The Nine Cauldrons

Soldiers Assembled in Tielong City

“There’s an upheaval in the Land of the Nine Prefectures? Good. This way, I will be able to take advantage of this and benefit from it!” Thoughts instantly flooded Teng Qingshan’s mind.

The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult continued saying, “Little Jun, the soldiers of the ‘Red Fiery Division and the Azure Dragon Division of the Snowy Lotus Cult have gathered in the barrack outside Tielong City. How about this? Tonight, we ride the Godly Hawk to Tielong City.” Suddenly, she directed her gaze toward Teng Qingshan and smiled radiantly. “Of course, Foreign Dignitary Huhe, as you are the Foreign Dignitary, I can’t force you. It’s up to you if you wish to go.”

“Tielong City?” Teng Qingshan thoughts stirred.

Seeing a lack of response from Teng Qingshan, the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult frowned.

“Huhe, my disciple and I still have many personal matters to discuss. So, we can’t keep you company.” Immediately after, the High Priestess grabbed Li Jun’s hand and pulled her into the building at the side.

Li Jun could only look back at Teng Qingshan with a helpless expression. She smiled apologetically, and Teng Qingshan responded with a nod and a grin. His eyes seemed to be hinting at Li Jun to not worry as she accompanied her teacher.

Teng Qingshan and the gigantic Godly Hawk, who was still lying down lazily, remained in the garden.

The gigantic hawk glanced occasionally at Teng Qingshan, evidently sending him a message of warning.

“Hawks are originally proud and aloof. The Godly Thunderbolt Hawk is a superior Emptiness Realm Demonic Beast, an avian demonic beast that is adept at flying… The degree of its preciousness is evident, yet the Heavenly God Palace actually ordered the Thunderbolt Godly Hawk to protect the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult. It seems like the Heavenly God Palace values the High Priestess greatly.”

Teng Qingshan felt no enmity toward the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult. Although if an ordinary person acted with an instigative attitude like how the High Priestess did, Teng Qingshan would have already treated them with extremely great disdain.

However…

The High Priestess was his wife’s teacher!

If it were according to the normal marriage procedures, Teng Qingshan and Li Jun would have had to bow to the High Priestess during the second bow to parents at the wedding. The High Priestess was their elder, and in the eyes of this elder, Teng Qingshan had kidnapped Li Jun for over three years. Thus, it was natural for this elder to be displeased. Teng Qingshan felt it was fine for her to chide and admonish him.

“Godly Hawk.” With a smile, Teng Qingshan cupped his hands together and immediately left the garden.

As the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk watched Teng Qingshan leave, a bolt of lightning seemed to flash in its eyes. After which, it then sluggishly closed its eyes.

Teng Qingshan chose a random pavilion outside the garden and sat down.

“Lord Huhe,” a voice called out.

Teng Qingshan turned and saw Commander Cao approaching.

“Commander Cao.” Teng Qingshan smiled and said, “Sit.”

“Lord Huhe, how was the talk with the High Priestess?” Commander Cao smiled and seated himself beside Teng Qingshan. “When the High Priestess is angry, she becomes very scary. In the Heavenly God Palace, even the several Gods of Heaven have to yield to the High Priestess.”

Hearing this, a thought struck Teng Qingshan.

“It was alright. She just lectured us.” Teng Qingshan answered.

“Hm. The High Priestess loves the Goddess very much. Now that the Goddess has returned, the High Priestess should be very happy.” Commander Cao smiled as he said, “The High Priestess is not pleased with you, but since you have already married the Goddess, she will love you like how she loves the Goddess. Although she might have chided you, she probably cares about you. It’s just like how a mother-in-law views her son-in-law…”

Teng Qingshan was stunned.

Like how a mother-in-law views her son-in-law?

“Lord Huhe.” Commander Cao whispered.

“Eh?” Teng Qingshan thought as he saw Cao Yan’s unusual expression.

“Lord Huhe, you are the phenom of this generation. I fought with you, and I have learned to admire you greatly. I will be leaving Liushi City after lunch. However, before I depart, I hope to say a few words to Lord Huhe,” Cao Yan implored sincerely.

Touched by Cao Yan’s words, Teng Qingshan smiled and replied, “Commander Cao, do speak.”

