Liu Jing's pledge carried considerable weight. Li Qingqiu indeed required the next monarch to offer such guarantees.
Li Qingqiu was not an absolute saint. He could consider the welfare of the people under heaven, but the sect's interests came first. So long as Qingxiao Sect's interests were secured, he was willing to extend his benevolence to the world.
Of course, what moved him most was the fate of [Sacred Heart of Civil Governance], which proved that Liu Jing truly had the potential to become a benevolent ruler.
"Why should I believe you? And why should I support you? Supporting someone else to become emperor would be far easier than supporting you."
Li Qingqiu stared at Liu Jing and spoke calmly.
Liu Jing clenched his teeth. "Among the warlords of this realm, I trust none of them. I trust only you—and myself. You have indeed saved many people. Under your guidance, Qingxiao Sect upholds a spirit of chivalry. Before this, I believed Zhu Xian was a worthy ruler. He could have swept across the realm and cherished the people like his own children. But he died. As for the other warlords, they indulge only in pleasure. None can become a virtuous or sage ruler."
"I do not know the extent of my own abilities, but I know clearly what I think and how I would act if I held supreme authority."
"Sect Master, Duke Zhu died unjustly. He could have fallen in battle. He could have died of illness. But he should never have died by the blade of his own general. It is absurd. That alone proves that none under Duke Zhu possessed true virtue or talent!"
At the mention of Zhu Xian, tears streamed down his face.
Li Qingqiu could not determine whether his words were wholly sincere, but one fact was certain—his loyalty toward Li Qingqiu was extremely high.
"You are the first person who has dared to stand before me and speak such audacious words."
Li Qingqiu looked at him and spoke slowly.
Even bold men like Zhu Xian had only dared to approach Zhang Yuchun. The Pei clan, when before Zhang Yuchun, had only dared to probe indirectly.
Yet Liu Jing, who possessed nothing, had dared to come directly to Li Qingqiu. Such courage surpassed that of the warlords of the realm.
Call it recklessness or courting death—he had come nonetheless.
Moreover, he had schemed as well. By carrying his mother's coffin up the mountain and letting the entire sect witness it, he had earned widespread sympathy. If Li Qingqiu wished to kill him, he would have to find a legitimate reason.
That could barely be considered courage combined with strategy.
However…
"I do not like your idea. You claim the realm is too vast, that two dynasties or three coexisting would be better. In truth, you are wary of Li Sifeng, aren't you?"
Li Qingqiu spoke bluntly, causing Liu Jing to lower his head.
He truly did believe the realm was vast, but he was also wary of Li Sifeng. Everyone knew Li Sifeng was contending for the realm. If Li Sifeng wished to become emperor, no one could outcompete him before Li Qingqiu.
Liu Jing's plan was simple—first seize half the realm and then prove himself through action to win Li Qingqiu's approval.
He had studied Li Sifeng. That man was wholly unsuited to be emperor. To speak plainly, even as a hall master, Li Sifeng had never managed affairs. Entrusting the safety of the realm's people to such a man would be nothing short of frivolous.
But he did not dare voice such thoughts aloud.
He believed Li Qingqiu was just, yet even sages possessed personal feelings.
"I will allow you to replace Liu Lin, but you must unify the realm. No matter how difficult it is, you must achieve it. If you fail, I will have Qingxiao Sect fully support Li Sifeng to take control of the realm. You should understand that Qingxiao Sect is fully capable of doing so."
Li Qingqiu fixed him with a steady gaze and spoke seriously.
Among the warlords, Zhang Yuchun had already investigated them all. Whenever the three great warlords were mentioned, Zhang Yuchun frowned deeply. Liu Lin in particular was a foolish and lecherous man who, after securing three provinces, had lost all ambition.
Liu Jing's heart pounded violently, his breathing growing rapid with excitement.
"But Elder Li Sifeng—"
"I will have him return. Your opponent is the secular world. Once you replace Liu Lin, you will have only 3 years."
