Entry Into the Sect and the Demon Seduction Method

The setting sun cast a lingering glow, painting the clouds in fiery hues.

Autumn in the north was nothing like the south, where traces of green could still be found. Here, sparse yellow leaves covered everything. The already bare branches seemed even more ancient, like an old man at sunset, with one foot already in the grave.

Wasn't the world today also on the brink of darkness?

Zhang Lishi leaned against the railing, gazing into the distance. He couldn't help but let out a long sigh. Only when he was away from his family and subordinates could he truly release the weariness in his heart.

Everyone said the Flying Tiger Escort Agency was a major power in Chuqiu County, but he knew that no power could last forever.

This was true even in times of peace, let alone now when the world was about to descend into chaos.

He wasn't someone who lived in a well. Through the network of relationships he had built by traveling the land with the escort agency, he had been closely monitoring the world's situation.

Of the sixteen circuits and three hundred and twenty-eight prefectures and counties in the land, Song Prefecture, where Chuqiu County was located, was under the jurisdiction of the Xuanwu Army, led by Marshal Zhu Quanzhong, who had risen from the Yellow Chao rebel army and was later granted amnesty and a name by the court.

This Marshal Zhu was clearly an ambitious man. Since his amnesty, he had "wholeheartedly" served the court by eradicating other overbearing military governors.

In just a few short years, he had seized control of the other major military governorates in Henan Circuit, such as the Yicheng Army, Tianping Army, Zhongwu Army, and even the Pinglu Army near the East Sea.

Despite his demeanor as a separatist king, the court had to grudgingly commend and appease him. Some in the court even suggested bestowing upon him the title of King of Liang.

However, he was not satisfied with this.

After the autumn harvest, he advanced north into Hebei, taking control of the four prefectures of Weibo, Chengde, Yiwu, and Lulong. If not for the sudden appearance of Li Yisheng in the north, who claimed to be a reincarnation of Vaisravana Heavenly King, Marshal Zhu might have truly achieved his goal.

Snow at the doorstep, and a fire in the backyard that wouldn't stop.

The Yellow Chao rebels, no, the rebels who now called themselves King Huang, although they had been chased like stray dogs by the court and had even fled to the barbaric lands of Lingnan Circuit, had somehow managed to circle back to Huainan Circuit, which bordered Henan Circuit.

There were even rumors that King Huang's ambitions this time were not small. He intended to pass through Yingzhou, head straight for the Capital Region, seize the secondary capital first, and then enter the capital city.

Zhang Lishi considered himself to have weathered storms in the first half of his life. He had met an extraordinary person who taught him the Way in his youth, and in his later years, he had joined a Buddhist sect to study martial arts. Afterward, he became good friends with the Cui brothers and, over decades of hard work, had established a foundation in Chuqiu.

But even with all of this, facing the turbulent general trend of the world, he still felt a sense of powerlessness.

Unlike the three families native to the Inner City, the Flying Tiger Escort Agency's roots in Chuqiu County were ultimately shallower, and the gap between them had always existed.

Relying on the reputation he had built, he had managed to win over various forces, big and small, but he consistently lacked in terms of core combat strength.

Not to mention the experts in the Third Realm's Viscera, among the eight individuals in the Second Realm's Muscle, half were hired with a hefty sum. Apart from Shi Tie, who had followed him for many years, the loyalty of the others was uncertain.

And among the remaining four, Jiang Qi, Shen He, and Xiao Mei, these three were disciples from the Inner City. Zhang Lishi had never expected these individuals to have any feelings for the escort agency. If it came down to it, not betraying him would be considered a teacher-disciple bond.

Therefore, Zhang Lishi had no intention of passing down the Minor Yaksha Saber Art that those people desired. Their families might have suspected this, but they were merely trying their luck.

As for the last remaining member, Feng Sheng, he came from the Outer City and was considered family to his Master and the escort agency. Unfortunately, his talent was lacking, and he had personality flaws. Even if Zhang Lishi wanted to teach him the Minor Yaksha Saber Art, he couldn't.

In this regard, after decades, the vast Flying Tiger Escort Agency had only one person, Shi Tie, who had truly inherited his legacy.

And both Shi Tie and Feng Sheng were usually tasked with guarding his manor.

That was the granary, the foundation for survival in future wars. He couldn't rest easy without Shi Tie. But with this dispersal, compared to the three families in the Inner City, the Flying Tiger Escort Agency's strength within the city was somewhat weak.

This year, there was Ye Chengxiao, who had excellent talent and was catching up to his past self. However, recently, he had been involved in an incident where he was ambushed and injured. It was obvious that this was due to the internal struggles of the Ye Family's main and collateral branches.

How could Zhang Lishi not be worried when a force could not receive loyal and powerful new blood in a timely manner?

