Something's not right.
That talisman is not right…
In the future, when absorbing faith energy and undead energy, I must be extra careful and not absorb too much at once. Otherwise, if something like this happens again… that would be bad.
This time it was three months, what if next time it's three or five years… or even ten or twenty years… what would I do?
Also, this time Su Yuqing arranged for Liu Chun to guard outside the door.
What if next time there's no one to protect me, and some thief rushes in and stabs me to death?
The Longevity fate is good, but it still needs to be used cautiously.
After this incident, Xie An had a special feeling about the talisman, vaguely feeling that this talisman was not that simple.
When he first awakened the Longevity fate, Xie An simply thought it was a panel similar to proficiency, but later the Longevity fate began to absorb undead energy… Xie An felt that this fate was not simple.
The cheat I awakened, it wouldn't harm me, would it?
“School?”
Liu Chun said: "Yes. After the last incident at the execution ground, Lord Su ordered the establishment of a school in the name of the Demon Suppression Division. Moreover, the school doesn't need to be too big, mostly made of wood. It was built in the original place. Now, the children from several towns around are going to school there, it's very lively."
“Thank you, Brother Chun, I’ll go take a look.”
“By the way, what did you do with those four old men?”
“Starved to death…”
“……”
Saying goodbye to Liu Chun, Xie An walked through layers of corridors, looking at the disciples diligently training on the martial arts field, the instructors practicing attentively, the busy pharmacy, the library, the weapon shop…
Everything was as it was when Xie An first came to the hall.
No!
It was even more lively than before, and every disciple had a good mental outlook.
This made Xie An feel gratified.
The scene of following Zhang Lin here and meeting Lin Yun and Wei Dian couldn't help but appear in his mind.
Unconsciously, four years had passed.
Everything had changed.
Xie An stopped in the corridor, looked at the other courtyard where Wei Dian had settled, and muttered to himself in a daze:
“Brother Wei, are you doing well now?”
Although four years had passed, the figure of Wei Dian riding away that day was still imprinted in Xie An's mind, and he couldn't get rid of it no matter what.
Moreover, Wei Dian helped him a lot.
However… the kindness of imparting knowledge to him selflessly.
Heavy Mountain Saber, Essence Strength Pill…
These things are naturally not precious to Xie An now. But at the beginning… it was the key to Xie An's rise in martial arts.
“Greetings, Hall Master Xie.”
A passing disciple greeted Xie An.
Xie An came back to his senses and responded with a smile.
Someone spoke, and the nearby disciples looked over and called out Hall Master Xie. Xie An was not pretentious and responded to everyone. Along the way, he saw the disciples greeting him, and when he passed the martial arts field, the instructor specially stopped, and dozens of disciples also stopped practicing, looking at Xie An with fiery eyes and shouting loudly, Hall Master Xie.
Xie An waved his hand, signaling everyone to continue practicing, and then walked straight out of the other courtyard.
With his keen senses, Xie An could still hear the discussions of the disciples behind him.
“Hall Master Xie publicly beheaded the son of the Prince of Huainan in conjunction with the Demon Suppression Division in order to seek justice for the villagers. He is so brave. This is the model for us martial artists.”
“Isn’t that right? We practice martial arts to help those in need when we encounter injustice. Hall Master Xie is a great hero.”
“One day I will also be a hero like Hall Master Xie.”
“……”
Xie An felt a headache listening to it.
He really didn't think it was a heroic act, but only because his conscience was uneasy. Moreover… he was able to do this because of the Princess.
Even so, Xie An estimated that… after the matter of the Great Yin Mountain was resolved and the Princess left, he would also have to flee for his life.
The price was actually quite high.
But Xie An didn't regret it.
Who told him to witness that fire…
Leaving the hall, Xie An saw a crowd of people lining up at the door, while Wang Xiang sat beside a long table, responsible for registration and collecting money.
“Boss, you’ve finally come.”
Seeing Xie An, Wang Xiang quickly put down his wolf hair brush and approached, “Since the boss beheaded Li Xiaoting three months ago, more and more people have come to join our hall.”
As he spoke, he patted the heavy cloth bag in his hand, “My hands are numb from collecting money.”
Seeing Wang Xiang smiling so happily, Xie An was also infected and smiled comfortingly: “Good job, you continue, I’ll go to the school.”
