Chapter 81: Eighty-Four: Merit Complete, Should It Be Redeemed?

Eighty-Four: Merit Complete, Should It Be Redeemed?

“I’ve also heard of some of this gentleman’s deeds.”

“I simply didn’t expect he would pose such a major obstacle to the two of you.”

Only four people… no, three in the Liu family’s grand hall.

The Persian merchant lightly pinched his beard with two fingers after listening to Liu Ziwen and Liu Zian’s complaints.

Well, actually, when these two Liu brothers spoke of this person, their tone was quite calm and composed.

But to Li Li’s ears, it sounded like resentful complaining.

For matters within Longcheng County, after so many years of storms, every time they delivered goods and came for tea, the Liu family would never utter a single word to him.

They treated it like their own private garden—why would they invite outsiders in to meddle?

That wasn’t just embarrassing; it was a sign of incompetence.

Li Li smiled inwardly, nodding slightly.

“This needs to be done slowly.”

Li Li looked extremely difficult to deal with, his tone sincere yet tinged with genuine confusion:

My first reaction wasn’t “it’s been a long time”—the length of that line had grown longer:

“Not right. Their affairs are indeed my affairs, and also your lord’s affairs.”

Ouyang Rong pursed his lips, fell silent, and pondered:

Slowly, news of the new blessing redemption entered his mind.

Ouyang Rong shook his head.

Li Li gestured toward the sharp, ceremonial sword at his knee:

…

Indeed, very elegant.

Yet that tea house concealed a hidden world within:

“Longcheng County must remain calm, but that doesn’t mean Jiangzhou can’t act. Good—haven’t a batch been removed just recently? That’s clean. I’ll report to your lord upon returning.”

Tang Yù’s expression turned slightly troubled; he pondered:

Redeem or not?

“Bring a cold towel.”

“Ouyang Lianghan has a Shie clan Di son as his bodyguard—his former master at the White Deer Grotto Academy, trained in the scholarly path, already at the fourth rank, possibly not far from entering the ‘One.’”

The grand hall fell silent for a moment.

“Ten years to forge one sword; at this critical moment, Longcheng County’s situation must be controlled by you two—no unnecessary complications…”

That’s unreasonable.

But if redeemed, the merit value would drop below the psychological threshold of ten thousand merit—Liu Zian worried he couldn’t quickly replenish it in the short term, since Zhe Yiqu still had a long way to go. Honestly, he’d recently had a thought—he didn’t want to wait until Zhe Yiqu’s completion.

“A Confucian gentleman, nearly entering the middle rank… are you certain this youth isn’t targeting us? Does he truly know what we’re doing?”

A tea master, her hair tied low in a style resembling a Daoist crown, glided in gracefully, holding a highly professional tea set box.

The Persian merchant exhaled, murmuring with a touch of resignation:

Tang Yù ignored it, first turning his gaze to the bluish-gold characters beneath the wooden fish.

He immediately slipped into Tangping mode—if he weren’t a stranger in a foreign land, he’d probably pull out his phone and scroll mindlessly right away.

Good heavens, that outfit clearly concealed hidden weapons—extremely dangerous for guests. The owner of Yunshui Pavilion clearly didn’t understand hospitality.

“With him present, no matter how difficult the task, it won’t be hard.”

Yunshui Pavilion, eighth floor.

He opened his mouth, then closed it, reluctantly walking over to brew tea.

Li Li nodded again: “The literary path is covered. As for the martial…”

He sighed:

The only odd thing was: the tea table was too large, the bed too small.

“To deal with such a gentleman, for safety’s sake, both literary and martial measures are needed.”

Li Li smiled and nodded: “Yes, yes, yes. Liu the Elder is truly composed and thorough.”

Liu Zian felt a faint satisfaction.

Hearing the room fall silent, Liu Zian, who had been meditating with closed eyes, was pleased. He laid the cold towel over his face and took a deep, comfortable breath.

Then he focused his mind, sinking his spirit into his heart-sea.

He stared at the remaining ten thousand merit points, his expression hardening.

“Ouyang Lianghan isn’t a real trouble or obstacle—he doesn’t even know what we’re doing.”

The door creaked open, accompanied by a gentle, polite male voice:

The bronze ancient bell trembled, emitting purple vapor—like a noblewoman long confined to her inner chambers, restless and impatient.

“No.”

“Master Li, regarding this point, you surely have no objection—we’re all acting for your lord’s interests. Could we discuss and offer suggestions together?”

After days of effort, the relief camp and Zhe Yiqu—the latter especially—had completed significant portions of their missions, generating influence and feedback that accumulated into the heavy weight of merit before his eyes.

