Chapter 4: One Must Smile Even While Crying

The branches and leaves tremble in the wind, and through the gaps in the tree shade, a hint of blue from the sky seeps through, as if it is about to drip down along with sixteen years of memories. Jiu Danmei stretched lazily and curled up her long legs: "How boring"

It seems that long ago, it accompanied me, always accompanying me, inseparable.

A fragrant breeze wafted through as Ning Zhen approached lightly and said, "From now on, you are not allowed to come near when we bathe, do you understand?"

Because it has never truly accepted me

You must be waiting for me as well

Jiu Danmei snorted: "The lineage of the Sea Princess's armor technique is indeed orthodox, and as the chief Valkyrie of the Sea Palace, she certainly possesses remarkable skills"

I suddenly laughed

Jiu Danmei said: "Look at Gan Ningzhen and Hai Ji, which one of them consumes meat? Don't blame me for not warning you earlier; with your meager demonic power, even if you continue to be a vegetarian, you cannot escape the heavenly tribulation."

Wiping my face dry, I begin to distinguish which fruits are edible. In ancient times, Shen Nong tasted a hundred herbs; today, Lin Fei tastes a hundred fruits, not allowing the ancients to have the exclusive honor.

So I can only smile, a bitter smile

I couldn't help but laugh until my stomach hurt at the thought of three stunning beauties bathing in a lake with added ingredients. When they come out later, they will surely smell of urine. Hehe, Longdie's urine surpasses saliva, nourishing the skin and enhancing beauty. Ladies, please enjoy your bath a little longer

The Dragon Butterfly Claw is indeed immensely powerful! With great enthusiasm, I leaped from one tree to another, continuously picking fruits and practicing the Dragon Butterfly Claw. I discovered that this arm, covered in silver scales, can extend up to two meters, entirely at my will, lengthening and shortening as I desire

Jiu Danmei shook her head: "I am a vegetarian"

Where to go

Jiu Danmei asked in confusion: "Little wolf, what are you doing?"

Heaven still shows no pity for me. I stand motionless in the ice-cold thatched cottage, listening to the increasingly loud sound of firecrackers outside

That day was the night of New Year's Eve

The soil splashed, and the fruits from the trees fell around me like vibrant raindrops. My long, fiery red hair flew up and gently cascaded down my forehead

Jiu Danmei nodded slightly: "Cultivators experience a minor tribulation every twenty years, a major tribulation every two hundred years, and a profound tribulation every two thousand years"

The past seems to wander among the broken walls and remnants, feeling familiar yet elusive in my memory

"Wow, the sea princess is amazing!" I said enviously, "Is this what they call the armor technique?"

"Rest assured, I won't die so easily before having played with you," I said irritably, crushing several yellow pancakes into powder and sprinkling it finely over the fish. Although the pancake fruit is salty and bitter, it can be used as a seasoning like salt after being dried. Over these days, I have thoroughly understood the taste and properties of every type of fruit in the forest. Once the fish was grilled, I picked up a purple berry, squeezed out a few drops of its sweet and sour juice, and spread it over the golden fish to eliminate the fishy smell. Over these days, I have thoroughly understood the taste and properties of every type of fruit in the forest. Once the fish was grilled, I picked up a purple berry, squeezed out a few drops of its sweet and sour juice, and spread it over the golden fish to eliminate the fishy smell

Guarding the center of the eyebrows, the mind is as clear as the water of a lake

Oh, since you cannot be touched by men, you are essentially like a nun, so being vegetarian is quite fitting

I really want to curse the heavens for its cruelty, but I dare not. Because I wish to implore it to have mercy on me and save my father's life

I said, Dad, you will get better. You promised that during the New Year, we would eat dumplings and wear new clothes. Dad said nothing, just looked at me, silently shedding tears, tears that flowed continuously. Until he took his last breath

I was taken aback for a moment and hurriedly asked, "Will Gan Ning, Hai Ji, and you also face the heavenly tribulation?"

I quickly stripped off my clothes and was about to jump into the water. Although in the past I did not like taking baths, I am now determined to develop this good habit of hygiene and reading.

Lin Fei, you are too carefree! I exclaimed loudly, and with a 'thud', several fruits fell heavily on my head, splattering red juice all over my head and face

Jiu Danmei swayed her waist and said in a coy voice, "Good Lin Fei, tell me, what exactly is wine?"

Wait for me to awaken you

I tiptoed over, lifted a corner of the white veil, and took a sneak peek, nearly bursting with a nosebleed

I am going to relieve myself, do you want to chip in? I held my stomach and jogged all the way, darting behind a large tree, hurriedly unfastening my belt. Damn it, I just ate so many berries, and now I have diarrhea

What a blissful life, I wouldn't trade it for another emperor! I shouted, got up, stretched lazily, and scratched my itchy back. Huh? Where have the beauties gone?

