Chapter 374: You Are a Straightforward Demon

Seeing the old ox in this state, Lu Shan Jun did not hold back, but continued to speak. "When we fought earlier, I already saw that while your strength is great, you are easily angered. Once you go berserk, your five senses are also correspondingly weakened. Why do you think I kept raising my demonic energy and stirred up gales that sent sand and stones flying everywhere?"

Although Lu Shan Jun's tone carried a hint of sarcasm, it made Niu Batian truly calm down.

Angry as he was, the old ox had to admit that the demon named Lu spoke sense.

The old ox also clearly understood why he had been tricked in that last attack. It wasn't that the demon named Lu could truly become invisible; he had merely left a large amount of demonic clouds and energy in the sky to confuse their senses, while his true form instantly concealed its demonic energy and landed for a sneak attack. That was how his opponent succeeded.

Looking back at their previous combat, the old ox had often thought he struck his opponent, but was actually just wasting his strength on air. Under the influence of the so-called "Soul-Awe" divine ability, both his judgment and his use of demonic energy were severely compromised.

Although Lu Shan Jun's words were unpleasant now, from another perspective, he was deliberately reminding the old ox that his weakness was too obvious, so obvious that Lu Shan Jun had seen through it and exploited it in such a short time.

In many situations, sheer power can overcome skill, but that doesn't mean it always works. When facing someone who is good at observing during combat, quick-witted, and equally skilled, it's easy to stumble, as was the case this time.

"You..."

Just as the old ox was about to say something, he saw Lu Shan Jun turn sideways, not even facing him directly, and muttered a curse.

"You damn..."

By this time, Ji Yuan had almost finished examining the scroll in his hand and put it away into his sleeve. Lu Shan Jun, after exchanging a few barbs with Niu Batian, did not immediately turn his attention to Yan Fei. Seeing that Ji Yuan had finished reading the scroll, he asked about a previous confusion he hadn't had time to resolve.

"Master," Lu Shan Jun began, "after my metamorphosis, I have clearly moved beyond my tiger form. I can also perceive some latent changes. For example, the power of 'Soul-Awe' that I mentioned before can now be controlled freely. And regarding this tail, although I haven't quite mastered it yet, it seems I can cultivate something from it."

At this point, Lu Shan Jun slowed his tone and asked with a hint of trepidation and expectation.

"Master, do you know what kind of demonic body I have now?"

Niu Batian, who was stretching his limbs, turned his head to look at Lu Shan Jun again.

"After all that," Niu Batian scoffed, "you don't even know what kind of demon you are? Master Ji, I bet you don't know either. Maybe this guy just cultivated himself into an idiot and turned into a freak!"

When he could get an advantage with his words, the old ox would never wait. The saying "a gentleman's revenge is never too late, even after ten years" was for scholars. The old ox had just been humiliated, so he seized the chance to poke fun at Lu Shan Jun.

"Hmph..."

Lu Shan Jun let out a hiss from the corner of his mouth. He had to admit that this brute ox had another remarkable talent: he could easily infuriate others whenever he wanted.

This made Yan Fei, who was standing nearby, a little nervous. It also made Ji Yuan smile wryly. Having just thought of Daoist Qingsong, seeing the old ox like this, he felt that in some ways, the two were similar.

It was just that Daoist Qingsong was more innocent, annoying others by speaking plain truths, while the old ox was more of a provocateur.

As for Lu Shan Jun's question, Ji Yuan didn't know if anyone else could answer it, but he certainly knew the answer. He smiled, slightly lowered his voice, and looked up at the demonic clouds that had just completely dispersed. A somewhat deep and solemn voice then came from Ji Yuan's mouth.

"A tiger's body with nine tails, a human face, and tiger claws. Its divine power is awe-inspiring. Standing on Kunlun Hill, it gazes eastward. It is the divine beast Lu Wu!"

"Lu Wu?" "Divine beast?"

Lu Shan Jun and the old ox muttered to themselves, but one focused on the name "Lu Wu" while the other was more concerned with the term "divine beast."