Just then, Zhang Lishi saw his third daughter approaching from the courtyard below. His expression instantly changed from weary to spirited, majestic yet gentle.

However, when he saw his daughter hurrying along with Mucha, a hint of confusion arose in his heart.

Among the Li brothers, the one who left the deepest impression on him was his elder brother, Li Cunxiao.

As for his younger brother, Mucha, he had been brought into the household purely to please his daughter. His wife had mentioned that he was a sensible child.

This was the first time Yue'er had pulled him along.

However, Li Cunxiao was not bad.

The young man was imposing, which suited his aesthetic. His fighting style was not mere showmanship. During this escort mission, he had even saved the lives of his fellow escorts, and his cultivation progress was not slow.

Although he couldn't compare to geniuses like Ye Chengxiao, Zhang Lishi figured that in four or five years, he might be able to touch the threshold of the Muscle Realm.

Even if he couldn't become his disciple then, he could recommend him to the Cui brothers. One should know that the "Eight-Foot Dragon Steed" passed down in the army was created by Emperor Taizong, whom the foreign nations called the "Heavenly Khan."

While military martial arts might lack a certain refinement, when it came to killing power, it surpassed the Tiger Demon Fist.

"Yue'er, why the rush? This isn't like you. Did this kid get into trouble, and Que'er sent you to plead for him?"

As Zhang Lishi spoke, he casually picked up his teacup, preparing to finish the remaining tea and go home to eat with his daughter.

Unexpectedly, Zhang Yuelu stepped forward, stopped his hand from reaching for the teacup, and placed a sheet of letter paper into his hand.

Zhang Lishi glanced at it with a hint of confusion, but the next moment, his pupils contracted.

Li Cunxiao, Blood Qi Perfection?!

The room suddenly fell silent. Father and daughter seemed to turn into wooden statues. The latter was fine, but the former's expression changed rapidly, as if a dye vat had overturned.

Seeing that the task his elder brother had given him was completed, Mucha breathed a sigh of relief. His eyes scanned the room, curiously observing the Chief Escort's study.

Simple.

The study contained only books and a desk and chairs, with no other clutter. Unlike Zhang Que'er's study, which also had wooden horses and crickets, and sometimes she would even instigate Mucha to fight chickens in the study.

"When did this happen?"

Zhang Lishi looked at the single line of text on the letter paper and asked in a deep voice.

"Just now, Mucha personally handed it to me. Only the three of us know about this."

The father and daughter looked at each other, seeing the surprise and doubt in each other's eyes.

Li Cunxiao joined the escort agency on Zhang Que'er's birthday, so the two quickly calculated how long it took the other to go from sensing qi to achieving blood qi perfection.

Less than two months!

To be precise, excluding the half-day holiday for Que'er's birthday, Li Cunxiao had been cultivating martial arts for a total of forty-five days, a month and a half! This didn't even count the progress delayed by escort missions.

A genius!

Facing such terrifying speed, Ye Chengxiao, who achieved blood qi perfection in a year, wasn't even worthy of carrying his shoes!

The difference between them was like that between clouds and mud!

Just as he was worrying about lacking strong new blood, such an extraordinary person had walked right into his lap. How could Zhang Lishi not be overjoyed?

Even he, who had always kept his distance from gods and Buddhas, couldn't help but recall what his wife had said during their youngest daughter's birthday.

This Li Nezha, like himself, had a connection with Buddhism.

He needed a protector, and the Buddha had thoughtfully bestowed upon him the demonically fierce Nezha who protected the religion.

Could it be that his wife's sincere offerings of incense over the years had finally been answered in the mysterious workings of fate?

"Yue'er, your father suddenly finds it hard to believe."

"Daughter also finds it hard to believe, but if this is true, Father…"

Everything was implied. Hearing his daughter's words, Zhang Lishi naturally understood what she meant.

He was not a indecisive person. In an instant, he made up his mind and gently waved for Mucha to come over, his expression gentler than ever:

"Mucha, go home and tell your eldest brother to come find me at the escort agency tomorrow."

The next day, Li Cunxiao, having received the news, arrived at the escort agency early in the morning. The one who greeted him was none other than Zhang Yuelu.

"Third Lady."

Li Cunxiao cupped his hands in greeting, showing no arrogance despite the impending changes.

Zhang Yuelu didn't say much, only giving him a deep look.

Compared to Ye Chengxiao, the renowned genius, the person before her was the truly hidden master.

"Follow me. Father is already waiting for you."

Inside the escort agency, in the inner hall where Zhang Lishi and other high-ranking officials were, Li Cunxiao had only been once before.

However, the study he was about to enter was a place he had never set foot in.

Though they were in the same courtyard, there was an invisible line separating them, a chasm of status, before he revealed his talent.

And now, he gently lifted his leg and crossed it.

"Chief Escort."

