Chapter 127: Attaining Immortality Today

Night fell, and Qingxiao Sect was still brightly lit.

Inside the Law Enforcement Hall.

Chai Yunshang was reviewing case files. Currently, there were over four thousand people on the mountain, and conflicts and frictions arose daily, putting increasing pressure on the Law Enforcement Hall.

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A female Disciple entered the room with a stack of scrolls. She placed them on Chai Yunshang’s desk and asked, “Master, it’s like New Year’s outside. Many people believe the Sect Leader can keep his word. What do you think?”

This female Disciple looked young, petite, with a gentle and lovely face, but her brows were etched with worry.

Her name was Yu Lan, Chai Yunshang’s Disciple. She was seventeen this year and had only joined the School for just over a year, yet she was already at the Nourishing Origin Realm, Second Layer, which was proof of her talent.

Chai Yunshang looked up at her and said, “Of course I also believe the Sect Leader. Why don’t you?”

Yu Lan bit her lip lightly, hesitating for a moment, then said, “I’ve witnessed the Sect Leader’s power with my own eyes, but for him to go to Zhengyang Imperial City alone is too risky. He’s not just dealing with the Emperor, but also Devil Soldiers, Devil Sects, Jin Wu Guards, and so on…”

“The Devil Sect people are insidious and cunning. I’m truly worried about the Sect Leader. Although Qingxiao Sect has many experts, and the other hall Masters and Elders are also very capable, I feel that only Qingxiao Sect with the Sect Leader is the true Qingxiao Sect.”

She seemed to recall something, and her eyes turned red.

Chai Yunshang did not get up, but calmly looked at her and said, “Lan’er, you should let go of the past. Having been in Qingxiao Sect for so long, you must learn to trust Qingxiao Sect, and trust the Sect Leader. The Sect Leader will execute the Emperor, and Qingxiao Sect will eradicate the Devil Sect, avenging your parents and brother.”

Yu Lan had become an orphan before coming to the mountain. The Devil Sect killed her parents to capture her young brother, and only she narrowly escaped. Later, she heard that the Devil Emperor was executed by the Qingxiao Sect Leader, so she traveled across prefectures to find Qingxiao Sect. Along the way, she encountered many hardships, even killing people. Because of this experience, she was more mature than her peers and considered risks in everything.

There were many Disciples with experiences like Yu Lan’s. Some Disciples’ relatives were harmed by the government, some were hunted by Schools and Aristocratic Families, and some were beggars since childhood.

After arriving at Qingxiao Sect, these Disciples, carrying hatred, Cultivated diligently. They always held no hope for this world. Even if Li Qingqiu was strong, they worried that everything they currently possessed would shatter like a beautiful dream.

Facing her Master’s gaze, Yu Lan hesitated to speak.

Chai Yunshang lowered her eyes and continued reviewing the scrolls. She said softly, “If you can’t even wait three days, then you are not worthy to be my Disciple, nor worthy to be a Qingxiao Sect Disciple. Go down the mountain as soon as possible, find a place to hide, and spend the rest of your life in fear.”

Upon hearing this, Yu Lan’s heart trembled and she was greatly provoked, but she ultimately said nothing more. She bowed to Chai Yunshang, then turned and left.

After she closed the door, Chai Yunshang looked up at the window. The bright moon reflected in her eyes, and her heart was not as calm as her words suggested; she also had a hint of worry.

She thought of the night many years ago when her sword pointed at Li Qingqiu.

“This time, you will still succeed, right?”

…Li Qingqiu’s departure left many Qingxiao Sect Disciples sleepless. Some looked forward to him, others worried about him.

At this moment, he was sitting on a tree branch, playing with his flying fish saber, sharing the moonlight with the Qingxiao Sect Disciples.

The moonlight shone on his face, making one half bright and the other half dark.

Nangong E floated over from the side, looked at him, and softly asked, “Master, what are you thinking about?”

Having been a Ghost Slave for some time, she had regained her intelligence and could speak human language like Lin Chuan. Even with her memories, she still held an innate reverence for Li Qingqiu.

“I’m thinking whether the ensuing chaotic world, after killing the Emperor, will bring greater despair to the common people,” Li Qingqiu replied.

