At that time, when Chen Ping’an went to the City God Pavilion to investigate, Xu Yuanxia and Zhang Shanfeng went to the Prefect’s Manor, prepared for rejection.

Unexpectedly, through the introduction of his son Liu Gaohua, Prefect Liu, his face full of worry, quickly received the bearded man and the young Daoist in the parlor. Not only did he not order them to leave, he didn’t even ask Xu Yuanxia to show off his domineering saber techniques, nor did he ask Zhang Shanfeng to fly around the courtyard with his peach wood sword. After hearing their warnings, he hesitated for a moment and invited them to accompany him to the main hall. The two were astonished. Inside the main hall sat seven or eight people, some armored warriors with hands on their swords, some elderly civil officials pointing at the map of the prefecture city, and several men and women with vibrant spirits and abundant bearing. It was clear that they were cultivators. If they hadn’t deliberately concealed their aura and breathing, they should all be Qi Refiners of the Third or Fourth Realm.

Prefect Liu briefly introduced everyone, mostly local recluses from Rouge Prefecture, as well as outsiders who had come after hearing the news, similar to Xu Yuanxia and Zhang Shanfeng.

Xu Yuanxia focused on observing an ordinary-looking man with a steady aura, likely an expert who would unleash a devastating strike when he acted.

Zhang Shanfeng, on the other hand, glanced several times at “Daoist Chongmiao.” The old Daoist was leisurely drinking tea, with two ten-foot-tall bronze guardians standing behind him. “Guardians” were a unique symbol of the Daoist Talisman Sect, mostly lacking intelligence and only obeying their master’s simplest commands, such as killing enemies. High-quality bronze guardians could rival Third Realm martial artists in combat power and should not be underestimated or regarded as crude and foolish puppets.

Prefect Liu first gave Xu Yuanxia and Zhang Shanfeng a general overview of the current situation, then said with some emotion, cupping his hands sincerely, “Thank you, righteous individuals, for your assistance. If we can safely overcome this calamity, Rouge Prefecture will certainly erect a monument for you and record your deeds in the local chronicles.”

Almost everyone seated stood up to return the greeting, saying some polite words about their inescapable duty.

Prefect Liu walked to the table, on which were placed two maps, one a map of the prefecture city and the other a map of the six prefectures of Painted Robe Kingdom, including Rouge Prefecture. Prefect Liu pointed to a certain place between Rouge Prefecture and a neighboring prefecture, “We just received good news. General Ma and the Old Immortal are personally watching at the city gate. Six hundred elite cavalry have left their garrison and are rushing to our prefecture city, and should arrive by dusk today, at the latest. The two thousand infantry should arrive outside the city after midnight.”

Prefect Liu was dealing with this kind of incident for the first time, his throat burning with anxiety. Combined with his previous running around, he had been constantly on edge. His voice was hoarse as he spoke, and he quickly took a cup of hot tea handed over by the old advisor.

The old advisor, who had been advising in the Prefect’s Manor for many years, stood by the table in Prefect Liu’s place, pointing out each location, “The City God Pavilion in the northeast, the Embroidery Lane in the north of the city, the Horse Head Bridge in the south, the Hanging Copper Pagoda in the west, and the Zhao Mansion in the central area are the six places where strangeness has been discovered. The City God Pavilion has been urgently closed, and the two Immortal Masters who infiltrated it have not yet emerged. Six people have died violently in Embroidery Lane, and all thirty-two households have been evacuated. A man-eating water monster has appeared under Horse Head Bridge, and it is unknown whether it has flowed along the river into other parts of the city, which is quite troublesome. The Hanging Copper Pagoda, originally used to warn the mountain immortals, has now collapsed, and the old man guarding the pagoda has also died violently. As for the Zhao Mansion, a dozen people have gone mad, suddenly acting up as if infected by a plague. Even two constables who went in to investigate have gone mad, so that we…”

At this point, Prefect Liu coughed lightly, and the old advisor stopped speaking.

After all, it wouldn’t sound good if it got out, and it might affect the prefect’s reputation.

Because, like the City God Pavilion, Zhao Mansion had been strictly sealed off by the government, forbidding anyone inside from leaving.

