Chapter 50 Full Support

“Giving official positions to Martial Forest Schools? Is this an amnesty, or a trap?”

Zhang Yuchun frowned and asked. Because of Wu Baoyu’s incident, he was full of suspicion about the current emperor’s actions. He did not believe this emperor was benevolent.

The emperor resolved the chaos in the world only because this chaos threatened his imperial power; otherwise, why would it have lasted so many years?

Li Qingqiu also felt that this matter was not a good thing. Liu Fanzhou, unaware of the emperor’s pursuit of immortality, waved his hand and said, “That’s the emperor. To scheme against Martial Forest Schools, would he need to go through such trouble? He could completely send the army to suppress them under the guise of bandit extermination. Who in the Martial Forest hasn’t killed anyone? If they were truly to be convicted according to the law, most would face the death penalty. Moreover, gathering so many Martial Forest experts in the imperial palace would also put His Majesty at risk.”

Li Qingqiu and Zhang Yuchun exchanged glances, knowing that they couldn’t reason with Liu Fanzhou on this matter.

“Is it a forced conscription, or a voluntary journey?” Zhang Yuchun continued to ask.

Liu Fanzhou smiled and said, “Naturally, it’s voluntary. Forced conscription would truly indicate a problem. However, the Imperial City is far away. To compete for this official position, it’s all about who gets the news earlier and who sets off first.”

Li Qingqiu nodded and said, “No matter what, thank you, Master Liu, for releasing this news to us.”

“You’re too kind, too kind. We’re all family.”

Liu Fanzhou waved his hand. He was a shrewd man and could see the resistance of Li Qingqiu and the other person to this matter, so he didn’t bring it up again.

He began to chat about other matters in the Jianghu. He even mentioned the Juesheng Sect.

“Yan Wujin forced his way into Iron Peak, defeating eighteen peak masters and becoming famous in one battle. He is truly a top expert of his generation. He established a School on the border of Guzhou Prefecture, named Juesheng Sect. It is said that he has already received the support of the Tang Family of Linchuan. The Tang Family is one of the four prominent families of Linchuan, and even in Zhongtian Prefecture, they are a first-rate aristocratic family. With the support of the Tang Family, plus Yan Wujin’s martial arts, Guzhou Prefecture’s seven major Schools will have one more.”

Liu Fanzhou sighed with emotion, highly praising Yan Wujin.

Liu Yan looked at her father, wanting to speak but hesitating. Everyone in the School knew about the Juesheng Sect’s previous attack.

The Sect Master of Juesheng Sect was defeated by Xu Ning. That battle caused Xu Ning’s prestige within the School to suddenly soar to its peak, on par with Jiang Zhaoxia. The question of who was stronger, Xu Ning or Jiang Zhaoxia, became a frequent topic of discussion among the Disciples in private.

Liu Fanzhou looked at Li Qingqiu and smiled, “Sect Master Li, in my opinion, Guzhou Prefecture should have nine major Schools. The ninth major School should be Qingxiao Sect. Why don’t you display your grand ambitions? If you need anything, I, Liu Fanzhou, will definitely give my full support!”

He was very surprised by his visit to Qingxiao Sect this time. The changes in Qingxiao Sect were truly too great, and there were many more Disciples. All signs indicated that Qingxiao Sect had great ambitions.

Li Qingqiu asked with a smile, “How would ‘full support’ be provided?”

Liu Fanzhou patted his chest and said, “I will support Qingxiao Sect with all my family’s wealth. My connections and all the favors I’ve accumulated will be at Qingxiao Sect’s disposal.”

“Master Liu, do you have so much faith in Qingxiao Sect?”

“Hehe, after all, Qingxiao Sect has a certain historical foundation, and it also has the second strongest in the current Martial Forest. Sect Master Li is even a young Genius, benevolent and kind-hearted. How could I not believe in Qingxiao Sect?”

“Then what do you want?”

“What could I want? What I want has already been realized by Qingxiao Sect. I love my daughter the most, and now she has joined Qingxiao Sect. My helping Qingxiao Sect is helping her.”

Liu Fanzhou spoke with genuine emotion, looking at Liu Yan with loving eyes.

Seeing this, Li Qingqiu naturally sighed at their deep father-daughter affection.

