The next day, Xu Yong and his group descended the mountain, bringing the good news that the Gui Zhegu had completely annihilated the bandits.
But once they arrived at the mountain, they were greeted by a scene of bloodshed everywhere, and in a corner huddled a middle-aged man, shivering uncontrollably.
This was Zhang Youde, Jiang He's lieutenant, whose courage had been completely broken by the zombies. He agreed to whatever demands were made of him.
"Clean up the bodies. Zhang Youde, you'll be the next Commandant of Yiyang. Get to know each other," Xu Xuan said.
The memory of last night's fireball killings was still vivid.
"Yes!"
Soon, the great hall was cleaned, all the bodies removed, and there was not a trace of the stench of blood left.
As for who the mastermind behind the scenes was, Xu Xuan already had an answer in mind.
Chenzhou.
As one's environment changes, so does one's spirit; as one's position changes, so does one's body.
With changes in status and environment, Xu Guangting became extremely imposing, like a tiger awakening.
Since taking his position, he had built a team to support him, and his next objective was expansion.
He would temporarily ignore the traditional Han regions, preparing instead to send troops to conquer territories such as Guizhou and Qianling.
He had the money and the manpower; the plan wasn't difficult.
But now, a slight hiccup had occurred.
Xu Guangting's eyes narrowed slightly as Xu Feng trembled before him.
"Are you saying the merchant convoy was robbed, completely wiped out; your future father-in-law killed by bandits?"
"Yes!"
Xu Guangting faintly sensed a hidden pattern, it was likely that the brothers had been secretly battling each other. Evidently, Xu Feng had lost.
Over the years, Xu Guangting's dissatisfaction with this son of the Barbarians had grown. If not for the necessity of stabilizing the hearts of the Mountain Barbarians, Xu Feng's position as the Princely Heir might not have been secure.
"Incapable of doing anything right, go back and focus on having children," Xu Guangting scolded.
Giving him one last chance.
Otherwise, if either of his brothers, Xu Xuan or Xu Yong, took power, Xu Feng would have to die.
Though a tiger does not eat its cubs, Xu Guangting was ruthless by nature and still did not wish to witness fratricide.
"Yes!"
Xu Feng left in a panic, and what he was thinking, only he knew.
One year later.
It had been ten years in the Mirror Realm.
In these ten years, Li Qingquan of the Li Family made a breakthrough in Qi Cultivation, becoming a master.
The Li Family had firmly established itself in Black River County.
The current Family Head was Li Rufeng, in the Late Phase of Qi Nourishing; Li Qingshi had been injured in the previous battle and was now preparing for retirement.
At this moment, the Li Family was conducting a grand ritual.
Atop the altar, five lower-grade Spirit Stones and various materials were offered.
This was the first sacrifice in ten years.
The Li family had discerned a pattern: the more offerings made, the greater the treasures bestowed by the deities.
Li Rufeng, leading the core disciples of the Li Family, offered incense and prayers.
"Lord of the Mirror Realm, grant my Li Family another heirloom technique," he entreated.
As the light flashed and then was gone, all the offerings vanished.
A prescription appeared on the mirror's surface.
A trace of disappointment flickered in Li Rufeng's eyes.
Although the prescription was valuable, he had hoped for a powerful spell instead.
Despite his disappointment, Li Rufeng still expressed his heartfelt gratitude.
The ceremony concluded.
That night, alone, Li Rufeng visited the forbidden area and gazed at the mirror, unable to suppress his greed.
There is no treasure in this world that can't be refined. If he could take this treasure into his own hands, wouldn't he be able to do as he pleased?
"Immortal? Are you there?" he called out.
After trying in vain for a long time without a response, Li Rufeng stepped forward to remove the mirror, carefully channeling his True Qi into it, ready to refine it.
When the refining elicited no reaction after a long time, Li Rufeng reluctantly gave up, though he hadn't completely lost hope.
As long as he broke through in Qi Cultivation and refined it daily—whether through a drop of blood as recognition or a blood sacrifice—there was no treasure that could not be refined.
In front of the mirror, Xu Xuan took in the whole scene.
"This young man's courage is growing," Xu Xuan muttered as he put down the mirror. I'll tolerate you for a few more years, but after that, if you're still like this, don't blame me for being ruthless.
Once I've extracted all your value, it will be time to abandon the Li Family, a small clan in a remote region that has no access to anything of significance.
Xu Xuan looked around at the shelves filled with cultivation techniques.
