National Division

Chapter 127 Shen Xian: It's really... I'm used to it.

Shen Residence
After Shen Xian finished explaining the situation in the capital to his father, the atmosphere in the hall became quiet for a moment.

Shen Xian asked, "In your estimation, Father, how many able-bodied men can Guhe County allocate?"

Shen Bin thought for a moment and said, "If each household selects two able-bodied men, Guhe County can organize over ten thousand able-bodied men."

"The calamity of the corpse demon is crucial to the peace of the entire county. At that time, not only able-bodied men, but even the servants and women in the county town will have to cooperate in defending the city," Shen Xian said.

If there are more than 10,000 able-bodied men, they may not be able to handle the manpower of Ningyang and Linchuan counties.

Shen Xian thought for a moment and said, "In the name of Guhe County, send letters to the surrounding Qiu County, requesting that able-bodied men be transferred to Guhe County to provide support."

Shen Bin said, "I'm afraid that the other counties won't respond when they hear about the demonic calamity."

Shen Xian said, "Send it in the name of Hebei Province, and I will issue an official letter to mobilize troops."

Shen Bin nodded upon hearing this.

“Tomorrow I plan to go to Weizhou to mobilize the troops there to deal with the enemy situation,” Shen Xian said. “In addition, we need to deal with the characteristics of the corpse demons. They are fearless and have limited pain perception when ordinary swords and knives fall on them. During this time, we need to prepare more oil and rockets.”

However, Wang Shence should be sent to Guhe County by the sword puppet in the next two days, and we should be able to obtain some information about the characteristics of the corpse demon from him.

Shen Bin said, "I'll go back to the county office later and then I'll hand it over."

As Shen Xian spoke, he took out several bottles of pills from his bosom and said, "These are Great Rejuvenation Pills and Qi Cultivation Pills. Father will use them to improve his cultivation and reach the Grandmaster level, so that he can deal with the upcoming zombie horde more easily."

Upon hearing this, Shen Bin's eyes widened in shock, and he asked, "Where...where did this pill come from?"

A vague understanding began to emerge in my mind.

Shen Xian said, "These are the pills I have left over from my usual cultivation. Their origin is clear. Moreover, as the head of the Qilin Pavilion, I have the authority to reward martial artists with pills for slaying demons. My father is not only the magistrate of a county, but also a martial artist."

In the eyes of the higher-ups in Dajing, these pills were nothing at all.

Upon hearing this, Shen Bin didn't say anything more and put the pill into his sleeve.

Shen Xian said, "Guhe County will establish a branch of the Demon Slaying Division. Martial artists who have made meritorious contributions in fighting the Corpse Demon will also be given pills. This is also the purpose of my trip to Hebei to establish the Demon Slaying and Pacifying Division."

In his vision, the northern regions would first pilot the establishment of Demon-Slaying Bureaus, setting up branches in prefectures and sub-bureaus in counties, primarily recruiting martial artists and also employing Taoist priests.

Shen Bin said, "Although there are many martial artists in Guhe County, most of them are at the first or second level. They can easily deal with corpse demons, but they are not strong enough against demonic masters. However, if they learn that the pills will reward those who have made meritorious contributions in slaying demons, they will definitely fight bravely."

Shen Xian pondered for a moment and said, "In the next two days, I will discuss a set of rules for rewarding martial artists' merits. For example, killing thirty corpse demons will earn you a Small Rejuvenation Pill, killing one hundred corpse demons will earn you a Large Rejuvenation Pill, and killing five hundred corpse demons will earn you a Qi Cultivation Pill."

The number of corpse demons in the two counties is probably in the tens of thousands. If we follow this ratio, theoretically, only a few hundred Great Rejuvenation Pills would be needed to eradicate the scourge of corpse demons.

“But it consumes a lot of pills.” Shen Bin looked thoughtful and said, “It can’t be too easy or too difficult. It still depends on the combat strength of the corpse demon.”

Shen Xian nodded and said, "That's the initial plan."

