Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 737 Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon

After bidding farewell to everyone, Ao Jing headed straight east.

The Northern Region is likely to descend into chaos, and Ao Jing has no desire to get involved. He doesn't want to stay here any longer.

In just a few breaths, Ao Jing's figure disappeared into the sky and vanished from everyone's sight.

Lu Zhengze traveled with Shi Hu, intending to visit Shi Hu's territory.

Gou Yang still wanted to persuade Lu Zheng to stay and get closer to him, but he couldn't find a suitable excuse.

On the other hand, he couldn't wait for Lu Zheng to leave so that he wouldn't have to live in constant fear of Lu Zheng.

This conflicted feeling wasn't unique to Gouyang, the only demon king.

Once Lu Zheng and Shi Hu had left, the other demon kings felt a sense of relief.

They looked at each other, their eyes filled with complex expressions that were hard to describe.

After a long while, one of the demon kings muttered something under his breath.

"I never imagined that Shi Hu was such a demon king. He usually seems so imposing, but when he sees someone, his bones turn to jelly faster than anyone else's..."

"He even claims to have read some classic texts of sages and saints, but I've never heard him mention that before. And the Tiger King? I think he probably has fox blood in him..."

The demon kings wholeheartedly agreed. They had previously thought Shi Hu was very tough, but when they saw Lu Zheng, he was more humble than anyone else, as if he was afraid of offending the young man.

However, their current criticism of Shi Hu is merely the pot calling the kettle black.

One of the demon kings looked at Gouyang and whispered, "Brother Gouyang, you are the eldest among us and have experienced a lot. Look at what happened today, we really have to..."

As he spoke, the Demon King shook the petition in his hand.

Gou Yang said quietly, "A person cannot go back on their word."

A demon king said, "We are not human."

Gou Yang glanced at him sideways and sighed, "But he is. He's reasonable, and he values ​​benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness... If we change our minds, do you think he'll break his promise and let us go? If he says he'll kill your whole family, do you think you can escape?"

The demon kings' expressions shifted, as if that made sense...

Gou Yang said unhurriedly, "Let's just do our best to follow the contents of this proposal. It's not a complicated matter. Go back and select some clever and quick-witted people to send to the Taiping Domain for training and experience. They've extended a legitimate invitation; this is an opportunity..."

The demon kings recalled what Lu Zheng had said earlier, and it was possible that they might actually meet some figures from major dynasties in the Taiping Domain.

For them, it wouldn't be a bad thing if they could establish some connection with those people.

The water flows to the lower places, and the people go to the higher places.

Demon kings like them, who reign supreme in the Northern Region, even those great demons at the Tongxuan Realm, are utterly insignificant compared to those powerful nations or top sects.

So what if he's a powerful demon? Without connections or a strong background, he'll be looked down upon even in a great dynasty.

If you're unlucky enough to encounter an even more powerful figure, and that person casually slays a demon, you won't even have a chance to survive.

Hearing Gou Yang's words, the other demon kings couldn't help but feel a lot of emotions.

One of the demons said, "He's going to give a lecture, I wonder if I'll ever have a chance to attend. By the way, who will he invite? I heard he has a lot of connections..."

Gouyang stroked his beard and said, "Even without inviting anyone else, I think he could preach to us. Did you notice anything about what happened in the garden just now?"

The demon kings whispered among themselves, all saying they hadn't noticed what methods Lu Zheng had used.

Gou Yang sighed, "I've heard the sage of the human race say that the Dao follows nature. I think his understanding of the Dao is far beyond ours, which is why we can't perceive his abilities at all..."

"If we were to actually fight him here, he would have the advantage of both timing and location..."

Gou Yang had this feeling while facing Lu Zheng.

Gou Yang said leisurely, "Alright, everyone go back to your respective duties. If you encounter any difficulties, let's work together to solve them. If there's really no other way, we can always go to Taiping Domain to find him, right?"

The other demon kings' expressions shifted slightly, thinking to themselves, "Gou Yang's mindset has changed so quickly."

However, considering that Gou Yang is past his prime and no longer at his peak, his cultivation level has stagnated and he is showing signs of decline, this person is probably even more eager to seek a breakthrough than the others.

In the Northern Region, most powerful demons rarely die of old age. Once they enter old age and have no other support, they will be challenged by other powerful beings and stripped of everything they possess, including their own lives.

