The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 108 - 107: Debt to Randeng

Chapter 108: Chapter 107: Debt to Randeng

Generals like E Shun under his command led the troops and dispersed to search, while the Mo Family Four Generals remained still.

Li Jing looked at the Mo Family Four Generals and said, "Why aren’t you searching for opportunities? You might encounter some great fortune."

The eldest, Mo Liqing, shook his head and replied, "Since the four of us brothers have acknowledged you as our lord, we naturally prioritize your affairs above all else."

Seeing that he couldn’t persuade them, Li Jing opted to take the four brothers for a leisurely stroll by the river. He himself wasn’t too interested in destiny or chance since all three of his sons were quite accomplished.

The eldest, Jinzha, had apprenticed under Wenshu Guangfa Venerate. Consuming the Bodhi Seed and benefiting somewhat from Nezha’s halo of fortune, he had already reached the peak of the Human Immortal stage and was soon to break through to the Earth Immortal stage. His progress was through personal cultivation, unlike figures like Huang Tianhua, Yang Ren, and Yin Jiao who exhausted their potential through external infusion.

The second, Muzha, apprenticed under Master Puxian, and his circumstances were similar to Jinzha.

The youngest, Nezha, officially severed ties with him as father and son, but he was undoubtedly the most capable and accomplished. According to his wife, Nezha held significant positions both in the underworld and the Heavenly Court. Though his cultivation level—limited by his age—was not extraordinarily outstanding, he had connections all across the Primordial realm.

Adding to that, his wife had also ascended to immortality; apparently, it was said that in the future, Nezha could arrange for her to become a carefree Immortal in the Heavenly Court.

At present, his name was renowned throughout Jiuzhou, and anyone who saw him respectfully greeted him as King Li.

Do I have any regrets? None.

Do I have any lingering obsessions? None.

He felt that his life had reached perfection; all that was left was to complete his final duties and retire to enjoy his later years in peace.

Perhaps it was this transcendental mindset that aligned with a certain carefree and Taoist principle. Li Jing felt that what was once faintly unclear now grew increasingly apparent.

Li Jing didn’t resist the sensation but approached it with a mindset of joy in receipt and calm acceptance of loss, following the intuition wherever it led.

Then, he encountered an elderly man with a gaunt face riding a plum blossom deer—none other than Randeng, who had effortlessly mingled his way into earning merit.

An honest man like Li Jing, after previous strange experiences, held immense respect for figures of this sort and immediately greeted, "Immortal Master, are you here for the opportunity? If so, I yield it to you."

Li Jing thought it unworthy to compete over some unknown chance with an elderly figure of unremarkable cultivation—if you want it, take it; he didn’t care much.

Randeng shook his head and chuckled, saying, "Since the Heavenly Creation, I have cultivated for countless Yuan Hui—how could I seize a junior’s opportunity? Go forth; it lies ahead."

He pointed as he spoke.

After some self-aggrandizing, Randeng finally got to the point. His words sounded magnanimous, but in truth, he had already tried many times and found himself entirely unable to claim the treasure.

Randeng’s cultivation was at the Quasi-Saint Stage, at the peak of One Corpse Cutting. Though he had gained considerable merit during this period, it was far from enough to help him achieve the Second Corpse Cutting.

Still, possessing merit had its benefits. He faintly felt as though something connected to him, so he rode his plum blossom deer, wandering south to follow his intuition.

Following this gut feeling and relying on his abundant power, he arrived at his current location. Before him stood a golden seven-tier pagoda, but no matter how he tried—even mustering every ounce of strength—he simply couldn’t claim it.

After prolonged calculations, he concluded that someone with a stronger bond had arrived—Li Jing. He didn’t dare harm him, nor could he obtain the treasure, so after weighing his options, he resolved to trade goodwill instead.

To Randeng, investing in good favor with someone like Li Jing, blessed with great Qi Fortune, was still a worthwhile move.

Thus, grudgingly, he stepped forward to guide the way.

Li Jing felt somewhat speechless at Randeng’s words—he had already found his way here and didn’t need directions at this point. But having come this far, it wasn’t proper to suddenly announce, "I don’t want it anymore."

