Having Two Children with a Clear Conscience

After noticing the Southern Suppressing King standing there for half the day, the crowd finally quieted down, waiting for Zhong Qin to speak.

Had it been anyone else, they would have left long ago. But since the prince had lingered for so long, it was clear he still had something to say.

"Indeed, there is one more matter," the Southern Suppressing King admitted with a resigned yet unembarrassed tone. "I have received an imperial decree stating that the Qingyuan Sect has flourished with exceptional talents and is no longer what it once was. The sect master has reached the half-step into the Sixth Realm, with his Dharma Body imminent. Moreover, disciples like Li Mo and Ying Bing are destined to become pillars of the Nine Heavens and Ten Earths."

"Thus, it is no longer fitting for the Qingyuan Sect to remain merely a prefecture-level power."

"From this day forth, the Qingyuan Sect shall oversee an entire province. We hope you can command the respect of all factions in the Eastern Wasteland Domain and bring glory to your sect."

In short, this decree elevated the Qingyuan Sect from a prefecture-level power to a provincial-level one.

No one was particularly surprised. While the notion of Li Mo being draped in imperial yellow robes had been mostly in jest, the potential of him and Ying Bing alone meant the Qingyuan Sect was never meant to stay as a prefecture-level power.

However, this decree was merely a formality.

To truly dominate a province, the Qingyuan Sect would need the strength to make all other sects submit willingly—along with the ability to manage resources, territories, and interests. These were not things the emperor could decide with just a word.

"Congratulations, Brother Shangguan."

Elder Xu of Sword City, along with the other Sword City experts accompanying him, cupped their hands in respect toward Shangguan Wencang.

This signified that the Hengyun Sword City acknowledged the Qingyuan Sect’s new status as a provincial-level power.

"The Qingyuan Sect has been confined to a single prefecture for too long. This is long overdue," the master of Gangdou Sect also nodded in agreement.

"Wait… does this mean our Qingyuan Sect will now collect taxes from an entire province? From now on, I’ll bring my own seasoning when mooching meals!"

Qian Bufan shuddered with excitement, his eyes gleaming with nothing but greed for wealth.

Tears soaked the food he had freeloaded as he swore to collect a million in taxes this year.

"Excellent, excellent! I’ll send a letter home—this New Year, a provincial-level sect elder shall return in glory!"

Elder Hanhe clasped his hands behind his back, his lips quirking smugly.

It was well known that Elder Hanhe, hailing from a martial family, cared deeply about face. Many in his clan had entered imperial service, while he had languished in a mere prefecture-level sect.

Now, he would return as a provincial-level elder!

Every disciple of the Qingyuan Sect puffed out their chests—this was a monumental occasion for them.

They might have anticipated this day would come, but none expected it so soon.

After all, while the Qingyuan Sect had all the necessary components, it had never been anything more than that.

"Hey, Old Qian, there’s something I wanted to discuss—"

"Address me by my title during official matters. Remember that next time. Now, what is it?"

"I plan to open an alchemy shop in the provincial capital. Let’s hope the governor knows his place."

"Enough! Have some decorum—we’re still in public!"

Only when Shangguan Wencang’s patience finally snapped did he intervene, his forehead twitching.

As the only truly serious person in the Qingyuan Sect, he spoke with grave sincerity:

"Do any of you truly understand how we earned this honor? We are the elders—it is only because our juniors have excelled and brought glory to the sect that we now bask in their light."

"Do you know how the Qingyuan Sect is viewed outside these walls?"

"Other sects are known as the ‘Cloud-Sealing Sword Land’ or the ‘Indomitable Gangdou.’ And us?"

"We are ‘that sect that somehow produced Li Mo and Ying Bing.’ That’s why we’ve been granted this honor."

"Woof woof?" Elder Qian, scolded by the sect master, had no rebuttal.

Because the sect master was right. Nowadays, outsiders only referred to the Qingyuan Sect as "that place with Li Mo and Ying Bing."

Once, the Qingyuan Sect had been glorious, hailed as the "Echo of the Great Shang Dynasty." But that was many years ago. If there was anything else still talked about, it was probably how Shang Dance could silence a crying child at night.

"Ahem… I got carried away in the moment. True strength comes from within," Elder Hanhe said, schooling his expression and suppressing his smirk.

"Well… I was already quite old when I broke through to the Outer Scenery Realm," Xue Jing sighed.

Meanwhile, Elder Qian sidled up to Sword City’s Elder Xu and whispered:

"How many Outer Scenery and Dharma Body cultivators does Hengyun Sword City have? Care to share?"

Elder Xu replied, "Seven Dharma Body cultivators, fifty-eight at the Fifth Realm Outer Scenery, and as for the Profound Mystics… forgive me, but that is not for outsiders to know."

Meaning they had some, but it wasn’t public knowledge.

The Qingyuan Sect members fell silent. Hengyun Sword City was also a provincial-level power—albeit a stronger one—but the gap between them and the Qingyuan Sect was as vast as heaven and earth.

Of course, the disparity wasn’t among the younger generation.

It lay in the backbone of the sect—namely…

The elders exchanged glances, their recently straightened postures slumping once more. It was like comparing their own children to others’, only to realize their children were the outstanding ones while they themselves were the ones dragging them down.

"Wait, what? Your Sword City, as a provincial-level power, actually loses money every year after collecting taxes because your expenses are too high?"

Elder Qian, after hearing Elder Xu’s explanation, also fell into silence.

Well, swordsmen were all about appearances.

Old Qian didn’t care about appearances—he just wanted money. But he doubted the others would agree.

Surely we can't let Li Mo and Little Bing'er's wedding banquet have a table where guests can't even enjoy four proper dishes?

"Ahem, esteemed elders, there's no need to be so self-deprecating," Li Mo said earnestly, watching the smiles fade from the elders' faces. "You're all still young—your potential is limitless."

"?"

Though meant as reassurance, not just the others but even Shangguan Wencang had a question mark practically floating above his head. Some present had great-grandchildren old enough to run errands.

What potential was left to speak of?

Yet Li Mo declared with conviction, "Seventy or eighty years old—that's the prime age to chase greatness! Don’t worry about resources; I’ll handle that. As for martial arts, leave it to the Ice Block over there."

"We’re a team—why split hairs? Let’s grow stronger together and reclaim our glory!"

Having weathered the trials of heavenly tribulation, Li Mo spoke these words with the weight of time behind him, paired with a confidence so unshakable it could even leave the Ice Block (Ying Bing) momentarily dazed.

The elders were skeptical, but if it put him at ease, they might as well humor him. They soon resumed their usual demeanor.

Li Mo exhaled in relief.

This would make his future investments much smoother.

Breaking through to the Inner Realm required an astronomical amount of resources. Since he’d have to farm feedback anyway, why not invest in his own people? No sense letting the benefits flow to outsiders.

Someone had mentioned the rare treasure market in the Eastern Sea, and Li Mo decided to check it out.

"......"

The Southern Suppressing King watched as the crowd buzzed with discussion, thinking to himself that he, the imperial envoy sent to deliver the decree, was utterly superfluous. As expected, not a soul cared about seeing him off...