Daoist Li spoke with neither humility nor arrogance: “Your Majesty, this humble Daoist wishes to request a favor. May I bring disciples of the Shenxiao Sect—no, not just the Shenxiao Sect, but all Daoists who revere the National Preceptor of Da Xia—to practice Daoism in Da Xia and contribute to the nation’s prosperity?”

Everyone: !!!

Daoist Fang couldn’t believe his ears. This was an attempt to undermine the foundations of the Shenxiao Sect and the Longhu Temple!

He yanked Daoist Li’s sleeve: “Have you gone mad—”

Before he could finish, the fierce look in Daoist Li’s eyes silenced him.

Yuan Ruan: 【Ah… he must know the truth.】

System: 【Exactly. Ah Ruan, you’re amazing! With such a gunpowder expert joining us, once we successfully develop lethal gunpowder artillery, it might be like when we successfully cultivated potatoes—Da Xia’s national fortune +1, +1, +1…! And not just that, with gunpowder artillery, Da Xia will surely win battles, expanding its territory once again. Vacal… Not only will we unlock the next divine ability, but we might even unlock the one after that! Exciting! Ah Ruan, you must get him to join.】

Yuan Ruan: 【…You’re feeding me another grand promise, but I’ll take it! Let me think about how to make this happen!】

The officials: !!!

System, you! You really know how to paint a grand picture!

We haven’t even finished digesting the last grand promise, and now you’re giving us another one!

The court officials all turned to the Emperor: Agree to it! Agree to it!

Emperor: …

The Crown Prince nearly laughed out loud. It seemed Yuan Ruan’s presence had truly relaxed the court officials. Half a year ago, who would dare pressure the Emperor with their eyes?

After a moment of silence, the Emperor said: “Granted.”

Yuan Ruan: 【Yay! Big brother, hugs!】

The court officials: Yay! Your Majesty is amazing!

After the Emperor and his entourage left.

Daoist Fang was still in a daze.

At that moment, he saw Daoist Li, expressionless, beckoning him: “Come here.”

Daoist Fang finally snapped out of it and walked over, growling in a low voice: “Senior Brother, you’ve been away from the Longhu Temple for three years. How can you give orders over my head? Ouch… Hey, why are you hitting me? Ouch, ah… Not the face! Ahhh, help!”

The eunuchs outside closed the door tighter to muffle the noise.

…

Half an hour later, at the Imperial Prison.

A group of Daoists sat upright, their expressions tense, some unable to stop their legs from shaking.

One of them closed his eyes and muttered: “Jade Emperor, Primordial Heavenly Lord, Lingbao Heavenly Lord, Empress of Earth… Please, bless us!”

Someone next to him couldn’t stand the muttering and said: “When praying to gods, quality matters more than quantity. If you call so many gods, they’ll probably start fighting among themselves and won’t have time to care about a mortal like you.”

The muttering Daoist was instantly speechless.

At that moment, the door creaked open, and the Daoists all looked over nervously yet expectantly.

The next second, their pupils dilated in shock, and they exclaimed in unison: “It’s you?! Why are you here?”

It was none other than Daoist Zhou, whom they hadn’t seen for several days.

Daoist Zhou smiled and clasped his hands: “Fellow Daoists, long time no see. I hope you’ve been well?”

One of them gritted his teeth: “You traitor, abandoning us to enjoy your own fortune, how dare you—” Before he could finish, several other Daoists covered his mouth.

At that moment, a Daoist who was on good terms with Daoist Zhou quickly walked over and said: “Fellow Daoist, could you tell us how Da Xia plans to treat us? They can’t keep us locked up forever, can they?”

Daoist Zhou said gently: “Of course not.”

Seeing the relieved expressions on the faces of his fellow Daoists, he dropped another bombshell: “The tyrant of Da Xia wouldn’t keep freeloaders around for long. Most likely, you’ll be executed.”

The Daoists’ pupils dilated in shock: Are these even human words?!

Daoist Zhou continued: “But don’t worry, fellow Daoists. The National Preceptor of Da Xia can manipulate objects from a distance. She is the reincarnation of a great master from our sect. As long as you join our sect, I can naturally take my fellow disciples out.”

The Daoists were speechless. Switching sects was a major taboo, but with their lives on the line, everyone had different thoughts on how to proceed.

Just then, the door opened again.

A familiar, gentle voice rang out: “Since when has Da Xia been so tyrannical? As a citizen of Xia, I’ve never heard of such a thing.”

Hearing the voice, the Daoists seemed to find their pillar of support. Their eyes lit up, and they all stood up:

“Daoist Li! Daoist Li has come to save us!”

“Daoist Li, you’re here! Now I can finally relax!”

“Daoist Li, you’re the reliable one! The three-day promise—only you kept it! Wait, the three-day promise… where’s the other person?”

…

As the Daoists rejoiced, one of them craned his neck and asked the question on everyone’s mind: “Daoist Li, where is Daoist Fang?”

Daoist Li smiled gently: “Daoist Fang may not be able to keep the promise.”

The Daoist was stunned but, seeing Daoist Li’s gentle demeanor, relaxed again, his tone carrying a hint of complaint: “Did Daoist Fang return to the Shenxiao Sect to report first?”

Daoist Li shook his head: “He committed murder and has now been brought to justice.”

The Daoists: ???

What?

The wind must be too loud—they must have misheard.

“Tch.” Daoist Zhou suddenly laughed and looked at the group: “So, fellow Daoists, have you decided to join our Shushan Sect now?”

The Daoists: !!!

What?

Is this a threat?

“Fellow Daoist Zhou, your words are quite inappropriate,” Daoist Li shook his head at Daoist Zhou, then nodded gently to the group: “Daoist Fang’s crimes were committed in the past and have nothing to do with the present.”

The Daoists breathed a sigh of relief.

Daoist Zhou, however, unlike before, didn’t give Daoist Li any face and said with a sharp tone: “Daoist Li, this is Da Xia, not the Longhu Temple. I was the first to recognize and pledge allegiance to the National Preceptor of Da Xia! Don’t think you can boss me around just because of your seniority at the Longhu Temple.”

Daoist Li chuckled meaningfully: “Daoist Zhou, you’re not a citizen of Da Xia. You don’t understand the true power of the National Preceptor of Da Xia.”

Daoist Zhou laughed in anger, pointing at himself: “I don’t understand? Manipulating objects from a distance is the ability of our sect’s great masters. The National Preceptor of Da Xia must be the reincarnation of a great master from our Shushan Sect. How could I not understand? It’s you who doesn’t understand.”

Daoist Li shook his head: “When you recognize yourself as a citizen of Da Xia and climb to the rank of a sixth-grade official, then you can debate with me.”

Daoist Zhou spat disdainfully: “What a joke. Who pursues Daoism for official titles? Just wait—I’ll surely earn the Little National Preceptor’s trust before you do.”

…

As Daoist Li and Daoist Zhou argued, the Daoists initially cheered Daoist Li on. But as they listened, their expressions gradually grew more and more confused.

Wait, this conversation doesn’t seem right!

Daoist Li, aren’t you on our side?

Why do the two of you sound like two dogs fighting over territory, arguing over who is the master’s favorite pet?

This doesn’t seem right!