Dao Qi Wu Zang Guan Guan: I became a Daoist Master in the 1990s

Chapter 147 Using a Million People as a Refinement

Night patrols are conducted with utmost care, ensuring that any unusual sounds are carefully detected in the surrounding area.

The patrol leaders who were on patrol at this moment were all martial arts practitioners, and their hearing was beyond that of ordinary people.

At that moment, the captain suddenly realized that the footsteps behind him were not right. He turned around abruptly, one hand already on the hilt of his waist knife, his sharp gaze sweeping towards the back of the team.

In the firelight, one could see four subordinates followed by a figure with his head bowed, their armor and uniforms clearly distinguishable, making a total of five people.

A hint of suspicion flashed in the captain's eyes as he stared intently at the "fifth person."

"Boss, what's wrong?" a soldier next to him asked in a low voice.

The team leader waved his hand impatiently: "It's nothing. Quiet down, keep patrolling!"

The group continued forward, passing another patrol team. After exchanging tokens and identification, they went their separate ways.

Just as he turned to another street and turned his back to the group of soldiers, Qi Yun, at the back of the group, suddenly swayed and pressed himself against the high wall of the mansion.

With a few quick taps on the wall, her figure rose like a wisp of smoke, silently vaulting over the top of the wall and landing in the shadows of the flowers and trees in the courtyard. The whole process was seamless and so fast that it was dazzling.

The mansion was decorated with pavilions, terraces, rockeries, and waterside pavilions in an extremely luxurious manner, a stark contrast to the starving corpses scattered across the fields outside the city.

Qi Yun concealed his presence using the shadows and pillars, his figure elusive, like a ghost without a physical form.

Occasionally, servants or maids carrying lanterns would pass by, but they would keep their heads down and hurry along, without looking around.

As Qi Yun hid on a beam above a corridor, two servants carrying leftover food walked by below, their low complaints faintly audible.

"Sigh, Wang Ma got beaten by the housekeeper again, just for spilling a little soup!"

"Say less! In this day and age, we servants should be grateful that the manor still has leftovers to eat!"

"Content? Humph, people outside the city are even exchanging children to eat them!"
The master's storeroom was piled high with moldy grain, yet he used it to feed... Ugh!

The other person seemed to cover his mouth, and the sound stopped abruptly. The two looked around in alarm and quickened their pace to leave.

Qi Yun's gaze grew even colder as he continued to delve deeper.

As we passed the rooftop of a secluded courtyard, suppressed breathing and moans, interspersed with intermittent flirtatious laughter, emanated from the side room below.

"My darling, next time you'll steal some of the master's treasures again!"

"You rascal! Be quiet! If we get caught, we'll kill you!"

Qi Yun walked past without expression.

Only when they approached a brightly lit kitchen, filled with the aroma of food, did they hear the steward shouting, "Quickly! Take this ginseng soup and these delicate pastries to 'Listening to the Rain Pavilion' for the master! Our distinguished guest has arrived; do not neglect him!"

Qi Yun's eyes narrowed, and his figure, like a persistent carbuncle, silently followed behind a group of maids carrying food boxes.

The maids filed in single file, passing through numerous courtyards, until they arrived at a beautiful two-story pavilion built by the water.

The building was brightly lit, and faint laughter could be heard coming from inside.

Qi Yun instantly entered the "Divine Illumination" state, his primordial spirit shining like a lamp, all his aura gathering into his body, his steps becoming extremely light and ethereal, precisely stepping on the last maid's footsteps, following her like a shadow, his steps perfectly overlapping, the maid unaware, leading him all the way up to the second floor.

The beaded curtain swayed in front of the attic door, and a fragrant aroma wafted through the air. Just as the maid pushed open the door and lifted the curtain to enter, Qi Yun's figure floated upwards like a wisp of smoke, silently attaching himself to the shadow of the beam above the porch, his gaze sweeping downwards.

