Chapter 276: The Child's Misconduct is the Father's Fault 24
Seeing there was no escape, the Boatman and his daughter exchanged a glance. Suddenly, they each lifted a foot and stomped down heavily. Heaven and earth reversed, the Qu Shang River inverted, and the painted pleasure boat instantly appeared in the underworld!
The father and daughter revealed their true forms—two horse-headed ghost gods, hundreds of zhang tall, surrounded by swirling balls of ghost fire!
The Boatman held his bamboo pole like a great spear capable of piercing heaven and earth, and shouted fiercely, "Zhong Kui, others may fear you, but we father and daughter do not!"
They were now within Western Capital. The Boatman and his daughter had pulled them into the underworld. Instantly, incredibly massive Primordial Spirits manifested all around, sitting imposingly in the sky.
These were the Primordial Spirits of Great Ascension Realm existences, overwhelmingly powerful, untouchable even by ghost gods!
Their gazes pierced through both the yin and yang realms, seeing everything clearly.
The underworld of Western Capital was thousands of tis larger than the yang realm. These Primordial Spirits were scattered about, in twos and threes, each suppressing a region.
Attracted by the commotion here, they all looked over, each showing astonishnt. "Three ghost gods? No, four!"
"And Chen Shi is among them too!"
Zhong Kui did not act. Tie Chi behind them had already revealed his true form as an Ox-Head Rakshasa, about a thousand zhang tall, his body like an iron mountain standing amidst the clouds and mist. With one palm slapping down, the Boatman turned, roared, and thrust with his great spear.
The spear rotated, emitting strange sounds of ghosts weeping and gods wailing, utterly shrill and piercing.
The Boatman's steps were solid, his muscles and sinews popping and crackling as he pushed his physical strength to the limit.
He was a creature of the underworld who had refined a ghost god's body, which was why he beca an underworld officer and held a divine post in the underworld courts.
This skill of his was hard-won, relying on his innate exceptional talent as well as the fruits of his diligent cultivation.
He had captured many formidable figures who road the yang realm, among them not a few who had reached the Return to Emptiness realm or even the Great Ascension Realm. When their lifespans ended, they refused to die, using various thods to preserve their lives, even setting up traps, formations, and calling on friends, attempting to kill the underworld officers who ca to claim them.
He had grown up in such life-and-death struggles, confident that his skills were not inferior to any judge or underworld marshal. It was just that the underworld courts practiced favoritism, which was why he was relegated to the position of a re underworld officer.
With this spear thrust, the spear tip created countless points of light, like clusters of flowers, dazzling to the eye.
"What a powerful ghost god!" a Great Ascension Realm Primordial Spirit in the sky praised.
A ghost god's physical body and Primordial Spirit were fused into one, indistinguishable. This spear technique, when executed, was deed by even them to be the pinnacle of perfection!
The Ox-Head Rakshasa's palm slapped down. The spear shattered with a series of pops. Instantly, the Boatman's hands were dripping with blood, his arms a bloody ss. Not only was the great spear shattered, but his ghost god body was also broken!
That overwhelmingly powerful force crushed down. The Boatman raised both hands to block it. The ground beneath his feet cracked open into a massive fissure, forming a hundred-li chasm.
The muscles in his two thighs were strained to their absolute limit, his skin bursting open. The qi and blood within his body boiled, spurting out from the pores on his skin's surface, scalding like fire.
His legs trembled, and he could no longer hold on, thudding to his knees.
In Western Capital, many Great Ascension Realm Primordial Spirits, witnessing this scene, couldn't help but be moved.
The Boatman was a horse-headed ghost god, his strength extrely formidable. In the yang realm, he might be far inferior to them, but in the underworld, a ghost god's power surged dramatically, allowing them to borrow the might of the underworld's heaven and earth. Even they were sowhat wary of him.
Yet, before that ox-headed monster, he couldn't even deliver one complete move before being defeated!
Such strength was truly admirable.
At that mont, a Great Ascension Realm Primordial Spirit's gaze fell upon the red-clad Zhong Kui beside Chen Shi.
"It's him!"
"That divine monster who fought with the underworld's Fire and Earth Judges last night!"
They were all visibly moved. Last night, the Fire Judge and Earth Judge had joined forces to attack Zhong Kui, fighting so fiercely in the underworld that heaven and earth grew dark. Zhong Kui only manifested his upper body in the underworld, yet he fought the two great judges to the point of defeat, nearly eating the Earth Judge.
