Because of his talent in the art of forging and alchemy, and the fact that he came from a wealthy family in Jiangsu and Zhejiang, he was accepted into the Chongxian Sect and became one of the Chongxian Sect's Twelve Quanzhen.
However, his personality was relatively eccentric and strange. He did not understand the ways of the world and seemed out of place in the Chongxian Sect. Therefore, he was sent to Shu. Although he was one of the Twelve Quanzhen, he was not even qualified to be a temple master.
When Shi Hao was in Shu, he learned the art of alchemy from Taoist Lan Ke, and then began to refine external elixirs himself.
But later, because of the incident of the Sealing God Stone, Taoist Lan Ke felt guilty and was found by the leader of the Dark Thunder Society, "Sword King" Zhao Gucheng. He then rebelled against the Chongxian Sect and his whereabouts were unknown.
Now that the Dark Thunder Society has been disbanded, Shi Hao really doesn't know where to find Taoist Lan Ke.
Shi Hao thought that if he could find Taoist Lan Ke, perhaps he would be able to find out where he found the Nine-Earth Jade Peach.
As for the Twin Realms Miraculous Lotus, both Master Zhuo Mulan and his disciple had never even heard of it.
The inner alchemy skills taught by Fairy Shengxuan are naturally very different from those of the Chongxian Sect, so it is normal that the external elixirs required do not overlap.
However, Sister Ziyin also pointed out to him that there was a double-realm strange lotus in the Xuanming Cave in the South China Sea, but it also meant that it was extremely dangerous inside. With his current strength, it would be best for him to find help before going.
Once Yue'er's matter is finished, I can ask her for help.
Shi Hao planned to collect as many immortal materials as possible before spring came and flowers bloomed.
After advancing to the fourth level, there will be a chance for Sister Ziyin and Master to leave Yuanshi Cave Heaven.
In the areas of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Huguang, because of the Huangshan meeting, all parties have reached a tacit understanding that there should be no major wars between them for the time being.
The barbarian army still controls the area north of the Yangtze River and it will be difficult to overthrow it in the short term. On the contrary, once spring comes, there will inevitably be a series of wars.
Shi Hao looked ahead. A cold wind was blowing, the temperature was dropping rapidly, and night was gradually falling.
—
In Jingzhou, a middle-aged man in cloth entered the city at dusk, before the city gates were closed.
This person is Wei Langyuan, who ranks second among the three generals of southern Jiangxi.
Among the three generals in southern Jiangxi, Wei Langyuan was the most silent, yet also the most stable.
He also agreed with what Master Shi Chongyun said, that it was wishful thinking for the Leopard Army to want to dominate the world, and it would even be difficult for them to continue to dominate.
For the sake of oneself and the people, it is right for a wise bird to choose the right tree to roost in.
However, as that teacher said, among the largest forces in the south, the Dragon and Phoenix Society is in turmoil, Li Chenglong and the Leopard Army have different ideologies and cannot work together, and the Huangtian Army is good at fighting but not good at governing. From the current perspective, they are not good leaders either.
There was no need to consider people like Sheng Menghui, as Chongxianmen did not want to join. Other forces such as Qian Dehui did not necessarily have more territory and manpower than the Leopard Army.
Therefore, he wanted to follow the advice of his teacher and come in person to take a look at the Dongting Army that occupied the Jingxiang area and the 800-li Dongting Lake.
In fact, Wei Langyuan was also full of doubts on the road.
He believed in the extraordinary insight of that master teacher. If it weren't for that master teacher, the Leopard Army would probably have lost Luling and become bandits.
But he also heard that behind the Dongting Army was the Demonic Sect.
Is it possible for the people of the Demon Sect to really care about the lives of the people and their suffering
With this distrust, he came to Dongting Lake, but what he saw was a well-organized army and the people who mingled with the army.
Along the way, he saw that the soldiers of the Dongting Army not only did not exploit or plunder the people's food supplies, but instead tried their best to resettle the refugees and help the people build houses and tiles, so that the people could spend this cold winter safely.
