Confucian and Taoist scholar

Chapter 638 Gaining a Helping Hand
Di Lie's subordinates led a group of demon guards on their mission, and the news quickly spread throughout the city, causing a sensation.

Lu Zheng's formidable reputation was already well-known to the people of this area.

Upon learning that the other party had come to demand their people, everyone was extremely cooperative, and no one even asked what exactly was going on.

After all, compared to their own lives and wealth, which is more important, those of servants? Anyone who isn't a fool should know which to choose.

Some wealthy families treated their servants like a plague carrier, sending them all away for fear that their dawdling might bring disaster.

They couldn't afford to offend Lu Zheng, who was capable of killing Huai Jun.

The soldiers and officials of the Di Kingdom were also not to be trifled with.

Some people even guessed that they had gotten into this mess incidentally, but they didn't dare to say anything.

As a result, the whole city was in an uproar for a while, with groups of slaves and commoners lining up to be sent to Lu Zheng by the demon guards.

Besides those of lowly status, there were also some who voluntarily followed Lu Zheng.

Of course, this also included those sent over as spies.

However, Lu Zheng didn't care about anyone's background. Once you went to him, no matter what your identity was, you had to follow the rules and be properly reformed.

Some people, after a while, will naturally reveal their true nature or reform themselves.

Seeing thousands of people gathering, Lu Zheng raised his hand and created a portal in front of them, guiding them into his own little world and settling them in a designated area.

Di Bai and the others were astonished by what they saw.

None of them expected that Lu Zheng had such means, that he actually had his own inner world that could accommodate so many people.
The demon guards were curious, but since they couldn't see what was inside the portal, they didn't dare to go in.

After accommodating everyone, Lu Zheng closed the door again.

He turned his gaze toward Inugami Castle, where the city's aura seemed to be subtly shifting.

Lu Zheng calmly withdrew his gaze and looked at the Di Kingdom demon general in front of him.

The demon general said, "There are still some people in some nearby towns, but the places are too scattered. Why don't you go back first, Young Master Lu? I will gather them up as soon as possible and send them to you."

Lu Zhengdao said, "Let's go together. I'm afraid some of you will find it troublesome and just bury the person."

The demon general said with a forced smile, "I would never dare to do such a thing..."

Lu Zheng remained noncommittal, but given the actions of these people in the Northern Region, it was hard to say they wouldn't do such a thing.

"General, please!"

Lu Zheng raised his hand in a gesture.

The demon general quickly whispered, "I dare not address you as a general in front of Young Master Lu. I am Li Shan. Please just call me by my name."

Tanukiyama called to his subordinates, then led Lu Zheng to search for someone in the vicinity.

This time, Di Bai did not go with them, but instead led his men back to the city.

It wasn't until quite a while later, after Di Lie and the others were certain that Lu Zheng had truly left, that they finally emerged from the secret chamber.

Their expressions were complicated. When did they fall to such a state that they had to hide from a young man...

They were already poorly prepared, and Di Lie chickened out at the last minute, which made them feel both frustrated and relieved.

After all, if a real fight breaks out, there will definitely be casualties.

Some people said nothing and simply took their leave.

Worried that Lu Zheng might go to their territory later, these powerful demons prepared to go back and take extra precautions, so as not to give Lu Zheng any opportunity.

Di Lie felt the heat in his chest dissipate, and his brows relaxed. It seemed that the amulet's perception was not malfunctioning, and his choice was correct.

……

"Has General Tanuki visited our area recently?"

As Lu Zheng traveled, he chatted with Li Shan beside him.

Lishan was already feeling a lot of pressure and was very nervous as he followed Lu Zheng.

Upon hearing Lu Zheng's question, he quickly shook his head and said, "No, no!"

Lu Zheng said slowly, "General Li, there's no need to be so nervous. I'm a good person."

Tanukiyama chuckled dryly, thinking to himself, "It's precisely because you're a good person that everyone's so afraid, okay?"

If you were a bad person, we might even be able to go along with it and have a good time drinking together.

You're a good person, who knows if you might suddenly step in to slay demons and uphold justice?
Lu Zheng said unhurriedly, "I'm sure you've all heard about the situation in the area I'm currently in charge of, but seeing is believing. You're welcome to visit me anytime you have time. As long as you follow the rules, you're always welcome..."

Tanukiyama quickly replied, "I'll definitely go if I have the chance."

The two talked as they walked, and nothing happened between them.

There are not many villages or towns around Inugami Castle, so it can be considered quite desolate.

So it didn't take long for the group to search the surrounding area.

Lu Zheng also found some refugees in the desolate mountains and took them away.

When they reached the border and watched Lu Zheng leave, Li Shan and the others finally breathed a sigh of relief, feeling as if they had just walked through the gates of hell and finally sent away a living Yama.

As Lu Zheng walked further and further away, a voice drifted over.

