The Mage

After the great battle, the scene was a shambles.

"Search the battlefield! Finish off the wounded!"

Following Wu Ming's orders, they took no prisoners in this battle. The Village Militia and the laborers searched the area, and anyone they found still breathing—whether they belonged to the Zhou family or had once been bandits—was cut down without exception.

Zhao Song pulled away the ropes and pried open the iron chest on the convoy wagon. He cracked the lid slightly, and his eyes immediately flickered.

"Protect all this cargo. No one is to touch it without the Young Master's orders!"

He gave the instruction specifically to Wu Tiehu.

Wu Tiehu merely muttered a few words under his breath, then obediently went to hitch up the wagons and drive the livestock.

"Young Master..."

Zhao Song stepped forward. Seeing Wu Ming holding a severed head, he drew a deep breath and quietly whispered a few words in his ear.

"You did very well..."

Wu Ming looked at the wagons now being driven into position and shouted, "Take all the cargo to the mountain stronghold. Clean up the battlefield, and make sure you leave no loose ends... Also, send someone to take Jie Tianfeng's head to the county and report our victory!"

Feng Han and Zhao Song both drew in a sharp breath.

This was a provocation!

Wu Ming could insist that they had gone out to suppress bandits, with the severed head as proof. The Zhou family's convoy had been robbed by Jie Tianfeng, leaving them utterly helpless.

Of course, the Zhou family could demand the return of their original cargo, but Wu Ming naturally wouldn't acknowledge any claim. He could openly declare that the goods had been seized as spoils! Some had gone missing along the way; at most, he'd offer a few taels of silver as a token gesture. He would deny any other claims, and wouldn't fear even if they took the case to the prefecture.

More importantly, the Zhou family had originally traded under an assumed identity, which only added another layer of trouble for them now.

"Young Master, I'm afraid the Zhou family will be driven to desperate measures. We should return to the fortified manor as soon as possible!"

Feng Han, however, said, "Once we're back, we won't have to fear even if the county troops come to attack!"

"If I go back, why would they still dare come?"

Wu Ming laughed loudly. "We'll wait in the stronghold and see them come here to their deaths!"

At the same time, inside the Dao Academy in Yunping County.

The Dao Academy stood in the eastern suburbs of Yunping County, nestled among encircling hills and waters. Clear qi gathered there naturally. Though it was the depths of winter, the grounds were as warm as spring, with flowers blooming in every hue. Ancient pines and cypresses stood among lush green grass; white cranes spread their wings, and spirit apes offered fruit. It was truly a blessed land fit for immortals.

One small courtyard was arranged with extreme simplicity. It held only a pool and a single ancient pine; nothing else could be found there. The air was bleak and hushed. Anyone with spirit sight could see dense runes forming a great array in the sky, drawing in the essence of heaven and earth. In the pool's emerald waters, Sword Qi lurked like a dragon in the depths, perilous and ready to strike.

Creak!

Pine needles carpeted the ground, and no one had come to sweep them away.

At some point, the two door leaves suddenly swung open, revealing Wu Qing's face, at once playfully cross and radiant with joy.

"I went into seclusion once, and it took so many days. Fortunately, I broke through successfully. I wonder whether my little brother has caused any trouble while I was away..."

A fine sheen of light appeared across Wu Qing's face, then vanished in an instant. She glanced around the courtyard, nodded in satisfaction, and walked out the gate.

"Eldest Miss!"

A maid nearby had fallen over and was groaning in pain. It was clear she had waited for who knew how long, and had even fallen asleep leaning against the door.

Paying no mind to her pain, she immediately said, "Steward Wu came to look for you once. He said Young Master Ming had an urgent matter and asked you to return as soon as possible!"

"My little brother..."

A faint smile touched Wu Qing's lips. She patted the maid's head. "Xue'er, wait here a moment. Let me see what trouble he's gotten into this time..."

The maid held her head, secretly rolling her eyes.

Who didn't know that their young miss was most protective of her little brother? Even if he so much as scraped his skin, she'd make someone pay for it. Now that she'd emerged from seclusion, who knew which family would suffer a terrible fate.

