novelapdf Chapter 169 A Great Opportunity?
Chapter 169 A Great Opportunity?
The girl was in so much pain that her whole body convulsed violently, and her clothes were soaked with cold sweat.
But she bit her lip so hard that she didn't let out a single groan of pain.
Xun Xiaomo stared blankly at the scene, her mind completely blank.
This woman...
Is she a crazy woman?!
They even dared to openly disregard the garrison commander's dignity!
"Water, Wonder, Zither!"
Xun Xiaomo spoke slowly and deliberately, her voice trembling with anger, "You...you will pay the price for what you've done today!"
Shui Miaozheng raised her fair hand, her five fingers slightly bent, and a suction force pulled the folding fan from Jiang Sheng'er's arms towards her.
She didn't even glance at Xun Xiaomo, and said indifferently:
"Price? I, Shui Miaozheng, am never afraid of any price when I do things."
Go back and tell Yang Qintian that if he really wants to settle accounts, he can come to Fazhou City to find me. I'll be waiting for him anytime!
"Okay! I'll definitely pass it on!"
Xun Xiaomo cursed under his breath, said nothing more, and carried Jiang Shenger, whose legs were both broken, on his back.
She gave Jiang Mu a deep look, then led the two guards, who were already stunned by Shui Miaozheng's imposing aura, away from the alley.
Once their figures disappeared, Shui Miaozheng's fierce aura slowly subsided.
She handed the folding fan to Jiang Mu, her previously cold eyes softening into a pool of autumn water as she looked at Jiang Mu's pale face:
"Here you go. This time it was Aunt Shui's oversight; I never expected something like this to happen."
The woman's eyes were filled with guilt.
I had made up my mind to protect the other person, but I never expected that... the other person would still encounter such a dangerous situation.
This lingering fear and guilt made her feel very remorseful.
Jiang Mu took the folding fan, gave a thumbs-up and exclaimed, "Aunt Shui, you were so awesome just now! I have to reward you when we get back." Sure enough, it's so sweet to be a kept woman.
In the past, if Shui Miaozheng had heard these words, she would have mostly taken them as a joke or flattery and wouldn't have thought much of it.
But now that the two had been intimate, their relationship was ambiguous. Hearing these words, she was immediately reminded of certain images, and two blushes involuntarily rose on her face.
She glared at Jiang Mu, embarrassed and annoyed, and whispered:
"No more joking around!"
She paused, then leaned closer and said in a voice only the two of them could hear, with a hint of warning, "Last time... last time we agreed it would be the last time, you can't go back on your word."
Jiang Mu blinked and said:
"Auntie Ke Shui, I was so badly injured this time, I almost lost my life. Shouldn't you give me some special comfort? It will help with my recovery."
Shui Miaozheng was amused by his shameless logic and said irritably:
"If you're injured, you should especially calm your mind and rest in bed to recover!"
"Don't even think about having any more wicked ideas!"
Just as the two were flirting in the alley, Yuan Qianfan's voice drifted over again from the direction of the garrison commander's mansion:
"Would you two please come inside? I have something I'd like to say to you."
Jiang Mu pursed her lips and muttered under her breath:
"Oh no, it must be because you didn't give him face earlier, Aunt Shui. He's angry and wants to call us over to give him a lecture."
Shui Miaozheng snorted coldly and resumed her dignified demeanor:
"What can he possibly preach to us now?"
The two arrived once again at the high place of the garrison commander's mansion.
Inside the barrier, Yuan Qianfan was still sitting cross-legged in the same position as last time.
However, compared to when they first met, his soul, which was formed from the power of incense offerings, was noticeably dimmer and weaker.
Yuan Qianfan smiled and said:
"I've always heard people say that the Water Master of Tanzhou is gentle and kind, like a spring breeze and rain, a lady from a respectable family who is extremely particular about rules and etiquette. But after meeting her today, I realize that the rumors have been misleading."
"For Chief Shui to display such thunderous rage to protect his subordinates, even at the cost of offending powerful figures, truly broadens my horizons." Shui Miaozheng replied calmly, her expression unchanged.
"My subordinate was humiliated and assassinated without cause. As the person in charge, it is my duty to seek justice for him. This is my responsibility."
However, what I find strange is why the garrison commander had to step in to mediate just now?
You don't seem to have a deep relationship with Yang Qintian, so why bother losing face for his sake?
Yuan Qianfan suppressed his smile and sighed, saying:
"Master Shui, you misunderstand. I didn't mean to save face for the Yang family. I was afraid that you might act impulsively and actually kill that girl named Jiang Sheng'er. That girl has a special talent and carries the orthodox [Heavenly Lone Star] star position."
"What does this have to do with me?" Shui Miaozheng said coldly.
Let alone any orthodox star official, even if the Heavenly King himself came, if he dared to bully her Xiao Jiang, she would still deal with him to death.
