Chapter 534 - 14: Zhi Gong’s Purpose

While waiting for Hu Yin, Hu Qianqian and Liu Shuang first returned to Qianmu Temple to pay their respects to Wang Ping, followed by Wang Yang and the Puppet Disciple, Song Qu.

Wang Ping dispatched them all to the main gate to welcome the guests.

Hu Yin ascended the Mountain Peak Dojo alone. The tribal elders she brought were accompanied by Yu Cheng Taoist, Yuan Zheng Taoist, and Ruan Chunzi, while Zhao Qian handled all the arrangements for the junior disciples.

As for his own disciples, Wang Ping kept only Hu Qianqian and Xia Wen Yi to accompany him. The others were assigned to Yu Cheng Taoist to attend to the tribal elders Hu Yin had brought.

"Your home is truly enviable, Fellow Daoist."

These were the first words from everyone who entered Wang Ping’s Spirit Wood Tree Garden, and Hu Yin was no exception, even though she had said as much on her first visit.

Wang Ping maintained his smile and led the way. At his side, Hu Qianqian chimed in, "In the Southern Cultivation Realm, the blessed land with the best scenery must be Senior’s Peach Blossom Forest, right?"

Hearing this, a trace of pride flashed across Hu Yin’s face, but then she shook her head and said, "The Peach Blossom Forest can only be called the finest for half a month each year. The rest of the time, it’s just an ordinary orchard."

Wang Ping was a little surprised by Hu Yin’s confident words. The last time she visited, Hu Yin had been very modest. He immediately smiled and said, "If I have the time, I’ll have to go and see it for myself."

Hu Yin replied, "The peach blossoms bloom in the middle of March every year. If you have time next year, Fellow Daoist, I’ll prepare a grand welcome for you!"

Just then, the group arrived at the courtyard entrance. As Wang Ping invited Hu Yin inside, he said, "If I have the time, I’ll be sure to pay a visit."

Hu Yin reached out and smoothed the fur on her cheeks, smiling. "I hear pleasantries like that every day. You and I are about to forge a sworn alliance. There’s no need to fob me off with such polite nonsense, is there?"

"You misunderstand, Fellow Daoist. I’m not just being polite. It’s just that I’ve been in seclusion for the past few years. If Fellow Daoist Zi Luan hadn’t returned to Nanlin Road, I’m afraid I would still be in seclusion now."

Wang Ping turned to meet Hu Yin’s yellow eyes, his expression utterly sincere.

Hu Yin’s two large ears twitched, the thick fur on her face crinkling as she laughed heartily. "HA HA!" After laughing, she accepted Wang Ping’s invitation, and they sat facing each other on opposite sides of the Stone Table in the center of the courtyard.

"I’d also like to enter seclusion and ignore worldly affairs, but alas, my cultivation has hit its peak. Unless I encounter some great, fortunate opportunity, forcing myself into seclusion would probably cause my Demon Core to shatter overnight."

She glanced at Hu Qianqian, who was busy brewing tea, and at Xia Wen Yi, who stood behind Wang Ping like an acolyte. She reached out and smoothed the fur at the corners of her mouth again. "Besides, the current situation in Ningzhou Road doesn’t allow me to rest in seclusion."

"Are things stirring in the Demon Realm?"

Wang Ping waved his hand lightly, and a chessboard appeared on the Stone Table. He picked up the black stones, offering them to his guest as he asked.

Hu Yin shook her head. "The Demon Realm is monitored by a True Monarch. Every major move they make requires the True Monarch’s approval, so there’s no need to worry. What I’m most worried about is Shanwu Road. Last month, the Datong Marquisate sent twenty thousand reinforcements to Shanwu Road, looking like they’re preparing to march south."

"Oh?"

Wang Ping looked at Hu Qianqian.

Hu Qianqian noticed Wang Ping’s gaze and, while skillfully preparing the tea, said, "The year before last, the leadership of the Datong Marquisate established a national policy to unify Zhongzhou. They might mobilize their forces within the next two years, but their primary targets should be Zhenbei Pass and Anqing City..."

