Douluo Jueshi: Who let him join Shrek!

Chapter 893 Meeting the Parents, the Nervous Women

"drive!"

Jiang Ming sat in front of the carriage and flicked the reins slightly. The horse pulled the carriage slowly toward Qingshui City.

Soldiers were conducting inspections at the city gate. Clearwater City had indeed undergone significant changes in recent years, attracting many people from the northern part of the Heavenly Soul Empire to come here—whether for sightseeing, learning, or some other purpose.

Everything else is fine, but some people with ulterior motives will try to enter Clearwater City.

On the one hand, Qingshui City's geographical location is too remote. It borders the far north directly and is the northernmost city of the Tianhun Empire. It faces the far north on one side and the Sun Moon Empire on the other. This place is a good place to hide one's identity.

On the other hand, the changes in Qingshui City over the years have made it prosperous, which, in the eyes of some people with ulterior motives, presents many opportunities.

After some serious incidents occurred, Nie Heng, the city lord of Qingshui City, set up a squad of soldiers at the south gate, which was originally unguarded.

Previously, it was completely unnecessary because Qingshui City was too remote and desolate. Even if there were Soul Masters who wanted to cause trouble, they wouldn't choose this place as their target because it would be pointless.

But now, it's different.

"Wait a minute, we need to check your carriage for any prohibited items."

A soldier guarded Jiang Ming's carriage and gestured to inspect it.

He held a uniquely shaped soul tool in his hand. The front was oval, like a metal plate, and the back was a metal handle with an indicator light on it, which was green.

The soldier did not make Jiang Ming dismount, but instead used the soul tool to circle the carriage.

Seeing that the soul tool in his hand was still showing a green light, the soldier nodded and was about to let Jiang Ming in.

The next second, a large hand slapped him directly on the head.

"Are you out of your mind?! Don't you know anyone? You're checking the young city lord's car?!"

The captain of the guards at the south gate of Qingshui City glared at his soldiers, then immediately went to Jiang Ming's carriage and bowed repeatedly, saying, "Young Lord, this newcomer doesn't know you. Please don't take offense at him."

Upon hearing what the captain said, the surrounding guards were taken aback.

Immediately, all eyes turned to Jiang Ming.

"Young City Lord?!"

They had never met the young city lord before, as they had only come to Qingshui City in the last few years.

They had only heard some information about the young lord of Qingshui City.

The soldier who had just stopped Jiang Ming's carriage also bowed in a flustered manner, repeatedly apologizing for his mistake.

"You are."

Jiang Ming frowned slightly, recalling information about the squad leader in front of him.

“Young City Lord, it’s normal that you don’t recognize me. I was just a lowly soldier under you. I used to guard the North Gate, but I was injured and then you sent me to the South Gate.”

The squad leader quickly replied.

Hearing this, Jiang Ming nodded slightly and then said, "I see. Thank you for your hard work. But you don't need to blame him; he's very responsible."

As he spoke, Jiang Ming looked at the soldier who had just used a special soul tool to check the carriage, smiled, and said, "Is there anything contraband on my carriage? Can we enter the city now?"

The soldier stammered, "Of course! Young Lord, please come in!"

Jiang Ming nodded and said, "Do a good job."

Then, the squad leader tried to take the horse's hand, but Jiang Ming shook his head and refused.

"No need. I'll drive myself and see how things are at home. It's been a long time since I've been back."

As he spoke, Jiang Ming gently shook the reins, and the carriage slowly drove into the city.

Two years ago, when he returned to Shrek Academy from the Ice Sea, he passed through Clearwater City.

At that time, Jiang Ming was seriously injured and paralyzed, confined to a wheelchair. He was also on his way and had no time to observe the changes in Qingshui City.

He didn't even dare to go in and greet Aunt Nie Lan when he passed by her house.

But now, everything is over. He feels relieved and can finally calm down and see how Qingshui City has changed.

Before, Qingshui City was very similar in style to Xuanbing City, since they were both close to the far north. In fact, the environment in Qingshui City was even harsher, because Qingshui City was practically bordering the far north.

Jiang Ming's memory of Qingshui City is actually more like what he was when he was a child. After all, he has been traveling to various places in recent years, and even though he has returned a few times, he has not stayed for long.

The changes in Qingshui City have actually been the most significant in the last few years.

"I'm home. This place really feels like a completely different place."

