Killing Demons: Upgrading from Calligraphy

"You haven't been here for several years, how come you have the time to come here today?"

Puffing out smoke, the old fox on the kang chuckled and spoke, waving his hand to signal Hu Tianzong to come into the inner room.

"This is all my father's fault. If he hadn't forced me to inherit the position of the Great Shaman of Tianshan, I would definitely come to play with you every day.

You don’t know, my father is very cruel now.

Just like last time, in order to fight for a chance for the Hu family, he threw me directly into the wilderness of Nanming.

If it weren't for your ability, your precious great-great-grandson would be gone."

Listening to Hu Tianzong enumerating his father's "crimes" one by one, the old fox beside him did not say a word, but just listened quietly, looking at this little great-grandson lovingly with his dark yellow eyes.

"Alright, alright, next time I see your father, I will help you get revenge." Smiling, he took out a piece of frosty white jade from his arms and handed it to Hu Tianzong, and said:

"The best white marrow is at least three thousand years old. I wanted to give it to you last time, but you haven't been here for several years. Take it, keep it for yourself, and don't give it to your brothers."

Seeing the white marrow in the old fox's hand, Hu Tianzong's eyes suddenly lit up, and he took it with a smile:

"Don't worry, I don't even have enough of this good stuff for myself, so how can I possibly share it with those idiots?"

The lineage of the great shamans practiced the art of helping soldiers and the skill of horse riding.

Although they can control and drive the omnipresent [spirits] between heaven and earth, they must pay a price for their gains.

[Spirit] cannot be used at will for no reason.

Therefore, when the great shamans [invite spirits], they will prepare corresponding rewards and sacrifices as a reward, and establish a good relationship with the [spirits], so that they can drive them more easily in the future.

Different shamans have their own familiar [spirits]. Rich sacrificial rewards will improve the relationship with the [spirits], making it easier and more convenient to summon and command them each time.

As the quasi-successor to the Great Shaman of Tianshan, Hu Tianzong usually commands unusual spirits.

The Liaodong province has a unique geographical location, mostly deep mountains and old forests. This kind of environment is most likely to give birth to some ancient and powerful [spirits].

The oldest among them all possesses the strength of a True Spirit.

The rewards and costs required to control these spirits are much larger and more complex than usual.

The white marrow that the old fox gave to Hu Tianzong at this moment was an excellent sacrifice, which could summon many powerful and ancient spirits.

"Okay, now that you've complained and taken your things, you can tell Grandpa what you came here for today."

Putting down the pipe in his hand, the old fox looked at his little great-grandson, who would come to visit him for no reason, with a smile through the cloud of smoke in front of him.

"Nothing can be hidden from you, Grandpa."

Putting away the white marrow that was filled with cold mist, Hu Tianzong smoothed his cotton robe and looked serious:

"Actually, I came here this time because my father asked me to ask you for advice on something."

"what's up?"

When he heard that it was Hu Tianzong's father who asked him to come, the old fox's eyes showed a strange look.

"Now the interior of the country is in complete chaos, the Zhao family is doomed, and the nine governors of the twelve provinces, except for Qinlong, Northwest and us, have all announced that they will raise troops to defend the king.

However, among these nine military governors, there were subtle divisions into two factions.

One faction, headed by Yang Du of Huihuai, and the military governors of the six provinces of Linghang, Fujian, Qingjiang, Lujin, Yanyu, conspired to set up a camp to support the king. They had a force of hundreds of millions and the territory under their jurisdiction spanned the east and west of Daxuan, occupying nearly half of the country's territory.

The other faction was the Yitian Army, which was led by Zhu Shanhe, the governor of Hunan and Chu, Gao Tianxiong, the governor of Yunnan and Sichuan, and Li Huangliang, the governor of Nanyue. Although their military strength was far less than that of Yang Du's King's Camp,

But Zhu Shanhe is the strongest among the twelve provincial governors.

Before the Zhao family fell, there was Zhao Baiye who was able to compete with them.

Although Gao Tianxiong has not been a Yuanshen Zhenzun for a long time, he is unparalleled in both scheming and obedience. When he was suffering from a serious illness and his old injuries recurred, he used the entire Yunnan and Sichuan provinces to set up a game and lured Shiwan Dashan to join in. Later, he was resurrected again with the "Nine Deaths and Immortal Heavenly Skill" of the peerless sword immortal. His fighting power is also first-class among the Jiedushi.

Li Huangliang is old and frail, and it is rumored that he may not even be able to survive the next calamity. However, his grandson believes that the threat posed by this man is even greater than that of Zhu Shanhe.

As old as he is, he is much more than as mediocre as he appears. The trump card he holds in his hand may have the power to subvert the overall situation.

My father asked me to come here this time because he wanted to ask Grandpa for advice. The world is in chaos right now and the people are in dire straits.