She paused here to glance at her junior brother behind Wang Ping before continuing, "The remnants of the Xia Dynasty at Zhenbei Pass and in Beiyuan Road have already decided to pledge allegiance to the Datong Marquisate. For the past few years, they’ve actually been relying on the Datong Marquisate’s support to fend off the Northern Country’s army."

"Oh."

Wang Ping responded noncommittally, not paying the matter much mind.

At this, Hu Yin cupped her fists and said, "We do not wish to get involved in the struggle for the Zhongzhou Divine Artifact. When the time comes, I hope you can put in a good word for us, Fellow Daoist. On behalf of the millions of my tribespeople, I thank you."

As she spoke, she gave a formal bow.

Wang Ping quickly waved his hand in dismissal. "It’s a small matter. I’ll just send a letter when the time comes."

Hearing this, Hu Yin smiled and cupped her fists again. "Then I thank you very much. I will cede the area near the river channel and strictly restrain my people."

As the conversation reached this point, Hu Qianqian finished brewing the tea. She first served a cup to the guest, then to Yu Lian and Wang Ping.

After a sip of the clear tea, as the fleeting, crisp bitterness lingered in their mouths, both Wang Ping and Hu Yin let out a long sigh. Yu Lian, however, downed it all in one gulp, then pushed her empty cup toward Hu Qianqian, gesturing for a refill.

Hu Yin set down her teacup, picked up a black stone, and placed it on the board. "Your emergence from seclusion this time... it wasn’t just because of Fellow Daoist Zi Luan, was it?"

Wang Ping placed a stone in response. "I want to understand what Fellow Daoist Zhi Gong’s intentions are."

His question was direct.

Hu Yin placed another stone, picked up her teacup, and said, "The Fourth Realm of the Earth Cave Sect is called ’Vein Opening.’ It requires using one’s own Primordial Spirit to carve out a new Earth Vein. However, even a Third Realm Cultivator can’t do this on their own; they need to borrow immense external power. She has set her sights on the mountain forest near the Heaven-breaking Mountain Range, west of Hai Zhou Road."

Wang Ping decisively placed a stone and asked, puzzled, "Does this have anything to do with what Fellow Daoist Zhi Gong is currently doing? She uses her power to seemingly mediate, but she’s taking benefits from both sides. For years, the complaints against her have been piling up; even the disciples of Qianmu Temple find it unbearable. If she keeps this up, I’m afraid our alliance cannot be maintained."

Hu Yin took a sip of tea, habitually licked her long lips with her tongue, and said as her long ears twitched, "When the Daoist Palace was first established, although it set up an outpost in Hai Zhou Road, the headquarters’ control over the region was very weak. They solved all their problems internally. Even if someone reported a case to headquarters, they could always smooth things over."

"The unity of Hai Zhou Road was not conducive to Fellow Daoist Zhi Gong’s plans. At first, she tried many methods, even fabricating a few incidents, but the people of Hai Zhou Road always managed to leave her with nothing to say. Later, on someone’s suggestion, she began to instigate conflict between the Cultivators of Mozhou Road and Hai Zhou Road. That’s what you mentioned earlier—taking benefits from both sides without resolving the issue."

Hu Yin placed the stone in her hand and smiled. "Of course, to avoid arousing suspicion from Hai Zhou Road, she extended this ’measure’ of hers to all territories under the Daoist Palace’s jurisdiction."

She stressed the word ’measure’ heavily, clearly mocking Zhi Gong.

"You’ve been in seclusion all these years, so she didn’t communicate with you. But this measure of hers has been nothing but beneficial for you, hasn’t it? As far as I know, many Cultivators in the south have chosen to align themselves with Qianmu Temple because of the Daoist Palace’s unfairness..."

She looked at Wang Ping, her speech quickening. "Fellow Daoist Zhi Gong promised that if anyone asked you to step forward and demand an explanation from her, a single word from you would be enough to resolve everything. Because she is the source of all the conflict. With her nod, any disagreement can be made to disappear."

When she finished speaking, both Wang Ping and Yu Lian looked surprised. Hu Qianqian was even more lost in thought. Xia Wen Yi, having just returned, didn’t know what was going on and just stood there in a daze.

CLICK.

Wang Ping placed a stone. "So, Fellow Daoist Zhi Gong wants to force Hai Zhou Road to rebel?"