372: Chapter 9: I am Little Saint 372: Chapter 9: I am Little Saint Lan Yongning’s eyes sparkled brilliantly as a smile continuously spread across his lips.
The many True Monarchs by his side were puzzled, and the one who had just been flattering added, “Such might from Qingcang Immortal, without him, Taiyi City would likely face more peril than good fortune today.”
“I had heard that the Immortal was gravely injured and unable to move, but it seems now that it was all just rumors.”
“It must be a deceitful tactic by those devilish beasts!
I believe we should submit a report to the Daoist Sect and severely punish those who spread the rumors!”
Instantly, the spirits of the True Monarchs soared, as if Lan Yongning’s casual remark had been a potent tonic for them.
Qingcang Immortal, the pillar of the Human Race, had scarcely appeared since the truce between humans and devils, leading to all sorts of speculation and unrest among the people.
The Sanqing Taoist Sect had clarified more than once, but in a world where individual power matters, only strength is the true solution.
Rumors would keep increasing as long as Qingcang did not make a move.
However, making a move too often would exacerbate his injuries.
The confrontation between the human and devil races is a major conflict of the era, with no room for rumors; words could not change who was stronger or weaker.
Thus, for nearly a hundred years, it has been common knowledge that Qingcang Immortal was too injured to move and had not taken action for a century.
Now, amidst the restless public, an Immortal millions of miles away had the capability to come to the aid of Taiyi City!
How could this not exhilarate the people?
City Lord Kuang Zhili remained the calmest among them; he knew who had made the move, as that person had once stepped on twelve Demon Ancestors to retrieve the Immortality Pill for Qingcang Immortal.
Slaying a Demon Venerable today was nothing unusual.
Suddenly, a gaze settled on him, and seeing Lan Yongning smiling warmly at him, he was immediately frightened and started conversing with those around him to disguise his inner thoughts.
Lan Yongning did not expose him and said, “City Lord, the body of this Demon Saint is a treasure.
Later, you will be responsible for dissecting it and estimating its value.
Then extract thirty percent of it and distribute Spirit Stones to all Cultivators based on their military achievements.”
“Allocate according to wartime merits, and make sure no corruption occurs.
You all can take some treasures at low cost, but please do not break the rules.”
During this conversation, a Venerable aura pressed down on everyone, causing all present to bow their heads and unanimously declare:
“With our Daoist hearts, we swear never to be greedy for merits and rewards.”
Earning merits and rewards is a crucial aspect of the Human Race’s fight against the Devil Clan, the very core of cores, and cannot afford any slip-ups.
Lower-ranking cultivators receive Spirit Stones often without having to fight alone but by merely being part of the battle formation.
Mid-ranking Cultivators need treasures and often engage in battles with Demon Kings.
High-ranking powers deal with the bodies of Demon Saints, and they also need to restrain Demon Saints while distributing Spirit Stones and treasures below them.
Sustaining war through warfare has been a chance for many to rise for centuries.
Otherwise, where would there be so much devil beast meat and Spirit Stones on ordinary days, or a channel to exchange for a large quantity of Pills?
At night, within the City Lord Mansion, only Lan Yongning and Kuang Zhili remained.
The former was sitting in the principal seat, taking a delicate sip of spirit tea, and said, “Taiyi City is quite wealthy, just the Tianxuan Conference is enough to fill it to the brim, and today we even captured a Demon Saint which will surely lead to the rise of many True Monarchs in the future.”
Kuang Zhili, feeling embarrassed, said, “You give me too much credit, the Demon Saint was slain by you.”
“I merely took the head; without the great formation of Taiyi City and a certain reclusive great power, we probably wouldn’t have been able to keep this mountain demon controlled.”
Lan Yongning, hinting at something, looked warmly at Kuang Zhili in front of him.
This guy is so calm; he must know something.
“Do you know how many Demon Saints died in the great war between humans and devils back then?”
Kuang Zhili replied, “A total of thirty-two, half of which were killed by Qingcang Immortal.”
“Three hundred years of magic combat didn’t make a thousand battles, but at least there were three thousand, yet the death rate was only one in a thousand.” Lan Yongning curiously asked, “I wonder, this Taiyi City’s great formation means are so extraordinary, trapping the Demon Saint with no escape.”
Kuang Zhili answered, “If the Taoist Sect issues an order and there’s a decree from the Three Pure Ones, naturally, some things may be known.”
“It takes two hours to and fro from Sanqing Taoist Sect from here,” Lan Yongning frowned but could do nothing, adding, “Please assist me in consulting the City Lord.”
—————–
Elsewhere, Gu Wen was dragged away by fellow Cultivators in the battle formation to drink.
Qianfeng Tower, a name extremely familiar to him, even more luxurious than Dragon Bridge.
Various sects have different businesses, and owning a tavern in one place isn’t much, but owning taverns worldwide is a big business.
Qianfeng Sect was, without a doubt, the foremost among tavern businesses.
Beaded lights sparkled, the ground made of colored glaze, and gold openwork precious stone lamps illuminated the entire hall resplendently.
Sitting down for a drink, Gu Wen found the taste not as good as those brewed by Jiu Zhenjun, nor comparable to those he drank with Chi Yu Zi.
Even Immortal Land indeed had its treasures.
Suddenly, a disturbance arose in the distance; Xie Yunnan was initially walking towards Gu Wen but got surrounded by a large crowd midway, finding herself unable to advance or retreat.
She sent a telepathic message, “Senior, please help me.”
Spotting the eager young men in the distance, each like a young lion jealous of its rivals, treating each other as competitors.
She was indeed popular; Chi Yu Zi and Yu Hua had been the same.
Excellent people always attract those around them, especially young people with their vibrant energy manifesting their affections more directly and often cultivating feelings of admiration.
