“Who is the lady taking me to meet?” Suo Lun asked.
Ashi Liren said, “You will know once you see.”
“But…” Suo Lun said.
“No buts.” Ashi Liren said coldly, “If you wish to defeat Ashi Luo, you must follow my method.”
Then Ashi Liren took Suo Lun out through the back door of the residence.
They boarded a carriage in a small alley, and the direction of travel was actually outside Rouran City.
After leaving Rouran City for several dozen li, they arrived at the foot of a mountain.
Ashi Liren and Suo Lun alighted from the carriage and ascended the mountain on foot.
This was merely an ordinary mountain with no particular fame. What remarkable person could possibly reside in such a mountain?
After walking more than ten li into the mountain, they came to a valley.
The entrance to this valley was extremely treacherous. On both sides were steep and terrifying cliffs, a full hundred metres high, and the entrance was so narrow that only one or two people could pass through.
Truly a place where one man could hold the pass against ten thousand.
Moreover, the entire valley seemed not naturally formed, but rather as if a celestial god had cleaved it open with a single sword strike.
“Is this another legendary site cleaved open by the Dragon Emperor’s sword?” Suo Lun asked.
Ashi Liren ignored him and continued forward coldly.
Ever since learning Suo Lun’s identity, her attitude had instantly cooled considerably. She harboured not the slightest goodwill towards Suo Lun in her heart.
Passing through the long cliff pass, they entered the valley.
The valley was not large. There was a lake, and beside the lake stood a small castle.
Ashi Liren brought Suo Lun to the outside of the castle and said to a warrior guarding the gate, “Please go in and report to Father that I have come to request an audience.”
Suo Lun was startled. Could the person living here actually be the City Lord of Rouran, Ashi Mo?
…
Regarding Ashi Mo, Suo Lun was both familiar and strange.
Speaking of which, the two families were very close. Because Count Suo Long had once led troops to save Rouran City, the two had become in-laws by marriage, wedding Suo Ningbing to Ashi Luo.
But soon, the Ashi family expanded their territory several times through campaigns north and south, instantly becoming the foremost noble of the Nu Lang Kingdom. Not only that, but they also paid lip service to the Nu Lang royal house while acting independently, becoming the most autonomous noble and virtually ignoring the royal house.
Moreover, both of Ashi Mo’s son and daughter had climbed to superlative heights.
One became a disciple of the King of Dong Li, the other became the direct inheritor of the Demon Continent.
Meanwhile, the Suo family of Tianshui City, because Count Suo Long had been framed, instantly fell into decline, barely able to hold onto their territory, like stray dogs. Coupled with Suo Ningbing’s divorce from Ashi Luo, the relationship between the two families instantly cooled.
To speak frankly, the Suo family of Tianshui City now needed to look up to the Ashi family.
Or rather, all the nobles and aristocrats of the Nu Lang Kingdom, apart from the royal house, needed to look up to the Ashi family.
Even the royal house, whether it was Zhi Li or Zhi Yan, had requests to make of the Ashi family.
And all this glory was created single-handedly by Ashi Mo.
Decades ago, the Ashi family was at most merely a noble governor of the Ye Lan Duchy.
So without doubt, Ashi Mo was a heroic ruler, a renowned figure resounding throughout the Nu Lang Kingdom and even the human kingdoms.
And such a heroic ruler had not been seen by the world for many years. Even the people of Rouran City had almost never seen his figure.
Although Rouran City remained powerful, the civil officials still governed the thousand-li territory in good order, thriving with each passing day. The military commanders led over a hundred thousand troops with formidable reputation.
However, Ashi Mo had indeed disappeared from the world’s view for a very long time, perhaps nearly ten years.
Unexpectedly, he did not reside in the City Lord’s mansion, but instead chose to live on this remote mountain.
…
That gate-guarding warrior went in to report to Ashi Mo.
After a moment, the warrior came out and said, “Please wait a moment, Miss. The master is currently cultivating and discussing the Way with Master Zuo.”
A trace of worry flashed through Ashi Liren’s beautiful eyes, but she stood outside and waited.
From this simple sentence alone, Suo Lun heard much underlying meaning.
City Lord Ashi Mo cultivating and discussing the Way with Master Zuo?