“Okay.” Wang Xiang was naturally full of energy when he received money, and continued to return to the table to sit down, loudly greeting the team, “Don’t squeeze, come one by one. As long as you have a healthy body, you can join the hall.”
Xie An walked through the crowd and came to the opposite side of the street.
He saw that the house that had been burned by the sea of fire had been erected with rows of new wooden houses. Although they were not as strong as the blue brick and black tile houses, they had a unique style and were very exquisite.
Especially the school, which was made extraordinarily grand. A plaque was hung on the door, with three large characters written on it: Water Lantern Study.
There were no guards at the door, the door was open, and anyone could enter and exit.
Some older village women and farmers also went in to join in the fun, trying to learn to recognize a few words and listen to the teacher's lectures.
Some villagers recognized Xie An and hurried to make way, enthusiastically coming up to greet him.
“Greetings, Hall Master Xie.”
“If it weren’t for Hall Master Xie, this school wouldn’t be able to open.”
“Hall Master Xie has done a great thing for the area near our Water Lantern Town.”
“Hall Master Xie, has your burn from last time recovered?”
“……”
Feeling the enthusiasm of the villagers, Xie An felt very comforted, responded with a smile, and said that his injuries were fine.
“Hall Master Xie, you’ve finally come.”
A loud voice sounded, and the crowd made way. Zheng Bingxiang walked over with a crutch, eagerly holding Xie An’s arm, “You’ve done a great thing for our Water Lantern Town. Everyone remembers your kindness. Some time ago, the villagers were clamoring to bring some gifts to thank you, but they heard that you were in seclusion, so they didn’t bother you. Everyone has gathered some silver and plans to hold a banquet for the school. We are waiting for Hall Master Xie to attend.”
Although Xie An was gratified, he couldn’t say he was very happy.
The villagers did not know the hidden dangers.
He looked up and saw a group of young men reading aloud in the gazebo in the distance. These young men were wearing tattered clothes, some of which were patched everywhere.
Su Yuqing was holding a book and lecturing to everyone.
The clear voice was particularly pleasant.
Xie An stood in the distance and felt a long-lost peace and tranquility.
“Old Zheng, everyone has the opportunity to read and write, and has the possibility to change their fate and rise above others. This is good.
Let the banquet be canceled. It’s better to leave those silver coins to the school. Buy some pens, ink, paper, and inkstones, or use them to hire teachers, so that more children have the opportunity to read.”
As soon as these words came out, the surrounding villagers looked at Xie An one after another, with awe and respect.
Zheng Bingxiang was also full of admiration, and realizing Xie An's determination, he obeyed, “Hall Master Xie is heroic, we will do as you say.”
“Thank you, Old Zheng.”
Xie An cupped his hands slightly to Zheng Bingxiang, then walked to the side of the gazebo and found that many adults were also gathering around to listen. Su Yuqing in the classroom also saw Xie An, but did not respond, and continued to lecture for a full half an hour before announcing the end of the class.
The children and teenagers cheered and rushed out of the school, holding their respective adults' hands to go home. Some sensible adults would pull the children to Xie An to thank him.
Some six or seven-year-old children spoke in a childish voice. When Xie An met cute and unafraid of strangers, he would pinch the child's pink face and say some words of encouragement.
After the crowd dispersed, Su Yuqing slowly walked over and said softly: “You are quite popular now. Everyone has to call you Hall Master Xie when they see you.”
Xie An smiled wryly: “Without the Princess’s benevolence, this school would not be able to open. The person everyone should be most grateful to is you.”
Su Yuqing said lightly: “Scholars pay attention to self-cultivation. I like this atmosphere, and it can also be said to be for my own selfish reasons. In fact, you should also read more. It can cultivate your temperament.”
Xie An: “……”
In his previous life, he studied for more than ten years for the college entrance examination… He finally got rid of it…
However, when he heard Su Yuqing call herself 'concubine' again, Xie An had a special feeling.
It stands to reason that Su Yuqing called herself 'concubine' in order to hide her identity… no problem. After all, she herself is half a Jianghu person.
But now, not to mention Xie An, many high-level officials in Qingwu County know about it.
She still refers to herself as 'concubine' instead of 'this princess'...
Generally speaking, princesses in her position usually refer to themselves as 'this princess' when in public.
Only when facing the emperor and senior members of the imperial family would they humbly refer to themselves as 'concubine'.
Xie An couldn't help but look up at the woman before him, noticing her noble temperament, yet humble and gentle demeanor.