Down the corridor to the right, the eighth-to-last private room on the outer side.

The Persian merchant’s expression grew more serious.

The Persian merchant sneered inwardly—why come to complain to me if he holds this new county magistrate in such low regard?

“What does Master Li suggest?”

“Liu the Elder, you’re telling me this to…”

After handing over the cold towel, the tea master named Cui’er opened her mouth to speak further, but saw the handsome young master raise a finger to his lips.

Liu Zian stepped into the antique-style private room, didn’t even bother removing his shoes, and flopped onto the clean bed in the center.

Liu Ziwen, who had maintained a calm expression, unexpectedly interrupted rudely:

Ouyang Rong and Liu Ziwen exchanged glances, both silently exhaling relief.

“I’ll sleep a while. You brew tea. Don’t wake me—I’ll drink when I wake.”

“As long as this room remains, even if legally stripped of its status compared to Luoyang’s remaining branch, who knows when His Majesty might suddenly recall old affection? Such things have happened before.”

But immediately, his gaze returned to the trembling Blessing Bell below.

Correct—the merit value had finally surpassed ten thousand, reaching the requirement to redeem the blessing “Return Home” for the Pure Land Palace, just days later.

Tang Yù frowned: “Master Li, no need for such trouble—just report to your lord, fabricate an excuse, move the man up or down, or simply remove his hat.”

Liu Zian glanced sideways at his brother’s slightly sharp tone.

“Young Master, your servant’s name is Cui’er…”

“Removing his hat is the most troublesome—Liu the Elder knows how delicate Longcheng County’s situation is right now.”

As for the neighboring Su Xiaolang, Yan Balang, and Liu Ashan, they had chosen “Winter’s Warmth,” “Autumn’s Depth,” and “Summer’s Joy,” respectively.

This Persian merchant was unlike us, bound to Longcheng County in Jiangzhou—he conducted business across all regions, could reach Luoyang’s nobles directly, and mingled with all eight sects and four streams—he was no ordinary man.

He rolled twice on the bed without reaching the edge, mentally criticizing.

Since the new project was announced, I’ve pondered this question—but observing the county magistrate’s movements and Ouyang Lianghan’s patterns, some things have become quite clear.

Tang Yù offered a timely reminder:

Before the tea master finished speaking, Liu Zian, who had been massaging his temples with closed eyes, immediately interrupted:

“Master Li, let me reiterate—I act for the greater good, and my eyes have always been fixed on the great matter your lord cares about.”

“If this youth were in ordinary times, we could take our time and contend with him—but now, at this critical juncture, the great matter is imminent. My brother and I cannot afford to plot slowly; our available focus is insufficient…”

【Merit: 11,881】

“Young Master…”

“Eight thousand merit points? What blessing did you encounter… I just came for a meal.”

“Worry? Handle it immediately.”

Red wooden door with a red sign hanging—indicating busy, no guests.

Moreover, I’ve noticed recently that the merit generated by the relief camp and other measures has increased sharply—it’s grown so fast that sometimes I hear only a few faint, distant wooden fish strikes every half-day, slower even than the white hairs Weilai plucks before bed…

Li Li smiled at the Persian merchant’s expression and said: “This shouldn’t be difficult, right?”

He quickly discarded external distractions, his spirit soaring into the cloud-top ancient pagoda in his mind, winding its way inside.

Spotless wooden flooring, noble and elegant chairs and beds, miniature landscapes of pine and cypress hills, and black Eluanshi …

Li Li didn’t hesitate long; he nodded:

The Merit Pagoda remained unchanged.

Liu Zian fell into deep thought.

“But this is still not the southern frontier or western tributary states—when commoners fight officials, it’s truly tricky. It seems the two of you have encountered serious trouble…”

Under his gaze, Ouyang Rong fell silent.

“Not ideal, but how come even a first-rank county magistrate has become so troublesome now…”

Liu Zian ultimately didn’t choose the “Winter’s Warmth” tea set, but randomly picked “Spring’s Grace.”

Tang Yù sat with sleeves folded, gazing at the empty grand hall for a moment, then suggested:

Liu Zian was momentarily speechless.

Vast space surrounded by white clouds, a simple wooden fish, and a restless Blessing Bell.

Li Li shook his head directly:

The transfer of Longcheng County’s magistrate must not be too conspicuous; otherwise, even if the maneuver is complex, as long as someone mentions it in passing during the usual court report, the ministers will draw connections... that is truly beneficial for matters of true insignificance.

The eight exchanged glances.

Seems a bit short...