Chapter 58: The Mountain Does Not Come to Me, I Go to the Mountain (4k)

Lu Yuan's thoughts flickered.

He only heard Lin Xingchao's voice in the room, impassioned and resonant, continuing to ring out:

"That's right. For hundreds of years, the Jin Dynasty has strictly guarded against us Han people. If not for their policy of closing the country to the outside world, how could the land of Shenzhou be so weak? That Demon Empress has been in power for seventy years, wreaking havoc on the government and harming the nation. In the thirty-six provinces, the starving litter the ground, and corrupt officials suck the marrow from our bones. Where is there any room for the common people to survive!

They would rather give to foreign states than to their own subjects. This Demon Empress treats hundreds of millions of Han people like pigs and dogs. She is cruel and repressive internally, yet spineless and weak externally. How much of our land, territory, and even interests have been ceded to the Western ghosts? If we do not kill this Demon Empress and sever the Qi Luck of the Jin Dynasty now, what will remain of the land of Shenzhou, what will remain of the dignity of the hundreds of millions of descendants of Yan and Huang, and what will remain of the future!?"

Li Junxian's voice remained silent for a long time before responding:

"The Demon Empress Xici is indeed the greatest scourge of this age. However, she lives deep within the palace. Over these years, how many righteous men have attempted to assassinate her? Even when you and I were still in the Shengping Army, we launched more than one attempt, yet which one ever succeeded?

Have you forgotten the rumors in the world? It is said that the Demon Empress Xici received empowerment and transmission from the Shaman God Sect and has very likely reached the level of a Seventh Realm Grandmaster. With such a realm, plus the protection of numerous experts within the palace, I truly cannot imagine how you could possibly succeed?"

The Undying Demon Empress, possibly a Seventh Realm Grandmaster?

Hearing this news, even Lu Yuan, who was underground, could not help but be shocked.

A Seventh Realm True Martial Grandmaster is said to have their Qi and intent united, with their fist intent and spirit fused into one furnace. They can condense their own Qi and blood into True Qi, and with every movement, they possess the strength of ten thousand jun. If not for the emergence of firearms and cannons, a single person could rival an army of thousands.

Such an existence is already the pinnacle of the current age, as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns. Who could have imagined that an old woman living in luxury could actually reach such a realm!?

Clearly, the longevity and cultivation of this Demon Empress were related to the Jin Dynasty's state religion, the Shaman God Sect, which immediately piqued Lu Yuan's interest.

At this moment, Lin Xingchao said slowly:

"Brother, rest assured. Since we have formed this intention, we naturally have a target and will not throw our lives away in vain. To take a step back, as long as we can kill the Demon Empress and sever the Jin Dynasty's Qi Luck, bringing change to this decaying world, what does it matter if we sacrifice a few lives?

If the deeds of Qingyike are true, that person would certainly be a great help to us. That is why I made a special trip to Fengyang Prefecture to find this expert, to see if he is willing to join us."

Li Junxian's voice was grave: "Among you, there are also top-tier experts at the Grandmaster level?"

Lin Xingchao only said: "Apologies, Brother. You were not involved in the specific situation, so I cannot disclose too much."

Li Junxian did not press further, instead sighing: "Even if you don't say it, I know. That top-tier expert must be related to the remnants of the Saint King, otherwise you would not be so obsessed with assassinating the Demon Empress."

Lin Xingchao's tone became intense:

"The Demon Empress has a heart like a snake or scorpion. Back when Tianyun Prefecture fell and the Saint King died in battle, his eldest son was captured. She actually ordered the Saint King's eldest son to be sent to the Capital for death by a thousand cuts, using medicinal decoctions to keep him alive while they sliced his flesh for a full year. The level of cruelty and malice is hair-raising; we will never forget this for the rest of our lives!

I, Lin Xingchao, received the grace of the Saint King. My only goal in this life is to kill this old demoness and cut off her head to console the spirits of the Saint King and his son in Heaven!"

Li Junxian still gave a long sigh: "Fine. Since you are so determined, I will not try to persuade you. But as for this matter of finding Qingyike, I am afraid I cannot help you."

Lin Xingchao said:

"Brother, you are the local snake of Fengyang Prefecture; is there really no way to contact him?"

