Illuminating the Nine Provinces

Bai Ji quickly rolled over, her short, bouncy legs carrying her to Mu Nanzhi's feet. She looked up at her expectantly.

Mu Nanzhi bent down and hugged it in her arms. Bai Ji turned her head to look at Xu Qi'an and said in a sweet voice:

"Your Majesty has left? Did you reach a deal?"

"She was very satisfied with the deal and especially praised your resourcefulness," Xu Qi'an said.

Bai Ji's face lit up instantly, like a child in kindergarten who had just been awarded a red flower, both proud and pleased, yet trying hard to hold it in.

Xu Qi'an patiently explained, "So, from now on, you have to listen to me, understand? What bad intentions could I possibly have? I'm only thinking of your fox clan."

Bai Ji hummed in agreement.

I feel closer to Xu Qi'an.

"Did Her Majesty say anything else?" It looked at Xu Qi'an with its bright black eyes, trying to get a response from Her Majesty who cared about it.

Mu Nanzhi pouted, snorted, and said:

"Your mistress wants to give you to him as a child bride."

"What is a child bride?" Bai Ji didn't understand.

"When you're little, he'll take care of you. But when you grow up, you'll be his slave, he'll have to sleep with you, and you'll have his cubs."

Mu Nanzhi explained the meaning of "child bride" in detail.

With such a simple and easy-to-understand explanation, Bai Ji immediately understood. She looked Xu Qi'an up and down, her expression seemingly a little unhappy.

Damn, Xu Qi'an pretended not to notice the fox cub's expression, as if he had been rejected.

The cubs simply cannot comprehend the charm of this silver gong.

As they were talking, Li Lingsu returned first, landing in the courtyard on her flying sword.

"How is the situation?"

Xu Qi'an asked.

"His illness was indeed terminal. It was originally just a cold; if he had taken medicine earlier, he would have recovered quickly. But the old man chose to worship the temple gods."

Li Lingsu shook her head:

"His wife drank talisman water for several days in a row, and her condition worsened. She had at most two days to live. Fortunately, although her body was weak, her internal organs were not exhausted. I gave her a cold-dispelling pill and a qi-tonifying pill, which suppressed her condition."

With proper care and nourishment, you should recover in less than ten days.

Xu Qi'an had previously given them a silver ingot, so there was no need to worry about the couple struggling to make ends meet.

Li Lingsu continued:

"I just took a walk around the county town and I heard something. The magistrate of Shengyi County is using the pretext of distributing porridge to lure poor people, then killing them and using their heads to impersonate refugees to curry favor with the imperial court. He also uses the pretext of the refugees' rampant misbehavior to demand disaster relief funds and grain."

"Therefore, beggars are rarely seen in Shengyi County, and people in the villages outside the city who cannot make a living dare not enter the city."

Migrants are unregistered individuals, or people who leave their homes and wander aimlessly due to crimes or tax evasion.

Because these people have no land to cultivate, they usually choose to engage in shady and illegal activities, such as theft and human trafficking.

Some also choose to do hard labor.

In times of peace, displaced people are a small minority and not a cause for concern.

When a great famine strikes, people become refugees because they cannot survive. Currently, the refugee problem in Great Feng is extremely serious. It is better in wealthy areas, but in poor areas, the refugee uprisings are terrifying.

This is also why Emperor Yongxing was forced to push for donations; the situation was simply too dire.

Just when the father and son were finally able to part and laugh, they encountered a once-in-a-century "cold disaster," in addition to the mess left by the previous emperor.

Xu Qi'an's expression darkened slightly. "I understand."

He glanced at the Holy Son and said calmly, "You're subtly mocking me. Saving one person is a drop in the ocean; it doesn't really change anything."

Li Lingsu, of course, denied it, chuckling, "It was a reminder, a reminder."

After a pause, the Holy Son sighed, "The situation in the Great Feng Dynasty is already very bad, and it will only get worse. If it is not improved in time and the disaster is allowed to continue, uprisings in various places are only a matter of time."

In history, this phenomenon is called a peasant uprising. Xu Qi'an thought even deeper: if the disaster could not be effectively alleviated, many Jianghu forces would likely respond if Xu Pingfeng rallied them.

They would believe that overthrowing the corrupt court was the only way out, just like the Great Zhou when many heroes rose up.

At this moment, Miao Youfang walked in from outside the courtyard, carrying a bamboo basket. The three people and the fox, with their keen sense of smell, could already smell the pungent stench of blood.

Bang!

Miao Youfang walked across the courtyard, placed the basket in front of everyone, and, with his hands on his hips, laughed:

"I have fulfilled my mission!"

