If you don't give up, I'd like to be your adoptive father.

Chapter 1179 Xiang Yu, unwilling to flee at the first sign of trouble
Xiao Yu said he was going to see an old friend, but his real purpose was to find Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu when he met Zhongli Mo and his mother, thus completing the most crucial part of the plan to "sweep away the heroes of Chu and Han".

During the Chu-Han Contention, the most capable warriors were Xiang Yu and Han Xin. Han Xin had already fallen into the trap, and with Xiang Yu joining the fray, the plan was essentially complete.

She entered Wu County full of expectations, but failed to find Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu.

It wasn't that the Xiang family uncle and nephew changed their names and surnames to hide their identities and whereabouts, making them impossible to find.

On the contrary, they should have been easy to find.

Even today, Xiang Liang and his nephew Xiang Yu are still wanted criminals of the Qin Dynasty, and among the most wanted. Yet, in the capital of Kuaiji Commandery, Xiang Liang is a well-known figure.

Weddings and funerals, in modern times, are the most important events in a person's life.

In ancient times, these events were more ritualistic and were given more importance.

The person who presides over wedding and funeral ceremonies must be a respected elder recognized by all.

In the Wuzhong region, regardless of whether it's inside or outside the city, wealthy families would try to invite Xiang Liang for large-scale funerals and weddings.

He didn't even change his name; he was still Xiang Liang, the son of Xiang Yan, the former general of Chu, and a wanted criminal of Qin.

They sought out Xiang Liang because they all felt that he was the most respected and virtuous man.

The reason why Xiang Liang is considered the most virtuous and respected is not because he deliberately hyped himself up or boasted, but because he won over the scholars of Wu with his strength in daily interactions.

The prominent figures and scholars of Wuzhong believed that they were inferior to Xiang Liang in both talent and virtue. They openly admitted this and respectfully invited Xiang Liang to preside over their family's important events, such as weddings and funerals.

Kuaiji was far from the Central Plains and belonged to a barbaric land. Its etiquette and education were ultimately inferior to those of the nobles of Chu!

Well, the State of Chu was regarded as barbarians by the Central Plains, but the level of civilization of Wu and Yue was far inferior to that of Chu.

Upon arriving in Kuaiji, Xiang Liang's manners were enough to put even the most prominent figures to shame.

Besides weddings and funerals among the common people, even local corvée labor organized by the government—conscripting people to serve in the local area—was handled by Xiang Liang.

In other words, the government was fully aware that Xiang Liang was in Wuzhong, and even relied heavily on him.

This is a major slap in the face to the "prefecture-county system" that Ying Zheng and Li Si vigorously promoted.

If Ying Zheng had appointed a "King of Wu" to guard Kuaiji back then, Xiang Liang certainly wouldn't be as successful as he is today.

Recently, Grand Tutor Yu arranged for a "King of Wu" to come to the southeast.

Instead of Kuaiji County, they went to Tongling in the west.

It's over a thousand miles from Wuxian County; I don't know if it's safe enough.

Xiang Liang was very famous, and he even built a "Xiang Family Village" outside the city.

The estate is quite large, covering an area of ​​five mu.

Inside were mostly members of the Xiang family and their retainers, totaling more than two hundred people.

Finding Xiangjiazhuang was very easy.

However, at this time, Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu were not in Xiang Family Village.

Zhongli Mo was not there either.

However, Xiaoyu found Zhongli Mo's mother in the suburbs.

It was almost noon, and the old lady was sitting alone under the eaves shelling edamame.

Xiaoyu has become a "radish Taoist priest" and has grown two inches taller, after all, he has grown two years older!
The radish-wielding Taoist priest sought out Zhongli Mo only to fulfill a vow—he had promised to visit Wu Zhong and find the mother and son, not to cause trouble for Zhongli Mo.

So the Radish Taoist was carrying his bag and walking through the city gate properly.

Upon entering Wu County, we pretended to stroll around for a while and made some inquiries before finally finding Zhongli Mo's house.

Finally seeing her long-awaited old friend, Zhongli Mo's mother was overjoyed.

She insisted on going out to buy fish and meat, added a few dishes, and ate and chatted with the Radish Taoist.

