Auntie's fury

Beijing!

The aunt heard some terrible news: her beloved son was going to join the army again.

For my aunt, who was not well-educated, short-sighted, and considered herself a fairy, war was synonymous with death, symbolizing the destruction of her family and the suffering of parents outliving their children.

This autumn, Xu Erlang went on a northern expedition with the army to aid the barbarians. His aunt couldn't eat or sleep well for a month. One night, she suddenly woke up and dreamed that Erlang died under the iron heel of the Jingguo army.

Xu Pingzhi initially took great care of his wife, comforting her with gentle words.

After a while, I started to think to myself: Erlang dies in my dreams every day, can you please stop Curse him?!

The warm hall was brightly lit by candlelight.

The family sat around the table enjoying dinner, Xu Erlang said confidently:

"Mother, don't worry, I am now a seventh-rank benevolent person."

Upon hearing this, the aunt asked:

How powerful is a seventh-rank benevolent person?

Xu Erlang pondered for a moment, then said:

"The Confucian School seventh rank cultivates benevolence and righteousness, and establishes morality, but it doesn't provide any combat power bonus. Well, if I had to describe growth, it would be that I can better uphold my principles and resist the temptations of wealth, lust, and alcohol."

Aunt spat:

"That was just a weak scholar. I'd rather you were tempted by wine, Dalang, and wealth. Da Lang used to be honest and simple, but he was quite unambitious. After going to the Imperial Academy of Music every day, he became the infamous Xu Yinluo."

Xu Erlang was choked and speechless.

At this moment, Lina swallowed the food in her mouth and said:

"Brother Erlang, when are you going to war? I'll go south with you."

Xu Erlang scrutinized her. "You?"

Is the rice at my house not smelling good anymore?

Lina's delicate face showed a look of helplessness:

"Xu Ningyan contacted me yesterday, saying he's going to the Southern Frontier on business and might need to visit the Gu Clan. He hopes I can guide him. Sigh, I'm reluctant to leave the capital and everyone."

Xu Erlang thought to himself, "You just can't bear to part with my family's white rice, can you?" He then said, "Oh," and considering Lina's appetite, added:

"Accompanying is permitted, but you must provide your own money and provisions."

The military rations cannot be wasted by her.

The aunt's beautiful eyes lit up, and she patted her ample bosom. "Lina is Lingyin's master, so we should cover all the travel expenses."

This good-for-nothing from Southern Frontier is finally leaving. Her meals alone were equivalent to those of ten people in the Xu Residence.

Moreover, once Lina returns to the Southern Frontier, Lingyin will no longer need to practice martial arts and can be sent to the palace to study.

Recently, the Grand Tutor kept sending people to deliver invitations, wanting to accept Lingyin as his last disciple, but Xu Erlang rejected them all, citing concerns for the Grand Tutor's life and safety.

In her aunt's view, a literary giant like the Grand Tutor was an indispensable mentor for Lingyin on her path to becoming "knowledgeable and reasonable."

Lina changed the subject and said:

"I want to take Lingyin back to Southern Frontier. The power Gu in her body has entered the first stage of maturity. I want to let it absorb the power of the Gu God before it enters the second stage. This is very important and directly relates to Lingyin's future potential."

"In addition, I've taken on a super genius as my apprentice. Father and the clan will be very happy to know."

She wanted to take her apprentice back to the Li Gu tribe to show off.

"No!"

The aunt slammed her chopsticks on the table and loudly objected.

"That won't work."

Second Uncle Xu gave his evaluation in a fair and objective tone.

"But Xu Ningyan has already agreed. He said that Lingyin has such great potential, so she should lay a solid foundation in her childhood. With Lingyin's talent, she will definitely become a powerful and influential ruler in the future, just like my father. In your Central Plains people's words, she will be remembered in history."

Lina said.

"With strength to uproot mountains and an aura to cover the world?" Upon hearing this, the aunt's face turned green.

No, in the future, history books will only write that Xu Lingyin had the potential to be a hegemon, but her career was cut short when she went on a long journey with her master. Xu Erlang shook his head.

