Chapter 152: 152 The Charm of the Shitai, Not Even a Celestial Being Can Surpass It

Seeing Wei Youqing's posture of not stopping until her goal was reached, Ning Mu raised his eyebrows and smiled.

"We'll see, we'll see. If Libationer Wei likes it, you can stay as long as you want, but don't forget to pay the silver, hahaha..."

Ning Mu waved his hand, then pulled Liuli along, walked past Wei Youqing, and headed straight out of the stockade gate.

Watching Ning Mu's exceptionally handsome back, a look of bewilderment flashed across Wei Youqing's expression. She then looked on helplessly until the figures of Ning Mu and Liuli had completely vanished from sight, only then turning back reluctantly to head toward the back mountain.

The Master had given an order, one that was even tied to the rise, fall, honor, disgrace, life, and death of the Jixia Academy.

This youth named Ning Mu had to be brought back.

She had no choice but to stay behind and think of another way to try and complete her mission!

"How long are you going to keep touching me?"

On a small mountain path.

Liuli finally could not bear it any longer; she jerked her hand away and glared at Ning Mu, fuming.

Yet, on her face, which was as red as fire, and in those beautiful eyes, there wasn't much anger to be seen; instead, they were filled with shy annoyance and dissatisfied coquetry.

"Shitai invited me out, so what's wrong with me holding your hand?" Ning Mu said as if it were only natural.

Liuli's eyelids twitched, and she rolled her eyes in speechlessness.

"I can't be bothered to argue with you!"

Throwing out this stubborn remark, Liuli huffed and took the lead, stepping over the brambles, leaping up directly, and flying deeper into the mountain forest.

Ning Mu chuckled, rubbed his nose, and also swooshed into the air, following behind Liuli to admire her moving, graceful figure.

The two of them seemed to be playing, chasing and frolicking through the mountain forest.

It was as if they had cast aside all worldly conventions.

On a flat patch of ground in the forest.

A bonfire crackled as it burned, the tongues of flame popping with a sizzling sound.

On the bonfire rack was a bird, skewered on thin wooden sticks, which had been roasted until it began to drip oil.

And beside the bonfire, under a tree root.

Liuli was nestled entirely in Ning Mu's embrace.

At this moment, between heaven and earth, apart from the sound of the burning flames, it seemed as if all was silent, leaving only her and this incorrigible man.

There was no need to worry about being discovered or mocked.

Nor was there any need to worry about ruining her own reputation.

Liuli let her true feelings show, leaning in Ning Mu's arms without speaking, her breathing becoming much calmer.

The flames illuminated her radiant cheeks, and the reflections of the fire danced in her glistening eyes, making her appear so ethereal.

"Mm~ stop squeezing, it seems to be done, go take a look..."

Liuli gave a light, coquettish rebuke, her face infinitely charming. After sitting up straight, she pushed away the hand that wouldn't stop its mercy-seeking, glanced at Ning Mu shyly, and then lowered her head, speaking in a low voice.

She could not let this brat keep squeezing her anymore.

Otherwise, she felt that the soil beneath the tree could be turned into mud by her own reaction.

"Shitai, don't you usually eat vegetarian? How did you think of hunting in these mountains today and even wanting to eat this roast pheasant?"

Ning Mu couldn't help but smirk.

He stood up and walked to the bonfire, taking the time to gently sniff his fingers under his nose, which made Liuli's face turn bright red.

"None of your business. This nun wants to break the precepts; what, do I need to report that to you?" Liuli huffed, glaring at Ning Mu with a haughty air.

Yet the glistening light in her eyes and the flush on her pretty face were enough to make one's heart race.

"Shitai, since you've broken the meat-eating precept, why not... break the lust precept too?"

Ning Mu chuckled.

He then took the roasted meat and sat down beside Liuli, tore off a charred, oil-dripping chicken leg, handed it to her, and looked at her with a teasing gaze.

Liuli reached out and took the chicken leg.

A flicker of guilt flashed in her eyes, and she rolled her eyes at Ning Mu without responding.

Ning Mu couldn't help but feel a surge of joy in his heart.

No response was the best result!

In normal times, if he spoke so frivolously, Liuli Shitai would surely have scolded him in shamed anger.

But at this moment, she had merely rolled her eyes in a charming way.

What did this mean? It meant the future was promising!

Liuli lowered her head, looking at the fragrant chicken leg in her hand, and subconsciously swallowed her saliva.

