[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign":3,"chapter-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-147":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Eternal Green Immortal Sovereign",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2270155,4432,"Chapter 147: The Old Hand Travels the Jianghu","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-147",147,"\u003Cp>Under the summer sun, willows swayed in a gentle breeze.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Laughter from young boys and girls echoed occasionally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What a bright and cheerful scene.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young people these days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui rode at the front, hearing the laughter beside him, and shook his head slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So noisy!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu glanced back at the several Qingqing Sect youths and muttered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui smiled: “Tan brother, if you were sixteen or seventeen, you’d be the same.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu grunted: “When I was sixteen or seventeen, I chopped off the heads of the Northern Plains barbarians and kicked them like balls.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui felt he shouldn’t have brought that up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu’s experiences were vastly different from most youths; these Qingqing Sect boys and girls were almost all from prominent families and were heavenly favorites, their lives far simpler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’re almost there.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui gazed at the official road half-hidden by willows; though he had never been to Qingfeng Mountain Villa, the Anning Guard’s arsenal held a map—ordinary people couldn’t see it, but the grain officer could.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He treated it like a treasure, studying it daily.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The terrain of the Anning Guard’s jurisdiction had long been etched into his mind, Qingfeng Mountain Villa included.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Lost?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Impossible. That was something young people did; old men always carried maps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another ten li.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Then they’d enter Anning Prefecture’s territory; Qingfeng Mountain Villa lay thirty li east of Anning City, nestled in a valley—of course, the villa was on the mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As one of the top ten sects in Anning Prefecture, Qingfeng Mountain Villa’s strength spoke for itself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still, compared to Qingqing Sect, it was vastly inferior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was the difference between a perfect score and ninety-nine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qingfeng Mountain Villa ranked tenth because it could only be tenth; ninth was impossible. Qingqing Sect ranked first because first was the absolute limit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In pure strength, Qingqing Sect could match any major sect in Yunzhou.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s party was heading to Qingfeng Mountain Villa’s headquarters, not its branch in Qinghe—just a routine inspection.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In plain terms, it was a business trip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone understood: it was a government-funded tour. They represented the Anning Guard, even the Annan Garrison; Qingfeng Mountain Villa would naturally treat them well.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, if they mentioned a few bad things about Qingfeng Mountain Villa in their report, the villa would suffer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Rui came to Qingfeng Mountain Villa not just to repay a favor—his real purpose was to avoid disaster.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He glanced at the fading mist.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As expected!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The farther they got from Qinghe, the paler the mist became.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though still faintly red, it was much better than in Qinghe.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the Ghost Ming  Cult’s demons died, their mist turned pure white for a time, then gradually reddened again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That meant the danger didn’t target Li Rui personally—but it threatened the entire Anning Guard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui always followed the principle: a gentleman does not stand beneath a crumbling wall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why he accepted this assignment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He suspected Jiang Linxian had the same thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This place was close to Qingqing Sect—safest of all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Heard that?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Several Qingqing Sect youths were already discussing returning to Qingqing Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If we just ask Elder Li, going back won’t be a problem.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Exactly.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Li is reasonable—he’ll surely agree.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They whispered among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s lips curled slightly; their voices were low, but since cultivating Xuanqing Qi, his senses had grown sharper—he heard every word clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no reason to refuse.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He wasn’t some cruel, malicious superior.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just two days’ leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, these Qingqing Sect disciples weren’t under his command, nor did they draw his pay—there was no reason to deny them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At seventy-three, he still had some magnanimity.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had ridden for about an hour.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they neared Anning City, traffic on the official road grew thicker.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu rode alongside Li Rui and clucked: “Brother Li, the people in this prefectural city are different—they all look down their noses at you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some Anning City merchant caravans, seeing they weren’t locals, lifted their chins.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though Tan Hu couldn’t figure out why he looked so obviously foreign.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Another caravan passed them—same damn nose-in-the-air attitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What kind of man was Tan Hu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A hardened killer from the northern frontier troops—who had ever endured such disrespect?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He drew his blade without hesitation and bellowed: “Anning Guard on duty! All civilians, clear the way!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the previously defiant crowd instantly became obedient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Each one shrank away in fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone in Anning Prefecture knew the Annan Army had established the Anning Guard; once they heard “Anning Guard,” no one dared provoke them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many merchant caravans even stopped entirely, waiting for Li Rui’s party to pass first.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu grinned triumphantly, straightened his back, tugged his reins, and deliberately slowed down.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The official road was built for military movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Earlier, they’d worn civilian clothes and gone unnoticed; now that they announced themselves, everyone naturally gave way.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu’s move was showy but didn’t break any rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui smiled faintly and shook his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t rebuke Tan Hu for being too flamboyant. Outside, the Anning Guard didn’t care about others’ glances; they were already a sixth-rank Company Commander—why not raise their voice?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui even felt he and Tan Hu were far more low-key than county magistrates.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu’s shout was very effective.