"Using evil spirits as cattle and sheep, using Qingzhou as a pasture, using common people as grass people, establishing harsh laws and severe punishnts."
Li Tianqing said softly, "Grass people violate the penal code, evil spirits eat people, refining evil spirits into dicinal fertilizer, dicinal fertilizer nurtures spiritual herbs, spiritual herbs mature to extend lifespan. The foremost philanthropist of Qingzhou is truly the greatest philanthropist indeed."
He felt an indescribable grief and indignation in his heart.
The heavens and earth of the Western Ox New Continent were deficient, causing cultivators to only increase their cultivation base without extending their lifespan when they practiced.
Spiritual elixirs and miraculous dicines also had very limited effects on lifespan enhancent.
Thus, this kind of business erged: using ordinary people to feed evil spirits, evil spirits devouring the essence energy and spirit souls of ordinary people, gathering them together, transforming them into fertilizer that spiritual herbs could absorb.
Extracting this kind of fertilizer from evil spirits to top-dress the spiritual herbs.
Chen Shi thought deeply and said, "Eating people is necessary to beco superior people. But eating people is too slow, and it damages one's hidden virtue. It's better to let evil spirits eat people, spiritual herbs eat evil spirits, superior people eat spiritual herbs—that's much faster."
Li Tianqing looked at those sentient spiritual herbs in the spiritual plot and asked, "How is the dicinal fertilizer obtained?"
Luan Disheng said, "For evil spirits with physical forms, use this kind of needle to extract their heart blood; for those without physical forms, use this treasure gourd to extract the essence energy within their bodies."
He took out a silver needle and a treasure gourd.
After the silver needle was activated, it rapidly enlarged, about two chi long, with so complex talismans inscribed on the needle tip and shaft, all talismans for refining innate essence energy into dicine. Once the innate essence energy was refined, it would be collected into the needle hole.
To forge the silver needle, one must first take a silver rod about two chi long, polish it into the shape of a needle, inscribe the talismans, then burn incense day and night to worship it, nourish it with qi and blood, gradually making it sentient, capable of changing size.
The other treasure gourd was a copper gourd; when activated, it was half a person's height, with so talismans for seizing spirit souls and innate essence energy drawn on the gourd's exterior and interior walls.
This refined innate essence energy was the fertilizer required for spiritual herb growth.
Using people directly as fertilizer was also possible, but dozens of people would need to be buried under each spiritual herb, and every few days, a few more people would need to be buried. First, it was troubleso; second, it easily damaged the roots and stems of the spiritual herbs; third, it damaged hidden virtue, so Master Wan did not do it this way.
"Luan Disheng, who are the harvested spiritual herbs sold to?" Chen Shi asked.
Luan Disheng said, "I don't know either. I'm only responsible for growing the herbs."
He hesitated for a mont and said, "Near the end of each year, Master Wan sends people to extract the spiritual herbs. Presumably, soone cos to buy the herbs then."
"How many acres of spiritual plots? How many spiritual herbs?"
"Twenty-one acres. Five hundred and forty-two spiritual herbs."
Chen Shi nodded lightly; the number of spiritual herbs was slightly less than he had estimated, but this number exceeded what Qingzhou should have!
Spiritual herbs were not rare; many places in the mountains with abundant spiritual energy grew spiritual herbs. But too many cultivators harvested spiritual herbs, causing the number of long-aged spiritual herbs to beco fewer and fewer, and those spiritual herbs that had beco spirits were even rarer!
For example, in Xinxiang Province, most spiritual herbs that had beco spirits were concentrated in Qianyang Mountain, at most a hundred, maybe even only a few dozen!
Qingzhou did not have a place with abundant spiritual energy like Qianyang Mountain, so the number of spiritual herbs that had beco spirits would only be fewer.
Yet here alone, there were five hundred and forty-two!
These spiritual herbs that had beco spirits were clearly gathered from various places across the Western Ox New Continent, not solely from Qingzhou!
The value of such spiritual herbs that could extend a cultivator's lifespan went without saying; they could extend the lives of powerful figures from great clans. Therefore, great clans also treasured them and would never buy them with money.
The Wan family did not have the ability to find so many spiritual herbs from various places across the Western Ox New Continent.
Li Tianqing reached out and grabbed a He Shou Wu doll, asking, "How long can one such spiritual herb extend lifespan?"
Luan Disheng said, "Spiritual herbs are rare; they are not directly consud but have their essence extracted. Every year, special people co to extract the essence from the spiritual herbs. I heard people from the Wan Estate say that high-quality spiritual herbs can increase lifespan by two to three years. But the sa kind of spiritual herb cannot be used too much; using it too much becos ineffective. One must use essences extracted from different spiritual herbs to prolong life and extend years."
