The Post Sky Tipping Era
Chapter 764 - 545 I Became a Demon Path

Chapter 764: Chapter 545 I Became a Demon Path

"Greetings, Daoist."

Zhou Jin respectfully saluted Li Yi: "The Magistrate is very concerned about the trafficking of women. He has ordered us to solve the case, apprehend everyone involved, and show no leniency. As for these victimized girls, we are to register them, issue travel permits and expenses, and send them home."

"As for the main culprit, he will most likely not survive and will be beheaded and displayed as a warning to others."

Li Yi glanced and said, "I am but a cultivator, who can only intervene temporarily, not eternally. When certain matters arise, I give a helping hand to rescue innocents, which is not a waste of my cultivation journey. Since the case is concluded, I naturally have nothing to say. But why does the Magistrate, knowing I possess Dragon and Tiger Energy, harbor inexplicable murderous intent towards me?"

Upon these words, Zhou Jin’s face changed drastically, and he quickly said, "Daoist, this, this..."

Li Yi did not speak, merely lifting his head to look slightly.

Roar!

The next moment, a silver-striped fierce tiger roared at the heavens and earth, striking down with a paw, causing the white crane above the government office to let out a miserable wail before its body exploded and transformed into strands of Power of Incense and Belief, swiftly dispersing. The aftershock extended to the government office, and suddenly this entire region shook.

Following that, the rooftops collapsed, the walls shattered, and the beams and pillars tore apart.

The Magistrate, Chen Nian, who was in his study, was shocked. Protected by several colleagues, he fled the house in a rush, but even so, was hit by debris, leaving him bloodied and in a sorry state.

Finally escaping.

He saw that everything before him had turned to ruins, with only the government office’s main gate standing intact, seemingly safeguarded by a force, avoiding the disaster.

"What... what on earth is going on." Chen Jin, trembling with fear, looked around in confusion.

"Daoist, please cease."

Suddenly, a figure emerged from the scroll in Zhou Jin’s hand—a middle-aged man in a long robe who urgently spoke to stop Li Yi.

Li Yi glanced over without responding, only pointing to the Government Officials, "Escort these women home safely. If there are any mistakes, they will meet the same fate as this government office, scattered to dust."

As he spoke, he casually took out a few gemstones from the Five Elements Bracelet, which he had collected in the secret realm of the Dark World where the World Dragon was imprisoned. They served no special use but were valuable.

He tossed a few gemstones over.

"This humble Daoist does not shortchange you. All expenses on the road will be mine, and the extra money will be yours to divide."

Gazing at those translucent gemstones, the officials’ eyes lit up, but remembering the sudden collapse of the office, they shivered in trepidation.

This Daoist is truly ruthless, flipping the office at the slightest provocation.

Yet, ruthless as he may be, he is undoubtedly wealthy. Just one gemstone is worth at least a thousand taels, granting a lifetime without worries.

However...

They then glanced at Zhou Jin.

After all, Zhou Jin was their leader; without his word, they hesitated to accept the task.

Li Yi said, "How many years would it take you to earn this sum back as officials? Do you still wish to return to being driven by others, or would you prefer to live as wealthy men?"

With these words.

The officials exchanged glances, promptly removing their uniforms, picking up the gemstones, and solemnly saluting Li Yi, "Rest assured, Daoist, we swear to escort these women safely, even at the cost of our lives, or die by your hand if we fail."

"Zhang Tie, Liu Han, you..." Zhou Jin hesitated.

"Zhou Jin, we are not that familiar, don’t try to get chummy. I have matters to attend to," one person firmly replied.

Saying this, the group of officials promptly resigned, taking the women away.

Along the way, they continued discussing.

"Foolish, we can hire an escort agency to send these ladies home."

"Yes, let’s buy carriages, one per person, money is not an issue."

"Also, let’s buy some new clothes for these ladies and leave some silver taels, lest the Daoist think we are stingy."

"How big are those gemstones? They looked about the size of my fist, let me see again, I got dazzled earlier."

