Longevity Candle

Chapter 123 I...regret it.

She played with the silvery-white snake, which seemed very affectionate towards her.

Jiang Zhu asked curiously, "How come the Silver Moon Serpent of Sheng Kingdom is here?"

"You know Xiaobai?" Jiang Yunmeng asked in surprise.

“I’ve seen it before.” Jiang Zhu reached out and pinched the Silver Moon Snake.

This is a snake unique to Sheng Kingdom, and it is highly venomous. When Li Qingchen moved Tao Ling here, he did not bring the Silver Moon Snake with him.

But now, the Silver Moon Serpent has come to Yigu City and become Jiang Yunmeng's good friend.

"I met it in the peach orchard. It was very good at finding peaches; it always managed to find the biggest and sweetest ones. I followed behind it and picked its peaches..."

Jiang Yunmeng chuckled as she recounted the story.

Xiao Bai gave her a resentful look, always having her peaches snatched away.

However, influenced by the snakes, and because Jiang Yunmeng had the Yunmeng Sword inside her body, it always gave her a comfortable feeling.

Over time, the two became friends.

As the world descended into chaos, Jiang Yunmeng's companions dwindled in number, and now, her former friends had all gone out to make a living.

Without her peers, she made friends with the little insects in the peach orchard.

The Golden Centipede was the one who separated Xiao Bai from the fight.

Jiang Zhu listened to their story of meeting and making friends, and then carefully sensed the Yunmeng Sword within her body.

It seems that Yunmeng's path is inherently based on these poisonous insects?

The Silver Moon Serpent and the Golden Centipede were actually mutations caused by the radiation of the Yin energy.

Therefore, they are naturally drawn to Jiang Yunmeng, who possesses the Yunmeng Sword.

The Silver Moon Serpent and the Golden Centipede have developed some intelligence, but they are still far from achieving immortality and can barely be considered as belonging to the category of mythical beasts.

"Have you been to the Sheng Kingdom?"

After recounting her story, Jiang Yunmeng looked at Jiang Zhu with sparkling eyes and curiosity.

“A friend took me there.” Jiang Zhu thought for a moment and said, “Are you curious about Sheng Kingdom?”

He saw intense curiosity in Jiang Yunmeng's eyes.

“My father said that I was born in the Sheng Kingdom, so I am considered half a Sheng Kingdom citizen.”

Jiang Yunmeng placed Xiaobai on her left shoulder and the golden centipede on her right shoulder, her voice somewhat low: "And my mother."

"Your mother? Wasn't she buried outside the city?" Jiang Zhu frowned slightly.

“That’s not my mother.” Jiang Yunmeng lowered her head. “Father said that’s my mother, but Xiaobai and Xiaojin went in and said there was nothing inside, just a few clothes.”

Jiang Zhu understood. Both the Silver Moon Snake and the Golden Centipede were poisonous insects, and poisonous insects generally like to burrow into graves.

Graves are yin places, which are good habitats for poisonous insects.

"Can you understand what they're saying?" Jiang Zhu glanced at the two poisonous insects.

“I can’t understand them, but I can sense their meaning.” Jiang Yunmeng frowned in thought: “You are a Qi cultivator, so you should be able to understand that unique feeling, which is indescribable and very special.”

"Did you ask your father?" Jiang Zhu asked.

"I asked, but Father got very angry and said Mother died of the plague and her remains couldn't be brought back." Jiang Yunmeng's eyes reddened; at such a young age, she clearly didn't know how to control her emotions.

He died of illness?

Jiang De clearly knew something, perhaps not much, but just a little, and he wouldn't tell Jiang Yunmeng.

Monsters have become a synonym for being universally hated and condemned, leaving a lasting stain on history.

He didn't want Jiang Yunmeng to know and planned to take it to the coffin.

Jiang Zhu didn't want to tell her about Jiang Chenxi, which was something he had promised Jiang Chenxi.

All she wanted was for her child to live a peaceful and carefree life.

She whispered, "I just want to know where Mother is, I want to bring Mother back. So many years have passed, the plague has dissipated, and we have Little White and Little Gold, they aren't afraid of the plague..."

"So, because of this, you had a falling out with your father?" Jiang Zhu asked.

"No, I apologized to Father," Jiang Yunmeng said, bowing her head.

Jiang Zhu looked at her, her words contradicting her true feelings; even though she admitted her mistake, she was still stubborn in her heart.

“Didn’t you want to go see the moon? I’ll take you,” Jiang Zhu said.

"Didn't you say the moon was desolate?" Jiang Yunmeng looked at him suspiciously. "Are you lying to me?"

"The real moon is desolate and lonely, but the moon in your heart is beautiful."

Jiang Zhu smiled and asked, "What does the moon in your heart look like?"

"The moon in my heart..." Jiang Yunmeng pondered for a long time, then shook her head dejectedly: "I can't imagine it."

"Then let's go take a look at the Illusionist's Moon first."

Jiang Zhu smiled slightly.

