Chapter 281: Grace

Click, click, click.

Li Miao's fingers tapped on the scroll, the sound echoing in the silent hall. The old man below closed his eyes, his hands clenched into fists, causing Attendant Ruan Mei on the side to scan his vital points, the Emei piercer still stained with the old man's blood already held in her hand.

Although the Ming Cult was born from the Manichaeism, its doctrine and organizational structure had evolved for nearly a thousand years and had been "Sinicized" beyond recognition. Within the Manichaeism, there were no things like "Left and Right Envoys" or "Five Great Protectors." Below the leader were the twelve apostles. The old man, as one of the twelve apostles, "Patig," could be said to be high-ranking and powerful in the sect.

Precisely because he was high-ranking and powerful, he wouldn't hide his gaze, and his thoughts were detected by Attendant Ruan Mei; but also because he was high-ranking and powerful, he was different from ordinary disciples. In addition to his loyalty to his faith, he also knew very well the rules of how this world operated.

The condition he proposed was also a probe.

The act of dialogue, unless it is silence, whether it is acceptance or rejection, will reveal a lot of information in the eyes of interested people. Especially for someone like Li Miao, who disdained to hide anything at all.

As far as Li Miao's answer is concerned, he reached three conclusions.

First, Li Miao indeed possessed great power in the imperial court; at least for things in the Jianghu, he could decide with a single word, without even needing to consider any influence.

Second, the imperial court would not allow the Ming Cult to appear in the Central Plains again, even if it was the Ming Cult taken over by the Manichaeism and had no malice toward the imperial court.

Third, although the imperial court had some problems, just looking at Li Miao's attitude, it didn't look like he was unable to suppress the Jianghu. That... the matter of the Ming Cult assassinating the emperor and the Jianghu turbulence in the past six months were worth pondering.

Thoughts flashed, actually only in an instant.

While the old man reached the conclusion, Li Miao also stopped the action of tapping the scroll and looked at him.

"You, should have prepared to take a step back, right?"

The old man replied in a deep voice.

"What does Lord mean?"

"Since the words have reached this point, pretending to be stupid is meaningless."

Li Miao smiled.

"From the moment I rejected your first few proposals, you should have known that the imperial court would not allow you to enter the Central Plains. But you still told me the news about that person."

"If you insist on entering the Central Plains, then you will definitely have to die today. You only have four Heaven-Men in your sect, and taking one to send to me is not for the sake of seeking death."

"Say it, what do you want to exchange for this news?"

The old man was silent for a moment, and a bitter smile slowly appeared on his face.

"To tell the truth, before meeting you, before coming to Songshan, I made many contingency plans. But after meeting you, I knew that you are not a person who will be swayed by rhetoric."

"So, I won't say any more nonsense."

"What we want is not important."

"What you are willing to give us is important."

Hearing the old man's words, Li Miao laughed and turned to look at Attendant Ruan Mei on the side, pointing at the old man.

"Good, good."

"Offering Ruan, look, this is what can be considered a person who knows how to be sensible."

"If all the major sects in the Jianghu were as sensible as them, where would I still need to come down from Hengshan, and where would I still need to stay on this Songshan for a month for nothing. It's not for nothing that the monks from afar know how to chant scriptures."

"Forget it."

Li Miao formed a claw with his hand and grabbed it in the air.

The old man below suddenly felt as if his whole body had fallen into a puddle of extremely sticky and thick liquid, unable to move at all. A force that could not be disobeyed came from his limbs and bones, slowly lifting his whole body up, and then slowly placing it on the ground.

The old man looked at Li Miao abruptly, a trace of cold sweat left on his temples.

He hadn't observed Li Miao's martial arts after entering the door, but he had gained nothing. At that time, he only felt that the imperial court's foundation was deep and the technique of hiding the realm was brilliant. But now Li Miao's move made him feel a despair that he couldn't resist.

"This Pacification Commissioner who rarely shows up in the Jianghu... his martial arts are definitely no worse than the person who met the leader that day, and even more brilliant."

"Sure enough... the foundation of the Central Plains imperial court is simply not something that a mere Ming Cult can shake."

Just when the old man was shocked, Li Miao opened his mouth and smiled.

"Actually, it can be considered each taking what they need."

