Cultivation Starts from Killing Pigs

That's right, Zhang Kui had already thought of a solution.

The locust plague in Gushui County erupted early, making him realize the terror of the "Disaster Beast" Locust Demon, and began to recall the murals he had seen in the Ji Temple Secret Realm.

Though his thoughts were interrupted by the Drought Fiend's divine statue's disturbance, he had already found a clue.

As the scholar in the black robe said, this "Disaster Beast" Locust Demon is quite disgusting. If it encounters a deadly attack, it will turn its Disaster Qi into countless larvae, causing calamity in the area.

After the chaos, it will gather and be reborn.

Endlessly cycling, undying and imperishable.

The ancient murals in the Ji Temple Secret Realm were abstract and chaotic, and without personal experience, many clues might be missed.

For example, during the ravaging of the Locust Demon, the murals depicted many skeletons, which Zhang Kui initially thought symbolized people dying of hunger, but in fact, it was a warning that locusts eat people.

Also, for example, the murals showed clusters of blood-red fire lotuses, with swarms of locusts circling around, gradually growing and forming the Locust Demon.

Zhang Kui coincidentally recognized it. In Alchemy Skill, there is a technique to identify the Heaven and Earth Spirit Fires, which can recognize Samadhi True Fire, Earth Fiend Yin Fire, Red Lotus Karmic Fire, Six Ding Divine Fire, among others, and Red Lotus Karmic Fire is one of them.

As the saying goes: Red Lotus Naraka, the severe cold pierces, the body shatters and splits, like a red lotus flower.

This means this fire burns away sin karma as cold fire. The cold is chilling, those burned by it turn blood-red, their skin cracks open, and eventually turn to ash.

The Locust Demon is formed by billions of locusts carrying the Heaven and Earth's grievances, and the flying insects turn into Locust Demon when they leap into the fire, and then it is sealed to dissolve the disaster.

Zhang Kui's idea was to take advantage of the locust plague before it formed a massive disaster, and to lure the Locust Demon into emergence early with Red Lotus Karmic Fire.

From the murals, it seemed that the Locust Demon first formed a dozen or so Locust Demon juveniles, which then devoured each other to transform.

Others had no way, but he could completely exterminate this "Disaster Beast" using Disaster Exorcism Skill.

So the current issue is:

Where to find the Karmic Fire Red Lotus?

Others probably have never even heard of this thing, so it just so happens that there is an evil spirit here that knows many secrets of the world, and Zhang Kui doesn't mind making a deal.

"The Karmic Fire Red Lotus... what do you want it for?"

The scholar in the black robe frowned first, then shook his head, "Never mind, whether you use it to save the world or slaughter sentient beings, I don't care."

As he spoke, he chuckled, "The Nag Bright King of the Peacock Buddha Country's Blood Vihara Temple said everything in the world has its destined number. I thought he was talking nonsense, but now it seems he might be somewhat right."

Zhang Kui's eyes brightened, "You know where it is?"

The scholar in the black robe snickered, revealing his sharp teeth, "Not only do I know, but it's right in the Water Mansion. Do you think those three Jialuo remnants, the Drought Fiends, invaded the Water Mansion for no reason? However, this matter is a secret I cannot tell you."

Zhang Kui glanced strangely at the scholar in the black robe; this fellow seems to have a big mouth. I originally had no interest in inquiring, but you insisted on saying it.

The scholar in the black robe looked quite pleased, "You obtained the Nether Soil's stone coffin, yet coincidentally need the Water Mansion's Karmic Fire Red Lotus... Hmm, intriguing. It seems next year's opportunity is promising."

As he spoke, he looked towards the direction of the Lanjiang Water Mansion, with a solemn expression, murmuring something indistinctly.

Soon after, his eyes sparkled with a blood-red glow, and a mass of rolling black mist appeared before him, with a howling wind, as if ghostly wails emanated from within.

The scholar in the black robe reached out with a grasp into the air, and a mottled stone box suddenly appeared, slowly descending onto the rooftop, immediately forming a visible white frost on the tiles.

Transportation Skill?

Zhang Kui's eyes flashed with a ghostly light; the Earth Demon 72 Techniques have it too, but having no current need, he hadn't learned it.

"Alright, here's what you wanted."

The scholar in the black robe smiled, but his eyes were cold, "These are all negotiable, but if you delay next year's matter, I might sulk and perhaps take a few Taoist friends to slaughter human territories to vent my anger."

Zhang Kui's expression remained calm,

"Don't worry, Old Zhang is not someone who goes back on his word."

"That's good."

The scholar in the black robe nodded with satisfaction,

"Remember, you never saw me today."

With that, he vanished instantly, as if a ripple flashed in the air.

Fatty Tiger suddenly dashed out, looking terrified, "Taoist, something just happened, I scratched the floorboards but can't remember anything!"