It smelled delicious!

It looked crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, very appetizing.

But it made her feel a bit nauseous.

She knew this was her reaction to smelling meat after having not eaten any for such a long time.

She snuck a glance at Ning Mu and saw that he was already tucking in with gusto. After hesitating for a moment, she put the chicken leg to her mouth, tore off a small piece, and slowly chewed to taste it.

*Huu... *

This meaty aroma!

Liuli couldn't find the words to describe the feeling.

Her stomach was churning, but her mouth felt wonderful, especially the charcoal-grilled flavor, which made her linger on the taste.

Between gasps, before long, she had polished off most of the chicken leg.

Before she could even savor it properly, Ning Mu handed her another one.

"Hiccup~"

Liuli hiccuped subconsciously, then looked at Ning Mu with a bit of embarrassment, took the chicken leg, and continued eating.

And just at this moment.

Suddenly, both of their ears twitched, and they immediately exchanged a glance.

Someone is here!

And it's not just one or two.

Ning Mu hurriedly stood up and extinguished the campfire.

Then.

The two of them crouched in the jungle and quietly crept toward the sound.

Before long.

Behind a giant boulder on a mountain ridge.

The two saw a troop of people moving forward silently and quietly.

Almost all of them were wearing uniform coarse cloth garments, in varying shades of color.

Judging by the direction they were heading, it was toward Changshui County within the borders of Qi.

This group of people had solemn expressions; except for the few in the lead, the rest all had an air of righteousness, and they were extremely focused while walking, without the slightest unnecessary movement.

It was just like a well-trained troop.

Ning Mu could not help but frown slightly.

Their current location was on the back side of Ningyang Mountain; crossing the ridge would lead to Ningyang Stronghold.

And this small path was one of the few trails leading into the territory of Qi.

As the two were watching.

Suddenly, Liuli's brows knit together, and she whispered an explanation: "Looking at their pace and Wuji, they should be soldiers from the Zhenwu Army, the border troops of Chu Kingdom. The sword at the leader's waist is the Command Sword that only a Captain of the Zhenwu Army is qualified to wear. However, the weapons in the hands of those few at the very front are messy; they are not from the Zhenwu Army!"

"Why has the Chu Kingdom's army come into our Qi territory?" Ning Mu could not help but be startled.

Liuli shook her head, looking equally puzzled.

"I cannot be mistaken, unless they are impostors. But even if they are disguised, that aura of a soldier cannot be covered up. Even if they aren't the Chu Kingdom's Zhenwu Army, they must be border troops. Only border soldiers have this kind of presence!"

Border troops!

Ning Mu could not help but raise an eyebrow.

Could it be that Qi and Chu are about to go to war? If that is truly the case, then Ningyang Stronghold, which is located right on the border, is in danger! With a large army passing through, even with Liu Qingmei and Liuli, how many people could they protect?

"Let's go back!"

Only after that line of disguised soldiers had completely disappeared, seemingly heading toward Changshui County, did Ning Mu say to Liuli.

Liuli nodded, though her eyes were flickering intensely, not knowing what she was thinking in her heart.

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host for completing Task Two, Sub-task Three. Obtained 500 Cultivation Points, 50 Heroic Couple Points, and 0.5 Nine-Turn Divine Origin Pill.】

【Notification: Congratulations to the Host. The owner of Sub-system No. 2, Liuli, has completed Task Two, Sub-task Three. Feedback for the Host's task reward: Obtained 100 Cultivation Points, Liuli Loyalty Value increased by 2%, current Loyalty Value 79%.】

Ning Mu's heart stirred, and he looked at Liuli.

Seeing the glistening look in Liuli's eyes at this moment, a mischievous smile could not help but appear at the corner of his mouth.

"Nun..."

"Hm?" Liuli immediately looked up at Ning Mu in a panic, but then shyly lowered her head again.

"I want..."

"What do you want to do!"

Ning Mu's eyes lit up.

Seeing the shyness that could not be hidden overflowing on Liuli's delicate and pretty face, he could not help but feel very gratified.

If it were before, she would definitely have refused out loud.

But at this moment, she actually asked him back what he wanted to do.

And her tone seemed to be one of feigned anger, but it actually carried a hint of hope.

This kind of change made Ning Mu overjoyed.

Immediately.

He chuckled, looked at Liuli's sexy thin lips, then nodded fiercely and said: "I want to!"

Liuli was stunned.

She didn't react for a long while.

