Chapter 249: Strike First to Gain the Advantage

Outside Qinghe City, deep in a remote mountain ravine with no human traces, beneath a sturdy green pine.

"Rui Lao."

"Yuan Lao."

Zhuang Renhe smiled warmly at Qi Rui and Yuan Gao, his eyes flickering with malicious delight.

He already knew Qi Rui had lost over a dozen men to Dao Mo and fled in disgrace.

"County Magistrate Zhuang, we meet again."

Qi Rui glanced at Zhuang Renhe with indifference.

He could not stand this slippery County Magistrate of Yu.

If not for Zhuang Renhe being a member of the Ghost Ming Sect, mutual annihilation would have been the norm.

"Why have the two of you summoned me today?"

"I am busy with official duties and cannot stay long."

Yuan Gao snorted: "Oh?"

"Has being an official so long made you forget your true identity?"

He glanced sideways at Zhuang Renhe—clearly meaning: don't try to wield official authority on me; I don't bow to that.

Zhuang Renhe remained unperturbed: "I dare not forget."

"Good."

Hearing this, Yuan Gao's expression eased slightly.

"I've summoned the two of you here because of Jiang Lin. The Ancestor has already summoned the Nine Souls Dharma Kings to capture Jiang Lin—your assistance is required."

Nine Souls Dharma Kings!

Upon hearing the name,

both Zhuang Renhe and Qi Rui were startled.

Third-rank Earth Immortals!

They never imagined the Ghost Ming Sect cared so deeply about Jiang Lin that they'd dispatch a Dharma King.

Dharma Kings held extremely high status in the Ghost Ming Sect.

The infamous Blood Shadow Ancestor himself was a Dharma King.

The Ghost Ming Sect had truly gone to great lengths to capture Jiang Lin alive.

"Jiang Lin"

Zhuang Renhe silently repeated the name in his mind.

The Ghost Ming Sect had mobilized such massive force just to capture one Jiang Lin—their goal could only be one: to find the Exiled Immortal.

'Is Jiang Lin the Exiled Immortal?'

'Then the Immortal Qi must be in Jiang Lin's possession.'

His heart stirred slightly.

Yuan Gao thought he knew nothing—but Zhuang Renhe had seen through everything long ago.

"By the way, there's also an official named Li Rui—capture him as well."

Yuan Gao added.

Qi Rui's face showed no expression—he had known this already.

He had even prepared to seize Li Rui, when Dao Mo and his men surrounded him, leaving him alone to flee.

"I will cooperate when the time comes."

Though he didn't know why the Ghost Ming Sect wanted Jiang Lin, since the Empress Dowager had approved the operation, he would fully assist.

"Thank you, Brother Rui."

Yuan Gao bowed respectfully, then turned to Zhuang Renhe.

"Rest assured, Yuan Lao."

Zhuang Renhe nodded in agreement, but his thoughts grew more active.

'Li Rui.'

He certainly couldn't defeat Jiang Lin—but could he not easily crush a lowly sixth-rank military officer?

Knowing the truth, he saw beyond the surface to the Ghost Ming Sect's deeper scheme.

Why add an unnecessary step by capturing Li Rui during the Jiang Lin operation?

Clearly,

the Anning Guard officer named Li Rui was also involved—perhaps the Immortal Qi could be obtained from him.

He had no interest in the Exiled Immortal.

He wanted Immortal Qi.

'Strike first to gain the advantage!'

Li's residence.

Before the stable.

"Look at that pale skin, those calves—so tight, hmm."

Li Rui, Wang Zhao, and Yang Yong stood beside the horse stall, scrutinizing the animals inside.

Huff!

The Red Dragon Horse beside them let out an indignant neigh, furious at being ignored.

"What about me?"

"And me!"

Li Rui ignored them. Wang Zhao looked apologetically at Da Hong: "Da Hong, sorry—I think I'll sleep with Xiao Huang tonight."

There,

beside the Red Dragon Horse Da Hong in the stable stood a small tiger, knee-high, with sleek fur and still youthful.

"Master, if I hold it and sleep with it every day, will I succeed?"

Wang Zhao's eyes sparkled.

His posture suggested he wasn't just talking.

He meant to actually sleep with it.

Hearing Wang Zhao's words, the Red Dragon Horse Da Hong gazed at him like a neglected wife, full of sorrow.

Wang Zhao cleared his throat: "Da Hong, don't worry—we'll sleep together soon."

Why did that sound so strange?

Li Rui stroked his chin: "It should… be possible."

Wang Zhao could understand the Red Dragon Horse because of prolonged contact and the connection of Immortal Qi—there was no reason it should work only on horses and not other creatures.

"Humans, vile."

The young tiger bared its teeth, glaring fiercely at the vile humans before it.

