The Demon-Slaying Grandmaster

Chapter 190 People are afraid of comparison

Hu Xian'er and Liu Cuitong knelt down, tears streaming down their faces, and said with a wronged expression, "My lord, you must do us justice."

When my sister, my brother, and I arrived here with the adults, we intended to step aside so as not to cause any trouble for the host family.

But then a libertine showed up and started verbally harassing us.

They even said they would spend a thousand taels of silver to buy my sisters.

In my haste, I punched that scoundrel.

Unexpectedly, the man, though robust, was actually a 'good-looking guy on the outside, but hollowed out by wine and women' inside.

Just one punch, and he was knocked unconscious.

Li Jingxiao rolled his eyes after hearing this. Not only did he hit Xue Pan, but he also verbally belittled him.

This is murderous and heart-breaking.

From now on, Xue Pan will definitely be ridiculed to death in the circle of playboys in Jinling.

More importantly, no good girl wants to marry a man with poor health.

Upon hearing this, Aunt Xue became even angrier, and Xue Baochai, who followed her into the side hall, twisted the handkerchief in her hand into a rope.

His eyes were blazing as he stared at Hu Xian'er, as if he wanted to tear her to pieces.

"Alright," Li Jingxiao snapped, convinced that Xue Pan's words had been offensive.

But it's also certain that Hu Xian'er deliberately targeted Xue Pan.

He ordered someone to carry Xue Pan in. Li Jingxiao could tell from the sight of Xue Pan, who was unconscious and had a lewd smile on his face, that he was right.

This kid wasn't knocked unconscious by a punch; he was actually under Hu Xian'er's spell.

As a fox spirit, she wasn't very good at fighting, but she was quite skilled at some unorthodox methods.

Xue Pan was dreaming at this moment, unaware of what absurd dream he was having.
However, if the coma lasts too long, one may unknowingly lose too much vital energy and die from exhaustion.

Even if they don't die, the physical depletion will be severe.

Li Jingxiao glared at Hu Xian'er again, annoyed, and raised his hand to condense a bolt of lightning.

With a flick of his finger, the lightning struck Xue Pan's chest. A flash of electricity caused Xue Pan's body to tremble slightly from the shock, but the spell within him was broken.

Seeing this, Li Jingxiao fired another bolt of lightning.

After being shocked a few more times, Xue Pan suddenly regained consciousness.

The residual current caused it to bounce directly off the ground.

Then, with a cry of pain, he felt his leg go numb and sat down hard on the ground, howling in agony.

Li Jingxiao, annoyed by his noise, flicked his finger, striking the boy's acupoint that made him mute.

Then he cupped his hands to Lin Ruhai and said, "Uncle, if you have nothing else to do, why don't you come with me to the inner room for a cup of tea?"

Lin Ruhai was waiting for Li Jingxiao to talk about Jia Zhu, so he nodded and went into the inner room with Li Jingxiao.

Despite the fact that many members of the Jia family in Jinling share the same surname, in terms of kinship, none of them hold the same high status as Lin Ruhai and Li Jingxiao, the sons-in-law of the Rongguo Mansion across two generations.

Not to mention, Li Jingxiao is the hereditary Duke of Xingguo.

Lin Ruhai's ancestors were marquises for five generations, and he himself was a third-ranked scholar in the imperial examinations. He served as "Grand Master of the Imperial Academy" and "Salt Inspector".

His official rank was higher than that of everyone else in the entire Jia family.

Before Li Jingxiao, Lin Ruhai was the Jia family's closest and most reliable outsider.

Therefore, although Li Jingxiao and Lin Ruhai were relatively polite to the Jia family's Twelve Houses of Jinling, it was only polite on the surface.

Neither of them really cared about or valued these Jia family members.

However, several elders from the twelfth branch of the clan shamelessly followed them inside, and Li Jingxiao didn't care.

These people were worried about Jia Zhu's safety, partly out of genuine concern, but partly out of fear of being implicated in the wrath of the Ning and Rong mansions.

