Starting from the Tiger Demon Yaksha, the demon immortality

Chapter 239 238 Return, Breakthrough

"Lust at first sight? Violence in the mourning hall?"

"Something's wrong."

After listening to his younger brother recount the whole story, Li Cunxiao frowned deeply.

Ye Chengxiao and Wei He were acquaintances of his from Chuqiu, and they traveled all the way to the state capital and then to Louguandao.

A year is not a long time, but he has encountered all sorts of situations. Li Cunxiao considers himself to have "true character revealed in adversity" and has a certain understanding of the two men's character.

Wei He is an honest and kind person, so I won't say more.

Ye Chengxiao suffered greatly because of Xiao Mei's beauty.

Once bitten, twice shy; he absolutely refused to believe that the other party would repeat the same mistake, let alone do it in broad daylight, in the mourning hall, to attack the widow.

That's so stupid and illogical.

"Li Ding's excuse was so clumsy and obvious, yet he still did it anyway."

"He knew I was a disciple of Taiyi Zhenren, an inner disciple of Louguan Dao, and likely to become a true successor in the future, yet he still used such a brutal method to detain my people, just to see me."

His thoughts raced through his mind, and suddenly, like a flash of lightning, Li Cunxiao understood.

"As a disciple of a grandmaster, he's not someone a mere county magistrate from the royal family can easily try and extort."

"He's not the one who wants to see me; there's someone else behind Li Ding!"

However, Ye Chengxiao and Wei He cannot be left unattended.

He brought the two men from the state capital. If the older brother can't take responsibility for his younger brothers, then he can forget about living in the city.

Similarly, the other party deliberately fabricated this scandal to force him to leave the mountain. If he didn't go, Li Ding and his backers would definitely spread rumors everywhere.

By then, everyone in the Louguan sect will know that his reputation will be ruined, making it difficult for him to compete for the position of Qinglong Pavilion Master. This is probably part of the other party's plan.

"Mokcha, I'll handle this. You focus on your training."

After Li Cunxiao finished speaking, he turned and went out, and soon arrived at the gate of Miaoyan Palace.

Without needing to announce their arrival, they went straight inside and saw the Immortal Taiyi holding several ancient books, deep in thought.

"Cunxiao? Did you encounter some problems while studying?"

The old Taoist priest chuckled, showing no displeasure at being interrupted.

The disciples waiting outside the palace couldn't help but click their tongues in amazement when they heard this.

Having served in Miaoyan Palace for many years, I have never seen the old Taoist priest so kind and gentle.
Back when Li Qingtong was still alive, whenever he encountered Taiyi Zhenren studying alchemy, he would have to inform him and wait for him.

It was precisely because Li Cunxiao enjoyed such extraordinary treatment that, even though Li Siqi had been operating on Qinglong Peak for a long time, more and more people began to waver as time went on.

For them, it doesn't matter who the senior brother is, the key is not to treat them too badly.

It is foreseeable that as long as Li Cunxiao does not make any mistakes, Li Siqi's chances of becoming the master of Qinglong Pavilion will only decrease over time.

After all, a twenty-year-old who has reached the Huangting Perfection stage is already quite remarkable. He is only inferior to the true disciples, but he is overwhelmingly superior to the other inner disciples.

But which of those true masters wasn't in their thirties or forties?
No one in Louguandao doubted Li Cunxiao's future; it was just that the current situation was changing too rapidly, forcing people to consider the present when making decisions.

"The books that my master had me read were all very good; they cleared away the clouds and pointed directly to the fundamentals."

Li Cunxiao gave his usual flattery, and only after praising his master's discerning eye did he get to the point:

"Master, I would like to borrow your bone-revealing mirror."

Taiyi's brows immediately furrowed.

"Is someone targeting you?"

Without delay, Li Cunxiao immediately gave a brief account of the events leading up to Ye Chengxiao and Wei He's descent from the mountain.

“I have dealt with all the influential princes and dukes in the court, but I have never even heard of this county baron Li Ding. He must be a leisurely member of the imperial clan.”

After hearing these words, Taiyi first frowned, then relaxed.

"Moreover, according to you, this person's methods are clumsy and crude, and he doesn't seem to be here to make friends. He shouldn't be someone from the imperial court."

"If they're not from the imperial court, then they're probably either regional military governors or some rebels who know you're my disciple and want to find something to use against you for their own gain."

"After all, our Louguan Sect is the most prestigious alchemy sect in the world. Pills are precious even in normal times, and they are even more valuable now that war is raging. Similar things happened during the An Lushan Rebellion."

The old Taoist priest pondered for a moment, knowing that saving lives was as urgent as putting out a fire, and made no hesitation.

With a slight wrinkle of his nose and a forceful hum, golden light burst forth with his breath, surging into Li Cunxiao's body.

"I've used the Bone-Illuminating Mirror too many times before and haven't had time to replenish it. Right now, the true essence inside is only enough to withstand a Grandmaster's attack, and it can't support my ability to differentiate into different forms."

"But if it's just for evacuation, it's more than enough."

“That person deliberately fabricated a scandal in order to meet you alone. This matter can also be considered a test for you since you joined Louguandao.”