Should the five great families of Liaodong also take advantage of this opportunity?

Enter the country and fight for it."

Hu Tianzong slowly told the purpose of this trip, but the old fox leaning on the kang did not respond immediately. He just picked up the pipe that was placed aside and started puffing out smoke.

"Your father is usually so listless, why is he so tough and belligerent this time?"

Instead of answering Hu Tianzong directly, the old fox asked another question.

“Hehe, my father is a bit timid on weekdays, but after all, he is also the great shaman of Tianshan of this generation.

Perhaps... he also wants to lead his people out of this bitter and cold land."

"Leave here? What a joke. The roots of the great shaman lineage are here. If they leave here, can they really live a better life?"

The old fox shook his head slightly, closed his eyes slightly, and after a moment of silence, he slowly said:

"Go back and tell Hu Huazi that Grandpa has no objection to what he wants to do, but let him think it over carefully.

Also, when you go back, tell those old guys in Changsheng Mountain.

Hu Huazi's words are the words of my third master, Hu San.

Whether they are right or not, they have to listen to me.

If anyone dares to disobey and pretend to be obedient.

There can be five aristocratic families in Liaodong.

Or there can be only one.”

Master Hu San's voice was not loud, but as soon as he said this, all living beings within a thousand miles of Changbai Mountain felt their hearts tremble.

Especially those ancient creatures living in the deep mountains and forests.

Mr. Hu San's words are both a reminder and a warning!

At least in the Liaodong province, no one dared to defy his authority.

Seeing that although Master Hu San did not explicitly support his father, he also showed that he did not oppose it, Hu Tianzong immediately jumped off the kang and bowed to the old fox in front of him:

"Thank you, Master."

"Alright, alright, you little brat is still trying to play tricks on me. Be prepared to stay for a few days this time.

If you have time, please stay with Grandpa for a few more days. I have found a fun place, let's go there when we have time."

The majesty that he had just casually revealed disappeared in an instant. Facing Hu Tianzong, Master Hu San seemed like an ordinary old man, with endless love and doting on his little great-grandson.

"No, my father told me to go back as soon as I finish my work. I can only come back next time to accompany you." Hu Tianzong spread his hands, looking helpless.

"Humph! This little bastard Hu Huazi only knows how to order you around. Next time I come out, I'll kick his ass!"

When he heard that Hu Tianzong was leaving immediately, Master Hu San was displeased, but he didn't want to embarrass his little great-grandson.

He could only blame his bastard father for this.

"Hehehe, no problem. Then I'll leave first." After laughing twice, Hu Tianzong raised his collar, waved at Master Hu San, then turned around and left the small courtyard deep in the mountains.

……

"Deputy Headmaster, something happened."

At the Sect Master’s Peak, in the Sect Master’s Hall, Qi Zhengxing and a group of elders of the Yun generation were discussing reform plans for the sect’s affairs.

In his opinion, not only the Shenxiao Sect, but all the ancient religions and powerful families in the entire Middle-earth world have a basic form problem.

That is, power is almost entirely in the hands of a small group of people at the top of the sects and families.

Doing so can improve the development of the sect and family, and the orders can be passed on quickly with almost no loss, and ensure that their own development will not be distorted.

But the flaw is equally obvious, that is, the power is highly concentrated. Once those in power make a wrong judgment, it will directly affect the development direction of the entire force.

If it is right, then go forward courageously.

If you make a mistake, you can't help yourself.

Therefore, Qi Xiu planned to imitate the institutional system of his previous life, decentralize power, improve operational efficiency, and prevent irreversible consequences due to the wrong decisions of one or several people.

However, just as the discussion began, a disciple from Tinglei Pavilion hurried to the outside of the hall, claiming that he had something important to report.

"What happened?"

Seeing the orange-red magic axis held in the hand of the Tinglei Pavilion disciple, Qi Xiu and the other elders of the Yun generation suddenly looked frozen.

"Reliable news has come to me. At 11:00 AM today, the five great families in Liaodong Province announced that due to the chaos among the warlords in the interior of China and the people's hardship, they will resign on the 15th of this month.

Lead the army into the pass and mediate by force!"

"what?!"

After hearing the report from the Tinglei Pavilion disciple, Qi Xiu and the other elders of the Yun generation all changed their expressions slightly.

The five great families of Liaodong Province actually entered the pass?

"It's getting lively now. Except for Qinlong and the northwest, the entire Great Xuan Dynasty is in chaos.

In front, Yang Du’s camp for defending the king controlled the East and West Rivers and occupied the most prosperous central area.

Later, Zhu Shanhe's Yi Tian Army claimed to rebuild the country, establish a new emperor, dominate the south, and have frequent contacts with overseas countries.

Now that even the five great families of Liaodong have entered the country, it seems that the Zhao family, who have been defending Shangjing and Jiangnan, really don’t have much time left.”

