Chapter 243: Idolatry Sect's Sacred Object, Divine Embryo?

Chapter 243: Idolatry Sect's Sacred Object, Divine Embryo?

At the Heavenly Yellow Sect's headquarters.

"Star Guardian, what brings you here?" Liu Linmen stepped over the threshold and saw his early morning visitor, his expression turning solemn.

The person before him was from the Idolatry Sect, and ever since he had entered Luoshui County and failed to protect several important members of the Idolatry Sect, there had been some tension between the two sects.

Even the previously agreed-upon merger, where the Idolatry Sect would join the Heavenly Yellow Sect, had become uncertain and undecided.

However, Liu Linmen didn't bother to dwell on this matter.

Such a significant decision was entirely up to the higher-ups.

As a minor Incense Master, he didn't have the qualifications to participate in such grand affairs.

All he knew was that the higher-ups were very interested in the Idolatry Sect's worship methods.

The ability to gather the aspirations of the masses through ordinary statues and condense a divine essence scattered in the heavens and earth was an extremely rare worship method.

It was precisely because of this that the higher-ups wanted to absorb the Idolatry Sect.

Now, with this matter taking an unexpected turn, Liu Linmen had already been reprimanded by the higher-ups, and he was even less inclined to get too involved with the Idolatry Sect's core members.

At this moment, he only wanted to focus on his primary duties—saving the world and spreading the teachings.

So, when he saw the Star Guardian from the Idolatry Sect, he felt like trouble had come knocking on his door again.

At the same time.

The Star Guardian, dressed in a black fur cloak, had just lowered his hood and was bowing to Liu Linmen, saying, "Greetings, Liu Celestial Master!"

Although he was a Guardian of the Idolatry Sect, he dared not show any arrogance before Liu Linmen.

Liu Linmen was an Incense Master of the Heavenly Yellow Sect, and moreover, he was an Incense Master with the title of Celestial Master.

Having the title of Celestial Master represented his future eligibility to become a core figure within the Heavenly Yellow Sect.

He might even have the opportunity to hold one of the Earthly King seats.

Furthermore, the Heavenly Yellow Sect was a colossal force spanning five provinces in Great Xia, and compared to this giant, the Idolatry Sect, which had only developed in two counties, was not even worthy of comparison.

Even though the Star Guardian held a revered position within the Idolatry Sect as one of its Guardians, this was still the case.

"Let's get straight to the point!" Liu Linmen waved his hand.

"In that case, I'll be blunt," the Star Guardian said, slightly bowing before asking, "I want to know who killed Sun Tanzhu in Luoshui County?"

Upon hearing this, Liu Linmen's expression changed slightly.

He naturally knew who had killed Sun Tanzhu.

But when he thought about his previous suspicions about Jiang Ning, he shook his head and said, "I don't know!"

The Star Guardian said, "If Liu Celestial Master knows, please do inform me. Sun Tanzhu had our sect's sacred object with her, and that object is of utmost importance to our sect."

"If you can help me find our sect's sacred object, I will owe you a huge favor!"

"Sacred object?" Liu Linmen's expression changed in surprise, and after a moment of hesitation, he shook his head. "I'm sorry, I truly don't know."

Hearing this response, the Star Guardian's face turned slightly grim, becoming somewhat unsightly.

He didn't believe that Liu Linmen could be unaware.

In Luoshui County, there weren't many who could kill Sun Tanzhu, a Sixth Stage Mystic Bone Realm cultivator.

Especially since Sun Tanzhu had mastered the Divine Descendant Transformation, possessing an indestructible body.

Even in death, her strength could still cause quite a stir.

With Liu Linmen's cultivation and status, it was impossible for him to be completely unaware.

He didn't believe it!

The Star Guardian took a deep breath, his voice heavy with emotion, "Liu Celestial Master, even if you don't know who killed Sun Tanzhu, you must have some idea. Please inform me. That sacred object is our sect's Divine Embryo."

"The Divine Embryo is of utmost importance to our sect!"

"Even a hint of information would be greatly appreciated!"

Divine Embryo?

Upon hearing these words, Liu Linmen's expression changed slightly.

He had naturally heard of these words since he had come to Luoshui County.

The Idolatry Sect's worship method involved nurturing the so-called Divine Embryo through their statues.

He suddenly understood.

Why the Idolatry Sect had sent people to Luoshui County time and again.

It was because the Divine Embryo they had cultivated in Luoshui County had been lost and had not yet returned to the Idolatry Sect.

Naturally, they wanted to retrieve the Divine Embryo they had cultivated there.

These thoughts flashed through his mind.

Then he slowly shook his head, "I truly don't know. As for who killed Sun Tanzhu, there are only a few in the county with that level of strength, and I don't dare to jump to conclusions."

"I understand!" The Star Guardian nodded.

Then, he put on his black hood and walked out the door.

As soon as he stepped into the snow, his black cloak instantly changed color, transforming into a pure white, like fresh snow.

