Chapter 125: Jade Pendant, Gold Diadem, Taiji Golden Book

Two days later, in Tianmen Town, Qinghe Commandery Prince's villa.

"The 'Eight Immortals of the West' are clearly more than the eight publicly known—they must have a powerful organization behind them, or one or more Immortals. True Immortals, Earth Immortals, even Heaven Immortals."

Li Dan, the Lacquer Garden Official, said gravely: "Master Chi Chi Jiu Luo, Master Cuiling, and Dog Meat Daoist all inspected the scene—they confirmed no one had pre-planted any magical array in Hongxiu Courtyard."

Nor was it necessary.

The Thousand-Handed Bandit Saint directly triggered the karmic energy on Daoist Qingsong Daoist's body.

Of course, 'karmic energy' is Master Chi Chi Jiu Luo's term, a Buddhist expression.

Dog Meat Daoist explained it more plainly: humans have three souls and six spirits; dragon veins are the essence-spirits of mountains and rivers.

When a human dies, resentment lingers and a remnant soul remains; the same is true when a dragon vein dies.

Even more intense resentment.

Especially those dragon veins that faded naturally, not due to dynastic decline.

Daoist Qingsong Daoist didn't just sever the dragon veins of the thirty-six western states.

Over these years, he has done similar deeds across the four directions for Great Qin, accumulating vast amounts of calamitous energy and karmic ties.

But previously, the imperial dragon aura protected him—invulnerable to all arts, repelling all evils—so nothing happened.

Now the Emperor is dead, and Great Qin's dragon aura… is strange. I don't understand it, and no one in Tianmen Town understands it either.

In any case, Great Qin's dragon aura's protection over Daoist Qingsong Daoist has developed a clear vulnerability (ps).

While the Thousand-Handed Bandit Saint stole the Emperor's Edict and the Investiture of the Gods, he also slipped a 'Heavenly Dao Execution of Evil Talisman' onto him.

The Lingnan Knife Sovereign, Azure Wave Bibo Qinglong, and others lying in wait in the first-floor hall didn't need to suppress Daoist Qingsong Daoist—they lacked the ability anyway.

They merely activated the Heavenly Dao Execution of Evil Talisman with hand seals and incantations, waiting for Daoist Qingsong Daoist to instinctively earth-dive out—then triggering the dragon vein's backlash."

Prince Li Li Xianzhi asked: "Are you certain only the Thousand-Handed Bandit Saint, Lingnan Knife Sovereign, Red Sleeve Immortal, Azure Wave Bibo Qinglong, and Tongtian Great Saint were present?"

Li Dan chuckled bitterly: "Aren't those five terrifying enough? Leaving others aside, Tongtian Great Saint Lang Lang Fuyun possesses divine arts, has the bearing of a Heaven Immortal—he once crushed our own Shudong True Immortal Zeng Wenda."

Now he dies mysteriously in Hongxiu Courtyard, his Jin Dan unformed, his true spirit sunk, his immortal path ended.

I wonder whether the Western Immortals feel shock, or merely the absurdity of life's impermanence."

Li Li Xianzhi also smiled bitterly: "Uncle Dan, you misunderstand—I don't underestimate those five Immortals.

Not even one of them, if he came to Shu, would we dare treat lightly—we'd tread with caution.

I merely wonder: they shouldn't have the power to trigger the calamitous energy on Daoist Qingsong Daoist's body.

Lang Lang Fuyun may have the bearing of a Heaven Immortal, but he never formed a Jin Dan—he never became an Immortal.

Though he crushed Zeng Wenda back then, divine skill isn't realm.

Zeng the Great Immortal has now attained True Immortality, roaming eternally beyond reincarnation—how could he compare?"

Human Immortals also have a 'Jin Dan'—but it's not truly 'golden' (indestructible); it's a 'qi core' easily rotted by time—without forming a Jin Dan, strictly speaking, one isn't even a Human Immortal.

The Qinghe Commandery Prince said coolly: "That's precisely why we say the 'Eight Immortals of the West' have someone behind them—a mastermind.

Without a mastermind's guidance, who could have foreseen Daoist Qingsong Daoist's impending killing calamity?

And further still, engineered a complete scheme of human calamity, earth calamity, and heavenly calamity?"

Li Dan glanced at the prince and said: "Your Highness, many nobles from the upper realms have gathered in Luodu recently—shouldn't we strengthen their protection?"

Daoist Qingsong Daoist's calamity was indeed orchestrated by hidden Immortals.

