Chapter 9: The Tomb of the Miao King

As soon as the words left his mouth, the aura around Yongjie changed. Before becoming a monk, his name was Tu Qingcang—a peerless master, the head of the Gathering Righteousness Manor, known in the martial world as the "Pillar of Heaven."

Ah, of course, he didn't have any shape-shifting abilities, nor did he possess the Flame Seed Source.

This nickname came partly from his name and partly from a line in Yuan drama praising generals: "The white jade pillar supports the heavens, the purple-golden beam spans the sea."

Back in the day, he rose to fame with his self-created boxing style, "Pillar of Heaven Fist," earning his reputation blow by blow.

However, his personality then resembled that of Zuo Lishan—headstrong, self-centered, and arrogant. Unlike Zuo, he lacked the finesse to disguise himself, resulting in many enemies in the martial world.

Yet, until his disappearance, the Gathering Righteousness Manor he built remained the unshakable overlord of the southern martial arts community.

Simply because he was still there.

How could he be a meek, docile monk who simply accepted his fate?

The moment he said, "Let's fight for it," his entire presence sharpened and surged with overwhelming force.

Though he said "fight," it was clear he meant "win at all costs."

Li Miao glanced at him and smiled, saying, "Alright, alright, first see if you can stand on your own feet."

Yongjie's aura abruptly dispersed, a mix of frustration and amusement on his face.

Li Miao had a little quirk—he couldn't stand people showing off in front of him.

Since leaving Shuntian Prefecture, whenever someone acted pretentious before him, close friends would be silenced with a word, and strangers would face a beating.

So, the moment Yongjie showed signs of "dropping the act and revealing his kind-hearted mask," Li Miao shut him down with a single sentence.

Seeing Yongjie silent, Li Miao chuckled and continued, "But let's put the disbanding on hold."

"How do you know I have no interest in the Bridal Robe Divine Skill?" Yongjie suddenly looked up.

Li Miao’s trip to Miao Territory was primarily for Xiao Si, and secondarily to sever the inheritance of the witchcraft Gu technique.

In this era, that threat was immense.

The Tao'an City incident was resolved perfectly thanks to him. If the Ming Cult’s schemes succeeded, with villagers carrying Gu insects fleeing into the countryside, it could bring a plague wiping out almost every household.

The tomb the woman mentioned was that of the Miao King.

Naturally, Li Miao wanted to take a look.

Since it was all Miao Territory business, it was on the way.

Unaware of Li Miao’s plan, Yongjie solemnly said, "Benefactor, did you change your itinerary because of the monk?"

"Your martial skills are no longer ordinary; the so-called divine skills hold little use for you."

"If it weren't for the unique transmission of the Bridal Robe Divine Skill, the monk would not go."

Li Miao waved his hand, "Don't overthink it. I have my own plans; wherever I go is my choice."

"Since our goals align, our fate is not yet done. Master, you can rest assured and heal."

"When your wounds recover, we will set out immediately to explore the Miao King’s tomb."

Two days later, Li Miao and Yongjie left the city gates.

Yongjie glanced back and sighed.

Li Miao smiled, "What’s wrong, Master? Still not over your past ties with that woman?"

Yongjie shook his head, "No. The monk simply met an old friend and recalled some things."

Li Miao laughed, "You must have been neglecting your chanting."

"Don’t you want to ask me to save her?"

Yongjie clasped his hands, "The monk wishes to save, but cannot."

"Cause begets effect. Retribution is precise. She is my kin and also someone’s enemy. Those who do evil must pay."

"After saving those he can, the monk will seek his own debtors to return his life."

Li Miao glanced at him, "Such a contradiction."

"Don’t forget to come have a drink with me before you die."

Yongjie smiled, "Certainly, certainly."

They said no more, speeding towards the Miao King’s tomb.

The journey was rough and exposed to the elements, but a few days later, they finally reached the legendary tomb.

The place was a desolate wilderness, rarely touched by human presence.

Yet now, it buzzed with voices.

Before they even approached, they saw many armed martial artists, all heading the same way.

Yongjie suddenly stopped, a flicker of hesitation on his face.

"What’s the matter?" Li Miao asked.

