Fellow Daoist

"Thousand Faces hardly counts as a hero. At most, he's a ruthless overlord. Mind your words in the future. It's fine within our Nine Heavens, but if you entered the Former Dynasty's officialdom, that one remark would be enough to get you convicted for your words," Qi Shiyun warned.

Lianshan Xin blinked and asked curiously, "Third-Place Qi, as far as I know, Great Yu doesn't have literary inquisitions, does it? I haven't heard of anyone being convicted for what they said, either."

Dynasties that carried out "literary inquisitions" generally had dubious claims to the throne.

Great Yu had endured for a thousand years, and its grip on power was extraordinarily strong. Ninety-nine percent of the people under heaven already recognized it as the legitimate dynasty, so it had the confidence to disregard any rumors or slander.

If this had been the good old Qing, Lianshan Xin really would have been more cautious with his words and actions.

"Of course Great Yu has no literary inquisitions. In practice, no one gets convicted for their words, either," Qi Shiyun said casually. "But if you offend someone who wants to deal with you, and they can't find any other fatal flaw to exploit, then this becomes your crime."

"I've learned something," Lianshan Xin said solemnly.

Qi Shiyun nodded in satisfaction. "A teachable young man. You're still young. I'll give you more guidance in the future."

"Thank you, Third-Place Qi. I'm indeed still immature. I'll have much to learn from you."

As if.

Qi Shiyun could not imagine how keenly someone from Shandong understood the need to "watch one's words and actions."

But a superior needed emotional gratification.

You could not appear more capable than your superior.

Yet quite often, your superior really was less capable than you.

If even you can think of it, how could the higher-ups not have thought of it? Anyone who thought that way clearly had never broadened their horizons and had no understanding of just how much of the world was a makeshift troupe fumbling through its performance.

What those superiors competed over was not ability, but birth and marriage. In a cultivation world, cultivation talent entered the competition too.

If you insisted on competing over ability, you deserved to remain a subordinate.

Lianshan Xin did not yet know how powerful Qi Shiyun's father was. But leaders needing emotional gratification was an eternal truth.

So he had to create opportunities for Qi Shiyun to guide him, making it easy for him to advance by leaps and bounds under her instruction. When he finally became mature and levelheaded, Third-Place Qi would deserve all the credit.

He also had to make sure those opportunities were not too difficult. Qi Shiyun needed to spot his shortcomings at a glance. If he dragged her into a high-level match, he feared that she, having risen through talent, might not actually possess such a meticulous mind.

But he could not make himself look too stupid either, or she might think there was something wrong with his intelligence.

Hence their earlier conversation.

Flattery was a technical skill too.

Do not think this was exhausting. Hauling bricks was more exhausting.

If your father had not competed his way up, you had to. Competing at this was better than competing at hauling bricks.

"Third-Place Qi, although the Qu Family only sheltered a double of the Thousand Faces Demon, he would certainly have someone keeping an eye on them. If we send people to investigate now, we might still find traces of him," Lianshan Xin reminded her.

He certainly hoped Thousand Faces would be caught.

But Qi Shiyun shook her head. "If Thousand Faces wants to hide, even Lord Heavenly Sword might not be able to catch him. It's already too late to investigate. Arrest everyone in the Qu Family, punish those who are guilty, and release those who aren't. There's no need to make a major incident of this."

"Huh?"

Lianshan Xin was rather surprised that Qi Shiyun observed the rules so closely.

"Does Nine Heavens need to keep such a low profile?"

"Yes. Lord Heavenly Sword's assumption of leadership at White Deer Grotto Academy has already drawn attention from both the court and the wider realm. If we make another major move at this stage, it could provoke a fierce backlash from all sides. We didn't come to Jiangzhou for short-term gains. There's no need to rush."

Qi Shiyun was being rather explicit.

Now that the Qu Family's connection to the Demon Cult had been confirmed, Lianshan Xin's contribution was undeniable. With that achievement and her favor, his admission into Nine Heavens was already a nailed-down certainty.

So she did not mind sharing some inside information with him.

Lianshan Xin inwardly grew wary.

"How did your interrogation go?"

"It's more or less finished. Qu Junjie admitted everything and handed over the storeroom key."

Lianshan Xin took out the key and presented it to Qi Shiyun with both hands.

"Please take a look, Third-Place Qi."

Qi Shiyun accepted the storeroom key and rose immediately. "Come on. Let's see whether there are any surprises."

Lianshan Xin gave Du Jiu and Qi Wenbin a look, signaling for them to follow.

At the storeroom entrance, Qi Shiyun stopped and ordered, "Little Jiu, Wenbin, guard the door. Lianshan Xin, come inside with me."

"Yes," all three answered.

After opening the storeroom with the key, Qi Shiyun did not immediately search for treasures. Instead, she lightly swept her right hand, sending an invisible wave of energy through the room.

Seeing Lianshan Xin's confusion, she explained, "This is a Soundproofing Technique, a minor spell of immortal cultivation. It's much harder to accomplish this through the Martial Dao."

