The River Patrol Guard

Some might wonder, given that Ink Bamboo Mountain is so powerful, with its main sect and fourteen peaks of cultivators and so many other trump cards, what exactly is the Censorate of Li Country capable of contending with Ink Bamboo Mountain for so long without the direct intervention of the Nangong Immortal Family, or even the support of the Liqiu Palace and most of the major clans?

The reasoning is quite simple: the ways of doing things, the methods of doing things, and the rules of doing things are completely different in the Central Plains and in the southern mountains. You can't just directly apply the methods of exorcising demons in the Ten-thousand-mountains to the Twelve Countries.

In the south, one can simply slaughter any demons one sees and get rid of them all—it's a quick and easy way to get by. But in the Central Plains, in the Twelve Countries, one must be reasonable.

Of course, you can disregard being called a demon, live a carefree life, and run rampant with your power. But even if you have a big fist, there are those with bigger fists; even if you have a hard fist, there are those with harder fists; even if you have great power, there are those with more brothers than you.

The Three Great Sects have been fighting for thousands of years without a clear victor. They finally stopped fighting and made peace a few hundred years ago. Who do you think you are, jumping out to challenge everyone? Go to the South China Sea and take some Five-Stone Powder!

Therefore, no matter how high one's cultivation level is, there are still many things one cannot do, because once one crosses the line, one may be branded as a member of the demonic path, a path that everyone wants to kill. And whether one likes it or not, the labels of righteous and demonic paths are something that cultivators in this world cannot escape.

Exorcising demons and upholding justice is the biggest, strongest, and most righteous title in this world; if you can't play the game, you have to follow the rules.

The same principle applies to Ink Bamboo Mountain.

Although Ink Bamboo Mountain is a powerful force in the South Border, Li Country, it still cannot compare to the level of the Three Great Sects who have a global reach.

It was through the efforts of several generations that Lou Guan's Daoist talismans and magic discs gained widespread fame. However, if they were to act recklessly and indiscriminately, killing innocent people, they would quickly lose all the reputation they had accumulated over the generations, and might even be branded as Demon Path like the Luo Sect, the Black Lotus Sect, and the Yellow Heaven Dao Sect, and be besieged by cultivators from all over the world led by these Three Great Sects.

Forget about that Qingyang Old Demon. The Luo Cult was incredibly powerful back then. Luo Zu ascended to immortality, seven true disciples attained enlightenment, and forty-nine second-generation disciples reached godhood. Even the Black Lotus Cult, a force capable of overthrowing a nation, was a subordinate organization. But what has become of them? The remnants of the Luo Cult are now reduced to tailors on the southern border, haggling with Li Fan for ages over a paltry 50,000 strings of cash. Even Luo Zu would weep if he knew...

Therefore, this is the most fundamental logic behind how things are done in the Central Plains.

If you are not strong enough to overthrow the Three Great Sects, you must act in accordance with Three Great Sects rules.

This is what it means to uphold the righteous path (of the Three Great Sects).

"Stop the ship!!"

The cultivators from Ink Bamboo Mountain were still feasting when their fleet was unexpectedly stopped.

Li Fan scanned the area with his Divine Sense but found no unusual activity from any demonic beasts.

Liu Qing was also a little puzzled. He told his fellow Daoists to continue drinking, and then went to the ship's side to look down at the deck.

"What happened?"

"Miss, the soldiers are raiding for smuggled salt."

So Li Fan also peeked out and saw more than a dozen official ships bearing the inscription "Li East River Dao River Patrol Guard" coming from both sides and hooking up Jiang's large merchant ship.

The River Patrol Guard on those official ships, with bows drawn and crossbows at the ready, along with a centurion and a dozen Armored Soldier carrying halberds and shields, climbed onto the front deck.

"The River Patrol Guard? Or the East River Dao?" Liu Qing was puzzled. "How far are we from the mountain? How did we run into the River Patrol Guard? And how come they're so bold as to station themselves at the entrance of Bamboo Mountain?"

Yu Bianjiao explained from the side, "You've only just come out of seclusion, so you probably don't know this yet. In the past, the mountain gate would regularly send Mu Long to the Li River to graze. Naturally, no one patrolled this section of the waterway up to East River Prefecture. These people were intimidated by the dragon's might and were also afraid of capsizing their boats, so they didn't dare to come close. But..."