But when she was pulled along by Ning Mu, dazed and confused, and they flew up directly, finally landing steadily on the canopy of a towering giant tree, and was pressed by the shoulders to crouch down, she finally reacted.

"Bad rascal!" Liuli could not help but feel flustered and short of breath, scolding him shyly, and then lowered her head.

It was clear that she was not resisting.

She even felt a bit like she was enjoying it.

But the shame in her heart made her unable to let go completely, and she could only be passively guided by Ning Mu.

Ning Mu immediately stroked her head gently and coaxed: "Nun, hurry up. If we delay any longer, it will be dark. You wouldn't want people to know that you are doing this to me in a tree, would you?"

In this instant, a warmth rose in Liuli's heart for no reason.

She even felt, for no reason, a sense of absurdity like 'The Buddha strokes my crown, we bind our hair to receive eternal life.'

"Hoo..."

Leaning against the branch of this big tree, Ning Mu could not help but close his eyes.

As for Liuli.

Time passed slowly.

The sky gradually grew dark.

Suddenly.

Ning Mu, who was peacefully enjoying Liuli's service, felt his ears twitch.

He immediately opened his eyes and looked toward the small path not far below.

He saw that a few people from the group suspected to be soldiers of the Chu Kingdom Zhenwu Army were returning along the same path.

Ning Mu could not help but feel a stir in his heart.

He immediately took a few careful looks.

He discovered that these few people were the ones from the very front of the group earlier, the ones who walked with an irregular gait. Holding his breath and focusing his attention, their conversation drifted vaguely toward him.

Liuli, crouching on the tree crown, was startled; she naturally had also noticed those few people on the small path below.

But at this moment, she did not let her mind wander, instead remaining single-minded, wanting only for Ning Mu to give in sooner.

And feeling Ning Mu suddenly focus his attention, she could not help but grow nervous.

This stubborn man.

He couldn't be thinking of taking advantage of this moment, and at this time, Ning Mu did not know what Liuli was thinking.

As he tilted his head to listen.

The conversation of those few people all fell into his ears.

"... That Captain Huang really looks down on people; he has such an arrogant air. So what if we're mountain bandits? Even the general of his Zhenwu Army doesn't have the Cultivation Points of a Grandmaster!"

"Exactly, we kindly brought them across the border, yet he acted all aloof. Who is he putting on a show for!"

"If it weren't for the Stronghold Master's orders, I really would have wanted to lead that bunch of dogs to the Qi military camp!"

"Shh... don't say such things. The Stronghold Master and the others have a plan; let's just honestly follow orders and not ruin the Stronghold Master's grand scheme!"

"Right, right, right. But just think, if the Stronghold Master can really succeed, this Dragon-Ascension Merit will benefit our descendants; it would be simply too amazing!"

"..."

Collaborators? Ning Mu raised an eyebrow, having roughly understood the conversation of those few people.

It seems that the group just now really was the Chu Kingdom Zhenwu Army.

And these fellows, judging by the information they revealed, should be mountain bandits from some Mountain Stronghold near this border line; there might even be a Grandmaster in the stronghold!

A Grandmaster's Mountain Stronghold?

Yunxiao Stronghold! Is Yunxiao Stronghold planning to rebel? Ning Mu could not help but feel a slight chill in his heart, his waist jolting fiercely, and he let out an involuntary exclamation.

A mere nest of mountain bandits, even if they have one or two Grandmasters, how could they contend against a nation with hundreds of thousands of armored troops, where Grandmasters walk everywhere, True Person powerhouses are numerous, and there are even Half-Saint existences sitting in command?

One has to admit.

The Stronghold Master of this Yunxiao Stronghold is indeed a woman with ambition! It is just that this ambition, I fear, will not be easy to realize.

Until that group gradually moved away and completely disappeared from range.

"You dog!"

"You don't know how to cherish the fairer sex at all; you want to suffocate this nun!"

Haa.

After a long while.

Liuli finally calmed her heart, which had almost burst from being short of breath.

She raised her head, her flushed eyes containing a trace of shy anger, and she spoke softly, full of complaints.

Ning Mu could not help but chuckle.

He immediately bent down and helped Liuli up.

Liuli rolled her eyes and snuggled into his arms; Ning Mu raised an eyebrow, signaling with a wicked smile.

Liuli was stunned.

Then, with a flushed face and an infinitely charming look, she rolled her eyes at him and satisfied his little desire.