Lianshan Xin's eyes lit up.

Qi Shiyun continued, "Some things aren't suitable for Little Jiu and Wenbin to hear, so I deliberately soundproofed the room. They both have middling talent in the Martial Dao. Little Jiu is slightly better, while Wenbin is ordinary by Nine Heavens' standards. If you join my lineage, I'll put them at your disposal. Remember to treat them well."

Lianshan Xin was both startled and delighted. "Third-Place Qi, I'm only a newcomer. You'd put them at my disposal?"

"Different talents and different contributions naturally warrant different treatment. If you join my lineage, you'll become a direct disciple of Nine Heavens. You also have the talent for immortal cultivation, so your prospects naturally far surpass theirs. If you achieve success and fame someday, they'll rise to glory alongside you. Otherwise, with their aptitude, they'd struggle to make anything of themselves in this lifetime. This is a good thing for them."

Qi Shiyun spoke as though it were only natural.

But Lianshan Xin could tell that she was still flexing her muscles and making him an offer.

Despite the tremendous prospects of immortal cultivation, and despite her own lofty status and talent, she was still offering him terms like these.

Lianshan Xin became increasingly certain of one thing:

The Chosen of Heaven lineage was absolutely not an easy path.

If it were a smooth road straight into the clouds, Qi Shiyun would have no reason to go to such trouble.

To be honest, he was beginning to feel afraid.

Just then, Qi Shiyun's delicate nose twitched, and her eyes lit up. "The fragrance of a Millennium Snow Lotus. The Qu Family actually has one!"

She swiftly approached a large chest and broke it open with a burst of energy.

A pristine white Millennium Snow Lotus then unfolded before her.

Lianshan Xin's breathing instantly quickened.

He remembered how his mother had sometimes hidden from him while coughing up blood.

And the grim look on his father's face.

He had privately asked his father what was wrong with her.

His father had said that she had been frail from birth and had suffered serious injuries after a great upheaval in her family, leaving her constitution even weaker. Over the years, he had done everything he could to treat her, but could only ease her condition, not cure it.

If things continued like this, his mother would struggle to live past fifty.

And He Miaojun was already forty this year.

This was one reason Lianshan Xin wanted to fight desperately to climb higher. It could even be called the greatest reason.

The finest resources were available only to the handful of people at the mountain's summit. Ordinary people could not even come into contact with them.

For his first eighteen years, his parents had supported him, as was only natural.

After coming of age at eighteen, it was his turn to repay them for giving him life and raising him.

Your success had to outpace your parents' aging.

Otherwise, by the time the child wished to care for them, the parents would no longer be there.

He remembered very clearly how solemnly Lianshan Jingcheng had said it-the Millennium Snow Lotus was the best Heavenly Treasure for treating his mother.

Unfortunately, a Millennium Snow Lotus could only be encountered by chance, never sought at will. Even if one existed, their family would not be able to obtain it.

Lianshan Xin had only ever heard of the Millennium Snow Lotus. Today was the first time he had seen one with his own eyes.

"Lianshan Xin, you've rendered an enormous service this time. A service as great as the heavens. A Qi Condensation Pill is guaranteed. You might even gain the Crown Prince's friendship."

Qi Shiyun laughed heartily.

"The Crown Prince is the heir to the nation, but his greatest problem is that he was born frail. His mother was gravely poisoned before giving birth to him, leaving him with a congenital deficiency. His Majesty has been searching for a Millennium Snow Lotus all these years. Only medicine made with one can let the Crown Prince shed his old body and be reborn. Unfortunately, a Century Snow Lotus is easy to find, but a Millennium Snow Lotus can only be encountered by chance. Who would have thought we'd find one in the Qu Family's possession today?"

At that point, realization dawned on Qi Shiyun. "Of course. The Qu Family has been moving supplies for the Demon Cult. I heard the Demon Cult Leader nearly suffered qi deviation a few years ago and was badly injured. This Millennium Snow Lotus was probably prepared for him. Who knows what dog-shit luck the Qu Family stumbled into to find one before His Majesty did?"

"Third-Place Qi, is a Millennium Snow Lotus very rare?" Lianshan Xin asked.

Qi Shiyun nodded. "Of course. Think about it. How unlikely is it for something to grow safely for a thousand years without being picked or trampled by some strange beast in the mountains?"

Lianshan Xin considered it and felt that the odds really were close to zero.

"It's a healing treasure of the highest order under heaven. His Majesty had Lord Heavenly Diviner personally perform a divination. There are no more than three Millennium Snow Lotuses left in existence."

Lianshan Xin silently lowered his head.

Three...

The Crown Prince needed one.

The Demon Cult Leader needed one.

They were both important people.

But my mother needs one too.

Lianshan Xin knew neither the Crown Prince nor the Demon Cult Leader.

He Miaojun, however, was the woman who had given him life.

"Lianshan Xin, you're so lucky. This one Millennium Snow Lotus has secured you a lifetime of wealth and glory."

