26: Chapter 26 Qinglan Returns

That sharp, short scream was like a blade tearing through the morning sky.

Lu Zhao's face changed abruptly. Without waiting for Zhao Yuankun to react, his figure shot toward the back of the village like an arrow released from a bow! He Shan, Yan Meng, and the others followed closely behind, their footsteps kicking up dust.

Zhao Yuankun frowned but did not stop them, merely exchanging a glance with the two Disciples behind him.

The three followed at a leisurely pace, their green robes fluttering slightly in the morning breeze.

Wild Wolf Slope was only two li away from the village.

When Lu Zhao reached the foot of the slope, he saw Granny Xue stumbling out of the Mountain God Temple. Her old face was deathly pale, her finger pointing inside the temple, her lips trembling, unable to speak.

Master Wen, Qin Wan, and the others were gathered outside the temple, the children and women huddled together, all still in shock.

"What happened?" Lu Zhao steadied Granny Xue.

"In... inside..." Granny Xue gasped for breath, "There... there is something..."

Lu Zhao's eyes sharpened, and he stepped into the temple gate.

The Mountain God Temple had long been in disrepair; the hall was dim, the statue was broken, and spiderwebs hung down.

Several baskets were overturned by the offering table, with grain and bedding scattered on the ground. But apart from that, there was nothing unusual.

He held his breath and focused, his spiritual senses fully engaged.

Besides the smell of dust and mold, there was a faint... stench in the air.

It wasn't the smell of blood, but the musky odor of some wild beast.

Lu Zhao's gaze swept across the floor.

In the cracks of the blue bricks, there were a few damp marks, dark red, appearing to be bloodstains.

He crouched down to examine them closely; the blood was not yet dry, left at most half an hour ago.

"Sir!" He Shan rushed in, sword in hand, "Is there any— —"

Before he could finish, Lu Zhao suddenly raised his hand.

He was staring at the shadow behind the statue.

In the shadow, something moved.

Very slightly, like wind blowing through torn cloth.

But Lu Zhao saw it—it was a tail. The fur was gray-brown, with a black tip.

"Come out." His voice was calm.

A rustling sound came from the shadows.

A moment later, a wild beast walked out slowly.

It was a wolf.

It was not large, gaunt as a skeleton, with a wound on its left front leg deep enough to see the bone. The flesh was rolled back, still oozing blood.

It limped to the center of the temple, but it didn't look at Lu Zhao, only lowering its head to lick the scattered crumbs of dry rations on the ground.

After licking a few times, it raised its head to glance vigilantly at the crowd, a low whimper emitting from its throat.

It wasn't a threat, but a plea.

He Shan breathed a sigh of relief: "So it's just this beast..."

"Not necessarily." Lu Zhao interrupted him, his gaze falling on the wolf's wound, "This wound was caused by a blade. The cut is neat, the force is even; it wasn't done by a hunter."

He took two steps forward.

The wolf was startled and retreated, but due to its heavy injury, its movements were sluggish, and it stumbled and sat on the ground.

It stopped licking and just looked up at Lu Zhao, its eyes showing a hint of human-like sorrow.

Lu Zhao's heart stirred.

He crouched down and reached out his hand.

"Sir, be careful!" He Shan urged anxiously.

Lu Zhao shook his head, his palm slowly moving toward the wolf's wound. The North Sea True Qi circulated in his palm, and the gentle vitality of the [Transformation Style] was transmitted in threads.

The wolf shuddered.

The pain at the wound seemed to ease; it stopped retreating and just stared fixedly at Lu Zhao, the sorrow in its eyes gradually fading, replaced by confusion.

After half an incense stick of time, Lu Zhao withdrew his hand.

The wound had not healed, but the bleeding had stopped. He tore off a piece of his hem, bandaged it simply, and took some dry rations to place in front of the wolf.

"Go," he said softly, "the mountains aren't safe anymore either."

The wolf looked at the rations, then at Lu Zhao, and suddenly lowered its head, picked up a piece of flatbread, limped toward the broken window behind the temple, leaped out, and disappeared into the forest.

