Matters in Xuanwei

"Kang Xiaoyou?"

"I am willing to serve you, senior!" Kang Dabao raised his head and respectfully replied. He raised his eyebrows and looked at the beautiful woman who was only a foot away from him. Even though he had seen a lot, he still felt a little tremble.

"It really is her!!!"

If one had to describe it, this would be the State of Mind that Sect Leader Kang Da felt when he first saw Fei Shuhe sitting in a sedan chair.

It was at this moment that Kang Dabao was able to confirm that the Fearless Tower before him was indeed She Fu Yi, the one on the last page of the picture book he had obtained in the Exalted Cultivator Guanyu cave abode.

It was at this moment that Kang Dabao was able to truly understand the meaning of the eight characters "as beautiful as a lotus, shaming even a peony" written by Exalted Cultivator Guanyu.

It was only at this moment that Kang Dabao dared not even think of that breathtakingly beautiful sight of "a fair body revealed, delicate bones and plump muscles".

Little did She Fu Yi know that she had been seen through by this tall, imposing man many years ago. Hearing his agreement, she smiled and said, "Please, young friend, Fearless Tower never lets its friends go to great lengths in vain."

"You flatter me, senior!" Sect Leader Kang Da showed no change in expression, remaining as respectful as ever.

This performance pleased She Fu Yi greatly, for while talented people are not uncommon in this world, such a person without sharp edges is truly rare and can definitely be considered a scarce commodity.

It was clear that She Fu Yi held considerable prestige in the Fearless Tower. As soon as she spoke, the two old cultivators, Yang Jue and Jiang Hongdao, dared not utter a word. They stood there woodenly, their solemn expressions comparable to the two puppets guarding the door.

"Qingwei, see Kang Xiaoyou off for me." She Fu Yi said no more and returned to the brocade tent.

Yan Qingwei, who hadn't spoken for a while, responded cheerfully, "Yes, Grandmother!" After speaking, she moved closer to Sect Leader Kang Da. The latter didn't know how to react, and simply thanked her humbly.

When Sect Leader Kang Da emerged from the fortified village, he was stopped by the puppet guarding the entrance. The armored puppet, armed with a spear, approached him and, before Kang Dabao could react, took something from a leather pouch at his waist and handed it to him.

The latter, without looking at the dull-witted creature, bowed in thanks before following Yan Qingwei out of the white jade steps.

Neither of them noticed that the puppet wielding the spear had another pair of eyes behind its pupils. She Fu Yi after the Sect Leader Kang Da had completely left the fortified village did She Fu withdraw her pupil technique, change into a smart military uniform, and step out of the gauze tent.

Her attire, while lacking much of her femininity, added a touch of valor. Her words, ironically, made the two old cultivators Yang Jue and Jiang Hongdao, even more serious.

"What Deacon Jiang said is true. Kang Dabao is a decent junior. We should get to know him better in the future. It would be good if Qingwei could advance further with him in the future. However, we shouldn't be too demanding. Let things take their natural course."

"What I have done is merely my duty, and I dare not accept the praise from the host." Jiang Hongdao's humility carried a hint of aloofness, which greatly displeased Yang Jue beside him.

However, he had no time to argue with Jiang Hongdao about such trivial matters. He stepped forward and respectfully asked, "Master, we've leaked the information Pu Honggu gave us. If that brat Kang tells the Fei Household or even the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court, and if that old man Pu Honggu finds out, then our Fearless Tower is in serious trouble."

She Fu Yi her beautiful eyes and said calmly, "I have never met any Kang Dabao. Who knows who told him about Daoist Peng in Pingrong County? Besides, the Blood Dao Golden Core is so valuable, would Kang Dabao really be willing to tell his Yue Household?"

Yang Jue hesitated, unsure what to say, but then He heard She Fu Yi speak up again, "Besides, how do you know whether I want that old bird from the Fei Household to know this news or not?"

The beautiful woman's words did indeed confuse Yang Jue somewhat. Jiang Hongdao, standing beside him, quickly understood, glancing at Yang Jue's expression and inwardly scoffing.

