Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 227-226 Heading to Louguan Temple

"The general just left like that?"

Silver spears and silver armor reflected the bright light as thousands of elite cavalry rested briefly by the official road.

The horses were all pure white except for their four black hooves, and their hot breaths from their mouths and noses melted the snow on the ground.

"Oh? Is the Dharma King confident that he can defeat Qici or Taiyi?"

Yang Shihou, clad in silver armor and a white robe, gently stroked his prized horse, seemingly muttering to himself, but the guards around him did not find it strange and kept a distance of three zhang.

"If it were three days ago, the outcome would still be uncertain."

Suddenly, a strangely dressed monk appeared in the snow. He wore white robes and a black hat, with stubble of unshaven skin showing at his temples.

"But that magical treasure is very likely in their hands. Under such circumstances, even if the general and I join forces, I'm afraid we will have a hard time winning."

“That’s right,” Yang Shihou said, looking back at the distant city of Songzhou, which could now only be seen as a small dot.

"I am leading the army on this expedition to declare to all directions and to make all parts of Henan Province submit."

"Governing a region boils down to just two things: money and grain. As long as Bai Xiangshan pays taxes and submits to the emperor, that's enough."

"Moreover, there are many who fight and kill in this world, but few who can live in peace."

"To win the hearts of the people, it is essential to have capable and efficient officials like Bai Juyi."

"As for loyalty, he will naturally be there when the time is right."

The monk in white robes and a black hat clapped his hands in approval, saying, "That makes sense."

Among the three great Dharma Kings of the Ming Cult, the one known as "Leming Buddha" was in charge of finances, supplies, logistics, and the population.

"Good Mother Buddha" is in charge of war. Her generals are skilled in battle but also violent and bloodthirsty. All she needs to do is swing her sword; she has many other things to consider.

"Huang Chao is ruthless and his bandits roam everywhere. General, on the contrary, he is benevolent and virtuous. In this way, the people will naturally know that King Liang is the true king and the one to whom the Mandate of Heaven rests."

Le Ming clicked his tongue twice, a hint of mockery in his expression.

"However, Qin Fengquan was severely injured in the secret realm before, why didn't the general take action?"

"Huang Chao has stormed Luoyang, ascended the throne and declared himself emperor. He has already stirred up the muddy waters of the world, so he is no longer of any use."

"No," Yang Shihou shook his head.

“Killing Qin Fengquan will make Huang Chao, even if he's stupid, wary.”

"Keeping them around and using up more of the capital's resources isn't necessarily a bad thing."

“I would like to ask the Dharma King, it is said that the Lingbao of the Pure Land School was divided into two. Besides the half in the hands of the Venerable Mingzun, the other half is still in the hands of the Pure Land successors.”

Is this true?

"Would the general be interested in these things? I thought you were always cautious and wouldn't pry into such secrets."

Le Ming was somewhat surprised, but Yang Shihou smiled.

"Most of the blood demons collected in the army were sent to you. Huang Chao's massacres and plundering were also partly due to your sect's influence."

"Such a grand display can hardly be considered a secret."

"Then please wait and see, General," Le Ming changed the subject, but his eyes flickered as he subconsciously looked in the direction of Songzhou City, as if he could see Qi Ci standing on the city wall in the distance.

And there's that seemingly ordinary cloth bag around his waist.

'Leopard Skin Bag, Human Race Bag, Treasure of the Six Paths of Reincarnation'

'The cult leader is just a hair's breadth away from achieving his goal.'

"At that time, even the most sacred sects will be able to contend with our Holy Sect."

'After centuries of concealing their true intentions, they have finally been able to reveal the brilliance of the enlightened ruler and proclaim the legitimacy of the nation to the world.'

He turned around and left with a single sentence:

"The supplies needed for the army have been procured by the various branches."

"General, you must act quickly to recover all the areas. Don't let others mistakenly believe that Huang Chao has become a force to be reckoned with, or you'll end up making things worse."

"I know what I'm doing," Yang Shihou said quietly as he watched Le Ming's figure disappear into the snow. After a moment, he raised his fist to signal, and his personal guards immediately dispersed to relay the order.

In the blink of an eye, the thousand elite cavalrymen once again formed a neat formation and gathered under the great banner.

A white horse and a silver spear galloped across the snow, like a silver dragon, disappearing in the blink of an eye at the end of the road.

"Have you heard? That traitor Huang Wang has now declared himself emperor in Luoyang!"

"The imperial court is incompetent; it can't even suppress a rebel group, and now they've been brought to their doorstep."

"Fortunately, we have King Liang in Henan Province, so the rebels dare not act recklessly. I heard that recently there have been Ming Cult members causing trouble everywhere, but they have all been driven out by General Yang under King Liang's command."

"Yes, although the Prince of Liang committed incest, that's a family matter. As long as it doesn't harm us ordinary people, we don't care who becomes emperor!"

"That makes sense, but it's thanks to our Prefect Bai's love for the people and his good reputation, and General Yang's magnanimity, that a war was averted."

