The Demon-Slaying Grandmaster

Chapter 201 The Monster Among Crabs

The captains under the command of the brothers Zhao Junmin and Zhao Junheng watched as their masters charged forward first.

Busy also rushed over to help.

While the black bear struggled, a dozen captains kept throwing out the demon-binding ropes in their hands.

Soon, seven or eight of the dozen or so long ropes were used to lock the bear's neck, forelimbs, and other parts of its body.

Moreover, the talisman on the long rope was activated instantly.

Although it didn't suppress the bear's physical strength, it did suppress the demonic energy within it.

Two small flags were raised by more than twenty people, who pulled in four directions respectively, and they really restricted the bear's movements.

Only then did the Black Wind Tai Sui truly become afraid.

Struggling desperately, Zhao Junmin felt the rope tightening, so he quickly called for more people to help.

It wasn't until more than forty Imperial Guards worked together, pulling on ten ropes, that they were finally able to restrain the bear.

The two sides continued to vie for power, but in the end, the Left Garrison Command had more men and more strength.

They kept changing people and wrestled with the bear for more than ten minutes before it began to exhaust itself.

Panting heavily, his struggles grew weaker and weaker.

A smile finally appeared on Li Jingxiao's face.

However, I also admired the bear's strength and endurance.

Jing Yue, who was sitting in front of him, was even more excited, her eyes shining and her face turning red.

Seeing this, Li Jingxiao couldn't help but smile and shake his head, then drew his 'Iron Bow' and shot an arrow.

He also covered Jingyue's eyes with his right hand.

By the time Jing Yue tried to remove her elder brother's hand, the arrow had already pierced the bear's head.

A purple-gold gourd, specifically used to subdue monsters and eerie spirits, flew out.

As Li Jingxiao absorbed the bear's soul into the gourd, a notification sounded in his mind that he had gained +1000 experience points.

Judging from its experience level, one can roughly tell that this black bear's strength is actually not very high.

When I defeated the cat-faced old woman, I had 1200 experience points.

Each of the weasels that follow the cat demon in its evil deeds gains 400 experience points.

This black bear is able to reign supreme in the Misty Forest Mountains only because of its thick skin, great strength and endurance, and the fact that it can use magic like 'Great Strength'.

However, Li Jingxiao also realized that this monster often ate people, most likely not because it was hungry, but because it realized that eating people was beneficial to cultivation.

Moreover, this black bear must be quite intelligent, deliberately pretending to be an ordinary black bear, disguising itself as a human in foggy weather, and luring pedestrians and mountain people closer.

If someone sees through its disguise, it won't chase you even if you're too far away.

This reduces the probability of attracting powerful Taoist priests to eliminate it.

After all, monsters that haven't yet reached a significant level of power don't pose much of a threat.

A skilled cultivator like myself generally doesn't like to travel around.

This Wulin Mountain is beyond the boundaries of the capital city, and the surrounding villages, towns, and townships can only report it to the county at most.

Li Jingxiao didn't even need to guess; the county government simply assumed it was a bear infestation and wouldn't report it further.

By the time Jing Yue could see again, the bear was already lying on the ground.

Even though they were fifty or sixty meters apart, Jing Yue showed no fear whatsoever.

Instead, he turned back to Li Jingxiao with dissatisfaction and snorted to express his displeasure.

Li Jingxiao laughed heartily, ignoring the little girl's sullen mood.

He said to Lu Ze, "Mountain Lord, please visit Zhenwu Temple when you have time. I will certainly treat you to fine wine."

Lu Ze knew that since the Black Wind Grand Duke was dead and even his soul had been taken away, there was no need for the Duke of Xingguo to stay here to clean up the mess.

He nodded, clasped his hands in a salute, and said, "Thank you for the invitation, sir. I will certainly attend the banquet when I have the time."

Li Jingxiao also cupped his hands in greeting, picked up Jingyue, and flew into the sky.