Daoist Chongmiao put down his teacup and smiled, “The matter is of great importance, and Lord Liu’s actions are very courageous. He is acting for the sake of hundreds of thousands of people in the prefecture city. I believe that Zhao Mansion, as long as they have a little conscience, will be grateful for Lord Liu’s decision today.”

The armored general, a burly man with a golden saber, glanced askance at Daoist Chongmiao, twitching his lips with mockery.

Prefect Liu was somewhat embarrassed and said softly, “There’s no need for gratitude. I would be content if they could understand.”

He quickly changed the subject and sighed, “Fortunately, the Old Immortal happened to be passing by our prefecture and observed the celestial phenomena at night, discovering the abnormal miasma permeating the prefecture city. Otherwise, we would certainly still be in the dark. Once something happened, we would be caught off guard by that group of demons and monsters, and the consequences would be unimaginable, unimaginable!”

Xu Yuanxia asked, “That Hanging Copper Pagoda, does it function like a border beacon, capable of transmitting signals to the mountain immortals nearby?”

The armored general, his face gloomy, nodded and said, “That’s right. However, the demons and monsters are cunning and treacherous, and they launched a sinister attack, causing the prefecture city to lose contact with the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect, which is nine hundred miles away. The secret technique originally used by the Hanging Copper Pagoda to transmit messages was very mysterious, and could inform the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect in at most the time it takes to burn an incense stick. Now, flying sword transmissions… hehe, the speed is acceptable, but the price is a bit expensive.”

The armored general glanced sideways at the smug Daoist Chongmiao, finding him more and more deserving of a beating.

A single, most ordinary flying sword transmission actually cost one hundred thousand taels of silver. Did he really think he didn’t know the market rate of the mountain post?

It was estimated that even summoning those two bronze guardians had privately cost Prefect Liu a lot of money.

The general was General Ma’s deputy, and they had fought together on the battlefield for many years. Although he had always disliked Prefect Liu, this bookworm, in the past, he watched this famous writer of Painted Robe Kingdom run around, not hiding under the bed in fear, but trying his best to maintain order. This made him change his impression of the civil official a lot. However, his impression of the opportunistic old Daoist was extremely poor. As a heretical Daoist whose family property was all within Rouge Prefecture City, why was he raising prices on the spot? If the prefecture city was destroyed, even if Daoist Chongmiao could escape, abandoning his family, disciples, and ancestral home, wouldn’t he be left with nothing in the end?

Xu Yuanxia asked, “Prefect Liu, may I ask when the Immortal Masters of the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect can arrive in Rouge Prefecture? Roughly how many will come?”
The Prefect smiled, “Fortunately, within the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect’s mountain gate, there exists a thousand-year-old multicolored Luan. It was once the mount of the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect’s founding patriarch. After the patriarch’s ascension, the Luan did not leave the mountain. Successive sect leaders could request it to perform certain tasks. The Luan’s back can carry five or six immortal masters riding the wind. If the flying sword transmission encounters no mishaps, I believe the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect will arrive above the prefecture city around noon tomorrow.”

Prefect Liu sighed, then suddenly raised his voice, encouraging everyone loudly, “Therefore, we must rely on everyone to help the prefecture city hold out until the Spirit Rhinoceros Sect’s immortal masters arrive, at least until noon tomorrow!”

Xu Yuanxia and Zhang Shanfeng exchanged glances, their expressions not at all relaxed.

Zhang Shanfeng was even more worried about whether Chen Ping’an’s trip to the City God Pavilion would encounter any unforeseen circumstances.

The east gate of Rouge Prefecture had a towering gatehouse, two stories high, with a triple-eaved hip-and-gable roof, possessing the air of a dragon coiled and a tiger crouching.

General Ma was clad in armor, not brand new and shiny, but rather quite old, covered in knife and sword marks. Obviously, it was the beloved possession of this Colorful Garment Kingdom border general. In the past century, there had not been many wars on the Colorful Garment Kingdom’s borders, only occasional conflicts with the ancient Elm Kingdom to the north. Therefore, battlefield warriors valued military merit, often using it as a key to advancement in the army and promotion in the court. If not for General Ma having no one in the court to speak on his behalf, he would probably already be a young bigwig in the Ministry of War.

