Chapter Twenty-One: Growing a Little Angry

The Immortal Master was becoming more and more unfathomable.

This was the genuine thought in the hearts of every warrior who ascended to the top floor of the foreign-style mansion to report their progress.

The more powerful the warrior, the more acutely they sensed Lan Yi’s danger. It was as if a defenseless person stood beside molten steel, a blade invisibly pressed against their throat—their martial instincts warned them that the silver currents and arcs of lightning swirling around Lan Yi could end their lives in an instant.

Such was the vague feeling shared by those who practiced the Qi Arts and ordinary people alike.

But what of those who cultivated the Divine Arts?

In the weary eyes of Huo Yuanjia, who had come from afar, the Immortal Master Lan Yi, idly manipulating the clusters of silver currents and lightning ropes floating about him, appeared like an awe-inspiring, untouchable deity. With inscrutable divine might, he toyed with one terrifying beast after another—silver or white monsters capable of devouring flesh and bone—yet in his hands, they behaved with the docility of kittens.

And in Lan Yi’s own eyes?

He was merely familiarizing his body with the Golden Sword Qi and Demon-Binding Rope—two Daoist arts—building a bit of muscle memory.

It was clear that in the foreseeable future, Golden Sword Qi and Demon-Binding Rope would become Lan Yi's most frequently used techniques. They could be unleashed in an instant or maintained for prolonged periods, and unlike the modified Palm Thunder, they required no special materials. They were superb for clearing obstacles and deterrence.

The only thing that troubled Lan Yi was the difficulty of binding Demon-Binding Rope into Golden Sword Qi. After all, the Demon-Binding Rope was essentially a high-energy arc formed by standing waves, not a real rope, and to release it alongside the Golden Sword Qi and preserve it for long-term use was risky—if handled carelessly, he could reduce himself to charred remains, still a carbon-based lifeform.

"Immortal Master, Yuanjia has fulfilled his mission," said Huo Yuanjia, freshly shaven, face impassive, bowing respectfully and ignoring the flickering Demon-Binding Rope dancing at Lan Yi's side.

"Have you secured complete control over Pu Hai?"

"Yes, Immortal Master. The power plants and personnel you specifically instructed me to protect remain untouched," Huo Yuanjia nodded.

This was another task Lan Yi had assigned him. Pu Hai was among Xinghan's earliest electrified cities, and its power generation was crucial to Lan Yi’s plans. Now that the power plants were seized and maintained by warriors, Lan Yi could prepare to relocate.

Lan Yi pondered.

Still, Demon-Binding Rope and Golden Sword Qi could not be fused. The high temperatures of Demon-Binding Rope easily melted and vaporized Golden Sword Qi. While this increased the destructive power of both arts—causing metallicization and poisoning of tissue in wounded foes—it contradicted Lan Yi’s intention for their enduring existence.

"What of the Governor of Liangjiang and those die-hard landowners? Did you entertain them properly?" Lan Yi’s expression turned playful.

"Governor Zhang Ji is bedridden, already a skeleton in his grave. He cooperated with Qi Mei and the others, so I did not press him unduly," Huo Yuanjia said, carefully watching Lan Yi’s mood, continuing only when he saw no displeasure. "The old barracks raised a howl, shouting rebellion and threats against Han people, but Brother Zhao Jian suppressed them."

Lan Yi could not help but laugh.

This backward era always had fools and foolish deeds that amused him. The Immortal Master Lan Yi felt they deserved an award!

"If they don’t wish to be Xinghan people, I won’t force them."

"Immortal Master, what do you mean?"

"In my domain, all who acknowledge their identity, from every corner of the world, are Xinghan citizens. No one is more noble than another. Those who refuse that identity will not be protected by warriors or government laws—killing them bears no guilt."

Huo Yuanjia inhaled sharply.

Yet he agreed inwardly; in every change of dynasty, the former royal clan was thoroughly purged. Moreover, the Qing court was a small tribe lording over a great nation, having disappointed and infuriated the people for decades. Now, everyone awaited its demise to vent their wrath.

Lan Yi waved his hand, manipulating the standing waves, and the Demon-Binding Rope finally found a stable, enemy-temperature equilibrium.

Now, every strand of Golden Sword Qi was linked with Demon-Binding Rope. The Golden Sword Qi gained tendons and bones, becoming a definite entity. Thus, the twelve flying swords floating behind Lan Yi could be directly replaced. Both arts now had the ability to be maintained long-term and unleashed at will!

"From today onward, every Xinghan citizen under my rule must cut off their queue. Let the party men cease their empty talk of corruption and pleas for the people—they want rule of law and civil rights, let it begin here. Serve as honest magistrates, or face punishment if you fail."

Lan Yi rose, his form perfect beneath the sunlight.

His features were sharply defined, blending softness and strength, his fair skin shining with a jade-like glow. His eyes were clear and bright like crystal, his physique tall and well-proportioned, the lines of muscle beneath his shirt exuding power without seeming bulky.

Only now did Huo Yuanjia realize.

Compared to their first meeting, Lan Yi’s body had grown even more perfect, and his martial cultivation far surpassed theirs. As they grew stronger, so did Lan Yi—but his progress outpaced them by far.

"Yes, Immortal Master," Huo Yuanjia bowed.

"No need for all this ritual—I'm not one for rigid rules," Lan Yi replied, preparing to find some targets to test his new Daoist arts.

"By the way, Immortal Master, there are a few matters—all concerning power orders from outside Pu Hai," Huo Yuanjia said gravely.

Until now, Lan Yi’s followers remained unclear about his stance toward the outside world or his ultimate intentions, so they withheld responses to external demands, awaiting his instructions.

Now, it was time for a decision.

They had achieved real control over Pu Hai and the surrounding region, crushed the foreigners, annihilated the old army, and persuaded the Governor of Liangjiang into compliance—they had become a regional power.

Such a force needed a charter and a goal.

Otherwise, unrest would ensue.

"The British Union, the French Flag, and other major powers have all condemned our actions in Pu Hai, claiming we have damaged international free trade, endangered the properties and safety of their nationals, and undermined the precious spirit of law. They demand we withdraw immediately, or else they will unite in retribution and destroy us with their great cannons."

Even the patient Huo Yuanjia could not help but bristle with anger.

Arrogant powers!

Even if they realized a new force was rising in the Far East, their innate arrogance led them to view it as merely a regional faction.

"Especially Dongyang—they have been especially disrespectful to you, Immortal Master, spewing vile words and vowing to mobilize their entire nation to sever your head and ours, offering it to their shrine to relieve their hatred. Intelligence reports their garrison in Liaodong and the ironclads at home are already preparing to set out."

Crack!

A flash of electric flame erupted from the flying swords behind Lan Yi; he was enraged.

"And the Qing court? What do they say?"