CHAPTER 104: CHAPTER 104: WHITE BONE DEMON AND JADE RABBIT [SEEKING RECOMMENDATION VOTES]_1

Nezha frowned, evidently displeased.

Better to be powerful oneself than to rely on external support.

Feigning courtesy, he merely clasped his fists and then retreated.

Seeing Nezha withdraw, Li Jing frowned. This rebellious child, becoming more defiant by the day. Does he not support the grand aspirations of the Li Family that span ten thousand years?

At that moment, someone emerged from behind the screen—it was Muzha Walker.

He clasped his fists and said, "Father, Third Brother is just finding it difficult to adjust his mentality momentarily. If we reform him, we will surely make him change his ways."

Li Jing nodded and asked, "How is your Buddhism task of obtaining scriptures progressing?"

Muzha replied, "No progress."

Li Jing inquired, "No progress?"

Scratching his head, Muzha said, "Well, it’s about to fall apart. I need Father’s help."

Li Jing said, "Tell me about it."

Muzha then recounted the recent events, including Sha Chen’s ’sticking to old ways’ and his refusal to leave, Marshal Tianpeng’s constant running around that was exhausting Buddhism’s resources, and how Ao Lie had narrowly avoided major pitfalls on several occasions and had entered the deep abyss for his trial.

He said with a wry smile, "Father, I have never found anything to be so difficult."

Li Jing also frowned. "It’s normal for Sha Chen to be reluctant to venture out since he’s cautious and weaker. He fears for his life, but..."

"COUGH, COUGH." Muzha then said, "Father King, Sha Chen’s cultivation level is very likely not beneath mine. The last time we sparred, he forced me back with a single palm strike."

Li Jing was taken aback, utterly shocked.

Muzha quickly explained further, "But, I was in the water at the time. If it had been outside the water, he might not have been my match."

Li Jing, still shocked, said, "Has he really grown to such an extent? It seems we in the Li Family could consider placing our bets on him."

Muzha replied, "If Eldest Brother can convert him, it would be like our Li Family making a wager."

Li Jing nodded.

At this time, Jinzha walked out from behind another screen, saying, "Father, Second Brother, is a mere General for Folding the Curtain giving you such a hard time?"

Muzha said, "Eldest Brother, one should not underestimate that person; he has some abilities."

Jinzha chuckled. "It just so happens that affairs concerning Jin Chanzi have concluded for now. I can free my hands to meet that little Juanlian."

Muzha wanted to persuade him further, but knowing his elder brother’s pride and self-confidence, he understood he would not listen. To say more would risk being labeled worthless. Thus, he chose to remain silent.

Li Jing said, "Jinzha, with you taking action, I can rest assured. Your strength and status are both higher than your second brother’s. If this mission is successful, our Li Family’s position in Buddhism will be significantly elevated."

Jinzha clasped his fists and said, "Father, rest assured. A mere minor general is insignificant. I will surely capture him effortlessly."

He then glanced at Muzha and laughed, "Second Brother should improve his cultivation, to let a demoted general defeat him."

Muzha clenched his teeth and said, "Eldest Brother, I was just unprepared in the water. If it had been in the air, I surely would have..."

Jinzha waved his hand. "Enough, say no more."

"Guanyin Elder instructed you to convert Tianpeng and Ao Lie. Leave that demoted general to me from now on. In less than three years, I will make him so restless he will come out of the water as a demon and be eternally grateful to our Li Family."

Muzha snorted coldly and turned to leave.

Jinzha let out a chuckle.

Li Jing smiled on the side, never mediating the petty squabbles between his sons. With his sons not united, he, as their father, could mediate from above, exalted.

Jinzha said, "Father, on my return this time, I would like to borrow a few people from you."

Li Jing asked, "Who, and for what purpose?"

Jinzha replied, "Although the matter of Jin Chanzi’s reincarnation has been successfully managed, there are some loose ends. I suspect someone is plotting against Jin Chanzi. It could be the Chan Sect, the Sect of Interpretation, or the Human Religion. In any case, I want to find them."

Li Jing immediately understood. "Alright, then take Thousand-mile Eye and Downwind Ear with you. If you need anyone else, just let me know."

Jinzha clasped his fists in thanks. "Thank you, Father King."

"I require some deities skilled in capturing spirits. That person’s physical body was destroyed, yet they did not fall into the Nether World. It seems they’ve become a wandering ghost in the mortal realm. I must find them and uncover who is behind them."

Li Jing said, "Granted."

Their voices gradually faded.

Li Zhenying crawled out from under the table. She had been hiding nearby all along, secretly listening to her father and brothers’ conversation.

As she emerged, she furrowed her brows and muttered, It’s that Juanlian again. Unexpectedly, Father and my elder brothers actually hope to win him over. Did I make a mistake last time? Could I have caused trouble for Father and the others?

After hesitating for a moment, her eyes lit up. I’ve got it! I’ll personally go and win him over. If I succeed, wouldn’t that be a great achievement?

Then she vanished on the spot.

「Flowing Sand River.」

Sha Chen had recently awoken again from his meditative seclusion, the unease in his heart growing ever stronger.

For some reason, he always felt unsettled. It shouldn’t be like this.

Just as he was anxiously pondering, cries came from outside the Flowing Sand River.

"Brother, I’m back! It’s me, Tianpeng! Open the Formation gate quickly, I’ve returned! Let me in!"

It was Tianpeng’s voice. Visibly, he was shouting from the riverbank.

Sha Chen furrowed his brows. His Downwind Ear swept across, capable of hearing the slightest stir within a ten-thousand-mile radius.

There was nothing amiss.

Except, there was something wrong with Tianpeng.

He activated his Illusion-Breaking Divine Eye and immediately saw that the Tianpeng before him was a fake; its true form was actually the White Bone Demon!

But the White Bone Demon’s body was radiant with light, sometimes taking Tianpeng’s true form, and other times showing her true bony self.

He was shocked. White Bone Demon? What kind of fortuitous encounter could she have had to transform so convincingly? Luckily, I have the Illusion-Breaking Divine Eye. If it were still my old Fiery Golden Eyes, I probably wouldn’t have seen through it.

Sha Chen was inwardly shaken, his face expressing disbelief. At the same time, he was even more vigilant.

The White Bone Demon is here again! What is she planning!?

Sha Chen chose to ignore her, as her impersonation of Tianpeng surely harbored ill intentions.

The ’Tianpeng’ on the shore shouted for a long time, but Sha Chen paid him no heed. This made the impostor frown and curse silently.

Just then, a streak of light approached from the distance; it was the Jade Rabbit.

She had just returned from afar and, seeing Tianpeng shouting outside the Flowing Sand River, hid herself and tried to take a detour.

The White Bone Demon instantly recognized the Jade Rabbit’s extraordinary aura; she was at the early stage of a Greater Primordial Golden Immortal.

Furthermore, she had cultivated highly authentic Dao Techniques: the 72 Polymorphic Transformations and the Eight-Nine Profound Art.

Her methods are just like Tianpeng’s, and she’s heading straight for the Flowing Sand River. She must have some connection with Sha Chen or Tianpeng. But she hid when she saw ’Tianpeng’... She probably doesn’t know him. Then she must be connected to Sha Chen!

The White Bone Demon, being incredibly clever, quickly conjectured this, then smiled and approached. "Miss, are you also trying to enter the Flowing Sand River?"

The Jade Rabbit responded cautiously, "No. And... you don’t recognize me?"

Isn’t this Marshal Tianpeng? He used to visit Guanghan Palace all the time! Doesn’t he recognize me!?