Jiang Ming looked at the additional buildings around him, his face full of emotion.

When he was a teenager, the buildings in Qingshui City were mostly simple and the area was sparsely populated.

But now, the streets are wide and flat, lined with tall buildings, and even with a light snow falling from the sky, the roads are bustling with traffic.

Moreover, traces of soul tools can be found everywhere in the surrounding buildings. In terms of the application of civilian soul tools, apart from Shrek City and Mingdu, Jiang Ming felt that Qingshui City should also be considered a very advanced city.

Inside the carriage, Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen lifted the curtains on both sides of the carriage and looked outside, a strange light flashing in their beautiful eyes.

Ling Luochen, in particular, who comes from the Xuanbing Sect, has a great fondness for this kind of icy and snowy environment.

Liya and Wang Qiu'er also stood on either side, watching the people coming and going on both sides of the street, and the sunlight reflecting off the snow on the surrounding high-rise buildings.

When Liya passed through Qingshui City on her last trip back, she had a general idea of ​​what Qingshui City looked like back then, but Qingshui City was different from what it is now. In the past two years, with the help of various forces, Qingshui City has become more and more prosperous.

As a result, even if it doesn't change every day, there will always be some major changes in a month or a year.

As for Wang Qiu'er, this was her first time visiting Qingshui City.

Seeing the surrounding buildings filled with soul-guided technology, she couldn't help but think of Shrek City and Mingdu.

She couldn't help but sigh inwardly, "Humans are truly a species blessed by the heavens."

Not only can they reach the cultivation level that soul beasts take thousands, tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of years to achieve in just a few decades, but they can also create these amazing soul guidance technologies!

At the same time, she couldn't help but feel worried.

The relationship between humans and soul beasts is inherently hostile. Previously, the difference in strength between human soul masters and soul beasts was not significant, and the power of soul beasts was even far greater than that of human soul masters.

But now, there are more and more powerful human soul masters, and they have even developed terrifying things like soul tools.

With such a thing, as soul-guided technology becomes increasingly advanced, the plight of soul beasts will likely become even more difficult.
As an imperial auspicious beast, she seemed to have a vague sense of the fate of soul beasts on the future Douluo Continent.
Is it possible to make a change?

The carriage moved slowly forward, and pedestrians on the road made way for it. The girls looked curiously at Jiang Ming sitting in the carriage, their bright eyes sparkling with springtime.

Jiang Ming is very handsome; he has been an undeniably good-looking guy since he was a child.

Back when he was at Shrek Academy, he attracted a large group of female fans.

Now that he's older, his handsome face has gained an added touch of maturity and composure.

This is quite attractive to young girls in the throes of first love.

Some bold girls tried to get to know Jiang Ming, but as soon as they approached, they saw the curtain behind Jiang Ming lifted, revealing a group of beautiful faces staring directly at them, which immediately made the girls feel intimidated.

In terms of beauty and figure, there is really no one on the entire Douluo Continent who can compare to the people behind Jiang Ming!

At least in Jiang Ming's own understanding, it doesn't exist.

"You guys have scared that young girl."

Jiang Ming shook his head and chuckled. Ma Xiaotao snorted and said, "That's exactly what I wanted! To scare away all your suitors! So you don't end up with a few more sisters for us!"

With them by his side, Jiang Ming has enough!

Even the most magnanimous first wife, Zhang Lexuan, could not accept Jiang Ming attracting so many suitors without restraint.

Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen came before her; Liya was an accident; Qiu'er and Xue Di were also accidents.

Previously, we lacked the strength, so there's nothing to say about these unexpected events.

Now that Jiang Ming is a Limit Douluo, it wouldn't make sense if he "accidentally" gained a few more female confidantes!
Therefore, when Ma Xiaotao and Ling Luochen, along with Liya and Wang Qiu'er, were scaring the little girl, Zhang Lexuan did not stop them.

Of course, she also knew that Jiang Ming wouldn't do anything reckless.

After being frightened, the girls along the way lost the confidence to strike up a conversation with Jiang Ming. They could only watch the handsome young man from afar; even if they couldn't have him, it was still pleasing to the eye.

As they traveled and looked around, the carriage finally arrived at the gate of the city lord's mansion.

Compared to the drastically changed Qingshui City, the architectural style around the City Lord's Mansion did not change much.

