Chapter 249
Chapter 249
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 249
Chapter Title: Decisive Break
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Treating evils and spirits as livestock, Qingzhou as pasture, and the common folk as fodder, enforcing harsh laws and cruel punishments.
Li Tianqing said in a low voice, "When commoners violate the laws, the evils devour people, refining those evils into fertilizer for medicines. The medicines grow with this fertilizer, and once mature, they extend one's lifespan."
Qingzhou's foremost benefactor—truly the greatest good Samaritan.
A surge of grief and fury welled up in his heart.
The heavens and earth of West Ox New Continent were flawed, causing cultivators' cultivation to only increase their prowess without extending their lifespan.
Even spirit pills and wondrous medicines offered limited gains in longevity.
Thus arose this business: feeding ordinary people to evils and spirits. The evils devoured the vital essence and souls of the masses, condensing it all and transforming it into fertilizer that spirit medicines could absorb.
Refining this fertilizer from the bodies of evils to top-dress the spirit medicines.
Chen Shi pondered for a moment and said, "Only by devouring people can one rise above the masses."
"But devouring people directly is too slow and harms one's virtue."
"Better to let evils devour people, spirit medicines devour evils, and the exalted feast on the spirit medicines. Far more efficient."
Li Tianqing glanced at the spirit medicines that had gained sentience in the spirit garden and asked, "How do you harvest the fertilizer?"
Luan Di said, "For evils with physical forms, use this needle to draw their heart blood. For those without, use this treasure gourd to extract their vital essence."
He produced a silver needle and a treasure gourd.
Once activated, the silver needle rapidly expanded to about two feet long, with intricate runes etched on its tip and body—symbols for refining innate essence into medicine. Once refined, the innate essence would be collected into the needle's hollow core.
Crafting the silver needle required starting with a two-foot silver rod, shaping it into a needle, inscribing the runes, then burning incense day and night in worship, nourishing it with one's vital blood until it gained a spirit and could change size at will.
The other was a copper gourd. When activated, it stood half as tall as a man, its exterior and interior walls inscribed with runes for seizing souls and innate essence.
This refined innate essence served as fertilizer for growing the spirit medicines.
One could use humans directly as fertilizer, but that meant burying dozens per plant, and replacing them every few days.
It was troublesome, risked damaging the spirit medicine's roots, and harmed one's virtue—which was why Old Master Wan refrained.
"Luan Di, who buys the harvested spirit medicines?" Chen Shi asked.
Luan Di said, "I don't know."
"I only handle planting them."
He hesitated, then added, "Every year near the New Year, Old Master Wan sends people to extract the medicines. That's probably when buyers come."
"How many mu of spirit garden? How many spirit medicines?"
"Twenty-one mu."
"Five hundred and forty-two spirit medicines."
Chen Shi nodded slightly. The number was lower than he'd estimated, but...
This figure exceeded what Qingzhou should have!
Spirit medicines weren't rare; they grew in many places rich in spiritual energy. But overharvesting by cultivators had dwindled the numbers of long-maturing ones, and those that became sentient monsters were even scarcer!
Take Xinxian Province: even Qianyang Mountain, with its abundant spiritual energy, had at most a hundred such sentient spirit medicines—possibly only a few dozen!
Qingzhou lacked places as rich in spiritual energy as Qianyang Mountain, so it should have even fewer.
Yet here alone were five hundred and forty-two!
These sentient spirit medicines had clearly been gathered from across West Ox New Continent—not just Qingzhou!
Such medicines that extended a cultivator's life were invaluable, treasures for the powerhouses of great clans. No great clan would buy them with mere money.
The Wan family lacked the power to scour West Ox New Continent for so many spirit...
medicines.
Li Tianqing reached out and grabbed a He Shouwu doll, asking, "How much lifespan does one such spirit medicine extend?"
Luan Di said, "Spirit medicines are rare and not consumed directly. Instead, their essence is extracted. Specialists come each year for that."
"I've heard the Wan household say that top-quality ones can boost lifespan by two to three years."
"But the same type can't be overused—it loses effect. You need essences from different spirit medicines to keep extending life."
Li Tianqing frowned slightly. "Only two or three years?"
All this effort, treating people as fodder and evils as sheep, refining their souls and essence... for just two or three years of life?
The yellow essence he'd found in the Caishen Temple's medicine field granted decades with a single bite!
But for other cultivators, two or three years was a massive boon!
Qianyang Mountain's ginseng grass dolls were top-tier spirit medicines, yet their ginseng fruits only extended life by months. The Wan family's secret refinement yielded essences worth two or three years—divine elixirs for many great figures!
West Ox New Continent's spirit medicines couldn't draw true Three Lights Righteous Qi, limiting their life-extending effects.
Yet humans, as the foremost spiritual beings of heaven and earth, were born with innate spirit. Carrying a breath of prenatal true qi from the womb, refining great medicine from human bodies amplified spirit medicines' potency!
As the saying goes: you are what you eat.
Chen Shi looked around and said, "How many types of life-extending spirit medicines are here?"