Could it be that this Ashi Mo, like those heroic rulers of ancient China, after achieving great accomplishments, had temporarily lost his direction and begun pursuing immortality?
And this Master Zuo was a charlatan-type figure?
After waiting outside for a full half hour, a servant girl finally came out to report, “The master invites the young lady to enter.”
Ashi Liren frowned slightly, then walked in, with Suo Lun following closely behind.
Entering this castle, Suo Lun became increasingly certain of his guess, because there was no luxury whatsoever inside this castle, nor any solemn dignity. Instead, everywhere displayed an air of immortal elegance and Daoist spirit.
However, in this world, there was no Daoism.
In short, everything in this castle pursued naturalness to the utmost.
Natural tree roots, natural branches, natural stone slabs, natural jade.
No silk, no wool carpets, in short, almost no objects of artificial processing.
“Liren, come, come. See if Father’s Dao cultivation has advanced again?” From afar, Suo Lun heard Ashi Mo’s voice.
But listening to the voice, there truly was no sign of illness. Instead, it seemed full of vigour and energy.
After winding through the castle, they finally arrived before the central hall. Here there was actually a natural small river?
Or rather, when building the castle, had they diverted a river to flow through the interior?
“Please remove your shoes and socks, cross the river, and wash away the dust of the mundane world.” Two young boys resembling Daoist acolytes said.
Ashi Liren’s beautiful eyes flashed with even more displeasure, but she still removed her shoes and socks, revealing her crystalline jade feet, then stepped into the indoor river.
The instant she stepped into the water.
“Crack…” Instantly, the water flow stopped, and ice formed around her jade feet.
The two Daoist acolyte boys were completely stunned.
Suo Lun also removed his shoes and socks and stepped into the water, immediately shivering from the cold.
By now, spring had long since arrived, and Rouran City was located in the southwest with hot weather. Yet the temperature of the water Suo Lun stepped into was nearly zero degrees.
It seemed that wherever Ashi Liren walked, ice truly formed with every step.
After crossing the river of over ten metres and walking barefoot onto the jade floor, they entered the central hall of the castle. Suo Lun finally saw the City Lord of Rouran, Ashi Mo.
Yet the moment he saw him, Suo Lun was truly startled.
This, this was Ashi Mo?
Ashi Mo was over ten years older than Count Suo Long, already over sixty this year.
Yet at this moment, he looked no older than forty.
Not only that, but his complexion was like jade, handsome and spirited. He did not look like Ashi Luo’s father, but rather more like his elder brother.
His skin not only had no wrinkles whatsoever, but was even smoother than a woman’s skin.
Most exaggerated of all, he had originally been blond, but now his hair was completely black, and lustrously dark.
He wore a hemp robe with his hair unbound, truly giving an impression of immortal elegance and extraordinary bearing.
He was completely a super middle-aged handsome man!
Could it be that he had truly succeeded in seeking the Way and pursuing immortality?
And the Master Zuo beside him, on the contrary, had wrinkled skin and white hair, thin as kindling, with not the slightest graceful bearing.
“Liren, come quickly and pay respects to Master Zuo.” Ashi Mo affectionately took his daughter’s hand, pointing at that withered old man.
And that Master Zuo rose and bowed meticulously to Ashi Liren, saying, “The alchemist Zuo Qiu pays respects to Miss Ashi Liren.”
Ashi Liren’s gaze was cold, completely ignoring him.
In her view, her father’s neglect of government affairs and single-minded pursuit of the Way was entirely due to this Zuo Qiu.
Moreover, if not for her father’s negligence in governance and disregard for worldly matters, how could her younger brother Ashi Luo have become so lawless?
“Liren, Master Zuo is a transcendent master. How can you be so rude?” Ashi Mo said displeased.
“It is fine, it is fine…” Zuo Qiu said, “This old man is merely an undying prisoner.”
Ashi Mo said, “Liren, do you know how old Master Zuo Qiu is now?”
“I do not know.” Ashi Liren said coldly.
“Eight hundred years old, a full eight hundred years old.” Ashi Mo said, “He is a true transcendent master, the progenitor of Daoism. Your father counts as his first disciple.”
Zuo Qiu immediately bowed and said, “I dare not, I dare not. Lord Ashi and I are friends, not master and disciple.”
