Immortal Dynasty Hounds

Chapter 14 Fellow Taoist
"A thousand faces is no hero, at most a tyrant. Remember to be careful with your words in the future. We 'Nine Heavens' are alright, but if you entered the officialdom of the previous dynasty, just this one sentence would be enough to get you punished for your words," Qi Shiyun reminded her.

Lian Shanxin blinked and asked curiously, "Qi Tanhua, as far as I know, there was no literary inquisition in our Great Yu, right? It seems that no one was punished for their words."

Dynasties that engaged in "literary inquisitions" generally had an illegitimate rule.

The lineage of Yu the Great has been passed down for thousands of years, and his rule is incredibly powerful. Ninety-nine percent of the people in the world have already recognized Yu the Great as the legitimate ruler, so Yu the Great has the confidence to ignore any rumors and gossip.

If I were in charge of Qing, Lian Shanxin would indeed be more cautious in his words and actions.

Qi Shiyun casually said, "Of course, Yu the Great did not have a literary inquisition, and in fact, no one was punished for their words. But if you really offend someone, and they want to deal with you but can't find any other fatal flaws in you, then that is your crime."

Lian Shanxin said solemnly, "This student has learned a lot."

Qi Shiyun nodded in satisfaction: "You are a promising young man. You are still young, and I will give you more guidance in the future."

"Thank you, Scholar Qi. I am indeed still immature and will learn more from you in the future."

Weird.

Lian Shanxin's sensitivity to "being cautious in speech and action" was something Qi Shiyun could not imagine.

But bosses need emotional value.

You cannot appear to be more capable than your boss.

But often, your boss really isn't as capable as you.

The idea that "if you can think of this, how could the higher-ups not?" shows that people with this kind of thinking have never broadened their horizons and don't understand the true value of a makeshift operation.

The boss isn't after ability, but about reincarnation, marriage, and in the world of cultivation, even cultivation talent.

With your abilities, you deserve to be a subordinate.

Lian Shanxin doesn't know how powerful Qi Shiyun's father is. But the need for emotional value in leadership is an age-old truth.

Therefore, Lian Shanxin wanted to create opportunities for Qi Shiyun to mentor him, so that he could make rapid progress under her guidance. In the end, he became more mature, all thanks to Qi Shiyun's guidance.

He also had to be careful not to create too many opportunities for Qi Shiyun, so that Qi Shiyun could see his flaws at a glance. Otherwise, if they were to play high-level games, he was worried that Qi Shiyun, who had risen to the top based on her talent, might not actually be that perceptive.

However, he couldn't appear too stupid, otherwise Qi Shiyun would easily think he had intellectual problems.

That's how the conversation we just had came about.

Flattery is also a skill.

Don't think this is tiring; moving bricks is even more tiring.

If your dad won't participate, you have to. Participating in this is better than doing manual labor.

"Qi Tanhua, although the Qu family is only harboring a double for the Thousand-Faced Demon, the Thousand-Faced Demon will definitely send people to keep an eye on the Qu family. If we send people to investigate now, we might still be able to find traces of the Thousand-Faced Demon," Lian Shanxin reminded him.

He definitely hopes that Qianmian will be caught.

However, Qi Shiyun shook her head: "If Qianmian wants to hide, even Lord 'Tianjian' might not be able to catch him. It's too late to investigate now. Just arrest all the members of the Qu family, deal with those who are involved, and release those who are not. There's no need to make a big fuss about this."

"what?"

Lian Shanxin was somewhat surprised that Qi Shiyun was so disciplined.

Does 'Nine Heavens' need to be so low-key?

“Yes, it is necessary. Lord Tianjian’s entry into Bailudong Academy has already attracted much attention from the court and the public. If there are any major moves at this stage, it may trigger strong backlash from all sides. Our trip to Jiangzhou is not for a short-term plan, so there is no need to rush.”

Qi Shiyun's words were rather blunt.

Since it had already been confirmed that the Qu family was connected to the Demonic Sect, Lian Shanxin's contribution was genuine. With this contribution, plus her favor, joining "Nine Heavens" was a foregone conclusion.

Therefore, she didn't mind revealing some inside information to Lian Shanxin.

Lian Shanxin felt a chill run down his spine.

"How's the investigation going on your end?"

"It's almost done. Qu Junjie has confessed to everything and handed over the warehouse keys."

Lian Shanxin took out the key and handed it to Qi Shiyun with both hands.

"Please take a look, Scholar Qi."

Qi Shiyun took the storeroom key and stood up immediately: "Let's go see if there's any surprise."

Lian Shanxin gave Du Jiu and Qi Wenbin a wink, signaling them to follow.

Upon reaching the warehouse, Qi Shiyun stopped and instructed, "Xiao Jiu, Wenbin, you two guard the warehouse door. Lian Shanxin, you come in with me."

"Yes, x3."

After opening the storeroom with the key, Qi Shiyun did not rush to search for treasures. Instead, she gently waved her right hand, and an invisible energy spread throughout the room.

Seeing Lian Shanxin's confusion, Qi Shiyun explained, "This is a soundproofing technique, a minor skill used in cultivation. It's much more difficult for martial artists to achieve this."

