Chapter 912: The Overall Situation

The owl hooted in the sky. Hou Fu, standing ghost-like nearby, shed tears, took a step back amidst the swirling black light, lifted his sleeve, and took out a white talisman from within.

The talisman, adorned with intricate patterns, glowed brilliantly, casting a magnificent light amidst the darkness. The owl, which had been circling ever higher in the sky, seemed to receive a summons. Reluctantly, it struggled downwards, taking all the black light with it, and transformed back into a talisman, merging into the white talisman.

Then, great ravens shrieked, raining down from the sky in a flurry, smashing onto the broken pillars and thrones. Blood splattered everywhere as they crashed to their deaths. In just fifteen minutes, the ground was covered with bird corpses, their wings stiff and eyes wide open, a scene of utter devastation.

The black mist on the horizon also seemed suppressed by something. It did not spread, but instead steadily diminished and disappeared.

A True Person with three divine abilities and a Grand True Person, a Sword Immortal with four divine abilities, fell at the same moment. It was a domineering and ostentatious display of power.

Flashes of light filled the sky, and the black light gradually receded. As the grand formation's light dimmed, a woman appeared in the wind, landing nearby, putting away her magic umbrella, and remaining silent.

It was Heng Xing.

Li Ximing stood amidst the bird corpses, while Ting Lan stepped aside. They watched Hou Fu walk step by step to the front of the steps. The brown-robed man put the talisman back into his sleeve. His expression had already returned to calm as he sat down where Kui Qi's body had once been. He raised his eyebrows slightly and said quietly:

He was following his Martial Uncle’s dying wish to retreat to Jiangnan.

Heng Xing, standing nearby, had an extremely complex expression. Her lowered gaze concealed the emotions in her eyes, and her red lips were tightly pursed. She paused for several breaths. Only then did Li Ximing notice two lines of tears streaming down her fair face, as if she was sobbing.

He was so stubborn about his pride! Lin Jianqi must have known how dangerous this trip was, and he had at least cultivated to the Purple Mansion realm.

All the cultivators had actually sensed the unusual nature of this North-South conflict, but they never imagined the North would be so brutal. Heng Xing’s words seemed more like an outburst. Hou Fu lowered his head and replied:

Everyone makes their own choices. Taking a risky move has risky consequences. He thanked them both for considering the overall situation.

Hearing this, Heng Xing’s emotions became extremely sorrowful and pained. She gritted her teeth.

Year after year, they sealed off their orthodox lineage, condoning the demonic and Buddhist practitioners’ evil deeds. Who knows how many people were harmed back then? Now they suddenly acted so noble! Why didn’t they prioritize the greater good, take some of the common people’s blood qi, and use some Purple Mansion spiritual treasures? With the abilities of their Grand Xiukui Monastery, how could they not have saved him?

Prioritizing the greater good… Why weren’t they prioritizing it now? If their Grand Xiukui Monastery had prioritized the greater good earlier, becoming a second Green Pond, and used some Heaven-Embryo Demonic Arts, couldn’t they have resisted the demons and Buddhists in the North now? Even if it harmed many cultivators and common people, wouldn’t that be better than demonic cultivators and Buddhist monks sweeping through the entire Jiangbei region? Even now, for the greater good, shouldn’t they have saved Lin Jianqi first? Wasn't this just condoning murder? And hadn't there been enough of them already?

After saying this, she turned to look at Ting Lan, weeping as she spoke:

At worst, he could have been a junior officer, at least he could have settled things. But no, he insisted on taking the righteous path all the way, yet he also had ambiguous entanglements with the North. The North-South conflict… Wasn’t it just the dealings between a few of their Northern families and the Buddhist cultivators in previous years? When they stood by and watched the Murong family go South back then, had they ever thought of today? They were plotting with a tiger! Now there was a mess.

At this point, she finally choked back her words, stopping abruptly. Ting Lan wept silently, while Hou Fu raised his eyebrows, his gaze somewhat dim.

He asked what the greater good was.

Their Xiukui’s reputation wasn’t high. It was once merely a branch office of Huyi. During the great chaos, True Monarch Taiyue came from the sea, took over as head of the branch, established an orthodox lineage called Xiukui Sect, and brought peace to the region.