Grand Blossom Tower.

At the top floor of the tower.

"Sister-in-law!"

A young girl in a goose yellow dress, her face flushed from the cold, saw Lin Qingyi with a smile and immediately rushed towards her with delight.

Behind her, a tall and graceful young man followed with a doting expression.

Meanwhile.

Lin Qingyi, seeing the girl who had pounced over, her eyes revealed a deep surprise.

She hugged the girl in a long yellow dress: "Seventeenth Princess, how did you come here?!"

Then, she rubbed the girl's head while looking at the youth behind the girl.

"Prince Eighth, how did you come here too?!"

The young man, with a warm smile, replied, "Met Lady, I came out to travel with Princess Seventeenth, and it just so happened that Princess Seventeenth wanted to come and see you, so I came along!"

"So that's how it is!" Lin Qingyi nodded.

Then she lowered her head and looked at the girl who had been hugging her, her eyes revealing a close affection.

The girl before her, though she was the Seventeenth Princess of Great Xia, Lin Qingyi had raised her since childhood, and they had always been very close.

At this moment, the girl heard Lin Qingyi's question.

"Hehe!" She looked up at Lin Qingyi and laughed, then said, "I went to Uncle Zhu’s house, and I saw Sister-in-law writing a letter to Sister Xiao Jin, so I came with Sister Xiao Jin to play with her."

"Where is Sister Xiao Jin?" Lin Qingyi’s face showed a look of puzzlement.

The girl said, "Sister Xiao Jin was called back by her father on the way."

Hearing this, Lin Qingyi’s brows slightly furrowed.

In her heart, she couldn’t help but sigh, "It seems it won’t happen!"

The girl saw Lin Qingyi’s slightly knitted brows, then reached out and rubbed her head, "Are you worried about that matter, Sister-in-Law? About finding a husband for Sister Xiao Jin?"

Lin Qingyi nodded, "Your Sister Xiao Jin has a gentle and graceful character, and is now at the age to find a suitable husband and get married."

At this moment, the girl’s eyes revealed an excited look, "Sister-in-Law, is the man you mentioned really as excellent as you said?"

Lin Qingyi said, "Better than expected, without falling short!"

Hearing this, the exquisite and extraordinary Eighth Prince standing behind the girl instantly showed a look of curiosity.

At that time, he had also seen Lin Qingyi’s letter. After reading that letter, he was curious about the Jiang Ning Lin Qingyi had described.

This was also the reason he was willing to accompany his full-blooded Seventeenth Sister to Luoshui County.

Hero, especially the heroes who stood out from the grasslands, he had always been very admiring such talents. In his eyes, if they were to encounter the right situation, they would soar to the top.

They were far more promising than the talented disciples raised by those noble families and sects.

Meanwhile.

The girl_in_a_long_yellow_dress, hearing Lin Qingyi’s answer, instantly showed a face full of excitement, "Sister-in-Law, Sister Xiao Jin has a matter! I’m here, let me go to meet the young man in your description!"

"You?" Lin Qingyi looked at the excited Seventeenth Princess, then shook her head, "You can’t go! Your status is so noble."

"Sister-in-Law~" The girl tightly hugged Lin Qingyi’s arm and shook it, "Sister-in-Law, let me go! I haven’t tried a match yet! And Sister-in-Law says that man is so excellent, but doesn’t let me go! This is clearly favoritism, favoring Sister Xiao Jin and not liking me!"

Seeing the girl’s innocent face and her constant coquettish behavior, Lin Qingyi couldn’t help but look up at the youth beside her.

"Prince Eighth, you persuade your full-blooded Sister!"

The young man, hearing this, showed a gentle smile, "Lady, what Seventeenth says isn’t without reason. Why don’t let Seventeenth meet that young man, I also want to see the youth praised so highly by Lady!"

"If they have a destined connection, the young man in Lady’s description might not become a Prince Consort for the princess!"

"Brother—" The girl stamped her foot and pounced over, "Don’t talk nonsense, spouting nonsense!"

The young man smiled, his figure stepped back, and dodged the pouncing girl.

"How generous of you, Brother> Lin Qingyi looked at the young man with a strange look.

The young man, while leisurely strolling to dodge the girl’s attack, said, "Seventeenth has grown up and will have to marry! Since that’s the case, why don’t let me be the gatekeeper!"

"Brother!! Don’t say that again!!"

At this moment.

Lin Qingyi, looking at the two people who were playing, couldn’t help but smile.

Outside the city.

Lin Qingyi led the team out of the outer city, stepping onto the familiar road, but couldn’t help but frown at the sight ahead.

For ahead, she saw a family of four shivering under a roof, two adults and two children.

The adults looked haggard, poorly dressed, their lips purple, and their age was indiscernible.

The children, similarly pale, only had two more clothes on, and the two of them were huddled under the eaves, relying on each other’s body heat to maintain a little warmth.

The two children looked about five or six, and the other seven or eight years old.

