Chapter 138: I Am Doing This for the People of the World

Chapter 138: I Am Doing This for the People of the World

Studying literature cannot save the nation; only cultivating immortality can. Liu Jinyuan abandoning literature for the Dao reminded Chu Yang of an old acquaintance.

According to the original storyline, Liu Jinyuan would have pestered Li Xiaoyao to teach him martial arts, just to gain the recognition of his cousin and uncle.

Now, the situation was similar, except that martial arts had been replaced by cultivation.

Could it be that this guy wanted to cultivate immortality just to marry Lin Yueru?

The current Lin Yueru had not fallen for Li Xiaoyao, so Liu Jinyuan still had plenty of chances. It was understandable that he wouldn't give up.

The more Chu Yang thought about it, the more he felt that Liu Jinyuan's excuse of cultivating to save the nation was just a front. He was likely interested in Shu Mountain only because Chu Yang had proven himself evenly matched against Lin Tiannan.

So even those who seemed upright could be two-faced—this refined and scholarly top scholar was even more so!

Chu Yang squinted, staring at Liu Jinyuan with a half-smile. The latter got goosebumps all over, forcing out an innocent-looking smile.

"Cultivating the Dao is not a simple matter. Young Master Liu should think it through carefully," Xu Changqing advised earnestly.

"Daoist Xu, I have already made up my mind. Please allow me to try!"

Once determined, Liu Jinyuan was no pushover.

"Big Brother, I support you! I'll go to Shu Mountain with you!"

Was there a better excuse to go to Shu Mountain?

Lin Yueru was delighted.

But she wasn't sure whether Shu Mountain accepted female disciples. She could totally become a Daoist nun! If she became one, Lin Tiannan wouldn't be able to force her into marriage anymore!

Each of them had their own ulterior motives, but both were determined to go to Shu Mountain.

Thus, the group split into two teams. Early the next morning, Chu Yang and the others prepared to head for Baihe Village, leaving Tang Yu and A'nu behind.

Even if they encountered Bai Yue (Lunar Sect Cult Leader/Shi Jieren), they wouldn't die. After all, they were Bai Yue's chosen test subjects, used to study love.

Just in case, Chu Yang handed Tang Yu a small item engraved with the Flying Thunder God technique, calling it a gift for A'nu.

Tang Yu didn't suspect a thing and accepted it happily.

With that, the main group set off.

Halfway through the journey, Zhao Ling'er suddenly voiced her concern: "Daoist Chu, will my appearance frighten the villagers of Baihe Village?"

Chu Yang replied, "Your fresh blood can suppress the atavistic phenomenon, but it will shorten your lifespan."

Zhao Ling'er only asked, "Will it affect my unborn child?"

Chu Yang shook his head.

The fetus was protected by spiritual energy and wouldn't be affected by the mother.

Without hesitation, Zhao Ling'er walked into the forest alone, pouring her boiling blood over her tail. A flash of red light later, she had returned to her human form.

When Li Xiaoyao saw her again, she looked just like she had when they first met. The joy on his face was unmistakable.

He hadn't heard the conversation between Chu Yang and Zhao Ling'er, so he had no idea what price she had paid.

As the group traveled, Chu Yang quietly broke away, circling the area with Observation Haki to check for Bai Yue Cultists nearby.

As expected, he sensed some movement.

However, the cultists weren't targeting the main group—they were heading toward Tang Yu and A'nu instead.

"As I suspected, no matter how powerful Bai Yue is, he can't predict everything perfectly. His arrangements along the way weren't just guesses—he must have done something to A'nu!"

Chu Yang silently eliminated Bai Yue's spies before leaving.

Bai Yue wouldn't tolerate being blind for too long. Before long, he would surface in the Central Plains.

Chu Yang hoped to deal with Bai Yue on his own turf, preventing him from summoning the Water Demon Beast. If he could gather all five Spirit Orbs in time, he could leave them in Shu Mountain.

Bai Yue likely wouldn't dare to attack Shu Mountain—Sword Saint alone would be a nightmare for him, not to mention the scheming Qingwei.

The main group moved slowly. They should have arrived in Baihe Village by morning, but thanks to Shi Gonghu, they were delayed until the afternoon.

Shi Gonghu had crafted a sedan chair from bamboo for Zhao Ling'er, now that she had regained her human form. Previously, her snake form had made travel inconvenient, but now, he was determined not to let the princess walk on foot.

Especially since she was pregnant.

Despite all this, Shi Gonghu kept saying, "I deserve to die."

Chu Yang figured that by the time they reached the next city, Shi Gonghu would probably prepare a proper palanquin for Zhao Ling'er.

This was where his blind loyalty showed—when it clashed with his values, he struggled to prioritize.

