Traveler of the River of Time and Space-Chapter 507 - 24: Nurarihyon

(Just as I was about to type, the backend notified me that a Chapter was blocked again. It’s been tough for everyone lately, let’s just get through it.)

Night fell.

To celebrate Su Ziyu’s return, Qing Ji arranged a simple banquet at her residence. Almost all the notable demons in the Peach Blossom Spring were present, with Su Ziyu being the only human.

At this moment, Qing Ji and her sisters had all donned exquisite kimono, looking almost indistinguishable from one another at a glance.

The other sisters were fine, choosing different colored clothes consciously. However, Yi Ji particularly liked to mimic Qing Ji, and her attire made her look just like another Qing Ji.

In front of the courtyard.

When Su Ziyu changed into a new outfit and came out, he almost felt like he had arrived in the Women’s Country.

Qing Ji was busy with her sisters preparing the banquet, while a rabbit demon sat at the tables and chairs in the courtyard. She appeared quite young, but Su Ziyu thought she seemed a bit familiar because beside her lay a huge toad about three meters in diameter, surrounded by a group of little demons, chirping and chattering. Some of the little demons looked at her with a hint of admiration.

"Mountain Rabbit Lord!"

A little rabbit demon curiously and fearfully looked at the big toad beside her, raising its head and asked, "Are you the one who rode it to defeat the Reincarnation Dao?"

"Yes." The demon named Mountain Rabbit, though looking very young like a seven or eight-year-old girl, seemed quite powerful. She proudly raised her chin and said, "At that time in the Ghost Capital, I, the Reincarnation Dao, and the leader of the flying head man, Ghost Fire..."

The words suddenly stopped.

The demon named Mountain Rabbit glanced at the door with a guilty conscience and suddenly fell silent, sitting obediently on the chair.

In front of the main door.

A woman wearing a luxurious crimson-winged gown walked in, with a red mark on her forehead, exuding a hot aura.

Her gaze first fell on Su Ziyu, and she nodded slightly, saying, "Master Su."

"Long time no see!"

——"Phoenix Fire!"

Su Ziyu was slightly surprised in expression, nodding in response, "Indeed, long time no see."

Phoenix Fire is a Great Demon now.

Much stronger than before.

"Lord Yama heard you returned." Phoenix Fire naturally sat beside Su Ziyu, glanced him up and down, and said, "He sent me over to take a look."

"It’s just about time to deal with some demons here too."

"A thousand years have passed."

"You haven’t aged a bit."

Su Ziyu smiled and changed the subject, "Are you still working in the Netherworld?"

"Yes." Phoenix Fire nodded slightly, "After Qiang Lantern left, Lord Yama let me guard the entrance to Hell."

The Mountain Rabbit shrank into the crowd beside them, looking quite well-behaved and honest at this moment.

The two were talking.

Some demons walked in from outside again, led by the cherry blossom demon they met earlier, beside which was a gentle woman in a pink long dress. Su Ziyu could only see the shadow of a peach tree with Spiritual Vision.

The strength of these two demons was not weak either, they nodded slightly to Su Ziyu upon entering and sat directly on both sides.

After a while.

Some more demons came over, but they were all those they had seen during the day, including two crow tengu, a demon transformed from plants, and that pair of young siblings with wings dressed in splendid clothes.

When Qing Ji came out, a simple and casual banquet began.

The demons present were probably her acquaintances and subordinates, looking quite relaxed, only occasionally glancing curiously at Su Ziyu.

Su Ziyu was forcibly seated at the main seat under Qing Ji’s arrangement, while Qing Ji sat tenderly by his side.

The banquet began.

Wu Ji and Liu Ji happily carried out a large wine jar and even performed fireworks by spitting fire into the sky in public. Qing Ji, in a good mood, didn’t bother to manage these two idiots. Yi Ji quietly sat beside Su Ziyu and Qing Ji, occasionally getting up to pour them drinks. Er Ji and San Ji were a bit indistinguishable, dressed similarly, sitting on the left playing with their phones, sometimes whispering together.

The Rice Field Four Ji sat directly beside Phoenix Fire, dressed in fiery red attire, with a bit of an aggressive attitude, not sure if there was some past conflict.

Su Ziyu was not yet intending to get familiar with them, first, he should strive to distinguish who is who.

It’d be awkward if he got it wrong.

The banquet proceeded for more than half an hour, just as Su Ziyu’s expression gradually relaxed, when suddenly a well-dressed bald old man walked in from outside. He was wearing a black haori and had a tachi with a black sheath at his waist, his demeanor like a rich grandpa, leisurely pushing the door open by himself and walking in as if he owned the place, casually heading towards Su Ziyu’s front, seemingly intending to take his wine.

None of the demons present sensed anything, not even Phoenix Fire noticed the presence of a living person in front of her.

The only ones who had a change in expression were Su Ziyu and Qing Ji.

——"Slippery Ghost!"

The last time Su Ziyu hadn’t sensed the Slippery Ghost appearing: it wasn’t until he revealed himself and spoke that he had any sense. But this time, it was different. The moment the Slippery Ghost appeared at the door, Su Ziyu already sensed and saw him.

"Beloved."

"Hua Piao is here." Qing Ji spoke the ancient name for the Slippery Ghost, she must have seen him too.

