novelapdf Chapter 182 Playing Ghosts and Creating Gods
Chapter 182 Playing Ghosts and Creating Gods
Si Rumeng's beautiful eyes darted around, carefully observing Jiang Mu's aura, before she smiled:
"Congratulations, Master, on entering the Fifth Realm and attaining the true essence of the Great Dao."
"The master's progress is beyond the reach of even the ancient sages who were reborn. He must be a celestial being reincarnated, destined to reach the pinnacle."
Jiang Mu chuckled lightly: "If you don't know how to flatter, then don't."
He flipped his wrist, holding the bronze Buddha lamp in his palm, and said calmly:
"I placed about ten demon cores of rank five or higher inside the Buddha lamp; you sensed them, didn't you?"
Si Rumeng nodded slightly, her silver-white hair sliding down her shoulders, her voice becoming even more tender and charming:
"This servant sensed it, thank you for your generous gift, Master."
Nourished by these demon cores, the demon core within my body has been significantly repaired, and it can now be stabilized at the seventh rank.
"Seventh tier..."
Jiang Mu stroked his chin, thoughtfully examining the tree spirit before him who exuded a mature and alluring charm, and said, "That's perfect. Since your strength has recovered considerably, I'll give you a task."
"What mission?"
Si Rumeng asked curiously.
Jiang Mu's smile vanished, a chilling glint flashing in his eyes, and he said in a deep voice:
"Leave this space and go find someone for me. This person is named Nan Zhi, and should be a protector of the Red Umbrella Sect."
Jiang Mu could no longer tolerate being threatened and teased by this woman.
We're going to dig her out and do something about her.
Even if I can't kill her, I should teach her a lesson so she won't think that I, Jiang Mu, am just a toy in her hands, to be manipulated however she wants.
Si Rumeng was taken aback for a moment, then asked, "Where should I look for her?"
Jiang Mu stared at her with a half-smile, his gaze gradually turning cold:
"You're asking me? How about... I personally go out and find them for you, then bring them to you bound hand and foot?"
The woman's expression changed slightly, and she hurriedly lowered her head, her long white hair falling down to cover half of her face.
"This servant is foolish and ignorant; please forgive me, Master."
"I will definitely find this person, even if I have to dig three feet into the ground to find her."
Jiang Mu stepped forward, reached out a finger and lifted Si Rumeng's delicate chin, forcing her to raise her head and look directly into his eyes. The two were extremely close.
Jiang Mu could even feel her breath and smell the sandalwood fragrance wafting towards him.
"I raise a pig, and everyone knows that it will be slaughtered and eaten for me during the Chinese New Year, giving me some reward."
Since you've staked your future "godhood" entirely on me, and I'm willing to pour tons of resources into helping you repair your demon core... then you should show the sincerity and value you deserve. Understand?
"Yes, this servant knows her mistake."
Si Rumeng clenched her small fists slightly inside her wide sleeves, but her face still maintained a respectful and docile expression.
Jiang Mu gently patted Si Rumeng's soft shoulder and said calmly, "Good that you understand. Go and call Yu Xiaoqian over here."
Si Rumeng bowed gracefully again, then turned and left the temple.
Jiang Mu stood with his hands behind his back in the hall, watching the woman's swaying, graceful figure gradually disappear into the distance, and murmured softly:
"After all, you're a thousand-year-old demon who's used to being the boss, you're hard to tame... But no rush, I'll take my time, and one day I'll be able to tame you completely."
While waiting, Jiang Mu summoned the magic gauge.
Having slain so many demons before, his magic gauge was already completely full.
Jiang Mu's mind stirred.
The magic groove trembled violently, and then the depth of the groove increased by another half, causing the excess magic energy to settle down.
At the same time, a fourth shadowy figure also appeared.
It is known as the Fourth Shadow.
"What a pity. If we had upgraded earlier, we could have temporarily placed the Earthly Fiend-level pseudo-star position that we lost earlier on the fourth Demon Shadow."
Jiang Mu felt a little regretful.