Fortunately, hundreds of ghost gods and underworld officers in the underworld heard the news and rushed to attack Zhong Kui.
That battle shook the underworld to its foundations, nearly affecting Western Capital!
Western Capital had so many Great Ascension and Return to Emptiness Realm existences stationed there, and was also suppressed by the Nine Halls of the True King, which blocked wave after wave of powerful impacts.
That scene, Chen Shi and the others, because they were fleeing for their lives, did not see. But these powerful figures in Western Capital saw everything with crystal clarity, observing that battle clearly and distinctly.
They saw that this red-clad, iron-faced, curly-bearded ghost god, even while surrounded, still managed to kill and eat many ghosts and monsters.
That battle made even these spectators feel their hearts racing with fear.
Later, more and more ghost gods arrived, and even more powerful ghost gods ca from afar. The red-clad Zhong Kui had no choice but to retreat and return to the yang realm.
"Why is he standing with Chen Shi?"
These Primordial Spirits were stunned. "Does Chen Shi have other backers besides Creation Little Five?"
Right then, the boat girl thudded to her knees, kowtowing to Chen Shi. "We father and daughter know our mistake! We are willing to go find your mother's soul!"
This scene caused the Primordial Spirits of those Great Ascension Realm existences to be greatly shaken, each sowhat doubting their own eyes.
"Chen Shi's backer in the underworld has an origin far too great, actually making an underworld officer kneel to Chen Shi!"
Zhong Kui looked at Chen Shi. Chen Shi gave a slight nod.
The painted pleasure boat returned to the yang realm.
In Western Capital, that group of powerful Primordial Spirits was filled with shock and doubt.
"That red-clad ghost god isn't Chen Shi's backer! Chen Shi nodded, and only then did the red-clad ghost god bring them back to the yang realm! It seems... Chen Shi is his backer!"
This discovery shocked them beyond words.
Chen Shi had influence in the underworld too, and it was even more terrifying than in the yang realm!
This they had seen with their own eyes; it absolutely could not be wrong!
Not long after, the father and daughter were escorted to the Xinxiang guildhall, arriving beside Nannan. Tie Chi kicked the backs of their knees, and they thudded to the ground.
The righteous and incorruptible official sat on a chair, looking at the two with a serious expression. Her two little legs dangled in the air, swinging restlessly back and forth. She slowly nodded and said, "This official is still in a child's body. No need for excessive courtesy."
She was already quite practiced at this.
Tie Chi looked suspiciously at Zhong Kui. Zhong Kui shook his head and whispered, "It is indeed the righteous and incorruptible official, without a doubt."
Tie Chi lowered his voice. "But the righteous and incorruptible official said the sa thing to when she saw ... Look, that Chen kid is even giving the great official a sugar-coated hawthorn!"
Zhong Kui hesitated for a mont. "It should be a phrase Chen Shi taught her. The righteous and incorruptible official is still in the confusion of the womb and hasn't awakened her mories."
"I'll go crush him to death!"
Tie Chi took a step forward. Zhong Kui shook his head. "He ans no harm. The righteous and incorruptible official is extrely dependent on him. If you harm him, the great official will instead resent and hate you. Besides, we are underworld ghost gods. We truly need allies in the yang realm, otherwise, don't even think about going back."
Tie Chi hesitated for a mont. "I'll listen to you."
The righteous and incorruptible official jumped down from the chair and happily went to eat the sugar-coated hawthorn. Hu Feifei hurriedly said, "Children shouldn't eat too much sugar at night!"
Nannan turned her head to look at Chen Shi.
Chen Shi said, "It's still early now. Rember to rinse your mouth after eating."
Nannan cheered.
"You're just spoiling her!" Hu Feifei complained.
Chen Shi reached out a hand to the boat girl, helping her up, and smiled. "When will you two set off?"
The boat girl looked at her father. "Provincial Graduate Master, allow my father to recuperate for two days."
Chen Shi smiled. "If you two had been honest from the start, why would it have co to this?"
Father and daughter looked disgruntled but said nothing.
Chen Shi finally felt at ease and planned to go ho to report that he was safe. Hu Feifei called out to stop him. "Little Ten, these next few days, focus your mind. Don't run around everywhere. Concentrate on preparing for the exam. The tropolitan examination ti has been set—it's the 25th of this month. There aren't many days left."
Chen Shi beca solemn and nodded. "After I go back, I will definitely study diligently."
