Chapter 55: Harmonious Temperaments, Debating Martial Arts and the Way

After some thought, seeing that Cao Kong’s attempt to consume the leopard’s elixir had yielded no result, Nezha took out a jade bottle from his robe and tossed it to Cao Kong.

“You were wounded by my sword spirit. Ordinary elixirs won’t heal you. This is a Rejuvenation Pill—a token of gratitude for that exhilarating battle we just had,” he said.

He continued, “What name do you go by? Are you a disciple of the Western Seven Stars?”

Nezha suddenly questioned Cao Kong, but then felt something was amiss. While the Western Seven Stars were impressive, each worthy of the title Star Lord, the most formidable among them was Kuixing. Yet even Kuixing had not cultivated the innate Dao energy, so how could he have produced someone like Cao Kong?

Cao Kong never announced his master as the Supreme Lord Taiyi who Relieves Suffering unless asked, but neither did he deliberately conceal it.

He accepted the pill, swallowed it without hesitation, and replied, “Thank you, Third Prince. I am Cao Kong, once a leopard of the mountains, fortunate to have caught the favor of my master, the Supreme Lord Taiyi who Relieves Suffering, and to become his registered disciple.”

Nezha was startled in his heart—he was dealing with a figure of imperial rank, specifically that Eastern Supreme Azure Emperor. He had seen him at the Peach Banquet and knew his fame, always admiring his compassion and resolve.

“So you are from the Supreme Lord Taiyi’s sect—no wonder you have such skill. There’s no need to call me Third Prince; let’s address each other as brothers,” Nezha laughed heartily. Nezha had always judged people by their character, not their status. Cao Kong’s fearlessness and impressive abilities suited him well, and so he happily called him brother. Of course, the Supreme Lord Taiyi also contributed a bit to this decision.

Cao Kong understood Nezha’s nature—not a hypocrite, nor affected—so he readily agreed to be called brother.

“Brother Cao, your swordsmanship is truly outstanding. How long did it take you to reach this level?” Nezha, pleased with Cao Kong’s candor, found him even more likable.

Cao Kong returned the jade bottle to Nezha—there were several pills left, their effects remarkable. Having swallowed one, the strange magic within him dissipated swiftly, and even his wounds began to heal, scab, and regenerate new flesh.

Nezha waved his hand, indicating that Cao Kong could keep the whole bottle.

Cao Kong casually handed it to the nearby leopard for safekeeping, smiling, “There’s some humble wine in my mountain—why not drink and chat together?”

He was quite interested in Nezha. Though their battle had been tough and left him wounded, he had gained much, and it was a good opportunity for further discussion.

Nezha’s eyes brightened at the mention of wine. “Lead the way.”

Cao Kong led Nezha into the connected caves of Zheyue.

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Along the way, rare flowers and fragrant herbs filled the air, clouds and mists shrouded the path, creating an immortal realm. Even Nezha nodded in approval—it was indeed a splendid place.

Soon, wine and feast were laid out in the cave: spiritual fruits, fine brews, and mountain delicacies.

Cao Kong introduced each item to Nezha, along with the leopard and Hu Yan and others. Nezha acknowledged them with a nod, paying particular attention to the leopard. It was not that Nezha was snobbish, but immortals and gods do not mingle with mortals, and his pride led him to respect only those of skill; common little demons could scarcely catch his eye.

After several rounds, Nezha’s eyes gleamed even brighter. Though not as exquisite as the nectar of heaven, the flavors were delightful.

As the drinking intensified, Nezha asked again how long it had taken Cao Kong to achieve his sword mastery.

“Well, it’s a bit embarrassing to say. Since my master granted me the teachings, I have trained day and night. It’s been three years to reach this stage, and there are three more sword arts I have yet to master.”

Nezha’s drinking hand suddenly froze. He stared at Cao Kong for a while, realizing the other was not pretending, but truly believed his progress was slow.

Cao Kong asked in confusion, “Brother Nezha, what is it?”

He genuinely had no sense of his own standing; after all, ‘minor mastery’ sounded quite basic.

Nezha drained his cup and replied with casual indifference, “Brother Cao, your progress is already swift. As for myself, it was not until three days after birth that I entered the sea, set foot in the Crystal Palace, and captured a dragon.”

Cao Kong laughed aloud, sensing the subtle self-comparison in Nezha’s words, and realized that his minor mastery was perhaps rather rare.

He raised his cup again in salute, offering some pleasant words, and the leopard also toasted a few times.

The two then discussed the path of martial arts. Nezha, seeing Cao Kong’s humility and eagerness to learn, generously imparted true insights, both in martial arts and the sword.

He even used chopsticks as swords to demonstrate.

Cao Kong spoke of heavenly principles, the endless transformations of things, and the mutual generation and restraint of all things.

Nezha said, “The art lies in returning to the one; each move is a set form, but man is alive. By reading the weather, terrain, enemy, and even one’s own strengths and weaknesses, one can grasp the one and defeat the foe.”

Cao Kong pondered—no wonder Nezha's actions were so simple, already showing a return to the original purity.

They drank and debated, and Cao Kong marveled at Nezha’s deep foundation, worthy of his reputation for divine power.

Nezha admired Cao Kong’s perceptiveness, knowing that though he was only a registered disciple for now, with time he would surely ascend to immortality and tread the heavenly courts.

The two conversed, losing track of time, while the leopard and four foxes listened without understanding, feeling lost in clouds and mist.

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Little did they know, this was a fortune unattainable by ordinary warriors, demons, or even immortals. If the Seven Bamboo Lions knew, they would surely lament their absence, wishing to replace the leopard and others.

After the discussion, Cao Kong gained a multitude, and the conversation turned to the chaos caused by demons. He spoke of his encounter with the tiger demon three years ago, and the tiger’s method of refining human blood.

Nezha snorted coldly, “The Tail Fire Star should not have trouble. It must be some unruly demons in the Northern Continent. Once I have subdued them, I’ll report to the Heavenly Court.”

Cao Kong’s interest was piqued. “Northern Continent?”

“Indeed, among the Four Great Continents, the Northern Continent is the most rife with killing and evil, dense with demonic aura, and even shows signs of seeking autonomy. The mountain gods and land spirits there suffer greatly, and the great demons covet the Heavenly Court’s legitimacy, always scheming.”

Cao Kong understood, recalling that in the Journey to the West, the True Martial Great Emperor once led troops under the Jade Emperor’s command and Yuan Shi Tianzun’s decree to purge the Northern Continent of demons.

Perhaps Nezha’s subjugation of the ninety-six cave demons was the beginning of this. Yet, who knew how long until that day arrived?

Cao Kong shook his head—such matters were too distant for him to ponder.

Soon, a night passed, host and guest content. Nezha, judging by abilities, favored Cao Kong’s talent, and Cao Kong gained much regarding cultivation.

Even minor mastery of techniques was rare, and among ordinary immortals, few achieved such things.

Those who did attain minor mastery already stood poised for immortality, and Cao Kong had done so in three years.

After the wine dispersed, he escorted Nezha away. Nezha said he hoped, upon Cao Kong’s ascent to immortality, to drink with him in the heavens.

Returning to the cave, he found on Nezha’s seat a flowing object—a lump of golden marrow.

In their earlier battle, the golden sword, though extraordinary, was far inferior to Nezha’s treasure blade, suffering considerable wear. To restore it would require time and gathering of the world’s gold energy.

Cao Kong smiled—it was indeed a straightforward gesture.

Three days later, heaven and earth trembled—Nezha unleashed divine powers to subdue demons and monsters. From afar, Cao Kong watched; it was truly a scene of earth-shattering might.