The Quest for Immortality

”To eradicate the Corpse Mine, we’ll need the deployment of Taoist Soldiers and Spirit Stones.”

”Who will send the Taoist Soldiers? Who will provide the Spirit Stones?”

”If Taoist Soldiers set out, they’ll require logistics; should they die or get injured, compensations must be provided. And all the mobilization of manpower and resources before and after can’t be done without Spirit Stones.”

”Should there be heavy casualties, a huge responsibility must be assumed.”

”Once the matter is successful, and credit is earned, suddenly many people will appear to share in the credit, even those unrelated will reach out, wanting a piece of the pie...”

”Taking huge risks, bearing great responsibility, paying a steep price to eradicate the Corpse Mine, and in the end, it’s very likely the credit will go to someone else...”

”Who would be willing to do such a thing?”

Situ Wang sighed and said,

”Unless the Lu Family really committed a tabboo, openly walking the path of Heretical Demons, enraging the Taoist Court enough to issue a decree for suppression, otherwise these Court Officials, both high and low, who are overstaffed and underworked, would never pick up this hot potato...”

Situ Fang sighed in disappointment.

Situ Wang looked at Situ Fang with a hint of pity.

Though Situ Fang’s talent was not outstanding, she was the most righteous, most eager to learn, and had the strongest sense of responsibility among their disciples of this lineage.

Such a disciple was more worthwhile to nurture than those who had high talent but flawed characters.

Moreover, as they came from the same lineage and she being an elder, Situ Wang was not very keen on letting her take risks.

”The waters of South Yue City are too muddy; even if we could wade through them, there’s no need to soil ourselves...”

Situ Wang pondered for a moment, then diplomatically said,

”Fang girl, if I were to have my way, you should take this opportunity to leave as well...”

His brows were deeply furrowed:

”Should the situation really deteriorate and turn urgent, this whole South Yue City could turn into a living hell. By then, no one can guarantee your safety...”

”You should also cherish your path of Tao Cultivation...”

Situ Fang was momentarily stunned, then gratefully said, ”Thank you, Uncle Wang!”

But after thinking it over, she shook her head:

”I am a Supervisor of South Yue City. Although my cultivation isn’t high, I have duties to perform, and I must do what’s expected of me.”

Situ Wang frowned, ”But some tasks are impossible to carry out...”

”If it’s truly impossible,” said Situ Fang, ”then I’ll consider leaving.”

Situ Wang fell silent for a while, then sighed,

”It must be so, then.”

He took out a Jade Slip, feeling helpless,

”I’ll write another letter back to our clan, to urge them to consider the bigger picture and send some more people here if they can, and to make some moves on the part of Taoist Soldiers Court too...”

”But how much help there will be, that can only be left to fate...”

Situ Fang was overjoyed and hurriedly bowed, ”Thank you, Uncle!”

Seeing Situ Fang like this, Situ Wang felt both relieved and emotional, but upon thinking of the Corpse Mine, his gaze filled with concern, and his expression was far from optimistic.

Eighty Iron Corpses, tens of thousands of Walking Corpses, ah...

A single misstep could turn into a catastrophe for the entire state boundary...

Situ Wang shook his head and sighed, ”Difficult, indeed...”

...

In South Yue City, South Yue Sect, within an incense-filled tea room,

The Sect Leader of South Yue Sect was in confidential conversation with Elder Su.

The Sect Leader of South Yue Sect, named Zhao, was in the mid-stage of Foundation Establishment, over two hundred eighty years old, having reigned over the South Yue Sect for one hundred and ten years, and he held considerable prestige within the Sect.

”Have you heard about the Lu Family’s matter?”

After they finished their tea, Sect Master Zhao came straight to the point.

Elder Su frowned, ”Which matter is the Sect Leader referring to?”

”The matter of the mine.” Sect Master Zhao said.

Elder Su pondered for a moment, then slowly said,

”I’ve only heard some rumors...”

Sect Master Zhao drank his tea, staying silent.