"Those people in the Ming Cult are still trouble if they continue to stay here. Don't move them; after all, Ji Tianrui is still alive. It will be troublesome if she digs them out to use again in the future."

"But if you want to kill, it's actually a bit difficult to start."

After the Imperial Mausoleum matter, the disciples above the middle level of the Ming Cult were basically dead. Now the remaining ones are all bottom-level disciples who are not qualified to participate in specific affairs. But bottom-level doesn't mean easy to start.

Just like the Beggar Gang and the Cao Gang, the Ming Cult is not a martial arts sect in the complete sense. Jianghu people only occupy its middle and upper levels, while the bottom level is a large number of believers who truly believe in the doctrine and common people who make a living by it.

Certainly, their existence is the foundation for the Ming Cult to do evil. But at the same time, they may not necessarily know the evil deeds done by the Ming Cult. This is a group that is too large and involves too much. To start with this group, the manpower of the Embroidered Uniform Guard is absolutely not enough.

But if other yamen start... I am afraid it will be a carnival of corrupt officials killing good people for merit and exterminating families.

The current Great Shu is afraid that it cannot afford such a toss.

"How about this, I will give you one year."

Li Miao said.

"You send people in, and each team must bring my people. Following the traces of the Ming Cult, take away all those loyal believers, don't leave them in Great Shu."

"If they are not willing to go with you, don't force or induce them. The property and secret books discovered during the period must all be left behind."

Li Miao looked at the old man.

"In short, those who feel that 'Ming Zun' is more important than ancestors and hometown, Great Shu will not keep them, you can take them away."

"But you can't touch other people and things."

"How about it?"

The old man sighed and smiled bitterly.

"Lord's condition is a bit harsh."

"Taking so many people to the Western Regions, I am afraid it is not something that can be cleaned up in a year. Moreover, the residence, trade, and food of these people after moving to the Western Regions are also a not small expense."

"If we can't touch the property of the Ming Cult at all, I am afraid it will be a losing business."

"Then I will give you twenty percent."

Li Miao waved his hand.

"There is no more, and there is no need to say these nonsense words. Being able to get so many fanatics for nothing, it sounds like you are helping me deal with garbage. Looking at the fact that you came directly to inform me of the news, I will give you twenty percent of the travel expenses, don't think about the others."

"Since you know what I have done, you should also know my temperament. These people are just difficult to handle, but if it is really necessary, I will not be soft when killing these people."

"Accept, I will leave a seat for you to drink."

"Don't accept, get out of the Central Plains. If your Manichaeism dares to enter again, no matter who it is, it is death."

"Choose."

The old man pondered for a long while and nodded.

"Alright, since it is Lord's meaning, let it be so."

"Good."

Li Miao waved his hand.

"Offering Ruan, take him down to heal his wounds, and arrange a seat for him tomorrow. Record the things decided today, go find An Ziyang and tell him to find Wang Hai to discuss and handle it. No need to come back to me."

Attendant Ruan Mei nodded and left with the old man.

The room fell silent again.

Li Miao leaned on the chair, his fingers tapping slowly on the armrest.

After a long while, he suddenly sneered.

"Heh."

"Being an orphan for two lifetimes, it's fresh to have a relative pop out for the first time."

"Seven-Star Begonia, Ryukyu."

"Nearly a thousand miles of sea route, if it weren't for someone carefully sending it, with the body of that little beggar at that time, it would be impossible to reach Shuntian. And with the root bone of this body, as long as the understanding is passable, cultivating a Vajra is a matter of course."

"Can a seedling that can cultivate into a Heaven-Man be thrown away casually?"

"It is estimated that there are still stories."

Li Miao opened his eyes and slowly clenched his fists.

"However, it doesn't matter."

"Those who should be killed will be killed, those who should be buried will be buried."

"It's just that I don't know if anyone will run to me to recognize relatives and seek death..."

Li Miao's voice did not carry a trace of emotion.

From the previous life to this life, there is only one Li Miao.

Even if he was changed a lot by Great Shu, his foundation inside is still that killing embryo who doesn't recognize six relatives and is lawless.

