Chapter 112: You Are Worthy to Stand Beside Me!

"Today, you have won."

The failure of the Arhat of Wrath to keep his word had left the final plans of the Saintess of Red Music in ruins. Ignoring Li Jiufang, who stood with a solemn expression atop the city gate tower, the Saintess slowly ascended into the sky as endless radiance condensed beneath her feet into a path of petals.

"However, Li Jiufang, though I have lost today, I do not accept it. I did not lose to you. If not for that meddling sword cultivator, the outcome of today would be clear to you. The grievances between us are not yet settled. One day, I will surely wash away the shame of this day."

Her figure drifted away along the petal-paved path, her voice echoing hollowly.

"We won?"

The various platoon leaders looked at each other, unable to believe the corners of their mouths were slowly curling upward.

"We won!"
"We won!"
"We won!"
"We won!"

A tsunami of cheers erupted from the city walls. The soldiers, who had long prepared themselves for martyrdom, never expected to survive this war, and they immediately embraced one another in celebration. Their faces were radiant with the joy of victory, their eyes filled with resolve and courage.

Below the walls, the residents witnessed it all. They expressed their respect for the brave defenders with enthusiastic applause and cheers. Young and old, men and women alike, were hugging, jumping, and shouting slogans of victory. They released the long-suppressed pressure and fear in their hearts, replacing it with jubilation. The entire city boiled over, a festive atmosphere permeating every corner. People flooded the streets to celebrate the feat of a successful defense.

At that moment, the first light of dawn broke. A streak of golden sunlight spilled down, illuminating a little girl's face like a warm embrace. She closed her eyes slightly, her face filled with joy and serenity.

Turning back to look at the people dancing and celebrating the arrival of victory, a look of gratification and satisfaction appeared on Li Jiufang's face. *At last, everyone survived.*

Just as everyone was cheering, a figure hidden in the thin water mist prepared to leave quietly. Sensing something in the void, Li Jiufang glanced sideways and caught sight of the departing mist. His gaze shifted, but he remained silent. With a subtle movement, Li Jiufang quietly caught up to Qi Xiu, who was about to leave.

...

In a hidden corner of the city wall, a figure suddenly blocked the path of Qi Xiu’s light-based escape technique.

"I am Li Jiufang, Magistrate of Qingliu County. I humbly request that you stay for a moment."

Blocking Qi Xiu’s path, Li Jiufang stood with a sincere expression and cupped his hands in a salute. Startled by the sudden intervention of the magistrate, Qi Xiu frowned and pondered for a moment before casting a spell to disperse his water-mist aura. However, his face remained hidden behind the white mask fashioned from a hundred-faced charm.

"The formidable enemy has just retreated, and there are many affairs to attend to. Magistrate Li, why stop me instead of handling your official duties?" Qi Xiu asked indifferently, his voice resonant.

Before the words had even finished echoing, the Li Jiufang opposite him bowed deeply.

"You risked your life to protect the seven hundred thousand citizens of my Qingliu County. Please, accept my gratitude."

Surprised by this sudden bow, Qi Xiu instinctively moved to dodge, but a telepathic message reached his ears. It was the voice of Daoist Qingya.

"Don't dodge."

The voice seemed to contain an inexplicable power. Upon hearing it, Qi Xiu subconsciously froze his movements and accepted the bow.

"If not for your righteous intervention today, my Qingliu County would surely have been breached by the rebels, and the people within would have been slaughtered. May I ask for your name? I would like the people to know who saved them," Li Jiufang said earnestly.

"That is not necessary."

Always seeking to keep a low profile, Qi Xiu’s eyes flickered, and a thought struck him: "If you must thank someone, thank Daoist Qingya of the Lingguang Precious Sect. It was his guidance that brought me here to protect Qingliu County."

*Daoist, don't say I'm not a friend,* he thought. *The opportunity is mine, and the fame is yours. Consider it a repayment for your tutelage.*

"Daoist Qingya..."

Upon hearing those three words, Li Jiufang’s expression turned complex and strange. After a moment of silence, he spoke slowly: "Do you... know Daoist Qingya?"

*Hmm? Could it be that Li Jiufang has a grudge against him?* Noticing the odd tone and expression, Qi Xiu shifted his stance: "I suppose so, but we aren't close."

"Do not misunderstand. I have no grudge against Daoist Qingya. It is just that you mentioned he is from the Lingguang Precious Sect. As far as I know, there was indeed a Daoist Qingya there, but he was expelled from the sect six years ago."

"What?" Qi Xiu's expression shifted slightly. "What was the reason?"

"I only heard rumors of this. It is said that he broke into the forbidden grounds of the Lingguang Precious Sect, not only stealing several volumes of forbidden ancient scriptures but also causing a great disturbance and injuring many people. Afterward, the sect placed a massive bounty on him, but for some reason, they later canceled it. Then, the Lingguang Precious Sect sealed its mountain gates, which remain closed to this day."

