I am about to die of old age, and I have awakened the character of longevity.

Chapter 122 Xie Yuhe, a master of his generation!
Wow!

The sky was covered with dark clouds, and there seemed to be lightning breaking through the clouds.

The Dayin Mountain was illuminated for a moment.

Blah, blah!
In the circular cemetery, thousands of black coffins facing the center of the circle were shaking, as if some terrible and ferocious monster was struggling inside, trying to escape.

But just when the coffin lid was about to be opened, a clear sound of bells suddenly rang out, and the monsters hiding and struggling in the coffins finally rested in peace.

The entire cemetery immediately returned to peace.

The moved tombstones and struggling bones in the mass grave outside the city also returned to peace because of the ringing sound.

Da da da.

There was a sound of footsteps, and a pair of red embroidered shoes and a red jacket slowly crossed the cemetery, jumping and skipping on the grass.

She was a little girl about ten years old, with a small bell hanging around her waist.

"Oh ho!"

The little girl was overjoyed. She covered her young face and delicate skin with her hands, grinning from ear to ear. "Li Changchun, ah, Li Changchun, you should have been like this long ago. You should have been like this a hundred years ago. Practicing yin and yang together, one in yin, one in yang, is the key to achieving the Mingyu Gong and breaking through the barrier of the four seasons. It's a shame I've been guarding it for so many years."

The little girl skipped away, completely oblivious to the young man standing outside the red coffin, watching her from afar. There was also the young man's clothes scattered on the ground, as well as the old woman's clothes, and even the remains of shed skin on the ground.

The little girl walked out of the cemetery and away from the mass graves. She continued walking along the huge valley and finally came to a very impressive mountain village.

This village is the headquarters of the Corpse Refining Hall.

The mass grave in the cemetery is a forbidden area in the village.

Perhaps because it was far from cemeteries and mass graves, the miasma over the village wasn't that thick. Smoke curled from the roofs of many of the houses.

There were also children running around on the ridges of the village's fields, chasing each other, farmers working in the fields, and women picking mulberry leaves.

It is indeed a secluded village, full of the flavor of life.

The little girl was jumping around on the edge of the field, and because she ran too fast, she was scolded by many farmers.

"Hey, slow down, little girl. Stop stepping on my fodder."

"There's frost on the road. It's dangerous for you to run like this, you wild girl."

"..."

The little girl ignored him and just kept jumping forward.

Crossing the fields, we finally arrived at a cluster of crimson-style buildings. The crimson hue was completely different from the bustling countryside and mountain village outside.

The little girl walked into the building complex and finally came to the door of a huge house.

Most of the gates of other people's houses are flanked by stone lions, but on both sides of the gate of this house are two stone statues of evil spirits painted with blood-red paint.

His eyes were wide open, staring at everyone who entered the door.

Moreover, the evil ghost exudes a strong smell of blood, which shows that the blood-colored pigment on the surface is not pigment, but blood itself.

The most amazing thing is the gatekeepers standing on both sides of the gate.

not human.

But two bronze corpses.

The guy who made Fang Baiyu bow down to him and become the supreme envoy in Baiyu Hall, here... is only responsible for guarding the gate.

Clang.

The two bronze corpses stretched out their hands to stop the little girl from entering.

Ok?
The little girl glared, about to get angry, but suddenly she wiped her smooth face and an innocent smile appeared on her face. She twisted her waist, and the bell hanging on her belt made a "ding-ding-ding" sound.

The two bronze corpses immediately bowed and made way as if they had heard some soul-stirring voice.

The little girl then stepped over the threshold with a smile on her face.

Inside the courtyard, there were bronze corpses sweeping the floor, fetching water, wiping tables, and several more climbing up the stairs to repair the leaking roof.

When they heard the bells, they all showed expressions of horror and fear.

After passing the front yard, there are silver corpses in the inner yard, writing, reciting, learning etiquette, and some are practicing martial arts in the yard.

It's worth mentioning that the silver corpse and the bronze corpse are different in appearance, at least not as scary. They look more like a human.

Cross the inner courtyard and enter the hall.

Several golden corpses sat cross-legged in the hall, chanting Buddha's name and beating wooden fish. Aside from their golden skin, they looked like ordinary, withered old men.

A woman in a brown fur corset was kneeling on the ground.

It was Yu He. (Warm reminder from the author: Yu He is not a villain. The secret will be revealed in the second half of the chapter, with surprises and reversals!)
The first time she saw the little girl, Yu He was stunned and trembling all over. At first, she thought she was seeing things, but when the little girl jumped forward and sat down on the chief priest's chair, Yu He's worries were completely dispelled.