Just as the two were talking, Zhiyun came in and said to the father and son, "Young master, the meal is ready."

"Let's eat first," Shen Bin said.

At this moment, she could no longer regard her son as an ordinary teenager.

Shen Xian nodded, and then he and Shen Bin sat down at the dining table to eat.

After finishing his meal, Shen Bin returned to the county government office to implement the plan previously devised by Shen Xian.

Shen Xian said nothing more and went to the backyard to find Yu Qingchan.

At this moment, in the side room—

Yu Qingchan had just finished her meal and was communicating with the mysterious person in her mind through telepathy.

"I recently divined that a great calamity will befall Guhe County." The mysterious voice, ethereal and cold, echoed in Yu Qingchan's mind.

If Sima Zongxian were here, he would surely be astonished that, in this day and age, with the secrets of heaven as obscure as a quagmire, there are still people who can foresee calamities.

Yu Qingchan was startled and exclaimed, "A great calamity?"

"The aura of the Corpse Demon is rampant." The mysterious man's voice carried a sinister tone: "You should know in a couple of days."

Just then, Green Pearl entered the room and said softly, "Miss, your husband has returned."

Yu Qingchan's bright, rose-like face was filled with joy as she stood up.

Shen Xian entered the room, looked intently at the girl, and asked, "Aren't you resting yet?"

Yu Qingchan's voice was clear and cool as she softly asked, "My lord, have you finished dealing with everything outside?"

Shen Xian asked, "You've been quite busy lately, are you alright?"

As they were talking, he sat down closer.

Yu Qingchan's face was radiant. She pursed her pink lips and said, "I heard from my uncle that there are many affairs in the county recently, and my lord is quite busy with them."

"The corpse demon is wreaking havoc; things will only get worse from here on out." Shen Xian picked up his fragrant tea and took a small sip.

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingchan was startled. Recalling the words "the aura of the corpse demon is rampant," she asked worriedly, "Is it urgent or not?"

Shen Xian said, "Guhe County is already responding."

At this moment, looking at his fiancée, he was struck by her exquisite beauty and captivating charm. Especially under the flickering lamplight, her delicate skin radiated a pure and serene aura.

If it weren't for those veiled eyes, her stunning beauty alone would probably have caused a lot of trouble in the capital.

Yu Qingchan felt the young man's gaze on her face, his eyes clearly filled with amazement. Her heart was filled with both shyness and joy, and a blush spread from her cheeks all the way to her earlobes.

The young man thought she couldn't see.

Shen Xian looked at the girl whose face suddenly turned as red as a blush, and the glistening dew on her earlobes, and a strange feeling welled up in his heart.

Why would someone suddenly blush?
Yu Qingchan, with her delicate, willow-leaf eyebrows and bright, clear eyes, said softly, "My lord, I recently composed a piece. If you have time, you can come and listen to it."

Shen Xian smiled, her tone surprised: "You can play the zither?"

This was the first time he had ever heard that Yu Qingchan had this skill. However, given that she was from a noble family and was partially blind, it was only natural that she would learn some music.

Yu Qingchan said softly, "I learned some music before, and when I have nothing to do, I just enjoy playing the zither to pass the time."

Shen Xian smiled and said, "It's too late. Let's listen to you play the zither again tomorrow when we have time."

Yu Qingchan hummed in agreement, her heart filled with a touch of sadness.

She always came and went in a hurry. The young master probably only kept her at the mansion out of his sense of duty and commitment, and didn't really want to stay with her.

"May I see your eyes?" Shen Xian asked, remembering something.

He wanted to try to show it to Senior Sister Murong or Senior Brother Sima, especially the latter, who was the leader of a sect and whose supernatural abilities were unfathomable.

In the past, the Yu family had little access to high-level immortal figures, but this time it was different. If the time was right, he might be able to get a consultation from several powerful immortals of the Shangqing Sect.

Upon hearing this, Yu Qingchan hesitated for a moment, then softly hummed in agreement.

