novelapdf Chapter 180 Jiang Mu: This is how it should be played
Chapter 180 Jiang Mu: This is how it should be played
Although Jiang Mu chose to excavate.
To say they've completely degenerated into beasts that only know how to mate wouldn't be quite right.
Anyway, according to Jiang Mu's values.
If you can do it, do it; if you can't, then rest. Let nature take its course and do as you please.
There's no need to constantly scream about being in heat, but you absolutely can't let your brother suffer either.
What is the Tao?
I do whatever I want; that's Lao Tzu's way!
As Jiang Mu's thoughts became clear, and with the power of this grotto-heaven Dao Mansion exerted itself, the inner demons and Dao essence that had previously invaded his body were forcibly expelled.
At the same time, a sudden change occurred.
The "fortune" that Jiang Mu absorbed from the outside world did not flow back to the land of Yancheng.
Instead, it appeared directly inside this grotto-heaven Daoist palace.
"This is...fortune!"
As the former absolute master of this grotto-heaven Dao Mansion, Shangguan Luoxue sensed something amiss the moment the fortune surged in.
She looked up, her purple eyes filled with shock.
How could this happen?!
What on earth did this little rascal do outside to be able to plunder such a huge city's fortune?
What she found even more incredible was that this fortune actually elevated the quality of this grotto-heaven Daoist palace to a whole new level.
You should know that she was originally the garrison commander and had a deep understanding of fortune.
For human cultivators, fortune is something that is difficult to use for themselves; only demons and monsters can better absorb and refine it.
Unexpectedly, it was now being used in her Daoist temple through Jiang Mu.
If her former Daoist residence was merely a magnificent palace made of pure silver, then now, this palace is plated with a layer of dazzling pure gold, and its foundation is even deeper.
Shangguan Luoxue's heart raced.
The woman knew very well what this meant.
Once his Dao Mansion is completely repaired, his injuries will heal and he will return to his peak.
With the blessing of this "fortune" gold leaf, if she were to attempt to attain a higher star level in the future, her success rate would definitely increase exponentially compared to before.
This is simply an incredible stroke of luck!
However, before this ecstasy could fully unfold, it was replaced by a deep sense of powerlessness and shame.
Because she also sadly discovered...
As the fortune brought by Jiang Mu completely merged into the Dao Mansion, his qualification to become the master of this Dao Mansion became more solid and unshakable.
Her Daoist temple, into which she had poured her life's blood, and even her one-in-a-million Taiyin Immaculate Daoist Body, had been completely transformed into this boy's shape. Even if she were to recover her peak cultivation in the future, it would be absolutely impossible for her to change this subordinate relationship.
The other party can come in or drink as they please.
Shangguan Luoxue looked down at the man, her expression complex.
Could this guy be my nemesis?
Jiang Mu, of course, was unaware of the woman's psychological changes. At this moment, he was like a greedy infant, wholeheartedly devoted to his baby. Meanwhile...
The "illusory hell" created by the red lotus in the outside world suddenly began to collapse.
Countless cracks appeared in this illusory space, as if it could shatter at any moment.
Meanwhile, Mo Huaisu, standing on the other side, felt the black and white yin-yang fish behind him, which had been slowly flowing, suddenly accelerate its movement several times over, stirring up the surrounding Dao energy.
Jiang Mu, who was at the center of the storm, floated up.
It not only fully absorbs the fortune within the red umbrella.
It even began to forcibly absorb and plunder the Dao essence released by Honglian and Mo Huaisu.
"Mo Huaisu! What are you doing?!"
Sensing that her original Dao power was gradually draining away, Honglian lost her previous composure and playfulness, and shouted angrily.
Mo Huaisu, who also noticed the abnormality, showed a look of surprise on his face.
She didn't understand what had happened either.
She looked up at Jiang Mu, who was suspended in mid-air, and murmured, "What's wrong with this kid?"
Soon, she witnessed a scene that deeply shook her Dao heart.
Before Jiang Mu, the humanoid phantom that had originally been formed from the clash of their Great Dao Laws had undergone a strange transformation. The left half of the humanoid body peeled away, revealing a ghastly pink skeleton that exuded an aura of decadence.
