Chapter 381

Backyard.

"Jiang lad, why aren't you staying properly in the Imperial Observatory in the capital? What made you think of coming to Qinghe?"

Elder Tiekuang widened his eyes, looking at Jiang Linxian, whom Li Rui had led into the backyard.

The time he had known Jiang Linxian could be said to be the longest among everyone in Qinghe.

As early as when Jiang Linxian was a genius disciple of the Huaqing Sect, they were already friends across generations.

When Jiang Linxian was still in the Huaqing Sect, he often went to the Divine Weapon Villa to drink with him.

One of the eight small swords, Tanlang, came from his hand.

This was enough to show the friendship between the two.

Jiang Linxian laughed: "Senior Tie, we meet again."

Elder Tiekuang sighed: "The days are passing faster and faster; in the blink of an eye, it's been several years."

The once frivolous youth had now become a big figure he had to look up to.

Li Rui smiled:

"Don't just stand there, sit down and talk."

The three sat down.

Liu Tiezhu very consciously took on the role of the tea-pouring boy.

Jiang Linxian picked up his teacup and took a sip before slowly speaking: "I left in a hurry, so I didn't inform you in advance."

Elder Tiekuang couldn't help but be curious:

"Jiang lad, what are you here in Qinghe for this time?"

One must know, Jiang Linxian was now not only a Third-Rank Tongxuan expert but also the Deputy Supervisor of the Imperial Observatory.

Matters that could make Jiang Linxian take action personally must be major events.

"If it were someone else, I would say I'm here to deal with the demon chaos in the Ten Thousand Mountains, but to you, Senior, I can only say it cannot be spoken."

Elder Tiekuang narrowed his eyes.

Clearly, the matter Jiang Linxian was to deal with was a secret of the imperial court and could not be leaked.

"Fine, let's not talk about it then. How long do you plan to stay this time?"

"I don't know; perhaps for a long time."

As he spoke, Jiang Linxian turned to look at Li Rui: "Brother Li, I sold my house in Qinghe and don't have a place to stay. If you don't mind, could you leave a room for your younger brother?"

Upon hearing that Jiang Linxian wanted to live in his house, Li Rui was more than happy:

"There are plenty of rooms; Brother Jiang, choose whatever you like. I'll have the servants go clean it up now."

Elder Tiekuang didn't know.

But Li Rui knew clearly in his heart that Jiang Linxian came to Qinghe to deal with the Fallen Immortal matter.

With a great expert like Jiang Linxian sitting in command.

He could also be much more at ease.

Naturally, he couldn't refuse.

Jiang Linxian smiled: "Just do as Brother Li wishes."

Li Rui gave Liu Tiezhu a look, and Liu Tiezhu quietly put down the teapot in his hand, walked outside, found the servants in the mansion, and chose a good spot for Jiang Linxian.

"Brother Jiang, since you're here, treat it as your own home. Live as you please, don't be polite."

Jiang Linxian: "Then I'll thank Brother Li first."

The three exchanged pleasantries for a while.

Elder Tiekuang found a reason to leave the courtyard himself; he had long seen that Jiang Linxian and Li Rui had things to talk about.

Watching Elder Tiekuang leave.

Jiang Linxian then smiled at Li Rui: "Brother Li, thank you for your hard work."

If it weren't for him, Li Rui wouldn't have been dragged into the turmoil of the Fallen Immortal.

Li Rui smiled and waved his hand: "Brother Jiang, if you say that again, I'm going to get angry."

Regarding this matter, he had thought it through quickly.

When the nest is overturned, no egg remains unbroken.

Not to mention he was still an official of the Yu Kingdom, and his position would only get higher in the future; sooner or later, he would have to come into contact with the Fallen Immortal.

Rather than being caught off guard then, it was better to understand it in advance.

Jiang Linxian felt a warmth in his heart.

Although Li Rui said so, he didn't feel that way. Li Rui had taken risks himself to help him; this was a kindness that had to be repaid.

Immediately, he took a small jade bottle from his bosom and handed it to Li Rui.

"Brother Li, this is the reward from His Majesty for your mission to the Wu Kingdom."

"Vice Minister Wang praised you highly."

"Now in the imperial court, there is no one who doesn't know your name, Brother."

Li Rui laughed loudly: "Li Lao here can also be considered famous."

He took the jade bottle from Jiang Linxian's hand.

Just after pulling out the stopper, a refreshing fragrance hit his nose.

He saw milky white grease settling at the bottom of the bottle, with sparkling, crystal-clear specks within it.

At this moment.

Jiang Linxian's voice sounded at the right time: "Brother Li, this item is Phoenix Marrow."

Li Rui already had a guess, and upon hearing the words "Phoenix Marrow," he opened his mouth.

This was because Phoenix Marrow was one of the three remaining materials for the Spirit-Ascension Method.

He never expected that the Holy Emperor's reward would actually be this item.

It was truly unexpected.

Li Rui looked at Jiang Linxian.

How could there be such a coincidence in the world? There was only one truth: the Holy Emperor did indeed have a reward, but it certainly wasn't Phoenix Marrow; it was Jiang Linxian who had specifically asked for it.

Li Rui put away the jade bottle: "Brother Jiang is thoughtful."

Jiang Linxian: "This is a reward from His Majesty; why should Brother Li thank me?"

The two reminisced for a while.

Jiang Linxian then said seriously: "Brother Li, I presume Senior He has already told you that I am here this time to track down the Fallen Immortal of the Wu Kingdom."