Li Tianqing frowned slightly, "Only two to three years?"
Exhausting all effort, using people as grass, evil spirits as sheep, refining human spirit souls and essence, yet only able to increase lifespan by two to three years?
Those Polygonatum he discovered in the dicinal field of the Temple of the God of Wealth—taking a random bite could increase lifespan by several decades!
But for other cultivators, increasing lifespan by two to three years was a very significant improvent!
The Ginseng Grass Dolls of Qianyang Mountain were top-tier spiritual herbs; their Ginseng Grass Fruits could only increase lifespan by a few months, while the spiritual herb essence refined using the Wan family's secret thod could increase lifespan by two to three years. For many important figures, this was absolutely a supre divine dicine!
The spiritual herbs of the Western Ox New Continent could not absorb true Three Lights Righteous Energy, so their lifespan enhancent was limited.
However, humans were the spiritual leaders of heaven and earth; after birth, they possessed spirituality, carrying a breath of innate true energy in the womb. Using the human body to refine Great dicine could enhance the dicinal efficacy of spiritual herbs!
As the saying goes, you are what you eat—that's the principle.
Chen Shi looked around and said, "How many kinds of lifespan-extending spiritual herbs are here?"
Luan Disheng said, "Sixty-two kinds."
Chen Shi nodded lightly and said, "Sixty-two kinds, increasing over a hundred years of lifespan—it's indeed a good business."
Luan Disheng hesitated for a mont, gathered his courage, and said, "You two, I've told you everything I know..."
Li Tianqing turned and left without attacking him.
Chen Shi said, "You ambushed Tianqing; Tianqing didn't kill you, and I won't kill you either. If I were you, I would take my wife, children, and elderly, and imdiately leave Qingzhou to avoid being silenced by the Wan family."
Luan Disheng felt a chill in his heart and hurriedly left.
Chen Shi quickly caught up with Li Tianqing. The two walked without a word toward the Temple of the God of Wealth.
When the Temple of the God of Wealth ca into view, Li Tianqing couldn't help but speak up, "Last ti, my grandfather told that around the end of the year, I must return to the Quanzhou Li Family because his great-grandfather, the forr Clan Head, is in seclusion for a life-or-death breakthrough and will erge this ti. This ancestor is two hundred years old and is the highest cultivation existence in the current world. Grandfather asked to go back and pay respects to this ancestor, saying the ancestor would give so benefits."
He paused and said, "Bitter Bamboo tried every thod but couldn't live to two hundred years. My family's ancestor has lived two hundred years."
Chen Shi said, "So, you think the force behind the Wan family is your Quanzhou Li Family."
Li Tianqing's expression darkened. He stopped walking and said, "Chen Shi, the end of the year is approaching; my Li Family's envoy should already be in Qingzhou. He will co to take the herbs as tribute for the ancestor. This is my Li Family's matter. When we return to the Temple of the God of Wealth, you should take the temple and leave."
Chen Shi said, "What about you?"
Li Tianqing said, "The mistakes made by my Li Family should be corrected by people from my Li Family. After I et the Li Family's envoy, I will make a decision."
Chen Shi nodded lightly and smiled, "Tianqing, sotis you don't seem like soone from a great clan."
Li Tianqing showed a smile, "My father is from a great clan, but my mother was just a lowly servant who washed clothes for others. So, it's normal that I don't seem like soone from a great clan. Promise , take the Temple of the God of Wealth and leave Qingzhou!"
"Alright!" Chen Shi agreed.
Li Tianqing breathed a sigh of relief. The two entered the Temple of the God of Wealth.
Chen Shi and Li Tianqing imdiately got busy, dismantling this ancient temple bit by bit, then entering the miniature courtyard, piecing it together bit by bit.
Black Pot brought those Polygonatum and aconite to help too, moving bricks and tiles, very diligent.
By the afternoon, the Temple of the God of Wealth had been completely moved by them, leaving only the walls undismantled; even the temple gate had been taken down.
After finishing this, those Polygonatum and aconite burrowed into the fields of the miniature courtyard one by one, each making a nest and sitting in their nests to rest.
Chen Shi placed this courtyard into the Wooden Cart and said to Li Tianqing, "I'll go ahead first."
Li Tianqing bowed deeply to the ground and smiled, "Wishing you, sir, fa throughout the world in next year's palace examination!"
Chen Shi returned the courtesy and smiled, "Both you and I have the talent to be top scholars, but my literary brilliance is even better!"
Li Tianqing laughed heartily, stood up, and watched him get on the cart.
The Wooden Cart went far away.
