Chapter 41: The Heavenly Mother's Compassion, Benefiting All Beings

Li Xuan stood in the courtyard, feeling a sense of emotion as he arrived in a bustling place for the first time. Since his穿越 (time travel), today was the first day he truly felt he had entered this world.

Night fell.

The streets of the county town gradually emptied, falling into silence.

At this moment, inside the Yunshan County government office, the county magistrate, the county lieutenant, and the chief clerk gathered together. Surprisingly, the beggar and the vendor were also present.

Sitting in the main seat was not the county magistrate, but an old man dressed in coarse linen.

"The information is clear. The wealthy man who entered the city is Xu Junhe's foolish son and his master," the beggar said with a strange expression.

"Xu Yan? That young man is his master? That's impossible!" the county magistrate exclaimed in surprise.

"In the past, the wise hermits Xu Junhe's foolish son sought were all vigorous old men. This young man is not much older... I don't understand how he managed to deceive Xu Yan into becoming his disciple," the county magistrate added, puzzled.

The old man in the linen robe spoke, "Xu Junhe is stubborn and unyielding. Despite his vast wealth, he shows no compassion for the people. Not only did he refuse to join our Heavenly Mother Sect, but he also handed over our followers to the authorities.

"His son is here, and we can use him for our benefit.

"Later, we will use the righteousness of our sect to enlighten his master and make him sincerely join our sect."

The county magistrate nodded, "The Protector's words are wise!"

The old man in the linen robe stood up, "We must keep a close eye on Donghe Prefecture. This plan must not fail. Xu Junhe's troubles are about to arrive. If he submits, we can save him."

"Rest assured, Protector. Master Kou is in charge of Donghe Prefecture, and he will surely succeed in taking it."

The beggar said with admiration.

"Hmm!"

The old man in the linen robe nodded. Master Kou was the strategist of the Heavenly Mother Sect, and with him in charge, there would be no room for failure.

"Follow me to enlighten Xu Yan's master and make him join our sect!"

"Yes!"

The county magistrate and others followed the old man out of the government office.

...

In the courtyard, Xu Yan was practicing, while Li Xuan sat in a chair, reading a book.

This was a popular novel he had someone buy for him in Qi State.

He was very curious why his foolish disciple, Xu Yan, after reading the novel, firmly believed in the existence of immensely powerful martial arts and began seeking a master.

"The Heavenly Mother is compassionate, benefiting all beings. Worship the Heavenly Mother, escape the sea of suffering, and be reborn into great wealth and honor..."

Voices echoed through the quiet streets, accompanied by the sound of bells and footsteps coming from the end of the street.

"Heavenly Mother protect!"

"Heavenly Mother protect!"

Suddenly, the neighbors and the entire street opened their doors and prayed devoutly.

Ding!

The sound of metal hitting the ground continued. Li Xuan could tell it was the sound of copper coins falling.

"The Heavenly Mother is on patrol, purifying sins, and saving the virtuous. The world will be free of evil..."

The bell sounds grew closer, and the chimes became clearer. Li Xuan's expression turned strange. Was this aimed at him?

No!

It was aimed at Xu Yan.

At this moment, Xu Yan had stopped practicing, his face showing annoyance.

"Disciple, what's going on?"

Li Xuan asked.

"Master, it's the charlatans of the Heavenly Mother Sect."

Xu Yan said with anger.

"Heavenly Mother Sect?"

Li Xuan was taken aback. Was it a heretical sect in Qi State?

"Yes, Master. The Heavenly Mother Sect has been labeled as a demonic and rebellious sect by the imperial court and has been continuously suppressed, but it has never been completely eradicated.

"Not only in Qi State, but also in Wu State, it has been continuously suppressed.

"The Heavenly Mother Sect has instigated several rebellions, none of which have succeeded. The last rebellion was twenty years ago, and after being defeated, it has weakened and almost stopped openly spreading its doctrines..."

