Chapter 18: Faith Offers a Plan
Two Golden Core cultivators each rode their clouds, soaring to the mountaintop high above.
Chi Dun, his face smeared with dirt and bearing light wounds, stood upon his gray cloud and snorted coldly, “Fei Si! If you hadn’t blocked me from pursuing the demonic cultivator, I would have captured him already!”
His adversary was an elder in yellow robes with a sharp gaze and a wispy goatee—Fei Si by name.
Fei Si replied with a snort, “Brute! Was I blocking you from catching the demonic cultivator? I was preventing you from destroying the Fire Persimmon Grove!”
The two argued all the way, their voices raised, until they stood before the City Lord.
Dense clouds parted like curtains, revealing the true form of the City Lord.
The current City Lord’s visage was as calm as a still lake; he was long accustomed to their quarrels.
Fei Si and Chi Dun, one scholarly and one martial, were the City Lord’s strongest arms, though they had never gotten along.
After bowing in respect, Chi Dun immediately began to complain, blaming Fei Si for his lack of cooperation and for hindering the pursuit, allowing the shadowy demonic cultivator to escape into the Fire Persimmon Grove, which now had to be sealed off.
Fei Si retorted at once, “Brute!”
“The Fire Persimmon Grove is of immense value, cultivated since the city’s founding. Generations of diligent effort over centuries have brought it to its current scale.”
“Fire persimmons are highly volatile. If a battle breaks out amidst the grove, it will trigger a chain of explosions. Then, our greatest industry in Fire Persimmon Immortal City will be wiped out!”
“Half our city’s annual income comes from the grove. One could say it supports the city’s very operations.”
“You only care for your own task, blind to the bigger picture. If the grove is destroyed, how will the City Lord answer to the Southern Bean Dynasty?”
It was thus: the Three Sect Elders had hidden the Lava Immortal Palace deep within Fire Persimmon Mountain, and after subduing the volcano, the land had transformed from cursed to blessed.
The Southern Bean Immortal Dynasty took notice, and centuries ago dispatched Nascent Soul cultivators to settle at the volcano and build the Immortal City. After the city’s grand formation was laid, they drew upon the earth’s power and fire spiritual energy to nourish the Fire Persimmon Grove.
The grove’s profits were immense, and the city’s name derived from it.
The annual Fire Persimmon harvest evolved into a unique festival—Fire Persimmon Festival.
On the festival day, all cultivators in the city would enter the grove to pick persimmons, filling the city with the joy of harvest and festivity.
Chi Dun stiffened his neck, glared at Fei Si, and was about to speak.
The City Lord interrupted, “Enough. You have interrogated the cultivators—any clues?”
Chi Dun quickly bowed and presented the confession register.
The City Lord remained seated as the register floated before him. A swift wind flipped its pages from start to finish.
He was a Nascent Soul cultivator; his divine sense was formidable. In a few breaths, he had absorbed all its contents.
No value whatsoever.
Chi Dun sought guidance, “City Lord, the demonic cultivator now hides within the Fire Persimmon Grove. What should be done?”
The City Lord’s divine sense stirred, sending the register back to Chi Dun. His tone was calm: “What do you think?”
Chi Dun frowned in difficulty, “The grove is extremely important. I believe it best to report directly and let the Southern Bean Immortal Dynasty send capable people.”
“At the very least, if they scatter a handful of red beans, the Red Sash Guardians can spearhead the assault, greatly reducing casualties.”
“Or, we could simply invite agents from the Divine Constabulary to hunt the demonic cultivator.”
“Be it those who practice the Mindful Warning Technique or those skilled in Root Tracing Law at the Divine Constabulary, all are better at tracking culprits than I.”
The City Lord’s expression did not change; he glanced at Fei Si.
Fei Si immediately understood and called out again, “Brute!”
“If you summon the Divine Constabulary, what need is there for us?”
“We’ve already negotiated secretly with the two great families. If we suddenly report upwards, how will we face the Zhou and Zheng families?”
“That would break all the rules!”
“In the future, if you govern a region, how will the local cultivation families ever trust our lord again?”
“Remember, to hold a post in the provinces, one must maintain good relations and close cooperation with the local great families. Only then can administration run smoothly.”
“To go back on one’s word is the act of a petty man!”
Fei Si’s rebuttal was fierce and emotional.
He withheld another part of the truth—
The discovery of the Lava Immortal Palace had happened after the City Lord took office. According to regulations, the City Lord should have reported it promptly.
Yet, at the time, the Zhou and Zheng families had urged him, bribed him lavishly, and the City Lord himself coveted the treasures of the palace, so he concealed it.
The original three parties had developed it in secret, all was well. The Ning family’s discovery of the palace had been expected, and the three were prepared to accept them.
But suddenly, disaster struck—the Lava Immortal Palace was blasted open!
That damned shadowy demonic cultivator single-handedly turned the situation upside down.
The palace nearly emerged completely, only barely suppressed by the City Lord’s intervention. Yet, the selection criteria for the palace had dropped to the Qi Refining stage, and the chimes of transmission had spread far and wide.
Though the City Lord issued multiple orders, swiftly controlling the cultivators present and masking the truth as best he could, word had already leaked far and wide. As time passed, the Southern Bean royal family would inevitably learn.
If the City Lord had managed to obtain treasures from the palace, it might be easier to explain.
But now, he had gained nothing!
The dynasty’s losses were inevitable. In such circumstances, how could the City Lord resign himself? Of course, he would push forward, exploring the palace to the utmost—this was in his best interest.
Chi Dun could not outargue Fei Si, so he spread his hands, admitting the task was too difficult and beyond his ability.
Fei Si sneered, “How could a mere brute think of a solution? Leave it to me!”
The City Lord turned to Fei Si and spoke calmly, “Fei Si, if you have a plan, speak freely.”
Fei Si had already prepared his answer and now smiled, “My lord, I believe the best course is to quiet the situation!”
“The shadowy demonic cultivator’s goal is clear—the Lava Immortal Palace!”
“Previously, he tried to enter the palace but was blocked by Zheng Shuangou. Why did he appear near the dungeon this time?”
“On the surface, he wanted to destroy the formation pillar beneath the dungeon.”
Within Fire Persimmon Immortal City, the grand formation had five pillars located in the Zhou, Zheng, and Ning family compounds, the dungeon, and the city guard barracks. Destroying these pillars could threaten the entire city’s formation.
“But that is only the apparent motive!” Fei Si declared, his eyes gleaming with confidence.
“He is likely deliberately exposing himself, luring Chi Dun to give chase, hoping to draw the City Lord out to apprehend him.”
“In the end, the demonic cultivator fled into the Fire Persimmon Grove, seemingly in desperation, but it is very suspicious.”
“The grove is prone to explosions and layered with formations. Why choose it as a hiding place?”
“Now, with the grove’s multiple formations activated, the shadowy demonic cultivator is temporarily trapped. He seems like a bird in a cage, a turtle in a jar, but I suspect he’s drawing our attention.”
“My lord, I have a bold guess. This demonic cultivator is merely a decoy; in truth, others are lurking in the shadows.”
“If we focus our forces on him, the volcano’s summit will inevitably be left vulnerable.”
“We know little of the enemy. We have no idea how many are hiding in secret.”
“It’s even possible that the three great families are accomplices of the demonic cultivators—or even the masterminds behind the scenes!”
Chi Dun listened, mouth slightly agape, eyes vacant.