Chapter Fourteen: Various Factions Strategize Over Qingshan (Please Bookmark, Recommend, and Follow)

Qiao Xuan, Wen Renjie, and the Empty Prince exchanged glances.

They were not fools blinded by the fame gained from slaying demons and monsters.

Each had their own agenda, gathering here for mutual benefit.

Qiao Xuan sought official positions for himself and his disciples, aiming for future stability.

Wen Renjie desired fame and the cultivation techniques promised by Qingshan County.

The Empty Prince pursued renown as well as certain resources from Qingshan County that he needed.

Xu Xiao was here to assist her closest friend and protect the reputation of her sect.

As for Jiang Sheng, there was no need to say more—if the demons of the Taiping River weren’t so close to his Qingping Mountain dojo, he wouldn’t bother about Qingshan County’s fate at all.

In truth, they were all united by intertwined interests. Discussing matters openly in public was one thing; but entering someone else’s secret chamber on their territory was quite another. If something went wrong inside, their bodies might rot undiscovered.

Moreover, although Zhang Qing trusted Xu Xiao the most, Jiang Sheng was personally invited by Zhang Qingyun, the magistrate of Qingshan County. Who could say there was no collusion between them?

What if the demon-slaying was a lie, but the true intention was to trap these scattered cultivators all at once?

As they pondered this, Xu Xiao led the way into the secret chamber.

Jiang Sheng carefully sensed the surroundings before saying, “If this were your Qingshan County’s secret chamber, I, as a humble Taoist, would naturally decline to accompany you.”

“But since Lanyue Sect is a Golden Core sect from Qingzhou, I am willing to trust it. Miss Zhang, do not let me down.”

Wen Renjie chuckled after hearing this: “Master Jiang’s words are reasonable. The reputation of Lanyue Sect commands my trust.”

The Empty Prince, seeing Wen Renjie’s agreement, smiled faintly with a subtle charm: “Indeed! If we cannot even trust each other to this extent, how can we talk about slaying demons?”

Old Qiao Xuan nodded in agreement, puffing on his dry pipe.

After entering the secret chamber, Zhang Qing followed behind.

The chamber was built about thirty feet beneath the rear courtyard of the county office, highly concealed.

It was clear this secret room had just been created by Xu Xiao; the interior was simple, with flowing magic on the walls, evidently a one-time-use chamber.

Once inside, Zhang Qing poured tea for the group and then laid out a map of Qingshan County before them.

Jiang Sheng examined the map, which depicted the mountains and rivers of Qingshan County in meticulous detail.

The county bordered Qingping Mountain to the east and the Taiping River to the south. Besides the county seat itself, there were fifteen towns with over two hundred thousand residents, nearly half concentrated in the county seat, the rest scattered across the towns.

Qingping Town, at the junction of Qingping Mountain and the Taiping River, had a thousand households—a truly privileged location.

Zhang Qing noticed that no one had touched their tea and pointed at the map: “Please look here. The Taiping River runs through Qingshan County, flowing past seven towns. Nearly half of our county lies along the river.”

“Although there are many villages and towns by the Taiping River, the annual River God Festival is always held at the same place—in Donghe Town.”

Jiang Sheng looked toward Donghe Town’s location; it was the closest to the Taiping River and was unusually prosperous, bustling with many roads—a truly excellent spot.

Zhang Qing continued, “Of course, that is not what I want to emphasize.”

Her eyes blazed with intensity as she said, “Gentlemen, Qingshan County sent out a broad call for heroes from Qingzhou to come here and slay demons. This matter has become widely known. I am sure everyone believes we will slay the demons during the River God Festival.”

The Empty Prince’s eyes darkened slightly: “Isn’t that so?”

“Of course not!” Zhang Qing said with a triumphant sparkle in her bright eyes.

“What everyone knows is not a secret. How can a plan succeed if it is known by all?”

“Although the demons in the Taiping River have long slumbered beneath its depths, waking only during the annual River God Festival, how can we be sure they have no spies in the outside world?”

“Therefore, our true operation will not be on the day of the festival, but before it! Striking unexpectedly is the only way to defeat the enemy!”

Jiang Sheng and the others nodded after hearing her.

Indeed, Zhang Qing’s plan was clever: first stir a great commotion so all eyes focus on the festival, then secretly launch an assault to kill the demons. It was a simple yet highly effective stratagem.

Wen Renjie fell silent a moment before asking, “And what of the others?”

Zhang Qing answered decisively, “They are bait! My father will inform them that we intend to attack the demons during the festival, to see if there are any demon spies among them.”

“Then I will lead the real operation in advance. If there truly are demon informants, the demons will awaken early, and the operation will fail. The demons will then relax and fall back asleep.”

“If no demon spies exist, then we will launch a direct assault. After they test the demons’ capabilities, the rest of you will strike to slay the demons!”

