Chapter 351: People from Yunzhou

The calm surface could not conceal the turbulent undercurrents.

Every day, the Anning Guard saw scouts coming and going.

Even soldiers unaware of the details could feel the tension in the air.

But none of this had anything to do with Li Rui.

In the courtyard.

Wang Zhao stood obediently before Li Rui.

"Good, you've already reached the seventh rank."

"You should get yourself some better clothes, Xiao Zhao—you're utterly careless about your appearance. If you can't find a wife, your Uncle Yang will worry himself to death."

Li Rui gazed at his disciple with satisfaction.

Though Wang Zhao's face still looked youthful, he was in his thirties by actual age.

In Yu State,

someone in their thirties might already be holding a grandchild.

Wang Zhao's progress was pitifully slow.

Uncle Yang had worried over this endlessly, convinced he'd never live to see Wang Zhao marry and him hold a grandchild—recently, he'd even grown lax with his health exercises.

Li Rui had advised him several times, but it was useless.

This boy cared more for the big red horse and Little Tiger in the stable than he did for bare-skinned girls.

Wang Zhao: "It's all thanks to Master's teaching."

The current Wang Zhao had shed the simple demeanor of a young stable boy and now carried a touch of composure, even nobility.

He wasn't handsome, but no girl would reject him for his looks.

Li Rui felt a pang of reflection.

Without realizing it, all three of his disciples had reached the seventh rank.

Liu Tiezhu had progressed fastest—he might even become a sixth-rank cultivator in a few years.

There was no help for it.

Staying with a master like Tiekuang, plus his innate Diamond Body, made it impossible not to grow strong.

Liang He and Liu Tiezhu had both become capable of standing on their own, but this youngest disciple—

"Xiao Zhao, I know your nature."

"But you can't stay by my side forever—you need to go out and see the world. I've already secured you a post in Wu State; in a few days, you'll go."

Li Rui said.

Wang Zhao's eyes widened in disbelief: "Master…"

He hadn't expected Li Rui to drive him away—especially to Wu State, so far away.

Li Rui: "You're grown now—you must go out and make your way. Staying in Qinghe forever is no life."

As a master, one must think of the disciple's future.

Liang He and Liu Tiezhu had both found their own paths; according to the elders of Qinghe, they'd already been led through the gate—what came after was up to them.

You can't cling to your master's side forever.

Of the three disciples, only Wang Zhao remained immature and needed polishing.

This had to be done with resolve.

The thought of leaving Qinghe left Wang Zhao momentarily lost.

He'd been bought into the Zhu household before reaching adulthood, learning to feed horses under Li Rui.

Later, Li Rui took him out of the Zhu household, and he'd stayed by Li Rui's side ever since.

He'd long grown accustomed to living by Li Rui's orders.

To be sent alone to a place ten thousand li away—

how could he not be bewildered?

Li Rui sighed softly.

Keeping Wang Zhao by his side, though convenient, would only harm him.

If he's an eagle, he must fly alone.

He can't remain under my wings forever.

Originally, I planned to send Wang Zhao to the Imperial Horse Supervision in Yunzhou, but as his talent emerged, I changed my mind—Wu State is the right place for him.

Perhaps years from now, Wu State will produce a great demon-subduing master named Wang Zhao.

"Enough. In a few days, join a merchant caravan to find your Senior Brother Liang—he'll arrange things for you."

"If you run into trouble after you arrive, seek out someone—I still have many friends in Wu State."

Wang Zhao still struggled to process today's news, but seeing Li Rui's firm resolve, he knew refusal was impossible—he could only nod numbly.

'If I'd known this would happen, I wouldn't have broken through.'

He wore a mournful expression.

Only when Li Rui shooed him back to his room did he

mechanically move his feet toward his chamber.

Li Rui watched him go and shook his head.

Everyone must walk their own path—even master and disciple.

That day,

"Master Li, General Nie asks you to come to the General's Mansion."

One of Nie Siming's personal guards arrived at the Assistant Regional Commander's Office.

Li Rui nodded without hesitation: "Alright."

Immediately,

he stepped out toward the General's Mansion.

As soon as he entered the mansion, he saw many people seated inside—besides Nie Siming and Cao Wei,

there were two others.

One of them Li Rui recognized: Yuan Xiong, the eighth adopted son of Yuan Dingting.

The other,

Li Rui had never met, but his name was already well known: Soul-Severing Sword, Liu Qing.

Rumor had it he was once a wandering swordsman from the northwest, but somehow later joined Yuan Dingting's army—unlike other soldiers, he never fought on the battlefield.

His fame stemmed from his frequent assassinations of enemy commanders.

The barbarians of the northwest trembled at his name, hence the title Soul-Severing Sword.

'They say Liu Qing's sword is fast—extremely fast.'

'Few have seen him fight; those who have are already dead.'

'Born to be an assassin.'

Li Rui entered the main hall and sat quietly beside Cao Wei, saying nothing, closing his eyes to rest.

After about an incense stick's time,

two more men entered from outside.

