Start with acting, and you'll achieve immortality!

Late at night, in the Li family courtyard

At the dinner table, Zhang kept putting food on Li Ping's plate.

The bowl was piled up like a small mountain

"Eat more, you've lost weight these past few days."

Zhang's eyes were red, and she hesitated to speak.

Li Ping shoveled at the rice in his bowl, unable to taste it.

The news that he was going to Jiangning could not be kept secret in the end.

"Sister-in-law, I'm just going to the county town on some official business."

"They will return in one month at the earliest, and three months at the latest."

"Don't worry, you and your older brother."

Li Ping smiled and comforted him.

"Business?"

Zhang put down her chopsticks and sighed.

"Jiangning City is not like our small place; you must be careful in everything you do."

"Zizhi, we've finally managed to settle down."

Why did you have to take that risk?

Li Da, who had been eating silently, also looked up and stared at Li Ping.

His lips moved, but no words came out.

Li Ping remained silent for a moment, then put down his chopsticks.

Looking at my brother and sister-in-law

"Big brother, sister-in-law"

Some things you can't avoid.

Li Ping's voice was deep.

"I owe my success today to my teacher."

"If I stand idly by while my teacher is in trouble..."

"My conscience will never be at peace with me."

"Can……"

"Sister-in-law, don't worry."

Li Ping interrupted her.

"I have arranged everything."

"Tomorrow, you will move to the mountain stronghold at Wild Fox Ridge."

"The terrain there is treacherous, and it's guarded by Shi Gan and Uncle Lao Shuan's men."

"It's safer than in this city."

"While I am away, you must never come down the mountain."

Hearing how meticulously he had arranged things, Zhang knew that his mind was made up to leave.

Tears could no longer be held back and streamed down her face.

Li Da stood up and silently went into the inner room.

A moment later, he came out carrying a small cloth bag.

It was stuffed into Li Ping's hand

The cloth bag was heavy; inside were a few pieces of loose silver.

There were also two golden-brown baked buns.

"Eat on the way..."

Li Da hesitated for a long time before finally managing to utter these three words.

Li Ping took the cloth bag and felt it weighed more than a thousand pounds.

Looking at the kind and simple brother and sister-in-law before him, a warm feeling welled up in his heart.

This further strengthened his resolve to make this trip.

……

The next day, in the back hall of the county government office

Li Ping called over Zhou Bo, Shi Gan, Qian Duo, Lao Shuan Shu, and Bai Chong.

"My journey to Jiangning will take at least a month."

"It can last three or four months at most."

Li Ping got straight to the point.

"In my absence, this Xiyun County..."

"I entrust it to you all."

"Don't worry, sir!"

Shi Gan patted his chest

"With me, Shi Gan, here, no one can cause trouble in Xiyun County!"

"Lord Zhou, regarding the matter of money and provisions..."

"You've gone to so much trouble."

"For any large withdrawal, my pre-registered seal is required."

"In addition, the assets surrendered by the Bai family..."

"Check and put the inventory into stock as soon as possible, and make sure the accounts are clear."

"I understand."

Uncle Zhou held his book and nodded solemnly.

"You have a lot of money, but your injuries haven't healed yet."

"No need to worry."

"You just need to keep an eye on the movements in the city, and if there's anything unusual..."

"Immediately send someone to Wild Fox Ridge to report the news."

"Rest assured, sir, I'll risk my life for you."

"We'll also take good care of your home."

Qian Duo's face was pale, but his eyes were firm.

Li Ping then looked at Uncle Laoshuan.

"Uncle Laoshuan, Wild Fox Ridge is our last resort."

"The defenses of the counterfeit goods must never be relaxed."

"I'm entrusting my brother and sister-in-law's safety to you."

"What are you saying, sir? Your family..."

"They are our entire family!"

Uncle Shu patted his chest and guaranteed

Li Ping nodded, "Give them a talking-to."

The appropriate reassurance

He separated power and established checks and balances between them.

To ensure that this team can function normally even when I am not present.

……

Early morning, the thin mist had not yet dissipated

Li Ping, accompanied by two elite soldiers selected from the surrendered bandits, changed into merchant's clothes.

Quietly left Xiyun County

Before leaving, he looked back at the small town where he had lived for several months.

Traces of beast blood still remain on the city walls.

On the city gate tower, the original flags had been taken down and replaced with brand new ones.

"Li" flag

He recalled that on his very first day after arriving in this world, it was right in front of this government office.

Playing the role of a fake thief who could be killed with a single blow at any moment, he kneels down and begs for mercy.

And now, he is the backbone of this city.

It's like a lifetime ago

The carriage moved slowly along the rugged mountain road.

Li Ping leaned against the carriage, closing his eyes to rest.

But his mind was rapidly reviewing the events.

Teacher Chen Boyong...

He was destitute in Jiangning back then.

He makes a living by selling calligraphy and paintings and giving lectures; as long as you pay...

He teaches everyone

That disheveled appearance was definitely not an act.

How could a cultivator with such profound cultivation fall into such a state?

But if he were truly a down-on-his-luck scholar, how could he have soared to such heights?

A sudden promotion to Prefect of Jiangbei? The leap is far beyond imagination.

Furthermore, why did he take on so many disciples? (Myself, Senior Brother Ren Jun)

There were also many fellow disciples whose names he couldn't even recall, most of whom came from humble backgrounds.

The teachers who took them in seemed to never value their talent or family background.

It's as if they're just casting a net.

Now, it seems it's time to tighten this net.

However, this provoked a fierce counterattack from the Si clan.

……

Seven days later, at the end of the official road

A majestic city, like an ancient behemoth.

crawling on the horizon

The city wall was dozens of feet high, and was entirely built of dark blue-black boulders.

Intricate runes were engraved on it, shimmering with a faint spiritual light in the sunlight.

Even before getting close, a spiritual energy a hundred times richer than that of Xiyun County rushed towards us.

Thick, viscous, and possessing a chillingly majestic aura.

This is Jiangning City

The capital of Jiangbei Prefecture, a place where cultivators gather.

Li Ping stepped down from the carriage and looked up at the giant city.

I felt an invisible pressure squeezing in from all directions.

Here, Qi Refining stage cultivators

I'm afraid he's only fit to be a doorman.

He gripped the now-cold communication jade talisman in his bosom, and took a deep breath.

His gaze returned to sharpness and calmness.

He straightened his clothes and followed the flow of people.

I strode toward the massive city gate.