The right half of the humanoid body transformed into a stunningly beautiful woman.
She was making all sorts of provocative and wanton gestures in front of Jiang Mu.
What shocked Mo Huaisu even more was the expression on Jiang Mu's face, which seemed to have been split in two.
The veins on the left side of his face were bulging, and his eyes were fierce and cruel.
It was filled with endless lust.
However, the right side of his face was compassionate and peaceful, with a serene smile on his lips, like that of a venerable monk who had seen through the illusions of the world.
"Half drowning in the sea of desire, half guarding their hearts with abstinence. Half in a frenzy of slaughter, half attaining enlightenment on the spot."
Mo Huaisu's heart was filled with turbulent waves.
How could this kid's state of mind become so extreme and so divided?
She had met countless people, but this was the first time in her life she had ever seen such a strange appearance of a Daoist heart.
"monster!"
Honglian obviously saw this scene as well.
She cursed viciously, "Mo Huaisu, you're lucky this time. This kid's weird. I'm not playing along with your nonsense anymore. Next time we meet, we'll have a proper showdown!"
After saying that, the red umbrella in Jiang Mu's hand turned into specks of red light and disappeared.
The illusory world of churning lava and the alluring phantom of a woman also collapsed and dissipated in a spatial distortion.
In the blink of an eye, time has changed.
When everything settled down, Jiang Mu and Mo Huaisu had returned to their original farmhouse courtyard.
The woman who had been sitting under the red umbrella had also disappeared.
"thump!"
Jiang Mu, who had returned to reality from the celestial abode and regained control of her body, felt a wave of soreness all over her body.
His legs gave way and he collapsed to the ground.
Jiang Mu gasped for breath, his mind still lingering on the unforgettable taste of Madam Peach Blossom in the Dao Mansion.
He lowered his head groggily, his gaze gradually focusing.
Before me appeared a pair of simple, small white cloth-soled embroidered shoes.
The shoes were so small they could barely fit in one hand, so one can only imagine how small the lotus-like feet were wrapped inside.
The instep arches like a crescent moon, and the ankle bone is hidden beneath a light silk robe, like a piece of lustrous jade hidden in the snow.
Half-asleep, with her brain still a bit fuzzy, Jiang Mu subconsciously reached out and grasped the plain embroidered shoe.
The slightly raised curve of his instep gently conformed to his palm.
Even through a layer of fine cotton cloth, Jiang Mu could still feel the graceful contours of her foot inside the shoe.
That petite size, so delicate it could be held in one hand.
It felt as if I was holding not a foot, but a piece of exquisite, warm jade.
A gentle breeze happened to blow at that moment.
The hem of the woman's dark Taoist robe fluttered like wisps of cloud, gently brushing against the back of his hand.
With this gentle breeze, a faint, pure fragrance, like a secluded orchid in a valley, drifted into his nostrils.
The scent is so unique.
It has no trace of vulgarity or artificiality; it is so pure that it makes you want to explore it further.
So, before his mind was fully clear, Jiang Mu, as if possessed, leaned his big head forward.
I want to smell the source of the fragrance...
"cough……"
A soft cough sounded above his head.
Jiang Mu was stunned for a moment, then looked up.
However, the woman's face could not be seen.
Because of the angle, the first thing that catches the eye is two curved lines that block out half of the sky he is looking up at.
"Can you get up?" the woman's cool voice rang out.
"Holy crap..."
Jiang Mu shuddered, and her mind cleared completely.
He quickly released his grip on her small foot, got up from the ground, gave an awkward dry laugh, and explained sheepishly:
"Ahem... Um, I'm really sorry, Sect Leader Mo."
I was probably too affected by the illusion just now, and my mind is still a bit foggy. I apologize for any offense.
Mo Huaisu stood serenely, like a painting.
Ru Shuang's beautiful eyes looked at the man in front of her with a complex expression.
Just now, she witnessed Jiang Mu's mental image painting in the illusion.
The emotional impact of that scene still lingers in her heart.