The interior was luxuriously furnished, with a fireplace and incense burning.

Seated in the main seat was an elderly man dressed in brocade casual clothes, who looked very wealthy and had a ruddy complexion; he must be Prefect Li.

Below him was a middle-aged man with a fair complexion, no beard, and a slightly reserved look in his eyes. He wore a dark silk robe and moved with feminine grace.

Twelve exquisite dishes were laid out on the table, a perfect combination of meat and vegetables, and a feast for the eyes, nose, and palate.

Prefect Li raised his cup and said with a smile, "Eunuch Wang, you must have had a long journey!"
In these difficult years for Yongzhou, I can only prepare these twelve simple dishes to welcome you. It is truly a breach of etiquette, and I hope you will forgive me, sir!

The eunuch's high-pitched voice rang out, carrying a hint of perfunctory laughter: "Lord Li, you're too kind."

"I, too, have come under orders. I understand the difficulties of this region, so there's no problem."

Prefect Li's smile widened, and he waved to the maids standing by, saying, "There's no need to serve me here anymore. You may all leave. I have important matters to discuss with the Prince."

The maids curtsied, quietly withdrew, and carefully closed the door behind them.

Only the two of them remained in the room. Prefect Li personally poured wine for Eunuch Wang, lowering his voice and becoming increasingly obsequious: "Eunuch, you have come from afar and must be tired from your journey. I have already had a small 'local specialty' sent to your room. I hope you will accept it and not refuse it."

Upon hearing this, Eunuch Wang slightly raised his eyelids, and a barely perceptible smile appeared on his lips as he feigned reluctance: "Oh dear, Lord Li, how can this be? This... this humble servant is so embarrassed."

“Yes, yes! Your Excellency works so hard for the country, this small token is really insignificant. If you don’t accept it, you will be looking down on me!” Prefect Li urged repeatedly.

Only then did Eunuch Wang pick up his wine cup, his tone instantly becoming much warmer, as if he had become a different person: "Then I shall accept your wine without hesitation."

Hehe, Lord Li is indeed a remarkable man! Come, let me offer you a toast!

The two of them had a drink together.

Setting down his wine cup, Eunuch Wang's expression turned serious, and he lowered his voice even further: "Lord Li, let's talk business."

The higher-ups are paying a lot of attention to Yongzhou.

The Imperial Advisor personally offered his advice, and His Majesty approved of it.

How's the errand going?

Prefect Li immediately moved closer, a knowing smile on his face: "Please rest assured, Your Excellency and the Imperial Advisor, everything is going smoothly!"
There are as many of those 'materials' as you want!
Master Xuanyou of Qingwei Temple truly lives up to his reputation as a disciple of the Imperial Preceptor; his skills are extraordinary! The altar for forging 'divine weapons' continues day and night!

Eunuch Wang interrupted softly, "Yes, the Imperial Advisor has divined that this severe drought in Yongzhou is a godsend!"
With famine raging everywhere and resentment reaching the heavens, the "divine army" forged in this environment is not only fearless in the face of death, but also consumes no food or fodder—truly a brilliant strategy that achieves two goals at once!

If the front lines can receive this assistance, how can we not defeat the Northern Chen?
Lord Li, your coordination and cooperation with Master Xuanyou have been truly meritorious!

"I dare not, I owe it all to the Imperial Advisor's divine wisdom and His Majesty's boundless blessings. I was merely doing my duty."

Prefect Li spoke modestly, but a smug glint flashed in his eyes. "Your Excellency will be departing for Qingwei Temple tomorrow. I have already arranged guards and guides to ensure your smooth journey!"

Qi Yun, who was on the beam, felt his anger surge like molten lava!
His original intention was simply to "borrow" grain to provide relief to the disaster victims. Little did he expect that he would stumble upon such a heinous and shocking conspiracy!

They actually want to use a million living people to create corpses!
(End of this chapter)