Therefore, even these powerful demons at the Tongxuan Realm actually hoped that the Northern Region would be more stable, but given the current environment of the Northern Region, that was just wishful thinking.

Now, an extremely assertive young man has arrived, which may bring a different kind of turning point to this region.

……

Shi Hu rode the clouds and mist, carrying Lu Zheng westward.

Along the way, they also passed through some cities and regions.

Shi Hu was very familiar with this area and enthusiastically introduced the situation of each place to Lu Zheng, explaining it in more detail than during their previous casual conversation.

As Shi Hu continued speaking, he couldn't help but ask, "Actually, this place is quite good, very suitable for development, and we can include it in the Taiping Domain."

Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "No rush. One must eat one bite at a time."

Shi Hu's heart skipped a beat. Just as he had expected, Lu Zheng had only temporarily stopped expanding his territory. Who knew when he might actually push the boundary line over here?

Thinking of this, Shi Hu didn't know whether he should be happy or what...

Shi Hu said in a low voice, "I have been to the Wei, Yan and Qi kingdoms before. I originally planned to take my descendants to the great dynasties to develop, but I found that those places could not accommodate people like us."

Lu Zheng couldn't help but ask, "What about the north?"

Upon hearing this, Shi Hu said, "The north, those great demon kingdoms? Tsk, those places are even worse. If a half-demon like us went there, we'd be looked down upon and humiliated! If we really went to those demon kingdoms, we'd definitely be devoured... It feels better to stay on our own mountain. It's just a bit remote, not as prosperous as those great dynasties..."

Shi Hu sighed. He still longed for those prosperous places. If he had a peaceful place to rest, it would be a guarantee for his descendants.

The Northern Region is in great chaos. Shi Hu can't even imagine what would happen to his clansmen in the Crouching Tiger Mountains if he were gone.

The two flew at a leisurely pace, traversing numerous mountains and rivers.

In the distance, a mountain range came into view.

Shi Hu excitedly pointed to the mountain range and said, "That's my territory, Crouching Tiger Mountain..."

Lu Zheng looked closely, but the mountain was quite far away and obscured by a hazy mist, so he couldn't see it clearly.

But you can still vaguely see the outline of the mountain range, which looks like a huge crouching tiger.

The closer you are, the clearer your view becomes.

Suddenly, Lu Zheng's heart stirred, for he vaguely sensed a dragon vein deep beneath the mountains. Having previously refined the dragon vein energy of the southern border of Shu, Lu Zheng's perception of such dragon veins was even more acute than that of some feng shui masters.

Lu Zheng did not investigate in detail, but simply observed the surrounding scenery with his eyes. This mountain range could be described as a treasure land where hidden talents reside.

Shi Hu, standing nearby, smiled and said, "How about it? This place is nice, isn't it?"

Lu Zheng nodded slightly and said, "Very good, quite suitable for cultivation."

Shi Hu grinned and said mysteriously, "To tell you the truth, this is where our ancestors have lived for generations. One of my ancestors was once a Divine Tiger General of a great dynasty, guarding the northern region... and another ancestor served as a high official in the previous dynasty..."

"Unfortunately, for various reasons, our ancestors were unable to establish a foothold in those large places. Fortunately, they were able to settle down in this place, so they wouldn't have to live under someone else's roof..."

Shi Hu said, "I have never told outsiders about these things of my ancestors, for fear that some powerful demons might covet this place."

Shi Hu wasn't afraid that Lu Zheng would covet this place; revealing some of his secrets would also show him some sincerity.

Lu Zheng said, "I don't know how many families have been lost to history and lost their lineage. It is extremely rare for your family to have survived to this day. It is something to be happy about."

Shi Hu grinned and said, "That's right! We can't ask for too much. We're just living off the blessings of our ancestors, so we really can't ask for too much."

Shi Hu paused for a moment, then said excitedly, "Come on, I'll take you to see the crops we grow here."

With a thought, Shi Hu increased the speed of his cloud-riding.

Soon after, the two landed in a field at the foot of the mountain.

It was early spring, and many crops were just sprouting new buds.

Lu Zheng inspected the farmland and found that there were indeed several crops he had never seen before, so he asked about them out of curiosity.

Shi Hu chuckled and explained to Lu Zheng.

"This, and this... these are all high-yield crops. I'm able to feed so many people in my tribe thanks in no small part to these grains..."