"No wonder he became False Core, still just a steward, unable to become the deputy head of the building. The Two Instruments Sect has been able to nurture Blood Dao Golden Core cultivators for hundreds of years, how can we associate with such a sect? Unfortunately, the strength of the building itself is insufficient, so we have to put on a show to avoid affecting the branch buildings in other places."

She Fu Yi's actions were quite straightforward: firstly, to use one force to devour another, and secondly, to incite conflict between the two families so she could profit from the chaos. It wasn't particularly clever; how could you, Yang Jue, not even see through this?"

Perhaps sensing Jiang Hongdao's disdain for Yang Jue, She Fu Yi glanced at him sideways, thinking to herself, "This old man is quite clever."

The thought flashed through her mind for only a moment before she dismissed it. She Fu Yi then recalled the words personally written by Li Yun, the Two Instruments Sect leader of the Liangyi Sect. Her lips parted again, but her voice was barely audible. "Your family's Golden Core Formation Pill are tempting, but I'm hesitant to take them."

After speaking, a hint of resentment welled up in the beautiful woman's heart. "He Guanyu, are you dead or alive?!"

When Sect Leader Kang Da left the fortified village where Fearless Tower had settled, he took with him two wisps of fragrant breeze and also carried in his bosom a "Pine Creek Pill" given to him by the puppet wielding a spear on behalf of She Fu Yi.

Not only She Fu Yi a beautiful woman, but she is also a generous person. With this pill, the time it takes for Kang Dabao to break through to the Foundation Establishment Late Stage will be shortened considerably.

Of course, while these pills are precious, they are worthless compared to a Golden Core cultivator like Daoist Peng. Sect Leader Kang Da wouldn't truly believe that the Fearless Tower would place all his hopes of finding Daoist Peng on him.

Because everyone has their own expertise, Kang Dabao knew that at most he could only act as a host, provide some manpower, and do She Fu Yi a favor. If it really came down to finding the Blood Dao Golden Core cultivators hidden in Pingrong County, there were plenty of talented people in the Fearless Tower who could do it.

However, a lone, seriously injured Golden Core cultivator was indeed quite tempting. Even a cautious person like Sect Leader Kang Da couldn't help but have some thoughts he shouldn't have.

However, after a struggle with his Celestial Person, Kang Dabao still followed his heart and rode the Kui Star Shuttle to Xuanwei City.

The Fei Household was even more lively than usual today. The Sect Leader Kang Da met Cao Xianlu, who had just emerged from seclusion. The latter, who was rumored to have completed his Core Formation in seclusion, had not succeeded. However, judging from his expression, he did not seem too disappointed.

Unlike the perilous journey of Qi Refining cultivators during Qi Refinement Foundation Establishment, the Foundation Establishment, also known as "Mortal Shedding," is described in ancient texts as "the beginning of ascension to immortality and the foundation for achieving the Dao."

Therefore, if a cultivator fails during the Foundation Establishment stage, they are unlikely to have a good ending.

However, attempting to Core Formation is different. While the difficulty of Foundation Establishment, if one fails, the Dantian can protect the True Cultivator.

Therefore, even if one fails to Core Formation, it is rare for True Cultivator to perish. Not to mention that Cao Xianlu has the Core Formation artifact sent by the Savage Ghost Sect to Protect Body this time. Even if things go wrong, it will only be a minor ailment for a while, so there is no need to worry.

Although Cao Xianlu's attempt to Core Formation was unsuccessful, he discovered many errors in Core Thesis during the process, which could be considered a blessing in disguise.

He is still young; even if he emerges from seclusion this time, he will only be a little over a hundred years old. He can reflect on himself, revitalize himself, and look forward to the future.

Fei Household also thought of this. Fei Nanfeng had a daughter who was beautiful, virtuous and kind, and was of marriageable age. According to Lady Tang, the wife of Military Commandant Gun who came to act as matchmaker after hearing the rumors, Cao Xianlu was indeed a good match for him.