At this moment, Suo Lun nearly burst out laughing internally. He had seen this kind of trick countless times on Earth. Some charlatan would come out claiming to be eight hundred years old, enticing powerful people to seek the way of immortality.
However, it seemed this Zuo Qiu did indeed possess some skill. This Ashi Mo was clearly over sixty, yet looked no older than under forty.
Ashi Mo said, “How is my Relic Castle? It completely follows the natural way of Daoism. Do you know why I built this Relic Castle here? Because this is the relic left by the Dragon Emperor’s sword cleaving the earth. Here remains the immortal qi of the Dragon Emperor. The entire castle was built according to Master Zuo Qiu’s design. Your father cultivates here every day, breathing the residual immortal qi of the Dragon Emperor. Each day I feel I achieve twice the result with half the effort.”
Seeing her father speaking of immortal qi and becoming immortal with every word, Ashi Liren felt sorrow in her heart. She turned to Zuo Qiu and questioned coldly, “My son often asks a question, so I will ask Master Zuo Qiu the same.”
That charlatan Zuo Qiu bowed and said, “Miss, please ask.”
Ashi Liren said, “May I ask, is the Dragon Emperor still alive?”
Zuo Qiu said, “Of course he is still alive.”
Ashi Liren said, “Then may I ask where he is?”
Zuo Qiu said, “Of course he has shed his mortal shell and ascended to immortality, entering the immortal realm.”
Ashi Liren said, “You mean to say there is another world in this world?”
Zuo Qiu said, “Of course, that is the paradise of bliss in the heavens. Once one sheds the mortal shell and ascends to immortality, one is free from all ties, immortal and undying, without sorrow or suffering.”
Ashi Liren said, “In my view, that is no different from being dead.”
“Liren, what nonsense are you speaking?” Ashi Mo said angrily, “Are you cursing your father?”
Ashi Liren did not apologise, but merely stood there coldly.
Seeing his daughter’s cold and stubborn appearance, Ashi Mo felt helpless and said, “What did you come to see your father for? My time is precious every day. If there is no particularly important matter, do not come to disturb my cultivation.”
Ashi Liren said, “Master Zuo, I am discussing family matters with my father. Must you also be a hindrance here?”
Zuo Qiu was not angered either, and immediately bowed and said, “This old man takes his leave.”
Then he departed directly.
Suo Lun asked internally, “Demon Star, can you sense the energy aura on this person? Is he someone Ashi Luo sent to bewitch Ashi Mo? Is he from the Demon Continent?”
The Demon Star said, “Unknown. I cannot sense anything at all.”
…
After Zuo Qiu left, Ashi Mo said displeased, “Speak quickly what the matter is. Once you are finished, leave. Do not disturb my cultivation.”
Hearing her father speak of cultivation with every word, Ashi Liren said angrily, “Father, for the sake of so-called cultivation, have you cast aside the foundation of Rouran City? This is the thousand-li territory you fought so hard to win.”
Ashi Mo said, “It is merely external possessions.”
Ashi Liren said, “And your wife? Your children? Are they all external possessions? How long has it been since you last saw Mother? Three years or five years? How long has it been since you last saw me? How long since you last saw your grandson Ashi Yuanba?”
Suo Lun now finally understood why Ashi Luo could be so lawless. Because the City Lord of Rouran, Ashi Mo, lived in seclusion cultivating, completely ignoring government affairs. And which of the civil and military officials of Rouran City would dare to manage the future lord?
Moreover, even the royal house was currying favour with the Ashi family.
So within the Nu Lang Kingdom, even if Ashi Luo pierced a hole in the sky, no one would dare to manage him.
Ashi Mo frowned and said, “Are you not all doing well?”
Ashi Liren said, “Ashi Luo is lawless and will one day destroy the foundation of the Ashi family.”
Ashi Mo said, “It will not come to that. He is so intelligent. Besides, each generation has its own fortune. Rouran City is destined to be handed over to him in the future. What he does with it is his own affair.”
Upon hearing these words, Suo Lun could hardly believe his ears.
Was this still the heroic ruler who had once expanded territory for thousands of li? Was this still the unparalleled hero who had literally seized a thousand-li territory from the Ye Lan Duchy?
