Chapter 108: Nezha's Nightmare

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Yin Shiniang took her robe and stepped outside, only to find her husband had already gone a distance away. Eventually, she found Li Jing in the study.

“What are you doing, husband?” Yin Shiniang asked curiously as she saw Li Jing seemingly writing a letter.

“There are matters I must report to the Great King,” Li Jing explained. He had nothing to hide from his wife.

“Could you send a letter to Nezha as well?” Yin Shiniang’s eyes brightened. She didn’t ask about the details Li Jing planned to report to the king, seeing it as his official business, which she should not pry into. But Nezha’s matters were family affairs, and she wanted to care more about them.

Li Jing looked at his wife’s hopeful face and felt reluctant to refuse. Yet, he said, “That boy Nezha can’t read. What use is a letter to him?”

“Then have the Great King find a teacher to teach him to read,” Yin Shiniang blurted out, immediately realizing her mistake. The Great King ruled heaven, earth, and humanity; she, a mere woman, should not ask the king to find a teacher for her son. It was somewhat improper.

Seeing his wife’s apologetic expression, Li Jing felt even more compassionate and said, “I will mention it gently in my report to the Great King, but don’t hold too much hope.”

“Also, what would you like to write to Nezha? I can send that along too. At worst, I’ll shamelessly ask the Great King to have someone read it to him.”

Yin Shiniang was deeply moved, her eyes moist. Unsure how to express herself, she gently asked her husband, “What shall we have for dinner tonight?”

“Fish. ‘Abundance every year.’ The year’s end is near; it’s a good omen,” Li Jing said with a warm smile.

Li Jing had always been very pleased with his wife—she acted appropriately and knew her limits, understanding what to do and what not to do. The only thing that sometimes frustrated him was her excessive doting on Nezha.

“I’ll write the letter to Nezha, then prepare fish for you,” Yin Shiniang said happily.

“Call Jin Zha and Mu Zha back as well,” Li Jing said casually. He wanted a family reunion dinner too.

“They were already informed earlier today,” Yin Shiniang said with a smile.

As always, this year was no exception. With the New Year approaching, the human realm’s atmosphere grew livelier. Even the internal turmoil in the Great Shang lessened, and every household was decorated with lanterns and banners to welcome the New Year.

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Inside Chaoge City, within the imperial palace’s Star-Picking Tower.

Jiang Yuan’s face darkened as he read the letter from Li Jing and his wife. Beside him, Daji asked anxiously, “My lord, is there bad news in the letter?”

Since Jiang Yuan’s return to Chaoge, Daji, such a beauty, had naturally been summoned back and cared for without neglect.

Jiang Yuan’s expression shifted from gloomy to calm as he said lightly, “Western Qi has made its decision and has sent a letter to Li Jing at Chentang Pass to sway him.”

Daji’s face showed surprise, her cherry lips parted in disbelief. “They’re already preparing so soon?”

“Because Yuanshi Tianzun has sent a group of disciples down the mountain to aid Western Qi,” Jiang Yuan nodded coldly.

“And what about Great Shang...” Daji worried but didn’t finish her sentence. If Yuanshi Tianzun has already sent disciples to help Western Qi, Great Shang might really have no chance.

“There’s still hope for Great Shang. Yuanshi Tianzun’s disciples are at most Golden Immortals or Great Dao Golden Immortals. We have warriors of that caliber,” Jiang Yuan said.

“Moreover, there aren’t many Great Dao Golden Immortals. The higher their realm, the more they risk karmic backlash after killing a human emperor. Even if Yuanshi Tianzun is their master, no one would dare take such a risk. Only someone honest like Jiang Ziya would follow the master’s orders,” Jiang Yuan sneered.

“Then won’t you seek help?” Daji asked.

Jiang Yuan shook his head with a smile. “No rush. According to Li Jing’s letter, Western Qi won’t move their troops until after the new year.”

“Have you decided where to find reinforcements, my lord?” Daji asked curiously.

“That’s not a concern for a beauty,” Jiang Yuan said with a suggestive smile at Daji.

“Right now, the beauty should think about how to serve me well and bear a strong son for me!”

A dream he had recently left Jiang Yuan filled with melancholy. Though he was the lord of Great Shang and master of this world, he felt no real sense of belonging. He found it rather dull.

Thus, Jiang Yuan planned to have a child—though he wondered if a man who had transmigrated here could truly father a child in this world.

Daji blushed, her eyes shining with allure as she looked at Jiang Yuan, igniting a passionate fire within him. For a moment, all troubling thoughts vanished. With such a beauty before him, dwelling on worries was the real misfortune.

For a time, the Star-Picking Tower was filled with spring’s radiant warmth.

The next morning, Jiang Yuan announced at the Nine-Section Palace court assembly that he would no longer attend court before the New Year and that ministers should come to him privately if any major matters arose.

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For minor issues, he left them to the ministers to handle.

After the morning assembly, Jiang Yuan summoned Nezha.

The boy, still groggy from sleep, was called over before fully waking.

“Do you know General Li Jing sent me a letter?” Jiang Yuan smiled at Nezha, who was half-asleep.

Hearing his father’s name, Nezha perked up slightly and said, “If he sent a letter, then so be it. What’s it got to do with me?”

“He asked if you want to come home for the New Year,” Jiang Yuan said, amused at the brat.

“Are you sure that’s something my dad would ask?” Nezha looked at Jiang Yuan incredulously.

“Alright, actually it was your mother,” Jiang Yuan said without embarrassment.

Nezha rolled his eyes in exasperation. “Then I’ll stay here with you, Old Jiang, for the New Year. What else did my mother say?”

“She sent another letter; you can read it yourself,” Jiang Yuan handed Nezha the letter.

Nezha looked confused, staring at Jiang Yuan, eyes wide. “Old Jiang, do you think a little kid like me can read?”

“I thought you were gifted and literate,” Jiang Yuan teased.

Nezha chuckled, “Gifted, yes. Literate, not so much.”

“So your mother asked me to find someone to teach you to read,” Jiang Yuan said calmly.

“No,” Nezha immediately refused.

“If you won’t learn, then go home. What use are you to me if you can’t even recognize characters?” Jiang Yuan raised an eyebrow at Nezha.

“I can fight!” Nezha said confidently.

“Do you think I’m short of brutes under my command?” Jiang Yuan sneered.

“Are you really going to make me learn?” Nezha looked at Jiang Yuan with a tortured expression.

“Yes.” Jiang Yuan was unwavering.

“Fine, then I’ll learn,” Nezha gave in, head drooping.

Jiang Yuan watched Nezha and secretly laughed—indeed, learning was every child’s nightmare.