But Senior Brother Lu is dead, and the dragon is lost. The River Patrol Guard are also trying to take advantage of the situation...

"I see, that was my oversight." Liu Qing understood, and after thinking for a moment, said, "These people have been following us around demanding money, which is quite troublesome. Let's just give them some money and send them on their way."

Li Fan was speechless for a moment, watching the shopkeeper below with a fawning smile and the centurion bowing as they presented the money box and silk. There was no other way; since they'd run into them, they had to spend some money. Could they really let these soldiers leisurely open the boxes and inspect the goods?

The matter of Mu Long has actually caused so many follow-up repercussions...

This centurion seemed to be there only to make money. He gave a few imperious instructions and then waved his hand, ordering his men to carry the money boxes off the boat.

Liu Qing frowned slightly, but smiled and said, "It's alright, I'm sorry to have disturbed everyone's enjoyment. Let's continue drinking."

However, things weren't over yet. After traveling several miles, the boat was stopped again, and the centurion got back on board.

"Check for unauthorized vehicles! And pay the transit tax!"

Now, not only Liu Qing, but even the shopkeeper was a little confused. "Sir, didn't we just...?"

"Naive! You ate yesterday, so why don't you eat today?!" The centurion was about to curse, grabbing his sword hilt to strike, but seeing Liu Qing glaring at him with snake-like eyes, he quickly tucked his sword back into his belt. "Well! You're already outside Bamboo Mountain County, now you're in Li Water County! Pay your taxes!"

Liu Qing squinted, but still nodded to the shopkeeper and handed over another sum of money.

She originally planned to take advantage of the waterway to travel downstream for a while, just to save money on the paper talismans for flying. Little did she know that, not only would she not save money, but before she even saw a glimpse of Changsi City, the various checkpoints along the way would extort and demand bribes, and she would already be losing money.

Although there were many Golden Core cultivators watching on the ship, the Armored Soldier of the River Patrol Guard showed no respect whatsoever, brazenly coming forward to demand money. They weren't worried at all that the True Cultivator from Ink Bamboo Mountain on the bridge would intervene.

Since they genuinely wouldn't be making any moves, if Jiang's Firm wanted to do business with Li Country, then the fleet would naturally have to abide by Li Country's national laws and pay taxes and fees, which was perfectly reasonable and legal.

Therefore, unless the River Patrol Guard engage in looting, arson, or malicious seizure of goods, it's really difficult to take action against these soldiers and bandits.

Now that they'd ruined his drinking mood, Li Fan looked outside and noticed that the official boats were still following them. Were they deliberately trying to cause trouble?

Hey, they're just deliberately looking for trouble.

Less than 45 minutes later, they were stopped again. To be honest, that centurion actually dared to climb up there...

"Checking for illicit liquor! And this is Dongping County ahead."

Not only did he dare to climb up, he also dared to ask for money...

"What if I don't pay?"

This time, before Liu Qing could speak, Yuhengzi stepped forward, flying down and stepping on the centurion's five fingers that were just resting on the gunwale.

The centurion, however, stubbornly remained on the ground, shouting, "You can't pass without paying! Even if you kill me, I will go to the underworld and sue your Ink Bamboo Mountain for oppressing the good, exploiting the people, disregarding the law, and indiscriminately killing loyal officials! I will sue all the way to the Three Palaces, and I don't believe I can't bring you demons down!"

Then Li Fan understood; the person was deliberately asking him how many bowls of noodles he had eaten.

A flash of embarrassment crossed Yuhengzi's face as he glared at the centurion, saying, "No matter how strict the rules of the Immortal Palace are, they can't govern a single boat on the Li River in the south!"

Seeing that he was about to draw his sword and kill someone, Liu Qing blocked the gathered cultivators, threw a money bag to the centurion, and said, "Fine! We'll pay up, but go back and tell the people hiding on the official ship that this is the third time. If it happens again, he'll have to come and fight them himself!"

The centurion was surprisingly tough; even after being hit on the shoulder with dozens of kilograms of copper coins, which dislocated with a crack, he didn't utter a sound.

Yuhengzi frowned, moved his foot aside, and let the other person carry the money and jump off the boat.

But can a dead person go to the underworld to file a complaint?

