Straightforward and Direct

Wherever there are people, there is a world of its own.

Although the teachings, methods, swords, and monsters of Ink Bamboo Mountain are all brand new, as long as the practitioners in the mountain are human, there will inevitably be intrigue, power struggles, and competition for profit.

Zheng Zetian was an extremely shrewd person. After exchanging a few words with Qin Jiu, he saw through the true nature of this senior brother.

That guy is just a tiny, stupid idiot.

It's not that he lacks comprehension or anything, it's probably because he usually just slashes with a sword and finds it too easy, so he's too lazy to think or put in the effort...

In terms of cultivation strength alone, Qin Jiu is indeed a true Dao Child, but he has obviously relied on his own abilities to overcome tribulations and break through barriers, never taking shortcuts. He has had too little exposure to such things, so he is obviously not very familiar with many underhanded methods such as scheming and manipulating people.

If an ordinary person were this stubborn, they would probably have been assassinated long ago, but he was just incredibly resilient and managed to withstand both overt and covert attacks along the way.

There are actually quite a few people like this in the Xuanmen (mystical sect). As long as they are truly strong and skilled, they will gradually gain enlightenment through experience and lessons learned. But it's clear that Qin Jiu hasn't realized many things yet.

Zheng Zetian didn't want to be too direct with him, so he could only hint at it indirectly.

"Senior Brother, as far as I know, the true teachings of the Mo Shan lineage are the <Tai Su> compiled by the Grand Master. Anyone who has thoroughly read the <Great Learning> is considered to have mastered the Grand Master's true teachings and is an Inner Sect disciple of the Mo Shan sect, right?"

Qin Jiu didn't know why he suddenly brought this up, but replied, "It is true."

Zheng Zetian then asked him,

"Then I wonder if Senior Brother has read it through?"

Qin Jiu nodded. "Oh, I guess you could say I've learned it, albeit barely."

Zheng Zetian looked at him and said, "Senior Brother is indeed exceptionally talented. If the Grand Master were to go into seclusion and the sect were to invite someone to explain the Daoist teachings of Moshan, could you come out and lecture? How many people in our sect can teach the Dao of Moshan's 'Tai Su Da Xue' (Great Learning) like you do?"

"Lecturer on 'The Great Learning'?"

Qin Jiu had clearly never thought about this kind of question before; upon closer reflection,

"That's a bit difficult. Besides me, that woman with the dog, the only other people who can read through the 'University' textbook and give lectures on it are those two from the Railway Institute."

Zheng Zetian asked with interest,

"Oh? Two people from the Railway Institute completed the 'University' program?"

Qin Jiu nodded, "Yes, Dean Yang of the Railway Institute has learned it, but the dean is not from the Mo Shan lineage, and recently the Li Country's court went bankrupt. The abbot borrowed him to assist in the administration of Changsi City. I guess he will be appointed as the Imperial Censor soon."

Furthermore, the Railway Warden is well-versed in Taisu (a classical Chinese text), and I heard he was the first to have read the entire Great Learning. We plan to have him succeed the Railway Institute; we can ask him to teach there."

Zheng Zetian looked at him.

Do you know what the new dean's last name is?

Qin Jiu was stunned. "What? Oh, it's him? He's the one who killed him?"

Zheng Zetian did not answer him.

"The Grand Master's Tai Su University is renowned throughout the land. Everyone knows that no more than five people can truly inherit his teachings. Principal Lu Xing of Lou Guan City specializes in mechanical engineering. That Imperial Censor probably has little interest in the legacy of Mo Shan. If a new Grand Master were to be chosen in the future to ensure the Tai Su teachings of Mo Shan are passed down for generations..."

Qin Jiu shrugged, "Then let's choose him. I already have enough trouble already."

Zheng Zetian sighed inwardly, "What an idiot..."

"Senior brother, don't you know what the title of Grandmaster represents?"

Qin Jiu: "It's just a title, I don't need that empty name. Sword Master, Senior Brother, all that fuss about doing this and that, it's driving me crazy."

Zheng Zetian squinted at him.