Li Jiufang’s words stirred a tempest in Qi Xiu’s heart. The fat Daoist who was usually smiling, lacking any sense of propriety, and whose eyes lit up at the sight of a talisman, was actually a ruthless expert who had once wreaked havoc on the Lingguang Precious Sect and escaped unscathed. Furthermore, considering the sect had first issued a bounty and then suddenly canceled it, Daoist Qingya must have held some leverage over them. Otherwise, how could he have forced such a powerful, long-standing orthodox sect to cancel the bounty and shut their gates? The Lingguang Precious Sect was no small fry; their ability to monopolize the talisman market in the vast Dianchuan Province was proof of their immense scale and strength. Yet, such a great sect had suffered a setback at the hands of Daoist Qingya. Just how terrifying was the background of that smiling fat man?

"We shall discuss the details when we return home."

The voice of Daoist Qingya echoed in his ears again, and Qi Xiu nodded silently. Although the Daoist had such a terrifying background, they had spent time together, and he had never shown any signs of malice or cruelty. Moreover, if this man truly wanted to do something to him, given his ability to stir up the Lingguang Precious Sect, any resistance would be like a mayfly shaking a tree.

"Regarding today’s events, I hope Magistrate Li will keep the part about Daoist Qingya a secret. There are reasons for this, and I cannot explain further. This is my only request for saving the people of this city. Can you agree to this?"

Clasping his sleeves and raising his hands, Qi Xiu made his request for secrecy after a brief pause.

"Rest assured, I will not utter a single word about Daoist Qingya."

Knowing that this mysterious sword cultivator preferred to stay low-key, Li Jiufang did not press him further. After thanking him once more for saving Qingliu County, he cupped his hands and watched the other man depart.

...

Driving his escape light, a solemn-faced Qi Xiu returned to the small courtyard in the city. Inside, Daoist Qingya was already lying on a rocking chair with a pot of spirit tea brewed. The chair, which usually required Qi Xiu to push it to get it moving, was rocking back and forth with great contentment today.

"You're back. Congratulations, you've obtained the opportunity."

Hearing the door open, Daoist Qingya lifted his head with a chuckle.

"Your acting skills are first-rate, Daoist. You fooled this poor cultivator quite thoroughly. 'One of the Top Ten Outstanding Youths of the Lingguang Precious Sect,' 'The Romantic Talisman Knight,' 'Honorary Exorcist of the Dianchuan Province'... Why didn't you say you were the next Sect Master of the Lingguang Precious Sect?"

Sitting down beside him, Qi Xiu poured a cup of spirit tea and downed it in one go.

"I could have been..."

Murmuring something barely audible, Daoist Qingya wore his signature smile. "I didn't lie to you. Those were my titles before I was expelled. Not a single one is false. That said, don't play the 'preconceived notions' game with me. I've already secured the opportunity for you. It's time for you to fulfill your promise. Tell me, who exactly is your master?"

"Opportunity, opportunity... I still don't understand what this 'opportunity' you speak of really is. As for who my master is..."

Giving Daoist Qingya a meaningful look, Qi Xiu turned his cup upside down, folded his sleeves, and narrowed his eyes. "Given your brilliance, you must have known the answer long ago, haven't you? Why ask me?"

"You little rascal..."

Narrowing his eyes as well, Daoist Qingya also folded his sleeves. Four eyes met, and the atmosphere grew stagnant.

"Hahaha!"

Unable to hold back, both men burst into laughter. Daoist Qingya rubbed his plump, round belly. "The moment I first saw you, I knew that talk about your 'master' and some 'small sect with only three or five people' was all nonsense. I’m not bragging, but I’ve visited every sect in the Great Xuan Dynasty that practices talismans. I saw through you a long time ago."

After the laughter died down, Qi Xiu slowly let his smile fade. "Since that is the case, why did you teach me your methods and help me seize this opportunity in Qingliu County?"

"Why? Because I like you, of course."

Sitting up from the rocking chair, a rare look of focus and sharpness appeared in the Daoist's eyes. "You have a scent about you that is entirely different from ordinary cultivators, especially those from big sects and wealthy families. You are distinct, unrestrained, and possess no awe of authority. I see myself from many years ago in you. The path I am walking now is too lonely. A solitary journey, empty and desolate. But you... you have the potential to walk alongside me."

Not expecting such high praise from a great cultivator like Daoist Qingya, Qi Xiu smiled. "So, guiding me to seize this opportunity was an investment?"

"Not bad. Although you have potential, you are still too green. The Dao-Entry Realm is seen as an earthly immortal by the masses, but in the world of cultivation, entering the Dao is merely the beginning. Blood-Stained, Dao-Body, Primordial Spirit... the road you have to walk is still very long. Qi Xiu, you have the qualifications to stand beside me in the future, but that is the future. Helping you this once is the limit. Over-interfering with your growth would only harm you. Practice the techniques I taught you well, but never reveal a shred of them to anyone else. Remember that! I hope that when we meet again, your growth will give me a surprise."

As his voice lingered, under Qi Xiu's gaze, the smiling figure of Daoist Qingya gradually blurred and faded, finally dissipating entirely into the air. Only the rocking chair continued to sway slightly.