Chapter 168: This Result Is Very Good

The old dragon's threatening words certainly frightened Chu Mingcai, but Ji Yuan knew that the true demon before them would not dare to lash out recklessly as long as there was any room for negotiation.

Nevertheless, Chu Mingcai felt that the old dragon had sent a very dangerous signal, possibly even intentionally informing the True Immortal beside him, "Should we make our move now?"

"If evil thoughts are not strong in one's heart, even I cannot easily possess a body and wield it as my own. Frankly, this Chu Mingcai and Huang Shihe, who previously coveted Huang Xingye's family business, are birds of a feather; neither of them is a good person!" Chu Mingcai said this loudly with clear sarcasm, maintaining a calm and unbothered expression.

"Moreover, Mr. Ji has been talking with me for so long, undoubtedly concerned for the people of Dongle County. It's rare to meet a True Immortal like Mr. Ji, who shows no prejudice towards demons, humans, or gods. So, I will grant you both this favor: I promise not to act recklessly within Dazhen territory again, nor will I trouble Huang Xingye further."

Chu Mingcai's words were quite skillful, subtly yielding while also containing a threat. He implied, "I fear you, but if you truly decide to break ties and attack, Dongle County, and even Dazhen itself, will be thrown into chaos and suffering."

At his words, the old dragon sneered but remained silent, Ji Yuan's eyes narrowed slightly, and even Ying Feng dared not utter a sound. The atmosphere seemed even more tense than before.

A faint draconic aura subtly permeated the entire Huang Residence, causing snakes, insects, rodents, and ants within the compound to flee in panic. The commotion of the small animals added to the oppressive atmosphere within the dimly lit hall.

"Rumble..." Thunder cracked overhead, illuminating the two dragons' expressions, making them appear terrifying.

"Crack..." The teacup Chu Mingcai had been holding developed a fine crack. His last remark seemed to have backfired...

Most dragons have volatile tempers, and Ji Yuan was well aware of the old dragon's disposition. He was amiable to those he favored and displeased by those he didn't. While he could be reasoned with, he was very much like a "donkey that prefers to be stroked the right way." The slightly provocative words from the true demon possessing Chu Mingcai's body were ill-advised.

"Elder Ying, please calm your anger for a moment!" Ji Yuan spoke up to defuse the situation. Even though he knew the old dragon had a sense of propriety, the atmosphere was simply too oppressive to endure.

"What you say has some truth to it; our actions would indeed cause too much disturbance. However, your claims about Chu Mingcai and Huang Shihe's character are merely your side of the story. As a true demon, if you wish, even a thoroughly good person cannot resist your encroachment. So, how about this: we'll have the Underworld Bureau of Dongle County investigate the characters of these two men. If their findings align with your words, you may leave safely today. If there are discrepancies, you must at least make some form of compensation."

Hearing Ji Yuan's words, Chu Mingcai breathed a sigh of relief. This was a reasonable compromise for both sides. Even if Huang Shihe and Chu Mingcai weren't terribly evil, the phrase "make some form of compensation" was far more palatable than the previous tension. Fighting against a true dragon and a true immortal simultaneously under such disadvantageous circumstances would very likely lead to his demise. He dared not attempt it even once.

"I will defer to Mr. Ji's suggestion!" Chu Mingcai quickly stated his agreement. The old dragon grunted, offering no objection.

Ji Yuan took a breath, then lightly tapped the ground with his left foot. "Earth God."

At his command, a deity was summoned. The Earth God reappeared by Ji Yuan's side, swirling with green smoke. The eyes of both the old dragon and his son turned to fixate on Ji Yuan and the Earth God. The old dragon remained composed, but Ying Feng couldn't help but show a look of surprise. Many had heard of the extraordinary art of "Summoning Deities," but few had actually witnessed it. However, the characteristics of "Summoning Deities" were so distinct that anyone with a modicum of knowledge could immediately recognize it. It was also the first time the Ying father and son had seen a deity being summoned in person.

