Chapter Nine: Mandated Monkey

At the foot of the mountain, a burly, formidable man blocked the path of a monkey and a young man.

The man stared greedily at the monkey's body, his gaze sweeping over it repeatedly until the monkey grew somewhat self-conscious and shrank back. Yet the man was still unsatisfied, asking, "Is this monkey for sale?"

Beside the monkey, a young man wearing a Daoist robe, a Confucian scholar's crown, and Buddhist prayer beads around his neck—fully embodying the Daoist academy's hallmark of mastering diverse traditions—shook his head. "This monkey is not for sale."

The man rubbed his hands together. "My friend from the Daoist academy, the price is negotiable..."

The young man's tone grew heavier. "This monkey is not mine. He is my junior brother."

"Junior brother? A monkey..." The man was momentarily stunned, but he quickly recovered and beamed a wide smile at the monkey. "Esteemed Master Monkey, are you interested in joining the Kong family? If you don't mind, I can become sworn brothers with you on the spot. The moment you enter our family, you will qualify as a direct descendant of Confucius himself, with a chance to run for the head of the family."

By the roadside, an old man among the onlookers gasped in shock. "What magnificent generosity! What extraordinary talent does this monkey possess to warrant such an investment from the Kong family?"

"Such courteous treatment! If I were the one being invited, I would have already beheaded a chicken, burned yellow paper, and sworn a blood oath on the spot."

However, the monkey did not immediately agree. Instead, it asked the man earnestly, "Can this grant eternal life?"

The man pondered for a moment and decided to lay his cards on the table. "My Kong family ranks among the absolute pinnacle of aristocratic clans. You may enjoy precious elixirs while you live and receive incense offerings after you die. Any divine technique or classic scripture accessible to the Kong family will have a share reserved for you."

"As long as you nod, I can take you to meet my eldest brother right now and get a few cauldrons of pills. My eldest brother recently invented some special elixirs that should be able to extend your lifespan."

The monkey was somewhat tempted and looked toward its senior brother.

Pu Tao said calmly, "The longer-standing an aristocratic family is, the more they value rules. Master chased you out in quite a hurry, Junior Brother Monkey; you have neither a given name nor a Dharma title yet. In a respectable household like the Kong family, taking a name there won't hinder you from continuing to strive for the position of Daoist Marshal and practicing the Dao for longevity."

"Hiss..." Some of the onlookers might not have known the Kong family, but everyone knew the Daoist Marshal.

To be able to contend for such a position—this monkey was terrifying beyond measure, and it was crucial never to make an enemy of it.

Mo Wen, mingling in the crowd alongside Long Yunshui, symbolically drew a sharp breath in unison, prompting the Three-Person Group of Taiping Village nearby to imitate them.

"Hiss..." After inhaling, Bailu suddenly snapped back to reality. "Wait, what are we even shocked about? Isn't that just a monkey?"

Long Yunshui tapped his folding fan and said leisurely, "This is no ordinary monkey. This is a being favored by heaven and earth!"

"Heaven as its father, earth as its mother, nurturing such a divine embryo—this monkey's innate talent can truly be described as 'chaos takes root to breed this form, a single flash of divine light illuminates the spiritual platform.' No matter the technique, it understands it at a glance and masters it at a touch. It is born with the material to become an immortal and an ancestor."

"If allowed to develop normally, its ultimate strength will probably be no less inferior to the divine beasts of antiquity."

Although they did not know who this young gentleman speaking was, seeing how resolute his words were, compounded by the Kong family's aggressive courtship beforehand, the passersby believed him eight parts out of ten.

Not to mention possessing the strength of a divine beast, the mere possibility of becoming the Daoist Marshal was enough to drive the major aristocratic clans into a frenzy of investment.

"Brother Monkey, would you be willing to enter my Shi family? I am willing to acknowledge you as my elder brother, and henceforth all the resources of the Shi family shall be yours to take."

"Uncle Monkey, come join the Wang family instead. I am willing to have my father take you as a younger brother, and furthermore secure the position of an elder for you."

"Grandpa Monkey, don't listen to those scoundrels! How many benefits can they actually offer? Ultimately, they just want to use you! In the name of the current head of the Jia family, as long as you enter our clan, you will be our Supreme Elder. Just cultivate with peace of mind and act as our ultimate pillar of strength."