So much so that when the other person grabbed her foot, she reacted with unusual sluggishness.
However, Mo Huaisu was, after all, a great master of the Daoist sect who had achieved the highest level of mastery in the "Way of Abstinence".
The Dao heart quickly returned to a state of deathly stillness and tranquility.
She held a whisk in her hand, and her crimson lips parted slightly:
"Form is emptiness, emptiness is form. Beauty and skulls are all illusions."
"Master Jiang, although you have great talent, you are not yet free from worldly desires and your ties to the mortal world are too heavy. Indulging in physical pleasures is nothing but drinking poison to quench your thirst, and in the end you will only end up burning to death."
"The Great Dao is ruthless. Only by severing these three thousand strands of afflictions, guarding one's heart like jade, and abstaining from worldly desires can one attain great freedom and realize the supreme path of immortality. I hope you... will take good care of yourself."
Jiang Mu listened to this lecture and nodded vigorously.
"Sect Leader Mo's words of advice are truly wise. This junior will certainly keep these teachings in mind and will strive to cultivate diligently and purify my mind from now on!"
While saying this, Jiang Mu was secretly complaining in her heart.
Remember what?!
I still have a ball of pent-up anger inside me that I haven't been able to vent in the Taoist temple, and I'm feeling incredibly uncomfortable.
You want me to abstain from sex?
Perhaps he also understood that his Taoist theories could not persuade this man, who was full of worldly desires, in just a few words.
Mo Huaisu did not dwell on the topic any further, lightly flicking the whisk in his hand, his tone returning to its ethereal and indifferent tone:
"Now that the crisis in Yancheng has been resolved and Honglian has fled, it's time for me to return to the Dao Sect."
"You have come across this by chance, inheriting the power of Yuan Qianfan's Dharma Image. There will be no shortage of people eyeing you."
We must be more vigilant in our future actions.
After saying that, Mo Huaisu's figure faded away inch by inch in a series of illusory black and white tai chi ripples, like ink spreading in water.
In the end, it dispersed into the breeze and disappeared without a trace.
Looking at the empty courtyard, Jiang Mu let out a soft sigh of relief.
Standing before this aloof female sect leader, the oppressive aura stemming from her cultivation level and demeanor was truly overwhelming. Shaking her head to clear her mind of the jumbled theories of the Great Dao, Jiang Mu walked out of the courtyard.
Just as I stepped onto the street, a graceful figure in light blue, accompanied by a fragrant breeze, suddenly wafted towards me.
Jiang Mu's mind immediately went blank.
"Little Jiang!"
Shui Miaozheng held the man tightly, her voice trembling slightly.
"You scared me to death, I thought something had happened to you... What are you doing here?"
Jiang Mu struggled for a long time before finally pulling his nose out of the snow.
He took a deep breath of fresh air, then wrapped his arm around Shui Miaozheng's voluptuous waist, patted her back reassuringly, and explained, "It was Sect Leader Mo who brought me here."
Then, Jiang Mu briefly recounted what had happened.
Of course, he deliberately omitted the details about the Purple Mansion Divine Realm.
"I see………"
After listening, a look of realization appeared on Shui Miaozheng's pretty face.
"It seems that Red Lotus of the Red Umbrella Sect has been lurking in Yancheng for a long time. No wonder they waited until the last moment to expose the spies within the Demon Slayer Division."
Just as she was about to ask for more details, Jiang Mu suddenly picked her up in his arms.
"ah!"
Shui Miaozheng gasped and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.
Jiang Mu looked down at the woman in his arms, her face as beautiful as a peach blossom, and a mischievous smile curled at the corner of his lips:
"Aunt Shui, we can talk about other trivial matters later. I'm in a real mess right now, and I desperately need your help." Shui Miaozheng was taken aback at first, then understood, and playfully punched Jiang Mu's chest lightly, her beautiful eyes filled with reproach.
"What time is it? Why are you still thinking about this kind of thing...?"
"Why can't I think about it?"
Jiang Mu raised an eyebrow with an air of self-righteousness.
