Immortality Begins by Taking Care of Master’s Wife – Chapter 44

Chapter 44: New Function, Enfeoffment of the Willow Deity

Yun Meng City.

As the capital of Yun Meng Prefecture, Yun Meng City boasted hundred-meter-tall walls and a majestic aura, resembling a colossal beast sprawled across the land, overlooking all directions.

The headquarters of the Salt Gang, the largest gang in Yun Meng Prefecture, was situated within Yun Meng City.

On this day.

The high-ranking members of the Salt Gang assembled at their headquarters for a grand meeting.

Gang Leader Qiao Bei Ming was a strong and imposing middle-aged man with a broad back and powerful build. His presence exuded authority, carrying an air of a seasoned martial artist.

He sat upon the Gang Leader’s throne, his tiger-like eyes sweeping across the assembled experts.

Some wore expressions of confusion, some seemed lost in thought, some sat with impeccable posture, and others appeared to understand the situation perfectly…

“The reason for summoning you all today is the matter of Retainer Bai Ru Yun and Branch Master Shi Lei of the Qing He Branch being murdered.”

Qiao Bei Ming wasted no time on pleasantries, getting straight to the point.

“What? Retainer Bai was killed?”

“Wasn’t he in Qing He City helping Branch Master Shi investigate the murderer? Does Qing He City have such a powerful expert?”

Many of the uninformed gang members were stunned, their eyes wide with disbelief. They couldn’t believe that Bai Ru Yun, a seasoned cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refinement, had been killed in the small county of Qing He City.

As far as they knew, the strongest expert in Qing He City was only around the fifth level of Body Refinement.

Moreover, although Bai Ru Yun’s talent was limited, he had honed his skills for nearly a century and possessed numerous tricks up his sleeve. It would likely take an expert at the seventh level of Body Refinement or the seventh level of Qi Refinement or higher to kill him.

“This is the news from Qing He City!”

Qiao Bei Ming waved his hand, and pre-prepared reports were distributed to the Elders and Retainers present.

The report came from the Qing He Branch, detailing the deaths of Shi Lei and Bai Ru Yun.

“What? Yi’s Archery?”

“Old Bai actually provoked someone from the Divine Arrow Peak of the Azure Cloud Sect?”

“The Divine Arrow Peak has few members, and Li Chang Feng is extremely protective of them. To provoke him is like asking for trouble!”

“But that’s not right. There are only two people on Divine Arrow Peak. Bai wouldn’t dare provoke Li Chang Feng even if he had ten times the courage!”

“Forget about Li Chang Feng, even his disciple, Li Chang Hen, isn’t someone Old Bai would dare to mess with!”

“Li Chang Hen reached the ninth level of Body Refinement, Spirit Refinement Realm a year ago and is ranked third on the Qingzhou Prodigy Ranking. Even if Old Bai’s brain was infested with worms, he wouldn’t dare provoke her!”

“Old Bai was terrified of death. He definitely wouldn’t dare provoke the Divine Arrow Peak, but he cultivates the evil art of Gathering Yin to Supplement Yang. Perhaps Li Chang Hen discovered this and, finding him distasteful, casually eliminated him!”

“I said that Old Bai’s cultivation of the evil Gathering Yin to Supplement Yang technique would bring misfortune, perhaps even implicating our Salt Gang. As expected!”

The crowd erupted in a clamor, a mix of shock and fear.

Although the Salt Gang was formidable, it was not on the same level as the Azure Cloud Sect, an entity they couldn’t afford to offend.

Everyone began to blame Bai Ru Yun, let alone seek revenge for him.

Unless they were fools, they wouldn’t oppose the Azure Cloud Sect for a dead man.

It was no secret among the Salt Gang’s upper echelon that Bai Ru Yun cultivated the Gathering Yin to Supplement Yang technique. However, Bai Ru Yun also knew his limits.

Therefore, he only practiced on purchased maidservants or those offered to him by his subordinates.

The lives of these maidservants were entirely at the mercy of their masters, and no one would question their fate.

