Chapter 167: Sending the Patriarch

The Young Ancestor’s eyes flickered as he shook his head. “You transformed yourself into an inner demon and planted yourself in her Dao heart. You should know that if she refines you, you will have worked for her benefit.”

“Whether she refines me or I take over her, we will both achieve something as one entity.”

Cult Master Li’s voice replied, “Regardless of the outcome, it’s my choice. When I decided to marry her, I knew deep down that she was my inner demon, a demon that had to be eliminated. Only by eliminating her can I wholeheartedly pursue the Dao and advance further. I ask for your assistance, Master.”

Qin Mu’s heart skipped a beat as he looked at the Young Ancestor.

He had long known that Granny Si harbored a powerful inner demon, so formidable that even Sakya, the staff of Great Thunderclap Monastery, couldn’t refine it.

Only now did he realize that this inner demon was the former Cult Master, Li Tianxing.

Granny Si had killed Li Tianxing, yet he transformed into an inner demon and planted himself in Granny Si’s Dao heart. The two were now vying for control of one body.

Naturally, his inclination was to help Granny Si refine Li Tianxing. However, the Young Ancestor evidently maintained strict impartiality and wouldn’t consider such a bias.

Whether Granny Si refined Li Tianxing or Li Tianxing usurped her body, it would be a favorable outcome for the Young Ancestor, so there was no need for him to intervene.

A moment later, Granny Si returned to her usual self, still smiling, as if nothing had happened.

Qin Mu could tell that the various hall masters and elders of the Sacred Cult did not treat Granny Si well. This was likely because Granny Si had killed Li Tianxing, leaving the Cult without a leader for forty years, causing it to become disorganized and miss many opportunities. Consequently, some harbored resentment towards her.

Granny Si’s main reason for attending the Cult Master’s enthronement ceremony this time was Qin Mu.

She feared that others in the Cult might bully him, so even if it meant enduring their disdain, she had to come and support him. As for whether or not to transmit the Great Unification Cultivation Method, she wasn't concerned; her only concern was Qin Mu.

The Young Ancestor sighed. Granny Si was precisely the type of woman described as a "femme fatale." She was so beautiful that even if she didn't commit evil, others would do so because of her.

This secular world struggled to accommodate such a beauty.

Li Tianxing was worldly, the Young Ancestor was worldly, and others were no exception.

To survive in this mundane world, she could only remain Granny Si, unable to reveal her true appearance or even her real voice.

After the enthronement ceremony, the Young Ancestor called Qin Mu and walked alongside him, introducing the scenery of Sacred Arrival Mountain. This spot was Forgetfulness Terrace, that one was Phoenix Abode, another was World Tower, and yet another was Fish Viewing Pond.

He spoke at length, recounting much of the Heavenly Devil Cult’s past history. Some of its history was ancient, and if he didn't share it, no one would know once he passed away.

"Ancestor," Qin Mu asked, "why is the enthronement of our Sacred Cult’s Master referred to as 'ascending the throne'?"

"Isn't 'ascending the throne' a term only used for emperors?" Qin Mu continued.

The Young Ancestor glanced at him and shook his head, saying, "During our Sacred Cult’s most glorious period, we governed six nations, and the emperors of those six nations were all subjects of our Sacred Cult. For the Sacred Cult Master to use the same term 'ascending the throne' as emperors, it truly showed respect for emperors. Times have changed; now, a nation is the greatest sect. It's difficult for a sect to make everyone its disciple, but a nation can make everyone within its borders its citizen."

Qin Mu pondered thoughtfully.

The Young Ancestor led him up the mountain, saying, "Sacred Arrival Mountain is our Cult's headquarters. Entering it is still difficult for you. This time, you came in because the hall masters of the 360 halls activated their teleportation flags. But as the Sacred Cult Master, how can you not have a way to enter the headquarters independently?"