The Earth God, appearing now, had prepared himself to withstand the pressure. Yet, even so, he shivered as soon as he materialized. The draconic aura in the hall was too intense, making it incredibly uncomfortable. To put it plainly, he was merely an Earth God whose temple had just been established, with little incense offerings. Though he had begun to connect with the earth's meridians, he was essentially closer to a nature spirit and could barely endure such pressure. Daring not to look back at the two dragons beside him, the Earth God forced himself to draw a breath and respectfully greeted Ji Yuan.

"Earth God of Maoqian Town, I, I pay my respects to the High Immortal!"

"I presume the Earth God has seen the situation here. The one beside me goes without saying. The two on the other side are the True Dragon of Tongtian River and his son, who are my friends. Please, Earth God, quickly inform the Underworld Bureau of Dongle County that we wish to trouble them to investigate the backgrounds and characters of Chu Mingcai and Huang Shihe." Ji Yuan briefly explained, not wanting the Earth God to remain in this environment for too long.

"This humble deity accepts the decree. This humble deity takes his leave!" After receiving the command, the Earth God plunged into the ground almost as if fleeing.

As soon as the Earth God left, Ying Feng was the first to speak, unable to contain himself. "Uncle Ji, so you can 'Summon Deities'? Oh, why have I never seen you use it before? Is this extraordinary art difficult? Is it possible for your humble nephew to..."

"Ahem!" The old dragon coughed, cutting short his son's somewhat embarrassing excitement. The first half of his son's remark was quite amusing. Ji Yuan could summon deities, and he'd do it for fun in front of you? What level of skill do you think that is? As for the latter half... The old dragon glanced at Ji Yuan, then admonished his son.

"'Summoning Deities' is a divine and miraculous art; only true cultivators of profound Dao, whose words manifest as law, can achieve it. You are still centuries away!"

A single word from an immortal could exhaust a humble deity.

The Earth God appeared before his own temple with utmost urgency. Naturally, he would inform the underworld emissaries and spirits within the town, as he, the Earth God of Maoqian Town, would not casually step outside the town's boundaries. The Earth God had, of course, already informed the Underworld Bureau about the commotion at the Huang Residence, so this time, the Bureau had dispatched additional personnel and was on high alert. Major deities from various departments had arrived, along with many underworld emissaries.

A moment ago, the Earth God was still explaining the situation to them, and then, in the next instant, he suddenly plunged into the ground and vanished, without even finishing his sentence. The underworld emissaries were still wondering when, with a flash of yellow light, the Earth God reappeared.

"Phew... phew... That scared me to death, scared me to death! Being an Earth God isn't easy..." The Earth God said this, still shaken, and quickly paid his respects to the officials of the Underworld Bureau.

"Everyone, something big has happened this time! A true dragon has arrived over there without our detection, and the High Immortal needs..." The Earth God, speaking rapidly and emphatically, relayed the situation concisely.

Upon hearing this, the underworld spirits and deities instinctively looked up at the ink-like dark clouds, realizing a dragon had indeed arrived. While the Earth God could now relax, having delivered the message, the underworld spirits and deities immediately set about their busy tasks.

Huang Shihe was easy enough to find in Dongle County's Underworld Bureau records, but Chu Mingcai was not from Dongle County; he was a resident of Changchuan Prefecture's capital city. Therefore, the City God of Dongle County personally went to a border area of Dongle County, set up a soul-summoning bell, and called forth the Day Roaming God from Changchuan Prefecture, explaining the situation to him. In less than two quarters of an hour, the Underworld Bureau of Changchuan Prefecture was roused. Its City God personally brought records to Dongle County, and spirits and deities gathered in the small Maoqian Town.

A moment later, the Earth God emerged from the ground within the Huang Residence's main hall, holding two registers imbued with Yin energy. These books contained bookmarks made of dark wood, already opened to the pages for Huang Shihe and Chu Mingcai.

"High Immortal, these are the records containing the backgrounds of Huang Shihe and Chu Mingcai, from the Underworld Bureau of Dongle County and Changchuan Prefecture respectively. The pages are already bookmarked." This time, the Earth God spoke more fluently, but his gaze remained fixed solely on Ji Yuan, not daring to glance around.

"Good. This place is too oppressive for you. You may withdraw for now!"

"Thank you for your understanding, High Immortal. This humble deity takes his leave!" The Earth God retreated quickly, as if granted a great pardon. After all, no one here would dare to destroy the Underworld registers, and even if they tried, could he stop them?