Outsiders wouldn’t dare offend a cultivator at the sixth level of Qi Refinement and the Salt Gang for the sake of some lowly maidservants.

And the Salt Gang’s higher-ups turned a blind eye.

After all, Bai Ru Yun’s actions were considered trivial. Some of them enjoyed torturing women, even killing several in a single night.

There was no real difference between them and Bai Ru Yun.

Bai Ru Yun drained women of their life force, while they tortured them to death. Although the methods differed, the outcomes were similar.

It was merely a case of the pot calling the kettle black.

This was also one of the reasons why Bai Ru Yun could become a Retainer of the Salt Gang.

“Silence!”

Qiao Bei Ming raised his hand, his voice booming like a great bell. The previously noisy meeting hall instantly fell silent.

Everyone turned their attention to Qiao Bei Ming.

“Who said that the deaths of Retainer Bai and Branch Master Shi were definitely caused by a disciple of the Divine Arrow Peak?”

Qiao Bei Ming’s tiger-like eyes scanned each face in the crowd as he spoke in a deep voice:

“Yi’s Archery was merely Retainer Bai’s conjecture before his death!”

“The Yi’s Archery of the Divine Arrow Peak is renowned throughout the world, but few people can wield it. Retainer Bai likely never witnessed it firsthand, only understanding some of its characteristics.”

“There are other archery techniques in the world similar to Yi’s Archery!”

“I’ve received information that Peak Master Li Chang Feng and his disciple, Li Chang Hen, have been at Divine Arrow Peak this entire time. It’s impossible for them to be the perpetrators!”

Upon hearing this, those who had been condemning Bai Ru Yun just moments ago were now filled with indignation.

“Gang Leader, this must be a frame-up! Someone used an archery technique similar to Yi’s Archery to kill Retainer Bai and Branch Master Shi, intending to sow discord between us and the Azure Cloud Sect, using them to eliminate us!”

“This villain is truly malicious! We must bring them to justice and uphold the dignity of our Salt Gang!”

“Indeed! Anyone who dares to kill members of our Salt Gang must die!”

Knowing that the culprit wasn’t from the Divine Arrow Peak of the Azure Cloud Sect, they instantly straightened their backs.

After all, the Salt Gang was the second most powerful gang, only surpassed by the Azure Cloud Sect.

In this Yun Meng Prefecture, as long as they didn’t rebel or oppose the Azure Cloud Sect, they feared no other force!

“In that case, who is willing to investigate the deaths of Retainer Bai and Branch Master Shi?”

Qiao Bei Ming inquired.

As his words fell, everyone either lowered their heads to stare at their toes or looked up at the ceiling, lost in thought.

The murderer was an expert archer, capable of killing Bai Ru Yun with a single arrow, likely a master at the seventh level of Body Refinement or higher.

Although the Elders and Retainers present were all at the seventh level of Body Refinement or above.

Investigating a murderer of the same level was extremely dangerous.

Seeing that no one was willing to volunteer, Qiao Bei Ming had no choice but to appoint someone himself.

“Elder Bai, you share the same surname as Retainer Bai. How about you lead the investigation this time?”

Qiao Bei Ming looked at Law Enforcement Elder Bai Gui Nong.

Bai Gui Nong was at the ninth level of Body Refinement, one of the top experts in the Salt Gang. As the Law Enforcement Elder, this matter fell within his responsibilities.

“As you command, Gang Leader!”

Knowing he couldn’t refuse, Bai Gui Nong agreed.

“Good, I’ll leave this matter to Elder Bai!”

Qiao Bei Ming made the final decision.

“With Elder Bai taking charge, we will surely bring the murderer to justice and uphold the might of our Salt Gang!”

The Elders and Retainers flattered him, relieved that they hadn’t been chosen.

Furthermore.

There was a hierarchy among the Elders and Retainers of the Salt Gang.

Those at the seventh level of Body Refinement or above could become Elders or Retainers. Bai Ru Yun, being a cultivator with special abilities, was also able to become a Retainer.

Naturally, those at the seventh level were not on the same level as those at the eighth, and the gap was even greater compared to those at the ninth level.

