Chapter 67

As the Danque carriage entered Longdui City, the Mountain Demon saw the Ji Mo family’s insignia on the carriage frame from afar.

“The master is back. Open the city gates.”

He waved his hand, and the city gate captain, Xiang Yuquan, received the order. After being closed for a full day and night, the gates of Longdui City slowly creaked open.

However, the guards on the city walls did not relax.

On the contrary, everyone knew that the arrival of the newly-appointed Ji Mo family head, a young leader, was only the opening act for what was to come.

On the city walls, half of the guards were demons who had received the orders from the Xiang Li family’s head the previous night, taking control of Longdui City. Their orders were stamped with the family head’s seal, leaving no room for doubt. The news of Xiang Li Shen’s death at the hands of the Ji Mo family head had already spread throughout Longdui City, and everyone knew it was a major turning point in the city’s power struggle.

Family rivalries and the upheaval of power were not uncommon in chaotic times, but what was rare was that the methods of the Ji Mo family head seemed… unorthodox for a noble family.

Xiang Yuquan anxiously watched the Mountain Demon’s departing figure.

Like many of the citizens of Longdui City, he couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of unease about the city’s future.

The Mountain Demon, however, had none of these concerns.

His mission was simple: to secure the defenses of Longdui City both inside and out before the arrival of the Lord and Lady. He could only ensure that the demons under his command and the Xiang Li cultivators brought from Taiping City wouldn’t initiate any chaos within the city.

What the citizens were pondering was outside his scope of consideration.

“Lord, Lady.”

The Mountain Demon jumped into the already cramped Danque carriage.

The ghostly woman, wedged between Lan Zhu and the Mountain Demon, was almost squished flat.

She barely managed to poke her head out from between the two of them: “So—squeezed—!”

“Where is it crowded? Just bear with it.”

The mountain demon glanced at her, then said to Liuyu and Mo Lin:

“This morning, I dispatched two hundred monsters from Dragon Sparrow City again. However, to avoid frightening the civilians, I discussed it with Wu Zhi. He and the cultivators from the Xiang Li family went to patrol the city, while the monsters guard the city gates. The situation is roughly under control. Now, the lord and lady want to go to the Xiang Li family’s district, or somewhere else?”

Mo Lin asked, “Do you have a map of Dragon Dui City?”

“Yes.”

The mountain demon pulled out a map from his sleeve and handed it to Mo Lin.

Mo Lin rested his elbow on his knee, unfolded the map, and quickly scanned it. He then handed it to Liuyu.

“South of Dragon Dui City are twenty districts, and to the north are fifty-five districts, with five to six thousand households. The Demon Ghost Great Wall in this area, apart from the bronze city of the Shentu family east of Luoshui, Dragon Dui City is the largest city west of Luoshui. Since you’re entering for the first time, it wouldn’t hurt to personally patrol the city and intimidate the people.”

Liuyu thought for a moment and nodded. She lifted the curtain and ordered someone to call for Xiang Li Hua Lian and Xiang Li Ju from the Danque carriage behind them.

“Tonight, we must welcome guests, but we should first clean up both the interior and exterior of the residence so that it’s presentable when the guests arrive. We don’t want to give them something to laugh about. After all, I’m an outsider, and only you two, along with Old Granny Mu, know where the filth is hidden in your own home. Is that okay?”

Xiang Li Hua Lian, who had been following Liuyu for some time, had learned a few things and, though unsure, was eager to try and do her best. She agreed to the task.

Xiang Li Ju, having grown up in Dragon Dui City, was uneasy, knowing there would likely be bloodshed at his home that day. But what made him even more uneasy were the words Xiang Li Hua Lian had said earlier.

—Although our Xiang Li family has been researching agricultural Dao for a hundred years, and even if the classics are no longer a secret, we still have an advantage over outsiders, but who can say if a few geniuses from other families might emerge from the common people and take over our Xiang Li family’s old trade?

—For Miss Ji Mo, as long as someone has the ability, it doesn’t matter who they are, but for us, it’s different. We must find a way to win Miss Ji Mo’s favor. Only then will it benefit our entire family.

Of course, it would also benefit Xiang Li Hua Lian herself in solidifying her position.

