I Killed Gods and Demons in Song Dynasty

Chapter 59 Equivalent Exchange
Deep in the cave, there stand several incomplete stone tablets, on which are carved images of various strange creatures, each containing mysterious symbols and patterns that make people dare not look directly at them.

One of the monsters had a ferocious head, a face covered with densely packed eyes and a disproportionate bloody mouth, exactly the same as the image of "Taotie" on the golden tablet.

The picture then climbs upwards, with the perspective reaching the sky, overlooking the rolling mountains dotted with beacon towers, which is the peak of Mount Li.

Just by looking at this finger bone, Li Qingyun felt the pain as if he was actually there, as if the imprisoned and buried figure was himself.

After a moment, he felt a splitting headache and closed his eyes involuntarily.

"Have you seen it all?"

Mu Guiying asked softly, and with a wave of her hand, the finger bone pendant slipped away from Li Qingyun's palm. She gently held it and put it back around her neck.

Li Qingyun wiped the sweat from his forehead and replied respectfully, "I saw it all. Could the figure in the cave be our Master?"

Mu Guiying shook her head: "I'm not sure, but this finger bone belongs to my mentor, and it has her aura, there is no doubt about it.

“I think the picture you saw was the revelation she gave me. The specific details can only be known by entering the cave in person.

"Based on the special inspiration of the nature god on incense, I can determine that the cave, or tomb, is in Mount Li. However, in this mountain with a radius of thousands of miles, it is like looking for a needle in a haystack to find it, so I need your help."

Li Qingyun smiled and said, "You are joking, Marshal. I am weak and only a warrior of the first level. How can I help you?"

Mu Guiying turned her head and glanced at Li Qingyun. The midday sun shone on her face, outlining a soft outline.

She continued:
"Another token that came with the finger bone is the golden tablet you saw. It should be the key to finding or opening the cave, but no matter what I did, I couldn't decipher the runes on it. I could only get a few clues.

"To be honest, I once asked a fifth-level 'life-reader' to make a prediction. He told me that this golden tablet can only be opened by a destined person, and that person is in Bianliang City.

"That's why I acquiesced to Jinhua's wandering around with the golden tablet. Of course, in order to prevent her from causing trouble, I arranged for Paifeng to keep an eye on her. I didn't expect that the destined person in the end would be an unknown martial arts practitioner."

Li Qingyun had the same idea and said with an innocent expression:

"General, although I have obtained some information from the golden scroll, my realm is not high enough. I am still a mortal and cannot digest and understand the meaning..."

Mu Guiying's eyes were sharp and deep:
"You want me to help?"

Li Qingyun's thoughts were seen through, but he didn't feel surprised at all.

The person standing in front of him was a veteran with a long experience in battle and a meticulous mind. How could he be fooled so easily?

However, he did not expect to gain any advantage. Everyone exchanged things on an equal basis and each took what they needed, which was fair and reasonable.

But he didn't know what bargaining chips Mu Guiying could offer, or what demands she would make. Li Qingyun nodded:
"If the Marshal can help me, then when I reach a higher level, I may be able to decipher the information on the golden tablet. At that time, I will tell you everything I know."

Mu Guiying smiled, her lips slightly raised, revealing two rows of white teeth, as beautiful as a newly opened petal:
"You are very nice and straightforward, and your requests are reasonable. You are not at all like those annoying scholars who speak in a flowery way."

How many scholars have you been cheated by... Li Qingyun speculated in his heart, not knowing what Mu Guiying meant specifically, but thinking of the civil servants of the Song Dynasty that he had read about in history books, he could guess it almost exactly, and immediately laughed:
"I am a gangster, I don't know manners, and I speak bluntly, I hope you don't mind."

Mu Guiying rarely showed a playful expression:

"What's so shameful about being in the underworld? I was also born in the underworld. Well, let's not talk about this. Since I need your help, I will give you a price first.

"You are from Kaifeng Prefecture, and you are a martial arts practitioner. If you want to be reborn and digest the runes with divinity, you must at least reach the third level of 'refining the spirit', or even the fourth level of 'innate'.

"I know Bao Hei of Kaifeng Prefecture... Lord Bao is strict in his rule. If you want to accumulate merits from him and exchange them for the right skills step by step, you have to work hard for at least ten years, or make great contributions. In addition, you have to go through strict assessments.

"I can help you save this step. Tianbo Mansion has the entire set of exercises before the 'Divine Will' realm, which can be taught to you step by step, and various elixirs for refining the body and qi will be provided free of charge. Moreover, if you have any questions or difficulties in cultivation, you can come to Paifeng girl. She is a warrior in the 'Innate' realm and can answer all your questions."

Are you so sure that I can quickly ascend to the third or even fourth realm... Li Qingyun felt somewhat doubtful, which was slightly revealed in his expression. Mu Guiying saw it and teased him with a smile:
"Why, you don't have confidence in yourself? Paifeng girl started practicing martial arts at the age of twelve, succeeded in refining her essence at the age of fifteen, and spent another seventeen years to enter the Xiantian realm. Well, I'll give you a year."

Huh? What kind of logic is this?

No, she saw that I had a cheat, but I didn’t reveal any flaws... Li Qingyun was stunned when he heard that, and then he was shocked.

Being a person favored by the gods is his biggest secret. How did Mu Guiying see it so quickly?

Even so, his face remained expressionless:

"You are too kind to me, Marshal. I am just..."

"...You are just a wandering wanderer, right? I don't know what you are capable of, but the 'Fortune-Seeing Man' once predicted that there would be a destined person who could decipher the golden tablet, and you are obviously that person. In this case, I believe that you must have a way to reach the fourth realm within a year. Don't worry, I don't care about your secrets, and I won't reveal a single thing."

Mu Guiying continued what he said.

It turns out that she didn't see through my secret, purely because of the prophecy... Li Qingyun felt relieved after listening to Mu Guiying's explanation, and was glad that he didn't lose his composure just now. Then he smiled bitterly as if relieved:
"Since the commander has given the order, I will obey."

Mu Guiying nodded with satisfaction:
"Very good! In return, I need you to decipher the information on the golden scroll and find a way to open the cave. And after you reach the 'Innate' realm, enter that place with me to explore it and do your best to help me rescue Master."

Go to that tomb? That's where the demigod "Taotie" and a "God" of the seventh level of the incense path are involved. Wouldn't it be suicide for me to go there?
No, I can save people, but I have to pay more... Li Qingyun blinked and said:
"Okay, but I have something else to ask of you. I have an enemy..."

……

(End of this chapter)