Chapter 276
Chapter 276
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 276
Chapter Title: Chapter 276 The son does not teach, the father's fault
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The boatman's daughter and her father saw there was no escape. They exchanged a glance before suddenly stomping down hard with their feet. Heaven and earth spun upside down, the Qu Sang River hung inverted, and the painted boat had already appeared in the Underworld!
The father and daughter revealed their true forms—two towering horse-headed ghost gods, hundreds of zhang tall, wreathed in swirling clusters of ghostly fire!
The boatman gripped his bamboo railing like a massive spear that could pierce the heavens and earth. He bellowed fiercely:
"Zhong Kui, others may fear you, but my daughter and I do not!"
They were now in Western Capital City. The boatman and his daughter had dragged them into the Underworld. Around them, immensely grand Primordial Spirits instantly manifested, presiding high in the sky.
These were the Primordial Spirits of Mahayana Realm powerhouses—unmatched in might, beyond the reach even of ghosts and gods!
Their gazes pierced through the worlds of yin and yang, seeing everything crystal clear.
Western Capital's Underworld was tens of thousands of times larger than the mortal world above. These Primordial Spirits were scattered about in groups of twos and threes, each suppressing a region.
Drawn by the commotion here, they all turned their attention, their faces showing shock:
"Three ghost gods? No—four!"
"And Chen Shi is among them!"
Zhong Kui had yet to strike, but the Iron Chi behind him had already revealed his true form as an ox-headed rakshasa, towering a thousand zhang high. His body was like an iron mountain standing amid the clouds and mists. He slapped down with one palm.
The boatman spun around with a roar and thrust out his great spear.
The spear whirled, emitting eerie wails like the cries of ghosts and the howls of gods—mournful and piercing.
The boatman's stance was rock-solid, his muscles crackling and popping as he pushed his physical strength to the limit.
He was a creature of the Underworld, having forged a ghost god body. That was how he had become an underworld bailiff, securing an official post in the bureaucracy below.
This prowess had not come easily. It stemmed from his extraordinary talent, as well as the fruits of his painstaking cultivation.
He had captured many formidable wanderers from the mortal world, including those at the Void Returning Realm and even Mahayana Realm. Some refused to die even after their lifespan ended, using all sorts of methods to cling to life—laying traps and formations, calling in friends and allies to try and slay the bailiffs come to claim their souls.
He had grown strong amid such deadly clashes. He reckoned his skills were no less than those of any judge or underworld commander. It was simply that the underworld bureaucracy favored nepotism, which was why he was relegated to mere bailiff duty.
With this thrust of his spear, the tip blossomed into countless points like a cluster of flowers in brocade, dazzling the eyes.
"A truly powerful ghost god!"
In the sky, a Mahayana Realm Primordial Spirit praised.
A ghost god's fleshly body and Primordial Spirit were fused as one, inseparable. This spear technique was executed to flawless perfection—even they had to admit it!
The Ox-Headed Rakshasa's palm crashed down. The spear shattered with a barrage of cracks. In an instant, the boatman's hands were drenched in blood, his arms a mangled mess of flesh. Not only did the spear disintegrate, but his ghost god body was shattered as well!
That supremely vast power bore down. The boatman raised both hands to block it head-on. The ground beneath his feet split into a massive fissure, carving a hundred-li chasm.
His thighs' muscles strained to the utmost, skin bursting open. The blood within him boiled, spraying from his pores like scalding fire. His legs trembled—he could hold out no longer—and with a thud, he dropped to his knees.
In Western Capital, the many Mahayana Realm Primordial Spirits witnessed this and could not help stirring.
The boatman was a horse-headed ghost god of immense strength. In the mortal world, he might fall far short of them, but in the Underworld, a ghost god's power surged violently. He could borrow the might of the Underworld's heaven and earth—even they felt some trepidation.
Yet before that ox-headed monster, he hadn't even managed one full move before being crushed!
Such strength commanded admiration.
At that moment, one Mahayana Realm Primordial Spirit's gaze fell on the red-clad Zhong Kui beside Chen Shi.
"It's him!"
"The divine怪 that clashed with the Fire and Earth Judges of the Underworld last night!"