Qi Shiyun's voice and eyes overflowed with delighted surprise. She could not have been more pleased with Lianshan Xin. He was her lucky star.

But she soon learned that she had celebrated too early.

Lianshan Xin slowly raised his head and spoke firmly. "Third-Place Qi, apart from President Qu, no one should know that this Millennium Snow Lotus exists. Even Qu Junjie didn't know."

If he had known, he would probably have offered it to save his life.

Qi Shiyun froze.

"As long as we kill President Qu, you and I will be the only people who know."

Qi Shiyun sensed something wrong and warned him, "President Qu might have already passed the news to the Demon Cult."

"He wouldn't have. He didn't even tell Thousand Faces' double. Otherwise, if Thousand Faces had eaten this Millennium Snow Lotus, shouldn't his injuries have healed too?"

"Indeed. But the Thousand Faces Old Devil might have wanted to save it for the Demon Cult Leader."

"Do you believe a fiend from the Demon Cult would be so devoted and loyal, Third-Place Qi?"

Qi Shiyun said nothing.

She did not quite believe it either.

Rationally, she was more inclined to think that President Qu had wanted to report directly to the Demon Cult Leader, claiming all the credit and securing a lasting place in his favor.

"My lady, you shouldn't need a Millennium Snow Lotus yourself, should you?"

"If I presented it, I would still receive lavish rewards from His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince," Qi Shiyun said earnestly.

Lianshan Xin pondered for a moment, then dropped to both knees, startling Qi Shiyun.

"What are you doing?"

"My mother suffers from a chronic illness that no medicine can cure. Only a Millennium Snow Lotus can heal her completely. Please grant my wish, my lady. From this day onward, I owe you my life. Through mountains of blades and seas of fire, I will never refuse you. If I break this oath, may heaven strike me down and earth destroy me."

There was gold beneath a man's knees.

In this life, Lianshan Xin had never knelt to anyone other than his parents.

But this time, his knees yielded.

He knelt without the slightest hesitation.

"My lady, I don't know exactly how much I'm worth, but I want you to know this: if you present the Millennium Snow Lotus to the Crown Prince, you'll only receive his reward. If you grant it to me, you'll have everything I am."

Qi Shiyun was almost speechless with shock. "Lianshan Xin, do you realize that by doing this, you're giving up wealth and glory already within your grasp?"

"I do."

"Do you realize that if word gets out, you'll never again be able to face His Majesty or the Crown Prince?"

"I do."

"Do you realize how enormous the risk is? If anyone else knows this Millennium Snow Lotus exists, it will be a blade hanging over your head at all times."

"I do."

"And you still want this Millennium Snow Lotus?"

Lianshan Xin bowed his head to the floor. "Please grant my wish."

Qi Shiyun fell silent.

Lianshan Xin had value in her eyes, but as he was now, he was certainly not worth a Millennium Snow Lotus.

She should have abandoned him without hesitation and presented the lotus to the Crown Prince.

Yet his filial devotion and determination moved her.

Most importantly, beyond his talent, she had seen a quality that made him even more suited to cultivating in the Dragon Aiders Lineage-a lawless heart that held no reverence for imperial authority!

"Lianshan Xin, you've given me a difficult problem. If I agree, I'll be deceiving His Majesty alongside you and harming the Crown Prince."

"I did everything alone. You knew nothing about it, my lady," Lianshan Xin said solemnly.

Qi Shiyun scoffed. "That would only fool an idiot. If His Majesty and the Crown Prince really settle accounts, I won't escape."

Lianshan Xin's heart sank.

"But I agree. Take this Millennium Snow Lotus and fulfill your filial duty. The price is that from now on, you follow me with absolute devotion."

"Thank you for granting my wish, my lady."

Lianshan Xin was overjoyed.

"Don't celebrate too soon. My lineage has the highest death rate in Nine Heavens." Qi Shiyun's voice carried profound meaning. "We truly are fated to meet, Lianshan Xin. You're very lucky. In any other lineage, your request today would have marked you as a rebel defying his sovereign. Only the Dragon Aiders Lineage would accept a lawless madman like you."

The Dragon Aiders Lineage's cultivation used the Great Yu Imperial Family itself as cultivation material.

But Great Yu had endured for a thousand years, and reverence for imperial authority had sunk into almost everyone's bones.

Lawlessness was a talent harder to find than a spiritual root.

In Lianshan Xin, Qi Shiyun had seen that talent surpassing even her own!

"A heaven-sized opportunity means heaven-sized danger. Lianshan Xin, accepting this Millennium Snow Lotus today means you've already decided who your friends are, and most importantly-the Crown Prince will inevitably be your enemy!"

At that moment, Lianshan Xin did not yet understand the full meaning of her words.

But he accepted the Millennium Snow Lotus without hesitation.

Admiration shone in Qi Shiyun's eyes.

On this path to immortality that led to the chopping block, she now had one more true fellow Daoist!