"We've driven away all the demons together, and the situation is settled. Now, even if the sky falls, there's someone taller to hold it up, so we don't need to fight to the death anymore. Since we're free now, we should naturally do what we need to do and balance work and rest."
Shui Miaozheng looked around nervously and whispered:
"Then put me down first."
"Holding and cuddling in broad daylight on the street—if someone saw them, how could they ever face anyone again?"
"It's okay, I know what I'm doing. Let's take a shortcut."
Jiang Mu chuckled.
"Huh? Didn't you say you wanted to take a shortcut?"
"Yes, of course we should take the shortcut that belongs to the two of us."
The Battle of Yancheng has finally come to an end.
Although the process was full of twists and turns, they ultimately won the victory, which was undoubtedly exhilarating for everyone.
The credit for this great battle undoubtedly goes to Jiang Mu.
From the very beginning, he single-handedly held off the vanguard of the demon army, disrupting the demon race's offensive from all sides of the city.
Later, they dealt with the traitor and stabilized the defenses.
Then, in conjunction with Yuan Qianfan's Vulcan Dharma Form, they managed to frighten away the Peacock Demon King.
From any perspective, Jiang Mu has truly demonstrated the demeanor of a savior in all these events.
After all, if it weren't for him, and before Mo Huaisu could arrive and turn the tide, Yancheng would have already been doomed.
Those who had previously been prejudiced against Jiang Mu now felt only gratitude and awe.
Even Yan Wu, the newly appointed head of Yancheng, who had previously held a grudge against Jiang Mu because his subordinate had been publicly killed by him, completely put aside his prejudices and personally came forward to express his sincere gratitude to Jiang Mu.
Moreover, to recognize Jiang Mu's achievements, Yan Wu specially arranged a large-scale celebration banquet.
Jiang Mu was invited to the absolute center position.
However, Jiang Mu showed little interest in these social engagements related to fame and fortune.
After all, he knew very well that the great battle was over, and the support teams from various states would soon break camp and return home.
He also had to part ways with Shui Miaozheng and return to Huzhou City.
Spring nights are fleeting, why waste time at a drinking table with a bunch of rough men?
So, after barely managing to drink a few glasses of wine, Jiang Mu used the excuse that his injury had not yet healed to slip away from the celebration banquet.
For the next few days, Jiang Mu soaked in Shui Miaozheng's hot spring from morning till night.
Those officials from various departments who wanted to take this opportunity to build relationships and get close to him, bringing generous gifts to invite him to dinner, were all turned away by his subordinate Zhang Xiaokui with various excuses, and he ignored them all.
What a load of crap!
Can any delicacy from outside compare to the aroma of your own Aunt Shui?
Is it as soft as Aunt Shui's?
With their impending separation in mind, and faced with Jiang Mu's various absurdities, Shui Miaozheng abandoned all her poise and reserve, indulging him as much as possible. She complied with whatever request he made.
Inside the room, a single lamp cast a dim glow, and a warm fragrance wafted through the air.
A soft halo danced on the woman's jade-like skin, as if coating her alabaster figure with a warm, flowing glaze, radiating a mature and alluring glow. Shui Miaozheng's jade-like arms tightly embraced Jiang Mu.
Her exquisitely beautiful face still retained a hint of allure, making her look even more radiant.
Generally speaking, after such sexual pleasure, women often like to snuggle against a man's chest like a docile kitten, enjoying that sense of security and comfort.
But Shui Miaozheng is an exception.
She didn't like that.
She loves holding this little guy in her arms.
It's like a maternal elder carefully protecting her younger generation.
This posture, which conveyed a sense of control and doting, gave her a great sense of satisfaction.
"Little Jiang..."
Shui Miaozheng gently combed Jiang Mu's slightly disheveled black hair with her slender fingers, her watery eyes filled with reluctance, her voice soft.
"The troops from various prefectures will be breaking camp and leaving early tomorrow morning. How about... you and Elder Tian ask for leave and don't go back to Huzhou, but stay in your aunt's Yunzhou city for a while?"
Jiang Mu nestled comfortably in the cloud-like cushions.
Hearing this, she smacked her lips, seemingly still savoring the memory.