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What had taken half an hour to queue through now took only twenty minutes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The party didn’t take the road into the city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Instead, they turned onto a side path heading east.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a series of lush, graceful little mountains rose before Li Rui like ink-wash paintings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wooden buildings appeared and vanished, blending seamlessly with the surrounding hills.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder it’s Qingfeng Mountain Villa.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui silently praised.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Legend says the first lord of Qingfeng Mountain Villa was a failed scholar who, by chance, received instruction from a master, cultivated an astonishing sword art, and settled in a valley outside Anning City, taking fourteen disciples. Over three hundred years, it grew to what it is today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>=9+book_bar\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This gave future generations a crucial lesson.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To establish a sect, being powerful alone isn’t enough—the key is knowing how to recruit disciples.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moments later,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they left the official road and stepped onto a path paved with blue stone bricks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Its cost was even higher than the official road.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because Qingfeng Mountain Villa had paid to build it themselves—it was a display of prestige, so it couldn’t be shoddy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just a hundred zhang ahead,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>they saw several figures standing at the path’s bend.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The clearly leading middle-aged, round man hurried forward upon seeing Li Rui’s party: “You must be the Anning Guard officials?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder He has already informed us; we’ve come here to welcome you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were still five li from Qingfeng Mountain Villa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Five li to meet them—this was a great show of respect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, it was the Anning Guard—or rather, the Annan Army’s prestige; Li Rui and Tan Hu didn’t have that much face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But to say Li Rui had done nothing in this matter was impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s why Li Rui hadn’t agreed to Jiang Yan’s immediate departure, but instead waited three days to prepare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This cleanup isn’t aimed at the soldiers of Runhu Cavalry, but at various matters requiring attention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The next day, he went to Qingfeng Mountain Villa’s outpost in Qinghe and informed He Nian that his party had been ordered to inspect Qingfeng Mountain Villa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He Nian had already sent disciples back to the villa two days in advance, and everything was arranged clearly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That was why today’s reception was so grand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Someone might ask.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Li Rui’s party had announced their arrival in advance, how could they possibly uncover anything?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the art of dealing with martial sects.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui is here to inspect, not to destroy Qingfeng Mountain Villa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Informing He Nian serves two purposes: one, to ensure his party can stay comfortably at Qingfeng Mountain Villa; two, to tell Qingfeng Mountain Villa to hide away their unsavory affairs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as Qingfeng Mountain Villa knows to restrain itself, it shows they still submit to the imperial court—and then everyone benefits.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if, after being warned, they still refuse to cease their actions, then Li Rui cannot be blamed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is the rule.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Dong, you’ve worked hard.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The round, plump man’s smile faltered; he looked at Li Rui in surprise: “My lord knows me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui smiled faintly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Elder Dong’s Clear Wind and Bright Moon Sword is famed throughout Anning—I’ve heard so much of it, my ears are worn out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Elder Dong Shen of Qingfeng Mountain Villa heard this old man knew his origins, he grew even more embarrassed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t even know Li Rui’s name, yet Li Rui could name his background precisely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The superiority was immediately clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At their first meeting, Dong Shen already held Li Rui in higher regard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“May I ask your lordship’s name?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Anning Guard Company Commander Tan Hu, Patrol Inspector Li Rui.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui did not introduce himself first, but introduced Tan Hu—who held a half-rank higher—before introducing himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Internally.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Within Runhu Cavalry, calling each other brothers is fine, but outside, rank must be observed; otherwise, others will think Runhu Camp is disorganized and look down on them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“So you’re Commander Tan and Commander Li—please come inside!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Shen didn’t know Li Rui or Tan Hu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But he was very familiar with Anning Guard ranks.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu, a full-ranking sixth-rank Company Commander, deferred completely to Li Rui, a seventh-rank officer—clear proof of Li Rui’s power.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not underestimate him further.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He politely led Li Rui through Qingfeng Mountain Villa, pointing out the scenery and legends along the way, serving them with utmost care.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Huaqing Sect members, upon seeing this, were secretly astonished.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Although Qingfeng Mountain Villa was no match for Huaqing Sect, it was still a major, respected sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To be treated with such courtesy by a senior elder was beyond protocol.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They knew that if they had come in his place, they would have been treated politely—but never to this degree.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No wonder he’s a seasoned veteran!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui chatted warmly with Elder Dong Shen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon they entered Qingfeng Mountain Villa.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Shen finally brought Li Rui and his party to a five-court mansion large enough to house ten families, its surroundings serene and beautiful, with a flowing stream and cool pavilion visible through a round arched gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anning Guard Night Scouts had visited before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A dozen men had been crammed into a two-court house, four to a room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to today’s treatment, it was worlds apart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dong Shen politely said, “My humble abode is plain, nothing like the Annan Garrison barracks—please make do for a few days.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even Qin Hua and the others from Huaqing Sect, who had seen great luxury, had to admit:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was no “making do” at all!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1805,"2026-06-19T22:01:09.077Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","fc8aba55021622c240e2e59b78b64b4e6fc97b73089e3524f87f3a648b1c6b93","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-148","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-146",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-green-immortal-sovereign-cover.jpg"]