Lian Shanxin's eyes lit up.

Qi Shiyun continued to explain, "There are some things that are not convenient for Xiao Jiu and Wenbin to hear, so I deliberately made it soundproof. Xiao Jiu and Wenbin are both of average talent in martial arts. Xiao Jiu has slightly better talent, while Wenbin is considered average within 'Nine Heavens'. If you join my lineage in the future, they will be under your command. Remember to treat them well."

Lian Shanxin was both surprised and delighted: "Qi Tanhua, I'm just a newcomer. You're handing them over to me?"

“Different talents, different merits, naturally different treatment. By joining my lineage, you become a direct descendant of the ‘Nine Heavens.’ You also have the talent for cultivating immortality, so your future will naturally far surpass theirs. If you achieve great success in the future, they will also rise to prominence. Otherwise, with their aptitude, they will find it difficult to make a name for themselves in this life, which is a good thing for them.”

Qi Shiyun's statement was perfectly reasonable.

But Lian Shanxin could tell that Qi Shiyun was actually showing off her skills and offering him a job.

Given the promising future of cultivating immortality and Qi Shiyun's high status and talent, they still offered him these kinds of conditions.

Lianshanxin became increasingly aware of one thing:

The path of the "Chosen One" is by no means easy.

If the path to success were smooth and easy, Qi Shiyun wouldn't need to put in so much effort.

To be honest, he was a little scared.

Just then, Qi Shiyun's nose twitched slightly, and her eyes lit up: "The fragrance of a thousand-year-old snow lotus! The Qu family actually has a thousand-year-old snow lotus."

She quickly went to one of the large boxes and used her internal energy to break it open.

Then, a pure white, thousand-year-old snow lotus bloomed before Qi Shiyun.

Lian Shanxin's breathing became rapid instantly.

He remembered how his mother would occasionally cough up blood while carrying him on her back.

And his father's unpleasant expression.

He asked his father privately what was wrong with his mother.

My father said that my mother was born weak, and after the family suffered a great tragedy, she was seriously injured, which made her even weaker. Although he has tried his best to treat her over the years, he can only alleviate the symptoms, not cure her.

If this continues, it is unlikely that the mother will live past fifty.

He Miaojun is already forty years old this year.

This is one of the reasons, or even the biggest reason, that Lian Shanxin desperately wanted to climb upwards.

The most premium resources are only available to a small group of people at the top of the mountain; ordinary people have no access to them at all.

For the first eighteen years, he was supported by his parents, which was only natural.

After turning eighteen, one always wants to repay the kindness of one's parents in giving birth to and raising one.

You must succeed faster than your parents age.

Otherwise, it would be a case of wanting to care for one's parents but finding them no longer there.

He remembered clearly that Lian Shan Jingcheng had solemnly mentioned that the thousand-year-old snow lotus was the best natural treasure for treating his mother. Unfortunately, the thousand-year-old snow lotus was extremely rare and hard to come by, and even if it existed, it was beyond their family's reach.

Lian Shanxin had only heard of the thousand-year-old snow lotus before, and only today did he see it with his own eyes.

"Lian Shanxin, you have made a great contribution this time, a tremendous one. The Qi Condensation Pill will definitely not be a problem, and you may even gain the Crown Prince's friendship."

Qi Shiyun burst into laughter.

"As the heir apparent, the Crown Prince's biggest problem is that he was born weak. His mother was poisoned before giving birth to him, which caused his congenital weakness. In recent years, His Majesty has been searching for the thousand-year-old snow lotus. Only by using the thousand-year-old snow lotus as medicine can the Crown Prince be transformed. Unfortunately, the hundred-year-old snow lotus is easy to find, but the thousand-year-old snow lotus is extremely rare. Unexpectedly, we have encountered it at the Qu family today."

At this point, Qi Shiyun suddenly realized: "That's right, the Qu family is helping the Demonic Sect transport supplies. I heard that the Demonic Sect leader almost went mad a few years ago, which caused him to suffer serious injuries. This thousand-year-old snow lotus must have been prepared for him. I really don't know what kind of luck the Qu family had to find a thousand-year-old snow lotus in front of His Majesty."

"Qi Tanhua, is this thousand-year-old snow lotus really that rare?" Lian Shanxin asked.

Qi Shiyun nodded: "Of course. Just think about it, how small is the probability of someone being able to grow for a thousand years without being picked or trampled by any strange beasts in the mountains and forests, and still be able to grow safely for a thousand years?"

Lian Shanxin thought about it and felt that the probability was indeed close to zero.

"This is the most precious healing medicine in the world. His Majesty had the 'Heavenly Calculation' master personally divine that there are no more than three thousand-year-old snow lotuses left in the world today."

Lian Shanxin silently lowered his head.

Three plants...

The Crown Prince needs it.

The leader of the evil cult needs it.

They are all important people.

But my mother needs it too.

Neither the Crown Prince nor the leader of the Demonic Sect did Lian Shanxin recognize them.

He Miaojun was the woman who gave him life.

"Lian Shanxin, you're really lucky. With just this one thousand-year-old snow lotus, you're guaranteed a lifetime of wealth and honor."

