Chapter 1750: Heretical Cults Of Tiered Mountain (II)

Liu Changdie was momentarily dumbfounded and asked uncertainly, "This Profound Maiden..."

Lu Xu reacted as though the words had bitten him. His previously calm expression changed drastically, and he growled quietly, "How can you address [Profound Maiden] so casually... There is only one [Profound Maiden] under heaven, the [Daughter of the Profound Valley], whom you cultivators call the [True Monarch of Transcendent Creation] and the [Lady of the Nine Heavens Profound Valley]..."

Only then did Liu Changdie realize that the Profound Maiden Lu Xu spoke of was Lady Valley Water. Cultivators did indeed more commonly address her as 'Lady.' Cold sweat immediately broke out across his body. Worse still, Lu Xu's remark that he was favored by [Heaven-Governing] had exposed the deepest secret in his heart.

Too flustered to compose himself, he hurriedly slapped himself several times and apologized repeatedly, then tried to conceal his panic with another question, "And this... Thunder Maiden is..."

Favored by [Heaven-Governing]... Lady Valley Water... Could it be that the one from [Heaven-Governing] once had dealings with Lady Valley Water? But hasn't the lady long since ceased appearing in the world...

Countless thoughts raced through his mind as he continued apologizing. Only then did the Xu Water Demon King's expression ease somewhat, and he continued, "When the esteemed one still had a human body, her mortal name was Li Qinghong."

Liu Changdie finally understood. All the doubts he had carried for so long seemed to receive their answers at once. A wave of bittersweet emotion welled up within him, leaving him at a loss for words, while Lu Xu quietly watched him.

"Since you're guarding this place, stop running around everywhere. If one day you wander inland or into the various seas and someone takes your life, that will be beyond our concern..."

His expression was unreadable, as though he were gauging whether his words had persuaded the other man. Liu Changdie, meanwhile, sighed again and again, nearly moved to tears.

So this was all because of a favor owed to the Li Family... If that's the case, then by staying here, I have effectively become a guest cultivator of the Li Family once again... To think destiny in this world could be so wondrous!

The Xu Water Demon King then instructed, "Bring that demonic creature in!"

Liu Changdie hurriedly excused himself. After a brief wait, a white-robed young man with red eyes rushed into the hall and immediately bowed deeply.

"Greetings, my lord!"

As he bowed, pale yellow light was already flowing beyond the sight of the three men. Several eyes behind Fuxun's head opened once more, their whitish pupils staring blankly at the sky.

The Xu Water Demon King noticed nothing at all. He regarded Fuxun with some curiosity and inwardly praised him, To think he's an auspicious beast. How rare! Once the matter concerning Bright Yang is settled, perhaps the dragon king may find a use for him...

For now, though, he should be kept well hidden... Better not let the other kings see him. If they start fighting over him later, it could end up ruining the greater matter.

He therefore adopted an authoritative air and asked, "Since this was entrusted to me by the King of Wei, naturally I can put you to good use. Where would you like to be stationed?"

The pair of eyes behind Fuxun's head shifted about, while the lips and teeth there vibrated faintly as though conferring among themselves before murmuring, "Dongfang Weixi... and Zhongli Bailu... cannot bear to see us....

"Qunyi will do... the Shiqi will do as well... here... if we assume the posture of receiving Valley, they will have difficulty seeing us."

Fuxun was already weeping as he replied, "I have no one to rely on, only this brother of mine. I hope to be stationed somewhat closer to Daoist Master Yuanbian..."

Lu Xu had already anticipated what he wanted. He was merely worried that Fuxun wandering around might attract the attention of the other dragon kings, so he smiled and said, "Danping Reef lies between these scattered reefs and the Shiqi. I can assign you to guard it, but you are not to leave your post without cause. If you delay the lord's affairs, you will not be spared!"

Fuxun was overjoyed and nodded repeatedly. The Xu Water Demon King then lifted him up before turning to Ying Hebai and instructing, "From now on, I will assign you here as a Sea Patroller. Bring the rest of your clansmen over as well. If the King of Wei has any instructions, go straight to the palace and seek out the Jiao Sea Dragon King!"

His own territorial waters were not here, so this amounted to handing Ying Hebai over to Dongfang Dingjiao, the Jiao Sea Dragon King who was close to the King of Wei. The Xu Water Demon King was hardly an easy master to serve.

Ying Hebai nodded and bowed repeatedly in thanks, beside himself with joy and nearly moved to tears. He escorted the enormous palace palanquin all the way out before riding the wind back, specifically seeking out An Siwei.

