After the fierce battle, the battlefield was left in chaos.
“Patrol the battlefield and finish off the wounded!”
Following Wu Ming’s orders, no prisoners were to be taken. The village braves and conscripts patrolled the area, killing without hesitation anyone still breathing, whether from the Zhou family or the original bandits.
Zhao Song pried open the ropes and forced open the iron chest of the caravan, creating a slight gap. His eyes gleamed with excitement.
“Protect these goods well. No one is allowed to touch them without the young master’s command!”
This was a specific instruction given to Wu Tiehu.
Seeing this, Wu Tiehu merely muttered a few words under his breath before obediently going to hitch the carts and drive away the animals.
“Master…”
Zhao Song stepped forward, seeing Wu Ming holding a severed head. He took a deep breath and whispered something softly into Wu Ming’s ear.
“You’ve done well…”
Wu Ming looked at the prepared carriages and loudly commanded, “Transport all the goods back to the stronghold, clean up the battlefield, and ensure there are no loose ends. Additionally, send someone with the head of Jietianfeng to report our victory to the county!”
Feng Han and Zhao Song both inhaled sharply.
This was a provocation!
Wu Ming insisted that his men were on a mission to eliminate bandits, with the severed heads as proof. He claimed that Zhou family’s trade convoy was attacked by Jietianfeng, leaving the opposing side with no recourse.
Of course, the Zhou family could demand the return of their goods, but Wu Ming would not acknowledge any such claim. He could boldly declare that the goods were seized as spoils of war. Along the way, some goods were conveniently “lost,” and at most, he would offer a few taels of silver as a token, denying any further responsibility, even if the matter escalated to the prefecture.
More importantly, since the Zhou family originally conducted business under a front, this added another layer of complexity.
“Master, we should be cautious. The Zhou family might become desperate and retaliate. We should return to the stockade as soon as possible!”
Feng Han added, “Once we are back, we won’t fear even if the county soldiers come to attack!”
“If I return now, how would they dare to come?”
Wu Ming laughed loudly, “Let’s wait in the stronghold and see them come to their deaths!”
…
Meanwhile, in Yunping County, inside the Taoist Academy.
The Taoist Academy was located in the eastern suburbs of Yunping County, surrounded by mountains and water, naturally exuding a serene atmosphere. Though it was the cold month of winter, the courtyard was warm like spring, with blooming flowers of various colors, ancient cypresses, green grass, white cranes spreading their wings, and immortal apes offering fruits, truly a paradise for immortals.
In a small courtyard, the layout was exceptionally simple—just a pond and an ancient pine tree. The place exuded an air of desolation and solitude. Those with spiritual perception could discern dense arrays of talismanic characters floating in the air, drawing upon the essence of heaven and earth. The emerald-green pond water concealed sword qi, coiled like a lurking dragon, radiating a dangerous aura.
Creak!
Pine needles were scattered on the ground, untouched by any caretaker.
At some unknown time, the two gate doors suddenly opened, revealing the face of Wu Qingyi, a mixture of anger and joy.
“A single meditation retreat took such a long time, but I’m glad I successfully broke through. I wonder if my little brother has gotten himself into any trouble…”
A faint glow appeared on Wu Qing’s face, only to vanish moments later. She looked around the courtyard, nodded in satisfaction, and stepped out of the gate.
“Miss Wu!”
A nearby maid fell to the ground in pain, clearly having waited for quite some time, even falling asleep leaning against the door.
Ignoring the pain, she quickly said, “Master Wu came looking for you, saying that Young Master Ming has urgent matters and wants you to return as soon as possible!”
“My little brother…”
A smile graced Wu Qing’s lips as she gently patted the maid’s head, “Xue’er, wait a moment. Let me see what trouble he’s gotten himself into this time…”
The maid, holding her head, rolled her eyes secretly.
Who didn’t know that their miss was the most protective of her younger brother? If even a scratch was found on him, she would seek revenge. No one could imagine how much trouble a certain family would face now that she had emerged from her retreat.
Wu Qing did not immediately move. After a brief moment of contemplation, she took out a talisman paper, folded it into the shape of a small paper crane, and gently blew on it.
“Chirp!”
In an instant, the paper crane floated into the air, as if it had gained life. It flapped its wings and flew into the distance.
Not long after, another pink paper crane flew back, whispering in Wu Qing’s ear, causing her expression to gradually change.
“Oh, well done! Well done indeed! I never expected that after my long retreat, some petty villains would dare to target my younger brother!”
The pink paper crane turned to ashes. Wu Qing’s brows furrowed, her expression darkening with a hint of murderous intent.
Suddenly, she turned and strode toward a certain location.
“Sister Wu Qing!”
“Congratulations, Sister Wu Qing, on your emergence from retreat!”
…
Along the way, young Daoist disciples greeted Wu Qing with respect, stepping aside to let her pass. Some whispered nervously, “Remember… this is our true senior sister, with profound Daoist skills. Everyone in the academy, except for a few masters, should show respect!”
“I see Senior Wu’s phoenix eyes brimming with wrath. Someone must be in for a rough time this time!”
Under the gaze of her peers, filled with awe, envy, and even shock, Wu Qing arrived at a refined hermitage.
“Senior Wu Qing, greetings. My master is not receiving visitors at the moment!”
A young Daoist boy came out but was pushed aside by an invisible force, “This doesn’t concern you. Don’t get yourself involved!”
Wu Qing’s voice was cold and sharp. With a flick of her finger, a bright red sword beam instantly split the hermitage’s door in two.
“Why have you come here unprovoked, Sister Miaqing?”
An older Daoist priest dressed in black robes and wearing a Daoist bun stepped out, his eyes twitching as he confronted Wu Qing.
