Chapter 545: Guerrilla Warfare in Guangxin Prefecture

Chapter 545: Guerrilla Warfare in Guangxin Prefecture

"I wonder what it is you wish to speak of, Brother Li?"

From King Yama to Magistrate Li, and now to Brother Li—the sequence of changing forms of address was enough to show that inside, Yang Long was far from as serene as his countenance suggested.

It was nothing else but the fact that circumstances dictated compliance.

The overwhelming strength Li Jun currently displayed sent shivers down Yang Long's spine, forcing him to lower his posture and show amiability. He was attempting to close the distance between them through words, or else it remained uncertain whether that prior promise to allow him to disintegrate his body would even be honored.

"At the foot of Mount Longhu, we speak of Mount Longhu, of course."

"Mount Longhu is vast. Where would you like to start listening from, Brother Li?"

"From the very beginning."

Yang Long swallowed hard, suppressing the anxiety in his heart, and began to narrate smoothly from the Heavenly Master Mansion of Mount Longhu, naming the three Great Heavenly Masters currently in power one by one.

But just as he spoke of the chief officials of the Nine Departments of Longhu, Li Jun suddenly cut him off.

"Who did Chen Qisheng's master, Xuan Dou, offend?"

"It wasn't a personal vendetta."

Yang Long let out a sigh. "It was the Heavenly Master Mansion itself. He incurred public wrath."

Hearing this response, Li Jun could not help but furrow his brows.

"For what reason?"

"Face."

"Face?"

Li Jun let out a cold laugh. "Chen Qisheng is also a man of Mount Longhu. Could it be that his victory counted as a loss of face?"

"His surname is Chen, not Zhang."

Yang Long's expression darkened, and he smiled bitterly. "In a grand event like the trial in the Yamato Sector where all factions showed their faces, if Mount Longhu were to win, the winner had to be someone surnamed Zhang. If they were to lose, then someone from the Nine Departments would lose. The Zhang family cannot be defeated, and certainly not at the hands of their own people."

"Longhu can do no wrong, and the Zhang family cannot be defeated—they truly consider themselves immortals, don't they?"

Li Jun's tone was heavy with sarcasm. "So they resorted to despicable methods to frame Chen Qisheng's master, forcing him to submit?"

"The Heavenly Master Mansion actually doesn't care at all about a mere slot for an 'Alternate Earth Immortal.' What they want is authority and prestige. Just like how they shaped Zhang Qinglü into the 'First Person Beneath the Earth Immortals,' they want to tell everyone up and down Mount Longhu, and even the entire Daoist Sequence of the Empire, that Mount Longhu's heritage remains intact, and they can reclaim the position of the First Ancestral Court of the Daoist Sect at any moment."

Yang Long's tone grew heavy. "This is the truth."

"As expected of immortals who cultivate the Yellow Millet Dream; they indulge in nothing but pipe dreams."

Faced with Li Jun's mockery, Yang Long was utterly powerless to refute it, able only to sigh helplessly. "The clans of the Confucian Sequence are families, and are the mountain gates of the Daoist Sequence any different? If precious resources are given to outsiders, that would be a true disgrace to the ancestors who expanded our territory. To them, monopoly is the foundation of long-term peace and the eternal preservation of the orthodox lineage. Only the meager bits of meat that fall from the gaps between their fingers are things that we disciples of outside surnames can grasp."

"Junior Brother Chen understood these principles just the same; he simply refused to yield."

Yang Long said slowly, "If Junior Brother Chen hadn't been so obstinate, things might not have progressed to this stage."

"And would you be willing to yield?" Li Jun fired back with a cold laugh.

"I have neither the thought nor the ability to resist, and I know exactly how much I weigh. I am no genius of cultivation; the reliance for my survival is nothing more than this modicum of petty cleverness. You, Brother Li, are someone I cannot afford to provoke. Mount Longhu is likewise someone I cannot afford to provoke."