“Go back and tell your master that if they want to kill me, they'd better do it openly. Using underhanded methods like sacrifices will only hasten their demise. This time, I'm not fighting you for the sake of so many innocent people…”

Upon hearing this, Li Shan nearly exploded with rage, a chill creeping into his heart. Only now did he suddenly realize that Lu Zheng had probably already seen through their scheme.

……

Lu Zheng rode on the clouds, flying swiftly all the way.

When he arrived at Inugami Castle earlier, he noticed that something was wrong with the castle.

Now that he has reached the Profound Realm, he is very sensitive to the aura of heaven and earth, and he is better at observing aura than many cultivators.

With just a quick glance, he knew that danger lurked in the city, and that the bloodshed would involve many people.

Given that he didn't want to involve so many innocent people, and considering that the person behind the scenes was willing to compromise, Lu Zhengcai didn't expose the truth.

In fact, sending Tanukiyama and his group to search for people outside was already giving the other side many opportunities, but the other side never made a move.

As for why the other party gave up making a move, Lu Zheng didn't quite understand.

Lu Zheng stroked his chin, pondering that perhaps his sudden arrival this time caught those people off guard.

"Looks like next time I want to go somewhere, I'll have to let them know in advance..."

The journey continued smoothly, and Lu Zheng arrived at the border city.

Ku Xin, Hu Qing, and the others were the first to notice Lu Zheng's return and rushed to greet him.

After carefully examining Lu Zheng, the monk said, "Why have you been gone for so long? I thought something had happened to you..."

According to my careful calculations, Lu Zheng should have returned long ago, but he has been making me wait for so long.

Judging from Lu Zheng's current state, he doesn't look like he's about to have a major battle with anyone.

Lu Zhengdao: "There was a slight mishap, but the matter has been resolved."

"That's good."

After hearing this, Ku Xin was no longer worried.

Hu Qing, who was standing next to him, said with a smile, "Young Master Lu, if we work for you for five years, could we also read some Buddhist scriptures?"

Lu Zhengdao: “Help me do things? I want you to join here with your land, not to do anything for me, but to give you another place to develop. You will create your own future... If you perform well, you may not have to wait so long for the Buddhist scriptures you want. What I said before may come true.”

Hu Qing blinked. "Okay, we'll join! Do we need to sign any kind of contract?"

Joining Lu Zheng's side was a decision made by the sisters after witnessing the changes in this area and Lu Zheng's potential and background.

This is actually a gamble, and if she wins, Hu Qing feels she will have a chance to go even further.

Lu Zheng said, "We don't need such things. Contracts can't truly bind people's hearts."

Moreover, for those with higher levels of spiritual attainment, contracts are unlikely to have much effect.

Based on the principle of trusting those you employ, Lu Zheng was too lazy to bother with any contracts.

Furthermore, Lu Zheng was quite confident in his abilities.

Hu Qing clicked her tongue and said, "Aren't you afraid that someone will take the benefits and run away?"

Lu Zheng said calmly, "No one has ever been able to gain any advantage from me. Greedy and short-sighted people don't live long. Why don't you give it a try?"

Hu Qing chuckled and said, "I don't have the guts. Hey, is there anything you need me to do? I don't want to be idle and gossiped about."

Lu Zhengdao said, "Please help me settle some people in. I'll visit you later and try to integrate as soon as possible."

Lu Zheng was quite pleased that Hu Qing's side had chosen to join, because someone had set a precedent, and in the future, all the major and minor forces in this area would have to make their own choices.

Hu Qing's eyes were deep and she said in a low voice, "We chose to follow you under a lot of pressure. Young Master Lu, you can't abandon us in the future. If you leave, you should tell us in advance so we can run away together..."

This is the Northern Region. With Hu Qing's forces joining Lu Zheng's side, it's almost as if they've put themselves on the opposite side of all the nearby forces.

If Lu Zheng can't withstand the pressure from all sides and just walks away, the local demons and monsters will be in big trouble.

Looking at the still-expanding city, Lu Zheng said with a firm gaze, "Now that I've come here, I won't easily abandon everything here. No matter what happens in the future, the people here will have a stable place to live, even if I die..."

Hu Qing smiled and waved her hand, "Young Master is destined for great things, and will surely live a long and prosperous life."

Lu Zheng said no more and released the people in the small world.

Seeing people filing out one after another, seemingly without end, Hu Qing's expression turned strange.

Hu Qing asked curiously, "An inner world? It can hold so many people, how big is it?"

Lu Zhengdao: "I haven't calculated it."

Hu Qing raised an eyebrow. If that's the case, the place must be quite large.

"Can I go in and take a look?"

"No."

Lu Zheng flatly refused.

The people brought back only stayed in a small part of the microcosm, unable to see its full extent.

But Hu Qing is different. If this enchantress at the Tongxuan Realm were to go in and take a stroll, she could see most of the secrets inside.

Seeing Lu Zheng's resolute refusal, Hu Qing pouted with a hint of resentment in her eyes.

Lu Zheng ignored Hu Qing's gaze and helped settle the newcomers.

(End of this chapter)