My Apprenticeship to Uncle Jiu: I Was a Warlord in the Republic of China

Chapter 159: Capture the Rat Demon Alive, Negotiate the Conditions

Hearing the voice coming from his mind, he immediately knew that this was a method of transmitting sound through spiritual consciousness, which required the practitioner to reach a certain level of cultivation before it could be performed.

So he looked at the rat demon in front of him in disbelief, "Were you the one who was talking just now?"

"Yes, it's me. I've already said that I'm the messenger of the Lord Tree God. Put me down quickly, or the Lord Tree God will get angry and you're done for!"

Jiang Li sneered, "Is it the willow tree behind me?"

The rat demon was obviously a little guilty, but he still mustered up the courage to threaten, "Yes, that is the Lord Tree God. If you don't let me go, the Lord Tree God will punish you and you will be finished!"

Jiang Li chuckled, "Do you know who I am?"

Looking at the wise eyes of the rat demon, Jiang Li knew that it definitely didn't know his identity, so he simply told him.

"Have you heard of Maoshan? I am a direct disciple of One-Eyebrow Taoist Lin Jiu from the Maoshan branch. I am also the county magistrate of Tengteng County. I have backers in the three realms of heaven, earth and man. Not to mention that the willow tree is just an ordinary tree, even if it is really a sacred tree, it can't move me at all!"

"Do you understand?"

The rat demon was shocked when he heard the name of Maoshan. "So you are so powerful. No wonder I was caught by you and I had no power to resist at all."

But then it seemed to suddenly think of something, "What about the divine power in you? Why do I feel it is so similar to the power of incense I received?"

Seeing that it asked without hiding anything, Jiang Li told it how he helped Huang Silang become a god.

Hearing Jiang Li's words, the light in the rat demon's eyes became brighter, and then hesitantly asked if he could reach a deal with it, so that he would have the help of another mountain god.

Jiang Li frowned and thought for a while after hearing this. "Don't worry about these things for now. You should first tell me what happened to you. How did you steal the tribute from the big willow tree?"

Upon hearing this, the rat demon quickly explained, "I didn't steal the food. Those tributes should have been given to me!"

"More than fifty years ago, when my spiritual wisdom had just awakened, I did often steal tributes. But later, when I became successful in my cultivation, I continued to use my magical power to feed the willow tree, making it even more magical."

"After my cultivation progressed further and I was able to perform the art of sound transmission, I used the name of this sacred tree to comfort the people and drive away snakes and insects. A few times, I even helped them drive away ghosts wandering around nearby."

"Later, with the help of incense and prayer power, I refined the evil spirit in my body to a certain extent, and from time to time I cast spells to relieve the pain of the townspeople, so these tributes should have been mine!"

Jiang Li was surprised and suspicious when he heard this. "If it is true as you said, then you really have a share of these tributes."

"But you should also know that these people are worshipping this big willow tree. If they knew that their god is a big rat, I wonder how they would feel?"

The rat demon bared its teeth upon hearing this, and didn't say anything for a long time. After a long time, Jiang Li heard its voice again, "I wonder if the county magistrate can lend me a hand. If I can achieve the status of a god, I will definitely keep it in mind!"

Jiang Li thought for a while and then said, "How about this? Let's make it clear to the townspeople tomorrow. If they are willing to accept you, I will contribute some money and raise funds with them to build a temple for you, so that you can receive incense and offerings from people in a legitimate way."

"What if they don't accept me?" the rat demon asked anxiously.

"What else can I do? Since they don't want to, you can leave with me. I will find a mountain for you and build a temple for you. It won't be difficult for you to become a god!"

The rat demon nodded and accepted the condition. "In this case, please let me go, County Magistrate. I will talk about other things after we get the result tomorrow!"

Jiang Li did not move when he heard this. "You are dreaming too much. You think I will let you go just because of your empty words. Do you really think I am a fool?"

The rat demon also realized that he was now a prisoner and had no chance to negotiate terms, so he carefully asked, "I wonder what conditions you have, sir? If I can do it, I will do my best!"

"Don't worry. I'll let you go and let you explain things to the townspeople. If they don't mind, I won't say anything. If I can use your help in the future, just don't refuse."

"If the townspeople don't accept, then you can come with me. I will grant you a mountain, help you build a temple and help you become a mountain god. I can also teach you a set of Maoshan secrets to help you refine the demonic energy and become a spirit beast as soon as possible."

"And all you have to pay is one thing. From now on, I will draw two cents of your blood every twenty days for the purpose of refining the elixir!"

The rat demon's eyes widened when he heard this, and he asked in disbelief, "You...you want to take my blood?"

Seeing its incredulous expression, Jiang Li quickly interrupted his surprise and said, "Can you please just give me a straight answer and stop making such a fuss?"

The rat demon thought for a long time after hearing this, and finally agreed. After all, his life was still in the hands of the other party, and if he didn't cooperate, he would die.

Seeing that he agreed, Jiang Li took out a pill from his pocket and handed it to the rat demon. "This is my Maoshan secret medicine, the Leopard Embryo Yijing Pill. Eat it first and I will let you go!"

Upon hearing this, the rat demon looked at the black pill in Jiang Li's hand in confusion, not daring to take it. "What kind of medicine is this? What does it do?"

Jiang Li didn't care about anything else. He just pried open its mouth and stuffed a pill into it. Then he ordered someone to pour some water to push the pill down.

After seeing him swallow it, he explained seriously, "This medicine is called Leopard Embryo Yijing Pills, it can treat internal injuries and strengthen the body."

But how could the rat demon believe it at this moment? Its little eyes stared at Jiang Li.

Jiang Li ignored its gaze and continued to explain, "But it is also a poison. The person who takes it must take a second pill within seven days, otherwise his intestines will be ruptured and his meridians will burst and he will die."

The rat demon was so frightened when he heard this that he almost peed himself. He immediately begged, "Please be magnanimous and spare me. Give me the antidote. I will definitely listen to you and will never dare to disobey you in the slightest!"

How could Jiang Li believe it? Besides, this so-called pill for preserving the fetus and strengthening the muscles was simply something he made up. How could there be an antidote for it?

But he still comforted her, "I did this because I was afraid you would run away. If you don't want to run away, there is naturally no risk at all!"

After a long struggle, Jiang Li let it go. The rat demon finally gave up and no longer thought about the antidote. It returned to the crevice of the tree dejectedly and no longer paid attention to the offerings in the small temple.

Jiang Li didn't say much when he saw this, and went back to the inn with his Taoist soldiers.

Nothing happened all night.

The next morning, after Jiang Li finished his morning exercises, he took his people to the second-floor window to eat. At this time, there were already a few people gathered in groups of three or four under the big willow tree.

But Jiang Li did not find any trace of the rat demon. If he had not secretly cast a tracking spell on it last night and knew that it was right below, he would have really thought that it had run away overnight.