A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 404 - 246: The Dragon’s Chosen Son-in-Law, Prince Consort on the Eastern Bed_2

"That’s enough, old bastard."

Hong Jie felt a toothache from listening and couldn’t help but curse:

"If you’ve got something to say, spit it out, hurry up! Looking at you just irritates me!"

Seeing Hong Jie looking like he had a bone stuck in his throat, Chen Xing was thoroughly satisfied and grinned.

Back when Ninghai Zen was taken as a disciple, that mischievous kid was rebellious and arrogant, never really treating him as a master, and even in front of outsiders, he showed no respect.

Unlike Ah Qi, who was so sensible and well-behaved, perfect for showing off!

"It’s a small matter. Your lackeys, who knows whose palm they greased, went against my disciple’s grandson and detained his freight ship.

Lao Hong, you lack discipline!"

Chen Xing said lightly:

"Considering our relationship, this can be a big or small trouble. If you can resolve it, I won’t interfere; if you can’t be bothered, I don’t mind handling it myself."

Hong Jie’s two snow-white eyebrows suddenly twitched, and his face sank.

The rules of the Pai Bang are not as strict as one might think, beyond the headquarter he personally governs.

Other branches, incense halls are mostly recruited guest ministers and tributors.

If they’re capable, they get a position of real power; if not, they get an honorary title.

Over time, various kinds of people mixed together, dragon and fish jumbled.

Thus, indeed, there’s a mix of the good and bad, quality is uneven.

But usually, Hong Jie reminds them, when taking benefits, have some foresight.

In the heart there must be a balance, who can provoked, who cannot be touched, must remember clearly.

"No need for you to step in."

Hong Jie waved his hand; Chen Xing, the old bastard, was consistently ruthless, letting him act personally, that hall would likely hardly have any survivors left.

Before entering Yihai Prefecture, this fellow was called "Ten Du Yama", infamous.

The Pai Bang Leader gestured with his hand and summoned the guards outside, whispering a few words.

Approximately after Bai Qi drank the third pot of Cloud Mist Tea, the matter of the Hong Ming cargo ship being detained had a result.

Hong Jie sat at the top listening intently to the report, then spat out eight words:

"Punish without forgiveness, to serve as a warning to others!"

Not long after, Bai Qi, sitting in the high loft drinking Spirit Tea like there’s no tomorrow, heard the faint sound of axes chopping flesh and bones outside, followed by splashing and rinsing.

With enhanced hearing, sight, and smell, his senses were exceptionally keen, he could almost vividly picture the scene in his mind.

"The Leader possesses considerable authority; with a single command, heads roll, comparable to the County City’s Earth Emperor, wielding life and death power."

Bai Qi pondered, when it comes to ranking, the top spot in Yihai Prefecture definitely belongs to the two Daoist Officials, next is the Pai Bang Leader, with the Thirteen Trades having to settle below them.

While fishing in Black River County, every spring and autumn, taxes were collected by Pai Bang sending people to the countryside.

Shows the extent of their influence.

"Once the cargo is offloaded, immediately transport it to Hong Ming Ship."

Hong Jie squinted, smiling said:

"People below don’t know their place, lack foresight, secretly made their own decisions, almost delayed Bai Qilang’s business.

Aside from fifteen lives in the hall, include the heads of Zheng Family and Zhu Family."

Swift and decisive!

Bai Qi mentally gave a thumbs up, the Pai Bang Leader’s eyes might be small, but his tactics were tough enough.

A few words, and he resolved the trouble, not only leaving Bai Qi satisfied, but also gave a subtle warning to Zheng Family and Zhu Family.

"Old Hong handles things swiftly!"

Chen Xing praised.

"Where are the disciples you took under your wing, haven’t seen them around?"

Hong Jie’s face twitched, coldly said:

"My disciples naturally can’t compare to yours, what’s there to see."

Chen Xing drummed his fingers on the table, didn’t respond, seemed to be waiting for more.

"... Also can’t compare to your disciple’s grandson, alright. You old bastard, you’re the best at pushing the limits!"

Hong Jie sighed helplessly, if he didn’t finish talking, Chen Xing that rogue could drink another twenty pots of Cloud Mist Spirit Tea with Bai Qilang.

And possibly demand a few more tables of good wine and dishes.

In this aspect of freeloading, the Tongwen Hall lineage never loses to others.

Ten years ago, this Pai Bang Leader experienced it.

The stone tablet reading "Ninghai Zen and Qiu Changtian may not enter" at Nu Yun River Water Monarch Palace.

He personally set it up!

"Oh come on, Old Hong, see you say those big truths I don’t like hearing!"

Chen Xing laughed heartily:

"Like that one, and that one, and that one, all are outstanding talents, I remember they’ve all overcome the Third Skin Refining Barrier."

Damn you, if you can’t even remember their names, don’t pretend you appreciate them!

