Chapter 147: Tree Immortal Lady Temple

The altar arrived at the Taowu Zhenjun Temple.

By now, the temple plaque had been changed, replaced with "Tree Immortal Lady Temple".

From within the Taowu Zhenjun Temple, a young eunuch stepped out.

He respectfully chanted: "Welcome the new Taowu Zhenjun's divine carriage, with blessings from Heaven and celebrations from Earth. May the Tree Immortal Lady protect the county town, ensuring favorable winds and rains henceforth, and the well-being of all people. Set off the firecrackers!"

The firecrackers, prepared long ago, were ignited.

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

In an instant, the sky and earth changed color, with dark clouds rolling.

This was a scene that occurred whenever a new Taowu Zhenjun took office; no one panicked.

Yet, this sight of low-hanging dark clouds and rumbling lightning was enough to feel shocking.

After the dark clouds churned for a while, they dispersed.

The sun shone brightly, and then a phantom peach tree appeared in the sky.

It was a very large peach tree, its canopy sheltering the entire Yulin county town.

The townspeople of the county town stopped their actions; this was the first time they had seen such a Dharma image.

Generally speaking... even if a new Taowu Zhenjun had been in office for a long time, it was impossible to condense their own Dharma image.

Moreover, most importantly, the appearance of a Dharma image, this supernatural power, represented the new Taowu Zhenjun's "inner nature".

That is to say, the Tree Immortal Lady's true form is a peach tree.

No wonder she is called the Tree Immortal Lady.

Furthermore, this Dharma image was very clear, indicating... the Tree Immortal Lady's strength was very great, and her guarding range was very, very large.

The people of Yulin county town breathed a sigh of relief.

The new Taowu Zhenjun's strength was no worse than the predecessor's, and possibly even stronger.

With this, the stable days of Yulin city could be guaranteed once more.

At this moment, Jiang Jili looked at the peach tree in the air, his face full of jealousy: "Is this the foundation of a hidden family? If they have such strength, why did they hide sixty years ago? Why not just topple the Demon Extermination Bureau directly!"

He was very confused.

Huang Qi watched the peach tree in the air from outside the Taowu Zhenjun Temple for a while, her face full of smiles.

Then she said to several martial artists: "Trouble you, big brothers."

"No need for courtesy." The leader of the martial artists clasped his fist and smiled: "Young Lady, we must catch up with the Old Master, so we take our leave here."

Huang Qi bowed slightly.

The several martial artists left.

Huang Qi brought Hong Luan back home, arriving at the backyard, only to see a semi-transparent snake woman floating in the air.

She had never seen the Tree Immortal Lady and thought a ghost had entered the house; she was about to scream when she saw Li Yanjing standing aside, looking very much like a maid.

Huang Qi blinked her eyes, bowed, and asked: "Is it Sister?"

The Tree Immortal Lady's gaze turned over, and she nodded lightly.

Huang Qi breathed a sigh of relief; she smiled and said: "I didn't expect I could see Sister too. Since Sister is living here now, we can chat more often, and the house will be much livelier."

The Tree Immortal Lady floated down, reached out, and gently patted Huang Qi's head: "You are good..."

Huang Qi laughed, and the slight unease in her heart vanished like smoke and clouds.

This Tree Immortal Lady sister was very easy to talk to.

On the other side, when the army marched until evening, they began to set up camp.

As the County Commandant, Li Lin only needed to issue orders; the matters would naturally be handled by several Captains.

In the center of the camp, for safety's sake, Li Lin still scattered a large circle of protective barrier powder around Huang Yan's family.

This protective barrier powder was refined by him in his spare time; its cost was only half of the original version, but its effect was almost the same.

"No need to be so careful." Huang Yan sat and smiled: "There are five hundred local militia, over a hundred Southern Barbarian women, and the Four Sublime Taowu Zhenjun is also here. The Wild Ghosts dare not come, and the Great Ghosts will not provoke us lightly."

"Safety first." After finishing his work, Li Lin also sat down.

He looked at the altar not far away, where the Four Sublime Taowu Zhenjun floated in mid-air.

Unlike other Taowu Zhenjun, the Four Sublime Taowu Zhenjun was dressed as a scholar, looking presentable, with a sword hanging at his waist.