He saw that the people wanted to give some food to the soldiers who were helping them, but the soldiers refused to accept it and at most just drank a sip of hot water.
Is this really an army? This is completely different from what he had known before.
Of course, he also saw that some of them lived a miserable life under the rule of the Dongting Army... Those evil gentry and powerful people who had used all means to oppress the people in the past were tied up on the streets, and the people who had suffered oppression and torture surrounded them, crying to everyone about the suffering they had endured.
The property of evil gentry and powerful people was confiscated by the Dongting Army, and the land was distributed to the people.
The grain that was piled up into granaries and stockpiled during the wars was used by the Dongting Army as military rations in proportion, and the rest was distributed to the people and refugees who were spending the winter.
He saw that at the place where the Dongting Army signed up for enlistment, many young people went there to sign up spontaneously, which was completely different from the scene in other places where men were being conscripted everywhere.
Is it possible to do this
Even though the Leopard Army had a good reputation among the people, at this moment, Wei Langyuan was still dumbfounded. He always felt that the Dongting Army and their team did not belong to the same era at all.
Yes, we don’t belong to the same era… That’s how it feels!
Could it be that this was also a conspiracy of the Demon Sect? Wei Langyuan did not dispel his vigilance, but became more and more frightened.
Perhaps, the trick of the Demon Sect is to give the people sweet things first, and then expose their bloody and cruel side after they grow strong and become the overlord
Wei Langyuan had never really come into contact with the Demon Sect in the past, but the Demon Sect's bad reputation was not formed overnight.
"Tao" and "Mo" were actually just ordinary words a long time ago.
It is just that the different styles in history give them their current meaning.
Taoists are quiet and inaction, while demons are sinister and strange... In the martial arts world, the long history has left everyone with this impression.
Wei Langyuan entered the city gate.
At the city gate, he was not questioned much. The soldiers guarding the gate saw that he looked like a foreigner, chatted with him for a few words, and then let him in.
Entering the city, he saw a busy scene.
Merchants from all over the place were coming and going in the market, children were running around on the streets, and there were also some warriors wearing uniform dark brown uniforms, walking in groups of three on the streets.
These warriors, similar to the Six Gates Constables, maintain order on the streets. Even if a child falls, they will go up and help him up.
Here, Wei Langyuan saw a scenery that was completely different from other towns!
Chapter 317: Fish and Water Relationship, Safe Haven
Wei Langyuan, dressed in cloth and carrying a package, walked around the city.
Now is an extraordinary period. According to the practices of other cities, now that night is gradually falling, it is time to start a curfew, and even the Leopard Army is no exception.
But it was different here. Soldiers along the way came and went, but they had no intention of driving the people off the streets.
The market is still bustling with lanterns hung up.
Wei Langyuan felt that the Dongting Army seemed to attach more importance to business than other forces.
This is obviously different from what many people think. In most people's minds, business itself does not produce anything, but simply becomes a tool for some people to exploit and get rich. The status of businessmen has always been extremely low.
But here, the Dongting Army gave the merchants enough respect, even provided enough venues, and made every effort to ensure their safety.
Wei Langyuan didn't know whether this was a good thing or a bad thing, but he could see that the entire Jingzhou city did have a thriving atmosphere.
Wei Langyuan decided to meet the leader of the Dongting Army in person.
He asked along the way and came to a mansion, which was not luxurious. He announced his name to the famous general stationed in front of the door.
The general said, "Wait a moment, General Wei. The Demon Marshal is not in the city right now. The person in charge of affairs in Jingzhou City is our military chief and assistant military officer. I will send someone in to report."
Wei Langyuan said: "Then thank you very much!"
The general sent someone inside to report, and after a while, the person came out and said, "Lord Changshi wants to see you."
Wei Langyuan followed the soldiers into the room, and was greeted by an old Taoist priest with a smile, saying, "Isn't this my dear nephew Langyuan? It's been a long time since we last met."
Wei Langyuan was shocked: "Senior, why are you here?"
