Longevity Candle

Chapter 145 Thinking about the Ming Dynasty establishing its orthodox tradition

Qinghe City.

The tabby cat, accompanied by the Dragon Blood Serpent and the Old Dragon, arrived at the banks of the Qinghe River.

"How did we get here?" the old dragon asked, puzzled.

The Dragon Blood Serpent frowned and said, "We're here to talk to Jiang Yunmeng. Even if we don't want to, you shouldn't avoid seeing us, right?"

"Just wait." The tabby cat glanced at the dragon-blooded serpent.

He treated the old dragon with great courtesy, after all, it was an old spirit.

But the Dragon Blood Serpent was not as strong as him, yet it still tried to take advantage of him. The fact that he didn't even get a single sword strike from him was a testament to his years of self-cultivation.

The dragon-blooded serpent was not angry and fell silent.

The old dragon remained calm. Since the tabby cat wouldn't say anything, he wouldn't ask. He would wait quietly.

Time passed, until the sixteenth year of the Immortal Era, when the peaches ripened.

"Jiang Zhu is here?" The old dragon understood.

This was the time when Jiang Zhu woke up.

"We're here," the tabby cat said.

In the distance, a man in white, carrying a little girl and holding a fishing rod, came to the bank of the Qingjiang River.

An old Taoist priest smiled and waved: "Jiang Zhu, Xiao Xiyue."

"Grandpa Peach Blossom," Jiang Xiyue called out obediently.

"Hey, my dear granddaughter, look what Grandpa brought." Peach Blossom Taoist flicked his sleeve, and a peach appeared in his hand.

"Peach".

Jiang Xiyue happily stretched out her little hand: "Thank you, Grandpa."

"Good boy." Peach Blossom Taoist chuckled and came to the original fishing spot: "Let's have a competition today to see who catches more fish?"

"Great!" Jiang Zhu said with a smile, "A jar of peach blossom wine."

“Alright, then what if you lose?” Peach Blossom Taoist said.

Jiang Zhu pondered for a moment and said, "It's also a jar of peach blossom wine, brewed by her mother."

“Good, I’ve been craving it ever since I tasted it last time,” Peach Blossom Taoist said with a smile.

"Father, eat." Jiang Xiyue obediently fed the peach to Jiang Zhu's mouth.

Jiang Zhu took a bite: "It's so sweet. Little Xiyue, sit still and watch your father catch a big fish for you."

"Okay." Jiang Xiyue moved a small stool and sat obediently next to him, eating peaches in small bites.

"Daddy?"

The old dragon and the dragon-blooded serpent were stunned; "Wait, he's married? And has a daughter?"

"I just found out too." The tabby cat was also taken aback: "This little girl is strange. She's not his bloodline, and her talent is quite unique."

As an elf, I could easily sense that the little girl in front of me and Jiang Zhu had no blood relation.

"It's probably someone he's looking down at again," the old dragon said. "But I'm a little curious about that woman."

“He’s probably just a mortal.” The Dragon Blood Serpent said calmly, “He just likes to hang out with mortals. I don’t know what’s so good about it. This cat, at least, is with a Qi Refiner, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty.”

"You're just putting on airs with your dragon bloodline, you don't know anything." The tabby cat glanced at him, quite disdainfully: "Someone like you, even if you were given the Ming Dynasty, you wouldn't be able to manage it."

Enraged, the Dragon Blood Serpent passed through the prosperous and glorious kingdoms, but was ultimately destroyed by the land of the Ming Kingdom.

The tabby cat's words were truly heartbreaking.

"If it weren't for Jiang Zhu, if it weren't for Fusheng Yunmeng, how could I have lost?" the Dragon Blood Serpent muttered.

"It would be a miracle if you could win," the tabby cat scoffed.

"Alright, stop arguing. Let's wait until he finishes fishing." The old dragon waved his hand, and a tea table appeared. "We're old friends, have some tea. I have some questions for you."

"What is it?" The tabby cat picked up the teacup without any politeness.

