Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 131 Old Wang's Support, Core Team

—A fusion of magic and martial arts [Thirty-Six Styles of Thunder God's Cloak and Mace]!
When Wang Cheng saw this amazing skill, although he still wanted to kill Mao Haifeng, that hypocritical ingrate, on the spot, his "smile" became a little more sincere.

"I was quite lucky. On my first debt collection, I received this amazing skill from the 'Guide to Sending You Off with the Wind,' which is said to be the best in close combat."

Good brother, according to the general principle that whoever benefits is the murderer, I actually had a vague suspicion when I was in Yuegang that no one but you would want to harm me in the slightest.

Now I don't need your 'protection' anymore. As long as you let me fleece you a bit before you die, that will repay this dirty brotherhood.

Although this [Thirty-Six Styles of Thunder God's Cloak and Mace] is not one of the three orthodox methods, it still has a remarkable origin.

Back then, when his father was penniless, he accidentally retrieved a treasure from the sea: two [Bright Silver Coiled Dragon Maces] (Chapter 3). From these maces, he obtained this unique skill that combined magic and martial arts.

For ordinary people, this can only be considered a fairly good external training method.

The advantage is that one can use self-destructive techniques and lightning-like pain to cultivate inner and outer strength and grow one's inner light.

It's not much better than the Dragon Breathing Technique that Wang Cheng has been practicing.

However, if a practitioner possesses exceptional talent, strong perseverance, extraordinary comprehension, or a special destiny, they may be able to comprehend the "unity of magic and martial arts" killing move.

In terms of destructive power alone, it is no less than any extraordinary skill or technique, and each person's understanding of it is different.

It's easy to learn but difficult to master. Getting started is very simple, but truly mastering it requires a great deal of talent and diligence. If you can't learn it, you simply can't.

The old father has an extraordinary appearance [Arc Star Enters My Arms] (Chapter 76), so his talent is naturally beyond question.

The adopted son, Mao Haifeng, was born weighing five taels and nine mace, more than twice that of Wang Cheng.

“Upon careful examination, this person is exceptionally talented and well-versed in etiquette. They are destined for high rank and will display their prowess and glory.”

This person is short-tempered, strong-willed, and intolerant of being taken advantage of. They are intelligent, capable, and respected by others. Learning mace techniques will naturally be a piece of cake for them.

Wang Cheng has now regained hope:

"Compared to Mao Haifeng, before I worked myself to death for someone else, I could never have mastered it even if I had worked myself to death."

It's different now.

Not only did I receive the cultivation experience from this ungrateful wretch in one go, but as long as I use the Five Emperors' Golden Coin Sword's [Gratitude Loan] to lend out the mace technique, I can get many people to help me become a hardworking genius!

"Perfect timing! After the Dragon Armor was upgraded, its power increased significantly, and I felt that using a sword was too light and not very comfortable. Switching to a heavy weapon like a mace is just right."

This skill perfectly aligns with the optimal usage of the "Gratitude Loan".

By lending out knowledge and skills-based "loans," neither the lender nor the borrower suffers any loss, and they can also quickly improve themselves by learning from others' experiences.

Wang Cheng shouldn't be struck by lightning, it's practically perfect!
Since what was taken away this time was only experience, not something unique like spiritual responses or talismans, Mao Haifeng was completely unaware and enthusiastically walked arm in arm with Wang Cheng.

"Brother Cheng, I'm so glad you're home safe and sound."

You must be tired from the long journey from Yuegang to Pinghugang, right? Come on, let me treat you to a feast to welcome you back. Let's drink to our hearts' content today!

Wang Cheng nodded:

"Very well, it's been a long time. I was just about to have a drink with my elder brother and all my uncles and brothers."

The port was not a place for idle chatter. After dismissing the ordinary members who had come to join the fun, the main force marched in a grand procession toward the palace.

As Wang Cheng passed by the gilded statue, he suddenly stopped.

In addition to the enormous statue that has already been built, there are also temples around it, and a bronze cauldron cast with the achievements of Prince Jing's life stands at the foot of the statue.

Then he addressed the crowd:
“I did not participate when you all helped build the temple and erect the statue for my late father. Now that I have returned, please allow me to offer incense to my late father to fulfill my filial duty.”