Her youthful face bore a rare murderous glint as she said, “The demons will never expect that after their first attack, there will be a second one!”

Qiao Xuan and the others looked at Zhang Qing, scarcely able to believe such a young girl could devise such a plan.

“To underestimate the world’s people so! Miss Zhang uses many cultivators as bait—truly, appearances can be deceiving,” Qiao Xuan said in surprise.

Jiang Sheng calmly replied, “But Miss Zhang’s method is the most prudent, isn’t it?”

“Who can truly gauge the strength of a water demon ruling hundreds of miles of river? If we don’t send others to test them first, must we take the risk ourselves?”

His words silenced Qiao Xuan.

Indeed, testing the demon’s strength was necessary.

And testing required pawns destined to be sacrificed.

None of them, scattered cultivators seeking fame in Qingzhou, wished to be that expendable pawn.

Thus, it was all predetermined—Zhang Qing’s retention of many Qi-condensing cultivators was precisely to use them as test pieces.

Wen Renjie said, “Miss Zhang’s reasoning is sound. Someone must probe ahead. This plan seems workable to me.”

The Empty Prince nodded solemnly: “Those Qi-condensing juniors swarm like flies drawn to honey, all eager for fame in Qingzhou. Since they seek renown, they must bear the corresponding risks.”

Even Xu Xiao of Lanyue Sect voiced no objection, clearly unconcerned with the lives of those scattered Qi-condensing cultivators.

From beginning to end, none acted out of compassion to prevent widespread suffering; it was all driven by self-interest.

And this is the truest face of the world: strength speaks at all times, interests bind people together.

Without strength or background, one is doomed to be a mere pawn—or not even that.

Have you not seen how many scattered cultivators are led by greed to become cannon fodder?

How many mortals yearning for immortality are sold like cattle to demonic cults, becoming nothing but expendable resources?

Even the orthodox Daoist sects merely maintain rightful authority; beyond their own ranks, who has the spare mercy to care for the masses?

Jiang Sheng was never kind-hearted and had no pity for others.

Meanwhile, in the capital city of Dong Commandery, though it was late at night, some areas remained brightly lit as if it were daytime.

The city guards patrolling these areas were the most numerous, and these places were even separated from other districts by special internal waterways, marking their prestige.

These were the residences of the cultivation aristocratic families of Dong Commandery.

Such cultivation clans were local powers with centuries of heritage.

Either generations had established Foundation Establishment cultivators, or the clan was anchored by a Purple Mansion Patriarch—true local overlords.

In today’s world, whether in the Qi Kingdom of the Eastern Continent, or the Wei or Chu Kingdoms, the realm was jointly governed by the imperial court and aristocratic families.

The royal family was the largest cultivation clan in Qi Kingdom, and aristocratic families were the regional cultivation clans just beneath them in rank.

Though the governor of Dong Commandery was appointed by the royal court, he had no choice but to cooperate with these cultivation clans.

Without their support, governance and tax collection were impossible.

Thus, the cultivation clans of Dong Commandery, especially those with Purple Mansion Patriarchs, were effectively local emperors.

The Cha family was a renowned cultivation aristocratic family in Dong Commandery, led by the Purple Mansion Patriarch Cha Liangcai. The family had flourished for over two centuries.

Barring accidents, their prominence would last another two centuries.

Even if future generations failed to open a new Purple Mansion, maintaining generations of Foundation Establishment cultivators guaranteed the family’s wealth and glory.

At this moment, Cha Liangcai was in a secret chamber speaking to a jade statue.

“Do you know that the magistrate of Qingshan County plans to eliminate the River God of the Taiping River? If your avatar wishes to continue absorbing the incense offerings of Qingshan County, you must prepare early,” Cha Liangcai said leisurely, holding a cup of spiritual tea.

The jade statue replied, “I understand. My avatar possesses early Purple Mansion strength. As long as you Purple Mansion cultivators do not intervene, a mere group of Qi-condensing and Foundation Establishment cultivators cannot defeat it.”

“That is best,” Cha Liangcai said.

He then seemed to recall something and casually added, “You and I have cooperated for so many years, but I remain curious about your true nature. Who exactly are you?”

“Thirteen early Purple Mansion avatars—that is truly fearsome.”

The jade statue retorted irritably, “Why do you care about such things? You only need to know I can help you form your Core!”

“As we agreed, you help me absorb faith and incense offerings in Dong Commandery, and I will aid you in Core formation. Do you intend to renege?”

“Remember, neither Lanyue Sect, Qingyun Sect, nor Tianjian Sect allow a fourth Golden Core force to arise in Qingzhou.”

Cha Liangcai’s expression darkened briefly but soon returned to calm. “That is why I cooperate with you.”