"What have you all found out?" Yu Luming asked, clearly invested.
Li Genmiao's group had caused a significant disturbance on Longhu Mountain. Despite suffering heavy losses, they had killed over two hundred righteous disciples and even forced the old Heavenly Master to his death. After their rampage, they left without a trace, with only Guan Lao San and Kang Jinlong remaining as potential leads.
Yu Luming had no more patience for Li Genmiao and his followers. If he knew their whereabouts, he would dispatch men to hunt them down without hesitation. Thus, he was desperate to learn of their location.
Yan Shouyi patiently explained, "Guan Lao San said that Li Genmiao is now surrounded by a multitude of experts, with his so-called 'Four Values, Five Ghosts,' 'Twelve Yuan Chen,' and the 'Twenty-Eight Mansions.' He's essentially set himself up as the Jade Emperor."
"These 'Four Values, Five Ghosts' are Li Genmiao's personal guards and strategists: the Year, Month, Day, and Hour for the Four Values, and the five ghosts being the Ghost of Wisdom, Ghost of Learning, Ghost of Letters, Ghost of Fate, and Ghost of Socializing. The Twelve Yuan Chen are twelve powerful disciples who defected from various sects. As for the Twenty-Eight Mansions, we've already seen them. Kang Jinlong is one of the Azure Dragon Seven Mansions, and Guan Lao San is from the White Tiger Seven Mansions. Earlier, both inside and outside the dungeon, we dealt with quite a few people from the White Tiger and Black Tortoise Seven Mansions, which has already dealt a severe blow to Li Genmiao's forces."
Yu Luming pondered for a moment. "Our various sects have developed over many years to gain their current influence. By what means did Li Genmiao so easily acquire so many subordinates?"
"You're starting to think like a Heavenly Master," Yan Shouyi teased Yu Luming for a bit before explaining, "In traditional sects, apprentices must follow strict precepts, meditate daily, and perform chores for three years before they can learn true skills. Even after mastering them, they cannot use them lightly... To put it plainly, it's too difficult to be a good person. Li Genmiao's agenda is simple: he just needs to agree to some absurd demands, and those people naturally become his followers."
Yu Luming frowned at this. "Are you suggesting that our sects' current educational methods are flawed?"
"No, if we talk about strictness, our folk sects have a lineage of teaching people to be good before teaching them skills, which is far stricter than your traditional sects!" Yan Shouyi shook his head. "The error lies only with the people themselves."
"Your words have given me much food for thought." Yu Luming nodded slightly, seemingly already contemplating the future direction of Longhu Mountain.
Yan Shouyi continued, "Besides clues about Li Genmiao's forces, Guan Lao San also revealed several of Li Genmiao's strongholds. Li Genmiao has established strongholds in various cities to recruit talented individuals from across the land. This is not good news for any of us, and it's why we were so eager to descend the mountain."
Yu Luming's eyes turned cold. "You intend to dismantle their strongholds?"
"That's right." Yan Shouyi had no intention of concealing his plans. The urgency to descend the mountain stemmed from Yan Shouyi's concern that if too much time passed, Li Genmiao would relocate or hide those people. Currently, they were exposed while the enemy was hidden. Having finally caught hold of their tail, they naturally had to follow the vine all the way down to catch Li Genmiao.
Yu Luming said, "I'll bring people to accompany you!"
"No!" Yan Shouyi quickly refused. "You should first secure your position as Heavenly Master!"
"But..."
"Have you forgotten? Li Genmiao's original intention was to sow chaos among the Daoist sects. If you don't solidify your position as Heavenly Master and those covetous individuals seize an opportunity, won't that play right into Li Genmiao's hands?" Yan Shouyi's words immediately extinguished Yu Luming's desire to go with them.
Li Genmiao sighed, "Alas, you are right."
Yan Shouyi comforted him, "A few minor characters don't require the intervention of Longhu Mountain. It won't be too late to inform you when we track down the Twenty-Eight Mansions and Twelve Yuan Chen."
"Alright! We'll do as you say!" Yu Luming agreed.
Yan Shouyi's expression turned grave again. "Besides this, I have something even more important to do."
"Did Guan Lao San say anything else?" Yu Luming asked curiously.
"This matter has nothing to do with Guan Lao San," Yan Shouyi replied. "In the dungeon, by chance, I rescued a descendant of the 'Painted Skin' sect. His name is Weng Qianxiang, and he possesses a roster of descendants from the folk sects."
This roster was a crucial item. The folk sects were widespread, with little contact among themselves. Even making a few friends was considered a blessing. With the roster, they could locate these scattered descendants and unite them!
Yan Shouyi explained, "After careful consideration, my father and I decided to split our forces. My father and his group will handle the eradication of Li Genmiao's strongholds in various locations, while I will use the roster provided by Weng Qianxiang to find the folk sect descendants and rally them before Li Genmiao can."
Yu Luming strongly endorsed Yan Shouyi's decision. "If that happens, our strength in opposing Li Genmiao will significantly increase."
"I believe so too," Yan Shouyi replied.
"Good, Longhu Mountain also has personnel and informants in various places. If you need any help, feel free to ask me," Yu Luming offered.
Yan Shouyi smiled slightly. "You can also seek my help for matters of the martial world."
A gentleman's agreement, their minds were in sync. At this moment, both of them understood more profoundly the necessity of their friendship. The union of the martial world and the imperial court was the only way to truly ensure peace throughout the land.
"Oh, and there's one last thing." Yan Shouyi sounded a little embarrassed.
Yu Luming replied heartily, "Just say what you need!"
"Regarding entering the Guanjing Platform..." Yan Shouyi continued, "The old Heavenly Master had promised that if I came in second place, he would allow me to enter the Guanjing Platform for enlightenment. Now, I have an impudent request: when I enter the Guanjing Platform tomorrow, can my wife accompany me?"
As he spoke, Yan Shouyi looked at Lin Zitong, who was beside him. The Guanjing Platform was, after all, a sacred place of Longhu Mountain, and even few within Longhu Mountain itself were qualified to enter. Yan Shouyi felt quite embarrassed asking to add another person.
However, Yu Luming readily agreed. "What a minor matter! Don't worry, although I am the newly appointed Heavenly Master, I still have some authority. Tomorrow, you both go ahead. If there are any problems, have the elders come find me!"
Yan Shouyi found it both amusing and exasperating. He realized that Yu Luming was naturally suited to be a Heavenly Master, adapting so quickly.