In her time with Liuyu, she had fully understood the joy of holding power—ordering others to do things, with countless people trying to guess her preferences every day. No addiction could compare to this feeling.

Now, she was determined to find her place beside Miss Ji Mo, to gain her trust, and never return to the days of being imprisoned and coerced.

—Look at that demon ghost by Miss Ji Mo’s side. Its status is so low, yet it still receives her favor. Your looks are not worse than his. If you can earn her affection, your future will certainly be bright.

As soon as Xiang Li Ju heard this, his face turned red, and he stammered in objection, “A gentleman would not serve others with his appearance.”

But as soon as he heard Xiang Li Hua Lian mention the full text of The Complete Book of Immortal Agriculture, he fell silent.

How great a temptation was that?

Moreover…

Xiang Li Ju secretly glanced at Liuyu.

Miss Ji Mo, who had managed to escape unscathed from the siege of the Ji Fang and Shentu families, and even took Dragon Dui City, her abilities and temperament were rare in the world, not to mention she was so young…

After Old Granny Mu took Xiang Li Hua Lian and Xiang Li Ju away, Liuyu lowered the carriage curtain.

Originally discussing the deployment along the way with the mountain demon, Mo Lin suddenly asked:

“Do we really need to use Xiang Li Ju?”

Liuyu, a bit surprised, responded:

“The Xiang Li family sent him out, so he must have some ability and status. He doesn’t seem hard to control, so why not use him?”

“It’s nothing.”

Mo Lin recalled the few glances he had stolen at Liuyu earlier, feeling displeased.

“He’s too ugly. I can’t stand the sight of him.”

…What kind of reason is that?

Liuyu didn’t think much of it, attributing it to Mo Lin’s irritation from earlier when dealing with Ji Fang Shao Geng.

She chuckled lightly:

“He’s not that ugly. It’s just that I’ve been tasting fine delicacies every day, so I really can’t get used to plain porridge and simple dishes.”

Fang Fuzang glanced at the demon ghost master. Although he didn’t say anything, the latter’s brows visibly relaxed.

Training tigers and wolves was like training house dogs.

For his young lady, life was truly as easy as flipping her hand.

Once the guard arrangements were made, Liuyu and her group formally entered Dragon Dui City.

News of the arrival of the head of the Ji Mo family spread throughout the city via numerous jade slips even before they reached the city gates.

In Dragon Dui City, there were more than a dozen major and minor clans, along with their subordinates.

Under Xiang Li Shen’s rule, their lives had never been easy. Now, with a seemingly unknown Ji Mo family taking over, and with rumors of them having demons as subordinates, anyone who heard it couldn’t help but feel that their lives were about to get worse than before.

“…This Ji Mo Gui, no one knows where he came from. If it weren’t for Young Master Ji Fang of the Ji Fang family checking the immortal dao records and confirming that such a family really exists, people would suspect they were just commoners mixed in.”

Sitting in the best spot on Jialan Street, the third son of the Shangguan family, Shangguan Zhou, slowly waved his waist fan and clicked his tongue in amazement.

“Using demon ghosts as proper subordinates and guards, that’s unheard of.”

“Yeah,” said the fifth lady of the Beigong family, Beigong Ying, “Using them as death warriors or mercenaries is fine, but making them enter the main hall, or even giving them a proper husband’s title, is truly disgraceful for a noble family—does she think everyone can be like Yinshan Liuyu?”

Beigong Ying turned to look at the Shentu family’s Shi Ying.

“My father said that Miss Shi Ying met this Ji Mo Gui before the Taiping City incident. What’s his background? Is he really a young cultivator under twenty from the eighth realm?”

Upon hearing this, several noble youth seated on the second floor turned their gaze toward Shi Ying.

The woman in red, dressed in a tight outfit, had a serious look in her eyes as she recalled meeting the woman at the Lantern Festival in Taiping City months ago, along with the demon ghost by her side.

At that time, how could she have imagined that the once obscure Ji Mo clan would, within a few months, take two wealthy cities one after another, even acquiring the prized “Complete Book of Immortal Agriculture” from the Xiang Li clan?

