A life of idleness in the world of demons

Chapter 72, Section 71: The Wind Rises in the Western Regions (5.1K words - Long chapter, please subscribe)
The vast sea is covered in white frost, and the wind blows silver snow on the sand. Even the desolate road next to it is rugged and difficult to travel.

Madam Zhao and the rest of the Qin family dared not take the official road, fearing that the tyrannical Lu Xuezhi would send her personal guards to pursue and kill them.

The group grumbled and cursed as they hurried forward. Some even suggested turning back to look for General Ning, but Madam Zhao rejected the suggestion.

At that moment, she looked at the road in the distance.

But Qin Yi'er, who was beside her, said unhappily, "Isn't it because that Ning guy is weak and can't protect us? He doesn't even dare to step forward."

Madam Zhao did not answer, but urged everyone not to stop and to continue on their way.

midnight
The desert was freezing cold in late autumn.

The group walked without stopping for a moment.

Strangely, this path, which should have been full of danger and even demons, was completely undisturbed.

Finally, one of the Qin family girls gasped, "Mother, we can't walk anymore. We've walked dozens of miles, haven't we? Let's rest for a bit."

Qin Yi'er no longer concealed her anger; she vented all her rage on the young general she remembered, cursing, "Damn Ning Xuan!"

Upon hearing this, Madam Zhao began to survey the surrounding terrain, checking to see if the area was safe.

Suddenly, Qin Jin'er exclaimed in surprise.

Madam Zhao hurriedly looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a huge, imposing figure, as tall as a small mountain, standing on a sand dune not far away.

She could never forget that familiar figure.

"Husband, husband?"

She asked tentatively.

But almost the instant she asked the question, she was certain, and her voice became excited and complicated.

She initially felt that something was wrong with Qin Shanjun, and that his ex-wives were all harmed by him, which was why she harbored rebellious intentions. But now, after going through this ordeal, she understands Qin Shanjun's true intentions.

Distancing yourself from her or imprisoning her is sometimes not harming her, but protecting her.

Much of the resentment in her heart had already dissipated when she left the water prison.

She recalled some of the beautiful times from her girlhood, when Qin Shanjun suddenly appeared and protected the "Spider Hall" that she had just taken over, helping her solve many troubles. If it weren't for that, she would have long since faded into obscurity in the martial world, or even become a servant of the enemy.

After that, it was she who pursued Qin Shanjun.

However, after Qin Shanjun married her, he suddenly became cold and strange, and her feelings gradually changed.

"Husband!!"

Madam Zhao shouted excitedly again.

Qin Shanjun looked at her, his expression softening, and said, "Zhi'er, you've worked hard."

The burly man stood with his back to the moonlight, his gaze sweeping over his tribesmen below.

More and more people are seeing through Qin Shanjun.

They excitedly shouted "General", "Head of the Family", "Father", "Uncle" and so on.

Qin Shanjun nodded slightly and clapped his hands.

A series of "tap tap tap tap" sounds came from behind him.

A cavalryman riding camels and wielding scimitars appeared behind him.

These cavalrymen were all carrying corpses.

The cavalrymen threw the corpses on the ground, along with their new clothes.

Qin Shanjun said in a deep voice, "Clothe the dead with your clothes, then come with me. I will take you to a new place to start a new life. The new life may not be as magnificent and luxurious as before, but it will be more peaceful."

A member of the Qin family asked curiously, "Patriarch, how did you know we were here?"

Qin Shanjun squinted at him, and the Qin family members immediately fell silent, trembling with fear.

"hurry up."

Qin Shanjun urged again.

His eyes flashed with a cold light, and immediately no one dared to utter another word.

He looked east again, thinking to himself: Although I was prepared for my family to be killed, it's probably a good thing they're back alive. I owe you a favor this time, Junior Sister.

Lu Xuezhi tensed her captivatingly long legs as she cultivated alongside Ning Xuan, gradually moving further and further away on the Nine Heavens Clouds. When they reached their limit, the two forced themselves to separate and went to the courtyard to digest their qi and blood.

After calming down, both of them exhaled a long breath, feeling that they had made some progress.

Then, Ning Xuan happily completed their marital relations.

The icy arrogance of the day melts away at this moment, transforming into a blazing volcano. This ghostly, fiery body possesses not only the strangling power of a python but also the wild ferocity of a lion.

Compared to Xiao Jie, who is docile, obedient, and whose every thought revolves around him, and who at most only wants to swindle a little money from him, Lu Xuezhi is truly a terrifying wild horse.

She is unruly, powerful, and has her own ideas, and she is by no means centered on him.