But Jingyue struggled and cried out, "Big brother, my horse, my horse!"

Li Jingxiao then lowered the altitude and put the two Akhal-Teke horses away.

Make sure you know which way to go.

With a loud bang, Jing Yue broke the sound barrier and flew five or six hundred meters away in an instant.

In just four or five minutes, we arrived at the outskirts of the capital.

Hidden away in her own yard, the little girl had long forgotten her anger.

The little girl was still a bit unsteady on her feet because she flew back too fast.

Looking at Li Jingxiao, he said, "Big brother, you're amazing."

Li Jingxiao smiled and said, "Once you learn the sword control technique and reach my level, you'll be able to fly just as fast."

Jing Yue nodded hurriedly, her resolve to learn sword control reaffirmed.

The wish is good, but once she starts learning, she should at least lay a solid foundation first.

Fortunately, Li Jingxiao had learned the complete Shushan Sword Control Technique, which included his own method of cultivating internal energy.

But in Li Jingxiao's view, the difficulty was indeed not low.

Inside the room, Qin Keqing, Yuan Chun, Jing Xi, Jing Rong, Qin Zhong, and Bao Zhu heard the maids bowing and greeting Li Jingxiao and Jing Yue.

They hurriedly went out of the house and, seeing that the brother and sister were both unharmed, Qin Keqing and Yuan Chun were relieved.

But as soon as Jingrong saw Li Jingxiao, she suddenly burst into tears.

And it sounded so aggrieved and pitiful.

Li Jingxiao laughed heartily, stepped forward, picked up Jingrong, and coaxed her until the little girl stopped crying.

The little girl clung tightly to Li Jingxiao's neck, her voice trembling with tears, and said, "Big brother, I want to fly up to the sky too."

Li Jingxiao kissed his younger sister on the head, and suddenly three flying swords appeared beside him.

Holding Jing Rong, he took Jing Xi and Qin Zhong onto two other flying swords and flew eastward.

This time, Li Jingxiao didn't fly too fast either, enjoying the scenery along the way and taking a stroll in the shallow waters of the East China Sea.

When I got back, it was already past five o'clock, time for dinner.

Jingxi, Jingrong, and Qin Zhong couldn't hide their excitement while eating.

She couldn't help but keep talking about everything she had seen and heard along the way.

Even Qin Zhong became much more talkative.

Upon hearing that the three had seen a fish bigger than a boat, Qin Keqing, Yuan Chun, Baozhu, Ruizhu, Baoqin, You Erjie, and You Sanjie all showed expressions of envy and anticipation.

Lee Kyung-hyo could only promise to take someone out for a day when it was their birthday.

I'll come back tonight to celebrate my birthday.

Everyone beamed with excitement, forgetting all about their food, and started chattering and laughing.

Li Jingxiao then took the opportunity to bring out the king crab he had collected from the level 30 map.

The sudden appearance of five baskets of king crabs, which none of them had ever seen before, made the women and their brother-in-law forget their previous topic.

The three little ones, Jing Yue, Jing Rong, and Qin Zhong, along with Sister You, were too frightened to approach the king crab, which looked like a spider monster with its claws bared and teeth out.

Li Jingxiao then said to Qin Keqing and Yuan Chun, "Send two baskets of these to each of your fathers-in-law so they can have a taste."

There's a whole basket left; we'll use it ourselves at home tomorrow.

After saying that, he explained how to eat king crab.

Upon hearing the names "steamed king crab," "grilled king crab," "crab roe stew," and "grilled crab legs," the two women immediately thought of them.

There are also other ways to prepare it, such as braising, making soup, and baking rice, which will make your mouth water instantly.

When I look at those king crabs, I feel anticipation, not fear.

Of course, Li Jingxiao would never call this crab 'King Crab'.

Instead, he is called the 'King of Crabs in the East China Sea'.

This name was unanimously approved by the women in the family. The largest one had a body the size of a washbasin and legs over a meter long.

