I have Taoism and can understand other worlds

Chapter 702 Jade Cold Mountain

After dealing with the aftermath of the Twin Camel Peak incident, Jiang Wen and Jiang Su rode their escape light back to Jiangling County.

The county remained desolate, the streets were deserted, and the people looked pale and their eyes still held fear.

Jiang Wen scanned the area with his divine sense and immediately knew that the county was plagued by many problems, with lax governance, powerful local tyrants colluding with the remaining minor demons, and the oppression of the good people occurring frequently.

He did not appear directly at the county government office, but instead stood with Jiang Su on a cloud, overlooking this county town that had suffered so much.

"This county has been severely damaged and needs a capable minister to restore order and comfort the people," Jiang Wen said calmly.

Jiang Su understood, her cool gaze falling on a clear stream not far outside the city. She slightly raised her slender hand, grabbed at the damp soil on the stream bank, and a clump of soil exuding a fresh, earthy scent flew into her palm.

The soil flowed between her fair fingertips, and as she chanted the incantation, wisps of pale golden light emanated from her body, weaving into the mud as if woven together.

The clay lump changed shape continuously in the divine light, stretching and shaping, first into a torso, then limbs, and finally a clear face.

In a short while, a middle-aged man dressed in a blue official robe and wearing a black gauze hat, with a dignified and refined appearance, appeared before the two. His figure was solid, no different from a living person, but he faintly exuded a heavy aura that originated from the earth, as well as a trace of Jiang Su's incense and divine power mark.

This can be considered Jiang Su's supernatural power. Although she cannot create all things like Nuwa in mythology, she can still easily create some living puppets.

The clay magistrate slowly opened his eyes, his gaze initially somewhat bewildered, but then becoming clear and resolute.

He straightened his clothes, bowed deeply to Jiang Su and Jiang Wen, and said in a gentle and steady voice, "This humble god greets his master and the immortal."

Although he was created from clay, he called himself a minor god, spoke clearly and logically, and no one would be able to tell that he was not made of flesh and blood unless they knew his origins.

Jiang Wen looked at him and nodded slightly: "Since you were formed from the soil and water of this place and the power of incense offerings, you should know the hardships of this county. From this day forward, you will be the magistrate of Jiangling County. You must be diligent in your duties, love the people, eliminate long-standing abuses, and enable the people to live and work in peace and contentment. Can you do it?"

The clay magistrate bowed solemnly once more: "This humble deity will obey the immortal's decree and will do his utmost to govern this county, so as not to fail the kindness of the master and the heavy responsibility entrusted to him by the immortal."

His words naturally revealed his absolute obedience to Jiang Su and his clear understanding of his own responsibilities.

Jiang Wen pondered for a moment, then said, "Although the demonic atmosphere here has been temporarily quelled, the world is still in turmoil, and it is hard to guarantee that evil spirits will not come to invade again. I will bestow upon you a protective sword intent, which can slay ordinary demons."

Having said that, he pointed his fingers together like a sword, and a pure white sword light, condensed to the extreme and almost materialized, slowly emerged from his fingertips, radiating an incomparably sharp and chilling sword intent that could slay evil and evade all.

With a flick of his finger, the pure white sword light silently pierced the magistrate's brow.

The mud-figure magistrate's body trembled slightly as he felt a vast, majestic, and unstoppable force sink into the depths of his spiritual core, subtly merging with his own divine power to transform into an invisible guardian.

He sensed that with just a thought, he could unleash this sword intent, its power enough to annihilate all demons and evil spirits below the Dao Palace realm! This was undoubtedly the greatest guarantee for his governance of the county.

"Thank you for bestowing your divine powers, Immortal Master!" the mud-figure magistrate said gratefully.

"Take good care of it," Jiang Wen instructed, then exchanged a glance with Jiang Su.

The two brought the magistrate back to the county office, discussed the matter with Dan Chen, and then, in the name of the Tai Shen Palace, appointed the new magistrate.

The world is in chaos, and all sorts of people are mixed together. It's not surprising that the magistrate of Jiangling County got into trouble; apart from his lonely wife and daughter, everything remains calm.

After settling matters at the county office, Jiang Wen informed the former magistrate's wife and daughter of the reason for her husband's death. The former magistrate's wife and daughter accepted the news tearfully, but did not know where to go. Jiang Wen summoned the clay figure and instructed him to take good care of the woman. The clay figure magistrate naturally complied and treated the woman well.

After completing these tasks, the three prepared to head north towards Qinzhou. Now that they had learned of another great demon, they couldn't leave it unattended, and Jiang Wen was also very curious about just who this Heavenly Fox Mother was.

The three people and the child vanished into thin air, their figures gradually fading as if merging into the gentle breeze and flowing clouds. They disappeared into the horizon, leaving no trace.

The clay-figure magistrate, or rather the newly appointed magistrate of Jiangling County, stood still for a moment before getting to work.

He straightened his official robes, his gaze becoming firm and filled with a sense of mission, and strode steadily toward Jiangling County, which was in dire need of reconstruction.

Soon after, the people of Jiangling County discovered that the county government had a new magistrate. This magistrate was an honest and upright official, a brilliant judge, and fair in his dealings. He also seemed to be protected by the gods, as several times when unruly demons or local bullies tried to cause trouble, they were easily annihilated by a beam of white light shooting from the magistrate's eyes.

