Chapter 147: Tree Immortal Lady Temple

The altar arrived at the True Lord Temple.

At this moment, the temple’s plaque had been replaced—it now read “Tree Immortal Lady Temple.”

From within the True Lord Temple stepped a young eunuch.

He bowed respectfully and announced: “We humbly welcome the new True Lord’s divine carriage, with heaven rejoicing and earth celebrating. May the Tree Immortal Lady bless the county with timely rains and sunshine, and ensure the people’s peace and well-being. Set off the firecrackers!”

The firecrackers, long prepared, were lit.

Amid the deafening roar of firecrackers, the Tree Immortal Lady’s altar was placed in the main position.

Instantly, the heavens and earth shifted, dark clouds rolling violently.

This was a scene that always occurred when a new True Lord assumed office; no one was alarmed.

Yet the low-hanging clouds and thundering lightning still inspired awe.

After a while, the dark clouds dispersed.

Bright sunlight returned, and then a phantom peach tree appeared in the sky.

A vast peach tree, its canopy shielding the entire Yulin County.

The county’s people halted their actions—they had never seen such a divine manifestation before.

Generally speaking… even after a long tenure, a new True Lord could not manifest a divine form.

And most importantly, the form of a divine manifestation reflected the True Lord’s inner essence.

That meant the Tree Immortal Lady’s true form was a peach tree.

No wonder she was called the Tree Immortal Lady.

Moreover, the manifestation was extremely clear—indicating… the Tree Immortal Lady’s power was immense, and her domain vast beyond measure.

The people of Yulin County sighed in relief.

The new True Lord’s power was no weaker than her predecessor’s—possibly even stronger.

Now, Yulin’s peaceful days could be assured once more.

At this moment, Jiang Jili gazed at the peach tree in the sky, his face filled with envy: “Is this the depth of a hidden aristocratic family? If they possess such power, why did they retreat sixty years ago? Why not just overthrow the Demon Extermination Bureau outright?”

He was deeply puzzled.

Huang Qing watched the peach tree in the sky outside the True Lord Temple, her face beaming.

Then she spoke to several warriors: “Thank you, brothers.”

“No need for thanks,” the lead warrior bowed and smiled: “Young Mistress, we must catch up with Master—we take our leave.”

Huang Qing bowed slightly.

The warriors departed.

Huang Qing returned home with Hong Luan and came to the back courtyard, where she saw a semi-transparent snake-woman floating in midair.

She had never seen the Tree Immortal Lady and thought a malevolent spirit had infiltrated the house—she was about to scream when she noticed Li Lin standing nearby, his appearance resembling that of a maid.

Huang Qing blinked, then bowed and asked: “Are you… sister?”

The Tree Immortal Lady turned her gaze toward her and nodded gently.

Huang Qing exhaled in relief and smiled: “I never expected I’d be able to see you, Sister. You’ve taken up residence here too—now we can chat often, and the house will be much livelier.”

The Tree Immortal Lady floated down and gently patted Huang Qing’s head: “You’re quite good…”

Huang Qing laughed, and the faint unease in her heart vanished completely.

This Tree Immortal Lady sister was easy to get along with.

On the other side, as the army marched into evening, they began setting up camp.

As County Warden, Li Lin only needed to issue orders; the several squad leaders would handle the rest naturally.

In the center of the camp, for safety’s sake, Li Lin sprinkled a wide circle of Yu Jie Powder around Huang Yan’s family.

This Yu Jie Powder was something he had cultivated in his spare time—it cost only half as much as the original, yet its effect was nearly identical.

“No need to be so cautious,” Huang Yan chuckled as he sat down: “Five hundred village soldiers, over a hundred southern barbarian women, and the Four Marvels True Lord are all here. Minor spirits won’t dare approach, and major ones won’t risk provoking us.”

“Safety first,” Li Lin said, sitting down after finishing his task.

He gazed at the altar not far away, where the Four Marvels True Lord floated in midair.

