Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 103 Song Family Village

Chapter 103: Chapter 103 Song Family Village

Jiang Shang had an extraordinary skill in lighting a fire, but his ability to roast meat was quite average. Nezha, unable to bear it any longer, took out two handfuls of fine salt from his Qiankun Bag and went to the nearby mountain to gather some natural spices. He dried them with fire, tore them into pieces, and sprinkled them over the pork. Instantly, the aroma of the meat filled the air, making everyone’s mouths water.

"My young friend, I reckon your skills surpass your master’s by far. I’ll bet that even if Taiyi Zhenren himself were to roast meat, it wouldn’t taste as good as yours," Jiang Shang praised, giving a thumbs up. However, Nezha had little appetite for the meat, as the wild boar meat had an overpowering gamey smell that not even two layers of spice could mask.

This time, his journey to Zhaoge was originally to acquire that piece of meteorite containing the Star River Divine Sand from King Wu Cheng. He didn’t expect to encounter Jiang Ziya along the way, who lifted a prohibition off him.

Though the man was different from what he had imagined, judging a person cannot be based on first impressions alone.

"This trip to Zhaoge, who knows how many heroes we’ll encounter."

In Nezha’s heart, there was a hint of expectation. Upon reaching the post station, he wrote home to his mother, assuring her of his safety and telling her about his plans to broaden his horizons in Zhaoge, urging her not to worry.

Traveling for half a month, they encountered two groups of bandits. The bodyguards hired by the merchant caravan boss, who looked fierce with their treasured swords in hand, turned cowardly when confronted with real situations.

Yet, all eyes were on Wei Ben, who rode ahead.

Every time bandits appeared, Wei Ben would grasp his spear, lightly press his legs against the horse’s sides, and charge forward without saying a word, his expression unchanging. He thrust his spear fiercely, and after making a couple of passes, the bandits would invariably flee, leaving behind several dead bodies.

Whenever Wei Ben fought, Nezha watched keenly. He noticed that Wei Ben possessed innate divine power and fierce spear skills, making him a rare martial arts master.

When they were thirty to fifty li away from the South Gate of Zhaoge, they arrived at the Song family estate, parted ways with the caravan, and Wei Ben came forward to bid farewell.

Ziya merely waved his hand, saying, "Go on, go on. When we meet again in the future, I promise you the Divine Enthronement and a general’s title."

Wei Ben turned his horse to bid farewell, leaving decisively without any hesitation.

Nezha looked at the two of them and thought, how you both work hand in hand! Surely it was your scheme that caused Nangong Shi of Xiqi to lose his General Seal.

He said, "Old man, why do you seem so unhappy upon reaching the Song family estate?"

"Darn it, how many times have I told you, call me Martial Uncle."

Ziya tightened the qin and sword sheath on his shoulder, sighed unknowingly, "I’ve been away for forty years; the scenery remains, but the people are different."

Nezha replied, "Leaving home at a young age, returning when old; the sound of one’s mother tongue unchanged, though one’s hair has turned grey. Children don’t recognize you, they smile and ask where you’re from."

"These lines are well-written. From now on, you’re not allowed to recite them; consider them written by your Martial Uncle,"

"Shameless."

"Stop speaking nonsense and troubling my dao heart."

Ziya led the way ahead, with Nezha following behind. Before long, they reached a tall wall and grand courtyard, with two statues of rustic deities beside the gate and no signboard. However, the sight of it made the old man pause noticeably in his breath.

Nezha patted his back, laughing, "Don’t be nervous. After all, he’s your sworn brother. You’ve come a long way to seek refuge with him. Even if the relationship has cooled, he wouldn’t be so embarrassed to deny you a meal."

"What does a little brat like you know? I’m simply feeling anxious about being near home!"

Spurred by Nezha’s words, Jiang Ziya took large strides forward, knocked on the door twice, and a gatekeeper appeared. Seeing an old man and a child staring at them, he asked, "Who are you?"

Jiang Ziya raised his head and said, "I wish to see your landlord. Just tell him an old friend, Jiang Ziya, has come."

