Chapter 106: The True Scripture of the Primordial Essence of Ten Thousand Nurturings

“Defend Qingliu County?”

Wan never expected that the opportunity the Daoist of the Azure Cliff spoke of would be this.

Qi Xiu waved his hands repeatedly, shaking his head like a rattle drum.

“I can’t defeat them.”

When the Golden Flower Matron Sect last attacked Qingliu County, they had tens of thousands of followers.

With such overwhelming numbers,

even if he were to fight like a wild boar, no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn’t overcome them.

Moreover, after suffering defeat last time,

this time the Golden Flower Matron Sect had returned with even more terrifying strength and undoubtedly more aggressive and ruthless methods.

He was just a fledgling cultivator who had only recently entered the path, not even a month in.

How could he possibly protect Qingliu County?

“Who said you have to fight them?”

The Daoist of the Azure Cliff smiled mysteriously, raising an eyebrow as he asked,

“Do you know what means the Golden Flower Matron Sect used to develop so rapidly?”

“By deceiving people’s hearts?” Qi Xiu guessed suspiciously.

“Not at all.

Their power actually comes from a scripture.”

“A scripture?”

“Yes, it’s called the ‘Origin Scripture of Ten Thousand Nurtures’!

It originated from an ancient demonic sect known as the Way of All Things during the Middle Ages and is a supplementary volume of their sect’s grand scripture, the ‘True Scripture of the Mother Qi of All Things.’

This scripture can reverse yang to yin, invert male and female.

It’s truly bizarre.”

“Reverse yang to yin, invert male and female?

You mean...

this scripture can turn men into women?”

Qi Xiu’s eyes widened slightly, a chill running down his spine.

Turn men into women?

Is there really such a perverse scripture?

“Yes, and once the gender is reversed, not only does the physiology change, but the psychology shifts as well.

Women reversed by the Origin Scripture of Ten Thousand Nurtures develop a psychological sense of solidarity with their kind.

The Golden Flower Matron Sect thus became their best choice.

That is why the sect has grown so rapidly in just a few years.”

Calmly revealing the origin story of the Golden Flower Matron Sect, the Daoist of the Azure Cliff drew his wooden sword from behind his waist and casually traced the six characters of the Origin Scripture of Ten Thousand Nurtures in the air.

“But what does this have to do with defending Qingliu County?”

Although Qi Xiu now knew this secret, he did not believe that this knowledge alone would enable him to drive off the returning Golden Flower Matron Sect.

“Of course it matters. Knowing the root cause, we only need to strike at the heart with one sword, and Qingliu County will be safe.”

Raising his eyebrows mysteriously, the Daoist beckoned Qi Xiu over:

“First do this… then that… and finally this… do you think they’ll still have the strength to besiege the city?”

Qi Xiu’s eyes rounded like grapes as he rolled them and looked at the Daoist beside him.

“Are your methods… reliable?”

“Hey, hey, young brother, I am the Daoist of the Azure Cliff, one of the Ten Outstanding Youths of the Brilliant Sect, a charming and skillful charm warrior, and a renowned demon-exorcising protector of the great Dian-Chuan province.

Are you joking?”

With a proud expression, the Daoist stood with his hands behind his back, brimming with confidence.

“If you just follow my method,

I guarantee you’ll become the great hero who saves Qingliu County.”

“But Daoist, there’s one more thing I’d like to ask.”

“Go ahead.”

“What exactly does defending Qingliu County have to do with the great opportunity you mentioned?”

Qi Xiu asked curiously.

“You’re too low in cultivation to grasp that level yet; it’s useless to tell you now.

Just remember, with matters like this, you must follow your true heart and do as much as you can.

It will be greatly beneficial to you in the future.”

The Daoist of the Azure Cliff advised Qi Xiu earnestly.

Looking at this comical, shameless, and persistent elder who nevertheless exuded a kind and broad-minded aura,

Qi Xiu could hardly imagine so many traits concentrated in one man.

Yet despite this strange behavior,

there was not a hint of arrogance or oppression in his every gesture.

Otherwise, with his Bloodstain Realm cultivation or even higher, Qi Xiu would not have had to cling to his leg so shamelessly, utterly disregarding his pride.

“Junior Qi Xiu thanks you, Daoist.”

Pressing his lips, Qi Xiu suddenly stepped back half a pace, gathered his sleeves, and bowed deeply before the Daoist.

Although he still did not know whether the Daoist’s words were true,

he felt an inexplicable desire to believe him.

This was not some magical spell or miracle,

but a sincere aura radiating from the heart, commanding genuine trust.

With a gentle smile, the Daoist nodded slowly.

“Fellow cultivator of charms, you are my junior. Helping you is my courtesy.

How about this:

Give me a few tens of thousands of these new-style talismans to study.”

“I don’t have any.”

“Hey, why are you like this? I’m at least your elder!”

“No.”

“Ah!!! You’re forcing me! Seven days of shameless persistence locked in!”

…

At the break of dawn, the thick, heavy cold mist was pierced by sharp screams.

One piercing cry after another shook the piled snow atop countless rooftops in the vast Qingliu County, causing the snow to collapse and slide down.

