The Investiture: Unlimited Blade Works Nezha
Chapter 186 - 185 Iron-Eating Beast: Why Don’t You Become My Mount?

Chapter 186: Chapter 185 Iron-Eating Beast: Why Don’t You Become My Mount?

Nezha glanced twice, then transformed into the appearance of Big Man Chiyou. He immediately unleashed a move called "hungry tiger pouncing on prey," and shouted, "You bastard! You caused my death, yet you’re here living carefree!"

The Iron-Eating Beast, who had been sleeping soundly, suddenly jerked awake. Upon seeing ’Chiyou’ charging at him, his first reaction wasn’t to dodge but instead to cover his dark eye circles with a big, black paw. With another paw held up in a "wait a moment" gesture, his expression seemed to say, "Am I dreaming right now?"

’Chiyou’ didn’t care about any of that and locked him up in a classic grappling hold.

The round, fluffy neck of the Iron-Eating Beast was tightly squeezed. He finally snapped out of his daze but didn’t struggle—rather, he exclaimed, "Master? Master! Holy crap, are you really alive?!"

Nezha pretended to be angry and replied, "Hmph! You still acknowledge me as your master? Back on the battlefield, you left me to die—what do you have to say about that?"

When reminded of his past disgrace, the Iron-Eating Beast appeared utterly embarrassed, clutching his large head with both paws.

"Old horses stumble sometimes too! I swear, I didn’t do it on purpose back then!"

"How about I become your mount instead? Then, you can toss me around however you like!"

The statement left Nezha stunned for a moment. What? This Iron-Eating Beast wants to ride Chiyou?

After some probing, Nezha roughly figured out the Iron-Eating Beast’s abilities. His cultivation level was at the pinnacle of Primordial Mounts, a Taiyi Golden Immortal. However, he’d walked the path of the Witch Clan. Comparing horizontally, Yang Jian in his current state wouldn’t be able to handle this Iron-Eating Beast without resorting to underhanded tactics.

No wonder—he was Chiyou’s mount.

Nezha’s task was to vent for Chiyou. Now feeling confident, he released the hold and delivered a resounding smack to the furry head of the Iron-Eating Beast.

The Iron-Eating Beast froze on the spot. After seeing ’Chiyou’ raise his hand again, he quickly hugged his head and warned, "Hey, Master, don’t go too far! I think your current cultivation level isn’t even as strong as mine—if you hit me again, I’ll strike back!"

Slap!

"If you hit me again, I’ll really strike back, I swear!"

Slap!

"Hey! Hey! There’s a saying—third time’s the charm! If you hit me again, I’ll actually get angry!"

Slap!

This time, the Iron-Eating Beast watched as Chiyou raised his hand again. Instead of speaking further, he curled himself into a ball, transformed into a black furry sphere, and rolled away.

’Chiyou’ didn’t chase after him. Instead, he grabbed the nearby wine gourd, opened it, sniffed it, and then took two swigs.

Peeking from behind a boulder, the Iron-Eating Beast watched this scene unfold and became visibly displeased. "Master, it’s fine for you to hit me a couple of times to vent your anger, but drinking my wine is crossing the line!"

Nezha threw the staff and the wine gourd to the Iron-Eating Beast down below, sighed deeply, and reflected on Chiyou’s instructions. Big Brother Chiyou had sent him here to teach the Iron-Eating Beast a lesson as revenge, but through the Tears of Ten Thousand Spirits, how could Nezha not sense the complex emotions involved?

In the Primordial era, people often fought for Magical Treasures, opportunities, and the Great Dao, employing deceit and schemes. Yet there was no shortage of the immeasurably precious sincerity and genuine feelings among them. Immortals ultimately still had a touch of "humanity."

The essence of humanity is the shared trait among all living things in the world. Simplifying it as exclusive to the Human Clan alone would be too narrow-minded.

Looking at the Iron-Eating Beast now, it seemed like he was living reasonably well. Nezha decided it was time for him to leave.

He had barely taken a few steps when the Iron-Eating Beast called out from behind him.

"Master, where are you going? You’re not thinking about becoming Great Chief again, are you?"

’Chiyou’ didn’t look back.

"Master, it’s all humans out there now! I hear the fighting down south is incredibly intense. Let’s avoid trouble and stay away."