So even if Li Jingxiao didn't invite them, the clan elders still insisted on confirming whether Jia Zhu was dead or alive.

Li Jingxiao sat directly in the main seat, while Lin Ruhai casually sat in the second seat.

The clan elders didn't care; one of them was a Duke, and the other was the Salt Commissioner of Yangzhou.

Only when visiting the homes of several clan elders would one show courtesy and allow them to sit in the seat of honor.

Soon, several maids brought in tea, and Li Jingxiao took a sip.

After thinking it over, he decided to conceal the fact that Jia Zhu was dead and was now just a ghost.

Anyway, whether that kid is human or ghost, he's already made up his mind to become a live-in son-in-law.

Telling others would only invite trouble.

He said with a smile, "Uncle, Brother Zhu has actually turned misfortune into blessing."

Not only is he safe now, but who knows, he might even become an immortal or an ancestor, enjoying endless wealth and glory.

Lin Ruhai and the others were all taken aback and hurriedly asked, "Duke Xingguo, what do you mean by that?"

Li Jingxiao shook his head. "There are some things that are hard to say openly. My brother-in-law fell into the water and was rescued by a strange person."

Not only would she teach him magical arts, but even her own third daughter planned to marry him; it was truly enviable.

After saying that, Li Jingxiao deliberately showed an envious expression and sighed, saying, "That Third Princess is as beautiful as a flower, and she is as capable as any man. Her martial arts skills are truly remarkable."

She fell in love with Brother Zhu at first sight and took care of him personally for many days while he was in a coma.

When I saw them yesterday and this morning, it seemed like one of them was interested in the other.

Good news is just around the corner.

"This, this," Lin Ruhai was not only somewhat flustered, but several clan elders were also dumbfounded.

Although Li Jingxiao said earlier that "some things are not easy to say outright."

But then they talk about supernatural beings and immortal techniques.

It's the Third Sister again, then the Third Princess—it's all so confusing.

With a little thought, one can quickly make the connection: could she be the dragon princess of the Dragon King in the great rivers and lakes?

Otherwise, who is qualified to be called a princess?
If I'm not mistaken, it really was an extraordinary opportunity.

However, to make a private engagement is not only against etiquette and filial piety.

Jia Zhu already had a wife and children, but he abandoned his family and career to become a live-in son-in-law.

Even if this is going to the Dragon Palace to become a son-in-law, it is still an act of filial impiety and heartlessness.

Lin Ruhai sighed softly, thinking to himself that his brother-in-law, Master Zheng, was also a pitiful man.

Such a fine scholar's son, gone just like that. I don't know how much I'll suffer in the future.

But for the elders of the Jia family in Jinling, upon careful consideration, the benefits of Jia Zhu becoming the Dragon King's son-in-law were far greater than his becoming an official.

With Lin Ruhai in the past and Li Jingxiao as a son-in-law, the Jia family was guaranteed prosperity for decades.

Even a hundred years or so.

Therefore, whether Jia Zhu could become an official was merely icing on the cake.

Furthermore, if Jia Zhu were to become an official, the Ning and Rong mansions in the capital and the other six branches would benefit the most.

But as the son-in-law of the Dragon Palace in the South, he would have many more opportunities to take care of the Twelve Families of Jinling.

Even if Jia Zhu himself was unwilling to take care of the Jinling clan, as long as the outside world knew that he was the Dragon Palace's son-in-law.

The title alone is already very useful.

Li Jingxiao could tell what the old men were thinking just by looking at their eyes and expressions.

He cupped his hands in greeting to Lin Ruhai and said, "Uncle, the messenger who rode to the capital a few days ago should be arriving at my father-in-law's house soon."

To avoid causing my mother-in-law and my in-laws to worry and fall ill, I, your nephew, will return to Beijing now to report the truth.

Lin Ruhai nodded with some regret, as he had originally intended to invite Li Jingxiao to Yangzhou for a few days.