Qi Shiyun's tone and eyes were full of surprise, and she was extremely satisfied with Lian Shanxin, who was her lucky star.

But she soon realized that she had been too happy.

Lian Shanxin slowly raised his head, his tone firm: "Qi Tanhua, apart from Chairman Qu, no one should know about the existence of this thousand-year-old snow lotus, not even Qu Junjie."

If he had known, he probably would have used it to save his life.

Qi Shiyun was taken aback.

"As long as we kill Chairman Qu, the only people who will know about this will be you and me."

Qi Shiyun sensed something was wrong and reminded him, "President Qu may have passed this message on to the Demonic Sect."

"He wouldn't. He didn't even warn Thousand Faces' substitute. Otherwise, if Thousand Faces had eaten this thousand-year-old snow lotus, his injuries should have healed, right?"

"Indeed, but the Thousand-Faced Demon might be keeping it for the Demonic Cult leader."

"Does Scholar Qi really think that members of the Demonic Sect would be so loyal and righteous?"

Qi Shiyun remained silent.

She didn't quite believe it either.

Rationally, she was more inclined to believe that Chairman Qu wanted to report directly to the leader of the Demonic Cult in order to claim all the credit and thus win Jian's favor with the Emperor.

"My lord, you probably don't need the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus, do you?"

Qi Shiyun said earnestly, "If I were to offer up the thousand-year-old snow lotus, I would receive a great reward from His Majesty and His Highness the Crown Prince."

Lian Shanxin hesitated for a moment, then knelt down, startling Qi Shiyun.

"what are you doing?"

“My mother is seriously ill, and medicine cannot cure her. Only the thousand-year-old snow lotus can completely heal her. Please grant Lian Shanxin’s request. From now on, Lian Shanxin owes you his life. I will brave any danger, even mountains of knives and seas of fire. If I break this oath, may I be struck down by heaven and earth.”

The man has gold at his knees.

In his entire life, Lian Shanxin has never knelt before anyone except his parents.

But this time, Lian Shanxin's knees buckled.

They knelt down without hesitation.

“My lord, I do not know my true worth, but I want you to know that if you offer the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus to the Crown Prince, you will only receive his reward. If you give the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus to me, you will receive all of me.”

Qi Shiyun was shocked and speechless: "Lian Shanxin, do you know that by doing this, you are giving up the wealth and glory that are within your grasp?"

"I know."

"Do you know that if this gets out, you will find it difficult to face His Majesty and the Crown Prince?"

"I know."

"Do you know that this matter involves enormous risks? If, by any chance, others discover the existence of the Thousand-Year Snow Lotus, it will be a sword hanging over your head at any moment."

"I know."

"You still want this thousand-year-old snow lotus?"

Lian Shanxin kowtowed: "Please grant my request, Your Excellency."

Qi Shiyun fell silent.

Lianshanxin was valuable in her eyes, but nowadays, Lianshanxin is definitely not as valuable as a thousand-year-old snow lotus.

She should have given up Lianshan Xin without hesitation and offered the thousand-year-old snow lotus to the crown prince.

But Lian Shanxin's filial piety and determination moved her.

Most importantly, besides her talent, she saw that Lian Shanxin was more suited to cultivating the "Supporting the Dragon" lineage—that lawless and disrespectful heart towards imperial authority!
"Lian Shanxin, you've put me in a difficult position. If I agree to your request, it would mean I'm deceiving His Majesty and harming the Crown Prince."

“It was all my doing; you were kept in the dark, sir,” Lian Shanxin said solemnly.

Qi Shiyun scoffed, "Such words can only fool fools. If His Majesty and the Crown Prince really want to settle accounts, I can't escape them."

Lian Shanxin's heart sank.

"However, I agree. You can take this thousand-year-old snow lotus to fulfill your filial duty. The price is that you must follow me wholeheartedly from now on."

"Thank you for your help, sir."

Lianshan was overjoyed.

"Don't be so happy yet. My lineage has the highest mortality rate among the 'Nine Heavens'." Qi Shiyun's tone was full of meaning: "You and I are indeed destined, Lian Shanxin, you are very lucky. Your request today would be regarded as a rebellious traitor in any other lineage. Only the Fulong lineage would accept a lawless madman like you."

The cultivation of the Fulong lineage originally used the royal family of Yu the Great as its cultivation material.

But the legacy of Yu the Great, passed down for thousands of years, has instilled a deep-seated reverence for imperial power in almost everyone.

Being lawless is a talent even harder to find than spiritual roots.

Qi Shiyun saw a talent in Lian Shanxin that surpassed her own!

"A tremendous opportunity also means immense danger. Lian Shanxin, by accepting this thousand-year-old snow lotus today, you have decided who your friends are, and most importantly—the Crown Prince will inevitably be your enemy!"

At this moment, Lian Shanxin still did not understand the full meaning of Qi Shiyun's words.

But he accepted the thousand-year-old snow lotus without hesitation.

Qi Shiyun's eyes revealed admiration.

On this path to immortality, now that the path is severed, there is one more true fellow Daoist!

(End of this chapter)