"Your subordinate Xie Yuhe greets the High Priest! Congratulations to the High Priest... You have achieved great success and have regained your youth."

Ok.

The little girl was too small to sit normally, so she sat cross-legged on the armchair and looked at Xie Yuhe with interest. "Have you confirmed the whereabouts of the immortal treasure?"

Xie Yuhe shook her head, "I am incompetent and cannot confirm it."

"Weird!"

The little girl frowned. "This priest helped your ancestor Mingyu achieve great success. In order to find someone to bear the curse of the immortal box, I specially blessed the immortal box with a corpse seed. This way, this priest can always sense the exact location of the immortal box. Why did the corpse seed's sensing disappear after the last incident at the Chen Mansion..."

Bang!
Yu He knocked her head to the ground, "I have already infiltrated Bai Yu Tang and am doing my best to investigate...ah!"

Before she could finish her words, Yu He was slapped by the little girl in the air. Without making any movement, she casually slapped her, leaving a red mark on Yu He's face.

"Waste! This priest has trained you for nearly twenty years, letting you infiltrate Tang Family Fort from a young age, then letting you infiltrate Tiger and Wolf Sect headquarters. Finally, I transferred you to the Blood Ridge black market. Is this how you repay this priest?
Bring me the soldering iron!"

A golden corpse came over carrying a charcoal basin with a red-hot iron inside.

The little girl left her seat, picked up the red-hot iron, and pressed it directly on Yuhe's chest. There was a "sizzling" sound, followed by thick smoke and the smell of burnt skin.

Yuhe's face was pale and the corners of her mouth were twitching, but she forced herself to endure it.

After the iron cooled down completely, the little girl withdrew her hand and said harshly:

"This priest has expended much effort in training you to be a chess piece, and this is how you repay me. I'll teach you a lesson.

This immortal treasure is one of the two greatest treasures of the Changsheng Sect. It is of great importance, and even more so, it is related to the future of our Corpse Refining Hall.

Whether our Corpse Refining Hall can return from a branch to the core of the bishop in the future depends entirely on this immortal treasure. If anything goes wrong, I will bring my head to you!"

Yu He endured the pain, crawled on the ground, and said in a trembling voice: "Thank you, High Priest, for giving me another chance."

Ok.

Seeing Yu He's acceptable attitude, the little girl's anger eased a little, "Is the immortal treasure with the master Xie An you serve?"

Yu He shook her head. "I've been serving the Master for almost a year, and I haven't noticed anything unusual about him. It's probably not him. It's probably... in the hands of the higher-ups at the Tiger and Wolf Sect."

The little girl stared at Yu He for a long time, as if doubting something. After a long while, she averted her gaze. "Then dig it out for this priest immediately. The Tiger and Wolf Sect, a mere trash ant in the underworld, dares to give our sect a magical treasure. It's completely out of character. Go. You must dig out the whereabouts of the magical treasure within three years, otherwise... you will be worthless."

Worthless...

It means abandonment and death.

Yuhe kowtowed to the ground, "I will definitely live up to the high priest's expectations."

"Go down."

Yu He endured the burning pain on her chest and took two steps when she heard the little girl behind her call her. She turned around and bowed, "High Priest, do you have any instructions?"

The little girl stepped forward and handed a black pill to Yuhe. "Take this corpse pill. If I don't have the antidote within three years, you will die of the corpse poison."

Yuhe swallowed it in one gulp without hesitation, and said, "Thank you, High Priest, for the medicine."

"Well, if you find the magic treasure within three years, I will give you the antidote. Life or death depends entirely on you. Go down." The little girl waved her hand to signal Yuhe to leave, then returned to the armchair and sat cross-legged, muttering to herself.

"This damned immortal treasure has been cursed. Anyone who opens it will bear the curse. If not, why would this priest need to find a scapegoat? I don't know what's inside the immortal treasure. It's said that the past masters of the Changsheng Sect have never dared to open it easily... Even if I can get this immortal treasure back, whether it will be a blessing or a curse is still unknown."

……

But after Yuhe left the Corpse Refining Hall, she returned to Shuideng Town and found a pharmacy. She simply treated the injury on her chest and then found a wild horse.

drive!
He rode his horse at full speed, out of Shuideng Town, across the county seat of Qingwu County, and took the official road westward, heading straight for Nanyang Prefecture.

Yuhe walked very quickly.

It is nearly two thousand miles from here to Nanyang Prefecture.

There were many bandits on the road, but Yuhe didn't care and just kept on rushing on.

"Since the high priest has regained his youth, it means... Li Changchun has also succeeded... The Great Yin Mountain, which has been peaceful for a hundred years, is about to be in great trouble!"