For now, we can only let it go.

As they walked out together, Li Jingxiao thought for a moment and then whispered, "Uncle, I have a close relationship with the City God of Yangzhou."

If you have an extremely urgent matter, go to the City God Temple and ask the City God to deliver your message. It will reach the capital within a day.

Lin Ruhai was taken aback, but quickly realized that it must be through the underworld's post station system, otherwise it wouldn't be possible to get there so quickly.

Moreover, if one encounters anything strange, seeking help from the City God of Yangzhou will immediately bring assistance.

He nodded and thanked him profusely, feeling increasingly close to Li Jingxiao.

If his daughter Daiyu weren't still a little girl, he would have already considered marrying her off to Li Jingxiao.

However, considering that Li Jingxiao already had two wives and concubines, Lin Ruhai shook his head.

How could my own daughter possibly become someone else's concubine?

As soon as he stepped out of the hall, he saw Xue Pan rush over and kneel down in front of him with a thud, kowtowing repeatedly.

Li Jingxiao smiled, but did not release his speech acupoint.

"He is usually vulgar and dissolute, lacks manners, and is arrogant and domineering, relying on his wealth and power to bully others."

If I didn't know you were a loyal and sentimental person, I wouldn't just be giving you a lesson today; you'll be able to speak properly in a few days.

"Remember to behave yourself from now on. If you continue to act recklessly, I'll make you taste what it's like to be hung up and whipped, just like I did with Rong-ge'er."

At this moment, Xue Pan dared not utter a single word of 'no'.

Moreover, although he was beaten and punished, he did have some merits, knowing that his cousin-in-law Li Jingxiao was doing it for his own good.

Not only did he not hold a grudge, but he also thought of Jia Rong, who had just been bestowed with a qilin robe by the emperor.

He was promoted to the rank of 'Cavalry Captain' (4th rank) and 'Deputy Commander of the Left Garrison of the Embroidered Uniform Guard' (5th rank).

While feeling envious, I couldn't help but think that even the heir of the Ningguo Mansion had been hung up and whipped by his brother-in-law.

Suddenly, I realized that being unable to speak for only three to five days was already a mild case.

With comparison, the bitterness in my heart doesn't feel so bad.

He kowtowed a few more times with a grin before getting up and beckoning to the servants in his household.

A dozen or so servants from the Xue family hurriedly carried over four boxes.

Xue Pan opened it himself and found it filled with fine silks, satins, exquisite porcelain, and jade from Jiangnan.

Other teas include Biluochun, West Lake Longjing, Qimen black tea, and Wuyuan Mingmei.

The last box contained more than ten kinds of famous Jiangnan pastries, which showed that the chef had put a lot of thought into it.

Li Jingxiao smiled and nodded to Xue Pan, then waved his hand to collect all four boxes.

He praised Xue Pan a few more times, making Xue Pan so happy he couldn't stop smiling.

Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai, who were standing to the side, also breathed a heavy sigh of relief, and the smiles on their faces became more genuine.

He thought to himself that if Xue Pan really gained the favor of his cousin-in-law, the Xue family would surely prosper again in the future.

However, upon seeing Hu Xian'er and Liu Cuitong step forward and stand beside Li Jingxiao, they noticed...

Not only did Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai's expressions change, but Xue Pan was so frightened that he took a few steps back.

Hu Xian'er did not just punch Xue Pan once, as she herself claimed.

If I hadn't known that this kid was the second wife of the Li family's direct cousin, I definitely wouldn't have just used a mind-control technique to make him have erotic dreams.

Although the two female demons had not killed anyone, it did not mean they were easy to talk to.

In the eyes of these great demons who have lived for hundreds of years, ordinary people are no different from ants.

Sometimes, when it starts to torment you, it just never ends.

It would be better to just kill him; he would suffer less.

Li Jingxiao bowed to Lin Ruhai, several elders of the Jia family, and Aunt Xue.