Cao Xianlu, who had been eagerly anticipating this day, was naturally overjoyed. The Huang Prefecture Savage Ghost Sect was also quite enthusiastic upon hearing the news. Cao Xianlu's sect leader even sent a Pill Master to come over, and they were discussing the marriage between the two with Fei Granny Liu in the inner room.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the wedding should take place within the year.

Marrying off a daughter, especially a legitimate daughter, is a troublesome affair, and it is indeed extremely rare for someone as hasty as Fei Shuhe to do so.

Normally, according to the elaborate rituals recorded in the "Imperial Guard Rites Canon," it wouldn't be long to prepare for three to five years. But this time, it's probably only been half a year before the wedding, which shows how highly Cao Xianlu is regarded by the Fei Household.

Kang Dabao sensed from the tone of his words that there would be a position reserved for Fei Household in the Ying Mountain Army camp stationed in Cloud Horn Prefecture.

The Sect Leader Kang Da had a good impression of Cao Xianlu. Although he was a little jealous, he still sincerely congratulated his soon-to-be brother-in-law.

However, after offering his congratulations, he couldn't help but wonder if the latter would steal his thunder as the "Number One Son-in-Law of the She Mountain Hall" once he achieved the Golden Core.

After hastily dealing with the beaming Cao Xianlu, Kang Dabao, under Fei Enwen's warm hospitality, was able to enter Fei Nanying Hall, where guests were being received.

Before entering, Sect Leader Kang Da was unaware that Fei Nanying had guests. So when he saw someone sitting opposite Fei Nanying, otherwise, given his personality, he wouldn't have summoned him at this time.

After Kang Dabao finished speaking, he immediately straightened his clothes, composed himself, and bowed deeply. "Your son-in-law Kang Dabao greets your Boyue and senior."

Fei Nanying was in high spirits today. He beckoned to Kang Dabao and said cheerfully, "You have a good nose, lad. How did you know that such an important guest had arrived? Come quickly, let me introduce you. This is General Shu Zhengde, a member of the Imperial Guard. He is currently on the Emperor's orders to inspect the entire Mountain North route. Hurry up and pay your respects."

The position of "Imperial Guard General" is no simple matter. One-fifth of the Imperial Guards guarding the Mystic Firmament Palace are under his command. This position has always been held by the most intimate nobles of the Kuang Household clan. He is someone who is always in the Emperor of Wei's presence and can be considered to have a very high position and great power.

Although Kang Dabao was in a border region, he had come into contact with many cultivators, so his horizons were not narrow. Therefore, he had heard of the name "Shu Zhengde".

However, among so many important figures, the reason why Sect Leader Kang Da was so impressed with Shu Zhengde was because he had learned from Fei Shuhe that before the incident with Kuang Liuting, Shu Zhengde was originally intended by Han Ningyue to marry into the prominent Shu family of Zuojiang Shu Household. The person she was intended to marry was the eldest son of this General Shu.

Upon learning of this matter, Kang Dabao showed no outward reaction, but under the blazing sun, he directly embraced the noblewoman of the Fei Household and carried her back to the bed.

Thinking back, it was during that time that Kang Changxi was supposed to conceive.

Seeing that Shu Zhengde was looking at him, Sect Leader Kang Da dared not be negligent and immediately bowed again. "Junior Kang Dabao greets Master Shu!"

"Well done, what a fine young man! Truly a promising young man, no wonder he was able to defeat Funeng, the current abbot of Original Response Temple," Shu Zhengde said with a friendly Fei Nanying and said, "If I had received help from young friend Kang when I was quelling the rebellion in Mountain North Circuit, Wang Liao would have been defeated much sooner."

Fei Nanying just laughed after hearing this. The Blood Sword Sect's Battle Hall Elder Wang Beixing, who had caused trouble in Mountain North Circuit before, was probably more capable than the General Affairs Sect Leader of the Star-Picking Pavilion, who was very likely to reach the Nascent Soul stage.

Even though Wang Beixing had been seriously injured by the Prince of the North before he fled, Yao Gu, the chief administrator of Mountain North Circuit and Marquis of Changshun, still couldn't hold out until Shu Zhengde led his troops from Great Abyss Capital to come to his aid, and was killed by Wang Liao.