The fragrant aroma of wine filled the room. Jiu Danmei could no longer resist, snatched my wine jar, took a sniff, and carefully poured herself a sip

Surrounding the grass, there were mounds of fruits, all ravaged by my bare claws. I cautiously extended my tongue, trying one after another. The small purple berries were both sour and sweet; the large yellow pancake fruit had an exceptionally hard texture and was quite salty and astringent; the green fruit smelled fragrant but tasted like chewing wax; the white-furred fruit had to be split open to eat, with its flesh resembling pink crystals, crisp and bursting with sweet juice upon biting. The small purple berries were both sour and sweet; the large yellow pancake fruit had an exceptionally hard texture and was quite salty and astringent; the green fruit smelled fragrant but tasted like chewing wax; the white-furred fruit had to be split open to eat, with its flesh resembling pink crystals, crisp and bursting with sweet juice upon biting. The most delicious of all was a fruit with a pungent odor, covered in sharp spines, its skin cracked open, revealing yellow-orange flesh that was sweet and rich. Truly, one should not judge a fruit by its appearance, just like me, seemingly shabby on the outside but precious within.

The flames do not extinguish when they meet water; instead, they become even more brilliant

After trying for half a day, I was exhausted, and not even a spark of fire was produced. Just as I was about to give up, I thought to myself, if I can't even accomplish this small task, how can I talk about my grand aspirations of exploring every inch of Jiu Danmei's body? I steadied my mind, stretched my muscles, and gradually relaxed my emotions

I chuckled: "What good is worrying? I have always taken the collapse of the sky as a blanket. Now I have food and drink, and three beautiful women with me, much better than in Luoyang."

You must have felt very lonely all these years

Looking at my father lying on the bed, I cried incessantly. Besides crying, I did not know what else to do. The room was dark and cold, and the wind felt like a thin, sharp knife. I gritted my teeth and used my body to block the window, preventing the cold wind from coming in. Yet my father continued to shiver. Beneath the quilt, which revealed black and yellow cotton batting, he trembled continuously.

It is indeed the North, where even the trees display such a variety of colors

Upon waking up, I feel invigorated

The room is very small and quite simple

Jiu Danmei gazed at me intently and asked, "A calamity that occurs once every ten years, are you not the least bit worried?"

"No matter how well you master the Dragonfly Claw, what use is it?" Jiu Danmei, sitting beside me, said lazily, "You will never escape the tribulation of heaven."

I suddenly felt a surge of blood rushing to my head, glaring at Jiu Danmei. Gritting my teeth, I shouted, "I, Lin Fei, swear to the heavens that one day, I will thoroughly explore every inch of your body!" Accompanied by a howling hot wind, my claw shot out suddenly, striking the ground and creating a small pit.

"Delicious, I want to drink more." Jiu Danmei's face was flushed, her eyes sparkling, and her tongue was in a tangle

By the lakeside, near the trees, a thin veil of white gauze has been drawn up, obscuring the surface of the lake. The sound of water flows gently, the veil sways, and it seems as if shadows are moving within the lake

After a satisfying burp, I touched my swollen belly, lying on the soft, fluffy grass, crossing my legs and humming a little tune. The crisp chirping of birds danced among the branches, while bees buzzed around the flower clusters. The fragrance of nectar, the aroma of fruits, and the brilliant sunlight intertwined, transparent and colorful, like a shimmering sea of light and color

"Do not sneak a drink." I said proudly. To be honest, I do not understand brewing either; I am just giving it a try

The memories of a sixteen-year-old youth transform into a roar of unwillingness! My blood is already boiling! My spirit is already wild! I am the Dragon Butterfly Demon King of the Northern Realm!

On the surface of the lake, the splash of urine flowers creates ripples.

What is alcohol

A chill swept through my chest, and before I could dodge, I was sent flying, completely exposed. What struck me was a petal from a snow lotus. It fell to the ground and melted into a drop of clear water

After relieving myself, I felt completely relaxed. I idly turned around, noticing the many fruits piled on the ground, which would go to waste if not eaten; it was such a pity. I dug up a lot of soil, mixed it with water, and shaped it into the form of a wine jar, then baked it with fire. Once the clay jar had taken shape and hardened, I peeled and pitted the fresh, sweet berries, crushed them, and stuffed them all in. Finally, I sealed the jar's opening with wet clay.