"Though I am young, I know that although Mo Shan claims to uphold benevolence and righteousness and shouts slogans that sound very convincing, the Mo people were Oldest One bodyguards and thugs hired by small merchants to protect themselves from corrupt officials. Later, the local industrial and commercial guilds elected a leader to organize resistance against the imperial court. Sometimes they not only attacked the inspectors but also assassinated local officials. Therefore, they were regarded as traitors and villains throughout the Immortal Palace dynasty. In short, the Mo Shan lineage has always had funds, organization, and supporters to survive in the world."

Qin Jiu: "Oh. So how did you know he killed someone?"

Seeing that this guy still didn't understand at all, Zheng Zetian didn't want to give him any more pointers.

In his opinion, the current power of Ink Bamboo Mountain is no different from a local 'company'. The fact that it has expanded so rapidly in just a few decades, far exceeding the scale of ordinary Xuanmen cultivation sects, is probably not related to the many new methods transmitted by the Grand Master. Rather, it is because Ink Bamboo Mountain itself has gathered a considerable amount of manpower.

At least he noticed this when he first Li Country.

Central Plains the years, due to the chaos of war, village clans, maintained by blood ties, have become more powerful. In the south, the refugees who were forcibly relocated by the Immortal Palace from all over the country to develop the southern wilderness have had their family ties severed, and the power of associations and gangs among the common people has been on the rise. As for the mortal merchants and guilds who come to do small business, although they are openly suppressed by the vassal army, they all worship the Grand Master and support the Mohists to varying degrees, and have their own set of rules for doing business.

Therefore, Nangong Wubu wanted to rebel, he couldn't succeed without winning over local gang leaders like Mo Chanzi.

Although the cultivation tradition of Ink Bamboo Mountain was interrupted for various reasons, it has now been revived.

But look at how prosperous all kinds of banks Banknotes are now. It seems that the custom of following the Grand Master in the mortal world hasn't stopped. To put it more bluntly, the Grand Master is the local tyrant of Ink Bamboo Mountain. All these people have to pay the Grand Master and ask for his protection.

If it were him, he would have relied on his title as a disciple of a powerful figure to visit those wealthy families, have some tea, chat, and pocket dozens of dollars in tribute. He would have accumulated cultivation resources at an incredible rate, and could have bought several sets of holy robes whenever he wanted. Why would he have to work so hard doing missions?

And to put it bluntly, these powers will be taken by others if you don't fight for them yourself. Once Lu Qi has firmly established himself as the director of the Railway Institute, won over the support of local cultivation families, and cultivated good relations with local tycoons, he'll be seen as the heir to the throne. Where will you, a senior disciple who can't even remember the full names of your fellow disciples, stand then?

However, Qin Jiu, being so detached from worldly affairs, certainly wouldn't understand these words. Aside from inwardly cursing him a couple more times for being a fool, Zheng Zetian could only recount the events at the Heavenly Clothes and along the railway, carefully explaining while simultaneously absolving himself of responsibility.

"... Therefore, I suspect that Garrison Commander Lu Qi took my words to heart and secretly investigated, discovering that the person who went to the Heavenly Clothes that day was Teacher Qian, Outer Sect Disciple. Perhaps he was worried that the other party was a spy from another force, trying to gather information about the Grand Master. During the questioning, a conflict ensued, and he accidentally killed the man. But perhaps Principal Lu noticed something else, which is why things have become difficult for them."

Qin Jiu frowned as he listened.

"Heavenly Clothes... the railway... so troublesome... Anyway, I understand. I have to stay at Tianyu Mountain and can't leave without permission. I'll ask that person what's going on when I have time."

Then he turned directly to the crow and said, "Tell her I understand."

Zheng Zetian squinted at the crow, which cried out, "Caw! I know! Caw! I know!" before flying away.

Lu Xing carefully reminded you, and your final choice was to ask her directly? Sigh, what a fool you are. Luckily, you didn't say anything too explicit.

Zheng Zetian didn't try to persuade him any further. People with real strength tend to trust their own judgment more than the analysis of others. If he said too much now, it might even make Senior Brother think that he was too scheming at such a young age, or that he might be trying to sow discord among the Inner Sect disciples. That would be unnecessary.

Fortunately, today's incident has revealed a potential ally that Zheng Zetian can turn to for help.

Lu Xing from Lou Guan City Engineering Institute.

This person has a certain level of cultivation, is intelligent and knowledgeable, and is willing to put in the effort. Moreover, she has a good relationship with Lu Qi and Song Dayou, and she lives in Lou Guan City. If we can get her assistance, perhaps there will be some turning point.