But if Daoist Qingsong Daoist hadn't repeatedly escorted upper-realm nobles across the Liushahe, exposing his trail, they'd have had no chance to scheme against him.

If they could target Daoist Qingsong Daoist, the upper-realm nobles he escorted may well become the next targets."

The Qinghe Commandery Prince rubbed his temples, weary and troubled: "Only those returning to the upper realm's Nanzhan Zhonghua can be called 'upper-realm nobles.'

Once they cross the Liushahe, whether they live or die, they remain in the Western Sands—how can they still be called 'upper-realm nobles'?"

"Even so, if too many Great Qin nobles die, how will the Great Qin court react? How will they rebuke you and the King?" Li Dan sighed helplessly.

Prince Li Li Xianzhi smiled: "Father, Uncle Dan, don't over-worry.

I believe the 'Eight Immortals of the West' won't target Great Qin nobles. Three reasons!"

He raised his index finger and spoke confidently: "First, though it's somewhat disrespectful, Daoist Qingsong Daoist is dead—and died horribly.

Unlike the disastrous failure at Feixian Ferry, this time the 'Eight Immortals of the West' achieved their goal.

They've successfully killed a key Great Qin envoy, gained face and substance, expressed warning and revenge—time to stop. No need to vent on ordinary nobles.

Second, as Father said, Great Qin nobles who crossed west are no longer 'upper-realm guests'—they're now Western Sands people.

Killing them serves no purpose and harms the overall stability of the Western Sands.

No matter our feelings about the 'migration of civilization westward,' we must admit: the Western lands' cultural and martial prosperity owe everything to the Central Plains people who migrated eastward.

Third, Immortals value face and must avoid killing calamities.

To slaughter ordinary martial artists as an Immortal isn't just disgraceful—it's excessive slaughter, harming heavenly harmony, not worth it!"

Li Dan nodded approvingly, stroking his beard: "The Prince speaks wisely!"

The Qinghe Commandery Prince also looked satisfied, yet hesitated: "Warn them: don't leave Luodu, don't wander the streets and alleys."

Also, deploy the newly formed Lu Ye Guard into the inner city—assign each noble a small Lu Ye unit for dedicated service."

Li Dan smiled: "Whether they can truly protect them isn't important.

What matters is that Great Qin knows we value the western-migrated nobles—that we in Western Shu have given our all."

Li Li Xianzhi paused, struck by thought: Father is truly seasoned—I still have much to learn!

He asked: "What about Chen Yufeng Immortal? She's the one in the greatest danger.

Not even considering the True Immortal behind the 'Eight Immortals of the West.'

Isn't every Human Immortal a lord with vast domains and power?"

For example, Tongtian Great Saint—within Chechi Kingdom, he established his court by the Tongtian River, with three thousand concubines, over a hundred children, and more than twenty Human Immortal-level disciples and followers.

The 'Tongtian Mansion' is powerful and dominant, dominating eighteen thousand li of the Tongtian River—no one dares challenge it—can he simply abandon the vengeance for his father's death and his master's destruction?"

And Red Sleeve Immortal—she has countless Immortal friends across the four directions and heavens."

Here, Li Li Xianzhi rubbed his nose, eyes flickering: "Don't laugh, Father and Uncle Dan—I've admired her for a long time. Rumor says she was even invited as a guest to Penglai Immortal Island.

If Chen Yufeng Immortal were killed one day, I couldn't guess who did it.

Too many Immortals have the power—and the will—to kill her."

"Chen Yufeng Immortal…" The Qinghe Commandery Prince began to ache again. "I'm not afraid of Human Immortals seeking revenge—after the Feixian Ferry battle, I received word from Wanshou Mountain: Zhou Lang told Kong Zan's master and family—he'd give him face, leave Chen Yufeng Immortal to him.

Once he recovers, re-refines his 'Seven Stars of the Northern Dipper Sword,' he'll personally settle the karmic debt.

Even if a few dozen more Human Immortals now want her dead, I don't care.

I only fear they'll blame me by association.

Don't forget why the General Guan family rushed to abandon 'General Guan Yu.'

Back then, General Guan General Guan Huchen even tried to borrow a Human Immortal from me.

A Human Immortal plus the General Guan Guan Chenghuang barely saved the General Guan family and General Guan Yu.

Now, unless a Golden Immortal suddenly appears to take Chen Yufeng Immortal as a disciple—

But Chen Yufeng Immortal is lowly and stubborn, unafraid of death—we Li family can't afford this!"

Li Dan sighed helplessly: "Back then we mocked the General Guan family for being foolish—but now I see: General Guan the Ancestor was truly cautious—decisive when needed, swift and firm."

