Torsten Hewson
patreon
v5c58: The Return of Uncle Fox
🕑 Added 2024-10-20 04:18:12 +0000 UTCNezan shoved Shenhe out of the way, starfire stabbed deep, and the world faded away.
It wasn’t the way he thought he would go… but when his eyes closed, Nezan found himself fine with his death.
He was old. So old, and so tired. He had gotten to see the day the Shrouded Mountain Sect was brought low. He had hope for the future—Yun Ren was less burdened by hate and the things he had done. Even if they couldn’t take back their mountain… they would have a home in the Azure Hills and never have to fear persecution again.
So he let his eyes fall closed and Nezan dreamed of Wen.
He dreamed of her smell. He dreamed of her silken hair. He dreamed of her soft voice singing tunelessly.
It was beautiful and perfect. It was his greatest wish to see her again, beyond even his wish to see the Misty Fang again. The darkness closed in and his eyes grew heavy. He felt the Qi of his family caressing his core; he felt the deep strength of the earth gently trying to wake him.
Yet he was content with sleeping. Content with his dream
And then he felt a little strand of lightning, a trail to guide him. Lightning that felt so much like Wen.
Ah, she was here to guide him into the afterlife. He grasped the lead and the world began to brighten. He found himself walking through a mountain valley in the height of summer, the warm sun beating on his back and the smell of flowers in his nose.
But… Wen was further away now, even though he was following her lightning. She was on the other side of a mountain stream.
His dear smiled at him. It was wide and bright and took up most of her face; a brilliant, breathtaking sight.
“It's not time just yet,” she said, her voice gentle.
Then, a spark a jolt of energy, Qi so similar to Wen’s filling his body.
Nezan opened his eyes.
==========================
“Not so rough nephew,” Nezan complained to the boy as he was embraced. It took all of his willpower to keep corporeal—he was barely awake, and even that much was straining him. But it was indeed a joyous thing, to be loved so much, so he endured it for Yun Ren’s sake.
“I knew you couldn’t be dead, you bastard. You’re not a fox, you're a cockroach!” the man said, swiftly wiping the tears away from the corner of his eyes. Nezan pressed his forehead into Yun Ren’s and chuckled.
“I resent that comparison. What bug is so cute and fluffy?” Nezan asked.
‘Nezan is a fuzzy caterpillar. The useless, wriggly kind children step on,’ Summer’s Sky sniped, the sword rattling in an offended manner. The blade was obviously quite upset with Nezan and his apparent death.
“Good to see you as well, dear. And you,” he said before turning to the other person in the clearing. Zang Shenhe had her hand still raised and looked on with a pained expression on her face. “Do be more gentle when you wake a gentleman up, especially when your hand is on such a sensitive organ. I can’t handle that kind of rough play in this state.”
The woman blushed at Nezan’s crass joke, outrage coming into her eyes before the fire died. Then the woman sucked in a breath, got on to her knees, and pressed her forehead to the snowy ground.
“Thank you, for saving my life. I know you did not have to.” Shenhe said, kowtowing before him.
So she knew then. She had seen the truth. Her Qi was fluctuating, on the brink of deviation. She had obviously seen something that had completely shattered her worldview and had disturbed her greatly. Guilt rolled off her in waves.
The dark part of Nezan took great joy in this scene, a member of the Shrouded Mountain Sect kowtowing to a fox. He would have gloated and shoved the knife in as deep as he could. He would have made her feel as powerless as the foxes their sect had butchered.
And yet… What would that accomplish? Had he savaged Wen, when his dear had come to him, barely coherent? Why should he heap punishment upon a woman who was already punishing herself?
His nephew had been right when they had spoken last. The foxes could retake their mountain without another drop of their blood being spilled.
All it required… was to put an end to things. It sounded so simple, saying it.
“It had to stop somewhere,” Nezan said after a moment. Shenhe’s head jerked up, and she stared at him with wide eyes. “And besides, I couldn’t let my beloved’s dear niece die.” Zang Shenhe looked away again, clearly at a loss for words. Yun Ren, still holding Nezan, shifted uncomfortably. It seemed Shenhe needed just a bit more time. “Summer’s Sky, dear? Do you mind keeping Shenhe here company whilst I pay my respects to the others?”
The blade pondered the request for a moment before rattling agreeably.
Yun Ren handed over the blade to Shenhe. Their fingers touched.
Both of them nodded to each other.
Then Yun Ren was off, racing towards Jin’s house, a big smile on his face.
“..nephew, what are your thoughts on older women?” Nezan asked. “Shenhe was looking at you quite nicely~”
Yun Ren stumbled, then jerked around to glare… but there was no real heat in it.
“Okay, I didn’t miss this bit…” he grumbled, clearly not meaning it.
Nezan chuckled. Not his time quite yet… but this was not too bad either.
His amused smile froze on his face, however, when Yun Ren stepped past the house and exposed the battlefield beyond. Smoke flowed into the air from corpse pyres various people were tending to, and the smell of burning meat finally drifted into Nezan’s nose.
Nezan knew he had been forgetting something. The attack on Jin’s home!