Lu Zhao stood up and looked at Granny Xue: "Granny, you were frightened. It was just this injured wolf that hid in the temple and knocked over the baskets."

Granny Xue patted her chest and let out a long breath: "You scared me to death... I thought the Liu Family had sneaked over."

Everyone relaxed.

Just then, Zhao Yuankun's calm voice came from outside the temple:

"Are you finished?"

Lu Zhao turned around.

Zhao Yuankun stood at the temple entrance with his hands behind his back, his two Disciples standing on either side. The morning light shone from behind them, casting their shadows long and thin on the blue bricks inside the temple, like three shackles.

"I apologize for the trouble, Immortal Master." Lu Zhao cupped his hands, "Just a false alarm."

Zhao Yuankun nodded, his gaze sweeping over the scene inside the temple, then falling on the scattered grain and bedding, a flash of understanding in his eyes.

"Have you all retreated here?" He asked.

"Yes." Lu Zhao replied frankly, "With the Liu Family army pressing on the border, it is too dangerous for the old, weak, women, and children to remain in the village."

"Hmm." Zhao Yuankun was noncommittal, turning to walk out of the temple door, "Let's talk back in the village."

The group returned to Yangjiao Ravine.

Beneath the wooden wall at the village entrance, the remains of the three pits were still there, earth and stone mixed with bamboo spikes and bloodstains, a complete mess.

The horse hoof prints left behind after the Black Armor Army retreated crisscrossed like scars carved into the earth.

Zhao Yuankun stopped in front of the pits, watched for a moment, and suddenly said:

"These pits were dug well."

Lu Zhao lowered his head: "Crude methods, I apologize for the embarrassment, Immortal Master."

"Crude, but effective." Zhao Yuankun turned around, staring at Lu Zhao, "You, a mortal with no Spiritual Root, were able to kill Boss Wu, set up these traps, and make Liu Zhenxiong retreat... Lu Zhao, you are not simple."

This statement could not be determined as praise or criticism.

Lu Zhao remained silent.

Zhao Yuankun didn't press him, only saying: "Liu Zhenxiong was here just now. Did you hear my words clearly?"

"I heard them clearly." Lu Zhao looked up, "Immortal Master said that Yangjiao Ravine will be temporarily supervised by the Qinglan Sect."

"Not temporarily." Zhao Yuankun corrected, "It is official supervision. The term is one year."

He paused, his voice turning cold:

"Upon investigation, the Funiu Gang is confirmed to have ties with the Xuanshuang Sect, and your Yangjiao Ravine has merit for killing the bandit leader. But the doubts in the village remain uncleared—Boss Wu's dying confession, the wounds on Chen Song's corpse, and the clues to the hidden stolen goods all point to your village. Therefore, the Qinglan Sect will take over this place in accordance with regulations to thoroughly investigate the truth."

After speaking, he took a cyan command flag from his bosom.

The flag was embroidered with a cloud-patterned sword emblem, which was the mark of the Qinglan Sect.

"Wherever this flag is planted, it is a territory under the supervision of the Qinglan Sect." Zhao Yuankun handed the command flag to a Disciple behind him, "Plant it at the village entrance."

The Disciple accepted the order, found a thick wooden post, and nailed the command flag firmly in the center of the village entrance.

The cyan flag flapped in the morning breeze, and the cloud-patterned sword emblem shone coldly in the sunlight.

The villagers gathered in the distance, looking at the flag, all with ashen faces.

Supervision.

These two words were like a thousand-pound stone, pressing on everyone's heart.

It meant losing all freedom, it meant the possibility of being searched, interrogated, and convicted at any time, it meant... life and death in the hands of others.

Lu Zhao stared at the command flag, his fists inside his sleeves slowly clenching.

But his face remained calm: "Immortal Master, what rules must our village follow during the supervision period?"

Zhao Yuankun was prepared and spoke immediately:

"First, no unauthorized leaving of the village. Anyone going out must report to the supervising Disciples, explaining the reason, destination, and return date."

