Capital City!

Auntie received terrible news—her precious son was going to war again.

For Auntie, who had limited education, and narrow vision, and considered herself a fairy princess, war was synonymous with death, symbolizing broken families and parents burying their children.

This autumn, when Second Young Master Xu joined the northern expedition to aid the barbarians, Auntie couldn’t eat or sleep well for a month, suddenly waking at midnight, dreaming of her son dying under Jing Kingdom’s iron hooves.

At first, Xu Pingzhi carefully comforted his wife with gentle words.

As time went on, he couldn’t help but complain inwardly: Second Son dies in your dreams every day—could you stop cursing him?!

In the warm hall, candles blazed brilliantly.

The family gathered around the table for dinner when Second Young Master Xu confidently said:

“Mother, don’t worry, I’m now a Seventh-Rank Benevolent One.”

Hearing this, Auntie asked:

“How powerful is a Seventh-Rank Benevolent One?”

Second Young Master Xu pondered before replying:

“The Confucian Seventh Rank comprehends benevolence and righteousness, establishes morality, but has no combat enhancement. Well, if I must speak of growth, it means I can increasingly maintain my true heart, unmoved by the temptations of wealth, beauty, wine, and influence.”

Auntie spat: “So you’re still just a weak scholar! I’d rather you were tempted by wine, women, and wealth. Elder Brother used to be so honest and unremarkable. After frequenting the pleasure quarters, he became the renowned Silver Constable Xu.”

Second Young Master Xu was left speechless.

At this point, Li Na swallowed her food and said:

“Second Brother, when do you depart? I’ll go south with you.”

Second Young Master Xu examined her: “You?”

Has our rice become unpalatable?

Li Na’s delicate face showed helplessness:

“Xu Ningyan contacted me yesterday, saying he’s going to the South Border on business, possibly visiting the Poison Tribe. He hopes I can guide and introduce him. Sigh, I’m reluctant to leave the capital, to leave everyone.”

You mean you’re reluctant to leave our white rice… Second Young Master Xu thought inwardly. He responded with an “Oh,” and considering Li Na’s appetite, said:

“You can come along, but prepare your provisions.”

Military rations couldn’t be wasted on her.

Auntie’s beautiful eyes lit up as she patted her ample chest: “Li Na is Lingyin’s master—we should cover all travel expenses.”

This bottomless pit from the South Border was finally leaving. Her food consumption equaled ten people in the Xu household.

Moreover, once Li Na returned to the South Border, Lingyin wouldn’t need to practice martial arts and could study in the palace.

Recently, the Imperial Tutor kept sending invitations, wanting to take Lingyin as his last disciple, but Second Young Master Xu declined them all, citing concern for the Imperial Tutor’s health and safety.

In Auntie’s view, a literary authority like the Imperial Tutor was an indispensable teacher on Lingyin’s path to becoming “cultured and refined.”

Li Na changed the subject:

“I want to take Lingyin back to the South Border. The force poison in her body has entered the first stage of maturity. Before it enters the second stage, I want it to absorb the Poison God’s power. This is very important—it directly affects Lingyin’s future potential.

“Also, I’ve taken a super genius as my disciple. Father and the tribe will be so happy when they know.”

She wanted to show off her disciple to the Force Poison Tribe.

“Absolutely not!”

Auntie slammed her chopsticks on the table, loudly opposing.

“Indeed impossible.”

Second Uncle Xu offered his objective assessment.

“But Xu Ningyan already agreed. He said with Lingyin’s great potential, she should build her foundation in childhood. With Lingyin’s talent, she’ll become a world-shaking sovereign in the future, like my father. In your Central Plains terms, she’ll go down in history.”

Li Na said.

World-shaking sovereign? Hearing this, Auntie’s face turned green.

No, the history books would only write that Xu Lingyin had sovereign potential but died young while following her master on a distant journey before achieving anything… Second Young Master Xu shook his head.