Looking at Chiyou still walking away without turning back, the Iron-Eating Beast quickly added, "Master, how can you still be as stubborn as before after dying once already? When Xuanyuan’s forces recruited allies from all over the realm, you wouldn’t even stoop to ask the underworld for help."

"Ah, Master, I seriously admire you. You’re alive a second time—why can’t we just stay here on Emei Mountain and snack on bamboo together instead of rushing back out?"

Seeing Chiyou apparently intent on leaving him behind, the Iron-Eating Beast gritted his teeth, then dashed forward to hug Chiyou’s legs.

"I really hit the jackpot being stuck with you as my master! Whatever you want to do, I’ll follow along—if worst comes to worst, we’ll die together this time."

Nezha looked at the Iron-Eating Beast and decided there was no point keeping up the deception. Light flowed over his body, and the image of the big man transformed into that of a young boy.

Iron-Eating Beast: "???"

Circling Nezha several times in confusion, he couldn’t figure out what had happened. Considering how familiar he was with Chiyou, this couldn’t merely be an illusion—he would’ve recognized it because he could perform that trick himself.

That had definitely been Chiyou just moments ago.

Unable to comprehend it with his brain, he slapped his paws together. "Whoa, Master, did you turn into a little kid? You look pretty refined, but you’re definitely not as robust as you used to be."

Nezha rolled his eyes. What was it with the Witch Clan’s aesthetics?

"I’m not Chiyou. Big Brother Chiyou is truly gone for good."

The Iron-Eating Beast sat abruptly on the ground, silent for a long time.

Nezha was face-blind and couldn’t read expressions on a bear’s face, but he could sense a deep sorrow.

Sighing, he pulled out the Tiger Soul Saber and thrust it into the ground before the Iron-Eating Beast. "This is Big Brother Chiyou’s final relic. I’m entrusting it to you."

Afterward, Nezha recounted the entire process of Chiyou’s resurrection, then turned to return to the summit of Emei Mountain.

Once Nezha had departed, the Iron-Eating Beast silently rose, took the Tiger Soul Saber on his back, and left Emei Mountain, his destination unknown.

Through the methods left behind, Nezha watched the Iron-Eating Beast’s distant figure and could roughly guess what he was going to do. However, Nezha couldn’t offer his assistance and could only wish him success.

Nezha didn’t leave Emei Mountain either. After all, such an excellent opportunity to study the Yin-Yang Dao wasn’t something he could come across often. With the abundant Spiritual Energy of Emei Mountain and the enthusiastic hospitality of Zhao Gongming offering food and lodging, it was an exceedingly rare stroke of luck.

Where better to cultivate than here?

Old Niu spent his days nibbling grass, munching on oranges, freely letting Nezha mess around with the Divine Talisman as long as Nezha didn’t take it away. Occasionally, when in high spirits, Old Niu would even teach Nezha a bit of scripture—a surprising boon for Nezha.

Half a year passed quietly. Finally, a third individual arrived—a young man with an ordinary face but sporting two snow-white eyebrows.

Nezha and Old Niu had already hidden themselves to observe when Bai Mei arrived. Bai Mei first studied the array, then casually entered the Array Eye that even Nezha couldn’t access.

Old Niu and Nezha exchanged knowing looks. The main figure they’d been waiting for had finally shown up.

Bai Mei built a simple grass hut halfway up the mountain and spent his days climbing up to comprehend the Taiqing God Talisman at the Array Eye.

Nezha continued his studies of array formations and contemplation of Yin-Yang.

Old Niu kept munching on oranges.

...

One day, Nezha was drinking wine with Old Zhao, who wore an unmistakably troubled expression. No matter how much Nezha tried to ignore it, the melancholy was impossible to overlook.

"Brother Zhao, what’s been bothering you so much?"

Old Zhao, knowing Nezha had bright ideas, hesitated to confide. After all, it involved his own path of cultivation. How could Nezha—a Profound Immortal—possibly provide useful advice?

Wait? Nezha’s a Profound Immortal now?

"It’s about something in my cultivation. Honestly, I’m not in a rush, but my eldest sister issued a strict command—if I don’t perform Corpse Cutting, she won’t let me visit her and the others."

"Ah! Without seeing my sisters, what purpose does my life even serve?"

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