"Second, no private expansion of military power. All existing weapons and crossbows in the village must be registered. Any new armaments must be reported for approval."

"Third, no trading with major external Sects. Daily necessities can be purchased at the Black Mountain City market, but any transaction exceeding ten Spirit Stones must be inspected by the supervising Disciples."

"Fourth..." He paused, "You must pay a 'Supervision Tribute' monthly. Ten Spirit Stones per month, or equivalent supplies."

As the words fell, the village fell into a dead silence.

Ten Spirit Stones!

For ordinary villages outside Black Mountain City, the annual income was only twenty or thirty Spirit Stones.

Now, paying ten every month, this was to suck Yangjiao Ravine dry!

He Shan's eyes widened in anger, and he was about to speak.

Lu Zhao raised his hand to stop him.

"Immortal Master." Lu Zhao's voice remained steady, "Our village is poor; paying ten Spirit Stones a month is truly beyond our means. Could it... be halved?"

Zhao Yuankun shook his head: "Rules are rules."

He swept a glance at Lu Zhao and added: "However, if you can offer the complete version of that Qi-nurturing technique, I might be able to plead with the Sect to reduce it as appropriate."

This was the real purpose.

Lu Zhao understood immediately.

He pondered for a moment and said slowly: "The technique can be offered. But... this Junior has a condition."

"Speak."

"During the supervision period, the Qinglan Sect must protect our village's safety." Lu Zhao looked up, his gaze like a sword, "Although the Liu Family retreated today, they will certainly not be reconciled. If they retaliate in secret, our village cannot defend against them."

Zhao Yuankun raised an eyebrow: "Are you bargaining with me?"

"I dare not." Lu Zhao lowered his head, "I am merely stating a fact. If our village is destroyed by the Liu Family, there will be no one left to give you the technique you want."

This was soft but firm.

Zhao Yuankun stared at him for a long time, then suddenly laughed.

"Good, I agree to your terms." He nodded, "During the supervision period, the Qinglan Sect will keep your village safe. But—"

His tone changed.

"If you privately spread forbidden techniques, collude with evil cultivators, or commit treason, never mind the Liu Family; I will be the first to wipe out your entire village."

Lu Zhao bowed: "This Junior understands."

"It is good that you understand." Zhao Yuankun took a Jade Slip from his sleeve and threw it to Lu Zhao, "Engrave the technique into this slip. I will come to collect it in three days."

He pointed to the two Disciples behind him:

"These are Wang Qian and Li Su. During the supervision period, they will be stationed in your village. All matters must be reported to them."

The two Disciples stepped forward; both were in their early twenties with arrogant expressions. Wang Qian was thin and tall, Li Su was short and stocky, and both were at the Peak of the first level of Qi Refining.

The two swept a glance at the people in the village, their eyes filled with undisguised contempt.

Lu Zhao cupped his hands: "I'll trouble the two Immortal Masters."

Wang Qian snorted through his nose as a response. Li Su said directly: "Where is the accommodation? Lead the way."

Lu Zhao had He Shan take the two to the side room of the ancestral hall—that was originally where Han Meng was recovering, but now it had to be vacated.

When the two had walked away, Zhao Yuankun looked at Lu Zhao and lowered his voice:

"Lu Zhao, you are a smart man."

Lu Zhao lowered his head: "The Immortal Master overpraises me."

"A smart man should know what can be done and what cannot." Zhao Yuankun's voice was even lower, "The Liu Family is powerful. I can protect you for a while today, but not for a lifetime. That technique of yours... is your only bargaining chip."

He paused.

"Live well. Only by living can you have a future."

This sounded like advice, but also like a warning.

Lu Zhao nodded: "Thank you for the guidance, Immortal Master."

Zhao Yuankun said no more and turned to leave. After walking a few steps, he suddenly turned back, his gaze falling on Lu Zhao's face, a complex expression flashing in his eyes.

"In this world, having no Spiritual Root is the original sin." He sighed softly, "The path you are walking has no predecessor. Whether you succeed or fail depends on your own fortune."