The old dragon said, "What kind of things were released from the summit of Baiyun Mountain back then? My Nanling region has never had a peaceful year since then."

"What Fusheng suppressed were some mountain and sea spirits and immortal masters," the tabby cat said.

Over the years, the Ming Kingdom has eliminated many demons, and they learned about the eighteenth floor from them.

"Suppressed by Fusheng? How could he possibly still be alive?" the old dragon frowned.

The Dragon Blood Serpent also looked solemnly at the tabby cat.

"They were reborn. Life suppressed them, and even though they died, heaven and earth reborn them, and they were still in that cage."

The tabby cat said, "Back then, all those elves went in together. I wonder when they'll be able to escape."

"Can it still come out?" The old dragon frowned.

Now that things have come to this point, he no longer cares about the immortality path or the spirits of the Heavenly Way.

Living doesn't affect him; if he dies, he can at least live a more peaceful life.

"Without Fusheng's suppression, it's only a matter of time before he comes out," said the tabby cat.

The dragon-blooded serpent's eyes darted around: "Where are they being held?"

"I'll take you in, are you going or not?" The tabby cat sneered, "You were almost beaten to death back then, and you still wanted to shamelessly lick your boots and go up there. You really disgrace the True Dragon."

The Dragonblood Serpent's gaze was cold, and it snorted angrily without saying a word.

The old dragon sighed slightly. How could he not know what kind of creature the Dragon Blood Serpent was?

He also felt a little regretful. He should have let the guy die at the hands of the Longevity Path back then.

Jiang Zhu, who was fishing by the river, caught a big fish. Jiang Xiyue happily hugged the fish, jumping around without even noticing the dirt.

Jiang Zhu wiped her sweat and put the fish into the fish basket.

Peach Blossom Taoist's fishing skills were clearly better than his; he caught fish one after another, though not as big as Jiang Zhu's, but in greater numbers.

Both of them brought dry food, which they ate on the spot at noon.

The sun was too strong, so the Peach Blossom Taoist used magic to gather clouds to block out the sunlight and keep it cool.

An occasional breeze makes it very cool.

"Now you understand how to use this spell," Jiang Zhu said with a smile.

"Isn't this how magic is used? What's the point of all this fighting and killing?" Peach Blossom Taoist added, "Cheating is not allowed when fishing."

"I'm not that tasteless," Jiang Zhu chuckled.

He knew the tabby cat was there, but he didn't want to deal with them right now.

"Did you have any interesting experiences during your travels?" Peach Blossom Taoist tossed the wine gourd in his hand to Jiang Zhu.

Jiang Zhu took a sip and tossed it back to him: "There's nothing interesting, just three annoying people who keep coming here for no reason."

The three people drinking tea in the sky froze.

The tabby cat stared coldly at Jiang Zhu, really wanting to stab him with its sword.

The old dragon glared at him, and the dragon-blooded serpent's expression turned somewhat unpleasant.

"Annoying spirit? What kind of monster is this? Should I gather my fellow disciples and help you slay it?" Peach Blossom Taoist said arrogantly.

"They're not enemies, just some old grudges, but those have long since faded away."

Jiang Zhu smiled faintly and said, "By the way, how are your disciples doing?"

“He’s already been sent away.” Peach Blossom Daoist looked at Jiang Xiyue, who was playing with fish: “Little Xiyue has reached the age to follow. What lineage do you plan to have him follow? Like you, the Wandering Sect?”

"The Wandering School?" The tabby cat took a sip of tea, showing no respect whatsoever, and scoffed, "That's hilarious. Qingdeng said he's from the Wandering School."

"Haha, a guy who can't even leave a city and sleeps all day long, yet he thinks he's a wandering monk?" The old dragon couldn't help but laugh out loud.

The Dragon Blood Serpent's expression improved considerably. A mere green lantern spirit that only exists for a few days a year actually dared to call itself a wandering sect. Circling around its own doorstep, it could be called wandering? Jiang Zhu was too lazy to pay attention to them, pretending not to hear, and continued to say to Peach Blossom Taoist, "That depends on what Xiao Xiyue wants to learn."