They were Jia Qi, County Magistrate of Qinghe, and Yan Zhongxing, Director of the Trade Office.

They sat across from Li Rui and Cao Wei.

From their startled expressions, they clearly hadn't known what was to happen today.

Almost the moment Li Rui opened his eyes, Nie Siming's voice rang out: "Gentlemen, this is Master Liu—he is my father's advisor, sent here specifically by my father to assist us in Qinghe in suppressing the Purple Gold Palace."

Upon hearing "Master Liu,"

Jia Qi and Yan Zhongxing straightened their postures involuntarily.

Among Yuan Dingting's advisors, only one man bore the surname Liu: Liu Qing, the famed figure of the northwest.

!

Both immediately rose and bowed to Liu Qing:

"We greet Master Liu."

Though Liu Qing held no official rank—advisor was merely a nominal title, its weight depending entirely on the patron's standing—

but who was his patron? The Annan Marquis. And he himself was a Second-Rank Earth Immortal.

In either regard,

their courtesy was more than deserved.

Liu Qing was an ordinary-looking middle-aged man, even scholarly in bearing; he smiled faintly: "Gentlemen, no need for formalities. I've come here under the Marquis's orders—I count on your cooperation."

His every gesture radiated warmth.

After exchanging a few pleasantries with those in the hall, the atmosphere softened slightly.

But his next words instantly chilled the room:

"All of you are aware of the Purple Gold Palace situation."

"Our dynasty has always shown zero tolerance for heretical sects. Though the Purple Gold Palace lies in the Ten Thousand Mountains, its heretical teachings incite unrest and threaten peace—it cannot be allowed to remain."

"It must be crushed."

The intent to kill was plain in his words.

Hearing Liu Qing's words, Jia Qi, Cao Wei, and Yan Zhongxing all unconsciously showed signs of delight.

These past few days, they had suffered no small amount of headaches over the matter of Song Shi.

It is now certain that Song Shi was killed by someone from the Purple Gold Palace.

But the Purple Gold Palace is powerful, with the Second-Rank powerhouse Blood Shadow Ancestor stationed there; Qinghe alone is no match for them.

Now that a strong force from the Marquis's mansion has stepped forward—even a great expert like Liu Qing has come—if they can suppress the Purple Gold Palace, they can make up for their past failures.

A great stroke of good fortune.

The several men exchanged glances.

Each could see the others had quietly let out a breath of relief.

In comparison, Nie Siming and Li Rui remained far more composed.

Because they had long known certain inside information: the Purple Gold Palace was very likely connected to the Exiled Immortals.

So they would never be punished.

Of course, given the gravity of the matter, they all silently agreed not to reveal these details to Cao Wei and the other two.

As for Liu Qing, he most likely also knew about the Exiled Immortals.

Cao Wei rose first:

"We are willing to give our all to eradicate these demons and evils!"

"Exactly!"

Jia Qi and Yan Zhongxing both nodded in agreement.

Li Rui naturally joined in, voicing his firm support.

Seeing this, Liu Qing nodded approvingly: "Your lordships act with great righteousness. Liu Qing thanks you once again."

With consensus reached, the next steps became clear.

Liu Qing spoke a few formalities, then did not hesitate—he immediately began assigning tasks.

First, of course, gather forces.

Since the Purple Gold Palace likely has spies planted within the city, this operation must be kept secret, and the number of personnel must be kept small; a precise, elite strike is optimal.

The manpower needed must be arranged by the Anning Guard, the County Office, and the Weiheshimao Office.

Second.

Naturally, negotiations with Wu State.

The Third Princess of Wu State has now become a princess consort of Yu State; by relation, the two nations are kin.

To launch troops without even informing them would be a breach of propriety.

Before mobilizing, we must first notify Wu State.

Otherwise, we would further humiliate the Fourth Prince and damage the Emperor's dignity—this is a serious matter.

In fact, if mishandled, the consequences might be worse than a battlefield defeat.

We must send a capable and appropriate person to negotiate with Wu State.

Liu Qing gave detailed instructions on every point, then turned to Li Rui:

"I have often heard that when you served as Director of Trade for the Bureau, you forged deep ties with Wu State. This matter of negotiation is best entrusted to you, Lord Li."

Li Rui nodded without hesitation: "As ordered."

Previously, because of He Qianian, he had never needed to involve himself in the Purple Gold Palace affair.

Cao Wei had personally led teams to scout the area around the Purple Gold Palace multiple times.

Yet he had not even needed to leave the city.

Now that Liu Qing had arrived, he could no longer remain an observer.

It was time to lend a hand.

Compared to other tasks, this assignment from Liu Qing was not difficult for him.

Xia Xiaotang had returned from the Imperial City to Wu State.

With this disciple of the Grand Witch as a bridge, many matters became much easier.

Liu Qing's lips curled upward.

"Good."

"Demons and heretics must be destroyed by all. Now, I rely on your efforts."

Li Rui and the others rose together, their expressions solemn and righteous:

"Exterminate the demons and purge the evils!"

(End of Chapter)