Li Qingqiu stopped before Jia Yi and stared at him calmly. That steady gaze made Jia Yi's heart tremble with fear and despair.
Acupuncture point sealing?
How could he be that fast?
Jia Yi himself knew pressure-point techniques and had even seen those who could strike from a distance. But Li Qingqiu's speed and reaction were far beyond anything he had ever witnessed.
He had already raised his blade to Feng Dai's throat, yet in just a blink, he was completely subdued.
The absolute difference between them snuffed out his anger, leaving only fear. Revenge no longer crossed his mind—he just wanted to survive and escape.
Li Qingqiu reached out, his fingers clamping around Jia Yi's neck. Slowly, he lifted him into the air. Jia Yi's feet left the ground, his eyes filled with terror, but his body could only tremble helplessly, unable to resist.
The constables stood frozen, watching the once-overbearing Jia Yi hanging helplessly in Li Qingqiu's grasp, like a chicken being lifted by the neck. The sight shocked them to the core.
Li Qingqiu glanced toward Feng Dai and said softly, "If you want to climb higher—and you're not afraid of danger—then come with me. But only you may come."
Without another word, he dragged Jia Yi by one arm and walked into the nearby forest.
Feng Dai's expression flickered between fear and hesitation. After a moment, he clenched his jaw, turned to the constables, and ordered, "Stay here and wait for me!"
He then followed, though his steps were unsteady, his body weak from severe injuries. Each step looked like it might be his last.
…
Thud!
Li Qingqiu tossed Jia Yi onto the grass. The man lay there, trembling, staring up at him in terror, unsure of what he intended to do.
At this point, Jia Yi couldn't even beg for mercy—his voice was gone. All he could do was plead with his eyes, silently begging Li Qingqiu to spare him. The arrogance of a Heaven-Guardian Division officer had vanished, replaced by raw, desperate fear.
Li Qingqiu looked down at him. His right hand rose to his chest, index and middle fingers extended. His lips began to move, forming words Jia Yi couldn't understand.
Jia Yi's pupils shook violently. His heart raced, his breath turned shallow.
What is he doing?
As an officer of the Heaven-Guardian Division, Jia Yi had investigated countless strange cases in Zhongtian Prefecture. He'd seen bizarre people and supernatural events. To him, Li Qingqiu's gestures looked exactly like those mysterious "spirit masters" he once dismissed as frauds.
Even the emperor kept a few of those mystics at his side—charlatans, or so Jia Yi had believed. But after witnessing certain things he couldn't explain, that arrogance had turned into fear.
Li Qingqiu ignored Jia Yi's horrified gaze and began casting the Soul-Binding Curse.
It was his first time using it.
The Soul-Binding Curse was extremely difficult to master. Even now, he hadn't fully comprehended it. But using it to shatter a man's will—that was child's play.
As Li Qingqiu began to chant, faint violet light flickered in his pupils, giving him a strange, almost demonic look. Jia Yi, staring into his eyes, suddenly felt dizzy.
His vision blurred. Just when he thought he was about to die, a searing, tearing pain exploded inside him.
It started deep within and spread rapidly—his organs, limbs, even his skull throbbed with unbearable agony. In less than three breaths, the pain became so intense he could barely think.
Every ounce of inner energy burst uncontrollably from his meridians, shattering the metal needle lodged in his forehead.
"AAAHHHHH!"
Jia Yi screamed, the sound raw and horrifying. His entire body twisted violently, muscles convulsing, eyes rolling back. His face flushed crimson, veins bulged along his neck like writhing snakes.
The sight made Feng Dai shudder. Despite his own pain, he couldn't hide the fear rising in his heart.
Li Qingqiu hadn't even touched Jia Yi. All he'd done was chant—and yet Jia Yi was in unimaginable agony.
Could Li Qingqiu be using immortal techniques?
A cold chill ran down Feng Dai's spine. He didn't know what to do.
Within a radius of several li, there was no one else. Li Qingqiu didn't stop Jia Yi's screams. He let him writhe and suffer. Pain, after all, was the best teacher.