"The Profound Heaven Sword Intent can only allow a person who has been sealed as a god to have their soul leave their body. However, there are ways to retain a soul. Moreover, the Three Palaces of the Immortal Palace explicitly forbid the use of immortal techniques to indiscriminately kill mortals without a reason."

As long as there's a reason and evidence, isn't that enough? Besides, at worst, we can just not use magic.

You're such a clever little devil...

Well, really, isn't it possible for Golden Core cultivator to deal with mortals? Even considering those hiding behind the scenes, Li Fan could easily kill them with his flying sword.

Honestly, if you choose the demonic path, things are much easier. You can throw these cunning soldiers into the river to feed the fish at any time. But if you choose the righteous path, you can only stand by and watch as others try to manipulate you.

After all, what can restrain the behavior of cultivators is never the laws of the Li Country, nor the swords of the River Patrol Guard, but the cultivator's own Dao heart.

This is why good people deserve to have guns pointed at them.

After the centurion returned for the third time, those hiding behind him received a warning and, as expected, stopped sending these government lackeys to collect money.

They simply sealed off the river.

Forty or fifty large warships, almost the entire Dongjiang Garrison's warships, were brought over and blocked the river channel in a chain.

So all the Golden Core cultivators gathered at the front in preparation for any unforeseen circumstances.

Liu Qing and Yuhengzi personally went to the flagship of the River Patrol Guard to inquire, and then returned to convey the message from the commander of the River Patrol Guard.

The Imperial Censor of East River Dao ordered the river to be blocked, prohibiting civilian ships from entering or leaving East River Prefecture. Of course, the flying immortals could not be stopped, but merchant ships were not allowed to pass.

"This is probably because they don't want the merchants of Ink Bamboo Mountain to do business. I'm afraid it's not just the waterways and land routes in East River Prefecture that are blocked; it's probably the same in Beijiang as well," Qing Tingsou speculated.

Yuhengzi narrowed his eyes and said, "I heard that the abbot agreed that if Doctor Wen were to be executed, the matter would be over. But it seems that the Li Country have no intention of making peace with us."

Ding Suo was a little confused. "Since the waterway is blocked, why don't we just start the engine and fly to Changsi City?"

"It's not a question of whether it's possible or not, but whether it's still necessary," Jiang Liuqing explained. "If the Li Country not only doesn't intend to ease relations, but also continues to sever ties with my Ink Bamboo Mountain and cut off trade with my faction, then even if these goods are transported to Changsi City, I'm afraid no merchant will dare to accept them."

Qing Tingsou added, "Previously, it was Liqiu Palace that took the initiative to sue for peace and ordered the execution of the Imperial Censor. The King of Li Country probably has no intention of continuing the struggle. Perhaps this is just the East River Dao Circuit Inspector acting on his own, deliberately making things difficult."

Li Fan also remembered, "Zhou Sheng, who planned the sword duel, was the former Superintendent of East River Dao. Perhaps East River Prefecture is their faction's stronghold."

The Yu Family brothers were shocked upon hearing this. They exchanged a glance and said, "Let's go to East River Prefecture to investigate. If it was that Censor-in-Chief who caused this trouble, we'll cut off his head."

Yuhengzi shook his head repeatedly, "The fighting in Changsi City has only just subsided, and you're already trying to assassinate a local official? Won't that cause a huge mess? Absolutely not!"

Qing Tingsou smiled at Li Fan, "In my opinion, this isn't so easy to cut off. There might be other forces supporting East River Dao behind the scenes, just waiting for an opportunity to fan the flames and incite Li Country and Ink Bamboo Mountain to continue their fight."

Liu Qing frowned. "I don't care about any power struggles. I'm here to do business. If this trip goes wrong, Jiang's business might not be able to hold out. It's fine if we don't go to East River Dao, but could you please ask one of you to scout out Changsi City for me? If there's any real risk, we can always go back to the mountain now."

Yuhengzi nodded, "I'll go. I'll also report what's happening here to the abbot. I'll return in three to five days."

"Thank you for your trouble, fellow Daoist."

The Yu Family brothers then said, "Let's go to East River Prefecture and see what's going on. We'll leave that Censor's head on his neck for a few days."

Qing Tingshou added, "I'll go with Yuhengzi too; it'll be good to be paired up for mutual support. The two young men can stay and help you watch the boat."