Seeing that he could not discern anything from Sect Master Zhao’s face, Elder Su weighed his words and asked,

”Does the Lu Family... really have problems?”

Sect Master Zhao glanced at him and spoke indifferently,

”Does the Lu Family have no issues, being able to occupy so many mines, manage to open up Jinhua Street, earn so many Spirit Stones, and live a life of luxury and indulgence?”

”Without engaging in production but making a huge profit, it’s likely there are issues in nine out of ten cases.”

Elder Su’s expression grew solemn, ”What issues could the Lu Family have?”

Sect Master Zhao shook his head slightly, ”It’s just some idle rumors without any solid information, I shouldn’t speak carelessly.”

He looked at Elder Su and continued,

”I know you have quite a relationship with Lu Chengyun, and I called you here to entrust you with some matters.”

Elder Su said respectfully,

”Please, Sect Master, give me your instruction!”

Sect Master Zhao nodded slightly, then lowered his voice and said,

”Our South Yue Sect, from top to bottom, has good relations with the Lu Family, is related by interests, and has received no small amount of Spirit Stones from them...”

Elder Su frowned and asked,

”Does the Sect Master mean that, because we’ve received Spirit Stones from the Lu Family, we should form an alliance with them?”

Sect Master Zhao shook his head, his voice carrying significant meaning,

”What I mean is, even though we have accepted the Lu Family’s Spirit Stones, we must not be single-minded and stand on the same boat with the Lu Family...”

Elder Su was taken aback, ”Isn’t that somewhat... dishonorable?” Continue reading at empire

Sect Master Zhao shook his head, ”Sect interests come before honor.”

”But aren’t the Spirit Stones from the Lu Family also interests?”

Sect Master Zhao explained,

”Spirit Stones are indeed interests, but they are only short-term profits. The survival and continuation of the Sect are the fundamental interests.”

”The abundance of Spirit Stones can indeed bring temporary prosperity.”

”But if we compromise our moral and ethical stances on good and evil for Spirit Stones and it affects the life and death of our Sect, we must decisively forgo the lesser profits for the greater good!”

Elder Su pondered deeply, struck by the realization.

Sect Master Zhao sighed,

”Many Cultivators don’t understand this principle.”

”That’s why in South Yue City, sects and families rise and fall, but only our South Yue City has survived for hundreds of years.”

”The Lu Family won’t last as long as we have.”

Sect Master Zhao looked at Elder Su and reminded him,

”Speak of interests when it’s time to discuss interests, and uphold principles when it’s time to talk about principles.”

”Do not sacrifice principles for profits, or it will lead to great disaster!”

Elder Su nodded solemnly, ”Sect Master, I have taken it to heart.”

Sect Master Zhao breathed a sigh of relief and exclaimed with satisfaction,

”I’m past my prime, and the position of Sect Master will have to be passed on sooner or later. You might not be as cunning as others, but you are loyal and proficient in Formations. With some honing, perhaps the position of Sect Master of our South Yue Sect will be yours one day...”

Elder Su never expected to hear such words, and couldn’t help asking,

”Sect Master, are you... just leading me on?”

Sect Master Zhao glared at him, ”Do you think I make such gestures to just anyone? I have high hopes for you!”

Elder Su quickly bowed and said,

”Yes, yes!”

Afterward, Sect Master Zhao gave him a few more instructions.

Before leaving, Elder Su was still somewhat puzzled,

”Sect Master, regarding the matter with the Lu Family, what exactly should our South Yue Sect do?”

Falling out with the Lu Family would be unwise.

Acting in complete collusion with the Lu Family was not very secure either.

Sect Master Zhao then gave specific advice,

”If the Lu Family doesn’t cause a stir, we’ll pretend as if nothing happened, continue to take the Spirit Stones, doing business as usual when it’s time to discuss interests.”

”But if the Lu Family does stir trouble, we must distinguish ourselves clearly from them, and even be prepared to suppress them at all costs. This is adhering to principles when it’s time to talk about principles...”

Elder Su finally understood.

He was truly worthy of being the Sect Master; he was very flexible in handling interests and principles.