Shuideng Town School.
The morning sun shone down, landing on the seventy-odd children and teenagers dressed in tattered clothes in the pavilion, reflecting their sunny faces.
The sound of朗朗 reading aloud resounded in the morning light.
“The sages have spoken, passed down for five thousand years, the fire continues, and life goes on. It is even more worthy of repeated reading, reviewing the old and knowing the new. Even if you fail the imperial examination, you can still cultivate your temperament and eliminate anxiety…”
“Today is my last class. Other teachers will teach you in the future. Don’t slack off.”
Su Yuqing gave each child and teenager a book, and then announced the end of the class.
The children and teenagers were very reluctant. They bowed and saluted Su Yuqing before leaving.
After the students had left, Chen Tie, who had been waiting outside for a long time, entered the pavilion and cupped his hands, saying, “This subordinate is incompetent. Even after sending out spirit dogs to search the mountains for six months, I still haven’t found Xie An and Yuhe…”
Su Yuqing was not surprised to hear this. It seemed that she had expected this result long ago.
If they could be found, they would have been found half a year ago.
It wouldn’t have dragged on until now.
Even so, Su Yuqing still stayed here for half a year, hoping for a miracle to happen.
However, the miracle did not come.
She walked to the edge of the pavilion with her hands behind her back, looked towards the direction of Dayin Mountain, and murmured after a long daze, “The Changsheng Sect demons in Nanyang Prefecture have made some movements. I need to leave.”
Chen Tie stood behind Su Yuqing all the time, without asking about the next arrangement.
He knew that even if he didn’t ask, Su Yuqing would tell him.
As expected…
“There are still four things to be done here, and I need you to stay here to guard.
First, Xie An and Yuhe, I want to see them alive or their corpses.
Second, there are still five old demons in the depths of Dayin Mountain. When the Emperor founded the country, he had great ambitions and tried to open up a commercial port from Dayin Mountain on the southeastern border to the East China Sea, but he was blocked by the five old demons of Dayin Mountain, which led to the closure of the southeastern border and cut off the sea transportation route. Although the five old demons have been hiding in Dayin Mountain for hundreds of years and have never appeared, this is the biggest hidden danger of my Daqian in the southeast. You need to know the movements of the five old demons so that Daqian can make timely response strategies.
Third, people from the Huainan Prince have arrived in Qingwu County. If they collude with the five old demons, they will have the intention of rebellion. The agreement between He Nanfeng and the Refining Corpse Hall was probably related to the five old demons.
Fourth, there is an old thing hidden in the Refining Corpse Hall. This old thing is the root cause of why the High Priest collects corpse energy at all costs. And this old thing is also the bridge between the Refining Corpse Hall and the five old demons. Be sure to find this old thing.”
The huge amount of information shocked Chen Tie, an extraordinary master.
If Su Yuqing hadn’t said it, Chen Tie wouldn’t have known.
This information was really shocking.
After sorting out his thoughts a little, Chen Tie asked, “Please tell me, Your Highness, who is this old thing?”
Su Yuqing coughed lightly twice and said, “Her name is Jin Xiaotang. She was the Empress of the former dynasty’s Tianbao Emperor, also known as the Immortal Empress, and the leader of the Changsheng Sect. She is the younger sister of the National Teacher Guang Chanzi.”
Hiss!
Chen Tie gasped, “When our Jingtai founded the country a hundred years ago, didn’t we slaughter the former dynasty’s royal family? It was clearly announced that the Tianbao Emperor and Empress were dead. How…”
Su Yuqing shook her head, “These are all external statements and also the secret affairs of our dynasty. Outsiders naturally don’t know. The reason why the Changsheng Sect fled frantically towards Nanyang Prefecture was because this place was close to the border of the empire, and the Prince of Huainan was a former dynasty general who could protect the former dynasty’s emperor and empress.”
Chen Tie said, “Your Highness is saying… the Changsheng Sect’s purpose in fleeing was not to seek survival, but to protect the former dynasty’s emperor and empress?”
Su Yuqing nodded, “Yes.”
Chen Tie was speechless.
Suddenly, he understood many things.
No wonder the supremely noble Princess came to sit in Nanyang Prefecture in person. This is not only the will of the Princess herself, but also the will of the entire Jingtai royal family.
