Under the flickering candlelight, a grand bed stood within an exquisite bedroom. He lay upon it, covered by a snow-white brocade quilt, his eyes half-closed. His jet-black hair spilled across the pillow like a dark flower in full bloom, reflecting a fluid luster under the light. His face was so serene and beautiful that he looked like an immortal.
It was truly hard to believe that such an elegant-looking young master was actually the scoundrel who had gone around the martial world spreading rumors of an affair with her! Zi Xinlan gritted her teeth in hatred as she stared at the sleeping Leng Jing, wishing she could poke a few holes in him right then and there.
Hidden behind the balcony, Zi Xinlan gripped a concealed weapon, ready to fire it at Leng Jing.
At that moment, a beautiful man dressed in green walked in gracefully, carrying a steaming bowl of medicine. This man possessed a different kind of beauty from the youth on the bed, appearing incomparably radiant. He approached the bedside and said worriedly, "Young Master, it is time for your medicine. Alas, this illness has dragged on for half a year without improvement. When will it ever end?"
The youth on the bed opened his eyes slightly and said weakly, "That is why I want to achieve my martial arts dreams while I still draw breath... I only hope the heavens will grant me a little more time..." As he spoke, he covered his mouth with his sleeve and coughed lightly. When he lowered his arm, a startling, vivid red stain was visible on the fabric.
Watching this from outside the window, Zi Xinlan felt a pang of compassion. She lowered her weapon. *Forget it, why bother settling scores with a dying man? Besides, he is a frail patient who couldn't even lift a chicken.*
Thus, a figure quietly vanished into the night.
Of course, this was no ordinary martial arts romance drama, because the one lying in the room was the formidable Dragon God, Leng Jing.
Sensing that the person outside had left, Leng Jing waved his hand, signaling the White Marten to withdraw so he could continue sleeping.
Only then did the Great White Snake, who had been hiding on the inner side of the bed, slide upward. It lay contentedly beside Leng Jing and coiled its tail around his body.
"Father, we need to talk," Leng Jing said without even turning his head.
"Talk about what?" The Great White Snake flicked its tongue, looking confused.
"You have been clinging to me like this for years. Do you really think sleeping like this is comfortable?"
The Great White Snake nodded with a smile.
"I find it very uncomfortable!" Leng Jing voiced his three hundred and seventy-eighth protest. "How about I try coiling around you? Do you think you could sleep if something was wrapped around you?"
"But Jing-er sleeps very soundly every day," the Great White Snake said innocently. "Fine, I'll let you coil around me once to make it even, okay?"
With that, the Great White Snake transformed into the naked Leng Qingqing, lying beside Leng Jing’s pillow.
As Leng Jing looked at Leng Qingqing’s snow-white skin, his breathing gradually grew heavy. His dragon tail actually emerged and coiled around Leng Qingqing’s body. A dragon’s body was not as smooth as a snake’s; the friction of the scales caused a strange expression to cross Leng Qingqing’s face, and his complexion slowly reddened. By the time they realized what was happening, the dragon tail and the snake tail had become hopelessly knotted together, impossible to separate.
"Father, have you ever thought about getting married?" Leng Jing asked, making no move to untangle them.
"Do you want a mother?" Leng Qingqing tried to pull his tail out of the mess.
"I don't. I won't allow you to marry." Leng Jing overbearingly placed his hands on either side of Leng Qingqing's head, looking down at him. After a long silence, he added, "But if you truly have someone in your heart, then do as you wish."
"I have a bad feeling about this," Leng Qingqing sighed. He looked down and saw that their tails had indeed tied themselves into a dead knot.
***
The next day, a listless Leng Jing climbed into the waiting carriage and set off on the journey to Mount Zhongnan. Xiao Gua, who had recovered from his hypnotic state, followed along, having no memory of yesterday’s interrogation.
No one noticed that a White Marten and a Great White Snake were also perched atop the carriage.
The so-called Mount Zhongnan was merely a small local hill, not the actual famous mountain. They arrived in less than two hours by carriage.
Leng Jing stepped out and saw a viewing platform on the hill, already crowded with people from the martial world.
"The Young Master lacks the strength to walk; let us rent a sedan chair to go up!" Seeing Leng Jing’s refined appearance and his clean white silk robes, Xiao Gua thoughtfully rented a small sedan to carry him up. This bamboo sedan was simply a chair with two poles, carried by two porters.
They made their way up to the viewing platform, where many martial artists were chatting loudly, making the scene quite boisterous.
Leng Jing’s arrival in the sedan caused a small stir. Someone pointed at him and said, "Look, that fellow is Young Master Jingyu. He paid the highest price, so he’s the protagonist today."
Others went directly to provoke him. Several white-clad young masters, all sitting in wheelchairs, approached Leng Jing angrily to pick a fight. "You scoundrel! We were the ones who reserved today’s role, yet you snatched it away! How shameless!"
Leng Jing gave a cold snort but did not respond. He simply sat in the wheelchair Xiao Gua had reserved, fanning himself gently with a folding fan. His mere aura was enough to make the onlookers sigh in admiration.
