Chapter 40: Slander

The sea breeze caressed Fu Li’s cheeks, which were so pale they bordered on transparent. The bloodstains on the back of his hand had already dried up and scabbed over.

“Rabbit, the moon’s already risen three times,” The Kunpeng’s complexion was also slightly wan. “We can’t stay here forever, right?”

“As long as Kunpeng daren promises not to eat humans, we can let you go and take you to eat the true delicacies of the human world,” The bloody light from the soft whip in Fu Li’s hands flickered. “Daren may not be aware, but the humans have invented many interesting things. The human world is much more interesting than it was before. Why would you abandon this pleasure just to eat a few mouths of bad-tasting human flesh?”

“I’m fine with not eating flesh, but you must tell me why you’re going so far to protect the humans,” The Kunpeng wasn’t actually very fond of eating humans; their many bones and little meat made them very uninteresting. He was in a deadlock with Fu Li for so long not for the sake of human meat, but for the sake of the Kunpeng race’s face. Although he hadn’t been able to make out Fu Li’s original form, the other party definitely wasn’t very old. He had lived for tens of thousands of years, yet he couldn’t even defeat a rabbit with a few thousand years of cultivation – if this were to circulate, where would he hide his face?

“The humans have long been the children of heavenly law. If daren were to eat them, wouldn’t that be an act counter to heavenly law?” Fu Li said. “This humble one might have a poor cultivation base but has also felt the decline of the yao race. Yao cultivators aren’t restricted for the sake of humans, but for the sake of us yao cultivators.”

The Kunpeng recalled how the Baize and Qilin had told him several years ago to be cautious as changes were occurring in the land under the Heavens. He wasn’t accustomed to the Baize and Qilin’s mild tempers and merely felt that they were intentionally scaring him, so he ignored them. Later on, these two beasts colluded with the Dangkang and Xing Xing to deal grievous injuries to him, and even allowed them to seal him at the bottom of the sea. He had been forced to remain at the bottom for more than four thousand years and only had a chance to escape recently when the seal weakened.

If the Baize and Qilin hadn’t lied to him and allowed him to be sealed at the bottom of the sea, wouldn’t he have escaped all this?

“Where is the Baize and Qilin?” The Kunpeng wanted to question them thoroughly. Wasn’t the Baize all-knowing when it came to everything under the heavens? Didn’t he comprehend not only the past but also the present? As long as he asked him, the truth would naturally come to light.

Fu Li shook his head. “Kunpeng daren, ever since my birth, I’ve only heard the names of these two darens but have never seen them before.”

“Then what about the Dangkang and Xing Xing?” The Kunpeng loosened his grip on his divine staff.

“Dangkang and Xing Xing?” Fu Li furrowed his brows. He had never heard White Ape mention these two yao beasts, so he could only shake his head. “My apologies, this humble one has never heard of these two darens.”

They had all gone missing?

The Kunpeng had bore this grudge towards them for more than four thousand years at the bottom of the sea. He hadn’t expected to receive the news of them having gone missing after escaping from the seal. He raised his head, looking at Fu Li, “You aren’t lying to me?”

“Daren, this humble one dares to swear on my cultivation base,” Seeing that the Kunpeng had no intention of continuing the fight, he retrieved his whip first and took a step back, bowing to him. “If Kunpeng daren doesn’t mind, please try the delicacies of the human world with this humble one.”

Outside the barrier, Zhuang Qing heard their conversation. Taking out his phone, he sent out a message.

At the relevant department.

“Chief, Zhuang Qing sent us a message!” The person in charge of surveillance perked up upon hearing the beep of the message.

“What did he say?” The entire department of people grew excited and squeezed in front of the computer screen, wanting to get a clear glimpse of Zhuang Qing’s message. It had to be known they could only watch the scene without any sound, so they weren’t very sure how far things had progressed.

This was a matter of life and death, no one could lower their guard.

