Who gave you permission to refine demons like this?

Seal the mountain and vanquish the demon!

Lin Sheng's eyes were filled with horror.

"Master, where did this come from?"

"Is the 'sealing the mountain to vanquish demons' referring to Wuzhi Mountain?"

He hurriedly asked a question, and what Su Ren took out was like a bomb that exploded in front of him.

"Could it be that the imperial court knew this all along? If so, why did they wait until now to take action?"

"My master's reaction just now shows that he was surprised that I knew about this."

"Could it be that something happened at Wuzhi Mountain all along, and it's just that it can't be kept secret any longer?"

Various questions churned in Lin Sheng's mind, and some dark thoughts flowed out uncontrollably.

Cao Xingyi picked up the scroll and recognized it as the paper unique to the Martial Virtue Division. He asked Su Ren, "Master, how did the Martial Virtue Division know in advance?"

Su Ren took the scroll back and put it in his pocket, saying, "I don't know either. I just received the Wude Division scroll from the county town this afternoon, delivered by a special person."

"When I opened the scroll, I was told that Liuyun Pavilion was to work together with the four other dojos, Jiudao, Jintang, Feiyan, and Shuangshizi, to clear out the demons on Wuzhi Mountain."

"I thought it was just about clearing out demons, but now that I hear from you, I realize that something like this has happened."

Su Ren frowned and said, "It seems there's more to this than meets the eye."

"What if we partner with other dojos, but those dojos disagree or become uncooperative?"

The decision to seal off the mountain and exorcise demons is worrying, but working together with several other martial arts schools is even more worrying.

Demons are at least openly evil, but those dojos are full of all sorts of filthy people in private.

"Nothing will happen. Duan Xiaoyi just went to those martial arts schools to establish his authority not long ago."

Secondly, the Wude Division stated that any demons hunted down, including those from our dojo, can remain there, and the Wude Division and the Imperial Court will not take a single penny from them.

Furthermore, not only did I receive the scroll, but the other dojo leaders were personally delivered it by members of the Martial Virtue Division, demonstrating the Martial Virtue Division's stance on this operation.

Lin Sheng felt somewhat relieved after hearing this, but he was still a little worried.

No matter how many chains you put on a wolf, it's still a wolf; it won't become obedient just because you put a chain on it.

Cao Xingyi said, "Then this will be a joint operation by all the dojos in Hequan Town."

"This is truly a rare occurrence."

Su Ren closed his eyes to think, then opened them after a moment and said, "I don't know for now if there are any secrets behind this operation, but there's nothing wrong with eliminating demons in itself."

"We must do our utmost to slay demons, as for those dojos..."

He said in a serious tone, "If you discover their actions, you must retaliate properly."

"If necessary, a little bloodshed is acceptable."

.......

In the following days, news of the blockade of Wuzhishan spread throughout the entire Hequan Town.

Many hunters and mountain herders complained, saying things like they just didn't want people to live.

Someone quietly bypassed the barriers and went inside, but was never seen again. Others, not believing in such superstitions, tried again, and the same thing happened. After that, the noise gradually quieted down.

Fortunately, with the Lunar New Year approaching, many people are taking a few extra days to rest and prepare for the upcoming holiday.

Lin Sheng leaned against the window, looking at the crowd below. For some reason, the bustling crowd reminded him of the large, crowded herd of beasts he had seen on Wuzhi Mountain that day.

He murmured, "This year has been quite eventful at Wuzhi Mountain. I hope things will finally calm down after the demon-slaying is over."

"What is the young master whispering about over there? Doesn't he feel cold leaning against the window?"

A soft voice came from behind, and a slender arm wrapped around Lin Sheng's arm.

Lin Sheng turned around and looked at He Qianqian, whose hair was slightly disheveled by the cold wind, and said, "It's nothing, I just saw the festive atmosphere on the street."

"So, young master, how would you like to celebrate the New Year today?"

As she spoke, she pulled Lin Sheng over and gently closed the window.

He sat down in the chair and said, "I have no one at home, so I'll be spending the New Year with my master and fellow disciples."

"What? You have something on your mind?"

Seeing that her probing had been discovered, He Qianqian was initially a little embarrassed, but then she straightened up and sat directly on Lin Sheng's lap, leaning against him.

"Of course I'd like you to come with me, young master."

"I didn't feel anything special about the New Year in previous years, but meeting you this year has given me some feeling."

She raised her head and looked directly at Lin Sheng: "So I want to have a meaningful New Year this time."

He Qianqian's meaning was quite clear, but Lin Sheng could not agree to it.

This is his master who taught him everything, and he will definitely spend the New Year with his master and the others this year, but there are ways to do it.

So he said, "How about I discuss it with my senior brother and we can take you along?"

He Qianqian's eyes widened in surprise, then she asked expectantly, "Is it okay?"

This idea wasn't Lin Sheng's; it was actually Cao Xingyi who suggested it.

Since arriving in Hequan Town, he has been drinking and chatting with his master Su Ren every Spring Festival. However, this has caused dissatisfaction among his three wives, since their husbands are not present every Spring Festival, which makes them feel somewhat uncomfortable.

It's not like I haven't mentioned spending the New Year with my master, which would be a good opportunity for him to meet these three sisters.

However, Cao Xingyi was always worried that his master would have some opinions, especially since he was stuck at the point of breaking through to the Jade Life Realm. He was always worried that he would be accused of indulging in pleasure, so he dared not make up his mind.

Fortunately, Lin Sheng arrived this year, giving Liuyun Pavilion a formal successor, and there's also He Qianqian and his relationship.

So Cao Xingyi proposed this idea to Lin Sheng with the mindset of facing it together.

He Qianqian's pleasant scent wafted into his nose, and Lin Sheng said, "If Master agrees, we can give it a try."

These words put He Qianqian in a great mood, and her smile became obvious, but at the same time, they also made her a little nervous, so she got off Lin Sheng.

"What should I prepare for my master?"

"Young master, do you know what your master likes?"

Seeing the other person's nervous expression, Lin Sheng burst into laughter.

"Things aren't even settled yet, why are you in such a hurry?"

He patted He Qianqian's head, indicating that she didn't need to be nervous.

He Qianqian shook her head: "It's different. I need to prepare in advance. If it really happens, it might be too late to prepare."

"And...and..."

He Qianqian's voice grew softer and softer as she spoke, and a blush crept onto her face.

"And what?"

She said crisply, "...And this seems like meeting the parents..."

Lin Sheng found the words even more amusing, but upon further reflection, he realized they actually made some sense.

His parents had passed away long ago. After becoming an apprentice, he received the teachings and his relationship with Su Ren was truly like that of a teacher and a father.

"So it seems that getting married in the future will indeed require the master's approval."

He stroked his chin, realizing that He Qianqian was right.

He grabbed He Qianqian and said, "What you said makes sense, but you're thinking too soon."

He Qianqian was somewhat flustered and clung tightly to Lin Sheng, saying, "Young Master, you don't want to be with me..."

"That's not what I meant, Qianqian. You're only sixteen now, you're too young. You should be older before you start thinking about this."

"Why are you thinking about marriage at sixteen?"

Just kidding, if Lin Sheng really went for it at sixteen, he'd curse himself as a beast.

He Qianqian breathed a sigh of relief, knowing that Lin Sheng didn't have that kind of idea.

Then she said, "But young master, one can get married at sixteen."

"The laws of Hongchao permit it."

Lin Sheng was stunned, only then realizing that he had been too ahead of his time.