Li Mu still could not understand the demonic beasts' way of doing things.
He had two nieces for no reason, and then they were gone for no reason. The problem was that Li Mu could not ignore them. The only change in this matter was that there was no longer a seniority barrier between him and Yinxin and Tingxin.
Li Mu was speechless for a long time. Was there a father like this?
He ignored the smug Bai Tingxin and said to the Empress, "Your Majesty, I need to go back to the North County to arrange some things and gain the trust of the demonic beasts as soon as possible so that they will cooperate with the imperial court's policies."
Zhou Yi nodded and said, "Come back early."
"I will try my best." Li Mu responded to the Empress and said to Bai Yinxin, "Yinxin, I need you to go back to the North County with me and discuss something with your other uncles."
Bai Yinxin did not hesitate and nodded, "Okay."
Bai Tingxin immediately said, "I will go too."
Li Mu flatly refused, "One of you is enough."
When he was still her elder, this little snake was already lawless. Now that he did not even have the protection of this relationship, she would definitely want a yard after taking an inch.
Bai Tingxin looked at Li Mu and said unconvinced, "Then why do you want my sister to go with you? Do you have other thoughts about my sister?"
In order to prove his innocence, Li Mu said, "It's the same no matter who goes. How about this, I will choose whoever I choose. Then you have nothing to say, right?"
Bai Tingxin said, "Then you have to be fair."
Li Mu nodded and said, "Don't worry, it will be absolutely fair."
He stretched out his finger and pointed at the two sisters, "I will choose whoever the little rooster chooses …"
When the last word was said, his finger pointed at Bai Tingxin.
Disappointment appeared in Bai Yinxin's eyes, while a victorious smile appeared on Bai Tingxin's face.
Li Mu thought for a while, looked at the little green snake, and said, "You are eliminated. Yinxin, let's go!"
…
Beside the stone table in the courtyard of the Li Residence, Bai Tingxin was hugging a puppet snake that she had made herself. She was slapping its tail and scolding, "Hmph, I told you not to bring me along. I'll beat you to death, I'll beat you to death!"
Wanwan sat on the swing and occasionally glanced at Bai Tingxin's direction with a worried expression.
There was no fox spirit, but there were two snakes. The task given to her by Miss seemed to be getting harder and harder to complete.
Xiao Bai sat next to her and was also worried.
In the past, she only had to worry about whether other vixens would approach her benefactor. Now, other than vixens, even beautiful snakes had appeared. She heard from Sister Xin that men liked women with long legs. Her legs were not as long as theirs …
Zhou Yi was still in the Li Mansion. She walked to Bai Tingxin and sat down opposite her. She asked, "You like Li Mu?"
Bai Tingxin nodded and raised her head to look at the Empress. Suddenly, she seemed to have realized something and asked expectantly, "Empress Sis, can you issue an imperial edict to marry me to him? He definitely won't dare to disobey Empress Sis's imperial edict."
Zhou Yi said faintly, "I can't."
Bai Tingxin was disappointed, "Why?"
Zhou Yi said, "You can't force a melon to be sweet. Feelings can't be forced."
Bai Tingxin said firmly, "I want to force it!"
Zhou Yi asked, "He doesn't like you. What's the use of forcing it?"
Bai Tingxin did not seem to mind at all. "He just hasn't realized how good I am yet. I believe that he will find out sooner or later. Love at first sight is just a matter of face. Only love that grows over time is true love …"
For some reason, Zhou Yi felt that the little green snake in front of her, although she was much younger than her and her words were very willful, made sense.
She couldn't help but want to hear more from her and learn more. She asked, "Did you fall in love with Li Mu at first sight?"
Bai Tingxin curled her lips and said, "Of course not. Am I such a superficial snake? When we first met, we even fought. He even injured me. Later on, I slowly realized that he was good-looking, knew how to cook, had a gentle temper, and even saved me and my sister's life. At that time, I told myself that I, Bai Tingxin, have set my mind on him for the rest of my life …"
Zhou Yi thought for a while and asked, "Have you ever thought that one of you is a human and the other is a demon?"