“Is everyone alright?” Nezan demanded. Yun Ren didn’t seem too worried, so things likely were not dire…
“They’re pretty beat up… but they won,” Yun Ren replied. Nezan sighed with relief
“Good, good. That is fantastic news—I was quite worried when that bastard started running his mouth about kidnapping little Mei.” Yun Ren’s stride hitched and his eyes narrowed. The snarl that issued forth from his nephew’s throat made Nezan’s hair stand on end. Nezan beamed with pride. “But I assume Shenhe or Lord Shen Yu dealt with him, seeing as we’re all here?”
Yun Ren shook his head. “He got away. But… we’ll get to that in a sec. I wasn’t the only one worried about you.”
“Oh?”
Yun Ren nodded and then cupped his hands around his mouth. “Hey guys! Guess who didn’t kick the bucket?!”
All activity around the pyres ceased. Nezan waved a paw in greeting. There were a lot of people, all the members of Fa Ram plus Yun Ren’s new friends.
Everyone dropped what they were doing to greet him. They may not have been foxes, but they were certainly family.
It was quite fun being picked up and hugged, even if it was a bit hard to keep himself solid.
“You are so cute,” Yushang whispered to him, stars in her eyes.
“My dear, we are obviously twins with our looks.” Nezan replied, and the woman giggled.
Even Shen Yu rose from his seat. The man walked with a limp, and his fearsome presence was much diminished. His cultivation, from what Nezan could tell, had fractures all through it.
“Su Nezan, I am pleased to see my comrade alive,” Shen Yu said, clasping his hands in respect.
Nezan raised an eyebrow at the compliment. “I would have thought you to be more disapproving of this existence.”
Indeed, Nezan was practically a ghost. His Cultivation was now in the Initiate's Realm. Shen Yu had spoken with derision for beings like Nezan currently was.
“There is a difference between hiding part of your soul out of cowardice… and living through an attack meant to kill you,” Shen Yu stated simply. “You fully intended to make your stand and only through chance did you avoid death. No man should look down on one crippled fighting against the Great Enemy.”
Well, that was certainly better than he had been expecting.
“Wait! We still have your body!” Yun Ren suddenly exclaimed. “And another bit of your core! Would that help you? Could we like… Just shove you back in there?”
Nezan and Shen Yu both paused at the hopeful look in his eyes.
Nezan shook his head. “Unfortunately, nephew… My body is dead. There's no fixing that without techniques I have no desire to learn. I could refine it, eventually, but right now if I tried my own body would destroy my spirit.”
“Oh…” Yun Ren muttered. He looked a bit dejected.
Nezan smiled and nuzzled the man. “Fret not, nephew. This existence is more than I thought I would have. Lord Shen Yu? If I could trouble you to keep that part of me? If I don't return to claim it in a hundred years, please do what you want with it. I do believe I would make a fabulous coat.”
Shen Yu grinned. “I suppose I can do you this favour, Su Nezan. I look forward to having such a coat, your pelt is quite pleasing—though it can be Bi De’s, his own coat was destroyed.”
Bi De squawked. “I don’t want to wear Nezan!” He said aghast. “Besides, my coat was not destroyed! It's… it's just a bit burned! See! It can be fixed!”
The man who was a rooster pulled out a charred, burned, and extremely ragged chicken-sized vest.
Everyone stared at it. Bi De’s face tinted red under the scrutiny.
Shen Yu blinked. “You actually retrieved that?”
“I went and got it when you were chasing the one that escaped,” he said. “It was my Master’s first gift, I couldn’t leave it!”
Jin looked quite touched.
Nezan laughed. “Then… shall we have a drink? I would like to hear about everything that happened.”
“Sounds good. We need a break anyway,” Jin said, looking amused. “And what better reason to drink than to celebrate someone not being dead?”
===========================
It was really good that Nezan was alive. I was happy to see the prankster of a fox again, and Yun Ren was finally smiling—but it only drove home just how damn lucky we had been.
Still, I wasn’t one to look a gift horse in the mouth and I said a little prayer for Nezan as we took a little break, filling the fox in on what he had missed.
Nezan looked pissed when we mentioned everything that had gone down here. The fox let out little growls and snarls. I was quite touched that he was so angry on our behalf.
My mild mood lasted until he started telling his side of the story.
“I got the Heavenly Demon Yulong talking and… well, his desire was to kill everyone here, then capture and remove the memories of little Mei… because she is related to him. They share the same bloodline.”
The teacup in my hand turned to powder. I could feel the fresh scabs on my arms rip open. Something pulsed in my forehead.
I wasn’t the only one who reacted. Xiulan’s swords, resting by the wall, lifted into the air of their own accord, and I saw red markings begin to crawl along her eyelids and cheeks. Her expression could only be described as thunderous.
Gou Ren’s arms had turned grey and rocklike, and only Xianghua’s hand on his arm kept him from rising to his feet… but she too looked extremely displeased.
Yun Ren’s lips were curled up in a snarl. Bi De had stopped brushing his vest, his green eyes focused on the fox. The shadows around Ri Zu writhed like living things. Tigu let out a growl from deep in her chest that sounded exactly like a tiger. Chunky and Peppa had both frozen. The others looked a bit nervous at the sudden tenseness in the room.