They were all stunned. Last night, the Fire Judge and Earth Judge had joined forces to assault Zhong Kui. Their battle in the Underworld had darkened the skies and shaken the earth. Zhong Kui had only manifested his upper body there, yet he drove the two great judges to desperation—the Earth Judge had nearly been devoured by Zhong Kui.
Fortunately, hundreds of ghost gods and bailiffs from the Underworld had rushed in upon hearing the news, swarming toward Zhong Kui. That battle had shattered the Underworld's heavens and rent its earth, nearly spilling over into Western Capital!
Western Capital had so many Mahayana and Void Returning Realm experts presiding, along with the Nine Palaces of the True King to suppress it all, barely blocking those waves of devastating shockwaves.
Chen Shi and the others hadn't seen that scene—they had been fleeing for their lives—but these powerhouses of Western Capital had seen it all as clear as day. They watched as that red-clad, iron-masked, bearded ghost god, even surrounded and besieged, still smashed and devoured many ghostly foes.
That fight had left even these onlookers' hearts pounding with dread.
In the end, the number of ghost gods swelled, and even stronger ones arrived from afar. The red-clad Zhong Kui had no choice but to withdraw, retreating to the mortal world above.
"Why is he standing with Chen Shi?"
These Primordial Spirits were utterly astonished.
"Does Chen Shi have backers in the Underworld beyond Little Five the Creator?"
Just then, the boatman's daughter dropped to her knees with a thud and kowtowed to Chen Shi.
"My father and I know our error. We are willing to go fetch your mother's soul!"
This sight shook the Primordial Spirits of those Mahayana existences to their cores. Each began to doubt if their eyes were deceiving them.
"Chen Shi's backer in the Underworld has far too great a background—he's made an underworld bailiff kneel to him!"
Zhong Kui looked to Chen Shi. Chen Shi gave a slight nod.
The painted boat returned to the mortal world.
In Western Capital, that assembly of mighty Primordial Spirits buzzed 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 mortal world! It seems... Chen Shi is his backer!"
This realization left them utterly stunned.
Chen Shi had influence in the Underworld too—and far more terrifying than in the mortal world!
They had witnessed it with their own eyes. There could be no mistake!
Not long after, the father and daughter were escorted in chains to the Xinxiang Guild Hall and brought before Nannan.
Iron Chi kicked them behind the knees. They dropped to the floor with thuds.
The Great Lord Qingtian sat in her chair, her expression stern as she eyed them. Her little legs dangled in the air, swinging restlessly back and forth. She nodded slowly.
"This office is still but a child—no need for excessive courtesy."
She had this down pat by now.
Iron Chi eyed Zhong Kui suspiciously. Zhong Kui shook his head and whispered:
"Truly the Great Lord Qingtian, without a doubt."
Iron Chi lowered his voice.
"But when the Great Lord Qingtian saw me, those were her exact words too... Look, that Chen kid is even feeding candied hawthorns to the Lord!"
Zhong Kui hesitated, then said:
"It's probably a line Chen Shi taught her. The Great Lord Qingtian is still lost in the fog of the womb—she hasn't awakened her memories yet."
"I'll go crush him!"
Iron Chi took a step forward. Zhong Kui shook his head.
"He means no harm. The Great Lord Qingtian relies on him greatly. If you harm him, she'll only resent and hate you instead. Besides, we are ghost gods of the Underworld. In the mortal world, we truly need allies—otherwise, we can forget going back."
Iron Chi hesitated a moment.
"I'll follow your lead."
The Great Lord Qingtian hopped down from the chair and happily went to eat her candied hawthorns. Hu Feifei hurriedly said:
"Kids shouldn't eat too much sugar at night!"
Nannan turned back to look at Chen Shi.
Chen Shi said:
"It's still early in the evening. Just remember to rinse your mouth after."
Nannan cheered.
"You're just spoiling her!"
Hu Feifei grumbled.
Chen Shi extended a hand to the boatman's daughter and pulled her up. He smiled.
"When will the two of you set out?"
The boatman's daughter glanced at her father.
"Top Graduate, allow my father a couple days to recover."
Chen Shi smiled.
"Had the two of you been honest from the start, it wouldn't have come to this."