He could only reply with, "Thank you, Immortal Master, for showing the way."

After calming the Mo Family Four Generals, he bowed politely and proceeded forward with them to continue his search.

Soon, he spotted a brilliant golden glow shimmering in the water. The gentle radiance bathed those it touched in a sense of comfort.

The Mo Family Four Generals instinctively dispersed to protect Li Jing as he decisively dove into the water to retrieve the golden light. As he eradicated demons beneath the waves, the soft light converged and ultimately transformed into a resplendent seven-tier golden pagoda in Li Jing’s hands.

Randeng, sneakingly spying from the shadows, immediately recognized the essence of the pagoda. Was this Heavenly Creation merit?! How could it possibly be here?

The greed he had suppressed before instantly resurfaced, swelling until he unconsciously summoned a ruler in his hand.

Upon obtaining the pagoda, Li Jing was shrouded by its golden light. Instantly, he sensed the pagoda transmitting warnings to him. Not being a novice to the Primordial Land, he recalled the previous encounter with the elderly man and instantly understood the backstory. Just as he began to react, the warning signals ceased.

Remaining cautious, he summoned the Mo Family Four Generals close to him and shrouded all five of them in the pagoda’s radiance, vigilantly observing his surroundings.

Had Randeng abandoned his greed?

Of course not. Just as Randeng prepared to hurl the Qiankun Ruler at Li Jing’s back, far away in Great Red Heaven, Taishan Laozi—having heard his disciple’s report on the events—casually glanced into the void and then continued to sit with half-closed eyes in a meditative state.

The Great Master Xuan Du, noticing his teacher’s subtle movements, instinctively paused and asked, "Teacher, has something happened?"

"Nothing. Continue your narration."

Although Taishan Laozi had already discerned the event thoroughly, he found pleasure in hearing his disciple recount their insights.

The Great Master Xuan Du, familiar with his teacher’s ways, knew that something had happened but also understood that in Taishan Laozi’s view, nothing could truly constitute an emergency. Thus, he resumed his narration, saying, "That junior brother Nezha is truly amusing—after finishing a fight, he decided to research the structure of that ’latrine.’ Turns out, he accidentally uncovered the Demon Ancestor’s fragment incarnation. I was shocked at the time...

In the duel with the Demon Ancestor, I regretfully allowed the head of the God Slaying Spear to scrape away a portion of Heavenly Creation merit from the Xuanhuang Tower."

"It’s nothing."

Meanwhile, Taiqing also casually glanced over. Far away at Yuxu Palace, Yuanshi Tianzun—listening to Guang Chengzi’s report—also sensed the event but didn’t interfere, subconsciously indifferent toward Randeng, whom he never personally favored. Initially, he had only refrained from rejecting his old colleague due to politeness.

...

Randeng Old Deng, upon feeling Saint Taiqing’s glance through the void, shuddered immediately. His pagan alarms blared red all at once. Without hesitation, Randeng hoisted his plum blossom deer and fled back to Ling Jiu Mountain.

Old Li continued to wait until nightfall. Soldiers attracted by the pagoda’s golden glow gradually gathered around him, staring at Li Jing’s newfound treasure without a hint of envy, instead admiring him wholeheartedly.

From this moment onward, King Li would bear the title Tuo Ta Li Tianwang!

Li Jing himself didn’t revel in his gains. With the danger mitigated, he sighed in relief and led his troops to return to the Three Mountains Pass.

...

Meanwhile, Nezha consolidated his cultivation during closed-door training. Upon emerging from the grand hall, he immediately found Long Ji waiting outside. At the sight of him, she bounced up happily and hugged his arm, exclaiming, "Nezha, you’ve come out of retreat! Now you’ve got time to spend with me, right?"

Nezha squeezed Long Ji’s soft cheek gently and replied, "No, I’ve got some other matters to handle."

It wasn’t that Nezha didn’t want to spend time with her, but he vaguely sensed that his Chaos Green Lotus Lotus Roots were guiding him toward another serendipity.

Long Ji’s face instantly fell. "Huh? Why are you always so busy? You don’t have time for me at all."