The Truth of the Ning Kingdom, the Grandmasters Bow in Submission

With Daoist Lu dead, the Devil Cultivators below fell apart in an instant.

These disciples had never been particularly accomplished cultivators. All they had relied on was Daoist Lu's Peak Qi Refinement cultivation and his infamous soul banner.

Now that their backing had come crashing down, they all scrambled to escape, cursing their parents for not giving them two extra legs.

Earlier, Li Dongping had seen that the household head was protected by treasured armor. With nothing more to worry about, he had turned his full attention to clearing the remaining enemies from the hall.

His pagoda spun in midair, suppressing and killing Devil Cultivators one after another, while his eyes shone with wild delight.

The Seven Luminaries Bright-Subduing Profound Light Pagoda was a weapon of war and slaughter. With Li Chenfeng guarding Subduing Tiger Pass, cultivators rarely came to attack, and large-scale battles of magic were rarer still. Thus, the Law Artifact had lain dormant for a long time.

Now, as Li Dongping wielded it to suppress and kill demons, the Law Artifact's light was instead overjoyed! Its might grew ever more astonishing!

Seeing that all was lost, the Devil Cultivators hurriedly used the Blood Escape Technique. At a time like this, whoever ran slowest would be the scapegoat.

But the moment they darted through the hall doors, they all slammed into an invisible barrier. A golden light flickered within it, appearing and disappearing in the rainy night.

The Devil Cultivators looked up in horror and discovered that the entire imperial palace had long since been shrouded in a grand formation unlike any they had ever seen.

Before they could recover from their despair, Li Zhengjun was already standing atop the hall. He made a formation seal with his hand, unleashing all the power of thunder the grand formation had long been accumulating.

When Li Zhengchen and the other clan elders first designed the grand formation, they had already accounted for combining stormy weather with Altar Thunder talismans. First, thunder talismans would be used to rouse the thunder Qi in the palace and draw the thunderclouds into resonance. Then the grand formation would gather their power, awaiting Li Zhengjun's command to strike.

At Li Zhengjun's command, silver serpents danced wildly and lightning cascaded like a waterfall, illuminating the rain-shrouded palace in an instant.

Thunder rumbled. The Devil Cultivators who had luckily survived the first sweep screamed again and again amid the lightning. Before long, nearly all of them were dead or wounded.

Li Zhengjun stood on the hall's ridge with his hands behind his back, his golden eyes looking down on the Devil Cultivators in the palace. Only after confirming that the last person's life had completely faded did he give a slight nod.

The falling lightning not only struck down the Devil Cultivators throughout the palace, but also swept away the gloom overhead, revealing a vast expanse of brightness.

With the Devil Cultivators wiped out and the black clouds scattered, the light of dawn fell once more on the scarred capital of the Ning Kingdom.

As the saying went, break a nation's long night and return the dawn to its people!

This was the effect Grandfather had wanted; this was the imagery of the Bright Yang Dao!

Li Zhengjun watched from the side without a sound.

By the time the lightning had completely faded, Li Dongping had led his men in clearing the battlefield piece by piece. Daoist Lu and his thirty-seven Devil Cultivator disciples had all been slain; not one had escaped the net.

Once he had confirmed that nothing was amiss, he signaled to Li Yuankai outside the palace.

Li Yuankai withdrew the formation and rode the wind inside, coming straight to Li Zhengjun. Seeing that the lord was unharmed and that, although a few of the ten Li Household members were injured, none had fallen, he breathed a sigh of relief.

He collected and catalogued the Storage Bags and scattered Law Artifacts from the Devil Cultivators one by one. As for their corpses and remnant souls, he handed them all over to Li Dongping.

Li Dongping's pagoda specialized in suppressing demons and evil. The remains of these Devil Cultivators were useless to anyone else, but for the pagoda, they were the finest nourishment.

With everything dealt with and no risk remaining, Li Yuankai came before Li Zhengjun, cupped his hands, and said with a smile:

"My lord, we have wiped out Daoist Lu and all thirty-seven Devil Cultivators!"