Li Jun's gaze pierced forward like a blade, locking onto him. "Then if you were Chen Qisheng, what would you choose? Would you sell out your master for glory, or would you break the cauldrons and sink the boats against them?"

The questioning voice pierced straight into his mind.

Yang Long clenched his teeth tightly, uttering not a single word. Yet the expression on his face unconsciously revealed confusion and struggle.

In truth, he had long considered what choice he would make if he were faced with Chen Qisheng's plight, or if his own betrayal of his fellow disciples came to light.

Would he sit waiting for death, or wage a desperate, final battle?

The answer had long resided in Yang Long's heart; he was simply unwilling to admit it to himself.

"Daoist Priest Zhao, you are not a man content to remain beneath others for a lifetime. With those surnamed Zhang acting this way, Mount Longhu's gate will shatter and its people will perish sooner or later. Even if it isn't destroyed by internal strife, it will be swallowed clean by other Daoist peaks. If you do not make plans for yourself early on, when the mountains shake and the earth trembles, no one will be able to save you."

"Brother Li, what are you trying to say?"

"You don't understand?"

How could Yang Long not understand? But just as he had said, he simply could not resist.

"I am a member of the New Daoist Sequence who received the talismans. If I betray Mount Longhu, I will be expelled and blacklisted by the White Jade Capital, stripped of all authorities, and lose any future possibility of cultivating the Dao."

Yang Long said bleakly, "It took every ounce of my strength just to mingle my way to this step. Brother Li, you had better let me go."

Li Jun pressed on, saying, "I don't need you to act as a hidden stake or an internal informant. I only need you to point out a path for me—how to demand this justice back from the hands of Mount Longhu."

"I am merely an insignificant character like an ant. To this day, I haven't even seen the face of Heavenly Master Zhang. I am simply unqualified to point out a path for you."

Yang Long's tone was earnest as he said, "Let it go, Brother Li. I know you killed Badu of the Six Strategies in the Yamato Sector, but the fact that the Daoist Sequence can become one of the Three Faiths means it cannot be matched by a sequence that merely fills standard numbers like the Military Sequence. A third-rank mechanical heart requires only a few years to force the growth of a rank-three military combatant, but a seat of an Earth Immortal cannot allow a Daoist disciple to ascend to immortality on the spot."

"Although the current New Daoist Sequence is not as specialized in close combat as the Old Daoist Sequence, their methods are far more bizarre, secretive, and impossible to guard against. Furthermore, Guangxin Prefecture is the base where Mount Longhu's mountain gate resides. The devotion of the people's faith here is so devout that even the Confucian Sequence cannot touch it. For you to fight Mount Longhu here is purely striking a stone with an egg."

Li Jun could hear that Yang Long's words naturally contained an intention to absolve himself, yet every single word also came from the bottom of his heart.

"If the fury in Junior Brother Chen's heart is difficult to extinguish, I can find a way to mediate from within. Perhaps I can implore some compensation of authority for him from the Heavenly Master Mansion."

Yang Long raised his hand and pointed at Zhang Qingxi, who was held aloft in midair by Lord Horse King. "But the premise is that you must release him, Brother Li."

"You mean to say, I traveled thousands of miles to bring people to Mount Longhu, and I can't even help Chen Qisheng vent this grievance at all?"

"Correct."

"And I must also release this one named Zhang Qingxi, and then ask you to mediate from within just to get a sliver of compensation?"

"Correct."

"Yang Long, you want me to beg for food on my knees!"

"Bowing one's head for a moment signifies nothing."

"Once the head is bowed and the spine is bent, it can never be straightened again!"

Li Jun laughed coldly and said, "Yang Long, let me ask you: how high is Mount Longhu in your eyes?"

"So high its peak cannot be seen."

"How does it compare to the great clans?"

"Higher than the clans."

"Then I shall part the clouds to see the summit, and shave off the peak of his mountain!"