However, upon further reflection, once back in Huzhou City, with his merits, even if he didn't obtain a legitimate star position, getting two more pseudo-star official seals wouldn't be difficult. Jiang Mu's gaze drifted to the side of the magic slot.
There was a mass of gas slowly condensing into a ball.
I reckon the magic core will be formed in a few days.
I wonder what new skill it is this time.
Jiang Mu discovered that after the third demonic shadow appeared, no special demonic shadows appeared every time he killed a demon.
For example, the first time he absorbed demonic energy, the butcher's demonic shadow appeared.
The shadowy figures of the weasel and the snake demon can also provide some skills briefly.
Now, the demonic energy he absorbs has all turned into a ball of energy.
Then it condenses into a demonic core.
However, this is also good, as the Demon Pill can enhance his Demon Shadow with supernatural abilities, and it's a long-term effect, which is much more convenient.
After a while, Yu Xiaoqian arrived with Si Rumeng.
The girl was still wearing an elegant white dress, which made her look pretty and charming.
Upon seeing Jiang Mu, her clear, bright eyes immediately lit up, and she wanted to rush over and shout "Bookworm!"
But with Si Rumeng present, the little girl swallowed back the words that were on the tip of her tongue and respectfully curtsied.
"Xiaoqian greets Master."
Jiang Mu found it amusing to look at her reserved demeanor, which seemed to want to get close but didn't dare to.
He casually waved his hand and said to Si Rumeng, "You may leave now."
Si Rumeng glanced at Jiang Mu and Yu Xiaoqian, said nothing more, and turned to leave the main hall.
Yu Xiaoqian's tense little body immediately relaxed.
She raised her head, her watery eyes fixed on Jiang Mu, her gaze filled with shyness and joy.
Jiang Mu chuckled softly:
Do you remember what I said to you before I left last time?
"What are you saying?"
Yu Xiaoqian tilted her head, looking completely bewildered.
Jiang Mu shook his head helplessly and waved for her to come forward.
As the girl approached, he gently placed the Buddhist lamp in her arms and said:
"I obtained a lot of incense offerings and prayers in Yancheng this time. I'll share some with you to help improve your cultivation."
I also plan to make you a "god on earth" who is worshipped by people.
"I?"
Yu Xiaoqian, holding the warm Buddhist lamp, was startled.
Immediately, her expression changed, and she hurriedly waved her hands:
"No, no! Grandmother... no, Lady Si Ru is the true goddess of this world, how could I... how could I be worthy? Besides, I'm just a lowly ghost cultivator, how could I possibly deserve the offerings and prayers..."
In her subconscious, the supreme opportunity to become a god could only belong to her grandmother.
How dare she, a mere ghost cultivator, harbor such presumptuous thoughts?
Jiang Muqu gently flicked her forehead, interrupting her fear: "Don't worry, she can be her god, and you can be your god. We won't interfere with each other." "But...but I don't know anything..."
Yu Xiaoqian looked up at him pitifully.
Jiang Mu stared at the girl's pure and flawless face and said with a smile, "You don't need to learn, you just need to be obedient. Come on, take off your clothes." "Huh?"
Yu Xiaoqian was stunned again, her mouth slightly open.
"I plan to use the most direct and fastest method to transfer the incense and aspiration power from this Buddha lamp into your body."
Jiang Mu said,
"Don't forget, to save your life last time, your ghost pill was branded with my mark, and this incense offering belongs to me. Right now, this is the only effective method."
Indeed, in this dark and quiet ancient temple hall, one is faced with such a pure and beautiful female ghost.
Master Jiang is about to officially transform into "Ning Caichen".
"No, no!"
Yu Xiaoqian was so frightened that she backed away repeatedly.
Two visible blushes appeared on her small face, and she lost her composure.
She crossed her arms over her chest, looked timidly at the man before her, and stammered:
"I...I'm still a virgin, I've never even touched a man's hand in my life, I'm not even married yet, how could I...how could I do such a thing..."
Even though the man in front of her was the man she loved from the bottom of her heart.
She would even give up her life for him.
