Chapter 56: The Mandate Returns to the Ji Family

Chapter 56: The Mandate Returns to the Ji Family

Lu Baitian…

Wasn’t that the recently deceased sect master?

Countless possibilities flooded Gu An’s mind, but his expression remained calm. Feigning curiosity, he asked, “Since he’s a relative of your father, why not find him a better position? This medicine valley is dirty and exhausting.”

Gu Yu chuckled. “Taixuan Sect wasn’t built by my father. Landing here is already better than any outer sect valley.”

Judging by his demeanor, Gu Yu seemed unaware of "Old Tian's" true identity.

Gu An couldn’t outright refuse. Doing so might imply he knew who this “Old Tian” really was.

Gu Yu led Gu An upstairs, never noticing that "Old Tian" hadn’t spared Gu An so much as a glance.

Once inside, Gu Yu shut the door and eagerly asked, “So? Is the book ready yet?”

Gu An smiled. “It’s ready. After careful thought, I decided to make you the protagonist.”

“Really?”

“Really. You’ll see soon.”

Gu An’s smile deepened. Pan An’s name was already legendary throughout the Taicang cultivation world. His second book would undoubtedly receive strong support from the sect, especially since it prominently featured “Taixuan Sect.”

The book aligned perfectly with the interests of the sect’s upper echelon. After this, Gu An planned to move on to entirely different themes.

Notably, this time the Library Hall had agreed to give Gu An an additional 20% share of the profits—something the Taixuan Sect itself had relinquished.

Gu Yu was thrilled. He pulled out a pristine spirit stone from his storage pouch and slammed it onto the table. “Thanks!”

Gu An glanced at the stone, his brow lifting slightly.

Such rich spiritual energy!

Gu Yu smirked. “That’s a supreme-grade spirit stone, worth a hundred high-grade spirit stones. I only have two, both given by my mother. Sincere enough, right? Write your heart out. I’ll handle any problems for you!”

A hundred high-grade spirit stones?

Gu An was stunned. The wealth disparity in the cultivation world was absurd. A single supreme-grade stone was equivalent to a million low-grade spirit stones, while a labor disciple’s monthly stipend was just one low-grade spirit stone.

What a filthy rich maniac!

Though secretly envious, Gu An accepted the stone with a smile. “I won’t disappoint you.”

Gu Yu, now brimming with excitement, pressed Gu An for plot details. But Gu An kept his lips sealed, only fueling Gu Yu’s anticipation.

After Gu Yu left—likely heading to the Library Hall—Gu An approached "Old Tian" and introduced himself. The old man responded respectfully, betraying nothing of his past life as Sect Master Lu Baitian.

At 742 years old, "Old Tian" had a lifespan of 850 years. That meant he had only 108 years remaining. For a cultivator of his former stature, whose lifespan should have approached 2,000 years, this drastic reduction was undoubtedly linked to his injuries.

Gu An speculated on Lu Baitian’s fall. Was it truly due to qi deviation, as rumored, or was foul play involved? Yet the old man’s demeanor suggested otherwise. His lifespan reading didn’t lie—this was indeed the former sect master.

Gu An took "Old Tian" on a tour of the valley, explaining his duties. The old man listened attentively, occasionally asking about the various herbs they passed, as though genuinely interested in farming life.

Could he really have fallen from grace due to qi deviation?

Six months passed in a blink.

Autumn arrived, blanketing Horizon Valley in a cascade of falling leaves.

Gu An stood on a garden path, watching the three monkey demons sweep the leaves. In the distance, Luo Hun sat on a hillside, engrossed in Adventures of the Green Hero. His spear rested beside him, faint spirals of spiritual energy swirling around it.

Suddenly, Gu An’s gaze shifted toward the horizon.

After a brief glance, he withdrew his sight.

Not long after, a figure emerged at the valley entrance—a man in elegant black-and-white robes, holding a folding fan.

Li Xuandao!

It had been years, but the Emperor of Taicang remained as majestic as ever.

Casting a lifespan reading at him, Gu An noted: [Li Xuandao (Transformation Stage, Level Nine)]

On the hillside, Luo Hun noticed Li Xuandao’s arrival and quickly stood, stowing his book and picking up his spear before descending to greet him.

After paying his respects, Luo Hun joined Gu An in leading Li Xuandao to the pavilion.

“How’s this medicine valley I arranged for you? Satisfactory?” Li Xuandao asked as they walked.

“It exceeds my expectations. Some of the higher-grade herbs are ones I’ve never encountered. Fortunately, Your Majesty provided me with a medicinal record,” Gu An replied.

“Hmm? Did you forget what I told you to call me?”

“Uncle.”

“That’s better.”

Li Xuandao laughed heartily, while Luo Hun’s expression turned subtle, his thoughts racing.