Li Na patted her small chest, trying to persuade them in her simple way: “Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of Lingyin and bring her safely to the South Border.”

You’re exactly who we worry about most—a foolish girl leading a silly child, it would be a miracle if they could make the long journey to the South Border… Second Uncle Xu muttered inwardly before saying gravely:

“The world is in chaos. A young girl like you taking Lingyin to the South Border will surely meet misfortune on the way.”

Li Na immediately patted her chest: “I’m already Fourth Rank!”

Second Uncle Xu was stunned, immediately showing hesitation.

If Li Na had Fourth Rank combat power, then there wasn’t much problem.

“Plus I can communicate with Xu Ningyan in real-time. He’s in the South Border now—if we encounter trouble, he’ll come to help.” Li Na said.

To prove she wasn’t lying, Li Na ignored Daoist Jin Lian’s instructions and took out the Ground Book fragment in front of everyone, contacting Xu Qi’an.

She wrote about the family’s opposition to Xu Qi’an.

But Li Na forgot to private message, instead discussing this matter in the Ground Book group chat.

[2: What? Does Li Na want to take Lingyin south? They won’t end up going west, will they.]

[4: Given Li Na’s miserable experience coming to the capital, that possibility can’t be ruled out.]

[2: Indeed, given Lingyin and Li Na’s wisdom, my suggestion is don’t be rash—stay safely in the capital.]

Second Uncle Xu, Auntie, and Xu Cijiu silently moved their gaze from the Ground Book fragment to Li Na, saying nothing.

[3: No matter, they can first reach Qing Province with Second Brother, then head southwest to Yu Province. This way they only need to walk about a thousand li to reach the South Border. We just need to ensure their safety when they’re in Yu Province.

[Hehe, actually with Li Na’s strength, there’s no need to worry so much. Some tempering will be good for both of them. I’ll have Senior Brother Sun secretly watch over them. Li Na, relay my words to Second Uncle and Second Brother.]

Li Na was about to say they were also watching when Xu Qi’an wrote:

[3: However, one warning—don’t trust anyone, absolutely don’t get scammed.]

[2: Don’t get scammed.]

[4: Be careful not to get scammed.]

[6: Watch out for scams.]

[1: Stay alert, don’t get scammed.]

My goodness, how stupid is Number Five… Li Lingsu was stunned.

Li Na’s face flushed red with embarrassment and anger. Just as she was about to end the transmission, she immediately saw Xu Qi’an’s next message:

[3: Lingyin’s talent is truly exceptional—not cultivating force poison would be wasting heaven’s gifts. My aunt is an idiot, harboring unrealistic dreams that Lingyin could become cultured and refined. The whole family laughs at her, they just don’t say it out loud.]

Seeing this, Li Miaozhen immediately chimed in:

[2: The Xu family’s aunt is adorably stupid, often getting played around by your little sister.]

[4: The Xu family’s aunt just loves her daughter too much.]

Li Na glanced at Auntie, whose face had turned iron-blue with murderous aura, and carefully wrote:

[5: The… the Xu family’s aunt is watching right beside me…]

The Ground Book chat group suddenly fell silent.

Then there was no more response.

Auntie’s mascara-rimmed eyes grew round as saucers. She first glared at Li Na and the Ground Book fragment, then viciously glared at Second Young Master Xu and Second Uncle Xu, gnashing her teeth:

“Laughing at me?”

Finally, she locked onto Xu Lingyue: “Playing me?”

Second Uncle Xu and Second Young Master Xu hastily shook their heads.

Xu Lingyue spoke softly with a hint of grievance:

“I don’t know what Daoist Li is talking about. When she stayed here, daughter got along quite well with her.”

Auntie easily believed her daughter—after all, she bore herself, and a mother knows her daughter best. With such an easily bullied appearance, how could she play tricks on anyone?