Ji Yuan opened the books on the table and began to read the Underworld Bureau's most recent annotations aloud. "Huang Shihe, resident of Maoqian Town, born in the second quarter of the Zi hour in the twelfth lunar month of the Xinchou year. This person... is prone to jealousy, envy, and holds grudges..."

After reading Huang Shihe's entry, Ji Yuan picked up the other book. "Chu Mingcai, resident of Yue'an Ward in Changchuan Prefecture..."

After reading the relevant content from both registers, Chu Mingcai felt a mix of joy and concern. The older Huang Shihe's character was indeed poor; he was clearly not a good person. However, the younger Chu Mingcai was not nearly as bad. At most, he was a bit of a dissolute idler due to being pampered since childhood and was very lustful, frequently visiting brothels. He had doted on all the comely maids in his household and occasionally flirted with respectable women he found attractive, but if his advances were not reciprocated, he would not overstep further.

Once Ji Yuan finished reading the annotations from the Underworld registers, silence once again fell upon the hall, broken only by the occasional frightening sounds of thunder and lightning from the sky.

"How do you believe this matter should be concluded? I'll be frank: if you weren't a true demon, any minor evil entity here would have been annihilated, body and soul, by now." Ji Yuan was silent for a moment, then, in an unhurried tone, directly put the question to the demon involved.

In Maoqian Town, the City Gods of Changchuan Prefecture and Dongle County, along with other spirits and deities, waited a hundred zhang away from the Huang Residence, some anxious, some composed, but all prepared to act.

"Rumble..." Thunder boomed again in the sky. As lightning illuminated the earth, the Huang Residence's main hall exploded with a "boom," forming a large hole in the ceiling, and surging black-purple demonic energy, like light and smoke, rapidly ascended.

"Roar..." A dragon's roar echoed from the Huang Residence, and for a brief moment, all the people and spirits in Maoqian Town felt unsteady, as if the ground had trembled.

"Zing..." At the same moment, a clear sword hum resounded, and the world seemed to light up in an instant. A blurred dragon's claw, mixed with wind and fine rain, reached towards the sky, and a flash of sword light vanished in an instant. It was as if an infinite surge of energy erupted amidst the fine rain...

"Boom... whoosh... whoosh... whoosh..." At that moment, a fierce gale swept through Maoqian Town, causing countless large trees to sway wildly. Many commoners' roof tiles were ripped away... Meanwhile, the demonic energy in the sky had dissipated into nothingness.

Inside the Huang Residence, the Green Vine Sword was already sheathed. The old dragon and Ji Yuan remained seated in their original positions, seemingly unmoved. The chair where the true demon had been sitting was shattered, and Chu Mingcai's corpse lay slumped on the ground. A fine drizzle drifted in through the hole in the main hall's ceiling. Ying Feng stood, somewhat excited, looking from the large hole to his father and Ji Yuan.

"Father, Uncle Ji, did you just let him go so easily? Shouldn't we have held that fellow captive?"

The old dragon snorted coldly. "Heh, who do you think that was? A mere minor demon who just took human form? What do you think the consequences would be if we truly fought?" At this, the old dragon sneered again. "Heh heh, your Uncle Ji's method is quite insidious. First, he made the demon swear a Blood Oath of the Celestial Demon never to enter Dazhen again, then allowed him to flee. We only struck once while remaining in place, but he was simultaneously hit by the 'Submerged Dragon's Claw' and the 'Immortal Sword's Sharpness.' Even a true demon would suffer greatly from that; if it were you, you'd be reduced to dust on the spot."

Ying Feng, the dragon son, pouted and mumbled, "But he still got away..."

The old dragon set down his teacup and chuckled as he looked at his son's retreating back, causing the latter to feel a chill.

Ji Yuan gently closed his eyes, easing the long-standing ache in them. He, too, felt a sense of relief; this outcome was already quite good. At this moment, the true demon, who had fled into the strong winds and was escaping directly north, shared the same thought. Although he couldn't suppress the dissipation of his demonic energy and the piercing pain, he was still grateful.

'To only suffer these two blows, this outcome is very good indeed...'