Li Zhengjun nodded, then thought of rewarding them according to their merits.

These people had left their homes and livelihoods behind to follow him into another world without looking back. Though they knew there would be no return, not one had hesitated.

They were the pillars of their respective families, and now they were also the first to lay the foundations for the Li Household to take root in another world. If their achievements were overlooked, would that not chill their hearts?

"You have all rendered meritorious service, accomplishing an unparalleled feat in the Li Household's first battle in this world. Once I report to the True Person, you will surely be rewarded according to your merits, and the blessings will extend to your families."

The ten members were all moved. Apart from their wholehearted loyalty to the Lineage, they stood here, willing to leave without returning, for the sake of the families behind them.

If their quiet efforts in another world could earn their parents a greater share of spiritual resources and secure a better future in the clan for their younger siblings and children, then their efforts today would have a purpose.

Even if their families never learned where they had gone, the True Person's commendation would be the best proof that they had not vanished for no reason, but had fought bloody battles in an unknown place for the Lineage's enduring legacy!

Seeing that Li Zhengjun had made proper arrangements for the aftermath, the Fang siblings, who had been hiding in a corner beside the hall, finally led the surviving Grandmasters out in single file. They all fell to their knees.

The two knew that battles of magic between immortals were beyond their level, so after completing their task of disrupting matters, they had hidden to one side.

The lightning that pierced heaven and earth, the golden seal that suppressed ten thousand souls, and the sight of the youth standing at the heart of the thunderstorm with his hands behind his back had been beyond their imagination, leaving them profoundly shaken.

Li Zhengjun's figure had left an indelible mark on both their hearts.

So this is an immortal?! This is how a true man should be!

The Fang siblings were not the only ones deeply shaken. The other Grandmasters were as well.

After the battle of magic began, Fang Yuan had taken everyone into hiding together, for no other reason than that the lord had instructed him to. These Grandmasters might all have Spirit Roots, and all could do their part for the Li Household.

These Grandmasters had already been saved from the Devil Cultivators by Li Zhengjun's grace and held him in reverence. They had never seen immortals battle before, and now, witnessing such extraordinary phenomena between heaven and earth, they were already frightened out of their wits.

Fang Yuan was the first to prostrate himself, touching his forehead to the ground and calling out loudly:

"Welcome, Immortal!"

The other Grandmasters woke as if from a dream and hurriedly joined his cry. They were all martial artists with vigorous Qi and Blood, and when they shouted together, their voices rumbled faintly through the imperial city and beyond.

"Welcome, Immortal!"

Outside the hall, some of the bolder capital residents had already gathered, following the pillar of light and thunder that had surged into the sky.

From afar, they saw the palace gates standing wide open and a group of Grandmasters kneeling before the youth, calling out to him.

Some who were a little braver crept closer. When they heard that the people inside were meeting an immortal, their legs immediately went weak. They prostrated themselves on the ground, not daring to breathe loudly.

Li Zhengjun waved a hand, and a flowing breeze lifted everyone to their feet.

"Yang Xun, emperor of the Ning Kingdom, colluded with Devil Cultivators and deceived the common people for eighteen years. The Cultivation Methods you practice are all Devil Cultivation Methods, intended only to raise your Qi and Blood to its peak so the Devil Cultivators could refine you into human pills. My Li Household passed through this place and discovered traces of demons. Unable to bear seeing the people sink into a sea of suffering, we have slain all the Devil Cultivators. From this day forward, my Li Household will remain here and pass down the true immortal Dao until it flourishes in this land."

These Grandmasters had all seen those inhumanly cruel methods with their own eyes, so they knew Li Zhengjun was telling the truth.

But having just endured eighteen years of deception at the hands of the Devil Cultivators, they could hardly help feeling doubtful when Li Zhengjun suddenly said he would spread the Dao here.

Could this be another deception? Had they merely traded one immortal for a more powerful one to trick them?

Li Zhengjun took in every change in their expressions and did not blame them.