Order was quickly restored in the county town, and people's livelihoods gradually recovered. Although the people did not know the true origin of this county magistrate, they were all grateful for his kindness and called him "the clay bodhisattva of the blue sky".

And all of this was perhaps within the expectations of the departing Taoist priest, which can be considered a form of protection for the people of this land.

……

"Go to Jade Cold Mountain." Jiang Wen withdrew his gaze, his voice calm yet resolute. No one objected; the light flashed, and they headed north.

Qinzhou is located at the border of the eastern region, and the further north you go, the colder the climate becomes.

The mountains and rivers beneath our feet were gradually covered by snow, and the biting north wind was like a knife. Even with magical protection, we could still feel the piercing cold.

After traveling for several days, a majestic mountain range appeared at the edge of the horizon; that was Yuhan Mountain.

The mountain resembles a giant dragon coiled up, with towering peaks covered by eternal ice and thick snow, reflecting a dazzling cold light under the thin sunlight.

The mountains are rugged and precipitous, with jagged rocks resembling inverted swords and halberds, making it difficult for ordinary birds to cross and devoid of wild animals. Yet, beneath this extreme cold lies a unique array of natural resources.

The mountains not only grow rare and exotic plants that are extremely cold-resistant, but also contain a unique mineral called "cold iron stone".

This stone is extremely cold in nature and far tougher than ordinary iron. With a little forging, it can be made into a divine weapon that can cut hair with a single blow and exude a chilling aura. Although it is not a top-grade spiritual material for cultivators, it is a coveted treasure for ordinary martial artists and even low-level cultivators.

Because of this cold iron ore vein, at the foot of Jade Cold Mountain, along the mountain's contours and a frozen river, stands a magnificent city—Jade Cold City.

Even before you get close, you can feel its imposing aura.

The city wall is fifty zhang high, constructed entirely of massive, dark blue-green iron rocks. The surface of the rocks is covered with frost, adding to its cold, hard, and austere appearance. The city wall stretches endlessly, seemingly without end, and is said to extend for a hundred li from north to south, resembling a sleeping ice dragon guarding the city and mines behind it.

On the city wall, banners fluttered, embroidered with ice and snow patterns and the words "Yu Han," rustling in the cold wind.

The city's defenders were densely packed, clad in armor and armed with weapons. Their armor was covered in frost, but their eyes were sharp as eagles, vigilantly scanning all directions.

What's even more alarming is that on the top of that incredibly wide city wall, rows of sturdy barracks and watchtowers were built directly along the crenellations, turning the entire section of the city wall into an aerial military camp that would never fall.

The atmosphere of war and the chill of ice and snow intertwined, creating a solemn and awe-inspiring ambiance that instilled fear in those who entered the city before they even entered.

The massive city gate was wide open, large enough to accommodate several carriages side by side. The gate was deep, with the two ancient characters "Yu Han" engraved above it, their strong and bold strokes exuding an inviolable chill.

At this moment, the city gates were bustling with activity, a constant flow of vehicles and people. Caravans laden with ores, furs, and medicinal herbs, their thick fur coats billowing white breath, urged their livestock slowly into the city; weary cultivators and martial artists, carrying swords and knives, stood guard; and local residents, wrapped in thick cotton-padded clothes or animal skins, hurried along. Various accents mingled, creating a noisy yet orderly scene, revealing the city's extraordinary management and prosperity.

Jiang Wen and his group concealed their auras and, like ordinary travelers, followed the flow of people toward the city gate. The guards had sharp eyes and carefully checked the travel permits and goods of those entering the city, but they only glanced at Jiang Wen, a cultivator with an extraordinary demeanor yet whose strength was hard to discern, without giving him any trouble.

Upon entering the city, the scenery changes once again. The buildings are mostly constructed of massive stones and resistant timber, with steep roofs that allow snow to slide off easily. The streets are wide enough for several horse-drawn carriages to travel side by side, and the ground is paved with non-slip flagstones.

Shops lined both sides of the street, their signs fluttering in the cold wind, selling mostly furs, spirits, medicines, weapons, and various items to keep warm. The clanging of hammering metal echoed from the blacksmith's shop, the air filled with the aromas of charcoal, leather, and liquor, along with a faint, distinctively cold scent of iron.

Most pedestrians hurried along, their faces slightly red from the cold wind, but their eyes revealed a unique northern tenacity and fierceness.

Commerce was extremely developed, with goods from all over the country converging and trading here. The sounds of clamor, bargaining, and carriages were constant, creating a vibrant and bustling atmosphere that thrived in the frigid environment.

Jiang Wen's gaze swept over the magnificent and unique snow-covered city, and he thought to himself, "With the city's natural defenses, superior weaponry, and thriving commerce, if we can eliminate the evil spirits and manage it properly, it could be a good place to establish a foothold and serve as a barrier for the northern border. At that time, with Qin Prefecture as the boundary, the three eastern prefectures can be taken with ease."

Without lingering, they followed the flow of people deeper into the enormous Jade Cold City, intending to first find a place to stay before exploring the specifics of this place and the secrets of the depths of Jade Cold Mountain.

(End of this chapter)