"Wait here."

The gatekeeper looked at them suspiciously, retreated inside, leaving Nezha with an increasingly nervous Jiang Ziya.

Seeing him like this, Nezha recalled how even when they encountered bandits along the way, he hadn’t lost his composure like this. He felt like laughing, but couldn’t help teasing, "Don’t worry, don’t worry. Even though you haven’t seen each other in years, I bet your friend hasn’t forgotten you. Who knows, he might even help you get a wife to bring back home."

Jiang Ziya stomped his foot, gritting his teeth, said, "If you dare mock me again, I shall be at odds with you, rascal!"

Just as he finished speaking, they heard hurried footsteps approaching from behind the door, filling both their hearts with warmth.

To have such a friend in life is truly a fortunate and joyous thing.

Song Yiren opened the door, his beard and hair now white. Seeing Jiang Ziya outside, his eyes welled with tears, he seized both of Jiang’s hands excitedly, "Oh, my virtuous brother, why haven’t you sent any messages for decades?"

The two of them began reminiscing, then asked after Nezha. Upon seeing Song Yiren, Jiang Ziya turned respectful, his usual crude speech gone, pointing at Nezha, he simply introduced him as his martial nephew he met on the road, inviting Song Yiren back to his home.

Old friends reuniting inevitably involved eating and drinking. Seeing their genuine emotions, Nezha didn’t want to disturb them, so he simply ate on his own, and when no one was looking, he stole a sip of the Song family’s wine. The wine was sour, fruity, not very strong, but just the perfect remedy for a craving.

After a few rounds of drinks, Song Yiren, now in high spirits, asked, "How many years have you been at Kunlun, virtuous brother?"

Ziya replied, "Unknowingly, forty years have passed."

Song Yiren sighed again, "Time flies. Have you learned any useful skills on the mountain?"

Ziya smiled, "Why wouldn’t I learn, would I do nothing otherwise?"

Yiren further asked, "What kind of Daoist skills have you learned?"

"Fetching water, watering pines, planting peaches, stoking fires, fanning furnaces, and refining elixirs." Ziya replied.

Yiren laughed, "Those are servant’s duties, hardly worth mentioning. Now that you’ve returned, Zhaoge City has many people of stature and opportunities. Why not seek a career here, instead of wandering away? Stay with me, no need to go elsewhere. Our bond is unlike any other."

Ziya was even more delighted to hear this. He hadn’t waited at Panxi but journeyed to Zhaoge with the ambition of making a career and showing his ex-master who sent him down the mountain.

Yet at this moment, Song Yiren began to reveal his true thoughts, saying, "As the old saying goes, ’Of the three unfilial acts, having no descendants is the greatest.’ My virtuous brother, as a friend, I suggest arranging a marriage for you, so you may have offspring to carry on the Jiang name."

Upon hearing this, Nezha nearly spat out his drink. He looked towards Jiang Ziya, who was flushed red, hastily waving it off, repeatedly saying it was impossible and the matter could be discussed later.

After eating and drinking well, they stayed at the Song estate.

Nezha stayed in the room next to Jiang Ziya, and after nightfall, he heard thunderous snores and chuckled, "The old man must be exhausted from the long journey both physically and mentally."

He walked into the courtyard, noticing how different the scenery and customs were here compared to Chentang Pass. Looking up at the sky, the same bright, full moon hung above, casting silver light on the ground like a layer of frost.

Only Nezha’s eyesight was keener than most, and what he saw was quite different.

In the high heavens above, two shadowy figures were intertwined, one wielding a knife in the right hand and a hatchet in the left, striking fiercely.

The other held a spear, their entire being ablaze like a fierce fire, emitting a captivating red glow. With a shake of the spear, they aimed straight at the other person’s face.

Knife met spear, and the outcome was uncertain.

Nezha squinted to see more clearly, and the clearer he saw, the more his brow furrowed.

The child holding the spear, stepping on two wheels with raging flames, looked increasingly like the mythical treasures, Wind Fire Wheels, from the Golden Light Cave at Qianyuan Mountain.

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