At the top floor of the gatehouse, General Ma suddenly saw the old immortal looking towards the direction of the City God Pavilion, not retracting his gaze for a long time. Thinking that there was another sudden situation, he asked, “Venerable Huang, could it be that the demons inside have begun to manifest and cause trouble?”

The old immortal, with his sleeves fluttering, stroked his beard and smiled, “It’s nothing, I have my own methods of suppression. The place we truly need to be wary of is Zhao Manor in the city center. This place is too close to the Prefect’s residence. Once something happens, the consequences will be severe. Fortunately, on my journey south, I encountered two close friends, both leading figures of the righteous immortal families on the mountain. They originally intended to travel to the Lake Viewing Academy together to discuss Dao with the masters. Now, in this urgent situation, we can’t worry about delaying their trip. I have already sent a message to them, ordering them to quickly reinforce Rouge Prefecture. I estimate they will soon arrive, riding the wind. At that time, General Ma and I will join forces to guard the east gate. One of my two old friends will keep a close eye on Zhao Manor and protect the safety of the Prefect’s residence. The other will go to the west of the city to take charge. Adding in the cultivators and martial heroes in the Prefect’s residence, I believe this demon disturbance will not lead to the ruin of the prefecture city.”

General Ma clasped his hands in a fist salute, gratefully saying, “If Venerable Huang had not discovered the clues so early and quickly informed us, the people of the prefecture city would have suffered a great disaster this time. Venerable Huang is also willing to risk his own life and selflessly lend a hand. I, Ma, am a rough man and can’t say pretty words, but I will definitely remember this in my heart!”

The old immortal smiled and shook his head, “If mountain cultivation is only for one’s own attainment of the Dao and ascension, regardless of the suffering of the masses, then what kind of immortals are we cultivating? What need is there for longevity and immortality?”

General Ma heavily hammered his chest armor with his fist, then extended his thumb, sincerely admiring, “Venerable Huang, based on these words alone, you are truly cultivating the Dao!”

Speaking of this, the middle-aged general indignantly said, “As for certain immortal masters in the Colorful Garment Kingdom who only know how to seek fame and gain reputation, especially those in the capital, humph, they are truly shameless, constantly reaching out to the imperial court for money to build immortal pavilions and construct tall buildings, exhausting the people and wasting wealth… Alas, let’s not talk about it, the more I talk, the angrier I get!”

The old immortal put his hands behind his back and said indifferently with a smile, “Which river in the world doesn’t carry mud and sand? General Ma doesn’t need to be too resentful. Since the world is like this, just do your own part well.”

The general nodded, deeply agreeing, his respect for the old immortal beside him, who was both profound in Taoist arts and compassionate towards the world, growing even more.

Immortals are not only found in the blessed lands of the mountains; they are also found down below.

The old immortal once again used his supernatural powers, squinting his eyes and trying his best to look towards the City God Pavilion. Because of the distance, the specific scene was blurry. If Old Devil Mi were here, he would have known a little about the trick of viewing rivers and mountains in one’s palm. Such a short distance should be clearly visible.

However, he had sensed just now that the secret arts and formations of the City God Pavilion had been broken. It was definitely some overestimating fool playing the hero. It didn’t matter, he had already arranged a backup plan there. The Golden City God and the civil and military deity statues on both sides had all been secretly tampered with by Old Devil Mi. At the cost of a huge price, a special incense offering lasting more than twenty years had been used to subtly infuse them with demonic energy. For this, Old Devil Mi had shamelessly demanded three magical artifacts from them before he was willing to stop.

Therefore, the minor disturbances in the City God Pavilion would not affect the ultimate flow of a great river.

With nearly thirty years of secret planning and the combined efforts of four forces, how could it all be for naught?

Unless a tenth-realm Land Immortal descended from the sky and suddenly declared that he would protect this Rouge Prefecture city, they might consider withdrawing.

However, they had already thoroughly investigated the movements of the Divine Edict Sect, the Lake Viewing Academy, and several major immortal mountain gates. There was absolutely no possibility of a tenth-realm Qi refiner appearing out of nowhere. Moreover,大佬who had reached the Nascent Soul realm were never seen. To put it bluntly, even if they did see this scene, as long as they weren’t patriarchs from famous righteous sects with a strong sense of justice, it was still questionable whether they would be willing to get involved.

