My Demonic Cult's Holy Maiden

So she also reflected on whether she was being too superficial, and why she had to find someone who could beat her.

Want a sense of security? You're already strong enough, you don't need it!

Just like Su Yue, she was also very strong, but she never used it on Qi Yu. She silently protected Qi Yu and supported all the decisions he made.

Force should not be used against one's own family. If she really marries a martial artist who can beat her, is that really what she wants?

She didn't know before, but now she does.

All I want is to find someone I like, and who likes me back, and live a simple, ordinary life together.

Just like Qi Yu and Su Yue!

"Mother, after Young Master Qi takes over as head instructor, I want to go to Yunyu Academy to teach. Li Niang doesn't need to come anymore; I can go there myself then," Qin Xiyao said with a smile.

Li Qiushui and Qin Shuhuai exchanged a glance, their feelings becoming somewhat complicated.

Has he grown up?

But no matter what, this is a good thing!

"Madam, let's go to Jiangzhou City together!" Qin Shuhuai said.

Li Qiushui was stunned for a moment, then realized what she meant and nodded with a smile.

Qin Shuhuai spent most of his life fighting for the Dayun Dynasty, protecting it.

But now he is no longer a martial artist, nor is he the commander of the Blazing Forest Army.

He has stepped down from his post and can now spend plenty of time with his family.

This could be considered a blessing in disguise!

Let's go to Jiangzhou City; it's much better than staying in this filthy place, the capital.

She had been watching the power struggles and intrigues in the capital city for over twenty years and was thoroughly fed up with them.

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Chapter 192 Things Don't Go As Planned

The day after visiting Qin Shuhuai, a eunuch came to Changsheng Temple with an imperial edict from Li Muchen.

Tonight, a banquet will be held in the palace, and Qi Yu has been invited to attend.

After thinking about it, Qi Yu agreed to attend the banquet.

At dusk, a carriage stopped below Changsheng Temple to pick up Qi Yu.

Su Yue did not go with them and stayed at the Changsheng Temple.

The so-called banquet was actually just a family dinner for Li Muchen's family, with Li Muchen's concubines, children, and grandchildren all present.

Qi Yu, an outsider, looked utterly out of place at this banquet.

Qi Yu was seated very close to the front, right opposite Crown Prince Li Ming.

Li Muchen has seventeen children, mostly princesses, eleven of whom are princesses.

There were only six princes. The eldest, Li Ming, was 28 years old and was born to the former Empress Zhao. He was the true eldest son of the legitimate wife.

Princess Liyang, Li Yulan, was also born to Empress Zhao. Li Yulan and Li Ming were full siblings with the same father and mother.

Li Yulan was Li Muchen's ninth child. Nine is the extreme number, so Li Muchen doted on Li Yulan very much.

Li Yulan was the most famous and beautiful among the princesses, and was implicitly hailed as the number one beauty of the Dayun Dynasty.

Empress Zhao had been dead for many years, so Li Yulan was raised by a concubine. At this moment, Li Yulan was sitting in the women's area, and the concubine was next to her.

However, from the start of the banquet, Qi Yu sensed that the atmosphere was somewhat subtle.

It wasn't just because he was an outsider, but also because the Li family members present were looking at him strangely.

After several rounds of drinks, the women left, and Li Muchen led Qi Yu to the Imperial Garden, followed by the six princes.

It was already May, and most of the flowers were in bloom, but admiring them in the middle of the night seemed rather eerie.

"Qi Yu, who do you think I should pass the throne to?" Li Muchen asked casually as he walked.

The princes, who had been following with their heads down, all looked up in astonishment, and then their gazes fell on Li Ming and Li Qing.

Currently, only these two people are qualified to take the throne.

It's not that they don't have ideas, but the problem is they can't beat the two of them!

Qi Yu did not show much shock or panic in response to Li Muchen's question.

"His Highness the Crown Prince is gentle and courteous, and treats scholars with respect. He has the makings of a great ruler and will surely become a wise and benevolent monarch in the future."

"His Highness the Prince of Chu is upright and kind, and he is devoted to the country and its people. He is a rare talent. If he inherits His Majesty's throne, he will surely become a benevolent ruler!"

Li Muchen chuckled upon hearing this, then glanced at Qi Yu and said with a smile, "If you were my son, I would definitely pass this position to you!"

This is both a joke and a form of flattery that could backfire.

