Chapter 669: Binding the Birth System to Become a Winner in Life Chapter 670: Background Rabbit Demon (42)

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Protagonist:

Shen Yao

"Oh no, oh no!"

Daoren Changsheng prided himself on being clever all his life, never expecting to be toyed with by a mere insect demon!

Angered, he immediately stopped collecting, not only tossing out all the talisman paper in his hand at once, but also activating his natal magic treasure. Several forbidden restrictions appeared around the beetle demon, sealing it within a specific area before immediately taking action to apprehend it.

Roar!!!

The beetle demon's cry was not only piercing and unpleasant, but also stimulated physical reactions; some severe cases could suffer organ damage and vomit fresh blood.

Daoren Changsheng had long since sealed his five sense organs—mouth, nose, ears, and so on—with a technique. He simply stared at the beetle demon, repeatedly striking the same spot.

Until the beetle demon could no longer bear it; the limbs planted in the ground suddenly turned into eight segments and swiftly lunged at Daoren Changsheng.

"Hmph! Little insect demon, just right!"

Settling new and old grudges together, Daoren Changsheng was unwilling to let the beetle demon leave again.

The hidden secret weapon was thrown out, and a short wooden sword appeared in Daoren Changsheng's hand. He lightly drew his fingertip across the sword body, leaving not only a trail of fresh blood on it, but also a sword light that pierced through heaven and earth.

The sword light brilliantly fell, unavoidably hacking toward the beetle demon directly ahead.

With a momentum that could sweep away everything, the beetle demon split into two, then four, finally shattering into countless pieces with crackling sounds.

Roar!!!

The beetle demon was unwilling, but now could no longer do anything.

Daoren Changsheng fell from midair to the ground, lying on his back gasping for breath. After a long while, he slowly crawled up, finally dealing with this beetle demon.

However, the matter was not over yet; Prince Wang and Princess Wang's family remained in Shuo Fang Cheng, and he had to hurry back to save the scene.

Daoren Changsheng fought too enthusiastically, so that by the time he rushed back, Lin Xingzhi's family was suffering retaliation from the insect demons, with heavy losses among the guards and the Imperial Guards.

Shen Yao protected Lin Xingzhi and the three children on one side, while secretly stretching out her hand to form hand seals to block the falling rock fragments. But this left her somewhat at a loss, watching as the situation was about to spiral out of control. The long-awaited Daoren Changsheng finally appeared.

Exhale

Shen Yao sighed in relief, leaning against Lin Xingzhi and unable to help closing her eyes to rest her spirit. The energy she had just expended was truly great; fortunately, Daoren Changsheng appeared in time, otherwise she would have had to expose some of her strength to save her own people first.

The battlefield shifted to Daoren Changsheng. Lin Xingzhi supported Shen Yao, while commanding others to slowly retreat backward.

"Prince Wang"

Lin An gripped the long blade in his hand, staring in shock at the insect demon swarm not far away, suppressing the urge to vomit, and dutifully protected the several masters behind him.

"This Prince is fine. Have everyone retreat; do not affect Daoren Changsheng ahead."

Ordinary people and cultivators were worlds apart. Not to mention Daoren Changsheng's profound techniques; even a young Daoist who had just set out was not something ordinary people could match.

Lin An lowered his head in acknowledgment, turned around, and called back the guards scattered all around. Not only that, but also the Imperial Guards who had suffered heavy casualties.

After calculating the proportion of personnel involved in the incident, Lin An quietly reported it all. Finally, following Lin Xingzhi's command to arrange things, he properly handled these people.

"Husband"

"Yao Niang"

Lin Xingzhi raised his hand and gently patted Shen Yao's shoulder, softly explaining that they were fine, and that it was largely thanks to Daoren Changsheng arriving in time.

Shen Yao:...

Lin Xingzhi lowered his head and leaned close to Shen Yao's ear, "Earlier, you worked hard, Yao Niang." Some words could not be spoken openly, especially those involving his wife's background. This was also the main reason Shen Yao had held back in her actions. Not until the very last moment would she ever expose herself.

Daoren Changsheng had expended much energy earlier, but fortunately he recovered well. Moreover, the swarm of insect demons before him could not compare to the beetle demon's defense. He cut through them like slicing melons and vegetables, moving through an empty realm, and Daoren Changsheng ultimately achieved victory.

The sky cleared, with not a cloud for ten thousand li.

The daytime Shuo Fang Cheng revealed its true face, half-destroyed by this calamity. The outermost city wall was on the verge of collapse, and the large two characters "Shuo Fang" were long unrecognizable.

Few of the Shuo Fang commoners died in the insect calamity. Instead, not a few were eaten by insect demons or forcibly occupied by them because they could not escape in time.

Daoren Changsheng once again took up his old trade from Danxia Cheng. His investigative business covered the entire Shuo Fang Cheng, from government officials at the top to commoners at the bottom. He also had to send letters to Jingcheng, a thousand li away, while being busy.