Things like the Supreme Tranquility Scripture, Nine Heaven Profound Lady Method, Feathered Ascension Scripture, Heaven and Earth Yin Yang Verses... all of them are fake. I've collected quite a few cultivation techniques over the past year, and they are all counterfeit.
When the time comes to abandon the Li Family, I will definitely use these to make a hefty profit.
Xu Xuan put the mirror into his chest and then stepped out the door.
Over the past year, Xu Xuan had refined all the Talisman Techniques, and his body could now store up to twelve strands of True Qi.
"It's still too little,"
Xu Xuan sighed.
If one wishes to break through, especially in this kind of world, one must put in ten times the effort, gathering ten times the resources.
Besides diligent study and tough training, the most critical factor is external conditions.
The back hall.
Twelve coffins were neatly arranged, with a chilling and formidable presence.
This was the achievement of the past year.
Twelve bodies.
Xu Xuan stood for a moment, as if waiting for someone.
Down the mountain, Xu Yong, Zhang Youdao, Gui Zhegu, Wu Xiong, and others ascended in succession.
Xu Yong was excited. His elder brother had summoned so many people; could it be that he was planning to make further progress?
With his elder brother's support, he had become much bolder in his actions over the years.
Soon, everyone arrived at the back hall.
Looking at the coffins in the back hall, everyone felt a shiver in their hearts, a mix of reverence and fear.
Mysterious techniques, immortals with eternal life... this is humanity's ultimate pursuit.
They were willing to give up everything to step onto the path of immortality.
It's a pity that their talents were not up to par. The Heavenly Master didn't withhold any secrets; the cultivation techniques were the same, but they just couldn't learn them.
They could only blame their lack of talent and insincerity.
"Heavenly Master!"
Everyone saluted.
Xu Xuan turned around, looked at the crowd, and said, "Everyone's here? Xu Yong, report the situation."
"Yes, we have established a solid footing in Chenxi. We have a thousand private soldiers and two thousand militiamen. Gui Zhegu has united all the bandits in the Wuling Mountains, totalling over two thousand men. The net profit from all the workshops combined is eighteen thousand taels. If I may digress, father seems to have plans to nationalize the workshops."
This year, Xu Guangting made use of troops in Guizhou, taking several counties.
Three days ago, Xu Guangting sent a message, inviting his two brothers to a banquet to celebrate the full moon of the firstborn grandchild of the third generation of the Xu Family.
"Heavenly Master, I learned from the bandits that a group of people from Guizhou has secretly arrived in Chenzhou. They might appear during the full moon banquet."
"Could it be that Xu Feng is conspiring with outsiders?"
"We cannot rule out that possibility."
Everyone discussed amongst themselves.
"Enough dallying with them. Xu Yong, are you ready to take the seat as the lord of Chenzhou?" Xu Xuan looked at Xu Yong.
Everyone was ecstatic. In contrast, Xu Yong appeared somewhat confused at first but then firmed up his gaze and said, "I am ready."
After several years of practice, along with the influence of his elder brother, Xu Yong had gained a lot of knowledge. Now was the time to put it to use.
Late at night, twelve zombies, draped in thick black robes and with stiff footsteps, followed the sound of a bell.
The group set out for the Chenzhou Residence.
Chenzhou Residence.
The house of Xu Feng.
After getting married, Xu Feng set up his own residence.
Late at night, the main hall was brightly lit, with three barbarians standing by his side.
Xu Feng played with a bird gun.
"No matter how high their martial skills are, they are still afraid of bows, crossbows, and firearms. Just lay an ambush with three hundred archers, give the command, and even an immortal can't escape," said the advisor to the Guizhou Pacification Envoy, sporting a small mustache and a shrewd appearance.
"When the lord succeeds the position of Pacification Envoy of Chenzhou, our two families will coexist peacefully and jointly exploit the southwest."
Xu Feng had struck a deal with the barbarians of Guizhou, and they quickly saw eye to eye, ready to seize the moment during the grand celebration day, when Xu Guangting would let his guard down.
"No, we'll make our move tonight to take down the old man, and then eliminate the two brothers during the full moon banquet."
The real moment of lowered vigilance would be before the big banquet.
The main attack would catch them by surprise!
"Old man, it's finally coming to an end. Xu Xuan, Xu Yong, just you wait..."
This year of endurance was finally about to culminate.
Dozens of dead soldiers, with loyalists in the military.
Sharp swords and blades, swift bows and arrows.
An invitation to a pit, from which escape is impossible.
What can Xu Xuan bring to fight against me?