"It has nothing to do with you, but..."
Yuan Qianfan turned his gaze to Jiang Mu and said meaningfully, "This has a lot to do with young friend Jiang."
"I?"
Jiang Mu was taken aback.
How did this get dragged into me again?
Shui Miaozheng also frowned, looking at Yuan Qianfan with a puzzled expression.
Yuan Qianfan sighed, a hint of helplessness on his face:
"To be honest, I lied to you at first. In my current remnant soul state, I'm completely incapable of using the power of a Dharma body." "What!?"
Upon hearing this, Shui Miaozheng and Jiang Mu were both stunned.
After a brief moment of shock, Shui Miaozheng flew into a rage, her beautiful eyes practically spitting fire:
"Yuan Qianfan, you are gambling with everyone's lives!"
Once the outer defenses are breached, those tenth-tier demon kings will surely lead their troops to attack the city.
If you cannot manifest your true form to intimidate them at that time, they will be completely convinced of the truth of your death.
At that time, there will be no more scruples, and Yancheng will surely be devastated!
Faced with Shui Miaozheng's accusations, Yuan Qianfan shook his head with a wry smile:
"I know the consequences of doing this. So, I have prepared two plans to deal with the worst-case scenario."
"What plan?"
Jiang Mu asked.
He was increasingly convinced that this garrison commander was completely unreliable.
A solemn expression appeared on Yuan Qianfan's illusory face:
"In the first option, I can use the accumulated incense offerings and vows in Yancheng to create a more realistic incense offering body in a very short time."
This body's cultivation level won't be lower than mine before; it can last at least a month. During that time, it will be enough to intimidate demons and even make them launch an attack. Even if my physical body is destroyed in the end, I can still retain my soul, preventing me from being completely annihilated.
A month?
Shui Miaozheng and Jiang Mu exchanged a glance, both surprised.
"Since there's such a good method that can not only save the city but also your life, why don't you just implement this plan?" Jiang Mu asked in confusion.
Yuan Qianfan sighed heavily, his eyes becoming unfathomable:
"Because this plan has some flaws and hidden dangers, I cannot say more. Unless it is a last resort, a desperate situation, I would absolutely not want to use this method."
He paused for a moment, then continued:
"As for the second option... it is for me to use a secret technique to forcibly separate my 'Dharma Image Power' and give it to someone else. Let that person take my place on this city wall and cast the Dharma Image to intimidate the demon army."
"Can a Buddhist image be given away as a gift?"
This time, even Shui Miaozheng was shocked.
This was the first time she had ever heard of such a horrifying operation.
Yuan Qianfan smiled and explained, "The Dharma Form, to put it simply, is a special combination of supernatural powers and magical treasures."
In this world, some people's Dharma forms are condensed through external objects bound to contracts.
For example, me, and General Shangguan from your Huzhou City.
Her divine form is a fragment of the spirit of an ancient female war goddess.
That's why people respectfully call her "General Shangguan".
Some exceptionally gifted individuals possess a Dharma form that is entirely condensed bit by bit from their own understanding of the Great Dao, a true self-nature Dharma form. But regardless of the type, as long as the original owner is willing and willing to pay the price of complete annihilation, they can use methods to transfer the power of this Dharma form to someone whose destiny or aura resonates with their own.
After hearing this explanation, Shui Miaozheng seemed to suddenly realize something.
She turned to look at Jiang Mu beside her, then looked at Yuan Qianfan in disbelief:
"You...you wouldn't be planning to give your Dharma image...to Xiao Jiang, would you?"
Yuan Qianfan smiled and nodded:
"Yes, it's him. If I'm willing, I can use some secret techniques to strip away my Dharma body essence and give it to him."
Although this would cause me to completely dissipate, leaving no trace of my soul, I was already dead, wasn't I?
It's worth it to exchange my dead body for a possibility.
Shui Miaozheng and Jiang Mu found the affirmative answer utterly absurd.
What is the concept of Dharma form?
For any high-level cultivator, it is the culmination of their life's cultivation.
That is a treasure that many people cannot reach even after a lifetime of hardship and danger.
Its value far surpasses that of any divine weapon or elixir.
How could something so precious be given away like a cabbage?
and……
Jiang Mu said helplessly, "We just met once before. Do you even know me? You're just entrusting something so important to me so casually?"
Could this old man have dementia?
Jiang Mu couldn't help but say again:
"Since we're all straightforward people, I won't beat around the bush."
Garrison Commander, there must be something wrong with this thing, right?
I've never believed in free lunches, let alone something this big. Why would such a windfall fall into my lap?
"Even if you were truly willing to give it to me, could a mere fourth-realm cultivator like me possibly unleash your powerful Tongtian Dharma Form?" Shui Miaozheng nodded in agreement.
Xiao Jiang is right.
Throughout history, there has never been a precedent of a low-level cultivator being able to cast a Dharma Image beyond their level.