"Father, you overthink—Chen Yufeng Immortal doesn't live in our Li household—she's in Hongxiu Courtyard!" Li Li Xianzhi said.

"Who doesn't know Hongxiu Courtyard is the Prince's property? When the General Guan family handed Chen Yufeng Immortal to the Li family, they didn't hide it." The Prince said.

"You yourself said she was handed to us by the General Guan family—you placed her in the Jiaosifang, not the Prince's mansion—clearly showing a detached, official stance." Li Li Xianzhi said.

The Prince nodded: "Correct—that's precisely what I meant, and they'll understand."

"But understanding doesn't mean acceptance?

Take Red Sleeve Immortal's Immortal friends—if one of them gets hot-headed, what reason remains?"

"Immortals are rational—they don't get hot-headed so easily," Li Li Xianzhi shook his head dismissively. "Take me: I admire Red Sleeve Immortal—that's true.

But I'm also a little afraid of Chen Yufeng Immortal.

That woman is too strange.

She killed Kong Zan inside the Flag Gate Concealment Array, saw through the 'Thousand-Handed Grand Transport Art' that Daoist Qingsong Daoist and Sui Lei Yuanzi failed to perceive, and activated the Investiture of the Gods… none of this can be explained by luck.

If not for her connection to Shu's national fortune, I'd have suggested Father just give her a bag of silver and send her out of Shu."

The resources and immortal opportunities our father and I now enjoy owe everything to our status as Shu's royal family.

If Shu loses its national fortune, we won't be left with nothing—but we'll lose most of our current resources and gradually become ordinary.

The Qinghe Commandery Prince nodded bitterly: "Child, you understand your father's heart! If we could send her away, I'd gladly give her ten thousand taels of silver—even an extra opportunity."

Cultivating a Human Immortal under our control is indeed tempting.

But if that 'future Immortal' carries too many karmic ties, watched by dozens or hundreds of stronger Human Immortals—he'd rather avoid her entirely.

Li Dan said: "This morning, I visited Chen Yufeng Immortal at Hongxiu Courtyard—she recounted last night's assassination in detail.

It was pure luck.

Daoist Qingsong Daoist came to her precisely to claim the reward for killing Kong Zan.

The reward offered by Marquis Lord Lieyang was known to all: the position of Guan Chenghuang.

To appoint a Guan Chenghuang, one must sign the Investiture of the Gods.

Before the assassination began, she saw the Investiture of the Gods and stirred its martial and deadly aura.

Had Daoist Qingsong Daoist not suppressed her, she could have activated the Investiture of the Gods then.

But the Thousand-Handed Bandit Saint stole the Investiture of the Gods right before her eyes. She didn't understand the Grand Transport Art—but she sensed the Investiture's deadly aura… isn't that luck?"

If the one who came for her hadn't been Zong Zong Erbu, but the Lingnan Knife Sovereign or Tongtian Great Saint, she'd have been split in two on the spot.

But fate willed it: the one who came for her was Zong Zong Erbu, carrying the Investiture of the Gods.

She directly detonated the Blood Sea's malevolent qi, activating the Investiture of the Gods.

Human Immortals are indeed powerful, but even True Immortals may not withstand the Investiture of the Gods, such an unparalleled weapon of doom.

The Prince of Qinghe also looked at his son and said, "She's just lucky—born with innate wisdom, favored by Heaven. Otherwise, why would General Guan General Guan Huchen travel ten thousand li to Shadou just to capture her?"

Even when General Guan General Guan Huchen and Daoist Daoist Qingsong went to Shadou, they still failed to find her first.

She nearly slipped away right under their noses.

"If it's purely luck, that's even more terrifying. The righteous Immortals dread opposing Heaven's decree most of all," said Li Li Xianzhi.

"Of course it's not just luck. After absorbing a wisp of the martial malevolence from the Investiture of the Gods, her Tiger Soul Seven Kill seems to have reached perfect spiritual completion, and she's already grasped over a dozen chaotic sword intentions."

"You can say she's lucky, but you can't say she relies entirely on luck," said Li Dan.

"Gah, Tiger Soul Seven Kill perfected? Doesn't that mean she's about to break through to Human Immortal?" exclaimed Li Li Xianzhi, a half-step Human Immortal.

The Prince of Qinghe shook his head. "The General Guan family's Tiger Soul Seven Kill follows a demonic path—powerful and sinister, capable of slaying ghosts and terrifying spirits—but it's not true Daoist immortal martial art. It can never condense a Jin Dan to become a Human Immortal."

