A Long Grind to Daoist Monarch-Chapter 149 - 125: Demon Monarch’s Abode, Finally Found

Not a word was spoken that night.

Zhu Ling'Er lay on her side, tightly wrapped in her quilt, as the slightly pale light of dawn seeped through the window lattice.

Perhaps it was the north wind that blew all night, causing the paper-covered window to rattle persistently. The Second Miss Zhu hadn't slept well, as all sorts of chaotic thoughts entangled in her mind, making it hard for her to find peace.

"How should I tell father about Xiaowu's matter... Maybe I should linger a few more days in Wagang Village. Once Xiaowu's body is properly settled, I'll take it to father, then return to the County City to avoid him questioning me too much!"

Zhu Ling'Er felt a slight relief, yet couldn't help but lament. Though the high-status families are bound by blood ties, often the relationships aren't as deep as they seem.

Often, after several generations, everyone just focuses on their own meals, unwilling to offer even a single chopstick to "others."

If Xiaowu hadn't been born with the Martial Bone Hundred Refinements Hand, he wouldn't have had the fortune to become a disciple of Master Craftsman Li Yuan.

In the clandestine rivalry between the Zhu Family and the Fire Kiln, it seemed Master Li had a slight edge this time.

But her father probably wouldn't be willing to let it rest, with more tactics to come.

"A towering tree with lush branches and leaves: deciding whether the nutrients should feed the main trunk or the side branches is truly a dilemma.

Luckily, I am a daughter and don't have to worry about these vexing matters."

Zhu Ling'Er adjusted her scattered hair, while the little maid attended to her washing and grooming, which took more than half an hour to complete.

"Miss, you used to say that a girl practicing martial arts should pay the least attention to appearance, as grooming is a waste of energy…"

Zhu Ling'Er made a sound of puzzlement, seemingly oblivious:

"Did I? I don't remember."

The little maid pouted, fearing a flick to her forehead again, wisely choosing to stay silent.

"Go and see if Bai Qilang has gotten up yet. If he isn't busy, he can join us for breakfast."

Zhu Ling'Er feigned carelessness in her instruction, the little maid obediently ran out the door, and returned shortly thereafter.

"Miss, Bai Qilang was dragged out by Young Master He early in the morning. They've gone up the mountain to visit Master Li at the kiln."

Zhu Ling'Er's fine brows furrowed, He Jingfeng was truly annoying. Bai Qilang mingling with him all the time, what if he picked up some bad habits!

...

...

"Brother Bai, the day hasn't even broken, and you're dragging me up the mountain to see the kiln…"

He Jingfeng hadn't slept well the previous night either, moving from the top-class wing room to one of lesser status, the bedding wasn't as thick, and they hadn't lit the Calming Incense.

The Seventh Young Master He, so accustomed to comfort, was rather uncomfortable. No sooner had he caught a nap, Brother Bai woke him up with a noisy commotion.

"Master Li said yesterday, we should go to the fire kiln more frequently, understand? Strike while the iron is hot, right?

Besides, your elder brother's matter of crafting the rough magical artifact hasn't been settled yet, you need to focus on that."

Bai Qi walked on the rugged mountain path as if on even ground, always mulling over the three large kilns, pondering whether he could forge a few connections to open a trading avenue.

Ideally, he could earn ten thousand tales of snowflake silver a year!

To alleviate the hefty expenses of furthering his skills!

Moreover, equipped with the ink path, as long as Master Li is willing to teach, reflecting the art of "blacksmithing."

Bai Qi transforming from the Sacred Body of fishing in the Black Water River to the Fire Kiln Blacksmithing Saint Body wouldn't be a difficult matter.

...

...

Thousand miles of snow fluttering on Fulong Mountain, clad in silver, the mountain and forest expanses are one majestic white, imparting a sense of the vastness of heaven and earth.

A leeward slope at a certain location, still engulfed in a sky-blue robe, Ninghai Zen's unkempt and scruffy appearance was all the more conspicuous.

If not for the clothes being somewhat clean, he'd almost be mistaken for a savage.

He sat beside a makeshift fire, tearing off a sizzling oily wild chicken leg, sprinkling spices, and feasting with delight.

If one ignores the seventeen or eighteen cold corpses lying in the snow and the splattering crimson blossoms of blood.

This would be a leisurely and free scene worth capturing in a painting.

"Thank heaven for the gift!"

Ninghai Zen ate to half fullness, then picked up two water pouches.

They were filled with strong spirits, the kind that burned painfully down the throat.

He took hearty gulps, his knife-like eyes narrowing slightly, showing a bit of enjoyment.

With heavy snow sealing the mountains, in the desolate deep forest, a group of hunters encountered a solitary man.

The hunters naturally thought the heavens had shown compassion, sending them to prey, delivering a fat sheep into the tiger's maw.

