424: Chapter 28 New Rain 424: Chapter 28 New Rain “The wind tonight is quite noisy.”
True Master Jun Shan tilted his head back and squinted, speaking contentedly.
Ying City was a fine little town.
Small towns often have a quiet charm, but it’s rare to find one with such a lively atmosphere.
The sudden rain from the Capital City finally ceased in the latter half of the night; lights were lit in the streets and alleys of Ying City.
Many young men and women went out with umbrellas in pairs.
The lake outside the city had many sleepless visitors, some of whom lit lanterns.
Standing on the lakeside, one could see the reflection of the entire Ying City, along with the twinkling fireworks.
Xie Xuanyi, holding his “spring breeze umbrella,” stood with Deng Baiyi and Jun Shan by the lakeside.
The combination of the three was quite strange.
Young men and women, along with an old-looking Taoist-robed child.
“It is rather noisy.”
Xie Xuanyi looked up and indifferently said, “I thought this rain would continue.”
Of course, True Master Jun Shan heard what was implied.
He laughed and said, “It’s good that the rain stopped earlier.”
On this noisy-windy night, their meeting was cheerful.
Xie Xuanyi and True Master Jun Shan had reached a consensus; Jun Shan would take care of Li Chen, and the grievances of the Northern County would be written off…
Although he did not know what methods the true master would use to force Li Chen into submission, Xie Xuanyi was not opposed to such a deal.
To him, all of this was without loss.
He was already prepared for battle.
But if it were peace—
Naturally, that would be best.
“Although the rain stopped tonight, the next one…
should come soon.”
True Master Jun Shan suddenly spoke up.
“Oh?”
Xie Xuanyi raised an eyebrow, “Are you referring to the ‘Demon Quelling’?”
“…I’ve heard about the Demon Quelling quite early on.”
True Master Jun Shan, with hands clasped behind his back, spoke leisurely: “The Great Chu Royal Family prides itself on its noble status, ignoring the Three Great Sects of the South Border.
Even when the Three Great Sects are fawning, the royal family remains unhurried, clearly the Paperman Sect has become a thorn in the side but still, they turn a blind eye.
Little girl, do you know why the Holy Empress acts this way?”
Toward the end,
True Master Jun Shan, standing between the two, shifted his gaze toward Deng Baiyi.
“Huh?”
Deng Baiyi, suddenly called upon, clearly did not expect there to be a question.
Regarding the Demon Quelling, she had only vaguely heard about it.
As the foremost sect in the world, the Taoist Sect conducted their intelligence work very meticulously.
A few days ago, she was tired from practicing her sword at Carp Lake and went back to the Yuqing Pavilion to cultivate.
During that time, she overheard two female disciples whispering about a “Demon Quelling” that might take place in the future…
To prevent the Demon Sect from wreaking havoc and to temper the cultivator’s practices, the Taoist Sect would dispatch disciples to the vast mountains of the South Border to exterminate demons every so often.
The two female disciples spoke with concern.
It seemed, after some days, there would likely be a rather grand “Demon Quelling” event.
With the Great Chu Royal Family leading, the Taoist Sect naturally had to comply and contribute their efforts.
The hardest hit would be the ordinary disciples of the sect, with low realm and weak cultivation; if they were to engage with demons, they were very likely to perish.
Most cultivators in this world pursue immortality.
Who would want to fight and struggle bitterly?
“The intentions of the Holy Empress…
How could someone insignificant like me gauge such matters?”
Deng Baiyi was very cautious.
She subconsciously looked toward the direction of the Imperial City and tightened her lips.
“Don’t worry, that old witch is in closed-door cultivation at Ren Shou Palace, with high barriers and sealed fates.”
True Master Jun Shan scoffed: “Even if you curse her a thousand times, she won’t be able to hear.
Petty thieves get executed, those who steal a kingdom become lords.
After Chu Qing’s death, she took control of the heavy power, becoming an unprecedented ‘Special Emperor.’ However, her position is not legitimate, and her words not convincing.
To have the Great Chu Dynasty completely submit to her is not something that can be simply accomplished by clearing out the Northern County.”
Deng Baiyi was bewildered and confused.
That statement seemed to be meant for her to hear.
But in truth, Xie Xuanyi was well aware that True Master Jun Shan was speaking to him.
“The Demon Quelling led by the Great Chu Royal Family, the Taoist Sect will certainly have to comply.
Da Sui Sword Palace, Qiantian Palace, all the Holy Lands, clans, will also need to make an effort.”
True Master Jun Shan said calmly: “To crusade against the Paperman Sect is to act in accordance with divine will.
Such a situation should be presided over by the emperor himself.
If I’m not mistaken, the Holy Empress will ‘delegate’ this authority.
It’s just a pity that the Paperman Sect is not so easily killed, and nobody wants to sell their lives cheaply.”
“Why not?”
Deng Baiyi asked curiously: “With the strength of the Taoist Sect, can’t it take down a mere Paperman Sect?”
She had personally visited the Taoist Sect.
The grand and solemn mountain gate, along with the rich heritage of a thousand years, was indeed awe-inspiring.
“Most wars in this world are not as simple as measuring and comparing the strength of both sides openly.”
“The South Border is a land of poison and miasma.”
True Master Jun Shan laughed: “Ordinary cultivators, upon entering, cannot replenish their primordial energy…
They need to take elixirs to maintain the stability of the Purple Mansion.
Those evil cultivators, on the other hand, have already given up the possibility of normal cultivation, seeking alternatives.
They do not need the spiritual energy of heaven and earth to fight with all their might.
This means that a large-scale attack on the South Border would be extremely risky and utterly unrewarding.”
The South Border is truly a piece of useless land.
Apart from those from the Demon Sect and evil sects, no one would choose to live or cultivate there.
“Furthermore, the terrain of the South Border is complex, with fierce beasts everywhere, poisonous miasma rampant, and evil sect formations everywhere.”
True Master Jun Shan continued: “In other words…
this place is a huge ‘Gu Realm,’ because the conditions are too harsh.
Neither Da Chu nor Da Li are willing to get involved.
By let those from the Demon Sect fight amongst themselves in the South Border, a so-called Gu King will naturally emerge.”
Deng Baiyi’s eyes lit up: “Are the Three Great Sects the ‘Gu Kings’?”