Li Junxian smiled helplessly:

"Junior Brother, you overestimate me. I only manage this tiny plot of land here in Fengyang Prefecture. I can help you scout for general information, but this Qingyike is an expert who sees the head of the dragon but never the tail. He has struck several times without ever leaving a trace, and even the Jingwu Division is helpless. How could I possibly contact him?"

Lin Xingchao was clearly somewhat disappointed: "Is that so..."

The conversation in the room continued, and Lu Yuan's True Qi underground was quickly exhausted. He had to terminate his secret eavesdropping, leave the area of the back garden, and dispel the Earth Travel Technique in a deserted corner.

After appearing from underground, he furrowed his brows:

"Assassinating the Demon Empress Xici is truly a world-shaking task..."

It must be said that Lin Xingchao's goal was quite shocking.

The Demon Empress Xici is a living fossil of the Jin Dynasty and the Emperor of Emperors. Assassinating her is indeed a heaven-shaking and earth-shattering event. Once accomplished, it would inevitably bring unprecedented turmoil and impact to the entire Great Jin.

However, after weighing it slightly, Lu Yuan knew that he absolutely could not participate in this matter.

The reason is simple: his Dharma Power is currently low, and the risks of participating in this are simply too great.

Although Earthly Fiend Arts are a dimensional strike in this world, his Invisibility and Earth Travel Technique can only be maintained for about thirty breaths so far. Sneaking into the massive, complex, and heavily guarded Jin Dynasty palace to carry out an assassination is too much of a stretch.

Most importantly, the Demon Empress Xici is not an ordinary old woman with no strength to truss a chicken, but a top-tier Grandmaster suspected to be of the Seventh Realm.

No matter how confident Lu Yuan is, he does not believe that he is currently capable of assassinating an existence of that level.

Furthermore...

Even if he had the ability, he would not act together with Lin Xingchao and the others and expose his Earthly Fiend Dharma Techniques.

The path of techniques and immortal cultivation is his greatest reliance in this world.

Before his cultivation and means reach the point where he can dominate the world, he cannot reveal them even to his parents and relatives, let alone others.

Admittedly, if he were to display his techniques and manifest divinity before others, he would easily obtain high official positions and wealth, become an honored guest of any faction, and even have the opportunity to establish a lineage like Chen Kequan, the Founding Saint King of the Shengping Heavenly Kingdom, gathering hearts, developing followers, and creating a great cause.

However, human hearts are sinister. In such a low-martial world, if one rashly displays true divinity, it will inevitably attract endless covetousness. At first, the powerful will be in awe and try to curry favor, but then, nine times out of ten, they will numb themselves, test him, and plot against him, trying every possible way to extract secrets from Lu Yuan.

Therefore, he must remain cautious until he has the cultivation and Dharma Power to resist everything.

Thinking of this.

Lu Yuan returned to Boxiyuan and happened to see Li Junxian leading Xu Dahu and Xu Erhu as they saw Lin Xingchao and his two disciples off from the back courtyard.

He immediately walked up and asked, pretending not to know:

"Master, what did Uncle-Master come to see you for?"

This time, Li Junxian did not hide it:

"Nothing much. He just wanted me to help contact Qingyike, saying he had something to ask of him."

Xu Dahu was full of surprise and whispered:

"Uncle-Master Lin knows about Qingyike even from as far away as Jinjin?"

Li Junxian smiled: "Jinjin has trading ports, and news there is much more developed than in Fengyang Prefecture. It's nothing strange to know about this."

Lu Yuan continued to ask despite knowing the answer: "Master, what is Uncle-Master looking for Qingyike for?"

Because the matter was of great importance, Li Junxian did not reveal the truth this time, only shaking his head and saying:

"I don't know. I didn't ask in detail. His current identity is very sensitive, and it is better for us not to know about some things."

Xu Erhu whispered:

"Qingyike sees the head of the dragon but never the tail; how can we help him make contact?"

Li Junxian said slowly:

"I am powerless in this matter and can only do my best. During this time, your Uncle-Master Lin will be staying in Fengyang Prefecture for a while. Although he is your Uncle-Master, his identity and the things he wants to do are too dangerous. You juniors must not get too deeply involved with him, understand?"

Xu Dahu and Xu Erhu looked at each other; although Lu Yuan knew the reason, he feigned confusion:

"It is Master."