Nanyang Prefecture City is much more magnificent than Qingwu County City.

It was home to a population of over one million and was the largest city among the thirty-six counties under the jurisdiction of Nanyang Prefecture.

The renowned Nanyang Prefecture Government Office and the Demon Suppression Office were located within the city. Therefore, the area was peaceful and prosperous, free from banditry. Compared to Qingwu County, it was a paradise on earth.

Moreover, the Tai'a Taoist Temple was located on Tai'a Mountain, 30 miles outside the city. Ordinary bandits would not dare to invade.

The top of Mount Tai'a.

In the early morning, purple air comes from the east.

On the top of the mountain, countless martial artists in tight-fitting outfits were practicing martial arts. It was a lively and spectacular scene.

A carriage hurried to the gate of Tai'a Taoist Temple.

The driver was a man in his thirties, dressed in black. He jumped off the carriage and came to the gate.

The gatekeeper quickly stepped forward and bowed, "Master, you're really early. I'm afraid our head monk hasn't gotten up yet, so it'll take a while before we can leave. Please follow me to the Demon Suppression Division to teach. Master, please come with me inside and have some tea. I'll serve you some snacks."

The man called Chasi-sama refused, "No need, Chaosheng will wait here."

"Ah, this..." Menzi wanted to persuade him, but seeing Chaosheng's resolute attitude, he had to give up. Others might not know who Chaosheng was, but Menzi did.

Li Chaosheng, the deputy chief of the Nanyang Demon Suppression Office.

He held the fifth rank official position.

Even the prefect would be treated with courtesy when he met him.

At this moment, he was standing beside the carriage waiting in the cold wind.

In the entire Nanyang Prefecture, there are only two people who can make Li Chaosheng wait like this.

The abbot of Tai'a Taoist Temple is a.

About half an hour later, the sun rose, filling the sky with golden clouds. The gate to the Taoist temple also opened at this time, and a slender woman in a slim, sea-blue satin dress walked out, welcoming the golden clouds.

Da da da.

The cloud-patterned boots made crisp sounds as they stepped on the ground. The early morning breeze blew her long hair, revealing a delicate face, skin as white as cream, hair tied up with a jade hairpin, and clear eyes.

The sleeves fluttered in the wind, lotus flowers bloomed with every step, like a pearl in the ocean, making the sun in the sky seem to lose its color.

Li Chaosheng stepped forward quickly, bowing and saying, "General Su. Today is the usual class time, and I've come to greet you, sir."

Ok.

The woman hummed softly, then looked at the rising sun.

The sun rises from the southeast.

That direction is also the direction of Qingwu County.

The woman stared for a long time before getting on the carriage and lowering the curtain. "Let's go. Don't keep me waiting for my students. Even as a teacher, it's not good to be late."

“Students are taught.”

Li Chaosheng drove the car down the mountain and was respectful throughout the journey.

There are only two people who can make the deputy commissioner of Nanyang Prefecture so respectful.

And there is only one woman.

He is the head of Tai'a Taoist Temple and concurrently the chief of Nanyang Demon Suppression Office... the only martial arts master in Nanyang Prefecture, Su Yuqing!
There is a famous school in Nanyang Prefecture.

It is called Yunlu Academy.

Daqian attaches great importance to military affairs and has always emphasized the integration of civil and military affairs.

Even in academy, students still need to learn martial arts.

For a college to receive instruction from a martial arts master was undoubtedly a matter of great honor. Among the students, most of the talented young men in Nanyang Prefecture were included.

Moreover, although Daqian favored boys over girls, this was mainly among the lower-middle class. From the literati and officials up... as their material and spiritual lives became more prosperous, this phenomenon would improve significantly.

In other words, this world does not favor boys over girls, but rather it does not favor success or failure.

It's hard for women to make a name for themselves, but there are also many heroic women, and chivalrous women. As long as they achieve something, they are superior to others. People not only dare not look down on them, but instead admire them more.

For example, Su Yuqing is a typical representative of them.

A great master, sitting in Nanyang, who would not respect him? Who would dare not submit?

In the school, more than a hundred people sat respectfully, while Su Yuqing held a book in his hand and read aloud.

"Daqian civilization has lasted for five thousand years, and the Jingtai Dynasty has continued to this day, extending its reign for a hundred years. Although it is a new dynasty, undercurrents surge. To the north, the sixteen kingdoms of Beiliang are eyeing it covetously, to the south, pirates are wreaking havoc across the vast seas, and within the country, powerful local tyrants are separatist. The common people will always suffer, but the people are the roots of Daqian. You are all talented people of Nanyang Prefecture. When you understand the truth in the future, whether you write books or wield power, you must remember... Daqian's roots are in the opposition, not in the government."