Luan Di said, "Sixty-two types."
Chen Shi nodded lightly. "Sixty-two types, adding over a hundred years of life. Quite the lucrative trade."
Luan Di hesitated, then mustered his courage. "My lords, I've told you everything I know..."
Li Tianqing turned and left without striking him.
Chen Shi said, "You schemed against Tianqing, yet he spares you—so I will too. If I were you, I'd take my wife and children and flee Qingzhou at once, lest the Wan family silence you."
Luan Di's heart chilled. He hurried away.
Chen Shi quickly caught up to Li Tianqing. The two walked silently toward the Caishen Temple.
As the temple came into view, Li Tianqing couldn't hold back. "Last time, my grandfather told me that at New Year, I must return to the Li family in Quanzhou. His great-granduncle—the former clan head—is emerging from life-death seclusion."
"This ancestor is two hundred years old, the highest cultivation in the world today."
"Grandfather wants me to pay respects; the ancestor will grant me boons."
He paused, then said, "Bitter Bamboo tried everything and couldn't live to two hundred."
"Our family ancestor has."
Chen Shi said, "So you suspect the power behind the Wan family is your Quanzhou Li family."
Li Tianqing's face darkened. He stopped and said, "Chen Shi, New Year approaches. My Li family's envoy should already be in Qingzhou."
"He'll come for the medicine to present to the ancestor."
"This is my Li family's affair. Once back at the temple, take it and go."
Chen Shi said, "And you?"
Li Tianqing said, "My family's sins will be righted by my family."
"After meeting the envoy, I'll decide."
Chen Shi nodded lightly and smiled. "Tianqing, sometimes you don't seem from a great clan at all."
Li Tianqing smiled. "My father is from a great clan, but my mother was just a laundry maid."
"So it's normal I don't seem like one."
"Promise me: take the Caishen Temple and leave Qingzhou!"
"Fine!" Chen Shi agreed.
Li Tianqing sighed in relief. The two entered the temple.
Chen Shi and Li Tianqing got straight to work, dismantling the ancient temple bit by bit.
Then they entered the pocket courtyard, reassembling it piece by piece.
Blackie Pot led the yellow essence and aconite dolls to help, hauling bricks and tiles with great diligence.
By afternoon, the temple was emptied—walls left standing, but even the doors removed.
Finished, the yellow essence and aconite dolls burrowed into the pocket courtyard's fields, each settling into its nest to rest.
Chen Shi stored the courtyard in his wooden cart and said to Li Tianqing, "I'll head out first."
Li Tianqing bowed deeply and smiled. "I wish you fame across the realm at next year's palace exams!"
Chen Shi returned the bow and grinned. "You and I both have top scholar talent—but my literary flair edges yours out!"
Li Tianqing burst into laughter, rising to watch him board the cart.
The wooden cart receded into the distance.
Li Tianqing stood motionless for a long while before turning toward Qingzhou City.
Along the way, he plucked some leaves, blew on them, and they fluttered up, transforming into green birds that flew toward the city.
Soon, he entered Qingzhou City and arrived at the Wan manor. The porridge stall was deserted, but many starving folk knelt before the gates, kowtowing in thanks for Old Master Wan's grace. The Wan family's Living Buddha indeed.
Li Tianqing passed through the crowd and said to the guards, "I am Li Tianqing of Quanzhou's Li family, here to see Old Master Wan Shide."
The guards eyed him, recognized the bandit chief from the arrest warrant, and trembled.
Li Tianqing produced the Li family token. "Take this to your master. He'll understand."
The guard hurried inside to report without delay.
Moments later, the Wan steward rushed out, beaming, returned the token, and said, "Honored juren, please come in!"
Li Tianqing nodded slightly and followed him into the manor.
As he led the way, the steward said, "The old master is still entertaining guests in the front hall and can't get away. He's anxious to hear you've come and sent me to host and apologize on his behalf."
He brought Li Tianqing to the front hall, where maids served tea and candied fruits.
The steward perched half on a chair and smiled. "Juren Li, your fame has spread through Qingzhou. Salt Commissioner Lu was a fool to offend you—death well deserved."
Li Tianqing shook his head. "Commissioner Lu's matter has hidden details."
"Tell Old Master Wan I'm here for the longevity medicines."
The steward raised his brows and smiled. "I'll inform him at once."
He excused himself and left the hall.
Soon, a servant arrived. "The old master invites Juren Li to Chunshan Pavilion."
Li Tianqing followed the servant out of the hall, through corridors and ornate doors, past gardens and fish ponds, to Chunshan Pavilion.
Flanking the pavilion were verses: "Fallen blossoms in an idle yard, idle blossoms fall; thin robes shame the spring, spring robes thin."
Li Tianqing stood outside, peering in. Several idle flowers shed petals; girls in light spring garments picked them from the ground.
He didn't understand the old masters' pleasures.
The servant said, "Please rest in Chunshan Pavilion, Juren Li."