"The city was under martial law for almost half a year, and today, on Lunar New Year's Eve, the streets finally feel human again."

The chaotic noises came from all over the streets and alleys, and could be heard clearly even from the second floor of the restaurant.

Looking at the bustling streets that had returned to normal, Li Cunxiao saw a stark contrast to the desolate scene after the great battle a few days prior.

Those who have witnessed these things firsthand will know that Bai Juyi actually had no choice when facing Yang Shihou.

The common people don't want war.

The demise of the Qin Dynasty is only a matter of time. Perhaps there are still supporters of the Li imperial family in Xijing Daxing City, but for the common people, it makes no difference who sits on the dragon throne.

No one cared how much difference there was between Zhu Quanzhong's reputation and his character. As long as Yang Shihou didn't massacre the city, he could immediately transform from a lecherous scoundrel into a benevolent and loving ruler.

It was precisely because Bai Juyi loved the people like his own children that he would not go to war with Yang Shihou for the sake of the so-called orthodoxy of the imperial court.

The banner bearing the character "Liang" has been flying over the city wall for several days, but no one's life has been affected by it.

It's hard to say what Governor Bai was thinking at this moment, but for Li Cunxiao, the crisis in the prefecture had been resolved, which meant it was time to leave.

"Senior Brother Li, I've thought it through. I want to go to Louguan Dao with you."

Across the table, Ye Chengxiao's expression changed several times before he finally made up his mind.

"I have already fled from Chuqiu to Songzhou once. My parents are too old to endure the hardships of travel, so they will stay here to live out their old age."

"But I'm not willing to be a drifting duckweed in this world!"

Wei He, sitting next to Ye Chengxiao, nodded in agreement upon hearing this.

"Brother Li, I'm not well-educated and can't explain any profound principles."

"Wherever you go, my sister and I will follow you."

Li Cunxiao glanced at the two of them quietly and nodded slightly.

"Now that you've thought it through, go back tonight and pack your things. We'll be leaving tomorrow."

He said this not only to the two men, but also to Mucha, who was standing next to him.

The latter remained silent after sitting down at the table, seemingly lost in thought.

The four of them didn't touch the food and wine on the table before getting up and leaving.

They entered the escort agency together. Ye Chengxiao and Wei He went to see their families, while Li Cunxiao took a wooden fork and found Zhang Lishi.

"Mocha, go and check on Master's wife for your elder brother."

"Okay," Mucha said, no longer an innocent child, and wisely left, leaving the two of them alone.

The master and apprentice remained silent for a moment. After a while, Li Cunxiao took out a scroll from his bosom.

"This was given to me by Master Taiyi after his approval. It is a follow-up to the Tail Fire Tiger Skill and is enough to cultivate to the Yellow Court Perfection."

Zhang Lishi's expression was complicated as he took the scroll, his rough fingers stroking the demon beast skin.

Back then, he had gone to great lengths to gain Taiyi's approval, all for the sake of the Tiger Demon Fist technique. After more than twenty years of twists and turns, his wish has finally come true, yet he finds it hard to be happy.

"when are we leaving?"

"Leave tomorrow."

Li Cunxiao noticed that the other person's tone was somewhat dry and wanted to comfort him, but he didn't know how to say it.

"Alright, today is New Year's Eve after all."

Zhang Lishi forced a smile and stepped forward to grasp his disciple's shoulder.

"Come on, go and call your two Uncle-Master Cuis and your eldest brother. Tonight, we're going to drink until we drop!"

"Moon Maiden, are you really sure about this?"

In the backyard of the escort agency, Shi Youniang and Zhang Que'er each clung to one side of Li Mucha's arm, weeping.

Madam Zhang watched from the side, not knowing whether to laugh or cry, and would occasionally wipe away the tears of the two with a handkerchief.

"Mother, I've thought it through."

Zhang Yuelu and his wife sat by the stove, the former gently holding his mother's hand.

"Louguan is a sacred place of Taoism. If one can enter the gate, one will naturally have a bright future."

“Junior Brother Ye has ambition and is willing to take the plunge, which is a good thing.”

"But as a daughter, I would rather stay by my parents' side and take care of them. Please don't think that the family is a burden to me."

She sighed as she finished speaking.

"Besides, although Louguan Taoism is good, it is not a paradise on earth."

"When Huang Chao entered Luoyang, established his country, and proclaimed himself emperor, how many rumors and gossips spread throughout the streets and alleys in just a few days?"

"The world is in turmoil, the court is on the verge of collapse, and the capital is not a good place, but a first-rate vicious place."

“Even with the protection of a grandmaster, Senior Brother Li’s path will be very difficult.”

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhang sighed, "That's not what I meant."

"You've always been strong-willed and have high standards; not a single young man in the city has ever looked up to you. What about the future?"

"Mother," Zhang Yuelu interrupted her mother.

“I am already a disciple of Tiangu Temple, so you should treat me as a daughter who has become a nun.”

"In today's world, how much difference does it make whether you get married or not?"

