Chapter 392: Chapter 392: Stealing People
Looking back at County Magistrate Tang, Liu Shuyue noticed that his smooth face was slightly uneasy, and his fingers were restlessly intertwined, as if he was expecting her to continue speaking.
She suddenly understood.
So that’s how it is...
Shen Fang does not want to implement this decree—if it weren’t for truly desperate circumstances, which family would be willing to send their children to the Court thousands of miles away? People are not fools, the Court’s defeat in Yunzhou is already well-known, and the fact that so many people failed to conquer the Liu Family only indicates King of Qi’s incompetence and weakened royal power. At this time, suddenly a rogue Immortal Master appears, calling for the offering of young boys and girls from all regions, it looks very much like a collapsing building with demons dancing wildly in the mix.
As the local official of Zhangwei, if he were to foolishly obey a tyrant and act as an accomplice by breaking up families, wouldn’t all the effort he put into building his good reputation be wasted?
Yet he didn’t dare to openly oppose the King of Qi.
If the King of Qi were to hold it against him, how could a mere county magistrate withstand the wrath of the king?
So Shen Fang thought of Liu Shuyue.
If the former Immortal Master steps forward to refute this ascension theory, then the memorial he submits questioning it would have a foundation in public opinion. Or, even further, if it’s claimed that Liu Shuyue controlled the Qing State, preventing any children from being sent to the Royal City, then he could naturally push all the responsibility aside.
The Royal City’s army couldn’t handle Liu Shuyue, surely they couldn’t expect Zhangwei City to challenge the Immortal Master?
No wonder Shen Fang didn’t come personally but sent the County Magistrate to convey the message instead.
If he had come and she went down the mountain, it would have been seen as collusion. Everyone would suspect that Shen Fang was behind Liu Shuyue’s actions.
This would be completely different from Liu Shuyue taking the initiative to intercept the king’s decree after hearing about it.
She couldn’t help but chuckle silently.
Shen Fang’s calculation was indeed clever.
In this way, he could save his reputation and keep his position, achieving his goals on both ends.
County Magistrate Tang was obviously aware of his superior’s intentions, thus the slight expression of hope on his face, and even the seemingly opposing argument just now was actually to provoke her.
"Immortal Master Lord?" Seeing her pause for half a day without responding, the County Magistrate couldn’t help but speak up.
Liu Shuyue sighed, "So be it, the tree desires calm, but the wind won’t cease."
It was the second time she uttered these words.
The last time was when Immortal Master Song Wei from Xia Kingdom bared his fangs at her.
She retreated again and again, yet it changed nothing. Unless she disappeared from this world, the struggle of the Six Kingdoms would always come knocking.
Were these matters all within the Lotus Cloud Sect’s expectations?
No wonder the Sect never recorded the deeds of past disciples.
Whether the Mountain Disciples achieved great fame or succumbed to worldly desires, it was merely a centennial cycle for the Lotus Cloud Sect.
Since that’s the case, she might as well create a bigger stir.
"This matter is absolutely unacceptable." Liu Shuyue finally concluded, "Not just Zhangwei City, but Qing State, Yunzhou...and all other city counties must not respond to the King of Qi and the so-called Immortal Master’s call."
"This..." County Magistrate Tang was still feigning hesitation, "Perhaps you’re right, but there’s no defying the tide. Unless...unless Immortal Master Lord is willing to intervene, otherwise..."
"I will intervene myself." Liu Shuyue interrupted.
Jiang Ning’s declaration was likely more than an empty promise. If they waited until he turned a large number of youths into cultivators and then targeted Hot Pepper Village, even if she could win, it would require a greater cost. Moreover, the war would claim many lives, dragging countless innocent families into sacrifice.
"Is that so..." The County Magistrate’s expression visibly relaxed, "I will report this news to the Governor Lord."
"No rush, I’ll go with you." She raised her hand.
"Ah?" The other party was stunned.
"I just happen to have something I want to discuss with him too." Liu Shuyue declared without room for doubt.
She indeed intended to intervene.
However, the method of intervention would not be in Shen Fang’s control.
...
Compared to the rapidly changing Hot Pepper Village, the Governor’s residence seemed almost unchanged since her last visit. When Liu Shuyue arrived at the meeting hall, Shen Fang was already waiting at the gate.
