Chapter 269 - Chapter 269: The Beginning of Bliss, Coming to the Netherworld
Chapter 269: The Beginning of Bliss, Coming to the Netherworld
Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
Jiang Changsheng could not bear to see Zhang Ying get reincarnated again. Therefore, he blessed him with 50,000 incense points in exchange for good luck in this life.
However, Zhang Ying was not born in Great Jing in this life, but in the Great Wilderness.
It was unknown if it was a martial artist who took the risk to give birth to him or if he was born in a sect in the Great Wilderness.
Every year, there would be martial artists who went to the Great Wilderness to establish a sect. Even though they had left Skyview Land, they still belonged to Great Jing. This was because it was difficult for them to survive on their own, and they had to exchange resources.
Jiang Changsheng did not go and look. He had many good friends like Zhang Ying, and he could not possibly give everyone equal amounts of attention. The blessings were already kind enough.
Days continued to pass.
The news that the Emperor was going to hold a banquet in the capital spread throughout the land. He even asked the White-robed Guards to send invitations to all parts of Great Jing. This included dukes and many large sects.
He wanted to hold this banquet with a bang that no one had ever seen before! In the next few months, a large number of carriages entered and left the capital, making it extremely lively.
Within the palace.
Jiang Che sat in the pavilion and stared at the group of Daoist priests who were refining elixirs not far away.
Chen Li sat in front of Jiang Che. Speaking of the Emperor’s achievements, he could not help but smile bitterly and say, “I’m worried that the atmosphere of the Great Jing will go astray from now on.”
Jiang Che calmly said, “What are you afraid of? The Emperor does not live as long as his subjects. We can correct him in the future.”
It was impossible to say that he did not have any resentment in his heart. It was a good opportunity for the entire court to see if the next emperor would be more sagely without him.
Of course, the reason why he did not care was also because of Great Jing’s foundation. It was impossible for Great Jing to be in chaos.
There were no powerful enemies outside, and it was peaceful inside.
Who in the world would dare to rebel in such conditions?
To be honest, he was looking forward to the scene of someone rebelling. It would remind the world of the Dao Ancestor’s methods.
Seeing that he no longer wanted to care about the imperial power, Chen Li could only give up. He turned to the group of Daoists and asked curiously, “Are they really talented?”
Jiang Che said, “The Little Penglai Sect’s alchemy skills are still pretty good. You see, even though they can’t produce a longevity pill, my body is getting better and better. I’ll take it one step at a time.”
Chen Li looked at him and could not help but nod as a thought surfaced in his mind.
Should I follow suit?
Chen Li knew his limits. His talent in martial arts was not first-rate to begin with. Coupled with the fact that he was usually busy with government affairs, he did not have enough time to practice martial arts. If this continued, how long could he live?
With the Emperor’s edict, the progress of the banquet went smoothly. Coupled with the fact that the teleportation arrays had begun to be commercialized, more and more scholars and beauties rushed to the capital. Before the banquet began, the capital was already bustling with activity. Every street had a group of scholars reciting poems and music, and charming songs could be heard from many buildings.
The blissful dynasty that Jiang Qing wanted had begun to take shape in the capital.
Bai Qi and the two cat demons also entered the city from time to time to enjoy themselves.
On this day, Mu Lingluo returned to Longqi Mountain. It turned out that the Mu Family had also been invited. The Mu Family had bought a mansion in the capital, but since she had returned, she naturally had to accompany Jiang Changsheng.
“The capital is so lively. The streets are filled with all sorts of martial arts performances. There are also inscriptions, demon beasts, and ferocious beast bones. Fortunately, the capital is big enough.”
Mu Lingluo sat beside Jiang Changsheng and smiled. Even though she had a cold temperament, she was rather curious about such a lively scene.
The capital was expanding every year, reaching ten times its original size. Some people once joked that if this continued, Si Province could be renamed as Jing Province.
Jiang Changsheng held her hand and smiled. “Since you like it, stay longer.”
Seeing this scene, Ji Wujun tactfully left the courtyard.
Only Jiang Changsheng and Mu Lingluo were left in the courtyard.
Mu Lingluo tilted her head slightly and said, “Then are you willing to accompany me? You’ve been in Great Jing for so long, but you haven’t taken the time to accompany me. I know you like to cultivate, and so do I. But you have to leave some time for each other, right?”
Jiang Changsheng thought about it and felt that it was indeed appropriate. It did not matter if he cultivated for a few days less.
“When the banquet begins, I’ll accompany you down the mountain to take a look. I should also experience the prosperity of the land,” Jiang Changsheng said with a smile. As he spoke, he reached out and touched her head.
Mu Lingluo revealed a smile. She seemed to have thought of something as her cheeks turned red and she asked in a low voice.
Jiang Changsheng slowly pulled her up and whispered into her ear, making her reveal an expectant expression.
“I will work hard to cultivate until that day.”
Mu Lingluo said in all seriousness, and fighting spirit could be seen in her eyes.
Jiang Changsheng smiled and pulled her towards the house.
Mu Lingluo blushed as he held her hand, but her eyes were filled with joy.
On the other side.
Bai Qi, Huang Tian, and Hei Tian laid on the eaves and looked at the scholars who were competing with each other in the courtyard. From time to time, the three demons would make comments.
This courtyard was privately bought by the Emperor in the past. The scholars who could enter this courtyard were naturally high-spirited and full of vigor.
Ji Wujun suddenly appeared beside Bai Qi and sat down.
Bai Qi asked in surprise, “Why are you here? Aren’t you not interested in these things?”
Ji Wujun looked down and calmly said, “Miss Mu is here.”
“So what if she’s here? What’s wrong?”
“I saw the Dao Ancestor holding her hand. Do you not think I should go away?”
