Chapter 348: A Gift for the Child
“I don’t have anything particularly valuable here. Take this – it’s Emerald Willow Essence I refined during my spare time. After the child is born, give it to them to enhance their vitality.” Commander Liu cheerfully took out a small bottle and handed it to Commander Zhuo.
Though Commander Liu called it something made in his spare time, as the guardian of the Human Sovereign Hall, his only duties were cleaning up after unruly commanders and the Hall Master. He had plenty of free time.
The Emerald Willow Essence was a treasure unavailable even in auctions or black markets. It was Commander Liu’s proud creation, refined from his own willow branches. While he casually mentioned it could boost vitality, its benefits for newborns went far beyond that.
Strengthening foundations, cleansing marrow… every possible benefit for a child could be achieved with this essence.
“I’ve got a copy of the Three Character Classic blessed by Buddha himself. Give this to the child so they can study well.” Zhang Konghu produced a brand new book that looked freshly printed.
“The text is very catchy – even I can recite it: ‘Heaven and earth dark yellow, universe primordial, sun and moon wax and wane, stars arrange themselves…'”
Commander Liu kindly corrected him: “That’s the Thousand Character Classic.”
Zhang Konghu slapped his forehead: “Been reading too many books lately, got them all mixed up.”
Commander Ma looked skeptical, unable to connect Buddha’s blessing with the Three Character Classic: “Konghu, is this book authentic?”
“Of course! Confucian Sect Master Dong Zhongren gifted it to me.”
Seeing Commander Ma’s continued confusion, Jiang Li explained: “As strange as it sounds, this Three Character Classic was indeed blessed by Buddha.”
“Legend says Confucius made a bet with Buddha, who lost and had to bless this book as forfeit.”
“What does the blessing do?” Commander Zhuo asked curiously, surprised by the book’s significance.
Jiang Li solemnly declared: “Any being across all realms who recites this will inevitably remember ‘At birth, humans are good. Similar in nature, habits diverge.’ That’s the power of Buddha’s blessing!”
“Later editions are indirectly blessed, but Konghu holds the original copy!”
“…”
Commanders Ma and Zhuo felt this “blessing” didn’t seem particularly special.
In truth, while the book’s origins sounded impressive, it was practically useless. The system store offered more tangible items – this book was priced equal to Unity Stage cultivation techniques, available for mere tens of thousands of source points.
This was less a divine blessing and more an inside joke between two immortal realm figures. Otherwise, Confucian Sect Master Dong Zhongren wouldn’t have gifted it to Zhang Konghu.
The commanders accepted the book with mixed feelings.
Next was Commander Huang: “I’ve had terrible luck my whole life, encountering every misfortune imaginable. So I wrote this autobiography as a risk avoidance guide for the child.”
Another peculiar gift.
Commander Mu stood empty-handed but beamed with joy.
“I’ll give the child a grand gift.”
“What?”
“My daughter’s hand in marriage.”
Everyone was shocked, especially Commander Liu: “Since when did you have a daughter?”
“Soon.”
“Already one month old?”
Commander Mu grinned proudly: “Almost. Ayisu and I have held hands.”
Ayisu was the Gu Clan Leader.
“Thanks to the Hall Master’s advice on pursuing women, Ayisu and I progressed quickly. After several years, we’ve reached hand-holding.”
Jiang Li modestly said: “Just sharing experience.”
“After holding hands comes embracing, then kissing, then intimacy, then conception. There’s a fifty percent chance Ayisu bears a daughter.”
“At this rate, I’ll have a daughter soon.”
Jiang Li estimated Commander Mu’s daughter was still lightyears away from existence.
Everyone, including Zhang Konghu, rolled their eyes at Commander Mu’s optimism. The Ma-Zhuo couple had tried for centuries before conceiving, yet here he was planning children after mere hand-holding.
“Marriage should be free. No arranged childhood engagements – respect the child’s wishes.”
With Jiang Li’s decree, the proposed marriage arrangement was canceled.
All eyes turned to Jiang Li, curious about his gift.
Jiang Li smiled: “The child lacks a name. I shall name them.”
A name bestowed by the Human Sovereign was indeed a grand gift.
The couple silently prayed – anything but “Ma Li.”
“One should walk straight and sit upright. Let the child be named Ma Zhongzheng.”
The couple loved the name and bowed gratefully: “We thank the Hall Master for this gift.”
When settling the bill, Commander Ma noticed something odd: “Proprietor, why is this hawthorn juice so expensive?”
Even at this notoriously pricey establishment, the tenfold price increase seemed outrageous.
“My apologies, esteemed guest. The hawthorn comes from the Dao Sect.” The proprietor produced a certificate verifying the Dao Sect origin.
Commander Ma was puzzled: “Can’t Great Zhou produce hawthorn? Why import from the Dao Sect?”
“You may not know – a year ago the Dao Sect began mass purchasing hawthorns and trees. With their influence and wealth, they soon monopolized all Nine Provinces’ hawthorn supplies.”
“Now only the Dao Sect has hawthorn – it’s become a luxury item.”
Only then did everyone notice the menu – Commander Liu’s peach juice was labeled “Fresh-Squeezed,” Zhang Konghu and Commander Mu’s water was “Changbai Mountain Spring,” while Jiang Li’s hawthorn juice bore the grandiose title “Imperial Supreme Nine-Dragon Hawthorn Juice.”
“Our establishment has connections with the Dao Sect, hence our access.” The proprietor showed their contract.
“Let me see.” Jiang Li curiously examined it, wondering what scheme Bai Hongtu had concocted.
The contract contained several prohibitions, first among them: “Hawthorns shall not be used to make tanghulu (candied fruit skewers).”
Noticing Jiang Li’s focus on this clause, the proprietor explained: “Who knows why the Dao Sect insists on this? Rumor says it’s the Sect Master’s personal decree. Given a Tribulation Transcendence expert’s foresight, there must be profound reasoning.”
To outsiders, Tribulation Transcendence experts were seen as far-sighted, taciturn schemers.
As for Mahayana Stage experts beyond that? Utterly inscrutable beings.
“…”
The commanders also noticed this clause.
This was clearly Bai Hongtu targeting Jiang Li.
Even the Human Sovereign Hall’s surveillance wouldn’t catch such minute details.
Who could imagine the Dao Sect monopolizing hawthorns? The very notion was absurd.
Jiang Li smiled without warmth. After bidding farewell, he cracked his knuckles and flew straight toward the Dao Sect.