The demon master Pudu who had plunged the nation into chaos was dead.
The calamity that had threatened to collapse the Great Jing Dynasty was finally resolved at this moment.
After the demon master's death, the King of Jingchang of the Great Jing Dynasty immediately summoned the remaining experts of the Demon Slaying Division to the National Teacher's mansion.
However, they found only a scene of scattered corpses within the mansion.
The numerous powerful cultivators who had entered the National Teacher's mansion to cultivate were all reduced to withered bones, their flesh, blood, vital energy, spirit, and soul drained dry.
The sight was gruesome beyond description.
And with the death of the demon master who had instigated the demon disaster, the seemingly active demon forces within the Great Jing Dynasty also vanished as if in an instant.
The demon disaster in the Great Jing Dynasty crumbled and disintegrated without anyone noticing.
As for the remaining cleanup work, it naturally didn't require Li Qi. Professionals would handle it.
So, what was Li Qi doing at this moment?
Compared to the usual crowded scene, the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion had very few patrons today, appearing exceptionally quiet.
This was because, today,
The entire Drunken Fragrance Pavilion had been booked out.
Inside the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, besides the owner and the waiters, there were only two people.
"Brother Li, we parted ways years ago. I once promised that if I were to achieve success in the imperial examinations, I would invite you to the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion for a feast."
"When I went to the capital for the imperial examinations, it was you who saved me, Ning. And today, when I found myself in peril, it was also Brother Li who saved me."
"Brother Li, you are truly my lucky star. Come, let's drink until we drop today."
Reunited with an old friend after a long absence, Ning Caichen seemed overjoyed.
The table before them was piled high with all sorts of delicious dishes, a far cry from the few simple vegetarian dishes from years ago.
Even the wine in their hands was a hundred-year-old vintage, which Ning Caichen, with his current position as a minister, had managed to obtain from the owner.
Li Qi's face also held a hint of a smile as he gently sipped the wine in his cup.
"Brother Ning has changed a lot over these years."
Looking at Ning Caichen before him, the youthful scholar who once carried a basket to the capital for his examinations had changed considerably.
There was now more of a capable aura befitting Ning Caichen's current official rank.
Ning Caichen, however, shook his head helplessly.
"It can't be helped. When one is in officialdom, one's demeanor naturally changes over time."
As they chatted, the wine flowed freely, and soon, three rounds had been consumed.
It was at this moment that the main doors of the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion were opened once more.
Ning Caichen's brow furrowed slightly. Hadn't they agreed that he had booked the entire place and no other guests would be received today?
He glanced towards the entrance, and upon seeing who it was, Ning Caichen's expression changed subtly, and he quickly bowed.
"Your Majesty!"
The ones who had arrived were none other than the King of Jingchang of the Great Jing Dynasty, the Crown Prince Jing Qian'an, and their retinue of guards.
However, unlike Ning Caichen who bowed, Li Qi remained seated, as calm as ever. He merely glanced at the King of Jingchang and Jing Qian'an before continuing to eat his food.
The King of Jingchang looked at the large number of guards behind him and waved them away.
The doors of the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion were closed again, but two more individuals entered: an Emperor and a Crown Prince.
The King of Jingchang appeared even more aged and frail now, leaning on Jing Qian'an for support.
He had suffered irreversible damage under the control of the demon master Pudu's soul.
Walking up to Li Qi, he broke free from Jing Qian'an's support. The King of Jingchang's expression turned extremely solemn, and he bowed respectfully before Li Qi.
"Ahem, I thank you, Your Excellency, for saving my Great Jing from peril. All the requests that Qian'an promised you before, I, your Emperor, shall fulfill them one by one."
Li Qi looked at the King of Jingchang more closely, but he was not interested in Jing Qian'an's previous promises of promotion, enfeoffment as National Teacher, or the erection of a monument.
"It's nothing. The main reason was that the demon master kidnapped my friend when it went on a rampage. I was forced to act and kill it to save my friend."
Hearing Li Qi mention his friend, the King of Jingchang's gaze immediately fell upon Ning Caichen, who was standing respectfully to the side.
A smile immediately appeared on the King of Jingchang's face as he looked at Ning Caichen.
"So, Minister Ning is Your Excellency's friend? If I recall correctly, Minister Ning was also the top scholar in the last imperial examinations? Truly a man of great talent."
"Heh heh heh... Your Majesty is too kind,"
Ning Caichen could only offer an awkward smile in response.
"Minister Ning, there's no need to be so polite. I have witnessed your contributions to the court over the years. In a few more years, when you have sufficient seniority, your official rank will surely not stop here..."
"Qian'an."
"Yes, Father Emperor."
"This Minister Ning is a rare talent in our court. When you inherit my throne in the future, you must give him your full support."
"Yes." Jing Qian'an also looked at Ning Caichen more closely upon hearing this.
In reality, aside from Jing Qian'an and Zuo Shang, even the King of Jingchang did not know.
The true reason Li Qi had intervened to save the Great Jing Dynasty this time was simply because he and Ning Caichen had agreed to meet at the Drunken Fragrance Pavilion, and Ning Caichen owed Li Qi a good meal and drinks.
It was a pity that the King of Jingchang still believed that Li Qi's claim of killing the demon master Pudu only to save Ning Caichen was mere polite talk.
However, Jing Qian'an couldn't reveal the truth now and could only let it remain a beautiful misunderstanding.
This private gathering between Li Qi and Ning Caichen was intruded upon by two uninvited guests, and it was, in the end, not as enjoyable.
But there was nothing to be done. Li Qi might not give face to the current Emperor, but Ning Caichen, as an official of the court, had to show some respect.
As the feast concluded, Li Qi initially intended to leave but could not resist Ning Caichen's earnest pleas.
Having learned from the previous experience, Ning Caichen was adamant about not letting Li Qi leave just like that. Who knew when he would be able to find Li Qi for another gathering?
Thus, for the next half year, apart from Ning Caichen's official duties, most of his time was spent accompanying Li Qi, eating and drinking, admiring the scenery, and even visiting important places within the imperial city.
With Li Qi's prestige, they could enter and exit as they pleased.
Half a year after the demon master's chaos, the Great Jing Dynasty, under the King of Jingchang's arrangements, gradually recovered its former peace and prosperity.
A year later, the world was largely peaceful, with very few demons appearing.
In the year 534 of the Great Jing calendar, the second year after the demon master's chaos.
In the capital city one day.
"Dong Dong Dong..."
Nine bells chimed.
Their sound was melodious, sonorous, deep, yet carried a hint of bleak sorrow.
The King of Jingchang.
Had passed away.