As for Lin Xingzhi?

He was severely injured by the demon calamity and had to stay at the inn to recuperate.

How could Daoren Changsheng bear to disturb this Prince Wang who still had much work to do? He could only shoulder all the responsibility himself, even having to postpone his instruction of Lin Chengjing.

"Cough cough cough, Daoren Changsheng, it is truly this Prince's body that is unworthy. Thank you, Daoren, for your hard work these past days." Lin Xingzhi's face was pale, his cheeks sunken; his smile was uglier than crying.

Daoren Changsheng:...

No matter how deep the resentment Qi, it would vanish completely upon seeing Lin Xingzhi's condition. Aiyo, how did Prince Jing make himself so miserable?

Lin Xingzhi:...

He didn't want it either. Who let Yao Niang feel that now was the best time to regulate old ailments, to fully activate the effects of the Five-Colored Cloud Pill and let the body slowly absorb it? Although he looked emaciated on the outside, his internal condition was truly not that serious.

However, Lin Xingzhi could not confess frankly to Daoren Changsheng. He continued to feign illness (actually in recovery), allowing Daoren Changsheng to handle all of Shuo Fang Cheng's affairs alone.

Only after his emaciated body had recovered again did he announce the end of his recuperation.

The hardworking Daoren Changsheng:...

"Prince Wang"

Daoren Changsheng was truly overjoyed to tears. Heaven knew how distressed a Daoren who had been a Daoren for decades felt, having to manage government affairs and handle private matters.

He looked forward to Lin Xingzhi's return every moment, until Lin Xingzhi truly appeared before him.

Lin Xingzhi:...

"Daoren Changsheng, these past days I have relied on you. The following matters shall be handled by me."

"Prince Wang is most generous."

They no longer exchanged courtesies. After speaking, Daoren Changsheng ran far away, showing how troublesome these mundane tasks were.

"Pfft, Changsheng Daozhang hasn't even had time to groom his hair bun and beard these days," if this keeps up, he'll have a breakdown sooner or later.

Lin Chengjing said just two days ago that Master seemed fatigued, his voice weak when he spoke; the little old man clearly had abundant Qi and blood and a booming voice before, yet look at him after just a few days.

Tsk tsk tsk

"Changsheng Daozhang has truly worked hard," Lin Xingzhi smiled gently, his smile radiant and dazzling.

Shen Yao's gaze toward him suddenly turned a bit infatuated, even more stunning than his previous appearance — one can see how superior Lin Xingzhi's looks are.

"Yao Niang"

Lin Xingzhi lowered his eyes and bowed his head, a heart-stirring handsome face magnifying several times over before Shen Yao.

Gulp gulp

Shen Yao subconsciously moved her lips, and before Lin Xingzhi could react, she had already raised her mouth and kissed him first.

Mmph

Indeed, just as imagined, so good to kiss.

Daring to be distracted while kissing, Lin Xingzhi immediately seized on Shen Yao's flaw to punish her.

The two soon both fell onto the couch, their clothes falling to the floor in turn, and then wanton sounds came from the room, scattering through the courtyard.

…………

The matter of Shuo Fang Cheng was both easy and not easy to resolve; by the time Lin Xingzhi took over, it had already reached the closing stage.

As if the difficult parts were all handled by Changsheng Daozhang, Lin Xingzhi currently only needs to carry the Imperial Court's authority and fairly settle the remaining commoners.

But these commoners... can they truly be loyal to the Imperial Court? Lin Xingzhi doesn't believe it.

"Wangye, Old Taoist believes in teaching without discrimination; moreover, Shuo Fang Cheng and Danxia Cheng are fundamentally different — the commoners here were originally either willing or coerced, and since it's already a done deal, why not try to domesticate them," killing all these human-like yet inhuman creatures would be no good reputation for the Imperial Court either.

"Daoren's concerns I naturally understand; if the Imperial Court and Emperor agree, then let this matter be issued in the form of an Edict," fortunately he still had blank Edicts with him, otherwise he'd have to stay more days waiting for Jingcheng procedures.

The two discussed and settled it, then an Edict affixed with the Imperial Seal was issued, recounting the causes and consequences of the Shuo Fang calamity, and finally emphasizing the Imperial Court and Emperor's grace and righteousness, not holding these alien commoners to account, allowing them to continue living in Shuo Fang Cheng as Li Guo commoners.

However, due to the uncontrollable insect yaos, Shuo Fang Cheng henceforth needs to accept Imperial Court jurisdiction; Jingcheng will also dispatch troops to garrison here; those dissatisfied may leave on their own within several days of the Edict's release, the Imperial Court ensures it will not pursue them.

Once this news came out, it also set the tone for the commoners in Shuo Fang Cheng.

Those uneasy and wanting to leave just left on their own; those willing to stay went to the Government Office to register, then Government Office personnel allocated the residences.

