The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 347 - 346: Stir-Fried Pork with Bamboo Shoots

Chapter 347: Chapter 346: Stir-Fried Pork with Bamboo Shoots

"This Returning Ruins is ultimately an area belonging to your Sea Clan. What do you think about..."

Before Nezha could finish, the Old Dragon King immediately interjected, "Your Majesty, this matter is of great importance. Could you allow me to report it to the Ancestor Dragon Hall before further discussion?"

Nezha: ...

Isn’t this just asking you to lend some manpower? What’s there to debate?

But he didn’t oppose it; the fact that the Old Dragon King reported directly to the top leadership showed he took this issue seriously.

"Alright, Old Dragon King, please go ahead."

The Old Dragon King hurriedly departed, but before long, an elegant Bivalve Girl appeared, offering exquisite dishes and dancing gracefully...

The Old Dragon King didn’t leave in fear of Nezha but misunderstood his intentions. This time, Nezha wanted his effort, but the Old Dragon King’s usual assumption was that Nezha came for money again.

Money could be spent, but it shouldn’t be spent for nothing.

Inside the Ancestor Dragon Hall, a group of Divine Dragons had been researching methods to stabilize the Ancestor Dragon for hundreds of years. This time span might seem long to the Human Clan, but to the Divine Dragons, it was barely enough for a quick nap.

As the external representative of the Dragon Clan, the Old Dragon King knew a little about these goings-on. His true intention was that spending some money was fine, as long as the Dragon Clan could tag along and learn a trick or two.

Arriving at the Ancestor Dragon Hall, he knelt and expressed his thoughts, causing Meng Zhang God above to light up with interest.

Different industries truly have their own specializations. Carving a hole in the Primordial Realm might be simple for them, but determining the ideal size was a challenge. If the hole was too small, the Primordial Realm’s self-healing abilities would quickly restore it, rendering their efforts in vain.

If it was too large, it could lead to a collapse effect, which was far riskier. The already debt-ridden Dragon Clan couldn’t afford such a disaster, and asking Yuan Feng for help wasn’t even a consideration.

So the Old Dragon King’s request to secure learning opportunities was genuinely strategic.

"Aoguang, you’ve handled this well. Spending some wealth is a small matter; gaining useful knowledge is what truly counts. You’ve done commendably over these years. Once this is accomplished, the Ancestor Dragon Hall will award you with treasures to enhance bloodline strength."

(The Four Sea Dragon Kings still used their original titles externally.)

"Thank you, Ancestor."

After deliberation among the Dragon Clan, they decided who should go and ultimately chose Fu Xi, one of the Dragon’s Nine Sons and a familiar face to Nezha.

Neither took long to reconvene at the Dragon Palace with Nezha.

Seeing the cultured dragon Fu Xi, Nezha was quite surprised. How did this even catch his attention?

Fu Xi didn’t elaborate—he was here to learn techniques, leaving other matters to the East Sea Dragon King.

The Old Dragon King, smiling ingratiatingly, said, "Your Majesty, the Returning Ruins is indeed a major threat to our Sea Clan. As a humble servant with some fortune, I must contribute my share of effort."

Nezha: ???

Is this the confidence of a tycoon?

"Very well, Old Dragon King, your enlightenment is remarkable. I’ll make sure to report this to His Majesty."

"However, you’re aware that the rift lies deep in the sea. Could you possibly allocate soldiers to assist me?"

The Old Dragon King, thrilled by Nezha’s agreement, quickly replied with flattery, "No problem, no problem. I’ll have the Eighth Prince lead a team to accompany you, Your Majesty!"

"It’s settled, then."

Nezha didn’t expect his trip to the East Sea to proceed so smoothly. Not only had he secured manpower, but he even managed to make a ’small’ profit, since Hao Tian had previously assured him the Heavenly Court would cover all materials for repairing the Returning Ruins.

...

After leaving the East Sea, the next stop was the Jie Sect. The Jie Sect occupied the vicinity of the East Sea, so achieving anything with their help would undeniably double the results.