Qin Mu followed him and saw the Young Ancestor lead him into a large hall on the mountain. The hall's appearance was rather ordinary, lacking the luxurious grandeur of the Loulan Golden Palace, being built simply with blue bricks and red tiles.

Inside the hall, the arrangement was also very simple, with only a statue of a saint displayed.

The Young Ancestor lit several sticks of incense before the saint's statue. Qin Mu also followed him, bowing to the statue. The Young Ancestor said, "Many elders and Heavenly Kings of the Sacred Cult are skilled in teleportation methods and can return to Sacred Arrival Mountain. This teleportation method is carved on the walls of this hall; you can study it at your own pace."

Qin Mu looked at the hall walls and saw that they were carved with a method for refining treasures, specifically the method for crafting teleportation flags and the divine ability array runes used in their creation.

The Young Ancestor said, "Every grand hall in our Sacred Cult has different cultivation methods carved upon its walls. We do not forbid disciples from learning and practicing them. There's no need to cling to what's common; true ability lies in sharing cultivation methods and mastering them. You must possess magnanimity and broad-mindedness."

Qin Mu affirmed.

The Young Ancestor continued, "Everything within the Great Educational Heavenly Devil Scripture can be disseminated; there's no need to hoard knowledge. How much they comprehend is their own fortune. Within the Cult, minor matters are handled by the various hall masters, major matters by the elders, and even larger ones by the Cult's Heavenly Kings. Additionally, there are supervisory envoys inspecting the halls, law enforcement elders enforcing laws, and transmission elders imparting skills. You won't need to personally attend to many matters. You only need to oversee the Sacred Cult's overall direction."

He looked at Qin Mu and asked, "What is the first thing you plan to do after becoming the Sacred Cult Master?"

Qin Mu pondered for a moment and replied, "I plan to establish elementary schools within each hall, creating the 361st hall, the 'School Hall.' Imperial Preceptor Yongkang reformed and innovated by establishing elementary and university education, introducing a new profession to the world. Therefore, our Sacred Cult must also add a new hall. Since the Sacred Cult has 360 halls, I want to build 360 elementary schools to teach the path of cultivation to our disciples."

The Young Ancestor nodded and said, "For this matter, you can summon the Left and Right Protectors and entrust it to them. They will then consult with the various hall masters, select suitable talent, and establish the schools. This is how you maintain overall direction by delegating authority to your subordinates. If you personally attend to everything, you won't have the energy, and it will hinder your cultivation progress."

Qin Mu was impressed.

He suddenly had a strange thought: The Heavenly Devil Cult didn't resemble a mere sect; it was more like a nation!

If Yongkang Nation was a sect disguised as a nation, then the Heavenly Devil Cult was a nation disguised as a sect!

The Heavenly Devil Cult was too similar to a nation.

Its 360 halls each had specific duties, engaging in various trades and professions. The disciples of each hall pursued their respective livelihoods, while supervisory envoys inspected the halls. The Guardian Elders and Suppressing Heavenly Kings served as the army, defending against external enemies, and the Left and Right Protectors were responsible for the Cult's legacy.

With a membership numbering in the millions, the Heavenly Devil Cult could fully rival a small nation.

Of course, the Cult’s followers didn't refer to themselves as the Heavenly Devil Cult but as the Sacred Cult.

"There's one more thing,"

The Young Ancestor's expression grew serious as he earnestly instructed, "I know you like to dismantle things. I asked Ba Shan, the Libationer, to keep an eye on you, but he still couldn't. You even dismantled the Scholar's Residence again. The Scholar's Residence can be taken apart, but under no circumstances must you dismantle anything on our Sacred Arrival Mountain. Every hall and building on Sacred Arrival Mountain is an ancient relic, with many wondrous cultivation methods carved within."

Qin Mu's face flushed slightly, and he stammered, "I don't dismantle things that often."

"I understand," the Young Ancestor replied. "You've been at the Imperial College for less than eight days, and you've only dismantled things two or three times, and then you went outside the Great Wall to dismantle more."

