60: Chapter 60 Red Lotus Sect

A few years later.

The Ye Family of Liu Village had already become a local Family of considerable influence. They controlled the core supply channels for Zhenxiu Restaurant and other butcher shops, truly making a name for themselves.

However, most of the intelligence that Zhao Yuanyi, the Prince of the Yan State, had helped Ye Jing collect consisted of charlatans and supernatural trickery; no so-called true Immortals had appeared.

Ye Jing was in no hurry. While having the bodyguards from the Zhenwei Martial Arts Hall handle out-of-town business, he continued to search for news of Immortals himself.

But the peace here in the Qinling Mountains was soon shattered.

War raged at the borders of the Yan State, and a great drought struck, leaving the fields barren. The imperial court increased taxes once again, causing widespread resentment among local farmers, which eventually gave rise to a rebel army called the Red Lotus Cult.

Though called a rebel army, the leader of these insurgents was extremely cruel. He was proficient in the arts of sorcery and Gu, Refining Corpses into Puppets, and his forces committed arson, murder, and looting wherever they went.

Even a First-Stage Martial Artist was no match for them, and they specifically targeted innocent villagers.

Officials along the route reported that this terrifying rebel army would soon arrive in Yanggu County.

For a time, the city was filled with panic.

Higher-level officials issued notices to every village, instructing them to prepare for defense against the villains.

The imperial court was still preparing for war and showed no concern regarding the emergence of this rebel army; the county towns were left to organize their own defenses.

In particular, Li Kun, the Inspector of Yuanhe Town, was trembling with fear. He hurriedly took his men to Liu Village to seek out Ye Jing.

The reason was simple: Ye Jing's Family was now a famous Martial Artist Family in Liu Village, with the entire household being Martial Artists. For an ordinary Inspector like him, seeking help from the County Magistrate was no longer realistic.

It was better to first discuss how to deal with the Red Lotus Cult rebels with the Ye Family.

The sedan chair swayed unsteadily on the rugged mountain roads. Li Kun was jolted several times before finally arriving at Liu Village.

As soon as they entered the gates of Liu Village, the sedan chair was set down. Li Kun stepped out, and the surrounding villagers, seeing he was an official, showed respectful expressions while wondering curiously what this official was doing here.

Li Kun walked straight to the courtyard not far from the center of Liu Village. This residence was starkly different from the other low, earthen-brick houses in the village.

The courtyard walls were high, built with blue stone blocks, and the blue-brick and white-tile architecture was extremely grand. The main gate was made of thick elm wood.

Hanging above the lintel was a wooden plaque that, while not ostentatious, exuded authority. On it were written the words 'Ye Manor' in a vigorous and powerful script.

This was far more impressive than the residence of an Inspector like Li Kun.

Seeing the house, Li Kun felt a surge of emotion. He remembered that a few years ago, Ye Jing was just the most inconspicuous farmer in Liu Village. Now, in just a few years, he had prospered to such an extent that even an Inspector like himself had to be polite when meeting him.

He took a deep breath, suppressed his internal sighs, and signaled the Constable beside him to step forward and knock on the copper rings of the gate.

The 'thud-thud' sound of the copper rings hitting the wooden door was exceptionally clear in the quiet village, drawing even more villagers to crowd around and watch.

A moment later, the gate opened, and a lean, sturdy youth dressed in short-sleeved martial attire walked out, his sharp eyes sizing up Li Kun's group.

He simply asked, "Who are you? What business do you have at the Ye Manor?"

This youth was Ye Jing's eldest grandson, Ye Tianhao. Although only fourteen, he carried himself with an air of maturity and possessed an extraordinary temperament. He had already thoroughly studied the Four Books and Five Classics in the city, but he had no desire to enter the imperial court as an official. Seeing this, Ye Jing did not force him.

Instead, he let him practice martial arts at home. Tianhao was naturally intelligent and quickly mastered those Secret Manuals. At a young age, he was already a Second-Stage Martial Artist and was now a standout among the younger generation in the county.

Li Kun naturally knew of this Genius youth. With a kind face, he cupped his hands and said, "I am the Inspector of Yuanhe Town. I have come today on an urgent matter to see Patriarch Ye. I ask this young brother to relay the message."

He intentionally emphasized the title 'Patriarch Ye,' his tone full of respect.

In front of the Ye Family, Li Kun did not dare to put on official airs.