The trend was set, and the overall situation was determined!

The old immortal smiled inwardly. He really wanted to turn his head, pat the honest general’s shoulder, and jokingly tease him, “Old Brother Ma, your eyesight isn’t very good. I’m not a righteous immortal master, but rather one of those demons and heretics that everyone is eager to kill. The two most famous immortal masters in the Colorful Garment Kingdom’s capital are both my direct disciples.”

These unorthodox rogue cultivators were like rats in the mud, seeking to get by for three years without opening for business, then eating for three years after the business was open!

After this matter was over, once he obtained that magic treasure, he would simply retreat into seclusion for another twenty or thirty years, go to a more southern place, and secretly plan even bigger deals, and then he would be a good man again. Perhaps one day, he might become like White Emperor City of the Central Earth Divine Continent, a well-known figure of the demonic path, but who would dare to call him a demon in person? The vast majority of the upper five realm great cultivators wouldn’t dare!

However, the old immortal was just thinking about such a beautiful thing to entertain himself.
The venerable immortal glanced south, then turned his gaze north, a hint of hesitation flickering in his eyes. Seeking refuge southward after the deed would undoubtedly be the safest course, but adhering to the agreement and heading north promised untold riches amidst peril. Yet, if one could survive until the very end, an immeasurable fortune awaited.

According to the instructions of that young ancestor of the Fu lineage, the Shen Gao Sect contingent had set out to find the licentious shrine of the mountain god. However, midway through their journey, the mountain and river’s Qi and fortune underwent a dramatic transformation, turning from turbid to pure. The leading elder, Zhao Liu, was taken aback. He decided to first investigate the mountain god’s shrine, only to discover the Qin-surnamed mountain god’s golden statue shattered, its essence completely extinguished. An unexpected delight came when the group discovered fragments of the golden statue amidst the ruins. Even Zhao Liu was astonished. He promptly secured the golden fragments, carefully storing them away. Although destined to be handed over to the sect, the prospect of touching and studying them in moments of leisure was a pleasing thought.

Subsequently, the elder returned to the small town. After much deliberation, he resolved to venture alone to the ancient manor, to mend fences with Yang Huang, who had become a tormented ghost.

If Yang Huang and his wife seized this opportunity, not only would they have the backing of Uncle-Master Fu to settle matters, relieving them of any concerns about future repercussions from the Shen Gao Sect, but they would also safeguard the ancient manor’s formation. Furthermore, there was hope for advancement in their cultivation. Given Yang Huang’s exceptional aptitude, once the tree demoness was no longer a burden, he might very well leap into the Middle Five Realms as an independent cultivator. Zhao Liu could readily envision the unfolding future: Yang Huang’s nature was not rigid; he had been well-regarded within the Shen Gao Sect in his early days and was a native of Caiyi Prefecture. With a bit of maneuvering, Yang Huang or his wife could very well be appointed as orthodox mountain gods by the imperial court. If it were the latter, that would be truly astonishing! A couple, both at the Cave Realm, would be courted by all. The Shen Gao Sect might even seize the chance to extend goodwill!

Where would that leave him, Zhao Liu?

Kowtowing and begging for forgiveness then would be futile. It was better to humble himself and proactively display goodwill now.

With his mind made up, Zhao Liu discarded all hesitation and brazenly visited the ancient manor, congratulating the couple on their good fortune after enduring hardship. He apologized, drank three cups of penalty wine, and presented a low-grade but pleasing small spiritual implement. Yang Huang, a clever man himself, had barely torn apart the facade, but now, as Zhao Liu came to atone for his actions, he was surprisingly courteous and warm. He drank when offered wine and even accepted the spiritual implement. However, after drinking to a state of tipsy intoxication, Yang Huang began to berate Zhao Liu. Eventually, even the female ghost couldn’t bear it.

She tried to dissuade him for a long time, but Yang Huang refused to listen. Zhao Liu remained silent at the table, enduring everything.

Afterward, Zhao Liu stayed at the ancient manor, sending a message to the Shen Gao Sect disciples in the town. Then, the group stayed for another day.

All was amicable and harmonious.

