A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch

Chapter 405 - 247: I’m a Genius, a Heaven-Sent Opportunity

"Master... your grandson is truly being wronged!"

Bai Qi’s eye twitched; though he had some skills in blacksmithing, at most he could forge steel, but he’d never refined copper.

Besides, he had always treated the eight-year-old Sister Jiao as a child left behind, just thinking that at such a young age, being lonely in the Black Water River was indeed a bit pitiful.

How could there be any improper thoughts!

Even this Reversed Scale Armor was given to him voluntarily, it was definitely not something he had asked for!

Bai Qi felt so wronged he wanted to shout "Eldest Master Qingtang"!

Thinking of himself, Master Bai Qi, who walked with integrity and sat upright,

how could he deceive an eight-year-old girl!

"Fortunately, you didn’t show any flaw in front of Lao Hong, otherwise with all the Pai Bang people swarming over, even this old body of mine wouldn’t withstand it; with each swing of the knife, they could chop us into fine mince."

Chen Xing shook his head, though he didn’t continue to tease his grandson, knowing the origin of the long water dragon.

Long before Ninghai Zen rose to fame, Qiu Changtian from the Observatory Tower had secretly been entrusted by Water Monarch Palace to enlighten the Huai River in Nu Yun River.

As known by all, the mountains and water veins of the Red County Divine Land were all condensed from the air of heaven and earth.

But after the Dao’s decline, the titles of all Mountain Deities and Water Deities became ineffective, and the spiritual energy of the world dried up like a pond, becoming more exhausted, thus making the Turbid Tide increasingly surging, sweeping across and covering vast territories.

Thus ending the era of scattered cults and sects claiming dominance and establishing themselves, the cultivation era of three thousand heterodox paths, eight hundred demonic sects, and ten major orthodox traditions.

The old flood dragon of Water Monarch Palace was said to be a True Dragon offspring and a peerless Demon Emperor who personally experienced the catastrophe of the Turbid Tide, originally thriving in the Yu Sea, but for unknown reasons, it voluntarily migrated to Nu Yun River.

The prosperity of the sea territory couldn’t compare to the river, perhaps the old flood dragon had a mind to stabilize its foundation, thus amending in multiple directions and agreeing with the Dragon Court, then asking Qiu Changtian, who was likely to become an Observatory Tower Daoist, to arrange a highly grand sacrificial rite.

The aim was to enlighten the river vein of Nu Yun River, so it could become like a dragon transforming into a True Dragon, ascending to a higher level.

Unexpectedly, Qiu Changtian, inundated with bad luck at that time, bungled it up.

What should have been a foolproof enlightenment of the river vein failed, almost causing a major disaster, breaching the Nu Yun River embankments and flooding the three thousand leagues of Yihai Prefecture, turning them into a swamp.

If it weren’t for the intervention of the Purple Register Daoist Official from Celestial Water Prefecture, along with the suppression of the angry waves by the old flood dragon, the entire Yihai Prefecture would have been inundated.

Since then, that Qiu Changtian fellow became a plague deity in Water Monarch Palace, known for being an infamous troublemaker alongside Ninghai Zen, who stealthily abducted the flood dragon’s offspring.

Judging by age, that long flood dragon could be precisely the offspring abducted by my sinful apprentice.

I didn’t expect it to be a girl and to have such a close relationship with my grandson.

"Tongwen Hall is small and humble, if it clings to Water Monarch Palace, that old flood dragon’s family is huge and wealthy... My apprentice can look far ahead, to even understand using a beauty scheme."

Chen Xing lamented inwardly, Ninghai Zen was truly full of tricks and completely unlike him.

Ah Qi, such a pure-hearted boy, if he fell into the hands of my wayward apprentice, he would surely be influenced negatively.

Only by careful personal guidance and teaching could a good character be molded!

"Does the Pai Bang Leader have any connection with Nu Yun River?"

Seeing his master’s grave expression, Bai Qi hurriedly pulled his collar tighter, covering the Reversed Scale Armor he wore inside.

He didn’t expect Sister Jiao to gift him such a precious thing.

A child doesn’t know any better, gifting it as a toy!

As for the old flood dragon of Water Monarch Palace, it wouldn’t take it seriously, right?!

"You just mentioned that Hong Jie had a turtle-back, crane-like demeanor, quite remarkable... little did you know, Old Hong, his true form is a Yu Sea Mysterious Turtle. Many years ago, he followed the old flood dragon of Water Monarch Palace, trekking thousands of miles to Nu Yun River.

How did Pai Bang make its fortune? From Black Water River to Nu Yun River, winding thousands of miles, the logs felled from the mountains are bundled together, flowing downstream at a speed faster than a galloping horse.

Since Hong Jie became the leader, tens of thousands of wood rafts have never encountered big waves, almost always returning safely.

What do you think they rely on? It’s the water tribe providing protection!"

Chen Xing patiently clarified for his grandson:

"Beneath the headquarters of Pai Bang, there are thirty-six halls. Aside from the leader, there are positions like sitting hall, accompanying hall, Incense Master, Chief of Punishment, and more. Skip those adding to the numbers and pompous guest ministers and tributes, many are Transformed Great Demons.

The County Daoist Officials are well-aware, but they turn a blind eye for the sake of Water Monarch Palace. After all, the water tribe under the old flood dragon doesn’t crave blood like the group from Fulong Mountain, acting recklessly.

Moreover, being a demon is like a loose cultivator, as long as they don’t break the Dragon Court’s laws and willingly align with the Court, Daoist Officials are willing to accept them."

So, Pai Bang is actually a front for Water Monarch Palace!

Bai Qi suddenly understood that even the Great Demons want to wear human skins to do business these days.

Truly strange!

"In the future, when you get involved in the transportation business, get close with Pai Bang, it can save you a lot of trouble.

Old Hong is a man of few words but works with genuine enthusiasm, just mention your master’s name sparingly."

Chen Xing advised.

"Understood! Thank you, Master, for the pointers!"

Bai Qi nodded, understanding that the Pai Bang’s influence was vast, almost controlling all the waterways of Nu Yun River, even the Thirteen Pacts needed to consider the Pai Bang Leader’s opinion on shipping goods.

"If the Pai Bang Leader knows Sister Jiao, then by connecting through her, won’t I directly open up the extensive network of Nu Yun River’s waterways! Wealth and prosperity are within reach!"

Master Bai Qi was thrilled, controlling the comprehensive set of navigable routes across the numerous provinces of Nu Yun River meant grasping a lucrative financial stream.