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Chapter 301 Leader
Another night.

Xie Anming had just returned from the prince's residence.

At this moment, the man looked exhausted, with heavy eye bags and a hunched back. No one would have guessed that this middle-aged man, who looked like he had been working himself to death, was the leader of the Hou Tu Sect, whose influence spanned the entire Songzhou and who was revered by both Buddhism and Taoism.

The attendants had been waiting at the door for a long time. When they saw Xie Anming get off the carriage, they hurriedly went up to him, first helping him take off his heavy woolen coat, then picking up a broom and carefully sweeping off the dust from his body, before bowing their heads and saying.

"My lord, thank you for your hard work. What did the prince say today?"

Xie Anming shook his head.

"It's still the same old story, just urging the elixir to be completed. It seems that as the birthday banquet approaches, our prince is becoming more and more impatient."

The attendant quickly walked a few steps, opened the door for Xie Anming, and handed him a still-warm towel to wipe his hands and face. Then he asked.

"But now all the workshops are operating at full speed, and the number of lives lost these days is increasing. If this continues, the public will probably find out sooner or later."

Xie Anming replied while receiving such meticulous service.

"It's alright. The Prince has already suppressed the government's side. Even if those common people make a fuss, they won't be able to cause any trouble. Besides, we have the religious followers to suppress them. If it really doesn't work, we should increase our efforts to recruit more people. We still have enough money and food. If we spend a lot of money, we can definitely recruit some people who are willing to risk their lives for money."

The attendant bowed his head and wrote it down, then repeated the words.

"There are a few more things I need to report to you, sir."

"explain."

"First of all, since the annihilation of those Daoist cavalry, we've fallen out with almost every force in the Han region. Now, the Shangqing Sect, Zhenwu Dao, Baima Temple, and Xiantong Temple are constantly causing us trouble. As for Longhu Mountain, although their attitude has been ambiguous, I reckon that as soon as we show any weakness, they'll bite us like a dog that has smelled the scent."

"After that, I will inform the Prince and try to use his connections to delay the next matter."

The attendant followed closely behind Xie Anming, relaying messages like a machine.

"Yes, the second matter is also related to the Taoist cavalry—according to our intelligence, it seems that several of those cavalry have survived. Not only did the one from Changsheng Temple die at their hands, but yesterday even Master Song's natal lamp was extinguished, which also seems to have been harmed by them. Should we inform the Prince and then mobilize troops to wipe them out?"

Xie Anming didn't change his walking speed at all, and simply continued answering.

"No need. The 'Taking the Elixir and Refining the Pill' process has now reached a stable period. As long as one of the thirty-six altars remains, it will not affect the subsequent plans. With the Zhenxie Division's slippery nature, mobilizing troops now would not only be difficult to resolve, but could also easily lead to unexpected problems. Let's leave it for now. If it really comes to a head, I will take action myself."

The attendant remained calm and composed, showing no emotional fluctuation.

"Then the last one, sir, the one you mentioned as the chosen one."

Xie Anming finally stopped in his tracks.

"What's wrong with him?"

The attendants also stopped and said respectfully.

"My lord, ever since that chosen one appeared, there has been no news of him whatsoever. It's as if he vanished into thin air. From what I sense... it seems someone is covering up his tracks, even concealing the cause and effect. Even the most skilled diviners in the sect can't find a single clue. May I ask what happened next?"

Xie Anming's answer this time was exceptionally concise and to the point.

"Go find him, at all costs, with all your might. Aren't the diviners in the sect unable to divine the answer? Then go to the capital and find that diviner Gongsun, and have him divine the answer."

“But sir, Gongsun Shensuan charges at least ten thousand gold coins for each of his services. Although we have enough money and provisions, they are too scattered, and we can’t raise that amount in a short time.” “Just take it from the Prince’s treasury. I will explain to the Prince afterward.”

"But."

This time, Xie Anming merely glanced at him sideways, his face no longer showing the weariness he once had. Instead, he finally appeared like a cult leader with the power of life and death, exuding an imposing and dignified aura.

"I said, at all costs, do you understand?"

The attendants lowered their heads.

"Yes, my lord."

Just as they were talking, the corridor came to an end. Xie Anming bit into the last chewing gum his attendant offered him, then took a deep breath and said.

"I need to pay respects to the Goddess afterward, so just do as I instruct. Don't disturb me for the next half hour, understand?"

"Understood, my lord."

After receiving an affirmative answer, Xie Anming pushed open the door and went into his bedroom.

Unlike his status as a religious leader, the room was decorated in a very simple manner. There wasn't even a bed. In the very center, there was a statue of a god with his back to people, surrounded by expensive ever-burning lamps, which made the small space as bright as day.

Xie Anming exhaled a breath of stale air. When he looked up again, there was no trace of fatigue or dignity on his face. He looked like a middle-aged man who had been working hard and had finally returned home, with only a plain and ordinary smile on his face.

Then, he walked to the prayer mat, knelt down devoutly, kowtowed several times to the statue, and then said softly.

"Your Majesty, I have fulfilled all your orders. Everyone is now involved, and your long-cherished wish is about to be fulfilled. Please rest assured."

The room was silent, and no one answered, but Xie Anming suddenly looked up as if he had heard something, and his face showed surprise.

"No, no, no, I don't need any reward. Just hearing your voice, Your Majesty, is a great reward to me. What did you say? That chosen one?"

Xie Anming's expression changed drastically, but he still did his best to bend down and said in a trembling voice.

"The chosen one is inherently without roots or origin, and there is not even any trace of cause and effect to be found, so there is still no news. But please rest assured, Your Majesty, I have done my utmost to search, and I will absolutely not let it affect Your Majesty's birth."

Xie Anming remained in that position for an unknown amount of time.

Seemingly having finally received a reply, or perhaps because the one residing in the statue had already departed, his body finally stopped trembling, and he slowly stood up from the ground.

Without a word, Xie Anming gently turned the statue around with the same caress as a lover, then wiped its face with his sleeve and spoke in an incredibly adoring voice.

"Rest assured, Your Majesty, from the first moment I saw you, I decided to dedicate everything to you. No matter what sacrifices are required, even if it means sacrificing my own life, I will help you fulfill your wishes."

After saying this, he kowtowed again, then turned and left.

Only the statue remained, its exquisite face gazing upon the scene.
No, where is the face?

Only a black vortex stared intently in the direction Xie Anming had left.

(End of this chapter)