"Hey, it's just my luck that's turned around. After sending that scoundrel home, I met an old immortal who gave me a celestial book. Madam, take a look, maybe you can see something in it?"

The radish-wielding Taoist priest spouted nonsense and actually produced the celestial book "Tao Te Ching" and handed it to Zhongli's mother to read.

The old lady could read, and she became completely engrossed in reading it, starting from lunchtime and continuing until dark.

Xiaoyu quietly lit a candle for her, not wanting to interrupt her chance.

It wasn't until the next morning that the old lady woke up as if from a dream, exclaiming in amazement, "Daoist Master, you are so fortunate! You have indeed obtained the Heavenly Book."

Although I don't understand it very well, I have read the Tao Te Ching and heard Taoist masters explain it.

But this Tao Te Ching is quite extraordinary!

She diligently cultivated the "Purple Cloud True Qi," consuming the Great Sun Purple Qi morning and night, yet she never attained enlightenment.

After reading the celestial book today, I immediately felt an abundance of Daoist energy and the birth of true Qi.

Xiaoyu stayed at Zhongli's house for two more days, explaining the Heavenly Book and Zixia True Qi to the old lady.

With her current level of skill, she could easily update "Zixia True Qi 1.0" to "Zixia True Qi 10.0" in one go.

The Purple Cloud True Qi, originally from square dancing and aerobics, has become an entry-level advanced immortal technique.

Immortal techniques are highly advanced and of a high level, but they are only introductory Qi cultivation methods. Achieving immortality is almost impossible, but their benefits for health and wellness far exceed the required level.

Three days later, Xiang Liang and Xiang Yu were still nowhere to be found, leaving even the people of Wu County in a state of astonishment.

Because Xiang Lianggong had never disappeared for so long before, only half a month.

—They just happened to avoid me, and they're still avoiding me now.
Xiaoyu vaguely understood something.

First, secretly arrange for a spirit body to sink into the earth, then take the initiative to bid farewell to Old Lady Zhongli.

Zhongli's mother was naturally extremely reluctant to let him go and tried her best to persuade him to stay.

“There’s plenty of time in the future. My trip to Wuzhong was just a side trip. Next, I’ll be setting sail to the East Sea to search for the Immortal Island. In a few years, when I return to the Central Plains, I will definitely come to find you and Brother Zhongli again,” Xiaoyu comforted him.

“But you didn’t even see him this time you came,” said Zhongli’s mother.

"I met the old lady and heard about Brother Zhongli; the old lady also saw me and knew that I was well, that's enough!"

Carrying the dry rations prepared by Zhongli's mother, the Radish Taoist drifted away.

Leaving Zhongli's mother's sight, she transformed into Grand Tutor Yu and returned to the small hill by Taihu Lake, where she found Wang E diligently reciting the "Treatise on Righteousness".

"Where did you get your superhuman strength?"

Within a few days, Wang E not only recovered from his injuries, but his divine body was also filled with divine power once again.

Wang E laughed smugly, "I am not an unknown god, the 'King of Guangfu' is a powerful figure in the Chu region!"
Throughout the entire southern region of Jambudvipa, everyone knows the name of this king.

His reputation was not well-known in the Central Plains.

The people of the Central Plains looked down on the people of Chu, and naturally they looked down on the local deity of Southern Chu.

Now that I have come to Wuzhong, the old dragon of Taihu Lake is my friend and relative, the mountain god of Kuaiji Mountain has drunk wine with me, and the dragon king of Qiantang, who is further away, is an old acquaintance.

That fellow is the younger brother of the Old Dragon of Dongting Lake, and also my sworn brother.

—In other words, the Old Dragon of Taihu Lake, the God of Kuaiji Mountain, and the Dragon King of Qiantang all know that "Grand Tutor Yu is in Wuzhong, very close to Xiangjiazhuang".

Xiao Yu thought to himself, but he also understood that Xiang Liang probably already knew that Grand Tutor Yu had come to Kuaiji to dredge the earth's veins long before Wang E robbed the divine power.

When Xiang Liang hid, he managed to avoid her.

If the supernatural power isn't exposed, it's accurate every time it's used. Once it's exposed, it will definitely be studied.

How many ancient quasi-saints, great immortals, and quasi-great immortals are hidden in the Pangu World?

They are all top researchers.