But when it came to that final step, the girl's inherent reserve and shyness prevailed, making her feel she couldn't be so hasty and casual. Jiang Mu, seeing her like this, couldn't help but find it amusing, raising an eyebrow and saying:
"You're already a female ghost, why do you still care about these mundane etiquettes? Besides, when I first met you, weren't you desperately trying to seduce me?"
Upon hearing this, Yu Xiaoge's eyes welled up with tears, and her little mouth pouted.
"That's different. Back then, it was my first time lying, and I wasn't really thinking about consummating our marriage. I just wanted to use some seductive tricks to scare you... Anyway, it just wouldn't work!"
Jiang Mu asked, "Could it be... that you're still thinking about getting married?"
Upon hearing this, the girl's expression immediately darkened, and her long, curled eyelashes drooped, concealing the loneliness in her eyes.
Yes, she's already a wandering ghost, what's the point of talking about marriage?
Jiang Mu stepped forward, her voice gentle:
"Last time, I kissed you to save you, which can be considered as defiling your innocence."
If you really want me to take responsibility, I can marry you after I find a way to bring you back to life.
Anyway, you'll be my woman sooner or later.
Yu Xiaoqian raised her head, blinked her watery eyes, and her little face was full of hope:
"Bookworm... will you really marry me someday?"
"certainly."
Jiang Mu answered without hesitation.
He didn't really care about titles or status.
Even if this girl can't be resurrected, having a charming and adorable female ghost as a concubine would be quite enjoyable. Yu Xiaoqian's eyes grew brighter, her hands nervously twisting her skirt as she cautiously probed, "Then...then if I promise you, will I be your only wife from now on?"
"impossible."
Jiang Mu shook her head decisively without even thinking.
What kind of international joke is this?
Although he, Jiang, wouldn't be so depraved as to build a massive harem of three thousand beauties, since fate had allowed him to transmigrate to this world, spending his entire life with only one woman would be an insult to his transmigrator identity.
Even his second brother would probably look down on him.
His main point is to do whatever he wants and have a clear mind.
If you like each other and the other person has no objections, then you should get married and do what you want to do.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have brought up marriage with Shui Miaozheng before.
Seeing the girl's frozen expression, Jiang Mu continued:
"If you yearn for that kind of pure and romantic life of one person for life, supporting each other through thick and thin, then I'm sorry, I can't give you that."
If you mind, I will never bother you again.
The beautiful fantasy that the girl had just built up in her heart was shattered by these blunt words.
Yu Xiaoqian's eyes were slightly red, and glistening tears welled up in them. She bit her lower lip in a fit of pique.
"Can't you...can't you just lie to me?"
Even if you just use nice words to make me happy for a while, what happens after you get what you want is up to you...
"You can't fool me."
Jiang Mu shook her head, her eyes clear.
"I'm a straightforward person, and I'm openly and honestly lustful. If you want to follow me, then follow me. If you don't want to, then forget it. I never force anyone."
Rainy Day: ..."
She was so choked up that she couldn't say a word.
Jiang Mu looked at her quietly:
"Give me a straight answer, are you willing to be my woman or not?"
If you don't want to, I will never force you.
But don't worry, even if we can't be husband and wife, I promised to protect you, and I will keep my promise. If there's a chance in the future, I will still help you find a way to be resurrected.
Yu Xiaoqian puffed out her fair cheeks, feeling a little annoyed.
She originally wanted to say something defiant and tell him to get lost immediately.
But when she looked up and met the man's earnest eyes, the grievances in her heart finally turned into a surge of affection.
The girl lowered her head, her slender fingers fiddling with the sash of her clothes, and muttered pitifully:
"Well... okay then."
The process of infusing incense and prayers went much more smoothly than I had imagined.
After all, in this clash of strength, Jiang Mu held absolute dominance and control.
Even though Yu Xiaoqian resisted a little along the way, it was all in vain in the end.
Thus, this pure and innocent young girl, who had never even held a man's hand in her previous life, underwent a transformation from girl to woman in a unique way after becoming a ghost cultivator.