Su Yuqing spent more than twenty years laying out the situation in Nanyang Prefecture, not only to exterminate the demons of the Refining Corpse Hall, but also to find out whether Jin Xiaotang was dead or alive. If she wasn’t dead, she would kill her.
If the former dynasty’s emperor and empress were still alive, the Jingtai Emperor’s dragon chair… I’m afraid he wouldn’t be able to sit comfortably.
Even the entire royal family would not enjoy their meals.
Alas.
Su Yuqing sighed, “This palace has spent many years to determine that Jin Xiaotang is in the Refining Corpse Hall. As for where the Tianbao Emperor is, this palace hasn’t found him yet. However… this palace feels that Xie An may have interacted with Jin Xiaotang. Be sure to find Xie An!”
However, the Nanyang Fu Si is currently short of manpower, and I cannot give you a quota of five hundred people. At most, I can allocate two hundred people. You must strictly recruit the other three hundred people in Qingwu County and the surrounding neighboring counties according to the standards.
In addition, the Weisuo in Qingwu County will also be upgraded.
This is to search for Jin Xiaotang, to guard against the five old demons and the Prince of Huainan, and to serve my dynasty’s grand plan. You must not be careless.”
Chen Tie respectfully said, “Yes.”
……
Special affairs handled in a special way are not uncommon in the Daqian Dynasty.
Many of the mausoleum guarding teams of emperors will be promoted to general officers, commanding thousands of people.
What’s more, the situation in Qingwu County is so important.
On the sixth day after Su Yuqing left, the imperial decree came down: the Zhenmo Fang was upgraded to a fifth-grade Zhenmo Fu Si.
The official system of Daqian is not immutable. It will be flexibly changed according to needs.
For example, ordinary prefects are generally of the fourth rank. If the prefects of some core large cities or important strategic locations are promoted to the third rank. And the Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture is of the third rank.
There are many high-ranking officials in the capital. A brick can hit a group of fourth-rank officials. If the Yin of Jingzhao Prefecture is not promoted, there is no way to manage the capital area.
However, upgrading to the third rank does not seem to improve the situation much…
Generally speaking, the chief Si of the Zhenmo Fu Si is also of the fourth rank. If the affairs require it, it will also be flexible. For example, Su Yuqing, the chief Si, is more than just the fourth rank?
The three words "Princess" alone are of the first rank.
If the Princess has a special title or nobility, it is super-rank.
Now, at the suggestion of the Princess, there will naturally not be much resistance to setting up a fifth-rank Zhenmo Fu Si in Qingwu County.
Although it is not as good as the fourth-rank Zhenmo Fu Si in Nanyang Prefecture, it is undoubtedly a great thing for the small place of Qingwu County.
After the news spread, countless people in Qingwu County praised it.
With the Zhenmo Si, the people feel that corrupt officials will be punished, and the bandits, evil cults, and demons nearby will not dare to mess around. Everyone’s life is guaranteed, and they can live a few comfortable days.
After the imperial decree came down, a series of affairs began to be implemented: site selection, preparation, recruitment, and various official vacancies, involving all aspects of interests.
A chief Si is of the fifth rank, and the deputy chief Si is of the fifth rank. A series of officials are also equipped under him, and their ranks are far higher than the seventh-rank county magistrate. Countless aristocratic families in Nanyang Prefecture and even Nanzhou have entered the game, staring at this piece of fat.
A month later, the site selection was completed and construction began.
Chen Tie was responsible for overall planning, Zhao Qing’er and Wei Haoran were responsible for coordination, and Liu Chun was responsible for implementing the specifics and grasping the progress of the project.
The scorching sun was in the sky, and the temperature was as hot as fire.
Liu Chun patrolled the construction site with his two subordinates, Abin and Xiaohu, and occasionally helped transport wood and stone.
Liu Chun and a group of his subordinates were very excited about the upgrade of the Zhenmo Fang to the Zhenmo Fu Si, and felt that this was their opportunity. They were full of energy.
Abin took the opportunity to say, “Chief, have the official positions above been finalized?”
Xiaohu said excitedly, “Chief was a seventh-rank commander before. This time, he should also be a sixth-rank subordinate officer.”
“Shut up, all of you.” Liu Chun scolded seriously, but he actually thought so in his heart. It’s just that this kind of thing can’t be heard by others, otherwise the impact will be bad.
