Entering the Gate at Last, the Demon Seduction Method

The dying light of sunset set the red clouds ablaze.

Autumn in the north was unlike autumn in the south, where traces of green still lingered. One glance revealed sparse yellow leaves everywhere. The already bare trunks seemed even more aged, like old men at sunset, with one foot already in the grave.

Was the world of today not much the same, poised at the edge of darkness?

Zhang Lishi leaned against the railing and gazed into the distance. For a moment, he could not help but let out a long sigh. Only when he was away from his family and subordinates could he release the exhaustion in his heart like this.

Everyone said that the Flying Tiger Escort Agency was a major force in Chuqiu City, but he knew in his heart that no force could flourish forever.

That was true in peaceful times, let alone now, when chaos was about to engulf the world.

He was not someone who viewed the sky from the bottom of a well. Through the network of connections the escort agency had built while traveling across the land, he had kept a close watch on the state of the world.

Among the Sixteen Paths of the World and three hundred twenty-eight prefectures and provinces, Song Prefecture, where Chuqiu County was located, lay under the rule of the Xuanwu Army. Its commander was Marshal Zhu Quanzhong, who had risen alongside Huang Chao's rebel army before accepting imperial amnesty and receiving his new name.

Marshal Zhu was clearly a man with ambition. Since accepting the amnesty, he had devoted his "wholehearted loyalty" to the Imperial Court by crushing other overbearing military governors.

In only a few short years, he had seized the other major military governorships in Henan Circuit—the Yicheng Army, Tianping Army, Zhongwu Army, and even the Pinglu Army near the Eastern Sea.

He clearly bore the air of a rebel king who had carved out his own domain, yet the Imperial Court had no choice but to hold its nose and reward and appease him. Some within the court had even truly proposed granting him the title Prince of Liang.

Yet he was still not satisfied.

After the autumn harvest, he had pushed north into the four towns of Weibo, Chengde, Yiwu, and Lulong in Hebei. Had Li Yisheng not suddenly emerged in the north, claiming to be the reincarnation of the Vaisravana Heavenly King, Marshal Zhu might truly have gotten his wish.

Snow lay before his gate, yet he did not stop even when a fire broke out in his backyard.

Huang Chao's rebel army—no, the rebel army now calling itself the Yellow King—had been chased by the Imperial Court like homeless dogs all the way to the savage wilds of Lingnan Circuit. Yet after circling thousands of miles, they had somehow returned to Huainan Circuit, neighboring Henan Circuit.

There were even reports that the Yellow King had grand ambitions this time. He intended to pass through Yingzhou, charge straight into the capital region, seize the secondary capital first, then enter the imperial capital.

Zhang Lishi considered himself someone who had weathered storms in the first half of his life. He had encountered an extraordinary person in childhood and received instruction from him; later, he had entered a Buddhist sect to study martial arts. After that, he had become friends with the Cui brothers and, through painstaking effort, built his foundation in Chuqiu over several decades.

Yet even with all that, facing the turbulent tides of the world still left him feeling somewhat powerless.

Unlike the Three Great Families of the Inner City, which had been rooted here for generations, the Flying Tiger Escort Agency's foundation in Chuqiu County was ultimately somewhat shallow. The divide between both sides had always existed.

Its hard-won reputation had drawn in forces great and small, but its core fighting strength had always been lacking.

Leaving aside Third Realm Viscera Realm experts, among the eight Second Realm: Muscles and Sinews martial artists, half had been hired with large sums of money. Apart from Shi Yifu, who had followed him for many years, it was still uncertain how much loyalty the others truly possessed.

Of the remaining four, Jiang Qi, Shen He, and Xiao Mei were simply descendants of the Inner City. Zhang Lishi had never expected them to hold any affection for the escort agency. When the critical moment came, it would already count as a master-disciple bond if they did not stab him in the back.

That was why Zhang Lishi had never intended to pass down the Minor Yaksha Saber Art that those people coveted. Their lineages might not have failed to guess as much, but they were merely casting a couple of poles, whether or not there were dates to knock down.

As for Feng Sheng, the last one remaining, he came from the Outer City and was one of their own, both toward his master and the escort agency. Unfortunately, his talent was somewhat lacking, and his personality had flaws as well. Even if Zhang Lishi wanted to teach him the Minor Yaksha Saber Art, he could not.

Looking at it this way, in the vast Flying Tiger Escort Agency, had Shi Tie been the only one to receive his true teachings over all these decades?

Shi Tie and Feng Sheng both had to guard the estate for him in ordinary times.

That was the granary, the foundation that would preserve their lives in the coming war. Zhang Lishi could not rest easy without Shi Tie there. Yet with their strength thus divided, the Flying Tiger Escort Agency's presence within the city was somewhat weak compared with the Three Families of the Inner City.

This year, Ye Chengxiao had shown fairly good talent, nearly matching Zhang Lishi's younger self. But recently, there had been that incident in which he was ambushed and injured. One could guess with one's toes that it was the usual rotten business between the main and branch lines of the Ye family.

