Time Travel: The Survival of Li Zhi

"Junior Li Zhi, greetings to the Heavenly Master!"

Li Zhi bowed and saluted, his attitude humble but appropriate.

As the acting head of the Night Patrol Division, he represented Zhao Wuji and the entire Night Patrol Division. His status and position were no less than Zhang Tianshi's Imperial Master, but Li Zhi had come to seek assistance, so he had to be humble.

What's more, Zhang Tianshi is the head of Longhu Mountain and a highly respected senior in the cultivation world. It is reasonable for Li Zhi to meet him with the courtesy of a junior, and it does not bring disgrace to the dignity of the Night Tour Division.

Zhang Tianshi was dressed in an exquisite Taoist robe and had a dignified demeanor. Although he was nearly sixty years old, his face was as rosy as a baby's, and there was not a single wrinkle at the corners of his eyes. Judging from his appearance, he looked like a middle-aged man in his forties.

Seeing Li Zhi bow, he also bowed in return, his voice gentle but with a Taoist charm: "I have heard of the name of Lord Li for a long time. I am glad to see you today. You are indeed a young man with great achievements and extraordinary bearing."

Li Zhi's mouth curled up slightly, thinking to himself: What you have heard is probably the notoriety of me killing my master and being rebellious, which is a heinous crime.

After all, Li Zhi's reputation has long been ruined in the Yongguo cultivation world, and it is absolutely correct to say that he is notorious.

If he had not been wearing the skin of the Night Patrol Division and carrying the identity of the imperial court, he would have been regarded as an evil cultivator and surrounded and hunted by those who claimed to be righteous.

Even as he thought this, Li Zhi smiled. "Master, you are too kind. I have long admired your profound Daoist skills. It is truly a great honor to witness you in person today."

This commercial exchange clearly gave Zhang Tianshi enough face and successfully pleased him. He laughed heartily and extended his hand to invite him: "Master Li, there is no need to be so polite. Please follow me into the inner hall to serve tea."

The two parties took their seats as host and guest, and a little Taoist boy served them fragrant tea.

Li Zhi picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then went straight to the point without beating around the bush. Because Li Zhi knew that since Zhang Tianshi had predicted his arrival so early, he must also know the purpose of his visit.

In this case, it is better to speak frankly instead of hiding it.

So, Li Zhi said, "To be honest with you, Master, I came to you this time because I have something to ask for your help."

Zhang Tianshi paused holding the teacup, his face showing no surprise as he calmly asked, "Is it about the unrest in Hanzhou?"

"Exactly."

Li Zhi nodded solemnly and said in a deep voice, "The Gui clan was plotted against, and more than half of them were killed. Now their strength is greatly reduced, and they are unable to quell the unrest in Hanzhou. However, the unrest in Hanzhou cannot be delayed any longer. I have no other choice but to shamelessly ask Longhu Mountain for help."

After saying that, he raised his eyes and looked directly at Zhang Tianshi, waiting for Zhang Tianshi to put forward his conditions. Li Zhi was even prepared to be asked for a huge price.

After all, the Yeyou Division is now facing internal and external troubles, and asking for help from Longhu Mountain can be said to be the only way to quickly stabilize Hanzhou.

If you want to ask others for help, you naturally have to pay some price, otherwise why would they help you?

Therefore, Longhushan had the opportunity to raise the price arbitrarily.

But Zhang Tianshi's answer was beyond Li Zhi's expectations. He only heard him say solemnly: "Don't worry, Lord Li. I am honored to be the Imperial Preceptor. I eat the emperor's salary and bear the emperor's worries. Now that the country is in crisis, how can Longhu Mountain stand idly by?"

He put down his teacup and continued in a firm tone, "Longhu Mountain has been closed for many days, and the disciples are bored, so I'll have them all go down the mountain to help Guizu quell the unrest in Hanzhou!"

"Everyone mobilize?"

Li Zhi was stunned and almost thought he had heard it wrong.

He originally thought that it would be great if Longhu Mountain could send a dozen elite disciples to help. Together with the remaining personnel of Gui, there should be no problem in stabilizing the situation in Hanzhou.