Upon hearing this, the tabby cat perked up its ears and said, "She definitely wants to learn Taihei Kendo."

The old dragon pondered and said, "Actually, it's not impossible to try transforming a human into a dragon. I wouldn't mind taking on a disciple."

"As a dragon, I also have a say," the Dragon Blood Serpent retorted.

"You are nothing but a serpent."

Peach Blossom Taoist beckoned to Jiang Xiyue: "Little Xiyue, which lineage do you want to follow?"

"What is the Daoist tradition?" Jiang Xiyue asked, bewildered and curious.

She is now seven years old, and the Nine-Colored Deer has never taught her any cultivation methods.

"The cultivation traditions include the Sword Dao, the Carefree Dao, the Wandering School, the Free and Unfettered Dao, the Illusionist, the Farming Dao, and the Five Elements Dao."

Peach Blossom Taoist chuckled as he recounted, "These lineages are all orthodox immortal cultivation sects of the Ming Dynasty. Among them, the sword path is the most powerful in killing and can slay demons and monsters. The Worry-Free Path is not good at fighting and killing, but it has the power of peace and worry-free, which naturally restrains demons and monsters."

The Way of Worry-Free is a method that has been discovered over the years in the process of dealing with demons.

Some people controlled by demons can be revived and saved by the power of peace and tranquility.

"The Wandering Faction is like your father, traveling all over the world to see the mountains and rivers."

The Way of Freedom was created by the White Crane Dao Ancestor, who roamed freely between heaven and earth on the wind…

He patiently explained the traditions and doctrines of the various religious sects.

Young Jiang Xiyue was somewhat confused and didn't know what to choose, but she said firmly, "I don't want to follow the Wandering Sect. Father can only spend a few days with me and Mother every year. If I'm like Father, Mother will have no one to keep her company."

“Your mother can also travel with you,” Jiang Zhu said.

"Why didn't Father take Mother and me with him when he went on his travels?" Jiang Xiyue looked up at him.

“Father’s travels are somewhat special, so he can’t take you with him,” Jiang Zhu said.

Jiang Xiyue pouted: "I don't want to learn how to travel the world."

“Then let’s not learn to wander; there are many other sects.” Jiang Zhu said with a smile.

"Learn the way of the sword, slay demons and monsters, and protect all living beings," said Peach Blossom Taoist.

“I need to ask my mother,” Jiang Xiyue said.

Jiang Zhu smiled and said, "Yes, in our family, your mother is in charge."

The Peach Blossom Taoist looked at the father and daughter with a warm feeling, just as he would when facing his disciples in the Taoist temple.

The two fished until evening before packing up and returning home.

"Come drink with me tomorrow," Jiang Zhu invited, having lost the game.

Without cheating, when it comes to fishing, he's no match for Peach Blossom Taoist.

"Alright, I'll bring you a basket of peaches tomorrow." Peach Blossom Taoist left with the fish on his back.

Jiang Zhu picked up Jiang Xiyue and returned to the city.

The tabby cat quickly followed.

Back home, Jiang Zhu went to prepare the fish.

The nine-colored deer's eyes turned slightly cold as it looked up at the void.

The tabby cat and the old dragon were stunned, and the dragon-blooded serpent was also a little confused. The nine-colored deer of Yunmeng Marsh?

Is she the one living with Jiang Zhu?
The tabby cat instantly understood; no wonder he had taken the green lamp without the cat noticing.

Jiang Zhu was cooking: "I'm afraid you won't be able to keep that little bit of peach blossom wine you brewed."

"Giving it to them to drink is a waste," the Nine-Colored Deer said calmly. "Let them see it and smell it, that's enough."

"cough."

The old dragon coughed lightly, went to the door, knocked, and then entered.

The tabby cat and the dragon-blooded serpent followed them in.