“If I go with you, others will inevitably say that you are useless and just a fledgling bird that relies on its master.”

"So this time, you'll go by yourself. If anything happens, the Bone-Illuminating Mirror will activate naturally, and then I'll take action."

"Thank you, Master."

Feeling the warm light surging within him, Li Cunxiao bowed gratefully.

As always, the old Taoist priest never hesitated to provide support whenever the Taiyi Zhenren needed it, relieving him of all worries.

As for what the other party said, he didn't think there was anything wrong with it.

A master is not a nanny; there are some things you have to face on your own.

If one cannot stand on one's own, how long can one rely on a big tree for shade?
Having a master-level divine weapon to protect you is enough.

Taiyi watched his disciple's figure gradually disappear into the afterglow of the setting sun, and after a moment, he took out a paper crane from his bosom.

This paper crane is very simple and ordinary, except that two pupils are drawn with ink where there are eyes.

But this one addition gives it a lively feel.

"You heard everything? Senior brother, while you're not in the sect, all sorts of cats and dogs are coming to our Louguan Dao to poop and pee."

The paper crane remained motionless, looking quite ordinary, but the old Taoist priest frowned, casually tossed it to the ground, and made a move to loosen his belt:

"If you keep pretending, I'll poop and pee on your head."

"Junior brother, don't be so rude."

A soft cough suddenly came from the paper crane, followed by the rise of black and white light, which condensed into a graceful red-crowned crane.

"I knew you hadn't left."

Taiyi Zhenren pursed his lips, and his hand, which had been at his waist, rose to grasp the end of the whisk and gently stroked it.

"Gao Pian is currently overwhelmed by the problems caused by the pseudo-Qi regime. Even if he remains stubborn and self-willed, he would never provoke you, a master of alchemy, and create more trouble for himself."

The white crane strolled leisurely, its graceful posture revealing a transcendent and ethereal quality in this bird of prey.

"This matter doesn't seem like something the imperial court would do, and the methods of those princes and nobles aren't that brutal either."

"Besides the regional military governors, it could also be those rebels."

Master Taiyi paused slightly in his movements. "Senior brother, are you referring to the Ming Cult?"

"Otherwise what? Besides Magu Mountain and the Zheng family of Xingyang, the only other person who knows you might obtain a spiritual treasure is Qin Fengquan."

"Huang Chao and his group claim to be cooperating with the Ming Cult, but in reality, they are the weaker party."

"The reason why rebels are rebels is because they can't defeat the imperial court."

"The leader of the Ming Cult is no ordinary immortal among the terrestrial immortals. The only thing he lacks is a magical treasure. How could he not be tempted?"

"Not to mention, the Maitreya Buddha with the cloth bag is suspected of possessing the most important legacy of the Pure Land School."

"Didn't he come back with you?" Upon hearing this, Taiyi's heart skipped a beat, but his expression remained unchanged.

"Is this happening?"

"Junior brother, it's pointless to keep pretending to be stupid."

The white crane gave a helpless, almost human-like smile, then flapped its wings and flew up. When it reached the door, it landed on an arm that suddenly reached out.

The next moment, a middle-aged Taoist priest led a fat monk into the house, while the disciples outside seemed not to see them at all.

The monk was tall and imposing, with his chest exposed and breasts exposed, and he carried a patched cloth bag on his shoulder. It was none other than Qici, whom he had not seen for a month.

The Taoist priest had a handsome face, a mustache, a lotus-shaped jeweled purple-gold crown, and wore a purple robe woven with gold and inlaid with the twenty-eight constellations. He held an iron ruyi in his hand and had a smile on his face.

Upon seeing this, Taiyi immediately jumped up, first pointing his finger menacingly at the monk Qici, before forcing a smile:
"Senior brother, why didn't you say you were coming back?"

Yan Daotong didn't reply at first, but gently waved his hand, and the white crane transformed into black and white streams of energy that flowed into his body.

'You bald thief, didn't we agree that you'd stay in the shadows while I'd stay in the open? How did my senior brother manage to find out?'

'Your senior brother is a Grandmaster! If he's determined to find me, do you think I can hide?'

The old Taoist priest and the senior monk stared at each other, making Yan Daotong unable to suppress a smile.
"Alright, stop acting in front of me. Junior brother, tell me the truth, is the spiritual treasure in your hands?"

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Zhenren paused for a moment, exchanged a glance with Qici, and then slowly said:
"It's not in my hands."

"Was it taken by Yang Lingjun?"

Daotong Zhenren raised an eyebrow. "Magu Mountain already has the Tianpeng Ruler. With the addition of the dragon boat, it's like adding wings to a tiger."

"However, Jiangnan Circuit is separated from the capital region by half of the Central Plains, so it won't be greatly affected in the short term."

Taiyi shook his head upon hearing this.

"Not in Yang Lingjun's possession? Then Zheng Lang took it?"

Dao Tong Zhenren picked up the iron ruyi and clapped his hands.

"Recently, Zhu Quanzhong has been making frequent moves. Not only has he occupied the entire territory of Henan, but he has also invaded the four towns to the north."