Even though Yao Gu very capable, the troops of Mountain North Circuit had not been trained for a long time, and the military equipment of the General's Mansion was in disarray, it was still a proper and well-organized army. Under the leadership of several superior cultivators, it still Marquis of Changshun Yao Gu himself became Wang Beixing's sword-forging material, which shows how strong he was.

If it weren't for the fact that the cultivators of Five Old Mothers Mountain hadn't obeyed the orders of True Person Moon Hidden and, with the army of the Immortal Dynasty in Mountain North Circuit wiped out, led their disciples to keep Wang Beixing locked up in Mountain North Circuit, the latter might have already escaped. At that time, Shu Zhengde, who was ordered by Emperor of Wei to lead the army, would have really made a wasted trip.

Therefore, even Fei Nanying, who personally went into battle, had to be careful to protect his life and dare not act rashly when facing someone like Wang Beixing. Not to mention that Sect Leader Kang Da was only a Foundation Establishment, what role could he possibly play in the battle?

Fei Nanying naturally understood the principle that everyone should carry a sedan chair, but he also knew that Shu Zhengde, who came from a prominent family and rose to a high position, rarely showed kindness to younger cultivators, yet he praised Kang Dabao highly, which was also strange.

Fei Nanying immediately changed the subject, saying, "Brother Shu, you flatter me. This lad is no match for your praise."

Shu Zhengde's smile remained unchanged, "Brother Fei is too modest. Before I left, His Majesty praised me in the same way in the Mystic Firmament Palace, and even specifically instructed me not to forget to look out for talented people in the countryside when I come to Shannan Circuit."

"Today?!"

Upon hearing this, Kang Dabao and Fei Nanying were both startled. Fei Nanying reacted faster, tugging at Sect Leader Kang Da's sleeve to bring him back to his senses. The Emperor's words were inviolable law; he, a True Cultivator, dared not utter a single word. He could only bow deeply again and say, "This junior is most honored!"

Shu Zhengde was quite satisfied to see the respectful demeanor of Sect Leader Kang Da. When his eyes met Fei Nanying's, he knew that the latter also understood.

"The Emperor's desire to cultivate the common people has grown stronger, to the point that he's almost too lazy to put on a show of it. Given the impending upheaval in the world, I wonder if this is a good thing or a bad thing?!"

As Fei Nanying sighed again, Shu Zhengde had already gotten up to take his leave.

Since the guest was leaving, the host had no reason not to keep him. However, before Fei Nanying could even speak, Shu Zhengde preemptively said, "The King of Mountain North Circuit has just been defeated, and I was originally unable to leave. But I missed Brother Fei dearly and was also concerned about His Majesty's instructions, so I made a special trip to Shannan Circuit. Now that I have had tea and met with the man, I must return to Mountain North Circuit to share Your Majesty's burdens."

Since Shu Zhengde had said so, Fei Nanying naturally couldn't keep him. Together with Sect Leader Kang Da, they escorted him out of Xuanwei City. Only after seeing Shu Zhengde board his Half-Chi carriage parked outside did the two turn back.

The father-in-law and son-in-law no longer had any grudges. After seeing Shu Zhengde off, Fei Nanying asked in a relaxed tone, "What brings you here? Shuhe hasn't even returned home to pave the way for you yet, and you've already come to our house to beg for our money?"

"Well, so even I, Boyue, have figured out the pattern?" Sect Leader Kang Da's thick skin held up well; he didn't even blush, but simply said respectfully, "Boyue, I've received some very important news."

Fei Nanying barely lifted his eyelids. "Stop beating around the bush, what's the news? Just tell me!"

"Boyue, did Ancestor Tianqin defeat a heretical Golden Core Evil Dao cultivator in the Cold Crow Mountain Range recently, and is there still no trace of that fiend?"

"Oh?" Fei Nanying was also hearing this for the first time. He immediately frowned and said in a deep voice, "Continue, don't stop!"