The word 'concubine' carried a hint of free-spiritedness and a willingness to lower herself and treat everyone as equals.
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It was a hard-to-describe feeling.
After regaining his senses, Xie An said, "What the eldest princess says is true."
Seeing Xie An's agreement, Su Yuqing became more talkative, "Although the Great Qian was founded on military strength, governing this vast world requires reading, enlightening the ignorant, and continuing the teachings of the sages.
When everyone gains wisdom, they can distinguish right from wrong, good from evil, and understand the principles of the world.
At that time, when everyone in the world understands reason and forms an irresistible force, it can become a sharp sword hanging over the king's head, constantly reminding him.
Only in this way can the Great Qian achieve long-term stability."
Listening to these words, Xie An felt that this eldest princess's thoughts were very far-reaching, exceeding the standards of a feudal dynasty.
Thinking of this, Xie An couldn't help but take another look at the woman.
She had already changed back into women's clothing and no longer pretended to be a man.
Since the execution ground incident three months ago, she probably knew that her identity had been exposed.
Although the villagers didn't know her background, the officials in the county and the heretical demons of the Great Yin Mountain... definitely knew.
So there was no need to hide.
Or perhaps, she directly revealed her identity to the demons and the Prince of Huainan, intending to deter them, to prevent arson and similar incidents from happening again.
After talking about books, Su Yuqing turned to look at Xie An, "Have you experienced any discomfort after three months of seclusion?"
"Thank you for your protection, eldest princess. I have not experienced any discomfort."
"That's good.
By the way, three months ago, Li Changchun went to Nanzhou City to find the Prince of Huainan.
He has not returned yet."
Xie An immediately realized the problem, "Li Xiaoting was representing the Prince of Huainan, coming here to discuss cooperation with the Great Yin Mountain... He died tragically, breaking the bridge.
So Li Changchun personally went to find the Prince of Huainan?"
Su Yuqing hummed in agreement.
Xie An: "The Prince of Huainan... is also a prince of a different surname in the Great Qian, holding a high position and great power.
Knowing that the Corpse Refining Hall is a heretical demon sect... why would he be so rebellious?
Is he not afraid of incurring Emperor Jingtai's wrath?"
Su Yuqing chuckled lightly, "You know it, and of course, my imperial father knows it too.
Do you think the Prince of Huainan is so easy to deal with?
Do you think he obtained his title of prince of a different surname so easily?"
The officialdom was deep, so Xie An didn't ask further and wasn't very interested.
Su Yuqing continued: "It's not easy to move the Prince of Huainan.
He Nanfeng, the second martial arts grandmaster in Nanzhou, has become his advisor.
Moreover, although the Bright Jade Skill cannot grant immortality, it can rejuvenate... who wouldn't want that?"
Xie An understood.
The Prince of Huainan would naturally want what he himself desired.
Thinking of this, Xie An stood up and took the initiative to ask, "When does the eldest princess plan to take action against the Corpse Refining Hall?"
Su Yuqing chuckled softly, "You finally asked.
I thought you were planning to remain silent all along.
When you can shatter the great bronze bell, that will be the time for me to take action."
"How can I shatter the great bronze bell?"
Su Yuqing said, "Don't rush.
You only have one chance to strike.
If you can't break it in one strike, it will be troublesome."
"Why is that?"
"This agreement was initially engraved by He Nanfeng, representing the imperial family and the Demon Suppression Prefecture.
It's a mutual agreement.
Breaking it rashly... is already a violation.
But outsiders don't know my plan, so breaking it in one go will shatter it.
If you can't break it, causing a stir among all parties, then... I will be powerless.
The efforts of over twenty years will be in vain."
Xie An felt a great deal of pressure.
The eldest princess had placed all her bets on him with a plan she had devised for over twenty years.
Perhaps noticing that Xie An was feeling a little overwhelmed, Su Yuqing said, "I see that you even dared to chop down Li Xiaoting.
You're not afraid of trouble.
Don't worry about disappointing me.
I chose you, so even if we fail, I should bear all the consequences."
Xie An didn't expect this dignified eldest princess to be so understanding...
But the more she was like this, the more pressure Xie An felt.
If she were a heartless woman, failure would just be failure... there wouldn't be any guilt.
Xie An quickly adjusted his mindset, and his expression became serious, "Eldest princess, rest assured, I will definitely do my best.
However... I have never seen the great bronze bell, nor have I seen the imperial jade seal, nor have I felt the national fortune within...
