Granting Land

Just as Su Yao and the others were submerged in the subterranean water, traveling along the earth veins...

In Nanzhao, north of Cibi Lake...

Several figures faced one another on Golden Ao Mountain.

On one side were Nuoli and Changlu.

The six facing them were:

An elderly man in Confucian robes, a middle-aged man wearing a commandery governor's official robes, a woman dressed in the clothing of the Bai People, a youth in a mountain god's robes, an elderly man in a prince's robes, and a middle-aged military commander in armor.

Nuoli's expression was unfriendly as he looked at them and ventured:

"The Nanzhao superintendent of education and commandery governor; the Nanzhao priestess and the Mountain God of Cang Mountain; Prince Mu and the Nanzhao regional commander. May I ask what brings you here?"

The others said nothing. Only Liu Zhiyuan, the Nanzhao superintendent of education, spoke:

"Immortals do not involve themselves in the mortal world, yet you have overstepped, fellow Daoist."

With that, he turned to Changlu, a deeper meaning hidden in his tone:

"Why has True Person Changlu left the East Sea, where he should be seeking the Great Dao, to take part in this affair? You are damaging your cultivation of the Great Dao!"

Changlu did not answer. He merely turned to look at Nuoli.

Nuoli understood. Knowing that nothing would happen to Changlu, at least not before he obtained the thing, he said:

"A black flood dragon was terrorizing the people here, yet none of you were seen driving the demon away. You let the Bai People and Han people below suffer its bullying. What is wrong with us passing through and slaying the demon?"

Liu Zhiyuan shook his head and retorted:

"We had our own plans. You killed this black flood dragon, fellow Daoist. What will the nearby Wu kingdoms and demons think? We are negotiating with Wuxiang now, and this is a critical juncture. It would be better not to act rashly."

Nuoli sneered:

"That is your affair. We do not involve ourselves in the mortal world, but when we see a demon, we naturally slay it!"

Seeing this, Commandery Governor Yang Xuanye sighed inwardly:

He truly wanted no part in these affairs. The superintendent was supposed to be his deputy, but he came from the Vast Righteousness Academy and naturally looked down on him for cultivating the human Dao. Now that Liu Zhiyuan had come into conflict with an immortal sect, Yang Xuanye wanted even less to be involved.

But Liu Zhiyuan did not let him off:

"Lord Governor, these two show signs of stirring up unrest among the people. I hope Your Lordship will see the matter clearly and make a move to capture them!"

Hearing Li Zhiyuan's voice, he swept his gaze over the others. The Nanzhao priestess, Meng Shixi, had lowered her head and remained silent, while Xue Min, the Mountain God of Cang Mountain, had his brows tightly knitted.

Prince Mu, Mu Chenye, had his eyes closed in thought, while Duan Mingnan, the Nanzhao regional commander, looked as though he were watching a show.

He was inwardly alarmed:

Meng Shixi represented the ruler of the Nanzhao Kingdom; he could not command her.

The Mountain God of Cang Mountain also took orders from the ruler of the Nanzhao Kingdom. Prince Mu's family had guarded both the Southern Frontier and Nanzhao for generations. Because the ruler of the Nanzhao Kingdom was here, he spent most of his time in the Southern Frontier and did not come to Nanzhao, so he probably would not interfere either.

As for Duan Mingnan, he was the one least inclined to get along with Yang Xuanye. An idea came to him at once, and he spoke:

"Commander Duan, what do you think?"

Duan Mingnan cursed inwardly, then smiled and said:

"Everything is for the commandery governor to decide. I will simply obey orders."

Hearing this, Yang Xuanye put on his official airs:

"The regional commander is responsible for the safety of Nanzhao. I should hear your opinion."

Duan Mingnan came from Jixia and was on bad terms with all these factions. Annoyed, he hoped that lad would be clever enough.

Just as he was about to speak, a familiar voice suddenly rang out:

"Commander, bad news! The Langcao Wu Tribe's troops are attacking the border!"

He laughed inwardly and said to Yang Xuanye:

"Lord Governor, I shall go deal with this military emergency first."

With that, he immediately turned into a streak of golden light and departed.

Seeing this, Yang Xuanye felt greatly reassured. He had known that old fellow had a trick up his sleeve. He turned back to Liu Zhiyuan:

"This black flood dragon brought calamity upon the region. Today, we were fortunate to have the immortals' help. Even if we do not reward them, surely we should not hold them accountable?"

