Lord Shan Accompanies Him

"It's been a long time since I've seen Sect Leader Kang," Kang Dabao said in awe. Hearing this, he repeatedly said he dared not accept such praise. Seeing that Lord Yin Shan looked even older, and thinking of the latter's lifespan, he felt a pang of regret.

"Qin got the news from the state court and then told me. I heard that you were going to attack the Changning Sect where Chen Ye was, so I rushed here to find that kid in Black Shoes,"

While speaking to Sect Leader Kang Da, Lord Yin Shan did not look at him. Instead, he casually cast a Clear Spirit Incantation, summoning a stream of cleansing water vapor to wipe the filth off all the children. He then placed a warming stone in the middle of the tent to prevent them from catching a cold.

After finishing these tasks, he turned to Kang Dabao and said, "Sect Leader Kang, we'll have to trouble you this time."

Upon hearing this, Kang Dabao shook his head vigorously, like a rattle-drum.

Don't be fooled by his current status as Ice Leaf Foundation Establishment and a sect leader in the eyes of outsiders. If he dares to act arrogantly in front of Lord Yin Shan, a Qi Refinement cultivator, and the Daoist Black Shoes finds out, he'll probably give Kang Dabao a good beating on behalf of Old Sect Leader He.

However, it must be said that the Lord Shan's concealment technique is truly remarkable; Kang Dabao's previous cursory scan with his Divine Sense failed to detect it.

As expected of someone who, despite being only at the Qi Refinement, has repeatedly defeated Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, he is far beyond what ordinary Qi Refinement cultivators can be regarded as.

Kang Dabao sighed and summoned Jin Shilun by car with a token, instructing him to send the children back to Chongming City to find the current city lord, Kang Rongming, and to properly settle the children into various households of the Kang Household and raise them with care.

Lord Yin Shan remained silent, but when he looked at the children in the tent, the tenderness in his eyes was hard to conceal.

Hearing how meticulously Kang Dabao had arranged things, Lord Yin Shan was full of praise.

In this way, Kang Dabao achieved his goal and made a good impression on Lord Shan.

However, this made Kang Dabao feel a bit uneasy. To be fair, if Lord Shan hadn't been there today, he could have done these things, but he certainly wouldn't have put in such effort.

Compared to the latter, who had cultivated Daoism for nearly two hundred years and selflessly protected mortals, Kang Dabao instantly felt a sense of shame and inferiority.

Upon hearing that Kang Dabao was going to Pingrong County, Lord Yin Shan pondered for a while. Since he himself hadn't been there in a long time, he decided to go with him and then return to the Chongming Sect together.

Lord Yin Shan had no mount, riding the old donkey would be inappropriate at this time. Kang Dabao took out a First-Tier Supreme-Grade flying boat that he had somehow found in some dead man's Storage Bag. He was willing to spend a few Spirit Stone to make Lord Shan more comfortable.

On the boat, Kang Dabao took out a spiritual tea called "Fine Dew". He had taken it from Tie Xishui Foundation Establishment years ago.

He had kept it all this time, not wanting to drink it, so that he could use it to entertain such an important guest.

However, when it comes to the art of tea, Kang Dabao's chess skills are far superior.

The tea set he smuggled from Tie Xishui was of high quality, but Kang Dabao was clumsy and couldn't get it all together properly. In the end, Lord Shan had to take over and brew the tea himself.

Two green-glazed crane-shaped teacups were filled to the brim. Lord Shan's tea ceremony skills were very high, and the aroma of the Fine Dew tea was even better than before, immediately filling the space around the two of them, pleasing to the eye and heart, and penetrating to the core.

Kang Dabao, as a junior, first offered the Lord Shan a drink. The latter took a small sip, his old eyes brightening. However, his joy did not last long, and he said in a low voice, "Very good. It must be from Outer Dao. Our spiritual tea from Shannan Circuit is much stronger, and it is rare to find such a refined tea."

The former nodded repeatedly, but Kang Dabao, being a vulgar man, always drank tea like a cow and had no idea of its subtleties; he was merely echoing the sentiment.

The Little Qi Fan in the sleeve knew more about tea than Kang Dabao. Upon smelling the aroma of tea, it immediately darted out of the sleeve and climbed onto the low table.

It was quite impolite, skipping over Kang Dabao's empty cup and rushing to drink deeply from Lord Shan's cup.