He nodded to Xue Baochai, who was already around ten years old, and with a thought, three flying swords appeared out of thin air.

With Hu Xian'er and Liu Cuitong by his side, he leaped onto the flying sword, which was seven or eight meters high.

With a whoosh, it rose to a height of 100 meters in the blink of an eye, then the flying sword sliced ​​through the sky, leaving a long trail of air that gradually disappeared.

Lin Ruhai couldn't help but sigh. No wonder that kid Jia Zhu gave up such a promising future and insisted on becoming the Dragon Palace's live-in son-in-law.

If it were me, and I had the chance to become an immortal, I would probably be willing to give up everything.

Xue Pan's eyes lit up; as a man, no one wouldn't want to be a sword immortal who can fly and escape into the earth.

For a time, all the riches and honors seemed less appealing than the allure of seeking immortality and enlightenment.

But when I think about it, I realize that I only benefited from my cousin Yuan Chun's fame; otherwise, how would my cousin's husband know me?

Besides, if my brother-in-law were to impart immortal techniques, he would first think of that boy Baoyu.

I heard that my brother-in-law's first wife also has a younger brother.

Even that kid Jia Rong has a better chance than me.

With this in mind, Xue Pan not only wanted to go to the capital, but also wanted to see his younger sister, Xue Baochai.

She thought to herself, "My sister is only slightly inferior to my elder sister Yuan Chun in terms of family background, but in other aspects, her character and appearance are second to none."

If I don't have the chance to be the wife, being a concubine shouldn't be a problem, right?
Despite his many flaws, Xue Pan was a man of great loyalty and affection, and he doted on his younger sister the most.

He thought to himself, "I should test the waters with the girl first."

If the girl is willing, then there's no need to say anything more.

This is a good thing for her, for her older brother, and even for the Xue family.

If he doesn't want to, he can always search all over Jiangnan and find more pretty girls; surely one of them will win his cousin's husband's heart.

If Aunt Xue and Xue Baochai knew what this boy was thinking, they would be furious.

Nobody is more brainless than him.

He's a complete wastrel and a good-for-nothing.

Lin Ruhai also bid farewell to several clan elders, which took several days, and there was still a lot of work piling up in the government office.

So Lin Ruhai was unwilling to stay another night and took his servants on a boat back to Yangzhou.

Anyway, it's only a waterway of about 200 miles, I'll definitely be home before dark.

Before Lin Ruhai even arrived in Yangzhou, Li Jingxiao had already returned to the capital with Hu Xian'er and Liu Cuitong.

Once inside the Zhenwu Temple, Li Jingxiao was about to give Hu Xian'er a scolding when the woman unexpectedly grabbed his arm.

Smiling and winking, she said, "My lord has been away for many days. I have gained some insights from reading ancient books these days. How about we play a few rounds of chess?"

The so-called "hand talk" is just playing chess. Li Jingxiao rolled his eyes at this vixen.

Just as he was about to agree, he shook his head.

While a stable income from experience is indeed important to me.

But Li Jingxiao wouldn't let Hu Xian'er hold him back just because of that.

Besides, I leveled up 4 times in just one trip, and gained at least 340,000 to 350,000 experience points.

Playing chess with Hu Xian'er for a few less days would only result in a few thousand experience points.

When Hu Xian'er saw Li Jingxiao shake his head, she immediately panicked.

The expression on his face became increasingly pitiful.

Li Jingxiao's method of punishing this woman was also very simple.

Depriving her of monkey spirit wine for 10 days is more effective than other punishments in teaching her a lesson.

Sure enough, Hu Xian'er got furious after hearing that.

But when he thought about how Li Jingxiao could even defeat a dragon and almost turn it into a skewer, he immediately stopped showing any displeasure.

He obediently bowed his head and accepted the punishment, but when Li Jingxiao left Zhenwu Temple and mounted his horse to go to the Jia family...

The woman glared fiercely at Liu Cuitong.

(End of this chapter)