The True Monarch passed down his lineage and accepted two disciples. One was named Lin, who was their Grand Xiukui Monastery’s ancestor, Old Ancestor Honglan, in charge of the Heavenly Owl. The other was named Nian, in charge of Buyue, who was True Person Dongtai, the ancestor of the current Nian family.

True Person Ting Lan listened to him without a word.

Later, the True Monarch sought the Dao, taking True Person Dongtai and several other cultivators to Jiangbei, establishing Xiuyue. Old Ancestor Honglan then presided over Xiukui. After the Old Ancestor fell, his dying wish was to establish a monastery, changing the character ‘Xiu’ to ‘Xiukui’ and adding the character ‘Grand’, thus establishing the present Grand Xiukui Monastery.

The man’s expression was downcast as he continued:

If they considered lineage, Xiuyue and Xiukui came from the same sect. If they considered master-disciple relations, Xiuyue was precisely their supreme sect. This Jiangbei, these Three Streams, even the Xiuyue mountain gate… Whether it was Lord Lou Xing or Martial Uncle Kui Qi, they had all been there and cultivated there.

Li Ximing listened, feeling both sad and shocked, and pondered:

Xiuyue had never made a move.

The man before him whispered:

The Yuanfu once issued an order: Immortals and mortals were to remain separate. All sects were to live in seclusion in the mountains and forests, not to engage in governance, and all were to revere Green Pine, never to usurp the name of Taiyin. At that time, that was the greater good. Later, the Yuanfu closed, no longer appearing in the world. In Jiangbei and Jiangnan, only four families most strictly adhered to the rules.

Xiuyue, Jianmen, Xiukui, and Hengzhu.

Ting Lan, who was standing nearby, remained silent, listening as Hou Fu whispered:

Under their Grand Xiukui Monastery, countless mountain peaks and temples sprang up from this origin. Before Martial Uncle Kui Qi, their Xiukui did not interfere much. Even when Li Jiangqun claimed to be a successor of Taiyin, Lord Lou Xing still only went to Xiuyue to learn skills and did not join his ranks.

In terms of non-interference in worldly affairs, their Grand Xiukui Monastery’s rules were no less strict than Jianmen’s. They merely resided deep in the mountains, untouched by widespread moral transformation, and lacked the Ling Song Sword Manual. But when it came time to change, it would also be extremely difficult.

Up until now, to be frank, apart from the Hengzhu matter, their Grand Xiukui Monastery had never wronged anyone. Now, the fall of Martial Uncle Kui Qi was also for the sake of the Solar Orthodox Lineage! It was also prioritizing the greater good! Otherwise, if they hid in Huyi, what concern would the affairs of Jiangbei be to them!

Hou Fu gradually closed his eyes and whispered:

The Green Pond matter was only about the Chi family, and now they were already wiped out.

Heng Xing covered her tears, shaking her head.

She asked if he thought she just didn’t understand.

This was not the time for argument. She only had a few questions. Everyone in the world talked about the greater good, but how many truly acted for it? The Golden One Orthodox Lineage in the Northern Mountains spoke with certainty; was everything now for their greater good? The so-called greater good, while important, was often merely a means for the righteous path to temporarily lower its bottom line. It only forced some people to swallow their grievances and make concessions, and sometimes, it was even acceptable to discard morality. How many evil deeds began with 'considering the greater good'? How much bloodshed occurred under the guise of the greater good!

She spoke with tearful indignation:

Lin Jianqi was willing to die for this, but how many in the world could be like Lin Jianqi!

After Heng Xing finished speaking, she turned away, shedding a few tears. She transformed into a red wind, picked up a black feather from the ground, passed through the formation, and drifted away, dissolving into a red hue.

Hou Fu, meanwhile, stood quietly on the steps, watching her depart. After an unknown period, he let out a breath and asked:

He asked how Ning Wan was.

Ting Lan lowered her gaze and replied:

She had returned to Green Pond, and there was no news yet.

