Catching Monsters

Chapter 324 The Veteran of the Rebel World

At Princess Ningyi's residence, Linglong had a long face.

Linglong is going crazy from being cooped up in this awful capital city!

She had some regrets. When she was sent out to be the leader of the sect, Linglong longed to return to the capital and regain her status as a princess.

But after she recovered, her life in the capital was very different from what she had imagined.

"Damn Jiang Yun, it's been so long and he hasn't come to see me once."

In the backyard of the princess's residence, Linglong sat bored, surrounded by many servants and maids.

Although one lives a life of luxury, upon closer reflection, the world of martial arts remains the most distant and carefree place.

This life is utterly boring.

Every day, besides eating, I either sleep or practice martial arts.

However, the teacher invited by the Ministry of Rites to instruct her in court etiquette strongly opposed this, claiming that as a princess, she should not practice martial arts, as this was the behavior of a warrior, and so on...

Linglong, of course, rarely paid any attention to this.

Not long after returning from the northern grasslands, she vaguely sensed something and soon went into seclusion to cultivate, breaking through to the third-grade Grandmaster realm.

This etiquette teacher is really senile, actually telling a dignified third-rank grandmaster that he shouldn't practice martial arts.

Just when Linglong was feeling utterly bored, someone suddenly came to see her from outside the courtyard.

"Jiang Yun is here?" Linglong's eyes lit up when she heard this, and she quickly got up and ran outside.

The maidservant behind her quickly followed, saying, "Your Highness, Your Highness, your status is so noble. When guests arrive, they should be asked to wait in the living room. You cannot go out to greet them personally..."

Linglong didn't care about any of that.

They dashed to the entrance of the princess's residence in a flash.

Jiang Yun stood quietly at the door with his hands behind his back, waiting. Soon, Linglong came running out from inside in a carefree manner: "Hey Jiang Yun, you've finally come! You still remember me?"

"I thought you'd forgotten about me."

Upon hearing this, Jiang Yun quickly clasped his hands and smiled, "Master, what are you saying? I've been very busy lately, so I haven't had a chance to visit you."

Linglong looked at Jiang Yun with some envy and said, "I've heard about what happened to you recently. Slaying a dragon in the street has been the talk of the town."

"I have come here today because I would like to ask the sect leader for help with something."

Linglong rolled her eyes at Jiang Yun. This guy, really, he just doesn't remember her, does he?

She asked, "What's wrong?"

"I have received a mission to go to the three southwestern provinces."

"Leaving the capital?" Linglong's eyes lit up, and she agreed without hesitation. "When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning."

“Let’s leave today!” Linglong said.

Of course, before leaving, Jiang Yun first went back to the Duke of Zhenguo's mansion to tell Xu Suwen that he had to go to the three southwestern provinces immediately.

He also informed Qian Buchou that the troubles regarding Bailong Temple had been temporarily resolved, and he could return to the Beicheng Military Command at any time.

Then I made arrangements for Bailong Temple and went to Changxin Temple.

Instruct Abbot Yunwu to immediately prepare to take over the affairs of Bailong Temple.

The story of Bailong Temple had already spread within the Buddhist community, and Abbot Yunwu had naturally heard of it.

Especially after hearing from Jiang Yun that the story of Bailong Temple trafficking women was absolutely true.

Abbot Yunwu was quite shocked, but soon he also became worried.

Hakuryu-ji Temple's reputation is likely to be ruined soon, and taking over it now would be a complete mess.

Seeing Abbot Yunwu's worried expression, Jiang Yun smiled and said, "Abbot, this is, after all, one of the five major Buddhist temples. If it weren't a mess, would you have taken it over? If you really find it difficult, then I will find someone else."

"No, no, no, this old monk wants to try..."

How many monks could resist the temptation of becoming the abbot of one of the five major Buddhist temples?

This could be considered the ultimate goal of a monk's life's struggle. Now that Jiang Yun had directly delivered this good thing to him, how could Abbot Yunwu refuse?

After making the arrangements, Jiang Yun finally arrived at the south gate of the capital.

At this moment, Linglong was waiting here, leading two fine horses. She was wearing a black long robe and a bamboo hat, and she looked very energetic.

"They're here." Linglong mounted her horse, handed the other horse to Jiang Yun, and said, "Let's go!"

"drive!"

Two swift horses galloped off in the southwest. Before his journey, Jiang Yun had, of course, carefully examined the files within the Embroidered Uniform Guard detailing the true nature of the southwestern banditry.

The three southwestern provinces had not experienced many natural disasters before, but they suffered from severe man-made disasters.