At this moment, Feng Jiuge, seeing Jiang Ning’s gaze, instantly said, "Milord, now a batch of refugees from other regions has arrived in Dongling Prefecture, and some of them have come to Luoshui County."

"You mean, these people are refugees from other regions?" Jiang Ning asked.

"Mm!" Feng Jiuge nodded and continued, "Not only them, but now there are many refugees in the outer city of Luoshui County, and the whole Dongling Prefecture has a lot of them!"

"Some time ago, the drought lasted for several months, and many places had no harvest, only the areas around Luoshui had better conditions, able to irrigate with Luoshui, and had some yield, so they could still persist this year."

"It's precisely because of this that the refugees from other counties have come to Dongling Prefecture and Luoshui County."

"There are many families like this in the Outer City, and given the situation this winter, it's unlikely they'll make it through."

Xie Xiaojiu, standing nearby, nodded in agreement. "It's indeed hard for them to get through this!"

Jiang Ning asked, "Hasn't the County Lord done anything?"

Feng Jiuge shook her head. "He can't do much. The harvest has been poor these past few years, especially this year. Even the Dongling City granaries don't have much surplus, let alone Luoshui County!"

"Everyone is struggling to survive, who can take care of these refugees without identity tokens?"

"Not expelling them from the city is already an act of mercy!"

At this moment, Xie Xiaojiu spoke up, "Sir, should we help them?"

He took out four strips of dried meat from his Xumi Bracelet.

"Give this to them!"

"Yes, sir!" Xie Xiaojiu took the dried meat from Jiang Ning's hand and walked towards the distant corner.

After a moment, the family of four was seen bowing and repeatedly kowtowing to Xie Xiaojiu and Jiang Ning.

Amidst the sound of the wind, words of gratitude could be heard.

Soon after, Xie Xiaojiu returned, looking somewhat dejected.

"Sir, they are truly pitiful! After traveling hundreds of miles, they can only live under a bridge now. It's so hard for them!"

Jiang Ning replied, "In this world, there are too many pitiful people!"

After saying this, he continued on his way towards the front.

In the Outer City, Jiang Ning was very familiar with the surroundings, especially this path from the Inner City to the Outer City.

He was even more familiar with this route.

Previously, he had lived in the Outer City with his older brother, sister-in-law, and their family. With his exceptional memory, every brick and tile, every scene of daily life, was deeply etched into his mind.

However, after a long time away, Jiang Ning noticed many new faces in the Outer City, along with many refugees curled up in street corners.

Some were clearly families, others were pairs relying on each other for survival, and most were solitary individuals, alone and unencumbered.

After walking through a few more streets, Jiang Ning suddenly stopped.

In the alley ahead, there was a crowd, but they were orderly and calm.

"What's happening there?" Jiang Ning asked.

"It's the Yellow Heaven Sect distributing talisman water!" Xie Xiaojiu replied.

Upon hearing this, Jiang Ning immediately understood.

In the Inspection Office, he would occasionally browse through the reports submitted by his subordinates.

As part of the Inspection Office's duties, the Yellow Heaven Sect's activities were a key focus.

Among those reports, there were records of the Yellow Heaven Sect's distribution of talisman water.

According to the reports, the Yellow Heaven Sect's talisman water was incredibly mystical.

A bowl of this talisman water could maintain body temperature for several hours, as if one were sitting by a fire.

It could also alleviate hunger.

One could remain full for half a day.

Additionally, it could dispel minor illnesses and misfortunes.

Regarding these claims, Jiang Ning neither confirmed nor denied them.

He didn't refute them, but he wouldn't have believed them in his past life.

However, in this world, even more incredible things could happen.

This mystical talisman water might not be a lie.

And this was one of the Yellow Heaven Sect's crucial methods of attracting followers.

Jiang Ning only glanced at the scene once before leading his team towards their predetermined destination.

According to the information provided by Feng Jiuge, the suspected Idolatry Sect's stronghold was located in a courtyard in the northeast corner of the Outer City.

This courtyard was a gathering place for the blind, deaf, and disabled beggars.

It was also suspected to be an asset of the Black Tiger Gang.

The Black Tiger Gang was backed by one of Luoshui County's two major families, the Liu Family.

This matter was of utmost importance to Jiang Ning, especially the Idolatry Sect's big fish mentioned by Feng Jiuge.

If it was indeed a big fish, it would mean a substantial contribution points harvest, which were a concrete form of merit.

Within the Inspection Office, the role of contribution points was crucial.

Contribution points could be exchanged one-for-one for silver ingots.

They could also be used to directly obtain any treasure within the permitted range.

Furthermore, contribution points could directly elevate one's official rank.

At the same time, regarding the stronghold mentioned by Feng Jiuge, Jiang Ning's primary goal was to find the divine statue that had been previously enshrined in the City God Temple.

According to the people's speculations, the divine statue was still somewhere within the Luoshui County city.

Finding it would mean a reward of fifty thousand contribution points, which was of great importance to him.

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end