Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 230, 229: Imperial Nobles, Wine and Meat at Their Doorsteps

"The Dragon-Binding Rope? That name is quite fitting."

Taiyi stroked his beard and said no more, instructing Li Cunxiao to dispose of the demon's corpse.

Not to mention that he had worked in a slaughterhouse before, and when he preached in a dream, he had processed all sorts of strange and unusual materials.

Without any tools, as long as the true dragon's true energy is used, it can easily cut flesh, remove bones, peel skin, and scrape scales.

Ye Chengxiao and Wei He watched with envy. The corpse of a sixth-order demon was a treasure trove; not only was the meat valuable, but the other materials were enough to forge several magical artifacts.

They didn't understand these things before, but since they set off, even just listening to Qici and a few others chat, they felt that their horizons and knowledge had been greatly broadened.

Seeing Li Cunxiao busy at work, Ye Chengxiao and Wei He couldn't help but step forward to help, but after a few simple attempts, they had to awkwardly walk away.

The dragon was far more powerful than the two of them when it was alive; they couldn't even help dispose of its body.

"Besides using dragon tendons to forge the Dragon-Binding Rope, dragon scales can be stripped to make a set of armor, dragon whiskers can be used to make belts, and dragon horns can be used to make swords."

Li Cunxiao skillfully dissected the corpse, stuffing it into the storage magic treasure while planning how to use it.

He currently possesses the Wind and Fire Wheels, a pair of divine weapons, and the Purple Flame Serpent Spear, a mid-grade magic weapon, still has room for upgrade.

However, the Dragon Sparrow Blade and Cloud-Stepping Boots are gradually becoming outdated for his cultivation level. They can be given to him to use once he reaches the Mucha Muscle and Muscle Realm.

In that case, putting together a complete set of Magic Treasure Armor—wrist guards, leg guards, boots, shoulder capes, body armor, helmet, and belt—would be quite a feat.

However, Master Taiyi also said that after breaking through to the true form with the Azure Dragon True Scripture, the Nine Revolutions Divine Elixir Scripture, a secret art of alchemy and martial arts, integrates weapon crafting, alchemy, and martial arts.

Once a full set of demonic armor is collected, this secret technique will likely be mastered. If a full set of divine armor is collected, then perhaps it will be perfected?
There's also the Dragon-Binding Rope. Currently, its main material is only sixth-tier dragon tendons. Who knows how many more dragons will need to be killed and how many more tendons collected before a complete Chaos Ribbon can be forged.
"Hey, you look so worried."

Taiyi glanced at his busy disciples, his eyes darting around.

Hearing Qici's question, he snapped out of his daze and replied telepathically:

"Between Xijing and Dongdu, there is only one Guozhou, and Hongnong is located closer to the border of Xijing."

"Xi'an had a population of one million, but its arable land was simply insufficient to support such a large population. The Tongji Canal served as both a trade route and a grain transport route."

"In previous years, our Louguan Daoist sect was often ordered by the imperial court to clear away demons along the river. It had been decades since we had seen a dragon-riding incident, let alone in the first month of the lunar calendar when the ice and snow had not yet melted."

The old Taoist priest turned his head to the side, gazing in the direction of Xijing with deep worry. The senior monk understood his meaning.

Now, the Qin Dynasty and the pseudo-Qi state are separated by only one province, testing each other, yet neither has the spare power to deal with the demons, which is enough to show that the court's control is not as strong as before.

Louguandao, being a nearby sect, had nearly five grandmasters within its ranks. Eliminating demons would have been a simple matter for them, yet no one came to deal with it, which speaks volumes about the tense situation.

The severity of the situation exceeded their expectations for a time.

That's probably why Taiyi suddenly started to be strict with Li Cunxiao.

Cleaning up the corpse didn't take long; in just fifteen minutes, the twenty-meter-long dragon had vanished on the spot, turning into various kinds of materials.

Taking advantage of the fact that no one was paying attention, Li Cunxiao tried to use the upgraded Vajra Pestle's ability to extract evil energy.

As long as the physical body comes into contact with the demonic materials, the evil energy contained within will be automatically absorbed by the Vajra. The whole process is somewhat like an IV drip, except that the liquid is scalding hot and doesn't feel very pleasant.

To maintain the characteristics of demon flesh, Li Cunxiao deliberately left a bit of malevolent energy in the material, absorbing about seven or eight tenths of it himself, barely managing to light up two-thirds of the vajra.

"The further I go, the slower it gets to accumulate killing energy. If I become a Grandmaster in the future, where will I find so many eighth-realm martial artists to charge my energy?"

With a sigh in their hearts, the group packed up and continued on their way.

Fifty miles away from Hongnong, the landscape remains desolate as far as the eye can see.

However, it seems that the pseudo-Qi regime only targeted aristocratic families, so no living people could be seen in the ancestral lands of the Yang clan of Hongnong. But if you went further away, you could gradually see some servants and tenants.