After some thought, Chu Yang spoke to Shi Gonghu, pointing out that slowing down too much might lead to a direct confrontation with Bai Yue, which could put Zhao Ling'er at risk.

Shi Gonghu wrestled with his thoughts before ultimately agreeing to keep things simple moving forward.

As they neared Baihe Village, Xu Changqing was the first to sense something amiss. The air was thick with corpse energy and an eerie evil aura, making him frown.

Next was Shi Gonghu, whose military background made him highly sensitive to the scent of death. He immediately ordered his men to protect Zhao Ling'er.

Liu Jinyuan instinctively moved closer to Lin Yueru, startling her.

The always-casual Li Xiaoyao asked, "Brother Xu, what's wrong?"

Xu Changqing said nothing and simply drew his sword.

Li Xiaoyao hesitated but followed suit, standing guard beside Zhao Ling'er.

Then, Chu Yang spoke: "Zombies. And not just one or two. Everyone, bring your weapons over—I'll inscribe some talismans for you."

Purification talismans for zombies were elementary knowledge in Shu Mountain, something every disciple had to learn early on.

Though Chu Yang had read about them before, he hadn't been able to use them due to lacking true spiritual power.

Now, he quickly inscribed talismans on everyone's weapons, then glanced at Xu Changqing. The latter was even faster than Chu Yang—worthy of being Shu Mountain's top disciple, proficient in all disciplines.

With "Zombie Purification Talismans" in hand, the group gained confidence. When they encountered zombies, they simply charged in and hacked away.

The scattered zombies around Baihe Village were no match for their professional extermination team and were swiftly annihilated.

As they fought their way into the village, the stunned villagers stared in awe.

Where did these mighty warriors come from?

They seemed like saviors.

With tears in their eyes, the villagers removed the barricades and rushed toward them, crying and bowing.

"Dashing heroes, please save us!"

Led by the villagers, Chu Yang and the others entered the village and met Doctor Han, who explained Baihe Village's plight.

The zombies had originated from a place nearby called General's Tomb.

It was home to the Skeleton General and the Red Ghost King.

Hearing about these supernatural threats, Xu Changqing immediately declared his duty as a Shu Mountain disciple and insisted on exterminating them.

Li Xiaoyao wanted to go too, but when he thought of Zhao Ling'er, he hesitated. He had made the same mistake before—he couldn't repeat it.

The storyline had changed.

Li Xiaoyao refused to leave Zhao Ling'er, and she didn't try to stop him. They were completely aligned.

Lin Yueru's expression turned unnatural at the mention of skeletons, zombies, and ghosts—clearly, she had no intention of getting involved.

Liu Jinyuan, on the other hand, was excited, eager to study supernatural phenomena, completely disregarding the fact that he was practically useless in a fight.

Chu Yang felt a headache coming on. Sometimes, when the plot didn't follow the expected course, things became even more troublesome.

Left with no choice, he sought out Zhao Ling'er in private, intending to trade Blood Bodhi for the Devourer Gu in her possession.

Zhao Ling'er was well aware of the effects of Blood Bodhi. She had personally witnessed a maid from Fairy Spirit Island recover from the brink of death, returning to life full of energy.

When Chu Yang took out twenty Blood Bodhi at once, Zhao Ling'er was so startled that she hurriedly waved her hands. "Daoist Chu, if you want the Devourer Gu, just take it. There's no need to give me anything in return."

"As a cultivator, one must avoid forming karmic debts. If I were to take the Devourer Gu for nothing, it would mean creating a bond of cause and effect with you, which might require a great price to repay in the future."

Chu Yang smiled. "I hope Miss Zhao won't hinder my cultivation."

His reasoning was simple—he didn't want to delay Li Xiaoyao's training. After all, he was relying on Li Xiaoyao, his walking cheat code, to merge martial arts techniques. If progress were hindered, the one suffering losses would be himself.

Hearing Chu Yang put it in such serious terms, Zhao Ling'er no longer refused and accepted the Blood Bodhi, intending to save them all for Li Xiaoyao.

Something that could save lives—there was no such thing as having too much.

The transaction was successfully completed. Chu Yang, feeling quite pleased, left Baihe Village alongside Xu Changqing.

Halfway along the road, he noticed Xu Changqing looking at him with a strange expression—one that felt both familiar and uncomfortable.

Unable to bear it, Chu Yang asked, "Senior Brother, what's wrong?"

Xu Changqing sighed worriedly. "Junior Brother, Miss Ling'er is already married. Setting aside the fact that you're a Daoist, even if you weren't, you should still maintain some distance. Fortunately, Brother Xiaoyao is broad-minded…"

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