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nTranslator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

nMaster Liaochen disregarded Zhangping’s suspicions, and continued, “I am an external party and should never get involved in the mortal realm. Demons may wreak havoc, robbing the country of its good fortune, disasters may increase, even more than the earthquake that occurred this time. Greed is the root of evil that caused the deaths of so many people. The demon stole not only the country’s fortune but also altered the destiny of lives. My friend, you’ve learnt some mystical technique so you should understand.”

nAfter being frightened multiple times by Liaochen, Wei Ci’s head is more alert now.

n“Who is that demon?”

nLiaochen shook his head, saying, “I don’t know. This devil is exceedingly cunning, till now, his face has not been revealed.”

nWei Ci, overwhelmed with horror responded, “This devil is so brazen to do this…”

nHe learnt the mystic techniques before, naturally he had knowledge of unorthodox methods to steal, manipulate fates are all devious methods and consequently, users do not have a good outcome.

nTo steal even a small secret will warrant the lives of one’s entire family, but…

nWei Ci shut his eyes and thought intently about the succeeding disasters that struck Dongqing. Compared to the situation in the previous generation, it has increased three-fold, including the extent of the earthquake this time…he dares not imagine how much of Dongqing’s country’s fortune has been robbed, how much the destiny of lives has been altered.

nHaving stolen such a tremendous amount, yet one can still be scot free. It is incomprehensible.

nDongqing was indeed fast approaching its end, but it could still struggle for survival for seven to eight more years. Yet, looking at present, it might not even sustain for two to three years.

nThe ability to assess the fate of a country can only be performed by an esteemed and capable person.

nThis old monk before him is truly an enlightened man.

n“Honestly, I have sensed in the past ten years when the rate of Dongqing country’s fortune deteriorated dramatically, its luck started to dissipate.”

nA country comes and goes, it could be vanquished today or tomorrow… Liaochen doesn’t think highly of this.

nThe people who have reached enlightenment do not wish to meddle with the affairs of the world and are reluctant to be entrenched in the worldly causes and effects.

nHowever, this demon who robs has evil schemes. When Master Liaochen determined in his heart to locate it, its whereabouts became mysterious and could not be tracked down. It went around Dongqing stealing in a full circle, then left behind a huge mess, leaving the innocent to unjustly bear the consequences of this.

nWei Ci knitted his brows and worry filled his heart. “Even with your skills and learning, the Reverend is unable to curb this demon?”

n“I am helpless,” Master Liaochen said and shook his head. “Precisely because of the earthquake, I have discovered some clues. The luck of the next imperial star of Ziwei has been stolen somewhat but all that the imperial star does is aligned with the will of heaven, thus technically, it should increase…”

nWei Ci’s expression turned pale while he suddenly understood who Liaochen referred to as the imperial star of Ziwei.

nFollowing his train of thought, he wondered if this demon has his sights on her?

nThough the imperial star of Ziwei is an enigmatic woman, Wei Ci knew that whatever she is lacking, she is deadly.

nFor example, she has the advantage of geographical and social conditions yet lacked in the crucial “auspicious timing”… how frustrating this must be?

nLuck is at times a composition of action.

nWei Ci understood that if a person has the ability, her strategies and temperament is good, but if she is defeated because her luck is lacking then her loss is undeserving.

n“Reverend’s words mean that… that the demon is hiding by Lanting’s side?”

n“Yes, I sensed this, so I hurriedly headed north to warn Liu Langjun to be careful. Only…” Liaochen smiled bitterly, “That Langjun has an intimidating presence, let alone demons, even the Grim Reaper will lower its head and run off.”

nMaster Liaochen discovered that Jiang Pengji’s Emperor aura mysteriously decreased substantially, then steadily increased after some time.

nHe expended all his energy to predict her fate, discovered that this person’s birth chart is significantly more threatening than Premier Huangpu’s from the previous dynasty.

nIf that demon has its sights on her, it will not bode well.

nSpeaking of which… the birth chart of this young man before him has a similar fate to Premier Huangpu.

nExpectedly, he is destined to be with Liu Langjun in the mortal realm.