————————

"Senior brother, why were you stunned just now! If you make that person unhappy, he doesn't even need to speak, just one look, I don't know how many people will be willing to act on his behalf and teach our Huanhua Sword Sect, which doesn't know respect, a lesson!"

Wen Lianrong said anxiously.

"Sigh... it's my fault."

Liu Chengxuan sighed.

Actually, he and Wen Lianrong were half a catty to eight taels, their ages were similar, and their Jianghu experience was also similar. Wen Lianrong could react, and he wasn't unable to.

But, the matter was after all, the person involved was confused.

The one who knew Li Miao was him, the one Li Miao wanted to see was him, and the one who greeted was him. The pressure he bore was naturally not comparable to the bystander Wen Lianrong. At his age, being lost for a while was reasonable.

Wen Lianrong also understood this point, just said those words in a hurry. Now that she was a little calmer, she sat beside Liu Chengxuan, took his hand, and placed it on her lap, ten fingers clenched.

"Senior brother, I am not blaming you."

"It's just... sigh, we are really too small, we have to be cautious."

Liu Chengxuan took his other hand and covered Wen Lianrong's hand, nodding.

"I know, I know."

The two hands held together, holding until their fingers turned white.

In the end, they were both just young people in their twenties. Suddenly, the burden of the entire sect fell on their shoulders, and both were supporting themselves until now. When it comes to being trembling and walking on thin ice, both were the same.

In the past six months, both had made many mistakes and suffered many losses. It was precisely because of the existence of the other party that they persisted until now. Supporting each other until today, there was no need to speak, just feeling the temperature of the other's palm was enough to express their feelings.

The two sat in the room for a long time like this.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door outside.

Knock, knock.

"Two, are you rested?"

Outside the door, An Ziyang smiled.

"Pacification Commissioner called a few friends in the Jianghu to drink, let me take Sect Leader Liu to recognize them. Elder Wen can sit first, someone will send food later."

Liu Chengxuan stood up abruptly, looked at Wen Lianrong, hurriedly opened the door, and bowed to An Ziyang.

"Thank you Lord—"

"Hey~"

An Ziyang raised his hand to support him.

"Calling brother below the hall, calling Lord above the hall, that is the style of a villain. Sect Leader Liu just call me as usual. I also don't like others calling me Lord."

"Let's go, today was originally to take you to see the Pacification Commissioner, but I didn't expect to be delayed by other things. The Pacification Commissioner also wants to talk to you, don't let him wait."

After saying that, he led Liu Chengxuan to the place where they ate.

Liu Chengxuan looked at An Ziyang's expression with his peripheral vision, wanting to speak but stopping, wanting to ask something but not daring to open his mouth.

After An Ziyang noticed, he smiled.

"Sect Leader Liu, don't think too much."

"Just now in the room, you must be regretting that you were stunned after seeing the Pacification Commissioner and didn't pay respects immediately, right?"

Liu Chengxuan was stunned and nodded abruptly.

"I actually think that it is good that you didn't pay respects."

An Ziyang smiled while walking.

Liu Chengxuan didn't understand.

An Ziyang explained.

"Sect Leader Liu, do you think, why would the Pacification Commissioner look at you with favor, and even let me, a Grade Five Battalion Commander, travel thousands of miles to pick you up? Is it because your Huanhua Sword Sect is strong enough? Or is it because you, Sect Leader Liu, understand human feelings and worldly wisdom?"

Before Liu Chengxuan could think of an answer, An Ziyang said decisively.

"Neither."

"Even if you are stronger, can you be stronger than the Ming Cult? Even if you understand human feelings and worldly wisdom, and are more experienced and slippery, how do you compare to people in the officialdom? There are many people who know how to pay respects when they meet, but how many can my Pacification Commissioner look up to?"

Speaking of this, An Ziyang turned to look at Liu Chengxuan.

"I will say something that is not very pleasant, Sect Leader Liu don't blame me."

Liu Chengxuan naturally waved his hand hurriedly.

"Young Master An just say it."

An Ziyang then said.

"I started walking the Jianghu at the age of twelve, and started by doing business, so I am inevitably a bit snobbish when looking at people. In my eyes, everyone has the most valuable place. To tell the truth, here and now, your martial arts, temperament, and sect are all worthless."