Above the seventh level of Body Refinement, each level was a world of its own.

Body Refinement involved tempering the body step by step, from skin, flesh, tendons, bones, marrow, to blood exchange. At the seventh level, Qi and blood condensed into internal energy, used to refine the internal organs, resulting in a surge in combat power.

At the eighth level, the body reached peak strength, forming a Golden Body that wouldn’t decay for a century after death.

At the ninth level, the Golden Body was perfected, and the soul was tempered, transforming into a Divine Soul.

When the Divine Soul was fully refined and merged with internal energy, it transformed into Divine Power, allowing one to break through the limits of Body Refinement and become a Divine Power Realm expert!
In the entire Salt Gang, only Gang Leader Qiao Bei Ming was a Divine Power Realm expert!
With the matter settled, the meeting concluded. Qiao Bei Ming gave Bai Gui Nong further instructions in private, and then they dispersed.

Bai Gui Nong returned to the Law Enforcement Hall and selected an ordinary Elder at the seventh level of Body Refinement and several disciples to participate in this operation.

“Elder Bai, even if we travel day and night, it will be three days after the incident by the time we reach Qing He City.”

Elder Wang Kang An, at the seventh level of Body Refinement, was worried: “The murderer might have already escaped. I’m afraid it will be extremely difficult to catch him!”

“Don’t worry, that Bai Ru Yun was a cultivator with many tricks. He knows a Blood Weeping Curse that can attach itself to the murderer before death.”

Bai Gui Nong stood with his hands behind his back, speaking calmly and confidently:

“Although this Blood Weeping Curse has a distance limit and couldn’t attach to the archer who killed him, he must have used it on the woman he captured!”

“Since the murderer rescued the woman, they must have a close relationship. As long as we capture that woman and make her talk, wouldn’t it be easy to catch the murderer?”

“Brilliant, Elder!”

Wang Kang An immediately flattered him, feeling completely reassured.

That woman couldn’t even defeat Bai Ru Yun, so capturing her would be child’s play for them!
As for whether she would refuse to talk?
They had plenty of ways to make her talk!
No matter how stubborn she was, it wouldn’t be of any use.

“Go and prepare. We’ll set off for Qing He City tomorrow morning!”

Bai Gui Nong waved his hand, giving his orders.

“Yes, Elder!”

Everyone dispersed, returning to pack and prepare.

The next day.

Bai Gui Nong, along with Wang Kang An and the others, departed from Yun Meng City by boat, heading towards Qing He City, with Qiao Bei Ming and other experts seeing them off.

…

Qing He City.

Snow Moon Workshop.

The resplendent Snow Moon Workshop was experiencing booming business thanks to the popularity of Yang Ding Tian.

Although the girls were exhausted, they were also earning more.

“Master Zhou is truly a role model for us all!”

“Indeed! From now on, Master Zhou will be my inspiration. I also want to handle ten!”

“You? Aren’t you afraid of not seeing the sun tomorrow?”

“Can’t I set a goal? One must have dreams. Without dreams, what’s the difference between us and salted fish?”

Everyone was buzzing with discussions, while Zhou Chen became the most dazzling figure among the pleasure-seeking customers.

There was no helping it.

Zhou Chen could handle ten!

In Miao Tong’s room.

Zhou Chen looked at the messy room, with jade-like legs and lotus-root arms scattered about, his eyes clear and bright, like a sage of the world.

Having killed Shi Lei and Bai Ru Yun, Zhou Chen also felt immense pressure.

Although he was getting stronger quickly.

He felt it wasn’t enough.

He wanted to be even faster.

Therefore.

He let loose at the Snow Moon Workshop, becoming a sensation and the idol of countless men.

Not only men, but countless young girls and married women also secretly admired him, their eyes filled with longing, thanks to his handsome appearance and his legendary virility.

However, Zhou Chen was a man with principles, even if those principles were flexible.

He wouldn’t stoop to the level of Ximen Qing.

At most, he would be a Cao Cao.

“Hm?”

Suddenly, Zhou Chen’s pupils constricted. He saw an outsider within his Wind and Moon Mirror—Liu Ru Yi!