When Zhao Liu departed, he knew that all of Yang Huang’s actions were merely for show. In his heart, he would only hold Zhao Liu in even greater contempt. Yang Huang was more of a pragmatist who believed in “better to scold a gentleman than provoke a petty man.” However, Zhao Liu considered the trip worthwhile. He would be content if their relationship could be maintained on this level. They could never be considered friends; he would never expect that in this lifetime. But they would no longer be enemies. With careful management and frequent visits to this Rouge Prefecture, he might even have the chance to become an acquaintance who could nod in passing.

Zhao Liu led his team north with complicated emotions. However, after traveling only a few dozen miles, Zhao Liu sensed something amiss in the direction of Rouge Prefecture. Yet, the old immortal of the Shen Gao Sect remained silent, focusing only on their journey.

That evening, the group camped on a mountaintop. The young disciple, a Sword Cultivator of the Third Realm, approached the elder standing at the cliff’s edge and softly asked, “Master, there is clearly demonic Qi emanating from Rouge Prefecture, quite a considerable force. To be so blatant within a prefecture city, it must be no ordinary demon. Should we go and investigate?”

Zhao Liu chuckled and said, “Even you could see the demonic Qi soaring to the heavens. Your master isn’t blind.”

The young man carefully pondered the implications of his master’s words and tentatively asked, “Then should we send a flying sword message to the sect? To request reinforcements?”

The elder squinted as he gazed at the night sky above Rouge Prefecture and slowly said, “Uncle-Master Fu wanted us to suppress the Qin-surnamed licentious mountain god. Now that the shrine has collapsed and we have recovered three fragments of the golden statue, your experience on this mountain excursion has been fruitful, far surpassing your peers. So many fragments from a divine being of a mountain and river… how many lower five realm Qi Refiners have personally witnessed such a thing? This time, the outer sect assessment will surely yield a ‘superior’ rating. With good fortune, perhaps even a ‘supreme’ rating.”

The elder turned his head and softly said, “Xi Ping, remember, good things in this world should not be overdone. Once you and I choose to send a flying sword message, the sect will send people to Caiyi Prefecture to thoroughly investigate the matter. Comparing the timelines, it will easily expose our timidity. These words are only because you are my most valued disciple that I am willing to confide in you. Remember, do not let them reach the ears of others.”

The young Sword Cultivator was sincerely convinced and lowered his voice, saying, “Master is wise and insightful, with flawless planning!”

Zhao Liu glanced back at the three Shen Gao Sect disciples resting around the distant bonfire. The youngest among them, while asleep, faintly exuded strands of mist from his ears and nose with each breath. In contrast, the aura of the older brother and sister, who had entered the sect earlier, was far inferior. The elder frowned and whispered, “This matter still needs to be discussed with that brat. That child is keenly perceptive. Don’t be fooled by his pretense of ignorance; we can deceive the siblings, but we can’t deceive him. If we don’t explain it clearly and he leaks it when we return to the sect, it will still be a calamity.”

The young Sword Cultivator nodded.

Zhao Liu turned back, smiling amiably at his direct disciple, and said with a gentle expression, “Xi Ping, it won’t be easy to silence that cunning little imp. Didn’t you secretly hoard a fragment of the golden statue? That’s against the rules, and if discovered, the sect will severely punish you. Take it out. Master will help you give it to him and see if he dares to accept this hot potato. If he accepts it, from now on, you and I will be on the same side. Back at the mountain, we’ll have someone to look out for each other. Master will be helping you pave the way. If he doesn’t accept it, heh, Master is the leader of your excursion and has the duty to investigate. Afterward, I’ll submit a document to the outer sect. Within the rules, I can make things difficult for that child’s backer, and no one can fault me.”

Then, the old Daoist opened his palm and extended it to the young Sword Cultivator. “Take it out.”
The young swordsman’s face instantly turned ashen, but he quickly forced a smile, without the slightest hesitation or reluctance, and promptly handed over the largest golden shard to the old Taoist.

Zhao Liu accepted the golden shard, chuckling, “Oh, it’s quite a chunk, worth twice as much. Seems that lad’s got some luck, finding such a bargain.”

The young swordsman’s face stiffened, and he forced a smile, saying, “I was planning to present it to my master as a birthday gift for his grand celebration next month.”

The old Taoist hummed in acknowledgment, patting the young swordsman’s shoulder. “Thoughtful of you.”