Gramps’s frown was severe.
But the one who hadn’t reacted… or seemed to react, was Meiling herself.
She sipped her tea and looked to Nezan with a soft smile. “Quite rude of these demonic cultivators… though there is one thing I know is false. I am certainly not related to a beast that would wish to do that to me.”
Her voice was mild and pleasant, but her eyes were daggers.
Gramps smiled. “Indeed, little Mei. I shall have this imposter who claims relation to you hunted down and executed for such an absurd claim.”
Nezan chuckled too, as the tension started to drain out of the room. “Indeed. My apologies, little Mei. As for their plan… Their ultimate goal is to lead a revolution to depose the Emperor, then use some manner of technique to craft a stable gateway, invade the Demonic Realm, then use widespread Demonic Cultivation with demons as fuel to reduce the resource load on this world, and eventually farm the demons themselves for power.”
There was silence at Nezan’s declaration.
Quite frankly, it all sounded like a bunch of bullshit to me.
Gramps, however, was clearly thinking about it.
“That is both completely insane, and unfortunately brilliant… simply because of the implications. If they have the ability to open stable portals now…” Shen Yu trailed off, deep in thought, before he shook his head. “We shall discuss this later, hopefully tomorrow, in Verdant Hill. For now… this is not something we need to concern ourselves with. Instead, we shall concern ourselves with the present.”
The old man’s words were a bit worrying… but it seemed like we would be talking more about this tomorrow. I was just kind of annoyed by the whole thing. Wasn’t that the plot of DOOM? Mining Hell for cheap energy? What kind of dumbass would think that was a good idea?
“Indeed,” Nezan said, glaring at the battlefield further away from the house. “Even in death these bastards make a nuisance of themselves.”
“Indeed, but the method my grandson is using to deal with them is quite brilliant,” Gramps said, turning from stoic general to doting grandfather in an instant. He seemed… genuinely proud of me for this.
All I did was apply the scientific method.
“We’re seeing which of our Qi does the most damage to Demonic Qi the fastest, and in what combination,” I explained. Time, Qi use, Qi type… every variable I could think of plotted out and quantified the best we could. I wanted this shit out of my damn lawn. “Right now, Tigu’er’s Ghost Hunter Arts and Big D’s Lunar Qi are the best at destroying the physical body—that destroys a big chunk of the impurities. But the solid impurities are not the only ones—some are a kind of liquid, and others a miasma or gas that lingers in place. Me and Meimei do best at clearing out the liquid, while Yun Ren seems to do the best with the gas—at least before he got too tired to keep going. So we’re trying a multi-stage approach, instead of us just slowly grinding it down by throwing Qi at it. Which does work, but some people are naturally better at removing the solids, liquids, or ‘gas’ part of the impurities by themselves, which seems to be generally why it takes so long for individuals to deal with all three at once on their own.”
Nezan looked suitably impressed.
I just wanted something that worked if this ever happened again.
We restarted our experiments not long after, and we were watched by some of the members of the Shrouded Mountain Sect.
They all still looked listless and demoralized. They were certainly a sorry sight… but I couldn’t say I entirely blamed them. They had been through the wringer.
I’d give them a little more time… but eventually they would have to leave. I just hoped they would have some kind of hope to hold on to soon.
=========================
Shenhe meditated upon the recent revelations with Summer’s Sky in her lap, quelling her Qi deviation.
Yun Ren was right.
She could not give in to despair. The Sect needed fixing—and someone needed to be the one to fix it.
That someone… Was going to have to be her.
As soon as she thought that, Shenhe felt an insistent pull. She sat back down and let Summer’s Sky direct her Qi, pulling it into the blade.
When she opened her eyes, she was in a mountain valley in the height of summer; And before her was a woman.
Zang Wen. The person who Shenhe had spent so long hating. The person she had blamed for everything. The person who was innocent of all her crimes, beaten and tortured for finding the Sect’s dirty past.
She smiled at Shenhe, reached forward, and took both her hands.
“Hello, little crane. Would you like to have some tea?” Wen asked.
“Yes please… Auntie,” Shenhe whispered.
Wen pulled her into a hug. It was warm.
They talked about nothing. They talked about everything. They went from drinking tea to walking through the valley, to her aunt giving her pointers, imparting all she had learned into Shenhe.
Under that Summer’s Sky, for the first time in her life, Zang Shenhe truly felt at peace.
When she opened her eyes again… the once cloudy storm-grey burned brilliant blue.
====================================================
=======================================
Should be one more chapter of this, then the leaving of the Shrouded Mountain and then into the arrival of Shen Yu's buddies.
Should be maybe ~10 more chapters of this volume, I'm uncertain of this quite yet.
Editors: Massgamer,
Comments
Bert Babb
Alrighty then, I've been away for a few months, but finaly caught up again. One thread that hasn't been followed up on is the auditor that Lady Wu's sister sicced on Verdant Hills' Lord Magistrate. That is a quite interesting thread that seems to have gotten lost in the demon war that occurred on two fronts. I'd love to see how Lady Wu repays her family for their wicked ways. I'm sure that a series of unforseen consequences would splash onto that wanker of a auditor as a harbringer of the pain to come for the Wu family.