An incense stick’s time later, Liu Fanzhou left with Liu Yan. The father and daughter also needed to be alone to catch up.

Li Qingqiu picked up his teacup and asked, “Second Junior Brother, what do you think of his proposal?”

Zhang Yuchun pondered, “We cannot agree. Firstly, we are not clear about Liu Fanzhou’s family background. It’s impossible for him to have only Liu Yan as a daughter. Secondly, we don’t lack his money right now. We are a Martial Forest School. Money is important, but it’s not the most important thing. The Qin Family is an example. Recently, Qin Jue wrote to me again, hoping to arrange for more Qin Family Disciples to come. If Liu Fanzhou gets involved, there will be a lot of trouble later.”

“Indeed, I thought you had a good relationship with him and had long been won over by him.” Li Qingqiu said with a chuckle. Zhang Yuchun being so rational made him even more assured about entrusting him with great power.

Zhang Yuchun shook his head and said, “Liu Fanzhou is a businessman after all. He treats all those who are beneficial to him with such enthusiasm. I wouldn’t actually think that he and I are truly ‘friends regardless of age’.”

Li Qingqiu nodded in satisfaction, while Li Dongyue couldn’t help but laugh aloud.

Zhang Yuchun turned to look at her, asking in surprise, “Fourth Junior Sister, why are you laughing?”

Li Dongyue restrained her smile, gave a fake cough, and said, “I just remembered when we were children. Although Senior Brother hasn’t changed, Second Senior Brother, you weren’t so resourceful back then, and Senior Brother often played tricks on you.”

Hearing her mention childhood, Zhang Yuchun’s expression became awkward, and he quickly tried to defend himself.

Li Qingqiu suddenly realized that his Junior Brother and Junior Sister had grown up.

He would turn twenty this year, while Zhang Yuchun would turn nineteen, and Li Dongyue would turn eighteen.

They were no longer teenagers and had all developed the ability to stand on their own.

For some reason, Li Qingqiu suddenly felt a sense of urgency, as if time was running out.

If their cultivation could not reach the higher Spirit Consciousness Realm, Zhang Yuchun and Li Dongyue would at most live another one hundred and twenty to thirty years.

Li Qingqiu pursued longevity and also hoped that his Junior Brother and Junior Sister could accompany him further on his journey.

The immortal cultivation methods he currently possessed were not enough to help his Junior Brother and Junior Sister change their fate. He needed to make Qingxiao Sect strong quickly, to learn more Spells and secret techniques… This time, Liu Fanzhou did not descend the mountain as hastily as before. He said he was tired from traveling and wanted to rest for a few days.

In the time that followed, he always ran to Zhu Yan’s courtyard, but unfortunately, no matter how he tried to curry favor, Su Xiling would not let him in.

Liu Fanzhou stayed for half a year.

Within half a year, Li Sifeng descended the mountain twice. Besides Cheng Canghai and Bai Ninger, he would bring back a different group of Disciples each time. His leading Disciples down the mountain for experience greatly increased his prestige. He was no longer the mischievous youth he once was, but an Elder respected by the Disciples.

Not only Li Sifeng, but Li Dongyue also had more and more apprentices, increasing the number of people in Qingxiao Sect who treated patients.

Li Sijin had already made progress in the Earth Talisman Treasure Codex. She was also teaching Disciples how to make talismans and cultivate spirit plantss, but those Disciples were not yet clear about what they were doing, only thinking it was a way for the School to earn money.

In autumn.

Li Qingqiu stood on the mountaintop, hands behind his back, looking at the new courtyard below. Zhang Yuchun was personally interviewing those who came to become Disciples.

Li Sifeng and others performed acts of chivalry in the mountains, acting righteously and generously in every village and town they visited. In just half a year, Qingxiao Sect’s reputation for chivalry and benevolence began to spread, and finally, people voluntarily came up the mountain to seek discipleship.

This was a good omen. How could a renowned great School personally descend the mountain to recruit Disciples?

However, Li Qingqiu was not happy; his heart was concerned about Jiang Zhaoxia.

Logically speaking, Jiang Zhaoxia, a Nourishing Origin Realm, Fifth Layer expert, was by no means someone the Heavenly Saber Sect could stop. However, the Jianghu was dangerous, and human hearts were unpredictable, so he couldn’t help but worry.