These people were wearing clothes that they had picked up or stolen from somewhere, wrapped haphazardly around their bodies, with cotton clothes wrapped in burlap, and burlap wrapped in silk.

Dark hands, feet, and necks protrude from the collar and cuffs, their eyes numb yet fierce.

You can see Taiyi and his group riding fine horses. The young men are strong and healthy, and they all fearfully make way for them.

Looking at these strangely dressed people, Wei Ying felt a little sorry for them, but more than that, she was wary and instinctively gripped her younger brother's clothes tightly.

Mucha noticed that two people were fighting over something in the road. One of them quickly grabbed it and stuffed it into his mouth, but was immediately punched in the face by the other and spat out.

puff.

A yellowish-black, unidentified substance mixed with saliva fell into the soil, and the red hooves of a black horse trampled past it.

It was a corn cake that was so yellow it was almost black.

The two men who were fighting over the corn cakes stopped and watched as the crimson horse walked past them, carrying a fair-skinned boy with red lips and white teeth, and a tall and strong young man.

A hint of envy flashed across her eyes.

After Chi Li had walked about ten steps, Li Mucha heard the sound of fists hitting flesh and low growls behind him.

He didn't speak, nor did he seek answers from his older brother behind him as he usually did.

All of this was observed by Li Cunxiao, who remained silent.

The two brothers remained silent, watching the sun rise in the east to its zenith and then gradually set in the west.

As the dilapidated official road gradually became orderly, the number of pedestrians gradually increased, and a few small markets gradually appeared in the desolate scene, adding a bit of life.

Finally, we slowed down at the entrance of a somewhat overly grand county town.

"This is Huayin County?"

Ye Chengxiao was a little surprised. In his opinion, the scale of this city was almost the same as that of Songzhou City.

Although the latter was located in a local area, it was still the seat of a prefecture, while Huayin County was just a county town.

“In previous years, our Louguan Taoist temple was very popular. Huayin County was our place of residence, and it was also a hub of trade routes. It was even more prosperous than the prefectural capital.”

As Du Guanglei spoke, he was initially quite proud, but his expression darkened as he looked at the crowd of refugees at the city gate.

The prosperity amidst war is merely the result of survivors gathering their remaining wealth after a large number of people have died.

No matter how dazzling such prosperity may be, it is ultimately distorted.

"Let's go into the city first."

Although Taiyi was also moved, he didn't say much. He gave an order, and Du Guanglei led the way into the city. The soldiers guarding the gates of Huayin County were well-armored and had grim expressions; they were clearly not ordinary soldiers.

After all, the situation between the imperial court and the puppet Qi regime is tense, and the two are very close to each other, so war could break out at any time.

Even if the regional military governors grew powerful and the situation deteriorated, the imperial court was not so incapable of arming even this small number of troops.

The refugees initially crowded at the front, all wanting to take advantage of the chaos to enter the city, but after being hacked to death more than a dozen times, they became obedient.

The city gate guards had cold faces and blood-stained robes, showing no trace of gentleness.

However, upon seeing Du Guanglei arrive on horseback with several people, his expression immediately softened, and after a few brief pleasantries, he immediately allowed them to pass.

"The sect elders are in seclusion year-round, and we true disciples often take care of the sect's trivial matters. These soldiers all recognize me."

Du Guanglei noticed Li Cunxiao's gaze, reached down and touched his waist, only to find that Li Cunxiao had somehow tied a goldfish belt around his neck.

The so-called "purple robe and goldfish" was reserved for officials of the third rank among the nine ranks of officials in the Qin Dynasty. Otherwise, it required a special imperial decree from the emperor.

Louguan Taoism is located in the capital region and is known as the state religion. Almost all of its high-ranking priests have been officially appointed by the imperial court.

True disciples, as the pillars of the next generation of the sect and the actual inheritors, naturally enjoy all the honors.

There are many who are granted honorary titles and ranks. After Li Cunxiao becomes a true disciple, he may also be granted the title of "Grand Master of the Purple Gold Palace" or, due to his background, "Governor of Songzhou". It is not impossible.

"For every gain, there is a loss. The imperial court's lavish treatment of the Louguan Dao sect is due to a complex web of vested interests."

"Now all the regional military governors and regional military commanders in the land are eyeing Xijing Daxing, and Louguandao will likely face its own set of troubles."

Li Cunxiao's mind was in turmoil. Now that things had come to this, as a disciple of Taiyi Zhenren and Qici, the higher his position, the less likely he was to escape this vortex.

Millions of lives have been swept up in this turmoil. Ordinary people are caught in the currents against their will, while the others can at least stir up some waves, choosing to either bury some or save others.

As for suppressing this raging torrent of corruption...
"Master Du, you're back?!"