Randall Brynsvold
If they brought the body with them, Shen Yu had to have been involved. No one else from their group had storage rings.
BigBro Bluesman
You know....why doesn't Jin drop a generator it's a magnet and copper wire and movement that could be there new power generation "IF" they can turn it into chi
RBAWintrow
"When we reach our lowest point, we are open to the greatest change." -Avatar Aang
Angel
I went through a similar moment of confusion and then realized that with Jin’s personality leaning towards very modern, independent thought, as well as his unique cultivation style and wide variety of cultivation styles at Fa Ram, it is a surprising and super fun element incorporated by the author that gives us an original take on the problem. And in pure Jin fashion, he’ll probably end up revolutionizing the world of demon disposal. 😃
Truedragon5374
My favorite part of this isn't Nezen's resurrection, its his character growth. Look, the older you get the harder it is to change your ways. And the old fox is OLDER THAN THE EMPIRE! For him to agree to set aside hatred and blood debt is HUGE.
Truedragon5374
Maybe not as penance. But the sect does own the Rou family a HUGE debt. And seeing more of the world might be good for them.
Truedragon5374
Dammit, i just realized that Jin's son is descended from an ancient line of royalty. And is the son of a powerful cultivator. And was raised in a magical hidden village. If Red Leaf's parents ever die he will instantly be catapulted to SSS Rank Chosen One Status.
Truedragon5374
Considering they were all tied up after being suppressed by Gramps, and left in the middle of an angry mob? Yeah, they never got the chance to defect.
Truedragon5374
At first they will be skeptical. Then they be shown the letters from the Cloudy Sword, the Heavenly Isle, AND the Imperial Voice. They they will all spit blood and fall unconscious.
Ben
Looking forward to the next few chapters
Mark Greenberg
But he doesn't know it's with Shen Yu.
Evander
Broke the agreement and ended up costing Fa Ram valuable resources. Jin may not have faced near death if he could have faced those demonic cultivators without wasting his resources on the sms.
Gray Code
Penance for what? Even under heavenly demonic mind control, all of Zeng's crew were stopped before even setting foot on Fa Ram. Almost everyone they may have wronged personally or institutionally is in the Howling Fang Mountains, so any restitution or penance should probably be done there, too.
Eric Hicks
I am looking forward to seeing how the other sects of the Azure Hills react to learning of what happened on the solstice... that demonic cultivators invaded and were broken upon the bastion of Fa Ram.
Isak Mark
Yushang and fat Han could be taken in by the SHIS and the CSS respectively. I don't think Casual will have them as permament characters but ones that pop up.
Eric Hicks
About two paragraphs above that. “Wait! We still have your body!” Yun Ren suddenly exclaimed. “And another bit of your core! Would that help you? Could we like… Just shove you back in there?”
Mark Greenberg
Nezan smiled and nuzzled the man. “Fret not, nephew. This existence is more than I thought I would have. Lord Shen Yu? If I could trouble you to keep that part of me? If I don't return to claim it in a hundred years, please do what you want with it. I do believe I would make a fabulous coat.” When did Nezan learn what happened to his body?
ShivaMcTimber
TYFTC! So satisfying 😌
Mark Greenberg
Shenhe & Co also used lightning to purify the demonic bases they destroyed.
Beggar of Freedom
Divines bless your kind heart!
Mark Greenberg
It's the SHIS, not the SIS.
Mark Greenberg
I don't see any of the inquisitors defecting. They knew the truth and acted to preserve a lie and murder innocents on the patriarchs orders. Surviving to do penance is possible but I think that's unlikely just because the wrath they faced was so intense I doubt any of them could survive.
Harish
That's because even Meiling has very little information about her bloodline. She has some idea thanks to Xiaoshi's crystal and Shen Yu's comment on the "Celestial Constellation Soul Art" during their first healing session but I doubt she has a decent idea, much less hiding it from her family. Sides, thanks to the Crystal, the people on Fa Ram have a basic idea but the only thing that matters is that she is their Meiling. AND HELLFIRE ON ANYONE WHO WISHES TO TAKE HER AWAY!
Alex Ingraham
Rou Jin or Rou Tigu? I hope not. Tigu talking is often hilarious lol
Alex Ingraham
Fair. But I was mainly mocking the handful of people in the comments who seemed to be complaining that no major or minor character we love had died. They can take their GOT or Warhammer 40k shite elsewhere! This is BOC!!!
Alex Ingraham
@Aeosir #2 isn't just an issue in industrial engineering. It's a major problem when dealing with pseudo-scientists that don't like the answers modern science provides (often b/c those answers aren't intuitively understandable/satisfying). They missed the initial argument - when it was seriously considered before being dismissed - and whine about how modern professionals ignore their pet theories... 🙄 Sorry for the rant 😓
Often Irrelephant
It was more the "if I don't come back for it, make it into a coat or something," nonsense of it all, rather than any disrespect for the very solemn funerary ring. It's just so deliciously Nezan - his nonchalance is what makes me think, well of course he'd treat Shen Yu's hearse as a coat check. Pelt = animal coat + the fur coat he jokes can be made when unclaimed items revert to management. Not saying my brain isn't super weird. Am saying Nezan would 100% rummage through Shen Yu's lost and found if he thought he could get away with it.
ekwood
With respect to tension and losses, I guess I could see why people don't think they count, but TSM lost a lot of people--some good ones too: Shenhe's apprentice for example. And that's not even counting the civil war. Wonder if "Lady Mist" is still alive. For that matter, I wonder if any of the inquisitors lived, either because they defected or were kept alive to serve penance of some kind.