The red claws screech and grasp out

I gazed at the crimson claws, a color redder than blood, vivid and dripping, as if awakening from a deep slumber

The heavy rain poured down, and the sky was a vast expanse of white. I took out a clay pot, broke the mud seal, and drank deeply while gnawing on a bone-chilling fish. In such inclement weather, to hide away in the house, eating and drinking, accompanied by a beautiful woman, is truly a great pleasure

Jiu Danmei chuckled lightly: "What a bold claim. I shall wait and see. However, if you were to die early, the three of us would be liberated."

I exclaimed in surprise: "Ah? Is it real or fake?"

I let out a burp and set down the empty wine jar: "You are drunk, my beauty"

The heavens will not grant me anything simply because I plead. The more it seeks to torment me, the more I refuse to submit. If it makes me cry, I will choose to laugh instead

I practiced until I was drenched in sweat, and my control became increasingly proficient. By the end, I was able to use it with complete ease, effortlessly receiving and sending. As soon as I focused my mind, my red claws would extend simultaneously, striking exactly where I intended, no longer slow as in the past. In a fit of excitement, I let out a wild roar, spun around like a whirlwind, and with an absolutely fierce posture, swept my red claws backward, uprooting a large tree.

Just as I was about to swim ashore for a hearty meal, I suddenly recalled the extraordinary sight of the fire-breathing creature. A thought crossed my mind, and with a surge of energy, I attempted to recreate the scene of the fire being spewed forth.

From noon until evening, the two drank themselves into a stupor, with more than ten cans of alcohol scattered haphazardly on the ground.

Wait for me to accompany you in dominating the world

I sprang up and exclaimed loudly: "Of course it's interesting to be alive! So what if no man can touch you? What's so great about that? Just watch, I will definitely touch you!"

Seeing Jiu Danmei's somewhat confused expression, I felt a sense of amusement in my heart. It turns out there is no wine in the Northern Region; these people are truly quite foolish

"You seem quite cheerful." A magnetic voice lazily came from behind. Without needing to look up, I already knew it was the beautiful Jiu.

What the heck, is she really an idiot or just pretending to be one? She doesn't even know about alcohol? I moved the earthen jar to a shady spot by the lake and covered it with branches. The sea maiden, who had been standing still, also cast a curious glance.

I trust you, beauty. I winked at her, and it seems that any one of my three beautiful bodyguards could shake the great figures of the North with just a stamp of their foot

This wooden cabin, which I built from felled trees, is quite simple. A bed made of large stones is piled up, and fine ropes made from tree bark are woven into mats and quilts. Several earthen jars, baked from clay, are stacked in the corner, filled with the fruit wine I brewed. Strings of dried fruits in various colors hang from the eaves.

Outside the window, the night rain is cool and falls densely on the roof, making a crackling sound. Inside, it is dim; I lie quietly on the floor, listening to the rain and the bright snoring of Jiu Danmei.

That year, the winter in Luoyang was colder than ever before. The wind and snow howled as they blew into the thatched cottage, and the paper on the broken window rattled loudly. I was both cold and hungry

I felt a surge of spirit; it seems you all have come to seek my guidance. However, my dear, your humble attitude shows that you are teachable. Clearing my throat, I proudly declared: "Wine is a beverage, said to have been invented by Dukang in ancient times. It warms the body and induces a pleasant intoxication, providing great enjoyment. Yet, wine is also a form of culture, often used in rituals and celebrations. Alas, you may not understand much of this, but in any case, drinking a bit of wine invigorates the blood, relaxes the muscles, and enhances vitality and health." Yet, wine is also a form of culture, often used in rituals and celebrations. Alas, you may not understand much of this, but in any case, drinking a bit of wine invigorates the blood, relaxes the muscles, and enhances vitality and health.

Jiu Danmei chuckled, "I am not a beauty; I am a beautiful demon. Like you, I am also a demon"

The red claws reached out and grasped the ample thigh of Jiu Danmei.

Jiu Danmei curiously asked: "What was the world you lived in like?"

The meridians within my body tremble, and the red claws are connected to my essence and blood. For the first time, I feel that it is me, and I am it

Damn it, it's so spicy! The fruit of this tree is both bitter and spicy, and the juice flows onto my lips, as if I have swallowed a ball of fire. I cough loudly, and my eyes are so irritated that I can hardly open them.

Jiu Danmei extended her long and soft tongue, gently sliding it: "It seems very delicious"

I feel both envy and jealousy, and I know that I do not have the same fortune as they do. People are different; my fate is humble, and my family cannot be compared to others. While other children enjoy candied hawthorn and play with rabbit lanterns, I can only turn my face away and quietly walk away.

