The road is vague

Chapter 433 The Source of Contradiction
After becoming the commander of the Road Guiding Division, Li Mo began to wholeheartedly assist Zhong Laogui and handle related affairs at the Road Guiding Division headquarters.

The days passed by.

In three years, Li Mo not only became familiar with the work process of the Road Pass Bureau, but also placed the Thousand-Faced King and Princess Dai in the bureau, fulfilling his initial promise, and at the same time cultivating a group of confidants.

during this process.

He also gained a relatively clear understanding of the power system of the Great Qian Kingdom.

In addition to the Qian Yuan Holy Emperor and the Imperial Princess, the Great Qian Imperial Family also has the mysterious Six Doors organization, which is a direct force of the Imperial Family.

Below the royal family, there are seven cabinet ministers.

Of these seven, three are Nascent Soul stage cultivators: the well-known True Person Tianding, the Holy Maiden of Daowen, and Feng Zhen, the leader of the Seven Heroes who followed the Holy Lord Qianyuan in establishing the Great Qian Kingdom.

The remaining four were all renowned ministers who had rendered meritorious service to the country.

However, due to lifespan limitations, these people are usually replaced every two or three hundred years.

Below the Grand Secretary are the Three Departments and the Six Ministries.

The Office of Destiny, the Office of Travel Guides, and the Office of Pacification each have a second-rank official, who is usually a high-level cultivator.

The Ministry of Revenue, the Ministry of Personnel, the Ministry of Justice, the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Works, and the Ministry of Rites each had a second-rank minister, who was often a low-level cultivator or a mortal.

Besides.

The leaders of the fourteen major sects within the Great Qian Dynasty all enjoy the salary of a second-rank official and are granted the authority to act as imperial envoys, wielding considerable power of life and death within their sects.

The Lu Yin Si An Cha Shi (路引司暗察使) is the supervisory department of the Qian Kingdom, and is referred to externally as Qi Jia (齐家).

The main contradiction within the Road Guiding Division lies in the fact that the Secret Inspectors only operate within the Great Qian Kingdom, monitoring and managing various secret organizations within its borders. However, the First Seven Organization under their command is a super secret organization that spreads throughout the Central Plains.

As the First Seventh Organization has continued to develop for thousands of years, its power has expanded continuously, and the influence of the First Seventh Elder has far exceeded that of the Road Guide and the Fate Master.

"Reform is imperative!"

After familiarizing himself with the procedures of the Road Pass Office, Li Mo spoke with a firm tone.

At this moment, he and Zhong Laogui were reviewing intelligence reports from various Qi families in a secret room at the headquarters of the Road Guiding Bureau. After learning about the current difficult situation of the Road Guiding Bureau, they couldn't help but speak out.

Upon hearing this, Old Ghost Zhong didn't even raise his head, continuing to review intelligence reports from various regions.

"Reform? How do you want to reform?"

"Expand the scope of authority of the Road Guide Bureau, expand the authority of the Secret Investigators, and no longer list the First Seven Days Organization as a separate subordinate organization."

Old Zhong shook his head.

"It's not as simple as you think. If you want to expand your business overseas, you must sever ties with official forces. That's why the First Seven Days were established in the first place. Back then, the Empire was focused on building its power, and the Road Pass Bureau was primarily based domestically, with overseas operations as a secondary function. The First Seven Days weren't that important. Now, after a thousand years of development, the Empire is in a period of continuous expansion, and the importance of the First Seven Days has become increasingly apparent. The reform you mentioned was also proposed by that old ghost. When the conflict between the two sides is on the table, do you think the cost of having the First Seven Days replace the Road Pass Bureau is greater, or the cost of having the Road Pass Bureau abolish the First Seven Days is greater?"

Upon hearing this, Li Mo's expression froze.

No wonder the old assassin made that statement back then.

Old Zhong noticed that Li Mo's expression was unusually unpleasant and sighed helplessly.

"By my generation, it was already quite difficult for the Road Pass Office to maintain its dignity. By your generation, hmph, the contradictions will inevitably become intractable. How to reform it then will depend on your and that old dragon's methods. With my lifespan, I can barely help you maintain a superficial peace for another half a century. During this period, if you can make further progress, you'd better seize the opportunity."

