[{"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-88":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},2295390,4490,"Chapter 88: Master","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-88",88,"\u003Cp>Xia Daoming laid it out plainly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His voice echoed through the room, leaving the surroundings silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Yuanzhen and Ji Shouli, father and son, could clearly hear their own hearts pounding loudly—thump, thump, thump.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming had no ambition to dominate, but the Ji family always had.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They had always wanted to restore their ancestors’ former glory.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>They were willing to abandon their ancestral legacy, flee far away, just to take a gamble rather than live forever under the yoke of the Xu family or the Three Alliance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Now, Xia Daoming had made his intentions crystal clear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they took Licheng, they would be entrusted with its management.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Ji Yuanzhen and his son knew full well that Xia Daoming was the true master behind Licheng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But so what?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As the public rulers, they would gain immense benefits—and rise to a position second only to Xia Daoming himself, something Ji Yuanzhen and his son had never dared dream of before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, the entire Ji family had been saved by Xia Daoming.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if Xia Daoming refused to be the hidden master of Licheng, the Ji family would still pledge allegiance to him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since our benefactor places such trust and reliance on the Ji family, if we take Licheng, we vow to serve you with all our strength and manage it well. But the Ji family alone is still too weak—we must ally with the Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy. Soon, Ji Yuanzhen rose, his expression solemn.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming had lived two lives; in his previous one, he’d read countless online essays on imperial power tactics and watched many dynastic dramas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Ji Yuanzhen’s words, Xia Daoming pondered briefly, and his mood shifted subtly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without realizing it, he seemed to have taken up a certain position.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Xia Daoming did not pretend modesty or play coy with Ji Yuanzhen.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was no selfless saint!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He certainly wouldn’t work hard, risk his life, seize Licheng, and then hand it over to the Ji family for free.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intended to maximize his own gains through the Ji family—and incidentally let the Ji family benefit too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Since Ji Yuanzhen was so astute and cooperative, it was perfect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Otherwise, if Ji Yuanzhen had acted arrogantly toward his granddaughter, behaved entitled, or greedily tried to monopolize everything and sideline the Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy, Xia Daoming would likely have withdrawn support from the Ji family.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unity brings strength, isolation brings weakness. If the Ji family and the Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy unite, that would be ideal. But the Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy lacks the Ji family’s depth, and its strength lies in teaching martial arts—it has no experience managing or governing a city.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If we truly take Licheng, management and administration should be led by the Ji family, while the Qianjiao Martial Arts Academy focuses on defense and military strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But it’s still too early to discuss this—everything depends on how the Xu family and the Three Alliance fare against each other. For now, let’s talk about the Fengming Pill.” Xia Daoming said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We follow all your benefactor’s arrangements.” Ji Yuanzhen bowed slightly, then sat back down, silently marveling: though young, this benefactor’s mind and methods were brilliant—he was a true lord. Had I not genuinely felt gratitude and pledged loyalty, but instead grown arrogant and placed the Ji family first, trouble would have come.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wenyue, from what you said earlier, the Fengming Pills you produced vary in quality?” Xia Daoming pointed to the twenty Fengming Pills in the box and looked at Ji Wenyue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Correct. The Fengyao grass my brother gave me was all of excellent quality, but with different ages—I processed them in batches by age.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The batch from three-hundred-year-old grass was the best—four pills total. I gave one to Grandfather, leaving three. Next came the two-hundred-year-old batch—seven pills made.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The rest were from hundred-year-old grass—the most numerous, eleven pills total. Even the shortest-aged ones are far superior to the six the Ji family ever produced before. I took one and broke through immediately.” Ji Wenyue replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wenyue, you’re incredible—you’ve produced pills with such extraordinary effects!” Xia Daoming praised enthusiastically.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m not incredible—my brother is the real genius for harvesting such high-quality Fengyao grass!” Ji Wenyue blushed modestly, though inwardly she was delighted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Can multiple Fengming Pills be consumed?” Xia Daoming thought for a moment and asked.