This person turned out to be the Taoist master Qimu whom Wei Langyuan knew.
Southern Jiangxi is close to the Wuling Mountains, and this old Taoist Qimu is also a famous figure in the Wuling area. He has the strength of a fifth-rank official, is proficient in military tactics, and is good at strategy.
Taoist Qimu once followed "Xuanwei Sword" Zhao Jinghua to fight against Hong Leichi in Lingnan, and Wei Langyuan was also taught martial arts by him. Later, Zhao Jinghua was defeated and died in an unknown assassination, and Taoist Qimu's whereabouts were unknown during the pursuit of Hong Leichi's three evil men and seven evil men.
Wei Langyuan never thought that he would meet Taoist Qimu here.
Taoist Qimu smiled and said, "I am now the chief officer in the Dongting Army. Because the Demon Commander had something to do, he went to Lingnan with a peerless master on the black list, so the affairs here were temporarily handed over to me. Just now, the soldiers outside came to report that you were here. More than ten years ago, I fled Lingnan and hid in Chishan. I haven't seen you for a long time, so I came out to greet you."
He brought Wei Langyuan into the hall and they both sat down.
Wei Langyuan was surprised and asked, "How could you work for the Dongting Army? You are from the Taoist sect, but I heard that the Dongting Army is related to the Demon Sect. Taoism and the Demon Sect cannot coexist. With your ability, you would work for the Dongting Army controlled by the Demon Sect. It is really puzzling."
Taoist Qimu smiled and said, "It's called Taoism, but in fact it's just a crooked way in the eyes of everyone. In fact, I had a lot of doubts before coming to Jingzhou, but now it seems that I'm lucky to have made this trip."
He said solemnly, "Whether it's Taoism or Demonism, in the end, the peace of the people is more important than anything else. There are scums like Chongxian Sect in Taoism, and there may be outliers in Demonism. Since you have come all the way here, you should have seen what the Dongting Army did. Regardless of Taoism or Demonism, as long as they can protect the peace of the people in troubled times, that's good."
Wei Langyuan expressed his doubts: "But this may just be a way for the Demon Sect to deceive the world and steal its reputation. In order to dominate the world, they are trying to be nice to the people. When they really dominate the world in the future, we don't know what will happen."
Taoist Qimu smiled and said, "Your worry is not unreasonable, but this is also the main reason why I should stay here."
"I once talked with the Demon Marshal, wanting to see his views on the Dongting Army's system and the future dynasty, but I found that he was much more far-sighted and knowledgeable than me. The various rules and regulations he envisioned were all unheard of and thought-provoking."
"In my opinion, our Demon Commander is neither a Taoist nor a demon. Instead, he has transcended the constraints of Taoism and demonism and reached a level that is difficult for others to understand. Although I, the Taoist priest, have participated in the construction of the Dongting Army in many details, in the big picture, we have followed his design."
"I believe you have also seen its uniqueness. The Demon Marshal believes that the people are water and the army is fish. Only by taking root among the people can we thrive like fish in water. Our soldiers must not be running dogs of the rich and powerful, but should be the sons and daughters of the people. We even require that this belief be passed on to the entire army from the very beginning."
"The Demon Marshal even believes that if we want to establish a truly peaceful and prosperous world, what we need first is not a wise ruler who is high above us, but soldiers from the common people!"
Wei Langyuan pondered over the words "the soldiers of the common people" and was moved by them.
Qi Mu Laodao said: "Of course, saying is one thing, doing is another. Since he dares to set such a general direction, and trusts me to use me, then I dare to do it according to this general direction. If the foundation of an army is completely derived from the support and trust of the people, if such a belief can really take root in the army, even if its top leaders have a background in the Demon Sect, so what?"
"Water can carry a boat, but it can also capsize it! When such a belief becomes a rolling wave, even if one originally only wants to deceive the world and steal fame, he will inevitably roll forward with this wave. If a hypocrite can do good deeds and accumulate virtues throughout his life, then what is the difference between him and a true gentleman?"