Although his expression carried a hint of unhideable surprise, overall, his reverence overpowered everything else.
"I didn’t expect you would visit. In the haste, I could only prepare some common wine and snacks. I beg your indulgence."
Shen Fang personally escorted her inside, his desire to curry favor was evident.
No servants were assigned in the room, only County Magistrate Tang, who had arrived earlier to report, stood obediently beside the table.
After the three sat down, Liu Shuyue spoke directly, "I know what you’re planning, but the situation is far more severe than you imagine. I’ll be frank, a chaotic war will erupt among the Six Kingdoms, and every city in every state will become a battlefield, Zhangwei included."
"You believe so?" Shen Fang gave a slight start, "Who would fight here?"
"I would." Liu Shuyue replied calmly.
The Governor and County Magistrate were immediately shocked.
Moments later, Shen Fang awkwardly smiled, "Haha... You must be joking. We are not your enemies. Many of the supplies needed for Hot Pepper Village are still transported from Zhangwei."
Liu Shuyue, however, was indifferent, "If the King of Qi intends to destroy Hot Pepper Village, then all the cities in Qing State are natural strongholds. When the army camps in Zhangwei, you will provide them with necessary supplies, won’t you?"
Shen Fang was speechless.
The answer to this was obvious.
County Magistrate Tang quickly chimed in, "How could war spread so easily to Qing State? Yunzhou is closer to the Royal City. If the King of Qi wants to attack, surely his main focus would be Yunzhou. You’ve defeated them once, surely you can do it again."
"Even so, I still need to capture Zhangwei... and other towns in Qing State." Liu Shuyue said, sipping her tea, "If by chance Jiang Ning’s claims are true, and he can turn these youths into Loose Cultivators, then sending people becomes an endless source of soldiers for the King of Qi, doesn’t it?"
"With your instructions, Zhangwei will never..." Mid-sentence, Shen Fang’s voice suddenly lowered.
He realized it was an unsolvable dilemma.
What other city officials thought, Shen Fang couldn’t guarantee, thus Liu Shuyue taking these towns made sense. If the rest of Qing State fell into her hands, whether she occupied Zhangwei or not would make no difference. Or rather, not occupying would be more troublesome, as this would undoubtedly signal outsiders that Shen Fang was in cohort with the Immortal Master Liu from the beginning.
Therefore, if Liu Shuyue didn’t attack Zhangwei, the King of Qi would.
He realized the biggest issue had nothing to do with his choice.
It was Liu Shuyue’s change of heart.
Was she no longer planning to stay hidden in the Wanshan Wilderness?
For a moment, Shen Fang only felt sweat dripping from him, even though she spoke with calmness as if chatting casually, he knew very well, she had the capability to do so. Once her cultivator disciples set out, none of the cities in Qing State could resist.
He couldn’t even bring himself to ask, "Are you planning to rebel?"
Because she had already openly contested against the King of Qi.
"Then..." Shen Fang licked his dry lips, gulping as he asked, "What’s the purpose of your visit...?"
"You maintain contact and trade with Hot Pepper Village to pave a way for yourself. Now, I’ll point out your path," Liu Shuyue unceremoniously replied, "I intend to relocate everyone from Zhangwei to Hot Pepper Village. It’s a massive task. If you do well, it’ll be a great achievement."
Shen Fang was dumbfounded, "What?"
It’s absurd enough that the King of Qi wanted to conscript young boys and girls, but now Immortal Master Liu intends to relocate everyone? Though this would eliminate the concern of separating families, who would willingly leave their hometown to go to a place that sounds so desolate? Sending away refugees would be one thing, as they left home to seek a living, but the residents of Zhangwei City are not refugees! Unless force is used, with much bloodshed, accomplishing Immortal Master Liu’s request is unlikely.
"Please reconsider, Immortal Master!" County Magistrate Tang was so frightened that he pleaded, "Forcing people to leave their homes, they might burn down the Governor’s office!"
"What if they could achieve ascension?" Liu Shuyue countered.
The two were again stunned.
"Ascension?"
"Jiang Ning’s origins are unknown, and the path to ascension is mere deceit for the masses. Yet, I truly have a way to let non-gifted individuals step into the doorway of cultivation, as the residents of Hot Pepper Village are the best proof." Liu Shuyue’s gaze swept over the two, "Including you both, you have the chance to touch immortality."
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