"Now, what is most valuable about you is 'you are the you recognized by the Pacification Commissioner'—I don't know if Sect Leader Liu understands."

Liu Chengxuan realized.

An Ziyang smiled and continued.

"There is a saying, 'The old heart changes easily, but the old heart is easy to change.'"

"If you change, that will disappoint the Pacification Commissioner."

"That's all I have to say."

Liu Chengxuan stopped, cupped his hands, and was about to bow to An Ziyang.

"Thank you Young Master An for the reminder!"

An Ziyang supported him up.

"You don't need to thank me, what I consider is only my Pacification Commissioner. Saving you is his order; escorting you here is his meaning; being willing to remind you is also for him."

"Sect Leader Liu, don't burn the wrong incense and thank the wrong person."

Liu Chengxuan nodded.

An Ziyang then smiled and nodded, led Liu Chengxuan to the door of a side hall, gestured, and turned away.

Liu Chengxuan swallowed his saliva and walked in.

This side hall was clearly arranged by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, with thick carpets on the ground, three tables set on the left and right, meditation cushions placed below, and the smell of wine permeated the air.

Liu Chengxuan scanned it.

In the room, six people were already sitting.

On the left were three people, Beggar Gang leader Lao Qifeng, Cao Gang leader Yu Qing, and the old man who broke through during the day; on the right were two people, sitting at the table were Shaolin Abbot Yong Jie and Wudang Elder Zhi Sheng.

And Li Miao, who was sitting in the main seat, wearing loose inner clothes, a bear-skin cloak on his shoulders, slowly eating melons and fruits and drinking small wine.

The forces with the highest inheritance, the largest number of people, the largest territory, and the richest in the Jianghu were all included in this side hall.

To tell the truth, Liu Chengxuan didn't even know if he should sit down. The few people sitting were all big figures he could only look at from afar on weekdays. If he was suddenly asked to eat in the same room with these people, he was afraid he wouldn't remember which hand to use to take chopsticks.

Fortunately, Li Miao greeted him after seeing him.

"Little brother is here."

He pointed to the empty seat.

"Sit, the food will wait a while, drink some wine first to warm up."

Liu Chengxuan then carefully sat down in the empty seat.

"By the way, let me introduce to a few."

Li Miao raised his wine glass and pointed at Liu Chengxuan.

"Huanhua Sword Sect, Sect Leader Liu Chengxuan, my friend."

"After all, I am an official, and there are many things. In the future, when we meet in the Jianghu, a few take care of him for me."

Teng!

Liu Chengxuan stood up abruptly.

"Hero Li, this, this..."

Liu Chengxuan wanted to raise his wine glass, but his hand trembled uncontrollably, the wine swayed on the edge of the cup and was about to spill, he forcibly suppressed the action with true energy, but still couldn't help but flush, unable to speak.

Yong Jie and Zhi Sheng looked at Liu Chengxuan and smiled.

Lao Qifeng and Yu Qing stood up directly, walked enthusiastically to Liu Chengxuan's table, and recognized him. Both were old Jianghu, and after two or three sentences, they became familiar.

Li Miao sat in the upper seat, looking at Liu Chengxuan who was surrounded by Lao Qifeng and Yu Qing and was at a loss, and sipped small wine with interest.

Except for Liu Chengxuan who was still immersed in the excitement of making friends with big figures like Lao Qifeng and Yu Qing, everyone present had been mixing in the Jianghu for at least twenty years. No one would think that Li Miao's meal was aimless.

Lao Qifeng scanned Li Miao in the upper seat with his peripheral vision during the conversation with Liu Chengxuan, sighed secretly in his heart, looked at the excited Liu Chengxuan in front of him, and couldn't help but feel a trace of jealousy in his heart.

After the Ming Cult assassinated the emperor, the Jianghu was turbulent.

Just relying on killing people cannot stabilize people's hearts.

Combining grace and power, "power" should fall on tomorrow's moon-viewing banquet, but there is still a lack of "grace" that everyone remembers and can see when they look up.

Lao Qifeng enthusiastically touched glasses with Liu Chengxuan and drank it in one gulp. Taking advantage of Liu Chengxuan raising his head to drink, he looked at him deeply.

This "grace," I am afraid, will fall on this Huanhua Sword Sect.

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 282 =====