"The immortal disaster in the Yu Kingdom a hundred years ago, the turmoil in the Wu Kingdom, and the person who killed my wife—perhaps it is that very person."

Li Rui was shocked.

Good heavens.

Hearing this, how many things had that Fallen Immortal actually done? Jiang Linxian settled down in the Assistant Regional Commander's mansion.

But he wasn't really a guest.

After all, the next day, Jiang Linxian went out of the city, often leaving for several days, then staying for a day or half a day before leaving again.

Li Rui had long been accustomed to this.

Who told Jiang Linxian to be like this when he was a military advisor in Qinghe?

This day.

Several deputy generals and various generals of the Annan Town gathered at the Regional Commander's mansion.

Xue Gui sat alone in the high seat and slowly spoke:

"The Purple Chai Jingong is evil, harming the common people for cultivation. His Majesty is benevolent and cannot bear to see the common people suffer, so he specially ordered our three towns to send troops to clear out the demons."

The matter of sending troops had been settled.

Li Rui was thoughtful.

!

"A few days ago, the imperial court issued a manifesto, which I heard was written by a Grand Secretary of the Hanlin Academy, detailing the eighteen crimes of the Purple Chai Jingong, every word like a knife, truly infuriating both gods and men."

Although it was a crusade by the three armies, the main force was definitely the Annan Town.

The Huaidong and Jiannan towns were both assisting on the flanks.

Xue Gui continued: "By the order of Regional Commander Zhou, clear the wilderness and build seventy-two high fortresses to contain the Purple Chai Jingong."

The deputy generals and various generals sitting below were all energized.

Li Rui praised secretly in his heart.

That Regional Commander Zhou was indeed a famous general.

The Ten Thousand Mountains are treacherous, with much miasma and demon beasts, and now the Purple Chai Jingong has a huge momentum, with thirty-six halls arching around it; a surprise attack is impossible, so it needs to be steady and solid.

Moreover, there is still a Fallen Immortal sitting in the Purple Chai Jingong. Although the Yu Kingdom has countless experts, one must be extremely cautious when dealing with a Fallen Immortal and act according to the situation.

Those First-Rank Earthly Immortals are all big figures.

How could they easily risk their lives with others, even if it were the Emperor's order?

They need to be absolutely sure before taking action.

Xue Gui scanned the crowd.

"Alright, go down and handle it."

After saying this.

The crowd then said goodbye and dispersed.

Leaving the Regional Commander's mansion, Li Rui, Nie Siming, and Yuan Xiong walked together.

"Brother Li, why don't we build together? That way, we can look out for each other."

Nie Siming suggested.

This time, the Annan Town had to build seventy-two high fortresses; divided up, each person had to supervise the construction of four or five, and after they were built, they would also be under the jurisdiction of the corresponding Assistant Regional Commander.

The reason Regional Commander Zhou wanted to build so many fortresses was to fulfill the duty of observation.

In marching and fighting, intelligence is very important.

These high fortresses connected into one piece, supporting each other, could seal off the Purple Chai Jingong.

Of course.

The Purple Chai Jingong would not sit still and wait for death; it would definitely take action.

That was why Nie Siming thought of joining forces.

Otherwise, with the strength of just one family, it would be difficult to get this done.

Not only the three of them, but the other military officers also had this idea.

Li Rui: "Then I am taking advantage of the two brothers."

On the surface, both his strength and background were not as good as Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong, the adopted sons of the Marquis; the two being willing to join forces with him was actually helping him out.

Yuan Xiong smiled:

"Brother Li, what are you saying? Aren't we all the Godfather's people?"

They were close to Li Rui.

Of course, it was because Li Rui came from the Marquis's mansion; even if Li Rui had never entered the Marquis's mansion for a day, the mark of having been a guest of the Marquis would always be there.

Unless Li Rui rebelled one day.

Li Rui: "Then I will respectfully obey."

With this relationship, of course, it should be used well.

Already a Assistant Regional Commander, it wouldn't do to always fight alone.

With Nie Siming and Yuan Xiong topping the list, he could also be much safer.

Both were adopted sons of Yuan Dingting; Li Rui didn't believe Yuan Dingting hadn't left any life-saving means for the two.

When the Purple Chai Jingong really attacks, aren't the brothers' trump cards his own trump cards?

Three days later, early morning.

Dozens of riders left Qinghe City and arrived at the foot of the Ten Thousand Mountains that evening.

At this time.

High walls had already been built in the Qinghe enclosure.

It should be said that since the last time they practiced troops, Regional Commander Zhou had already ordered them to be built.

Now, it already had the appearance of a city.

Regional Commander Zhou personally named it Po Jun Fortress.

This Po Jun Fortress was also the forefront where many generals of the Annan Town sat in command, and it was already very close to the Purple Chai Jingong.

Li Rui and his party entered Po Jun Fortress without any obstruction.

Just after entering the city.

He saw many familiar faces, such as Fu Tao, who was standing on the huge drill ground with a big mouth.

Li Rui and the others were not in a hurry to enter the Ten Thousand Mountains.

Instead, they each went to their own mansions in the city.

Not big.

A small courtyard with three rooms, which was of course far worse than the Assistant Regional Commander's mansion in Qinghe, but to have such a courtyard in Po Jun Fortress was already a luxury.

Li Rui walked into the room, which had already been cleaned and tidied up.

He touched his chin.

"This time, the secret passage needs to be dug deeper."

"The Thick Earth Body is just right."

(End of chapter)