Chapter 249: Strike First to Gain the Advantage

Outside Qinghe City, in the depths of a rarely visited mountain gully, under a vigorous pine tree.

"Old Rui."

"Old Yuan."

Zhuang Renhe looked at Qi Rui and Yuan Gao with a smile, a flash of schadenfreude in his eyes.

He already knew that Qi Rui had lost over a dozen subordinates to Dao Mo and had fled in defeat.

"County Magistrate Zhuang, we meet again."

Qi Rui glanced at Zhuang Renhe indifferently.

He didn't like this slippery Yu Kingdom County Magistrate even a little bit.

If it weren't for the fact that Zhuang Renhe was a member of the Ghost Gui Ming Jiao, it would be normal for both sides to be at life-and-death odds.

"Why have the two of you called Zhuang here today?"

"Zhuang is busy with official business and cannot stay for long."

Yuan Gao snorted coldly: "What?"

"Has Magistrate Zhuang been an official for so long that he has forgotten his identity?"

He looked at Zhuang Renhe sideways, the meaning very simple: don't try to throw your official weight around here; I don't buy that.

Zhuang Renhe remained calm and composed: "I dare not forget."

"That's good."

Hearing this, Yuan Gao's expression improved slightly.

"Calling the two of you here today is for Jiang Linxian; the Xueying Laozu has already invited the Nine Souls Dharma King to take action, and we are determined to take down that scoundrel Jiang Linxian. This requires the two of you to contribute some effort."

Nine Souls Dharma King!

Hearing this name.

Zhuang Renhe and Qi Rui were both shaken.

A Third-Rank Earth Immortal!

They never expected the Ghost Gui Ming Jiao to value Jiang Linxian so highly, actually sending an expert of the Dharma King level.

Dharma Kings held extremely high status in the Ghost Gui Ming Jiao.

The notorious Blood Shadow Xueying Laozu was a Dharma King.

The Ghost Gui Ming Jiao had truly gone to great lengths to capture Jiang Linxian alive.

"Jiang Linxian..."

Zhuang Renhe muttered this name in his heart.

The Ghost Gui Ming Jiao had gone to such great lengths to capture a single Jiang Linxian; the goal was naturally only one, and that was to find the Transcendent Immortal.

'Jiang Linxian is the Transcendent Immortal?'

'Doesn't that mean the Immortal Qi is in Jiang Linxian's hands...'

His heart stirred slightly.

Yuan Gao thought he knew nothing, but in fact, he had seen through everything long ago.

"By the way, there is also an official named Li Rui; capture him together when the time comes."

Yuan Gao added.

Qi Rui remained expressionless; he had known this news long ago.

He had even just prepared to capture Li Rui when he was surrounded by Dao Mo's men, and in the end, he was the only one who escaped alone.

"I will naturally cooperate when the time comes."

Although he didn't know why the Ghost Gui Ming Jiao wanted to capture Jiang Linxian, since this matter had already been agreed upon by the Empress Dowager, he would naturally cooperate fully.

"Thank you, Brother Rui."

Yuan Gao cupped his hands in satisfaction and looked at Zhuang Renhe again.

"Rest assured, Old Yuan."

Zhuang Renhe echoed, but his mind became even more active.

'Li Rui...'

He definitely couldn't beat Jiang Linxian, but couldn't he handle a small Sixth-Rank military officer?

Knowing the inside story, he saw through the surface to the Ghost Gui Ming Jiao's deeper plans.

Why do something extra when capturing Jiang Linxian?

Clearly.

That Anning Guard official named Li Rui also had a problem; perhaps he could obtain the Immortal Qi from Li Rui.

He had no interest in any Transcendent Immortal.

Immortal Qi, he wanted the Immortal Qi.

'Strike first to gain the advantage!'

Li Residence.

In front of the stables.

"Look at this fair complexion, these calves, truly firm, tsk tsk..."

Li Rui, Wang Zhao, and Yang Yong surrounded the horse stall, commenting on what was inside.

Snort!

The Red Dragon Horse beside them let out an unwilling sound, angrily expressing its dissatisfaction at being neglected.

"What about me?"

"And me!"

Li Rui turned a deaf ear to this, while Wang Zhao looked at the big red horse with some guilt: "Big Red, sorry, I want to sleep with Little Yellow today."

Only to see.

In the stable, beside the Red Dragon Horse, there was an extra little tiger, knee-high, with smooth fur, still somewhat immature.

"Master, you said if I hold it and sleep every day, will it work?"

Wang Zhao's eyes shone.

Looking at his posture, it didn't look like he was just talking.

He was really going to sleep.

Hearing Wang Zhao's words, the Red Dragon Horse looked at Wang Zhao with resentment, like a little daughter-in-law guarding an empty room.

Wang Zhao coughed dryly: "Big Red, don't worry, in a few days we can sleep together."

Why did this sound more and more wrong?