"Master Du, the Lantern Festival is approaching. If you have some free time..."

"Master Du, my wife was deeply moved by your prayers and blessings for our late master last time. We would be honored if you could bring yourselves to our residence for the Lantern Festival."

"Master Du, ever since my daughter met you, she has lost her appetite and fallen ill from worry."

Du Guanglei was clearly a celebrity in Huayin County. He hadn't walked far into the town when several people dressed in silk recognized him and eagerly invited him to come over.

At first, it was just a routine matter of praying for blessings at the Lantern Festival, but it started to veer and veer into strange directions, making him sweat and prompting him to politely but firmly drive away the onlookers.

After doing all this, he forced a smile and said to Taiyi:
"Uncle-Master, it's me."

"Master Du, you are truly remarkable."

The old Taoist priest said sarcastically, "How coincidental, I am also a true Taoist."

"Your junior brother Li has only entered the sect and at most become a mage, while you've already become a true immortal?"

"And what about widows and young ladies? Guanglei, you're not getting any younger. Our Louguan Dao doesn't forbid marriage."

"This disciple had absolutely no such intention!"

Du Guanglei wished he could kneel down to the old Taoist priest on the spot, especially with the glares from Li Cunxiao and Ye Chengxiao standing nearby, which felt like thorns in his back.

Fortunately, the old Taoist priest didn't really intend to pursue the matter. He just mentioned it briefly, and when they arrived at the Louguan Taoist post station in Huayin County, he sent Du Guanglei to inquire about the situation.

Louguandao is a sacred site of Taoism and has close ties with the imperial court. Its mountain gate is located at Sixiang Peak in Huayin County, but in order to facilitate the affairs of its disciples, there is a special post station in the city.

Firstly, it serves as a place for disciples to receive and send letters and items. Secondly, if the imperial court sends officials, they generally do not come directly to the mountain to visit, except to deliver imperial edicts. Instead, they must first send a visiting card here to inform the officials before going up the mountain.

Therefore, although it is called a post station, it is actually a magnificent and imposing mansion with five rooms and nine bays, huge beams and flying eaves, more like a government office.

Within a hundred paces of the entrance, almost no one dared to approach.

Once inside, there were pavilions, terraces, and stages for dancing and singing, not to mention the many people dressed in scarlet robes, and even some in purple robes, all of whom were friendly and chatted with the Taoist priests who were there to greet guests.

Rather than calling this an office of Louguandao, it's more accurate to describe it as a social gathering place for powerful and high-ranking officials.

After Taiyi Zhenren and his entourage entered, these people of high status looked at each other in confusion. After a few whispers, it seemed that someone recognized the newcomers, and the noise suddenly became loud.

Even though Li Cunxiao and the others lived in a secluded courtyard, they could still vaguely feel the intense atmosphere outside.

All of this had a strong impact on Ye Chengxiao and Wei He, who were just starting out in their careers.

The latter was alright, after all, Wei He was a simple and honest person, and didn't understand many things, so he just treated it as something new and interesting.

But Ye Chengxiao was different.

He recalled that when he was in Chuqiu County, the highest-ranking person he had ever met was Murong Bai, a seventh-rank official in green robes, who was eventually killed by Li Cunxiao.

Upon arriving in Songzhou City, Bai Xiangshan, a fourth-rank official in a red robe, did not dare to treat Li Cunxiao as a junior and relied on him quite a bit.

Now, under the jurisdiction of the capital region, high-ranking officials of the fourth and fifth ranks are as numerous as carp crossing a river. When they encounter Li Cunxiao and his disciples, it is as if they are fish encountering bait, and they swarm towards them.

A sudden, intense tremor ran through him, and he felt incredibly fortunate for the decision he had made.

If he hadn't chosen to follow Li Cunxiao, he might never have seen such a scene in his entire life.

How boring it would be to live a mediocre life and end up having your head chopped off by some unknown warlord's guards.
He wanted to follow Senior Brother Li and make great achievements in the heart of the world!

"Are you always this flamboyant?"

Since entering the city, Qi Ci had deliberately concealed his whereabouts. Only now that Taiyi was alone in the room did he reappear.

"You're in the shadows while I'm in the light, wasn't this all planned beforehand?"

The old Taoist priest rolled his eyes.

"Many people know about what happened in Songzhou this time. Even if Yang Lingjun doesn't say anything, that old fox Zheng Lang will definitely use this information to exchange for benefits everywhere."

"It can't be hidden anymore. Now, those with ulterior motives must have already set their sights on you, me, and Li Cunxiao."

“At a time like this, if you were to quietly return to Louguandao, people would think something was amiss.”

"Making a big show of it, even if it doesn't dispel doubts, at least will make those with ulterior motives come out."

"Now that the bait has been thrown out, let's see who inside the door will be unable to resist taking the bait."

(End of this chapter)