CHAPTER 52: CHAPTER 52: MOTHER IS GOD FOREVER!

"Are you saying that you mistook my sending you here as an act of companionship for the girl? And then you waited a year, confirming it was my deliberate arrangement, before you contacted her?"

On the beach of the small island, Shen Nong frowned at the bruised and swollen-faced Wu Wang before him, his eyes showing a trace of suspicion.

Wu Wang raised his hand to his face and wiped, immediately regaining his suave composure.

He stepped half a pace forward, cupped his fists, stood with his legs together, and leaned forward. Using a clear and somewhat robust voice, he said, "Yes, Father-in-law."

The Senior’s face darkened as if it were the bottom of a pot, and he almost failed to restrain himself from giving the fellow another thrashing.

Wu Wang chuckled and hurriedly said, "Senior, Senior, for now, I shall continue to call you Senior."

"Scoundrel!" Shen Nong glared and scolded. "That girl only has a fragmented soul left, existing in this world solely by a persistent longing. Not only can she not leave the East Sea, but if she stops trying to fill the sea, her soul will completely dissipate! You... you actually dared!"

Wu Wang furrowed his brows. "Didn’t you send me here, Senior, for Jingwei’s endeavor to gather thoughts into divinity?"

"Becoming a god?" Shen Nong paused and said no more. He slowly sat down on the beach, listening to the sound of the sea washing over the sand, sinking into a prolonged silence.

Wu Wang keenly sensed that something might be amiss.

He examined the Senior who had suddenly appeared, first making sure that this Senior was indeed real and no different from before. Only then did he allow himself a slight sigh of relief.

Afterward, Wu Wang noticed some details.

The feeling of an old, withered tree that the Senior had given him on their first meeting had vanished. The robes beneath the straw coat were no longer stained, and the wrinkles on his face had diminished by nearly half, making him look much younger.

"Senior, have you succeeded in prolonging your Lifespan?"

"Yes," Shen Nong let out a light sigh. "Although it came at a price, there’s no need to worry about the Human Domain being unprotected for now."

"What was the price?"

"A price that won’t cause any harm to the Human Domain or the Human race," Shen Nong said softly. "Let’s not talk about this anymore. Before I came here, I returned to the Human Domain to replace the Pavilion Master of the Four Seas Pavilion. However, corruption still lingers within the Pavilion, and it’s not something that can be changed overnight. People’s hearts have changed; they are indeed different from when the Human Domain was first established. You... do you truly fancy my daughter?"

Before Wu Wang could speak, Shen Nong continued, "It wouldn’t be just because she is the only one you can interact with that you developed feelings, right?"

"That," Wu Wang sat down beside Shen Nong and said candidly, "was surely the initial drive. But Senior, to tell you the truth... heh, I’ve fallen for her."

"Humph!" Shen Nong cursed. "If I didn’t know your character, do you think you’d still be hopping around here alive?"

Wu Wang stated decisively, "Senior, have no concerns. As long as you agree to betroth Jingwei to me, we will have a detached house in the Northern Wilderness, my mother-in-law will live separately from us after the marriage, our eldest son can take your surname, and she’ll be in charge of our family’s finances! My mother... can swim!"

Shen Nong glared at Wu Wang and scolded, "Who agreed to betroth her to you? What on earth are you talking about? Isn’t your mother the Sun Ritual? So what if she can swim?"

Wu Wang laughed. "Actually, this is a joke I heard. It’s a tricky question for men: if a man’s mother and wife both fell into a river, whom would he save first?"

"Oh?" Shen Nong pondered for a moment. "This question is quite intricate. Though it seems simple, it hides a sharp edge... Alright, let’s not change the subject. During these times, your cultivation has indeed advanced by leaps and bounds. Remember to be steady and thorough, and do not rush. You should know that many people with outstanding talents make rapid progress in the initial stages, but once they encounter a bottleneck, they find it difficult to progress further. The key to Enlightenment is ’understanding.’ If one cannot comprehend, then they cannot comprehend, no matter how skilled their spells or how profound their Cultivation Technique."