“…I only had a few words with someone in front of an archery stall, nothing deep, and I don’t even know if their appearance was genuine.”

Shentu Shiying recalled the glowing arrow incident, where the demon was not good at archery, but managed to significantly increase their strength within just a few shots. His expression became serious.

“However, the strength should be real.”

With such powerful subordinates, Ji Mo Gui herself must be formidable as well.

Moreover, these aristocratic families were far from the border, and their information was not timely. They didn’t know that news of Zhong Li Lingzhao and Jiu Fang Shaogeng being defeated by Ji Mo Gui had already spread in Xian Du Yu Jing (the Immortal Capital).

Zhong Li Lingzhao was such a proud person.

With an arrogant disposition and the capital to back it up, she had just won first place in both the spring and summer tests in Ling Yong, only to be defeated by a little-known girl from a small family.

The news had spread all over Xian Du Yu Jing, especially by those who had been defeated by Miss Zhong Li.

Zhong Li Lingzhao’s personality had offended far more people than the former Yin Shan Liu Yu.

In the past, when Yin Shan Liu Yu married into Jiu You, she and her maidens had been very proud. But now, more people were waiting to see Zhong Li Lingzhao’s downfall.

Since returning to the Zhong Li family, it was said that she had kept herself shut away, not meeting anyone.

The only message that had leaked was that she had notified the Shentu clan to cooperate with Jiu Fang Shaogeng to stop Ji Mo Gui from taking Long Dui City. However, it had been interrupted by Nan Gong Yao and ended inconclusively.

Shentu Shihian could hardly imagine what the proud aristocratic girl would look like in such a situation.

“—I don’t believe it.”

Bei Gong Ying retorted sharply, her face radiating with determination and brilliance.

“Yin Shan Liu Yu is only at the peak of the seventh realm. She’s from a backwater place like Long Que City; she probably hasn’t even been to Xian Du Yu Jing. How could she have the strength of the eighth realm before she’s twenty? I don’t believe it.”

Leaning on the railing, Shangguan Zhou looked towards the end of the Kalanda Avenue.

“Believe it or not, we’ll know when we see it—here comes the Ji Mo clan.”

Everyone turned their gaze in the direction of the sound, seeing a golden palanquin coming from Zhan Ming Bridge. Leading the way were black-armored knights, followed by demons in a formation, a large procession that could number nearly a hundred. They didn’t head towards the area where the Xiang Li clan was but seemed to intend to pass through Kalanda Avenue and inspect the city.

“Just as the rumors said.”

Shangguan Zhou sighed.

“The black armored knights leading the way are from the former Yin Shan Qi’s subordinates. The ones guarding the palanquin with twin swords are from the Fang family, who once served the Jiu Fang clan. And then there’s Xiang Li Hua Lian, who created the Infinite Sea. Ji Mo Gui really is all-embracing, not picky at all.”

“However…”

Suddenly, Shentu Shihian, who had been silent, spoke.

“This Miss Ji Mo is willing to publicly share part of the ‘Complete Book of Immortal Agriculture’ tonight at the banquet. I must say, it’s quite admirable.”

Everyone’s gaze shifted toward him.

Coming to his senses, Shentu Shihian spoke somewhat embarrassedly.

“What I mean is, despite using demons which is certainly damaging to the clan’s reputation, she is open about these texts and techniques, without hiding anything. She has the courage to employ talent regardless of background, which reminds me of the righteous, bold spirit of Ji Yu, the respected teacher from Ling Yong.”

“You’d better pray that she’s just short-handed and not actually some genius strategist.”

Shentu Shiying stared at the approaching figure, thinking about the orders from Xian Du Yu Jing.

Otherwise, the Shentu clan could not tolerate her.

As they were chatting, Shangguan Zhou suddenly looked up, his gaze fixed on a rooftop across the street.

“That’s—” He realized, and his hand froze, “Someone is trying to ambush Ji Mo Gui in the street!”

At the same time, Liuyu on the Zhan Ming Bridge sensed the sudden surge of killing intent. She saw Mo Lin and Wu Zhi riding ahead, tightening their reins instantly, ready to fight in their demon form.