If the power of Dharma could be transferred and used so easily, wouldn't the ironclad rules of the cultivation world become a joke?
The Dharma forms of high-level cultivators are probably already commonplace.
Yuan Qianfan sat upright on the futon, his expression remaining calm and gentle in the face of the two men's questions.
He smiled slightly and said calmly:
"Since I dared to bring it up, I naturally have a way to help you. As for why I chose you..."
On one hand, it's because you're exceptionally talented.
On the other hand, this kind of fate-defying matter, which concerns the survival of Yancheng, is a top secret that I absolutely do not wish to reveal to any outsiders at present. And it just so happens that you two have stumbled upon the secret of this underground palace.
"Of the two of you, Master Shui has already achieved a high level of cultivation and established his Dao foundation. Only you, in terms of both destiny and potential, are the sole candidate who best meets the conditions for transferring your Dharma form."
As he spoke, Yuan Qianfan gently waved his wide sleeves.
"Whoosh!"
A scroll sealed with golden thread appeared out of thin air.
It transformed into a streak of light.
It flew down onto the stone table in front of Jiang Mu.
Jiang Mu picked up the file with suspicion and quickly skimmed through it.
Good guy!
This file contains his personal records!
From the birth date and destiny of the original Jiang Chen, to the dissolute life of his first half of life, including his affairs with women.
Then came the tragic destruction of families and deaths in Huzhou City.
After that, he reformed himself and joined the Demon Slayer Division, and in countless missions he slew countless demons...
Every single incident was recorded.
Aside from his possession of a cheat code and some hidden matters that couldn't be investigated, almost everything else was thoroughly investigated. "At your age and with your original lowly cultivation level, to be able to accomplish all the things recorded in the dossier in such a short time... there's almost no one in this world who could do that."
No, you could say there is none at all.
Looking at Jiang Mu, Yuan Qianfan sincerely exclaimed, "To call you a genius of unparalleled talent is no exaggeration."
Shui Miaozheng, who was standing to the side, deeply agreed with these words.
This kid is indeed exceptionally talented.
It wasn't just his terrifying performance in cultivation and battlefield combat.
In other areas that are best left unsaid, this kid's talent is equally astonishing.
For example, sexual relations.
Although Shui Miaozheng had been celibate for many years and was not the kind of woman who was well-versed in love and romance, she still had some understanding of matters between men and women through the private conversations of her good friend Tang Guixin in her early years.
She also roughly knew the limits of an ordinary man's time and physical strength.
But this kid... he's not human!
It's one thing for him to be inhuman, but he doesn't even treat her like one.
Looking back on those times, she felt like a lone boat struggling in a raging storm.
It was tossed to the crest of a wave and then slammed into the trough, teetering on the brink of drowning several times.
Thinking of this, two blushes involuntarily rose on the woman's cheeks.
She quickly coughed lightly, trying to cover up her mistake, and turned her head away, not daring to look at Jiang Mu again.
Jiang Mu put down the file in her hand, becoming even more vigilant:
"Lord Yuan, although your reason of 'cherishing talent' sounds very convincing."
But I still maintain that I don't believe you would be so kind to me for no reason, giving me such a powerful opportunity to reach the heavens.
What price do I have to pay for this?
Experience taught him that every gift bestowed by fate comes with a hidden price tag.
No one is kind to you for no reason.
Even Shui Miaozheng, who cared for him so much, initially approached him because of her relationship with Tang Guixin.
The smile in Yuan Qianfan's eyes deepened:
"Young friend Jiang is indeed a clever man. In that case, let me ask you, do you understand the weight of the words 'cause and effect'?"
Jiang Mu paused slightly, then nodded gently and said, "Those who cultivate naturally understand the principle of cause and effect."
Yuan Qianfan's smile faded, and his expression became solemn and dignified.
"We, the garrison commanders appointed by the imperial court, are in fact equivalent to gods on earth."
We are recognized by Heaven, crowned by imperial power, and enjoy the blessings of the incense offered day and night by tens of thousands of people in this city, which cleanse our physical bodies and allow us to reach higher realms and attain those lofty star positions.
Our Dharma image, to a large extent, is nourished and nurtured by the incense offerings and prayers of the entire city.
The Dharma form is not only power, but also responsibility and a contract.
He stared straight at Jiang Mu and said, word by word,
"Therefore, when you one day obtain my Dharma form, the heavy responsibility of protecting the people of Yancheng will naturally fall on your shoulders."
If the city falls, the people will be slaughtered by the demons, or...
As the successor of the Dharma, you will suffer the terrifying backlash from the resentment of this world and its people.
At best, it will destroy one's foundation, cause the loss of all cultivation, and render one a cripple.
In severe cases, the soul and spirit will be destroyed, and one will never be able to be reincarnated!
Even if you miraculously survive, you can forget about making any further progress on the path of cultivation!