His words made it clear that in his heart, none of his sons could compare to Qi Yu.

Qi Yu hurriedly bowed and said, "This humble subject is terrified!"

Li Muchen smiled, waved his black dragon robe, and Qi Yu was lifted up with a single force.

"I was just joking. Who would dare to compete with Taoism for people?"

Qi Yu narrowed his eyes upon hearing this. Li Muchen used the pronoun "朕" (zhen), indicating that he was using the identity of the emperor, which was different from "我" (wo).

A king's word is law; is the emperor joking?

Moreover, the following sentence, "Who dares to compete with Taoism for people," directly shows his fear of Taoism.

Taoism is truly powerful now; its leader has reached the pinnacle of the Dao-merging stage, a half-step into the realm of a sub-sage.

In terms of individual combat strength, the leader is the strongest.

Moreover, the current prestige of Taoism is immense; even during the time of the Taoist patriarch in the era of the sages, there was no such number of believers.

Qi Yu understood Li Muchen's apprehension.

"Qi Yu, with your intelligence, you should know the current situation of Taoism, right? It seems to be riding high, but in reality, it's like a candle flickering in the wind, on the verge of collapse."

Li Muchen put his hands behind his back, looked at the pond, and spoke calmly.

Everything has two sides; the rise and fall of Taoism has brought with it the crisis of extinction.

Because of the dominance of Taoism, it is inevitable that some people's interests will be exploited, and many people at that.

No matter how powerful a person is, they cannot contend with everyone in the world. Two fists cannot defeat four hands; this principle applies everywhere.

"What do you want to say, Your Majesty?" Qi Yu asked after a moment of contemplation.

Li Muchen turned around, smiled slightly, and said, "I can help you. Taoism is still the state religion, and I can even help Taoism remove Tianya Haige's leadership position."

Qi Yu didn't believe in free lunches or that someone would help him for no reason.

"What do I need to give in return?" Qi Yu asked.

Li Muchen's lips curled up slightly as he smiled and said, "This should be a good thing for you!"

After pondering for a moment, Qi Yu narrowed his eyes and asked cautiously, "Marry Princess Liyang? Or marry one of your princesses?"

Li Muchen nodded and smiled, "This is good for both you and the Great Yun Dynasty. Besides, I don't ask you to have a concubine; I can accept a concubine as well!"

To become a princess's concubine?

Li Muchen has already given Qi Yu a great deal of concession and face; he has even disregarded the issue of the royal family's reputation.

A princess as a concubine? Isn't that a slap in the face to the emperor?

It can be said that Li Muchen's sincerity is evident!

Qi Yu was also shocked by Li Muchen's words. After regaining his senses, he pondered for a while.

He wasn't considering taking a concubine, but rather whether Su Yue would destroy his virginity.

He was trying to figure out how to refuse in a way that would both thank Li Muchen for his kindness and avoid offending him.

As for taking a concubine, he never even considered it!

"Thank you for your kindness, Your Majesty, but I am of lowly status and dare not presume to flatter you!" Qi Yu bowed and said.

Li Muchen was not surprised by Qi Yu's answer at all, but he still wanted to ask, because Qi Yu was indeed a rare talent, even a genius.

It would be such a pity if such people were to perish along with Taoism!

"Is that so? Then take it as a joke. I look forward to your performance!" Li Muchen said with a smile.

Li Muchen has admired Taoism since childhood, so he also learned the Taoist methods of governing the country, namely "wuwei" (non-action), and he also believed in the Tao of non-action.

He doesn't have to do anything to achieve what he wants.

"Ming'er, I'm tired. You take Wenzun around for me!"

Li Ming bowed and said yes, and then everyone watched Li Muchen leave.

After Li Muchen left, Li Ming looked at Qi Yu, smiled slightly, and had a gentle expression.

"Brother Qi, it's been so long! I've missed you terribly!"

Qi Yu returned the greeting with a bow, his gaze towards Li Ming somewhat complicated.

Li Muchen and Li Ming, father and son, are truly cut from the same cloth; they give off the same vibe.

hypocritical!

Seeing that Qi Yu remained silent, Li Ming's thoughts drifted back to a year ago.

He was the first to discover Qi Yu's extraordinary qualities, so he always wanted to bring Qi Yu under his command and entrust him with important responsibilities.

But fate had other plans, and Qi Yu escaped his control.

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Chapter 193 Dirty Work

Qi Yu broke free from his control.