Chapter 504 Han Ping Leaves After Settling the Matter
"So it seems the chaos caused by demons across Xu Kingdom has nothing to do with you."
Han Ping stared directly into Su Niangniang's eyes as he spoke.
Su Niangniang replied calmly and without servility, "Naturally. I was assigned to Xu Kingdom two thousand years ago. If I had intended to raise humans like livestock, even without Daoist friend's intervention, the centennial inspector from the Ancient Nation of Southern Yin would have suppressed me. If Daoist friend doubts it, you may examine my demon power."
As she finished, she released her demon power. There was not the slightest hint of bloodlust; instead, her pure demonic aura even carried the radiance of fortune.
"Mm."
Han Ping nodded slightly. "In that case, I ask Daoist Su to cleanse all demons within Xu Kingdom."
Su Niangniang did not refuse. "That is simple. I will issue a decree summoning all the demons causing chaos in Xu Kingdom to the Ancestral Temple. They can be suppressed one by one. However, I must trouble Daoist friend to take action. My soul was suppressed by that demonic dragon for too long; my cultivation has yet to recover."
"No problem. I was born in Xu Kingdom. Eliminating demons for my homeland is only natural."
Han Ping agreed without hesitation.
Su Niangniang was visibly surprised. "Daoist friend is a native of Xu Kingdom? Why have I never heard of you?"
Han Ping replied, "I left home decades ago. My family had no cultivators besides me. It is normal you never heard of me."
"I see."
Su Niangniang murmured softly, then said, "Since Daoist friend is of Xu Kingdom, may I ask whether there is anything I can do for you?"
She was a thousand-year-old fox. Naturally, she did not believe Han Ping was acting purely out of patriotism. A man of his level would have long severed mortal ties. He clearly had a purpose.
"You are indeed a clever fox."
Han Ping didn't bother with pretense. "I want the Han Family to permanently govern Hao Prefecture, while remaining under Xu Kingdom only in name."
"Agreed."
Su Niangniang didn't even need to think. If Han Ping chose to seize by force, she couldn't stop him anyway. Ceding a small Hao Prefecture in exchange for a powerful ally was a bargain.
"Then let us begin."
Han Ping said calmly.
"Daoist friend, wait a moment."
Su Niangniang took out a jade pendant from her storage ring. After forming a hand seal, several streaks of light shot from the pendant toward the horizon.
"Before sundown, the other eight demons should arrive at the Ancestral Temple. I ask Daoist friend to wait."
Han Ping said nothing, simply standing there in silence.
A few hours later, the sun set. Eight demons, each trailing overwhelming demonic aura, flew toward the royal city from all directions.
The people and cultivators of the city trembled at the sight.
Even the king of Xu Kingdom hid inside the palace, not daring to show himself.
Soon, the eight demons descended before the Ancestral Temple. Before they could speak, a massive seal fell from the heavens.
"No!!!"
With a chorus of screams, all eight demons were killed instantly, leaving behind eight demon cores.
Han Ping casually picked up six. "The remaining two are yours. I'm not someone who hoards all benefits."
"Thank you, Daoist friend."
Su Niangniang bowed. When she raised her head, she realized he had already vanished.
"What a pity… I did not get a chance to form deeper ties with such a man."
Before her words faded, a familiar voice sounded nearby.
"Old Ancestor, if you wish to form ties with him, it is simple enough. Just choose a talented girl from among your descendants and marry her into the Hao Prefecture Han Family."
Su Niangniang's eyes lit up at those words. "Huihui, you are getting smarter. We will proceed as you suggested, but we cannot rush. First, summon the king. I have matters to instruct him on."
"Yes."
After responding, Temple Attendant Su turned and left.
By the time Han Ping returned to the Han Estate, night had already fallen. In addition to the Han siblings and Mandala, several young women were present—homeless medicinal slaves that Han Xiulin had taken in out of sympathy.
Compared to the calm Han siblings, the girls were visibly nervous and uneasy.
"Your Uncle-Grandfather has returned."
Mandala, who had been sitting silently in the main seat, rose as she spoke.
The siblings' faces brightened, and they hurried toward the outer hall, with the young girls following close behind.
"Langjun, you're back."
"Grandson/Granddaughter greets Uncle-Grandfather."
"No need for formalities."
Han Ping replied lightly.
Mandala smiled. "Langjun, it seems this trip was easy for you."
Han Ping nodded. "That old fox of the Su Family was not the culprit. After helping her eliminate the true source of the chaos, I also secured the right for the Han Family to permanently govern Hao Prefecture."
Everyone present showed clear shock at that statement.
Mandala said, "Langjun, I've already prepared the meal. Let us eat and talk."
"Very well."
Han Ping followed them to the table.
…
"Hiss… I never expected there to be so many twists."
After hearing the entire account, Han Xiuyuan sucked in a cold breath.
Han Ping patted his shoulder. "Now you understand how dangerous cultivation is, don't you? Do you still want to continue?"
"Yes."
He responded without hesitation. If Uncle-Grandfather had not cultivated, the Han Family would not hold such status today, let alone give him a chance to avenge his parents.
Han Ping was satisfied with the answer. "Good. Starting tomorrow, I will teach both of you siblings. If a true prodigy arises in the Han Family someday, I can send you to my sect to cultivate."
"Uncle-Grandfather, you still haven't told us which sect you cultivated in."
Han Xiulin asked carefully.
All she knew was that her uncle-grandfather was powerful; she understood nothing of his experiences over the years.
The other young girls also looked at Han Ping with curiosity.
Han Ping took a sip of wine. "The sect your grandfather studied in is called the Asking Dao Academy, one of the holy lands of cultivation in Xuanzhou. But Asking Dao Academy is far beyond your current reach. For now, your focus should be on strengthening the Han Family."
As he spoke, his gaze settled on Han Xiuyuan.
Uncomfortable under that stare, Han Xiuyuan asked nervously, "Uncle-Grandfather, why are you looking at me like that?"
Han Ping spoke unhurriedly. "I was thinking… isn't it time for you to marry a few wives?"
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