Generally speaking, Taowu Zhenjun with beast-like features on their bodies were stronger, but the Four Sublime Taowu Zhenjun seemed to be an exception.

He was very strong; even from over ten meters away, Li Lin could feel the other's Yin Qi invading.

It was quite terrifying.

Huang Yan noticed Li Lin's action and smiled: "The Four Sublime Taowu Zhenjun cultivates Confucian Qi. When he was alive, he was also a stubborn scholar, so he is slightly different from ordinary Taowu Zhenjun."

Li Lin nodded slightly; he understood Huang Yan's meaning.

The "beast-like features" of each Taowu Zhenjun, and the parts where they appeared, represented the Taowu Zhenjun's own obsession.

Without a powerful obsession, it is impossible to become a Great Ghost.

So, the Tree Immortal Lady, what obsession does her snake tail represent?

Li Lin couldn't help but ponder.

And at this time, Huang Ling stepped out of the carriage and sat beside Huang Yan.

She stretched out her hands, warming them by the fire, and said: "Father, it is a bit cold inside the carriage."

"In the wilds, of course it is colder than in the city. Cover yourself with an extra blanket."

"Then it will be too hot." Huang Ling replied, then looked at Li Lin and asked: "Brother-in-law, there is something I want to ask you."

Huang Yan frowned slightly.

"Please speak." Li Lin smiled.

"When you first met my eldest sister, did you fall in love with her?"

"Correct," Li Lin smiled. "Love at first sight."

"Isn't that just lust?" Huang Ling snorted. "Then what's the difference between you and a lecher?"

Li Lin said calmly, "The difference is... I am willing to marry her and grow old with her."

Hearing this, Huang Ling sighed lightly.

She was not satisfied with this answer.

Huang Yan said, "Go back and rest. This is a place for men to speak."

Huang Ling snorted. "Father, don't rush. I still have questions for my brother-in-law."

Huang Yan's expression already showed some displeasure.

Li Lin said, "Little sister-in-law, please speak."

Huang Ling pointed toward Jincheng and asked, "Do you think one day you will settle down in Jincheng?"

"We'll see."

Li Lin felt Yulin County was not bad either; if he wanted to immerse himself in officialdom, then going to Jincheng would be inevitable.

But right now, he wanted to cultivate the Dao more.

The identity of County Commandant could bring him many conveniences; if a higher official position in the future could bring even more convenience to his cultivation, he would strive for it.

Therefore, he said, "We'll see."

But Huang Ling was not very satisfied with this answer: "Our Huang family will return to Jingcheng within three to five years at the earliest, or within ten years at the latest. By then, when we have all returned to Jingcheng, if you are still staying in this small southern border county of Yulin, isn't that a disguised way of separating your sister from us?"

Huang Yan, with a stern face, said, "Ling'er, go back into the carriage."

Huang Ling sensed her father's anger. She stood up, stamped her foot in dissatisfaction, and walked toward the carriage to express her unhappiness.

Huang Yan looked at Li Lin and said, "Son-in-law, I apologize. I have not taught this daughter well."

"My little sister-in-law speaks her mind quickly and has a straightforward nature. Getting along with such a person requires no guessing at hearts; it is quite good."

Huang Yan said with distress, "Actually, I am somewhat worried now. Ling'er's nature is straightforward, and she does not understand worldly affairs. Even after she marries, she will be stubborn; I fear it will be difficult for the household to maintain harmony in the future."

"My little sister-in-law is of peerless beauty and possesses outstanding talent; she will surely find a suitable husband."

Li Lin smiled.

As long as a person is beautiful enough, they will always find a simp willing to tolerate everything for them!

But that will definitely not be me.

At this moment, Huang Yan suddenly asked, "I heard... you plan to walk the path of cultivation?"

Li Lin nodded.

This matter could not be hidden; even Jiang Jili knew, so Huang Yan could not possibly not know.

Huang Yan continued, "Cultivation is a matter that consumes much spirit and mind. The current Emperor is also seeking the path of immortality. In the palace and among the many noble families of Jingcheng, there are many clues and intelligence on this matter. If you truly wish to walk this path, returning to Jingcheng with us after a few years would be a good course."

(End of this chapter)