This Miaqing was the Daoist name Wu Qing received upon entering the Daoist Academy and receiving the Daoist ordination.
“Old Daoist Ji Yun, you colluded with the Zhou family, dared to impersonate my younger brother’s identity, and thus deserve this calamity!”
Wu Qing sneered coldly. In an instant, several red beams emerged, forming a vortex that radiated astonishing spiritual power.
“It’s Senior Sister Miaqing and Senior Brother Ji Yun fighting!”
From a distance, several Daoists watched the scene unfold, retreating a few steps with excitement, “A duel between true Daoists is indeed rare!”
“Although both Senior Sister Miaqing and Senior Brother Ji Yun have received ordination and possess profound Daoist skills, Senior Brother Ji Yun has been cultivating internally for a long time. Although Senior Sister Miaqing has talent, I’m afraid…”
Before the fair-skinned Taoist with peach-blossom eyes could finish speaking, his mouth dropped open in astonishment.
A red light flashed, and Ji Yun, who had been highly anticipated, fell to the ground, spitting blood and crying out in pain, “You… you actually…”
“Sister Miaqing, you have gone too far!”
Witnessing this, an arriving Daoist priest was furious, “For such an offense, even if the supervisor favors you, I will personally apprehend you and bring you before the academy head!”
With a wave of his hand, five streams of black qi, resembling venomous snakes, coiled forward with eerie ghostly laughter. Shadows seemed to emerge from the qi, adding to the terrifying presence.
“It’s the Law Enforcement Senior stepping in!”
Another disciple exclaimed excitedly, “Senior Law Enforcement has profound Daoist cultivation and has already reached the rank of a Daoist Magus! He can manifest spells with a single move!”
In this world, Daoists are divided into several ranks, excluding the grand stages. At the beginning, there are unranked, ordained Daoists, Refining Masters, and Daoist Magi.
Generally, those who learn a couple of minor spells and wander the world can only be called wandering sorcerers, unworthy of being called true Daoists.
True Daoists must first cultivate their inner nature and enter the Daoist Academy, where they study classic texts and meditate daily. These are the unranked Daoist apprentices and temple servants.
Further cultivation leads to mastery of the texts and expertise in various rituals, after which they can take an examination. Upon passing, they receive ordination from a senior Daoist, officially becoming ordained Daoists.
At this stage, Daoists can truly be called masters, serving as spiritual intermediaries, offering blessings, exorcising spirits, and presiding over grand Daoist ceremonies.
After becoming ordained Daoists, they continue their inner cultivation, refining their spiritual power and strengthening their physical bodies. After a hundred days of foundational training, they become Refining Masters.
Before reaching the level of Refining Masters, Daoists possess limited spiritual power and their physical strength is no different from ordinary people. However, after completing inner cultivation and achieving foundational success, they can possess supernatural strength, capable of consuming three bushels of rice in a day and tearing apart tigers and leopards with their bare hands.
After becoming Refining Masters, they ascend to the rank of Daoist Magi!
At the stage of Daoist Magi, they no longer require external tools such as magical artifacts or talismans to cast spells. They can manifest spells directly. More importantly, they can begin to create various magical artifacts and talismans for personal use or sale, essentially opening a continuous source of wealth!
For many Daoists, reaching the rank of Daoist Magus is a lifelong dream, as the rank of True Immortal is beyond reach.
Seeing a Daoist Magus in action, how could one not be excited?
“Heh! Did you think I didn’t know you and Ji Yun were in cahoots… I tolerated your petty actions in the past, but you should have never dared to target my younger brother! Prepare yourself and witness my sword!”
The Law Enforcement Daoist’s move, known as the “Five Ghost Divine Grasp,” involved cultivating five vicious ghosts. His attacks were always successful, accompanied by ominous winds and a terrifying presence.
However, amidst the flying sand and swirling stones, a brilliant red sword beam suddenly emerged at Wu Qing’s fierce command.
“Heaven and Earth have no bounds, heed my command, strike!”
Hiss!
A crimson sword beam, like a dragon emerging from the water, surged forth, dispersing the whirlwind and instantly obliterating the five vicious ghosts.
“You…”
The Law Enforcement Daoist took two steps back, spat out a mouthful of essence blood, staining his long robe red. He looked at Wu Qing in shock, “You… after this retreat, you’ve actually completed your inner cultivation, achieved foundational success, ascended to the rank of Daoist Magus, and forged a Red Virtue Daoist Sword?!”
“What now? Still want to continue the fight?”
Wu Qing remained motionless, a small, fiery red sword hovering before her, its jade-like body shimmering with a crystalline glow, emitting waves of red energy.
Ji Yun Daoist, who lay on the ground, looked on with a glimmer of despair in his eyes.
Since entering the academy, he had worked tirelessly day and night, collecting morning dew at dawn and absorbing moonlight at night, never daring to slack off for decades. He had only reached the stage of inner cultivation, becoming a Refining Master.
Yet now, a woman who had joined the academy merely a few years ago had completely surpassed him.
“Don’t act so smug. Oppressing fellow disciples like this, the academy head will not…”
The Law Enforcement Daoist struggled, wanting to say more, when a thunderous light, carrying a voice, came from deep within the academy, “Senior Sister Miaqing!”
“Greetings to the Academy Head!”
Facing the head of Yunping Daoist Academy, whether it was Wu Qing, the Law Enforcement Daoist, or the observing disciples, all bowed in respect.
“Today, Senior Sister Miaqing has shown great courage and progress, reaching the rank of Daoist Magus. I am very pleased and hereby promote her to the rank of High Merit Official! She will lead our academy’s disciples to participate in the Longmen Assembly!”
“Hail to the decree!”
Wu Qing bowed, while the Law Enforcement Daoist could no longer contain his fury, collapsing in a faint from sheer rage.
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