Weighing over 25 kilograms, people would believe you're a monster.

After reading it, Jingxi asked in confusion, "Big brother, when did you catch so many monster-like crabs at sea?"

Li Jingxiao spouted nonsense, saying, "Your older brother can even beat up the Dragon King of Tianchi Lake in Changbai Mountain."

When the Dragon King of the East Sea saw that I was taking you all out to play, he sent the patrolling sea yaksha to give me some delicacies from the sea.

As for when these things were collected?
"If you, Xiao Rong'er, and Zhong Di could all see this, then all my training in immortal arts and magic wouldn't have been for nothing."

Jingxi knew immediately that her older brother was talking nonsense, but Jingyue, Jingrong, and Qinzhong believed it without a doubt.

He looked at Li Jingxiao with an expression full of admiration.

Qin Keqing and the others, like the three little ones, all felt that Li Jingxiao was right no matter what he said.

Before seven o'clock, before it got dark, Jia Heng, the steward in charge of foreign affairs, arrived with the Li family's servants and carriages.

First, I delivered two baskets of king crabs to Qin Ye.

Just as Jia Heng was about to go to the Jia family to show off, he heard Qin Ye shake his head with a smile and say, "Brother Heng, there are only a few people in my family. Leaving two or three is enough."

It would be a waste if we couldn't finish the rest.

Jia Heng slapped his forehead and hurriedly bowed, apologizing, "I deserve to be beaten. My master specifically instructed me to do so."

The Qin family and the Jia family are both my master's in-laws, so naturally they should be treated equally.

If Master Qin can't finish these two baskets, he can certainly give some to his colleagues and friends.

This creature is called "East Sea Crab King," but it is actually called a stone crab or rock crab.

The master said that these sea crabs live in the sea, which is several miles deep or even more than ten miles deep, all year round.

They only appear in the sea at depths of three to four hundred meters for a very short period each year, making them extremely rare.

However, there are actually many of these things in the sea, so they are not considered rare.

Since it's a gift to Master Qin, how it's disposed of is entirely up to you."

Qin Ye was very satisfied with the phrase "treat everyone equally".

As for Li Jingxiao's statement that "there are actually many of these things in the sea, so they are not considered rare,"

Qin Ye understood the principle, of course, but no one could capture it; that was a rare treasure.

When they saw Jia Heng off, they gave him two taels of silver as a reward, but Jia Heng dared not accept it.

Only when Qin Ye insisted on giving it to him did he accept it with profuse thanks.

Although Li Jingxiao did not govern his household with military discipline, he was extremely strict with his servants.

However, there was nothing stingy about their food, clothing, and daily necessities.

When Jia Heng delivered the crabs to the Rongguo Mansion, it immediately caused a sensation.

Even when Grandmother Jia found out, she was so curious that she brought her daughter-in-law, granddaughter-in-law, grandson, and granddaughter to the front yard to see.

Not long after, Jia Zhen and his son Jia Rong also arrived from Ningguo Mansion.

Upon seeing the king crab, which was large and had menacing claws, my first thought was that Li Jingxiao had actually caught and eaten a monster among crabs.

Moreover, they caught two baskets of them at once, which means they've raided the crab spirit's lair.

It wasn't until Jia Heng explained it again that Jia Zhen and his son believed that although the creature looked ferocious, it was just an ordinary crab from the sea.

Grandmother Jia even asked Li Jingxiao how he managed to obtain these rare delicacies.

Jia Heng hesitated for a few seconds before choosing to say that it was a friend from the East China Sea who specially sent it to his master to try.

When Grandmother Jia and the others saw Jia Heng hesitate, they immediately assumed that it might be a gift from the Dragon King.

Otherwise, given the Jia family's wealth and social standing, they would have never even heard of it, let alone seen it.

Jia Lian also pulled Jia Heng aside and asked him how to prepare and cook the food.