Xu Qi'an peeked out and saw that the basket was full of human heads, each with wide-open eyes and a frozen expression of fear on their faces.

Seven?

He frowned. There were only four thugs in the courtyard at the time.

Miao Youfang said "Oh," and then added, "I killed the county magistrate, the county magistrate's assistant, and the county constable as well."

The temple fell silent. Li Lingsu opened her mouth wide and asked, "Why did you kill the county magistrate and the county clerk?"

You guys just don't understand.

Miao Youfang, with an air of "I'm a seasoned veteran," crossed his arms and scoffed:

"This mother and son dared to bully the people and rape innocent women with impunity, yet the government did nothing. This shows that they must have powerful backers. After interrogating these lackeys, it turned out that they were in cahoots with the county magistrate and the county clerk."

"Upon further inquiry, I discovered that the county constable was also a heartless man who had committed countless evil deeds. So I stormed into the county government office and arrested them all."

"So efficient!" Li Lingsu and Xu Qi'an exchanged a glance, speechless.

The latter pinched the bridge of his nose and said, "Alright, leave the head here, then don't worry about it anymore. Consider it a warning to a county clerk."

After saying that, he took out the fragment of the Earth Book and briefly explained the situation to Huaiqing.

[One: I understand.]

Xu Qi'an was relieved. Miao Youfang's sweeping arrest of the county government officials would surely cause widespread panic. He should report the matter to Huaiqing as soon as possible and have her inform the imperial court.

The imperial court was able to promptly appoint a new county magistrate to stabilize the situation.

The group returned to Shengyi County and found an inn to stay in. In the room, Xu Qi'an summoned the Floating Pagoda and asked the pagoda spirit to break the seal on the Divine Mirror.

"This thing can illuminate the entire land; what an amazing function! It's practically a trump Law Treasure in intelligence warfare."

Xu Qi'an examined the Hun Tian Divine Mirror in his hand repeatedly and praised it.

Mu Nanzhi leaned over the water vat, stirring the water, and looked back:

The nine-colored lotus root is almost ripe.

Holding half of the "Celestial Mirror," Xu Qi'an walked to the water vat and looked closely. In the shallow mud, the nine-colored lotus root had grown from a small half to the length of an adult's arm.

"Isn't it already cooked?" Xu Qi'an said.

"Not yet, another ten days will be enough," the reincarnation of the Flower Goddess said confidently.

She raised her chin with a hint of pride and said, "This kind of top-grade spiritual treasure is one in a million, there's no second one like it. If it weren't for my spiritual essence nurturing it, hmph!"

She stared at Xu Qi'an with her bright eyes, seemingly waiting for his praise and flattery.

"Great!"

Xu Qi'an pinched her chin and lifted her face slightly.

Snap!

Mu Nanzhi slapped his hand away, spitting out in embarrassment and anger, "Don't touch me!"

Given her proud and aloof personality, she wouldn't tolerate being teased like that.

It will be ripe in ten days; it's time to go to the Martial Arts Alliance. Xu Qi'an walked to the bedside and gazed southeast.

Jianzhou is located southeast of Jiangzhou.

When the patriarch of the Martial Arts Alliance was in seclusion, he took a huge risk by diverting his forces to help him deal with Xu Pingfeng.

Xu Qi'an only knew that he had encountered trouble while trying to break through to the second rank and was in a dilemma.

In this context, taking action against a second-rank expert could very well disrupt the balance that the old scoundrel has been working so hard to maintain.

"No, it's very likely that the balance has been broken, and he's now sliding into the abyss."

"But since the Martial Arts Alliance has not sent a message to the capital asking me to fulfill my promise, it means the situation is not too serious."

"A powerful force like the Martial Alliance, and a peak third-rank martial artist like the old alliance leader, must be recruited into our ranks."

"By the way, there's a brothel called Wanhualou in Jianzhou. It's full of stunning beauties. Given the Holy Son's lecherous nature, he must have a lover. Haha, there'll be a good show to watch then."

"I could also fan the flames, saying that Li Lingsu is fickle and easily bored, given the relationship between the various martial arts alliance factions and the Wan Hua Lou."

Xu Qi'an suddenly felt a little impatient.

He took the mirror and walked to the desk, his Primordial Spirit transforming into "tentacles" that reached into the Hun Tian Shen Jing (a magical mirror).

The bronze mirror surface once again highlighted the single eye without eyelashes, coldly staring at Xu Qi'an.

What is your name?

Xu Qi'an conveyed a friendly message.