Lina patted her chest and reassured her in her simple words, "Don't worry, I'll take good care of Lingyin and get her safely to Southern Frontier."

"What worries us most is that you're taking her with you. A silly girl with a stupid child—it's impossible for them to make the long journey back to Southern Frontier," Second Uncle Xu muttered to himself, then said in a deep voice.

"The world is in chaos now. For a young girl like you to take Lingyin to the Southern Frontier, you will surely encounter misfortune along the way."

Lina immediately patted her chest and declared, "I'm already a fourth-rank official!"

Second Uncle Xu was stunned for a moment, and then hesitated.

If Lina possesses fourth-grade combat strength, then there is indeed no problem.

"Besides, I can keep in touch with Xu Ningyan in real time. He's currently in Southern Frontier, so if I encounter any trouble, he'll come to help," Lina said.

To prove she wasn't lying, Lina ignored Master Jinlian's instructions and, in full view of everyone, took out the fragment of the Earth Book and contacted Xu Qi'an.

She sent a letter to Xu Qi'an expressing her family's opposition.

But Lina forgot to use a private chat and brought it up directly in the Earth Book group.

[Two: What? Lina's taking Lingyin south? They're not going all the way west, are they?]

[Four: Based on Lina's tragic experience when she came to the capital, this possibility cannot be ruled out.]

[Second: Yes, given Lingyin and Lina's wisdom, my advice is not to act impulsively and to stay in the capital.]

Xu Cijiu translated the information above for his illiterate mother, while Lina explained who number two, four, and three were.

[Three: It's alright. They will first go to Qingzhou with Erlang, and then head southwest to Yuzhou. This way, they can reach the Southern Frontier by walking about a thousand miles. We just need to ensure their safety while they are in Yuzhou.]

[Hehe, actually, with Lina's strength, there's no need to worry so much. Appropriate training will benefit them all. I'll have Senior Brother Sun secretly look after them. Lina, please relay my words to Second Uncle and Erlang.]

Lina was about to say that they were watching too when she saw Xu Qi'an delivering a letter:

[Thirdly: However, I must still remind you, don't trust anyone, and absolutely don't get scammed.]

Second: Don't be scammed.

[Four: Be careful not to get scammed.]

[Six: Be careful not to get scammed.]

[1. Be wary of being scammed.]

My God, how stupid is Number Five? Li Lingsu was stunned.

Lina's face flushed red, both ashamed and angry. Just as she was about to end the message exchange, she saw Xu Qi'an's next message:

[Three: Lingyin's talent is truly remarkable; it would be a waste not to cultivate her power-based Gu technique. My aunt is a fool, harboring unrealistic dreams that Lingyin is well-educated and reasonable. The whole family laughs at her, but no one says it aloud.]

Upon seeing this, Li Miaozhen immediately chimed in:

[Second: Xu Household is indeed adorably silly, always managing to outwit your younger sister.]

[Four: Xu Household simply loves her daughter dearly.]

With the thought that "after I translate, my older brother will be in even worse shape than me," Xu Erlang translated for his mother. Lina glanced at her aunt, whose face was ashen and filled with murderous intent, and cautiously passed on the message:

[Five: Xu, Xu Household was watching from the side.]

The Earth Book chat group suddenly fell silent.

Then there was silence.

Auntie stared wide-eyed at Kazilan, first glancing at Lina and the fragments of the Earth Book, then fiercely glaring at Xu Erlang and Second Uncle Xu, gritting her teeth as she said:

Are you making fun of me?

Finally, she pinpointed Xu Lingyue: "You're playing me?"

Second Uncle Xu and Xu Erlang quickly shook their heads.

Xu Lingyue said in a soft, slightly aggrieved voice:

"I have no idea what Master Li is talking about. My daughter and she got along quite well when she stayed at our house."

The aunt easily believed her daughter; after all, she was her own child, and no one knows a daughter better than her mother. Could such an easy-going girl possibly fool her?