"Satisfied now, you little rascal?"

"Tsk tsk, the charm of a nun, even a celestial being cannot compare!"

"Bullshit, stop trying to coax me with your words!"

Liuli scoffed.

But her beaming eyes still revealed the joy and excitement in her heart.

Clearly.

Even knowing it was coaxing, she was happy to be part of it.

It was just that she was stubborn with her words.

"The group that just passed by seems to be the mountain bandits of Yunxiao Stronghold. Listening to their idle chatter, it seems this Yunxiao Stronghold has colluded with the Chu border army. That group of soldiers just now was likely here to scout intelligence on our Qi border army, right?"

Liuli put away her excitement, her brows slightly furrowed as she looked at Ning Mu and stated her judgment.

Ning Mu thought for a moment, nodded in agreement, and said: "That should be it. Yunxiao Peak is half in Qi and half in Chu; I fear they have long been in cahoots with Chu. Sigh, such matters are ultimately not for us to worry about. I have to think now, if this is really the case, what should those few hundred people at Ningyang Stronghold do!"

"When the nest is overturned, even if we hide in these mountains, I fear it won't be safe..."

Hearing Ning Mu's words, a trace of worry also surged onto Liuli's face.

She herself did not even notice.

I do not know from when, unknowingly, the starting point for her to consider problems was no longer the person she originally was.

But rather, it was centered on Ning Mu, or she had included him in her own scope of consideration...

"Let's not think about it for now, let's go back, it's getting late!"

"Okay!"

Liuli nodded.

Then the two of them leaped down from the tree, which was seven or eight zhang high, and sped toward the Mountain Stronghold.

Inside the mountain stronghold.

Under the arrangements of Tong Yuyue, five hundred roosters, along with realgar wine, lime, and other items, had all been prepared.

The roosters were kept in groups of three to five, scattered in every corner of the mountain stronghold.

The main hall and the area around the backyard were all coated with lime and realgar wine.

The cost was not small.

As the Third Stronghold Master in charge of the treasury, Tong Yuyue felt her heart ache.

Without having done anything, nearly a thousand taels had just vanished like that.

But this money had to be spent.

After all, it concerned the life and safety of her own husband!

In the main hall.

Ning Mu sat high on a large chair.

Below the steps, led by Liu Qingmei, the various leaders of the mountain stronghold reported on matters.

The first to report was Huang Yutang.

"Great Stronghold Master, the fields behind the mountain have basically finished being reclaimed. Currently, fifty mu of land have been reclaimed. Averaged out, there is one mu of land for every ten people in the stronghold. Subsequently, towards the direction of Xiaocang Mountain, another hundred mu of land can be reclaimed!"

Huang Yutang was temporarily shouldering the burden of land reclamation.

Fifty mu of land was a bit small, but after all, it had only just begun.

Ning Mu nodded to indicate he understood.

Next was Huang Yutang's wife, A Diao.

A Diao had long since grown accustomed to life in the mountain stronghold. Because Ning Mu did not put on much airs, the warm and peaceful atmosphere meant she was no longer nervous.

"Great Stronghold Master, fellow stronghold masters, the waterwheel designed by the Great Stronghold Master is now channeling water. It can satisfy the daily drinking needs of the entire stronghold as well as the needs for irrigating the land. However, for the area towards Xiaocang Mountain later on, we must find a way to divert the water. My initial idea is to dig irrigation ditches; I wonder what the Great Stronghold Master thinks?"

Ning Mu nodded and said, "You can inspect it first. If it is suitable, arrange some manpower, and this ditch can start construction."

"Understood!" A Diao nodded and continued, "Additionally, the new corn seeds given by the Second Stronghold Master earlier have all been distributed. In about three to five days, the planting can be completely finished. Furthermore, there are potatoes, and people have already been arranged to plant them!"

The feedback after the previous mission was completed provided two thousand catties of potatoes. Ning Mu had used the mission format to have Liu Qingmei extract them and arrange for planting.

"..."

After A Diao finished reporting, the Action Team, Patrol Team, Training Team, and others reported one by one.

Next, Ning Mu carried out a new round of personnel adjustments and arrangements.

Moving towards regularization, he established various halls.

Liu Qingmei, Second Stronghold Master, oversees all matters large and small in the mountain stronghold, formulates rules, and holds the responsibility of Head of the Ritual Hall.

Tong Yuyue, Third Stronghold Master, is responsible for the public treasury, accounting, intelligence gathering, etc., and also holds the responsibility of Head of the Punishment Hall.