Wu Qing didn't leave right away. After a brief moment of thought, she took out a sheet of talisman paper, folded it into the shape of a little paper crane, and gently blew on it.

"Chirp, chirp!"

The paper crane immediately floated into the air, as if it had come to life. It beat its wings and flew off into the distance.

Before long, another paper crane, this one pink, flew back and whispered into Wu Qing's ear. Her expression slowly changed.

"Good! Very good! I can't believe that after I spent so long in seclusion, some petty scoundrel would dare lay a hand on my little brother!"

The pink paper crane crumbled into ash. Wu Qing's brows lowered, her expression tinged with gloom and a killing intent.

Suddenly, she turned and walked toward a certain place.

"Senior Sister Wu Qing!"

"Congratulations on emerging from seclusion, Senior Sister Wu Qing!"

Along the way, Daoist youths and disciples saw Wu Qing approaching and respectfully saluted, stepping aside to make way. Their hushed whispers followed her.

"Remember... this is a true disciple. Her Daoist arts are profound. Everyone in the Dao Academy, except for a few masters, must show her respect!"

"Look at Senior Sister Wu's eyes—they're brimming with killing intent. I'm afraid someone's in for a bad time!"

Amid the awe, envy, and even astonishment of her fellow disciples, Wu Qing arrived at a quiet chamber.

"Greetings, Senior Sister Wu. My Daoist master is not receiving guests right now!"

A Daoist youth came out, only to be shoved aside by an invisible force. "This has nothing to do with you. Don't bring trouble upon yourself!"

Wu Qing's voice was icy. She flicked a finger, and a bright red streak of sword light flashed out, splitting the chamber's door in two in an instant.

"Daoist Miaoqing, why have you come and wrecked my door for no reason?"

A middle-aged Daoist dressed in black robes, his hair tied in a Daoist topknot, stepped out. When he saw Wu Qing, the corner of his eye twitched, and he barked at her.

Miaoqing was the Daoist title Wu Qing had taken when she entered the Dao Academy and received her ordination.

"Old Daoist Ji Yun, you conspired with the Zhou family and dared to steal my little brother's place. You deserve what's coming to you!"

Wu Qing gave a cold laugh. Several red lights instantly flared into being, forming a vortex and surging with astonishing Spiritual Power.

"Senior Sister Miaoqing and Senior Brother Ji Yun are fighting!"

From a distance, several Daoists watched the scene and retreated a few steps, excitement in their voices. "A clash between true Daoists is a rare sight!"

"Though Senior Sister Miaoqing and Senior Brother Ji Yun have both received ordination and possess profound Daoist arts, Senior Brother Ji Yun has practiced Internal Cultivation for a long time. Senior Sister Miaoqing may have talent, but I'm afraid..."

A fair-faced Daoist with peach-blossom eyes hadn't finished speaking before his mouth fell open.

A flash of red light, and Ji Yun, in whom they had placed such high hopes, was on the ground, spitting blood. He said bitterly, "You... you actually..."

"Female Daoist Miaoqing, you've gone too far!"

Seeing this, a Daoist who had hurried over flew into a rage. "This is a grave offense! I don't care how much the Head of the Academy favors you. I'll take you before him and demand an explanation!"

He waved his hand, and five streams of black qi coiled toward her like venomous snakes, accompanied by eerie ghostly laughter. Shadows seemed to flicker within them.

"The Martial Uncle of Law Enforcement has made his move!"

Another disciple said excitedly, "The Martial Uncle of Law Enforcement has profound Dao Cultivation. He's already reached the Mage realm! He can cast spells with a mere gesture!"

The Daoists of this world had several ranks, aside from the major realms: the uninitiated, Ordained Daoist, Refining Master, Mage, and others.

Those who had learned a couple of minor arts and then ventured into the world could only be called wandering practitioners, not true Daoists.