After being deceived by cultivators for eighteen whole years, anyone would have reservations. It was not their fault.

He waved his sleeve, and the light of dawn shone upon everyone.

The Grandmasters felt warmth spread through their bodies. The cold, sinister Qi that had stagnated within them for years was slowly forced out by the light, turning into wisps of black smoke that dissipated into the air.

They could clearly sense that their once sluggish Qi and Blood now flowed more freely than ever before. Even the hidden injuries and lingering aches left by years of martial practice seemed to ease.

"My body... feels lighter!"

"That black Qi... could it be the devil Sha the immortal spoke of?"

The Grandmasters looked at one another, their eyes filled with shock.

Only after seeing that most of the devil Qi in their bodies had dispersed did Li Zhengjun speak:

"Yuankai, pass down my instructions. Have the clan members test these martial artists for Spirit Roots. Once they have been tested, give them three choices."

"First, anyone with a Spirit Root may decide for themselves whether to enter the service of my Li Household and cultivate an Immortal Method. The immortal Dao of my Li Household is upright and honorable. We will never refine people into pills or steal their lifespans as the Devil Cultivators did."

"Second, those unwilling to cultivate, or those without Spirit Roots, may take up assignments and go to the Ning Kingdom's various commanderies on behalf of my Li Household to eliminate the cultivation methods and devil pills left behind by the Devil Cultivators, and restore peace to the Ning Kingdom. Everyone who takes an assignment will be paid; we will never make you work for nothing."

He paused, then softened his tone a little.

"Third, those who want neither of these will not be forced by my Li Household. You may leave the capital on your own. Whether you go or stay is entirely up to you."

When his words fell, silence filled the hall.

The Grandmasters stood stunned, unable to recover their senses for a moment.

Without that last sentence, they would have thought Li Zhengjun was merely trying to deceive them by different means.

First speaking of eliminating Devil Cultivation Methods, then discussing cultivation of an Immortal Method—it would have been nothing more than a cleverer way to win them over.

But this young immortal had first shown them kindness by clearing the devil Sha from their bodies, then openly allowed them to leave of their own accord, making no attempt to detain them.

This... this was the bearing of a true immortal! The conduct of an immortal!

Fang Yuan looked around and saw the doubts gradually fading from everyone's eyes. His own heart surged with emotion.

The immortal did not break his word, he did not break his word! He said before that seeing the weak and not saving them was against his principles, and now he has truly done it! He truly means to restore light to the people of the Ning Kingdom!

He took a deep breath and was the first to step forward.

"The Ning Kingdom has suffered under the Devil Cultivators for far too long! The people are still being poisoned by devil methods and evil drugs. Who knows how many families have been destroyed and lives lost! I, your disciple Fang Yuan, am willing to go forth in the immortal's service, eradicate the poison left in every commandery, and restore a bright and clear world to the people of my Ning Kingdom!"

Before he had finished speaking, several Grandmasters behind him stepped forward in response.

"I have practiced martial arts all my life, believing I was serving my country. Who would have thought I was practicing a devil method and serving a foolish ruler! Immortal, you slew the devils, dispelled the miasma, and saved us from fire and water. Though I am old, I can still wield a blade. I am willing to go with Grandmaster Fang and atone for my eighteen years of sin!"

"My life belongs to the immortal! I am ready to carry out your orders, even if I must die ten thousand deaths!"

Everyone knelt and begged to be given a task. Not one was willing to take the third path.

After all, these people had come to the capital in the first place to seek immortality and the Dao. Moreover, as men and women of the jianghu, they repaid kindness and settled grudges freely, and each carried a fervent desire to help the world. Even if Li Zhengjun had not mentioned it, they would have gone to clear away the poison left by the devil path.

"Immortal, please test our Spirit Roots!"

Their cries shook the heavens.

Li Zhengjun, however, did not immediately agree. His gaze passed over the kneeling crowd and settled on one person.

Dressed in close-fitting martial attire, the man was huddled behind the other martial artists with his head lowered. It was Yang Xun, emperor of the Ning Kingdom.