At this moment, a Zhenmo guard clerk hurried over, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his sleeves, and shouted.
“Commander Liu, someone is looking for you outside.”
“Where?”
“Chief, look over there.”
Liu Chun looked up and saw two familiar figures standing in the sun, waiting quietly.
He recognized these two people.
They were Han Li and He Chunli, two apprentice clerks of Xie An.
For the past half year, these two apprentices had been coming here every now and then to ask Liu Chun about Xie An's whereabouts.
Regardless of the cold or heat.
Liu Chun was touched by their dedication.
A Bin said, "It's those two annoying little martial artists again. I'll go and send them away."
"You come back, I'll go myself." Liu Chun pulled A Bin back and walked out of the construction site to the road next to it.
Han Li cupped one hand in the other, "We're here to bother Captain Liu again."
He Chunli then presented some fruits and a large pot of cold tea, "These are just a small token of our appreciation. Please accept them, Captain Liu."
Liu Chun wanted to refuse, but seeing the sincerity of the two young men, he accepted them, "I will keep Xie's matter in mind. If there's any news, I'll notify you at the Shengwei Martial Arts Hall as soon as possible."
A long time ago, Xie An had asked his two apprentices to buy a house in the county town, and then, through the relationship of Old Master Tang, he had them join one of the four best martial arts halls in the county office.
Years had passed, and the two apprentices had worked hard and diligently. With the good conditions at the Weisheng Martial Arts Hall, they were now both first-level Copper Skin Realm martial artists.
Han Li thanked him repeatedly, then gritted his teeth and asked, "Is it... is it possible that my master... is no longer alive?"
It had been more than half a year since they had heard any news...
Although Liu Chun thought so too, he couldn't bear to see the two teary-eyed apprentices, "I specifically inquired about it. Before the Eldest Princess left, she specifically instructed Chen Tie to find Xie An. To this end, Chen Tie has repeatedly led spirit dogs to search the mountains... and has not given up the search to this day. Don't be too discouraged. Wait for my news."
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"Thank you, Captain Liu!" He Chunli knelt on the ground, tears streaming down his face, "My master is the only family I have in this world, and I still want to take care of him in his old age and see him off. Please, Captain Liu, help me again."
Han Li also knelt down and asked for help.
Liu Chun was also touched and helped them up, "Don't worry. I'll go and find Chen Tie again later."
"Thank you!"
The two apprentices kowtowed and thanked him repeatedly before leaving.
Alas.
Liu Chun looked at the backs of the two people leaving and sighed incessantly, "Although I also want Brother Xie to be safe, but... he's most likely dead."
...
After He Chunli and Han Li left the construction site, they returned to the streets of the county town.
He Chunli was the most heartbroken, constantly wiping away his tears, attracting the attention of many street vendors.
Now, He Chunli was a martial artist, wearing a decent brocade robe, with a tall and straight figure and an extraordinary bearing. Walking on the street, he had a sense of standing out from the crowd. But he didn't care about his image and said with tears streaming down his face, "Brother Han, without Master, we wouldn't be where we are today. I want to go to Da Yin Mountain."
Han Li shook his head, "That won't do. That place is surrounded by people from the Demon Suppression Division, and outsiders can't get in. However, we still have one place to go."
"Where?"
"Master said that he and Old Master Tang were sworn brothers. Shall we go and ask Old Master Tang again?"
"Okay, okay." He Chunli smiled through his tears, "Let's go now."
"Don't be anxious, we always have to bring some gifts when we go to Tangjiabao."
"That's right, you're still thoughtful. I'm too anxious."
"It's normal, worry makes you confused. I also want Master to be well."
The two of them went to Tangjiabao with gifts. Lu Changshui received them. After learning of their intentions, Lu Changshui received them very solemnly.
The two met Tang Zhengyang.
Tang Zhengyang said that he had gone to find Chen Tie. Chen Tie was a good person and personally took him to Da Yin Mountain. He also brought a spirit dog, but he couldn't find Xie An.
The two apprentices bid farewell in tears.
Afterwards, they went to the garrison and the county government for help.
Still no information.
But the two apprentices still didn't give up. They diligently practiced their skills at the Weisheng Martial Arts Hall, and when they had time, they also worked part-time at the county town's pawnshop to earn some silver to buy gifts for Liu Chun and Old Master Tang.
