Mountain and River Festival

Chapter 545 Prepare
Lu Xingzhou was practically hallucinating hearing "You killed my stinky bastard."

However, upon closer reflection, Zang Wanchun's intention was probably not to piece together an abomination.

The so-called strengths of different people cannot be said to be A's right hand is stronger, B's left hand is stronger, and C's leg skills are stronger. Who would be so crazy as to compete like that?

The practical meaning is that some people are strong in physical training, while others are strong in Qi cultivation. Combining these two can create an even more powerful life form. Or it could mean that different people cultivate different attributes and try to blend them together.

Only in this way can the procedure of transplanting the dantian and qi sea be carried out.

For example, you could find a powerful body for martial arts training and transplant the inner core of another powerful Taoist cultivator into it, creating a theoretically perfect body for both martial arts and Taoist cultivation.

Zang Wanchun could be considered a tech fanatic, pretty crazy...

Or rather, it's not surprising that cultivators can come up with all sorts of incredible breakthroughs once they reach a certain level. No matter how many people Zang Wanchun dissected for experiments, it couldn't compare to Gu Zhanting's sacrifice of the land.

The obsession with spiritual practice can completely change a person... Lu Xingzhou was a little dazed. Wasn't the fish from before the same?
That being said, Zang Wanchun's research clearly cannot solve Huiyang's subsequent soul cultivation, and upon closer examination, it is not very meaningful. The most suitable approach would be to create a perfect vessel for possession.

Is this why Xuan Nu participated in the collaboration? Xuan Nu also had some interest in observing this plan, but she didn't get deeply involved, at most providing guidance and reference.

Lu Xingzhou thought for a moment and asked, "Was the method of transplanting the dantian also developed by Chunshan Pavilion itself? Can Zang Wanchun have this level of skill?"

Wang Zhongdao said, "This was obtained by the sect leader inexplicably more than half a year ago. Before that, we could only transplant the five internal organs at most. The dantian, such an ethereal thing, only existed in theory and could not be practiced. I don't know how the sect leader did it."

Lu Xingzhou nodded. This should have been provided by Mr. Ji.

A life form like Mr. Ji certainly cannot appear openly in the world. If it did, it would be regarded as a demon and would need a body to walk in the world. It may not need a perfect body, but a body that can adapt to and exert its kind of attributes is truly rare, and it cannot just possess one at will.

Chunshan Pavilion happens to be conducting this kind of research, and can try to help Mr. Ji create the most suitable host. The core technology is provided by Mr. Ji, which forms the basis for cooperation between the two parties.

The current situation suggests that after extensive research involving live human dissections, the technology is mature enough to be used for transplants into prostitutes. Logically, the body Mr. Ji needs should be ready by now, but for some reason, it's still in a misty state.

Dissatisfied with the body they had created? While still pursuing an upgraded version, Spring Mountain Pavilion was abruptly wiped out by their own actions.

So Mr. Ji rushed over in a fit of rage to stop them, but on the way he encountered Yuan Muyu, and both of them were injured.

That should be the case, but what does this have to do with Maha?
Was it simply because Maha needed a Mr. Ji who could stand before others? Or was Maha also interested in this kind of piecing together?
Perhaps by settling things with Mr. Ji, we can uncover Maha's true objective.

Lu Xingzhou then asked, "Zang Wanchun has been aggressively seeking cooperation from various forces, to the point of being somewhat reckless. Do you know why?"

Wang Zhong said cautiously, "Isn't that because of you, Lord Marquis? Besides the Blood Refining Sect, the biggest enemy of Spring Mountain Pavilion is you, Lord Marquis... Your power is growing stronger every day, and the Sect Master is so worried that his hair has turned white. Especially after you, Lord Marquis, took the imperial envoy and disappeared, the Sect Master didn't even dare to sleep."

Lu Xingzhou shook his head: "The theory is correct, but the level of cooperation such as seeking alliances with overseas sects is unlikely to translate into the strength to deal with me. Suppose I bring Tianyao Holy Land to attack, how many sects would be willing to break ties with Tianyao Holy Land for my sake? The significance of winning over these forces to form alliances is more like building power for the purpose of seizing power and dominating the world."

Wang Zhong thought for a moment, then hesitated and said, "Perhaps."

"That's what I don't understand. He didn't offend me by establishing his own independent regime; he uprooted the emperor. Where does he get the confidence to not curry favor with the emperor when he's at odds with me, but instead secretly plan to become independent? Or is he acting as the emperor's diplomat? Does the emperor conduct diplomacy by sending courtesans? Besides, if he and Hong Yin could represent the emperor, there would be no need to label me a demonic disciple and hunt me down in the suburbs."

Wang Zhong was dumbfounded: "These little ones really don't know anything about this."

Lu Xingzhou pondered for a moment, then waved his hand: "Send him to the Imperial Academy of Medicine in the capital. His surgical skills are still worth passing on to the Academy."

Wang Zhong was overjoyed: "Thank you, Lord Marquis! Thank you, Lord Marquis!"

Two subordinates of Yama, the King of Hell, took away the human stick Wang Zhong and his wife. Jiang Yuan peeked out from outside the hall.

Lu Xingzhou chuckled at her expression: "What's wrong?"

Jiang Yuan walked in with a stern face, accompanied by several middle-aged men: "My people have arrived. What are your plans?"

Lu Xingzhou noticed that Jiang Yuan had changed her clothes and her hair was still a little damp, as if she had just taken a shower.

Who takes a shower so early in the morning...?

Without much thought, he said, "Most of Hong Yin's subordinates and confidants who were indiscriminately killed by Qing Li were officials in the prefecture, and these positions are now vacant. I will have the Prefectural Assistant temporarily assume the duties of the Prefect, and I will ask you uncles and elders to fill the other key positions for now. Whether you can do the work or not is not important for the time being; you only need to play a supervisory role. I will write to Prime Minister Pei to arrange the follow-up matters and also formally register you all."