The Young Ancestor walked out of the hall. The Law Enforcement Elder was waiting outside, carrying a travel pack. The Young Ancestor waved to Qin Mu, "I'm leaving. Cult Master, there's no need to see me off. This parting is permanent; no matter how far you escort me, we will still have to part."

Qin Mu shook his head, insisting, "Even if it's a permanent farewell, seeing you off is my heartfelt wish."

The Young Ancestor nodded and began walking down the mountain.

Qin Mu kept pace with them, walking by their side.

He had spent relatively little time with the Young Ancestor, unlike the other elders in the village who had watched him grow up. Although his time with the Young Ancestor was brief, he perceived distinct qualities in him compared to the elders of Crippled Elder Village.

Qin Mu learned a great deal.

In Crippled Elder Village, he had always been a child, a boy who never seemed to grow up in the eyes of the Village Chief and Granny Si.

But by the Ancestor’s side, he learned to grow.

He had now grown into an adult.

A long journey ends with a farewell. Sacred Arrival Mountain was not a thousand miles from peak to foot, and eventually, they reached its end.

The Young Ancestor turned, bowed, and said, "Sacred Cult Master, please stop here."

Qin Mu stopped, feeling a sudden, uncontrollable sadness. He bowed and said, "I respectfully bid farewell to the Ancestor!"

The Young Ancestor leaped, jumping off the mountain base. The Law Enforcement Elder followed him, and the two vanished into the vast sky.

Qin Mu remained standing for a long time before slowly straightening up, looking up at the sky. He knew that he would likely never see this young old man again.

When the Law Enforcement Elder returned, he would likely bring back only the ashes of the Young Ancestor.

Where does one go after death? One’s body rests with the mountains.

Perhaps the Young Ancestor’s last wish was to be like this Sacred Arrival Mountain.

He had truly fulfilled the Heavenly Devil Cult’s teaching, living by it throughout his life.

Suddenly, on Sacred Arrival Mountain, large flags unfurled as the hall masters of the 360 halls departed one after another. Qin Mu called over Hu Ling’er and returned to the pine and cypress tree. Several Guardian Elders remained there, and seeing him approach, they all smiled and said, "Sacred Cult Master."

Qin Mu returned their greetings. There were barely any people left on Sacred Arrival Mountain, only these few old men and women. Granny Si had also left, presumably to see off the Young Ancestor.

Qin Mu sought out the Left and Right Protectors and discussed the matter of establishing schools. The Left and Right Protectors were two middle-aged men, one in black robes and one in white. They exchanged glances, and the Left Protector asked, "What does the Sacred Cult Master intend for the schools to teach?"

Qin Mu replied, "All cultivation methods and divine abilities from the Great Educational Heavenly Devil Scripture can be taught. Additionally, besides the schools, a Heavenly Records Pavilion should be established on Sacred Arrival Mountain to collect the knowledge and specialties of various sects and store them within the pavilion for disciples to consult. The simplest way is to copy the archives from the Heavenly Records Pavilion of the Imperial College and send them to our Sacred Cult’s Heavenly Records Pavilion."

The Left and Right Protectors noted this down.

Qin Mu added, "Are there any Cult members serving as officials in the imperial court? Please ask them to also record the imperial court's cultivation methods and send them to the Heavenly Records Pavilion."

"As you command."

The Left and Right Protectors inquired about the details, then immediately stood up. These two, one in black and one in white, raised their robes, covered themselves, and both they and their robes vanished. They must have teleported out of Sacred Arrival Mountain.

"The teleportation methods of our Sacred Cult are truly remarkable," Qin Mu exclaimed with admiration, then quickly walked with Hu Ling’er towards the great hall to study the teleportation methods within. Without learning these methods, he wouldn't be able to leave!

As the Sacred Cult Master, he couldn't possibly shamelessly beg others to take him away, could he?