Lu Xingzhou knew that the Hall of Yama had issued a statement distancing itself from Ye Wufeng, but he was unaware that Ye Wufeng’s master, the Western Ghost Emperor Tan Xinhong, had already died at Yuan Muyu’s hands. The people at the capital branch had not dared to tell him.

The Hall of Yama’s expedition against the Yin Corpse Sect could be seen as Yuan Muyu acting on Lu Xingzhou’s behalf, but it also served as a convenient pretext for action. Yuan Muyu needed to replenish the Hall of Yama’s strength and expand its influence, and conquering the Yin Corpse Sect presented an excellent opportunity.

In fact, subduing the Yin Corpse Sect was an early strategic plan set by Lu Xingzhou himself. The Underworld, with its background, was a suitable fit for the Yin Corpse Sect, making it a good candidate for integration. This “compatibility” wasn’t just about cultivation or the spiritual path; it also extended to “sect culture,” a factor rarely considered by people in this world.

However, demonic sects were typically well-hidden and difficult to locate, so this plan had never come to fruition.

This time, it just so happened that Yuan Muyu went to stir up trouble with the Yin Corpse Sect, and subsequently, the Eastern Ghost Emperor Ji Wenchuan unexpectedly traced them back to their lair, leading to a natural progression of events.

From this perspective, Lu Xingzhou once again unexpectedly became a lucky star for the Hall of Yama. Merely seeking revenge for him had suddenly brought about a long-shelved plan.

It was as if Lu Xingzhou, even in his absence, continued to contribute to the Hall of Yama. His influence was evident everywhere, from the initial planning to the reasons for its implementation.

Now, Lu Xingzhou’s mood was a bit complicated.

Being involved with Shen Tang was manageable, as there was no intersection with the Hall of Yama, at least in the short term. However, the current Madam Ye clearly had some past connection with Yuan Muyu, and he wondered if this would lead to future conflicts.

That would be a real headache.

“So… is there anything else?”

Meng Guan calmly replied, “The Heavenly Sword Sect has peacefully merged with the Elixir Cauldron Gang through a competition and acquisition model. Their mountain gate has expanded to the western outskirts of Xiazhou, no longer confined to the embrace of just two mountains.”

Lu Xingzhou was pleasantly surprised.

The Elixir Cauldron Gang, similar to the former Danxia Gang, was a sect involved in cultivating and selling medicinal herbs. While not powerful, its location was precisely what the Heavenly Sword Sect needed.

In Xiazhou, a region known for medicinal herb cultivation, it wasn’t just the Danxia and Lingquan Twin Peaks that stood prominently; there were also continuous mountain ranges behind them. The Danxia and Lingquan mountains were the closest to the city, making them seem like two gateways.

If the Heavenly Sword Sect wanted to expand, they naturally couldn’t move into the city. The mountains behind them were the direction to go, like “swords emerging from various peaks.”

Although Xiazhou’s influence was weak, it wasn’t a place that could be merged or annihilated at will. Unlike the Hall of Yama, orthodox sects had to follow fundamental rules. Otherwise, if anyone could simply destroy a family to seize their land, the world would descend into chaos. The imperial court existed to establish and uphold these rules; those who disregarded them were considered demonic.

The Incense Tower, believing it had the support of Prince Jin, acted recklessly and was subsequently annihilated, with no one mourning their demise.

Expanding and merging power within the established rules undoubtedly involved numerous power struggles. It didn’t require Lu Xingzhou to come up with ideas for everything; this was Shen Tang’s own abilities beginning to shine.

Seeing Lu Xingzhou happily pouring and drinking by himself, Meng Guan calmly added, “While you were still sleeping out in the wilderness, the imperial court passed a resolution: Xiazhou has been officially elevated to a prefecture, and Dongjiang Commandery will become history. Although this isn’t a martial arts world matter, I thought you’d want to hear it.”

Lu Xingzhou’s good mood suddenly faltered, and his expression changed as he exclaimed, “It’s too early!”