Finally, the appointed hour of noon arrived. The Bloodthirsty Demon Head and the Kunlun Sect Leader both descended from the sky. They exchanged palm strikes in mid-air while shouting insults at each other—the same old clichéd accusations.
It was the height of the dog days of summer, and the sun was scorching with no shade in sight. Leng Qingqing grew bored and ran to a temporary shelter built by the White Marten. The "shelter" was nothing more than a coat propped up by branches in a corner of the railing. Squatting there and watching his son sit out in the sun, Leng Qingqing felt heartbroken. He grabbed a paper umbrella and ran over to provide shade for his son.
After the Demon Head and the Sect Leader exchanged three strikes in the air, they both landed on the viewing platform. The crowd backed away, but Leng Jing remained motionless, drawing more jeers. It seemed no one had high expectations for him.
The Great Demon Head looked at Leng Jing, his face forming a deadpan expression. He then recited his lines mechanically: "Today, this old man shall fight you to the death, old Taoist! I shall unify the martial world!"
In reality, he had paid thirty thousand taels of silver to the Shentong Sect specifically for this chance to make a name for himself before the heroes of the land.
However, it was clear that Leng Jing had not read the Guide carefully at all. He stared at the two of them with a blank expression, as if the whole affair had nothing to do with him.
The entire field fell into a hushed silence.
The Great Demon Head grew impatient and tried to save the scene. "You must be Young Master Jingyu! This old man has long heard of your fame. May I ask what your intention is, standing between us? Do you wish to stop our duel? Do you know the price of obstructing me?!"
"Me?" Leng Jing seemed completely out of it. He slowly stood up from his wheelchair and stepped between the Demon Head and the Sect Leader.
*That’s more like it!* The Great Demon Head breathed a sigh of relief. This dazed young man was finally following the script. *Could he have stage fright? Dammit! What kind of people is the Shentong Sect recruiting? Do they let anyone in as long as they pay?* Just as he raised his palm to strike Leng Jing in a mock show of force, Leng Jing suddenly held up a hand.
"I have something to say!"
*You cursed brat! You only remembered your lines now?!* The Great Demon Head was nearly choking with rage; he felt like just striking the kid dead for real.
He glanced at the Sect Leader, who wore an impatient expression that said, "Let him finish so we can get on with it."
Leng Jing brushed the hair from his forehead, his demeanor instantly becoming sharp and formidable. His voice rang out loudly: "Everyone present, regardless of your purpose, regardless of whether you have made deals with the Shentong Sect, and regardless of what you seek—I must state this clearly: the martial world is a place of blood, hatred, entanglements, and dreams. It is a game played with lives, and it is not as simple as you think. A tiny Shentong Sect could never hope to change the laws of conflict that have governed the martial world for thousands of years. I am indeed here today to seek fame. However, I believe a true reputation is far more substantial than a hollow name bought with gold. Therefore, today, I, Leng Jing, declare to the martial world: the one who will truly rebuild the order of the martial world, the one who will truly lead the Jianghu, is already before your eyes. And that person is me, Leng Jing!"
As soon as these words were spoken, the entire audience was shocked. People began flipping through their Guides to see if this sudden turn of events was scripted, while others wondered just how much Leng Jing had paid for such a thunderous entrance.
"You brat! What nonsense are you spouting!" The Great Demon Head was truly enraged now. He struck down at Leng Jing’s head with ten-tenths of his power.
But Leng Jing caught his arm and effortlessly tossed the powerful Demon Head aside. The crowd erupted in even greater clamor; this play was becoming increasingly bizarre.
Several messengers from the Shentong Sect jumped out, pointing at Leng Jing and screaming, "Bastard! Do you dare to openly defy the Shentong Sect? You actually dared to alter the Shentong Sect's Guide!"
Leng Jing sneered. "What of the Shentong Sect? Because of your bullshit rules, this martial world has become a theater for idiots. Do you really think the people you control represent the entirety of the martial world?"
"Well said!" The Great Demon Head, sprawled on the ground, lifted his head and shouted in agreement. "I’ve wanted to say that for a long time! In the old days, as long as you had strength, you could pursue your dreams, whether as a demon or a hero... but now... everywhere you go, there’s some damn Guide... Dammit... *sob*..."
"Leng Jing! Have you turned rebel? From this day forward, you are the enemy of the entire Jianghu! Think carefully!" the Shentong Sect messengers threatened.
Leng Jing laughed coldly. "Think of it as an act or think of it as the truth, I don't care. I have said my piece. I, Leng Jing, have never feared anyone. Even your entire Shentong Sect is nothing in my eyes. I swear here and now: within three months, I will pull the Shentong Sect up by its roots."
Another wave of gasps rippled through the crowd.
"Sigh, the 'leader of the house' image really suits the Young Boss better," the White Marten said, tossing aside the blood-vomiting props he had prepared.
"???" A confused Leng Qingqing didn't quite understand, but his reactions were quick. He immediately led the cheering: "Long live Leng Jing! Leng Jing is victorious! Support Leng Jing!!"
The White Marten followed suit, screaming, "Leng Jing is victorious! Support Leng Jing! Down with the Shentong Sect!!"