"Otherwise, why would General Guan General Guan Huchen switch to the Fire Crow Qi?"

"Moreover, a Human Immortal's Jin Dan requires cultivation of both life and spirit. Perfecting spiritual intent alone is far from enough."

"Yu Little Fengxian is still at the Inner Qi stage. She must first attune to the forces of Heaven and Earth, then refine for decades before she has even a sliver of hope."

Li Dan shook his head. "The hope is vanishingly slim. She's got a limp."

"A limp?" Li Li Xianzhi frowned. "When did Yu Little Fengxian become lame?"

"Not a leg limp. Her immortal martial path is uneven—her breathing technique cultivates the Male Dragon Art, and the internal force it produces cannot merge with her killing sword intent. Without life and spirit intertwining, how can she condense a Jin Dan?" said Li Dan.

Li Li Xianzhi suddenly understood. "Even the Immortal Master can't condense a core—so she's stuck with the Male Dragon Art? But she could switch her breathing technique! Didn't you warn her?"

"Of course I did! Even though her karmic ties are heavy and she's hard to approach, we still had to make a gesture."

"I've represented the Prince and gifted her the upper volume of the Jade Pendant, Golden Bells, Taiji Golden Book as a reward for protecting our nation's envoys," said Li Dan.

Li Li Xianzhi exclaimed in surprise, "The Jade Pendant, Golden Bells, Taiji Golden Book by Li Li Manman? That's her immortal destiny! How could you give it away?"

Li Dan replied coolly, "Without the Prince's full support, could she have obtained the Crimson Mist Immortal Mansion's destiny? Besides, Miss Li Li Manman already handed over all the jade scrolls and sacred texts to the Prince."

"What belongs to the Prince, the Prince may dispose of as he wishes."

The Prince of Qinghe sighed. "Li Manman will understand. Yu Little Fengxian killed the Great Saint Tongtian and the Red Veil Immortal—they caused great turmoil and dragged the princely mansion into it."

"But we must all admit: last night, she accomplished great deeds for Xishu and for Great Qin."

"Not to mention, she avenged Sui Lei Yuanzi on the spot—we can at least give Wanshou Mountain some explanation."

Li Li Xianzhi nodded thoughtfully.

The Red Sleeve Pavilion belongs to the princely mansion; its people are the Prince of Qinghe's. If we don't reward Yu Little Fengxian now, who will ever fight for us again?

"With the Jade Pendant, Golden Bells, Taiji Golden Book, her weakness will soon be mended," he said.

Li Dan still shook his head. "There's a chance—but it's extremely difficult."

"It's not that her internal energy is weak."

"In fact, her internal force grows at an astonishing pace."

"In just over a month, she's advanced as much as others would in four or five years of hard cultivation."

"That's because Master Min infused her bloodline with the sword bone's spiritual essence—she won't lack internal energy before becoming a Human Immortal."

"It's not that her internal energy is 'short-legged'—it's that her sword intents are too numerous, too chaotic—her legs are too long."

"So she may never become a Human Immortal, but her future power will far surpass ordinary Human Immortals," said Li Li Xianzhi.

This time, Li Dan nodded fully in agreement. "Correct. Advancing in realm grants a cultivator qualitative power shifts, but realm doesn't equal absolute power."

"She may struggle to condense an internal core, but her sword art is divine—capable of slaying ghosts and terrifying Immortals."

"As long as we help her survive this tribulation, she will surely become a great asset to the Prince and the Young Master."

"Help her…" the Prince chuckled bitterly. "Right now, our first concern isn't how to help her survive this tribulation—it's ensuring we aren't dragged down with her."

Li Dan said solemnly, "Naturally. From now on, the guards for the Prince, the Young Master, the Princess, and the Princess Consort must all be tripled—equipped with heavy armor and powerful crossbows."

"Avoid going out as much as possible."

"If you must leave the princely mansion, at least two Human Immortals must accompany you—one skilled in reconnaissance, one in evasion."

"It would be best to send word to Wanshou Mountain and request an Earth Immortal to take up residence in the princely mansion."

The Prince of Qinghe shook his head. "Don't even think about it. I can't command an Earth Immortal."

(PS: Daoist Qingsong's calamity is certainly tied to Xiao Yu's adoption of an adoptive father.

As previously mentioned, she lost fortune.

But the root lies in the Dragon Qi of Great Qin—a foreshadowing. Later, it will be explained why no one dared touch Daoist Qingsong before, yet now he was ambushed.)