The court lackeys of the eight-hour workday

Chapter 404 Cooperation
Upon reading this sentence, Li Miao understood many things.

For example, why was the old Taoist priest willing to abandon the principles that Wudang had upheld for hundreds of years and go to Shuntian to get involved in the court's struggles? After all, in his view, whether it was the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Eastern Depot, the civil officials, or even the emperor, they were all just parties within the court.

For example, why did Ji Tianrui solemnly leave him the four words "Father-in-law of the River"? And why did she get involved with Yingzhou?

The same applies to the imperial tombs.

The story of An Qisheng receiving a letter from the old man on the river is strikingly similar to the Jianwen Emperor's inexplicable acquisition of the Jizhao martial arts technique. It makes one wonder... could they have been done by the same person?
Thinking of this, Li Miao closed his eyes and thought to himself.

"Master Ji, should we call you crazy, or do you have foresight and can predict the future without missing a single detail?"

Ji Tianrui's approach of almost blindly identifying a hypothetical enemy based on just a few words and then betting everything on it just to get one step closer to that enemy is truly somewhat neurotic.

But what's terrifying is that as time goes on, Li Miao becomes increasingly certain that there really is someone hiding behind the scenes in Da Shuo, or rather, in this world, guiding the development of martial arts and the world.

Ji Tianrui initiated the incident at the imperial tomb in order to force this person to come out.

The purpose of cooperating with Yingzhou was to obtain information about that person from An Qisheng, who was in the know.

Thinking of this, Li Miao paused in his fidgeting.

"In that case, the incident last year when the leader of the sect attacked Shaolin Temple is quite interesting... Perhaps she attacked Shaolin Temple to confirm whether Bodhidharma had ascended to heaven or disappeared, and that's why she decided to launch the imperial tomb attack."

"With the disappearance of the two patriarchs, the reasoning that Master Ji did not wish for the celestial beings to appear in the world seems even more credible..."

"But this person's matter can be put aside for now."

"It's not time to deal with this person yet."

Li Miao closed the ancient book and looked at the old Taoist priest.

“I already know about it, Daoist Master.”

"So, Wudang, you're preparing to enter the world, right?"

The old Taoist nodded without hesitation.

"Yes."

He stood up, clasped his hands together, inserted his left thumb into the web between his right thumb and forefinger, and bent his right thumb under his left thumb, pinching the noon line, and performed a standard and respectful Taoist salute.

"The Wudang School has been established for five hundred years. During these five hundred years, we have been waiting for one person. One person who can open up a new path, break free from the old ways of our predecessors, cultivate to the level of Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng, and explore the truth behind Grandmaster Zhang Sanfeng's disappearance."

"Today, we have finally waited for this moment."

Seeing the old Taoist priest's serious demeanor, Li Miao stood up, abandoning his lazy appearance, and responded solemnly.

"Taoist Master, have you made up your mind?"

"I had someone invite you here as a precaution against Yingzhou stirring up trouble in the martial arts world. But if Wudang intends to get involved in the affairs of the imperial court, its future lineage may be in jeopardy."

"Furthermore, do you know who I am? Although I may not be a demon, I have more blood on my hands than anyone else in the world. Aren't you afraid of ruining your cultivation by siding with me?"

The old Taoist priest did not get up, but said in a deep voice.

"Firstly, since the matter of the patriarch has not been resolved, how can we talk about cultivation? How can we cultivate, and how are we worthy of cultivation!"

"Secondly, although your methods are ruthless, everything you do is righteous, and that is enough."

"We, Wudang, do not follow the path of outdated and rigid pursuit of perfection."

"Today, Wudang only hopes that after destroying Yingzhou, we can get clues about that person from An Qisheng."

Li Miao smiled gently.

Indeed, Zhang Sanfeng was capable of performing the feat of vanquishing demons over sixty years, and the blood on his hands was probably no less than that on Li Miao's. How could his successor be a stubborn, inflexible, and perfectionist person?

"In that case, I'll have to trouble you, Daoist Master."

Li Miao clasped his hands in a fist salute to the old Taoist priest.

The old Taoist priest bowed slightly, then straightened up and smiled at Li Miao. Both men were straightforward, and since they had decided to cooperate, they didn't stand on ceremony. Li Miao gestured, leading the old Taoist priest to the table, where Zhu Zai also came over.

"What realm is the Taoist priest at now?"

"One and a half."

"How many routes can we kill?"

“Anyone with three or fewer enemies can be killed. If there are two enemies or fewer than five people, I can hold them off for an hour.”

Li Miao raised his head and smiled.

"The Wudang tradition is indeed extraordinary, and you, Daoist, are truly a hero who can forge your own path... In that case, I have something to entrust to you, Daoist."

Li Miao pointed to a spot on the map on the table.

“I have two subordinates who are doing something for me. This matter is extremely important. If things don’t go well, this is the chance to turn the tide and win. We cannot afford to miss it.”

"Taoist priest, can you guard this place for me?"

The old Taoist priest glanced at the map, pondered for a moment, and his expression turned solemn.

"My lord... is this truly the case?"

Li Miao waved his hand.

"No need to say more, in a life-or-death struggle, one cannot seek perfection."

"Since the other party has staked their life on the table, how can I spare my own? The Taoist priest only asked if you could guard this place for me."

The old Taoist priest clasped his hands in a fist salute.

"I will certainly live up to your expectations!"

"Before I die, I will never allow anyone to set foot in this place!"

After that, he turned around and left.

Now, the old Taoist priest, after leaving the palace, walked swiftly without stopping. He turned from the Daming Gate into the main street inside the Xuanwu Gate, and after walking for a while, he stopped outside a government office.

As soon as he reached the door, a member of the Imperial Guard rushed over, gripping the hilt of his sword, and demanded an explanation in a stern voice.

"Who is coming!"

The old Taoist priest did not answer, but only glanced around.

As the Imperial Guards questioned him, dozens of eyes swept over him from all directions, fixing their gazes on his vital points.

The old Taoist priest also had some thoughts of checking whether the defenses here were tight for Li Miao. In fact, he also had some of the arrogance of a Wudang person. Without answering, he stepped inside.

The Imperial Guard blocking his way changed his expression, took a half step back, and without saying a word, slapped his chest!
Swoosh s ...

Thousands of fine needles shot out from under his clothes, heading straight for the old Taoist's face!

The old Taoist frowned, raised his hand, and used a gentle force to guide the fine needle aside by sweeping and flicking it in the air.

Just as I was about to take another step, a huge cloud of white mist suddenly fell from above the entrance of the government office!
Hundreds of kilograms of lime powder!
It instantly enveloped a large part of the street!
The Imperial Guard blocking the door rolled out of the lime powder area, first tearing off his face to reveal a handsome but slightly pale face, then taking out a mask from his pocket, putting it on, and standing up to shout.

"A rain of pear blossoms! Shoot them!"

"Seven-Step Deadly Needle! Heavenly Demon Rain! Heart-Severing and Soul-Destroying Powder! Fire Salt! Blood Poison! Yama's Decree! Don't hold back on this commander's money, throw it all in!"

"Yes!--"

At An Ziyang's command, dozens of responses rang out from the corners of the walls, the ground, the trees, and the rooftops. Then, Tang Clan's secret hidden weapons, like rain, saturated the white mist.

(End of this chapter)