Upon hearing this, a hint of surprise flashed in Ye Tianhao's eyes. He knew the Inspector was a town official who rarely visited the countryside. For him to visit in person meant something major must have happened.

He didn't ask further and opened the gate, saying, "Lord Inspector, please come in. I will go call my grandfather!"

Li Kun followed Ye Tianhao into the courtyard.

Inside, he saw weapon racks. Several young children were practicing martial arts with swords in an orderly fashion. A pretty and charming young lady stood with her hands on her hips, guiding the children's practice.

In her arms, she held a fiery-red fox, which was lazily resting against her chest.

This girl was Ye Jing's second granddaughter, Ye Tianyao. She was also a Third-Stage Martial Artist and was responsible for looking after her younger siblings at home.

Ye Tianhao invited Li Kun to sit in a small pavilion in the courtyard and then turned to call Ye Jing.

Not long after, Ye Jing emerged. He was dressed in a plain long robe, his figure tall and straight, his complexion ruddy, and his eyes bright and piercing. He still did not look like an eighty-year-old man at all.

"Inspector Li," Ye Jing greeted with cupped hands.

"Patriarch Ye."

After their pleasantries, Ye Jing was the first to ask, "As the Inspector of the town, you are usually busy with affairs. To come to this remote village in person today, I presume it is not for idle chat. May I ask what has happened?"

Li Kun set down his teacup, the smile on his face instantly vanishing, replaced by a look of helplessness. He lowered his voice and said, "Patriarch Ye might not know, but a group of rebels calling themselves the Red Lotus Cult has appeared outside the city.

Their influence is growing, and they are looting prefectures and counties everywhere, leaving the people displaced. According to the County Magistrate, this Red Lotus Cult has already set up camp near Yanggu County. It is very dangerous..."

"Red Lotus Cult?" Ye Jing was slightly surprised to hear this. He had heard of this cult, but he hadn't expected them to reach Yanggu County so quickly.

Li Kun braced himself and continued, "But the imperial court is currently busy preparing for war in the north and is ignoring the Red Lotus Cult traitors. They have only told local areas to organize their own defenses. Yuanhe Town and the surrounding villages simply cannot muster enough manpower.

The County Magistrate is also struggling to protect himself. After much thought, I realized that in Liu Village, only the Ye Manor is filled with martial practitioners of great strength. Thus, I have come to discuss a countermeasure with Patriarch Ye!"

After speaking, Li Kun stared intently at Ye Jing, fearing he would hear a refusal.

He knew that although the entire Ye Family were Martial Artists, they had always kept a low profile and were unwilling to involve themselves too much in government affairs. But in this situation, he truly had no other choice but to seek help from Ye Jing.

Hearing this, Ye Jing's brow furrowed slightly, and his hand holding the teacup paused.

He had naturally heard the news of the Red Lotus Cult uprising, but he hadn't expected the situation to be so dire that even the imperial court had no time to attend to it.

After a moment of silence, Ye Jing said, "Lord Inspector, since you have come, how do you wish for this old man to cooperate?"

Seeing Ye Jing relent, Li Kun was overjoyed and hurriedly said, "Patriarch Ye is truly noble! Yuanhe Town is currently short on troops. I hope Great Hero Ye can step forward and lead the disciples of your manor, along with the able-bodied men of Liu Village, to the town to assist in the defense!"

Ye Jing gave a cold laugh upon hearing this. "Lord Inspector, allow me to consider this for a moment."

Li Kun's words were nothing more than wanting the Ye Family to protect Yuanhe Town. If all the disciples of the manor went to the town, then Liu Village would be left vulnerable.

Should the rebels attack, the elderly, weak, women, and children in the village would likely suffer disaster, and his Family estate would be burned to the ground.

Seeing that Ye Jing intended to refuse, Li Kun hurriedly said, "Patriarch Ye! I have no other way. If Yuanhe Town falls, the Red Lotus Cult rebels will sweep through the surrounding villages. Even if Liu Village holds out for a time, it will certainly not be able to remain unscathed!"

"Your words are a bit too absolute, Lord Inspector." Ye Jing set down his teacup, his tone carrying a hint of detachment.

"Yuanhe Town has the city walls of the government to rely on, yet it still finds it difficult to resist the rebels. Even if my Ye Family has martial skills, we would only be adding a few more casualties. Furthermore, Liu Village is the Foundation of my Ye Family. I cannot disregard the lives of the entire village."