“Lord Huhe, you are the superior Foreign Dignitary, not a member of the Heavenly God Palace. No one can command you. However, it is important that you know whom in the Heavenly God Palace you should not offend. You shouldn’t offend a certain several Gods of Heaven. However, you must be aware that our High Priestess is even worse than the Gods of Heaven.” Cao Yan elaborated solemnly, “If you have a good relationship with the High Priestess, then you will remain safe when serious troubles happens in the future! If you ruin your relationship with the High Priestess, then you will be in great trouble. I would prefer you to offend the Gods of Heaven than to offend the High Priest.”

Upon hearing Cao Yan’s words, Teng Qingshan was shocked.

“The High Priestess is a significantly great figure of the Heavenly God Palace. I have done my best to advise you.” Cao Yan stood up. He smiled and cupped his hands together before he continued, “I will be leaving first.”

“Thank you, Commander Cao,” Teng Qingshan responded as he stood up.

As Teng Qingshan watched Cao Yan departed, a million thoughts emerged in his mind. The High Priestess was his wife’s teacher. So, in order to prevent things from becoming difficult for his wife, Teng Qingshan wouldn’t voluntarily offend the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult unless he had no choice.

“High Priestess, it seems like your position in the Heavenly God Palace is very peculiar,” Teng Qingshan murmured. This was something he had perceived through Cao Yan’s words. He couldn’t help but grin as he said to himself, “Cao Yan.. Commander Cao, I now owe you a favor.”

……

The High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult dragged Li Jun away and chatted with her for almost four hours before she allowed Li Jun to return to Teng Qingshan.

Now, Teng Qingshan and Li Jun were the only two in a room.

Due to Teng Qingshan’s control over the domain, he knew that no one was keeping a close watch on them.

“Qingshan.” Li Jun stared at Teng Qingshan and said apologetically, “My teacher has quite a temper. Are…”

“I am fine.” Teng Qingshan jested as he touched Li Jun’s nose. “Your teacher is not at fault. I took you away for three years, so it’s natural for your teacher to be mad.”

Involuntarily, a happy smile crept up onto Li Jun’s face.

“Hm. Qingshan, are you going to Qingzhou?” Li Jun asked hesitantly. “If you have something to do, it’s alright. According to teacher’s explanation, this revolt should be a quick process. It’s basically just a great fight between the Emptiness Realm Experts of the higher positions. When the fight between the Emptiness Realm Experts ends, the army will attack the city and seize the enemy’s fortress. After that, things will become much easier.”

“I am going to Qingzhou,” Teng Qingshan assured.

Hearing this, Li Jun’s eyes glowed as she exclaimed, “Qingshan, you are going?”

“Yes,” Teng Qingshan answered.

“Litte Jun, I know that… the Heavenly God Palace will not allow you to leave.” Teng Qingshan said with a helpless smile, “Especially since your teacher discovered that you have attained the Innate Realm! You’re a 17-year-old innate expert who is also a beast-taming master. How can they let you go?”

“Hm.” Li Jun bit her lip as she responded with a nod.

“At this moment, I do not wish to go against the Heavenly God Palace, and the Heavenly God Palace have yet to threaten me.” Teng Qingshan smiled and expounded, “Since you can’t leave the Heavenly Palace, I can only accept it! After some contemplations, I think being in the Heavenly God Palace will be of great benefit to my future.”

Li Jun was surprised. “Great Benefit?”

“Yes. Tielong City is located south of Qingzhou.” Teng Qingshan explained, “When the Heavenly God Palace conquers Qingzhou, the army will expand again. Seeing how important you are to the High Priestess, you will probably control an army of a hundred thousand.

“If a battle between the Gui Yuan Sect and the Qing Hu Island takes place…

“All you need to do is command your army to move to another location. Then the Qing Hu Island will feel threatened. They will freak out and become overly suspicious.” Teng Qingshan smiled and said, “I believe that… the Heavenly God Palace will do this out of respect for you and me! Soon, the Heavenly God Palace will know that I have attained the Emptiness Realm.”

When Li Jun heard this, she immediately understood what Teng Qingshan meant.

The Gui Yuan Sect would gain one more ally—the Heavenly God Palace! Naturally, the Foreign Dignitary Huhe would be the mediator.

“Hm.” Li Jun nodded and said, “If the Heavenly God Palace finds out that you are an Emptiness Realm Expert, they will definitely do this out of respect.”

“Qingshan, why didn’t you tell my teacher that you have attained the Emptiness Realm?” Li Jun questioned.

“There’s no need to do that for now.”