Li Dongping followed Li Zhengjun's gaze and gave a cold snort. He grasped at the air with one hand, lifting Yang Xun into the air from a distance.

Yang Xun flailed his limbs in terror and screamed again and again, "Immortal, spare me! Immortal, please spare me!"

Li Zhengjun's face was as cold as frost, and his voice was measured.

"Yang Xun, how do you have the face to be here?"

Tears and snot streamed down Yang Xun's face. He put on a look of utter innocence and spoke in a plaintive voice:

"Immortal, see the truth! Those devils forced me to do it! How could a mere mortal like me resist immortals? Besides... besides, under my rule, Great Ning has enjoyed peace and stability! Those devils only know how to cultivate. What do they know of governing the people and keeping the realm at peace?"

How could Li Zhengjun fail to hear the implication hidden in those words?

He was merely hinting that he was still useful for governing mortals and keeping the realm stable, hoping to cling to his life.

Unfortunately, he had miscalculated. He was facing the Li Household, a Purple Mansion immortal clan.

It was a colossus with six hundred years of experience governing its clan, and its ranks were filled with talent. Any steward picked at random would be a hundred times better than the ruler of his tiny kingdom.

"The Devil Cultivators may have needed you, but my Li Household does not. Yang Xun, do not think that the Devil Cultivators' deaths mean there is no one left to testify against you. Back then, you were the one who went to them with a plan, proposing to use the 'Grandmaster palace examination' as a pretext to select martial artists with abundant Qi and Blood for them, in exchange for a chance to live. For eighteen years, you not only indulged the Devil Cultivators in refining pills, but also fabricated lies about threats at the border and falsified military reports. How many of the Ning Kingdom's sons did you trick into going to their deaths at the frontier? Those soldiers who 'fell on the battlefield' were actually handed over by you to the Devil Cultivators, becoming sacrifices for their blood refinement of devil methods!"

Yang Xun's face turned deathly pale. He had thought that with the Devil Cultivators all dead, the truth would be buried with them. How could he have expected this immortal to know every detail of his past?

In an instant, the crowd erupted in fury.

"My father died on the frontier! I paid my respects to him every year, believing he had been wrapped in his horsehide and given his life for his country... I never imagined that a beast like you had tricked him into becoming blood food!"

"Six heroes of my Yang family all 'died fighting for their country'! And this is the truth of it! You dog! You dog! I'll cut you into a thousand pieces, flay you alive!"

"My brother went off to war back then. Before he left, he told me to take good care of our parents... It's been eighteen years, and I never even found his bones. So that was what happened..."

The crowd was in an uproar, curses and wails rising one after another. Had Li Zhengjun not yet spoken, the Grandmasters would already have rushed forward and torn Yang Xun to pieces.

For years, the people of the Ning Kingdom had lived in deep water and scorching fire. Yet whenever they thought of the soldiers fighting bloody battles at the frontier to defend their homes and country, they felt that, however bitter life was, they could grit their teeth and endure it.

But... but in the end, the truth was this cruel!

Taking the opportunity, Li Yuankai compiled Jiang Cheng's previously prepared confession into booklets and distributed them among the Grandmasters.

It was the confession extracted from Jiang Cheng with a Heart-Questioning Talisman, every incident recorded in infuriating detail.

After reading it, the Grandmasters' eyes nearly split with rage!

Seeing that the time was ripe, Li Zhengjun drew his sword.

Luminous Brightness flashed, and Yang Xun's head was severed before he could even scream.

With Yang Xun dead, a trace of disappointment appeared in Li Zhengjun's eyes.

The ruler of the Ning Kingdom had not even condensed a trace of fortune.

Still, it did not matter. Such a foolish ruler did not deserve it anyway.

He sheathed his sword and thought no more of it. Establishing the Lineage in the Ning Kingdom was the proper course now.

"The Devil Cultivators and this foolish ruler have all been slain! Yuankai, test these martial artists for Spirit Roots. Anyone who has one may join my Li Household and cultivate!"