She snorted: “Next time she won’t stay here. But that brat Xu Ningyan got one thing right.”

Then she turned to fire at her son and husband:

“Don’t think I don’t know, you’re all laughing at me. None of you Xus are any good…”

[…]

How am I supposed to face this… Li Miaozhen held the Ground Book fragment, her cheeks burning.

Speaking ill of others behind their backs is not what a gentleman does… Chu Yuanzhen was satisfied with maintaining his gentlemanly character by not speaking ill of others, though he had plenty of complaints about Xu Lingyin being impossible to teach.

Meanwhile, in some inn, Li Lingsu was laughing like a pig.

He didn’t know why he was so happy, just felt he wasn’t alone in his thoughts.

That fool Li Na should ask Daoist Jin Lian if the Ground Book fragment has a blocking function… In the Pagoda of Buddha, Xu Qi’an viciously complained.

Putting away the Ground Book fragment, he continued the previous topic:

“Take me to find your Sister Night Princess.”

White Princess pecked at her head, quickly saying in a small voice:

“We’ve already entered the Ten Thousand Mountains territory. Quick, stop using the Pagoda of Buddha—it will let the Buddhist sect discover us.”

“Surely not that serious.” Xu Qi’an looked down at the vast mountains, without a trace of human habitation.

But White Princess insisted:

“After the Buddhist sect drove us from the Ten Thousand Mountains, they brought large-scale migration from the Western Regions, building twenty-seven cities in the demon race’s vast territory. Each city has a Buddhist temple.

“In each Buddhist temple, there’s a golden bell. When crisis strikes, ringing the bell will resonate with the golden bells in the other twenty-six temples. They can quickly reinforce each other.

“In five hundred years of growth, using these twenty-seven major cities as cores, the Buddhist sect built many small cities and towns. Buddhist monks frequently travel between these towns, chanting sutras and preaching dharma.

“The Pagoda of Buddha’s aura is too magnificent—Buddhist monks can sense it from extremely far away.

“Don’t alert them!”

Xu Qi’an made an “oh” sound and commented: “Your Lady’s compulsory education is quite good.”

White Princess usually seemed silly, with the mentality of a child just beginning to understand things, only slightly smarter than his own Lingyin.

But regarding knowledge of the Buddhist sect, her foundation was very solid, and thoroughly digested rather than mere rote memorization.

From this alone, one could see how the Monster Nation emphasized ideological education for the next generation of demons.

The thought of remembering hatred and never forgetting national humiliation was deeply rooted in demon hearts.

“I plan to travel by wind. Nanchi, rest in the pagoda.”

He was going to meet an old flame privately—naturally, Mu Nanchi couldn’t be present. A harem master must know how to avoid risks.

Mu Nanchi only knew Xu Qi’an came to fulfill his agreement with the demon Lady to unlock the demon-sealing nails; she didn’t know about Floating Fragrance’s existence.

“No, I’ve never been to the South Border, perfect chance for sightseeing.”

“Fine…”

He immediately had the Pagoda of Buddha descend. Xu Qi’an carried Mu Nanchi on his back with White Princess perched on his head, skimming across treetops like a dragonfly touching the water.

Miao Youfang hadn’t reached the Energy Refinement realm and couldn’t display such effortless lightness skills, so he ran through the forest following them.

The night was desolate, with cold moonlight sprinkling from above.

Mu Nanchi’s arms wrapped around Xu Qi’an’s neck as the cool wind came head-on. She narrowed her eyes, gazing at the endless forest and mountains stretching to the horizon.

“Mountains everywhere!”

Mu Nanchi murmured: “I like it here, do you?”

The Flower Goddess’s reincarnation felt a sense of belonging to this plant-covered land.

Seeing Xu Qi’an not responding, she grew unhappy and humphed:

“In the future when I don’t want to wander the jianghu anymore, I’ll settle here, and we’ll part ways from then on.”