But Liuyu’s mind raced, and she suddenly realized what was happening.

“All demons, stay your hands!”

She was no stranger to such tactics.

Just like the day when the Jade-Faced Spider forced Chao Ming to act in the streets of Jiu You, those intending to ambush them in broad daylight now were likely trying to show the public a scene of demons fighting in the streets as Ji Mo Gui entered Long Dui City.

The common people didn’t care who the city lord was; any family that ruled them made no difference.

But demons were different.

Even Liuyu had once found it uncomfortable to witness demons fighting, not to mention the unarmed citizens. If this caused panic and the people spread bad rumors, it would severely hinder Ji Mo Gui’s control over Long Dui City.

But everything happened too fast.

Some demons, quick to react, were already preparing to strike, but as Mo Lin turned around to stop the other demons, the situation before Kalanda Avenue suddenly changed—

The killing intent disappeared.

Shentu Shiying stood up abruptly from his seat and quickly walked to the railing.

Looking out, he saw blood droplets falling from the rooftop.

The black-robed figure, who had appeared out of nowhere, seemed to have materialized in front of their eyes. Below him were over a dozen elite assassins, who died instantly without a struggle, their bodies falling without pain.

The black-robed figure bent down to pick up the wine jug he had placed on the tiles, casually drinking it.

Shangguan Zhou was stunned. “That wine jug… it looks like it’s from our shop.”

He pulled aside the bamboo curtain.

Sure enough, the spot next to them only had spirit herbs and no wine jug.

The ability to kill these assassins so quickly meant that the force they used to isolate the conversation earlier must have been like air to him.

“He must have heard everything,” Shangguan Zhou smiled wryly. “If my father finds out that I spoke ill of Miss Jimo behind her back, and that she caught me, I’ll definitely get a good beating when I get back.”

Shentu Shiying glanced at him.

The one who truly couldn’t avoid a beating for failing to stir up trouble in Longdui City was her, not him.

Liuyu was also stunned for a moment by the sudden changes.

After regaining her composure, she didn’t look at the black-robed person but instead lifted the light veil of the sedan and addressed the red figure on the building above:

“Is that Miss Shentu from the Shentu Clan?”

From the upper floor to the lower, their gazes met. Liuyu smiled slightly.

“It’s been a long time since we last met. I must apologize for the earlier misstep, Miss Shentu. Last time we parted, I wonder if you’ve been practicing your archery? If you’re feeling itchy for a challenge, we’re always happy to accompany you.”

The gazes of various nobles in the building flickered between the two.

Practicing archery? Could it be that they had competed before?

Hadn’t they just casually chatted last time? Why hadn’t this been mentioned before?

Shentu Shiying looked at Liuyu for a moment and then replied with a forced smile, “Of course.”

—-

Inside the Xiangli residence in Longdui City.

After passing through several gates and arriving at a waterside pavilion, Liuyu instructed Xiangli Hualian to dismiss the others and had the ghost girls guard the perimeter. Then, she turned to the black-robed figure behind her.

“I knew it. The only one capable of instantly killing those ambushers in such a short time is you, Uncle.”

The black-robed person laughed heartily, slowly removing his hood. He reached out with a broad hand and ruffled Liuyu’s hair.

“Last time I saw you, you were just a child. How did you grow into such a beautiful young lady so quickly?”

Mo Lin, who was sitting under the pavilion, studied the man before them.

Compared to the fierce and imposing figure he had seen outside Longdui City, Nan Gongyao now appeared much gentler, his face kind and resembling a regular elder.

Mo Lin’s eyes darkened as he stared at the man’s hand.

Liuyu had allowed him to ruffle her hair.

Normally, if he even accidentally touched her hair when it was styled, she would get upset.

Liuyu helplessly said, “I wasn’t really a child last time; it was just three years ago.”

“How can you not be a child?” Nan Gongyao rubbed his chin. “You insisted on challenging me, and after losing, you pretended to be fine, but then went off and cried by yourself. Your mother was upset with me for a whole day because of that.”

Liuyu was taken aback.

“…That was a long time ago.”

“Exactly, you were just a child back then, you don’t remember.”

Nan Gongyao settled into the seat across from Mo Lin and looked up at her.