This impolite trip could not possibly go as it wished. Kang Dabao raised his hand and used a spirit-binding technique to stop it. He then casually plucked a lush green leaf from an ancient tree by the roadside, washed it with water vapor, and shaped it into a cup. With a flick of his fingers, the tea in the teapot flew out from the spout and slowly fell into the cup.

Little Qi was finally able to break free from the spiritual confinement. He lightly bit the plump, white finger of the Sect Leader Kang Da to show his dissatisfaction before taking a big gulp of tea from the broad-leaf cup.

"This is..." Seeing that Little Qi looked somewhat familiar, Lord Shan Kang Dabao continued, "This is the transformation of the beast egg belonging to 'Hidden Six' that Lord Shan gave to this junior."

"So it was an egg from Venerable Alligator Softshell Turtle. It's been raised quite well; only a few years have passed, and it's already First-Tier Middle-Grade First-Tier Superior-Grade. It looks like it's not far from becoming a high-grade first-tier turtle." Lord Shan praised it first, then teased, "If I had known back then that the egg was from Second Tier Venerable Alligator Softshell Turtle, I probably wouldn't have been willing to give it to you."

"This junior thanks you again, Lord Shan!" Kang Dabao said at the opportune moment.

"Kang boy, you've progressed too fast; this spirit beast can't keep up with your pace." Perhaps it was because Kang Dabao's previous actions had won over the Lord Shan, but now the latter's tone lacked the distance he had shown when they first met—something many cultivators in Cloud Horn Prefecture longed for.

Little Qi didn't care what the two were talking about. After drinking his fill, he let out a satisfied groan and then crawled back into his sleeve to rest.

"Kang boy, do you know why I've been so fixated on Chen Ye all these years?" Lord Shan asked Kang Dabao abruptly after extinguishing the charcoal fire.

"The killings have been too heavy, the sins too deep," Kang Dabao replied in a deep voice, his smile fading.

"Indeed, Chen Ye's method of achieving Foundation Establishment is too wicked. Shi Li's refining of Blood Foundation Pill using his own relatives as medicine is already an act against the natural order. Later, Chen Ye plotted to kill Shen Ang, and upon investigation, it turned out that it was for the secret technique of 'Change Yin' in the latter's possession."

Based on my deduction, Chen Ye must have used the "Change Yin" to exchange his blood, and then consumed the Blood Foundation Pill refined by Shi Li to establish his Dao Foundation.

When Lord Shan spoke of this matter, a trace of sorrow appeared on his monkey-like face.

Seeing Kang Dabao's surprised expression, Lord Shan continued, "Although this path is dangerous and arduous, the flesh and blood of cultivators' mortal relatives are much easier to obtain than Foundation Establishment spiritual objects. With Chen Ye's Blood Jade as an example, future generations will surely follow suit."

Kang Dabao's pupils dilated as he imagined the scene of old Qi Refinement who had lost their Dao Path and were about to die of old age.

Leaving aside those inherently wicked and Devil Cultivator Evil Cultivator, let's just talk about those cultivators who practice righteous Immortal Method. Some of them, in their pursuit of Changsheng, are no longer even human. If they can establish Dao Foundation and extend their lifespan by two hundred years, what wouldn't they do?

If Chen Ye's method were truly implemented, even if only one in a thousand Qi Refinement cultivators sought to survive and slaughtered their own mortal relatives, those who couldn't bear to part with their families could learn from Chen Ye and exchange blood using a secret technique.

That was a catastrophe for the entire Cloud Horn Prefecture, and even for Shannan Circuit and the Great Wei Immortal Dynasty.

Thinking of this, Kang Dabao couldn't help but gasp. He never expected that after Chen Ye reached the Foundation Establishment, he could actually be connected with the lives of all living beings.

"Chen Ye's master was no good. He refined this pill back then. I searched for it for several years but couldn't find it. Later I found out that he failed to break through his cultivation barrier and his body was dismantled by several disciples and made into Law Artifact."

"I never imagined his disciples would be so successful. If I had known earlier, I would have been more impulsive back then. I wouldn't have cared about whether there was any solid evidence. I would have just called on He Xiaozi and Black Shoes to wipe out that damned Grass Witch Cult. That way, none of this would have happened."

Lord Shan sighed again, his tone filled with deep regret. "Now that Chen Ye has been recruited by the Two Instruments Sect, this unorthodox Foundation Establishment method can no longer be hidden. It has already been registered by the Two Instruments Sect, and they may even have a copy at the Star-Picking Pavilion."