The old ox had heard of "immortal beasts." The term "divine beast" felt more like mountain or water spirits, or those who cultivated through faith. But weren't those simply called mountain gods or water gods? Besides, Lu Shan Jun didn't look like a god at all.

Ji Yuan looked down at Lu Shan Jun and Niu Batian and nodded, saying.

"Indeed, it is Lu Wu. However, the true Lu Wu has nine tails, and you are still lacking."

"That's not just 'lacking some,' that's far from it!"

Niu Batian pretended to mutter softly, but he knew everyone present could hear him clearly. It was just that Lu Shan Jun wouldn't get angry about this.

Ji Yuan ignored the old ox, and seeing Lu Shan Jun's thoughtful expression, he sighed and continued.

"You don't need to overthink it. Just cultivate diligently. There's no need to search for others of your kind. Unlike dragons or flood dragons, there should only be one Lu Wu, especially in this day and age."

Hearing his master's words, Lu Shan Jun quickly bowed in salute.

"Yes, Master!"

Ji Yuan glanced at the three of them again and finally looked towards Luoqing City.

"You all handle the rest and resolve it quickly. I'll go to Luoqing City first to reassure the local deities."

With that, Ji Yuan lightly leaped, soared through the air with wind beneath his feet, and rode on a gentle breeze towards Luoqing City.

By this time, the people of Luoqing City were only just recovering from the recent storm. To be honest, although the storm had appeared terrifying, it had not actually caused any significant harm to the city's residents.

Even if some sand and stones had fallen within the city, it was only a small area in the eastern part, near the city wall, that had accumulated some dust and sand.

However, while there was no physical impact, the psychological impact was considerable. Earlier, faint, terrifying roars had reached the city. Although many thought it was thunder, some panicked, believing it to be evil spirits or demons. These days, many places in the Zuyue Kingdom were far from peaceful.

However, this panic would not last long. The incense offerings at the city temples would likely increase for a while, but once people realized nothing was wrong, they would gradually forget about it.

However, the City God and other deities of Luoqing, whom the common folk usually worshipped with incense, were now anxiously waiting on the city wall.

Sure enough, before long, an elegant figure in white robes descended onto the city wall. The City God of Luoqing, who had been waiting with his retinue of deities, bowed in salute.

"Thank you, Immortal Master, for subduing the demons!"

The City God's words were not entirely wrong, so Ji Yuan didn't bother to correct him. He returned the salute before reassuring them.

"City God and all esteemed officials of the Underworld, please do not be so formal. The demonic battle outside the city has concluded, and will not affect anyone in Luoqing City..."

Ji Yuan would not explain things too clearly. He gave a slightly vague overview of the events, focusing on reassurance rather than detailed explanation.

Although the city deities could not clearly see the entire situation that had just transpired, they had a very clear view during the final moments. Additionally, Ji Yuan, to put them at ease, revealed some of his own spiritual energy and magic.

For true cultivators, especially those with profound cultivation, the manifestation of their internal spiritual energy and magic together gives a sense of immortality and divinity. This is completely different from demonic or devilish energy. While it's not absolutely impossible to feign, Ji Yuan's action greatly reassured the deities.

After Ji Yuan had gently and patiently explained things to the deities of Luoqing City, and returned to the small manor outside the city, he wondered if he had come to the wrong place.

Most of the small manor had been destroyed in the previous battle between the two demons, leaving only a utility room and a shed. However, the stone table and a few stools in front of the house were still intact.

At this moment, Niu Batian was holding an intact teapot, and after unearthing and cleaning some tea utensils, he used magic to brew tea and diligently poured it for others. The recipient of his tea was not Yan Fei, but Lu Shan Jun, who was sitting next to Yan Fei.

'What's going on?' Ji Yuan wondered. 'Has this brute ox's brain been damaged? It doesn't seem like he was hit on the head...'

The old ox certainly wasn't acting like this because he had gone stupid. The reason for his diligent attitude was partly because Lu Shan Jun had handled Yan Fei's matter leniently after clarifying it, but a bigger reason was that he had accidentally discovered Lu Shan Jun was very wealthy!