Could the so-called pursuit of immortality truly be so enchanting that it could make one cast aside everything?
Ashi Liren said coldly, “Very well, you do not care if Rouran City is destroyed in his hands. Then, if he tries to rape me, do you also not care?”
At these words, Ashi Mo’s expression changed, and he said, “That cannot be. Little Luo has had such a good relationship with you since childhood. He even went to the Demon Continent for you. How could he be so beastly?”
Ashi Liren said, “The Ashi Luo you know is the Ashi Luo of over a decade ago. He has already tried to violate me repeatedly, and even harmed my children. To achieve his goals, he kidnapped Mr Yan Ziyu by my side and fed him potent aphrodisiacs, then locked your concubine Tao Su in the secret chamber as well. He made Mr Yan Ziyu lose his senses and violate his stepmother Tao Su, using this as leverage to force Mr Yan to poison me, a Demon Continent poison that weakens my martial arts and contains aphrodisiac properties.”
At these words, Suo Lun’s expression changed dramatically.
Ashi Liren had actually spoken of his affair with Tao Su as well. This was equivalent to letting Ashi Mo know he had been cuckolded. Would he not strike him dead with a single palm?
Instantly, Ashi Mo’s gaze turned to Suo Lun and he said, “You are Yan Ziyu? I remember you. You were once Ashi Luo’s teacher.”
Suo Lun bowed and said, “Yes, City Lord. I am Yan Ziyu.”
“You were truly forced to sleep with my concubine Tao Su?” Ashi Mo said.
Suo Lun nodded and said, “Yes.”
“Oh.” Ashi Mo said.
He showed no anger, nor any intention of striking Suo Lun dead with a single palm. He did not care at all.
His concubine had been slept with, yet he completely did not care.
Suo Lun was completely stunned. Could a person pursuing the Way and seeking immortality truly not care about anything anymore, not even being cuckolded?
Ashi Mo closed his eyes for a long while, then opened them and said, “I still do not believe it. Little Luo was such an obedient and clever child. How could he become such a beast?”
Ashi Liren said coldly, “Very well. In half a month, I will give you evidence. I will let you see with your own eyes how Ashi Luo plans to violate me. If Ashi Luo is indeed such a beast?”
Ashi Mo’s gaze turned stern and he said, “Then he is unworthy of being human. I will abolish his position as heir, cripple his four limbs, and imprison him in the dungeon for life.”
“It is settled.” Ashi Liren said.
“It is settled.” Ashi Mo said.
So it turned out Ashi Liren intended to use the simplest and most direct method, turning the tables on the plot by luring Ashi Luo to violate her, letting her father Ashi Mo see it clearly, then seizing the opportunity to abolish everything of Ashi Luo’s.
“When the time comes and you are present, I will let you see everything.” Ashi Liren said.
“Good, I will certainly be present.” Ashi Mo said with a cold gaze, “This will be the first time I leave my place of cultivation. If it is truly so, this evil son deserves death!”
Half an hour later!
Ashi Liren took Suo Lun away from this Dragon Emperor Relic Castle and returned to Rouran City!
…
After dawn!
Several people knocked on the gate of Ashi Liren’s residence.
“Who are you looking for?” a female warrior said.
“Fu Yuan.” the person outside said.
The female warrior said, “There is no such person in our residence.”
The person outside said, “Or rather, her name is Fu Yan’er. We were sent by Count Suo Lun, the City Lord of Tianshui City, to take the mother and daughter home.”
The female warrior said, “Please wait a moment!”
Then the female warrior walked outside Fu Yan’er’s room and said, “Fu Yuan, there are people at the gate looking for you. I will go report to the master.”
Fu Yan’er was startled, then walked to the main gate of the residence. She immediately saw a contingent of cavalry outside, along with a magnificent carriage flying the flag of Tianshui City. She said excitedly, “You are soldiers of Tianshui City? Have you come to take our mother and daughter home?”
“Yes, Madam.” the warrior leading them said, “After receiving your flying kite message, the master immediately dispatched us, the cavalry at Tianye City, to come take you back.”
Fu Yan’er said ecstatically, “Please wait. I will go get my daughter.”
Then she ran inside while shouting joyfully, “Darling, darling, we are going home. Your father is taking us home.”