Long live the King of Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons!

The spirit of the divine mirror also conveyed its message.

"Let me introduce myself, everyone. I am Xu Qi'an, the dashing and lovable Great Feng Gong of Da Feng."

Xu Qi'an attempted to communicate.

"Buddhist School deserves to die! Those bald monks deserve to be torn to pieces!"

The spirit of the divine mirror said.

This is completely impossible to communicate with! Xu Qi'an scratched his head, sensing the predicament.

He thought for a moment and said, "I am your father."

The bronze mirror trembled violently, and the eye without eyelashes became even more profound and lively, as if scrutinizing Xu Qi'an.

At the same time, a majestic thought entered Xu Qi'an's mind:

"You lowly human brat, are you blaspheming against me?"

"Awake? "Xu Qi'an was both surprised and delighted, replying telepathically:

"I am an ally of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons."

"Eloquent tongue!" The spirit of the divine mirror scoffed. "The Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons has long been annihilated."

"The former king left behind a daughter, who is now the leader of the remaining forces of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons."

Xu Qi'an patiently recounted his karmic entanglement with the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons.

"You lowly human brat, don't even think about deceiving me. You lackey of Buddhist School, you deserve a terrible death."

The spirit of the artifact wasn't buying it.

When the Nine-Tailed Celestial Fox descended, it was sealed by the Tower Spirit and did not notice the appearance of its old master's daughter.

The pagoda is a traitor. Xu Qi'an pondered for a moment and said:

"No matter what, you're now in my hands. Let's cooperate. You'll be used by me, and I'll take care of you."

"The terms are very tempting, but I refuse!"

The spirit of the divine mirror, displaying considerable backbone, sneered:

"I am irreconcilably opposed to Buddhist School. Even if I am reduced to ashes, thrown out of here, abandoned, and sealed away, I will not accept a single offering from you."

Your excessive force is admirable; I respect you as a hero. Xu Qi'an chose to compromise with the mentally ill.

It wouldn't be appropriate to have Bai Ji summon the princess of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons again; that would be too disrespectful to the powerful figure.

"Fine, I won't force you. A month from now, I will hand you over to the princess of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons. In the meantime, you should nurture yourself in the dragon's energy."

Xu Qi'an said.

"What utter nonsense about dragon energy! This god does not accept your favor."

The spirit of the artifact spoke with unwavering resolve.

"Too lazy to bother with you." Xu Qi'an took out a fragment of the Earth Book and threw it in.

When the Heavenly Mirror touched the fragment of the Earthly Book, the surface of the small jade mirror rippled and swallowed it.

Xu Qi'an used his Primordial Spirit to "transfer" the Hun Tian Divine Mirror and put it into the lifelike golden dragon.

"This deity does not accept your favor, you lackey of Buddhist School!"

As the divine mirror cursed, it unleashed dragon energy, and the next moment, its cries abruptly ceased.

A warm, powerful force enveloped it, nourishing its consciousness, making it feel as if it were lying in the embrace of the King of Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons.

Ah~

The Divine Mirror couldn't help but groan, "It feels so good, so good! What is this thing? Why does it feel so good?"

This nourishment is countless times greater than that from incense, and it even soothes the confusion and pain caused by its incomplete consciousness.

Given time, I might be able to repair my damaged consciousness and restore it to its former state. This thought arose spontaneously in Shenjing's mind.

It immediately became excited.

Upon seeing Law Treasure enter and compete with it for the dragon's energy, the Taiping Blade immediately conveyed a sense of "grievance," hoping its master would drive it away.

"Don't worry, you're my own son, he was adopted." Xu Qi'an comforted him.

"It seems you really like dragon energy. So, can we cooperate now?" Xu Qi'an asked with a smile.

The mirror pretended to be dead and did not respond.

It neither wanted to submit, nor did it want to be bathed in the dragon's aura.

Xu Qi'an let out a "heh" and used his Primordial Spirit to move it out.

"Let me go back, let me go back!"

The Divine Mirror suddenly panicked.

Xu Qi'an stared blankly into the mirror, his eyes reflecting the light.

"Okay, alright."

After a standoff of more than ten seconds, the Divine Mirror finally yielded. "I can be of your use."

The "it smells so good" principle is practically the hardest Principle in the world; Nobel owes Wang a prize. Xu Qi'an smiled.

"It's a pleasure doing business with you."

He said somewhat impatiently, "Now, I want to see your abilities."

Shine throughout Kyushu!

P. S.: I'll continue writing the next chapter. Read it tomorrow, don't wait. Remember, don't wait.