Local officials levied exorbitant taxes and levies, causing widespread resentment and suffering among the local people.

This self-proclaimed Daoist King, who calls himself the Daoist Venerable Descendant, is actually named Liu Yu.

According to Liu Yu's own public statement, when he was born, there was lightning and thunder, torrential rain, and a real dragon circled the roof, emitting eighteen dragon roars throughout the night.

From a young age, he was well-versed in astronomy and geography, and was a child prodigy known throughout the surrounding area.

Seeing the people suffering and their lives becoming increasingly difficult, he, as an incarnation of the Daoist deity, could not bear it and thus provided disaster relief to the victims.

As a result, the public's opinion of him improved, and the government began to suppress him.

For the sake of the common people, he had no choice but to lead them to kill government officials and open granaries.

Soon, rebellions broke out in various parts of the three provinces, and the eighteen prefectures of the three provinces quickly fell to the enemy.

Of course, this is just publicity for Dao Hua Wang.

According to information obtained by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, this person was a local wealthy merchant, and he was the leader of those who exploited the people.

About seven years ago, the local governor's concubine passed through his territory; she was very beautiful.

This man was also a womanizer, so he slept with the provincial governor's concubine.

After sleeping with her, he learned of the woman's identity. Fearing the governor's revenge, he lured the unsuspecting governor out and murdered him.

However, when this matter was exposed, the Provincial Governor was an official appointed by the imperial court, and killing him would be tantamount to rebellion.

Liu Yu was afraid of the imperial court, so he could only grit his teeth and say that the official was inhumane in his governance and that killing him was in accordance with the will of the people.

Unexpectedly, after being oppressed for so long, Liu Yu was the first to stand up, kill the officials, and rebel, and became a hero recommended by the surrounding area.

Many people came to him for refuge.

Over the course of seven years, his influence in the three southwestern provinces grew increasingly powerful.

According to a secret report from the Embroidered Uniform Guard, half a month ago, Liu Yu's men suddenly presented him with a dragon robe and asked him to ascend the throne as emperor.

Liu Yu slapped his thigh and said, "I led everyone to kill officials and rebel, not to seize the throne, but simply to find a way out for everyone."

"What you're doing is putting me in a difficult position!"

So he happily put on the dragon robe and declared himself emperor.

However, because the imperial army had blockaded the three southwestern provinces, the news did not spread throughout the country.

……

Chongshan County is a mountainous area located on the southwestern border of the Zhou state.

Along a mountain path, Jiang Yun and Linglong rode their horses, one in front of the other.

Jiang Yun looked at the scenery in the mountains and forests, which was lush and green, with insects chirping and birds singing, and the scenery was quite beautiful.

"How much longer until we reach Chongshan County?" Jiang Yun asked.

Chongshan County belongs to Bianxi Province and is now considered a stronghold of the rebels.

Linglong has traveled the world for many years and has been to this place before.

"We should arrive in about an hour." Linglong said, her eyebrows furrowing slightly as she reminded Jiang Yun, "Although these guys are rebels, they've managed to occupy three provinces, so they've probably recruited quite a few experts, including at least third-rank ones. Killing Dao Hua Wang won't be an easy task."

"Of course." Jiang Yun nodded, smiled helplessly, and said, "Otherwise, why would I have asked the sect leader to come with me?"

"As the leader of the Red Lotus Sect, you should at least receive some respect from others."

The Red Lotus Cult has been rebelling for many years and can be considered a prestigious name in the entire rebel world.

Soon, the two crossed a small hill and came into view a county town built among the mountains.

Chongshan County has a population of about 150,000. It cannot compare with the capital or the prosperous cities of Jiangnan, but it is considered a first-class city in these mountains.

Soldiers with red ribbons tied around their waists guarded the entrance, strictly inspecting merchants entering and leaving Chongshan County.

Linglong had changed her clothes. She was wearing a red robe and a hideous mask. The two rode their horses and soon arrived at the city gate of Chongshan County.

Upon seeing this, the soldiers guarding the city gate quickly stopped the two men: "You two don't look like merchants or laborers, what are you doing?"

Linglong glanced coldly at the soldier and said in an icy voice, "I am the leader of the Red Lotus Sect, and I have come to pay my respects to Dao Hua Wang."

Leader of the Red Lotus Sect?
The soldiers had long heard of the Red Lotus Sect's reputation; they were veterans of the rebel world!

Upon hearing this, the soldier glanced at Linglong in surprise, then quickly turned around and went inside to report.

(End of this chapter)