“Is that true?”
Bai Qi’s eyes lit up and she immediately became excited.
What was this?
Was the Dao Ancestor ushering in a new spring?
In the past, she thought that the Dao Ancestor did not like this kind of activity. Now that Mu Lingluo had activated the Dao Ancestor’s interest, her chances were great.
Ji Wujun answered, “Yes, it is expected. After all, the Dao Ancestor treats her differently.”
Bai Qi came back to her senses and sized her up. She clicked her tongue in wonder and said, “Don’t tell me you also have designs on the Dao Ancestor? Let me say this first, queue up!”
Hearing this, Ji Wujun couldn’t help rolling her eyes and angrily said, “Don’t say that I don’t have any ideas. Even if I do, do I need to compete with you?
Who do you think you are?”
Bai Qi shook her body and smiled proudly. “I know I am not as strong as you, but I’m more open-minded. Just watch. Master will understand my good points sooner or later. I also have my talents.”
Ji Wujun frowned and moved away in disgust, fearing that she would get stained with her demonic smell.
However, looking at the courtyard again, Ji Wujun’s heart could not calm down.
Her heart was still in the courtyard on the mountain, curious about what the Dao Ancestor and Miss Mu were doing.
In October, the weather was clear and the Changle Banquet officially began. The entire capital was incomparably jubilant. The Emperor held a banquet in front of the Human Emperor’s Tablet and invited famous courtesans to sing poems and songs written by scholars. Then, the high-ranking officials and aristocrats would evaluate who was more outstanding. Everyone had one vote. Anyone who obtained eighteen votes would be announced to the entire city by the White-robed Guards so that all the buildings in the city would sing their poems.
Dressed in white, Jiang Changsheng and Mu Lingluo walked among the crowd. The two of them were like a match made in heaven, attracting the attention of
many.
Behind them, Ji Wujun, Bai Qi, Huang Tian, and Hei Tian followed.
Ji Wujun said helplessly, “Why must we follow the Dao Ancestor?”
Bai Qi smiled proudly and said, “This is Master’s first time touring the market, so of course I have to accompany him.”
Huang Tian shouted, “That’s right, that’s right!”
The citizens and martial artists in the capital were already accustomed to the combination of wolf and cats that could speak human language. That was because there were many such demon beasts in the capital. Lord Bai Qi of Longqi Mountain was a demon wolf, and she was the mascot in the hearts of the citizens in the capital. It was said she could bring good luck.
Feeling the lively atmosphere on the street, Jiang Changsheng felt inexplicably at ease.
Ever since he reincarnated, he had been hiding on the mountain to train. This was the first time he had gone down the mountain to experience the atmosphere of a festive occasion. At that moment, he felt that he had integrated with this world and was not playing a game.
His worshipers were not just worshipers, but also living people.
Daoism was natural. What was natural was not the natural law of the world. This world could also be considered natural.
Jiang Changsheng understood and immersed himself in it.
On the other hand, Mu Lingluo paid attention to those cosmetic products. On normal days, she hated these things the most. However, she had accompanied Jiang Changsheng here today, and for some reason, she wanted these things.
They happened to encounter disciples from the Mu Family, the Fuyue Family, and Longqi Temple on the streets. When they saw them, their expressions changed and they hastily circled around them.
The human world was prosperous, and the secular world surged.
The Changle Banquet organized by the Emperor was a success. It was more successful than the civil and military officials had expected. They originally thought that this would be the beginning of Great Jing’s fall, but they did not expect it to have a different style. Most of those scholars’ poems praised the Dao Ancestor and the successive emperors and capable officials of the Great Jing. As their poems spread throughout the streets and alleys of the capital, it also gathered the hearts of the people and gave birth to a sense of heartfelt pride.
At that moment, the officials finally understood what the Emperor meant. Bliss was not only a mortal desire, but also a mental pleasure.
The Changle Banquet lasted for seven days and nights, and the lights in the capital never went out.
After the banquet, Mu Lingluo followed the Mu Family back and prepared to continue fighting in the Great Wilderness.
Guests from afar also returned one after another, and the legend of the Changle Banquet also spread out. Legend has it that one could see the best ultimate techniques, the most breathtaking poems, the most moving beauties, the most delicious wine, the richest auctions, and so on at the Changle Banquet in the capital.
Even in the 2nd year of the Changle Era, there were still discussions about the banquet everywhere. The Emperor did not indulge in it. Instead, he decided to hold it once every ten years so that it would appear precious.
Early March.
After his clone returned and fused with him, Jiang Changsheng began to sense the Classic of Mountains and Seas and the Heaven and Earth Treasure Mirror. These two treasures were getting stronger and stronger. Just by taking them out, he felt that they could suppress ordinary Martial Emperors.
After playing with it for a while, Jiang Changsheng released his clone and asked it to leave with the two treasures again.
On the other side.
Deep underground.
One after another, lonely souls and wild ghosts emerged from the top of the underground world. All of them looked confused as they flew towards Hell that was emitting a faint green light.
A soul fell from the sky and landed on the ground.
He stared at Hell, and his expression changed as he muttered, “My name is
Zhang Ying… the vice president of the Amazing Fate Chamber of Commerce.
Why am I here?”
He looked down at his hands, then touched his body but it went through him.
He realized that he was dead.
Memories of his death surged into his mind, as well as the experiences of his two subsequent lives. However, the experiences of his two subsequent lives were short and insignificant.
He smiled bitterly and stepped forward.
“Could this be the legendary Nine Nether? Why do people have to come here after they die? Something’s not right. Why didn’t I come here during my previous two deaths…”
Zhang Ying muttered to himself. The surrounding souls did not let their imaginations run wild like him. Most of them flew to Hell in a daze as if they did not have any intelligence..