As I walked straight to the cauldron and reached for the incense sticks from the coin hole, I almost instinctively pulled out the "Chicken Crows at Dawn: Soul-Returning Incense" again.

Fortunately, he reacted quickly after being promoted to the sixth rank. Only after repeatedly confirming the situation did he light three normal incense sticks, bow three times to the statue of the deity, and insert the incense sticks into the cauldron.

I originally thought it was just an ordinary worship ceremony.

Just as Wang Cheng was about to turn and leave, the already magnificent statue, adorned with gilded gold, suddenly emitted a circle of auspicious seven-colored light.

The sky, which had been somewhat dim, suddenly brightened up.

"Look at the sky, there are flowers!"

Someone shouted at the top of their lungs, and everyone looked up.

Then they saw illusory golden lotus flowers slowly descending from the sky, covering most of Pinghu Port, and the warm scent of incense filled the air around them.

"It's Prince Jing's spirit manifesting!"

"Long live the Prince Jing!"

"May Prince Jing protect us!"

Merchants, sailors, boat people, and ordinary citizens living in the city all knelt down upon seeing this extraordinary phenomenon, silently praying.

As the incense and prayers of all beings rise, they coalesce into even more golden flowers.

As soon as the golden flower falls on a person, they immediately feel light and their minor ailments such as back pain, leg pain, shoulder pain, and possession by evil spirits disappear instantly.

The men gathered before the statue, however, were more knowledgeable, and they all exclaimed in surprise:
"What is this? The old ship owner has just set up his own ancestral temple, turning Pinghu Port into his sacred space!"

"That's right! In a few years, when His divine power can manifest in the human world, this will be His earthly kingdom, where His divine might can be unleashed at its strongest."

With the support of our invincible fleet of the Five Peaks Banner in the East China Sea, Pinghu Port and the East China Sea Kingdom will surely be impregnable.

"The old ship owner still thinks of us brothers."

"Our prayers are useless. It's the young master who has the most face. The prince's paternal love makes us ashamed."

Ultimately, it was a good thing, and everyone cheered and bowed in worship.

In the coastal areas of Dazhao, Yingzhou, and Nanyang, there are numerous temples dedicated to the Prince Jing, with countless shrines and memorial tablets.

But from now on, just like the Tianfei Palace of the Meizhou Ancestral Temple, this place will also become a holy site for all believers of Prince Jing!
When the high-ranking members of the Five Peaks Banner looked at their young master, their gazes became even more solemn.

With such divine favor, who would dare to disrespect their lord so casually?
This time, Wang Cheng wasn't faking it; his eyes were genuinely red. "Old Wang, you're such a hypocrite."

The old father told him to relax and live a carefree life, but when it came to supporting him, he went to great lengths.

Once the ancestral temple is established, it means that this second-rank deity has completely given up his plan to return to his hometown of Minzhou and will have no choice but to stay in this remote and uncivilized place in the future.

In fact, with the old father unable to manifest his power yet, the ancestral temple is temporarily of no use.

He merely demonstrated his presence, reminding potential enemies of the fear of being dominated by him, so they would not act rashly.

Of course, besides being moved to tears, Wang Cheng also felt a little like crying but couldn't.

only because.

"The administrative unit above Pinghu Port has a name: Nagasaki."

It's not a particularly famous place; it just holds the record for the highest surface temperature.

On that day, the world was no longer indifferent, and everyone was an acquaintance.

This is really terrible! I need to make plans early and nip this possibility in the bud.

Wang Cheng discovered that the territory he had to conquer was already growing larger and larger even before the battle had begun.

Completely opposite to his mood, Mao Haifeng next to him was burning with jealousy.

As the light before him gradually faded from the statue, he dared only to roar in his heart:
“I am your adopted son and your most outstanding disciple. Why can’t I, as a descendant of the French, inherit everything from you?”
Just because that silly boy is your own flesh and blood, you're going to leave everything to him? Even in death, you'll still protect him?

In your eyes, lineage is less important than tradition? I disagree!

Mao Haifeng has even less of a way out than Han Wugui, who has been hiding behind layers of disguise.