"This grain isn't available for sale outside... I don't grow enough to eat, so I have to go out and buy some more..."

Shi Hu rambled on and on about the situation of his tribe.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Aren't you tigers? You like to eat these things?"

Shi Hu said leisurely, "Hey, they're not pure-blooded tiger demons, they're all half-demons! And there's not that much meat to eat... We don't eat people either. After all, our ancestors were of respectable lineage, not those wild demons who eat raw meat and drink blood."

In this area, there are very few pure humans, and they are all quite expensive. They are mostly bought to be slaves, and eating people is considered a luxury.

The Shi Hu clan considers themselves to be of a higher status than ordinary demon clans, and they despise the barbaric practice of cannibalism.

Hearing Shi Hu's story, Lu Zheng felt that the demons of Wohu Mountain were quite special.

Shi Hu added, "There should be extra seeds in the granary. I'll have someone bring you some later."

Lu Zhengdao said, "I also have some high-yield grain seeds with me; you can take them and plant them..."

As he spoke, Lu Zheng took out a storage bag.

Shi Hu didn't stand on ceremony. He smiled and thanked him for taking the bag, saying, "I heard before that Taiping Region produces a lot of grain, which feeds many people, and the surplus grain is constantly being sold out."

Lu Zhengdao: "Yes. I estimate that it won't be long before our caravans come to the surrounding areas to sell grain seeds and other supplies... Once the roads are open, communication and trade between different places will be much more convenient..."

Shi Hu nodded and said, "This is good news! Don't worry, the road construction on my territory will definitely be fine, it won't take long. As for the roads in the areas separated from Taiping Domain, I'll talk to them about it, it shouldn't be a big problem either..."

Shi Hu thought that if all else failed, he would simply help open up a road directly to Taiping Domain. Although it would take some effort, it would be a way to make a good impression.

If they could directly trade with the Taiping Domain, it would be very beneficial to the development of their clan.

Shi Hu excitedly led Lu Zheng up the mountain, passing through several formations and some guard posts of demon guards along the way.

There is a vast mountain city built in Wohu Mountain, which has existed for many years.

Many places in the mountain city have been reinforced and renovated, but some traces of history still remain.

Lu Zheng observed along the way and found that the area was mostly inhabited by half-demons with bloodlines of both tigers and humans. Some half-demons also had bloodlines from other demon races, but they were mostly humanoid with some tiger-like features.

This proves that the half-demons here are mainly of human and tiger blood, with other bloodlines being secondary.

Shi Hu also introduced Lu Zheng to some of his closest relatives, including Shi Hu's elders and younger relatives.

In the entire Crouching Tiger Mountain Range, Stone Tiger is the strongest member of the entire clan, even surpassing the elders. Therefore, important decisions are made by Stone Tiger.

Shi Hu led Lu Zheng to his cave dwelling and had his younger relatives serve as guests.

Shi Hu said, "I have some things to take care of. Brother Lu, please wait a moment..."

Shi Hu apologized and then quickly left the cave.

He moved swiftly, venturing deep into Crouching Tiger Mountain. When he arrived at a secluded spot in the mountain, he used his supernatural powers to disappear from the spot.

The next moment, Shi Hu arrived inside the mountain, outside a shrine that exuded spiritual energy.

Inside the ancestral hall are the ancestral tablets of the Shi Hu clan.

Although there are no ancestral spirits inside, this ancestral hall still contains profound mysteries.

Shi Hu entered the ancestral hall and stepped to the center. The incense altar in front of him was empty, clearly missing a spot.

The stone tiger opened its mouth wide and spat out a golden light.

In the blink of an eye, a golden statue appeared on the stage, exuding a special aura.

This is a divine artifact crafted by one of Shi Hu's ancestors; it possesses some special abilities.

Shi Hu liked to carry this humanoid artifact with him when he did something important.

Before he even met Lu Zheng at Gou Yang's place, this artifact had already given him a very serious warning.

This is why Shi Hu's attitude changed so quickly when facing Lu Zheng.

Shi Hu bowed to the statue and said slowly, "May our ancestors bless us!"

He had always believed in the warnings of the artifact and felt that he had made the right choice.

Shi Hu then offered incense to the other memorial tablets and was preparing to leave the ancestral hall.

Suddenly, the statue trembled violently and released an aura.

Shi Hu felt a sudden pang of fear, as if he had a premonition of something bad. (End of Chapter)