It's hard for any man not to be attracted to such a beautiful woman.

However, in any case, the intensity of the night had by then passed.

On the tatami mat, the two of them each held half of the autumn quilt and lay on one side, like lava cooling after a volcanic eruption.

Early the next morning.
Before dawn, Lu Xuezhi changed into her tight-fitting clothes and went to the courtyard to practice martial arts.

His clothes were snow-white, not the usual scarlet.

The snow-white, fitted clothes clung tightly to her vibrant body, making her a feast for the eyes.

Ning Xuan glanced outside.

It's raining.

autumn rain.

A desolate west wind carries with it a bleak autumn rain.

The withering of flowers and leaves is like the unpredictable fate of those who wander and are separated from their loved ones.

Lu Xuezhi didn't use an umbrella, nor did she stop practicing. The desolate autumn rain fell not only on the eaves but also on her body, only to be dispersed by her energy and turn into a hazy mist.

She dragged her heavy ankles, moving in a sluggish manner, as if she were practicing something, like pushing a millstone.

Ning Xuan loves beautiful scenery.

When Lu Xuezhi is silent and doing nothing, she is a beautiful sight to behold.

Sometimes, Ning Xuan wondered why beautiful women would be born with such an unpleasant mouth.
It would be wonderful if this mouth didn't utter the words "Join?"

early morning
A fast horse came from the south and entered the city as soon as the south gate of Hanzhou opened. It then arrived at the mansion and respectfully handed a family letter to Ning Xuan.

Ning Xuan opened it and looked at it with a helpless expression.

The letter was written to him by his father and mother together.

The mother said she hoped he would have the opportunity to bring his wife back home so she could meet her, and she also urged him to have a child soon. She said that while slaying demons and monsters was important, continuing the family line was no small matter either, and she encouraged him to discuss it with his wife as soon as possible, to plan when he could give her a grandchild. She said she could help take care of the child.

The old man said that he had started compiling the family genealogy. Before he went to Wangyue Prefecture, he was actually from the capital. Although he had no relatives there, his elders still remembered him. Now, his lineage had not only produced a prefect but also a general, which was enough to qualify him to compile the family genealogy.

The old man also emphasized that he would write Lu Xuezhi into the family genealogy, with her name written next to his as his wife.

It's clear that the old man feels that having Lu Xuezhi in the family genealogy brings honor to the family.

午间
Fairy Yao and Chao Yinzi brought news from the capital: His Majesty's decree.

The general content is that Generals Ning Xuan and Lu Xuezhi are regarded as one, jointly inspecting the sixteen prefectures including Hanzhou City. The tiger tally is divided into two, and it will be effective when combined, and they will jointly control the sixteen prefectures.

The two generals' "inspection" was aimed at some special demons.

Ordinary demons are dealt with by celestial masters, Taoist disciples, and the army.

It seems that his family, the country, and the Zixia Temple were all trying to bring him and Lu Xuezhi together.

In the blink of an eye, another two days passed.

Ning Xuan was surprised to find that his physique had improved again.

From 10.1 to 10.2.

Previously, it took five days to improve by 0.1, but now it takes three days.

A martial artist of the second rank, each time he diligently climbed the Nine Heavens Clouds, purifying his mind and spirit, drawing upon the power of Yin and Yang to obtain Qi and blood, and then digesting it. This hard work finally yielded promising signs of growth.

Lu Xuezhi didn't have a panel, so she couldn't see her progress as clearly as he did, but now she could also clearly feel the improvement in her strength.

Her gaze towards Ning Xuan softened considerably.

Finally, she decided to use a little trick, a little scheme. Although she disdained using such womanly methods to persuade a man, for the sake of this man who could both help her improve and satisfy her, she still, in the throes of high spirits, shamelessly and coquettishly called out, "My good man, my good husband~~~"

Ning Xuan felt a chill run down his spine.

Looking at his expression, Lu Xuezhi frowned and said, "Don't you men like this kind of gentle and virtuous wife the most? I can do that too."

Ning Xuan asked warily, "What are you going to do?"

Lu Xuezhi said, "Good husband, it will be good for you to join my family's faction. It won't harm you. Why are you being so fussy? I wouldn't agree to it if others wanted to join."

Previously, she only mentioned power and nothing else, but now, with the addition of information, Ning Xuan instantly understood a lot more.

Lu Xuezhi's power should be that of a genuine martial arts sect. Her strength is not simply due to self-taught martial arts inheritance, but rather to guidance from a master. This master is very likely related to those sects from a hundred years ago.

