Making Trouble

As night fell, a crescent moon hung in the sky, dotted with starlight.

Liu Futong sat on the roof, holding a wine jar, taking sips every now and then.

"Well!"

The room beneath him was the one assigned to the two brothers, and the eldest brother was currently sitting inside, meditating on his cultivation technique.

How could this happen?

When the two brothers came, they were thinking of testing Chu Tianshu, or at the very least, forming an alliance. But now it seems like they came to learn from him.

This is no longer a matter of priorities after forming an alliance; it's a complete loss of respect for the role of disciples and sons.

However, after arriving at the Spirit-Calming Hall...

Liu Futong also saw the inappropriateness of the rules that Han Baiyu had listed for them, which gave him a fright.

These loopholes and ambiguities in the rules seem to have no major problems at present.

However, if an uprising were to actually take place, it could immediately become a fatal weakness.

Even if they manage to get through the initial stages of the uprising by sheer luck, it will inevitably become an unavoidable trauma as the scale of the uprising grows.

"Changes are definitely necessary, but if we let the Heavenly Maidens help us make them, will our White Lotus Sect still be the White Lotus Sect after the changes are complete?"

Although Liu Futong practiced his skills very diligently, he didn't actually possess the same obsessive dedication to martial arts as his elder brother.

He practiced his martial arts with all his might because he wanted to achieve great success and bring honor to his ancestors.

"At that time, without control over the followers, would I still have a chance to become a general and bring glory to my ancestors?"

"Hey!!"

A soft shout came from the neighboring yard, and a figure leaped onto the roof.

The Diba Deng carried a large amount of food in the hem of their robes as they walked over.

"Brother, I saw you drinking here from afar. Wine is good, but you can't just eat it all by yourself. Bring some snacks to go with your drinks."

Liu Futong glanced at it and asked suspiciously, "Are those pieces chicken or snake meat? What's the rest? They all look like clods of dirt?"

"How could it be soil?"

The Diba Deng, with eyes full of sincerity, said, "This is made of dough. Try it, it's delicious."

Liu Futong pinched one and popped it into his mouth. It was indeed quite fragrant, but a bit dry, and—

"Although the inside is indeed floury, the outer layer is basically just dirt. Do you think I've never eaten it before?"

The Diba Deng, sitting beside him, exclaimed in surprise, "Brother Liu has also eaten dirt! He's a truly indomitable hero!"

"He can endure more hardship than an ox and has more stamina than a horse. What is the purpose of such a hero sighing and lamenting here?"

Liu Futong took a swig of liquor. The little mud ball was a bit dry, but it went perfectly with the liquor.

Eating mud balls before drinking alcohol makes it exceptionally refreshing.

Thinking about the snacks people would have with their drinks, Liu Futong started talking on the phone.

So you're lamenting your future?

The Diba Deng man laughed and said, "Brother, do you know what my original identity was?"

"I was originally from a farming family in Jiangnan. We had a house and fields, but those hateful monks cheated us out of our land. Officials, both high and low, sided with them, forcing my parents to flee famine."

"Over the years, I've witnessed the Yellow River flooding, seen the Three Gorges surging with waves, mingled among beggars calling them 'sir,' learned martial arts but was targeted, and hid for fear of being beheaded—I've lived the life of a beggar."

Diba Deng Brother slapped his thigh, "This time, returning home to avenge my family, I actually ran into the King of Chu! Now that I'm in charge of elite troops, how can I not rise to prominence in the future?"

Liu Futong was amused by his words: "Brother, speak properly, I can understand you."

Just laugh.

The Diba Deng said, "Brother, look at me, I'm just lucky. I've gained some skill, so I have no worries about my future. But your martial arts are no less than mine."

"His knowledge of people and his network of connections are undoubtedly superior to mine. As long as he puts his heart and soul into it, he will surely achieve great things in the future. Why should he worry about his future?"

Liu Futong took two more mud balls, threw them into his mouth, and seemed to be deep in thought.

In fact, when it comes to managing specific affairs, he is probably even more skilled than Han Shantong.

Even if the rules change, he might still be able to adapt and find his place.

"If you only focus on past small achievements and harbor resentment, without looking to the future, and ruin things, that's truly self-destructive!"

The Diba Deng borrowed a wine jar, took a sip, and looked up at the moon.

Liu Futong looked at the young man's profile and felt a chill run down his spine.

How did Chu Tianshu manage to gather and retain so many talented people so quickly?

Thinking of what the Diba Deng had said earlier, he felt a surge of alcohol in his heart, and a sense of exhilaration as if his pores were opening up.

Great! With more talented people, things can get done. Let's get started!

Several miles away, atop the city wall.

Chu Tianshu and Zhang Yining stood side by side, their gazes fixed precisely on the rooftop.

The two overheard every word of their conversation and exchanged a knowing smile.

Chu Tianshu asked, "What is the reputation of the White Lotus Sect?"

Overall, it's not bad.

Zhang Yining said, "But the problem of uneven quality and a mix of good and bad is also very obvious."

"Moreover, it's wrong for them to teach people to believe in God."

Chu Tianshu nodded. "I have great confidence in you all, and you will be able to correct these things in the future."

Zhang Yining's smile faded slightly, and he said softly, "Senior, you said that the Heavenly Maiden's combined age from both previous lives is greater than yours. Could it be that you two knew each other in a past life?"

Chu Tianshu hissed, "You still had hearing when you turned into liquid? Did Baiyu know that?"