BigBro Bluesman
Loss can be subjective even a loss of power towards a character can bring some big changes to the story depending on what the author has planned
Often Irrelephant
Exactly! If you think you liked him as a fish, behold the mathmagical dragon lord!
Cranky Otter
I’m team Rags & Loud Boy (once he’s an adult). They struck sparks from the jump and are a team already.
Alex Ingraham
I'm pretty sure rage is what sustains the Doom Marine. The demons might send him to Fa Ram just to watch him implode lol
Aesoir
It may be personal bias, but from every mythology I’ve ever encountered, the representatives of the Sun and Moon were never lovers. Friends, enemies, siblings sure, but by virtue of their dichotomy, (moon not being visible when the sun is out). I personally would find it odd for that to happen here ( yin x bi de). Ultimately CF can do what he wants though, so it’s all personal speculation.
daniel koval
On the other hand this is a crossover I want to see, the Doom Marine taking a short vacation to Fa’rm and just relaxing with the whole crew then wandering back into Hell to kill demons
Randall Brynsvold
From what we've seen of their interactions, Yin and Torrent Rider have a big sister/little brother dynamic.
Rake1810
I’m loving the slice of life but now that I know all the people coming it’s all I can think of.
Lonnie
These chapters are good for the soul. Thank you
Szymon Szczełkun
Then it's mainly because of the looks that are similar to his mother and her strong bloodline . As for killing their entire clan that definitely happened when their strengh weakened . But eradicating clan is enteirly different from eradicating all traces of it's bloodline since as i said their blood was probably outsourced to many other clans and places through intermarriages and just got faint with time . What's more given their social position it probably permeated into so many places that it's efectively immposible to eradicate it all unless you exterminate the whole continent.
Ormus Von Orbulon
I'm more concerned about Meimei. The matter of her Bloodline was passed over -- for now -- and she kept her head about it... But. I get the feeling that Meling hasn't told the full truth even to Jin; even when he told her he'd come from another world. I think the beans are gonna be be spilled one way or another when the Herald starts poking around...
Ormus Von Orbulon
Has everyone conveniently forgotten RAGS??! Good grief. And you KNOW that the Baka twins from SHI are prolly gonna have something to do with Jin's expedition -- and Loud boy and Rags may be on the Azure Hills Alliance thing, but they're ALSO guards for the Azure Jade trading company. ->*<- Also torrent rider is a wee bairn who can't handle such matters yet. Yin is aloof save for Bi De What I'm really looking forward to is our Redheaded Lass meeting WaShi's human form!! -- I've gone back over the all the chapters that deal with them, and she's only ever known him as a fish in a jar!! And when she discovers he's actually a DRAGON??🤯
Gray Code
Also, all these demons either are made of people, or _are_ people. The former are presumed unwilling, the latter results in uncomfortable explanations. "No, I swear this vest was made out of dyed-in-the-wool, demonic cultivators."
Kali Smith
Ooooooo I like the guards for Washi’s caravan! There’s a great opportunity for learning more about his lighting
Kali Smith
This was such a touching chapter! Thank you. Got the gentle tears going.
Aesoir
Sure it’s possible, but yin and Bi De’s friendship has a pretty stout foundation without any hint of romance. While loud boy already being considered conventionally handsome + Yushang good person beautification, might just be a 1-2 punch of destiny
Alex Ingraham
The logic is easy see. It's the "done right" that's always the problem. The fact that there doesn't seem to be a known way to convert demonic energy instead of outright destroying is just one. For the rest, please go see the Doom 2016 game for other thought provoking potential problems lol
Alex Ingraham
At this point, I have an easier time identifying characters I dislike than which ones are "my favorite" xD. She is quickly growing on me though!
Alex Ingraham
OK, OK... the (partial?) survival of Bi De's coat was the last straw! I now have to admit that the people whining about the lack of any real loss, and thus no real tension, were right. It's loss was my last defense against the charges! 😞 ... And to them I say, "Don't let the door hit you on the ass on your way out! Keep your grim-derp shit away from my cozy cultivation story!!!" 😜🤣 Loved the chapter CF!
Halldor Jonsson
Rou will end up being Doomguy.
Aesoir
Considering that the intent/location imbued into the qi is what determines its type. “Fully Destroying demonic Qi” is actually un-aspecting the Qi, and is returning it to free use.
Gwyn
Nah, Yin is clearly going to be the third in Bi DE and RI Zu's relationship. I do like the idea Yushang x Torrent Rider.
Gwyn
1. If Nezan is turned into a a fur coat, I vote Lady Wu or The Lord Magistrate deserve a gift. 2. I need Elder Shou from CSS to suffer at least, the equivalent of Shenhes Qi deviation upon seeing Jins farm, at least one blood vomit.