He raised his hand and gently wiped away the small stain on Shui Miaozheng's front, then sighed helplessly:
"There's no other way, I have a housekeeper and a servant waiting for me at home."
"I've been out for so long already. If I don't go back any longer, they'll probably steal all my savings."
A hint of disappointment flashed across Shui Miaozheng's beautiful eyes.
She gently bit her full lower lip, sighing inwardly.
Unfortunately, as the governor of Yunzhou, he still had a lot of post-war relief and messy official duties to deal with after returning home.
Otherwise, I really want to go on a trip to Huzhou City.
"How about I resign from this position as head of the department?"
A thought suddenly popped into Shui Miaozheng's mind.
But immediately, she cursed herself in her heart.
This is insane!
Shui Miaozheng, Shui Miaozheng, what on earth are you thinking about?
She took on this heavy responsibility for her father, so how come now... she's become so lazy just to spend more time with this little guy?
Just as Shui Miaozheng was secretly embarrassed and annoyed, Jiang Mu, who was in her arms, suddenly tilted his head up, leaned in and kissed her red lips, saying:
"Aunt Shui, I contributed so much to the Battle of Yancheng and accumulated such impressive achievements. What kind of reward do you think the imperial court will give me?" Hearing the man's question, Shui Miaozheng's chaotic thoughts were pulled back, and she softly replied:
"I don't know exactly what it is, but it will definitely be very valuable."
Currently, Yan Wu and his team are compiling statistics on the achievements of each prefecture. In the future, Elder Tian will also truthfully report the merits of everyone in Huzhou City to the General Headquarters in the capital.
Based on your performance this time, once you return to Huzhou City, I reckon it won't be long before the imperial court issues its reward document.
They might just give you an official position, or reward you with magical treasures and cultivation resources.
"To bestow an official title?"
Upon hearing this, Jiang Mu frowned.
He's already the head of the Eighth Hall, what other official title could he possibly be given?
Deputy head?
They can't just kick Old Man Tian out of the house as a reward for me, can they?
But then I thought about it again, and Old Tian's achievements this time were also remarkable.
That old man may seem stern and rigid, but he's incredibly fierce when it comes to killing demons. He even slew that eighth-tier, perfected spider demon.
But I'm sure the reward the court will give him will be substantial.
"Xiao Jiang, when you get back, no matter how busy you are, you must remember to write to Aunt Shui often, okay?"
Shui Miaozheng gently stroked the strong features of Jiang Mu's face with her fingertips, her eyes filled with tenderness and reluctance.
Jiang Mu grinned and confidently assured him:
"Don't worry, Aunt Shui, I'll write you a letter every day from now on. Anyway, our Demon Slayer Division has special flying eagles to deliver messages, which is very convenient. And it's not just about writing letters; I guarantee that I'll dream about you every night when I go to sleep, and my dreams will be full of you."
"Pah, you smooth-talking lecher."
Shui Miaozheng blushed at his straightforward words of love, glared at him reproachfully, and gently patted his chest with her fist. "Who knows which young and pretty girl you'll be saying these sweet words to when you get back?"
"I don't believe your nonsense."
Although the woman was scolding him, her beautiful eyes, which curved into crescents, were filled with undisguised sweetness and joy.
My heart felt as sweet as if I had drunk honey.
Seeing that Shui Miaozheng was in a good mood, Jiang Mu coughed and whispered in her ear:
"Ahem... Um, Aunt Shui."
"Why don't we take advantage of the little time we still have and try out that new idea I came up with last night..."
"No!"
Upon hearing his changed tone, Shui Miaozheng knew perfectly well what kind of nonsense this little rascal was churning in his head again.
The poignant atmosphere of melancholy and wistfulness that had just been felt was instantly shattered.
Shui Miaozheng grabbed Jiang Mu's ear and scolded her:
"At a time like this, you're still thinking about those things. What's going on in your head all day? Where did you learn all this from..." However, Shui Miaozheng's scolding was cut short.
Because she saw it.
Jiang Mu pulled a large coil of hemp rope from under her pillow.