She snorted, "I won't let her stay at home next time. But that brat Xu Ningyan was right about one thing."

Turning to her son and husband, she launched an attack:

"Don't think I don't know, you're all laughing at me. None of you surnamed Xu are any good."

How am I supposed to face this? Li Miaozhen held the fragments of the Earth Book, her cheeks burning.

Speaking ill of others behind their backs is not the behavior of a gentleman. Chu Yuanzhen was satisfied that he had adhered to gentlemanly conduct and had not spoken ill of others behind their backs, although he had many complaints about Xu Lingyin's incorrigible nature.

Li Lingsu, meanwhile, burst into laughter like a pig in an inn.

He didn't know why he was so happy; he just felt that he wasn't alone on his path.

Lina, that idiot! Go ask Master Jinlian later if the Earth Book fragments have a blacklist function. Inside the Floating Pagoda, Xu Qi'an grumbled bitterly.

After carefully putting away the fragments of the Earth Book, he continued the previous topic:

"Take me to your sister, Night Princess."

Bai Ji pecked her head and quickly whispered:

"We've already entered the territory of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Stop using the pagoda; it'll attract the attention of the Buddhist School."

"It can't be that bad." Xu Qi'an looked down at the vast mountains, which were devoid of any sign of human habitation.

Bai Ji, however, insisted on her own opinion and said:

"After the Buddhist School drove us out of the Hundred Thousand Mountains, they migrated in large numbers to the Western Regions and built twenty-seven cities in the vast territory of the Demon Race. Each city had a Buddhist temple."

"In some Buddhist temples, there is a golden bell. When a crisis occurs, ringing this bell will trigger the bells in the other twenty-six temples, allowing for rapid reinforcement."

"Over the course of five hundred years, Buddhist School has built many smaller towns and cities around twenty-seven major cities. Buddhist School monks frequently traveled between these towns and cities to chant scriptures and preach the Dharma."

"The aura of the pagoda is so magnificent that Buddhist School monks can sense it from a great distance."

Don't alert them!

Xu Qi'an said "Oh," and commented, "Your wife's compulsory education is quite thorough."

Shirahime is usually a bit silly, like a child just beginning to develop her mind; she's only slightly smarter than her own Lingyin.

However, when it comes to Buddhist School knowledge, her foundation and knowledge are very solid; she has a thorough understanding of it, rather than simply reciting it verbatim.

From this alone, it is easy to see that the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons attaches great importance to the ideological development of future Demon Race.

The idea of remembering hatred and never forgetting national humiliation has taken deep root in the hearts of demons.

"I plan to travel by wind, Nanzhi, you rest in the tower."

He wanted to meet his old flame in secret, and Mu Nanzhi certainly couldn't be present; the fishpond owner knew how to avoid risks.

Mu Nanzhi only knew that Xu Qi'an came to fulfill his promise to the Demon Race Queen and to remove the Demon-Sealing Nails, but she was unaware of Fuxiang's existence.

"No, I've never been to Southern Frontier before, this is a good opportunity for me to travel around."

"All right."

He immediately ordered the pagoda to descend, Xu Qi'an, carrying Mu Nanzhi on his back and with Bai Ji perched on his head, skimmed the water among the treetops.

Miao Youfang had not yet reached the Transformation Realm and could not use such light-footed skill to run wildly through the forest to follow.

The night was gloomy, with the cold moonlight shining down overhead.

Mu Nanzhi wrapped her arms around Xu Qi'an's neck. A cool breeze greeted her, and she squinted as she gazed at the boundless forest and mountains that stretched as far as the eye could see.

"They're all mountains!"

Mu Nanzhi murmured, "I like it here. What about you?"

The reincarnation of the goddess of flowers felt a deep sense of belonging to the vegetated earth.

Seeing that Xu Qi'an didn't speak, she was unhappy and huffed:

"When I no longer wish to wander the world, I will settle here, and we will part ways from now on."

She often said similar things to create a sense of crisis, but Xu Qi'an always ignored her.

