Heaven-Defying Rebel Sage
Chapter 176 - 172: Beheading as a Gift with Drinks_3

Chapter 176: Chapter 172: Beheading as a Gift with Drinks_3

"Green Emperor, on behalf of Her Serenity, I have been instructed to deliver this treasured Derivative Meditation Mat to aid in your recovery," said the respectful Yin God. Holding out the mat from the Mustard Seed Space, he seemed somewhat reluctant to part with it.

Renowned by all, this Derivative Meditation Mat was once property of Goddess Nuwa. To claim he didn’t covet it would be false! Yet he did not dare to desire it; the Saints can divine the past, present, and future with merely a pinch. A mere Yin God coveting the Magical Treasure of a Saint? That would be seeking death, wouldn’t it?

Wukong accepted the Derivative Meditation Mat in his hand, saying, "Good, extend my thanks to Her Serenity. You may go."

The Yin God bowed, "Your servant takes his leave."

After the Yin God had departed, Wukong gently stroked the mat, sighing, "Xuan Ming, oh Xuan Ming, how am I supposed to repay such a kindness?"

Xuan Ming was currently consolidating his own Primordial Dao Fruit, but for Wukong’s sake, he had hastened millions of miles to Bei Ming to request assistance from Kunpeng, also lending out his vitally important Derivative Meditation Mat for healing. This indebtedness weighed as heavy as mountains, vast as seas. Fear grew within him, not of these feelings, but that she had undergone calamity for his sake.

"Then I shall strive to become stronger! Only with strength can I protect those I wish to protect and achieve what I yearn to accomplish." Wukong placed the mat on the ground and sat down cross-legged upon it. Instantly, a surge of vital energy flowed into him. His eyes nearly closed, his hands formed spells, he began to channel his mana to heal his wounds.

Wukong was in seclusion for three days, his injuries gradually improving, yet it was not yet time to emerge.

That day, a Mountain God arrived with a box.

"I prostrate before the Green Emperor. Someone has instructed me to deliver this gift to you," the Mountain God said respectfully.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist dismissed the Mountain God and was soon surrounded by people like Nezha, all curious about the contents of the gift.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist opened the box, which neatly contained three human heads!

These heads belonged to Han Xiangzi, Lan Caihe, and Iron-Crutch Li.

Everyone couldn’t help but gasp at the chilling sight; the box seemed splendid on the outside, but it harbored heads within, truly horrifying!

A poem to bear witness, it went: "From Bei Ming’s sea, a decree was fetched, human heads were brought and to the mountain sent. The Golden-Winged Great Peng’s might is unmatched, of the Eight Immortals, now three have met their end."

This naturally was the handiwork of the Golden-Winged Great Peng King!

"What a fine gift!" laughed the Heaven-Defying Taoist wildly, "These seven immortals exerted much effort on that battlefield, and now three are slain; indeed, a good turn of events!"

Shen Gongbao chuckled, "I wonder which brother has sent such a generous gift!"

Nezha and Bai Qi glanced at each other, Nezha spoke, "This won’t do, I must join the front lines for battle! Seeing these three heads has made my hands itch."

Bai Qi laughed, "Let us go together!"

Xu Fu also stroked his beard, "My bones feel loose as well, I’m joining, too!"

The Heaven-Defying Taoist, seeing their restlessness and eagerness to fight, said, "Then go!"

Given permission by the Heaven-Defying Taoist, the three laughed heartily and with an Escape Technique, they headed off to the northwest.

Another day passed, and the Mountain God returned with another ornate box as a gift.

"Green Emperor, that person has commanded me to present another gift," the Mountain God said as he offered the box.

The Heaven-Defying Taoist asked, "Who is he?"

The Mountain God shook his head, "I do not know, only that this person possesses exceedingly high mana."

The Heaven-Defying Taoist replied, "You may go. Relay a message to him, tell him I invite him to Water Curtain Cave for some of our misty cloud tea."

Mountain God said, "Yes!"

This Mountain God did not dare linger here much longer, for he was an official of the Heavenly Court, and should his political rivals seize the chance to accuse him, he might indeed suffer greatly.

"What splendid heads! Haha, haha!"

Upon opening the box, the Heaven-Defying Taoist burst into laughter, as he saw four heads neatly arranged inside. They belonged to He Xiangu, Zhang Guolao, Cao Guojiu, and Han Zhongli—the Eight Immortals were only missing the currently reigning Green Emperor of the East Pole, Lv Dongbin!

The Mountain God left for a moment and soon returned, reporting, "The person said he fears the Green Emperor’s blame, so he dares not come."

The Heaven-Defying Taoist’s eyes twinkled as he said, "Oh? Just tell him that whatever enmity we have, I shall erase it all!"

The Mountain God left again.

Before long, someone came singing.

The song went, "I received the teachings of the master of ten thousand demons, severed seven or eight human heads. Now I bring these heads up the mountain, trading heads for tea to quench my thirst. Tea in my mouth tastes bland and weak, only when paired with sliced thigh does my liquor do the trick."

Though the song was crudely composed, it was easy to understand and suited the nature of the Demon Tribe!

"I don’t drink tea, but do you have good wine? I am but a commoner and have no taste for tea; it’s in drinking wine that I find my comfort!" the newcomer called out loudly.

"Wine we have, wine we have!" laughed the Heaven-Defying Taoist, "Haha, Brother Golden-Winged Great Peng, long time no see, come, let’s drink to our hearts’ content!"

The visitor was indeed the Golden-Winged Great Peng King.

"Are you satisfied with this gift I’ve brought you?" asked the Golden-Winged Great Peng King.

"Indeed, I am satisfied. Someone, bring the wine for our guest!" commanded the Heaven-Defying Taoist.

Wine and dishes were promptly served, along with fruits, dried meats, emitting tantalizing aromas.

The Golden-Winged Great Peng King praised, "I’ve drunk for many years, yet the wine from Water Curtain Cave tastes the best. Tsk tsk, truly deserving as a place that signals the spirit of Heaven and Earth, a blessed land of cavern heavens! No wonder the Tathagata wanted to destroy it that year, but Wukong really has some skills to have restored it."

The Heaven-Defying Taoist replied with a laugh, "Brother Great Peng, you flatter me too much!"

Yuan Hong, who had been in seclusion, came out and saw the Heaven-Defying Taoist and the Golden-Winged Great Peng King drinking. He couldn’t help but laugh and scold, "I said, when I’m in seclusion no one is allowed to drink, no one is allowed to drink! But today, damn it, the scent of wine suddenly made it impossible for me to remain in seclusion!"

The Heaven-Defying Taoist said, "Brother Yuan Hong, come, come, join us for a drink!"

Then he introduced Yuan Hong to the Golden-Winged Great Peng King.

Yuan Hong laughed strangely, "I recognize, recognize! That day on Mount Putuo, right."

The Golden-Winged Great Peng King felt awkward and said, "Let’s not bring up the past, life is full of trials and tribulations."

After drinking for a while, more people smelled the wine and joined in.

As more drank, more came, eventually a decree was passed: the whole of Water Curtain Cave would hold a banquet and drink to their heart’s content, a joyful uproar from top to bottom.

With the Golden-Winged Great Peng King having brought seven heads to seek refuge in Water Curtain Cave, everyone was exceedingly overjoyed.

To find out what happens next, please follow the next episode for the unveiling. (To be continued. If you enjoy this work, welcome to recommend and vote for it on Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation. Mobile users, please visit m.qidian.com to read.)