Only by seizing control of the Five Peaks Banner, or at least a majority of it, can one advance to the upper third rank [Living Ghost God] in a short time and withstand the foreseeable fierce retaliation from the "adoptive father" who betrayed him.

If he can't win, it's like he's entered a death countdown.

His well-thought-out plan went wrong, and suddenly it came to a matter of life and death. At this point, even someone as shrewd as him would find it difficult to remain calm.

Staring at Wang Cheng's retreating figure, a hint of ruthlessness appeared in his eyes.

He touched the Qiankun bag at his waist, which was his last trump card prepared for this situation, a "national treasure" that he had obtained with great difficulty.

"With this treasure by my side, as long as I kill him, I will be the only Prince Jinghai in everyone's eyes!"

With the return of the true master, the main hall of the palace, managed by the head steward "Dragon Beetle Spirit" Dragon Tail Lord, was reopened.

A large number of maids gracefully arrived, flitting back and forth like butterflies among flowers to set up the banquet venue for the night, while the high-ranking officials chatted and drank tea in small groups.

Wang Cheng, acting as a junior, greeted each of the captains of the large ships currently in Pinghu Port.

During the conversation, they knew each of them by heart: their names, the number of people in their families, their hobbies, and their most proud achievements when they followed the old man.

He can even use the [Thunder Listening] ability granted by the mutated magic talisman to hear part of the other party's thoughts and change his words accordingly. The only people who can surpass him are probably those social terrorists with extraordinary talents.

For example: Little Fatty Huang Yuanzhou!
Wang Cheng perfectly played the role of a powerful heir. Even if he didn't emulate the top succubi of the Liu family, he at least made everyone feel like they were basking in a spring breeze.

We've pretty much gone around in a circle.

"The young captain has really grown up."

A free-spirited, unruly scholar with a messy stubble and a roguish charm walked up behind Wang Cheng.

Wang Cheng turned around, saw it, and quickly bowed, saying:

"Uncle Seven."

It was a completely different way of addressing others, and it brought us a step closer.

This is one of my father's sworn brothers. Back then, a group of young people went into business together, but very few of them are still alive today.

The man before me, Dong Piao, whose profession was a fifth-rank storyteller, was originally the seventh among his brothers and is now one of the few remaining.

Dong Piao reached out and helped Wang Cheng up, his face full of nonchalance as he said:

"Seventh Uncle, I'm only twelve years older than you, why are you being so polite with me?"
"Cheng-ge'er, have you forgotten who took you to the brothel for the first time when you were eight?"

It spun around in place.

"Come on, let's see how I look today. Am I stylish enough?"

I had arranged to meet you at a geisha's place in town to attend to her business, and I came to greet you without even changing my clothes.

Even a three-year-old knows that a person carrying a sword is called a swordsman, and a person carrying a knife is called a knife-wielder. Look what your Uncle Seven is carrying!"

When Wang Cheng looked up, he saw that the flamboyant Uncle Qi was carrying a gourd that was almost half a person's height.

However, the gourd was only half full, so he was actually carrying a ladle on his back.
Wang Cheng also rediscovered the way he used to get along with this Uncle Qi, and jokingly became the straight man for this eccentric and unruly storyteller:

"You're actually the legendary 'Gourd Traveler'? My apologies for not recognizing you!"

Dong Piao stroked his rather comical mustache with a smug smile, revealing an approving grin that said, "This kid is teachable."
Prejudice in people's hearts is like a mountain.

The character '嫖' originally meant light, agile, and brave. How powerful Huo Piaoyao was back then?
It was only after a thousand years that it was borrowed by vulgar people full of lewd thoughts and desires that its meaning gradually changed.

Uncle Qi has no other hobbies besides ventriloquism and storytelling. He just wants to clear the name of us gourd people. I am different from them. I never hide my thoughts. They are all written on my face.

"Cheng-ge'er, another day I'll take you along to impart all the knowledge we've gained to the ladies."

With a "snap," he opened the fan in his hand, revealing the word "open and honest."

What appears to be a lighthearted banter is actually a coded message: "Blink if you're being coerced," ensuring that neither side is in a bad mood.

Only then did Dong Piao straighten her expression:

"Come on, Master Longwei, your Uncle Zhang, and I have been waiting for you for a long time."

(End of this chapter)