“How did she get in here?”

Zhou Chen was shocked. The Wind and Moon Mirror was his greatest secret, his most treasured possession.

How did Liu Ru Yi enter?
However, Liu Ru Yi appeared as a soul body, her eyes closed as if she were asleep.

Buzz!
At that moment, the gray space within the mirror erupted in brilliant light, accompanied by the sound of Daoist chanting. A massive golden list materialized in the air, inscribed with four large characters in bold strokes:

【Wind and Moon Illustrated Record】

“Wind and Moon Illustrated Record?”

Zhou Chen’s heart skipped a beat as a torrent of information flooded his mind.

It turned out that any woman he had been intimate with, as long as her affection reached a certain level （（out of 100, 90 was sufficient））, her soul would be absorbed by the Wind and Moon Mirror after her death.

And the Wind and Moon Illustrated Record was similar to the Investiture of the Gods, allowing Zhou Chen to bestow godhood upon the souls of his women, enabling them to cultivate the Divine Path as soul bodies.

This Divine Path wasn’t about becoming gods worshipped by mortals, but rather, gods of the soul, comparable to the Martial Path and the Immortal Path, ultimately leading to the cultivation of a Yang Spirit.

The Yang Spirit was the highest realm of soul cultivation, granting a profound understanding of the Dao of Qian Yuan, the origin of all things, the mechanism of the universe’s rotation, vast supernatural abilities, and boundless magical power.

Furthermore, Zhou Chen could temporarily borrow the power of those he had bestowed godhood upon and merge it with his own, achieving a temporary surge in cultivation and strength.

Commonly known as “bursting.”

“Amazing! It’s like I have my own personal Yao Lao!”

Zhou Chen was both surprised and delighted, gaining another trump card.

He had been worried that Qin Hong Yu wouldn’t be able to keep up with his pace and would die of old age or from an accident.

Now, with the Wind and Moon Illustrated Record, he no longer had to worry.

If Qin Hong Yu died of old age or met with an accident, he could still bestow godhood upon her. Even if she couldn’t cultivate a Yang Spirit, as long as Zhou Chen lived and the Wind and Moon Mirror remained intact, those within the Wind and Moon Illustrated Record would not die.

It was equivalent to immortality.

“I didn’t expect that Liu Ru Yi’s misfortune would inadvertently unlock the Wind and Moon Illustrated Record. But what happened to her? Was it the Salt Gang?”

Zhou Chen frowned. Although he was happy about unlocking the Wind and Moon Illustrated Record, and Liu Ru Yi wasn’t dead and could still be bestowed godhood, bringing him immense benefits.

But the thought that he had taken advantage of Liu Ru Yi three times, and her affection for him had actually reached over ninety…

It was hard to repay a beauty’s kindness!

He felt a surge of anger at the thought of Liu Ru Yi’s misfortune.

No matter who it was, he would avenge her!
“But let’s try bestowing godhood upon Liu Ru Yi first!”

Zhou Chen looked at Liu Ru Yi, filled with anticipation.

Bestowing godhood required a title.

Zhou Chen didn’t bother thinking too much. He stood up, looked at the Wind and Moon Illustrated Record, and declared:

“Liu Ru Yi, hear my decree.”

Zhou Chen’s voice echoed through the space, like the sound of the Great Dao.

Liu Ru Yi immediately woke up. Before she could understand what was happening, an invisible force pressed her down, forcing her to bow.

“I bestow upon Liu Ru Yi the title of Willow Deity!”

Zhou Chen’s words carried the weight of divine authority. As his voice fell, the Wind and Moon Illustrated Record burst with golden light.

A beam of golden light enveloped Liu Ru Yi, and her ethereal soul rapidly solidified, her aura surging.

Ji Feng Xia was dumbfounded. She watched as Liu Ru Yi’s aura reached the fourth level of Qi Refinement in the blink of an eye, as if she were riding a rocket!
On the right side of the Wind and Moon Illustrated Record, a line of small characters appeared:
【Willow Deity—Liu Ru Yi】

…

Liu Ru Yi: Where are my power stones?