From slave trader to the Immortal Lord of Ten Thousand Laws

The next day, at dawn.

The Xu family, with hundreds of servants, searched all night but still couldn't find the two people who had fallen into trouble on the mountain.

But the date couldn't be postponed.

Today is the day to ask Dong Yunqi to perform a ritual.

Since the Xu family needed their help, they naturally couldn't be impolite. Early in the morning, a four-horse carriage went to welcome Dong Yunqi.

"Immortal Master".

"Um."

Dong Yunqi stepped out of the Zhao residence, still dressed in white.

He didn't say much to the servant's restraint, but just glanced at him and then went into the carriage.

"Let's go."

Dong Yunqi said calmly.

The servant nodded in agreement, flicking the reins in his hand.

"drive!"

The wheels rolled over the bluestone slabs and began to turn.

...

...

at the same time.

The capital city, the East Market...

The intersection of Yunshuifang and Liyangfang.

Early in the morning, the open space, which was about twenty or thirty feet wide, was already bustling with noise and clamor.

A dense crowd surged in from all directions, like rivers flowing into the sea, converging here and crowding the surrounding streets and alleys, all people who came to watch the spectacle.

Opposite the high platform, a viewing platform was built.

This was the seat where Xu Qingyue and the distinguished families and gentry she had invited were present to observe and witness the ceremony.

Fences had already been erected around the high platform.

Dozens of officers and soldiers stood in formation outside the fence.

Their faces were solemn, their eyes were vigilant, and they guarded the entrance tightly, keeping the surging crowds out.

Yet they managed to maintain order with difficulty.

Before long, the small open space became as lively as a market as the crowd grew.

"Make way! Make way!"

"Don't push, you in front! Hey, someone's stepping on someone!"

"Ouch, who pushed me?"

"..."

The crowd was shouting and making a great fuss.

Peddlers carrying loads on their shoulders took the opportunity to weave through the crowds and hawk their wares.

"Steamed buns! Steamed buns for sale! Hot steamed buns!"

"Candied hawthorn skewers! Candied hawthorn skewers for just one penny a skewer!"

"..."

A group of idlers squatted on a street corner, spitting as they discussed loudly, "Have you heard? Today, that messenger of the mountain god is going to perform a ritual on the platform to save Master Xu's life!"

"Tsk tsk, that's truly divine skill."

"Hmph, the mountain god's messenger was only willing to help because of the Zhao family."

"..."

More and more people gathered.

They were shoulder to shoulder, a dense, dark mass like a swarm of ants.

Those who couldn't squeeze in later had to climb onto the rooftops or tree branches facing the street, or scale the walls of the neighborhood, and peer out.

From a distance, all one could see was a dense mass of heads, rising and falling like a tide.

Suddenly, from the far end of the long street, came the crisp sound of horses' hooves.

"Da da da—"

The sound of hooves grew louder as they approached, steady and powerful.

The crowd stirred.

"Why is there a horse-drawn carriage?"

"It's the Xu family's carriage."

Someone recognized the carriage and turned around to look.

A magnificent carriage, pulled by four exceptionally fine, pure white horses, slowly entered the street.

A vermilion canopy and a rosewood body.

The car window was partially covered with translucent Shu brocade, and the silhouette of a person inside could be vaguely seen. He was sitting upright and it was a man.

"The mountain god's messenger has arrived!"

Someone shouted, and instantly, the street fell silent.

Everyone turned their heads.

Countless gazes, burning brightly, followed the carriage closely. Wherever the carriage passed, the crowd seemed to be parted by an invisible force, automatically making way for it.

"Roar..."

The carriage came to a steady stop at the gate entrance.

Then the carriage curtain moved slightly.

A hand with distinct knuckles reached out, its fingertips brushing aside the carriage curtain, and then Dong Yunqi slowly stepped out.

He was still dressed in a white Taoist robe.

Like snow, pure and untouched by dust.