In fact, Zhang Lexuan had considered upgrading the city lord's mansion in Qingshui City, but the old couple refused.

They said they didn't want Jiang Ming to be unable to find his way home when he returned.

Upgrading other parts of Qingshui City is out of the question, as developing those areas would help the residents of Qingshui City. However, the old couple still want to keep the City Lord's Mansion as it is.

As the carriage approached the city lord's mansion, Jiang Ming saw Old Nie and Aunt Lan walking towards them.

Clearly, someone had notified the elderly couple in advance.

When the elderly couple reached the carriage, Jiang Ming lightly leaped up and stood in front of them, opening his arms to embrace Old Nie and Aunt Lan.

"Old Nie, Aunt Lan, I'm back."

Simple words, yet filled with deep longing.

Since he left Qingshui City at the age of twelve until his successful return, nearly twenty years have passed, and the number of times he has returned and the duration of his visits have been very short.

Now, I finally feel relaxed and am home.

This is a different mindset than when I went home before.

When a person reaches the pinnacle and looks back on the path they've traveled, the people they care about are still there—that is the greatest happiness.

At least that's how it is for Jiang Ming.

"It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

Aunt Lan reached out and patted Jiang Ming's back, her eyes already glistening with tears.

Old Nie was quite pretentious, remaining silent, but he held Jiang Ming's hand very tightly.

Upon witnessing this scene, the women in the carriage remained silent, getting off one by one and standing to the side.

This naturally caught Aunt Lan's attention.

"Xiao Ming, who are these people?"

She was familiar with Aunt Lan, but not so much with the other girls.

But looking at it now, with these girls standing next to Zhang Lexuan, the meaning is quite clear.

However, she still wanted to confirm with Jiang Ming.

"Aunt Lan, let me introduce you."

Jiang Ming released his arm and gestured to Aunt Lan, introducing her as follows:
"Sister Lexuan needs no introduction. This is Ling Luochen."

Jiang Ming looked at Ling Luochen.

"Hello, Aunt Lan"

Ling Luochen smiled and bowed to Aunt Lan, which was quite rare for her, given her usually aloof personality.

If it were an ordinary stranger, Ling Luochen would definitely have a cold face when they first met.

But she certainly wouldn't act like that when facing Aunt Lan.

"Hello."

Aunt Lan nodded in response.

Jiang Ming then continued his introduction:
"This is Ma Xiaotao."

Ma Xiaotao's personality is completely opposite to Ling Luochen's; she is the outgoing type. However, in front of Aunt Lan, she restrained her boldness and bowed very obediently.

"Hello, Aunt Lan"

Aunt Lan blinked, looked at Ling Luochen, then at Ma Xiaotao, and finally at Zhang Lexuan, hesitating to speak.

But she nodded to Ma Xiaotao first.

"Hello."

The same process applied to Liya and Wang Qiu'er.

Compared to Ling Luochen and Ma Xiaotao, who restrained their personalities, Liya, as a mermaid, was also a little nervous, but her performance was relatively normal.

Wang Qiu'er couldn't maintain her aloof demeanor either; she seemed even more reserved than Ling Luochen and Ma Xiaotao. Fortunately, she eventually managed to greet them.

After all the women had finished greeting each other, Jiang Ming called out to Xue Di in his spiritual sea.

"Xue'er, why don't you come out and say hello to Aunt Nie Lan?"

Xue Di's existence is more special than that of the other women.

She is not only a soul beast, but has now become Jiang Ming's soul spirit, without a physical body.

But Jiang Ming felt that since he had already established a relationship with Xue Di, he should naturally bring Xue Di along when meeting her parents.

"Is this okay?"

A hint of tension was revealed in Xue Di's voice.

Having lived for 700,000 years, she rarely experiences this kind of tension.

But now, when meeting Jiang Ming's family, he revealed this emotion.

"Why not? You're my wife too."

Jiang Ming said softly.

Even though Xue Di is his spirit, she is also one of his wives, and that will not change.

In that case, meeting the parents is certainly an option.

As he spoke, Jiang Ming directly summoned Xue Di from his spiritual sea.

Snowflakes fell, releasing an icy chill, and the spirit born from the ice and snow slowly appeared before everyone.

When Lao Nie and Aunt Lan saw Xue Di, their eyes widened instantly!

"S-Snow Emperor?!"

(End of this chapter)