Chapter 444 (2)

“Tian Lao had long known the reason for Yan Cangshan and his companions being captured.

He understood that Lu Qing was already showing mercy.

If it had been any other powerful figure, such an affront would likely have been met with instant death.

For Yan Cangshan to only lose his arms was already a stroke of great fortune.

Moreover, the divine abilities displayed by Lu Qing further deepened the fear within Tian Lao's heart. Naturally, he dared not harbor the slightest discontent.

“Alright, you may leave now,” Lu Qing waved his hand dismissively.

Yan Canghai, however, hesitated for a moment. Bowing, he asked, “Then about that young man, the descendant of Li Weitian, Senior…”

“I will have someone handle this matter. You should first see to their settlement,” Lu Qing replied calmly.

“Yes, then we shall take our leave,” Yan Canghai said, bowing before departing with his group.

Once they had left, Lin Zhirui stepped forward and apologized, “Lu Xiaolangjun, it was my decision to bring Yan Canghai and his people here. I hope you can forgive me.”

“Brother Zhirui, what are you saying? By bringing them here, you’ve actually saved me some trouble,” Lu Qing said with a smile.

Previously, Lu Qing had kept Jiuli Village a secret because his strength was still weak, and he had provoked a powerful enemy like Xuankong Mountain. He feared he wouldn’t be able to protect the village.

But now, having stepped into the Golden Core Realm, with Xuankong Mountain already destroyed and Jiuli Village protected by formations, those concerns were no longer an issue.

Hearing that Lu Qing wasn’t upset, Lin Zhirui sighed in relief.

He had gone against his usual principles in deciding to bring Yan Canghai’s group here. For one, he genuinely wanted to help his friend. For another, he feared that, in his absence, the Yan family might act recklessly and provoke Lu Qing too much.

If Lu Qing had truly become enraged and destroyed the Yan family, the royal family would collapse, plunging the Yan Kingdom into chaos. The resulting turmoil would embolden neighboring states, and the common people would suffer from displacement and hardship.

To prevent such a disaster, Lin Zhirui had bent his principles slightly.

Fortunately, the Yan family had behaved appropriately, and Tian Lao had wisely met all of Lu Qing’s conditions.

Relaxed, Lin Zhirui asked, “Lu Xiaolangjun, what are your plans for Li Weitian’s descendants?”

From Yan Canghai’s account, Lin Zhirui had pieced together the events and understood that Lu Qing had captured the Seventh Prince to protect the descendants of Li Weitian.

Over the past few days, Lin Zhirui had looked into Li Weitian’s history and learned a great deal about him.

He even vaguely guessed that Lu Qing must have inherited something left behind by Li Weitian, which had enabled him to rise so rapidly and achieve such great heights. Otherwise, as a mere Internal Organs Realm physician, how could he have gained access to the cultivation methods and resources necessary to reach the Precelestial Realm, let alone lead both master and disciple into the same realm?

“This is not a matter I wish to handle personally. Let the Wei family take charge and arrange for their settlement,” Lu Qing replied.

Having rescued Li Weitian’s descendants, Lu Qing considered the karmic bond repaid.

Beyond this, he did not intend to involve himself further. With the Wei family’s capabilities, settling a small family of a few dozen should be a simple task.

Lin Zhirui nodded, realizing that Lu Qing had no intention of providing additional support to the Li family.

...

Returning to the village, Lu Qing went to the Wei family’s courtyard and found Wei Xinghe, briefly explaining the situation.

After hearing him out, Wei Xinghe immediately arranged for personnel to travel to the county town and secure accommodations for Li Weitian’s descendants.

Once this matter was resolved, Lu Qing suddenly felt an inexplicable lightness in his heart. His thoughts and energy flowed more smoothly, as if a burden had been lifted.

“Karma, is it?”

Sensing the changes within himself, Lu Qing murmured, a newfound clarity emerging in his mind.

...

The next morning, as soon as Lu Qing woke, he heard a lively commotion outside the village.

The area near the ancestral hall was especially bustling with activity.

He smiled faintly.

With a mere thought, his Golden Core Realm power rippled through him, clearing his body of impurities. He stepped out of his room, his aura fresh and pristine, untainted by mortal concerns like washing or grooming.

“Brother, why is it so noisy outside?”

Xiao Yan emerged from her room, rubbing her eyes.

Although the little girl had already reached the Precelestial Realm, her habit of oversleeping remained unchanged. Without Lu Qing waking her, she might not even rise.

“There’s a celebration in the village today. Do you want to come watch the fun with me?” Lu Qing asked.

“Really? Xiao Yan wants to go!” The little girl instantly perked up.

“Alright, let’s eat first, and then we’ll head over.”

After breakfast, the siblings brought Xiao Li and Wuxing along and headed toward the ancestral hall.

As they approached, the villagers noticed them.

“Ah Qing is here!” someone called out.

The crowd outside the ancestral hall quickly parted, making way for them.

Lu Qing smiled and walked forward with Xiao Yan in tow. Xiao Li perched on his shoulder, while Wuxing followed behind Xiao Yan.

The villagers, long accustomed to the two spirit beasts, showed no fear.

Over time, Xiao Yan often played with her companions, introducing the beasts to the children of the village. Wuxing had even become a favorite, often letting children ride it around for fun.

Only Xiao Li, who disliked being touched, remained aloof. The children admired it from a distance but never dared approach too closely.

“Ah Qing,” called out Grandfather Zhang, stepping forward. “The villagers who wish to learn cultivation have all gathered here.”

“Understood.”

Lu Qing nodded, looking down the steps where several dozen familiar faces had assembled.

However...

Among them stood an elderly man with streaks of white in his hair. Lu Qing couldn’t help but feel exasperated. “Grandfather Zhao, you want to cultivate too?”

The old man grinned, revealing a few missing teeth. “Didn’t you say anyone interested could come? I have nothing to do all day, so why not give it a shot?”

Grandfather Zhang facepalmed and scolded, “You old fool, half your body’s already in the grave, and you still want to cultivate? Stop making trouble and get out of there!”

“I won’t!” Grandfather Zhao retorted, raising his chin stubbornly. “Why should only the young be allowed to cultivate? I’ve always dreamed of becoming an immortal, flying through the heavens. Everyone laughed at me back then, but my wife believed in me. She even said I was an immortal reincarnated.

“She’s gone now, but I want to prove to her that she wasn’t wrong!”

“You...”

Grandfather Zhang was momentarily at a loss for words.

Seeing this, Lu Qing waved his hand. “Grandfather Zhang, since Grandfather Zhao has the heart to seek the Dao, why not let him try?”

With that, Lu Qing flicked his sleeve, and a streak of light flew out.

The light expanded, transforming into a two-meter-tall jade monument that landed firmly on the ground.