The father and daughter hung their heads, saying nothing.
Chen Shi could finally set his mind at ease. He planned to head home and report that all was well. Hu Feifei called after him.
"Little Ten, settle down these next few days. No more running about—focus solely on preparing for the exams. The date for the metropolitan exam is set: the twenty-fifth of this month. Not many days left."
Chen Shi straightened up and nodded.
"Once I'm home, I'll study diligently."
Hu Feifei said:
"This time it's civil trials first, then martial. The civil exam covers classics, policy essays, and strategies. The martial tests cultivation, spells, and actual combat. The top scorer becomes metropolitan graduate, but then there's the palace exam to decide the top scholar. Though that's a contest among the top ten of the metropolitan exam."
Chen Shi asked:
"Are you taking it?"
Hu Feifei said:
"I asked around—the Western Capital metropolitan exam doesn't allow spirit monsters to participate. I went to the clan chief. With his vast connections, he might sneak me in."
Chen Shi said:
"So, have you found your ideal match yet?"
Hu Feifei looked troubled.
"I've got my eye on two or three good ones, but none seem top scholar material."
Chen Shi laughed.
"Forget about top scholar. This time, I'm claiming it!"
He returned home. Night had deepened, and Chen Tang was preparing for bed. Seeing him return, he said:
"I've left food out for you and Blackie Pot. Don't eat it cold—I'll have the maid reheat it."
Chen Shi and Blackie Pot went to wash their hands. Soon after, the meal was steaming hot and served.
Chen Tang sat beside them, watching as they ate.
"How'd it go?"
Chen Shi picked at his food.
"A bit roundabout, but it worked out in the end. My two friends agreed to go to the Underworld and rescue Mother. They're injured, though—they need a few days to recuperate."
Chen Tang asked with concern:
"How'd they get hurt? Badly?"
"I had someone beat them up."
Chen Shi shoveled rice into his mouth, cheeks bulging as he mumbled thickly:
"Pretty bad."
Chen Tang's face grew stern.
"You should treat people sincerely—don't resort to hitting friends at the drop of a hat. The metropolitan exam is almost here. For the civil trial, you've been studying with Scholar Zhu?"
Chen Shi nodded.
Chen Tang relaxed a fraction.
"I studied with him too. For this metropolitan exam, I'm not worried about your civil trial. Scholar Zhu's mastery of the classics and histories is unmatched under heaven. He has rare texts nowhere else to be found. Study with him, and you'll place in the top three ranks for sure."
Chen Shi grinned.
"So you studied with Scholar Zhu back in the day too? Why didn't you place as top scholar?"
Chen Tang said flatly:
"I took first in both county and provincial exams. At the metropolitan, I ranked fourteenth. The thirteen ahead were scions of the Thirteen Great Families. Even so, my policy essay was recited by many juren in Western Capital."
He gave Chen Shi a deep look.
"As long as you study diligently with Scholar Zhu, the civil trial will hold no problems."
Chen Shi puffed out his chest and laughed.
"My civil trial is rock-solid!"
Chen Tang said:
"But the martial trial—how confident are you?"
Chen Shi summoned his Nascent Soul. The snow-white infant floated in the air, curling and uncurling its body before slowly stretching out its limbs and yawning.
Chen Tang eyed his Nascent Soul, his gaze flickering.
"Not enough. Many scions of the Thirteen Great Families taking this metropolitan exam have already formed Primordial Spirits. You can't make up that gap in realm. The Thirteen Great Families' scions have resources you lack. If their talent falls short, they buy first- or second-grade spirit embryos to bolster it. If their aptitude is poor, they consume spirit pills and elixirs, swapping tendons and marrow with dragon liver and phoenix blood to remake themselves. If their comprehension lags, they hire masters for private lessons to hone it."
Chen Shi said gravely:
"I'll only be stronger than them—never weaker."
Chen Tang shook his head.
"Talk is cheap. Grandpa Chen Yindu hasn't taught you anything, has he? Your skills must all come from Scholar Zhu. What technique did he pass to you?"
Chen Shi shook his head.
"Scholar Zhu didn't teach me any techniques. The one I have came from the Tomb of the True King."
Chen Tang paused.
