When Qian Nishang walked out of the county magistrate's office, Ji Yuan was already waiting in the carriage.
Their eyes met, and a smile flowed between them, clearly indicating that the parts they were responsible for had progressed smoothly without any unexpected complications.
Before long, they left in the carriage, not directly returning to Mingxuan Pavilion, but heading towards Xuanyuan Temple.
Inside the Taoist temple, everyone had already gathered in the small courtyard, their faces etched with tension and worry.
After listening to Jiang He's account, Zhao Yuansong and the Song He couple did not immediately rush to the county magistrate's office, fearing that their appearance would bring Ji Yuan unforeseen trouble.
This was also Zhang Zhiya's idea. Based on his understanding of his disciple, Ji Yuan would never act rashly without a significant degree of certainty.
Since Ji Yuan had gone to the banquet, he at least had the confidence to retreat unharmed. Otherwise, with his cautious nature, no matter how many benefits were presented, he would never waver from his principles.
After all, in terms of opportunities and good fortune, he had never lacked them. He could receive the inheritance of his ancestors while staying at home, and he could pick up valuable items just by going out. There was no need to risk his life.
As expected, before the group had worried for too long, Ji Yuan returned to Xuanyuan Temple with Qian Nishang and the old woman.
As soon as he entered the courtyard and saw the group gathered there, a smile appeared on his face, showing no surprise.
"Everything is fine, no need to worry, everyone."
Ji Yuan chuckled, pulled over a chair, and sat down.
As a result, Qian Nishang, standing behind him, kicked him, and he immediately gave up the chair and moved to sit elsewhere.
Seeing that the two still had the leisure to joke, the group finally relaxed and began to inquire about the night's events.
Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan pondered for a moment and then roughly recounted the events to the people in the courtyard, omitting only some crucial details.
Qian Nishang, seeing this, had a thoughtful look in her eyes. After subtly observing everyone, she had a plan in mind.
Silently, her evaluation of Ji Yuan rose significantly.
Even setting aside his performance in the county magistrate's office, the mere fact that he had three cultivators at the second realm gathered around him was enough for her to give him more attention.
Furthermore, these three second-realm cultivators all had extraordinary backgrounds: Zhao Yuansong, who was clearly from a reputable righteous sect; Song He, who specialized in formations; and a female cultivator who was a sword cultivator.
Let alone whether these three could ascend to the third realm in the future, even if they only reached the peak of the second realm, they would form a considerable force in the prefectural city.
With Ji Yuan having them by his side, even if the Qian family could not directly leverage this relationship, she would gain more confidence.
"Shopkeeper Qian has truly remarkable skills. With a few maneuvers, she broke the deadlock and reversed the situation."
Zhao Yuansong said with genuine admiration.
Although he was the senior disciple of the Outer Sect of the Nine Profound Sect and had ventured into the martial world a few times, he lacked much in this regard. Apart from his cultivation, he was only adept at handling matters within the sect and among his fellow disciples.
However, as he expressed his admiration, the Song He couple beside him exchanged glances, seemingly holding different opinions.
In their hearts, if Qian Nishang truly possessed such ability, she would not have been restricted by various forces over the past month, appearing to struggle at every step, and even being set up for a Hongmen Banquet tonight.
Subconsciously, the couple glanced discreetly at Ji Yuan, who was calmly sitting nearby.
Hearing this, Qian Nishang smiled slightly and also subtly glanced at the young Taoist beside her. She did not refute Zhao Yuansong's words, effectively acknowledging his statement.
But only she and the old woman behind her knew that everything tonight was planned by Ji Yuan after he obtained some intelligence from her.
And the facts proved that his hastily devised plan accurately struck the vital points of those people. Although tonight seemed full of danger, as long as they followed the plan, there would be almost no unexpected setbacks.
Qian Nishang even asked herself, if she were in their shoes, facing such benefits presented before her, she would likely be like them, knowing she was drawn into another scheme, yet unable to extricate herself.
"So now we just have to wait for them to turn on each other?"
Jiang He asked curiously from the side.
Ji Yuan looked up at the night sky, his gaze fixed on the direction of the county magistrate's office. After a long moment, he said softly, "I'm afraid that after tonight, the situation will become clear."
With Li Wenqing's methods, combined with the remaining nine forces eager to gain more benefits, it might not even take an entire night for this matter to be resolved.
"Can Lord Li win against nine forces?"
Xu Qiqi asked, her thoughts more numerous than her junior disciple's.
According to what Ji Yuan had said earlier, the nine forces combined had at least fourteen second-realm cultivators. With Li Wenqing alone, their chances of victory were slim.
"The strength of the Prefectural Governor's office is not much weaker than some sects that have been passed down for over a thousand years."
Qian Nishang said, showing no worry at all.
Knowing that thirteen forces had joined forces, the Prefectural Governor's office had still sent Lord Li, who had no cultivation. This was itself a testament to their confidence.
In addition to Li Wenqing's own calculations, the Prefectural Governor must have retained some trump card that could subdue thirteen forces.
Moreover, she truly did not believe that the people from those nine forces could outwit Li Wenqing. It wasn't that they were too foolish, but rather that his mind was truly extraordinary.
His ability to remain steadfast in the Prefectural Governor's office and to contend with the head of the Li family, one of the owners of Mingxuan Pavilion, for many years, spoke volumes about his intelligence.