Seeing Kang Dabao's furrowed brows, Lord Shan reassured him again, "There's no need to worry too much. As one of the most outstanding True Person Immortals in the Immortal Dynasty, the Master of the Star-Picking Pavilion will surely know the dangers of this method spreading, and he will definitely instruct someone to seal it away immediately. However, the continued existence of this method is still a hidden danger."

Kang Dabao then chimed in, "Therefore, Chen Ye is no longer of any use within the Two Instruments Sect. Otherwise, the Two Instruments Sect wouldn't have sent him to the Changning Sect to face such danger."

The Lord Shan spoke calmly, a hint of determination showing between his gray eyebrows. "Perhaps." He then turned his gaze to Fang Yi the flying boat, and said:

"My Dao Path enlightenment is severed, and my lifespan is nearing its end. I am powerless to intervene in the affairs of major sects like the Two Instruments Sect and the Star-Picking Pavilion. But as long as I still wield the jade axe, I will kill every single one of those who have used this Evil Method to Foundation Establishment. This will serve as a warning to future generations: even cultivators should not use the excuse of the ruthlessness of the Great Dao. There are some things that cannot be done, and someone must intervene."

"I have learned a lot." Kang Dabao's expression was solemn. The old man in front of him was not only enlightening the common people and mentoring the younger generation, but also truly dedicated his life to the people of Cloud Horn Prefecture. He could not help but be filled with awe and respect.

"Alright, enough of this idle talk. We still have some time. You, a Foundation Establishment True Cultivator, why don't you explain the Dharma to me?" Seeing the atmosphere becoming heavy, Lord Shan took the initiative to crack a joke.

Kang Dabao was naturally more than happy to accept this. On the flying boat, the sounds of discussing metaphysics and Daoism arose, attracting a spirit eagle that had become sentient to fly alongside the flying boat, disregarding the sharp gale that swept past.

Previously, Kang Dabao had only heard the Daoist Black Shoes say how insightful and powerful the Master Lord Shan's sermons were. Now that he had seen it for himself, he realized that the Daoist Black Shoes's words were not exaggerated at all.

Although Kang Dabao has already Foundation Establishment, he still has many questions. When asked for further consultation, Lord Yin Shan can pinpoint the crux of the matter with his insightful words, making Kang Dabao feel enlightened.

Towards the end of the lecture, it became entirely Kang Dabao seeking guidance.

Kang Dabao was increasingly alarmed as he listened. No wonder some cultivators in Cloud Horn Prefecture had only received one lecture from Lord Shan, yet they remembered it vividly for decades.

At least in Kang Dabao's own opinion, Lord Shan's metaphysical knowledge far surpassed that of Daoist Black Shoes, which explains why many people still treated him with the respect due to a junior after they had achieved Foundation Establishment.

From this perspective, Lord Shan is certainly fully capable of taking on this responsibility.

Kang Dabao couldn't help but feel a pang of regret for Yin Shan Gong. If the latter hadn't encountered that remnant spirit of the Barbarian Golden Core Demon Slave in his early years, his path to immortality would have been far more promising.

Based solely on the assessment of "I am inferior" made by Shen Lingfeng, the former chief steward of Shannan Circuit, if Lord Yin Shan had not experienced that calamity, he would have already established his Core Formation Dao Foundation and might even have begun to look forward to the Core Formation stage.

That said, at that time, the stronghold behind Lord Yin Shan was just a group of ordinary people with no relatives or friends. Even if they knew that if they did not resist, those thousands of people would surely be slaughtered;

Even if he managed to hold them off, what could a mere Qi Refining cultivator like him possibly accomplish against the remnants of the Barbarian Golden Core Demon Slave? It would be as futile as a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

Even if it turned and fled, it would have been perfectly reasonable. But the Lord Shan stayed behind, and the mantis tried to stop the wheel of the chariot with its bare hands.

If he were in that situation, Kang Dabao knew he certainly couldn't have done that.

As for whether Lord Shan himself felt any regret afterward, Kang Dabao thought he probably did; and if he were to have Lord Shan choose again, would he still do the same thing?

Human nature is unpredictable, and Kang Dabao couldn't say for sure, but thinking about it, there was still a certain possibility?

Surely not all cultivators in this world are like Kang Dabao, spending their days scheming and currying favor with the powerful, like ants swarming to carrion?