Hong Jie was furious, and if he weren’t so unskilled in attack, he would have made old Chen Xing bleed today.

"Get out! Or don’t blame me for hanging a plaque at the Pai Bang Headquarters in the future!"

His cultivated Turtle Mirror Technique, with just a hurried glance, clearly revealed the immense and unfathomable foundation of Bai Qilang.

His divine soul and physical body were both approaching perfection, incomparable to the few inept disciples of his own.

"Since the trouble is resolved, I won’t disturb you any further."

Chen Xing took the advantage and, alongside Bai Qi, who had finished drinking the fifth pot of Cloud Mist Spirit Tea, got up to leave.

Hong Jie, his tiny eyes turning constantly, frowned and kept staring at the tall figure.

After a long time, a flash of insight hit him:

"It’s the aura of the dragon’s lineage! This kid... carries the scent of Princess Jiao! He is a disciple of Ninghai Zen, it all makes sense!"

...

...

Bai Qi stepped out of the high pavilion, the bloody smell permeating the Cape of Good Hope Platform had yet to dissipate. The ground’s redness seeped into the stone bricks, and dozens of heads were placed in bamboo cages, hanging on flagpoles.

"This is the explanation given to you."

Chen Xing said lightly.

"Ah Qi, the higher a person goes, the wider the shadow they cast, this is called status.

When you have status, ordinary people cannot easily offend you, or else they will pay a bitter price.

This is ’reputation’.

Many Jianghu people struggle their whole lives just for this.

Today it was your subordinates causing trouble, offending Hong Jie, so he came looking for you.

You must give an explanation, or else it’s like stepping on his face.

You and Pai Bang will be in a fight to the death to determine superiority."

Bai Qi nodded in understanding, realizing that reputation and profit, even in front of the Dragon Court Emperor or the Golden Talisman Daoist Official, work the same way.

It’s just that for figures like them, the reputation and fortune they pursue are no longer in the usual sense.

"Master, what’s the origin of this Pai Bang Leader? He looks like a turtle’s back and crane’s shape, with an extraordinary demeanor."

As they walked further, Bai Qi finally voiced his curiosity.

"Turtle’s back and crane’s shape... haha, not inaccurate."

Chen Xing’s eyes sparkled, unable to suppress his laughter:

"Lao Hong’s fundamental true skill is ’Three Talents Returning to Origin’, with the heart method as the top, from which ’Turtle Mirror’ derives; followed by step techniques, understanding ’Riding the Wind and Treading the Sea’, and lastly palm techniques, practicing ’North Peng’s Hanging Wing’.

He’s not skilled in the latter two, quite mediocre, but only the ’Turtle Mirror’ is excellent.

He loves to spy on others’ thoughts and imitate others’ skills.

Back then, Lao Hong tried to use this move against your master, but in the end, your master learned the North Peng’s Hanging Wing Palm and Wind-Riding Sea-Stepping Step from him, leaving him speechless."

What level of talent does the master have?

Bai Qi pondered. With the second divine seed [Long Martial Strategist], he could comprehend a skill whenever he defeated strong enemies in the Ink and Water World.

But Ninghai Zen’s behavior of purely stealing skills based on demonic talent seemed unreasonable.

"I noticed Lao Hong has been watching you, and mentioned your aura being off, Ah Qi, are you carrying any treasures?"

Even as they almost left the Pai Bang Headquarter, Chen Xing still felt Hong Jie’s subtle attention on them. Falling behind by half a step, he swept his broad sleeve to brush off the Pai Bang Leader’s covert spying.

"Treasure... just this one."

Bai Qi unclasped his upper robe, revealing a finely crafted armor piece, as hard as iron.

This was a gift from Sister Jiao, far away in Black River County.

"Dragon’s reverse scale..."

Chen Xing paused, then laughed:

"What good fortune, Ah Qi. It’s said that when a Dragon Maiden falls in love with a man, she will shed a reverse scale to give him as a keepsake!

How did you come by it? Without saying a word, you’ve managed to win over a Dragon Maiden, becoming a son-in-law of the Water Monarch Palace! This is not something that would come from a Tongwen Hall graduate! Your master couldn’t teach such skills!"

Ah?

This... is a reverse scale?

Bai Qi truthfully said:

"Black River County, Black Water River, my master knows a long flood dragon named Da Hei."

Flood Dragon Maiden?

Chen Xing frowned deeply, a thought crossed his mind, he inquired further:

"How old is she?"

"Eight years old."

Bai Qi lightly coughed.

"An eight-year-old flood dragon maiden’s reverse scale, and she hasn’t even transformed yet... Ah Qi, you must be extremely careful when sailing to Nu Yun River in the future."

After a long silence, Chen Xing added:

"Your master fears that if the Old Flood Dragon from the Water Monarch Palace finds out, it may come slap you to death."