Taoist Yunyang stroked his long beard and shook his head slowly.

Perhaps the younger generation of cultivators were not very clear about it, but the elders of his generation knew very well what it meant for the five major families from Liaodong Province to enter the pass.

That means the entire Daxuan Dynasty will be completely plunged into war.

Although Liaodong is only a province, due to the special Taoist tradition of the great shamans, the power contained in the five major families of Liaodong is definitely a terrifying force that can reverse the current situation.

"broken."

While the elders of the Yun generation were discussing the matter, Qi Xiu, who was standing at the front of the group, murmured softly.

"What's wrong, Deputy Headmaster?"

Hearing Qi Xiu's whisper, Taoist Yunyang, who was closest to him, frowned and asked.

"I'd like to trouble all the uncles and aunts to return to the peak first. The five great families of Liaodong entering the pass is a serious matter. I need to discuss this matter with the acting headmaster."

After a brief silence, Qi Xiu bowed and asked the elders of the Yun generation to disperse first, while he quickly came to the Lecture Cliff and found Dongfang Xiong.

"Hu Tianzong? I've heard of this child before. He's the heir apparent to the Tianshan Great Shaman. It's rumored that he was personally delivered by the Third Master of the Hu family when he was born, and he has been following the Third Master Hu since he was a child.

He is known as the most talented person since the establishment of the Hu family.

How did you get involved with him?"

Speaking of Hu Tianzong, Dongfang Xiong also had a deep impression of him.

After all, there are only a few great Taoist masters in the world who are qualified to break through to the level of Yuanshen Zhenzun, and among them, Hu Tianzong can be said to have the best chance.

Not only does he have the personal support and guidance of Master Hu San, his father is also the current great shaman of Tianshan. Hu Tianzong himself is the most talented person in the Hu family throughout history.

With this configuration, it would be difficult for him not to become a true spirit.

Qi Xiu then told the story of how he and Hu Tianzong had teamed up to defeat the woman with the sword in the Great Wilderness of Nanming, how he brought the woman with the sword back to Shenxiao Sect, and asked Hu Tianzong to keep it a secret.

"I see. If that's the case, you and him really do have a heavy debt of karma.

If you do not repay this karma, it may be detrimental to your practice in the future.

But this Hu Tianzong may not come to find you.

Liaodong and Yunnan and Sichuan, one is in the north and the other is in the south. If he wants to find you, he has to almost cross the entire Daxuan.

But distant water cannot quench immediate thirst. In my opinion, the probability of him coming is not high."

"I'm not afraid that he will come to me to exchange this favor, but I feel that once the five great families of Liaodong enter the pass, the entire Daxuan territory will almost become a battlefield.

This seems to be pushing certain events to happen faster.”

Frowning slightly, Qi Xiu spoke slowly.

He was not worried that Hu Tianzong would come to him to repay his favor. After all, with his means, he had many ways to repay his favor, so he was not worried.

His worry was that the moment he heard that the Hu family led their people into the pass, he had a very bad premonition in his heart.

The source of this premonition comes from the merits of humanity...

"Is this a warning about the merits of humanity? If so, we need to be more vigilant.

Is there any substance to your hunch?"

The warning about the merits of humanity also made Dongfang Xiong reveal a trace of seriousness.

"No, it's just a vague premonition, without any specific content..."

Shaking his head, Qi Xiu tried to trace the source of this premonition, but the situation was confusing now.

Some people who are good at divination cannot see the secrets of heaven.

Not to mention that this was just a very vague hunch.

“Two days ago, I felt a vague impulse, which should have come from Qingchen.

He and I are blood relatives from the same mother, and although this sudden impulse came suddenly, it implied a sense of relaxation and relief.

I think the crisis on his side has been resolved and he will be able to return soon.

Let's raise our defenses first, at least we can prepare for a rainy day.

Everything will be determined after the Qing minister returns."

Qi Xiu was delighted when he heard Dongfang Xiong say that the sect leader Dongfang Qing seemed to have escaped from trouble.

I didn't expect the old monk to be so efficient. It only took a short time.

The upcoming catastrophe is most likely an unprecedented catastrophe that even the Yuanshen Zhenzun needs to deal with seriously.

As long as the master can return safely, there will be room for mediation.

Just when Qi Xiu and Dongfang Xiong had finished discussing everything and had just left the Lecture Cliff, a secret letter had crossed the endless distance and arrived in front of him.

On the cover of the secret letter, which had a hint of frost, were two lines of large characters written in a flamboyant style.

[A letter from my old friend Qi Xiu]

[Written by Hu Tianzong]

Seeing this secret letter that came from across the entire Great Xuan Dynasty, Qi Xiu smiled helplessly and sighed softly:

"Sure enough, you can't hide from what's coming."

……