Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha
Chapter 113: Stop Visiting Brothels at the Age of 72

Chapter 113: Chapter 113: Stop Visiting Brothels at the Age of 72

The reality of life suddenly banished Jiang Ziya to the mundane world. He opened his mouth, yet couldn’t make a sound.

He couldn’t help it; he still needed some time to adjust his mindset. Once his body and soul fully integrated into the human world, he might indeed become a skilled basket seller.

Jiang Ziya chose a shady spot by the roadside to rest, tossing the carrying pole in front of him. A basket rolled out from the frame, but he paid no mind, just moodily rubbed his ankle.

"Uncle Master, here to sell baskets, are we?"

This address of ’Uncle Master’ jolted Jiang Ziya back to his senses. He thought, at the root of it all, he was still Yuanshi Tianzun’s disciple. Coming to the human world wasn’t an expulsion from the sect but a mission of great responsibility.

"Damn it, where have you been these past few days? Not a trace of you anywhere."

Nezha sat cross-legged across from him and said, "I made a few friends in Zhaoge, chatting and drinking with them, and actually learned quite a bit."

"You seem so carefree, you have no idea what kind of life I’ve been living!"

"What kind of life? Uncle Master, you’ve just recently married, naturally much happier and more joyful than Nezha."

Listening to Jiang Ziya’s complaints, Nezha thought, if I don’t leave, would I have to stay next door every day, listening to you two old folks making little people in the middle of the night?

"Why would I care? I’ve been placed in the mortal world by Yuanshi Tianzun to quietly wait for an opportunity. Since it’s not yet here, I’ve come to this city to sell baskets. Today you’ve come at just the right time, these baskets altogether cost five silver coins, quickly pay up."

Nezha, who had just eaten with Ding Ce and his two brothers, coincidentally ran into Jiang Ziya on the street. He didn’t expect that just saying hello would cost him money.

"Why should I pay?"

"Because you want to buy baskets. If you’re buying something, how can you not pay? Everyone, come and take a look, here’s Nezha from Chentang Pass, buying things without paying!"

"Alright, alright!" Nezha reluctantly fished out a couple of small pieces of silver, "Uncle Master, really, we have skills, why take advantage of me?"

"What do you mean take advantage? Gold and silver, worldly desires, can most easily disturb one’s Dao heart. Handing the money to your Uncle Master for safekeeping is for your own good."

Jiang Ziya spoke with utmost seriousness, but Nezha sighed, saying, "Alas, Uncle Master, if you keep this up, I’ll have to avoid you in Zhaoge City in the future."

Compared to Jiang Ziya’s self-pity, Nezha didn’t really feel sorry for him.

Because he knew, not only couldn’t Jiang Ziya sell a single basket, he was also poor at conducting other business. The only thing he sold well was himself.

When Jiang Ziya decided to sell himself, success would only be a moment away for him.

But Jiang Ziya hadn’t figured this out yet.

Nezha collected the baskets and tugged Jiang Ziya’s sleeve, saying, "Uncle Master, you haven’t eaten yet, right? Come on, I discovered a great restaurant around noon today. It may be tucked away, but the food is beyond delicious."

"Tucked away? Then I’m not going."

The items were sold, and money was earned, so today he could naturally go home and report success, and Jiang Ziya’s worries vanished in an instant.

Once more, he became serene, sitting there with eyes on his nose, nose on his heart.

This piqued Nezha’s curiosity. Refusing a dinner invitation, it didn’t seem like this old man’s usual behavior.

He pretended to leave, and the white-bearded old man behind him grew anxious, saying, "You little youngster, don’t you have any sense? Earlier you said you’d treat me to a meal, now you turn around and go?"

"Aren’t you the one who said you wouldn’t eat?"

"When I’m eating, I’d naturally want to eat at Spring Breeze Building."

Nezha glared at him and said, "Old man, you just got married, why are you going to Spring Breeze Building? Can your body handle it?"

"Why the hell do you care? That idiot Ding Ce you’ve just met, yet you’re willing to spend silver on him, but I’m your true Uncle Master, and you’re stingy with me? You... you... you’re disrespecting your master and ancestors!"