"Ancestor Monkey, my Monkey family is willing to take your surname."

Watching the scene of frantic involution where people were on the verge of claiming him as their ancestor, Mo Wen found it rather difficult to keep a straight face.

He had long known that the Chenyao Dynasty possessed a unique tradition of "appointing relatives based on ability" and had not dared to hand out positions blindly. But witnessing this even crazier spectacle of "claiming relatives based on ability," and watching certain people go to any lengths to rope in a genius, felt truly surreal.

Still, this monkey was indeed worth it.

He could faintly sense a feeling from the monkey similar to that of the previous world's vessels and Qi Shiming, as if it were some sort of tribulation-fulfilling being—though the tribulation it was meant to fulfill was not him... presumably not.

With a little guidance, this monkey could actually become a helpful asset.

Mo Wen interjected, "Everyone, if you want to compete in claiming kinship, you must at least bring out some genuine skills. Physical items cannot be transported on short notice, so why not demonstrate your respective supreme techniques to this Mr. Monkey and see if he is moved?"

Compared to empty promises, this was indeed far more competitive.

Moreover, a supreme technique could only be called supreme because it naturally possessed inherent difficulties in learning. Even if displayed openly, they did not believe outsiders could comprehend it in just a few glances; the key was to arouse the divine monkey's interest.

"This Golden Bell Shield of mine refines the body like metal or stone. Cultivated to its peak, even lightning and fire cannot shake it in the slightest."

"Look upon this Three-Inch Qi Essence. With qi condensed to this degree, even the Golden Bell Shield can be punctured with a single thrust."

"How about my Grand Sorrow Chant of Heaven and Earth Joy? It allows one to fly on the wind, harness the majesty of heaven and earth, and effortlessly blast apart any short-armed and short-legged fellows."

"My family's ancestor once watched a true dragon summon lightning and cultivated the True Art of Transforming the Dragon to Summon Lightning. The might of dragon-lightning is extraordinary and sufficient to suppress and kill all enemies."

The monkey watched in rapt enchantment. Although these arts were not the Dao of longevity it desired most, it could sense the condensed wisdom within them—fruits that required countless efforts to bear. Yet these humans before it were imparting them without a shred of stinginess.

Humans truly lived up to their reputation as the largest and most formidable race of the present era; they were genuinely selfless.

In the span of a mere breath, its skin, fur, bones, and flesh hardened to surpass metal and iron. The perfection of its cultivation foundation advanced to a whole new level, and its internal blood and qi surged back and forth, vibrating like beating drums, actually stirring thunder to rumble in the skies above.

The major aristocratic clans, who had originally only intended to display their supreme techniques to attract attention, turned green in the face.

So when describing this monkey earlier, it hadn't been hyperbole at all—it was just a plain, objective introduction to its innate talent!

Yet the monkey failed to notice the various expressions on their faces and instead thanked them repeatedly, "Many thanks to all you descendants and grandchildren for being willing to impart your divine arts to me."

Hearing this, some people's green faces nearly turned black, but others were shameless enough to press forward directly, asking, "Is Grandpa Monkey willing to accept us then?"

"This..." The monkey looked toward its senior brother, hoping he could offer some guidance.

Pu Tao said gently, "Junior Brother, if you truly achieve success in your Daoist practice in the future, you can found your own sect and take in disciples and grand-disciples. Just remember not to be biased, and do not practice nepotism."

The monkey understood and responded cheerfully, "Did you all hear that, my descendants and grandchildren who imparted your supreme arts to me? In the future, when I establish my own sect, you shall be my disciples and grand-disciples."

This relationship was a bit distant, but to be able to tie oneself to such an peerless powerhouse made even a distant connection worthwhile. Some were already completely satisfied, pondering when they could kowtow to Grandmaster Monkey.

However, others decided to bring out tangible goods.

If those poor wretches lacked pills, that was their problem; he had moved his entire pill treasury over. He had plenty of wealth to compete with them.

The burly man pulled out a pill. "Mr. Monkey, look upon this beast pill. It can transform a beast into a spirit beast, granting all sorts of wondrous bloodline talents, absolutely miraculous. Once my elder brother finishes refining the pill of the stone demon, it will surely help you achieve longevity alongside heaven and earth."

Long Yunshui, who had been watching the fun with great amusement, suddenly saw his expression change.