Uncle?

The term sparked something in Luo Hun’s mind, and his gaze turned strange.

The three reached the pavilion and sat at the stone table. Luo Hun poured wine for them, and Li Xuandao gestured for Gu An to sit.

“Li Ya should have returned to the sect by now, right?” Li Xuandao asked.

Gu An nodded. “He came back last year.”

“Did he tell you about his experiences over the years?”

“He did. Didn’t you have someone following him?”

“How could I? But every region has informants. Tell me, how did a Foundation Establishment cultivator like him escape possession by a Transformation Stage grandmaster? What secret is he hiding?”

Li Xuandao asked the question casually, sipping his wine, yet his gaze was sharp.

Gu An frowned. “A secret? He didn’t tell me, and I wouldn’t ask directly.”

Smiling faintly, Li Xuandao remarked, “This son of mine was born with mediocre aptitude—the worst among my children. Yet, since entering Taixuan Sect, he’s soared, constantly surprising me. Of course, I’m glad to see him grow, but I worry he may be exploited by others.”

Gu An couldn’t discern Li Xuandao’s true feelings toward Li Ya. Regardless, his loyalty lay with Li Ya.

“I’ll try to subtly probe him in the future,” Gu An replied, though he had no intention of doing so.

Satisfied, Li Xuandao turned to Luo Hun. “Luo Hun, do you think Li Ya has the qualities of a crown prince?”

Luo Hun stiffened. “I wouldn’t dare speculate!”

“You’re no fun,” Li Xuandao said with a chuckle.

He then looked at Gu An, who quickly said, “Uncle, please don’t involve me in this. I just want to grow herbs and flowers for you!”

“Hahaha!”

Li Xuandao laughed heartily, his mood seemingly improving.

As the conversation continued, Li Xuandao’s demeanor grew more unrestrained. Luo Hun noticed and asked, “Your Majesty, has something happened?”

Draining three cups of wine in quick succession, Li Xuandao chuckled. “Nothing major. Have you read Romance of the Gods?”

Luo Hun nodded. “It’s well-written. You’re a fan too, aren’t you?”

“I am. But recently, some have used it to criticize me, calling me the tyrant king and saying the Li family’s 500-year reign should end. They claim the ‘mandate of heaven’ belongs to the Ji family, whose young members have been gaining public favor by slaying demons and earning the people’s admiration.”

Gu An’s heart skipped a beat.

Luo Hun was enraged. “Who dares say ‘the mandate returns to the Ji family’? Command me, Your Majesty—I’ll eliminate Pan An if necessary!”

What the hell?!

You’re not getting any more Green Hero books from me!

Though furious internally, Gu An feigned concern outwardly.

Li Xuandao snorted. “Fool. Killing Pan An would only prove I’m petty and incapable of tolerating dissent.”

Hearing this, Gu An’s opinion of Li Xuandao improved.

That’s the mindset of a wise ruler!

He thought to himself, Don’t worry, Uncle. My next book, Journey to the West, will portray the emperor as a virtuous figure. Sure, it critiques the heavens, but the mortal emperor—Li Shimin—is shown in a positive light.

As Li Xuandao continued venting, his tone grew more serious. “Governors of each state grow increasingly independent, beyond the court’s control. The criticism using Romance of the Gods is just the beginning. One day, swords will be drawn.

“Horizon Valley is crucial. Don’t let me down.”

He left after three days of subtle hints about his expectations for Li Ya. Gu An, however, chose to ignore them, keeping himself uninvolved.

Before leaving, Luo Hun urged Gu An to only bring Adventures of the Green Hero in the future.

Gu An merely laughed in response.

Three years later.

Horizon Valley’s first harvest brought Gu An nearly 5,000 years of

lifespan, filling him with joy. His annual lifespan gains would now skyrocket, his total surpassing 70,000 years. He was steadily marching toward his million-year goal.

On this day, Gu An accompanied Su Han and Zhen Qin to the outer sect. Both had reached Foundation Establishment, thanks to their diligence and Gu An’s supply of low-grade pills.

After escorting them to the Elder’s Hall to register as outer disciples, Gu An turned to leave.

Walking down a street, a familiar voice called out, “Senior Brother, long time no see!”

Turning, Gu An saw Lu Jiu Jia, clad in the black uniform of the Demon Removal Hall, accompanied by six of its disciples.

“How’ve you been?” Gu An asked with a smile.

Since the sect master’s death, the Demon Removal Hall had grown immensely influential, overshadowing even the Law Enforcement Hall. Their presence was impossible to miss in the outer sect city.

Lu Jiu Jia stopped before him, nodding. “Quite well. My master recently promoted me—better pay, more power. If you ever need anything, come to me.”

He pulled a black token from his storage pouch and handed it to Gu An.

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