He telepathically said, “I think you do not need my help, but to learn to reject.
I have a close friend, she is beautiful and talented, forthright by nature, and often pursued by others, yet she never frets.”
Xie Yunnan promptly asked, “Please guide me, senior.”
She really just wanted to practice swordsmanship!
Gu Wen replied, “Just beat them all up, the youth often pride themselves too much, once you beat them, they won’t be able to raise their heads.”
“Ah?
That doesn’t seem too good, there’s no enmity or reason.”
“You’re so gentle, the young ones all like that.
I have a phrase that could sever your ties of marriage…”
Hearing Gu Wen’s earnest words, Xie Yunnan felt undecided, then sensing the surrounding gazes glued to herself, she hardened her heart.
She drew her spiritual sword from her waist, leapt onto the central stage, surveyed everyone around, her Sword Intent soaring skyward.
She yelled loudly, “Everyone, this isn’t personal, everyone present is garbage!”
As the words fell, silence prevailed in all directions.
Gu Wen couldn’t help but laugh, holding his wine, watching Xie Yunnan clash with those infuriated youths.
He also taught her to add ‘I’m not taking disciples’ every time she defeated someone.
Thus, the young sword-maniac was born.
After defeating over a dozen people, finally, no one dared to meet Xie Yunnan’s gaze again, yet vigorous applause and eyes filled with awe remained.
The happiest were the young men and women of the Sword Sect, seeing their senior sister so formidable, their faces flushed with excitement.
When Xie Yunnan had beaten all her suitors, and went looking for Gu Wen again, she found that beside him had appeared a white-robed scholar, with a mysterious force around them that no one else seemed to notice.
If not for her Innate Sword Bone, Xie Yunnan wouldn’t have seen it either.
Under the brothel’s gleaming lights, they seemed detached from the worldly dust.
“Brother Gu, long time no see.”
The white-robed scholar smiled, pulling out a white jade jug from his sleeve, poured a small cup and said, “This is Jiu Zhenjun’s wine, you must not have tasted it in a long while.”
Gu Wen took a sip, leaned back slightly on the chair back, the familiar aroma of the wine made him sigh deeply, a hint of a smile forming on his lips, “It’s been eight hundred years, how have you been?”
“Alright, I’ve become a Venerable, killed some devils, and saved many people, what about you?”
“I didn’t quite make it, took me eight hundred years to crawl out.
Now all of you are Venerables, and I’m still a mere Daoist.”
“If you wanted to become a Venerable, it wouldn’t be hard, the position of Yuqing Heavenly Venerate is still vacant.”
“How about the others?
They are all still alive, right?”
“Except for the Heavenly Girl who’s gone missing, everyone is alive, though not as lucky as me.”
Lan Yongning poured himself another cup, drank it down in one gulp, seemingly initiating chatter, and lamented, “The three-hundred-year Great War between the human and devil races initially tied us in struggles from within and without, we were not fully grown yet and could only watch many elders die in battle.
Later, as we matured, the older generation mostly perished, overall the number of Venerables has decreased compared to eight hundred years ago.”
“Chi Yu Zi lost his senses, Lu Chan’s face was marred by a Gu Worm, Hee Huan sought breakthrough and transformed into a Heavenly Person, Xiao Yunyi lost an arm, and later took charge of the Immortal Sword.
While my foundation suffered some damages, I probably can’t reach Demi Immortal in this life.”
As he said this, Lan Yongning also poured Gu Wen a cup, his smile carefree, “But we’re still alive, alive until your return.”
Gu Wen sighed lightly, “Sorry, I came out a bit late.”
“Let’s not talk about these old affairs, what do you think about the younger generation on the field?”
Changing the topic, Gu Wen’s gaze went back to the playhouse turned battlefield in the center of the tavern.
Gu Wen answered, “Your disciple isn’t too great, Xiao Yunyi’s disciple isn’t bad, the others haven’t shown much yet.”
“Indeed my disciple needs more experience,” Lan Yongning agreed, “Busy with wars in previous years, I neglected their training, now it’s hard to make it up as they’ve grown up.”
“Brother Gu, since he’s your traveling companion, how do you find him as a person?”
Gu Wen pondered for a moment, “Somewhat impetuous, but with no malice.”
Although they had conflicts, Gu Wen wouldn’t argue with a child.
Often the goodness or evil of a person cannot be judged purely, as most are neutral.
“With your words, I’m relieved,” Lan Yongning said quite openly, “I don’t ask for my descendants to be like me, just that they do no evil.”
To him, of the current young generation, perhaps only Xie Yunnan could match their own youth.
“By the way, those youngsters aren’t aware of your identity yet, are they?”
Gu Wen smiled, “Xiao Yunyi’s child thinks I’m Chi Yu Zi.”
“Should we let them meet you?”
“They will know eventually.”
Gu Wen stood up to leave, and Lan Yongning followed him out of the tavern, they walked along the grand avenue within Taiyi City.
Reaching the bridge, the river beneath kept the bright moon at their feet.
Gu Wen, holding an empty jug, scooped up some water, gently blew into it, and handed it to Lan Yongning, “Moon Immortal asks you to drink, Brother Lan, drink it all in one gulp, do not hesitate.”
Lan Yongning smiled and did not refuse, drinking it all in one gulp.
Cold water entered his throat, but flowed warm into his stomach, the dry cracks in his foundation like being showered in spring rain, instantly healed.
He suddenly looked up, the plain-clothed Daoist under the bright moon shone brilliantly, an aura distinct from all the paths of heaven and earth emerged.
Only the aura that once manifested on Qingcang Immortal was now more apparent on Gu Wen.
“I’ve become a Saint, henceforth worry-free about all matters.”