Hu Feifei said, "This ti, it's literary first, then martial. The literary exam tests classics, anings, essays, and policy proposals. The martial exam tests cultivation level, spell practical application, and combat. Placing first overall is the top graduate. Then there's still the palace examination to decide who gets the top scholar title. But that's a competition among the top ten of the tropolitan examination."
Chen Shi inquired, "Are you taking it?"
Hu Feifei said, "I asked. The Western Capital tropolitan examination indeed doesn't allow spirits and monsters to participate. I'll go to the clan head. The clan head has vast supernatural powers; maybe he can sneak in."
Chen Shi said, "So, have you found your ideal husband yet?"
Hu Feifei looked troubled. "I've taken a liking to two or three. They're all quite good, but I estimate they aren't top scholar material."
Chen Shi laughed. "Don't even think about the top scholar. This ti, that top scholar title, I've decided I'm taking it!"
By the ti he returned ho, the night was deep. Chen Tang was already preparing to sleep. Seeing him return, he said, "I left food for you and Black Pot. Don't rush to eat yet. I'll have the maid heat it up."
Chen Shi and Black Pot went to wash their hands. After a while, the food was heated and served on the table.
Chen Tang sat to the side, watching them eat. "How did things go?"
Chen Shi picked up food with his chopsticks. "Although it was a bit circuitous, it went relatively smoothly. Those two friends of mine have agreed to go to the underworld to save Mother. It's just that they're injured and need a few days to recuperate."
Chen Tang asked with concern, "How were they injured? Is it serious?"
"I had soone beat them up."
Chen Shi shoveled rice into his mouth, his cheeks stuffed full, his voice muffled. "A bit serious."
Chen Tang's expression turned serious. "You should treat people with sincerity. Don't just beat up friends at the drop of a hat. The tropolitan examination is coming up. Did you learn your literary exam skills from Scholar Zhu?"
Chen Shi nodded.
Chen Tang relaxed slightly. "I learned from him too. For you participating in this tropolitan examination, I'm not worried about your literary exam. Scholar Zhu's mastery of the classics, histories, philosophies, and anthologies is sothing rarely seen in the world. Many texts that can't be seen in the world, he has them there. Studying with him, your literary exam will definitely place you in the top three."
A smile appeared on Chen Shi's face. "So, you also studied with Scholar Zhu back then? Why didn't you beco the top scholar?"
Chen Tang said calmly, "I placed first in both the county-level and provincial examinations. During the tropolitan examination, I ranked fourteenth. The thirteen people ahead of were scions of the Thirteen Great Clans. Among them, my policy essay from the literary exam was circulated and recited by many provincial graduates in Western Capital."
He looked deeply at Chen Shi. "As long as you follow Scholar Zhu and study diligently and honestly, the literary exam won't be a big problem."
Chen Shi straightened his chest and laughed. "My literary exam is absolutely no problem!"
Chen Tang said, "It's just the martial exam. How confident are you?"
Chen Shi summoned his Nascent Soul. The snow-white infant floated in the air, curled up, slowly stretched its limbs, and yawned.
Chen Tang looked at his Nascent Soul, his eyes flickering. "Not enough. The scions of the Thirteen Great Clans participating in this tropolitan examination have mostly already cultivated their Primordial Spirits. The gap in realm is difficult to bridge. The scions of the Thirteen Great Clans have all sorts of resources you don't have. If their innate talent isn't high, they'll buy first-grade or second-grade Divine Embryos to supplent their talent. If their natural aptitude isn't high, they'll eat various spiritual elixirs and miraculous dicines, using dragon liver and phoenix blood to change their sinews, cleanse their marrow, and alter their aptitude. If their comprehension isn't high, they'll hire various private tutors to improve their understanding."
Chen Shi said seriously, "I will only be stronger than them, definitely not inferior."
Chen Tang shook his head. "Empty words are aningless. Chen Yindu didn't teach you much, did he? Your skills were probably all taught to you by Scholar Zhu. What cultivation techniques did he teach you?"
Chen Shi shook his head. "Scholar Zhu didn't teach any cultivation techniques. My techniques were found in the True King's Tomb."
Chen Tang was stunned. "True King's Tomb techniques? That's about the sa. Which chapter of The Ten Books of Cultivation did you learn?"
Chen Shi's eyes widened, and he exclaid in surprise, "You learned from The Ten Books of Cultivation? Chen Tang, what exactly is your cultivation realm?"
Chen Tang frowned slightly, sensitive to him calling his na directly.