Afterward, the young swordsman quietly returned to the campfire, sat down cross-legged, closed his eyes, and maintained his smile.

The old Taoist sat alone on the cliff edge, practicing Qi cultivation in silence for a long while before muttering to himself with a hint of self-deprecation, “With no hope for the Great Dao, I can only resort to these petty tricks. Haha, what a miserable existence.”

The scholar Liu Chicheng exited the city through the eastern gate and walked along the official road. After traveling ten li, he rested outside the post station. Commoners without official titles were not allowed to sit inside. There was a tea stall outside the post station, so the scholar ordered a bowl of hot tea to warm his stomach, muttering to himself as if in conversation: “You’re always bragging about how amazing you are, but you’re just going to ignore this mess? That Miss Liu is a nice girl, gives me money to spend, doesn’t even blink when she’s handing it over, and she hugs and cuddles me, solving my urgent problems. Otherwise, would you have me become a beggar or sell myself? If I starve to death, you won’t be any better off!”

“What? You drew the short straw ending up with a master like me? Why don’t you mention that if I hadn’t stumbled into that desolate tomb and accidentally broken that thousand-year-old formation, freeing you from your prison, you wouldn’t have had the chance to see the light of day again? Do you know that because of your existence, I can’t even use my full power when I’m enjoying myself with women, only daring to hold hands and kiss a little, otherwise wouldn’t that just be cheapening you, you old geezer?”

“Bullshit immortal! Hiding your head and tail, a stray dog. You don’t even dare show yourself when I get punched to the ground. If *you’re* an immortal above the Jade Purity realm, then *I’m* a Golden Core immortal! I hear real Golden Core immortals are the real deal, flying around in the sky every day, and occasionally landing for a drink, and emperors and generals have to treat them with utmost respect.”

The tea stall owner watched from a distance, worried. Could that poor scholar be crazy? Muttering to himself? Being crazy isn’t a problem, but I hope he has money!

The scholar glared and said, “What? The Golden Core stage is nothing? Do you believe that after I finish this tea, I can fart you out? And we can go our separate ways?”

“Don’t insult people by pointing out their shortcomings, so I’m a bastard, so what… having a father but no mother is better than being a perverted old man who insists on wearing that pink Taoist robe. Tsk tsk, truly shameless. Why don’t you ask me to buy you a few boxes of rouge and powder? … Dammit… here it comes again…”

The scholar’s voice, already as thin as a mosquito’s, became almost inaudible even to himself. His eyes gradually became cloudy, then suddenly shone with a divine light, as if a deity had possessed him. His entire being changed from the inside out, no longer the poor scholar, but more like an emperor in disguise.

The scholar Liu, wearing a smile, reached out with a trembling hand, raised the teacup, and drank the last sip of tea. He stood up, threw a handful of copper coins on the table, and strode away. At first, his steps were unsteady, as if he had drunk fine wine, and his eyes were a bit hazy. But as he walked, his steps became more and more steady. Finally, the scholar turned off the official road into a field full of blooming canola flowers. There was no one around. With a shake of his shoulders, the knot of the bundle came undone on its own, and it fell from his body, hovering in the air. From the bundle, a beautifully embroidered Taoist robe floated out.

It was indeed pink!

The scholar’s outer robe also came undone and fell off on its own, switching places with the pink Taoist robe, obediently lying in the bundle.

Besides the gaudy robe that defied worldly conventions, the bundle also contained a golden hairpin, which slowly floated toward the scholar’s head and pinned itself in his hair.

Then the bundle vanished in a flash, obviously disappearing into a spatial artifact.

Of course, it could also be a “palm-sized” or even a “mountain-sized” artifact, the legendary “marvelous small paradise.”

The scholar spread his hands, looked up at the sky, and smiled in contentment. The pink Taoist robe seemed to be alive with elation, suddenly spreading out behind the scholar, as if a maid were attending to him. Without the scholar having to move, the robe was worn on his body.

The already handsome scholar Liu Chicheng looked even more graceful in this robe.

The dashing scholar strode forward, his feet floating in the air, drifting in the wind, stepping into the sky, directly into the clouds, loudly chanting: “A thousand years in the tomb, a thousand years in the world.”

Beneath his feet, the earth was covered with alien yellow flowers.