"Master, please call a few senior brothers."
Ji Yuan suddenly sighed and then said to Zhang Zhiya, "Let's see what we need to pack and get it all ready. After things are settled tomorrow, we might have to leave the county town immediately."
Originally, his plan was to leave after the disaster relief was completed and Qianyu City resumed its operations.
At that time, he would simply go to the prefectural city, collect the significant benefits from Qian Nishang, and then take a spiritual bird of a Nine Profound Sect elder to Feiyun Prefecture.
After integrating the destiny of Xuanyuan Temple into the Nine Profound Sect, for a long time to come, they would cultivate on assigned peaks.
However, plans always change. Regardless of whether things unfolded as planned in the county magistrate's office tonight or if any unexpected changes occurred, they would have to leave this county town within one or two days.
On one hand, it was to avoid the potential appearance of people from the Shenxuan Sect.
On the other hand, it was because, no matter what happened in the county magistrate's office tonight, they would have to go to the prefectural city to complete the next phase of their plan.
Otherwise, not only would their efforts be in vain, but the Qian family would also suffer a heavy blow, and it was possible that this incident would be the final straw that broke their already weakened state.
"There isn't much to pack. I just don't know if we'll be leaving behind the ancestors' blessings."
Zhang Zhiya sighed, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
Having lived here for decades, suddenly having to move to another place, how could his heart not feel a sense of unease?
However, the old Taoist also knew that if he refused to leave, it might ultimately bring some unnecessary trouble to his disciple.
"Master, please don't worry. The temple will be looked after by Xu Liuqing of the Three Blades Society and the branch of Mingxuan Pavilion in Qianyu City."
Ji Yuan said to comfort him.
Then he thought for a moment and turned to the Song He couple, "Old Song, would you like to come to the Nine Profound Sect and serve as honored guests for our Xuanyuan Temple?"
This was not a sudden idea. He had had this thought in his mind for a long time but had never found an opportunity to speak about it or how to bring it up.
Everyone had their own destiny, and it wasn't necessary for them to stay together just because they knew each other.
Just like the saying, "All good things must come to an end." Even the closest people will eventually go their separate ways, and it's normal for them to part and reunite.
"We appreciate your kind offer. After this matter is settled and we obtain those things, I will travel the world with Yuyan."
Song He said with a smile, "If one day I can't make a living out there, I'll come looking for you for a guest position."
Hearing this, Ji Yuan's eyes darkened, but he was mentally prepared, so he didn't show any unusual expression.
However, this was for the best. After all, Zhou Yuyan's current identity was that of a ghost. Unless she found a ghost cultivation technique to transform into a ghost cultivator, she would be restricted everywhere. She couldn't even enter slightly larger cities at will.
If she got close, even if she hid well, she might be discovered by local city gods, land gods, and other deities, which could lead to a lot of trouble and make it difficult to explain.
If she became a ghost cultivator, although she would still face some prejudice, the situation would undoubtedly be much better. At least she wouldn't be hounded by cultivators.
In the laws of the Great Yu Dynasty, the attitude towards ghost cultivators was still somewhat tolerant. As long as they did not cause chaos, they would not be held accountable without reason.
In fact, in some government institutions, there were many ghost cultivators who served the country. Their status was no lower than that of court officials, and they were even regarded as high-ranking honored guests.
"Master?"
Seeing that Zhang Zhiya remained silent, Ji Yuan prompted him.
However, the old Taoist shook his head and said, "There's nothing much to pack. My fifth senior brother and I have already prepared the things we need to bring."
In fact, he knew from the beginning that Ji Yuan would choose the Nine Profound Sect, so he had started making preparations long ago.
Even the other disciples, after confirming that they were not suited for this path, had been allowed to go their own ways. Whether they would join other Taoist temples and continue to be Taoist priests for life, or take off their robes and forge their own paths, depended on their own fortune.
"You sent away the other senior brothers?"
Ji Yuan suddenly stood up, looking at his master in disbelief.
Although those senior brothers didn't have much affection for him, and even disliked this junior disciple, believing he had prevented them from inheriting the Taoist temple and becoming the next abbot,
They had even done many things in the past, hoping that Ji Yuan would run away from the Taoist temple and never return, which would have been the best outcome for them.
But Ji Yuan had never imagined that he would part ways with these senior brothers someday. Even when he decided to go to the Nine Profound Sect, he still wanted to bring them along. After all, they had lived together for more than ten years.
Seeing this, Zhang Zhiya nodded. "Don't worry. Didn't your master ask you for some silver earlier? Combined with my savings over the years, it's a total of over a hundred taels, which should be enough for them to live without worry for a period of time."
How could the old Taoist not know about the conflicts among his disciples? He just never spoke of them.
Even in the early years, when Ji Yuan secretly ran away from the Taoist temple, although he didn't stop him, he secretly followed him to prevent any accidents.
Because in his heart, the Xuanyuan Temple's lineage would eventually be broken with this generation. He didn't want some matters that had continued for hundreds of years to be continued by a few disciples.
He just didn't expect that Ji Yuan would embark on the path of cultivation himself, and his future achievements would be extraordinary.
With this in mind, Zhang Zhiya naturally had to do something. The current approach, while not the best choice for everyone, would at least not harm anyone.
Once Ji Yuan realized all this, he said no more. In fact, in his heart, he understood that the path he would take in the future might not be a blessing for these senior brothers.