Meng Guan: “…”

Lu Xingzhou rose from his seat and paced back and forth, saying, “Since Dongjiang Commandery proposed this, it’s clear that Xiazhou’s spiritual energy can no longer be hidden. Those with keen insight will naturally realize that the core of the ley line changes is in Danxia Mountain. The Heavenly Sword Sect isn’t strong enough yet… after quietly accumulating wealth for half a year, it’s about to face another challenge.”

Meng Guan smiled and said, “Isn’t it fortunate that you’ve returned? You can now fight alongside them, and moreover, you have a first-rank expert by your side. Besides, a few trials for a sect aren’t a bad thing, especially since the current Heavenly Sword Sect is a blend of the Danxia Gang and the Incense Tower; it needs some conflict to strengthen its cohesion.”

Lu Xingzhou sighed helplessly, “Prefect, you don’t understand… never mind.”

Meng Guan’s words were, of course, not wrong. An abruptly rising new sect like the Heavenly Sword Sect was destined to endure more conflicts than others, and indeed required the baptism of war to achieve cohesion. As he had just said, everyone operated by rules, so there wouldn’t always be destructive surprise attacks like those initiated by the Incense Tower; conventional conflicts were not difficult to handle.

It was fortunate that he had returned at this time; fighting alongside them would be a pleasure. And with Madam Ye by his side, they had significant leverage. Even if a demonic sect truly caused trouble, they would essentially be offering themselves up as easy targets.

But the problem was that this wasn’t a martial arts world matter; the core issue was Gu Zhanting’s perspective.

Previously, sending Shen Tang to Xiazhou was tantamount to exile. What could she accomplish in a rural area with sparse spiritual energy and meager resources, especially since she was also crippled? But now, only half a year later, this so-called rural backwater had suddenly transformed into a spiritual treasure land. What would Gu Zhanting think?

If the Emperor perceived Shen Tang’s rise as exceeding acceptable limits, then repeating the Heavenly Sword Sect annihilation wouldn’t require any logic or justification.

The greatest demonic force in the world was the rule-maker itself.

Lu Xingzhou immediately lost his mood for drinking and chatting. He cupped his hands and asked, “I wonder if Prefect Meng has any connection with the current Prefect of Dongjiang Commandery?”

Meng Guan asked, “What do you intend to do?”

“His Majesty will certainly inquire in detail about the spiritual energy situation in Xiazhou and Danxia Mountain. I hope Dongjiang Commandery’s reply can downplay the situation as much as possible… Well, it’s not deceiving the emperor; it’s the art of language, something you all understand better than I do.”

Meng Guan chuckled, “This prefect is Zhang Rongzhi, a former classmate of mine. But that connection isn’t as effective as another.”

Lu Xingzhou’s spirits lifted. “What?”

“He was once a subordinate of Prime Minister Pei, and he reported this matter of changing the prefecture’s administration to Prime Minister Pei first. If you can get Prime Minister Pei to say a few words, it would be far more effective than anything I could do.”

Lu Xingzhou immediately scribbled a letter. “Please, Prefect Meng, have someone deliver this urgently to Prime Minister Pei’s residence, to Miss Chuyun.”

Meng Guan calmly took the letter. “These days, even cats can read letters…”

Lu Xingzhou: “…”

Meng Guan also wrote a letter for Lu Xingzhou on the spot. “Also, take a letter for me to Zhang Rongzhi. For the sake of our old classmateship, it’s good to have some correspondence.”

Lu Xingzhou took it and bowed sincerely. “Many thanks, Prefect Meng.”

Meng Guan said meaningfully, “Follow Madam Ye’s training well… I’ll be awaiting your rise.”

The guesthouse Meng Guan arranged for Lu Xingzhou and his group had even deeper implications.

It was the same guest courtyard where Lu Xingzhou had once stayed, the place where he secretly hid Pei Chuyun, claiming she was a cat.

Lu Xingzhou wasn’t sure whether to call Meng Guan’s mischievousness insightful or simply overthinking; how could Madam Ye possibly be like Pei Chuyun?

He and Anu snuck back carefully, slipping into their rooms without daring to make a sound.