A true Daoist first had to understand their own nature and enter a Dao Academy. They studied the classics and meditated to refine their qi every day. At this stage, they were uninitiated Daoist youths or menial attendants tending the fires.

After mastering the classics and becoming proficient in the various fasting and ritual ceremonies, they could take an examination. Those who passed received teachings from a Lawyer and were granted Daoist ordination. They became Ordained Daoists.

Only then could one truly be called a Daoist. Those who went out among the people to proclaim the divine teachings, pray for blessings, dispel misfortune, deliver departed souls, and preside over grand rituals were mostly of this rank.

After reaching the rank of Daoist, one could receive teachings and practice Internal Cultivation, laboring to refine one's power and temper the five viscera and bodily orifices. After a hundred days of Foundation Establishment, one became a Refining Master!

Before becoming a Refining Master, a Daoist's power was shallow, and their body was no stronger than an ordinary person's. But after Internal Cultivation was perfected and they achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection, they could carry divine strength. Eating three dou of grain a day or tearing tigers and leopards apart with their bare hands would be no great feat.

Only after the Refining Master came the Mage!

At the Mage stage, there was no longer any need for external aids such as magic tools or talismans. They could cast spells directly, with a mere gesture. More importantly, they could begin crafting all sorts of magic tools and talismans. Whether for their own use or for sale, these were a steady stream of gold!

For countless Daoists, becoming a True Person was an unattainable dream; becoming a Mage was already the ambition of a lifetime!

Now that they had seen a Mage make a move, how could they not be excited?

"Heh! You think I don't know that you and Ji Yun are birds of a feather, both mired in the same foul nest? I let all your petty offenses pass before, but of all the things you could have done, the one thing you shouldn't have done was lay a hand on my little brother! Taste my sword!"

The Law Enforcement Daoist's technique was known as the Five Ghosts' Divine Claw. He had refined five vicious spirits and evil ghosts into his hands, and when he struck, they captured anything in their grasp. Accompanied by baleful winds and a chilling aura, their might was astonishing.

But as the wind and sand whipped through the air, Wu Qing cried out, and a crimson sword light suddenly appeared.

"Heaven and Earth Without Limit, heed my command—cut!"

Sssht!

The crimson sword light shot out like a dragon, scattering the whirlwind. In an instant, the five vicious ghosts vanished without a trace.

"You..."

The Law Enforcement Daoist staggered back two steps and spat out a mouthful of blood, staining his robe red. He stared at Wu Qing in shock. "You... during this seclusion, you actually reached the peak of Internal Cultivation, achieved Foundation Establishment Perfection, entered the Mage ranks, and even refined a Crimson Virtue Magic Sword?!"

"What do you say? Do you still want to fight?"

Wu Qing stood motionless. In front of her, a small, fiery-red sword, translucent as jade, floated unsteadily, breathing out wisps of crimson qi.

Seeing this, a trace of despair appeared in Daoist Ji Yun's eyes.

Since entering the Dao Academy, he had worked tirelessly day and night, gathering morning dew at dawn and swallowing moonlight at night. For decades, he had never dared slacken, always treading carefully. Yet he had reached only the stage of Internal Cultivation—a Refining Master.

But now, a woman who had entered the Dao Academy only a few years ago had completely surpassed him.

"Don't you dare throw your weight around! For bullying your fellow disciples like this, the Head of the Academy won't..."

The Law Enforcement Daoist struggled to his feet, still trying to say more, when a streak of lightning shot from deep within the Dao Academy, carrying a voice with it. "Daoist Miaoqing!"

"Greetings, Head of the Academy!"

Before the master of the Yunping Daoist Academy, Wu Qing, the Law Enforcement Daoist, and the disciples watching all bowed with their hands clasped.

"Today, Female Daoist Miaoqing has shown such vigorous progress and entered the ranks of Mages. I am deeply gratified. I hereby appoint her High Official, and command her to lead the disciples of this Academy to participate in the Dragon Gate Gathering!"

"We obey your decree!"

Wu Qing bowed. The Law Enforcement Daoist, however, could no longer contain his rage. He fainted on the spot.