The phrase "sheep into a tiger's maw" was indeed correct.

Except they got it wrong who was the sheep and who was the tiger.

For those who dare to harbor malicious intent or evil thoughts in front of him, Ninghai Zen has always dealt with them harshly.

Thus, he killed them one by one and plucked a few wild pheasants, roasting them for a meal.

"The creations of heaven and earth are unpredictable, always producing some foolish and wicked beings. Rather than letting them waste food in this world, it's better to end them here, saving a bit of spiritual energy. I'm doing this on behalf of the Celestial Lord, and it counts as a merit."

Ninghai Zen let out a long breath, just about to continue on his journey when suddenly a sharp light flashed in his eyes, as if catching a trace of something he'd been searching for all along... demon energy?

The scent of blood from the dozen hunters' corpses attracted a snake demon, barely three hundred years old.

It flicked its tongue, gliding along the ground, quickly weaving through the vast grassland, and seeing the still fresh flesh, it couldn't help but rejoice:

"Could it be that the heavens have opened their eyes! Granting me such rich food for winter!"

Being cold-blooded, snakes have a habit of hibernation, but before this, they need to stockpile enough food reserves.

"If it weren't for the ancestors going mad, having a grand funeral procession day after day, exchanging some presents back and forth, why would I have to search for food in such cold weather?"

The snake demon lamented the hardships of life, coiling around the dozen frozen corpses, pondering how to bring them back to the cave.

"Turns out it's just a little demon. But its aura is somewhat similar to the one I killed. Do you know which family in Fulong Mountain has snakes or pythons most formidable?"

Ninghai Zen appeared out of nowhere, lightly tapping the ground. The snake demon suddenly felt an invisible mountain pressing upon it severely.

With a glance, its vertical pupils were even more horrified!

Slender fingers held a flawless demon pill!

On it, ten mountain patterns naturally formed!

A millennium-strong Demon King!

The snake demon trembled as if it were shivering, unable to refine its skeleton, could only nod and shake in terror, almost fainting from fear.

"Lead the way well, and I will spare you once. Even the heavens have a heart for life, let alone I, Ninghai Zen.

When fishing down the river, I usually release small fry like you."

Ninghai Zen, circling the myriad peaks, cliffs, and valleys of Fulong Mountain for so long, had finally found a snake demon with the right aura, proving that effort never betrays the diligent.

...

...

Deep within Fulong Mountain, a cave was occupied by various snakes and serpentine demon creatures, emitting an ear-piercing "hiss" sound.

Suddenly, a pair of blood-red vertical pupils opened, suppressing the chaotic commotion.

A young man, shrouded in a black robe and strikingly handsome with an eerie beauty, emerged from a coffin, baring his sharp fangs, anger etched across his brow:

"Qiu Changtian, that charlatan, really fooled this Monarch! Tricked me out of a jade-refined treasure saber! Furious, I am!"

The young man raised a palm to shatter the fine coffin tailor-made for himself, his robe trailing like a tail:

"Withdraw, withdraw! Remove all the incense candles, paper streamers, and lanterns! After enduring so long with such blandness, this Monarch will host a grand feast of one hundred infants! Replenishing entirely with a hundred pairs of hearts and livers..."

Boom!

Before the young man's words could land, they abruptly halted.

The dark cave, lined with jagged teeth, seemed to have its roof torn off, spilling vast amounts of skyward light.

The towering demon energy, previously suppressed by the mighty mountain, instantly erupted, gathering into dense clouds spanning hundreds of miles.

"Not even a greeting, barging into this Monarch's domain! Tired of living?!"

The hooded young man raised an eyebrow, his gaze sinister and cold.

Known among the people of Yihai Prefecture as the "Black Viper Monarch," it was highly curious who was so audacious as to cross its path at this moment!

The fluttering green robe, the tall figure stood firmly, allowing the wild winds and dust to sweep past, always standing unyielding.

He kicked aside the hapless snake demon serving as a guide, and in a composed voice, revealed a hint of joy at finally finding his target:

"Tongwen Hall, Ninghai Zen."

The Black Viper Monarch paused, inexplicably feeling a sense of familiarity, certain that the name had been heard somewhere before.

Before it could remember, the man produced a millennium-old demon pill, gently asking:

"Is this great python yours?"

As if it was a young one set to transform into a water-dwelling dragon?

The Black Viper Monarch's vertical pupils tensed slightly, instinctively nodding.

Soon after, an overwhelming sense of peril rose in its heart!

As if enormous "death" characters, written in blood, were reflected in its cold eyes!

"Then that settles it."

Ninghai Zen casually tossed the millennium-old demon pill into his mouth like a candy, crunching it loudly.

"You've certainly made me search hard!"