Chapter 429: Ji Kongkong's Troubles
As a princess, Ji Kongkong couldn’t travel alone. Her guards disguised themselves as ordinary people and hid in the surroundings. However, with Jiang Li and the other two present, even Outer Realm Demons wouldn’t be able to cause trouble, leaving these guards with no opportunity to act. They obediently waited below the teahouse.
“Did you gain anything from touring the Four Seas?” Jiang Li asked with a smile.
Little Green Snake replied respectfully, “I gained tremendously. I previously knew too little about True Dragon Bloodline, with many hidden aspects unknown to me. After sparring with the four Dragon Kings, I learned much.”
“Especially regarding techniques for utilizing every part of the body in combat.”
“The four Dragon Kings have been at the Unity Stage for hundreds to thousands of years. In terms of combat awareness, techniques, and realm, I’m far inferior to them.”
“Keep working hard. Those four have much worth learning. When I traveled the Four Seas before, I also learned many things from the Dragon Kings.” Bai Hongtu and Yu Yin gave Jiang Li strange looks.
When you say you “traveled the Four Seas and learned from the Dragon Kings,” are you referring to that time during your Spirit Transformation stage when you went around challenging experts, beating the dragon princes until they cried for their parents, forcing the four Dragon Kings to fight you?
Xia Chao scratched his head sheepishly, “My experience isn’t worth mentioning. I just wandered around with Little Green, observing how the Nine Provinces handle relationships between humans and demons.”
“Especially the Baize Dynasty – I never imagined demons with awakened intelligence lived like that, completely different from Lingxi World.”
“Previously I only fought demonic beasts. After coming to Nine Provinces, most battles have been against humans. I’m still adjusting to this change.”
Originally, Jiang Li had only taught Xia Chao how to fight demonic beasts for rapid improvement, not human combat techniques. Human battles involve more than just cultivation level – combat techniques, psychological tactics, and other complexities require extensive knowledge. Jiang Li had natural talent in this area.
This wasn’t something Jiang Li could easily teach. Xia Chao had to learn through actual combat – getting beaten enough times would teach him how to fight. Like Little Green, Xia Chao was too young, having advanced too quickly with insufficient experience that needed time to accumulate.
“Kongkong, how have you been lately?”
“Not great. Father keeps assigning me tasks daily, trying to groom me as the next Zhou Emperor so he can retire as Grand Emperor and focus on cultivation.” Ji Kongkong wore a bitter expression. Recently, she was either learning state affairs or on her way to learn them.
Her siblings envied her, but she didn’t share their sentiment. She had no desire to become Zhou Emperor, yet couldn’t defy Ji Zhi’s will.
What’s so great about being Zhou Emperor? I want to be Human Sovereign, to become someone like Uncle Jiang.
“Recently, Father noticed I’ve mastered the Double Pupils and encouraged me to use them more to observe past events.”
“Originally I was quite interested in matters between men and women, so I observed many such scenes. After seeing so many, it all seems rather mundane now.”
Ji Kongkong looked at Little Green and Xia Chao.
“Don’t worry. I’ve seen countless couples’ nighttime activities. You weren’t the first I’ve seen naked.”
“Moreover, your positions were quite monotonous, among the least interesting I’ve witnessed. I suggest you spend some time learning at the Joyous Sect.”
Little Green and Xia Chao hung their heads in shame.
“You’ll have trouble finding a boyfriend like this,” Bai Hongtu remarked with a strange expression.
Ji Kongkong waved her hand dismissively, “What’s the point of boyfriends? Those my age are weak, incompetent, and childish.”
“Many ministers’ descendants in court are interested in me. I rarely leave the palace, so they don’t know my personality. After seeing me once, they claim to like me – they’re clearly only attracted to my looks and status.”
Among Ji Kongkong’s suitors were many handsome, highly cultivated, and exceptionally polite individuals, yet she fancied none. While most princesses might consider political factors, Great Zhou didn’t require this – Ji Kongkong had complete freedom.
“I dislike them, yet they persistently approach me. Using my Double Pupils, I’ve seen ministers secretly orchestrating their actions behind the scenes.”
“Those people are childish, trying to engineer coincidental meetings or pretending to be unconventional, unexpected, or resourceful to capture my attention.”
“When I use my Double Pupils to see their pasts and futures, it only seems ridiculous.”
“They don’t know I’ve mastered the Double Pupils yet. I wonder what expressions they’ll make when they find out.”
“Having rejected too many and grown weary, I declared that anyone who likes me must first defeat me in battle.”
Ji Kongkong had already reached the Nascent Soul stage, unmatched among her peers. While the ministers’ descendants were said to have exceptional cultivation talent, their Golden Core cultivation – though impressive for their age – paled against Ji Kongkong’s abilities. Any fight between them wouldn’t even qualify as a real battle.
Ji Kongkong’s cultivation talent rivaled Bai Hongtu’s, more than sufficient to become Dao Sect’s successor. Moreover, her mastery of time principles and invincible Double Pupils in combat led Jiang Li to believe she was undoubtedly the strongest among her generation.
“Human hearts are treacherous – too many say one thing while doing another.” Ji Kongkong displayed maturity beyond her years, appearing world-weary and indifferent to everything.
Jiang Li suspected that if Ji Kongkong truly became disillusioned and joined the Red Dust Pure Land, Ji Zhi would be left crying helplessly. He recalled how Ji Zhi had been similarly aloof until Jiang Li beat some sense into him. Simply put, some people just needed a good thrashing.
However, Ji Zhi had Jiang Li to set him straight. As for Ji Kongkong, Jiang Li couldn’t think of anyone who could actually defeat her. Among the younger generation Jiang Li knew, Ji Kongkong was the youngest – Qin Luan, Luo Zhu, Luo Ying, and Yu Feng were all considerably older, and might still lose to her in battle.
Jiang Li figured since Ji Zhi had gone through this phase himself, he wouldn’t let Ji Kongkong continue down this path. He likely had his own methods – no need for Jiang Li to intervene.
Having observed many people’s pasts, Ji Kongkong found Jiang Li, Yu Yin, and Bai Hongtu the most genuine – people who practiced what they preached and acted honorably, which she found refreshing. She enjoyed spending time with these three.
In the following days, Jiang Li’s group wandered around the Land of Gentlemen, awaiting Confucius Sage’s birthday celebration. Little Green and Xia Chao followed behind, continuing to receive Jiang Li’s teachings and cherishing every moment with him.
The Confucius Sage’s millennium birthday celebration would be held in the Land of Gentlemen. As the date approached, the atmosphere grew increasingly festive. A massive statue of Confucius Sage stood at the capital’s center – wearing Confucian robes with indistinct facial features, as even Confucianism didn’t know their sage’s true appearance.
Representatives from major factions arrived to attend the grand celebration. Jiang Li, Bai Hongtu, Yu Yin, and Ji Kongkong took their seats in order.