Bai Tingxin was unconvinced, "So what if he's a demon? Xiao Bai is a demon too. In the book he wrote, other than demons, there are also ghosts. Love doesn't differentiate race, identity, or status. This is what he told us …"
Zhou Yi was puzzled and asked, "Then you don't mind that he already has a wife, Wanwan, and Xiao Bai?"
Bai Tingxin sighed and said, "What can I do even if I mind? I also want to monopolize him, but I came too late. Empress Sis, if you have someone you like very, very much, you will understand how I feel."
Zhou Yi shook her head, "What a joke. How can I have …"
Bai Tingxin said regretfully, "That's too bad. Sister Empress, you'll never know what it feels like to like someone. You'll always think about being with him, wanting to possess him, wanting him to only be with you …"
Zhou Yi clutched her chest and felt that her breathing began to become a little irregular.
She was shocked. She didn't know why, but her inner demon was beginning to stir again …
At this time, Bai Tingxin snorted and slapped the snake again. She said angrily, "I like him so much, but he actually likes my sister more. He didn't even bring me back to Beijun. I'll beat you to death!"
…
In the sky above Zhongjun, a flying boat sped past.
At a certain height below the Nine Heavens Astral Wind Layer, the atmosphere was relatively thin and the air was very stable. The flying boat sped past without any bumps.
Li Mu stood at the bow of the boat and looked at Yin Xin, who was sitting cross-legged in the boat and cultivating seriously. He couldn't help but sigh at his decision.
If he had brought another snake on this trip to Beijun, he wouldn't have been able to have a peaceful journey.
Li Mu sized her up and thought of her appearance two years ago. She didn't seem to be much better than Tingxin. However, a woman changed eighteen times between childhood and womanhood. Not only did she become more and more beautiful, even her personality had become so likable.
He didn't know when the other snake would grow up.
On the way, Li Mu had already asked Yin Xin. Her family had a very high status in Beijun's demon world. In the Great Zhou, there were very few demons that exceeded the fifth realm. The White Demon King's strength was the strongest among the demons in Beijun.
In the entire Beijun, most of the demon experts, such as the Green Bull Demon, the Tiger King, the Rat King, and others, were working under him. As for the other demons, even if they weren't under him, the Green Bull Demon, the Tiger King, and the other demons had a say.
A day later.
In a mountain somewhere in Beijun.
The Tiger King came forward with a smile and said, "Brother Li, long time no see. I heard that you've become a high-ranking official in the imperial court. I haven't congratulated you yet. You must stay today. Let's drink a few jars of his …"
Bai Yinxin walked forward and said, "Uncle Hu, there's no rush to drink. Call the other uncles over first. We came back this time because we have something important to discuss with you."
The demons under the White Demon King were scattered in the 13 counties in Beijun. Other than the Rat King and the Green Bull Demon who were closer, the rest would only arrive tomorrow.
However, these three demons were the strongest. Even the White Demon King called them brothers. Li Mu naturally couldn't order them directly. After the three demons gathered, Li Mu asked, "Brothers, have you heard that the imperial court wants to register the demons in the Great Zhou?"
The Green Bull Demon nodded and said, "I've heard, but I don't know if it's true or not. We're still waiting."
The Tiger King said, "It's most likely fake. The human imperial court isn't so kind. Even if they don't attack us, when they fight with the Demon Kingdom and Ghost Realm, they will use us as cannon fodder. This must be a vicious plan that someone came up with."
Li Mu said in shame, "To be honest, I was the one who suggested this."
The Green Bull Demon's eyes lit up. He suddenly looked at Li Mu and asked, "Brother Li, are you serious?"
Li Mu nodded and said, "In the Great Zhou, a large part of the reason for the conflict between the demons and humans is that the imperial court's laws are unfair. The demons suffer under these unfair laws. I want to ease the conflict between the two races, so I pushed this matter forward. However, the hatred between the demons and humans is too deep. Very few demons are willing to trust the imperial court, so I asked for your help."
The Green Bull Demon said, "If the imperial court is sincere, then this is an unprecedented good for the demons. We believe in Brother Li, but we don't know if we can trust the imperial court."
Li Mu thought for a moment and said, "I can't promise the future, but I can promise you that as long as I'm in the imperial court, the demons of the Great Zhou will be protected by the imperial court. No matter who it is, whoever dares to hurt or kill the demons will be punished according to the laws of the Great Zhou …"
Li Mu could only guarantee this much.