"But the Zheng family of Xingyang is hiding in the shadows, even with the magical treasure, they still only defend themselves? Has Zheng Lang's morale weakened so much? Or are they afraid that Li Yisheng in the north will become greedy and send his troops south?"

Upon hearing this, Taiyi Zhenren shook his head, and Daotong Zhenren finally frowned deeply.

"Was it Qin Zongquan who succeeded?"

"The Eastern Capital and the Western Capital are only a day's journey apart at full speed. If Huang Chao obtains the spiritual treasure, this will be a difficult situation."

"Senior brother, can you let me finish what I have to say?"

Taiyi Zhenren finally couldn't hold back any longer, "The spiritual treasure is not in the hands of these three people."

"Ok?"

"Lingbao has acknowledged my disciple as his master!"

"Um?!"

Yan Daotong frowned even more as he looked at the undisguised smugness in the old Taoist's eyes.

You mean Li Cunxiao?

"Hmm~"

"What about others?"

"He went down the mountain to rescue people, and I gave him a divine weapon for protection."

Yan Daotong turned and left, not forgetting to glare fiercely at his junior brother before he left.

"You knew Li Cunxiao possessed a magical treasure, yet you still let him descend the mountain?"

"If anything goes wrong with the future of the sect, I'll hold you responsible!"

Taiyi chuckled strangely, "With you all here, what could possibly go wrong?"

But seeing Daotong Zhenren's appearance, he was already certain that Li Cunxiao's position in Louguan Dao would be secure in the future.

After saying that, he grabbed the monk Qici and chased after him.

"Why aren't they here yet? Are they not coming?"

Li Ding, with his protruding belly, paced back and forth in the brightly lit hall, occasionally wiping his forehead with a handkerchief, revealing a greasy patch of sweat.

He had no talent for martial arts, and due to his lack of strength, even his title of county baron was merely nominal.

However, he later encountered members of the Ming Cult, who were seeking spies in the capital region.

Li Ding originally didn't want to get involved with these rebels, but they offered him an irresistible deal—they guaranteed that Li Ding could steadily advance to the Yellow Court realm without worrying about the risk of falling into demonic possession.

He certainly didn't believe it at first, but when people are at their wits' end, they can't think rationally.

After trying the Ming Cult's secret medicine and the virgin girl once, Li Ding became hopelessly addicted to the pleasure of gaining power.

Later, he even began to actively traffic people for the Ming Cult, just to gain a few short hours of pleasure.

Of course, the realm obtained through crooked means is very superficial. Otherwise, how could a Huangting martial artist who cultivates the Yin and Yang of the five internal organs not be able to control his sweat and lose his essence?
"The people and supplies have all been taken away, and my steward of so many years is dead. If Li Cunxiao doesn't come soon, we'll truly lose everything this time."

Li Ding looked distressed. He wasn't stupid; he could tell from Jingfeng and Mingli's reckless actions that he was likely to become a pawn soon.

Even so, the worse the situation, the more people tend to take chances.

Now he only hopes that Li Cunxiao is not a heartless and ungrateful person, and that he will go to the meeting alone for the sake of those two unlucky guys in the dungeon.

Fortunately, his wish was not in vain.

"My lord, they're here! The people have arrived!"

"You're here? Where are you!"

Li Ding jumped out of the chair and ran to the door. He saw a fiery meteor speeding towards him from the distance on the official road.

"What a magnificent horse! Is it one of Emperor Taizong's eight steeds?"

A young man dressed in a jade-green Taoist robe arrived in an instant. Before Li Ding could speak, he asked in an unquestionable tone:
"Where are Ye Chengxiao and Wei He? Take me to see them."

As expected of a grandmaster's disciple, he's incredibly domineering.

In the past, Li Ding would have been displeased and would have at least hurled some nonsense about being of noble birth and descendant of a great-great-grandfather.

But at this moment, he simply nodded in agreement and led his men deeper into the courtyard.

Li Cunxiao noticed the oppressive atmosphere in the house and the other party's abnormal reaction. His eyes flickered slightly, but he did not speak.

Only after reaching the dungeon and seeing the two bound figures did he strode forward. With a burst of true energy, the ropes made of demonic beast leather snapped instantly.

Ye Chengxiao and Wei He were initially delighted, but then their expressions turned anxious.

"Senior brother, this is a trap set by the Ming Cult! You must leave quickly!"

"Can you leave?"

A mocking voice rang out, and Jingfeng, dressed in white and wearing a black hat, appeared out of nowhere.

Li Cunxiao's body tensed instinctively, but he remained calm despite his shock.

"A master of the Mysterious Pass? Is it one of the Five Bright Envoys or the Five Bright Masters?"

Jingfeng was somewhat surprised upon hearing this, "You can tell my cultivation level?"

"Not only that, I can also see the axemen you've hidden!"

Li Cunxiao grabbed Ye Chengxiao and Wei He's shoulders with both hands, and with a roar, the golden mirror image instantly burst open the dungeon, revealing the full moon in the sky and the bright night sky:

"go!"

(End of this chapter)