Yet the six Snake Princesses didn’t react, still amusing themselves.

Best get them to put in some more effort.

"Hmm." Su Ziyu nodded slightly, sitting at the main seat, looking up at the Slippery Ghost in front of him.

This old trickster was still the same.

No matter where he went, it was always like he was at home, entirely with the demeanor of a master. His ability is extremely special, not only making him imperceptible but also allowing him to easily slip through gaps. It’s just uncertain if the Baku joined him this time; Su Ziyu had an account to settle with it, seems like it didn’t come, maybe it didn’t dare to meet Su Ziyu and Qing Ji.

"Master Su."

"Long time no see." The Slippery Ghost said with a chuckle, casually reaching for a wine cup.

As soon as he spoke, the other demons then looked towards the center with astonishment, only now did they realize there was someone else outside.

"It’s Nurarihyon..."

"Why is Hua Piao here?" the nearby demons whispered among themselves.

Su Ziyu raised his cup and smiled, "Long time no see."

Nurarihyon’s strength didn’t seem to have improved much, looking similar to a thousand years ago. Su Ziyu closed his eyes slightly to sense and exclaimed, "You’re injured?"

"Just some old wounds," Nurarihyon still wore that casual grin, seating himself on the right and taking a swig of wine, said, "This wine has no flavor..."

"I heard Lord Su has fine wines... The old man came to ask for a glass..."

Asking for wine was a pretense; the truth was probably to heal.

Su Ziyu did not hesitate either, directly raising his hand to take out a crimson Demon Gourd, and as soon as he pulled out the stopper, a strange wine fragrance wafted over the banquet.

The Fifth Princess and the Sixth Princess turned their heads, eyes wide with yearning.

"Today, with great interest, please have a drink, everyone."

Su Ziyu stood up, smiled, and nodded to all sides. Then he pinched his fingers into a sword point and pointed at the mouth of the Demon Gourd, and the wine that poured forth transformed into dozens of streams, flying directly into the cups of the demons.

In an instant.

The rich aroma of wine engulfed the entire courtyard.

Nurarihyon didn’t hold back either, downing his cup in one gulp and then shaking his head in delight, "Good wine! Good wine!"

"It’s a pity that someone didn’t dare to come."

His injuries were slowly healing, though they seemed to have affected his foundational cultivation, which the Immortal Brew could not fully repair.

"Thank you, Lord Su!"

"Thank you, Lord Su!" The demons present stood up and raised their glasses in gratitude.

Su Ziyu raised his glass, toasting in the direction of Qing Ji, and said slowly, "Madam. Please."

"Husband. Please." Qing Ji smiled tenderly, standing to return the toast.

Building goodwill is always beneficial.

It’s never wrong to build a little more; you’ll definitely need it next time.

The Fifth Princess and the Sixth Princess’s expressions grew more covetous after drinking the Immortal Brew, but they exchanged a glance, wordlessly agreeing not to ask for more.

Things from home shouldn’t be coveted; there’s no rush, just take it slow.

Nurarihyon, having drunk the Immortal Brew, got up and said, "Lord Su."

"The old man has urgent matters, so I’ll take my leave first."

"Don’t wish to disturb your pleasant gathering."

"If Lord Su has time another day, why not visit Kyoto for a stroll?"

With that,

Nurarihyon bowed to take his leave and turned to walk out.

Su Ziyu watched Nurarihyon leave, not opening his mouth to ask him to stay. This old fellow loved to scheme, and each appearance meant something was up.

His invitation to Kyoto surely had a purpose.

"Husband..." Qing Ji said softly beside him.

"Don’t mind him," Su Ziyu shook his head and smiled, "Always pretending to be mysterious; I’ll head to Kyoto in a few days to see what’s up."

Meeting Nurarihyon always led to trouble afterward.

The banquet concluded with host and guests enjoying themselves.

As one of the hosts, Su Ziyu was certainly the biggest spender, as after Nurarihyon left, he ended up pouring two more lots of the Immortal Brew, consuming around 200 Energy Value.

Fortunately, he had stored plenty in the Black Soul Plane.

The other demons weren’t injured and didn’t necessarily need the Immortal Brew, but at that moment, Su Ziyu certainly couldn’t serve it to Nurarihyon alone.

The night deepened.

After sending off the demons who attended the banquet, Qing Ji, her face slightly flushed, led Su Ziyu to the hot springs at the back of the mountain.

The six Snake Princesses also changed into bathrobes and followed with giggles.

Though each of them was quite beautiful, they really were a bit of an eyesore at this moment.

As expected.

Su Ziyu soaked alone in one hot spring while Qing Ji, her face blushing, took her sisters to another.

But life is always full of surprises.

Just as Su Ziyu was lazily soaking in the hot spring, listening to the laughter and chatter from next door, soft footsteps echoed in the corridor, followed by Qing Ji’s gentle voice, "Husband."

"I came to give you a back rub."

At this moment, Qing Ji with a flushed face, dressed in a white bathrobe, walked into the water.

One night passed without words.

The next day, Su Ziyu, looking a bit fatigued, got up and lazily sat in the courtyard drinking tea.

What can I say?

The story’s Xu Xian really didn’t have it easy either.

He mused.

.........