In the study, Zhang Lishi sat regally in his chair, quietly observing the young man before him. Zhang Yuelu stood quietly to the side, not uttering a word.

"You have already broken through to blood qi perfection?"

"I dare not speak a single false word."

"Come," Zhang Lishi stood up, extending his left palm, his eyes filled with the same anticipation and nervousness as the youth opposite him.

Li Cunxiao naturally understood. The moment he stepped forward with his right foot, his breathing suddenly became rapid and deep. No longer needing his heart as an engine, with just a turn of his mind, his body transformed into a terrifying appearance like a blood tiger, and he struck out with a short, powerful punch—

Bang.

A dull sound, a faint sound, this punch seemed like a mud ox entering the sea. Li Cunxiao clearly felt his entire strength hit accurately without any deviation, but he did not receive the expected feedback.

In contrast to the bewildered Li Cunxiao, Zhang Lishi's face instantly filled with joy. He looked at his unmoving left palm, still feeling as if he were dreaming:

"Truly, strength follows the heart's movement. Blood qi perfection, achieved in less than two months."

At this moment, Zhang Lishi could barely resist letting out a loud laugh.

Such a genius, and he had obtained him at his daughter's birthday banquet. The wonder of fate left him speechless with emotion.

Zhang Yuelu, who had also achieved blood qi perfection, had already reached a conclusion the moment she saw him punch.

Li Cunxiao's control over his blood qi, and the smoothness of its circulation and transport, seemed to surpass her own, who had achieved blood qi perfection several months prior. What monstrous talent was this?

Even the geniuses from the prestigious sects in the prefecture were likely no more than this.

Slight feelings of frustration and shock surfaced in her heart, but joy ultimately overshadowed both. Zhang Yuelu stepped forward and congratulated Zhang Lishi:

"Congratulations, Father, for gaining such a talented individual."

Zhang Lishi did not rush to speak. Instead, he quietly looked at the young man before him and asked:

"I am very curious, do you know your own talent, and what position you could hold in Chuqiu City?"

"This humble one is ignorant, but I believe it would be higher than Ye Chengxiao's."

"And yet you chose the escort agency like this? As the saying goes, a good bird chooses its tree to perch in, and when buying things, one must compare three."

Hearing this, Li Cunxiao did not waver in the slightest. Facing Zhang Lishi's probing gaze, he remained calm.

"As the saying goes, a drop of kindness should be repaid with a gushing spring. The Chief Escort saved my brother and me from poverty. Today, from a mere restaurant waiter to an escort, it's all because you gave me the opportunity to cultivate martial arts."

"Without the Escort Agency, my brother and I wouldn't have what we have today. From beginning to end, the Escort Agency has always been my only choice."

Zhang Lishi finally smiled.

Of course, he wouldn't let such a talent slip through his fingers. He simply wanted to gauge the young man's thoughts.

Were geniuses good? Of course, geniuses were good. A genius loyal to the Escort Agency was even better.

But one could never truly know another's heart. Li Cunxiao had only been with the Escort Agency for less than two months. Even though he had personally met everyone who had escorted with Li Cunxiao last night, and even discreetly questioned people from the East Arrival Restaurant to assess the young man's character and past, he still couldn't be completely at ease.

It was because Li Cunxiao's talent was too terrifying.

Zhang Lishi wasn't unfamiliar with such geniuses. In the prefectures, and in those prestigious sects with long histories, like the Buddhist Green Dragon Temple and the Daoist Louguan Sect;

And in those aristocratic families with generations of officials, like the renowned Five Clans and Seven Esteemed Families, there were always outstanding individuals emerging.

But this was just the small Chuqiu City.

A disciple who would almost certainly surpass him in the future stood before him. As the head of the Escort Agency, and the head of the Zhang Family, Zhang Lishi couldn't just focus on the benefits; he had to weigh the potential risks.

This didn't mean he might give up on the young man before him. On the contrary, he was considering how to support him, to ensure the young man's close relationship with the Zhang Family, without causing him to develop rebellious thoughts due to excessive closeness.

From the Cui brothers, and within the military governorates, he had heard too many examples of rising stars overthrowing their superiors.

And after years of wandering the martial world, had he not seen enough brothers, master and disciples, and even fathers and sons turn against each other for silver, martial arts, or precious medicine?

Everything that had happened since Li Cunxiao joined the Escort Agency flowed through Zhang Lishi's mind.

Filial piety, loyalty, courage, strength, righteousness, talent – from any perspective, the young man was a perfect candidate for a disciple. Moreover, judging by yesterday's matter where he asked Zhang Yuelu to deliver a message on his behalf, this genius even seemed to be holding back his true abilities.

Then, what was there to hesitate about?

Zhang Lishi sat back in his chair, beckoning familiarly, "Come."

"As your Master, I will teach you the Demon Seduction Method today."