So Zheng Zetian didn't linger. He directly asked Qin Jiu for the incantation to perform the "Flying Crow Message" technique, then thanked his senior brother for the guidance, said he wouldn't disturb his cultivation, and prepared to return to his dormitory to continue his practice.

Qin Jiu asked him to wait a moment, then went to the inner room and brought out a box as a gift.

"It's rare that you like Saint Cloths, but unfortunately I didn't think to prepare one, and these here don't fit you. However, there are some Golden Core Realm flying swords here, which Master originally asked me to practice with. I'm not as diligent as my senior sister, and there are still quite a few left, about a dozen or so. We don't need them, and they'll just take up space here. You can take them for protection for now. I'll teach you the sword techniques tomorrow."

"Thank you for the sword, Senior Brother."

Sigh, I clearly don't like using flying swords, but people forced a bunch of them on me. I'm not short of money now, so I guess I'll just use them however I want...

So Zheng Zetian took the sword box that Qin Jiu had thrown out of the warehouse back to his dormitory. This time no new candles were delivered; perhaps the leader didn't want the company system to detect his presence.

He then simply opened the sword case, which was as big as a violin case, and looked at it against the light.

Wow! What a fine sword!

Fourteen sharp swords lay still in their sheaths, as bright as frost and as sharp as morning stars. Although they had no scabbards or guards, only the gleaming blades spinning within the sheaths, it was clear that they were flying swords forged from superior steel. Cutting off the head of an ordinary Golden Core cultivator would likely not be a problem.

Zheng Zetian closed the sword case, made a sword incantation with his right hand, flicked and pointed, and activated the Ruyi Sword Scripture. With a whoosh, he drew the sword from the case. Fourteen Sword Light flew around the small meditation room like magpies, like long white ribbons of light, and finally transformed into a sword circle behind his head, spinning rapidly, as if the light of Dharma was blooming from the divine court.

These fools really love flying sword techniques... After all, they all share the same foul temper, preferring the direct path to the indirect one...

Zheng Zetian shook his head, practiced casually for a while, then put away his sword and placed it in its case.

After all, this thing is just too big. If you bring out such a huge box when you're killing someone, the victim isn't stupid; wouldn't they run away?

Then he took out the crow's tail feather that Qin Jiu had given him, took one to perform a ritual, and silently recited a mantra, thus sending out two messages.

When Qin Jiu was learning this method, he mentioned that although flying crows were more secretive and secure than telegrams, those crows weren't very bright. They couldn't remember much, and their cawing was too incoherent. Sending a time, place, and name to invite people to a gathering was enough.

Then Zheng Zetian calculated the time and felt it was about time, so he took out a set of rubber clothes from the company's Storage Jade and put them under his Daoist robe.

Yes, this is equipment I picked up from a company agent while charging at the liaison office. It's one of those invisibility cloaks that lets you disappear into the shadows. Some kind of optical bionic camouflage disguise skin thing.

After trying out the operation by pressing the button on his wrist, and seemingly disappearing into thin air at will, Zheng Zetian took out a pistol and a grenade and concealed them close to his body. Hmm, he still found the company's gadgets to be the most useful.

Having made preparations, Zheng Zetian changed into his Daoist robes, still outwardly displaying the Thunder Pearl as a cover. He left the dormitory without calling out to Tu Lou, silently vaulting down the cliff from the Plank Road. Then, following a few students who had come down the mountain to have some fun, he boarded the ferry to Tianyu Mountain and took an airship to Daoguo Mountain.

Tianyu Mountain is a place of immortals' abode and an important center for teaching and research. Beyond the mountain and across the stream lies the port city at the foot of the immortal mountain. The merchant and wealthy families of Lou Guan City have purchased a large amount of real estate on the mountain and built many branch stores of their businesses. In addition, supplies from the Ten-thousand-mountains are also specially sent here for distribution. Specialty goods are loaded onto ships and sent out of the mountains day and night. In terms of prosperity, it is no less than Lou Guan City.

Following the system's guidance, Zheng Zetian found his way to a secluded private room in a teahouse by the Lang River. On the opposite bank were brightly decorated boats, with guests coming and going, laughing and chatting as they passed through the teahouse. On the other hand, this side of the river, which was mostly a cargo unloading dock, was quiet and deserted at the moment.