Upon clicking open the message, everyone had a clear view of this short string of words:

The Kunpeng has a strong desire for good food. He has agreed not to eat human flesh in the future, but we will need to bring him the human world’s culinary delicacies. Please make arrangements at restaurants as quickly as possible. Also, the Kunpeng has formidable magic power. Guarding him will not be easy.

“Quickly make arrangements at restaurants. Transfer the best chefs over,” The chief started sending down orders. “Check on the Kunpeng’s food preferences at the same time. Use the animals he likes as ingredients.”

“What if he likes to eat pandas?” A staff member asked this detestable question in a low voice.

The chief hesitated for a few seconds. “Why don’t we discuss if a guided missile would be able to blow this yaoguai to bits?”

“There is a fish in the Northernmost Ocean called the Kun. It is unknown how many thousands of li the Kun spans across. In its bird form, it is called the Peng. It is unknown how many thousands of li the back of the Peng spans. When it takes flight in anger, its wings resemble the clouds in the sky…” The staff member recited a passage from a textbook that was essential to memorize. “Chief, if the explosion doesn’t kill him but instead angers him into suddenly transforming into its original gigantic body, the entire world will be thrust into panic.”

The chief was silent for a very long time. “As long as he doesn’t eat humans or pandas, anything else can be discussed.” He reached out a hand and patted the back of the chair, sighing, “In addition, send a reply to Zhuang Qing immediately. As long as their management bureau can keep a close eye on the Kunpeng like they are for the Suanyu and prevent him from creating havoc, the country will promise to allocate a sum of funds to their department every year.”

“Chief, we’ve already promised three sums of funds this year.” Employee A sent the message to Zhuang Qing, and asked the chief, “If tens or hundreds of this sort of great yao appear in the future, what will we do then?”

“Shut your crow’s mouth,” Employee B spluttered. “These yao beasts haven’t appeared for thousands of years, it’s already scary enough that three of them appeared this year. If another ten or hundred of them were to appear, forget about monetary concerns, you can directly skip to worrying about preserving your life.”

“Isn’t there still Boss Zhuang?” Employee A pointed at the screen. “And this newcomer is also very powerful. He didn’t slip up even after fighting with the Kunpeng for so long, who knows what kind of frightening beast he cultivated from?”

“It’s said that there is a yao cultivator among the management bureau’s batch of recruits whose original form is a white tiger. That might be him,” Employee B’s fingers typed rapidly on the keyboard. The screen depicted the precise location of the Kunpeng.

In order to ensure the safety of the common people, they had to plan for the worst at all times.

Zhuang Qing waited for a couple of minutes. After receiving the relevant department’s guarantee that the cost of the Kunpeng’s food would be paid for by them, as well as the message that they would be given funding, Zhuang Qing patted the barrier, indicating that Fu Li could bring the Kunpeng out.

Noticing Zhuang Qing’s movements, the Kunpeng kept his divine staff. “What relation does that dragon have to you?”

“He’s our boss,” Fu Li stooped and washed his hands in the sea. “We listen to his orders.”

“Oh,” The Kunpeng understood. “So he’s the king of your mountain.”

Fu Li glanced at Zhuang Qing, who was standing outside. “Yeah.” The boss of the management bureau was equivalent to the king of a mountain; there wasn’t much difference.

“Little rabbit, your cultivation is profound and your original form can’t be seen by others – it’s clear that you were bestowed a chance by heavenly law, allowing you to take on a human form,” The Kunpeng looked at Fu Li stooping over and washing his hands right in front of him. Placing his hands behind his back, the Kunpeng shook his head and sighed, exuding the air of an experienced person. “It’s a pity that you have little experience in combat and aren’t aware of how dreadful the yao heart is. Fortunately, you ran into me. If I say I won’t hit you, then I won’t. If it was another yao, they would have taken advantage of your lack of preparedness and gone after your life a long time ago.”

Fu Li looked up at the Kunpeng and smiled. “Because Master White Ape said before that Kunpeng daren has profound cultivation and cannot be rashly provoked, but that he is a great yao who abides by his promises.”