"Oh dear," Madam Zhang shook her head and said no more.

When Zhang Lishi initially wanted to matchmake Li Cunxiao and Zhang Yuelu, she was still somewhat hesitant.

However, this young apprentice changed every day, and in the blink of an eye, he had become someone that Zhang's wife could not reach.

It wasn't that she wanted her daughter to marry into a wealthy family at this time; it was just that the war had been raging for a year, and as a mother, she instinctively wanted to find a way out for her children.

The Ming Cult has already attacked Songzhou City once, and no one knows if there will be a second time.

Even without the Ming Cult, there were still countless bandits, soldiers, and regional governors.

With Bai Xiangshan and Qi Ci looking after them, the escort agency is relatively safe, but no one can guarantee how long this stability will last.

Staying is one path, following Li Cunxiao to Louguandao and seeking the protection of a master is another.

In such a chaotic and ever-changing world, it's hard to say which path is better, but having more choices means having more opportunities.

unfortunately
On the eve of the Lunar New Year in the fourth year of the Guanghua era of the Qin Dynasty, more than a hundred members of the escort agency gathered together.

The Zhang Lishi family, the Cui brothers, the Shi Tie couple, the Ye Chengxiao family, the Wei He siblings, Qin Yu, Gao Cheng, and almost everyone Li Cunxiao knew since he started his business in Chuqiu are here.

As everyone drank and played drinking games, with cups clinking and toasting, someone brought up the topic of their days in Chuqiu.

From learning boxing as a beginner to becoming a boxer, and later becoming a bodyguard, escorting goods on his own;
From a lowly apprentice to a prodigy admired by the three major families in the inner city, and later to the slaying of several family heads and leading everyone to break through the encirclement.

As everyone reminisced about Li Cunxiao's journey, it was as if they were reading a legendary tale, full of ups and downs.

Now, knowing that he is leaving feels like waking up from a story, a dream.

"Junior brother, this farewell today may be the last time we meet."

Shi Tiehu held a wine cup with tears in his eyes.

His newly grown arm now looks almost exactly the same as before.

Thanks to the "Tiger Subduing Skill" given to him by De Cong, he no longer needed to switch to other techniques. He had mastered the Tiger Demon Fist and the Little Yaksha Knife, and had already achieved perfection in his internal organs.

With the elixirs left to him by Li Cunxiao, he will be able to break through to the Yellow Court realm in the future.

Besides Shi Tie, Li Cunxiao was also generous to the Cui brothers, leaving them enough pills to help them cultivate to the Yellow Court level.

Once they break through to the Yellow Court level, Yuan Hua, who has already broken through to the True Form level, and De Cong's Medicine King Academy in Tian Gu Temple will take care of them.

"I'm leaving now. From now on, the escort agency will have to rely entirely on my senior brother."

Li Cunxiao picked up the wine and drank it all in one gulp.

He never refused a toast from anyone else.

The night was filled with revelry; I don't know if we drank hundreds or even thousands of cups.

He only remembered that the sound of firecrackers lasted all night, and by the time the surroundings quieted down, it was already dawn.

Ga~
The side door of the security escort agency opened, and several men led out their horses.

Wei He helped his sister Wei Ying onto the horse with one arm, then turned and straddled her.

Ye Chengxiao also jumped onto his horse, looking back reluctantly. His parents had gone to bed early last night, but got up very late this morning.

"Let's go."

Chi Li, as if understanding human nature, lowered its body, and Mu Cha jumped up with a little effort.

Li Cunxiao stood behind him, holding the reins with both hands, and whispered a word of comfort.

"We'll have a chance to meet again in the future; we're just leaving temporarily."

Mucha grunted in response, and the three horses neighed, their hooves clattering on the bluestone slabs as they rode away into the distance.

The morning mist drifted and shifted in the cold wind, and soon the figures of people and horses disappeared from sight.

A man's sigh and a woman's comforting voice came from the side door of the security company, followed by the creaking sound of the wooden door closing.

The security escort agency and the ancient city once again returned to silence.

"Are you leaving?"

Dezheng and Bai Xiangshan stood on the city tower, watching the five people and three horses leave the city gate.

Li Cunxiao turned back in the distance, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect towards them, and then turned and left.

"There must be great treasures in the secret realm. In such a chaotic world, who knows how many ambitious people it will attract."

"The departure of Senior Qi and the others was also for the sake of the safety of Songzhou City."

Bai Xiangshan waved his hand, and the soldiers guarding the city closed the city gates again.

"Of the sixteen provinces under Heaven, it is almost impossible to find any land that is loyal to the Qin Dynasty."

"The capital region where the imperial court is located only controls the three prefectures of Jingzhao, Huazhou, and Tongzhou."

"To the west is Prince Qi, Li Zhengchen; to the north is Prince Jin, Li Yisheng; to the south is the carpenter from Wu'an Army; and to the east is Prince Liang, Zhu Quanzhong."

The two gazed at the figures disappearing on the horizon and sighed in unison.

What will this world become?
(End of this chapter)