Chapter 288

When they arrived in Emei County, the elders of the county rushed to welcome the return of the Emei Sect leader.

Many young girls and even daughters-in-law hurriedly changed into their new clothes for the New Year, and rubbed their faces with red paper dyed with lipstick, eager to see what the Emei Jade Knight looked like now that he had grown up.

Sister-in-law Mie Jie, who had moved to this county to settle down, also hurriedly changed into a white outfit when she heard that her sister had returned. She told Fang Wen and Fang Wu to also change into mourning clothes. The three of them, holding the tablet of the spirit of Fang Taiping, the 鈥淕olden Melon Hammer鈥�, greeted her all the way.

The citizens of the county saw this and all made way for them.

Mie Jie saw it from afar and jumped off his horse, quickly walking up to it and kneeling in front of the tablet in the middle of the street.

He shouted, 鈥淏rother, sister has left the mountain and travelled tens of thousands of miles north. Thanks to your protection in heaven, she has indeed found the evil thief Xie Qian. Sister and disciple Ye Gu Hong have killed him on the island of ice and fire, avenging your blood feud.鈥�

Ye Kuhong then returned home with Liu Ji, and the two of them chatted along the way, learning that the current residence was purchased by Tang Gong.

While they were talking, they handed it to Fu, who blushed and took it, bowed to Ye Kuhong, and said thank you, uncle.

Ye Guhong took Liu Lian, and felt that it was quite heavy in his hands. After slightly weighing it, he looked at it for a moment and smiled, saying, 鈥淏rother Liu, your wife, your son has a strong frame and a smart look in his eyes. He is a natural talent and a beautiful jade. In the future, whether he studies literature or martial arts, he will surely achieve something.鈥�

After waiting for a year and seeing that the two did not return for a long time, Liu Ji decided to start working first.

Upon hearing this, Mrs. Fang burst into tears and cried to the heavens, 鈥淭aiping, can you hear me? Your sister has avenged your great wrong. You can rest in peace in heaven.鈥�

She then embraced the child with one arm, and with her left hand she felt around in her bosom and took out a few bottles of medicine. She said, 鈥淚 came in a hurry and didn’t have time to get a proper gift. These are the Jiu Hua Yu Lu pills of our school. Take one every few days, and in a few months you will regain your vitality.鈥�

Ye Guhong pondered for a moment, shook his head, and said, 鈥淣ow that we haven’t made a name for ourselves, and we’re in our hometown, fundraising is somewhat suspect. As for the plan to meet Chun, it’s necessary, but I’ve heard that the road to righteousness is well trodden, and the road to evil is deserted. I hope that when Emei mounts its rebellion in the future, the heroes of the green forests will respond and join together in a great undertaking. Now, attacking the mountain and destroying the village directly is a bit overbearing.鈥�

However, the Emei Sect was never wealthy. This army of a thousand men, although they did not receive wages, quickly depleted the Emei Sect’s meagre wealth, as the money spent on weapons, clothing, and food for the troops quickly ran out.

Ye Guhong smiled and said, 鈥淭hat may not be the case. I don’t know if silver will fall from the sky, but gold can be grown in the ground.鈥�

After Fu’s departure, Liu Ji looked at Ye Kuhong and sighed, 鈥淢y dear friend, you gave your sword, the one that killed the enemy, to Lian’er. This is really a generous gift.鈥�

Ye Kuhong laughed and said, 鈥淏rother Liu, you don’t understand. When one has reached my level in martial arts, external help is no longer very helpful. Besides, as the saying goes, ‘If Heaven’s Sword is not used, who can compete with it? I will go find a master craftsman to recast the sword, and it will suit me perfectly.鈥�

While they were talking, they left Liu’s house hand in hand, and entered Emei that day. By noon the next day, they invited Mie Jie and a group of people including Zhu Chongba to join them. Everyone sat down in the hall. Liu Ji stood up first and explained in detail what he had done in the past two years.

He thought of a piece of news he had read in his previous life, which was that in the 1980s and 1990s, a large number of gold mines had been discovered in Guizhou, mainly concentrated in the area where the ancient Yelang Kingdom was located.

Mie Jie rolled his eyes and said impatiently, 鈥淕uhong, don’t tease your younger brothers. Where is the gold you’re talking about?鈥�

If Mie Jie and his disciples never returned, Liu Ji would have to decide whether to listen to Chang Yuchun’s advice and lead the troops to attack the mountain forts of the bandits of all walks of life to loot their wealth and food, or to follow Xu Da’s advice and raise funds from the wealthy families in the county.