The Soul-Binding Curse was a vicious spell aimed directly at the soul. It linked the caster's spirit to the target's, suppressing it entirely, establishing absolute control.
Li Qingqiu couldn't yet extract Jia Yi's soul to refine it into a ghost servant. But during the process, he could peer into fragments of the man's memories.
Through that brief spiritual connection, he saw flashes of Jia Yi's recent past.
So this man hadn't just come to Qingxiao Sect carrying an imperial decree. He'd come with another secret mission.
A few moments later, when Jia Yi was on the verge of collapsing from pain, Li Qingqiu ended the curse. He flicked two metal needles from his fingers—they struck Jia Yi's body, soothing the pain slightly while leaving behind special marks.
Seeing Jia Yi's trembling ease a little, Feng Dai secretly exhaled in relief. He had been genuinely afraid Li Qingqiu would torture the man to death.
After all, Jia Yi's movements weren't exactly secret. At least half of Blackstone County knew he had gone up to Qingxiao Sect.
If he suddenly disappeared, the imperial court would surely send more Heaven-Guardian Division officers to investigate.
Feng Dai's original plan had been to kill Jia Yi and then cover up the aftermath somehow. He didn't want Qingxiao Sect—an honorable and righteous sect—to suffer because of one corrupt man.
Over the past year, he had heard many stories about Qingxiao Sect's actions. Now he finally understood why they had dared to shelter Wu Baoyu.
Even if it cost him his life, he was determined to protect Qingxiao Sect.
He had once dreamed of changing the world through his own strength, to clear Wu Baoyu's name, to prove that righteousness could still exist in the Great Li Dynasty. But the truth was cruel—without background or power, he couldn't even leave Blackstone County, let alone talk about ambition.
Qingxiao Sect was different. They trained true martial experts—people who could change the world in ways far beyond his reach.
"Lord Li, you…"
Feng Dai tried to speak, but before he could finish, Li Qingqiu turned around. For an instant, Feng Dai caught sight of a strange purple gleam flashing in Li Qingqiu's pupils and froze in shock.
That eerie violet glow was the lingering mark of the Soul-Binding Curse. The moment Li Qingqiu turned fully, it vanished as if it had never existed.
Li Qingqiu looked at him calmly and asked, "County Magistrate Feng, do you want to go to the Imperial Capital?"
Feng Dai blinked, startled. "Of course I want to," he said honestly. "But if I go there, what could I possibly do?"
"With the Heaven-Guardian Division's connections, it won't be hard for you to settle there," Li Qingqiu said. "I can't promise how far you'll rise, but I can send you to the capital. Every six months, you'll send a letter to me—tell me what's happening in the city. If there's anything urgent, write ahead of time. I don't need you to take risks. I just need you to be my eyes."
His voice was as calm as before, but Feng Dai felt a crushing weight pressing on his chest.
He knew this wouldn't be easy. The Imperial Capital was tightly guarded, and serving as someone's "eyes" there could cost him his life.
But he also understood what kind of information Li Qingqiu wanted.
This task could change his fate completely.
He thought about the years he'd wasted being trapped in Blackstone County, powerless and forgotten. For the first time, he saw a chance—a real one.
He didn't know what method Li Qingqiu would use to subdue Jia Yi, but he was willing to gamble. If it meant death, so be it.
"I'm willing," Feng Dai said firmly.
Li Qingqiu smiled faintly. "Then, are you willing to enter my sect? If you become my disciple, should you ever face danger, I won't stand by and do nothing."
Feng Dai was stunned. He had already accepted his fate as nothing more than a pawn, yet Li Qingqiu wanted to take him in as a disciple? A strange warmth spread in his chest.
So this is Qingxiao Sect, he thought. Even when they scheme, they still protect their pieces.
He chose to believe in Li Qingqiu, even if Li Qingqiu might not truly mean it.
"Disciple Feng Dai greets the Sect Master!"
