Chapter 573

Chapter 573: The Martial Emperor Requests the Extermination of the Hongmo

The Power King’s residence fell into decline, selling off the estate along with the cooks and servants to wealthy merchants from the Binghuo Continent. The unremarkable gardener Xiao Jiu remained behind.

Five months passed in the blink of an eye, and on this day, someone came to the estate looking for Xiao Jiu.

Old Li hurried over, looking worn from travel, and when he saw his little brother, he burst into tears of joy. “Ah, Xiao Jiu, I finally found you! Come quickly with me; there are opportunities everywhere on the grasslands.”

“Big Brother, since you are here in the royal city, you should rest and recuperate for a while. Once you are well, I will introduce you around, and you can find a job at the estate.”

“Oh? You didn’t mention much in your letters. This estate looks impressive; your employer must have deep roots.” Li Da did not try to persuade his younger brother but felt tempted when he heard this.

Li Xiao Jiu smiled and explained, “This place was the prince’s residence, and it has been purchased by a wealthy merchant from the Binghuo Continent. He is generous with his money and offers high salaries. The steward responsible for the storeroom just resigned, so Big Brother can take over this easy job. We can invite our nephews and nieces here through letters; I believe the Great Xia will restore order, and the royal city will prosper like before.”

“Indeed! It feels like a different world on this journey! I heard that the Heavenly Talisman Sect has emerged, revitalizing talisman techniques, and the Great Xia army is rebuilding its spirit. They use exorcism talismans to purge the ghosts and restore the land! Hahaha, good! Well done! The current ministers are inviting the Martial Empress to preside over state affairs.” Li Da expressed his delight.

“Not so easy! Several princes and princesses propped up by the major sects suddenly died, and the culprits caused a huge uproar for a long time. It was only after the scholars and sages intervened that the turmoil settled recently.”

Li Da snorted, “These sects only care about their own interests. They do nothing to eliminate ghosts and protect the Great Xia, yet they fight for power and influence.”

“Big Brother sees clearly.” Li Xiao Jiu smiled softly. The sects required national fortune for their long-lasting prosperity. There were reasons for their ongoing disputes. As the leader of the Heavenly Talisman Sect, he could not be exempt from the customs, so he laid out plans early on. When the time was ripe, he would not hesitate to stake all his assets and even send disciples into the mundane world for tempering.

“Xiao Jiu, there are opportunities everywhere on the grasslands. You mentioned that Master Jieyin has mastered the Giant Armored Tribe and replaced Changsheng Tian, spreading Buddhism across the vast grasslands.” Li Da spoke excitedly. “The priests and divine envoys of Changsheng Tian have turned into Buddhist protectors. Tsk, tsk! You should have seen it; in the blink of an eye, countless Buddhist temples have appeared. The Master leads the enslaved people, many of the Giant Armored Tribe sincerely convert. The Law Destruction Temple supports caravans, making the Giant Armored Tribe prosperous, and everyone praises the Master.”

As he spoke, Li Da joyfully added, “You must have a special bond with Master Jieyin, who has taken great care of your big brother. By the way, a Buddhist nun from the Law Destruction Temple asked me to relay a message; she remembers her senior brother and has made a great vow to assist Master Jieyin in achieving the Transcendent Tathagata Buddha. In this life, you and she have a connection that’s Buddhist in nature!”

“Humph!” Li Xiao Jiu snorted, thinking, “This Jieyin fellow has taken Mu Qianyun away. What Buddhist nun? She should be the one admiring beautiful women beside me! But Qianyun’s devotion to Buddhism is admirable. According to Old Li, the future lies with the Lotus-born Great Master, who will suppress numerous ghosts and be a formidable foe of the Yin Moon Dynasty!”

“Xiao Jiu! Opportunities are rare. While the estate in the royal city is comfortable, there are no chances to amass wealth.” Imagining the scenes on the grasslands, Li Da felt a surge of ambition.

“I won’t go! There are plenty of opportunities in the royal city. By the time you hurriedly return, the chances may be scarce.” Li Xiao Jiu shook his head vigorously, wholly lacking ambition, content to remain at the estate tending to the plants.