nUsing negative against negative energy, they would become one.

nBringing harm on each other to save the world.

nAmitabha!

nExcellent, Excellent!

nMaster Liaochen chanted scriptures in his heart. He looked downcast and pitied the world, as if the light of buddha shone from behind him.

n“As such, I am preparing to return.”

nShe was well now, why must he trouble himself to personally make a trip to the earthquake vicinity?

nWei Ci had no comeback.

n“Passing by this place, I discovered a phoenix descending, his breath is weak, and I knew it was my young friend. Thus, I came to pay a visit.”

nMaster Liaochen finished his words and looked at Wei Ci silently.

nIf this man died, the true dragon will be destined to lead a lonely life: she can unite the lands but would have no descendants… the equivalent to bringing a dynasty to an end.

nHelping this person overcome the knot in his heart is tantamount to saving his life. It’s directly related to the fate of a country, but he doesn’t have to suffer the consequences of its cause and effect.

nSweet.

nTo such a highly esteemed monk like Liaochen, there’s nothing like virtuous actions that’s attractive to him.

nWei Ci was a deeply private and introverted man, his intentions were revealed by Master Liaochen, making his cheeks grow a bright red. This was not a result of his fever but out of bashfulness.

nHe was grateful that he is seriously ill now, otherwise he wouldn’t be able to face the others.

n“The imperial star of Ziwei is well, you should focus on getting well too, young friend,” Liaochen remarked. “Don’t dwell too much on other things.”

n“Thank you, Reverend.”

nAs if a giant rock was lifted, Wei Ci felt his entire body relax.

nSeeing that he still appeared tired, Master Liaochen signalled that he was leaving. Zhangping stood up to send him off, his expression deeply conflicted throughout.

nMaster Liaochen thanked the owner who then gave him two biscuits and a bag full of water, then he received his wooden staff and conical straw hat from the novice monk.

n“Farewell, sir.” Master Liaochen prepared to leave.

n“Wait a moment, Reverend —” Zhangping yelled to stop him, he mumbled saying, “Zixiao…he is destined to be a phoenix?”

nSince time past, when has there ever been a male becoming a queen?

nMaster Liaochen replied, “The phoenix is a male bird.”

nTherefore, there is nothing wrong with a phoenix destiny.

nZhangping’s expression became increasingly conflicted but he decided not to probe further, rather he went back to care for the sick with a heavy heart.

nAfter Zhangping walked afar off, the novice monk raised his head and asked doubtfully, “Reverend, why is that man’s face so dismayed?”

n“Simply because, making a big fuss out of nothing,” Liaochen said with a straight face.

nThe novice monk seemed like he understood yet he did not.

n“When you set foot on all the mountains later on, see the sufferings of the world with your eyes, you won’t find it strange anymore,” Liaochen added with a knowing look in his wise eyes.

nAfter their visit, Zhangping felt his three senses had been forcefully remodelled. After a few days, Wei Ci no longer wore a sickly face, contrarily he was conflicted with finding fault in his rapidly healing master.

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nOn the other hand, Jiang Pengji brought the people safely to Xiangyang district, they met many violent mobs along the way, but without a formation or principles, how can they compare to the well armoured imperial guards who were mighty and strong or the troops who are apt in battles?

nLeading close to 200,000 people, the pace was naturally slow, however, Jiang Pengji wasn’t in a rush. They moved along in daylight; she ensured their three meals are well taken care of and they had time to rest. When night fell, they set up tents and rested for the night. The young and old could easily keep up with the group, none of the injured people were left behind.

nAnother night of stay-over, those troops sent to the Xiangyang district previously have returned pathetically.

nJiang Pengji heard the news and quickly gathered her men for an update.

nUpon hearing, she almost exploded in rage.

n“What?” Jiang Pengji raised her voice, “Which bastard did you say is occupying my Xiangyang district?”

nFacing an infuriated Jiang Pengji, her troops trembled in fear and answered, “It’s-it’s a group of the Tsing Yi army! There’s close to a hundred thousand people that have turned into violent mobs!”

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