Dong Yunqi got off the carriage, slowly glanced at the sea of ​​people in front of him, but did not say anything.

His eyes were devoid of joy or sorrow, as if the eager anticipation, whispers, and even the worship of the millions of people had nothing to do with him.

He just stood there quietly, watching silently.

"messenger."

"Messenger!"

Gasps of surprise erupted from the crowd, and many people knelt down and kowtowed repeatedly.

The sound was like a tidal wave, one wave higher than the next.

Dong Yunqi did not stop.

He saw the people's eagerness but felt no pity, only concerned with the benefits of his own power.

Secret passage:

"With so many people, this religious ceremony should be able to draw a lot of incense offerings from everyone."

"Zhao Jiaren, though a villain, is quite clever in his methods. He used the fact that Master Xu was seriously ill to invite gentry and commoners of the capital to attend the ceremony, making a private treatment a public affair."

"In this way, we can both suppress the arrogance of the Xu family and expose their pleas and embarrassment to the public eye, and also use this opportunity to promote the mountain god's grace, enhance the Zhao family's prestige, and attract countless eyes to me to draw upon the power of incense offerings!"

"This plan kills three birds with one stone."

"It saved me a lot of trouble."

Dong Yunqi smiled inwardly, his eyes slightly lowered, and then he took a step forward, his white robes fluttering.

"tread--!"

He climbed up the high platform.

Everyone held their breath.

Under the watchful eyes of countless gazes, Dong Yunqi ascended the bluestone platform step by step, climbed the giant wooden steps, and finally stood atop the high platform.

"call--"

Her clothes fluttered in the wind.

"messenger!"

"The messenger has gone up."

"Do we need to perform the ritual?"

"No, it's not time yet."

Everyone chimed in with their own thoughts, all gazing up at the mountain god's messenger on the high platform.

But the messenger's expression was indifferent and relaxed.

It was as if the thousands of people gazing at him were merely a necessary scene on his path of cultivation.

Whether you see it or not, it's not worth discussing.

"Knock knock knock!"

The sound of horses' hooves rang out again.

The wheels rolled over the bluestone pavement.

The crowd looked in the direction of the sound and saw another carriage slowly approaching from the other end of the long street.

The carriages were still drawn by four horses, and the canopy was like a pavilion.

Two flags hung on the carriage shaft, each bearing the elegant character "Xu" written in ink.

The crowd stirred again, but then parted to make way for them.

The carriage stopped on the left side of the gate entrance, one after the other carriage.

Immediately afterwards, the coachman jumped off the carriage shaft, set up the sedan chair, and bowed respectfully.

The carriage curtain swayed slightly.

A delicate hand reached out.

With a gentle touch, the carriage curtain was lifted, and a slender figure gracefully stepped out of the carriage.

It was Xu Qingyue who arrived.

Xu Qingyue looked melancholy, still thinking about Jiang She who hadn't returned home all night. Today, instead of wearing those bright and beautiful clothes, she changed into an elegant ruqun (a type of traditional Chinese dress) according to the occasion.

Her upper body was a moon-white cross-collar narrow-sleeved shirt made of the finest silk, smooth in texture, covering a heavy bodice. The shirt was fitted at the waist, making her waist appear slender and delicate. Her lower body was a matching pleated long skirt with a wide hem that trailed on the ground. As she moved with light steps, the pleats of the skirt rippled out like waves, elegant yet noble.

Her hair was styled in a high bun, secured with a plain silver hairpin. The hairpin had no elaborate design, only small pearls the size of rice grains. A few loose strands of hair hung softly beside her ears, making her cheeks appear even more delicate and flawless.

"It's Miss Xu!"

"What a beautiful woman."

"Miss Xu was born at the wrong time; she should be able to be included in the Jade Beauty Records this year and be chosen as the most beautiful woman in the world!"

"Tch! What's the use? It's not yours anyway."