Mu Nanzhi gritted her teeth in anger, but her proud personality wouldn't allow her to back down, so she often gave him the cold shoulder.

"I want to settle down here now," Mu Nanzhi said defiantly.

"Oh, whether you stay or not is none of my business." Xu Qi'an said coldly.

Mu Nanzhi raised her hand and slapped him on the head, forgetting about the little white fox perched on his head.

"Squeak~"

Caught off guard by the sudden attack, the little white fox let out a sharp cry. After calming down, it said aggrievedly:

"Auntie, why did you hit me again? I didn't even say anything."

Feeling somewhat guilty, Mu Nanzhi rubbed its head and said coldly:

"I don't want to leave anymore, I want to go back to the Pagoda."

Just as he was waiting for those words, Xu Qi'an quickly summoned the Floating Pagoda and took her inside.

"Done!"

Xu Qi'an put away the pagoda with satisfaction.

Aside from Luo Yuheng's great white shark, he had ways to deal with all the other fish.

Then, following Bai Ji's directions, he flew through the air on the edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains.

The core area of the Hundred Thousand Mountains was once the capital of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons —Ten Thousand Demon Mountain!

Today, Wanyao Mountain is renamed "Nanguo" and is under the rule of Nanfa Temple.

Twenty-seven great cities radiate outwards from "Southern City" as the center. There are no towns on the edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains because the mountainous area is so vast that the Buddhist School does not have a large enough population to occupy all of it.

At the same time, due to the terrain, many places are simply not suitable for human habitation and survival.

This gave the remnants of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons room to infiltrate.

To this day, many Demon Race have secretly returned to the Hundred Thousand Mountains and are active in the border areas.

The Buddhist School was fully aware of this, but had consistently ignored it.

It's not out of kindness, but simply because I can't.

Throughout history, the most difficult part of war has not been conquering cities and capturing strongholds, but rather the subsequent guerrilla warfare.

After the Southern Demons lost their territory, they became barefoot and could act with impunity.

Bai Ji also said that there are twelve towns of Demon Race organizations on the edge of the Hundred Thousand Mountains. Some are in natural caves, some are in steep mountains, and some are by rushing rivers.

The most distinctive feature of these market towns is their simplicity; they could be abandoned at any time.

Their advantage lies in their ability to attract followers, acting as landmarks that can quickly gather members of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons.

"These towns are military bases; in the event of war, they can quickly mobilize troops."

Xu Qi'an suddenly realized.

He hadn't seen any signs of human habitation along the way.

"The Hundred Thousand Mountains should be the largest mountainous terrain in the Nine Provinces. It is not suitable for human habitation, and it is full of poisonous insects, ferocious beasts, and miasma. No wonder it has become a demon kingdom."

"The Hundred Thousand Mountains are actually not suitable for large-scale human settlement. They lack arable land and are only suitable for hunting. This would cause human civilization to regress to the hunting era."

"Back then, the Buddhist School went so far as to mobilize all its forces to destroy the Southern Demon, which actually went against the core purpose of the war. Therefore, there must have been another real purpose behind it, which was destiny."

"The Nine-Tailed Fox once said that the Hundred Thousand Mountains condense the fortune of the Demon Race of the Nine Provinces and can seal the gods. Let me make a bold guess: the real purpose of the Buddhist School's desperate destruction of the Kingdom of Ten Thousand Demons is to plunder its fortune? If that's the case, then fortune is more important than I thought."

"The Witchcraft Cult and Buddhist School attempted to seize control of the Central Plains, likely also for the sake of destiny. But the Confucian sages sealed them away."

"The Warlock System is closely related to fate and destiny."

the Unseen Xu Qi'an recalled the information and secrets he knew, he felt a sudden burst of inspiration, as if he had touched upon an extremely terrifying truth.

However, it was too vague to be accurately captured and summarized in a short time.

At this moment, Bai Ji raised her paw, pointed to a distant valley, and cheered:

"It's right there!"