Ye Guhong waved his hand and said, 鈥淣ot yet, not yet. Sir, are you and your family settled in this county? I will go pay my respects to your sister-in-law, and then you and I can go back to the mountains to discuss matters.鈥�

Ye Guhong said, 鈥淟iu, don’t worry. This elixir of our sect is quite effective. After you finish these bottles, I guarantee that your wife’s health will be even better than before. You guys should work harder and give my disciple some more brothers.鈥�

The man was Liu Ji, who also laughed and clasped his fists, saying, 鈥淏rother, your reputation as the Jade Hero of Emei is now known throughout the world. I have also heard about it in Shushan. In the Central Plains, I’m afraid it is even more exciting! With this reputation, I’m afraid it will be even easier for you to accomplish great things. Let’s go. Liu will follow you up the mountain to discuss it in detail.鈥�

Liu Ji said with great joy, 鈥淚f that is really the case, it is indeed heaven’s blessing for Emei! However, the Yi people’s army is a veteran army, and it is not something that our army, which only practices once in a while, can defeat.鈥�

Ye Guhong winked at the child, and Liu Lian giggled and laughed, reaching out to Ye Guhong.

Mie Jie had never had any ideas about this sort of thing, so he looked to Ye Guhong as a matter of course.

Ye Guhong nodded slightly and laughed, saying, 鈥淏ut even without this military treatise, Brother Liu’s troops are not badly trained.鈥�

Fu said in surprise, 鈥淪trange. It can be seen that Uncle Ye is destined to be related to our family. Lian usually doesn’t get close to others, but today he actually wants his uncle to hold him.鈥�

Jie, seeing Ye Guhong’s behavior, was pleased. He had never taught him to be courteous to the wise and humble, but it seemed that he knew it instinctively.

Is this not the quality of a wise ruler? He said, 鈥淵es, Guhong, Liu is a genius in the world. You must pay more attention to his family affairs and not let him have any worries. If there is anything that is not enough, just tell your teacher and he will get someone to do it.鈥�

Liu Ji exclaimed in shock, 鈥淒id the Heavenly Sword break?鈥�

Zhu Chongba nodded, 鈥淏rother is absolutely right. I was thinking the same thing. It would not be good if the bandits were forced to fight the Tartars.鈥�

Fu immediately embraced Liu Lian and was about to go inside, when Ye Guhong suddenly said, 鈥淲ait, sister-in-law.鈥�

He said, unbuckling the snake-skin belt around his waist and handing over the snake-bone sword inside, laughing, 鈥淚 went to the Tartar palace before and retrieved the soft armored suit, the treasure of my school, and bestowed it on my eldest disciple Zhang Qubing as My master’s bowl of water must be balanced. This sword was left behind by the sword demon of the previous dynasty. It was swallowed by a strange snake, and the snake bone and the divine sword became one. It is also considered a foreign object in the world. And I give it to my disciple as a gift. Oh, sister-in-law, children’s eyes are the cleanest, so they are easily attracted to evil spirits. Sister-in-law, just hang this sword on the wall of my disciple’s bedroom, and I guarantee that all evil spirits will stay away.鈥�

Upon entering the house, Liu Ji called his wife, Fu, to come meet Ye Guhong. Ye Guhong bowed to the ground, saying, 鈥淢y younger brother, Guhong, greets his sister-in-law.鈥�

Upon closer inspection, the Qingzhang mansion, with its pond and garden, was not very large, but it was extremely elegant, and Liu Ji also said that he was satisfied with living there.

Liu Ji looked at Ye Guhong and laughed, 鈥淎fter all, medicine and martial arts are inseparable. Your sister-in-law has been weak since giving birth to Lian’er. I am thirty-nine years old, and Lian’er’s mother is also over thirty. It is considered a blessing to have a son at this age, but it is a pity for your sister-in-law.”

When the villagers of Man County heard this, they all laughed and said, 鈥楧on’t worry, Master. Mr. Liu is a VIP from Emei. He has settled down in the county, and everyone in Man County respects him.鈥�

Liu Ji knew that she was small and delicate and easily shy, so he waved his hand and said, 鈥滸o hold the baby. I’ll talk to my friend.鈥�

When Fu heard him talk about the origin of the sword, with its history as the Demon Sword and the strange snake, she was afraid and didn’t dare to take it.

Ye Kuhong laughed loudly, 鈥淚f the Buddhist faith didn’t have such abilities, how come the statues of the Buddha are all golden?鈥�

He was sighing and shaking his head when he suddenly saw someone smiling and standing in the crowd. He laughed, walked quickly over, bowed to the ground, and laughed loudly, 鈥淏rother Liu, you are a true friend!鈥�

It turned out that when he was in Hanyang, after bidding farewell to Mie Jie and Ye Guhong, he went home, gathered his family and moved thousands of miles to Emei. He took out Mie Jie’s letter and settled in Emei County, just waiting for the return of the master and disciple.

Liu Ji said with a serious expression, 鈥淲hen it comes to training troops, it’s hard to explain in a few words. Why don’t we go up the mountain now鈥攁fter all, your master is still the head of the school, and it’s only proper that she be informed of this matter as well.鈥�

Ye Guhong got up and saw that she was holding a one-year-old baby in her arms. The baby had a tiger’s head and bright eyes, and was looking at Ye Guhong. It was Liu Lian, Liu Ji’s eldest son, born after Liu Ji went to Emei.