“You’re still too young, you don’t know the sinister ways of the world,” The Kunpeng’s sighs turned even heavier. “The yao who taught you weren’t diligent either, how did they teach you for you to end up with such a character? It’s an act of harm towards you if you don’t have the nature of a yao. You have to know that the hearts of humans can sometimes be even scarier than yao.”

Zhuang Qing glanced behind doubtfully. Why was there the cry of a sparrow when they were by the vast sea? Or had he misheard?

Fu Li withdrew the barrier and then noticed that the Kunpeng was still wearing a gown reminiscent of the ancient periods. “Daren, the clothing styles of the current human world have already changed. Why not follow their customs? That way, you can also avoid the scrutinizing gazes of others and enjoy your food in peace.”

“En, your words make sense,” The Kunpeng’s clothes turned into an exact replica of Fu Li’s. “Let’s go then.”

“Please come with me,” Zhuang Qing made a ‘please’ gesture.

The Kunpeng nodded. This dragon could still be considered sensible; knowing his fighting prowess, he personally led the way.

In the deepest layers of the clouds, an enormous bird flapped its wings. Stretching its head out, it glanced in the direction Fu Li and the other yao had left in before concealing itself within the clouds once more.

At this point in time, the hotel and chefs arranged for by the affiliated department was already preparing a variety of food in a flurry. Concerned that the main ingredients wouldn’t be tempting enough to arouse the Kunpeng’s interest, the employees even went to the market and purchased all sorts of snacks, arranging for someone to specially send them to the hotel. No matter the means, they had to make the Kunpeng like the delicacies of the human world.

A problem that could be resolved using delicacies wasn’t considered a problem.

The Kunpeng was shocked stiff when he got his first clear glimpse of the capital’s beautiful nightscape. The human world was actually this pretty? But who was he? He was the powerful king Kunpeng. Even if he was a bit shocked on the inside, he would never reveal it in front of the younger generation. Thus, on the surface, he appeared calmer than anyone else.

Oh, this thing called streetlamp was much more useful than a night pearl.

The humans nowadays had rather strange likes; they were actually fond of shutting themselves in boxes as they ran about.

Did a yaoguai help to construct that bridge? It actually seemed somewhat grand.

What was that human man ahead doing? He actually dared to hit a woman? Kunpeng daren couldn’t bear to look on any longer. He flashed in front of the man and kicked the man a few meters away with one foot.

He patted the nonexistent dust on his trousers and snorted coldly, “Actually daring to hit a woman, what a spineless coward.”

The hit rendered the man incapable of crawling back up. He looked up, ready to launch into a scolding, when he realized that there was no one present other than the woman who was trembling with fear.

The Hungry Ghost Festival was about to start, had he encountered some dirty thing? The Hungry Ghost Festival was about to start?

Thinking of the classic scenes in horror movies, the man’s expression grew increasingly terrified. All of a sudden, he let out a shriek, and ran off in the opposite direction while dragging along the leg that the kick had broken.

He would leave this haunted place even if he had to crawl.

Concealed in a hidden area, Fu Li and Zhuang Qing watched the terror-stricken man and then turned to glance at the Kunpeng, whose expression said ‘just did an insignificant thing’. They went up simultaneously and cupped their hands. “Kunpeng daren lives up to his illustrious name.”

“Hmph, this elder just can’t stand seeing someone bully a woman of the same species,” The Kunpeng’s back straightened even further. “Oh right, where is the culinary restaurant you were speaking of?”

“It’s not too far ahead, we’ll reach after passing through this alley,” Fu Li pointed towards the back of the alley, where there was an enormous lighted advertisement featuring the Affinity Moon Hotel.

The three yao walked into the alley. The Kunpeng couldn’t help sniffing. What was it that had such a fragrant smell?

It turned out a food vendor had secretly snuck into the alley to sell grilled skewers. It was unknown how long he had set up stall at this place, but his business was quite good.

