Claiming the Throne of Gods, Starting from the Rebirth of Nezha

The house is not large, the peeling paint on the walls gives it a slightly deteriorated appearance. Inside, on a black painted square table, an oil lamp is lit. The cotton wick, white but yellowing from oil, shows that Cui Yu had just manually spun out new cotton, indicating the house may not have been lived in for a long time.

The light from the lamp was dim, making the clear water in the copper basin look dark, highlighting the two small feet like lotus flowers emerging from the mud.

Seeing Nezha enter, Cui Yu hurriedly greeted him, asking him to bring a stool over to soak their feet together.

Nezha moved swiftly, Cui Yu only asked if he was hungry, saying she had just brought two rice balls from the kitchen, although they didn't compare to home, lacking both meat and vegetables.

The two chatted for a while, and after drying their feet, they moved the oil lamp over again. Cui Yu then took a needle and thread from a small bag she carried for her embroidery, heated it over the fire, and handed it to Nezha.

"What's this for?"

"Help sister pop some blisters, I've been walking all day and it's killing me."

Nezha remained seated, so Cui Yu placed her foot on his leg, exhaled deeply, and moaned, "I'm exhausted."

Cui Yu leaned on the bed, wearing only a close-fitting white undershirt, her curves were delicate, enchanting without being seductive, her youthful tenderness and allure were fully revealed at that moment, leaving Nezha entranced.

Fortunately, Nezha only stared for a moment, and since Cui Yu was indeed very tired, she didn't notice anything unusual.

Nezha cursed himself inwardly for being shameless, thinking why such an immature child could have inappropriate thoughts about Sister Cui Yu, and hurriedly pulled the oil lamp closer, starting to pop blisters, a meticulous task that couldn't allow for carelessness.

After popping the blisters, he placed the oil lamp by the bedside, blew it out, and then crawled into the quilt, letting Miss Cui Yu hug him.

Cui Yu usually adored Nezha, pressing his little face into her bosom, rubbing his head recklessly; although it felt like his face would suffocate from the softness, he stubbornly endured without uttering a word.

Yes, that's how resilient he was.

Thankfully, the oil lamp was extinguished, leaving the room in complete darkness, otherwise Cui Yu would surely have noticed Nezha's small face turning as red as a monkey's rear.

"Sleep."

With these gentle words, Nezha's head finally escaped from the 'prison' he found so hard to break free from, as Cui Yu lay beside him, her watery eyes barely closed, her breathing soon turning smooth and even.

Yet the young master laid there with eyes wide open, unable to sleep, realizing that the scented jade pillow he used around his neck had now been replaced by Cui Yu's fragrant shoulder, which had a unique flavor.

First, Nezha recalled the fierce Yaksha from the daytime, then thought of the Great Witch of Lizhu Village who had been split in half by Li Gen and carried away by the sea waters, but in his mind appeared more and more the pretty rosy face of Sister Cui Yu, and those two lotus-like little feet, especially when they were just pressed against him — the novel sensation by his cheek and the faint fragrance of cosmetics still lingering in his nostrils.

The more Nezha thought, the hotter his body felt; stealing a glance at the beauty beside him, her delicate face was as smooth as jade, laying expectantly like a roadside wildflower he could pluck.

Thus a surge of anger welled up in Nezha's heart, an audacity dared to birth from his gall, sighing at how this great demon of the world finally submitted to the demonic path, only to ultimately sigh in surrender, obediently closing his eyes to prepare for sleep.

Dammit, mentally, he was twice Cui Yu's age, yet his body was undeveloped.

To be precise, he was still a child!

Therefore, deeply indignant, Nezha began to practice the Breathing Technique he had just learned, vengefully cultivating, closing his eyes to inwardly survey, as inspiration flowed through his body with the primordial qi of heaven and earth, wandering until it eventually stopped at a place where he found his Qi Sea.

Mr. Fan said that among cultivators, those exceptionally talented could see a great lake. Nezha didn't know what he was seeing, as it stretched endlessly before him...

Nezha wasn't sure when he fell asleep, but early the next morning, the attendant student was leading the old ox along a narrow ridge path, with Mr. Fan, Nezha, Cui Yu, and a tail-wagging black dog seated in the open ox cart.