It had been happily roaming the forest until captured, locked in an iron cage, and brought here.

Though its intellect was low, it had heard the great black bear in the woods say humans were monsters that ate demons—falling into their hands meant a terrible fate.

Too much cruelty toward the tiger!

Hatred!

Unbeknownst to it,

every word was heard by Li Rui.

Li Rui's expression turned strange.

The cub's ferocity had not yet surfaced, and the demon-catchers had dosed it with special medicine—it would have no combat power for a month, or else it might have attacked at any moment.

Clearly, his disciple's wish to bond with the cub wouldn't be achieved overnight.

The cub was a demon beast, scientifically known as the Three-Eyed White Tiger, named for the golden mark on its forehead—a fierce-tempered demon beast.

Dao Mo had specially sent it from Wu Country, telling Li Rui to treat it as a pet.

Sending demon beasts was a common custom among Wu Country's elite.

Only because Li Rui had done Dao Mo a great favor was he treated so generously.

Li Rui had no interest in playing with tigers.

He simply gave the cub to his disciple.

Wang Zhao aspired to become a Grand Horse Master—but if he broadened his thinking, he'd realize that far more than horses could be ridden.

Everything could be ridden!

Thinking this way, a Horse Master became far more formidable.

Li Rui decided to expand his disciple's knowledge.

"Little Zhao, I've always believed in you—keep going."

He patted Wang Zhao's shoulder.

Wang Zhao nodded firmly: "Master, I won't let you down."

He was learning more and more about Wu Country's demon-taming arts.

He planned to guide Wang Zhao toward demon-taming, using demon energy to nourish his own body, thus compensating for his poor innate constitution.

Everyone is a genius—just find the right path.

There's no need to stubbornly fixate only on internal and external martial arts.

Li Rui glanced again at the young tiger cursing nonstop in the stable, deciding not to let the cub know he could communicate with it—the Western Heaven Gate was his own creation, and he could control its opening and closing at will.

Yang Yong watched with curiosity:

"Old Li, can Xiao Zhao really tame a beast?"

"That's an extraordinary skill."

In the past, such stories were only heard from storytellers, treated as legends.

"Shouldn't be a problem," Li Rui murmured.

The three of them chatted with the young tiger for a long while longer.

Only then did Li Rui and Yang Yong return to the front courtyard, leaving Wang Zhao to continue bonding with the beast alone.

"Old Yang, how's the elixir working?"

Just by looking at Yang Yong's dark, flushed face, it was clear the effect was excellent.

Yang Yong sighed with regret: "Old Li, don't waste money on this old skeleton of mine. I'm just a worthless life—when I die, just make sure my coffin's thick, out of brotherly decency."

"Go to hell."

Li Rui rolled his eyes: "You'd better live a few more years for me."

"Name a number—thirty years, no less. I'm counting on you to get me rewards."

Yesterday.

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The elixir he'd arranged to buy from Jingcheng finally arrived, and he gave it to Yang Yong the same day.

At first, Yang Yong hesitated and refused.

Li Rui pinched his chin and forced it down his throat—Yang Yong, the old man, suffered for days afterward.

He understood.

People who'd grown up poor, when suddenly rich in youth, would spend recklessly—but when old, they became reluctant to spend at all.

Yang Yong was probably in that state.

Simply put—he was terrified of poverty.

Afraid one day he'd be thrown back into ruin.

After observing the tiger, Li Rui strolled out to the Heaven and Earth Alliance.

It was time for the monthly meeting again.

Moments later.

He arrived before the Heaven and Earth Alliance's gate.

Though many had suggested enlarging the Alliance's signboard, Li Rui had always rejected the idea.

Look at the great families—they grow richer, yet grow quieter.

What is quiet luxury?

So the Heaven and Earth Alliance had remained largely unchanged.

So the Heaven and Earth Alliance has never changed much.

The Alliance disciples guarding the gate all bowed in unison, respectfully.

This respect wasn't feigned—it came from the heart.

This respect was not feigned, but came from the heart.

Ever since Li Rui became Grand Master, every disciple's monthly pay had doubled—real, tangible benefits.

Who wouldn't love a leader who raised salaries?

Li Rui nodded casually and strode into the Gathering Hall.

At this moment,

the hall was already full.

The Master, Vice Masters—all were present.

Ning Zhongtian, Huang Chui, and Fei Laosan all nodded slightly as Li Rui appeared.

Li Rui chuckled and took the main seat:

"It's been a while since we've all gathered. Let's catch up today. Huang Master, you speak first."

He was now the true Grand Master.

His rank was even subtly higher than Ning Zhongtian's—he couldn't be expected to chair every meeting; he only needed to speak when critical.

He had no habit of talking for an hour straight.

Huang Chui cleared his throat: "Gentlemen, there are two matters today."