The Heavenly Mother Sect was an ancient sect, dating back to the previous dynasty. Since the founding of Qi State, it has rebelled at least ten times.

The imperial court of Qi State viewed it as a thorn in the flesh, but despite repeated suppressions, it could not be completely eradicated and would resurface after a period of time.

The same was true in Wu State.

The Heavenly Mother Sect worshipped the so-called "Heavenly Mother," spreading the belief that worshipping the Heavenly Mother could free one from suffering and ensure great wealth and honor in the next life.

Each time the Heavenly Mother Sect rebelled, a group of fearless followers would shout about returning to the Heavenly Mother's embrace, escaping the sea of suffering, and achieving great wealth and honor in the next life.

Their fearlessness caused significant casualties to Qi State's army on several occasions.

The followers of the Heavenly Mother Sect were never few, even with the strict prohibition by the imperial court. Especially in areas hit by famine or disasters, the people would believe in the Heavenly Mother Sect.

"The followers of the Heavenly Mother Sect like to rob people of their wealth and then distribute it to the poor, gaining their loyalty.

"Even once, they raided the government office and opened the granaries to distribute grain.

"However, the Heavenly Mother Sect has been dormant for almost twenty years. At least since I was born, I haven't heard of any public processions or open preaching of the Heavenly Mother Sect."

Xu Yan said with some confusion.

Li Xuan was surprised. The Heavenly Mother Sect had a flavor of the White Lotus Sect, and since it was strictly prohibited in Qi State and targeted for eradication, why was it openly preaching in Yunshan County?

It seemed that Yunshan County had already been secretly controlled by the Heavenly Mother Sect.

The people in the county town were either followers or members of the sect.

"This Yunshan County is probably already under the control of the Heavenly Mother Sect."

Li Xuan said with a smile.

Xu Yan's expression changed, suddenly realizing something, "Our family's shops in Yunshan, have they already been taken over by the Heavenly Mother Sect? Have they become followers of the Heavenly Mother Sect?"

"Master, they seem to be coming this way."

Listening to the sounds getting closer, it was clear they were heading here.

"How dare they! Stealing our family's shops and disturbing my practice at night. I will deal with them."

Xu Yan said angrily.

"No rush, let them come. We can entertain ourselves."

Li Xuan said with a chuckle.

Having just come out of the mountains, he was quite interested in these external matters.

"Yes, Master!"

Xu Yan respectfully responded.

He thought to himself, "Master's mindset is truly extraordinary, playing with the world. This is the mindset of a high-level person!"

The footsteps stopped outside the courtyard gate, and the bells shook rhythmically. A voice came through.

"The Heavenly Mother is compassionate, benefiting all beings. Will the virtuous one contribute to the welfare of the people?"

The voice was loud and clear.

Li Xuan's eyebrows raised. The person speaking was not an ordinary person. Could this be a top-notch martial artist?

Indeed, as Xu Yan said, it was too weak!

For him and Xu Yan, the person speaking was weak, but for ordinary people, he was a powerful expert.

Xu Yan frowned, "A top-notch martial artist? Why does the Heavenly Mother Sect in Yunshan County have such a martial artist? Is this their stronghold?"

Li Xuan was astonished. He thought the person speaking was a top-notch martial artist, but it turned out to be a supreme expert?

The martial prowess in Qi State's martial world was too low.

"This is a supreme expert? So weak!"

Li Xuan said with a speechless expression.

"Master, they are just ordinary martial artists with limited strength. A supreme expert has cultivated inner strength. From the sound of his voice, it's clear he is using inner strength..."

Xu Yan explained.

"Inner strength?"

Li Xuan was curious.

What is this inner strength? Why is it so weak?

"It's a kind of force that bursts out, not very powerful. It's roughly equivalent to the initial stage of bone tempering, or the early stage of iron bone..."

Xu Yan said, somewhat uncertain.