A low murmur arose from the crowd.

Some say that Xu Qingyue will definitely be among the concubines the emperor will take this year; others say that the Xu family was able to invite the mountain god's messenger because Zhao Jiaren was the matchmaker, and the Xu and Zhao families might just become a perfect match.

In a short time.

Countless gazes, some curious, some sympathetic, some inquisitive, and some gloating, all fell upon her.

She seemed oblivious, getting off the carriage and looking around as if searching for something in the crowd.

"Still... they haven't come?"

Xu Qingyue glanced at the crowd.

She did not see Jiang She.

For some reason, I felt a little lost.

"Miss."

"Um?"

"It's time to sit down."

"Um."

Xu Qingyue nodded slightly.

He then walked to the entrance of the fence.

The soldiers guarding the area recognized her and quickly bowed and made way for her.

Xu Qingyue nodded in return, and then she stepped inside the fence and sat down on the viewing platform.

The viewing platform faces the altar for inviting the gods, and one can vaguely see Dong Yunqi's face on the platform.

Xu Qingyue, however, did not look at him.

Because another carriage has arrived.

"Tap tap tap—"

The wheels rolled on, pushing through the crowd.

It was the Zhao family's carriage.

"Master, we've arrived."

"Okay, I understand."

A man's voice rang out.

Immediately, a hand wearing a white jade thumb ring emerged from behind the curtain, swept to the right, and flung open the curtain, revealing a man and a woman sitting inside.

The man was Zhao Jiaren, of course.

Zhao Jiaren was dressed in a brocade robe, woven with gold threads, exuding luxury. He wore a brocade belt inlaid with black jade around his waist, and the belt buckle was also made of pure gold and carved into the shape of a lion holding a ring.

Since he had reached adulthood, he tied his long hair up with a golden crown, leaving only a few strands hanging down in front of his forehead, which added to his dashing and debonair demeanor as a young nobleman.

The woman was a maid.

She clasped her hands in front of her abdomen and followed Zhao Jiaren as he stepped down from the carriage. She remained silent throughout the entire process, like a jade sculpture devoid of emotion.

After getting off the carriage, he stood half a step behind Zhao Jiaren, his gaze lowered, not looking at anyone, but his body exuded a cold aura that kept strangers at bay.

Zhao Jiaren's gaze was deep as he swept over the dense crowd outside the fence, and suddenly a look of worry appeared on his face:

"Miss Liu."

"Um?"

"Look at the scene before you. A sea of ​​people, a mixed bag, from all walks of life, even outlaws. Today's ceremony is grand and attracts a lot of attention. As the head of the Zhao family, I can't guarantee that... no one will take this opportunity to cause trouble, whether out of hatred, for profit, or to carry out an assassination attempt."

"I have already paid the deposit, but I have not yet asked you to kill anyone. Today... my safety is entirely in Miss Liu's hands. I beg you to protect me."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yin's eyelids remained lowered.

Zhao Jiaren, however, did not care about her silence.

He was already used to this woman's sparing use of words, and seeing her silence now, he took it as her tacit consent.

He finished speaking.

Zhao Jiaren said no more, straightened his clothes, and sat down.

After a while, the number of people on the viewing platform gradually increased.

Those who came were all nobles from the capital.

Exquisite clothes and fine garments, a dazzling array.

With a smile on her face, Xu Qingyue nodded to each of the arriving guests.

"Manager Li."

"Minister Wang."

"Vice Minister Liu."

"..."

Among these people were merchants or high-ranking officials; some were family friends, while others had no prior dealings with them.

Most of the reason she came to attend the ceremony and provide support was because of her uncle Xu Ningyuan's past relationship with the court.

With these high-ranking and powerful figures present, Zhao Jiaren's words and actions did indeed become much more restrained.

He sat at a distance, chatting and laughing quietly with a few familiar merchants beside him, but his gaze would occasionally sweep over Xu Qingyue like a hook.