Deep weariness appeared in the brown-clad youth’s eyes. Most cultivators of Grand Xiukui Monastery were proud, and Hou Fu was particularly known for his sense of pride. The ordeal had left him utterly exhausted. He looked at Li Ximing and whispered:

They had made a spectacle for Zhao Jing to laugh at. He could take his people back as he saw fit. They still had matters to attend to, and they would discuss further with him then.

Although the conclusion had been reached early, Li Ximing still felt somewhat disheartened.

The Land of Three Streams couldn’t be held either; beyond the river from now on would be Buddhist cultivators.

The retreat of the Solar Orthodox Lineage from Jiangbei was truly not good news for Li Ximing. Once the Buddhist and demonic cultivators entered Baijiang Creek, there was no telling how much trouble would ensue.

He replied, “Alright…”

He responded, and Hou Fu then felt inside his sleeve, taking out a jade box. He first lifted the lid, revealing its contents: a palm-sized, ink-colored, cylindrical stone with a shimmering depression.

He said, “Fellow Daoist, please use this. As for your injuries, they felt very apologetic. They hadn’t brought the Lin Guang Zhao Yi Pill with them, but they would arrange one or two for him later.”

Li Ximing declined twice and did not take it, quickly leaving. Hou Fu, meanwhile, shook his head silently and said:

He instructed someone to send it to Wangyue Lake. Although nothing happened on the lake this time, they were quite startled, and it was not good to let them have other thoughts.

He Lianwumeng had, after all, been stopped by Li Zhouwei. Otherwise, there would likely have been a massacre on the lake. The matter seemed small but was actually significant and quite troublesome to account for.

Ting Lan watched him depart and whispered:

He had always lacked a Mingzhen Divine Union Pill. Although the Bright Yang Spiritual Essence was good, each portion used meant one less, so it shouldn’t be used too much. She told him to be more careful with it.

Hou Fu felt a bit helpless, lowering his gaze as he said:

He understood. Things were not as usual now. Since Jiangbei had been lost, difficulties would arise everywhere. They hadn’t gotten the secret items, and it was hard to say when they would get anything next time. They needed to be conservative and make long-term plans.

But Li Ximing was different from others. Martial Uncle had left him in the formation and specifically instructed them. It was very clear, especially since he had mentioned the spiritual essence, so they couldn’t not give it.

It was the same in others’ eyes. Li Ximing was close to them and gave his all to hold back He Lianwujiang. If he couldn’t even get good things under these circumstances, others wouldn’t be envious and continue to work for them. What’s more, there was also Li Zhouwei!

Hou Fu rubbed his temples. Now that it was his turn to manage affairs, he felt some of Kui Qi’s old troubles. He simply said:

As for the Mingzhen Divine Union Pill she mentioned, since he needed it, they should keep it for now. They would be more prepared next time.

Ting Lan responded with an “Mmm.”

Ting Lan replied, whispering:

Actually, now that they were back in Jiangnan, things should be much easier from now on. Xiao Chuting’s move this time was unexpected, and she wondered about the future.

They should thank him for this matter, but they shouldn’t hope for his help in the future.

Hou Fu’s expression showed a hint of regret as he replied:

He cultivated Kan Shui early on and forcefully carved out a path for himself. Although Kan Shui had no master, this path was truly difficult. His return merely meant that the arrangements at Xianyou Mountain are not yet complete.

Li Ximing exited the hall, and once outside the inner formation, he saw the sword cultivator from the Yuzhen Dao sitting by a blue stone, pouring and drinking wine by himself. True Person Zhusheng asked:

He asked how Fellow Daoist Kui Qi was.

Seeing Li Ximing’s melancholic expression, he knew it wasn’t good news. He clapped his sleeves, rose, mourned for a few breaths, shook his head with his hands behind his back, and replied:

He had seen Fellow Daoist Heng Xing rush out, unwilling to even pause, so he knew things were not good.

Li Ximing exchanged a few pleasantries with him and then heard him say:

He had heard Ting Lan say that the White Head Knocking at the Courtyard Scripture was in his hands. When there was an opportunity, he would like to take a look as well. Mainly because the 'Courtyard Red Dust' was also mentioned in his own orthodox lineage, and it would be best if he could see it.