Huang Yutang is the Head of the Martial Hall, with jurisdiction over the Action Team, Patrol Team, Stronghold Guard Team, etc. Fifty people with good aptitude are to be selected from the stronghold residents to join the Martial Hall's jurisdiction, be organized into various teams, and conduct daily training.

Action Team Captain Zhou Nanbiao is mainly responsible for going out to intercept travelers.

Patrol Team Captain Wang Dalong is responsible for patrolling.

Stronghold Guard Team Captain An Xiaoxi is responsible for protecting the safety of the mountain stronghold.

A Diao is the Head of the Agricultural Hall, responsible for all agricultural affairs.

After everything was arranged.

Tong Yuyue stepped forward and said, "Husband, these past few days, various mountain strongholds have successively sent visiting cards. Most of them want to build a connection. I reckon it is because Sister's reputation is well-known, making them want to curry favor."

While speaking, Tong Yuyue glanced at Liu Qingmei.

After all, she was formerly the Manor Mistress of Cangjian Villa and still had some fame in the martial arts world; using her to intimidate mountain bandits was indeed using a sledgehammer to crack a nut.

Ning Mu had not yet spoken.

Tong Yuyue then continued, "But this evening, Yunxiao Stronghold sent a card, saying that in these two days, their Young Stronghold Master Wu Yuxiao and Third Stronghold Master Wu Tingyang will personally visit. One reason is to investigate the death of their Sixth Stronghold Master, and the second is to negotiate with us regarding our settlement of the stronghold!"

"Yunxiao Stronghold, they harbor ill intentions!"

Ning Mu could not help but be startled, then said, "We are settling our stronghold, and we still have to negotiate with them?"

"According to the rules of previous years, that is how it is!" Tong Yuyue nodded solemnly.

"Yunxiao Stronghold controls the Three Mountains and Four Ridges and is the most powerful mountain stronghold on Xima Mountain. There are eight hundred martial artists in the stronghold, and the total population should be five or six thousand. Compared to some Martial Dao sects, they are not inferior. Over these past few decades, their rules have been the rules of Xima Mountain. Whoever dares to defy them has no room to survive!"

"Because they are wary of Sister's strength, their letter only mentioned negotiation, which is actually already giving us a lot of face!"

"Everything has been peaceful during this period before. I estimate it should be because Grandfather Gu came up the mountain, and the death of Wu Laoliu has forced them to come forward, otherwise the prestige they have built up over a long time will vanish into thin air!"

Ning Mu could not help but smile.

"Since they want to come, then let them come. One does not fear more lice when there are already many."

Ning Mu shrugged, fearless.

What a joke.

One Martial Dao True Person, one half-step Divine Origin—did they really think they were just for show?

Actually, these were all just minor matters.

What Ning Mu was most worried about now was whether Qi and the Chu Kingdom would go to war.

If the group of people seen in the evening were truly scouts for the Chu Kingdom's military intelligence, he might have to make other plans! If the two countries went to war, the current Ningyang Stronghold was still too insignificant. Under the sweeping force of the grand trend, it would not even count as an ant in the cracks! Ning Mu did not reveal this matter to anyone else.

The more people who knew, the greater the panic would be.

If it spread, he feared that more than half of the disaster victims who had followed them would run away!

Just right, when the people from Yunxiao Stronghold come, he could probe for information.

By the way.

Wasn't Wei Youqing an Instructor Libation at Jixia Academy?

With her status, she should be able to come into contact with the center of Qi's officialdom. Perhaps he might hear some news from her mouth.

Ning Mu rested his elbow on the armrest, propping up his chin as he pondered.

After Huang Yutang and the others had left.

Once only Liu Qingmei and Tong Yuyue remained in the main hall.

Liu Qingmei stepped forward, sat on the chair, and pulled Ning Mu into her embrace, letting his head rest against her proud Ye Yin baby grain, gently massaging his temples as she softly asked, "What is troubling you, husband?"

Tong Yuyue also watched him with rapt attention.

Ning Mu beckoned to Tong Yuyue.

Tong Yuyue stepped forward, crouched by the chair, and leaned against Ning Mu's legs.

Ning Mu reached his hand into her bosom.

"Yunxiao Stronghold may have colluded with the Chu Kingdom border army; the Abbess and I saw it this afternoon. Will the Qi and Chu kingdoms go to war?"

(End of this chapter)