Li Mo's expression turned serious.

Old Zhong glanced at Li Mo sideways.

"Now is a time of great contention. The political struggles in the court are secondary. For the wise ruler, the most important thing is who is more beneficial to the development of the Qian Kingdom and who is easier to use."

He paused.

“If you want to reform and abolish the independence of the first seven days, you need to make the Road Guiding Office demonstrate a higher value than the first seven days. But you have seen the current situation of the Road Guiding Office. We are bound to the territory of the Great Qian Kingdom, which is a huge disadvantage in itself. Therefore, we can only develop it from your personal perspective.”

"I see."

Li Mo responded in a low voice.

In the end, cultivators are judged by their cultivation level, realm, and strength.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing. The subsequent construction of Flame City, which you developed in the Wasteland, will be fully managed by that shaman from the Pacification Division. He's the most suitable candidate. However, I heard that the old dragon has also taken on an important mission. He's going to the Wasteland to secretly collect souls on the battlefield there to refine the Nine Nether Soul Stones. But I think his real purpose in taking on this mission is probably to prepare to establish a new branch of the First Seventh Organization."

Before the teleportation arrays between the two locations were established, crossing between them would be extremely difficult, if not a matter of life and death.

Even the old dragon, without personnel to mobilize, would probably be powerless to do so.

Once the teleportation array is completed, the Qian Kingdom can use it to exert influence on the Wasteland, develop new battlefields in the Seven Kingdoms region, and form a pincer movement against the Lu Kingdom.

At that time, Li Mo could also go there!

He gave a low, cold snort.

"Let's start with Yanyang City. Once the teleportation array is set up, I will personally lead a group of elite scouts there to establish an intelligence system."

Seeing that Li Mo was actually planning to confront the seven elders overseas, Zhong Laogui couldn't help but narrow his eyes slightly.

He had naturally heard outsiders' various evaluations of the Black Dog Old Monster, saying that he was a master second only to those who had reached the peak of the Nascent Soul stage, but he always thought that there must be some exaggeration involved.

Seeing Li Mo's confident demeanor, he couldn't help but start to doubt himself again.

"That place is, after all, a wild and desolate wilderness. Aren't you afraid of attracting that old dragon there?"

Li Mo snorted coldly.

“Building Yanyang City and establishing the teleportation array will take at least ten years. Taking this opportunity, I plan to return to Qingming Mountain for seclusion and prepare. When the time comes... if that old dragon is well-behaved, then so be it, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future. But if he comes knocking on my door, I will definitely make him pay the price for what happened back then!”

Seeing that Li Mo had already said this, Old Ghost Zhong sighed softly.

"As long as you're confident, that's good. I can't see that old dragon clearly anymore. I think he's probably improved again. Just keep that in mind." That was it.

Two weeks later, Li Mo left Yuancheng.

However, this time he did not choose to take the teleportation array to return directly to Qingming Mountain. Instead, he flew all the way and spent half a month to arrive in Yanzhou.

Compared to Muzhou, which is sparsely populated and has vast tracts of desolate land, Yanzhou has at least ten times the population of Muzhou, but its land area is less than half that of Muzhou, making it the core of the interior of the Great Qian Kingdom.

Even so, there is a dangerous place in Yanzhou called Shadow Valley.

This valley stretches for hundreds of miles, is shady and teeming with poisonous insects. It should be the landform of the Miao region, but it suddenly appeared in Yanzhou. Therefore, some people suspect that this landform was moved from the Miao region after drastic geological changes during a major earthquake thousands of years ago.

According to Yang Zhiman, he also came here with his senior brother to collect poisonous bees.

After pausing briefly outside the valley, Li Mo resolutely rushed inside.

This place is an adventure destination for low- to mid-level cultivators. With his current strength, comparable to that of a Nascent Soul cultivator, it is unlikely that he will encounter any danger. However, the Sun-Avoiding Insects he needs are not ordinary poisonous insects, and he is not very confident that he can find them in the valley.