A pair of delicate, fair hands, holding a handkerchief, were already churning together.

But then the young man approached and sat down on the other side of the soft couch.

Yu Qingchan closed her eyes, feeling the heat of the young man's breath on her face. Her heart pounded, and two blushes rose on her fair, snow-white cheeks.

But she doesn't reject the boy's closeness, or rather, she's somewhat... looking forward to it.

There has never been such a thing as a slow starter.
Shen Xian looked up at the beautiful Yu Qingchan and said gently, "Open your eyes, let me see."

"I'm afraid it will frighten you, my lord." The girl's voice was already starting to sound a little flustered.

Shen Xian smiled and said, "It's alright."

Immediately, the girl gently opened her bright eyes, revealing a pair of pupils with more white than black, two shadows, deep and swirling, before returning to normal.

Upon seeing this, Shen Xian's gaze sharpened. After examining it for a moment, he exclaimed in surprise, "Your eyes seem to have double pupils."

Could it be cataracts?

Xiang Yu was born with double pupils, but later generations have claimed that these were cataracts, which affected his vision.

Yu Qingchan closed her eyes slightly, a mix of joy and worry welling up in her heart.

Surely my husband wouldn't mind that she was born different?
However, she had already promised her master in her spiritual realm that she would not reveal her encounter with her master to her husband.

Shen Xian said gently, "Once we get to the capital, I'll have a master from the sect take a look at your eyes. There might still be a chance to save them."

Yu Qingchan hummed in response, feeling a warm current welling up in her heart as she sensed the concern in the young man's words.

Shen Xian smiled and said, "Alright, it's getting late, I should head back."

Yu Qingchan hummed in agreement, feeling the approaching man's presence. Her heart pounded wildly like a deer's.

Shen Xian gazed intently at the girl's pink and red lips, which glistened and glowed beautifully in the lamplight. Her lovely face, with its delicate features and fair, rosy skin, seemed even more dreamlike in the candlelight.

If his fiancée were in a modern-day school campus, wearing a white dress, she would likely become the kind of sweet and radiant "white moonlight" in many people's hearts.

This has become a regret for many veterans regarding their youth.

Shen Xian's eyes glazed over for a moment, but he couldn't help but feel a mischievous urge. He leaned closer and captured those two soft lips in his mouth.

This is his fiancée; perhaps he should reassure her?

Does this mean he doesn't mind her eyes?
"Mmm~" The girl felt a warm breath on her face, and then her cherry lips softened. Soon after, the boy had moved closer and pressed his lips to hers.

An indescribable sense of shame welled up in her heart, causing the girl's delicate body to tremble, while her mind went completely blank.

No, was the gentleman just kissing her?

Good heavens, she's not even married yet!

The young girl had never seen such a sight before. She felt as if she had been struck by lightning, as if she had been frozen in place.

Immediately, she felt her jaw being pried open, and a wild and unrestrained breath flowed into her mouth, gradually engulfing her, then sweeping away everything in its path, making the young girl's heart flutter and unable to control herself.

The girl gripped her skirt tightly with both hands, her eyelashes trembling, and only a soft moan escaped from her delicate nose.

The girl's heart pounded, and her bright cheeks were flushed red, as radiant as rosy clouds.

After an unknown period of time, her pink lips shimmered under the lamplight.

Shen Xian looked at the girl whose face was flushed and couldn't help but gently pinch her rosy cheeks.

He had just... well, he had intended to only skim the surface, but... it's just a habit.

"My lord... please don't pinch my cheeks." The girl murmured softly, her eyes shy, her head lowered, her cheeks flushed, the blush extending to her earlobes, glistening and dewy.

Shen Xian wanted to say, "I won't pinch your cheeks, I'll pinch a raccoon instead?"

But he ultimately restrained his experience from his past life in the game of love, took the girl's slender hand, and said gently, "It's getting late, you should get some rest too."

Yu Qingchan gave a soft "hmm," her voice barely audible, like a mosquito buzzing.