A portion of 'Courtyard Red Dust' had already been used, and it was unknown when more would be available. However, after mentioning it, Zhusheng also noticed Li Ximing’s distraction, so he sent him off. Li Ximing bid farewell from the side and left, his heart full of worry.

He then arrived in the main hall, where Li Minggong was still waiting, and reported:

The matter of the Fei family had been reported. The family’s intention was to inquire at Tangdao Mountain.

How could Li Ximing not know Li Jiangqian’s meaning? However, Li Minggong had not experienced the family’s upheaval and only knew about Fei Qingyi’s rebellion, so he specifically wanted to ask. Li Ximing, however, had a cold expression and waved his hand, saying:

He instructed him to go directly to Wenwu and have him deal with it.

In this matter, Li Ximing was undoubtedly more apprehensive than Li Zhouwei and the others. Li Minggong’s expression became solemn, and he quickly descended, leaving Li Ximing sitting quietly in the hall.

The True Person poured himself a cup of tea, his gaze directed towards the various dark waves floating and leaping in the distant night sky. The evening sunset was completely obscured, not a hint of red showing through.

He pondered quietly, and only after a long time did he rest his hand on the table, raising his cup.

He wondered how Ye Gui would choose.

Xiaoshi Mountain.

The setting sun was like blood, and debris lay everywhere. A massive golden body stood in the clouds, emitting layers of light. Monks hurried across the ground, and dharma masters rode the wind, rushing everywhere, revealing a chilling murderous aura.

Buddhist cultivators were not like immortal cultivators; they did not establish as many formations. Several of the Merciful Ones had taken Xiaoshi Mountain and were immediately heading to Tangdao Mountain. In reality, they had no time to clear up this place. The three Buddhist cultivators who had gone north had not yet returned and were stationed near Tangdao Main Mountain, leaving this area feeling desolate.

It was not until a Merciful One flew over from this location, picked up He Lianwumeng, and stationed him here, that the sporadic resistance in this area gradually disappeared.

The man, with eighteen glazed prayer beads at his waist, held a long-handled saber, approaching with a fierce aura. His expression was composed, but upon seeing the monks and dharma masters crawling like ants on the ground, a hint of disgust appeared in his eyes.

He thought they were like weeds, growing wherever they went.

However, he saw a nun fly over from the side, standing on a lotus platform, her expression joyful, and she smiled.

She said, “Greetings, General He Lian! I am Nü Xiao, under the Great Desire.”

He Lianwumeng glanced at her. After all, the Buddhist cultivators had just sent people to assist, and although this person’s cultivation was weak, her status seemed not low, clearly indicating a powerful background. He could only reduce the coldness in his expression slightly and said casually:

“So it was Nü Xiao, the Merciful One.”

He seemed to remember something, showing a few cold smiles, and replied:

He supposed Nü Xiao, the Merciful One, was well aware of what he had seen by the shore, and now she had eagerly come to inquire about news.

After all, the great battle that brought his He Lian family to prominence was Emperor Qi’s punitive expedition against Crown Prince Wei. As a Purple Mansion cultivator of the He Lian family, He Lianwumeng naturally knew about the entanglements between these Buddhist sects and the Wei-Li dispute.

Unexpectedly, upon this inquiry, Nü Xiao, the Merciful One, showed a hint of eager regret, and replied:

The General was right, she said, but that person’s fate was too high; it was not something a minor character like her could aspire to. Perhaps on a day with a large siege battle, she might manage to snatch a bite or two, and that would be considered good fortune.

He thought, "What are you? The Yatun Gate already has a way to kill Merciful Ones. When his power matures, if you dare show your face in front of him, you’ll be considered brave!"

He Lianwumeng was a proud and self-important person. After so many years of magical duels, only that one person had become his lifelong great enemy after a single confrontation. He despised Buddhist cultivators even more in his heart, letting out two sneers, full of disdain.

The nun before him, however, smiled warmly, not minding the cold reception in the slightest, and replied:

She had acquired a treasure here. Upon seeing the General return, she had specifically come to ask if he would do her the honor of taking a look.