The students listened attentively to the lecture. Some were enlightened, while others were full of doubts.

Su Yuqing's views are in great conflict with the quotations of sages in the books they usually learn.

A young man asked, "Teacher, there is something I don't understand."

Su Yuqing's expression was calm and elegant, "Please speak."

Even when answering students' questions, she would always add the word "please".

The young man said, "Everyone says that the whole world belongs to the king. One must be loyal to the king and receive his salary. But the teacher says that the roots of Daqian lie in the people, not the king. So, who owns this world?"

In a feudal society like Daqian with strict hierarchy, asking such a question would be considered as treason.

Such an atmosphere can only be found in Su Yuqing's class.

Only a martial arts master like Su Yuqing dared to discuss the court ceremony.

Su Yuqing glanced at the young man and said calmly, "The world, of course, belongs to all the people."

The young man refused to accept the argument, "What about the king?"

Su Yuqing paused for a moment, looking out the window at the rising sun. "A king is merely managing state affairs on behalf of the people. The king's power is granted by the people!"

In a word, it is like a loud bell or drum.

It resonated in everyone's heart, causing a huge uproar.

The young man said, "Teacher, this doesn't make sense. In the five thousand years of the Daqian Dynasty, there has never been a concept of the people granting the monarchy power. There is no such system."

Su Yuqing said softly, "There is no such system, but if we look at it over a long period of time, how many peasant uprisings have there been since ancient times? The common people cannot speak, but history can. Even if one common person cannot speak, thousands and thousands of common people will stand up and speak at a certain point in time. The succession of dynasties throughout history is nothing more than the lack of morality of the kings. The so-called lack of morality means ignoring the suffering of the people.

Besides, this system hasn't emerged yet. Perhaps in the future... it will emerge. Five thousand years of history have proven this. One day, it will be made public."

The young man was stunned for a long time, and finally bowed deeply to Su Yuqing: "I am grateful for your advice."

At this time, Su Yuqing saw someone outside the window and said, "Everyone, please recite the sage's words a few more times."

She put down the book, walked out, and saw Yuhe, who had been standing under the ancient locust tree for a long time, looking exhausted. "Yuhe."

Yuhe bowed deeply and said, "Miss, I have something important to report."

Su Yuqing glanced at the school and saw that the students were all reciting the poem seriously. Then she turned back and asked, "But is there any unusual movement in Dayin Mountain?"

Yuhe was shocked: "Miss, you also feel it?"

Su Yuqing said, "I've been learning some divination techniques from an old man when I was free, but I've been feeling a bit uneasy these past few days. What do you think?"

Yuhe said, "I saw the high priest regain his youth. Li Changchun...I'm afraid he's already completed the Mingyu Gong and has also regained his youth. Also, Dayin Mountain has been sending bronze corpses down the mountain to cause trouble recently. This is regardless of the original agreement between the government and them."

brush!
Su Yuqing suddenly extended her slender jade finger and touched Yuhe's chest. She tore open her clothes and saw the bandaged wound inside, which was also stained with blood. "Was it done by the high priest?"

Yuhe lowered her head.

Eh.

Su Yuqing sighed, "You've suffered so much these years."

Yu He hung her head and gritted her teeth, "Compared to the sacrifices made by the young lady, my contribution is nothing."

"Li Chaosheng."

Su Yuqing called out to the outside, and Li Chaosheng immediately hurried over, "Master Su."

Su Yuqing said, "Take Yuhe down secretly and give her the best medicine for wounds. Also, after I finish this class, I will go to Qingwu County. It will take three to five years at the shortest, or ten years at the longest. During this time, I will entrust the affairs of the Nanyang Prefecture to you."

Li Chaosheng immediately became nervous. "But there are unusual movements in Dayin Mountain. If that's the case, I can go there and help you relieve your worries."

Su Yuqing shook her head. "You stay here. I've heard that those who have cultivated the Mingyu Gong to the nineteenth level can compete with contemporary martial arts masters. Moreover, two old men who have cultivated to the twenty-fourth level suddenly appeared in Dayin Mountain. Perfect, let me test my sword."

My iron sword hasn't been unsheathed for over ten years. I don't know if it's still as sharp as before."

Li Chaosheng's scalp tingled after hearing this. He was stunned for a long time before calming down. "Don't worry, sir. I will do my best to protect the city. If you are worried, I will cancel this lesson."

"That's not necessary. Everything should have a beginning and an end."

Su Yuqing left the two of them, walked into the school and continued teaching. His calm eyes swept over each young student, full of calmness and serenity.

(End of this chapter)