Lu Xuezhi mentioned Xiao Jie before, and also mentioned that she could tolerate Xiao Jie. The reason she said this was not for him to hear, but because she felt it.

Why?

Xiao Jie is essentially a descendant of the Hehuan sect.

She shares the same origin as me. She can accept me.

Let me mention Lady Zhao, Zhao Zhi, again.

Zhao Zhi's "Spider Hall" is most likely also a descendant of a sect, and Lu Xuezhi's decision to drive Zhao Zhi away is for the same reason.

Let's even be a little bolder in our thinking.

Qin Shanjun was a veteran general. When he rose to power, those sects were just beginning to be destroyed. In other words, Qin Shanjun must have had some interaction with those sects.

So, do Qin Shanjun and his wife know each other?
Now, as a martial artist who cultivates both body and spirit, he is a unique individual among scorpion-like figures. In addition, he is young, which is why Lu Xuezhi took the initiative to come here to arrange a marriage with him and hoped to bring him into the martial arts sect that she inherited.

If we follow this logic and think about it a step further...

In the note Qin Shanjun left for him, he mentioned that "the historical archives stored in the palace were destroyed by a heavenly fire," Qin Shanjun was referring to Zixia Temple.

So, was the relationship between the old-school generals and the emperor really the traditional "emperor and vassal king" relationship?
Was the emperor's "Twelve Divine Generals" plan really intended to deal with old-school generals?
The above lacks evidence and will be set aside for now.
However, as a martial artist, joining a martial arts sect naturally has its advantages.

He could roughly guess the purpose of this sect.

Qin Shanjun's collusion with demons, seemingly to disrupt the country, is actually a ploy to use one enemy against another, in order to deal with the "Frozen Hell" of the Taiyin Ghost Cultivator.

Therefore, the sect's goal is to deal with the Taiyin Ghost Cultivator.

This is a battle between two behemoths.

It would be fine if he could join quietly.

However, he felt there was a problem with the current situation.

The combination of two generals, followed by their ambition to become a divine general, is too ostentatious.

Lu Xuezhi was definitely not a low-key woman.

If all of his guesses above are correct.

Lu Xuezhi should never have let Madam Zhao and the others go at this time.

Even if she uses "hating evil as her enemy" as a cover, does she really think others are stupid?

She didn't realize it at the time, but if there were any discrepancies later, wouldn't she be just like Qin Shanjun, "self-destructing"?

However, she still let it go.

Because of her fiery temper, she couldn't wait until 6 o'clock, even if it was 5 o'clock.

She was too hasty.

To add to that, Lu Xuezhi shouldn't have mentioned that "she could tolerate Xiao Jie."

That's just being outspoken and unable to keep a secret.

One leaf falling signals the coming of autumn.
Details reveal personality.

Beneath Lu Xuezhi's powerful female general exterior lies a straightforward, impetuous, and fiery young woman, not someone to be trifled with.

If Lu Xuezhi were a cunning and resourceful person, or a great teammate, Ning Xuan might have agreed to join, but he felt he couldn't agree for the time being.

If he agrees, Lu Xuezhi will become increasingly reckless, which will cause problems and lead to utter disaster.

It wasn't the powerful forces that were destroyed, but him, Lu Xuezhi, and the entire Ning family.

Many thoughts flashed through my mind
He decided not to answer the question.

Lu Xuezhi wanted to say more.

Suddenly, she realized something. Her pretty face froze in shock in the darkness, followed by an angry shout: "What are you doing? Why are you out here now? You've made a mess everywhere!"

Ning Xuan said apologetically, "Talking to you distracted me."

This interruption also brought up the previous question.

Lu Xuezhi sat with her legs together in the darkness, channeling her energy to expel the impurities from her body. Then, after thinking for a moment, she said, "Then you should recover quickly. You can't fall behind in your cultivation. We'll start over in a bit."

Three days later.
Ning Xuan's physique improved from 10.2 to 10.3.

This made him realize how wonderful "ancient martial arts" truly are.

At this rate, his physique will reach level 20 in less than a year. Although level 20 is definitely a bottleneck, once he breaks through, he will become a third-grade martial artist.

These past few days.
Some of the guards in the mansion began to suggest choosing another residence, which would be considered as building a "Dual Generals' Mansion" for the two generals.

Then, a steward who came with Lu Xuezhi from the Jiedushi's mansion suggested that they could move into the now-empty Qin General's mansion, and after some minor repairs, it would be ready for use.

However, both Ning Xuan and Lu Xuezhi refused.

It's not that I don't enjoy life.