Although the Emperor had committed many evils, the order in various prefectures and cities still remained. When the true chaotic world arrived, it would be a complete catastrophe covering the entire world for the common people.

Nangong E floated in the air, her expression indifferent, saying, “Before I died, the Great Wei Dynasty experienced turmoil, and some people rebelled. I also wondered what would happen to the people if my imperial father died. But looking back now, after my imperial father died, there was a new Emperor, and after the Great Wei Dynasty fell, there was a new dynasty. Regardless of what happens next, the current common people definitely hope you can personally kill the Emperor.”

She usually floated around Li Qingqiu, and others couldn’t see her, so she also came to understand this world.

Zhao Zhi’s actions also shocked her; she had never heard of an Emperor in history being so deranged during her lifetime.

Li Qingqiu smiled and said, “Your words make a lot of sense. I was just idly thinking. Since I’ve already come here, I certainly won’t give up. In fact, killing the Emperor isn’t just for the sake of the world; more importantly, the Emperor threatens Qingxiao Sect, and I must eliminate him.”

“The truth is that the current Emperor threatens everyone in the world. As long as you step forward, everyone in the world will owe you a debt of gratitude,” Nangong E said seriously.

Li Qingqiu closed his eyes and said, “Tomorrow, you will also participate in the battle. It’s a good opportunity to test your cultivation during this period.”

He was very interested in the Ghost Dao and had formulated a Cultivation plan for Nangong E and Lin Chuan, even helping them create methods to attack during the day. He was very much looking forward to what effects the Ghost Slaves could achieve.

Nangong E, upon hearing this, also showed an expectant expression.

Compared to her bland days in the palace during her lifetime, her current Ghost Slave life made everything feel very interesting.

The night’s faint wind carried a smell of blood. There were no insect chirps in the forest, making it silent and oppressive.

After a long while.

Lin Chuan flew from deep within the forest. He landed beside Li Qingqiu and recounted what he had seen and heard in the city.

After hearing it, Li Qingqiu let out a cold, playful laugh… The moon set and the sun rose. The first ray of morning sunlight cut across the vast mountains, passing over the city gates of Zhengyang Imperial City.

On the city gates stood soldiers clad in armor, with Jin Wu Guards wearing ghastly masks patrolling behind them.

Following the direction of the sunlight, the once prosperous Zhengyang Imperial City appeared desolate. Every household had its doors and windows tightly shut, as did the tall buildings, shops, and inns. In the center of the city was a vast open space, where a high platform, dozens of feet in length and width, had been erected.

Along the edge of the high platform stood red wooden pillars, to which desiccated corpses, all female, were bound.

A large black flag stood in a bonfire on the platform. Even though it was engulfed in raging flames, the black flag did not ignite, fluttering in the wind.

Black-armored soldiers ran into the square, quickly surrounding the high platform. Subsequently, Jin Wu Guards escorted prisoners, who wore tattered prison clothes, were covered in bloodstains, and were all skin and bones.

They were escorted to the high platform and knelt facing the black flag.

They lowered their heads, looking at the stone platform, all dazed and numb at heart.

Not long after, a rush of hurried footsteps ascended the high platform. The leader was none other than Emperor Zhao Zhi, followed closely by Celestial Master Jiang, Mysterious Duke, and a host of ministers.

Zhao Zhi paced back and forth on the high platform, clearly in a terrible mood.

He wore a Dragon Robe and an imperial crown, fully displaying the Son of Heaven’s Dragon might. Especially with his sullen face, his imposing presence was even stronger.

Zhao Zhi stopped, hands on his hips, and said in a deep voice, “Xuanqing, who is True Man Qingxiao?”

Mysterious Duke pointed directly at one of the kneeling figures on the platform and said, “He is True Man Qingxiao.”

The True Man Qingxiao, who was pointed at, was inconspicuous among the prisoners. He looked like an old man of seventy or eighty, with a very frail physique.

Zhao Zhi glared at True Man Qingxiao, gritting his teeth, and said, “Cook him for Us!”

“No! Your Majesty, at this critical juncture, you cannot act on a momentary fit of anger!” Mysterious Duke quickly advised.

