart, he had always firmly believed that the Dragon Palace of Jieshou Lake had been built for almost 300 years.

Those who come later are naturally invaders.

I never even considered whether the responsibility for the conflict and fight between the two sides lay with the aquatic creatures on the Baoying Lake side or the aquatic creatures on the Jieshou Lake side who provoked first.

At this point, the Dragon King could no longer sit still.

Meanwhile, the local earth god chuckled to himself, thinking to himself, "Does he really think that this young master Li is like that young master Jia, easily fooled by a few words?"
However, Jia Zhu did not make a mistake in saying one thing.

That new strongman from Baoying Lake does indeed have a penchant for capsizing fishing boats.

They even forced villagers to send away young boys and girls.

Therefore, for the local earth god, killing the black fish demon not only eliminated a powerful demon threatening him, but also reduced the number of vengeful spirits and water ghosts causing trouble.

When the Dragon King of Jieshou Lake emerged from beneath the lake's surface, the Earth God followed him ashore.

As soon as Li Jingxiao saw the Dragon King, he knew that this guy was not a real dragon at all, not even a jiaolong.

A carp spirit with hundreds of years of cultivation dares to call itself the Dragon King?
If it weren't for wanting to gain experience, Li Jingxiao might have beaten him up first.

After some polite exchanges, the carp spirit claimed that it had some connection with the Li Tang dynasty, and therefore also shared the surname Li.

He shares the same surname as Li Jingxiao, but Li Jingxiao immediately guessed that all carp spirits in the world would become powerful once they achieved their goal.

In order to elevate their own status, they would almost always try to associate themselves with the Li Tang dynasty.

(End of this chapter)