At the same time.

Not long after, Lin Xingchao returned to an inn in East City with his two disciples.

Back in the room, the heroic-looking head disciple Xi Beichen asked: "Master, both hailing from the Shenquan Sect, why does this Uncle-Master Li give off such a pessimistic and negative feeling?"

Lin Xingchao sighed: "You do not know, but when the Jin Army broke through Tianyun Prefecture, we were surrounded and attacked by several experts from the Niangan Office; your Uncle-Master was severely injured to save me.

Later, we luckily escaped with our lives, but after his wounds healed, he was left with a chronic ailment, and his Martial Arts could no longer advance; ever since then, he has been dispirited, weary of killing and fighting, and came to this Fengyang Prefecture to spend the rest of his life in peace.

As your teacher, I feel ashamed toward your Uncle-Master and have always worried that he was not doing well; seeing today that he is living quite well and that his three disciples are all quite excellent, I am finally a bit more at ease."

Xi Beichen's gaze flickered: "That Junior Brother named Lu Yuan truly gives one a feeling of being quite extraordinary; I wonder what level he has reached."

"Senior Brother, let's not worry about that for now."

Gu Yourong, with her clear and beautiful face, poured tea and said with worry:

"According to what Uncle-Master said, that Qingyike is no ordinary expert, and he has never left behind any traces or flaws in his actions; how are we supposed to find him?"

Lin Xingchao did not answer, but instead looked at his True Disciple Xi Beichen:

"Beichen, what do you think?"

Xi Beichen's eyes were deep and sharp, and he said calmly:

"Master, this disciple believes we need not rush; after all, besides searching for Qingyike, we also have the task of raising funds; we might as well settle down in Fengyang Prefecture first and search slowly."

Gu Yourong sighed: "We don't know if that Qingyike is a man or a woman, old or young; isn't this like looking for a needle in a haystack?"

"Do not be discouraged; that is not necessarily the case."

Lin Xingchao suddenly smiled faintly:

"Although we know nothing about Qingyike and have no way to search for him, we can make him come to find us, which can achieve the same goal."

Gu Yourong still had a puzzled expression, but Xi Beichen's gaze shifted: "Master intends to?"

Lin Xingchao did not answer directly, but just smiled:

"If the mountain will not come to me, I will go to the mountain; tomorrow, take your Junior Sister and find a suitable storefront in this East City to open a clinic first; having a business as a cover will make things more convenient."

Xi Beichen clearly understood Lin Xingchao's plan and immediately agreed: "Yes!"

In the blink of an eye, days passed by.

Lu Yuan's life had not changed; he still practiced boxing during the day and sat in meditation at night to perform Refining Essence into Qi, flourishing in both Martial Arts and cultivation.

At the same time, because of the support of a large amount of funds, plus the Dongzhi Pavilion Three Treasures Pill and Leopard Fetus Essence Pill strengthened several times over by the Tiaohe Zhishu, he was advancing by leaps and bounds in both Martial Arts and cultivation, feeling his progress clearly every day.

During this period, Xu Dahu, who had just broken through the Bone Forging realm, even enthusiastically sought him out for a test of strength.

As a result, Lu Yuan used less than fifty percent of his strength to easily suppress the other party, leaving him to come in high spirits and return in low spirits.

Judging by this, in terms of physical strength alone, he was already no less than the MartialArtsFourRealms level.

After all, he was a cultivator, and his physique was nourished by True Qi day and night; even if he did not put all his energy into Martial Arts, the effect and speed of progress were far beyond what ordinary people could compare to.

And besides this.

In his spare time, Lu Yuan also occasionally paid attention to the movements of Lin Xingchao and the others.

According to what he learned, this Uncle-Master not only rented a small house in East City with his disciples but also bought a small shop in the market and opened a clinic.

The clinic was very small, and the price for a consultation was exceptionally cheap, quickly attracting many poor commoners to seek medical treatment.

The key was that Lin Xingchao's medical attainments were quite profound; common minor illnesses were cured with the medicine, and chronic diseases could also be alleviated quickly, so within half a month, he had gained quite a reputation in the market.

Regarding this, Lu Yuan could not help but feel suspicious, not knowing what medicine this Uncle-Master was selling in his gourd.