"3 years…"
Cold sweat formed on Liu Jing's brow. Three years was far too tight. Gaining control of authority alone would take time.
Gritting his teeth, he asked, "May I request assistance from fellow disciples?"
Li Qingqiu looked at him meaningfully and said, "Yes. How many are willing to help you will depend entirely on your own ability. Qingxiao Sect will not issue any directive."
"I will certainly succeed!"
Liu Jing immediately agreed.
"Take your mother and leave. I do not wish to see such theatrics a second time."
Li Qingqiu turned away.
Liu Jing hurriedly rose, bowed deeply to Li Qingqiu, then hoisted the coffin and walked toward the gate of Lingxiao Courtyard.
"Remember—what I require is that the realm must be unified. Whatever reasons you may have, the territory under Qingxiao Sect's banner may only expand, never shrink."
Li Qingqiu spoke without turning around, his tone filled with pressure.
"I, Liu Jing, will engrave it in my heart!"
Liu Jing declared firmly.
After he departed, Li Qingqiu finally made his way toward his cave abode. A cold smile curved his lips.
"Li clan, this realm is not yours to decide."
…
That very day, news spread of Liu Jing carrying his mother's coffin up the mountain. His misfortune and his past became widely known.
His mother's tragic death seemed a microcosm of the realm itself, stirring deep emotion.
Even his conversation with Li Qingqiu spread, though somewhat embellished.
A disciple of Qingxiao Sect, whose mother had died tragically, vowed to change the realm and bring peace to its people. The tale moved many and instilled within the disciples of Qingxiao Sect a powerful sense of mission and responsibility.
As disciples of Qingxiao Sect, they ought to shoulder the realm!
Liu Jing buried his mother in a nearby forested mountain—a burial ground specifically designated for disciples of the sect.
Three days later, dozens of Qingxiao Sect disciples accompanied Liu Jing down the mountain, sparking widespread discussion within the sect.
Night fell.
Within Lingxiao Courtyard, Li Qingqiu held Li Shouzheng and Li Shoumin in his arms while listening to Zhang Yuchun's plans.
In addition to helping Liu Jing ascend to power, Zhang Yuchun also intended to instruct all the aristocratic families within Qingxiao Sect to spread the news, making it known that Qingxiao Sect supported Liu Jing.
Even so, Zhang Yuchun still harbored doubts.
"Senior Brother, although Liu Jing is a disciple of Qingxiao Sect, can he truly be trusted? Does he truly possess that kind of talent?"
Zhang Yuchun knew nothing about Liu Jing. For just any disciple to suddenly step forward and declare he would become the Son of Heaven—and for Li Qingqiu to agree—felt far too rash.
Li Qingqiu countered, "If he truly becomes a virtuous ruler who brings order to the realm, how would you and the people of the world judge my decision today?"
Zhang Yuchun was momentarily stunned before answering, "We would revere you as an immortal."
If he could casually choose a disciple who then became a sage ruler, Li Qingqiu's discernment would inevitably be deified.
Zhang Yuchun suddenly thought of Li Qingqiu's disciples. Not one of them was mediocre. The least remarkable among them was Qin Ye—and even Qin Ye had been accepted in the sect's early days to win over the Qin family.
He abruptly realized that Liu Jing likely possessed abilities unknown to ordinary people. Senior Brother's choice was probably not made on a whim.
"Isn't Grand Martial Uncle already an immortal?"
Three-year-old Li Shoumin tilted his head and asked. His temperament was lively, and he showed no stage fright at all.
His older brother, Li Shouzheng, by contrast, was quieter and preferred listening to others speak. At this moment, Li Shouzheng was watching Zhang Yuchun attentively.
Li Qingqiu could not help but laugh. "What immortal am I? I am still pursuing the immortal path."
He had already considered whether helping Liu Jing become emperor would affect Li Sifeng, Pei Miao'er, Li Shouzheng, and Li Shoumin.