“Sigh! I’m tired too. Since you say so, I will sell off our family property back home and test my luck in the royal city.” Li Da ultimately gave in to his younger brother; thinking about the three deceased brothers wore on his heart, hoping for development from those nephews coming over.

Thus, Li Xiao Jiu and Li Da lived together, tending the plants by day and cultivating in meditation by night. They led a life of simplistic happiness, occasionally visiting taverns for drinks, listening to scholars discuss worldly affairs, feeling their days were well spent.

A year passed, and all the spiritual flowers and plants in the estate thrived in an instant. Li Xiao Jiu finally paused his work and looked toward the approaching figure.

“Father!”

Auspicious light dazzled, and a refreshing fragrance filled the air as an exquisite female cultivator floated into the courtyard, a peach blossom blooming vividly on her brow. She wore ornaments symbolizing a female official on her neck and wrists.

“Did you come alone?” As Li Xiao Jiu approached the stone table and was about to pour tea for himself, her delicate jade hand seized the teapot, gracefully pouring sweet dew into his cup.

“This is the Yao’er’s tribute to you, Father — the Jade Liquid from the Yao Pool!”

“Uh, how should I address you as Master in the future? Look at you, growing into a slender beauty. Every time you call me Father, it feels so ancient!”

“Hehe!” Yao’er chuckled lightly, “That won’t do! A father is a father, and once a father, always a father. If it weren’t for you bailing us out six months ago, we little ones would have made a serious mistake. The heavenly machinations aren’t easy to deceive; when the Celestial Tree grew, the heavenly tribulation almost destroyed the Mysterious Pearl. Now that Yao’er can step into the Myriad Forms stage, it all depends on your numerous protections, Father.”

“That little brat still dares to bring this up! The calamity power spread wildly and nearly injured my true form.” Li Xiao Jiu savored the Jade Liquid from the Yao Pool, smacking his lips in bitter amusement. “Alright! Since this cup of Jade Liquid was hard-won, I can’t bear to scold you. But knowing I am in quiet cultivation, why do you still come to disturb me?”

“Father, the Martial Emperor says it’s time to set sail and exterminate the Hongmo!” Yao’er said excitedly.

Li Xiao Jiu shook his head, “The Martial Emperor today is decisive and no longer the Mei Niang of the past! Her sending you here with a message is equivalent to telling me that the Heavenly Talisman Sect should withdraw quickly.”

“What?” Yao’er immediately grew angry. “How dare she!”

“It’s not about daring or not; she and I stand on equal footing. If there are matters, she will lay them out plainly. However, the Great Xia is supported by many sects. How could they allow the Heavenly Talisman Sect to monopolize power? As the Empress of Great Xia, if she cannot balance the interests of all parties, her reign will soon be over! The reason the other sects allowed the Heavenly Talisman Sect to grow was that our foundation is shallow, and talismans are genuinely effective in the current heavenly trends. However, growing too fast draws suspicion.” Li Xiao Jiu gently tapped between his brows, and as the clouds rose, he brought Yao’er to Mount Tai.

After a year of renovations, the foot of Mount Tai had transformed, even gathering a large town. On the mountain, a dojo was established where disciples practiced breathing exercises at dawn and dusk, gradually revealing the presence of the sect.

Li Hui, in his true form, emerged barefoot from his cave, a divine bird soaring around his ankles. His form was tall and slender, with a face like a crowned jade, and his hair styled in a high bun, holding a duster in his arms, stepping lightly while intricate patterns unfolded beneath his feet.

“Father, what is your cultivation level now?” Yao’er asked in astonishment, feeling a sense of vastness despite standing right before him.

“I’m still in the mid-stage Myriad Forms, but I’ve gained some insights from practicing the Tai Shang Tong Xuan Ben Zhen Jing and the Sit Forget Heart Sutra. I’ve fully fused the Dao Rhythm Residual Talisman with my original spiritual sense. Now, my Legal form has returned to my true self; I can easily reach the late stage of the Myriad Forms!” Li Hui gazed toward the distant sea and said, “As requested by the Martial Emperor, let’s mobilize troops to exterminate the Hongmo.”