“But now you’ve really grown up. Before coming here, your mother and the elders of the Yinshan Clan mentioned your situation here, and I was a bit surprised. No matter how I listened, it didn’t seem like our little lady who only cares about cultivation would do such things.”

Although he hadn’t grown up with Liuyu like Nan Gongjing, Nan Gongyao still knew her nature well.

This niece of his had no interest in the winding affairs of the clan. She was focused solely on her cultivation. However, the clan members believed she was a fine piece of jade and took great care in her upbringing, not allowing her to be bothered by trivial matters.

Nan Gongyao believed that girls should experience hardships and see the wickedness of the world in order to grow into strong individuals, rather than being carefully nurtured like the delicate flowers of the Jiufang Clan.

The so-called golden thread jade was merely a delicate appearance, devoid of spirit. Nan Gongyao had always disliked that approach.

But after hearing Liuyu’s actions in the short months since arriving from Zhongzhou and Yujing, he couldn’t help but grow suspicious. She seemed to have changed so quickly.

His gaze flickered over Mo Lin before returning to Liuyu.

“Has all this effort been because you’ve suffered some injustice?”

Hardships were to help someone grow, but if someone had been wronged, that was a different matter.

“There’s been a huge injustice.”

Liuyu sat between Nan Gongyao and Mo Lin, resting her chin on her hand and asking, “We agreed to pretend, but why did you go so hard on me? You’re the top in the Nine Realms, Uncle. You shouldn’t have been so harsh.”

Mo Lin’s long lashes fluttered.

His emerald eyes seemed to ripple like a stone thrown into a pond.

“This isn’t being harsh. Your husband’s been putting in a lot of effort to act this out, and I, the top in the Nine Realms, am just doing my part. And your husband is the Demon Ghost Lord who burned the colorless city.”

Nan Gongyao’s gaze shifted between Mo Lin and Liuyu, and when he saw that Mo Lin didn’t appear weak, he silently admired him.

“That’s a fine young man. When I saw your injuries that day, I thought you’d be bedridden for at least a month, but the recovery of demon ghosts really is quicker than humans. Still, you should rest up. Those injuries looked pretty severe.”

He feared that if things weren’t careful, his niece might end up a widow, but this young man seemed completely unafraid.

Mo Lin’s expression softened slightly at those words.

Nan Gongyao, unlike the elders of the Yinshan Clan, didn’t seem to look down on him at all. It was as if… he truly regarded him as Liuyu’s husband.

Not as a demon ghost, but just her husband.

“…It’s no big deal. Thank you… for your concern, Senior.”

Before Mo Lin could finish speaking, Nan Gongyao waved his hand.

“Senior? You should call me ‘Uncle’ just like Liuyu does—oh, and here’s something for you.”

Nan Gongyao pulled out a small bag of mustard seeds, and Liuyu raised an eyebrow, tilting her head with a smile.

“Ah, so there’s a fee for changing what I call you?”

“Fee? What fee?” Nan Gongyao tapped Liuyu on the forehead and said, “When we left Yujing, some elders asked me to bring this to you. These are the books for the Immortal Dao Academy and Ghost Dao Academy that you wanted, as well as some ancient spirit herbs. You can have the people of the Xiangli Clan refine them into pills to help you break through, and…”

He then took out a small box, which was intended for Mo Lin.

“This… The clan elders said it was for Mo Lin. I don’t know what it is,” Liuyu said, her curiosity piqued, while Mo Lin was even more surprised.

What could the elders of the Yinshan clan be giving him?

The lacquered box slowly opened, and a faint, unusual fragrance wafted out.

Inside was a box of dark-colored pills. The purpose of the pills was written on the bottom of the box, but any man with some experience, even if he didn’t use them himself, would be familiar with the scent from seeing others use or buy them.

Nangong Yao showed an expression of surprise as his gaze scanned Mo Lin.

Could it be?

This nephew-in-law of his didn’t look like the type who needed such a thing.

Mo Lin tapped the box, coldly tugging at the corner of his lips.

“Please, Uncle, pass on my thanks to the clan elders. It’s very considerate, but I won’t be needing it. Thank you.”