Hearing that there are so many ways to cook, I misunderstood again.

The person who delivered the crabs must have eaten this stuff often, otherwise how could they possibly know so many ways to cook it?
Even if it wasn't the Dragon King, it must have been a sage from a sacred mountain overseas who saw them off.

Now, even though Grandmother Jia had already eaten dinner, she ordered someone to make some for her to try.

So that it won't be stale if we eat it tomorrow.

This statement was immediately met with unanimous agreement from everyone.

Jia Zhen originally intended to send two king crabs by fast horse to the Xuanzhen Temple outside the city.

Let his father, Jia Jing, have a taste.

Unfortunately, it was already past 7 p.m., and the city gates were long closed.

Meanwhile, Qin Ye instructed his old servants, along with the young servants and maids Qin Keqing had specially bought for him, to deliver crabs to his close friends and superiors overnight.

The powerful and wealthy circles in Beijing quickly learned about the King of Crabs from the East China Sea.

They were all incredibly curious and itchy to get their hands on the product.

The next day, as soon as Niu Zhanpeng finished his work at the yamen, he brazenly went to Zhenwu Temple to ambush Li Jingxiao.

Li Jingxiao was so bothered by this guy that he had no choice but to think for a moment before speaking.

“There are five baskets of king crab. I also have some tiger crabs, lobsters, abalone, and sea cucumbers. If you want, I’ll give you a small basket of each as a gift for your mother.”

Niu Zhanpeng was overjoyed.

Today he has heard from outsiders that the crab king that Li Jingxiao took out yesterday was either a gift from the Dragon King or a gift from a real person from an overseas immortal mountain.

So no matter what kind of seafood it is, if it's given by Li Jingxiao, it must be good stuff.

The seafood collected in the game is indeed top-quality.

Even though tiger crabs, lobsters, abalone, and sea cucumbers are not too difficult for the powerful and wealthy to obtain.

You can see double-headed abalone and two-pound live sea cucumbers.

A three- or four-pound lobster or a four- or five-pound tiger crab is a rare delicacy.

Although each item only filled a small basket, Niu Zhanpeng received much praise from his father, mother, grandmother, wife, and children when he brought them home.

The next day, the Niu family sent back many valuable gifts.

This would earn more than if Li Jingxiao sold it directly.

Of course, Li Jingxiao was not short of money, so he had no interest in doing business.

Finally, even Dai Quan and Xia Shouzhong, as well as Cao Bonian, the Empress's younger brother and the real Imperial Uncle, whom they had only met a few times despite being colleagues for over a year, were among them.

They all sent visiting cards saying they had some official business with the Palace Guard and needed to discuss it with him.

Li Jingxiao simply sent some to everyone he had a good relationship with.

Even his former superiors in the Daolu Division were not forgotten.

As for the return gifts they received, Qin Keqing and Yuan Chun, along with Jing Xi, spent two whole days sorting them out before reporting back to him.

If we were to convert items like silk and satin into silver, they would cost at least 20,000 taels.

The two women even joked that from now on, they should just send seafood as gifts to relatives and friends for holidays and funerals.

Li Jingxiao smiled and shook his head, knowing that the words were just a joke.

Two days later, Zhao Junming and Erfu, along with two captains, brought them all back to Beijing.

They even brought back the complete pelt of the Black Wind Tai Sui.

They said they were going to send it to a leather shop to make a bearskin cloak for Li Jingxiao.

As for bear meat, nobody wants it, and nobody eats it.

That bear has eaten countless people, and the captain of the Left Garrison Command has no shortage of food and pay, so naturally no one touches that thing.

When Li Jingxiao found out, he immediately refused, saying that the bearskin cloak would definitely be very warm.

Its defensive capabilities should be very strong, but it won't be lightweight either.

It might weigh over ten kilograms, or even more than twenty kilograms.

Let whoever wants to wear it wear it; Li Jingxiao doesn't want it anyway.

(End of this chapter)