How could Zhang Lishi not worry when a force could not promptly acquire loyal and powerful new blood?

Just then, Zhang Lishi saw his third daughter approaching from the courtyard below. His expression instantly changed from weary to invigorated, dignified without losing its warmth.

However, when he saw his daughter hurriedly pulling Wood Fork along, a few doubts could not help arising in his heart.

Of the Li brothers, the one who had left the deepest impression on him was still the elder brother, Li Cunxiao.

As for the younger brother, Wood Fork, he had been brought into the residence purely to amuse his daughter. He had only heard from his wife that he was a sensible child.

This was the first time Wood Fork had been brought over by Yuelu.

Still, Li Cunxiao was not bad.

The young man looked imposing and mighty, suiting Zhang Lishi's taste. His fighting style was no flowery display, either. During this escort mission, he had even saved the life of a fellow escort. His cultivation progressed quickly as well.

Though he could not compare to a genius like Ye Chengxiao, in four or five years, he should be able to touch the threshold of Muscles and Sinews.

Even if he could not become Zhang Lishi's disciple then, he could be recommended to the Cui brothers. After all, the Eight-Foot Dragon Charge taught in the army had been created by Emperor Taizong, the one whom foreign nations hailed as the Heavenly Khan.

Military martial arts might lack some refinement, but when it came to slaughter and battle, they still surpassed even the Tiger Demon Fist.

"Yue'er, you're in such a hurry. That doesn't suit your temperament. Did this boy get into trouble, and Que'er sent you to plead for him?"

As Zhang Lishi spoke, he casually lifted his teacup, intending to finish the remaining tea before going home with his daughter for dinner.

To his surprise, Zhang Yuelu stepped forward and pressed down the hand holding the cup, then placed a sheet of letter paper into his hand.

Zhang Lishi glanced at it casually, still puzzled. But the next instant, his pupils contracted.

Li Cunxiao, Blood Qi Perfection?!

The room fell silent. Father and daughter both seemed to turn into wooden statues. Zhang Yuelu was better off, but Zhang Lishi's expression changed rapidly, as though a dye shop had been overturned.

Seeing that the task his elder brother had entrusted to him was complete, Wood Fork let out a sigh of relief. His eyes swept around the room as he curiously examined the Chief Escort's study.

Simple.

The study contained only books, tables, and chairs, without any other clutter. It was unlike Zhang Que'er's study, which had wooden horses and crickets. Sometimes she even encouraged Wood Fork to make chickens fight in there.

"When did this happen?"

Zhang Lishi stared at the brief line on the letter and asked in a low voice.

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

Father and daughter met each other's eyes, and both could see the surprise and suspicion within them.

Li Cunxiao had entered the escort agency on Zhang Que'er's birthday. After calculating in their hearts, they quickly determined how long it had taken him to go from first sensing qi to Blood Qi Perfection.

Less than two months!

To be precise, excluding the half-day break the escort agency had taken for Que'er's birthday, Li Cunxiao had practiced martial arts for a total of forty-five days—one and a half months! That did not even account for the time his escort missions had delayed his progress.

A genius!

Before such terrifying speed, Ye Chengxiao, who had attained Blood Qi Perfection in a year, was not even worthy to carry his shoes!

The difference between them was as vast as the clouds and mud!

Just as Zhang Lishi was worrying about a lack of powerful new blood, such a transcendent person had delivered himself straight into his pocket. How could he not be delighted?

Even Zhang Lishi, who had always kept gods and Buddhas at arm's length, could not help recalling what his wife had said on his youngest daughter's birthday.

This Li Nezha, like himself, was destined for Buddhism.

He lacked a dharma protector, and the Buddha had thoughtfully sent down an evil Nezha to protect the faith for three days.

Could it be that his wife's offerings of incense over the years had truly been devout enough to stir some response in the unseen world?

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

"Your daughter finds it just as hard to believe. But if this is true, Father..."

Everything was left unsaid. Zhang Lishi naturally understood what his daughter meant.

He was not a man given to hesitation. In an instant, he made his decision. He lifted a hand and beckoned Wood Fork over, his expression gentler than ever before.

"Wood Fork, go home and tell your elder brother to come find me at the escort agency tomorrow."

The next day, Li Cunxiao arrived at the escort agency early in the morning after receiving the news. Zhang Yuelu was the one waiting to receive him.

"Third Lady."

Li Cunxiao cupped his hands in salute, showing no arrogance whatsoever over the coming change.

Zhang Yuelu said nothing more, only gave him a deep look.

Compared to Ye Chengxiao, that widely renowned genius, the man before her was the one who truly hid his depths.

"Come with me. Father is already waiting for you."

Li Cunxiao had only visited the Inner Hall, where Zhang Lishi and the other senior members of the escort agency stayed, once before.

But the study they were now heading toward was somewhere he had never set foot.

