CHAPTER 206: I’LL JUST STEAL HIS GIRL

The authorities understandably felt both respect and wariness toward the half-immortal. Still, Wang Sheng didn't expect that he would become her "agent." Over the next two days, the authorities constantly summoned him for meetings.

Wang Sheng could clearly feel the government's initial aggression toward Xi Lian. They had even considered asking him to activate the seal that Santong had left to suppress her.

The Hua Republic did not have to rely on a half-immortal who could not fully control her condition to guard the nation. In this era, the country already had the strength to deal with any domestic or foreign threat. Even so, having an extra layer of protection and deterrence to safeguard the people were still seen as highly valuable.

After two days of deliberation and observation, the authorities finally settled on a policy toward Xi Lian. They would neither draw close to her nor reject her. Instead, they would focus on guidance and persuasion.

The government now considered Wang Sheng, who was once a rising sword cultivator in the eyes of the righteous path, as Xi Lian's official caretaker. The role left him feeling somewhat helpless.

Thanks to Xi Lian's presence, Wang Sheng was granted a mountainside villa under his name, located deep in the southwestern mountain region of the Hua Republic.

Although remote, the area was perfectly suited for cultivation. It had electricity, internet access, and delivery services. Moreover, it was near two military bases.

Following Wang Sheng's request, the villa was undergoing light renovation and would be ready for move-in in about half a month. During that time, he'd have to pack his things and look after his ailing master.

The ancient-devil operation had gone through several twists but ended in relative success. The corrupt Daoist forces within the Hua Republic had been severely suppressed.

However, the operation wasn't done yet; a national crackdown followed. Using the intelligence gathered from captured corrupt cultivators, nearly all of the Yin-Yang All-Creation Sect's secret bases were wiped out within just two days.

Now, only a few key figures from the sect remained on the run: the yin sect master, Elder White Tiger, Elder Black Tortoise, and the Five Elements.

Though they still posed a threat, most of their support had been dismantled. Golden Core Realm cultivators of the righteous path had also been dispatched nationwide to hunt them. For the time being, the fugitives had no room to stir up trouble.

According to recently tracked movements, they had likely fled across the Eastern Sea to Sakura Island, which stung the Hua Republic's cultivation world like a thorn. Moreover, based on the report that Wang Sheng had provided, which included a few things that Rufeng had shouted at him, Rufeng's identity was quickly uncovered as the head of a hidden cultivation family from Sakura Island.

A long list of grievances was brought to light, including the involvement of the yang sect master, the hordes of ninjas, the places where the remnants of the sect had fled, and their infiltration over the years. Taking all of those into consideration, this matter was far from over. Both old grudges and new hatreds had to be settled.

Heeding the rallying cry of several Daoist elders, senior Golden Core Realm and Illusory Core Realm cultivators from all Daoist sects gathered, ready to storm Sakura Island and cause a great upheaval. Fortunately, several influential figures stepped in to calm them down, promising that the cultivation world of Sakura Island would be held accountable. They temporarily eased the elders' anger.

The logic was simple. If the elders were going over to kill, how could the Daoist masters and younger disciples not join in and burn everything to the ground? If they truly launched a full attack, wiping out Sakura Island's cultivators would not be a problem. It would damage the Hua Republic's image internationally and risk negative public opinion, though.

Fortunately, they had a plan in place.

The first step was to publicly denounce the actions of Sakura Island's cultivators and pressure them into offering scapegoats. By creating a tense atmosphere between the two cultivation worlds, diplomatic maneuvering could then begin, allowing the Hua Republic to extract benefits and garner international support.

Once everything was in motion, further actions would be carried out in stages. By that time, the Daoist sects would be free to target the cultivators on Sakura Island. The Special Investigation Unit would provide accurate intelligence to keep the situation under control.

The Daoist elders and masters stood resolute. Regardless of where they were, corrupt cultivators still had to be wiped out completely. Hence, though they agreed to give the authorities some time to operate, the elders were prepared to act on their own terms if pressure alone yielded no results.

***

Wang Sheng peeled a tangerine for his master while Mou Yue talked about the topic.

Though recovering well, Qing Yanzi still couldn't get out of bed. The wound that the fiend sword had left still lingered, especially the one near his heart meridian. Hence, he had no choice but to convalesce in a military hospital within the base.

In truth, the treatment didn't require equipment. He just needed a calm, stable environment.

"Sakura Island?" Xi Lian, who was meditating in the corner, opened her eyes. "What is that place?"

Wang Sheng replied, "Located east of the Eastern Sea. We call it the Eastern Lands."

Xi Lian thought for a moment. In her archaic accent, she asked, "You mean that country called Wa? Has the cultivation world now reached the point of waging war against them?"