Aesoir
He’s a teenager and yin’s like 5 years old :/
Angela Roberts
Torrent Rider and Yin? No. Please no. Why???!!!??? He's waay too young.
Old Dog
As always, thank you for the chapter. To my mind it explains Summers Sky's obsession with tea. Great to have the live Nezan reaction again. Looking forward to Zang Zeng's reaction to Shenhe's eye color change.
Old Dog
Beware of mist/lightening/foxes?
Lanter
Gramps, 1%: Huh... this means she really is of that celestial art bloodline I pegged her for when we first met? That means my great grandson too... Gramps, 99%: That's MY GRANDDAUGHTER! NOT EVEN OVER MY DEAD BODY! That aside, lol, the fox fur vest. Bi De is such a cute son.
Evander
I'm hoping that some of the SMS do not return and have to act as guards for the village and Meimei's dad and father as penance. Either that or acting as guards for The caravan with Wa Shi whenever that departs.
Leon
This chapter offered they payoff I didn’t know I was waiting for, such catharsis. Thank you
Old Dog
Thank you for the clarification.
Old Dog
True. He just mentioned contacting the CSS, not inviting them for tea and biscuits or even maple syrup and gold grade rice.
Palmer Evans
Shenhe is one of my favorite characters now
litalmexy
Too much to comment on so I’ll say i loved this and talk about dinner with the in laws
Brian P.
Given Meiling's evil uncle's obsession with his mother, I bet he's actually after her because of the blood relation. He wasn't even planning on using her bloodline abilities, he just wanted her as an (effectively brainwashed) little sister/niece. He also got a bit squirrely around Ri Zu as she looked like family, even as he acknowledged she didn't have the bloodline. Also given how quick everyone is to murder entire lines, I bet there probably isn't a bunch of relations of the Celestial Emperor around. Y'know, anymore.
daniel koval
You know as bad of an idea as mining hell for recorces is, I can see the logic. If done correctly and abandoning the whole “cultivate the demons” idea I can see some merit to it. I wonder if the demon real can be purified and it’s Qui added back to the world to strengthen its defenses?
Szymon Szczełkun
I don't really think that it's due to simple blood relations but more beacuse her blood reached avatism and awakned their clan abilities , that he feels close to her and therefore he might just not be interested in regular kins that have little of their clan unawaked blood. Since if they were emperors for long period of time , their bloodline had probably spread widely too many clans through intermarirages and many people probably have faint bloodline of his clan but they can't be cosidered relatives to him if they can't activate it .
Aesoir
The key to finding better solutions, is fully exploring the problem at hand, collecting data, attempting/theory crafting a solution, and then incorporating and/or analyzing existing solutions. Especially as different technology or skill sets (as is the case here) become available.
Aesoir
There is a common fallacy in industrial engineering. And it goes two ways, 1) people assume that “someone smarter has thought of all the better ways” and so don’t try to work through a problem themselves, and thus find a more optimum solution. 2) someone tries something “new” without truly understanding the problem, not realizing that “method” was actually considered and dismissed, not ignored.
Aesoir
Wonderful chapter. Now the things I hope to see: since CF mentioned that the SMS will leave before the Imperial rep, CSS and SIS show up, I do hope they notice their arrival from a distance. I also look forward to the Imperial Herald getting acquainted the TLM, and its effects on the whole empire. On an unrelated note, future ship hopes: Torrent Rider x Yin, Loud Boy x Yushang.
Trish Brown
Loved this reunion. l like many others got a tear in my eyes, just beautiful. X
Angela Roberts
Okay, I'm *not* crying, it's dust, truly. Shenshe getting to meet and talk with her much maligned aunt, yes! I predict an uptick in poison combos not to mention increased security for MeiMei and Zhuye. And, Gramps hasn't mentioned who's coming to visit yet??
Marcin
In the end everything is the same, thers absolutly no difference. All is nothing
Oni
Oh, I'm sure Meiling has realized that if that guy was willing to kidnap her for a blood relation... then he'd be willing to kidnap her son and brother for it too. Which no doubt means she's planning something "special" for him.
Kasinki
Thank you for the chapter! Fun times, fun times.
Ozzy
Both have there place and nether would work as well without the other.
Randall Brynsvold
I do hope that TLM gets brought on board *before* guests start arriving.
Randall Brynsvold
Maybe plasma, which is a higher energy state, isn't a characteristic of the demonic Qi found leaking from dead bodies. But lightning does affect demonic Qi, as we saw when Fenxian "killed" the liquid remains of Lu Ban in "V2c93.1: Change Part 1".
Floyd
*Hearse ring.
Kat
That would be awesome 😂 poor lord magistrate!
Kat
I figure maybe it’s good to see how others go about solving the same problem… see what’s better or worse in the approach? I wonder if formations cost resources?
Peter Gerganov
I expect they'll greet the new guests there first. It's not like Fa Ram can be found on any map. Lord Magistrate's gonna turn his poor gut into a diamond press.