"I've gathered information from outside that the Golden Core cultivator is seriously injured and is currently hiding somewhere in Pingrong County! The reason Mo Hegu and the other Two Instruments Sect from the Liangyi Sect risked entering the state's territory just now was also to search for this fiend's whereabouts!"

"Smack!"

Fei Nanying suddenly clapped his hands together, a look of sudden realization on his face. "So that's how it is!! No wonder that Li Yun refused to admit it, it turns out he's been tricked into giving us a True-Grade Golden Core!"

He grabbed the burly wrist of the Sect Leader Kang Da and lifted him up, his hands moving rapidly in a series of hand seals. "The Ancestor said he will set off today to return to the Cold Crow Mountain Range. Come, I'll take you to pay your respects first."

When the two of them reached Fei Tianqin, the old bird had just finished inspecting the armory with Governor Zhu Tong.

Having learned from the previous experience of the Mountain North Circuit General Administration, the Cloud Horn Prefecture Court also needs to assign special personnel to handle matters such as inspecting troops and preparing the armory. They must not allow another Wang Beixing to emerge and cause chaos in the Shannan Circuit.

Otherwise, not only would the Star-Picking Pavilion and its Three Administrations want to watch the spectacle, but even after Kuang Liuting returns, the entire Cloud Horn Prefecture Court would still suffer the consequences.

After finishing his business, Fei Tianqin was about to set off. Xuanwei City was considered one of the top immortal cities in the surrounding states, but in the eyes of this old bird, it seemed extremely cramped and difficult to stay in for long.

Perhaps it will be able to adapt once it advances to Fourth Tier spirit beast, surpassing Nascent Soul and capable of transforming into human form. But for now, Fei Tianqin still wants to return to Cold Crow Mountain as soon as possible.

Firstly, he felt relieved; secondly, he could search for the whereabouts of the Blood Dao Golden Core along the way; and thirdly, the Fei Household patriarch still owed Sect Leader Kang Da a beast core, and being a nimble bird, he wouldn't want to delay for too long.

Fei Tianqin had just made up his mind to thoroughly search Cold Crow Mountain to see if there were any escaped or undetected Third Tier Demon Officer when he saw Fei Nanying carrying Kang Dabao walk up to him and bow deeply in respect.

"Is that young Kang here to collect a debt? The ten-year period hasn't ended yet!" The old man was displeased but also somewhat embarrassed. Although he was an elder, he was still insecure when in debt, so he said softly, "What brings you two, father-in-law and son-in-law, to me?"

Fei Nanying shoved Kang Dabao forward, who then delivered a stern speech. Fei Tianqin's sharp eyes immediately showed a thoughtful expression. "If that Blood Dao Golden Core originated from the Two Instruments Sect, then this matter is indeed not simple!"

The old bird recalled the Ten Thousand Souls Banner and the various blood techniques used by Daoist Peng, and slowly said, "Back then, when Shen Lingfeng returned to the capital from Shannan Circuit, he told me that he had discovered that the Two Instruments Sect and the border areas were lawless and allowed the barbarians to grow bigger in order to supply the Evil Cultivator cultivators in the sect with Blood Qi."

This is a heinous matter, but to be fair, in this remote border region, far from the emperor's reach, how many families haven't done such things?! It's just that this Daoist Peng's blood magic is truly exaggerated; the number of lives he's taken is probably too many even for him to count!

Kang Dabao's heart sank. He had come to the Fei Household to play it safe, hoping to easily obtain the Golden Core with the help of his elders. But after hearing what Fei Tianqin said and remembering that the fellow was in Pingrong County, he immediately became much more nervous.

"You're quite the filial son, aren't you? You put a piece of fatty meat right in front of your mouth without even testing if it's too hot before picking it up and offering it as a tribute."

Sect Leader Kang Da wasn't sure if the old bird's words were praise or criticism, and was pondering how to respond when Fei Tianqin decisively declared, "Distribute manpower for a thorough search! Dig three feet into the ground and find him! We absolutely cannot allow him to be found and taken back by the Two Instruments Sect before him!"