Just as courtesans were as fragile as paper to Ning Xuan, ordinary houses, no matter how large, were of little significance. As for exotic flowers and rare beasts, they held no appeal if they had no value in alchemy.

Take General Qin for example. General Qin himself doesn't wander around in his mansion. In such a large mansion, Lord Qin only uses one secret cultivation room. The rest is for the clansmen to enjoy and show off.

Ning Xuan and Lu Xuezhi put their heads together and decided to open General Qin's mansion to the public, turning it into a place for people to visit. However, they dismantled the secret chamber and transported all the finest steel from it back to make their own cultivation room and bedroom more sturdy and spacious.

府.
That's for the clansmen to live in; it's a symbol of their status.

The training room.
Only what you use yourself, the foundation you truly understand and feel.

Since Ning and Lu had not yet had any offspring, and with the situation still uncertain and their future uncertain, they naturally did not want to establish a residence at this time.

By the time all the tasks were completed, more than half a month had passed.

Ning Xuan's physique changed from "10.3" to "11".

That speed is practically like taking off.

Life seemed to become ordinary again.

Occasionally, there are demons in the surrounding area that cannot be dealt with.

Ning and Lu acted together. Neither of them rode horses, yet they were much faster than horses. They traversed mountains and valleys in a straight line, and then quickly dealt with the demons with a thunderous and overwhelming force. It could be said that "if they arrived in the morning, they would be dealt with in the morning, and if they arrived at night, they would definitely not be left until the next day."

Lu Xuezhi didn't ask any more questions like "Will you join?"

On this day, autumn had turned into winter, and a light snow fell.

Ning Lu was waiting for lunch at his residence.

Both were quite satisfied with each other, as their cultivation levels had improved rapidly recently, even exceeding their original expectations to some extent.

As they spent more time together, Lu Xuezhi was gradually molded into "Ning Xuan's shape".

For example, she used to never like to eat properly.

She believed that eating was merely a way to replenish and restore one's vital energy, and that once one had acquired vital energy, it should be used up through cultivation.

But now, she is willing to accompany Ning Xuan to lunch.

Ning Xuan sat on a rattan chair in a courtyard, leaning back comfortably with wine beside him and his hands welcoming the falling snow.

Watching the first snow of winter and then waiting for a pot of steaming whole lamb soup is already a happy and fortunate thing.

How many times in a lifetime can one experience such good fortune?

Although Lu Xuezhi was keeping him company while he waited for lunch, she did not neglect her cultivation.

The young woman was still practicing in a horse stance, using a secret training method that Ning Xuan couldn't understand.

Of course, if a celestial master were to come to the door at this time, saying that he had encountered a demon that he could not defeat and requesting the general's assistance, the two of them would get up and go to provide assistance.

This is their daily routine.

Seven days have passed since the last time the door was knocked on.

Seven days, no one came to the door, that's a good thing.

This also shows that the Celestial Masters are getting stronger.

The elimination of demons will bring dragon energy, which will enhance the Celestial Master.

Ning Xuan took a deep breath. He could already smell the aroma of mutton wafting from afar, a pure fragrance with a hint of white pepper. He prepared to get up and go eat.

At that moment, his expression turned strange.

Visitors have arrived at the mansion.

Lu Xuezhi gave Ning Xuan a strange look, smiled, and without saying a word, Ning Xuan knew what she was thinking.

She's saying: You can't enjoy your meal properly because trouble is coming.

But then the two of them heard it again.

It turned out they weren't coming to ask for help, but to deliver intelligence.

Ning Xuan had once asked the Jixiang Chamber of Commerce to bring back some information about the Shanmo Sect when they went to the Western Regions. Now, the Jixiang Chamber of Commerce had indeed brought it back, and with the intention of serving the sect, they traveled all the way to Hanzhou and brought the deeds of the Shanmo Sect to Ning Xuan.

Ning Xuan had someone take the members of the merchant guild to rest, while he took Lu Xuezhi to eat mutton soup.

After he finished eating, he started looking at the information about the Samothrace.

Among all the various things he read, he discerned two words: cult.

Upon closer inspection, two more words came to mind: demons.

He put the book down.

Before he could speak, Lu Xuezhi suddenly said, "We should go to the Western Regions. The Shanmo Sect has already reached out to us. Our Suizhou, especially Hanzhou, is the first to be affected. We cannot sit idly by."

At this moment, golden light surged from the ground, and a middle-aged female celestial master with wrinkles on her forehead and fish-tail eyes suddenly appeared and spoke.

Chao Yinzi advised, "General, it is not advisable to travel far to deal with matters outside the borders."

(End of this chapter)