[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength":3,"chapter-i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-34":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","I Subdue the Immortals with Strength",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2295336,4490,"Chapter 34: Return to Licheng","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-34",34,"\u003Cp>“Ah!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiaolian never expected Xia Daoming would voluntarily offer to avenge her, and she sat there dumbfounded, mouth agape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your servant kowtows to thank Master for this great kindness; your servant…”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, Liu Qiaolian suddenly dismounted, knelt on the ground, choked with sobs, unable to utter any words of gratitude.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You foolish woman, what are you doing? You're my Lian'er—your greatest enemy; if I had no power, I'd accept it, but now that I have power, how could I turn a blind eye?\" Xia Daoming hurriedly dismounted, pulled her up, and drew her into his arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That day, the two failed to reach the next town before nightfall and were forced to spend the night in the wilderness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That night, Liu Qiaolian actively invited Xia Daoming to play cards wildly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It seemed that, aside from this method, Liu Qiaolian had no other way to repay the man’s kindness or express her deep feelings for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time quickly passed another half-month.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>During this half-month, Xia Daoming noticeably slowed his pace in purchasing new elixirs, focusing his energy mainly on acquiring potent herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because under normal circumstances, in another ten or so days, they would reach the provincial capital of Mangzhou—the largest and most prosperous city in Mangzhou: Yuancang City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was said that Yuancang City was guarded by several Martial Dao Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The herbs and elixirs sold there were certainly unmatched by those in other cities.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming planned to save his silver for major use in Yuancang City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On this day, the two rode to the top of a small hill, looking down at the winding road below, where crowds of civilians moved like a long, crawling serpent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They carried heavy bundles, supporting each other as they advanced; children wailed, adults shouted, horses neighed, and cart wheels creaked—all rising and falling in chaotic chorus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scene of mass flight.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, something’s wrong. Logically, the closer we get to the provincial capital, the denser the population should be, and the fewer refugees we should encounter.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But in recent days, the lands we’ve passed through have been left fallow, many houses abandoned, and the number of refugees we’ve met has surged dramatically.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Today’s situation is even stranger—how could there be so many fleeing people? Could there be a war breaking out?” Liu Qiaolian frowned slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It does seem odd. Let’s go down and ask around.” Xia Daoming nodded, urging his horse down the hill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After inquiring, Xia Daoming stood by the roadside, watching the fleeing crowd recede, his brow tightly knitted, his expression grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This fleeing group came from the same place: Xin Family Village, outside Yuancang City.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The village head told him that Emperor Liang Jian of Great Liang intended to reduce the power of the feudal lords, sparking rebellions among the princes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, General Yan Yanfeng under Prince of Lingzhou was besieging Yuancang City and would launch an assault soon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Outside the city, Yan Yanfeng’s troops were seizing able-bodied men, burning, killing, and looting.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing the dire situation, the Xin Family Village head decisively ordered his entire clan to relocate northwestward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That direction bordered Cangmang Mountain—harsh terrain, distant from imperial authority, and relatively barren; the Lingzhou Prince’s army was unlikely to attack there, and even if they did, not quickly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, what should we do now?” Liu Qiaolian asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Turn back home!” Xia Daoming sighed helplessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tens of thousands of soldiers charging into battle—let alone him, even a Martial Dao Master would be swallowed whole.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the army certainly had formidable martial masters, and its elite soldiers were hardened veterans forged on the battlefield, nothing like those pampered aristocrats like Shi Yingdeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The return journey was much faster than the outbound one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News of Prince of Lingzhou’s rebellion and his army’s assault on the provincial capital was gradually spreading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Xia Daoming and Liu Qiaolian clearly sensed the atmosphere in the towns they passed through had changed from when they arrived.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Panic gripped the populace, as if an invisible aura of malevolence hung over every city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Bandits outside the walls and local gangs within took advantage to plunder and riot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The situation grew even more chaotic.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Refugees and corpses littered the outskirts everywhere.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Houses and fields were abandoned in vast stretches.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Along the way, Xia Daoming and Liu Qiaolian encountered more bandits than on their outbound journey.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation only began to improve as they gradually moved away from the southeast region.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The southern lands of Mangzhou are mountainous; the closer one gets to the main range of Cangmang Mountain, the more peaks rise and the harsher the environment becomes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mountain paths are treacherous, and news travels slowly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>News of the rebel army’s assault on the provincial capital had not yet reached those areas, and even if it did, based on historical patterns of warfare, the rebels likely wouldn’t rush to seize remote towns near Cangmang Mountain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the return journey, sensing the urgency of war, Xia Daoming began taking potent herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The potency of the three-hundred-year-old Pelin ginseng was indeed ferocious; as its energy surged and crashed through his meridians, even Xia Daoming’s exceptionally strong meridians felt a faint tearing pain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the effect was extremely significant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before taking the herb, his third-level meridian enhancement progress stood at thirty-eight percent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After consuming the three-hundred-year-old Pelin ginseng in five daily doses, one segment at a time, his progress reached fifty percent of the fourth level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In effect, one three-hundred-year-old Pelin ginseng had helped him complete an entire level of meridian enhancement—with surplus.