"There are many here who recognize the monk," Yongjie said.

"The monk intended to go to a village deep in Miao Territory, isolated from the Central Plains martial world, safe from recognition."

"But here are southern martial artists, including leaders from several sects who have met the monk before. Rushing in might stir trouble."

Yongjie looked conflicted.

Li Miao chuckled, "I thought you had a plan, but you just forgot about this."

"Come, disperse your circulating qi and close your eyes."

Yongjie obediently complied.

Li Miao stepped forward; his hands turned crimson, emitting faint white smoke, and he pressed his palm against Yongjie’s face.

"Ugh!"

Yongjie trembled but barely refrained from dodging.

"Oh, I forgot to warn you—it’ll hurt a bit. Bear with it," Li Miao said lightly.

Yongjie felt as if Li Miao was trying to kill him; this was no minor pain but agony piercing to the bone!

Li Miao used the very technique that had reattached Liu Baiyun’s severed arm—also useful for interrogation.

This method fundamentally connects qi and blood, links meridians, and regenerates flesh.

If it can reattach severed features, it can also alter a person's appearance.

After a while, Li Miao released his grip. Yongjie’s body relaxed, gasping heavily.

"Alright, much better now," Li Miao smiled.

Yongjie caught his breath and checked a nearby puddle—his face was completely transformed.

"Let’s go."

Yongjie agreed, and they headed toward the crowd.

Before they reached them, a young man approached, scrutinizing them from head to toe.

"Hold up, may I ask if you’re here for the tomb?"

"Exactly," Yongjie replied.

"Oh, I see," the young man said. "I’m Yuan Li from the Kongtong Sect. Greetings."

"May I ask your names and affiliations?"

Li Miao glanced at him, "What, do you need a pass to enter this wasteland?"

The young man smiled and waved dismissively.

"You know how this matter has spread through the martial world; more and more people have come recently, a mixed crowd."

"A few days ago, a bandit infiltrated and killed several people under the cover of chaos."

"So Kongtong, Emei, Hengshan, and others agreed that newcomers must show their credentials to keep out villains. Everyone wants peace."

"If you’re not wandering martial artists or bandits, you’re welcome."

His reasoning was sound, but Li Miao and Yongjie had no proper credentials.

Li Miao’s jin yi wei badge might get them in, but that would cause a huge stir.

Yongjie, for his part, had no suitable identity either.

He had sneaked out for a private matter; revealing his dharma name would implicate Shaolin, something he wouldn’t dare.

His secular name was also off-limits.

Because Kongtong once held a grudge against him, as did Emei and several major southern sects.

Before becoming a monk, Yongjie was truly difficult to get along with.

Li Miao saw the hesitation on Yongjie’s face and understood.

The disciple, seeing their silence, reached for a pair of judge’s pens hanging at his waist.

"Gentlemen, if you have no valid reason, please leave."

"The leaders of the southern martial sects are here. Don’t cause trouble and risk your lives."

Kongtong’s martial arts were notoriously diverse—swords, spears, clubs, fists, and legs all had traditions.

The judge’s pens this young man wielded were rare in the martial world; few knew how to counter them, giving him an advantage in a fight.

So he was unafraid to act.

Li Miao gave him a glance, thought for a moment, then smiled and said, "We truly are wandering martial artists, without sects. But someone can vouch for us."

"Hengshan has people here, right? Who came?"

Hearing no intention to fight, the young man politely replied, "The Hengshan leader is attending the Five Mountains Alliance and hasn’t returned. The one here is Elder Yin Minjun of Hengshan."

"Oh, then send word to her that Li Miao has arrived and ask her to come greet me promptly," Li Miao said coolly.

The young man hesitated, studying Li Miao carefully.

"Such arrogance! You look barely over thirty, not a famous figure, yet you demand Hengshan’s second-in-command to come greet you—‘promptly’ no less?"

"Are you trying to trick me and sneak in?"

Still, as the one sent to receive guests, he was no fool.

He politely asked Li Miao to wait, then walked a few steps away, conferred briefly with his companions, and returned to face Li Miao and Yongjie.

He wanted to start a conversation, fish for information, but Li Miao ignored him.