As Shen Xian spoke, he quickly left the hall, feeling the delicate fragrance lingering between his teeth and cheeks, and a sense of joy arose in his heart.

The girl's peach-pink lips were youthful and sweet, possessing a bright and beautiful quality, but lacking the intense passion of desire.

Like a cup of sweet, clear spring water, it nourished my heart that had been parched for so long.

At this moment, the young man stood tall and elegant in the courtyard. A bright moon shone down, its cool light like a ribbon. A gentle breeze carried the fragrance of early summer flowers, making one feel refreshed and relaxed.

This body is still young.

Shen Xian inwardly mocked himself. With a circulation of his qi and blood, he suppressed his iron-hard martial will and then returned to his residence along the covered walkway.

Zhiyun, carrying a lantern, came forward. Her apple-shaped face, framed by her beautiful hair bun, was full of smiles as she said, "Young master, Miss Xue is back and is waiting for you inside."

Shen Xian nodded and said, "I'll be right there."

He would also practice the "Primordial Qi Gong" every night, striving to make progress in the path of immortality.

Soon, a demonic calamity will sweep across the entire Guhe County, and he needs to cultivate immortal magic in order to cope with the fierce battle that is about to begin.

"You're here?" Xue Zhihua asked.

Shen Xian looked at that fair and delicate face, his gaze falling on the peach blossom cinnabar mark between her brows. He felt a little uneasy and asked, "Zhihua, has there been any news from the capital?"

Xue Zhihua gave Shen Xian a deep look, her eyes flickered, and said in a clear voice, "Master said that the Empress will speak with you in a little while."

Shen Xian nodded, sat down, picked up the teacup, took a sip of tea, and was stunned when he looked down.

On the porcelain cup, reflecting the candlelight, there was a rouge mark.

Xue Zhihua glanced at Shen Xian, her beautiful teeth gently biting her pink lips to suppress the bitter emotions surging in her heart. She took out the communication jade tablet and silently adjusted it.

The atmosphere in the hall was quiet, yet it was filled with an indescribable sense of unease or perhaps a sense of turbulent tension.

After a while, the jade tablet in Xue Zhihua's hand shone with spiritual light, and ripples of energy emanated from it, emanating from the magical barrier.

"The Empress's message has arrived," Xue Zhihua suddenly spoke, her voice clear and bright, without much emotion.

Clearly, some of the scattered thoughts have been sorted out.

Upon hearing this, Shen Xian quickly put down his teacup and walked over.

A curtain of spiritual light rose up, and then a familiar voice was heard: "Mr. Shen".

"Your subject is here," Shen Xian replied.

The Empress's voice drifted over: "Traces of demonic cultivators have appeared in Ningyang and Linchuan counties of Anzhou. The Corpse Yin Sect has infected the people with a secret corpse poison. Ningyang County has been completely overrun. The situation is urgent and extremely precarious!"

Shen Xian composed himself and said in a deep voice, "Just now, Senior Sister Murong told me about this matter, and my intention was to suppress it with overwhelming force."

“The demonic cultivators chose to cause trouble in Anzhou because Anzhou is located at the junction of Hebei and Henan provinces, and both provinces are densely populated. Once Anzhou falls completely, hundreds of thousands of people can sweep through the surrounding counties and prefectures.” Shen Xian said, “At that time, the local area will be in great chaos, and the imperial court will also be put on the defensive.”

“What you say is very true. I discussed this with my ministers and we have made similar assumptions.”

On the other side, in the Xuanzheng Hall, the Empress Dowager, Murong Yue, Gu Nanzhu, and others sat facing each other, listening to what the jade tablet that transmitted the message said.

The diva undoubtedly felt a sense of peace.

Since the wise men have reached a consensus, the rest is easy to suppress.

Shen Xian said, “Your Majesty, I have just discussed with the magistrate of Guhe County that after Linchuan fell, the zombie horde affected Guhe County. We should mobilize able-bodied men and inform the counties under Anzhou to gather troops to suppress the horde. At the same time, the military governor of Weibo should lead troops to provide assistance.”