Teng Qingshan shook his head as he enunciated, “The longer we can keep this a secret, the better it is for both you and me. During this time, we can familiarize ourselves with the Red Fiery Division and the Azure Dragon Division, and gain full control of the troops. If the Heavenly God Palace knows that I have attained the Emptiness Realm, they will keep a close watch on me, which will cause much trouble for us.”

However, Teng Qingshan knew that… it was impossible to hide the fact that he had attained the Emptiness Realm.

When the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk came across a member of the Heavenly God Palace who understood the language of beasts, it would probably disclose this information.

“However, you mustn’t tell the Heavenly God Palace about the fact that I am Teng Qingshan!” Teng Qingshan instructed solemnly, “A 21-year-old Emptiness Realm Expert… sounds too shocking. If the Heavenly God Palace knows about me, I don’t what the consequences will be!”

Li Jun nodded.

A 21-year-old Emptiness Realm Expert…

In regards to people who posed too much of a threat, some tyrannical Emptiness Realm Experts might decide to eliminate the threat!

They would only choose to befriend the threat if they were unsure if the elimination would succeed.

For now, Teng Qingshan didn’t know the temperament of the master of the Heavenly God Palace. Therefore, he didn’t dare to reveal anything.

“I must wait until I am fully prepared. For example, I must wait until the Six Legged Bladelike Chi attains Emptiness Realm or when the Undying Phoenix, Little Blue, arrives. Only then will I contend against those supreme sects directly.” Teng Qingshan said, “Therefore, it’s best if I use the identity of ‘Huhe’ for now. Even if they know that ‘Huhe’ is an Emptiness Realm Expert and are astounded by this fact, they will not kill me.”

……

The High Priestess had no children. She treated Li Jun as her own daughter and intended to make Li Jun as her successor, the future High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult.

Simultaneously, she hoped to use Li Jun to tie Huhe to the same huge boat that was the Heavenly God Palace.

However, even though she wished to exploit Teng Qingshan, Teng Qingshan himself had no intention of being used. Teng Qingshan just wanted to take advantage of the Heavenly God Palace temporarily. The Heavenly God Palace was extremely powerful. Hence, if he could employ the strength of the Heavenly God Palace during the beginning of his preparation for revenge, many things would become much easier.

Currently, the sky had darkened.

“Huhe, Little Jun, come up,” the High Priestess of the Snowy Lotus Cult called out from where she sat on the gigantic Godly Hawk.

Li Jun leaped up and descended onto the back of the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk.

However, when Teng Qingshan leapt up, the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk dodged rapidly. Simultaneously, it glared at Teng Qingshan with its keen eyes, clearly sending him a warning.

“Eh?” The High Priestess was stunned. She stroked the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk’s feathers, but the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk still continued glaring at Teng Qingshan.

“Haha, Little Jun. It looks like the Godly Hawk refuses to carry your husband.” The High Priestess laughed and stared at Teng Qingshan.

Teng Qingshan smiled and said, “High Priestess, please head to Tielong City with Little Jun first. I will find a way to get there. I guess I will arrive there tomorrow morning.” In actuality, with the speed of an Emptiness Realm Expert, Teng Qingshan could arrive at Qingzhou’s Tielong City of within two to four hours.

“Good. Then Little Jun and I will be leaving first.” The High Priestess smiled as she peered at Teng Qingshan below. “Huhe, I am happy you are willing to go with Little Jun this time…” The High Priestess laughed.

She then rode the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk with Little Jun and soared up rapidly into high altitudes.

As the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk flew, Li Jun looked fixedly down below.

“Whoosh!”

In the blink of an eye, the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk disappeared from the horizon.

“The Godly Thunderbolt Hawk really is keeping guard against me.” Teng Qingshan shook his head and commented with a smile, “It makes sense. If we were to fight directly, the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk would have nothing to fear. However, if I go onto its back, I can kill it at any time. So, it’s not weird that it forbids me from getting onto its back.”

How could the Godly Thunderbolt Hawk allow an unacquainted Emptiness Realm Expert to get on top of its back?

“Tielong City?”

Teng Qingshan looked northward. “A great army of two hundred thousand… There are only two divisions, yet there are already this many soldiers. How great would the total number of soldiers from all the divisions be? Tsk, as expected, the Heavenly God Palace is rich and overbearing.” Immediately after, Teng Qingshan’s figure flickered, and as he moved a step forward, he disappeared from the mansion.