"Of course, that being said, in fact, in my opinion, this demon commander has a more indifferent attitude towards the power of the world. There seems to be a wider world in his eyes, and there seems to be a long river of history in his mind that we cannot see."
"He pointed out a general direction for us. As for whether we can succeed, it is our own business. I am afraid he doesn't really care that much."
Wei Langyuan was moved. It was obvious that Taoist Qimu had a very high opinion of this "Demon Marshal".
However, this evaluation only made him feel that this Demon Marshal became more mysterious and unfathomable.
He thought to himself, "No wonder that Master also admires the Dongting Army so much. The Dongting Army is indeed completely different from other forces. In fact, what the senior said is right. As long as he is good to the people, who cares if he is a demon or a Taoist?"
He himself came from the bottom of the underworld, and he hated those soldiers who became the running dogs of the powerful. However, in history, such armies were too normal, so normal that they seemed to be taken for granted.
At this moment, hearing the words "the soldiers of the common people" with my own ears was really an awakening, and it gave me a sense of sudden enlightenment.
— “What we need first is not a wise ruler who is high above us, but soldiers from the people!”
These words, which he had never thought about before, shocked him deeply.
Taoist Qimu looked at Wei Langyuan and said, "By the way, I just said so much, but I forgot to ask you, why did you suddenly come here from southern Jiangxi?"
Wei Langyuan took a deep breath, bowed to Taoist Qimu and said, "I am here to represent the Leopard Army and join your side. From now on, we will all obey the orders of your Demon Commander and fight alongside your army."
—
As the night deepened, the round moon slowly rose and hung in the night sky.
It was another full-moon night, and the bright moonlight spread over the water. Shi Hao sat cross-legged in front of the deck, looking at the clear moonlight, which seemed to cover the sky, earth, and mountains with a dreamy veil.
The mountains in the distance on both sides rise and fall in the hazy silver light. No matter how bloody and stained the world is, the moonlight like blue frost can cover it, leaving behind a beautiful dream and imagination.
Although the swordplay and various disturbances in the world can be concealed, they can never really disappear.
Even on such a beautiful night, countless people were hacked to death in the gutters of the streets, frozen to death in the cold wind and in the mud under dead trees, or died in the cells of the powerful, or at the hands of robbers with their swords or iron hooves.
But at least the moment before his eyes was beautiful.
Shi Hao took out the Jade Clear Stone from his arms.
He is about to enter Yuanshi Cave Heaven again.
For him, that mysterious place that does not belong to this world is also a safe haven for body and soul.
Entering the Yuanshi Cave Heaven, it feels like traveling to another world.
Even the two ladies in Yuanshi Cave Heaven are opposed to each other.
But the time spent in Yuanshi Cave Heaven was, in general, peaceful and unforgettable.
Little Jade flew on his shoulder, and she naturally would not miss any opportunity to see her master.
Except for the sound of the rushing water, everything around was silent.
In a flash of moonlight, Shi Hao, carrying the small jadeite, fell into the mysterious passage as if being sucked into the Jade Clear Stone.
There was endless darkness all around, until it turned into familiar, distorted colors.
What followed was a loud bang. Shi Hao and Little Feicui looked down as they fell, and saw brilliant light exploding and Qi dancing wildly below them. Jade stones in the ruins were thrown and shattered everywhere, and there were crackling sounds. Sword lights and magic energy were impacting and raging everywhere.
Shi Hao saw that the figures of Sister Ziyin and Master's wife were intertwined with each other. The surging anger seemed to turn into substance, rolling in like a tsunami, making the sky and the earth freezing. Before they even got close, they felt cold both physically and mentally.
Sizzle—
The collision of the sword light and the Fire Lotus Knife caused this quiet world to rumble. The light spread in all directions with one point as the center, and the surrounding scenes were illuminated at the same time at this moment.
Then there were intertwining lights and shadows, and angry snorts of dissatisfaction. The two familiar figures swayed between the lights and shadows. Although they were extremely beautiful, they were also menacing.
At this moment, Shi Hao almost turned around and flew out... He wanted to go out and hide!