Zhang Kui nodded, "It's nothing, don't bother with it."

The words the scholar in the black robe said before leaving were interesting. Not wanting others to know, could he be a turncoat as well?

In the courtyard, Fatty Tiger suddenly remembered that such an incident also occurred in the Stone Man Tomb and promptly kept his mouth shut.

Zhang Kui lowered his head to look at the stone box on the roof, waved his hand, and the lid floated off, releasing an astonishing cold aura everywhere.

Inside the stone box, a phantom red lotus slightly blossomed, with scattered blood-red embers slowly burning, yet the icy white frost rapidly spread across the entire roof.

"Karmic Fire turns into Red Lotus, Heaven's Punishment naturally abates, excellent!"

Zhang Kui breathed a sigh of relief, laughed heartily, and then his eyes flashed with a ghostly light, "However, this matter needs meticulous preparation."

.........

Haojing City, continuous spring rain, Zhengyang Hall.

The palace was deep and secluded, filled with swirling incense smoke, with rows of officials standing solemnly. In the mist, the golden dragon pillars appeared vaguely, with scales and claws swirling high.

Sitting on the gilded throne, Emperor Li Shuo looked down expressionlessly, with not the slightest ripple in his eyes.

After sitting on the position he had longed for years, he realized that the throne seemed not so comfortable as he had imagined.

Officials, prominent families, the military, the Astronomical Bureau... each force tangled like a web, pulling one string moved the whole body, making him feel constrained and uncomfortable.

"In Gushui County, Lanzhou, the locust swarms covered the sky; although the National Guardian True Man Zhang Kui valiantly turned the tide, there were still more than fifty thousand victims, fields barren, and no grass grows. They need relocation..."

Listening to the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Revenue's report, Li Shuo couldn't suppress his inner annoyance. He had not yet secured his position and encountered such a rotten affair, causing many plans to be delayed.

Then, one official after another started arguing again.

Who should bear the cost of relocating more than fifty thousand people?

The Imperial Censor representing Lanzhou said Lanzhou was afflicted and needed Court funding. The Minister of Revenue said they had to save enough taels of silver for the great disaster, while the rest of the officials spat and voiced mutual support.

Emperor Li Shuo remained silent, and for a moment, Zhengyang Hall was a chaotic uproar.

"Silence all of you!"

Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji shouted angrily, immediately silencing the officials, and a trace of displeasure flashed through Emperor Li Shuo's eyes.

"Your Majesty."

Li Xuanji took a deep breath and cupped his hands:

"Today, National Guardian True Man Zhang Kui sent a secret letter, saying there's a way to completely resolve the locust disaster."

At a single remark, all the ministers were shocked, some delighted, others appearing skeptical.

Li Xuanji ignored them, continuing:

"However, True Man Zhang proposed that five National Guardian True Men and twenty Grain Avoidance Realm Guest Ministers are required to assist. I discussed it with a few Daoist friends; it is worth a try."

"However, deploying the entire Astronomical Bureau would empty the Imperial City's defenses, needing Your Majesty's decision."

Imperial Uncle Li Xuanji became increasingly angry as he spoke, a sense of sorrow welling up in his heart.

Yellow Eyebrow Monk took away nearly half the National Guardian True Men, and in the regions, some disliked Zhang Kui and didn't want to cooperate. Such a great disaster, yet only he, Elder Hua Yan, Helian Boxiong, and Huo Yu with Double Pupils were willing to go.

The grand Qian dynasty, a thousand-year-old empire, when had it fallen to this state!

"Oh..."

Emperor Li Shuo first felt somewhat displeased, but then was suddenly filled with joy.

He had basically grasped the court's situation, and although his teacher, the Great Scholar Situ Yan, refused to enter the Court to act as an official, he provided considerable assistance in the shadows.

Now, the only threat on his mind was none other than the Astronomical Bureau, which was impervious. According to Situ Yan, Qiongshan Academy had already trained a batch of capable hands, just in time to seize this opportunity and accomplish the task in one go.

Although he didn't like Zhang Kui, he acknowledged his capabilities. By the time the locust plague was quelled outside, the Imperial City under control of the Astronomical Bureau, Li Xuanji would have to acknowledge it even if grudgingly.

Truly a case of killing two birds with one stone!

Thinking of this, Emperor Li Shuo restrained his joy, maintaining a serious and somber face, "My great Qian has encountered such a natural disaster, and we must prioritize the livelihood of the people. Imperial Uncle, there's no need to worry; I entrust you with this mission!"

As he spoke, he actually stood up and bowed.

Li Xuanji dodged hurriedly, a glint of relief flashing in his eyes, "Your Majesty, your words are exaggerated, this is our duty, and we dare not slack."

Saying so, he bowed and left in large strides.

Watching Li Xuanji's departing figure, a trace of excitement flashed in Emperor Li Shuo's eyes...