That public declaration of “Mother” today had clearly enraged Madam Ye, and he wondered if he would be beaten to death.

“Stop!” Madam Ye’s cold voice came from inside her room. The master and disciple, frozen in their thief-like movements, reluctantly asked, “What are your orders, Teacher?”

A giant ethereal hand descended, picking up Anu with two fingers. A rattan cane, appearing from nowhere, whistled as it whipped towards Anu’s backside.

Before it even struck, Anu burst into tears, “Teacher, I just got confused for a moment…”

Lu Xingzhou quickly embraced Anu, taking the whip on his own back. “Anu was acting under my instruction. If you’re angry, direct it at me.”

Ye Tinglan was practically laughing with anger. “Do you think you’re very noble?”

“No, no, it’s what I should do…”

“Even if you were instructed, does that make it right? Copy the Academy of Elixir’s rules a hundred times. I’ll check tomorrow morning!”

Anu let out a sigh of relief and whispered, “The old woman acts tough but is soft-hearted.”

Lu Xingzhou quietly replied, “Don’t tempt fate; she can probably hear you. I’ll take the hit.”

The large hand coiled Anu into a ball and tossed her into the adjacent room. Then it lifted Lu Xingzhou and carried him directly into Ye Tinglan’s door, dropping him with a thud onto the floor.

Lu Xingzhou fell to the floor. Before him, a pair of white cloth shoes looked somewhat like a Daoist’s, serious and proper. Their pristine white color added a touch of purity to their austerity. The small, delicate feet appeared somewhat cute.

Pure yet alluring. As this thought flashed through Lu Xingzhou’s mind, the elegant foot kicked out, flipping him over, and then pressed down on his chest.

With the leg on his chest slightly bent, Ye Tinglan leaned down, resting her right elbow on her knee, and gazed down coldly at Lu Xingzhou’s disheveled and awkward posture. “Do you know how the last person who tried to ruin my reputation died?” she asked.

Lu Xingzhou thought that if the previous person had also been stepped on like this, they might have died from a nosebleed.

Fortunately, as a transmigrator, he was well-versed and could endure it.

He quickly put on an apologetic face. “The child is ignorant, Teacher; please don’t hold it against her.”

“Didn’t you say you instructed her?”

“I accept the punishment.”

“Why did you tarnish my reputation?”

“Teacher…” Lu Xingzhou deliberated for a moment before saying in a low voice, “People say that those in the Cloud Ascension Realm can soar through the void on the wind, traveling to the North Sea in the morning and Cangwu in the evening, how free and unburdened. Why does Teacher appear to be shackled, not at all like someone seeking immortality and the Dao?”

“What does that have to do with you tarnishing my reputation?”

“If Teacher could have fewer concerns, then we wouldn’t have to endure constant exposure to the elements on our journey.”

“Just for that?”

“So that Teacher can live a little more easily.”

Ye Tinglan paused, knowing full well he was spouting nonsense, yet she couldn’t help but let out a slight sigh.

She finally withdrew her foot, turned, and sat back in her chair. “Get up,” she said coldly.

“Cough.” Lu Xingzhou scrambled to his feet, secretly glancing at her expression.

With the veil on, it was impossible to discern much. Lu Xingzhou suddenly yearned for her to remove it, so he said directly, “It’s just that I truly don’t understand why Teacher always wears a veil. Why can’t you be more spontaneous?”

Ye Tinglan coldly replied, “To prevent lechers like you from constantly ogling.”

In truth, it was merely habit. As the Imperial Advisor, she needed a certain mystique, and a young, beautiful face was not conducive to cultivating an aura of dignity and mystery. Conversely, her identity as Madam Ye didn’t strictly require a veil, but it had become a habit, and certainly, wearing it saved her a lot of unnecessary bother.

Lu Xingzhou earnestly told her, “If Teacher wears it simply to avoid being coveted by lechers, then I must responsibly tell you that a veil only invites more baseless fantasies. Mystery and the unknown are the most captivating. It would be better to be straightforward and appear unveiled.”