Arriving at Golden Turtle Island’s Biyou Palace, Nezha was welcomed by Yu Yuan, Jin Ling’s eldest disciple and a good friend of Nezha’s.

Yu Yuan remained as warm as ever, slinging an arm around Nezha’s shoulders and saying, "Junior Master, your cultivation has progressed so quickly that you’ve surpassed me!"

Nezha sighed, "For every gain comes toil. Nephew, how would you know how perilous my path has been, walking on thin ice the entire way?"

"Besides, Nephew, you’re merely accumulating your foundation. Once it activates, you’ll surely soar to unrivaled heights."

Yu Yuan knew where he stood—his recent improvements weren’t as exaggerated as Nezha depicted.

The two chatted for a while until Yu Yuan suddenly leaned in conspiratorially and asked, "Junior Master, where’s my master gone?"

Nezha froze. Could it be that Yu Yuan had caught wind of something regarding his connection with Jin Ling?

Feigning calm, he replied, "Senior Sister Jin Ling found an opportunity in Chaos and has been cultivating in Nuwa Palace since her return. If Nephew has any matters, I can convey them to her."

Yu Yuan breathed a sigh of relief.

"No need, no need. You see, last time Master sent me to transcribe the Yellow Court but didn’t give precise instructions, leaving me endlessly copying away like no Immortal ever does. So I just... hehe."

Nezha: ...

So you snuck away to play.

"Don’t worry; during the Chaos expedition, Senior Sister Jin Ling and I supported each other closely. I’ll speak on your behalf when the time comes."

Yu Yuan grinned heartily, "Junior Master! A true brother!"

Nezha found the familial hierarchy slightly confusing but didn’t mind too much.

"Who’s closer than us?"

Laughing and joking, the pair initially intended to find the Sect Leader, Wudang Saint Mother, but halfway there, Yu Yuan abruptly paused and scratched his head, saying, "Junior Master, Master has requested your audience."

What? The Tongtian Sect Master wants to see me?

Nezha felt nervous as he glanced toward Biyou Palace but couldn’t avoid the summons, regardless of reluctance.

"Nephew, lead the way."

Reaching Biyou Palace, Yu Yuan grew surprisingly solemn, exuding an air of wisdom. Together, they entered the grand hall within.

The Tongtian Sect Master, casually dressed in green, sat seemingly unbothered atop his cloudbed.

The duo bowed deeply in respect.

"Yu Yuan, step down for now."

"Yes, Master."

Yu Yuan saluted and left.

The Tongtian Sect Master gazed at Nezha with a teasing grin, saying, "You’ve got some admirable skills, haven’t you? Do you even realize that one cannot have both fish and bear’s paw at the same time?"

Nezha cautiously raised his head and replied, "Uncle Tongtian, is there any chance that fish and bear’s paw can both fit onto my plate?"

The Tongtian Sect Master’s expression darkened.

"You rascal! You really need a lesson!"

Without saying another word, he suddenly produced a bamboo switch and smacked Nezha’s rear.

"Uncle, Uncle, let’s discuss this calmly!"

Smack!

"Uncle, if you continue this, I might retaliate!"

Smack!

"Uncle, I’m serious—I really will respond!"

Smack!

The Tongtian Sect Master couldn’t help but laugh in exasperation. Retaliate? If this little brat could even land a hit on him, he’d change his name to the Tiantong Sect Master!

Smack!

Retaliation was out of the question; Nezha knew madness wouldn’t help here.

"Master, save me! Uncle Tongtian is hitting me!"

Smack!

Irritated further by Nezha’s cries, the Tongtian Sect Master pulled out another bamboo switch, striking with added fervor.

Smack! Smack!

...

Half an hour later, Yu Yuan and Nezha walked side by side from Biyou Palace.

Yu Yuan glanced backward and asked, "Junior Master, what did Master summon you for?"

Nezha halted and replied solemnly, "We were collaboratively exploring a famous Primordial recipe."

Yu Yuan was confused. When had Master ever cared about food? For a Saint to regard it, the dish must be truly extraordinary.

"Junior Master, could you share it with me?"

Nezha leaned in mysteriously and whispered, "Bamboo shoots stir-fried with pork."