She often said similar things to create a sense of crisis, but Xu Qi’an never responded.

Mu Nanchi was furious, but her tsundere personality wouldn’t let her give in, so she often gave him the cold shoulder.

“I want to settle here right now,” Mu Nanchi said petulantly.

“Oh, stay or don’t stay, what’s it to me?” Xu Qi’an was cold and heartless.

… Mu Nanchi raised her palm and hit his head, forgetting about the little white fox perched there.

“Squeak~~”

The little white fox, receiving this sudden attack, let out a sharp cry. After calming down, she said pitifully:

“Auntie, why did you hit me again? I didn’t say anything.”

Mu Nanchi felt somewhat guilty and rubbed its head, saying icily:

“I don’t want to go on. I want to return to the Pagoda of Buddha.”

Just waiting for you to say that… Xu Qi’an quickly summoned the Pagoda of Buddha and collected her inside.

“Done!”

Xu Qi’an was satisfied as he put away the pagoda.

Except for Luo Yueheng that great shark, he had ways to handle all other fish.

Then, following White Princess’s directions, he flew through the air at the edge of the Ten Thousand Mountains.

The core region of the Ten Thousand Mountains was the former capital of the Monster Nation—Monster Mountain!

Now Monster Mountain had been renamed “South Nation,” under South Dharma Temple’s rule.

The twenty-seven major cities radiated outward from “South Nation City” at the center. The edge regions of the Ten Thousand Mountains had no towns because the mountain territory was too vast—the Buddhist sect didn’t have enough population to occupy all areas.

Also, due to the terrain, many places were simply unsuitable for human habitation and survival.

This provided space for Monster Nation remnants to infiltrate.

To this day, many demons have secretly returned to the Ten Thousand Mountains, active in the border regions.

The Buddhist sect knew this but hadn’t addressed it.

Not out of mercy, but inability.

Since ancient times, the most difficult part of warfare wasn’t capturing cities and strongholds, but the subsequent guerrilla warfare.

When the southern demons lost their territory, they became like those with nothing to lose, able to act recklessly.

White Princess also said there were twelve demon-organized settlements in the border regions of the Ten Thousand Mountains, some in natural caves, some in treacherous deep mountains, some beside rushing rivers.

These settlements’ main characteristic was their crudeness—they could be abandoned at any time.

Their advantage was having certain rallying power, serving as landmark buildings that could quickly gather Monster Nation’s people.

“They’re military bases—once war breaks out, these settlements can rapidly organize forces.”

Xu Qi’an suddenly understood.

All along this journey, he hadn’t seen any sign of human habitation.

“The Ten Thousand Mountains should be the largest mountain terrain in the Nine Provinces continent. It’s not suitable for human habitation, full of venomous insects, fierce beasts, and miasma—no wonder it became a demon nation.

“The Ten Thousand Mountains isn’t suitable for large-scale human settlement, lacking farmland, only suitable for hunting life. This would make human civilization regress to the hunting era.

“When the Buddhist sect committed everything to exterminating the southern demons back then, it violated the core purpose of warfare. So there must have been another true purpose—fate energy.

“The Nine-Tailed Fox said the Ten Thousand Mountains condensed the Nine Provinces continent’s demon race fate energy, able to seal Shen Shu. Making a bold guess, was the Buddhist sect’s true purpose in desperately annihilating the Monster Nation to plunder fate energy? If so, fate energy is more important than I imagined.

“The Wu Shen Sect and Buddhist sect trying to interfere in the Central Plains must also be for fate energy. And the Confucian Saint sealed them…

“The Celestial Master system is intimately related to fate energy…”

Xu Qi’an recalled the information and secrets he knew, vaguely feeling inspiration about to burst forth as if touching some terrifying truth.

But it was too blurry, and he couldn’t accurately capture and organize it for the moment.

At this time, White Princess raised her paw, pointing at a distant valley, cheering:

“It’s right there!”