Wu Wang replied, "Yes, I have taken your teaching to heart."

He then asked, "So, Senior, about Jingwei’s endeavor to gather thoughts into divinity..."

Shen Nong’s brow furrowed slightly, showing hesitation, then he fell silent once again.

Wu Wang quietly asked, "Is there some difficulty? If you command it, Senior, we just need to establish a temple in the Human Domain..."

"How could I not wish for the same?" Shen Nong looked out over the sea and said slowly, "I brought her here, far from the worldly hustle and bustle, hoping indeed to help her with this method. But..."

"But what?"

"What achievements does she have to deserve a temple and incense offerings? What about those soldiers who fell at the frontier? Who will build temples for them?"

Shen Nong’s eyes held a touch of melancholy, and Wu Wang also fell silent by his side.

"Then I will take her back to the Northern Wilderness," Wu Wang said softly. "I don’t possess your lofty character, Senior. It makes no difference to me if I engage in such practices to sway people’s hearts."

Shen Nong sighed. "At this moment, her Divine Soul relies entirely on that single thread of obsession and cannot withstand any fluctuations. Don’t dwell on it."

"Is there no way to bring her back to life?"

"If she were to live again, you would not be able to interact with her anymore," Shen Nong asked. "Knowing this, do you still want to proceed?"

"Yes." Wu Wang looked in the direction of the Divine Wood. "Senior, just tell me the method."

"Sadly, the dead cannot be revived." Shen Nong sighed deeply, his face seeming to age a little more, his eyes filled with a glint of reminiscence. "It has taken me such a long time to accept this reality. The year she had her accident, she was only in her teens, swallowed by the misty waves of the East Sea. All that was left was this remnant soul and obsession, transforming into Jingwei, indignantly trying to fill the East Sea. She always had such an unyielding spirit; she used to fight with her sisters every day. It was also my oversight previously. I only thought of sending you to a safe place and never considered that the curse on you still had loopholes. Ultimately, it’s all an illusion, like flowers in a mirror and the moon in the water. You should let it go sooner rather than later."

"It was you, Senior, who sent me here! By what right do you now tell me to let go?" Wu Wang stood up, clenched his fists slightly, and declared resolutely, "You are the Human Emperor, capable of contending with the Heavenly Emperor, yet you cannot revive a fragmented soul? How am I to believe that! Can the rumored Undying Medicine restore her?"

Shen Nong countered, "She has no body. How can she be restored?"

"What if a new body were to be created?"

"If a new body were created now, given the fragility of her Divine Soul, I fear her Lifespan would not exceed half a day."

Wu Wang opened his mouth. Though he knew it was improper to ask such a question, he couldn’t help but say softly, "Then Senior... what were you doing all that time before?"

"I am the Human Emperor." Shen Nong slowly closed his eyes, a hint of distress in them. "Before I broke through to this realm, every bit of my Mana was a deterrent to the gods, not to be wasted. By the time I reached this realm, it was already too late to change anything. Calm yourself. Don’t be agitated. I am her father. More than you, I wish she could live, rather than an old man like me burying his child."

Wu Wang took half a step back, standing there for a long time without moving.

"My apologies, Senior. I misspoke. I... I will go calm myself. Later, I have an important matter to report to you." Wu Wang said softly, then turned and walked toward the Divine Tree, returning to his wooden hut.

Jingwei had resumed her task of filling the sea, her wings spread as she flitted back and forth nearby.

Shen Nong sat by the sandy beach, his gray-white hair loose, his straw coat slightly worn, clutching the wooden staff in his arms. He remained motionless for a long time, like a solitary reef.

「...」

Is there truly no method in this Great Wilderness to restore a remnant soul?

Wu Wang had forgotten for how many days and nights he had remained at his desk. Before him lay various texts—Sheepskin Scrolls, bamboo slips, and stone tablets, all collected from the Northern Wilderness. Most of the books acquired later were stored with Lin Suqing, whom he referred to as ’Auntie.’

Wu Wang had read all of these, but still, he couldn’t bring himself to trust his memory, meticulously searching through them word by word. If only he could find even a fragment of words like ’reincarnation’ or ’resurrection’...