The "Method of Nourishing the Earth by the Stepmother of the Ancestral Dragon" is also a secret method!

The changes in Kuaiji are quite obvious; the mountains know, and the waters know too.

“It’s good that you, my servant, know how to be self-reliant. When I start using you as a spirit official, I won’t have to worry about the consumption of divine power.”

Xiao Yu secretly used the "Five Gods Great Transport Escape Technique" to pat his pocket.

A full 100,000 sticks of incense! Wang E's smile froze, and he said resentfully, "Countless Taoist temples in the land of China have raised an unknown number of spirit officials."

I've never heard of a spirit official having to 'rely on his own efforts'.

I've not only become self-reliant, but you're also stealing my incense and divine power.

The story of the spirit official offering incense and prayers to the "Lord" to revive his divine power is truly a unique tale, unprecedented in history.

"I'll save it for you so you don't waste it. Let's go, let's go to Lujiang next door," Xiaoyu said.

On the evening of the second day after Grand Tutor Yu brought Wang E into Lujiang County, Zhongli's mother saw her son again.

"My son, why did you come back at this time? It's such bad timing. If you had come back two or three days earlier, I could have seen Master Luobo; if you had come back a few days later, I wouldn't have felt so regretful, and I would have felt better." Old Mrs. Zhongli looked annoyed.

Zhongli Mo also looked regretful and sighed, "Who says it isn't! We just missed it."

Zhongli's mother asked in surprise, "You know that Daoist Luobo came to our house?"

Zhongli Mo said, "I don't know, I just got back. But I know that Daoist Luobo went to Xiang Family Village and asked the Xiang family about us."

“Oh, right, you went back to Xiangjiazhuang first.” Zhongli’s mother realized first, then took the initiative to say, “Daoist Luobo has grown taller and stronger, and is safe and sound, without any illness or disaster.”

He was very lucky; he received a celestial book, and he even showed it to me!

She went on and on, recounting the whole story of Master Radish.

Zhongli Mo was both overjoyed and deeply regretful upon hearing this.

His mother talked for more than half an hour, and he listened quietly for more than half an hour. Then he got up and said, "Mother, you go to sleep first. I'll go back to Xiang Family Village again and practice martial arts for a while."

"What are you practicing martial arts for so late at night? Haven't you had dinner yet?" Zhongli's mother said.

“We’ve already eaten. Actually, we returned to shore this afternoon. We booked the entire He Family Restaurant in the west of the city and ate and drank with a group of teenagers until sunset. Didn’t you smell the alcohol on me earlier?”

Zhongli Mo gave an explanation, then bid farewell to his elderly mother and used his lightness skill to rush to Xiang Family Village.

He also had to explain the matter of "Radish Taoist" to Xiang Lianggong.

Practicing martial arts was, of course, just an excuse.

All outsiders with "sensitive identities" (including but not limited to powerful martial artists and Qi cultivators) will be targeted by Xiang Liang's men after entering Wuzhong.

There were assassins trained by Xiang Liang, as well as ghosts and gods who had been bribed.

Not to mention Wu County, the vast Taihu Lake, spanning thousands of miles, with its complex terrain resembling a maze, was still firmly under Xiang Liang's control.

You could run into any old fisherman you meet, and he could be one of Xiang Liang's men.

The "Radish Taoist" was not only an outsider, but also came close to Xiang Family Village and eventually entered Zhongli's house, staying for several days. Naturally, he was a particularly sensitive person. Although Zhongli Mo did not find the Radish Brother's identity sensitive at all.

He has to follow the rules.

He hurried through the darkness and arrived outside Xiang Family Village. Even before reaching the gate, separated by a spacious threshing ground, Zhongli Mo could hear a commotion coming from inside the village.

He couldn't help but feel very puzzled.

The Xiang family has been a military family for generations, and Xiang Liang even incorporated military strategy into his daily life.

Even when overseeing corvée labor and funerals, he would secretly treat guests and his sons as soldiers, using military tactics to deploy and manage them. In this process, he could also discover many talented individuals.

Xiangjiazhuang was even used as a military camp by Xiang Lianggong.

Normally, all the villagers follow the rules and regulations, never making a fuss or causing chaos.

"Zhongli Mo, you're here! Come over here quickly!"