The tavern disappeared, and the two appeared in the clouds, with white clouds beneath them.

The starry sky reappeared and closed in the distance at a speed visible to the naked eye.

The bright moon was within reach.

She reached out her hand and grasped a sliver of moonlight, as if she were holding up the bright moon.

Jiang Zhu stood beside her and grasped the ray of light: "Let's use this ray of light to ascend to the bright moon."

At this moment, that ray of moonlight transformed into a silver-white stone bridge.

Excited and expectant, she followed him onto the stone bridge, heading towards the bright moon.

As they drew closer, the moonlight lost its brilliance, seeming to dissipate rapidly like a mist.

The bright moon revealed its true face at this moment, but the ground was cratered and the moon was desolate, devoid of any life.

All that remains is endless loneliness, desolation, and coldness.

"Is this the pockmarked, real moon you described?"

She jogged, stepped onto the moonlight, and looked back at Jiang Zhu not far away.

“Yes,” Jiang Zhu said gently, “Look ahead again, at the Illusionist’s Moon.”

She looked back and saw a city rising from the desolate land of Mingyue.

Yi Gu Cheng!
"We're back in Yigu City?" Jiang Yunmeng exclaimed. "Is this what an illusionist is? They can move Yigu City to the moon?"

“You said it was an illusion, so it must be an illusion,” Jiang Zhu said with a smile.

The two entered Yigu City, which was very lively, with vendors' stalls and passersby.

The sound of a gong rang out, and a crowd gathered. Jiang Zhu was leading Zhang Ming and his students in a magic show.

"It's you! And me too! You asked me for peaches and bird eggs..."

Jiang Yunmeng pointed excitedly, and those past scenes appeared before her eyes.

Everything felt so real; even the peach's downy fur was clearly visible.

Jiang Zhu simply stayed quietly by her side, watching her cheer excitedly, rush into the crowd, and watch the magic show.

She even greeted her illusory self, but her hand passed right through it.

Ultimately, it's all just an illusion; illusionists can't truly go back to the past.

Jiang Yunmeng felt dejected. She returned from the crowd, her excitement gone.

"What's wrong?" Jiang Zhu asked gently.

"It's just fake. Ah, how interesting it would be to be able to communicate with my past self," Jiang Yun dreamed.

"If you could go back in time, what would you say to yourself?" Jiang Zhu asked.

Jiang Yun thought for a moment, then looked up at him seriously: "I'll catch you, I won't let you get away."

"Ha." Jiang Zhu chuckled. "No one can catch an illusionist." "I've caught one now." Jiang Yunmeng reached out and grabbed Jiang Zhu's sleeve, about to show off, when she saw Jiang Zhu in front of her turn into shimmering specks of light and disappear.

She hurriedly looked around. Jiang Zhu was gone, Yi Gucheng was nowhere to be seen, and she was all alone, standing on the desolate moon.

"Jiang Zhu, Jiang Zhu..."

She shouted loudly, suddenly feeling a sense of panic, as if she had been abandoned.

patter
A sharp pain shot through her forehead, and she instinctively covered her head. She regained consciousness and realized that she had been sitting on the roof the whole time, without moving an inch.

Jiang Zhu's voice rang out: "When you stubbornly cling to something, you may end up losing even more."

"you……"

"Many people use the bright moon to express their homesickness. There is a saying that goes, 'The dew is white tonight, and the moon is brighter in my hometown.'"

Jiang Zhu said softly, "Go on, your father is calling you."

"Mengmeng, come down for dinner." Jiang De's voice came from below.

Jiang Yunmeng looked at Jiang Zhu again, but he was gone. Instead, she had a method for communicating with beasts in her mind.

Xiao Jin and Xiao Bai quickly hid, as Jiang De would not allow them to play with poisonous insects.

She quickly jumped off the roof: "Father."

"What's wrong? I called you three times and you didn't hear me? What are you thinking about?" Jiang De looked at her strangely.

"I wasn't thinking about anything," Jiang Yunmeng quickly said in a coquettish tone, "Father, I'm hungry, let's eat."

"Alright, alright, let's eat. Your father caught a pheasant in the peach grove today, and it's already stewed." Jiang De looked at her with doting eyes.

He dotes on Jiang Yunmeng; if only she didn't think about her mother.

She didn't know how she knew that the tomb didn't belong to her mother.

Under the candlelight, the father and daughter ate their meal in a warm and cozy atmosphere.

Jiang Zhu was still on the roof of the tavern, watching quietly.

In Yigu City under the cover of night, every household locked their doors and windows, and some even used wooden blocks to prop up their doors, fearing that a robber might break in at night.

The world is in chaos, too many people can't survive, and they take desperate measures.

After packing up his noodle stall, Old Wang went home early. In the old days, he would have been busy until late at night.

In the darkness, officials carried lanterns, their faint candlelight flickering in the night.

They looked around, occasionally pushing the door open, and leaving if they couldn't get it open.