After all, after this battle, Shuo Fang Cheng had more empty rooms than people living in them, which instead let some with poorer lives gain an advantage.

People of this era care most about fields and houses; right now the Imperial Court acts in one step to completion, moving the vast majority of people.

By the time Lin Xingzhi's party left Shuo Fang Cheng, inside and outside the city was bustling once again; the previous events were like a gust of wind, blowing past without leaving any trace.

Passing through one vastly different city after another, they encountered all sorts of problems along the way.

Some were human, some were yao, some were humans and yao colluding in schemes.

Chengxing isn't really stars falling down, Qixing isn't really stars hanging high.

After several months of crossing mountains and fording waters, they finally reached the northernmost border of Li Guo, Qixing Cheng.

Large numbers of troops are stationed here year-round, and it's also the place with the most military merit.

Li Guo has many generals with illustrious military exploits who originated from here, now active in the Court, commanding troops on campaign by order.

Qixing Cheng

Compared to other prosperous cities, this place is more like a cold, stern blockhouse.

Troops are garrisoned inside, and the vast majority of people living here are the soldiers' family members, or military households who migrated here; they farm in leisure time, go to the front line in wartime.

Clip clop clip clop

The carriage entered the city; what Lin Xingzhi saw wasn't this place's Government Office officials, but a Great General riding a warhorse; the two met without even a word of courtesy, only a few crisp, efficient sentences of exchange.

Shen Yao: ……

"The people here really have personality," in other cities they probably couldn't even keep their official posts, but in Qixing Cheng it's perfectly reasonable.

"Yes yes, here whether man or woman, old or young, they all look murderous."

The System sighed inwardly that this city's gossip definitely can't compare to the previous few cities; just looking at it, it's the type to do big things, who has the leisure to drag up useless stuff.

Shen Yao expressed neither agreement nor disagreement, because gossip has no relation to one's own aura.

Some people look proper, but privately do anything; some look absurd, but privately are honest and steady; cannot generalize.

The carriage stopped before a private residence gate; this was the residence that General specially vacated, because Qixing Cheng is rather special — there are no inns, no Government Offices, everything follows the military management way, so their arrival is not exactly a good thing for Qixing Cheng.

Those hot-tempered, straight-talking soldiers all complained they came at a bad time; with the border battlefield situation stirring again, they not only can't concentrate on facing the enemy, but have to divert attention to these useless snacks from Jingcheng, simply an obstacle!

"Great General, can't you make this whatever Jing Wang Chen Wang go back to the capital? What are they doing coming to our Qixing Cheng!"

"Exactly, we brothers don't even have time to rest on daily patrols, now we have to protect these noble people from the capital, truly infuriating!"

"Hmph, you two big roughnecks, no wonder you haven't been promoted to General in all these years, truly can't speak!

Those noble people can let us guard the border for fewer years with just one sentence, hehehe, aren't you tempted?"

"Hmph! All of you scram, damn it! Without real ability, even if you rise you'll fall back down!"

Military officers differ from civil officials; they rise entirely on solid military merit; who lacks a bit of ability feels guilty in their heart.

"Enough!"

The Great General sitting at the head spoke in a deep voice, then glanced at his subordinates, tsk, troublesome!

It's also his own doing from back then, insisting on picking these capable fighters, result is they can indeed fight and don't stir up trouble, but they simply have no brains, not to mention helping him with words and deeds, even facing a superior they can't utter half a sentence of flattery.

"Great General"

"Great General"

A crowd of burly men stared expectantly at their own superior, looking clear-eyed yet foolish.

"Go back and rest, this matter I have my own judgment, you need not speak further."

This Jing Wang is no ordinary capital dandy; whether capability or wrist, both are famously strong, especially during these days of acting as Emperor on tour, the things he's accomplished are each more decisive than the last.

Though Qixing Cheng is a border city, due to its geographical location strange events often occur; in the past this Great General always did his best to suppress them and not publicize them outward; now, it's better to ask Changsheng Daozhang for help.

Ah?

Changsheng Daozhang: ……

Changsheng Daozhang, who thought he could finally rest a bit, was having a heart-to-heart with his treasured disciple Lin Chengjing, not expecting this General to speak so directly.

Gripping his white-streaked beard in hand, Changsheng Daozhang pondered a moment, then still nodded.

"Jiang Dajiangjun, are these words of yours truly true?" The army had shown anomalies, and it had persisted for several years; one simply did not know whether this General was enduring enough, or whether this General had ulterior motives.

"Changsheng Daozhang, this concerns the safety of the entire Border; this General naturally would not dare speak recklessly.

As for why I did not speak earlier," Jiang Dajiangjun gave a bitter smile, indicating Qixing Cheng's position was awkward, far from Jingcheng, fearing the message had not yet been sent out before he would be settled accounts with by the Force hiding behind the scenes; the relative weight of the two was also difficult to decide.