Celestial Master Jiang, dressed in a wide Daoist robe, stroked his beard and smiled, “Indeed, you cannot, Your Majesty. The bones and sinews of these thirty-six people are most suitable as medicinal ingredients, and not one can be missing. Although they are now old and have lost all their cultivation, the bones and sinews they developed from decades of martial arts practice have not changed.”

Zhao Zhi took a deep breath, turned to look towards the city gate, and angrily said, “The sky is already bright. We shall see if Li Qingqiu dares to come!”

As he spoke, he couldn’t help but raise a hand to rub his forehead. After his Primordial Spirit was damaged, he often suffered from headaches, and whenever a headache struck, he would think of Daoist Baishu.

Although he had already chopped Daoist Baishu into minced meat and fed him to dogs, he was still very angry.

“Whether he comes or not, the Heaven-Mending plan begins today. If he comes, that’s perfect, adding a main ingredient. If the rumors are true, then he will be a Jianghu expert second only to a martial arts myth. Such a person is rare,” Celestial Master Jiang said with a chuckle, feeling very at ease and completely unafraid of Li Qingqiu’s threat.

Mysterious Duke followed, saying, “One hundred thousand Imperial Guards have been deployed throughout the city. Three thousand Jin Wu Guards and ten thousand Divine Martial Soldiers are already in ambush. As long as Li Qingqiu dares to step into the city, he will surely not return.”

An old minister asked in surprise, “A mere Jianghu Martial Artist requires a thousand armies to defend against?”

Other ministers echoed, showing disdain for Li Qingqiu, and at the same time flattering Zhao Zhi, saying that he would surely attain immortality today.

Zhao Zhi’s mood brightened from their flattery, and his anger dissipated.

He turned to look, watching the Jin Wu Guards carry up a large cauldron. His eyes grew fervent; the thought of attaining immortality today made it hard for his heart to remain calm.

Mysterious Duke silently retreated to the edge of the high platform, his eyes behind the mask staring at Celestial Master Jiang with a hint of coldness.

Meanwhile.

On the South City Gate, a general with a sword at his waist loudly shouted, “Qingxiao Sect is located in Guzhou Prefecture. If that Li Qingqiu truly dares to come, he will certainly enter through our city gate. Everyone, keep your eyes peeled. If Li Qingqiu is allowed to break in, we will all die, and not just us, but our families may also suffer. Do you understand?”

The soldiers responded in unison, their voices shaking the sky.

In the forest several hundred feet away, a group of Martial Artists was hidden behind trees, looking at the heavily guarded South City Gate and cursing in low voices.

“That Li Qingqiu ruined our great plan, truly hateful,” a female Martial Artist gritted her teeth, her tone full of resentment.

Another middle-aged Martial Artist said, “Although Li Qingqiu executed the Devil Emperor and became famous throughout the world, his actions this time are indeed unwise. Even if he really intends to come, it’s like beating the grass to startle the snake. Truly foolish.”

Others followed, their emotions varied.

“If we don’t go in soon, the Sect Leader will be in grave danger!”

“How about we try to force our way in? Find a place to hide after entering the city.”

“Are you crazy? With so many soldiers, how can we force our way in?”

“Even if we do force our way in, it should be at night. Perhaps after a full day of vigilance, they will relax at night.”

They had been ambushed for several days, waiting for an opportunity to infiltrate the city. However, yesterday someone reached the city wall and overheard soldiers discussing that Li Qingqiu of Qingxiao Sect was going to break into the city alone, even claiming to kill the Emperor. They all thought Li Qingqiu was crazy.

Just as they were feeling indignant, they heard footsteps from behind. They all turned their heads to see a man in a blue robe walking towards them with a sword.

This man was young and handsome, looking less like a Martial Artist and more like a scholar.

The blue-robed man walked among them and headed towards the South City Gate.

“Hey, are you looking for death? You still dare to go to the Imperial City now?” a short, stout Martial Artist whispered a reminder.

“I’m here for an appointment.”

“What appointment?”

“To kill the Emperor.”

The blue-robed man’s words stunned the short, stout Martial Artist, who didn’t know how to respond.

Watching the blue-robed man walk out of the forest, another female Martial Artist couldn’t help but widen her eyes and gasp softly, “Could he be Li Qingqiu? How can he be so young?”