Casualfarmer
Shen Yu is impressed because Jin is making his own techniques to more effectively clean up everything on his own, independant from somebody else's knowledge. Shen Yu is always figure things out and the best way to do it for yourself kind of guy. Jin isn't fuly discovering anything new, to him, but hes thinking along lines o get the best result with his own intuition, and Shen Yu is enjoying just how serious Jin is about this, and he actually has discovered a few optimizations that would not occur to most cultivators. As for Lu Ri, he used a standardized CSS talisman that helps break down the demonic Qi, essentially a brute force meathod for purging and dispersing the Qi... and thats for lower concentrations. Basically in low concentrations the environment itself aids in the purge of demonic Qi. Because of the Hevenly Demons involvment here, Fa Ram has a lot more demon juice in the ground and in the air compairted to First Den. So it needs more work, and Lu Ri's own purging abilties will not be as effective.
Logan
"rip and tear until it is done!" https://youtu.be/NgAm664NloA?si=1z_B4iZzWyX9puyk
leopard eye
Hold on a second. Right now, they are dealing with demonic qi in four stages: solid, liquid, and gaseous. But there is a fourth stage, plasma. I think perhaps Washy or the Shenhe might help with that.
Fluffy druid
We just need Lu Ri. He did quite well with HIS pile. Alone!
Fluffy druid
Yeah. Looking forward to a book of mainly that kind of chapter. Although I want to follow the SMS now too.
Fluffy druid
I am a bit confused. Everybody seems to be so impressed with Jins scientific approach. But Lu Ri used a perfectly nice formation on the demons he killed and had no problems. At least none that were mentioned. Shen Yu must know this or a similar formation. This is the kind of knowledge, that he would have. Why not use that?
Barry Morgan
I liked that, too. Does the change in eye color like that signify a bloodline awakening, do you suppose (of the Zang Yong bloodline, presumably)?
Angel
The cultivators of Fa Ram all rising to their cracked, bruised glory in defense of Meiling was a wave of emotion and ‘hell yes!’ I didn’t know I needed tonight. And Meiling’s reaction shows a level of confidence and maturity - and just sheer badassery - that’s super satisfying to read. Then softening into Shenhe meeting Wen under the Summer Sky…masterful.
Laura Hemly
Thanks for the chapter, CF. it's really Shenhe's redemption arc, which is just lovely! Fa Ram can save almost anything, can't it? And while it's great to have our fox uncle back, it's sad that he's knocked clear down to initiates realm, which brought tears to my eyes! Will he be able to regain even a portion of his previous cultivation? I hope one of you more knoknowledgeable people can educate me a bit? I'd really appreciate it. The way that Shenhe met Wen through the sword was really beautiful! That was another touching and emotional chapter endi You are SO GOOD at writing deep feelings sensitively and beautifully -- it again shows your level of talent. So thanks, I think, for those onion ninjas paying me another visiț!
BlueMage Theneras
This was felt nice to read! Thanks for the chapter!
Anzer'ke
Victory for Nezan! Shenhe will be all too eager to welcome foxes in now!
Laura Hemly
"Saved," maybe, but horribly ragged. I don't think Bi De can fix it back to its original state...but whatever garments he wears after this, he needs to set it aside for battle so it won't suffer the way the vest from Basi Bushi's fur has suffered. Put on some Qi armor or something, but don't wear a non-battle vest into battlr!!:
ChaosAndBunnies
Shen Yu already talked about Jin to the Emperor in a previous chapter, and they certainly didn't seem at all hostile
Laura Hemly
I wonder if Master Worm of the Fa Ram compost pile would be able to help with destroying the demons!
Laura Hemly
We'll, Shen Yu did store Nezan's body in his special black-banded storage ring, which is a place for honored friends and companions. So"hanging in Shen Yu's coat check" is rather dismissive of its special place!
matthew gilley
Slice of life baby
Eric Hicks
when it comes to Yushang... well Shenhe is short a personal disiple and she did say she loved Yushang's style...
Caithdean SValerient
Thanks for the chapter!
Randall Brynsvold
Choosing to start a family on a farm in the weak-ass boonies is certainly something Shen Bu would not have done.
leopard eye
I wonder if fenxien and yingwen Also leave or they stay as liaison's
Randall Brynsvold
It would be difficult to find a demon with a beautiful pelt, though.
Andrew Denton
The real question is how many of the female cast is Minyan going to try to take with her when she leaves?
Randall Brynsvold
I was wondering if that was now her own technique or whether it was still a Tianlan-boosted state. Definitely in the Spiritual Realm, then.
Randall Brynsvold
Shen Yu said "We shall discuss this later, hopefully tomorrow, in Verdant Hill." Does he intend to have his meeting with Ge, Minyan, and the Imperial Herald in TLM's town?
Harish
Those demonic bastards had a lot in common with the UAC huh... Definitely looking forward to the arrival of Shen Yu's comrades. That is going to be a blast. Especially when they get a look at Fa Ram. Although I am a bit leery of the Emperor's reaction to Shen Yu's grandson, especially considering the damage caused by his son.