They also went to Baiyutang to find Xie An's old subordinates to help.
Zhang Lin, Lin Yun, Wang Xiang, Liang Zhi, Zhou Xing, and so on.
Although each time was fruitless, the two apprentices still didn't give up. They continued to buy gifts with the money they earned and send them to people for help.
In a flash, four years passed quickly.
Han Li and He Chunli, with their extraordinary efforts and diligence, and after enduring all kinds of hardships, had become third-level Iron Bone Realm martial artists. They had already acquired the ability to survive in this chaotic world.
But the two of them were still tirelessly going to various places to inquire about Xie An's whereabouts.
On this day, the two of them came to Wuqiao Town to visit Chunlan.
Madam Li was seriously ill, and Chunlan was taking care of her. She probably knew that Madam Li's days were numbered, so she began to consider what to do next.
The two apprentices brought gifts for Madam Li and left the Li Mansion after visiting.
Han Li said, "Hezi, Chunlan is already twenty-eight years old. You and she are in love with each other, why don't you put down the matter of finding Master and marry her. Live a good life."
He Chunli hesitated, "But Master..."
*Pa.*
Han Li patted him heavily on the shoulder, "Leave the matter of finding Master to me. I'll tell you if there's any news. Besides, Chunlan has been good to you these past few years. It's just that seeing you become a third-level martial artist, a superior person, she feels that she is not worthy of you, so she hasn't taken the initiative to speak. Recently, Madam Li is seriously ill, and she is in a bad mood. She's worried about her future. Don't hesitate. If Master knew, he would also expect you to live a good life."
He Chunli's tears immediately fell, "Then, this afternoon, let's secretly go to the Corpse Refining Hall. If we still haven't found Master, I'll marry Chunlan. Then I'll take Chunlan with me to find him."
Han Li was speechless, "You really are a blockhead. Okay, let's go now."
He Chunli smiled, "Thank you, Brother Han."
"Who told me to be stuck with a brother like you."
...
Da Yin Mountain, in the cellar.
Beside the cold pool.
Xie An was still sitting cross-legged here.
He hadn't moved for four whole years.
Yu He hadn't left either, always protecting Xie An by his side.
The clothes on her body were already tattered, revealing her crystal-clear skin. Her hair had grown a lot, but her appearance hadn't aged, and had even become younger and more beautiful, with skin that could be broken by a blow.
This was the benefit of an Inner Strength Martial Master. After cultivating Inner Strength, you could use Inner Strength to nourish your body, even if your hands practiced swords and sabers all year round, they wouldn't leave calluses.
Moreover, Yu He had eaten Treasure Plants for four years, and her Martial Dao foundation had undergone earth-shaking changes. Her cultivation had also stepped into the realm of a fifth-level Martial Master.
This was a top-level existence in the entire Qingwu County.
In addition, she had a lifespan of at most one hundred and fifty years, so four years wasn't a big deal and hadn't left obvious traces of time.
But what shocked Yu He the most was Xie An.
She clearly felt that in the past four years, although Xie An had always been sitting in seclusion, his whole appearance had become younger and younger, and his skin had become more delicate and toned.
Even in the past half year, the heat in Xie An's body had flowed out of his body, forming vortexes of air currents outside his body, always protecting the three meters around him, so that even Yu He couldn't get close.
Yu He didn't know the wonderful use of the Body Nourishing Technique, but seeing the heat released, she could refer to the level of a seventh-level Martial Master—Inner Strength Release.
There was the same effect by different means.
"Something very magical has happened to Master. I feel that his aura is becoming more and more stable, and it should be coming to an end soon." Yu He thought to herself, then jumped into the water to dig up the last few Treasure Plants.
As for the woman in the shrine...
Yu He was very curious.
When Yu He went into the water to dig up the Treasure Plants on the first day, that woman was still there. But when Yu He resurfaced, the woman in the shrine had mysteriously disappeared.
Yu He searched for a long time, but couldn't find her.
But she had always been vigilant, but as time slowly passed, she never saw the woman appear again, so Yu He slowly relaxed.
*Splash!*
As the sound of water rang out, Yu He came out of the water with three Treasure Plants. After going ashore, she saw Xie An actually stand up and was overjoyed: "Master, your seclusion is over?!"
