Chapter 257: Not Blaming You

Qin Mu walked along, looking around. The land was ravaged, filled with devastation. Starving people wandered, disasters erupted everywhere, and plagues ran rampant. Compared to the relatively stable territory of Great Thunderclap Monastery, this place was simply hell.

Fortunately, many scholars from universities and elementary schools were traveling around to provide medical care, suppressing the epidemic. Otherwise, the catastrophe would have been even worse.

The Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace had built numerous elementary schools and universities, replacing private academies. These institutions now proved invaluable. Although the individual power of each scholar was weak, their collective strength was astonishing, comparable to many small sects.

Qin Mu saw government soldiers clearing out demons and monsters that were taking advantage of the chaos. County magistrates personally guarded farmlands to protect seedlings and persuaded displaced people to return home. Imperial relief food would soon arrive here.

He also noticed some Taoist and Buddhist disciples participating in disaster relief. However, their efforts were somewhat arbitrary and limited compared to the nation's organized power, as they only provided aid wherever they happened to be. Moreover, some took advantage of the national crisis to spread their doctrines, giving rise to many cults, though none of them managed to gain significant influence.

"This natural disaster cannot destroy a nation like this," Qin Mu thought to himself.

New crops had already been planted; once harvest season arrived, the people could settle down. The timing of this disaster in Eternal Peace was extremely peculiar, occurring right after a nationwide upheaval. Years of continuous warfare had severely depleted grain and fodder, and this snow disaster was enough to inflict deep wounds on the nation.

"I wonder if the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace has returned to the capital, and if the Emperor is still distributing relief?" "Also, where did this natural disaster come from? This isn't a catastrophe that sacred lands like the Taoist sects or Great Thunderclap Monastery could create; it can only be attributed to a god."

He looked up at the sky, his heart filled with doubt. "Why?"

Why would Heaven inflict disaster upon Eternal Peace?

Was it for the divine orthodoxy on earth?

Before Eternal Peace, various sects ruled the world, forming nations of all sizes. Some sects had ancient lineages, with legends claiming they were left behind by gods. So, was it because Eternal Peace destroyed the divine orthodoxies on earth that the gods became enraged and brought down this natural disaster?

Or was there some other, deeper reason?

Qin Mu found disciples of the Heavenly Devil Cult and questioned them. The Heavenly Devil Cult was assisting the government with disaster relief, with nearly all its disciples dispatched across the country. The heads of each hall had also donated all their wealth, leaving them completely destitute. However, some merchants were hoarding goods to inflate prices, and some aristocratic families were stockpiling grain and refusing to sell.

"The Emperor was furious and executed a group of them," a disciple recounted. "He also discovered many officials who had embezzled relief funds and engaged in corruption, so another group was executed. And those who were selling official positions and titles were also executed."

A Heavenly Devil Cult disciple, who had accompanied the Emperor during relief efforts and seen much of the world, spoke animatedly: "The Emperor has been repeatedly targeted by assassinations, mostly by cult master-level figures. Fortunately, he was accompanied by civil and military officials, and the Emperor himself fought back, demonstrating immense power. It's a pity that the Cult Master didn't go."

Qin Mu asked, "Which powerful figures attempted to assassinate the Emperor?"

"I heard it was the Poor Scholar, True Monarch Tian, and others, as well as some strong figures from beyond the borders."

Qin Mu's expression subtly changed. "They've allied with cult master-level figures from beyond the borders? Has the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace returned?"

"Not that I've seen."

Qin Mu pondered for a moment. "Where is the Emperor now?"

"He's in Bazhou Prefecture, five thousand li from here."

The Heavenly Devil Cult disciple explained, "The Emperor first went south and cleared out the aristocratic families there who refused to release or sell grain. Then he headed north and has just arrived in Bazhou. Bazhou is relatively stable."

Qin Mu composed himself and asked, "What about the capital? How many top-ranking officials were left behind?"

"The Crown Prince was left to oversee the state, along with officials loyal to him."

Qin Mu's expression grew serious. The Crown Prince was overseeing the state in the capital, yet he had gone to Great Thunderclap Monastery. The Poor Scholar, True Monarch Tian, and others had nearly died at the hands of the Imperial Preceptor of Eternal Peace, only to be rescued by the Old Buddha. The Old Buddha had declared they had entered the monastic life and would no longer interfere in worldly affairs. Yet now, the Poor Scholar and others had reappeared.

Coupled with the Crown Prince's visit to the Old Buddha, this situation was significant.

"Everyone says the imperial court is the greatest sacred land under heaven. I wonder who would prevail if it truly clashed with Great Thunderclap Monastery?"

Qin Mu mused for a moment. "Can you contact the heads of the various halls?"

"Currently, all the halls are engaged in disaster relief across different regions, making communication difficult. It would likely take one to two months to gather them all."

Qin Mu waved his hand, then departed, riding on the back of the Dragon Qilin towards Bazhou.

Bazhou was still five thousand li away, a considerable distance. Even without rest, it would take the Dragon Qilin until the next day to arrive. With stops for rest, it would likely be the evening of the second day before they reached Bazhou.

"If my treasure ship were still intact, it would be much easier. Unfortunately, it was destroyed."

Qin Mu ordered the Dragon Qilin to travel at full speed, promising it a *dou* of food each day. The Dragon Qilin, reinvigorated, sped towards Bazhou, its hooves trampling fiery clouds.

Unbeknownst to them, night fell. Qin Mu looked up at the stars to determine their direction and ordered the Dragon Qilin to continue. By the time the sun rose, the Dragon Qilin could no longer bear it; it was exhausted, frothing at the mouth, unable to run, and its steps grew increasingly slow.