Andrew Denton
He should continue the tradition, and get one MADE from demons. 😁
Emily Gurnavage
I appreciate the approx timeline. Hopefully Nezan is able to regain a physical body. It sounds like he has to use his old one to do it, so as great as that coat sounds, hopefully he gets a body lol. And in less than a century I hope D=
Aki_Iokua18
I had to chuckle at Basi Bushi STILL hanging in there. Standing up to an Imperial cultivator, truly he is Bi De’s greatest rival. It’ll be interesting to see what the non-Fa Ram members of the raiding party will do when the guests leave. Yingwen and Fenxian are almost certainly going to go (Unless one of the doctors wants one or both to stay for continued treatment), but as for the others, it’s definitely a good bit of either/or. For Shao Heng, I’d put it as rather likely he joins the return party, given his previously stated goals, and fixing the NSMS would definitely go a long way to helping the people of the province. For Fat Han, I’d also put him down as rather likely to return given his family situation. Yushang’s the real tricky one. On one hand, she’s finally surrounded by good trustworthy people who actively accept her, and she only really joined the SMS because they were the richest and most powerful, meaning she’d be able to give back to her village that much easier. On the other hand, she’d be working with one of her heroes (Shenhe), participating in another song-worthy adventure, and be watching the backs of friends who were heading into possible danger. Plus there’s the often mentioned Character Bloat. With all the other named and soon-to-be-named characters incoming, it might be a good idea to put others on a bus ride. I’m really loving these cooling off period chapters.
Bluebag
Wow, I really love how Shenhe's eyes changed from cloudy to clear!! Just another excellent detail. And feeling peace for the first time by meeting Wen is great. I see that Xiulan's red marking mode still exists!
Randall Brynsvold
Shenhe would want to take Yingwen with her, as an efficient reliable subordinate. From "v5c45: Cracked, but Unbroken", when she was first reawakened in the demon cultivator lair: "By the books. No nonsense. He was the kind of man to explain quickly and overlook blunt commands. “Disciple Zhou Yingwen, report,” Shenhe commanded, her voice rough."
Dwayne Parker
Aww. I wanted to see just how gobsmacked they’d be when the heavy hitters showed up.
taukid
Is it weird that I'm more hyped for this stuff and the rest of this volume than I was for the actual confrontation?
Zero Wrath
Completely forgot there were Saturday chapters! Sweet little surprise when the notification popped up on my screen while looking at a few new stories to read on RR. Of course, I immediately stopped what I was doing to read this masterpiece. Can’t wait for the others to get here. Giddy just imagining it lol. Thanks for the chapter!
Often Irrelephant
I love that Nezan's body is just hanging in Shen Yu's coat check.
Auralia
“A FABULOUS COAT” indeed!
Rune Shadow
Very sweet chapter, shame to see our dear uncle reduced so severely but joyous that he survived at all
Randall Brynsvold
The next sentence starts with "I". First person narrator: assume Jin.
Truedragon5374
Those Demonic Cultivators really were insightful. Their plan truly is genius. In fact, I have decided to write them a theme song worthy of their greatest. https://youtu.be/OxzpVaiP6eg?si=OtVT2eCKjF10g0Oj
Timothy Dana
We need the Dao god of Destruction! Compost Demons
Duke of Coffee
Healing arc chapter for all. Bi De should get a better vest that can withstand the demons. 😀
Katharine Gould
Thanks for the chapter CF!
Dirk Gent Lee
I’m so hyped for Shen Yu’s buddies’ reaction to the scientific method. I’m sure the elders gave some name to parts of it but it always tickles me to see the common knowledge now be profound wisdom and understanding
Supernova Wizard
It'll be interesting when the cloudy sword sect shows up.
Kreylix
In the para beginning with "It was really good that Nezan was alive. " it needs to be clear whose POV it changed to.
Rad
I can’t wait for this universe’s Elder Song on Soaring Heaven’s to come and fall in love with Chunky like she did Big D in the other universe. Also for Jin to meet his new mom/grandma.
CringeWorthyStudios
Aaaaaah, we get to see the Baka twins in canon soon! So happy! Also maybe Xiulan’s mum too? Thanks for the chapter!
Llainway
Thanks for the chapter! Really looking forward to Shen Yu’s buddys meeting the gang
Anime Problem
The stop fucking with Jin alliance gains 1 more sect
John D Jones
I hope not all of the SMS leaves. I get that Shenhe needs to go back, but I hope that Yingwen and Fenxian get to stick around a little longer to learn the ways of Fa Ram.
K1NG_CHIMP
"Saved" but maybe he'll get another and be a sheriff in this story too
Keliana Tayler
One day, Senior Brother, I shall beat you to this seat.
WarStrider72
Looks like Shenhe has found herself, reconciling witht he past and deciding on the future! And the scientific method makes a return! Kinda strange cultivators never caught on with this empirical method and would rather throw Chi at everything.
MockingBird
God I can't wait for the elders to arrive and meet everyone. I can already see it, heart palpations and bloodshot eyes at seeing Jins farm, and casual use of spiritual herbs. I pray for a chapter of them being served a meal with them.
Trevor Mergen
Thanks!
K1NG_CHIMP
Thanks for the chaper!
Bunny Waffles
WE GONNA SEE THE DISASTER WINGS SOON! WOOO!
Sean Ulrich
Like how Bi De grabbed his vest
WarStrider72
Yass! The Fox vest was saved!
WarStrider72
Thanks for the chapter boss!
WarStrider72
1st