So the four of them split up and fled. Ding Suo and Li Fan were left behind to help Jiang Liuqing watch over the fleet. Jiang Ji's boats also docked and waited for news at the river ferry.

The cultivators of Ink Bamboo Mountain must uphold the righteous path, and the Li Country must also abide by the rules of the Twelve Countries. Theoretically, the River Patrol Guard are soldiers after all, and they shouldn't be so brazen as to openly rush over and plunder merchant ships.

However, the centurion of the River Patrol Guard intercepted them three times, clearly intending to delay their journey so that the Dongjiang Guard could assemble its fleet and block the river. But why they went to such lengths to stop them, Li Fan had no idea.

He was simply prepared to fight at any moment, carrying his sword case and clutching his talisman flag, sitting on the deck all night in vigilance.

Ding Suo was an honest man, and he agreed to Li Fan's suggestion to split up and guard the boats separately. One of them would sit in the lead boat, and the other would patrol the stern boat to guard against any sneak attacks.

"Qingyue, thank you so much for this trip. I bought some late-night snacks in the village; this one is for you."

In the evening, Liu Qing brought Li Fan a food box and delivered three-delicacy wontons.

"Senior Sister, you've really gone through a lot. I'm fine." To avoid too much loss, Senior Sister Liu Qing went to trade with the fishing village town on the shore after stopping the boat. She directed the Jiang family's trading company to set up a market outside the village. Every little bit of loss counted, and it was indeed quite hard work for her.

"I was hoping to take you to meet some friends along the way, but instead you've ended up sitting here all alone," Jiang Liuqing said with a wry smile. "My old friends are all notoriously bad-tempered, I'm sorry you had to see that. When we get back, I'll go to the Fourteen Peaks to find some of the younger disciples and get to know you."

"Thank you for your concern, Senior Sister." Actually, Li Fan didn't care. Making friends with fellow cultivators was a matter of fate, and there was no need to force it if there were some people you couldn't connect with.

Moreover, Li Fan could tell that these cultivators, including Jiang Liuqing, were still somewhat wary and reserved towards him, not really willing to open up. Perhaps it was because they had only just met and their relationship was still shallow, which wasn't necessarily a bad thing; at least it meant they weren't after his body...

"Eat it while it's hot. I'll go check on Fellow Daoist Ding." Liu Qing, carrying the food box, leaped towards the other end of the fleet.

Kun immediately popped out of his sleeve and looked at the wontons.

"Alright, alright, you can have it."

So Li Fan casually scooped up some wontons with a spoon and fed them to Kun, but Kun only ate three and then stopped eating.

'Kun, the taste is off.'

What? What's wrong? Did you put chives in it?

Then Li Fan felt a chill run down his spine, straight to the top of his head, startling him so much that he leaped up like a cat and threw the dog frisbee behind him.

In the same instant, a figure whose face was obscured stood up from Li Fan's shadow, but instead of catching the flying disc, it transformed its right arm into a sword and stabbed Li Fan in the back!

The attack was almost like a figure rushing forward to stab him. Although Li Fan reacted immediately, he had no way to avoid it. He clearly felt his ribs being stabbed hard in the back, which hurt terribly. Then, he felt a warm sensation inside the human skin and blood flowed down his body. It actually blocked a fatal blow and tore his Daoist robe! If Li Fan hadn't been wearing a Daoist robe, this attack would probably have pierced him through!

But after that slash, the figure suddenly vanished into thin air, making it impossible to tell that the shadow on the ground had actually tried to assassinate him!

"Holy crap! What kind of crazy move is that?!"

'Profound Heaven Sword Intent, someone has cast a curse to kill you. Kun, what's inside the wonton?'

Kun retrieved the dog frisbee, spat out a roll of talisman paper tied with black fur, which looked like a small tuft of hair...

What?! This is from wontons?!

Li Fan was shocked and furious. What the hell! It's Liu Qing?

' Profound Heaven Sword Intent, why did she try to get you to leave? Now's the perfect time to finish you off.'

Li Fan was startled for a moment, then immediately reacted. He slapped the invisibility talisman, drew his flying sword, and soared into the air, flying straight towards the other end of the fleet. Sure enough, he saw at a glance that Ding Suo had been stabbed and was lying on the ground, surrounded by blood.

Liu Qing, wielding two swords and protecting Ding Suo, was attacked by four masked assassins dressed in black!