Nezha thought, Lingzhuzi, my fellow disciple, met me the other day and now doesn’t know if he’s dead or alive. Just as he was about to retort, he saw a tall, sturdy figure behind Jiang Ziya saying, "Since the old gentleman wants to go, and you’re not short of silver, just take him."

"Look, no wonder they say the people from Zhaoge understand things better than bumpkins from Chentang Pass. What’s the name of this wise brother?"

The man bowed towards Jiang Ziya and smiled, "Just now, I’m the fool Ding Ce mentioned by the old gentleman."

Jiang Ziya was momentarily stunned, then quickly reacted, "Hahaha, well known, well known, I’m Shen Gongbao."

No wonder Shen Gongbao later wanted to oppose you with all his might. I think I’ve found the reason.

Ding Ce said, "You’re joking, old gentleman. You must be the Jiang Ziya, Jiang Uncle Master, that Nezha often mentions. Come on, Nezha. Since Old Gentleman Jiang wants to go to Spring Breeze Building, shouldn’t you lead the way?"

Nezha could no longer hold back, and cursed, "Ding Ce, Ding Ce, does your family not even have a proper copper mirror? If not, at least look at yourself in a water basin. You’re miserably thin, nothing like before.

Always running to Spring Breeze Building, I don’t know what’s so good about that Miss Huangying. She drains your bones dry, empties your purse, and you still want to go there!

All the silver earned last time was spent clean, and now you probably owe a lot of debt. If you want to continue this downward spiral until you’re neither human nor ghost, fine, I’ll lend you the silver! You don’t even have to pay it back, just consider that Nezha never knew you!"

These words made Ding Ce’s face flush with shame, his face burning, and his mind buzzing.

He knew Nezha was right, but he was a man who cared about face. Being humiliated in public by Nezha, he turned hotheadedly to leave.

No one stopped him, so he turned and left.

"Just leaving like that?" Jiang Ziya watched Ding Ce’s gradually disappearing back, "Won’t there be a problem?"

Nezha said, "Let him go, it’s all right. Though he was caught in allure and unable to extricate himself for a time, as his friend, I naturally cannot let him fall. Moreover, Ding Ce is a real man, he will figure it out."

Nezha was right, Ding Ce soon figured it out.

Walking the road out of the city, he felt regret, realizing he should apologize to Nezha, but his steps didn’t stop, and before he knew it, he found himself out of the city, close to home.

Back at Jiang Ziya’s spot, he turned to Nezha and said, "Spring Breeze Building?"

"Uncle Master?"

"Ah, with a conscientious nephew like you, even if I fell, I believe you’d pull me up. Besides, now I’m seventy-two, and I’ve never been to a brothel, truly a great regret in life."

"Regret my ass, I’m worried that once you go, your blood will boil and you’ll die in there!"

It was getting late, and Jiang Ziya ultimately didn’t get into Spring Breeze Building. He said farewell to Nezha and went home. Ma was pleased to see Jiang Ziya sold all the baskets and brought back silver, deciding on the spot that from now on, the family would live by weaving baskets.

The joys and sorrows of people are not connected.

Jiang Ziya sat in the courtyard, looking at the big bundle of bamboo he had cut down and thought marrying a wife like this was unwise. Today he met Nezha, and the baskets were sold. What if they didn’t meet again? Would he have to shout in the streets to sell baskets?

The more he thought, the sadder he became. After coming to the human world, he lost sleep for the first time.

As for Nezha, today he made plans with Dong Zhong and Guo Chen to counsel Ding Ce, putting a matter to rest.

Having parted from Jiang Ziya in the afternoon, he received a letter back from his mother at Chentang Pass, saying everything was fine at home, though worry was hidden between the lines.

After finishing the letter, Nezha yawned, sat on the inn’s bed. Though he now wished to lie in Yumao’er’s smooth, soft embrace, he knew cultivating is such that resting one night could lead to idling for half a month, and gradually everything would fall apart.

Talent is a blessing.

But mastery comes from diligence and neglect from idleness.

Understanding this truth were not only Nezha but also Spirit Pearl.

In the still of the night.

Spirit Pearl was standing outside Wucheng King’s mansion, looking at the two tall red lanterns hanging at the door, fists clenched, feeling increasingly resentful.

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