If there is only one chance, should I go and inspect it in person?"
Su Yuqing shook her head, "Although Li Changchun is gone, the high priest is still on the Great Yin Mountain.
She has already cultivated the Bright Jade Skill to the nineteenth level or above, comparable to a martial arts grandmaster.
If I enter the mountain, I will definitely be discovered.
And you have been targeted by the high priest and Li Changchun, so rashly climbing the mountain alone... is no different from courting death."
Xie An frowned tightly.
No information to refer to... one chance...
This was undoubtedly hell-level difficulty.
But on second thought, Xie An felt that the eldest princess wasn't someone who would act without a plan, so he asked, "Does the eldest princess have other methods?"
"Follow me."
The matter was important, so Xie An didn't dare to be careless and followed Su Yuqing out of the school and back to the backyard of the courtyard in the main hall.
Crack.
Su Yuqing closed the courtyard door and led Xie An into a room filled with杂物.
However, the 杂物 inside had been cleared out, leaving only a copper stele one meter high and half a meter wide.
The surface of the copper stele was very smooth and flat, probably cut from a whole piece.
In the center was a seal, about the size of two palms, with eight conspicuous characters inside:
"Having received the Mandate of Heaven, may (the emperor) enjoy a long and flourishing reign!"
Xie An was stunned for a moment.
These eight characters were actually the same as those carved on the imperial jade seal by the First Emperor in his previous life?
Xie An knew the history of his previous life.
The jade seal, if it was important... it was indeed important:
Since the First Emperor unified the six kingdoms and established the world, and made this imperial jade seal.
Subsequent emperors have been going crazy trying to get it, as if only by getting this jade seal would they represent orthodoxy, be justified, and represent the national fortune, which could protect the dynasty for thousands of generations.
If it wasn't important, it wasn't important either:
When Wang Mang usurped the throne at the end of the Western Han Dynasty, Empress Xiaoyuan of Han broke a piece of the jade seal, which was later repaired with gold.
Later, Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu of the Eastern Han Dynasty obtained this jade seal, which was passed down from generation to generation.
But during the Five Dynasties period, Emperor Fei of the Later Tang Dynasty, Li Congke, carried the jade seal and immolated himself... and this jade seal, which had been passed down for thousands of years, was lost.
Subsequent dynasties thought of alternative methods.
The Song Dynasty made its own "Treasure of the Mandate of Heaven of the Great Song" as a replacement.
The Yuan Dynasty made its own "Yuan Imperial Seal" as a replacement.
The subsequent Ming and Qing dynasties also made their own replacements.
Even if they made their own substitutes, subsequent dynasties developed normally, and there was no such thing as national fortune lasting for thousands of generations.
Of course, this was in his previous life, which emphasized science.
Xie An didn't dare to say how it was in this life.
Seeing Xie An looking at the eight characters in shock, Su Yuqing asked, "Have you seen these eight characters before?"
Xie An regained his senses and quickly shook his head, "No.
I was just shocked to see the characters carved on the jade seal for the first time."
Only then did Su Yuqing nod, "Well, you are not an official, so you have not seen the jade seal's red stamp.
Even ordinary officials can't see it."
Xie An couldn't help but ask, "Was this stamped by the jade seal?"
"Yes."
Xie An pointed to the raised steel seal on the copper stele, "Can the jade seal leave such a deep mark on the copper stele?"
Su Yuqing snorted, "The imperial jade seal can suppress all demons, where can't it be stamped?"
Xie An secretly thought that the imperial jade seal in this world was really awesome...
Su Yuqing said, "This was secretly stamped with my imperial father's jade seal, and it was brought out as a test."
Xie An secretly praised this eldest princess for being awesome, even daring to steal the imperial jade seal...
However, Xie An couldn't think too much at the moment, "Test?"
Su Yuqing said, "This copper stele is a piece of scrap material from the great bronze bell that Yu He took from the ancient pagoda of the Corpse Refining Hall in her early years.
If you can break this copper, you can break the great bronze bell.
Come, try it."
Xie An couldn't help but admire the meticulous planning of this eldest princess.
However, the scrap material of the great bronze bell was already so big, how big would the great bronze bell be?
No wonder she wanted Yu He to be lurking in the Corpse Refining Hall...
He hadn't seen Yu He for a long time recently, he thought she should be in the Corpse Refining Hall.
He wondered if she was doing well...