"Get lost, don’t flaunt your wealth, we’ll split it later."

Zhou Jin watched as his usual subordinates fled, his mouth twitching uncontrollably. Knowing them, they were unlikely to return after this journey.

"Greedy, afraid of death, that’s human nature—a fine tactic you have, Daoist," the figure within the painting, Chu Pingzhi, softly remarked.

Li Yi shook his head, "It’s not greed nor fear of death, but seeking fortune and avoiding disaster—something even government officials understand. Why don’t you officials? Is it because major disasters won’t befall you? I kindly brought criminals to turn themselves in, yet you refuse to handle it, instead wishing to kill me for possessing Dragon and Tiger Energy. Are you not forcing me to rebel?"

"Peace has reigned long, Daoist. Even with Dragon and Tiger Energy, rebellion remains a fool’s dream," Chu Pingzhi shook his head.

"Rebellion is not difficult for me. Given a month, I could start one easily," Li Yi calmly stated.

Chu Pingzhi, hearing this, grew interested. "Oh? Daoist, you’re not merely boasting? Although the four seas are not completely calm now, people live and work in peace. You would find it difficult to rally support for rebellion, perhaps at most gathering some mountain spirits and monsters, claiming a hill as your kingdom."

Li Yi sneered, "How would you, a lost soul in a painting, know my methods? I possess the spells to Call the Wind and Summon the Rain and the Power of Dragon and Tiger. Destroying a city is easy. By merely causing disasters, I can gather countless refugees, all who eagerly rally, sweeping thousands along. Mountains will break before us, cities will fall, and once momentum builds, I will command all spirits and demons, appoint True Gods, and share the world’s incense. All goes smoothly; in less than half a year, I shall be in the Capital. Then you wouldn’t call me Daoist anymore, but Your Majesty."

Chu Pingzhi was instantly both shocked and fearful. The shock came from the Daoist’s mention of rebellion, not as a joke, but because he had already outlined a rebellion strategy in a few words. Despite the rough language, the general direction was correct. If one wants to revolt, it can only be done this way. Moreover, the Daoist knew how to enfeoff True Gods and share incense.

The fear was because, if this Daoist really did as he said, whether it succeeds or not, the outcome would surely be corpses strewn everywhere and countless deaths.

"You demon Daoist should indeed be killed."

At this moment, Magistrate Chen Nian, supported by several colleagues, walked over with a head full of blood. He too had heard Li Yi’s words and was now furious beyond measure.

Li Yi coldly glanced and said, "The reason I haven’t done this is not because I lack this thought or courage, but only because I empathize with the fact that the people’s lives are not easy. After all, I too rose from insignificance, fully understanding the hardships of life. To live peacefully is naturally best, so I always harbor a sense of benevolence, saving the distressed and not wantonly harming lives."

"While I am like this, you officials decide life and death with a single word, having no benevolence in your hearts, only interests. You curse me as a demon Daoist, but I see you as a dog official."

"How bold." Chen Nian shouted angrily, "You demon Daoist even dare to insult this official. Zhou Jin, quickly, seize him."

Zhou Jin gripped the hilt of his sword hesitantly, his bluish eyes slightly shifting, not daring to act because he knew full well that he was no match for this Daoist. Once he made a move, he feared he would immediately die.

At this moment, life was surely more important than future prospects.

So he merely posed without any intention of making a move, instead taking a few steps back.

Li Yi merely flicked his finger, and a silver bolt of lightning shot out, incredibly fast.

Chen Nian didn’t know what was happening but was horrified to find that one of his arms was gone, vanished into thin air, and he couldn’t even feel any pain.

"You curse me yet can’t curse me back, fight me yet can’t beat me, yet I don’t know where you get the courage to clamor before me. Perhaps it’s because you’ve held a high position for too long, forgotten how to be human, just like that Earth God. A lost soul takes over the clay statue, eats a bit of incense, pretends to be a god for too long, and truly believes he is a god." Li Yi said, his bright eyes glancing over, revealing murderous intent.