Zheng Zetian waited for a while and then heard the sound of water breaking through the surface.

Then he saw a pale, ghost-like face, with a patch of seaweed on its head, looking at him.

Zheng Zetian frowned, unable to discern whether it was a dead face or a puppet. The white, ghost-like face had already disappeared into the water; it seemed he had simply imagined it.

But that was certainly not an illusion; the fact that a patch of waterweed was peeking out from above its head meant that Lu Xing had received the message from his flying crow and arrived first. So the other one would probably be here soon too.

"Oh, young friend Zheng, we meet again."

Lu Qi, still dressed like a scion of a prominent family, swept into the private room like a gust of wind, beckoned to him with a smile, poured himself some tea, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Why did you specifically call me with a crow?"

Zheng Zetian looked at him, "But you killed Qian Outer Sect Disciple Teacher Qian."

Lu Qi smiled without saying a word.

Zheng Zetian knew he couldn't be fooled at all with this level of deception, so he didn't waste any words and simply placed the gold-inlaid jade on the table.

"He has a Gui Xu Dao Yi on him. If it is in the possession of a True Person, please hand it over to me."

Lu Qi stared at the jade in silence for a moment, still smiling, and turned her head towards Zheng Zetian with a slightly puzzled expression.

"... What?"

You're quite the actor, aren't you?

Zheng Zetian said frankly, "That Gui Xu Dao Yi is a secret treasure designed by the Grand Master. It was smuggled from Ink Bamboo Mountain to the Luo Sect. One of them was stolen by Teacher Qian. The company must get it back. If you can find it, there's nothing to discuss but a promotion and a raise."

Lu Qi's smile faded, and she tilted her head curiously to look at the young man speaking so eloquently in front of her, holding up one finger.

"Wait a minute... What is... a company?"

Um?

Suddenly! A sharp sword aura shot out from the flower boat on the opposite bank of the river! It swept across the Lang River! Cutting through the waves! It hurtled straight towards the teahouse!

Lu Qi flicked his finger, and a black lotus bloomed at his fingertip, layer upon layer, like an indestructible shield, deflecting the overwhelming sword energy that was about to strike! The entire teahouse was instantly blasted apart by the surging sword force! The roof was even blown far away and landed on the river.

Lu Qi's face also showed a momentary anger.

"Why would a master of the Xuanmen sect want to kill you! Who exactly are you?!"

Zheng Zetian shouted without changing his expression.

"It must be an enemy trying to Gui Xu Dao Yi Returning to Emptiness! Senior brother, you still say the item isn't in your possession!"

This was the first time Lu Qi had been treated this way, and he couldn't help but curse angrily.

"Bullshit! That sword was clearly aimed at you! Besides, I didn't see any Daoist robe at all!"

"Oh, never mind then, good luck, senior."

"Wh-what! You, you! I, I! Humph! You brat!"

At this moment, a scream erupted on the Lang River. It turned out that the Xuanmen sect on the opposite bank had once again made a move from among the crowd, unleashing rows of sword energy that directly cut several of the pleasure boats on the river in half. They didn't care about the casualties at all, and blood and flesh flew everywhere. Streams of sword energy cut through the water and shot straight towards us!

Lu Qi didn't have time to deal with the brat, so he had to deal with the hidden sword immortal first, unfolding the black lotus layer by layer to desperately resist the impact of the sword energy!

Zheng Zetian watched from the sidelines with a blank expression.

Although somewhat unexpected, it seems that Lu Qi really doesn't know much about the company and Daoyi. It's possible that he, too, is being used as a pawn.

However, the Xuanmen's obsession with the Heavenly Book is truly profound. Although he deliberately brought the original copy of the Xuan Girl Heavenly Book with him, intending to lure the other party out and use this opportunity to test them, find a chance to eliminate this potential threat, or, if he couldn't eliminate it, pass it on to the company, Zheng Zetian didn't expect that the Xuanmen would act so hastily before he could even exchange a few words. They probably saw a master appear and were worried that the Heavenly Book would fall into someone else's hands.

As expected, sword immortals are all fools.

Whatever, it's all the same no matter how I die if the game rolls back.

So Zheng Zetian poured himself a cup of tea and leisurely watched the two real people fight across the river.