But he never expected that Zhang Tianshi would be so straightforward and even directly mobilize the power of the entire immortal sect.

You know, with the strength of Longhu Mountain, once all of them come out, it will be more than enough to stabilize Hanzhou, and even deter the chaos around Hanzhou.

What surprised him even more was that after Zhang Tianshi finished speaking, he did not mention any conditions at all.

Zhang Tianshi is not tempted by such a great opportunity to blackmail people?

Li Zhi couldn't help but probe, "With all the members of Mount Longhu mobilized, do we need any coordination from the imperial court? I can send a message back to the capital to report immediately."

"No need."

Zhang Tianshi waved his hand and said righteously, "The imperial court is currently busy quelling unrest in various places and is already overwhelmed. We are also people of Yongguo and are under Yongguo's protection. We should share the country's worries. How can we add to the chaos of the imperial court? Longhushan can prepare everything we need on our own."

This time Li Zhi was not surprised, but stunned.

He really didn't expect that Zhang Tianshi's awareness was so high.

However, since Zhang Tianshi has such awareness, Li Zhi is also happy about it.

At that moment, he thanked Zhang Tianshi repeatedly and said a lot of compliments.

Afterwards, he politely declined Zhang Tianshi's invitation to stay for dinner and left.

After all, he is now burdened with heavy responsibilities, tight time and heavy tasks, and he really has no extra time to waste.

Zhang Tianshi personally escorted him to the gate of Tianshi Mansion and ordered the little Taoist boy who had led the way earlier to take them down the mountain.

He stood on the steps, watching the retreating figures of Li Zhi and the others. He waited until they disappeared around the corner of the mountain path before he slowly spoke, "Why, do you think I should make some demands on Li Zhi?"

Footsteps sounded behind him, and a young Taoist priest, also dressed in Taoist robes, stepped forward and bowed, saying, "I'm simply confused. The world is in turmoil, and the court must be anxious to stabilize the situation. The Night Patrol has a request of ours, and I believe they will do their best to meet any request we make. But why did father not ask for anything, and miss this great opportunity in vain?"

Zhang Tianshi chuckled and turned to look at his son: "If you were his father, what would you do?"

A glint flashed in the young Taoist's eyes, and he replied, "I won't make things too difficult for you, but I will definitely seize this opportunity to secure more resources and status for Longhu Mountain. After all, this is a golden opportunity for Longhu Mountain to expand..."

"Confused."

Zhang Tianshi shook his head slightly, his tone filled with a hint of disappointment.

The young Taoist priest was a little dissatisfied. He asked, "Father, do you think this is inappropriate?"

"You only see the immediate benefits, but fail to grasp the dangers behind them. The millennia-long legacy of Longhu Mountain stems not from a temporary expansion of power, but from the golden banner of the hereditary Heavenly Master, a patron saint tied to the imperial court. As long as this important status remains, Longhu Mountain will never decline; but if one misstep occurs, overthrow is only a matter of seconds."

He raised his hand and brushed the cloud pattern on his sleeve, saying earnestly, "You must know that at times like this, we must be clear about our position. At this moment, even if we only make half a request, it might be used as a handle for future reckoning!"

"On the contrary, if we give our all to help him right now, it will not only show our loyalty to the emperor, but also make the Night Patrol owe us a favor. Why not do it?"

Upon hearing this, the confusion on the young Taoist's face gradually faded away, and he revealed a thoughtful look.

When Zhang Tianshi saw this, he knew that his son had listened to what he said, and a hint of relief flashed in his eyes.

He reached out and gently patted the young Taoist priest on the head, saying, "This time, you will lead the team down the mountain to quell the rebellion. Remember, think twice before you act, and don't get into conflict with the Night Patrol."

The little Taoist priest suddenly raised his head, his eyes full of surprise.

This was the first time his father had given him such an important task!

He bowed deeply, his voice filled with uncontrollable excitement: "I will live up to my father's trust and quell the unrest in Hanzhou, bringing glory to Longhu Mountain!"