My Demonic Cult's Holy Maiden

"It's not that they're weak, but that the techniques they practice aren't as strong as yours. If you encountered a martial artist with equally profound techniques, you probably wouldn't be able to beat them, just like that scholar. Ultimately, your combat experience is too limited!" the leader said.

"Teacher, what is talent?" Qi Yu asked, frowning.

As soon as Zhuang Zhihuan opened his mouth, he felt something affecting him; the feeling was strange, but he couldn't quite grasp it.

"It's just a means of interfering with the laws of reality with one's will, thereby distorting subjective things!" the leader said calmly, with a hint of disdain in his tone.

"Does a word become law?" Qi Yu asked.

The leader shook his head and said, "No, the Confucian 'Words Become Law' is a very profound and mysterious art that cannot be used by anyone below the Grandmaster level."

Qi Yu narrowed his eyes slightly; in that case, it seemed there was still a chance.

"Teacher, I want to become stronger!"

The leader turned around, looked at Qi Yu kneeling on the ground, and narrowed his eyes.

"The Taoist practice of cultivating the mind ultimately boils down to four words: 'following the natural way'!"

He was telling Qi Yu not to force things, that it was wrong to pursue power so eagerly.

"Born into this world, we act according to our hearts!" Qi Yu said firmly.

The leader looked at Qi Yu with a deep gaze, and after a long while, he turned away.

"Take it!"

Qi Yu raised his head and looked at the scroll in the leader's hand.

Qi Yu took it; the scroll was small, only a dozen centimeters long.

"This scroll is titled 'The Western Flow Classic.' How much you can comprehend depends on your destiny!"

Qi Yu gripped the scroll tightly, then knelt down.

"Thank you, teacher!"

……

Stepping out of the ancestral hall, Qi Yu looked at the scroll in his hand, his gaze somewhat profound.

Because he was content with the status quo, he was made a fool of!

This is true for Li Ming, and even more so for the Chang family!

Qi Yu put away the scroll and left the ancestral hall.

After Qi Yu left, a beautiful figure suddenly appeared at the entrance of the ancestral hall, appearing very abruptly, as if she had appeared out of thin air.

Su Yue watched Qi Yu's retreating figure, her face full of worry.

My husband is different from before!

The affair between Wang Defa and Song Yuntao made him no longer willing to remain calm.

Su Yue was very worried about Qi Yu's current state. She was afraid that Qi Yu would become obsessed with power and intrigue and turn into a rotten and filthy person.

"Master, why did you give my husband the 'Western Flow Canon'?!"

Su Yue turned around and looked at the old man in the Taoist robe in the ancestral hall.

"If he is obsessed with power and strength, then he is not fit to be the next head coach!"

The coach's voice was very soft, but Su Yue heard it.

The instructor gave Qi Yu the "Western Flow Classic" in order to add fuel to the fire for Qi Yu's ambitions.

The "Western Flow Classic" cultivates willpower and enhances the application of true qi.

This "Western Flow Classic" is very suitable for Qi Yu because Qi Yu's true energy covers a wide range and is domineering.

If Qi Yu's willpower could be further refined, allowing him to control more of his true energy and its variations, he would be invincible within the range of his own true energy.

People's mentality changes to some extent after they gain power and authority.

Qi Yu's talent qualifies him to become the head coach; now it all comes down to his character!

If Qi Yu became obsessed with power and influence, then it shows that he was nothing special; he would rather leave the position of Taoist leader vacant than hand it over to an ambitious person.

Taoism has few members, but it is very powerful, with countless believers.

Taoism emerged earlier than Confucianism. While Confucianism has declined, Taoism remains strong.

The reason for this is that Taoists do not concern themselves with politics, and Taoists do not enter the court.

Even though Taoism is now the state religion, there are no Taoists in any of the military or political positions in the Great Yun Dynasty.

Otherwise, with the strength and talent of Taoist disciples, they could easily resolve the troubles caused by aristocratic families.

Su Yue knew the leader's plan, so he didn't say anything, bowed, and turned to leave.

"Don't interfere with Qi Yu's choice!"

The coach's voice came from behind her. Su Yue paused for a moment, then continued forward.