Jiang Zhu frowned. He hadn't expected the officials to have gone this far. It was one thing to overcharge, but now they even wanted to act as night robbers.

He cast a ray of moonlight, causing these officials to fall ill for several days, rendering them unable to bully others.

Even if we kill them, new officials will come.

Jiang Zhu has already experienced chaotic times. Although he still feels pity for ordinary people, he has no intention of changing the world.

In the mortal world, there are constant separations and reunions; he could never hold onto eternal peace.

In every era, there will always be people with great dedication who pursue a peaceful and prosperous world.

The poison of immortality has now seeped into our very bones, and a great upheaval is needed to awaken the mortals.

At least, many ordinary people no longer seek immortality; they now just want to have enough to eat.

Enjoy the mundane world with peace of mind. When you meet someone you like, lower your gaze once and teach them some skills.

As for how far they can go, that depends on themselves.

Jiang Zhu gazed at the starry sky, enjoying the tranquility of the night.

One night passed.

The next day, the streets of Yigu City were suddenly deserted of government officials.

Jiang Zhu went to Old Wang's noodle stall and ate noodles.

Old Wang was surprised that no officials came to collect fees anymore: "How strange, no officials are out on the street?"

"Isn't this a good thing?" Jiang Zhu said.

"I suspect they're up to no good," Old Wang said worriedly.

Jiang Zhu chuckled and said, "That's a matter for the future. At least I don't have to pay extra today."

"That's true, we'll talk about the future later," Old Wang laughed.

His laughter attracted the attention of the neighbors. One of them opened a door a crack, smelled the aroma of noodles, went out to buy a bowl, and hurried back.

As the peaceful day passed, news gradually spread that the officials had all gotten sick from eating alone, suffering from severe diarrhea, weakness in their legs, and were unable to leave their homes.

Some people were annoyed that they missed the chance to go out, and many people were getting restless, especially some young girls.

As for Jiang Yunmeng, who possessed extraordinary martial arts skills, and Jiang De, who was no pushover either, the officials could still distinguish who they could mess with and who they couldn't.

This time, Jiang Zhu stayed for five days.

In his quest for the Peaches of Immortality, Emperor Ning increased taxes once again, having long forgotten the common people.

Perhaps, in his mind, after such a long period of peace and prosperity, the people should have accumulated a lot of wealth.

I'll just take a little for myself, and once I find the peaches of immortality, I'll abolish the tax.

The latest tax increase has completely crushed Ningguo, a mountain of problems.

The south was the first to erupt. In their quest for the Peaches of Immortality and to prolong their lives, the people of the south had made concessions time and again, giving up their homes and savings. But now, with the search for the Peaches of Immortality once again, they were driven to the brink of despair.

Before the convoy carrying money and grain even left Ningguo, it was intercepted by countless refugees and martial artists.

In Ningguo, where martial arts are prevalent, even if there are no Qi cultivators, there are still martial artists.

In the past, during times of peace and prosperity, and with the suppression by the Taiping Dao, martial artists lived in harmony.

But now, without the Taiping Dao's suppression, they have been forced into a dead end, and with the help of those with ulterior motives, things have become even more complicated.

Amid multiple factors, the riots broke out.

All the supplies, money, and provisions for the search for the peaches were stolen.

But the southern fleet was doing well, constantly sending people to ask for money and food, saying that they were just a little short and would definitely be able to bring back the peaches.

Emperor Ning was furious and dispatched troops to suppress the riot and recover the money and grain.

The riot was quickly suppressed, but the money, food and supplies disappeared as if they had evaporated, leaving no trace.

Officials submitted a memorial requesting another tax increase.

Emperor Ning hesitated; he seemed to sense that the Ning Kingdom was already on the verge of collapse.

But the peaches were right in front of them, within easy reach...

Which is more important, immortality or a kingdom?

Emperor Ning hesitated for only three days before choosing immortality!
He has already extended his lifespan, but he craves even more longevity. He is also arrogant, believing that as long as he is alive, the Ning Kingdom will not fall!
I am the first emperor to extend my lifespan, and I will be an eternal emperor!
The officials who once fought for peace now revealed sinister smiles; the world had finally been overthrown!

Immortality, it's our turn!

In the bustling world, a tabby cat, carrying an ancient sword, has grown its fur back.

But he was unusually depressed, drifting in this mortal world, no longer thinking about the peaches of immortality, nor pursuing the celestial realm.

"Ningguo is now completely on the verge of collapse."

A woman in palace attire stood beside him, sacred and dignified.

At this moment, cracks appeared on the massive national fortune dragon aura, signifying that the Ning Kingdom was about to split, or even collapse.

"Hmm," the tabby cat responded in a deep voice.

"You created this, don't you feel proud?" The Nine-Colored Deer lowered its head, scrutinizing the tabby cat: "They're cheering, and expressing their gratitude to you."

The tabby cat clenched its paws, and after a long while, it slumped down and said, "I... I regret it."

(End of this chapter)