Yang Long's lips moved, intending to continue his persuasion, but he saw Li Jun pointing at the back of his own neck as he said in a deep voice, "Chen Qisheng dismantled the spiritual aperture at the back of his mind and erased his Longhu Daoist registry, precisely to vent this foul grievance and avenge this blood feud. Chen Qisheng remembers your kindness, so I can spare you. But this person surnamed Zhang must die. Since you are unwilling to help, then disintegrate your body yourself."

Li Jun had already issued the order to see the guest out, but Yang Long inexplicably froze on the spot, his eyes losing focus as his mouth repeatedly muttered the words 'dismantled the spiritual aperture, erased the Daoist registry.'

"What rank of the Dao is Chen Qisheng at now?"

Yang Long suddenly spoke urgently, his eyes widening as he looked at Li Jun with desperate anticipation.

Li Jun's brow furrowed slightly, not knowing why Yang Long would suddenly become so agitated, but he still replied truthfully, "Old Sequence Rank Four, Human Immortal Master."

"Impossible... he clearly did not know the correct path, how could he still advance to Human Immortal Master?"

Yang Long's gaze was dazed as he continuously muttered to himself.

"Zhao Yanlong, who exactly are you?" Li Jun barked sharply.

"Tell Chen Qisheng to come find me. He knows the entrance to my grotto-heaven."

Yang Long ignored Li Jun’s question, muttering to himself at a rapid pace: “The current ‘Master Zhang,’ Zhang Chongyan, is attempting to merge with the Tao and has no time to pay attention to other matters. The remaining two great masters, Zhang Chongyuan and Zhang Chongcheng, are hostile to each other and constantly engage in open and covert struggles. If you want to attack Longhushan, now is your best opportunity. Li Jun, what I’m saying to you now is all true. Trust me and remember to let Chen Qisheng come to find me.”

“What are you talking about?”

“I don’t have time to talk to you more. They’re coming soon.”

Li Jun was stunned. “Who is coming?”

“The sky.”

Yang Long’s divine light quickly dimmed, and a pale, lifeless darkness surged from all sides into his dark pupils.

“Go quickly.”

As soon as the words left his mouth, Li Jun felt a strong heartbeat, and his figure shot out of the county government gate like an arrow.

Boom!

A bolt of lightning accompanied by a deafening roar shot straight down, hitting the roof of the county government hall directly.

The visible shockwave quickly spread, carrying with it stones that whistled like bullets.

Li Jun’s clothes rustled in the wind, his face turning dark and gloomy.

In his sight, the entire Shangrao County Government Hall had disappeared, replaced by a deep, bottomless pit, with the charred pit bottom rising with wispy smoke.

Li Jun looked up and saw that directly above the county government hall, the originally clear sky was now dark, with clouds swirling like a huge vortex, and a bright star shining blindingly in the depths.

Demon-slaying thunder, a Taoist artifact.

Li Jun glanced at his back and saw that Zhang Qingxi was still being held by the Horse King, and he breathed a sigh of relief. Li Jun realized that the thunderbolt just now was probably not only to assassinate himself but also to let Zhang Qingxi break free from his constraints and seize the opportunity to break the curse.

“Old Horse, your horse’s foot was still caught by someone, huh.” Li Jun joked.

“Seen the damn ghost, I’ll upgrade it later.”

Like an inverted sky in the deep sea, the turbulent waves surged, the sky grew darker and darker, the clouds grew lower and lower, as if they would collapse at any moment and flood the entire Shangrao County.

On the empty street, there were rustling prayers coming from the surrounding houses, intertwining and converging, growing louder and louder, until they became deafening, as if hundreds of people were praying to heaven in Li Jun’s ears.

In the grand chanting of scriptures, a bright light from the stars in the sky fell into the deep pit. Then a middle-aged Taoist priest with a slender face and a purple crown stepped out of the pit.

“Who is in the Master Zhang’s residence?”

Li Jun looked at the Taoist priest’s projection and asked loudly.

“Longhushan, Zhang Chongyuan.”

The Taoist priest said faintly: “It’s been many years since I’ve seen a Wu Xu in Guangxin Prefecture. You’re the recently famous lone Wu Xu, right? Your name is Li Jun, isn’t it?”