The cries of Leng Qingqing and the White Marten struck a chord with many. Some people in the back rows covered their faces and began shouting along: "Leng Jing is victorious! Support Leng Jing!!" Gradually, more and more people joined in, and the voices supporting Leng Jing echoed from all directions.
As the waves of cheering grew louder, cold sweat broke out on the foreheads of the Shentong Sect messengers. One pointed his sword at Leng Jing. "Kid! Within seven days, we will tear you into ten thousand pieces to show everyone the fate of those who resist the Shentong Sect!!"
Then, the group scurried down the mountain in disgrace. This was the first time the Shentong Sect, which had recently dominated the Jianghu, had suffered such a public setback. The martial artists who had been constrained and marginalized by the sect clapped and celebrated. However, they also thought to themselves that while this young man named Leng Jing had vented their frustrations, he likely wouldn't live long. Thus, no one dared to associate with him.
Only the Great Demon Head remained. He took off his mask, revealing a burly man—or rather, a burly old man, as his beard was grizzled. He walked up to Leng Jing and cupped his fists. "Kid, I don't know if you were acting, but I’ve lived a long life, and the latter half has indeed been miserable. Your words and actions today are the most courageous I have ever seen. I am old and lack the power to help you. Take care of yourself. If you are still alive in the future, I would be honored to call you friend! The fact that there are still people with your spirit proves that this Jianghu has not lost hope!"
"Of course. That's because I'm not a person; I'm a dragon. If I were human, how could I dare to challenge them like this?" Leng Jing said. As he spoke, he actually transformed into a dragon-shaped Ferrari right before the Demon Head's eyes. He turned to the White Marten and Leng Qingqing. "Let's go, let's go!"
The White Marten and Leng Qingqing leaped onto the dragon's back and soared into the sky. The Great Demon Head stood frozen for a long time, muttering, "Is there... nothing believable left in this world? ...Aaaaaah!" He began tearing at his hair.
"Young Boss, flying in the sky like this, those martial sects will never be able to hunt you down even if they try!" the White Marten said triumphantly from the dragon's back.
"But I feel that as immortals, we should prioritize cultivating our immortal forms. Always mingling with mortals will lead to us being looked down upon," Leng Qingqing said.
"Is that so?" The white dragon, Leng Jing, turned his head with a deadpan expression.
"Yes, Jing-er. If you cultivate seriously, you will surely become a magnificent deity. A mortal's life is fleeting, after all; cultivation must come first," Leng Qingqing said earnestly. "I haven't done my cultivation lessons in a long time, and neither has the White Marten. We all need to cultivate properly."
Leng Jing replied with a blank stare, "Why does it feel like I've never seen you cultivate? Speaking of which, how exactly does one cultivate? What is 'cultivation'? Show me."
"Young Boss, you don't even know the basic methods of cultivation? Wahaha! Hahahaha! That's too funny! A demon who doesn't know how to cultivate! Kakakaka!" The White Marten clutched his stomach, laughing hysterically.
"Shut up. Explain it clearly," the white dragon threatened, baring his fangs.
The White Marten stopped laughing and said, "Cultivation is... practicing immortal arts. It's like... well... I can't really explain it. I just remember that I lived longer than ordinary martens, and somehow I ended up like this..."
They both turned to Leng Qingqing, hoping this prince of the Snake God Tribe could offer some insight.
Leng Qingqing scratched his head. "If I knew, how could Jing-er not know by now? I was too young when I left home; I've forgotten all my cultivation skills!"
"Then from now on, everyone will cultivate seriously," Leng Jing commanded.
Upon returning to the inn, the trio began to figure out cultivation methods on their own. Leng Jing suggested the "Sleeping Cultivation Method," which was rejected by the other two on the grounds that "no immortal ever slept their way to divinity." Leng Qingqing proposed learning a new noodle recipe every day and eating three bowls of noodles, claiming it was the most suitable method for snakes and dragons; he was met with looks of disdain. The White Marten’s method was the most practical: "exhausting oneself every day." He had seen minor demons who were exhausted after a day of cultivation. As a result, the White Marten took over all the household chores and served Leng Jing and Leng Qingqing like royalty. He nearly worked himself to death.
Cultivation was truly a mysterious form of performance art.
***
| Chinese | English | Notes/Explanation |
| :--- | :--- | :--- |
| 净玉公子 | Young Master Jingyu | Leng Jing's alias; "Jingyu" means Pure Jade. |
| 终南山 | Mount Zhongnan | A famous mountain in China, though here it's a local hill. |
| 抬轿 | Sedan chair | A traditional litter carried by porters. |
| 嗜血魔头 | Bloodthirsty Demon Head | A title for a villainous martial artist. |
| 昆仑掌门 | Kunlun Sect Leader | The leader of the prestigious Kunlun Sect. |
| 数伏 | Dog days of summer | The hottest period of the year in the lunar calendar. |
| 龙型法拉利 | Dragon-shaped Ferrari | An anachronistic, humorous comparison to a high-speed car. |
| 蛇神族 | Snake God Tribe | Leng Qingqing's original race. |
| 修炼 | Cultivation | The process of practicing martial or mystical arts to achieve immortality or power. |
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