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the return journey, he continued taking the remaining potent herbs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hundred-year-old Ice-Purple Shouwu, the three-hundred-sixty-year-old Pelin ginseng, and the three-hundred-year-old Chiyan mushroom were all consumed one by one by Xia Daoming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The later Pelin ginseng had a longer age and stronger potency, and the Chiyan mushroom’s power was even fiercer than that later Pelin ginseng—but meridian enhancement becomes increasingly demanding the higher the level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When a month later, Xia Daoming caught sight of Licheng from afar, his sixth-rank meridian enhancement progress finally stabilized at ninety percent of the sixth level.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a journey of three and a half months, aside from the regret of not reaching the provincial capital, Xia Daoming was satisfied with everything else.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially the tremendous change in his strength—this pleased Xia Daoming the most.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He now had the confidence to decisively defeat a seventh-rank Great Martial Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even against an eighth-rank Great Martial Master, if he was newly promoted or elderly, Xia Daoming felt confident he could fight him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sun set in the west, its dying light crimson as blood.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After three and a half months, Xia Daoming and Liu Qiaolian returned to Licheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before even entering the city gates, Xia Daoming and Liu Qiaolian noticed Licheng’s atmosphere was different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The road outside the city had few travelers, and those who passed were hurrying urgently.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Occasionally, constables dragged wooden carts filled with corpses out of the city like hauling goods.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Many of those corpses bore wounds from fighting and killing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After entering Licheng, Xia Daoming and Liu Qiaolian found the atmosphere even more unsettling.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, with the Xu Family and the three major factions maintaining order, the city was far more stable than the countryside.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But on this return, Xia Daoming noticed a clear increase in lower-tier gangs fighting over territory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On his short journey to Qianjiao Martial Hall, he encountered three gang fights.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet the participants were mostly commoners, the strongest being only second- or third-rank Martial Masters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Soon after, the two arrived outside Qianjiao Martial Hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The vermilion-colored main gate was tightly shut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming glanced back at the crimson sunset still hanging above the horizon, his expression darkening slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was still far too early for the martial hall to close.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming removed his hat, stepped forward, and pounded the bronze ring several times.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Creeeak!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long while, a young man in training attire opened the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It’s Master Xia!” Seeing Xia Daoming, the young man visibly relaxed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Wei, why is the hall closing so early today? Where’s Master Yuchi?” Xia Daoming asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They’re all in the inner courtyard; the headmaster is summoning them for a meeting.” The young man replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xia Daoming quietly breathed a sigh of relief.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As long as his master and the others were still safe, that was all that mattered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for what they were discussing, Xia Daoming had no time to ponder now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Lian’er, wait for me in the outer courtyard—I’m going to the inner courtyard.” Xia Daoming turned to Liu Qiaolian.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master!” Liu Qiaolian bowed in response.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Xiao Wei, this lady Liu is mine—please attend to her for me.” As he left, Xia Daoming added specifically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Master Xia.” Xiao Wei promptly agreed, then led Liu Qiaolian toward the guest hall in the outer courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Qiaolian entered the guest hall, removed her hat, revealing her radiant, captivating beauty—leaving Xiao Wei momentarily stunned, secretly admiring how well Master Xia knew how to enjoy life.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia He and the other four were already stunningly beautiful; he never expected his companion to be this breathtakingly gorgeous.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inner courtyard, meeting hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang Jingtang sat elevated above, with Yuchi Xiao, Zhu Xingji, Jiao Yongbao, and Liu Xiaoqiang seated on either side.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The hall was heavy with tension.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master, you’re elderly now—going alone is impossible. At least let a disciple accompany you for protection.” Yuchi Xiao said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m old. Even if I survive this crisis, how many more years do I have? Gu Ruan is no longer reliable; this Qianjiao Martial Hall now depends on you. If you go with me and something happens, Qianjiao Martial Hall will be left without a successor!” Liang Jingtang said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master is right—this Qianjiao Martial Hall still depends on Brother Yuchi. I’ll go with you this time.” Zhu Xingji hesitated long, then clenched his teeth and spoke up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No—you come from a large, wealthy family with many mouths to feed, and you just had a son last year. How could I, an old man like me, drag you into danger?” Liang Jingtang waved his hand without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Let me go!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Liang Jingtang finished speaking, Jiao Yongbao and Liu Xiaoqiang spoke almost simultaneously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Your strength is insufficient—going would be too dangerous and would only distract me. Enough! None of you need to argue further—I’ll go alone!” Liang Jingtang slammed his hand on the table, leaving no room for debate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yuchi Xiao and the other three all wore anxious, worried expressions, yet had no solution.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Where is Master going?” At that moment, a young voice rang out outside the meeting hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: I suddenly realized that the monthly vote ranking has reset for the new month. Although I haven’t been officially signed yet, I still humbly ask for your monthly vote support to aim for a better rank and attract more readers. Also, with your tremendous support, this book has risen to third place on the Immortal Fantasy New Book Signing Chart during its first trial promotion—the two books ahead of me were both released half a month earlier, so there’s still a real chance we can reach first place—let’s go!\u003C\u002Fp>",1854,"2026-06-20T05:15:29.288Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","37a9371dba7d669e4c8849b6f44d81f888a38a5a10597cdc4263b5e3d4b36ee6","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-35","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-33",484,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-cover.jpg"]