Though it was within the same courtyard, before he had displayed his talent, an invisible horizontal line had stood between them, dividing the gulf of rank.

Now, he raised his leg lightly and stepped across it.

"Chief Escort."

Within the study, Zhang Lishi sat upright in his armchair, quietly examining the young man before him. Zhang Yuelu stood silently to one side without uttering a word.

"You have already broken through to Blood Qi Perfection?"

"I would not dare speak a single false word."

"Come." Zhang Lishi rose and extended his left palm. His gaze unexpectedly held the same expectation and nervousness as the young man opposite him.

Li Cunxiao naturally understood. The moment his right foot stepped forward, his breathing abruptly became rapid and deep. He no longer needed his heart as an engine to drive him. With only a turn of thought, his body had already become as terrifying as a blood tiger, and his fist shot forth in a short, powerful strike—

Thud.

It was a muffled, faint sound. This punch was like a clay ox vanishing into the sea. Li Cunxiao clearly felt that all his strength had struck its target precisely, without the slightest deviation, yet he received none of the feedback he should have.

In sharp contrast to Li Cunxiao's bafflement, Zhang Lishi's face instantly overflowed with delight. Looking at his utterly motionless left palm, he still felt as though he were dreaming.

"Strength followed the heart's command. Blood Qi Perfection. Blood Qi Perfection in less than two months."

At that moment, Zhang Lishi nearly could not hold back a burst of laughter.

Such a genius had actually come into his hands at his daughter's birthday banquet. The wonder of fate left one not knowing how to sigh over it.

Zhang Yuelu herself had reached Blood Qi Perfection. After seeing the display in Li Cunxiao's punch, she had reached the same conclusion in her heart.

Li Cunxiao's control over his blood qi and the smoothness with which he circulated and moved it seemed to surpass even her own, despite her having broken through to Blood Qi Perfection months ago. What monstrous talent was this?

Even the geniuses of renowned sects in the prefectural capital were likely no more than this.

A trace of frustration and shock quietly rose in her heart, but joy ultimately overwhelmed them both. Zhang Yuelu stepped forward and congratulated Zhang Lishi.

"Congratulations, Father, on obtaining such fine talent."

Zhang Lishi did not immediately speak. Instead, he quietly watched the young man before him and asked, "I am curious. Do you know what position your talent could occupy in Chuqiu City?"

"This junior is ignorant and poorly informed, but I think it should rank somewhat above Ye Chengxiao's."

"And yet you chose the escort agency? As the saying goes, a good bird chooses the tree upon which to roost. Even when buying goods, one must compare three shops."

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

"But there is also a saying: for the grace of a single drop of water, one should repay it with a gushing spring. Chief Escort, you spared my brother and me from poverty. A restaurant servant of old can become an escort today because you gave me the opportunity to practice martial arts."

"Without the escort agency, my brother and I would not have what we have today. From beginning to end, the escort agency has been my only choice."

Zhang Lishi finally smiled.

Of course, he would not let a genius who had fallen into his hands slip away. He merely wanted to test the thoughts of the man before him.

Were geniuses good? Of course they were. A genius loyal to the escort agency was even better still.

But people's hearts were separated by their bellies. Li Cunxiao had been at the escort agency for less than two months. Even though Zhang Lishi had personally met everyone who had escorted goods with Li Cunxiao last night, as well as the people from East Arrival Restaurant, and made indirect inquiries into his conduct and past, he still could not fully set his mind at ease.

Because Li Cunxiao's talent was simply too terrifying.

It was not as though Zhang Lishi had never heard of such geniuses. In prefectural capitals, among renowned sects with ancient inheritances such as the Buddhist Green Dragon Temple and the Daoist Louguan Sect;

among Great Clans that had produced dukes and ministers generation after generation, such as the illustrious Five Clans and Seven Esteemed Families, such outstanding figures appeared in endless succession.

But this was only the tiny Chuqiu County City.

A disciple who was almost fated to surpass him in the future stood right before him. As the head of the escort agency and the head of the Zhang Family, Zhang Lishi could not look only at the benefits. He also had to weigh the hidden dangers.

This did not mean he might abandon the young man before him. On the contrary, he was considering how best to support him while ensuring close ties between him and the Zhang Family, without making him develop resentment through excessive intimacy on Zhang Lishi's part.

He had heard too many examples from the Cui brothers and the military governorships of rising talents overthrowing their seniors.

And after wandering the martial world for many years, had he seen few brothers, masters and disciples, even fathers and sons turn against each other for gold, martial arts, and precious medicines?

Everything Li Cunxiao had done since joining the escort agency flowed through Zhang Lishi's mind, piece by piece.

Filial piety, brotherly devotion, courage, loyalty, talent. From every angle, the young man was an incomparably suitable candidate for discipleship. Judging by how he had asked Zhang Yuelu to deliver the letter yesterday, this genius even knew how to hide his brilliance.

What was there left to hesitate over?

Zhang Lishi sat back down in his armchair and beckoned warmly. "Come."

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