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

Wang Zhao being able to understand the Red Dragon Horse was the result of day-and-night companionship and the connection of Immortal Xuan Qi; it made no sense that it would only work for horses and not for others.

"Human, hateful..."

The young tiger bared its teeth, looking fiercely at the group of hateful humans before it.

Originally, it had been playing happily in the mountain forest, then it was caught by humans, thrown into an iron cage, and sent here.

Although its intelligence wasn't high, it had heard the big black bear in the forest say that these humans were monsters that ate demons, and falling into their hands would definitely not end well.

Bullying the tiger too much!

Hate!

Little did it know.

Its words were all heard by Li Rui.

Li Rui's expression became strange.

This young tiger's ferocity hadn't emerged yet, and fortunately, the people who caught the demon had used a special medicine, so it probably wouldn't have any combat power for a month; otherwise, it could have rushed up to bite people at any time.

It seemed his disciple wanting to sleep with the young tiger to build a relationship wasn't something that could be done in a day or two.

This young tiger was a demonic beast, scientifically known as the Three-Eyed White Tiger, named for the golden pattern on its forehead; it was a ferocious demonic beast.

It was sent by Dao Mo specifically from the Wu Kingdom, telling Li Rui to just keep it as a pet.

This behavior of sending demonic beasts was a very common etiquette among the Wu Kingdom's upper class.

It was only because Li Rui had done Dao Mo a huge favor this time that he was so generous.

Li Rui didn't have any hobby for playing with tigers.

So he simply gave the young tiger to his disciple.

Wang Zhao was someone who wanted to be a great horse master, but if he broadened his thinking, he would find that there were far more things in the world that could be ridden than just horses.

Everything can be ridden!

Thinking this way, a horse master could be very powerful.

Li Rui decided to broaden his disciple's knowledge.

"Little Zhao, I've always been optimistic about you, keep it up."

He patted Wang Zhao on the shoulder.

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

He was learning more and more about the Wu Kingdom's demon-raising techniques.

He planned to develop Wang Zhao in the direction of demon-raising, using demon power to nourish himself, which could make up for some of the disadvantages of his poor foundation.

Everyone is a genius; you just need to find the right direction.

There was no need for everyone to bang their heads against internal and external martial arts.

Li Rui looked at the young tiger cursing in the stable again and decided not to let this little tiger know that he could communicate with it; the West Heaven Gate was something he had condensed himself, so of course, he could control the switch at will.

Yang Yong found it novel:

"Old Li, can Little Zhao really tame demonic beasts?"

"That's an incredible skill."

In the past, these were stories that could only be heard from storytellers, all listened to as legends.

"There shouldn't be any problem." Li Rui pondered.

The three of them chatted around the young tiger for a long time.

Li Rui then returned to the front courtyard with Yang Yong, leaving Wang Zhao alone to continue cultivating the relationship.

"Old Yang, after taking the elixir, how is the effect?"

Looking at Yang Yong's dark but ruddy face, he knew the effect must be good.

Yang Yong felt a bit pained: "Old Li, don't waste money on my old bones in the future. I have a rotten life, if I die, I die; when the time comes, for the sake of our brotherhood, just make the coffin thicker."

"Get lost."

Li Rui rolled his eyes: "You have to live a few more years for me."

"Give me a number, thirty years, not a year less; I'm still waiting for you to go ask the imperial court for a reward."

Yesterday.

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The elixir he asked someone to buy from the capital finally arrived, and he gave it to Yang Yong that day.

At first, Yang Yong was coy and pushed it away.

It was Li Rui who pinched his chin and stuffed it in, making the little old man Yang Yong ache for a long time.

He understood.

People like them who were used to being poor would spend money like crazy when they got rich young, but when they got old, they wouldn't want to spend it.

Yang Yong was probably in that state.

Simply put, he was afraid of being poor.

Afraid of being beaten back to his original form one day.

Li Rui finished watching the tiger and then strolled out to the Tiandi Alliance.

It was time for the monthly meeting again.

A moment later.

He arrived in front of the Tiandi Alliance gate.

Although many people had suggested making the Tiandi Alliance's gate larger, Li Rui had rejected them all.

Just look at those big families and you'll know.

The thicker the family foundation, the more low-key they are.

What is low-key luxury?

So the Tiandi Alliance hadn't changed much.

"Alliance Leader!"

The Tiandi Alliance disciples guarding the gate saw Li Rui and bowed in unison, their attitudes respectful.

This respect wasn't faked, but came from the heart.

For no other reason.

Ever since Li Rui became the Great Alliance Leader, the monthly pay of all Tiandi Alliance disciples had doubled, which was a real, tangible benefit.

Who wouldn't like a leader who raises wages?

Li Rui nodded casually and walked into the Justice Hall with big strides.

At this time.

The hall was already full of people.

The Alliance Leader and Vice Alliance Leaders were all gathered in the hall.

Ning Zhongtian, Huang Chui, and Fei Laosan saw Li Rui appear and all nodded slightly to signal.