Pretty arrogant.

Li Jun smiled and raised his chin towards Zhang Chongyuan. “Why didn’t you come in person?”

“That’s why you still have a chance to live.”

Zhang Chongyuan waved his sleeve. “Release Qingxi, cut off one arm, and I won’t pursue you for killing a Longhushan Taoist official, and I’ll let you leave Guangxin Prefecture.”

Pfft!

A pile of white blood splashed on the ground, and the body of Zhang Qingxi, which was being held in mid-air, kept twitching, with a huge hole suddenly opening in his abdomen.

Li Jun threw Zhang Qingxi’s Taoist foundation in front of Zhang Chongyuan and asked, “What did you just say?”

“Wu Xu’s remnant.”

Zhang Chongyuan’s footsteps paused, and a cold expression appeared in his eyes. “I know why you’re here, but this is a family affair of Longhushan, and you don’t have the qualification to intervene. Let Chen Qisheng, that traitor, come to the mountain to see me, and I’ll naturally give him justice.”

Bang!

The mechanical hand’s five fingers suddenly closed, and blood and mud splashed between the fingers, with a headless corpse falling to the ground with a thud.

Under the Horse King’s blockade, Zhang Qingxi had no chance to connect to the Yellow Lotus Cave Heaven and thus perished, his soul and body gone.

“I originally wanted to use him to lure people out, but now I have no interest in that.”

Li Jun laughed. “I’ve spent this head, what can you do?”

The wind howled, and the stars flashed.

When a deity gets angry, the sky changes color. Zhang Chongyuan’s face twitched slightly, his eyes cold and murderous.

“Seeking your own death.”

The Taoist priest took a step forward, and a chilling killing intent descended from the sky, locking onto Li Jun tightly.

“I’ve seen a lot of this stuff, trying to use it to kill me? I advise you to save yourself.”

Li Jun sneered, his face suddenly turning cold, and he asked coldly, “Why do you have to do this to Chen Qisheng?”

“Contributing to the sect is his duty.” Zhang Chongyuan’s tone was matter-of-fact.

“The old man is really asking this pointless question.”

Li Jun shook his head. “Has no one ever told you that your brain is broken? Even harming your own people, what kind of disciples do you recruit? Why don’t you Zhangs just find a deep mountain forest to live in?”

“As a Wu Si Xin master, you have no qualification to criticize Longhushan!”

Boom!

The thunderbolt fell, but was shattered by the black armor that rose into the sky and cut it with a sword.

The pale light above dissipated, still unable to cover the flames burning in Li Jun’s eyes.

“When I first met Chen Qisheng in Chongqing Prefecture, he was wearing a torn vest with the Taoist emblem and words of your Longhushan on it. He not only didn’t feel ashamed but treated it as a treasure and never changed it.”

“He treats that mountain as his home and you as his people, but what do you treat him as?”

The roar continued, and the floating black armor cut the thunder with a sword.

Ruins, gods and mortals with swords drawn and bows bent.

“What do you treat him as? A tool to demonstrate loyalty and righteousness, or a puppet to buy people’s hearts? What you’ve done, the sect and the Wu Xu have already done.”

Zhang Chongyuan sneered. “A scum like Chen Qisheng, who forgets his family’s hatred and is ignorant and useless, is not worthy of becoming a disciple of Longhushan. This master will eventually clean up the household himself!”

“Zhang’s mouth, God’s mouth. Who the hell do you think you are?!”

Li Jun’s eyes widened in anger, and the black armor fell like a meteor from the sky, enveloping his entire body in an instant!

A violent thunderbolt followed, but was shattered by the dark golden fist.

Li Jun’s figure floated up, his eyes level with Zhang Chongyuan’s.

“You want to clean up the household, and I want to seek revenge by coming to your door. Let’s not waste words, just get ready to fight.”

“Overestimating yourself. You’ve picked a few small forces, and you think you can shake Longhushan? Ridiculous!”

Zhang Chongyuan roared, and the surrounding chanting suddenly stopped.