Zhongli Mo looked in the direction of the sound and saw Xiang Zhuang, who was shirtless and bare-chested, wearing only a pair of short trousers.

He looked at the people in the courtyard; some were taking off their clothes, while others were left with only a white cloth wrapped around their crotches.

They all seemed surprised and reluctant, and there was a lot of arguing.

Even Xiang Yu was shouting and arguing with Xiang Liang.

Zhao Zhenren, Xiang Lianggong's chief advisor, stood to the side with his head down and did not offer any advice.

"What are they doing?" Zhongli Mo asked in confusion.

"You've come over so late at night, don't you know what you're doing? Didn't Xiang Lianggong tell you? We're going to brand the 'Du Yu Wen' on our bodies, which is to prevent Yu Fengxian from infiltrating." Xiang Zhuang asked curiously.

"I've never heard of any spirit runes. I'm here to see Lord Xiang Liang."

As Zhongli Mo spoke, he walked toward Xiang Liang Gong.

After taking a few steps, he stopped, somewhat embarrassed.

As the argument between Xiang Ji and Xiang Liang intensified.

"Uncle, why are we so afraid of Yu Fengxian?"

Xiang Ji was very excited, his face was red and his neck was thick, as if he had been holding it in for a long time and had finally reached his limit.

"When we first heard that she might come to Ji County, we couldn't be 100% sure of the news; it was just a possibility."

You then hurriedly led a large group of us to Taihu Lake.

Even after entering the Taihu camp, I was still not at ease.

They forcibly demolished the secret military stronghold that had taken several years to build.

The thousands of Jiangdong youths we gathered also returned to their homes and went into hiding.

We are going to overthrow the Qin Dynasty—”

"Shut up!" Xiang Liang interrupted his angry shout.

"Zhongli Mo, you've arrived." He greeted Zhongli Mo with a smile first, then glared at Xiang Ji with a stern look and said, "Yu'er, if you don't rein in your temper, you'll suffer a great loss sooner or later!"
The Qin Dynasty still exists, and Grand Tutor Yu is working diligently to govern it, showing signs of its revival.

You're spouting nonsense. If this gets out, how are we supposed to face the consequences?

“Uncle, things have come to this point, we have no way out,” Xiang Ji cried out.

"You want to be the first to step forward and lead the vanguard for the king? To send hundreds of thousands of troops from Xingyang to besiege us in Kuaiji County? Use your brain!" Xiang Liang sighed.

Xiang Ji regained his composure and said, "Uncle, we can wait, we can endure. Let's stick to the facts. We've already reached our limit."

News came from Xianyang that Yu Fengxian might be heading southeast again to clear the earth's veins, so we immediately fled—"

Xiang Liang interrupted him again, correcting him earnestly: "It's not an escape, but a temporary avoidance of the enemy's sharp edge."

Xiang Ji almost couldn't hold back again, "Fine, let's avoid the limelight for now and hide at the bottom of Taihu Lake for more than half a month instead of organizing manpower to take her down."

This is far from our resolve.

Now that you know she's gone, why are you still worried and afraid, and why are you imprinting spirit runes on all your brothers?

Uncle, what are we planning to do?
To accomplish great things, one must eventually face Grand Tutor Yu of the Great Qin Dynasty.

Can't you see this fact?

She's all alone now; killing her now is easier than killing her later when she's surrounded by a thousand soldiers.

Xiang Liang said irritably, "How many times have I explained this to you? Grand Tutor Yu, riding the Ancestral Dragon, conquered the Heavenly Court. His power was so great that even the Heavenly Emperor avoided his advance."

Even if you haven't seen it, you can imagine six or seven tenths of the scene and the grandeur.

How can you utter such reckless words?

We are here to do great things, and we cannot be afraid of risking our lives when doing great things. But we are the only ones who can do great things.

You must consider the overall situation, follow the general trend, and learn from Grand Tutor Yu to understand the will of Heaven and destiny.

She is indeed all alone today, but we are also all alone as a family.

Even if she truly has a vast army in the future, we will have countless heroes from across the land as our allies, and countless great immortals and gods supporting us from behind.

Sigh, if you don't like reading, at least read "The Investiture of the Gods" once.

Isn't it fascinating to treat it as a myth?

(End of this chapter)