Chapter Thirty-Seven: Within Chentang Pass

In the end, Huang Feihu and Yin Jiao both returned to Chaoge, and Jiang Yuan could finally stop worrying about any further accidents there. He merely intended to make a circuit around the great Shang, treating it as an inspection to see if any of the feudal lords harbored rebellious intentions and to quietly gauge the state of the world.

After all, he had been transmigrated for quite some time but had scarcely ventured beyond the Star-picking Tower. There was little he could do—Daji was simply too alluring.

Gathering his thoughts, Jiang Yuan instructed Zhang Kui, “Let’s go. We’re setting out for Chentang Pass.”

“My lord, haven’t you forgotten someone?” Zhang Kui asked hesitantly.

Jiang Yuan knew precisely whom he meant and replied coolly, “There’s no need to take Daji along. Grand Tutor Wen is over there; if I bring her, I’ll surely be scolded by him. I’d rather not invite that rebuke.”

Zhang Kui secretly marveled; so even the lord had someone he feared—Grand Tutor Wen, no less.

Naturally, Jiang Yuan was afraid. He was not that muddleheaded, lawless king, and even the former King Zhou had to act meekly in front of Wen Zhong. All this was gleaned from the memories of King Zhou; that grand tutor was certainly not a man of gentle temper.

“Then why not have Lady Daji return to Chaoge?” Zhang Kui asked again.

Zhang Kui now stood unconditionally on Jiang Yuan’s side, so he was willing to address Daji as ‘Lady.’

Jiang Yuan waved his hand dismissively. “Forget it. I know full well that Daji isn’t liked in Chaoge. All the blame for my previous actions has been placed on her head. Without me there, Chaoge would be a cauldron for Daji. No need to put her through that.”

Whatever else, Jiang Yuan considered himself quite compassionate toward beauty.

“My lord is wise,” Zhang Kui praised.

No matter what decision the lord made, praise was always the answer; after reaping benefits, Zhang Kui had learned that this was the secret to survival at Jiang Yuan’s side.

“Let Daji remain in Echeng. I’ll fetch her back after I return to Chaoge.”

With Nezha slumbering in Zhang Kui’s arms, Zhang Kui asked curiously, “My lord seems rather invested in this child?”

Jiang Yuan nodded lightly. “I merely think it’s a pity for such a genius to become someone else’s weapon.”

“My lord wishes to make him the weapon of our great Shang?” Zhang Kui guessed.

Jiang Yuan looked at the carefree, sleeping Nezha and felt an inexplicable reluctance—after all, this was just a child.

He sighed and finally said, “If possible, I hope he isn’t anyone’s tool.”

He silently added in his heart: That’s impossible. The Celestial Sect has already staked everything on Nezha. Even if I let him go, those people will never give up!

A nameless anger rose in Jiang Yuan’s heart. Damn it, are they even human? Plotting against children this young? What kind of so-called sages are these? Is this what it means to align with the will of heaven?

“Ah, this child truly is a pity,” Zhang Kui sighed deeply.

“Let’s go,” Jiang Yuan said calmly.

This journey included only Zhang Kui, Jiang Yuan, and the child Nezha.

Jiang Yuan had little concern for his own safety. Having met the semi-saint Bai Ze without harm, and as the great Shang was not yet in chaos, only minor feudal states were rebelling. The true big fish had yet to surface; disciples of both the Celestial and Cut-off Sects had not descended from their mountains. He was still quite secure.

Chentang Pass was located at the junction of the North Sea and East Sea. Li Jing was dispatched here to prevent flooding, while the unruly witch and ghost clans of the Eastern Barbarians were suppressed by Grand Tutor Wen.

Given the current state of affairs, and with Grand Tutor Wen present, Jiang Yuan’s journey to the Eastern Barbarian lands was the safest possible. This was why he had the confidence to travel without soldiers. Besides, he still had more than five hundred points of Tyrant Value.

The system was now his devoted follower; if things went awry, he could simply throw his Tyrant Value at the system and let it help him.

The journey took Jiang Yuan and Zhang Kui the better part of a day, during which Nezha groggily woke once, only to be knocked out again by Jiang Yuan, who insisted that children should sleep more.

Outside Chentang Pass.

Jiang Yuan observed the towering outer walls, built high to prevent floods from quickly inundating the city and to give the people time to escape.

In recent years, however, floods had rarely occurred near Chentang Pass, suggesting Li Jing had an effective method of dealing with them.

Today, the city gates stood wide open, and since Jiang Yuan brought no soldiers, he had no need to wait outside and summon Li Jing; instead, he entered directly with Zhang Kui.

Inside the city, Jiang Yuan was surprised: Li Jing truly seemed a capable man. Along his route, he saw few refugees, meaning the people of Chentang Pass lived in relative peace and comfort.

This was no small feat, given the turmoil of the age. It was fortunate if the city itself didn’t descend into chaos.

No wonder Li Jing’s son had caught the eye of the Celestial Sect—they would never let such a talented minister slip through their fingers.

Jiang Yuan could only hope now that Li Jing bore no disloyalty toward the great Shang.

At that moment, a spirited woman approached, worry in her eyes as she looked at the unconscious Nezha in Zhang Kui’s arms. When she saw that Nezha was merely asleep, she breathed a little easier.

She came before Jiang Yuan and respectfully asked, “I suppose you’ve brought Nezha here because he’s gotten himself into trouble again?”

Jiang Yuan looked at her and simply smiled, neither confirming nor denying.

Character: Lady Yin

Title: Wife of Li Jing, Commander of Chentang Pass; Mother of Nezha

Cultivation: Profound Immortal

Possessions: Cloud-Piercing Sash, Flowing Cloud Shield

Cultivation Technique: Eight Senses Returning to Origin

Mount: Flower Cloud Leopard

Loyalty: 60

Favorability: 60

Tyrant Value obtainable: 120

So this was Lady Yin. Jiang Yuan was a little surprised; both her loyalty and favorability were passing marks! Although Lady Yin did not know Jiang Yuan’s true identity, her favorability was toward King Zhou.

This was intriguing. With Lady Yin’s favorability so high, Li Jing’s could not be much worse, and Jiang Yuan felt a little relieved.

“And madam is?” Jiang Yuan feigned ignorance.

Lady Yin seemed pained by Nezha’s condition—she could still see traces of blood on him, suggesting he had suffered not inconsiderable wounds.

Jiang Yuan’s question brought her out of her thoughts. “I am Lady Yin, the mother of the child behind you.”

These words made Jiang Yuan’s favorability toward her soar again; she revealed herself only as Nezha’s mother, not intending to use her status to pressure him.

Given the family atmosphere here, Nezha ought to have been well-mannered—how did he end up with such a temperament?

“Then you must be Lady Li. Your son has indeed caused quite a bit of trouble, so I brought him here to discuss matters,” Jiang Yuan replied with a gentle smile, not rushing to reveal his identity. He wanted to see what the Li couple would do, unaware of who he really was.

Lady Yin’s expression froze for a moment—so Nezha had caused trouble again. She sighed, knowing that since they had come to the door, it meant they had reason.

Indeed, every time Nezha got into trouble, the other party was in the right. This time, though, it seemed he had met a tough opponent.

“May I ask what trouble Nezha has caused? If it can be remedied, my husband and I will do our best to make amends. Nezha… is still just a child,” Lady Yin said, her tone lacking confidence.

She knew well that youth was not an excuse for reckless behavior.

Jiang Yuan smiled lightly. “Shall we discuss this at your residence?”

“That would be best. My husband should be the one to decide,” Lady Yin answered frankly.

She cast a lingering look at Nezha before turning to lead the way.