She wouldn't interfere with Qi Yu's choices, and if that's what Qi Yu wanted, she wouldn't do anything.

……

Qi Yu did not return to Wanliu Garden, but instead stayed at Changsheng Temple.

This strange behavior surprised everyone.

Qi Yu stayed at Changsheng Temple for two days, and finally came out on the third day.

Because today is the day for the autumn hunt!

Qi Yu did not go to the Eastern Palace or any other residence, but instead came alone to the city wall of the capital.

The autumn hunt was presided over by the emperor, and the crown prince and court officials would go to Tiannan Mountain to hunt.

They set off yesterday, so the capital city is now practically a ghost town.

Qi Yu looked in the direction of Tiannan Mountain. After an unknown amount of time, Li Minghai appeared beside Qi Yu, holding a scroll in his hand.

Qi Yu glanced at Li Minghai, then took the scroll and began to read it.

"Is this all there is?"

Li Minghai looked at Qi Yu with a complicated expression and said, "His Highness the Crown Prince said that with you here, these people are enough!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yu scoffed, shook his head, and said, "Still so hypocritical!"

"Qi Yu, even if you are now the sect leader's disciple, you must watch your words!" Li Minghai frowned and said in a deep voice.

Qi Yu sneered dismissively, too lazy to argue with this stubborn guy.

"Let's go. From now on, the Chang family will cease to exist!" Qi Yu said expressionlessly.

Li Minghai frowned, but still followed Qi Yu.

The plan was made to take place on the day of the autumn hunt because the emperor would leave the palace on that day, which presented the aristocratic families with the best opportunity.

In Qi Yu's plan, the emperor was the bait.

The powerful families had no choice but to take the bait!

Because Qi Yu had already made arrangements, if they waited any longer, they would undoubtedly lose.

Qin Shuhuai's Chilin Army is very powerful, enough to sweep away Li Ming and all the aristocratic families.

They're just scattered across various passes, keeping an eye on the surrounding countries, and can't spare any resources.

However, just two days ago, Qi Yu gave Marquis Guanyong an idea: the Chilin Army could be recalled. Although not all of them, it would be enough to sweep away the aristocratic faction.

All the aristocratic families are now on the verge of action, with no choice but to act.

The aristocratic factions have no other way out. Their only chance of survival is to defeat Li Ming and seize control of the situation in the capital before the arrival of the Chilin Army.

When the time comes, the Chilin Army will arrive. They will have the Emperor and the Crown Prince as hostages. Qin Shuhuai is a smart man and knows what to do.

Having finished their clown act, it's time for them to take the stage!

……

------------

Chapter Ninety-Eight: The Clown [Bonus Chapter]

At the Tiannan Mountain hunting grounds, Li Ming looked in the direction of the capital city.

He only gave Qi Yu one hundred men, all of whom were fifth-rank martial artists, and then there was Li Minghai, who was in charge.

Qi Yu himself was a second-rank official, Li Minghai was a third-rank official, and there were a hundred fifth-rank officials.

Their most important task was to stabilize the situation in the capital.

Tiannan Mountain was the real main battlefield, while the capital city was a side tactic.

Whoever can control the capital city first will gain the upper hand.

"Your Highness, His Majesty summons you to his tent!" A general in armor bowed respectfully and said.

Li Ming turned around, nodded, and said, "Okay!"

……

The aristocratic faction thought the same way, so the Chang family also sent their only first-rank official to guard the capital.

The mansions of the seven great families are all in the capital city. Their true power has gone to Tiannan Mountain, but they still retain a considerable force in the capital city.

Even if we lose at Tiannan Mountain, we will still have Shangjing as a shield if we take it.

It's not impossible that they could use the people of the capital as hostages to force Li Muchen to abdicate.

To control the situation in the capital, the imperial palace is not the key.

When the emperor is not in the palace, the palace is just a larger house.

The most important thing is the Marquis of Guanyong's residence!

By taking control of the Guanyong Marquis's residence, they effectively took control of the Guanyong Marquis himself.

Qi Yu walked down the street, watching the pigeons that occasionally flew overhead, a slight smile playing on his lips.

He wasn't going to the Marquis's residence; he was going to the Chang residence!

"Old Li, we're going to kill a First-Rank Official! Aren't you excited?"