Unlike other True Lords, the Four Marvels True Lord dressed as a scholar, looked human, and even wore a sword at his waist.

Generally, True Lords with beast-like features were stronger—but the Four Marvels True Lord seemed an exception.

He was powerful; even from over ten meters away, Li Lin could feel his yin energy pressing against him.

It was terrifying.

Huang Yan noticed Li Lin’s reaction and smiled: “The Four Marvels True Lord cultivates Confucian qi. In life, he was a stubborn scholar, so he differs slightly from ordinary True Lords.”

Li Lin nodded slightly—he understood Huang Yan’s meaning.

The location of each True Lord’s “beast feature” reflected their inner obsession.

Without a powerful obsession, one could never become a major spirit.

Then what obsession did the Tree Immortal Lady’s serpent tail represent?

Li Lin couldn’t help but ponder.

At that moment, Huang Ling stepped out of the carriage and sat beside Huang Yan.

She extended her hands toward the fire and said: “Father, it’s cold inside the carriage.”

“Of course it’s colder out here in the wilderness than in the city. Add another blanket.”

“Then it gets too hot,” Huang Ling replied, then turned to Li Lin and asked: “Brother-in-law, I have a question for you.”

Huang Yan frowned slightly.

“Go ahead,” Li Lin smiled.

“When you first met Big Sister, did you fall for her immediately?”

“Yes,” Li Lin smiled. “Love at first sight.”

“Then isn’t that just lust at first sight?” Huang Ling huffed. “What’s the difference between you and a lecher?”

Li Lin replied calmly: “The difference is… I’m willing to marry her and grow old with her.”

Hearing this, Huang Ling sighed softly.

She was dissatisfied with this answer.

Huang Yan said: “Go rest. This is a place for men to speak.”

Huang Ling huffed: “Father, don’t rush me—I still have more to ask Brother-in-law.”

Huang Yan’s expression had grown displeased.

Li Lin said: “Little sister-in-law, please speak.”

Huang Ling pointed toward Jincheng and asked: “Do you think you’ll ever settle in Jincheng?”

“It depends.”

Li Lin thought Yulin County wasn’t bad—if he wanted to climb the official ladder, then Jincheng was inevitable.

But now, he wanted to cultivate.

The position of County Warden gave him many advantages; if higher office could further aid his cultivation, he’d strive for it.

That’s why he said “it depends.”

But Huang Ling was unsatisfied with this answer: “Our Huang family will return to Jingcheng within three to five years, at most ten. When we all return to Jingcheng, you’ll still be stuck in this southern frontier county—aren’t you effectively separating Big Sister from us?”

Huang Yan now said sternly: “Ling’er, go back to the carriage.”

Sensing her father’s anger, Huang Ling stood up, stomped her foot hard in displeasure, and marched back to the carriage.

Huang Yan looked at Li Lin and said: “Son-in-law, I apologize—I didn’t raise my daughter well.”

“Little sister-in-law speaks plainly and is straightforward. Dealing with such a person requires no mind-reading—it’s quite refreshing.”

Huang Yan sighed: “Actually, I’m worried now. Ling’er is blunt and ignorant of worldly affairs. Even if she marries, she’ll remain stubborn, and family harmony will be difficult.”

“Little sister-in-law is a beauty of unparalleled grace and exceptional talent—she’ll surely find a perfect husband.”

Li Lin smiled.

Anyone beautiful enough will find a willing, all-forgiving lapdog!

But it certainly won’t be me.

At this moment, Huang Yan suddenly asked: “I heard… you plan to walk the path of cultivation?”

Li Lin nodded.

This couldn’t be hidden—Jiang Jili already knew; Huang Yan couldn’t be unaware.

Huang Yan continued: “Cultivation consumes great mental energy. Even His Majesty is seeking the Immortal Path. In the palace and among Jingcheng’s many aristocratic families, there are many leads and intelligence on this path. If you truly wish to walk it, returning to Jingcheng with us in a few years would be a good route.”

(End of Chapter)