Liu Ji laughed heartily, while Fu’s face turned redder and redder.

Chang Yuchun said anxiously, 鈥淣othing is possible, nothing is possible. Silver won’t fall from the sky, and the earth can’t grow gold.鈥�

When he heard the end, his eyes suddenly lit up, and he quickly took it, beaming, 鈥淚 won’t lie to you, Uncle. Everything about my son Lian is good, except that he is often startled at night and cries non-stop. My concubine and I have been thinking about going to your sect on the mountain to beg for some ash these past few days, but now with your sword, we will definitely be fine.鈥�

Otherwise, he and Xie Qian are deeply attached as father and son. Wouldn’t this situation be awkward?

Ye Guhong laughed and said, 鈥淓mei is about to rise to power, and who could ever have too many good disciples?鈥�

Liu Ji burst out laughing. Seeing that his wife was still too embarrassed to pick it up, he reached out and took it for her, laughing, 鈥淕uhong is not only my brother, but also my confidant. In the future, when we make a big move, I want to be his strategist, and he will become Lian’er’s master. Then we will truly be like family, and it doesn’t matter if I give you anything good. Just keep it.鈥�

Fang Wen and Fang Wu couldn’t help but raise their faces and cry when they thought of their deceased father. Mrs. Fang shouted, 鈥淲hat are you stupidly staring at? Hurry up and thank your aunt for avenging your father!鈥�

Chang Yuchun said in surprise, 鈥淥ur master is a nun! If she were a Taoist nun, she might have the ability to turn stones into gold, but I’ve never heard that the Buddhist religion has such abilities.鈥�

The two of them hurriedly came to worship and eliminate the disaster. Eliminate the disaster smiled, held his palms together in a prayer position, and sent out two gentle palm winds. Fang Wen and Fang Wu let out a cry of 鈥渙uch鈥� and could not help but stand up. They wiped away their tears and said in a daze, 鈥淢y dear mother, this is incredible. Our aunt has become a fairy.鈥�

Chang Yuchun was speechless at these words, and then he laughed out loud, 鈥淢aster, if you have such magical powers, then we at Emei will never lack money again.鈥�

Ye Guhong said decisively, 鈥淕ood, then let’s go up the mountain. But Liu, I advise you to keep the old man’s three words firmly in your heart once you leave this door, and never let my master hear them.鈥�

However, it was strange that after Fu had obtained Ye’s sword and hung it on the wall, Liu Lian no longer had nightmares, and even mosquitoes, flies, cockroaches and mice avoided the place because of the smell of the snake skin.

He had expected this to happen when he returned to the mountain, so he had sent Zhang Qubing to Peach Blossom Island, meaning for him to avoid this matter.

Ye Kuhong laughed in surprise, thinking to himself that with my master’s ability to chant sutras, the incense ashes of our school are probably not much better than mosquito incense ashes.

Liu Ji was delighted and quickly said, 鈥淚f that is the case, does this child have the affinity to be your disciple?鈥�

Ye Kuhong dipped his tea in his cup and drew a map of his proposal, pointing to the location of modern-day Guiyang and saying, 鈥淭his is Shunyuan City, where the Luoshi Ghost Kingdom was established by the Yi people. More than 200 li to the southwest is the former Yelang Kingdom, which is now part of the Ghost Kingdom. If we can take it over, at least for a short time, military expenses will no longer be a pressing concern.鈥�

So he took Zhu Chongba and the others, and taking advantage of the Yi and Miao rebellions and the need to establish militia groups for self-protection, he began to recruit soldiers and horses, and built a team of about a thousand people. Most of them were the sons and daughters of Emei County and nearby villages. From then on, they practiced once every three days, doubling during the slack season and halving during the busy season.

Fu’s wife hurriedly said, 鈥淯ncle, you must not be polite. Please get up quickly. Please forgive me for being pregnant and unable to help.鈥�

Ye Guhong, standing behind Mie Jie, also felt a sense of emotion.

Ye Guhong then told him in detail about the origin of the Dragon Slaying Saber and the Heaven-Sinking Sword, as well as their encounter on the Ice and Fire Island. Liu Ji said with joy after listening, 鈥淚n that case, it was not an unjust loss! If we can obtain the Wumu Military Manual, it will be better than ten Heaven-Sinking Swords!鈥�

Ye Guhong, however, was confident. He touched his handsome face and laughed with satisfaction, 鈥淭he Wuxian Sect wants me as a son-in-law and they want a bride price from our sect. My master has already agreed to this. But if a bride price is to be paid, doesn’t she have to give some dowry as well? Wuxian Ridge is a sacred place for the Miao people, and I don’t want much as a son-in-law. Asking for 20,000 Miao soldiers shouldn’t be considered too much, should it?鈥�

Upon hearing this, Mie Jie suddenly stood up and said with a glare in his eyes, 鈥淲hat’s the use of 20,000 Miao soldiers! Without 50,000 elite Miao soldiers, don’t even think about marrying into my Emei Sect!鈥