However, he eventually found his opportunity.

Taking advantage of a brief pause in the pleasantries, while the elders were chatting amongst themselves, Zhao Jiaren straightened his clothes, stood up, and walked leisurely to Xu Qingyue's seat.

"Miss Xu."

"Hmm? Is there something you need, Young Master Zhao?"

Xu Qingyue raised her eyes and looked at Zhao Jiaren.

Zhao Jiaren wore a malicious smile, his gaze lingering on Xu Qingyue's exquisite face for a moment before he said:

"After today's ceremony, Miss Xu, please don't forget to hold a martial arts contest to find a husband."

"Oh, is Young Master Zhao in such a hurry?"

Xu Qingyue gave a cold snort.

She never had a good impression of Zhao Jiaren.

But this Zhao Jiaren...

But he's like a persistent leech, never willing to stop for a moment. Before the ceremony even began, under the watchful eyes of everyone, he couldn't wait to bring up this annoying matter again.

Xu Qingyue was displeased, and her tone subtly revealed a hint of estrangement:

"Young Master Zhao..."

"Today's ceremony is a prayer for my father's well-being and to exorcise evil spirits. The most important thing is, of course, my father's health. As for the martial arts contest to choose a husband, that's a matter for later. Isn't it... a bit premature for Young Master Zhao to bring it up now?"

"Or is it... that the young master is afraid something might go wrong with the messenger, and is therefore in a hurry to arrange the duel with me?"

"Haha, how could that be?"

Zhao Jiaren listened but didn't take it seriously.

He chuckled softly, leaning forward slightly to get closer to Xu Qingyue, almost able to smell her delicate fragrance: "Miss Xu, you are mistaken. I, Zhao, believe in Master Dong and that he can cure your father."

"But......"

"If something goes wrong, it won't harm me. At most, it will just be a laughing stock for everyone. But Miss Xu, if something goes wrong, wouldn't you miss the chance to save your father?"

"Miss Xu, are you willing to give that up? Are you willing to give that up?!"

"..."

Xu Qingyue remained silent.

Faced with Zhao Jiaren's questioning, she was indeed speechless.

Yes.

Her father had been seriously ill for a long time, and she had finally seen a glimmer of hope. If something went wrong again, could she bear to do that?

How could I bear to part with it!

Xu Qingyue frowned slightly.

At this moment, she desperately wished someone would stand up and say that the mountain god's messenger on the high platform was an imposter.

Of course, he would say these things after he had cured his father.

In this way...

Not only will her father be saved, but she can also blame the Zhao family for the fact that the mountain god's messenger is an imposter. As for the martial arts contest to choose a husband, it will naturally be invalid.

This is killing two birds with one stone, achieving the best of both worlds.

But.....

Will things really turn out as she wishes?

Xu Qingyue's eyebrows curved slightly, but she remained silent.

She felt that she was being a little too greedy.

She was simultaneously thinking about wanting the mountain god messenger in front of her to heal her father, and also wanting the mountain god messenger to be an imposter.

"I must be sick, for I'm thinking like this."

Xu Qingyue smiled self-deprecatingly, then asked the maid beside her in a low voice:

"Have you found Qiao'er yet?"

"The answer to Miss is still that we have not found her."

"...And what about Young Master Jiang?"

"We haven't found it yet. Perhaps it's still on the mountain. Whenever someone comes down the mountain, the servants at the foot of the mountain will know."

"Eh! That's really strange."

Xu Qingyue looked surprised. She rubbed her eyes, pointed to a man's figure in the crowd, and said:

"Isn't that Young Master Jiang? He's already here, yet the servants are still waiting at the foot of the mountain?"

"Hmm? Where, miss?"

"Isn't that it? Oh no! The person is gone."

--------

P.S.: I was locked in the "little dark room" in the last chapter and haven't been released yet, so this chapter is just a transition.