The Kunpeng asked Fu Li curiously, “What is that?”

“Those are grilled skewers,” Fu Li very tactfully fished out money for a large handful of grilled skewers before leading the Kunpeng towards the hotel. The Kunpeng accepted the grilled skewers, gave them a sniff, and then opened his mouth wide, shoving the bamboo sticks as well as the grilled meat in.

Kacha kacha.

“The taste is not bad, but the bamboo sticks are too hard. Don’t skewer the grilled meat with bamboo sticks next time, eating it that way isn’t satisfying,” The Kunpeng spat out several bamboo sticks, feeling midway through that he hadn’t had his fill.

At the floor above, a child pointed at the Kunpeng at the floor below and exclaimed loudly, “Mom, mom! That fat uncle didn’t spit out the skewers after eating the grilled meat. His mouth is so large – it can hold a huge bunch of grilled skewers. Did he transform from a yaoguai?”

The mother’s palm landed on the child’s buttocks. She dragged the child over to the bed to lie down. “Brat, you’re lying again.”

“Mom, I’m not lying this time,” The child was in despair. He had clearly spoken the truth, so why did no one believe him?

The mother walked over to the window and stretched her head out, glancing around. There was nothing strange about the three men in the alley. Closing the window, she turned and spoke to the child, “Not sleeping in the middle of the night, do you still want to go to school tomorrow?”

At this moment, the child finally understood. Perhaps he wasn’t his mother’s biological son but a treasure left stranded in the human world by a certain immortal or yaoguai. When his biological parents came for him, he would definitely be even more powerful than Sun Wukong.

As a former security guard of Affinity Moon Hotel, Fu Li’s appearance was warmly welcomed by the front-counter ladies. If not for the fact that he was accompanied by other people, the girls at the front counter would definitely pull at him and jabber on for a whole half a day.

The perfume the girls were wearing triggered a few sneezes from the Kunpeng. Rubbing his nose, he thought inwardly that the dragon hadn’t lied to him. The quality of human flesh now indeed wasn’t very good.

Only after Fu Li’s group of three left did one of the girls at the front counter ask curiously, “I heard that the boss specially arranged for quite a few renowned chefs to come over. The cleaning department also cleaned the most luxurious of the private rooms. Are we receiving some important figure?”

“Who knows?” Another of the front-counter girls stretched out her neck, looking around. Seeing that Fu Li was walking in the direction of the luxurious private room, she joked, “Perhaps it’s to welcome the two men beside Fu Li.”

“Probably not, right?” The front-counter girl didn’t take these words to heart, instead saying, “Lu Yi will be starting work in a while, I’m not sure if she knows about this.”

The moment the Kunpeng sat down, twelve cold dishes as well as the richest and most fragrant wine were served by people specially appointed for the task. Upon smelling the fragrance of the wine, the Kunpeng narrowed his eyes and took a sip of it. “Interesting, very interesting.”

He threw aside the sparkling, transparent goblet, held up the wine bottle, and directly took a giant gulp of wine from it.

The waiters in the private room were not ordinary people but cultivators. Watching the Kunpeng down the wine as if it was water, their grip on the trays became somewhat unsteady.

After several cold dishes, the Kunpeng’s eyes brightened. Holding up a plate, he poured all the food on the plate into his mouth. While chewing, he smiled and said. “Humans really know how to enjoy themselves, they can even use the pig’s ears as a cold dish.”

The Kunpeng narrowed his eyes as he thought of the Dangkang. What would his ears taste like when mixed into a salad?

He pushed a cold vegetable dish in front of Fu Li. “Here, for rabbits to eat.”

Fu Li wasn’t fussy either. He accepted the plate of vegetables, picked up a pair of chopsticks, and dug in. The cooks were worthy of being renowned chefs specially arranged for by the government, their culinary skills were truly outstanding.