"Hey, come on, Old Lu, Old Lu," Niu Batian said, "Although our house here is ruined, the tea caddy isn't broken, and the teapot is clean. Try this tea. It's just wild tea from the nearby mountains, stir-fried. The brew is very refreshing to drink. Try some, try some!"

Seeing Ji Yuan return, the old ox quickly called out.

"Master Ji, you're back! Those useless deities in Luoqing are utterly useless, it wouldn't have mattered even if you didn't explain anything to them. Come quickly and have some tea, have some tea!"

Ji Yuan nodded and walked over, looking at Lu Shan Jun with a questioning gaze. However, he saw that Lu Shan Jun's face was also full of bewilderment. Clearly, he also didn't understand why this brute ox had suddenly changed his attitude so drastically, when before he had been eager to find any opportunity to mock him.

So Ji Yuan looked at Yan Fei. Yan Fei just gave an awkward smile in response.

"Master Ji, please sit!"

The old ox set a teacup for Ji Yuan, deftly poured a steaming cup of tea, and then sat down himself. He asked Lu Shan Jun and Ji Yuan, who were drinking tea.

"How is it? How's the taste?"

"It's alright."

"Very good."

Ji Yuan gave his answer, and Lu Shan Jun's answer added a point to that.

The old ox chuckled.

"This tea was personally stir-fried by me, Old Ox," Niu Batian boasted. "Back then, when I was a farm ox, my owners were poor, but the mistress was diligent. Every spring, she would go up the mountain to pick wild tea leaves and stir-fry them herself at home. After they finished drinking, they would pour the leftover tea leaves into my cattle pen for me. Those tea leaves were so refreshing..."

The old ox, quite uncharacteristically, reminisced about an early life experience. After speaking, he looked at the house behind him.

"What a pity about this manor!" he sighed. "It was the home where Brother Yan and I cultivated ourselves! That large pot, which I'd carried for centuries and held so many memories, is also ruined..."

"Pfft..."

Yan Fei spat out a mouthful of tea. Fortunately, he quickly covered his mouth with his hand, otherwise it would have sprayed all over Master Ji.

"Although rebuilding the manor will cost a lot of silver," Niu Batian continued, "our lack of money is a minor issue. Memories, however, cannot be bought back with silver..."

Ji Yuan's mouth twitched. He casually asked.

"What about gold?"

"Gold, well, uh... What good is gold, anyway..."

Ji Yuan understood. This old ox was clearly trying to extort money. He could guess what the money was for, as the events of that year were still fresh in his memory. He then looked at Yan Fei, who was indeed looking down in embarrassment.

As a demon, it wasn't difficult for the old ox to acquire money, but he couldn't keep up with how quickly he spent it. The silver he had squandered in the brothels of Luoqing City over the years was an astronomical sum to many. Now that he knew Lu Shan Jun was a rich benefactor, why wouldn't he latch onto him?

Lu Shan Jun couldn't have imagined that this ox demon could be so shameless. So, although he felt the old ox was being a bit theatrical, he genuinely thought the old ox sounded quite sincere.

"With the manor damaged, I, Lu, will naturally compensate you," Lu Shan Jun said. "It's not impossible for me to help rebuild it too."

At Lu Shan Jun's words, the old ox slapped his thigh emphatically.

"Splendid!" Niu Batian exclaimed. "Old Lu, you're a truly generous demon!"

Then the old ox leaned in closer to Lu Shan Jun and said.

"How much silver do you have?"

Lu Shan Jun paused again. He thought for a moment, not counting the pile of raw gold nuggets. In terms of just silver currency, it was fragmented silver and the reward from the Dong family.

"Around two thousand taels."

"Good! Old Lu, you're so generous!" Niu Batian exclaimed. "Two thousand taels it is, two thousand taels! I, Old Ox, accept it!"

Niu Batian had already thrown an arm around Lu Shan Jun's shoulder, laughing loudly. The latter's eyebrow twitched, and he barely managed to resist swatting him away.