I laughed with glee: "Haha, so you all are going to suffer too, not much better off than I am. Whether it's vegetarian or meat, I will feast on fish and meat every day, and I will live longer than you all!"

I pondered for a long time and still could not find the words to describe Luoyang. This place where I have lived for sixteen years suddenly feels very unfamiliar to me

But it is very warm

Quickly catch it! As soon as my thoughts stirred, my red claws moved swiftly, following my gaze to wherever I looked, and I caught a full handful of berries

I laughed out loud. If Gan Ningzhen dares to hit me with flower petals again, I will use my bare hands to turn those petals to ashes. It would be best to burn her robe along with them. Hehe, I wonder what Gan Ningzhen looks like when she is stripped of her clothes.

The bright red flames suddenly leaped out like claws, burning fiercely. I was taken aback; could the red claws actually breathe fire? Before I had time to think it through, a sharp pain gripped my abdomen. Without waiting for Jiu Danmei to say anything, I ran away without looking back

The enchanting laughter of Jiu Danmei echoed from the center of the lake: "Little wolf, can you really take advantage of the jade body of Gan Xianzi?"

In my past life, I was a formidable demon king, a dragon butterfly that commanded respect. Yet in this life, I am merely a small-time thug. Am I destined to be looked down upon for the rest of my life? Am I truly willing to accept this? For the first time in my life, I seriously contemplate my future

Because the flow has completely dried up

Amidst the shadows of the trees, Jiu Danmei seemed to still be standing in place, lost in thought. I surmised that she must have been awestruck by my earlier gallant demeanor

"Who said that? I eat lavishly every day, wearing fine silks and satins. My servants are numerous, and all my concubines are beautiful. Just a stamp of my foot, and the entire city of Luoyang would tremble. " I boast with great fervor, speaking endlessly. In front of beautiful women, how can I lose face? Jiu Danmei reclines half at my feet, turned to the side, resting her chin on her hand, like a lazy big cat.

So, I am living very well! Extremely well! I shouted loudly, staring blankly at the sky

"However, encountering me, she won't gain any advantage." Upon seeing my gaze, Jiu Danmei said with a hint of jealousy

In a distant place, there are the sounds of firecrackers and beautiful fireworks. In the city of Luoyang, many children are wearing satin cotton jackets and tiger-head shoes, joyfully running through the streets.

It hurts so much! I grit my teeth and hurriedly retract my claws. Fortunately, I wasn't burned, but I never expected that even my powerful dragon butterfly claws couldn't touch Jiu Danmei. Her skin seemed to be filled with sharp needles that were burning red.

I extended my crimson claws and seized it with lightning speed. Fortunately, had I not mastered my claws, I would have met my demise. Damn it, how dare a small character like you bully me, the great Demon King. Anger surged within me as I crushed the water snake into a pulp. Today's lunch will be snake soup.

I imitated her, lifting my head and looking at the sky: "From now on, you are not allowed to come near while I bathe, understand? I am going to take a shower now"

Oh my, is it true that the larger the chest, the louder the snoring? I stumbled to my feet and exclaimed, "Damn it, how dare you sleep in my bed! You..." Before I could finish my sentence, my legs gave way, and I collapsed to the ground.

Jiu Danmei laughed uncontrollably: "Oh, no wonder you are so audacious; it turns out you have refined the Red Claw. Back in the day, Longdie refined seven sharp claws that could change the color of the wind and clouds, yet none could touch me. With your abilities, can you really do it?"

I turned around, slowly undressing while stepping into the water. I imagined that Gan Ning's expression at this moment must be quite beautiful.

I slowly raised the red claw

I roar at the heavens

I picked up another bottle of wine and began to drink with her.

I stubbornly replied, "Didn’t I just touch it?"

I wandered around for a while, stepping into the jungle where the trees were tall and lush, vibrant in color. It felt as if I had entered a kaleidoscope, with sunlight filtering through the colorful branches and leaves, casting bright halos on the grass.

I pounded my chest vigorously, making a loud thumping sound: "Rest assured, I will accompany you to find him. We will kill him and lift the curse for you! With me around, you can be at ease! Tomorrow, I will take him down!"

I chuckled and asked, "How does it taste?"

The lake water surged forward, creating five fierce waves of air, with crimson flames bursting forth, blooming in the water like a dazzling firework.

Since then, I have not shed any more tears

Bathing alone is not as enjoyable as bathing with others, I also want to take a bath

I surfaced and enjoyed a delicious meal of snake soup. In the following days, apart from hunting fish and shrimp in the lake, I devoted myself to the rigorous practice of the Red Claw technique. At times, I felt exhausted and wanted to give up, but I gritted my teeth and persevered. The flames emitted by the Red Claw gradually intensified, and in the end, with just a thought, I could unleash a blazing fireball.