Seeing he didn't answer, Chen Shi suddenly noticed the treasured sword placed on the altar table. A thought struck him. "You cultivate the 'Mysterious Subtle Sword Scripture' from the Ten Books! Your sword technique is exquisite and profound. I once saw the power of the Mysterious Subtle Sword Scripture on Lord Sun Yisheng! The Mysterious Subtle Sword Scripture can allow a cultivator to cultivate to a profound realm, all the way to the Ascension Realm. Scholar Zhu teaching you this technique was indeed extrely good for you! However..."
He put down his chopsticks and smiled slightly. "I found sothing better in the True King's Tomb."
Chen Tang raised an eyebrow, took a chopstick from the chopstick holder, and said, "I won't use a Divine Embryo. I'll only use Nascent Soul Transformation realm mana to simulate the strength of a core disciple from a great clan. I'll spar with you to let you know the strength of the most core disciples of the great clans."
Chen Shi pushed his round stool back, stood up, his fighting spirit blazing, and laughed. "Chen Tang, I've also wanted to have a match with you for a long ti! There's not enough space here. Let's go outside the city for a proper fight!"
Chen Tang sat on the round stool, not getting up. Holding that single chopstick, he said indifferently, "The child's misconduct is the father's fault. I haven't beaten you enough, which is why you're so arrogant and unruly. We don't need to go out. Right here in this room. When you can force to stand up, force to leave this room, then you'll have the strength to compete with the core disciples of the Thirteen Great Clans."
"Good!"
Instantly, Chen Shi pushed his cultivation to the limit. Behind his head, layers of force fields spread out, forming six layers of heaven, his mana vast and boundless!
Each layer of heaven was equivalent to one Eight Extres Golden Palace. Six layers of Eight Extres Golden Palace stacked together made his qi and blood extrely vigorous, his speed so fast it was hard to catch with the naked eye. His attacks were like rushing thunder; his fingers and palms didn't need to gather the Five Thunders. A full-power strike erupted with thunderous roars, capable of shattering Primordial Spirits!
He didn't aim for Chen Tang's vital spots, striking directly at his collarbone, just wanting to give Chen Tang a small lesson.
However, the mont his hand extended, Chen Shi felt a sore, swelling sensation in his palm. The chopstick tapped the center of his palm, dispersing all his force.
Chen Shi imdiately spun around, his leg flying up to chop at the back of Chen Tang's neck.
At that mont, that single chopstick split into two, two into four, four into eight, each stabbing at various joints on his body: the centers of his palms and soles, his wrists and ankles, his elbows, the backs of his knees.
Wherever they struck, Chen Shi instantly felt his hands lose sensation, as if severed. Then his forearms, calves, upper arms, and thighs successively vanished from his senses.
That chopstick dazzled before his eyes, splitting into more and more, stabbing at his front and back.
Chen Shi felt as if his internal organs were also being sliced off, successively disappearing from his senses!
Chen Tang's chopstick wiped across his throat. Chen Shi instantly felt as if only his head remained, floating in the air.
He shot golden light from his eyes, preparing to slash Chen Tang with two beams of golden light. But Chen Tang's chopstick had already tapped between his eyebrows.
All of Chen Shi's senses completely vanished. He fell to the ground stiffly.
Black Pot was startled. The fight ended too quickly; he hadn't even finished his al yet.
He hurriedly shoveled rice into his mouth, preparing to put down his bowl and chopsticks to help Chen Shi up.
Chen Tang put down his chopstick, hoisted Chen Shi onto his shoulder, and said, "You keep eating. I'll take him back to his room. He hasn't rested well these past few days. He's too tired. Let him have a good sleep."
Black Pot sat back down.
Chen Tang carried Chen Shi back to his room, took off his outer clothes, removed his shoes, placed him under the covers, and tucked him in.
Looking at Chen Shi's face, his serious expression gradually relaxed, revealing a smile.
During the third watch of the night, Shen Hongniang of the Matchmaker House led the experts of her organization to ambush the route one must take to the Guangji Treasury, quietly awaiting Chen Shi's arrival.
Long after daybreak, Chen Shi still hadn't co. Instead, the cattle and sheep in the fields had already given birth to several litters, and the two remaining pregnant won couldn't hold on any longer either.
Shen Hongniang's eyes were vacant, gazing intently in the direction of Western Capital. "Is Chen Shi still coming to the Guangji Treasury? Does he take the imperial grain stipend each month with a clear conscience?"
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