Li Rui laughed and sat in the main seat:

"It's been a long time since I've seen you brothers; let's catch up today. As for the business, let Alliance Leader Huang speak."

He was now the true Great Alliance Leader.

Even his ranking was vaguely higher than Ning Zhongtian's; naturally, he couldn't always be the one hosting, just saying a few words at key moments was enough.

He didn't have the bad habit of talking for an hour by himself.

Huang Chui coughed lightly: "Everyone, there are two things today."

"First, our Vice Alliance Leader Ge has broken through long ago, and now he has even condensed Qi into form; continuing to be a Vice Alliance Leader is not very appropriate. I propose making Brother Ge the fifth Alliance Leader; what do you all think?"

Regarding promotion.

The people in the hall naturally had different expressions.

Especially the few Vice Alliance Leaders.

Just as everyone was silent, Li Rui raised his hand first: "I agree."

Subsequently, Ning Zhongtian also laughed: "I have no opinion either."

Seeing that the two big bosses of the Tiandi Alliance had no opinion, the others naturally dared not have any, raising their hands in unison, afraid of being slow.

Since the matter was irreversible, they didn't want to leave a bad impression in the hearts of the two Alliance Leaders.

Huang Chui saw this: "Since that's the case, Brother Ge will be our fifth Alliance Leader from now on."

"Congratulations, Brother Ge."

Ge Hong stood up and cupped his hands: "We are all brothers from now on, eating meat and drinking wine together!"

Li Rui's mouth lifted slightly.

Ge Hong becoming the fifth Alliance Leader naturally had his push behind it.

The Alliance Leader of the Tiandi Alliance was similar to a partner.

Except for him, the other three were original shareholders, but as the Tiandi Alliance continued to develop, it always had to absorb fresh blood.

Ge Hong was an old man.

And his relationship with him was good; he just wanted to use Ge Hong to open up the situation.

To recruit more good talent in the future.

"Second thing, our Alliance is going to open a branch in Anning Prefecture; this is a major event, and Vice Alliance Leader Fei will personally host the branch matter; everyone needs to give full support."

Hearing this.

The few Vice Alliance Leaders in their seats all had their eyes light up.

Although Qinghe now vaguely had the trend of surpassing Anning Prefecture, Anning Prefecture was still the prefecture city.

Establishing a branch in the prefecture city, the status naturally couldn't be low.

The oil and water would definitely be sufficient.

The key was that there would be many more Vice Helmsmen, Hall Masters, and Deacons.

This was a great opportunity to plant their own people and cultivate power, which concerned the vital interests of these Vice Alliance Leaders.

Ning Zhongtian spoke indifferently: "Ugly words first; how you divide it, how you fight for it, I don't care, but if anyone dares to break the rules of the Alliance, I will be the first not to spare them."

Hearing Ning Zhongtian's words.

Several people's expressions froze.

Now in the Tiandi Alliance, Huang Chui and Fei Laosan, two Alliance Leaders, had become big-time enforcers, Li Rui was in charge of the overall situation, while Ning Zhongtian played the bad guy, in charge of punishment.

Several old members of the Alliance had already been beaten to death by Ning Zhongtian according to the rules.

Ning Zhongtian was one of the founders and one of the two strongest in the Alliance; he was the most suitable for this.

This was also the result of his discussion with Li Rui.

Otherwise, if Li Rui were to do it, it would inevitably cause dissatisfaction among the old members of the Alliance.

Once people's hearts are in chaos, no matter how much money is made, it's useless.

The matter was finished, and Li Rui then spoke: "Brothers, I have already agreed with Lord Dao of the Wu Kingdom; as long as we get approval from the Ministry of Revenue, we can do the demonic beast business, and there will be no shortage of money then."

Grow big and strong!

Li Rui's words could be called a stimulant.

The demonic beast business was also a big deal.

Who would have trouble with money?

The meaning of Li Rui saying this was very simple: don't just stare at the small money in front of you; the future is brighter.

Regarding infighting, he knew it too well.

Only when a force has stagnated will there be infighting; only by expanding can everyone's thoughts be diverted.

Li Rui's move wasn't for the sake of unity within the Tiandi Alliance.

It was because he really needed to make money.

Having opened the Qi Sea, once he entered the Sea-Observing Realm, the entire Tiandi Alliance might not be able to afford him, so of course, he had to think of ways to make more money safely.

Otherwise, how to buy elixirs?

How to buy spirit weapons?

Still the same saying, Wealth, Companions, Dharma, Land; Wealth is the first priority.

This day.

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

Just finished a cycle.

Preparing to crawl into the quilt and dream of immortals.

A knock sounded at the door.

The room door was thin, and the person outside didn't spare any effort, making a creaking sound that couldn't bear the weight, shaking continuously.

It was almost about to collapse.

Li Rui put on his clothes and then pushed open the door.

He saw Liu Tiezhu standing at the door with an excited face:

"Master, the Immortal Soldier is about to be finished!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 250 =====