Jiang Zhu glanced at them and continued with his work.

"Find a seat yourself, why wait for me to entertain you?" the Nine-Colored Deer said indifferently.

Even when facing the old dragon, she was not afraid. She had a friendship with the tabby cat, so there was no need to be polite. The dragon blood serpent had even less face in front of her.

The tabby cat, as if it were an old friend, pulled up a chair and looked at Jiang Xiyue: "Come here, come to Grandpa."

"Don't you want your fur anymore?" The Nine-Colored Deer glanced at him sideways, wondering who he was trying to take advantage of.
"Come here to your uncle," the tabby cat said with a smile, beckoning.

Jiang Xiyue looked at the chubby tabby cat; it was very cute.

In this world of cultivation, demons and monsters are rampant, and being taught by the Nine-Colored Deer, one naturally learns about the supernatural from a young age.

Therefore, she wasn't surprised that the tabby cat could talk.

Jiang Xiyue stepped forward only after the Nine-Colored Deer gave her permission.

“Little Xiyue, this is your Uncle Cat, named Gu Qingxu,” the Nine-Colored Deer introduced. “This is Old Mudfish, and this is Little Mudfish.”

The old dragon and the dragon-blood serpent: "..."

"Call me Uncle Dragon." The old dragon chuckled, a bunch of lychees appearing in his hand: "Here, these are southern fruits that your uncle brought for you."

The Dragon Blood Serpent thought for a moment and then took out a candied hawthorn.

Jiang Zhu glanced at them but didn't pay them much attention.

Half an hour later, the food was ready.

The family of three, along with three other guests, were seated. Nine-Colored Deer, of course, wouldn't refuse them, and poured them three cups of peach blossom wine.

"You guys are living a really good life," the tabby cat said enviously. "Unlike me, that girl Jiang Yunmeng really treats me like a cow."

"Only a cow with principles can be considered a cow," the Nine-Colored Deer said calmly.

The dragon-blooded serpent tried to speak several times, but was glared at by the tabby cat and kept quiet.

"I heard Jiang Zhu say during the day that Xiao Xiyue is going to cultivate immortality. I wonder if she has established a lineage?" the tabby cat asked.

"No need," the Nine-Colored Deer said calmly.

With her and Jiang Zhu's guidance, it's better than any other tradition.

“She needs friends too. She can’t just keep following you around practicing without understanding anything, can she?” the tabby cat said.

Nine-Colored Deer frowned, and Jiang Zhu said indifferently, "Alright, Xiao Xiyue will decide this herself. What, haven't you had enough of taking care of the child?"

"Don't even think about it," the tabby cat said irritably. "I will never take care of children again in my life."

He had been through a lot with Li Qingchen.

Jiang Xiyue's eyes lit up when she looked at him. He had plucked his fur quite a bit earlier, and if he really brought Jiang Xiyue along, he would suffer even more.

The group remained silent and focused on their meal.

The Nine-Colored Deer coaxed Jiang Xiyue to sleep before leading them into the courtyard.

"What brings you here?" Jiang Zhu finally asked.

“I heard from the celestial official that the immortal the fish demon in Qinghe City encountered resembled you, so I came to take a look.” After saying this, the tabby cat glanced at the dragon-blood serpent: “And then there’s this guy, who, in mortal terms, is a shameless and heartless bastard.”

The Dragon Blood Serpent's face was grim, and it offered no explanation.

"Alright, you don't need to say anything more." Jiang Zhu glanced at the Dragon Blood Serpent: "If you lost, just admit defeat. If you're not satisfied, go choose another place and fight your way back. What use are you to me?"
You want Jiang Yunmeng to give up Xiaolong and choose you? You're too greedy, only thinking of your own benefit. Have you ever truly opened your eyes to the world and its mortals?

“I…I am not here to pray for the fate of the nation; I wish to establish a lineage of righteousness in the Ming Dynasty,” said the Dragon Blood Serpent.

The tabby cat's eyes widened: "What?"

(End of this chapter)