Li Tianqing stood in place, waited for a long ti, then turned and headed toward Qingzhou City.
On the way, he plucked a handful of leaves, blew on them, and the leaves flew up one after another, transforming into green birds that flew toward Qingzhou City.
Not long after, he entered Qingzhou City and arrived at the Wan Estate. At this mont, the porridge shed at the Wan Estate was empty, with many starving people kneeling in front of the gate, kowtowing to thank Master Wan for his benevolent reward. The so-called Wan Family living Buddha was none other than this.
Li Tianqing passed through the crowd and said to the guards at the gate, "I am Li Tianqing of the Quanzhou Li Family, seeking an audience with Master Wan Shide."
Upon hearing this, the guards looked at his face, were startled, recognized him as the chief bandit on the wanted list, and couldn't help but tremble.
Li Tianqing took out the Li Family token and said, "Take this token to see your master; he will understand upon seeing it."
The guards did not dare delay and hurried inside to report.
A mont later, the Wan Estate steward hurried over, all smiles, returned the token to Li Tianqing, and said with a smile, "Provincial Graduate Li, please co inside quickly!"
Li Tianqing nodded lightly and followed him into the Wan Estate.
The Wan Estate steward led the way while saying, "The master is still receiving guests in the front hall and cannot get away. Knowing Provincial Graduate Li has co, he is also extrely anxious and ordered to co receive you, apologizing on his behalf."
He led Li Tianqing to the front hall of the Wan Estate. Maidservants and maids ca forward to serve tea and bring dried fruits.
The Wan Estate steward sat on a chair with half his buttocks and said with a smile, "Provincial Graduate Li, your reputation has recently beco illustrious, spreading throughout Qingzhou. Salt Commissioner Lu was also foolish to offend you, provincial graduate; he deserved death."
Li Tianqing shook his head and said, "Commissioner Lu's matter has other hidden circumstances. Tell Master Wan that I ca here to take the longevity dicine."
The Wan Estate steward raised his eyebrows and smiled, "This humble one will go tell the master right away."
He stood up, apologized, and left the front hall.
Not long after, another servant boy ca and said, "The master invites Provincial Graduate Li to the Spring Gown Pavilion."
Li Tianqing followed that servant boy out of the front hall, passed through corridors and elegant doors, went by several gardens and fish ponds, and arrived at the Spring Gown Pavilion.
On both sides of the Spring Gown Pavilion, there were lines of poetry written: "Falling flowers in a leisurely courtyard, leisurely flowers fall; thin gowns sha people, spring gowns thin."
Li Tianqing stood outside the pavilion and looked into the courtyard. He saw several leisurely flowers were at the ti of falling, girls in thin spring gowns were picking petals from the ground in the courtyard.
The enjoynts of masters, he did not understand.
The servant boy said, "Please, Provincial Graduate Li, rest for a while in the Spring Gown Pavilion."
Li Tianqing nodded and entered the pavilion. Incense was burning inside, and a spring-gowned maiden was playing the guqin, slowly and leisurely.
Li Tianqing sat down, eyes observing nose, nose observing heart. He didn't know how much ti passed when a woman's voice ca: "Provincial Graduate Li, the al is ready."
Li Tianqing opened his eyes and saw that outside, the sky was already dark. The pavilion had prepared a al at so unknown ti.
Only Master Wan had still not appeared.
He got up, washed up, and ca to the dining table. A maidservant pulled out a chair and invited him to sit down.
After finishing dinner, Master Wan still had not co. Instead, maidservants were preparing bathing items; petals picked in the afternoon were scattered in the water, emitting fragrance.
Li Tianqing bathed under their service, changed into a new set of clothes prepared by the maidservants, looking completely refreshed.
A maidservant perford a curtsy and said, "Please, provincial graduate, wait a mont."
All the maids and maidservants retreated one after another, leaving only Li Tianqing alone in the Spring Gown Pavilion.
Li Tianqing waited quietly. Suddenly, he heard footsteps coming from outside, accompanied by a loud laugh: "Tianqing, when did you have ti to co to Qingzhou?"
Hearing this voice, Li Tianqing sighed, stood up, his expression gloomy.
The Wan family was indeed an enterprise of the Quanzhou Li Family.
"Tianqing pays respects to Thirteenth Uncle!" He bowed deeply.
A middle-aged man walked into the light of the Spring Gown Pavilion, quickly stepped forward, supported him, and said with a smile, "You are the rising star of my Li Family; the family ancestor repeatedly said he wants to put you in important positions. Get up quickly!"
Li Tianqing stood up.
That middle-aged man was from the Sect Leader lineage of the Quanzhou Li Family, ranked thirteenth, nad Li Xiaoguang, also a person with real power.