The Jiang clan members were all stunned.

What did you call us?
Jiang Yuan herself hadn't paid attention to the issue of address, and her stern face relaxed considerably: "Are you really going to make them officials?"

“Your grandfather’s maritime trade plan was just a transitional one. Did he really intend for the whole clan to engage in maritime trade? Could he earn as many spirit stones as you have in your ring after a few years at sea? Not to mention your Jiang family…” Lu Xingzhou paused here, then smiled and said, “I believe you will all like it.”

The members of the Jiang clan looked at each other, and then at Jiang Yuan.

Jiang Yuan nodded imperceptibly.

The clansmen all cupped their hands in thanks: "Thank you for your guidance, Lord Marquis. We will certainly live up to your expectations."

Jiang Yuan stole a glance at Lu Xingzhou, who was also looking at her with a smile. Clearly, he had seen her nodding earlier. Jiang Yuan's face flushed; she felt like she was still begging, only now she was begging for a place instead of things.

It's infuriating! He's the one who needs help from someone he trusts, so why is it that the Jiang family is the one who owes him a favor?

Lu Xingzhou winked at her: "A new journey is about to begin, do you want to come along?"

Jiang Yuan clearly wanted to say no, but the words that came out of her mouth inexplicably turned into: "Of course I'm going, I haven't finished my training yet... It's settled then, I've finished being a guard, I'm not a guard anymore."

The members of the Jiang clan exchanged glances again, conveying unreadable meanings.

Lu Xingzhou handed Jiang Yuan a token: "Alright, take this token of my imperial envoy to see Prefect Zhang Chong and have him arrange a seat for you. I have something to discuss with Wei Miao; we can have dinner together later to talk in detail."

Jiang Yuan casually stuffed the imperial envoy's plaque into his pocket, as naturally as if it were his own: "I'm leaving."

The clansmen followed silently until they left Chunshan Pavilion, when an elder with a gray beard whispered, "Princess, is our marriage negotiation with Lu Xingzhou still ongoing?"

"Huh?" Jiang Yuan was stunned for a moment: "What are you talking about? Isn't this just a normal collaboration?"

The clansmen exchanged bewildered glances. He dared to offer such an official position so casually, and you accepted it so readily—that was one thing. But the plaque in your hand represented the highest authority in the southeast at the moment. With that plaque, you could wield absolute power and cause all sorts of trouble. He just gave it to you so casually, and you took it so easily, like it was a menu.

Even Yan Li, who has a long-standing relationship with Lu Xingzhou, you can ask Lu Xingzhou if he would casually give him the imperial envoy token.

You're telling me this is just a routine collaboration?

And another thing, what's going on with your bloodline... The old man couldn't help but ask, "Princess, has your bloodline evolved? And thus broken through to the Radiant Sun realm?"

"You guys figured it out?"

"How did they do that..."

"The blood was delivered by Lu Xingzhou."

The clansmen remained silent.

"What's with those looks? I've sacrificed so much!"

"Payback..." The old man had a bad feeling: "Could it be that the princess is with him..."

"I became his bodyguard, but it was a tragedy."

Old man: "?"

To become a guard and exchange one's imperial blood?

You call this a lot of sacrifice? Can I do it too?
Shouldn't we discuss this with the clan leader? The clan leader sent the little princess out for "training" with the intention of keeping her away from Lu Xingzhou and preventing her from getting involved in the power struggles within that large family. But how did you two end up together, and even more deeply entangled...?

Don't let him go back after his "trials," or the clan leader will have to start thinking about what to name his great-grandson.

Lu Xingzhou approached Wei Miao, the Blood Refining Sect Master: "Sect Master Wei, how was your harvest?"

"Thanks, we have basically taken over the properties of Chunshan Pavilion in the county, and part of them have been given to the Yama Palace."

"As I mentioned before, this is one aspect. The Blood Refining Sect cannot openly establish itself as a sect, but it is permissible to operate businesses in the open, as long as these businesses operate legally."

Wei Miao smiled and said, "We thought of this when we took over the property. Since the Marquis has endorsed it, we can give it a try."

Lu Xingzhou said, "There are some other ones too, would you like to try them?"

Wei Miao not only ended his nemesis this time, but also made a fortune. Now he trusts all of Lu Xingzhou's proposals: "Does the Marquis have any other ideas?"

“Sect Leader Wei once joked that establishing a sect in the Cursed Land could also be considered…” Lu Xingzhou smiled slightly: “After considering it, I think it might not be impossible.”

Wei Miao paused, then asked, "What do you mean?"

"If the Cursed Land is no longer cursed, but only has a harsher environment... then it can become a gathering place for many demonic sects, just like the Ten Thousand Mountains in the west."

"What's the use without spiritual energy? Although the Ten Thousand Mountains are poor and desolate with little spiritual energy, they still have some. The Cursed Land has none at all."

"If I can guarantee that the spiritual energy of the Cursed Land will gradually recover in the future, just like in Xia Prefecture... Would Sect Master Wei be willing to be one of the first to try it? Although it certainly won't be as rich as in Xia Prefecture, it will still be much better than hiding inside the secret realm without seeing the light of day."

Wei Miao squinted and pondered for a long while: "What does the Marquis need us to do?"

“Over the years, many demonic disciples have fled into the Cursed Land, and many of them may have some connection with the Blood Refining Sect. It will be much easier for Sect Master Wei to find them than for me.” Lu Xingzhou said indifferently, “I want them dead, and I don’t care how they die.”

(End of this chapter)