"First, our Vice Master Ge has long been on the verge of breakthrough—he has now condensed Qi into form. Continuing as Vice Master is no longer appropriate. I propose elevating Brother Ge to our fifth Master. What do you all say?"

"First, our Vice-Chairman Ge has long been on the verge of breakthrough, and now he has already condensed Qi into form; it is no longer appropriate for him to remain as Vice-Chairman. I propose that Brother Ge become the fifth Chairman. What do you all think?"

The assembly's expressions varied.

Especially among the Vice Masters.

As silence fell, Li Rui raised his hand first: "I agree."

Then Ning Zhongtian chuckled: "I have no objection."

Seeing the two top Masters had no issue, no one dared oppose—everyone raised their hands at once, afraid of being too slow.

Once the decision was irreversible, no one wanted to earn a bad impression from the two Masters.

Huang Chui nodded: "Then Brother Ge shall be our fifth Master henceforth."

"Congratulations, Brother Ge."

Ge Hong stood, clasped his fists: "From now on, we're brothers—eat meat together, drink wine together!"

Li Rui's lips curled slightly.

Ge Hong's elevation to fifth Master had certainly benefited from Li Rui's subtle influence.

The Masters of the Heaven and Earth Alliance were like partners.

Aside from him, the other three were original shareholders—but as the Alliance grew, fresh blood had to be absorbed.

Besides him, the other three were original shareholders, but as the Heaven and Earth Alliance continues to grow, it must continually absorb fresh blood.

And he had a good relationship with him—he intended to use Ge Hong to open the door.

To pave the way for recruiting more capable talents.

"Second matter: we will open a branch in Anning Prefecture. This is a major undertaking. Fei Master will personally oversee the branch. Everyone must lend full support."

"Second, our Alliance will establish a branch in Anning Prefecture. This is a major matter, and Chairman Fei will personally oversee the branch's establishment. Everyone must lend full support."

the Vice Masters present all brightened.

Though Qinghe had lately surpassed Anning Prefecture in influence, Anning was still a prefectural capital.

Establishing a branch there meant high status.

And substantial profits.

More importantly, it meant many new positions: Vice Captains, Hall Masters, Administrators.

A golden chance to place loyalists and build influence—directly tied to these Vice Masters' personal interests.

Ning Zhongtian spoke coolly: "I'll say this upfront: how you divide it, how you fight over it—I don't care. But if anyone breaks Alliance rules, I'll be the first to execute them."

Ning Zhongtian spoke coolly: "I'll say this upfront: how you divide it, how you fight over it—I don't care. But if anyone breaks the Alliance's rules, I'll be the first to kill them."

several men stiffened.

In the Heaven and Earth Alliance now, Huang Chui and Fei Laosan were the heavy hitters, Li Rui managed the big picture, and Ning Zhongtian played the enforcer, overseeing discipline.

Several veteran members had already been beaten to death by Ning Zhongtian for breaking rules.

Ning Zhongtian was a founding member and one of the two strongest in the Alliance—he was the most suitable for this role.

This arrangement had been agreed upon with Li Rui.

Otherwise, if Li Rui took on this role, the veterans would have resented him.

If morale collapsed, no amount of money would matter.

When the matter was settled, Li Rui spoke: "Brothers, I've reached an agreement with Lord Dao of Wu Country: once we gain approval from the Ministry of Revenue, we can trade in beasts. The profits won't be small."

When the matters were settled, Li Rui spoke up: "Brothers, I've reached an agreement with Lord Dao of the Wu Kingdom: once we receive approval from the Ministry of Revenue, we can trade in demonic beasts—there'll be no shortage of money."

Li Rui's words were a powerful stimulant.

Beast trading was a major business.

Who would turn away from money?

Li Rui's meaning was simple: don't fixate on these petty gains—your future is brighter.

He understood internal strife all too well.

When a force stagnates, infighting begins; only expansion can redirect everyone's focus.

Li Rui's move wasn't just for internal unity.

He genuinely needed money.

He had opened his sea of Qi—once he entered the Ocean Viewing realm, the entire Heaven and Earth Alliance might not afford him. He had to find ways to earn more, safely.

Otherwise, how would he buy elixirs?

How would he buy spirit weapons?

As always: wealth, companions, methods, land—wealth comes first.

As always, wealth, companions, technique, and terrain—wealth comes first.

That day.

Li Rui returned home and had dinner with Wang Zhao and Yang Yong.

He had just completed one full circuit.

He was about to crawl into bed and dream of immortals.

Then a knock came at the door.

The room door was thin; the person outside pounded hard, making it groan under the strain and shake violently.

It nearly collapsed.

Li Rui put on his clothes and opened the door.

There stood Liu Tiezhu, beaming with excitement:

"Master, the immortal weapon is almost complete!"

(End of Chapter)