This day.

More than half a month after Lin Xingchao's first visit.

After going to Dongzhi Pavilion again to buy up all the Leopard Fetus Essence Pills sold loosely in the shop, Lu Yuan returned to his room, used his Dharma Power to harmonize the pills, and then performed Ingestion and refining.

As a large amount of medicinal essence was refined, his aura became ethereal and misty, and it was constantly climbing.

Until more than two hours later.

After converting a large amount of essence into True Qi, Lu Yuan opened his eyes; besides the misty spiritual light in his eyes, they also revealed a hint of joy:

"The fourth strand of Dharma Power is done..."

In just over half a month after his sudden wealth, he had digested three to four hundred Silver Yuan worth of finished supplements and medicinal herbs, and had continuously refined two strands of True Qi.

According to this progress, he could refine about three strands of True Qi a month, nearly three times faster than before.

For Refining Essence into Qi to reach perfection, it would take at least a thousand strands of True Qi to condense into a Pill Embryo; according to the current progress, the time required had been greatly shortened, and it would only take about thirty years.

"Tsk tsk, not to mention that the poor study and the rich practice martial arts, even cultivation requires money."

With such a great increase in efficiency, Lu Yuan could not help but feel emotional:

"It is a pity that this speed has basically reached its peak; unless the Ingestion or Guidance techniques are upgraded, or combined with 【Boiling Stones】 or 【Pill Manipulation】, it should be difficult to increase the speed further."

【Boiling Stones】 and 【Pill Manipulation】 could refine external elixirs, and the effects would certainly be better than the pills he bought.

However, these two Earthly Fiend techniques had troublesome aspects: first, they required a venue, a pill furnace, and the collection of various medicinal herbs and materials; second, the process of refining external elixirs required a lot of time and energy.

Both problems were difficult to solve for the time being, so he could only leave them for later.

Besides this, if he wanted to increase the efficiency of Refining Essence into Qi, the only way was to increase the level of his Ingestion and Guidance techniques.

Thinking of this, Lu Yuan communicated with the Heavenly Book:

【Master of the Heavenly Book】: Lu Yuan

【Mastered Techniques】:

Earthly Fiend-Ingestion (Human: 28%): Omitted

Earthly Fiend-Guidance (Human: 16%): Omitted

Earthly Fiend-Invisibility (Human: 7%): Omitted

Earthly Fiend-Sending Staff (Human: 3%): Omitted

Earthly Fiend-Medicine (Human: 4%): Omitted

Earthly Fiend-Earth Travel (Human: 3%): Omitted

【Luck Power】: 18 units

"It has been almost a year since I transmigrated, and the progress of the fastest Food Consumption Technique is only 28%; it really is slow enough."

Lu Yuan furrowed his brows and pondered secretly:

"Once the Luck Power is more abundant later on, I should find a way to accelerate the improvement of the mastery progress."

In reality, besides possessing the ability to illuminate Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend arts and directly impart them through empowerment, the Heavenly Book also possesses the ability to consume Luck Power to increase the mastery level of arts.

However, the Luck Power required for this ability is not small; it takes ten units of Luck Power to increase progress by 1%, and to raise an art from the most basic Human Tier to Earth Tier requires consuming a full one thousand units of Luck Power.

Such usage is truly too extravagant, so Lu Yuan has never used this function since he transmigrated until now.

However, the mastery levels of the Food Consumption and Guidance techniques are directly related to his own cultivation efficiency; if Luck were more abundant, upgrading these two Earthly Fiend arts would still be very necessary.

Thinking of this.

Lu Yuan, who had not made a move for more than half a month, got up and left the room, preparing to go to the street to inquire about news and randomly pick an unlucky wretch who deserves to die tonight.

But just as he walked out of the courtyard, he suddenly heard two Wrestlers who were practicing discussing:

"Tsk tsk tsk, Qingyike has made a move against the officials again; I'm afraid he really intends to kill all the powerful and influential people in the city!"

"Before it was the Assistant Prefect, this time it's a Magistrate; I think the officials in East City won't dare to go to work soon."

Hm?

Hearing these two sentences, Lu Yuan suddenly turned his gaze over.

PS: There is more being typed, it might be quite late, everyone don't wait.

(End of this chapter)