At this moment, Chen Nian felt a difference in the level of life, his hair standing on end, enveloped by fear, causing him to lose all courage, collapsing onto the ground with only fear in his eyes, completely devoid of calm.

"Daoist, you are a great master. Why bicker with ordinary people. I ask the Daoist to withdraw his spell and spare his life." Chu Pingzhi hurriedly said.

Afraid Li Yi would unleash a massacre here.

"Only great masters don’t care about trivial matters with children. Let him call me master, and I may spare his life." Li Yi said, "After all, killing an ordinary person means nothing to me, but there must be some lesson for the disrespectful words."

"Brother Chen."

Chu Pingzhi urgently called out, urging him to quickly submit.

Better to pass through this calamity first and not waste one’s life.

Chen Nian’s face was ashen but showed signs of struggle and hesitation. Though fearful, his mind instinctively felt that as a magistrate who governs millions, he had a high status—and today he had to bow to a wild Daoist, calling him master, was beyond decency.

Though he thought this way, the strong desire to survive still forced him to stammer out, "Mas-master."

"You sound unwilling to call someone master. See, you yourself are reluctant to call others master, so who would willingly call you master? It’s just because of stronger forces that one has to bow." Li Yi smiled at this point and then slowly stood up.

"Forget it, my matters are settled, I won’t disturb you two any longer."

With that, he flicked his Daoist robe and strode away.

At this moment, Chu Pingzhi said nothing, only watching him leave. This Daoist was extraordinarily formidable, not someone he, a Yin Prefect, could contend with. Fortunately, the man only destroyed the government office in a fit of anger and didn’t harm anyone’s life. Clearly, the Daoist indeed possessed some benevolence and goodwill, but...

He then turned back to look at Chen Nian.

Only then did Chen Nian, missing an arm, start to feel the pain, and blood oozed from the severed arm. In agony, he wailed, yet unwilling to suffer the humiliation, immediately gritted his teeth and said, "Brother Chu, quickly, issue the Yin Department Order, have the City God summon all ghost gods to exterminate the demon Daoist tonight, he cannot survive."

"Doing so would likely incur great disaster, better to wait for the court to arrange things. You’ve seen the means of that Daoist; he’s indeed formidable. If something goes wrong, we may truly provoke him into killing officials and revolting, at which point you and I will be sinners." Chu Pingzhi said with a troubled face, hesitating.

"This demon Daoist has an Emperor’s Aura, regards the court as nothing, will surely rebel sooner or later. For the country, for the people, and for personal reasons, he must be swiftly eliminated. Otherwise, how can one feel at ease? If this demon Daoist retaliates, I will bear the full consequences alone." Chen Nian whispered harshly.

Chu Pingzhi hesitated for a long moment before finally nodding in agreement.

Not long after.

A Yin Department Order was written and stamped with his Yin Prefect official seal, and then this order was handed over to Magistrate Chen Nian.

Chen Nian, enduring the pain of his severed arm, copied it again, and then stamped it with his own seal.

The yin and yang orders were made, ensuring nothing could go wrong so it would become effective.

Then he ordered Zhou Jin to fetch a brazier in which the two Yin Department Orders were thrown to be burnt.

In the next moment.

A wisp of blue smoke floated straight up, then transformed into threads of incense fire energy, scattered and flew to various places.

All True Gods enfeoffed in the Xinzhou area would receive the order in moments.

As soon as night falls.

Countless ghost gods will gather in Xinzhou City as ordered to jointly annihilate the demon Daoist.

However, at this moment, Li Yi also noticed that wisp of incense fire energy. Though he didn’t understand its meaning, he could guess somewhat, thinking most likely the magistrate was calling upon others to deal with him. Having been humiliated so greatly, how could it be pretended it didn’t happen, especially when he held such great power that a single order could summon ghost gods to assist.

"All right, this is a good opportunity to see the true power of this world’s ghost gods." Li Yi’s expression remained usual as he continued walking through Xinzhou City.