Liu Zhiyuan snorted and was about to retort when a drawn-out cry came from the distance:

"The imperial edict has arrived!"

At those words, everyone except Nuoli and Changlu straightened their clothes in unison and descended toward the peak below.

Changlu looked at Nuoli. Seeing him descend, he quickly followed.

Once the two had landed on the peak below, a streak of golden light came flying toward them.

It was a squad of golden-armored guards escorting a carriage in their midst.

After the carriage descended from the sky, a palace attendant stepped out, holding an ochre-yellow imperial edict.

Smiling broadly, he looked at Prince Mu, the Nanzhao priestess, the mountain god, Nuoli, and Changlu.

Then he resumed his usual expression, looked at the commandery governor and the superintendent, and announced:

"His Majesty has issued an edict!"

They all knelt and saluted, saying:

"We respectfully await our emperor's decree!"

Nuoli and Changlu merely cupped their hands and bowed.

The palace attendant did not insist when he saw this, and read aloud:

"By imperial decree:

We rule over all under heaven, and Our might reaches the four seas. Wherever mountains and rivers extend, all is Our territory; wherever the people dwell, all are Our subjects. The black flood dragon of Golden Ao Mountain caused turmoil, and Qixia Temple slew it without authorization. Though you did not act upon an imperial decree, you rendered meritorious service by removing this scourge. We shall not hold you accountable for acting on your own authority.

We hereby decree: the land within a hundred li of Golden Ao Mountain, on the northern shore of Cibi Lake, is granted to Qixia Temple for a separate compound. All required labor and materials shall be supplied by the responsible officials without delay. Such is the boundless grace of the throne; you shall be grateful for this favor. From this day forth, soldiers, civilians, and officials shall not encroach upon or disturb it. Qixia Temple must also keep to its proper duties, refrain from meddling in affairs of state, and not gather outlaws. Those who violate this decree shall be executed.

Respect this decree."

The moment the words "respect this decree" were spoken, the others immediately voiced their assent.

Liu Zhiyuan was full of resentment, but ultimately did not dare show the slightest trace of it.

Nuoli said:

"Many thanks, Your Majesty."

The palace attendant looked at Nuoli and held out the edict:

"Will you not receive the edict, True Person?"

Nuoli had no choice but to step forward and accept it.

The palace attendant then said:

"I shall take my leave first."

With that, he boarded the carriage, and the golden-armored guards drove it away.

Once the palace attendant and his party had left, Nuoli looked at Liu Zhiyuan and said mockingly:

"What does the superintendent think of this?"

Liu Zhiyuan snorted and departed in a streak of azure light.

Commandery Governor Yang Xuanye cupped his hands and offered congratulations, then left without waiting for Nuoli to return the gesture.

The others also offered congratulations one after another, but said little before departing. After all, though they did not want to offend Qixia Temple, they also made their living under the imperial dynasty.

Once they had left, Changlu was the first to speak, teasing:

"Did Qixia Temple promise some benefit to make His Majesty issue an edict granting it a separate compound? Surely you haven't submitted to Jiankang?"

Nuoli shook his head, glanced at Changlu, and said meaningfully:

"Qixia Temple has no such power. This was decided jointly by His Majesty and several sect masters!"

Changlu's expression changed drastically:

"What do you mean?!"

Nuoli shook his head and advised:

"If you wish to seek the Dao, fellow Daoist, you must naturally enter this game. Otherwise, no one will agree to it."

With that, he headed for the Great Void, paying no attention to Changlu's livid expression.

Changlu snorted, but ultimately held himself back and quickly followed.

The summit of Golden Ao Mountain was deserted. A day later, a torrent of gray water erupted from the green pool at its peak.

It rose a thousand zhang high, then the gray-black water transformed into azure rain and drifted down.

When the azure rain had dispersed, Su Yao and his companions appeared on the summit.

In his decades on Qixia Mountain, Su Yao had read who knew how many Daoist canons, scriptures, and secret techniques.

Yet he had never heard of using Gui Water to become subterranean water, traveling through the earth veins, and crossing such a vast distance in a single day.

Even someone at the Purple Mansion level traveling through the Great Void would need several days to reach this place from Mount Zhongnan!