He knelt on one knee and cupped his fists respectfully. Li Qingqiu silently brought up the Dao Lineage panel and tapped open the disciple details. Soon, he found Feng Dai's profile.
[ Name: Feng Dai ]
[ Gender: Male ]
[ Age: 30 years ]
[ Loyalty (Sect Master/Sect): 75/86 (Full value: 100) ]
[ Cultivation Aptitude: Mediocre ]
[ Comprehension: Mediocre ]
[ Fate: Late Bloomer, Hates Evil Like a Nemesis ]
[ Late Bloomer: From the age of 60, comprehension steadily increases each year as age grows. ]
[ Hates Evil Like a Nemesis: Born with a righteous heart; fearless against tyranny; will even die for justice. ]
…
Hm?
A special fate?
Damn… this "Late Bloomer" doesn't sound simple at all!
If comprehension increases every year, does it have a limit? And how much improvement per year?
Li Qingqiu was momentarily tempted to change his mind and keep Feng Dai in Qingxiao Sect. Of course, that was only a passing thought. To understand this "Late Bloomer" fate, he'd have to wait and observe.
"Stand up," he said.
He helped Feng Dai up personally. Perhaps it was Feng Dai's imagination, but he felt that Li Qingqiu seemed genuinely pleased to accept him.
Then, Li Qingqiu flicked three needles into Feng Dai's body, applying the Rejuvenation Ghost-Immortal Needles to heal his injuries. Once done, he turned toward Jia Yi.
After being treated with the needles, Jia Yi hadn't lost consciousness, but his mind was dazed. The agony he'd suffered earlier had shaken his very soul, leaving him hollow and half-dead.
Li Qingqiu looked down coldly. "I've placed a curse on you. No one can remove it. Every three years, you must come to me to have it eased. If you don't, the pain will return—you'll feel your head split open and die in agony within seven days. Do you understand?"
Jia Yi trembled. The memory of that pain was still fresh in his mind; he never wanted to experience it again. "I… I understand," he stammered.
Li Qingqiu's voice remained calm. "While casting the curse, I saw parts of your memory. I know about your dealings with the Qing Sect. I've written everything down. Before you act next time, think carefully. Serve me well, and you may live a long life. Defy me, and not only will you suffer, but the emperor will execute your entire clan."
Jia Yi's eyes widened in disbelief.
He didn't think Li Qingqiu was bluffing. The moment Li Qingqiu mentioned the Qing Sect, he knew the man had truly seen his memories.
"Please, Immortal Master," he said shakily. "Jia Yi will never disobey your command…"
"From now on, you'll also join Qingxiao Sect," Li Qingqiu said indifferently. "You'll act as one of our hidden agents outside—atoning through service. Agreed?"
"Everything shall be as the Immortal Master commands."
Hearing that, Li Qingqiu brought up the Dao Lineage panel again—and sure enough, Jia Yi's profile appeared. The man was so terrified that even the system had acknowledged his submission.
[ Name: Jia Yi ]
[ Gender: Male ]
[ Age: 32 years ]
[ Loyalty (Sect Master/Sect): 89/2 (Full value: 100) ]
[ Cultivation Aptitude: Mediocre ]
[ Comprehension: Unranked ]
[ Fate: Treacherous Villain, Ancestor of the Immortal Emperor ]
[ Treacherous Villain: Selfish, greedy, and arrogant; will betray anyone for personal gain. ]
[ Ancestor of the Immortal Emperor: Among his descendants, one will one day ascend to immortality and become an emperor. ]
…
When Li Qingqiu read Treacherous Villain, he almost laughed—it suited Jia Yi perfectly. But when he saw Ancestor of the Immortal Emperor, he froze.
What the hell?
This kind of scum can produce an Immortal Emperor descendant?
That was absurd—completely unnatural!
Li Qingqiu hadn't expected both of them to possess such rare fates. He had only accepted them into Qingxiao Sect to monitor their loyalty, but now it seemed both men carried destinies worth keeping an eye on.
If either ever betrayed him, he already had countless ways to deal with it.