If all else fails, he will have no choice but to travel to the Miao region and visit the local witchcraft sects to try his luck.

If you can collect more than thirty sun-avoiding insects, you can combine their scales with insulating glue to make a protective robe for lightning protection.

"Young man, something feels off here."

"strangeness?"

Upon hearing this, Li Mo couldn't help but feel somewhat surprised.

"I suspect a highly accomplished person once passed away here, or perhaps they even achieved immortality through physical transformation. This has likely affected the natural order of this place. You should try to stay away from such places to cultivate in the future..."

As Li Mo listened to the old man's story, he couldn't help but be lost in thought.

After searching for several days without success, he gradually became frustrated and irritable.

At this time.

Shouts of battle came from afar. Li Mo amplified the divine sense he had been using to search for the Sun-Avoiding Worm and extended it to the distance. He saw that three disciples of the Holy Cauldron Sect were chasing a disciple of the Wind and Fire Sect, and immediately lost interest.

However, the group flew directly towards Li Mo's direction.

With Li Mo's current cultivation level, it was impossible for him to hide for the sake of a few mere Foundation Establishment juniors, so he simply stood still and looked at the four people.

The three members of the Holy Cauldron Sect each wielded an exquisite small cauldron, capable of unleashing different spells.

Meanwhile, the female disciple of the Wind and Fire Sect who was fleeing ahead possessed extraordinary and superb skills in extremely yang magic. More importantly, she was also very beautiful and was someone they knew.

"It turned out to be her?"

When they went to Zhongshan Kingdom to participate in the exchange conference, the Feng Huo Sect sent three people, and it turned out that this was the female disciple named Xing Meiyan.

Many years have passed, yet she still looks the same, which is obviously due to either practicing a beauty-enhancing technique or taking a youth-preserving pill.

"Fellow Taoist, save me!"

Upon seeing Li Mo, Xing Meiyan was overjoyed and approached him.

The three members of the Holy Cauldron Sect who were chasing her stopped and looked at Li Mo.

Since none of them knew each other's exact cultivation level, the three members of the Holy Cauldron Sect did not act rashly. The leader looked at Li Mo and clasped his hands slightly.

“I am Dongfang Qingliu of the Shengding Sect. This female disciple of the Feng Huo Sect has taken away the Yin Marrow Worm that we have been searching for. We are determined to retrieve it. Please do not obstruct us.”

Upon hearing about the Yin Marrow Worm, Li Mo, who hadn't paid much attention to it before, suddenly perked up.

The scrophularia prefers to feed on the synovial worm!

"What nonsense about your Yin Marrow Worms."

After scolding him angrily, Xing Meiyan looked anxiously at Li Mo and said, "My senior brother Yang Gang is in the valley. He is a true disciple of the Wind and Fire Sect and is only one step away from advancing to the Golden Core stage. If you can delay me for a moment, my senior brother will definitely come to save me. I will be very grateful for his help!"

Yang Gang?

The senior disciple of the Wind and Fire Sect who took the initiative to provoke the Holy Cauldron Sect back then?

Recalling the past, Li Mo suddenly felt somewhat dazed.

However, the three members of the Holy Cauldron Sect were getting impatient.

"What do you mean by this, sir? Do you really intend to become an enemy of our Holy Cauldron Sect?"

Upon hearing this, Li Mo turned around coldly and glanced at the person.

He then unleashed a Nascent Soul stage aura, causing the surrounding spiritual energy to shift abruptly, instantly horrifying the three disciples of the Sacred Cauldron Sect.

Dongfang Qingliu, who had previously uttered arrogant words, turned deathly pale and looked at Li Mo with trembling eyes.

They never dreamed that they would encounter a Nascent Soul expert here.

"Considering that the Great Qian Kingdom is in dire need of manpower, and out of consideration for the hardships you have endured in your cultivation, get out!"

"Yes!"

"Thank you for your mercy, senior..."

Upon hearing this, the three dared not linger any longer and fled in a panic.

Xing Meiyan was equally dumbfounded, constantly stealing glances at Li Mo. She vaguely felt that he was familiar, but she couldn't remember where she had seen him before.

(End of this chapter)