Li Qi sat lazily on a chair in front of the counter, watching the two without speaking.
After a long while, Li Qi's somewhat languid voice finally rang out.
"Sorry, I don't want to get involved in this matter."
Such matters were thankless and offered him no benefit.
He would rather continue lying down and collecting attribute points for a few days than waste his free time helping others eliminate a demon that was disrupting the country.
Li Qi's response caused Zuo Shang and Jing Qian'an to freeze for a moment.
Immediately, Jing Qian'an quickly said.
"Sir, if you are willing to help me eliminate that demon that sows chaos, once I restore order to the dynasty, I will grant you cultivation resources, official positions, and titles. All you have to do is agree, and after the deed is done, I am willing to bestow upon you the title of the new National Preceptor, where statues will be erected across the land for you to be worshipped by all."
However, Jing Qian'an's words were met with Li Qi's slightly amused voice.
"Do you think these things are important to me?"
As for cultivation resources and official positions, if they were for other cultivators, they might indeed be very important.
No matter how great one's talent, without cultivation resources, the time spent cultivating would be stretched infinitely. Moreover, even though they were all cultivators, there were few who were so indifferent as to not care about secular royal power.
To take it a step further, even the sect leaders and elders in cultivation sects held a form of power, which was still pursued by countless people.
And finally, the erection of statues for worship by the entire populace was not a mere, meaningless reverence.
When the number of believers increased, the cultivation speed, comprehension, and various other aspects of the person being worshipped would receive a mysterious and profound boost.
Even when facing duels with experts of the same level, the additional power of faith could unconsciously give them an advantage of heaven, earth, and man.
But unfortunately, the conditions offered by Jing Qian'an were faced by Li Qi.
Li Qi simply didn't care about any of this. As long as he continued to laze around and gain attribute points, coupled with his already eternal life, his strength would naturally improve over time.
Having been truly refused, this time, even Jing Qian'an's face showed signs of dejection.
Zuo Shang, beside him, though once known as the top expert below the nine Grand Directors, was still no match for the Pudu National Preceptor alone.
Now, encountering a cultivator whom Zuo Shang himself was willing to earnestly invite was akin to Jing Qian'an's last hope.
Alas, hope arrived quickly and vanished just as fast.
"Alas, perhaps this is the end of my Great Jing Dynasty."
Jing Qian'an sighed, feeling as if all his strength had been drained away at this moment.
Zuo Shang, by his side, clenched his fists, regretting his own weakness.
"Do you want more tea?"
"No, Director Zuo, let's go."
Jing Qian'an said weakly.
Zuo Shang nodded and prepared to continue their escape.
But just as the two were about to leave, Li Qi seemed to remember something and couldn't help but ask.
"Wait, do you know Ning Caichen?"
"Ning Caichen? You mean the top scholar from the previous session, Minister Ning? Do you know Minister Ning?" Jing Qian'an turned back with some confusion.
"Yes, he promised to treat me to a meal when he succeeded in the imperial examinations. He still owes me a feast. How is he now?"
Jing Qian'an shook his head with a grim expression.
"I'm afraid he's not doing well. After the other Grand Directors revealed the truth before their deaths, the Pudu Demon Master suppressed the souls of all officials in the capital and turned them into puppets. It's likely that when those officials are no longer useful, it will be their death knell."
"Hiss! This won't do! That kid Ning Caichen still owes me a delicious banquet!"
Li Qi immediately stood up. He hadn't been in a hurry to find Ning Caichen for a drink before because Ning Caichen was just an ordinary person, who could still live for several decades at least.
But now, if Ning Caichen were to be killed directly by that Pudu Demon Master, who would he go drinking with?
Would he have to stab himself and go to the underworld to drink with Ning Caichen?
If that were the case, it would truly become a tale of 'A Chinese Ghost Story'.
With this thought, Li Qi immediately walked out from behind his counter and clapped Jing Qian'an on the shoulder.
"I've decided, I'm going to the capital! Now?"
"Huh?"
This time, both Jing Qian'an and Zuo Shang were somewhat stunned.
Li Qi had refused to help them with the cultivation resources, official positions, and even the statues they had offered.
Now, he was willing to help for a delicious meal that had been promised earlier.
If you had said so earlier, I would have offered you nine banquets a day, inviting chefs from all over the country to cook you different dishes and fine wines every day!
Jing Qian'an was suddenly overcome with joy.
Zuo Shang, however, hesitated.
"Fellow Daoist, isn't this a bit too hasty? Should we find more helpers?"
"Just tell me if you're going to the capital with me now."
"Yes!"
...
In the capital, inside the Golden Luang Hall of the imperial palace.
King Jing Chang's body sat motionlessly on the dragon throne.
Before him, many ministers stood in neat rows, appearing as if they were attending court.
But strangely, within the Golden Luang Hall, where so many people were gathered, not a single sound was made.
There was an indescribable oppressive and eerie feeling, unimaginable in a place where the emperor once held court.
If someone were to enter the Golden Luang Hall at this moment and observe these people closely.
They would discover that whether it was King Jing Chang on the dragon throne.
Or the ministers standing below, their eyes were all hollow, and their bodies were stiff, like marionettes.
Among this group, only one person, dressed in official robes and appearing very young, was an exception.
Although this man's body was also motionless, his eyes were incredibly lively and occasionally darted around.
Occasionally looking at his companions, who were like marionettes, Ning Caichen's eyes would reveal a hint of panic.
He remembered that a few days ago, King Jing Chang had suddenly summoned all officials, big and small, in the capital to the Golden Luang Hall.
The Pudu National Preceptor was also present. After all the officials had arrived, the Pudu National Preceptor suddenly transformed into a giant centipede.
Following that, Ning Caichen and everyone else fell into their current puppet-like state.
As for why Ning Caichen alone had regained consciousness now, he forcefully turned his eyeballs towards the back.
A few years ago, when he came to the capital to take the imperial examinations, he had made a friend. At that time, he had encountered a demon, and it was that friend who saved him.
Perhaps it was then that his friend had left some means on him that had taken effect.
Just then, three figures swiftly flew over and stopped in front of the Golden Luang Hall.
The three were none other than Li Qi, Zuo Shang, and Jing Qian'an. Following Li Qi's instructions, the three had rushed to the capital without delay.
Looking at the numerous ministers in the Golden Luang Hall, who were like marionettes, and King Jing Chang, both Jing Qian'an and Zuo Shang couldn't help but show grief in their eyes.
Li Qi's gaze, however, immediately fell upon Ning Caichen among the ministers.
Li Qi flashed a few times and ran directly to Ning Caichen, revealing a smile.
"Brother Ning, it's been many years, do you still remember me?"