The Human Emperor isn’t the ruler of Heaven and Earth, merely the leader of the Human race. I truly did demand too much of the Senior before. If I can’t accomplish something myself, why should I pin my hopes on others? Ultimately, it all comes down to a lack of strength.

Upon hearing the sound of flapping wings, Wu Wang turned his head toward the window and immediately softened his expression into a gentle smile.

Jingwei flew in from outside the window. The colorful feathers on her forehead were now hidden, but the Divine Light in her eyes also appeared tired.

POOF!

Amidst a puff of green smoke, Jingwei, now in a light black short skirt, jumped out with her hands behind her back and winked at Wu Wang with a smile.

"Why did you come so early?" Wu Wang stood up with a smile and said warmly, "You haven’t rested enough."

"I just wanted to." Jingwei twirled with a laugh, her hair ribbon fluttering and her sleek black hair flowing. Her sleeves, white as flowers, were quite conspicuous. "Let’s have some fun and forget all those worries."

Wu Wang asked softly, "Will this harm your body?"

"Not at all," Jingwei blinked. "Don’t worry, Father is here. He certainly wouldn’t let me lose any more of my Divine Soul."

Even so, Wu Wang took out a Crystal Ball and suspended it beside her. Its soft glow illuminated her, making her skin appear even whiter and more supple.

"Come." Wu Wang extended his right hand. Jingwei bit her lower lip lightly, took a few steps forward, and grasped Wu Wang’s palm.

Suddenly, the gaze of a certain Senior pierced through the crack in the door, making Wu Wang feel as if thorns were pricking his back. An intense, unwavering stare.

Yet Wu Wang merely held her delicate hand firmly, feeling its softness and warmth. He stood tall and proud, like a triumphant General.

Outside the wooden house, hidden in a patch of shadow, the old man was so angry his beard bristled and his eyes widened.

Jingwei chuckled lightly, drawing her hand back. She whispered, "Let’s go for a walk by the herb garden. Father is peeking; let’s not provoke the old man."

Wu Wang smiled ruefully.

He had been on the verge of delivering a grand speech of youth, advising the Senior to know his place and not be unappreciative. Just kidding, of course! How could he be so rude to his father-in-law? At most, he’d spike his drink with some itching powder later... cough, or perhaps add a few drops of Immortal Brew to the itching powder!

"Let’s go." Wu Wang made a welcoming gesture. He and Jingwei left the wooden house, heading towards the herb garden on the gentle slope.

The herb garden was protected by delicate, intricate mini-Formations that maintained the demanding environmental conditions required by the Spiritual Medicines, showcasing Senior Shen Nong’s unique mastery in the art of Formations.

Wu Wang walked with his hands clasped behind his back, trying to think of something to say.

Jingwei, her hands folded in front of her, asked softly, "Did you and Father argue a few days ago?"

"Not at all," Wu Wang laughed. "How would I dare argue with His Majesty the Human Emperor?"

Jingwei looked slightly remorseful. "It was because of me, wasn’t it?"

Wu Wang said, "Don’t overthink it. I’ve even fought with your father a few times. He doesn’t act like a Senior at all, always trying to trick us juniors!"

"Actually, I know," Jingwei said quietly, her head bowed slightly. "You were chosen by Father to come here and keep me company, to let me experience love between a man and a woman, so I could pass on without regrets. Is that right?"

Wu Wang opened his mouth. This storyline... how is it completely different from what I imagined?

Jingwei bit her lip and said forlornly, "I don’t actually want such pity. Perhaps we should just..."

"You’ve been reading too many stories!" Wu Wang abruptly stepped forward, grabbed Jingwei’s arm, and pressed her palm to his chest. "It’s really not like that! Let me explain it to you properly, in detail. There are a few misunderstandings here; it’s a classic case of coincidences making the story."

Jingwei tilted her head. "What is it?"

"I actually have a strange illness." Wu Wang took a deep breath, a great sense of relief washing over him as he spoke about it for the first time.