After speaking, his green robes unfurled, he flew up on his sword, and disappeared into the horizon as a stream of light.

Lu Zhao stood alone in the same spot for a long time without moving.

The morning light grew stronger, shining on the cyan command flag, the shadow of the flag cast on the ground like the bars of a cage.

The villagers gradually gathered around.

No one spoke.

But every face was written with humiliation, anger, and despair.

He Shan's fists were clenched, creaking, his tiger eyes filled with tears: "Sir... are we just going to... accept this?"

Yan Meng spat: "Ten Spirit Stones a month! They are trying to squeeze us to death!"

Han Meng leaned on his sword, his face gloomy: "With the supervising Disciples stationed here, our every move is under their eyes. In the future, practicing martial arts, holding meetings, forging weapons... everything must be hidden."

Master Wen sighed: "We are the fish and the meat on the chopping block..."

Lu Zhao turned around slowly.

His gaze swept over every face, looking into every pair of eyes. There was anger, unwillingness, fear, and also... a faint glimmer of expectation.

Expecting him, this young man who led them to kill Boss Wu and retreat the Liu Family army, to create another miracle.

Lu Zhao took a deep breath.

"Everyone."

His voice was not loud, but it quieted everyone down.

"I have recorded today's humiliation."

He paused, saying word by word:

"The Qinglan Sect's flag is planted at the village entrance. But the flag in our hearts cannot fall."

He raised his hand and pointed at the cyan command flag.

"One year. Within one year, we must live more proudly than anyone else under this flag."

"One year later—"

His voice suddenly turned sharp.

"I want to make it so that in these three hundred miles of Black Mountain, the word 'supervision' no longer exists!"

As his words fell, the village fell into a dead silence.

But a moment later, someone let out a low roar: "Do it!"

Immediately, more than twenty men clenched their fists together, flames reigniting in their eyes.

What humiliation cannot crush will only make the backbone stiffer.

Lu Zhao said no more and turned toward the ancestral hall.

The side room of the ancestral hall had been vacated, and Wang Qian and Li Su were inspecting the room. Seeing Lu Zhao come in, Wang Qian frowned: "This place is crude, there isn't even a decent bed."

Lu Zhao lowered his head: "The village is poor, I have wronged the two Immortal Masters. I will have someone send bedding and clean water later."

Li Su waved his hand: "Forget it. Remember, you must come here to report the situation in the village every day at the hours of Chen and Shen. If there is anything unusual, report it immediately."

"Yes."

"Also." Wang Qian added, "The list of young and strong men in the village must be registered and presented within today. The number of weapons and crossbows must be registered one by one."

Lu Zhao agreed to each one.

Seeing him so compliant, the two's expressions eased slightly. Wang Qian waved his hand: "Go. Don't come to disturb us if there is nothing."

Lu Zhao exited the side room and closed the door.

When he turned around, the compliance on his face had disappeared, leaving only cold indifference.

He returned to his small house, closed the door, and sat cross-legged.

Deep in his spiritual platform, the Martial Seal stone vibrated slightly.

[Supervision shackles formed, triggering long-term task: Breaking the Shackles · Rise of Civilization]

[Phase 1: Within one year, develop secretly under supervision, accumulate strength, and reach a cumulative 500 Civilization Points]

[Current Civilization Points: 7 points]

[Task Reward: Unlock Intermediate permission for "heart of the martial ancestor", gain the ability to build the "Martial Dao Legacy System"]

Lu Zhao slowly opened his eyes.

Outside the window, the cyan command flag flapped in the wind.

He said softly:

"One year."

"That is enough."

That night, Lu Zhao sat alone in his room, deducing his subsequent plans, when he suddenly heard a light tapping on the window lattice.

Opening the window, he saw Han Meng standing outside, his face solemn. Lowering his voice, he said: "Sir, there is something... it was inconvenient to say during the day when there were many people. Behind the Liu Family and the Funiu Gang, there is an old matter involved—regarding the 'Earth Dragon Turning Over' in Yangjiao Ravine twenty years ago."