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Previously, the Ji family’s Fengyao grass was poor quality, so the pills we made were defective—taking one was enough; a second had no effect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But these new pills are much higher quality and can be taken multiple times. However, taking a second pill of the same grade significantly reduces its effect.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But if you take a higher-grade Fengming Pill afterward, the effect should still be maintained.” Ji Wenyue thought and replied.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s good.” Xia Daoming’s face lit up with pleasure. He paused, then turned to Ji Yuanzhen: “Old man, does the Ji family have a Master’s Secret Map?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Yuanzhen paused slightly, then rose, his expression grave: “Yes. Our Ji family’s Master’s Secret Map is called the White Tiger Secret Map. Our family’s sword technique is White Tiger Sword. The White Tiger Secret Map was supposedly passed down by that cultivator.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But only one ancestor of ours ever became a Martial Master; after that, none appeared again, so outsiders believe we have no Master’s Secret Map.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When we were ambushed midway, I knew our fate was dire, so I secretly buried the Master’s Secret Map and precious medicinal texts—only I, Shouli, and Wenyue know where.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“When Shouli went to meet you, I had him sneak back and dig them up. He brought them to me—I’ll go retrieve them now and hand them over to you for safekeeping.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The Master’s Secret Map is the Ji family’s treasured heirloom—why give it to me?” Xia Daoming smiled and waved his hand. “But since the Ji family has a Master’s Secret Map, both you and Wenyue now have a chance at the path of the Master!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wenyue isn’t just a medicinal genius—she also has great martial talent. Now, with the Fengming Pill, at only eighteen, she’s already a Sixth-Rank Great Martial Master. She truly has a chance to become a Master one day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“As for me, I’m too old. To have barely broken through to Eighth-Rank Great Martial Master now is already more than enough—I dare not even dream of becoming a Master!” Ji Yuanzhen said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do you really believe your breakthrough to Eighth-Rank Great Martial Master was due to spirit rice, Fengming Pills, and luck?” Xia Daoming dismissed the notion.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean, benefactor?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Luck, spirit rice, and Fengming Pills were factors—but twice consuming the Secret Medicine, facing death head-on, breaking down and rebuilding—that’s an experience few ever get!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I hear you became a Seventh-Rank Great Martial Master long ago, yet never broke through again. Now that you’ve crossed that threshold, why could you not one day step onto the path of the Master?” Xia Daoming’s expression turned solemn, his voice firm and resonant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Yuanzhen’s heart trembled violently. He then bowed solemnly: “I’ve learned.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hah! Don’t say you’ve learned—I was just speaking offhand. My confidence that you’ll become a Master comes from the fact that I still have some spirit rice and longer-aged Fengyao grass—I’ll have Lian’er fetch more for Wenyue later.” Xia Daoming suddenly laughed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ji Yuanzhen, Ji Shouli, and Ji Wenyue were utterly stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Quickly, their shock turned into overwhelming joy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Especially Ji Yuanzhen’s aged heart pounded with fierce vigor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Master!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After the three regained their composure, Xia Daoming shifted the topic to the improvement plan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Night deepened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the room, only Xia Daoming and Ji Yuanzhen were talking; Ji Shouli merely stood by.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The plan was gradually refined and finalized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Benefactor, it’s late. Shouli and I will take our leave.” Ji Yuanzhen rose and bowed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Very well!” Xia Daoming rose to see them off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Wenyue, you and your Xia brother see little of each other. Tomorrow he leaves for Licheng—stay behind and keep him company.” Ji Yuanzhen, seeing Wenyue rise to leave, gently patted her shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, Wenyue, it’s still early!” Ji Shouli quickly chimed in, winking at her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn it, just a moment ago you said it was late—these two are old foxes, no good at all, trying to use a beauty trap on me.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Am I the kind of man easily swayed by beauty? But Wenyue really has grown more alluring—long legs, high curves—if she stays, occasionally being “defeated” wouldn’t be so bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Daoming’s heart burned hot.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Since launching this novel, I haven’t properly celebrated the New Year. Today I’ve arranged to meet a few friends for Yuanxiao Festival—time to relax. That’s all for today. I’ll work harder tomorrow!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wishing all readers a happy Yuanxiao Festival!\u003C\u002Fp>",1456,"2026-06-20T05:15:29.288Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","f90b6a084573cb1566d46a3495f40f65b0f9b64af16ccf4d9525e2180a7de93a","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-89","i-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-chapter-87",484,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fi-subdue-the-immortals-with-strength-cover.jpg"]