He signaled Jingwei to continue their stroll and said slowly, "I am the Young Master of the Bear Hug Clan from the Northern Wilderness. But when I was seven, something happened, and since then, I haven’t been able to touch women. According to Senior Shen Nong, I was cursed by an unknown Innate God. No matter who it is, as long as she’s a woman—including my mother and grandmother—if they touch me, I fall into a deep sleep and lose consciousness completely. You are the only woman I can touch."

Jingwei asked in a low voice, "Is it because I’m a remnant soul?"

"It’s probably not that simple. It likely also has to do with the methods Senior Shen Nong used to preserve your soul." Wu Wang said earnestly, "So, you see, you are the only one I can touch. That was my initial reason for wanting to get close to you. But regardless of my motives, I..."

A finger pressed against Wu Wang’s lips. Jingwei’s eyes held a touch of apology as she said softly, "I understand. Say no more. That must be a painful scar for you. Not being able to touch even your mother and grandmother... it must have been very hard."

"Yes, I was only seven," Wu Wang looked up slightly, a hint of emotion in his eyes. "On rainy days with thunder, I couldn’t even ask my mother for a hug."

Jingwei pursed her lips slightly, a faint blush on her cheeks. She suddenly jumped in front of Wu Wang.

"If... if I can... you..." She closed her eyes, nervously turning her head to the side, her raised arm trembling.

Wu Wang almost laughed out loud. The partner he’d found in the Great Wilderness was so adorable. He had intended to just take her hand and leave it at that; he couldn’t take advantage of his own partner like this. A relationship that developed naturally was the best.

But just then, an old Senior figure popped out from the nearby herb garden, glaring and grinning at Wu Wang, then making a throat-slitting gesture with his hand.

He, the Young Master of the Northern Wilderness, would not be threatened like this!

Wu Wang took a step forward and gently embraced Jingwei, whispering, "Thank you."

"Mm..." Jingwei’s cheeks turned crimson, but she strained to stand on her tiptoes, resting her chin on Wu Wang’s shoulder.

The old Senior looked like he was about to eat someone.

The old Senior stomped his foot, about to charge forward and break up the loving pair, when the necklace on Wu Wang’s chest began to flicker and vibrate gently.

Mother?

He asked in his mind, "Mother, what’s wrong? Your son is busy... er, busy cultivating."

In the Temple of the Star God, Cang Xue almost laughed out loud when she heard this.

Cang Xue closed her eyes, her lips moving slightly, her voice transmitting through the necklace into Wu Wang’s heart: "I almost forgot to remind you. The gods are not always harmonious with one another, and the Star God has some enemies and old rivals. When you’re outside, it’s best to use your Bloodline Power as little as possible when facing enemies."

"Understood, Mother. I know."

Cang Xue said softly, "Although the Human Domain has risen rapidly, and our Human race shows signs of becoming the foremost race in the world, the order in the Great Wilderness is still controlled by the gods who command the Dao rules. The abilities of the gods are myriad and strange. Even if their combat power is less than that of the Immortals of the Human Domain, they might possess unique strengths in certain areas."

Why is Mother being so... verbose today? Cough, I mean, so meticulous with her instructions. Your son is hugging a girl for the first time in his adult life, feeling such heart-melting softness in his arms. Couldn’t you wait a bit... Huh? The gods... with myriad and strange abilities?

A flash of Spirit Light crossed Wu Wang’s mind. He acted decisively, grasping this Spirit Light tightly. He hugged the girl in his arms more firmly and looked up at Shen Nong, who was sharpening a knife within the Formation ahead.

"Senior! Have you asked those Innate Gods? Do they have any methods for resurrection, reversing life and death, or the transmigration of a remnant soul? If you were to act, apart from the Heavenly Emperor, couldn’t you subdue them all? You no longer have a Lifespan crisis, do you?"

Shen Nong was plunged into thought, and the speed of his knife-sharpening noticeably slowed.

Jingwei’s cheeks, however, flushed crimson. With a POOF, she transformed into a bird. She pecked Wu Wang on the head and immediately spread her wings and flew away.

My mother, forever a legend!