Who said they could only become emperors of the land of Jiuzhou?
How vast was the realm!
In the future, Qingxiao Sect would absolutely possess more than just Jiuzhou!
As for Li Sifeng and Pei Miao'er, they were cultivators. Why rush to become emperor and empress? They could first settle themselves through cultivation.
Looking at the two little ones, Li Qingqiu asked, "In the future, do you wish to become immortals or emperors?"
Li Shoumin giggled. "I want to be both!"
Li Shouzheng asked in return, "Do those two identities conflict?"
Zhang Yuchun was startled. For some reason, he suddenly felt that he might have misjudged them.
Could these two little ones truly become world-shaking prodigies in the future?
Li Qingqiu laughed heartily. Pulling the two boys into his arms, he looked at Zhang Yuchun and said, "Yuchun, though you are a cultivator, your thinking still lingers in the mortal world. We have millennia upon millennia ahead of us. If Liu Jing fails, we can simply replace him with another emperor. If his dynasty fails, we can replace it with another. It is not as troublesome as you imagine."
Zhang Yuchun was struck speechless by Li Qingqiu's imposing confidence.
Millennia upon millennia!
He suddenly felt as though his understanding had been shattered.
He was still busy calculating against worldly figures and aristocratic families, yet Li Qingqiu simply did not care. The reason was clear—he himself was striving only for the present moment, while Li Qingqiu strove for millennia, for a vision that would endure through ages.
"Then let us see whether Liu Jing can sweep across the realm," Zhang Yuchun said with a smile, anticipation in his voice.
The matter of a supreme ruler of the realm had weighed heavily on him. He feared making a mistake that would disappoint Senior Brother and bring calamity upon the world.
Li Qingqiu did not linger on the topic and instead shifted the conversation to Li Sifeng.
Once Li Sifeng finished sweeping through the Xuanji Sect, it would be time to summon him back.
He intended for Li Sifeng and his wife to accompany his two sons and cultivate peacefully.
After wandering outside for so many years, Li Sifeng should return.
Zhang Yuchun had no objections. He too believed Li Sifeng ought to come back.
Upon hearing that their parents would soon return, Li Shoumin cheered happily, while Li Shouzheng quietly pondered, his little mind clearly deep in thought.
…
As the year drew to a close, Li Qingqiu once again kept his attention on Zhao Zhen. Every day, he summoned Zhao Zhen's panel to check it.
Just like this very morning.
[Fragile Destiny: A fate marked by hardship. Before the age of 16, he will continually endure trials and tribulations. After the age of 16, this fate will dissipate, and his Comprehension will increase by one grade.]
This year, Zhao Zhen had already turned 16, yet this fate had not vanished. Li Qingqiu suspected it might only disappear after the end of the year.
Thus, the closer it came to year's end, the more anxious he grew.
He feared that Ancestor Su Xing might not be Zhao Zhen's destined calamity.
Li Qingqiu could not help but seek Zhao Zhen out again.
Inside the cave abode, Zhao Zhen looked at his master in confusion and asked, "Master, you have been visiting rather frequently lately. Has my destined calamity not yet passed?"
"Perhaps it will only count as passed after the end of the year," Li Qingqiu replied, sitting at his stone table and sipping tea.
Zhao Zhen said earnestly, "Master, rest assured, I will not secretly descend the mountain again."
"I trust you. I only fear that even if you do not leave the mountain, the calamity may still come," Li Qingqiu said helplessly.
Zhao Zhen fell silent for a moment before saying, "Master, perhaps I know what my destined calamity is. Recently, I have had an insight."
Hearing this, Li Qingqiu looked at him curiously. "What did you comprehend?"
Zhao Zhen took a deep breath. "I have comprehended a divine ability. But to create a divine ability, it seems one must undergo tribulation—and this tribulation can only be endured by oneself. The feeling is very strong."