Li Tianqing was extrely respectful, invited Li Xiaoguang to sit down, and then sat down himself at an angle.
Li Xiaoguang glanced at him and said with a smile, "I heard from the Wan Estate steward that you ca to see Master Wan also for the longevity dicine? This matter is clearly my responsibility to run errands; when did the family ancestor send you here?"
He smiled slightly and said, "I also just arrived at the Wan family today. I heard you caused quite a stir in Qingzhou, killing several high officials. You, ah, let the family ancestor worry less. This longevity dicine is offered to your great-grandfather; don't inquire too much. After this matter is settled, I'll take you back to Quanzhou."
Li Tianqing couldn't help but say, "Thirteenth Uncle, tell honestly, is the Wan family my Li Family's enterprise?"
Li Xiaoguang laughed out loud, shook his head, and said, "Do you think if my Li Family did such things in Qingzhou, the other twelve great clans wouldn't skin my Li Family alive?"
He extended a finger, tapped the table, and said with a smile, "All thirteen great clans have a share; that's why there won't be trouble. The dicinal fields of Qingzhou are the enterprise of our thirteen great clans, and also the thing that maintains the foundation of our thirteen great clans. Without the Qingzhou dicinal fields, great-grandfather, grandfather, family ancestor—I'm afraid they would have long exhausted their lifespans, and the Li Family would lose nearly half its foundation. To remain prosperous and unshaken forever, without these great venerables overseeing things, how could it be achieved? Wouldn't the world fall into chaos?"
Li Tianqing's face turned pale.
Li Xiaoguang stood up and said, "Now, the dicine envoys of the thirteen great clans have all arrived at the Wan Estate. The trouble you caused, I'll bear it for you. But the matters of Qingzhou must not be spread."
He walked toward the outside of the Spring Gown Pavilion and said, "Tomorrow morning, you should leave. Forget everything that happened here. For your journey to the capital for the imperial examination, I'll have the family head help arrange things for you. Top scholar might not be possible—the top scholar has already been predetermined—but you can still be the second or third place. I was young once too; I know you have so unrealistic fantasies in your mind, but ultimately, you must return to reality."
Li Tianqing sat on the chair like a wooden statue, not seeing him off.
Li Xiaoguang's expression turned cold. Standing outside the pavilion, he said indifferently, "Tonight, your accomplice will co to cause a big disturbance at the Wan Estate. The Wan Estate is fully prepared. Do not step out of the Spring Gown Pavilion; stepping out ans betraying the Li Family! ans becoming an enemy of the thirteen great clans! I don't want the Li Family to lose a first-grade Divine Embryo. Tianqing, don't forget, you have always been a person of the Li Family! Understand?"
Li Tianqing's face grew even paler, his voice hoarse as he said, "Tianqing understands."
Li Xiaoguang left.
After a long ti, Li Tianqing moved slightly, blinked his eyes, and two lines of tears slid from the corners of his eyes.
"This Li Family, and the other great clans, have already decayed like evil spirits!"
He stood up and walked outward with difficulty, each step as if carrying the Five Sacred Mountains.
He finally reached the door of the Spring Gown Pavilion and lifted his foot. If he took this step out, he would be a traitor to the Quanzhou Li Family!
"Staying in the pavilion, spring gowns are thin, but my blue gown is upright, not betraying my heart!"
He clenched his teeth and stepped out of the Spring Gown Pavilion!
Taking this step, he felt the Five Sacred Mountains pressing on him vanish into thin air. He wished he could play the qin and roar loudly to vent the feelings in his chest!
"I cannot let Chen Shi take risks!"
He walked outward with murderous intent. Coming face to face, he saw a servant boy bowing his head, carrying a tray as he walked over.
"The Wan family's tricks, still want to kill ?"
Li Tianqing's eyes flashed with ferocious light. He stepped in front of that servant boy, about to kill him, when that servant boy raised his head and said with a smile, "Tianqing, I've co to bring you the God of Wealth."
Li Tianqing was stunned. He saw that servant boy was none other than Chen Shi, and what was placed on the tray was precisely the miniature courtyard!
The sky was already dark.
The hour of Zi was approaching.
Lord Guan, the Sage Emperor, would at the hour of Zi, wield his blade and ride his horse, kill corrupt officials, slay evil spirits, execute powerful bullies, inspect the underworld courts, and cleave all evil!
Li Tianqing closed his eyes and entered dreamland.
In the dream, the sound of horse neighing ca from the underworld, clip-clop, clip-clop, getting closer and closer!
Li Tianqing turned over and mounted the horse.
Blade, co!
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