Warm dish after warm dish was quickly served. The Kunpeng had already drunk ten bottles of white wine. His spot had also changed from opposite Fu Li to beside Fu Li.

“So there are actually so many ways of cooking eggs.” The Kunpeng inhaled a mouth of steamed egg with crab meat, speaking to Fu Li, “If I’d known earlier that the humans had this level of skill, I wouldn’t have swallowed the dragon eggs I found during those years and would have let the humans cook it for me.”

“The humans probably didn’t know how to cook dragon eggs four thousand years ago.” Fu Li asked out of curiosity, “Are dragon eggs tasty?”

“Mediocre,” The Kunpeng shook his head. “There were too many scales. The bones were hard, and there was very little meat. There wasn’t much to eat.”

“Then why did you still eat them?” Fu Li didn’t understand.

“Who asked an azure dragon to insist on framing me for eating his son?” The Kunpeng snorted coldly. “Am I, a Kunpeng, someone who can be insulted by a dragon? I’ll eat for them to see then.”

“That azure dragon clan really is shameless every second of the day,” Fu Li picked up a mushroom-stewed chicken for the Kunpeng. “Try this.”

The Kunpeng swallowed half the chicken in one mouth and nodded with satisfaction. “I once ate a very big type of jellyfish at the bottom of the sea. It was crispy and slippery, but the taste was quite good. When I’m in a better mood, I’ll catch some for you to try.”

“Sure, sure,” Fu Li was all smiles. “Since the dragon race doesn’t taste good, don’t eat them in the future. With daren’s power, why is there a need for you to wrong yourself by eating bad-tasting things? If worst comes to worst, just give unreasonable dragons like the azure dragons a beating every time you see them. That way, you can vent your anger and let them know daren’s might.”

At the side, the cultivators disguised as waiters felt that things were becoming more and more strange the more they listened. Why did these words sound like slanders that a yao concubine would utter to an incapable ruler? What grudge was there between this Fu Li and the azure dragon clan?

After sneaking a peek at Zhuang Qing, who was also of the dragon race yet didn’t speak up at all for the azure dragon clan, everyone remained silent. Such complicated dragon relations.

“It’s still young yao like you whose brains function well,” The Kunpeng polished off three mushroom-stewed chickens in succession. Slapping the table, he said, “Doesn’t their dragon race have very few numbers now? If I don’t eat them, I’ll beat them till they cry for their daddies and mummies and call me elder at first sight.”

“Daren, although our boss is from the dragon clan…”

“Relax, he can only be considered half a dragon. I won’t include him in my settling of debts,” The Kunpeng regarded himself as a great yao who drew a clear line between his likes and dislikes. He had long since kicked Zhuang Qing out of the dragons’ ranks.

“To this humble one, the azure dragons are still the worst among the dragons. Although the other dragons don’t have very nice appearances, they aren’t too loathsome.” Fu Li picked up a sweet and sour Mandarin fish for the Kunpeng with his chopsticks and said with a face brimming with sincerity, “As the saying goes, there are no debts without creditors. This debt should be theirs.”

“En, this fish is delicious,” The Kunpeng’s human face wasn’t very big, but it didn’t pose any difficulty for him to swallow an entire fish. He finished eating the fish and told Fu Li, “Little yao like you are to my liking. I thought you would speak up for the dragon race and didn’t expect you to be so interesting. Don’t follow this mixed-blood dragon, be my subordinate.”

“This humble one looks up to daren’s majestic presence. However, a yao must pay careful attention to morality. Since I am now with this boss, I cannot abandon him even if his cultivation is not as profound as yours.”

Having been boot-licked by Fu Li till his entire body was at ease, the Kunpeng revealed a kindly smile. “It is right for a subordinate to be loyal, so I won’t continue pressuring you. Since you’re very much to my liking, I’ll show you some face and let the other dragons off. I’ll only give the azure dragon clan a beating.”

The cultivators who had witnessed this large-scale slandering: …

Was sacrificing the azure dragons a way of blessing the other dragons?