The Empress said in a clear voice, "Weizhou has 30,000 troops; they can be mobilized to suppress the rebellion."

"If we add the more than 30,000 able-bodied men organized by Anzhou itself, the total is more than 60,000," Shen Xian added.

The Empress seemed to ponder for a moment before saying, "According to the jade tablet that the Imperial Advisor sent over, the Corpse Demon is shaped like a monster. It bites anyone it sees, and ordinary soldiers' swords and knives do little to hinder its movement."

"Then we should prepare more oil and rockets, and recruit more martial artists. Martial artists can fight ten or even a hundred people at once and kill the demon corpses," Shen Xian said.

The Empress Dowager said, "Regarding the military governor of Weibo, I will issue an edict to allocate troops."

"Your Majesty is willing to go to Weizhou in person. Since Your Majesty has already sent people to mobilize troops, I have only one suggestion: be quick." Shen Xian said, then thought for a moment and added, "At the same time, allocate 20,000 troops and leave 10,000 troops to deal with any emergencies."

"What do you mean, sir?"

“Weizhou is also a populous prefecture. If the demonic cultivators take the opportunity to release corpse poison, then we will have fallen into the villains’ trap of luring us away from our mountain,” Shen Xian said.

"What you say is very true, sir." The Empress and Murong Yue exchanged a glance, both seeing surprise in each other's eyes.

These are things that the previous prime ministers had not considered; he is truly an unparalleled national hero.

"Your Majesty, I propose a plan to reward those who kill the Corpse Demon and obtain its head with Lesser Rejuvenation Pills, Greater Rejuvenation Pills, and even Qi Cultivation Pills. I humbly request Your Majesty's approval," Shen Xian said after a moment's thought.

Since it involved the large-scale use of elixirs, he still had to report to the Empress.

"This is a trivial matter. You can take charge of the Qilin Pavilion and make the decision yourself," the Empress said softly. "Since I have entrusted you with full authority, I will not doubt you."

"Thank you for your trust, Your Majesty." Shen Xian said, "Your Majesty, I would like to speak with Senior Sister Murong to learn about the situation of the Corpse Yin Sect."

"Let your senior sister Murong tell you about this," the Empress said softly, glancing at Murong Yue beside her.

Murong Yue's clear, melodious voice came through: "Junior brother, according to the transmission jade tablet sent by your senior brother Lin, the Corpse Yin Sect has dispatched two Supreme Elders and three Elders to restrain the experts from the Vermilion Bird Division and my Shangqing Sect. In addition, there are other demonic sects involved."

Shen Xian frowned and asked, "Didn't my Shangqing Sect send any powerful figures?"

If heretics cause trouble, the Shangqing Sect should also send out corresponding forces, otherwise this battle is unwinnable.

"Of the twenty-eight peaks, three peak masters from the seven northern peaks have left. Including your senior brother Lin, one is at the eighth realm and three are at the seventh realm." Murong Yue's clear and cold voice came, without the slightest hint of panic, as she explained, "Other places also need the care of powerful figures in the sect."

The twenty-eight peaks correspond to the twenty-eight constellations, reflecting the directions of all paths in the Great Landscape.

"What about the Taiqing and Yuqing families?" Shen Xian asked.

The voice on the other end of the jade tablet paused for a moment before saying, "Taiqing and Yuqing did not participate. In the past, Yuqing would have been concerned about such matters, but they have not been involved for the past two years."

Shen Xian sighed and said, "Just as I thought."

Taiqing has always acted this way, while Yuqing probably wants the Empress to return power to the Li Jing clan.

It would be good to create some chaos in the local area to put pressure on the Empress. As for the tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands, who died, what did they matter in Yuqing's eyes?
They're nothing but ants.

The Empress's cold voice came from the other end of the jade tablet: "I will settle this score with them sooner or later!"

……

……

(End of this chapter)