As long as he was in the imperial court, he could guarantee that the demons would enjoy the rightful rights. However, after he left the imperial court, he could not guarantee anything.
However, this matter was beneficial to the Imperial Court in the first place, and they would not mess up this matter themselves. Even if the worst happened, and the demonic folk rose up in revolt, and the Great Zhou Empire fell into chaos once more, that would be the bitter fruit that they had planted themselves, and would have nothing to do with Li Mu and the Empress.
At that time, they still did not know where to grow vegetables and flowers.
The Green Bull Demon smiled and said, "Brother Li's words are enough. Don't worry. Let's not talk about other things. You can leave the matter of the North County demons to us."
Li Mu and the demons talked until very late. Only then did they return to their room to rest.
Bai Yinxin led him into a room and said, "This was originally Tingxin's room. She didn't come back. Brother Li can sleep here tonight."
She looked around and found that the room was in a mess. The quilt on the bed was also rolled up into a ball. There was a snake-shaped pillow with its tail drooping on the ground …
The room was so messy that even she felt a little embarrassed. She hurried forward and tidied up as she said, "It's a little messy here. Brother Li, you can go out first. You can come in after I tidy up."
Li Mu said, "I'll help you tidy up …"
Outside the room, the Tiger King looked inside in surprise. He wondered, "Isn't Brother Li the Demon King's sworn brother? Why is Tingxin calling him Brother? The seniority is messed up. Could it be that Brother Li has cut off all ties with him …"
The Green Bull Demon patted him on the shoulder and said, "What does this have to do with you? Calling him Brother is not as close as calling him Uncle. Let's go. Don't stand here. Go do your own things …"
The Tiger King looked puzzled. He muttered, "How can Brother be closer than Uncle? Uncle is clearly closer …"
…
Lying on the bed made by Tingxin and sleeping under the quilt made by Tingxin, Li Mu quickly fell asleep.
A few days ago, he was tormented by the two sisters. His physical strength was not small. His overdrawn body had not fully recovered. Because he had to deal with memorials for a long time every day, his energy was greatly depleted. He slept until late in the morning.
When he woke up, Li Mu's physical and mental exhaustion had been swept away.
When his body and mind were completely relaxed, he even had a dream.
It was an extremely erotic dream.
He had been separated from Liu Hanyan for a few months, and he had also been abstinent for a few months. For a newlywed, who had tasted the forbidden fruit for the first time, it was a very difficult few months.
Li Mu admitted that he was a lustful person, but even a lustful person had a bottom line.
However, things like dreaming were not something that could be controlled by his subjective consciousness.
Li Mu smelled the fragrance on the quilt that belonged to Bai Tingxin and swore that he would not sleep here tonight. Recalling the contents of the dream, he felt a little ashamed. He felt sorry for calling "Brother Bai" countless times.
Bai Yinxin had already woken up. She helped Li Mu bring his toiletries.
Li Mu walked out of bed and said, "Thank you, Yinxin. Leave it there. I'll do it myself."
Bai Yinxin still helped him wet the towel. After wringing it dry, she handed it to him.
In fact, cultivators had their own supernatural powers to avoid dust. However, most of the time, they still maintained the habits of ordinary people. This could make them feel that they were still human at all times, reducing the possibility of inner demons during the cultivation process.
After washing up, Li Mu walked out of the room.
The demons under the White Demon King had received the summons and had rushed over overnight.
After hearing the Green Bull Demon and the Tiger King explain the purpose of gathering them, some of the demons were overjoyed, while others expressed their worries.
"Could this be a conspiracy of the Imperial Court?"
"Why would they do something that is only beneficial to the demons for no reason?"
"This is a matter of great importance. It's better to be careful …"
…
The demons' guard against humans was engraved in their bones, blood, and genes. It was impossible to convince them with just a few words. Fortunately, they did not completely refuse because of the White Demon King.
In order to dispel their concerns, Li Mu made some concessions.
The demons of the North County did not need to go to the various government offices to register. He would transfer a few officials from the county office to help them register their demons here. This could dispel some of their concerns.