Mou Yue blinked, unsure what she meant, while Wang Sheng just smiled. Mu Wanxuan quietly pulled up a brief history of Sakura Island on her phone, walked to the corner, and respectfully offered it to Xi Lian.

This was how one should show proper respect to a senior.

After a bit of reading, Xi Lian smirked but did not comment. Instead, she curiously said, "Your magical artifacts are quite extraordinary. It seems everyone has one."

"Mm!" Mu Wanxuan replied with a nod. She typed a few words into her phone, then said clearly in a modern accent, "Cell phone."

Reading the screen, Xi Lian found it even more fascinating.

Wang Sheng told Mou Yue something through voice transmission. In response, she left the room. Not long after, she returned with a brand new phone issued by the Special Investigation Unit. She gently walked over and handed it to Xi Lian, who accepted it without hesitation and immediately started learning the basics of modern science.

Xi Lian seemed to have a carefree, serene nature with a hint of mischief, quite similar to Santong.

While Mou Yue explained how to use the phone, Mu Wanxuan began showing her memes and short videos. Amazed, Xi Lian quickly warmed up to the two girls. Despite her power, she was remarkably approachable.

Qing Yanzi asked in a hushed tone, "Little Sheng, why didn't Buddhist Master Santong leave you any gifts?"

Scratching his head, Wang Sheng softly answered, "Having Senior Xi Lian by my side is already the greatest gift."

"I guess you're right. In the future, if I get bullied, I'll have you take that mighty being out for a walk." Qing Yanzi chuckled as he accepted the peeled tangerine. "Your mistress is resigning soon. I can finally relax."

"I'm afraid she won't be resigning, Master," Wang Sheng replied.

Confused, Qing Yanzi asked, "Why not? The mess Rufeng caused was mainly your mistress' and my responsibility. Isn't it only natural for her to resign and take the blame?"

Wang Sheng pulled up a message that Mou Yue had sent him earlier and showed it to Qing Yanzi. "Well, the authorities are forming a new department equal in power to the Special Investigation Unit. Its purpose is to monitor the Special Investigation Unit, which effectively reclaims part of her authority."

Qing Yanzi let out a long, frustrated sigh.

We were so close to a peaceful life, and now it has slipped away again.

In an attempt to console him, Wang Sheng remarked, "Master, capable people carry heavier burdens. Who else in the cultivation world can balance cultivation, career, and love life like you?"

Qing Yanzi sighed again. "Fine. I'll accept it. Your mistress can't serve the country forever. When she grows weary, I'll take her to live in the mountains. But you... Ahem. Check your phone."

Even voice transmission wasn't safe around Xi Lian. No one knew what powers a half-immortal could have.

Qing Yanzi sent over a philosophical question.

Qing Yanzi: Isn't she technically single or widowed?

Wang Sheng was speechless. He glanced at Xi Lian, who was listening to music in the corner. He then quickly deleted the message and sent a reply.

Wang Sheng: It's hard to say, considering we don't know what happened to Daoist Master Qinglin. A thousand years have passed here, which is ten thousand years out there. Anyway, please remember to delete this message, Master.

Qing Yanzi nodded, then smiled slyly.

Qing Yanzi: Your mission is to guide that half-immortal. From now on, you'll be her companion, confidant, and guide. The so-called devilish root is really just a lingering attachment she has for Daoist Master Qinglin. By the way, Little Sheng, when do you plan to tell her what happened after the Heavenly Court collapsed?

Wang Sheng thought about it for a moment.

Wang Sheng: After we move into the villa. Once we've grown closer, I'll explain that Daoist Master Qinglin's fate is unknown, but he's not necessarily dead.

Qing Yanzi agreed with his approach.

Qing Yanzi: But what if, at her lowest point, you end up taking advantage of her, and she later runs into Daoist Master Qinglin? What then? She is deeply devoted to love, which means she longs for and depends on affection. This isn't just a simple joke.

Wang Sheng casually typed, Then I'll just steal his girl!

He immediately deleted it, though. That kind of joke was too risky.

Instead, he sent a serious reply.

Wang Sheng: Senior Sister will always be by my side. Master, please don’t overthink it. I would never let my thoughts stray.

Qing Yanzi's eyes lit up. He sat up and looked at Wang Sheng, then laughed heartily and gave Wang Sheng a light tap on the forehead.

"You rascal, you've finally got it!"

Wang Sheng could only smile helplessly. He finally understood that his master really had been trying to match him and his senior sister all along.

Well, it seemed he would now be courting her under his master's orders. Whether anything came of it would depend on her feelings from here on out.