Li Tianqing nodded and entered. Incense burned within; a girl in spring robes played a guqin, slow and lingering.
Li Tianqing sat, eyes on nose, nose on heart. After an unknown time, a woman's voice came: "Juren Li, dinner is ready."
Li Tianqing opened his eyes. Dusk had fallen; dinner laid out in the pavilion.
But Old Master Wan had yet to appear.
He rose, washed up, and approached the table. A maid pulled out a chair for him.
After dinner, Old Master Wan still hadn't come. Instead, maids prepared a bath, scattering that afternoon's petals in the water, filling it with fragrance.
Under their service, Li Tianqing bathed and donned fresh robes they provided, renewed.
The maid curtsied. "Please wait a moment, juren."
The maids and servants withdrew, leaving Li Tianqing alone in Chunshan Pavilion.
He waited quietly. Suddenly, footsteps approached from outside, with laughter: "Tianqing, when did you find time to visit Qingzhou?"
Li Tianqing sighed at the voice, rose with a darkened face.
The Wan family was indeed the Quanzhou Li family's enterprise.
"Tianqing pays respects to Thirteenth Uncle!" He bowed deeply.
A middle-aged man stepped into the pavilion's lamplight, striding forward to support him, laughing. "You're the Li family's rising star—the ancestor has mentioned using you several times."
"Up, up!"
Li Tianqing rose.
The man was from the Quanzhou Li family main branch, thirteenth in seniority: Li Xiaoguang, a man of real power.
Li Tianqing respectfully invited Li Xiaoguang to sit, then took a side seat.
Li Xiaoguang glanced at him and smiled. "I heard from the Wan steward you're here to see Old Master Wan about longevity medicines? I handle the legwork for this. When did the ancestor send you?"
He smiled faintly. "I only arrived at the Wan manor today. Heard you've stirred quite a storm in Qingzhou, killing several officials."
"You, give the ancestor a break."
"These longevity medicines are for your great-granduncle. Mind your own business."
"Once done here, I'll take you back to Quanzhou."
Li Tianqing couldn't hold back. "Thirteenth Uncle, tell me truly: is the Wan family our Li family's holding?"
Li Xiaoguang laughed outright, shaking his head. "You think if our Li family did this in Qingzhou, the other twelve clans wouldn't flay us alive?"
He tapped the table with a finger, grinning. "All thirteen clans have a share—no trouble that way."
"Qingzhou's medicine fields are the thirteen clans' joint venture, sustaining our foundations."
"Without them, great-granduncles, ancestors—our lifespans would end, and the Li clan would lose half its strength."
"To thrive unending, how without these great powers holding the fort? The realm would descend into chaos!"
Li Tianqing's face paled.
Li Xiaoguang stood. "The thirteen clans' medicine envoys have all arrived at the Wan manor."
"I'll cover for your troublemaking."
"But Qingzhou's matters stay secret."
He walked toward the pavilion door. "Leave at dawn tomorrow."
"Forget everything here."
"Head to the capital for exams; I'll have the clan head smooth the way. Top scholar's taken, but runner-up or third is doable."
"I've been young; I know your head's full of impractical dreams. But reality calls."
Li Tianqing sat rigid as a statue, unsending.
Li Xiaoguang's face cooled. From the door, he said flatly, "Tonight, your accomplice will raid the Wan manor."
"We've prepared fully."
"Don't leave Chunshan Pavilion—leaving is betraying the Li family, opposing the thirteen clans! I won't have us lose a Divine Embryo Realm talent."
"Tianqing, remember: you're a Li family man from start to finish! Understand?"
Li Tianqing's face grew ashen, voice hoarse. "Tianqing understands."
Li Xiaoguang departed.
Long after, Li Tianqing stirred, blinked—tears tracing his cheeks.
This Li family, like the other clans, had rotted through like evils and spirits!
He rose, trudging out with steps like mountains on his back.
At last, he reached Chunshan Pavilion's door, lifting his foot. One step out, and he'd be a Quanzhou Li family traitor!
Stay in the pavilion with its thin spring robes? No—his own blue scholar's robe stood proud, true to his heart!
He gritted his teeth and stepped out!
The five sacred mountains lifted from his shoulders; he longed to play the qin and howl, venting his chest!
I can't let Chen Shi risk himself!
Murderous intent surged as he strode out—only to meet a servant boy approaching head down, tray in hand.
The Wans' tricks to kill me?
Li Tianqing's eyes flashed feral; he lunged to slay—then the boy looked up, grinning. "Tianqing, I brought your Caishen."
Li Tianqing stared. It was Chen Shi, the pocket courtyard on the tray!
Night had fallen.
The hour of zi approached.
Lord Guan Shengdi would, at zi hour, ride forth with drawn blade: slaying corrupt officials, evils, tyrants; patrolling the underworld, shattering all wickedness!
Li Tianqing closed his eyes, entering dreamland.
In the dream, hoofbeats echoed from the underworld: clop clop clop, drawing nearer!
Li Tianqing flipped onto horseback.
The blade—come!
End of chapter.