The scales along this demonic creature's neck opened and closed, while his face was covered in crystalline tears that struck his armor with clear metallic chimes.

He bowed deeply on the deserted beach and wept, "Please convey this to the King of Wei. Such a great kindness is beyond repayment. Even if one day he should demand my heart and lungs or require my life, Hebai will gladly comply!"

————

Southern border.

Dark clouds blanketed the sky as a great green-purple banner billowed amid turbulent winds. At the foot of the mountain, countless barbarians could faintly be seen clustered together like ants, bound in long lines by ropes as they were driven like cattle and sheep.

At the summit, the golden-eyed man stood with his hands behind his back, his cloak whipping in the wind. The purple pattern between his eyebrows glowed faintly as though breathing, while his golden eyes were filled with contemplation.

So this is a divine ability.

He raised a hand, and a clear green flame suddenly sprang to life at his fingertip, disturbing the great void and sending ripples through it. As the fire of True Essence subtly shifted and transformed, it unexpectedly carried a hint of Boundless Water-Fire.

The flame extended downward all the way into his qihai, laying everything within it bare to his perception. It descended upon his Immortal Foundation and continuously nourished [Heaven-Venerating Gate] like a handful of sweet dew, allowing it to faintly communicate with the great void and laying the groundwork for his future Purple Mansion Realm.

Li Jiangxia quietly considered, Jiangliang said he was above the Golden Lotus Throne, but I don't think so... At most, he is only at the level of a Sattva. The power of this Profound Holder is tied to official rank and authority. I wonder whether the boost comes from his founding-era title or from being the head of all officials... Either way, he is a notch above me.

But none of that was particularly important. What Li Jiangxia truly valued was the improvement of his own divine ability. Political rank and authority depended on others, so how could they compare with a divine ability that was wholly his own?

I cultivate Bright Yang, which is far smoother for me than his cultivation of Radiant Fire. With the enhancement from this Profound Holder, I think... I should be able to make an attempt at divine ability in ten years.

As he pondered, An Xuantong hurried up from the mountains. He too was now dressed in full military attire, cutting an imposing figure. The shadow of his brothers' deaths had yet to fade from his features, but Li Jiangxia's miraculous surge in divine ability seemed to have given him hope for revenge, filling him with renewed ambition.

He bowed and reported, "All the cultivators of this local state have been bound, and all their people and troops have been gathered under our control... May I ask, my lord... how should they be dealt with..."

A thoughtful look appeared on Li Jiangxia's face.

Once this region was pacified, it would certainly be granted as a cultivator's fief in the future. Before his departure, Li Jiangliang had mentioned that, given Yang Zhuo's usual practices, there was a strong chance this land would become Li Jiangxia's own fief. Li Jiangxia narrowed his eyes slightly, seemingly recalling something.

The heretical cults of Tiered Mountain were bound and brought to Wei.[1]

He took a step and murmured, "This is already the seventh state. There are not many cultivators left in the realm now. Bind the shamans and send them all to the capital for his majesty to deal with... As for the people and troops..."

The golden-eyed young man's expression grew distant as he continued, "Before I came... his majesty gave instructions. The light of Tianwu does not shine upon the peoples of the outer tribes. Those of Baekje, Jiaozhi, and the Pyu are base slave stock, fond of provoking conflict and quick to forget kindness. Their peoples are to be eradicated and replaced with Hua folk[2]."

Yang Zhuo had committed little slaughter before or after becoming emperor and had always treated his subjects with benevolence, but there were clearly limits to whom he considered his people. His words carried a bone-chilling coldness. Li Jiangxia’s eyes fell on the masses at the foot of the mountain, who looked no larger than ants from above.

"The imperial decree has already been issued and cannot be altered. Pass down my order. All barbarians are to have their faces tattooed and be driven into slavery to construct a great palace for the emperor. The women are to be taken back into the realm as maidservants."

The Li Family had always cherished the common people and treated even the Mount Yue people under their rule leniently. An Xuantong was visibly uncomfortable with such an order, but with the immortal decree already handed down, he could only withdraw uneasily. Li Jiangxia, however, seemed entirely unaffected. He stood quietly for a while, until hurried footsteps sounded behind him.

A man came rushing up from the mountains, dropped to his knees, and reported urgently, "Urgent report, General... The Grand General has reached the Wilderness and is preparing to attack Three Rivers!"

1. Refer to Chapter 1688. ☜

2. Referring to the Chinese people. ☜