Mr. Fan opened his eyes to see Nezha sitting cross-legged in the swaying ox cart, yet his form was steady, like an old monk meditating in a temple.

He knew Nezha was still operating the Breathing Technique, but he didn't inquire how vast Nezha's Qi Sea appeared the night before.

Mr. Fan believed everyone should have their own secrets, even his own students might not want to share everything with him as their teacher.

Of course, another major reason was that Mr. Fan felt his age wouldn't allow him to endure too many shocks and surprises; he didn't wish to question what seemed an ordinary and unremarkable life near its end.

Mr. Fan's own Qi Sea was only the size of a washbasin. As for Nezha, he had guessed last night, fearing it was akin to a mountain pool, which made him even more excited, goosebumps erupted over his skin.

A cultivation genius like Nezha should ideally be in scenic mountains and big rivers, exploring the truth with those reclusive sages and hermits. Now, not only did he encounter such a talent, but he also volunteered to fight against tyranny for the common people, to uphold justice.

This not only made Mr. Fan feel fortunate, but it also made him genuinely proud of Nezha.

Nezha, on the other hand, wasn't dwelling on such thoughts. When he wanted to do something, he could easily focus his attention.

After seeing the Qi Sea, he naturally understood he was truly gifted, but the rate of gathering heaven and earth primordial qi was so slow, like water dripping from a roof.

It takes time for water to wear through stone, testing endurance, but to fill a lake or sea with those drips is simply dreaming.

When they reached home, if the heaven and earth primordial qi Nezha gathered really were droplets, his small hands could hold them all.

Mr. Fan and the attendant student went to eat first; Nezha and Cui Yu couldn't find peace, knowing beforehand they would face this situation.

In the main hall, Lady Yin sat upright, her brows slightly furrowed, with an air of authority rarely revealed by the mistress.

Nezha knelt in the center of the room, head slightly bowed, but not worried, for if his mother truly intended to punish him, she definitely wouldn't have put a soft cushion under his knees during the punishment of kneeling.

However, in front of his mother, this punishment still needed to be acknowledged.

As expected, after a short while of kneeling, Lady Yin spoke, "Nezha, are you aware of your mistake?"

"Replying to mother, Nezha knows his mistake."

"What exactly did you do wrong?"

"I shouldn't have worried mother, nor should I have let Sister Cui Yu anxiously walk such a long way."

"Anything else?"

"Anything else?"

Lady Yin glared and said, "My child, do you not realize the enormity of the trouble you caused! For such a major issue, how could you not consult with your family?"

"It was urgent, mother, you know, if I had arrived late, a five-year-old boy would have been sacrificed to some so-called Sea Dragon King."

Upon hearing this, Lady Yin sighed, "You should have let your father know first; as he hears of it later, no matter how much he cherishes you, he won't quickly quench his anger."

Mentioning Li Jing, Nezha's expression turned icy, his voice even colder, "And what if he knows? As the Chentang Pass General, he ignores such evil acts harming the people, and not only that, he collaborates with the wicked, changing a tri-monthly sacrifice to a bi-monthly one!"

Lady Yin slammed the table, clearly angry; Nezha quickly soothed her, saying, "Mother, calm down, Nezha knows he was wrong."

Seeing this, Lady Yin sighed again, saying, "Your father has his own difficulties."

Nezha did not understand what burdens Li Jing carried, and in fact, neither did Lady Yin.

She had tried to persuade him, but Li Jing always mentioned that Ao Guang from the Dragon Palace repeatedly urged him in writings, hard to decline.

But if they were called Daoist friends, what would happen if the request was denied?

Lady Yin didn't understand.

She knew Li Jing cared about his worldly official position, even though he clearly disliked the Emperor's favored ministers controlling the court, and worried about King Zhou's trust in Daji disrupting governance, he still searched everywhere for treasures and connections.

But didn't he realize this scandal of sacrifices, if reported to Zhaoge, could lead those reckless Imperial Censors and officials to impeach him? Who would protect him then?

Lady Yin didn't understand either.

Didn't understand, didn't understand.