Speaking of which, although Jiang Zhaoxia was strong, he always seemed to get injured.

Li Qingqiu was lost in thought when he suddenly glanced in one direction. He saw a group of Yamen Runners walking on the mountain path, heading towards the mountain gate.

In front of the Yamen Runners, two people led the way. One was Feng Dai, the county magistrate of Heishi County, and the other wore brocade clothes, with a saber at his waist. He was handsome and dignified, with an Aura much stronger than Feng Dai and the others. Feng Dai frequently looked back, clearly indicating that this person had a significant background.

Seeing this, Li Qingqiu turned and slowly walked down the mountain… The new courtyard was crowded. Besides a dozen or so Qingxiao Sect Disciples watching the excitement, there were also many commoners. They had all brought their children to become Disciples. There were a total of ten young Disciples seeking entry.

“Elder Zhang, people from the imperial court have arrived!”

Yuan Qi quickly entered the courtyard, came to Zhang Yuchun’s side, and whispered.

Zhang Yuchun held great power, and the Disciples were accustomed to seeking him out when there was trouble. At this moment, hearing that people from the imperial court had arrived, he did not panic. Instead, he instructed, “Yuan Qi, take them to settle down and temporarily accept them as Named Disciples.”

“Yes!”

Yuan Qi immediately turned around and led a large crowd out of the new courtyard. As soon as they exited, they saw Feng Dai and others approaching.

The common people loved to gather for excitement. Seeing a group of officials arrive, they all stopped, wanting to see what was happening. If Qingxiao Sect had committed a crime, they wouldn’t dare let their children become Disciples.

Zhang Yuchun stood up, walked around the table, and looked at Feng Dai and the others entering the courtyard. He immediately raised his hand in a salute.

“I am Zhang Yuchun, the Elder in charge of Qingxiao Sect. May I ask why you esteemed sirs have come?” Zhang Yuchun asked, neither humble nor arrogant.

Feng Dai smiled, raised his hand, and introduced, “This is Master Jia from the Heaven Protection Guard of the Imperial City. He is here to convey the Emperor’s will.”

The Emperor’s will?

Zhang Yuchun was surprised, while the Disciples in the courtyard were curious. What matter could alarm the emperor?

The brocade-clad man named Jia Yi rested one hand on his saber hilt and the other behind his back. He scrutinized Zhang Yuchun and asked, “Where is the Sect Leader of Qingxiao Sect?”

Zhang Yuchun replied, “My Senior Brother is currently in secluded cultivation. Even I don’t know his exact whereabouts.”

Jia Yi snorted coldly and said, “Your Qingxiao Sect is truly interesting, with the Sect Leader cultivating and letting someone as young as you wield power. Never mind, I won’t waste any more words. His Majesty has decreed that the Sect Leaders of all Martial Forest Schools in the world are to enter Zhongtian to meet the Emperor. Those who perform exceptionally will be granted official titles and renown. The Sect Leader of Qingxiao Sect must arrive at the Imperial City before spring of next year.”

Feng Dai saw that he didn’t even bother to take out the imperial edict, and knew his attitude towards Qingxiao Sect. This was also the reason he insisted on coming.

The incident with Wu Baoyu made Feng Dai worry that Qingxiao Sect would clash with imperial court officials.

After hearing this, Zhang Yuchun frowned and asked, “Must we go? But I heard from others that this is not a mandatory matter.”

Jia Yi’s eyes narrowed, and he retorted, “Who did you hear it from?”

“A Jianghu friend. He also heard it from others.”

“I am telling you personally, do you not understand?”

Jia Yi shouted in a deep voice. He suddenly raised his hand and reached out towards Zhang Yuchun through the air. His internal Qi erupted, forming a powerful suction force that pulled Zhang Yuchun.

Facing Jia Yi’s sudden attack, Zhang Yuchun was caught off guard and stumbled two steps forward. Fortunately, he managed to stabilize himself in time.

Faced with this powerful suction, Zhang Yuchun’s School robe billowed violently, and his sideburns fluttered. He frowned as he looked at Jia Yi. Rolling dust swirled around them, and the Qingxiao Sect Disciples quickly scattered, blocking the entrance to the new courtyard.

Jia Yi’s expression changed slightly. He hadn’t expected Zhang Yuchun to be able to withstand his Demon Capturing Skill.