Yongjie, blunt as ever and afraid of slipping, remained silent, leaving the young man on his own.

The man grew increasingly disgruntled, ready to insult them when Hengshan denied knowing them.

After a while, he heard a commotion behind.

Turning, he saw a group rushing toward them, all moving with lightness skill.

At the front was Hengshan’s Elder Yin Minjun, accompanied by several senior elders.

Seeing Li Miao, she immediately used Hengshan’s signature lightness skill, "Ape’s Somersault Cloud," to flash in front of him.

Then she bowed deeply, "Li—"

"Hey," Li Miao interrupted, cutting off the “Lord Li” that was about to follow.

"Long time no see, Elder Yin. I’m just a wandering martial artist, not worthy of entry. Thank you for coming to meet me."

Yin Minjun, an old hand in the martial world, instantly understood he wished to keep his identity secret and replied promptly:

"Brother Li! It’s my honor! Your debt to Hengshan is immense; these small matters are ours to handle!"

"You’ve traveled far; please follow me for some refreshment and rest."

With that, Yin Minjun respectfully extended her hand and led Li Miao and Yongjie away.

The Kongtong disciple stood dumbfounded.

The Five Mountains Sword Sect incident had passed over a month ago.

Deng Boxuan was taken to Shuntian Prefecture by Wang Hai, but news of his allegiance to the Embroidered Uniform Guard was sent back to their sect.

Yin Minjun was the second-in-command of Hengshan, in her thirties, and her skills rivaled Deng Boxuan’s.

With Deng gone, she was effectively in charge.

The messages sent back praised Li Miao extensively, depicting him as a peerless hero:

"Martial skills celestial and unattainable, turning the tide from ruin, supporting a collapsing hall, saving millions in Tao’an, rescuing the Five Mountains Sword Sect from peril. Handsome as Pan An, loyal as Guan Yu, brave as Zhao Zilong, wise as Zhuge Liang... a true unparalleled hero and model for the world!"

This world damn well should change its surname to Li! (That part was kept in check.)

Whether Deng Boxuan knew this or if the Embroidered Uniform Guard pre-screened and flattered him remains uncertain.

But Yin Minjun heard only praise.

Now hearing Li Miao had arrived, how could she not be anxious?

Not to mention, Deng Boxuan was still in Shuntian Prefecture, in the hands of the Embroidered Uniform Guard.

When they reached the Hengshan base, Yin Minjun ordered disciples to guard the perimeter and asked several elders to kneel to Li Miao.

"Greetings, Lord Li!"

Li Miao raised a hand lightly; a gentle qi lifted them off the ground.

"Enough, I don’t allow people to kneel."

Who knows who it was that said “kneel if you don’t want to die” when capturing Yan Xiaosheng?

He turned and took the main seat.

Hengshan was wealthy and influential, the financial backbone of the Five Mountains Sword Sect.

Here in the wilderness stood a spacious tent.

"The matter at Mount Tai is settled; no need to mention it further. From now on, focus on your duties to the Embroidered Uniform Guard."

"Now, tell me about the Miao King’s tomb."

Yin Minjun, still recovering from the profound qi in Li Miao’s light touch, answered hastily.

"At present, the major sects at the Miao King’s tomb include the Beggar’s Sect, Transport Guild, Emei, Qingcheng, and Kongtong."

"A few days ago, we sent people to invite Shaolin’s Master Xingchi, but no news yet."

"Apart from these, lone experts like ‘Forest Piercing Northern Leg’ Huo Hong, ‘Iron Fist Arhat’ Cang Feifeng, and ‘Match Li Guang’ Gong Yuanzhi, about four or five in total."

"A few days ago, some of our experts investigated and confirmed it is indeed the Miao King’s tomb."

"There are many decayed weapons inside; many martial artists died here years ago."

"Judging by the craftsmanship, those who died had formidable skills."

"The Bridal Robe Divine Skill is likely inside, but the poisonous insects are too numerous. Even the strongest find it hard to guard against with few people."

"You’ve come just in time. Tonight, the sects will discuss strategy; tomorrow, we'll open the tomb together."

(End of chapter)