This lake is very large; it takes half a day to swim around it. I discovered a cave at the bottom of the lake. Upon swimming in, I found the crystal palace of the dragon butterfly, with collapsed stone pillars and a scene of complete ruin

I have heard from Jiu Danmei that the Mai Jing Hai Dian is a renowned school of armor techniques in the Northern Region, and it is quite formidable. However, I did not expect that Hai Ji would actually be the Valkyrie of that place

The sky suddenly darkened, thick clouds gathered, and with a loud rumble of thunder, a torrential downpour began. I quickly grabbed the bone-chilling fish and darted into a wooden cabin by the lakeshore

I reluctantly got up, dressed myself, and thought to myself, how domineering can Gan Ning be, hitting someone without even a word of greeting. An idea struck me, and I quietly made my way to the other side of the lake, unbuckled my belt, took out my member, and released all the urine I had held in all night, along with the *images* from the book, into the lake.

Three beautiful women are taking a bath

On many large trees, there are plump fruits, all of which I have never seen before. Some are bright red, smooth, and round; some are golden yellow, flat and wide, resembling a large pancake; some are deep green, even longer and thinner than cucumbers; and others are larger than my head, covered in white fluffy hairs. The fruits are fully ripe, bulging and pressing against the branches, exuding a sweet fragrance

Damn it, such a seductive creature, yet it comes with thorns. I am quite curious, what kind of curse is that? Is it innate or man-made? Jiudanmei is truly unfortunate, as she is essentially a stone woman.

She looked at me, and a hint of mockery flashed in her emerald green eyes. It seemed as if she was laughing at me: "Do you have the ability to do this? I have long seen through you; this is all you will ever amount to in your lifetime."

I was just thirsty and was about to climb a tree to indulge, but then I thought it would be better to try my Dragon Butterfly Claw. Standing under a tree laden with purple-red berries, I focused my mind, and my crimson claws suddenly extended, grasping the lowest branch. "Crack!" The sturdy branch broke with a sound, and the fruits fell like raindrops.

A flash of white light rushed towards me, as crisp as a snowflake that had landed on my forehead

The rain fell heavily, and thick white mist rose from the lakeshore. The petals of the snow lotus automatically closed, enveloping Gan Ning Zhen, as if she had melted into the vast misty waters. The sea maiden stood at the water's edge, motionless, completely untouched by the rain. The raindrops fell three feet above her head, as if blocked by an invisible giant umbrella, unable to descend any further.

Beautiful lady, your fragrant tongue must taste even better. I thought to myself and said, "Nonsense, back in Luoyang, the beggar's chicken I made was top-notch, even the wild dogs three miles away would be drawn in by the aroma. How about it? Would you like to try a bit?"

Jiu Danmei nodded vigorously: "Alright, let's go kill him!" With a thud, she collapsed onto the stone bed, snoring loudly.

Wait for me to lift you

He is a strange man. I, I don't even know who he is. "Jiu Danmei licked the rim of the wine jar, drunkenly shouting, 'He wants me, I won't let him, and then he cursed me. Oh, the damned curse, the damned man! Where's the wine? I want more!"

It seems that you are not having a good time there

The sun has long warmed the back, the weather is pleasantly warm, and a soft breeze caresses the body, carrying the rich fragrance of lavender, making one feel utterly relaxed

"That's not true. It is said that a vegetarian diet can reduce the harm during the calamity."

I seem to hear its excited roar

Jiu Danmei followed me in; she now seems to have become my shadow. I shot a fierce glance at Jiu Danmei's round and perky figure, but unfortunately, it is merely for show and not for substance

We shiver together

I, with my bare claws, spewed flames, roasting a spine-chilling fish, while saying: "I am not a dragonfly; its inability to escape the heavenly tribulation does not mean I cannot."

I glanced at her and said: "Brewing!"

After the rock, a vividly colored water snake slithered out, baring its blue, venomous fangs, and lunged at me

For sixteen years, begging from door to door like a wild dog; rummaging through stinking garbage heaps just to find a bit of spoiled food; stealing chickens from farmers' sheds in the dead of night, only to be beaten and have my ribs broken. I watched helplessly as my father died from illness, yet I could not afford the medicine.

I waved my hand, and the beautiful figure before me seemed to sway: "Alright, beautiful demon, tell me, how were you cursed? I want to hear!"

She glanced at me, suddenly raised the can of alcohol, tilted her head back, and gulped it down. The liquor flowed down her long neck, rolling in the deep valley of her cleavage, shimmering.

Because there are two people