For a moment, the entire county echoed with terrified screams, the clatter of overturned objects, and the thud of falling snow heaps.

This was destined to be an extraordinary morning.

Inside the Qingliu County government office,

an armored soldier hurried to Li Jiufang’s side, presenting a report.

“County Magistrate, this is the current tally.

There are 2,879 civilians affected by the invasion of the female-bone demon worms.

2,531 have been found.

348 remain missing, likely hiding somewhere.

The military commanders are leading teams to search household by household.

But the city is already in chaos; tens of thousands crowd the gates, all clamoring to leave.

Among them are some from the cultivation world…”

Scanning the densely packed report, Li Jiufang’s brows knit tightly into the character ‘川’ (river).

“Order all military commanders:

All 348 missing must be found.

If alive, bring them back; if dead, present the bodies.

We cannot determine whether they carry the queen demon worm inside.

If they do, and she lays eggs inside them, it will be a catastrophe!

Also, at the city gates,

immediately dispatch heavy troops to suppress the crowd. Resist and they die!

Furthermore, post notices throughout the city: all cultivators and shops are to be requisitioned.

This is an order, not a request!”

With a sharp bang of the judge’s wooden gavel,

at this critical moment, Li Jiufang abandoned his usual gentle and refined demeanor, speaking decisively and ruthlessly.

To govern Qingliu County to this degree,

he was no mere soft-hearted figurehead.

The Golden Flower Matron Sect was coming on fiercely.

He had to eliminate all internal risks and mobilize every available force to hold the city for two months.

Once his wounds healed, he would have a chance to contend with the sect on equal footing.

“Report! An outbreak of insect infestation at Jintang Street: hundreds infected.

The Tiexiong Army has sealed off Jintang Street.

Commander Chu Zhao requests the county magistrate’s presence for a decision.”

Another soldier hurried over, kneeling immediately, bringing worse news:

There was yet another insect plague inside the city!

…

Riding the swift teleportation light, Li Jiufang arrived at Jintang Street in an instant.

No sooner had he stepped down than a heavy unease settled around him.

“What’s going on?”

At the street entrance, Chu Zhao, sword in hand, stood firmly.

Hearing the voice, he turned to see Li Jiufang approaching.

“Last night’s female-bone demon worms were mixed with other demon insects.

We used boy’s urine to kill the female-bone worms, but the others escaped.

I just led men to investigate here; a man saw me and fled.

I couldn’t sense anything unusual until we caught him — and his face turned like this…”

Waving to have a soldier bring over a severed head.

It was a man’s head, otherwise normal.

But his complexion was iron-blue, covered with black hair.

His mouth was full of sharp, slender teeth.

His ghastly green eyes stared open and slowly moved.

Gazing at the eerie head, Li Jiufang narrowed his eyes, then suddenly touched the man’s forehead.

The next moment, the man’s mouth burst open.

A fist-sized, bat-winged, baby-shaped terrifying demon insect shot out.

Li Jiufang immediately unleashed a true energy barrier to trap the insect.

After observing for a moment, he said,

“Evil Ghost Gu, a demon insect spreading around the Nanyang region.

It invades the body and gradually turns the host into a monster that bites anyone it sees.

Unless the insect inside is destroyed,

even a pierced skull won’t stop the host.

However, this Gu insect needs a month to mature after entering the body.

Could it be that demon insects invaded the city a month ago?”

“No. I asked the man’s wife.

She said her husband mentioned last night that he felt like something bit him, but he didn’t pay attention.

The Evil Ghost Gu must have entered his body then,” Chu Zhao said gravely.

“A single night for the Evil Ghost Gu to mature…”

Frowning and deep in thought, Li Jiufang and Chu Zhao suddenly exchanged a glance and spoke in unison:

“The Origin Scripture of Ten Thousand Nurtures!”

“That’s it! Those demonic followers of the Golden Flower Matron Sect must have used the scripture to accelerate the Evil Ghost Gu’s growth.

Making it mature overnight!”

Clenching his fist, Chu Zhao’s eyes darkened.

These cultists really deserved to be slaughtered!

“If that’s true, then the problem is grave.

Demon insects are hard to trace and guard against.

Now the Golden Flower Matron Sect has also used forced maturation methods to drastically shorten the growth time.

With this, insect plagues will erupt again and again.

The living in the city will soon be wiped out.”

Li Jiufang’s mouth twitched downward, revealing a trace of solemnity and doubt as his brow furrowed.

Such a vile scheme must have been devised by the Scarlet Ridge Saintess.

This woman was vicious, even more so than men!

This time, they probably weren’t here to conquer Qingliu County or recruit believers.

Purely, they came to exact revenge for their last failure.

They didn’t care about the lives of the living in the city.

Or rather, their purpose was to annihilate all life in Qingliu County!

“County Magistrate Li, do you have any plan?”

Seeing Li Jiufang silent, Chu Zhao couldn’t help but ask.

“Go to the Hundred Herbs Cottage.

Now, our only hope is that they have some antidotes to prevent the demon insects.”

After a moment’s thought, Li Jiufang set off toward the Hundred Herbs Cottage.

…

(End of chapter)