Qin Mu told it to stop. He looked around to identify their location, then took out the Eternal Peace geographical map and examined it carefully. He saw that they were less than a thousand li from Bazhou.

Qin Mu breathed a sigh of relief, fed the Dragon Qilin, and slowly continued walking, allowing the Dragon Qilin to rest its legs.

Not long after, a dwelling appeared in this remote, impoverished mountainous area. It seemed newly built, everything was new. Qin Mu walked over. Just as he was about to knock, the door opened, and a woman stepped out, meeting his gaze. Both were startled.

"Mu'er?"

The woman possessed unparalleled beauty. Seeing him, she froze, then looked around in bewilderment. "How did you find your way here? I just managed to shake off the Blind and Grandpa Ma, and yet you found me."

Qin Mu was both surprised and delighted. "Grandma, why are you here?" He immediately grew wary. "Are you Grandma, or is it Li Tianxing?"

Grandma Si stepped aside, letting him in. "The old devil has been temporarily suppressed by me. Although the Old Buddha couldn't eliminate him, he severely wounded him. Now, I'm evenly matched with him, so we made an agreement. He comes out at night, and I come out during the day."

Qin Mu eyed her suspiciously. "If you really are Grandma, why would you deliberately avoid Grandpa Ma and Grandpa Blind? And why are you hiding here?"

Grandma Si rolled her eyes at him. "You brat, daring to suspect even your grandma? If I were the old devil, would I need to make up lies to deceive you if I wanted to harm you?"

Qin Mu considered this and realized it was true. Compared to Grandma Si, he was indeed pitifully weak. If she were Li Tianxing, she wouldn't need to go to such lengths. He then walked into the courtyard.

If it were Li Tianxing, that seductive charm, a single glance could make him utterly disoriented; indeed, she would be more feminine than any woman.

The dwelling was very simple; it had just been built and contained few pieces of furniture. Qin Mu looked around and saw that the tables and chairs were all crooked, which finally put his mind at ease.

Grandma Si didn't possess Grandpa Ma's nimble craftsmanship; while she could make clothes, her woodworking was terribly poor. These tables and chairs were definitely her handiwork.

Qin Mu sat down on a chair to rest. The chair was uneven, one side higher than the other, making it awkward. This further reassured him that it was indeed Grandma Si's work. He asked curiously, "Grandma, why aren't you returning to the Great Ruins?"

Grandma Si shook her head, walked out of the courtyard, and a moment later, several pieces of firewood floated into the yard. She intended to make a bed.

Qin Mu, forgetting his rest, quickly stepped forward to help. Grandma Si was a saintess of the cult, and even after living in the Disabled Elderly Village for forty years, she hadn't learned Grandpa Ma's craftsmanship. Qin Mu, on the other hand, was proficient in making all sorts of furniture.

Grandma Si couldn't help with the woodworking. She went to the river to fetch some water, then returned to polish a bronze mirror. She said, "I can't go back now. What good would it do if I did? At night, darkness rules the Great Ruins, and if the old devil breaks free again to cause trouble, how many days could the Village Chief and the others—just a few old bones—endure? It's better to stay here for a while and temper the old devil's nature."

Qin Mu quickly finished making a large bed and moved it into the room. Seeing that she had polished the mirror unevenly, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He quickly took it from her, transformed his vital qi into White Tiger vital qi, calculated, and then used threads of vital qi to meticulously polish the bronze mirror until it was smooth. He then proceeded to make a dressing table.

Grandma Si saw the Dragon Qilin sprawled on the ground, fast asleep, and noticed Qin Mu's bloodshot, exhausted eyes. "You traveled all night? Go get some sleep first."

"You're not leaving?"

"No."

Qin Mu felt relieved. He lay down on the bed. There were no covers, but he was accustomed to sleeping outdoors, so he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

After an unknown period, Qin Mu woke up groggily and saw Grandma Si staring blankly at the bronze mirror on the dressing table, a pair of scissors in her hand, pointed at her own face.

"Grandma!" Qin Mu exclaimed in alarm.

Grandma Si turned her head, put down the scissors, and smiled faintly. She whispered, "The Buddha said there's only one way to overcome a heart demon: make him completely abandon his attachment to this face. Mu'er, I don't want to harm any of you, especially not you..."

Qin Mu saw her pick up the scissors again, and tears streamed down his face. "Grandma, I don't blame you... I never have..."

"I can't do it!"

Grandma Si slumped, putting down the scissors, and smiled. "Mu'er, you help me."

Qin Mu got up from the bed, took the scissors from her hand, and gently placed them in her small basket.

"No one blames you, no one could. You've been hiding for over forty years, not showing your true face to anyone for all that time."

He squatted down, looking up at the face so beautiful that no other could compare—the true appearance of the beloved person who had raised him. Qin Mu smiled. "If it were me, enduring it for a day or two would be one thing, but over forty years? I couldn't do it. How you look is not your fault. What beautiful woman would want to forever conceal her face and appear to others with an aged one?"

He stood up. "Grandma, I will deal with Li Tianxing. You stay here. I'm going to Bazhou; something might be happening there."

Grandma Si nodded softly.

Qin Mu walked out of the room, then turned back and smiled. "Grandma, eat when you should eat, drink when you should drink. Don't neglect yourself."

"You brat, lecturing me again!" Grandma Si retorted, feigning anger.

Qin Mu laughed, then kicked the Dragon Qilin awake. "Still sleeping? Get up, we're moving!"