Chapter 529: What She Does Best

Chapter 529: Chapter 529: What She Does Best

Li Mo chuckled softly.

Heh... Such a simple reason.

Yet in cultivation, simplicity turns out to be a rare and precious trait.

He was willing to take her as a disciple not only because she showed remarkable ability at such a young age, but also due to her straightforward personality.

"Well, at least for now, Lord Xuan not only harbors no hostility towards us, but has also bestowed us with immense benefits. Both emotionally and logically, we ought to repay him." Li Mo rubbed his forehead, never having imagined that he, a mere Loose Cultivator, would someday teach others how to cultivate. "Who knows what exactly Lord Xuan saw in me... Why doesn’t he teach the villagers himself?"

"He probably has more important matters to attend to, like the Great Fusion," Li Ziyan pondered. "Once everyone is fused, what will we become?"

Indeed, Demon Fiends only think of harming people, while Immortal Masters are mixed with good and bad traits, and taboos cannot be simply distinguished by good and evil. No one has ever heard of the Great Fusion, nor do they know what it means, but...

Li Mo gazed out the window at the village cottages bathed in sunlight, sharply contrasting with the previously dark and foul-smelling room.

This village might just be a window.

The path the villagers take next might answer the question.

And himself, now he is part of the answer too.

...

...

"Look, the Immortal Master Lord has returned!"

At the entrance of the county town, a large group of citizens eagerly awaited. When they saw a figure in white robes appear at the end of the road, the crowd erupted in excited cheers.

"I told you, the Immortal Master Lord could never lose to a demon!"

"Great, our Gushan County is saved!"

"No wonder a cultivator from a prominent sect is so extraordinary!"

Liu Shuyue quickly walked through the county town gates, having just undergone a fierce battle, her skirt hem stained with blood. Yet, seeing everyone cheer enthusiastically for her, all wounds and fatigue seemed to disappear.

"Lord Liu, thank you for your hard work!" County Magistrate He specifically stood in the middle of the road, clasping hands in gratitude from afar, and when she approached, he worriedly asked, "Are you hurt?"

"Just a minor injury, nothing serious," Liu Shuyue smiled. "Oh... this is demon blood, not mine."

"That’s good, that’s good." He visibly relaxed, his gaze shifting to the massive serpent’s head in her hand. "Is this the real form of the Dragon Demon?"

"Indeed, it is no dragon at all," Liu Shuyue dropped the demon head on the ground, causing the people to gather around in curiosity.

She received reports of a flood dragon harming locals, initially attacking medicine farmers and hunters in the mountains, and recently threatening travelers and merchant convoys below the mountain. Fortunately, it was proven to be just a giant Snake Demon, although powerful, it hadn’t reached the level of a Great Demon.

Liu Shuyue encountered such a troublesome demon for the first time, able to burrow into the ground, summon storms, and spit venom with scales as hard as metal. If the governmental constables from the State City had attempted a siege, they might have lost a hundred lives without capturing it.

And she only had to pay the price of a few minor injuries to sever the demon’s head.

After this battle, Liu Shuyue felt her sword technique and spellcasting skills had improved significantly.

Of course, the most important thing was the complete safety of the local citizens.

Thinking of this, her heart felt light and free.

"Lord Liu, please return to the manor. I’ve already ordered the preparation of hot water and incense, which should rid you of this dust and grime." Magistrate He made a gesture of invitation.

"Thank you very much," Liu Shuyue agreed with pleasure.

The arrangements were meticulous, even overly so... the small Gushan County managed to assemble ten maids to bathe and dress her, causing the Immortal Master to frown.

Out of politeness, she did not drive them away, merely stationed them outside the screen, handling her own wound treatment and cleaning of blood stains.

Donning the new clothes prepared by the Government Office, Liu Shuyue, led by the maids, entered the inner hall, finding that the County Magistrate already laid out a banquet on the long table. Present were not only Magistrate He, but also other officials from the office and county local gentry and elders, totaling close to twenty people gathered here.

"Thank the Immortal Master for removing a great threat for our county!"

"We must erect a monument to commemorate Liu Immortal Master’s achievement!"

"Please, have a seat," He You Tang warmly invited, "I hope the Immortal Master doesn’t disdain the hospitality of our little place."

Liu Shuyue remained at the door.

She calmly asked, "Lord He, are my provisions and water pack ready?"

Everyone paused in shock, simultaneously gazing at the County Magistrate.

His smile grew strained, "Ahem... Of course, everything is prepared."

"Please have someone deliver the supplies to my residence, I won’t impose on everyone further." Liu Shuyue cupped her hands in farewell and turned to leave.

"Wait... wait! Lord Liu!" He You Tang hurriedly followed her, "What do you mean? Everyone came to thank you—"

"Didn’t I say from the start? There’s no need to go to great lengths for me. I appreciate their gratitude." Liu Shuyue took a couple more steps, turning to add, "By the way, if the demon slaying reward arrives here, you don’t need to forward it to me; distribute the wealth to the villagers affected by the demon disaster."

Back in her room, Liu Shuyue let out a long breath.

Although she had forewarned, it was often taken as courteous and ignored, a situation she had encountered several times, one of the few negative feedbacks following demon slaying.

Yet compared to the ability to free local villagers from demon fiend threats, this slight regret was entirely acceptable.

Liu Shuyue approached the bedside, slowly sitting down. Despite the ointment applied to wounds burnt by snake venom, they still throbbed with pain upon movement, making remaining still for two or three days a wise choice.

In two months, she’ll have been out of the mountains for a year.

The first six months were mostly wasted on travel, with the greatest reward being her exposure to a remarkably magical store. It was that encounter that made her latter half-year compact and joyous.

In these six months, she traversed twelve locations within Three States, each place seeing at least one demon fiend succumb beneath her sword.

This was her most direct ambition as an Immortal Master, the easiest responsibility to fulfill.

Even if it wasn’t the most perfect choice.

Liu Shuyue acquired a peculiar ability called "Encyclopedia of Ancient and Modern," broadening her horizons unprecedentedly. She understood that if she stayed in the Royal City and participated in politics, she would inevitably be tied to royal power; she also understood how attractive the spells of Lotus Cloud Sect were to the nobility and royals, even if she wished to remain apart, she would inevitably be drawn into the conflicts of various factions.

Thus she opted to let the worldly affairs be worldly, distancing herself as much as possible to ensure the spiritual independence of Lotus Cloud Sect’s Immortal Masters.

Liu Shuyue also glimpsed some nearly unbelievable stories within the Encyclopedia of Ancient and Modern... stories where the common people became the driving force of historical development, ultimately establishing a prosperous and stable powerful nation.

But the beginnings of those stories invariably paved with untold bloodshed, more cruelly so, in many tales, even with immense sacrifice, success wasn’t guaranteed, or... failure was the most common outcome.

She admitted she couldn’t be such a guide; the people of Great Qi were not yet pushed to a state of rebellion as a means of survival. She was not a saint with great wisdom or capability; non-interference meant avoiding error.

Liu Shuyue acknowledged that perhaps there was no so-called perfect choice in this world.

Everything had a price.

She merely had to use her best ability to assist the King of Qi, thereby facing herself with a clear conscience.

And her best skill was wielding her sword to slay demons.