Then the closed doors on both sides of the street opened simultaneously, and a number of figures stepped out, either young men and women or old men and children, with vastly different faces but the same angry eyes, staring straight at Li Jun.

“The might of Longhushan, how can it tolerate the provocation of evil spirits! Quickly subdue and execute!”

The sound wave accompanied by thunder formed a huge force that pressed down on Li Jun.

“How about it? Who has the loudest voice?”

A carefree voice drifted from afar, and Zou Si Jiu sat cross-legged on a signboard, waving to the dense crowd below.

"Can't you see the sky has grown dark here? Scram back to bed and make it snappy."

Across the streets, a multitude of believers swayed and collapsed into a sound sleep.

"How overbearing of Longhu Mountain. When the Martial Order kicked your patriarch off his divine altar in the past, why didn't I see you all acting this arrogant?"

The martial artist Shen Li, clad in a black robe with arrow-sleeves, leaned casually against a doorway with his arms crossed, his expression haughty.

"Zhang Chongyuan!"

Zheng!

A longsword whistled through the air as it shot forward, only to be caught by Li Jun's outstretched arm.

"Old Chen, don't be in a rush."

Holding a paper cigarette between his fingers, Li Jun gave his right hand a sudden jolt; surging flames wrapped around the blade, and he used the sword to light his smoke.

Amidst the dancing firelight, a figure the size of a fist named Changjun squatted at the hilt, sizing up the Celestial Master opposite him with great interest.

"Hu."

A plume of smoke was exhaled toward Zhang Chongyuan, who stood almost face-to-face with Li Jun.

"Wait patiently up on the mountain. If I can't trample this Dragon-Tiger head and overturn your ancestral hall, then I, Li Jun, have walked the Martial Order in vain and served as this Fuel Master for nothing."

"This Lord shall be waiting for you."

Zhang Chongyuan's gaze swept over Zou Sijiu who feigned terror, over Shen Li who sneered with crossed arms, over Chen Qisheng whose expression was twisted in rage, and finally came to rest firmly in the depths of Li Jun's eyes.

The projection dissipated, the darkness receded, and bright sunlight pierced through the piled clouds, once again illuminating the entire Shangrao county seat.

"Brother Jun, how about..."

Chen Qisheng walked up behind Li Jun and spoke softly.

"Even if you told me to leave right now, I wouldn't go. So as for anything else, Old Chen, don't say it."

Li Jun interrupted Chen Qisheng, turning around to pat the man's shoulder. "We never flinched even in a desperate situation like the Japanese Sector. Could a mere Longhu Mountain possibly frighten you? Shen Li!"

"Present," Shen Li answered loudly.

Li Jun said, "Notify Tianque. One internal energy injector in exchange for a first-stage ritual. However many they have, I want them all."

"No problem, but isn't this letting them off too cheap?"

Shen Li grinned, then looked down at the empty air in front of him and muttered to himself, "It's time to work. Aohu, why the hell haven't you rushed over here yet?"

"Charlatan."

"What charlatan? Call me Lord Zou!"

Up on the shop sign, Zou Sijiu rose to his full height, straightening his back and throwing back his head as both hands brushed past his temples.

"Notify the Ming Consort to put the matters of Hanshan Temple on hold for now and depart for Guangxin Prefecture immediately. You two will form a group and head out to the various counties specifically to slaughter the Daoist officials coming down from Longhu Mountain."

Li Jun sneered, "Don't they curse us as bandits? Today we'll let these high and mighty Daoist masters taste the same bitter suffering that Liaodong and Luning endured."

This meant blossoming at multiple points, completely overturning the entire Guangxin Prefecture!

Looking at it this way, it turned out that ominous divination wasn't meant for our side after all?!

Zou Sijiu clicked his tongue inwardly, then suddenly remembering something, he asked hurriedly, "Then Old Li, what about you?"

"Me?"

Two dragons of smoke snorted from Li Jun's nose. "Traveling alone, of course, clearing a path all by myself!"