The celestial maiden seems to want me to know.

Zhang Yining smiled faintly and said, "Your past lives seem completely out of place here. Is it because of a difference in time, or another world altogether?"

He stopped there, without waiting for an answer, and sighed softly, "I just want to ask—will you take her away, senior?"

Chu Tianshu seemed to be deep in thought.

That's hard to say.

Han Baiyu's token was damaged, yet it hadn't left even after all these years since he transmigrated.

If I really manage to fix her problems, will she leave after she's accumulated enough Fortune?

Chu Tianshu said, "All I can say is that even if she leaves, she will find a way to come back."

3

Zhang Yining nodded. "So you mean, you really might leave?"

Chu Tianshu was suspicious. This kid didn't seem relieved; he seemed to have made up his mind about something.

Wouldn't we distance ourselves beforehand to lessen the pain of parting just because the other person is leaving?

"Then I need to express my feelings as soon as possible!"

Zhang Yining's gaze was firm, his voice clear, and his right fist clenched, striking his palm.

"Although we're tacitly in agreement, what if she leaves before I've made it clear? Wouldn't that be terrible for us? No, no, I have to confess my feelings right now!"

Chu Tianshu gave a half-smile, then lightly gritted his teeth.

I really didn't expect this from you guys!

He had been able to act like a love expert in front of Blind Cheng and Lady Wenjing.

Why do you two always surprise me?

Is this the difference in skill level?

Oh, right.

Zhang Yining pulled out a roll of silk. "Senior, this is the manual for the ' Heavenly Silkworm Divine Art.' I have no way to repay your life-saving grace, and this is all I have. I hope it can be of some help to you."

Chu Tianshu smiled and took it, then put his arm around Chu Tianshu's shoulder.

"Little Zhang, from now on, regarding any issues in your relationship, unless you're getting married and need me to witness it, don't mention anything else in front of me!"

Chu Tianshu said seriously, "We are people who do important things. When we meet, we should talk about serious matters."

Zhang Yining nodded seriously: "Then I'll go first—"

"Don't rush, I have something important to discuss now."

Chu Tianshu tapped his palm lightly with the silk scroll and asked, "What do you think of the Great Art of Transformation?"

Seeing that it was truly a serious matter, Zhang Yining finally calmed down and began to think.

"I think this extraordinary skill has great potential, but apart from Han Shantong, I'm afraid no one else can master it."

Chu Tianshu nodded in agreement.

Chu Tianshu noticed this when the three were discussing martial arts.

Han Shantong's description of his martial arts style is incomplete in many ways.

It's unlikely that he deliberately concealed anything, nor was it due to inaccurate wording.

Rather, it was because he had some subtle insights during the creation process that he himself hadn't noticed, so he didn't mention them when he compiled them into a secret manual.

His experiences were also bizarre. He possessed extraordinary talent and cultivated the White Lotus Secret Technique from a young age. During his youth, when his potential was at its peak, he was attacked by the Yaksha Blood Scripture and suffered from a strange disease of soul separation. He then threw himself into the earth and comprehended the true magnetic field.

Even if Han Shantong were to do it all over again, he might not be able to create this Falai.

Anyone else who wants to master his secret technique is simply dreaming.

"If I were in the same location as him, my sensory range would be wider and clearer than his. However, I can't possibly spy on the details from nearly Hundred Li away."

Chu Tianshu said in a deep voice, "Therefore, I plan to take him to the vicinity of Dadu."

Zhang Yining exclaimed in surprise, "Going now? Isn't that too hasty? We shouldn't be at a point where we can attack Dadu yet. If we're only here to gather intelligence, what will happen to our spies—"

Chu Tianshu waved his hand. "You have spies, and the White Lotus Sect has spies too, but these spies can only know the major developments in Dadu capital, not the most in-depth details."

"It was only after learning the information relayed by Baiyu that I realized the Dadu city, in terms of both its underlying strength and the complexity of the situation, required a true master to investigate in order to understand the overall situation and anticipate the enemy's moves."

Zhang Yining gazed at the night sky to the north and pondered for a moment.

"Then I'll go with you, senior, just in case a great battle really breaks out—"

"No, you need to stay here and handle the situation. I'll feel more at ease leaving this to you."

Chu Tianshu had made up his mind. He put his hands behind his back and looked out of the city.

"It's just Han Shantong and me on this trip, so we can move freely. If necessary, we can meet up again."

Zhang Yining pondered, "Will Han Shantong agree to go?"

Chu Tianshu smiled.

"You should have noticed by now that besides ambition, he's even more obsessed, and besides being obsessed, he's also incredibly daring."

Despite Han Shantong's apparent caution in not formally raising the banner of rebellion until now, he remains resolute.

But it also depends on where he is being cautious.

White Deer Manor is not in Jiangnan, nor is it even south of the Yellow River, but in the north.

The central capital of the Yuan Dynasty, the jewel of the Mongol Yuan Empire, a grand spectacle born from the violent clash between barbarism and civilization— Dadu!

This renowned behemoth was once considered part of Hebei.

Although the two are now distinguished in terms of political planning, they are still practically adjacent to each other.

Han Shantong actually planned to wait until the uprising began, and then raise his banner of rebellion right here.

If other rebel kings knew this, they would never think he was cautious and timid; they would only be astonished at his courage.

It might be easier for him to rebel on the grasslands than to rebel here.

Now, Chu Tianshu is with me.

This Han cult leader would definitely dare to run wild near Dadu!