Many demons believed that the entire matter was a conspiracy of the Imperial Court. The day they went to the government office to register their names would be the day they died.
In addition, the demons of the Great Zhou did not need to listen to the orders of the local government.
After the demons were registered, they would establish a Demon Division that specialized in dealing with demons. There were demon officials in the Demon Division who were local powerful demons. They could receive a salary from the Imperial Court and command the demons of a county.
Although this would increase the expenses of the national treasury, after Li Mu reformed the Consecration Department, the national treasury had a large amount of expenses left. It was more than enough to pay the salaries of the demon officials of the Demon Division.
The demons of the various counties, regardless of race, were forbidden from killing each other. Once discovered, the Demon Division would directly capture them. After reporting to the Imperial Court, they would be dealt with according to the laws of the Great Zhou.
If a cultivator harmed or killed a demon, the Demon Division could also capture them and hand them over to the Imperial Court.
In addition, demons with a certain level of strength could complete missions issued by the various government offices in exchange for spiritual jades, dharma treasures, Fu-lu, pills, and other cultivation resources.
When they heard about the benefits of being registered as a demon, the demons of the North County were in an uproar.
Being registered as a demon in the Great Zhou seemed to only have benefits for them. There were no disadvantages at all.
Weak demons not only had difficulty cultivating, but they also had to worry about being devoured by powerful demons at all times. They usually hid and did not dare to reveal any demon qi.
After being registered as a demon, the weak rabbit demons, fox demons, and so on could also appear openly in front of the tiger demons, wolf demons, bear demons, and other natural enemies. If they dared to touch a single hair of theirs, they would be punished by the Demon Division and the Imperial Court.
Not only was the safety of the small demons guaranteed, but the powerful demons also heaved a sigh of relief.
Their strength was only relative. Compared to the sharpness of dharma treasures, the power of supernatural powers, and the mysterious cultivators of Fu-lu, they were also absolute weaklings. Usually, they only dared to hide in the depths of the mountains and forests and did not dare to easily appear in human cities.
Even so, they still had to worry about human cultivators coming to their door, killing them, and taking their souls and demon cores to cultivate.
With the demon registration, everything was different.
Even demons had a strong sense of belonging to the land under their feet.
If they could have a powerful backer to support them, who would be willing to be a weak mountain spirit with no one to rely on?
From now on, their identities were no longer mountain demons, but the demons of the Great Zhou. Anyone who wanted to harm them had to consider carefully whether they could afford to offend the Great Zhou court.
The White Demon King was very prestigious in the hearts of the demons of the North County.
After the news spread, the demons of the North County began to rush here, afraid that they would miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity if they were too late.
Li Mu opened his Heavenly Eye and saw the large and small demon auras in the mountains. He was gratified.
As expected, the demons did not trust the Imperial Court, but they trusted the demons.
This time, the White Demon King had helped him greatly. It was not in vain that he had spent so much effort on his two daughters.
It was late at night. Li Mu was still thinking about all kinds of possible changes when Bai Yinxin knocked on the door and walked in with a bowl of ginseng soup. She said, "Brother Li, you've been busy all day. Drink this bowl of ginseng soup and rest early."
"Thank you, Yinxin."
Li Mu took the bowl and found that the soup in the bowl was neither cold nor hot. He drank a few mouthfuls and then asked, "Yinxin, are there any other empty rooms here?"
Bai Yinxin asked, "What's wrong? Is Brother Li not comfortable sleeping here?"
Li Mu nodded and said, "I'm not used to sleeping in Tingxin's room."
Bai Yinxin thought for a moment and said, "Then I'll sleep here. You can sleep in my room next door."
After drinking the ginseng soup, she brought Li Mu to her room. Although the two sisters were born from the same parents, their personalities were completely different. Their rooms were also completely different. The younger sister's room was as messy as a snake's nest, while the elder sister's room was clean and tidy. It gave people a very comfortable feeling.
The only thing in common between the two rooms was that the quilts were very fragrant.
Li Mu lay on the bed and fell asleep amidst a faint fragrance.
The next day, he still didn't wake up until late in the morning.
Li Mu sat on the bed and recalled the dream last night. After being stunned for a long time, he slapped himself and said angrily, "I'm not human!"
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