Looking at the panting girl in his arms, Jiang Mu felt a strange sense of absurdity and amusement.
He always considered himself a person with normal aesthetics and healthy orientations, and would never be interested in any strange or non-human species.
But fate is fickle.
In the end, he couldn't escape the law and ended up becoming a "Ning Caichen" in another world.
But you know what, compared to a mature and voluptuous woman like Aunt Shui, discussing Taoism with a female ghost has a truly unique flavor. Truly, she possesses skin as white as ice and bones as jade.
Truly light and ethereal.
That tactile sensation that no real person could provide stirred Jiang Mu's mind, and she even began to seriously consider whether she should try to experience different kinds of charm in the future.
For example, that arrogant fox from Qingqiu.
For example, that wild and untamed thousand-year-old tree, and that zombie queen with legs covered in black stockings...
It doesn't seem to work?
However, let's skip the lizard spirits and such.
In life, one must have a bottom line, and the last thing one should do is be an Indian.
After everything calmed down.
Yu Xiaoqian slumped softly in Jiang Mu's arms, her head bowed.
Her delicate, girlish appearance was endearing.
Originally pale and translucent due to being a ghost, her skin now glowed with a healthy, light pink luster after absorbing a massive amount of yang energy and the power of wishes.
Most notably,
Her once flat and slender abdomen now had a slightly rounded curve.
Jiang Mu gently placed her hand on the raised area and said softly:
"The power of these incense offerings is too great; I poured in a bit too much, and your soul cannot digest it all in a short time."
You can store them in your dantian and refine them slowly.
With the help of these wishes, I believe you will soon break through the shackles and advance to around the fourth rank.
"Bookworm..."
The girl was completely unconcerned about the surging, powerful cultivation within her body.
She pressed her cheek against Jiang Mu's broad, warm chest, tilted her head slightly, and gazed at him with her bright, clear eyes, as if washed clean, asking softly,
"Now that things are like this... does that mean I'm your wife?"
Jiang Mu chuckled softly, pulled the girl into a tight embrace, and lowered his head to kiss her forehead:
"certainly."
To be fair, compared to his affection for Shui Miaozheng, which was tinged with respect and infatuation, his romantic feelings for Yu Xiaoqian were indeed less intense. It was more of a condescending pity and a sense of rarity.
This girl is like a delicate and fragile little sugar figurine.
It tastes so sweet that you can't help but want to hold it carefully in your hands, afraid that it will break if you accidentally drop it on the ground. This pure dependence also greatly satisfies the part of Jiang Mu's "pet-raising" mentality deep down.
Or, to put it another way, it's similar to the protective instincts of a domineering CEO.
This was completely different from his feeling with Shui Miaozheng.
Although he held absolute dominance in discussions with Aunt Shui, and was even extremely fierce and unrestrained, he was still very influential in these discussions.
The main focus is on relentlessly chiseling.
But on an emotional and psychological level, he was more like a junior, craving the unconditional tolerance, gentleness, and pampering of his elders. He enjoyed the sense of belonging that came from knowing that no matter how naughty or mischievous he was, the woman would always forgive him.
But with Yu Xiaoqian, he was the towering tree that provided protection and shelter from the wind and rain.
Therefore, his approach to the two women was also completely different in matters of sexual pleasure.
The water was like a raging storm.
For Yu Xiaoqian, it was like a gentle breeze and drizzle.
"Bookworm..."
Yu Xiaoqian nestled comfortably in Jiang Mu's arms like a lazy little kitten.
Listening to the man's heartbeat, she rubbed her cheek against his chest muscles and whispered softly.
"Actually, I know in my heart that you don't like me that much, at least... not as much as you like the other sisters."
But it's okay, I don't care.
I'd do anything for you just to stay by your side, and I'd never regret it.
That's how a young girl's feelings are—untainted by any calculations of self-interest.
It is as pure as a piece of crystal.
Yet it was as scorching as the midday sun.
Jiang Mu was slightly lost in thought for a moment after hearing this.