Some people are born to be saints.

Although Kang Dabao himself could not become a saint, nor would he teach his disciples to become saints, he sincerely hoped that there would be more Lord Yin Shan and fewer Kang Dabao in the world.

The world shouldn't continue to get worse; it needs to start getting better gradually.

The Pingrong County was still furnished the same as when Luo Heng was in charge, except that some of the filthy things in the back office had been cleaned up.

After many years, Magistrate Kang has finally returned to the county. The officials in the yamen are naturally on high alert, and several newly appointed assistant officials have also come to the yamen to await the magistrate.

As Kang Dabao traveled, he saw that the villages outside the city were unattended, and ordinary people were being harmed by Demon Beast and Evil Cultivator, a truly tragic sight. Pingrong County was also desolate, and the people still looked pale and sickly.

Even from a purely utilitarian perspective, this is not a good thing for spiritual practitioners.

Ordinary people live in poverty and naturally do not have children or reproduce; their stomachs are empty of food and drink, so no one practices martial arts to strengthen their bodies.

If this continues, the number of immortal seedlings will naturally decrease, and cultivators will gradually find themselves with no one to conscript for labor or to recruit teachers.

Ordinary people should cultivate the land carefully, carrying water and fertilizing, hoping for a bountiful harvest and a good year. Similarly, spiritual practitioners nurture people like seedlings. Most spiritual practitioners also come from ordinary people. Ordinary people are the foundation of spiritual practitioners, and spiritual practitioners should also protect ordinary people so that they can live and work in peace and contentment, and have no worries about food and clothing.

Not only did Lord Yin Shan frown at the plight of Pingrong County, but Kang Dabao himself was also deeply worried.

This county magistrate has done a really bad job. Although there isn't a single county in the thirteen counties of Cloud Horn Prefecture that can do a better job than Sect Leader Kang Da, a bad job is a bad job, and it should be corrected both logically and morally.

The county magistrate, registrar, and county commandant in the hall are not natives of Pingrong County, but were directly selected by the prefectural Sima Office from Fei Household, Ying Prefecture.

Perhaps for this reason, these good-for-nothings who have no affection for Pingrong County have been holding their positions without doing any work. They are even worse than Luo Heng, who has been in office for so long but, like Magistrate Kang, has not done a single proper job. It is truly infuriating.

But how could they compare to Kang Dabao? They simply couldn't spare the time.

It's never too late to mend the fence after the sheep are lost.

Fortunately, Sima Fei didn't give Kang Dabao too many problems. He didn't send any of the Foundation Establishment cultivators who had been relocated. These Qi Refining Qi Refinement, who usually acted arrogantly in front of the clerks, were still obedient to Magistrate Kang and dared not cause trouble.

After only a cursory glance at some case files, Kang Dabao realized that the deep-seated problems in the county were far too serious for him to clean up in just over a month.

So he summoned three officials of the rank of junior, explained the principle of not holding past offenses against them, and instructed them to do their job of encouraging agriculture and sericulture and clarifying the land in the coming months. He would then evaluate them when he returned next time.

If he does well, Kang Dabao will naturally report his merits and ask for a reward; if he does poorly, he will be held accountable.

Kang Dabao's words were rather harsh, stating bluntly that because he carried the title of Fei Household's son-in-law, he would dare to beat and kill them even if they, the people of Fei Household, did something wrong.

Although these words were rather crude, they immediately made these corrupt officials and their cronies tremble with fear.

The words may be crude, but the principle is sound. These people, relying on their barely tangential relationship with the Fei Household, have been acting like tyrants in Pingrong County for quite some time now.

If Kang Dabao were to actually kill them, the Fei family, as the legitimate son-in-law of the Fei Household, would probably not even issue a reprimand; they would simply treat it as the death of a few more sick dogs.

This intimidated the officials, urging them to work diligently. Lord Shan went to the county to provide relief to the poor, while Kang Dabao went to the county's armory instead.

The armory in Pingrong County was still shabby, with hardly anything new compared to when Kang Dabao visited a few years ago. After searching for a while, he found that there wasn't much usable stuff, so he simply abandoned the place and went to find the Lord Shan.

This place can't be cleaned up right away, let's deal with it after Sect Leader Kang Da defeats the Changning Sect.

If I can come back.

Thanks to Brother Xiaoyao Panda for the 100 coins.

Thanks to brother 20060428 for the Extended Net Moon.

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