"A technique from the Tomb of the True King? Close enough. Which volume of the Ten Books of Cultivating the Truth did you learn?"
Chen Shi's eyes widened. He blurted out:
"You learned from the Ten Books of Cultivating the Truth? Chen Tang, what realm are you actually at?"
Chen Tang frowned slightly—he was sensitive about being addressed by his name.
Chen Shi saw he wouldn't answer. His eyes suddenly lit on the treasured sword offered on the table. Inspiration struck.
"You're cultivating the Profound Subtlety Sword Scripture from the Ten Books! Your swordsmanship is exquisitely profound—I once saw the might of the Profound Subtlety Sword Scripture on Lord Sun Yisheng! It lets cultivators reach profound heights, all the way to the Ascension Realm. Scholar Zhu passing you this technique was indeed ideal for you! But..."
He set down his chopsticks and smiled faintly.
"I found something even better in the Tomb of the True King."
Chen Tang arched a brow. He plucked a chopstick from the holder.
"I'll forgo my Divine Embryo and use only Soul Transformation-level mana to simulate the strength of a core scion from the great families. We'll spar, and you'll see just how formidable those core scions truly are."
Chen Shi shoved back his round stool and rose, battle intent blazing. He laughed.
"Chen Tang, I've long wanted to trade moves with you! Can't fight here—let's head outside the city for a proper match!"
Chen Tang remained seated on his stool, chopstick pinched between his fingers. He said calmly:
"Failing to teach a son is the father's fault. I've gone too easy on you, letting you grow arrogant and untamed. No need to go out—we'll do it right here in this room. Whenever you can force me to stand, force me out of this room, then you'll have what it takes to contend with the core scions of the Thirteen Great Families."
Fine!
In an instant, Chen Shi pushed his cultivation to the peak. Layer upon layer of force fields unfurled behind his head, forming sixfold heavens. His mana surged boundlessly!
Each heaven equated to a full Eight Extremes Golden Threshold. Six such thresholds layered atop one another made his vital energy blaze to the extreme. His figure blurred beyond the naked eye. His strikes came like thunderclaps—no need to gather the Five Thunders; full-force blows alone boomed with thunder, shattering Primordial Spirits!
He held back from Chen Tang's vitals, aiming only for the collarbone—a minor lesson.
But just as his hand shot out, Chen Shi's palm went numb and aching. The chopstick tapped his palm center, dispersing all the force.
Chen Shi spun immediately, his leg whipping up toward Chen Tang's nape.
At that moment, the chopstick split—one into two, two into four, four into eight—stabbing at the joints of his palms, soles, wrists, ankles, elbows, knees, and more.
Where it struck, Chen Shi instantly lost sensation in his hands, as if they'd been severed. Then his forearms, shins, upper arms, thighs—all vanished from his senses one after another!
Chen Tang's chopstick brushed his throat. Chen Shi felt as if only his head floated in the air.
His eyes shot twin golden beams, ready to slay Chen Tang. But the chopstick was already at his brow center.
Chen Shi lost all sensation and toppled stiffly to the floor.
Blackie Pot jumped in fright. The fight had ended too fast—it hadn't even finished its meal. It hurriedly shoveled rice, ready to set down its bowl and help Chen Shi up.
Chen Tang set down the chopstick, hoisted Chen Shi over his shoulder, and said:
"Keep eating. I'll take him back to his room. He hasn't rested well these past days—too worn out. Let him sleep it off properly."
Blackie Pot sat back down.
Chen Tang carried Chen Shi to his room, removed his outer robes and shoes, tucked him into bed, and pulled up the quilt. He gazed at Chen Shi's face. His stern expression gradually softened into a smile.
At the third watch of the night, Madam Shen Hong of the Red Matchmaker Society led the society's experts in lying in ambush along the route to Guangji Granary, waiting silently for Chen Shi's arrival.
Long after dawn, Chen Shi still hadn't come. Instead, the cows and sheep in the fields had birthed several litters, and even the last two pregnant women hadn't held out.
Madam Shen Hong's eyes were dull, staring longingly toward Western Capital.
"Is Chen Shi ever coming to Guangji Granary? Does he feel no guilt taking the imperial grain every month?"