He lowered his head and gently pecked the girl's luscious red lips, his expression becoming more serious than ever before:
"I said I would marry you, and I will. Also..."
A deep glint flashed in Jiang Mu's eyes. "I'm going to help you rise to the top and make you the 'mistress' of Yancheng."
"hostess?"
Yu Xiaoqian looked completely bewildered.
Jiang Mu slowly revealed the plan she had been scheming for a long time:
"Yancheng has just experienced the calamity of the demon army's invasion. It can be said that everything is in ruins and needs to be rebuilt. At the same time, it is the time when the hearts of the hundreds of thousands of people in the city are most vulnerable and unstable."
Furthermore, since the imperial court will not be sending a new garrison commander to take over for the time being, I plan to secretly push things along during this lull period so that you can become the "god on earth" worshipped in the hearts of the people of Yancheng.
Or perhaps it could be called the God of Dreams.
With the help of the Dharma power left behind by Yuan Qianfan, Jiang Mu is now the nominal guardian deity of Yancheng.
This means that regardless of whether the imperial court sends a new garrison commander, as long as the people of Yancheng pray, a small portion of their incense offerings and prayers will be continuously absorbed by him and used for his own purposes.
This means he became a "minor shareholder" of Yancheng's fortune.
But Jiang Mu's appetite goes far beyond that.
What he wants is not a small part, but the whole thing!
Having truly experienced the powerful amplification that incense and prayers could provide to one's cultivation and magical artifacts, Jiang Mu's ambition had completely swelled.
Rather than being controlled by others, it's better to secretly support a "god on earth" who is absolutely loyal to you.
To harvest the incense offerings and prayers of the entire city for him.
Even if Yancheng does welcome a new garrison commander, with Yu Xiaoqian secretly plotting, he can still undermine it completely.
She managed to keep the lion's share of the profits for herself.
Initially, he actually wanted the ambitious tree spirit Si Rumeng to take on this important role.
But after careful consideration, he rejected the idea.
Si Rumeng is too flamboyant, and her Taoist magic requires a golden Buddha statue as a medium.
If she were to openly reside in Yancheng, it would inevitably arouse the vigilance of the imperial court and other hidden forces, making the risk too high.
In comparison, Yu Xiaoqian is the most perfect candidate.
His original mark has already been imprinted on this girl's body.
Therefore, when she entered Yan City, the city's protective laws and the earth's energy not only did not reject her, but also made the people subconsciously feel a sense of closeness and respect for her.
More importantly, Xiaoqian is a ghost cultivator.
Once she has digested this batch of wish power and broken through in cultivation, she can naturally evolve into a ghost cultivator like "Nightmare".
To infiltrate the dreams of ordinary people without anyone noticing.
Just as Jiang Mu had thought.
When people are under the heavy pressure and suffering of reality, they often prefer to escape reality and seek solace in a life of debauchery.
The people of Yancheng have just experienced a life-or-death ordeal, making it the perfect time for their minds to be invaded.
He wanted Yu Xiaoqian to appear in these people's dreams.
They gave them illusory hope, soothed their fears, and gradually shaped the image of a "dream god" in their hearts.
In this way, they can not only quietly amass wealth by reaping the benefits of faith, but also keep Si Rumeng in check, thus creating a perfect balance of power.
Yu Xiaoqian was completely confused.
These schemes and manipulations of faith were far beyond the comprehension of a naive young ghost like her.
However, just as she said, she doesn't care about any of that.
She would do anything Jiang Mu asked her to do, even if it meant going through fire and water.
"Xiaoqian is willing to do anything to help you."
The girl nodded solemnly.
Next, Jiang Mu patiently broke down the key steps of the plan, as well as the details of how to fake a miracle in a dream, and carefully explained them to the girl.
After confirming that Yu Xiaoqian had completely memorized these steps, Jiang Mu smiled with satisfaction.
"Alright, now that we've finished discussing the important matters, let's get back to business."
Jiang Mu wrapped his arms around the girl's waist again, and an even purer incense offering was about to be released.
that's it.
The girl's bulging belly was stretched even more rounded...