Celestial Demon Starting from Attribute Points

Li Xuan’s daily life at Hundred Flowers Mansion isn’t complicated.

It’s just reading.

But the things he has to do are quite complicated.

Besides collaborating with Liu Yingyi to swallow another band of rebels, he also needs to continue controlling the River Gang.

By visiting the grave of his mentor by the Qing River, he travels between the mansion and the River Gang, and now he has found some old acquaintances.

Zuo Hong, Lin Jianfeng, and Yao Qiu are still alive.

And since the timing is ripe, he plans to invite that "Mr. Su" out again, and then tie the River Gang to the Li family’s chariot.

Today, he put away his book, pulled out the peacock feather from his maid’s hair, then made the necessary preparations and stood at the door.

He has an appointment.

As for the adopted children, Li Xuan long ago had Li Shu drive them back to the Li family, where the young ones can eat well and practice martial arts alongside the county soldiers to lay a foundation and strengthen their bodies.

Of course, the number of children has far surpassed the original two boys and two girls, reaching a full fifty.

At this moment, Li Xuan stood solemnly with a sword and book in hand at the threshold of Yulan Hall.

The maid in purple held a bag of gifts.

The carriage that picked him up was still arranged by the River Gang.

The bell drew closer, and the driver was still the woman in red—Dock Master Zuo, Zuo Hong.

However, Zuo Hong’s expression had become much more worn, and the smile that often hung on her face was mostly gone.

"Sister Zuo."

Li Xuan’s smile remained warm.

Zuo Hong said, "Brother Xuan, all well."

Li Xuan replied, "Everything is fine, everyone is good."

With that, he handed the small bag of gifts forward, stuffing it beside Zuo Hong’s hand; previously, Zuo Hong gifted him the pill fish, and he promised to give back hometown silk, which was the latest silk.

Zuo Hong was stunned, just about to decline when Li Xuan smiled and said, "Open it and see."

Zuo Hong’s curiosity piqued, she opened it, peeked inside, and her eyes widened.

Inside was a piece of silk, exquisite beyond compare, as rich as royalty, splendid with emerald feathers and gold.

Li Xuan said, "Sparrow Gold Embroidery.

This was developed repeatedly during the epidemic period by my wife, and after the epidemic ended, production began. Now I’ve quickly brought a piece for Sister Zuo."

Zuo Hong was pleased; what woman doesn’t love such beautiful and precious objects, especially when given by Li Xuan.

Li Xuan saw her put it away and continued, "Sister Zuo, where have you been these days?"

Initially, when he went to the River Gang, he didn’t find Zuo Hong and others, only recently did he connect the line.

Zuo Hong said, "We followed the Qing River and fled to a sandbar in the middle of the river to evade the plague; it seems unable to cross water.

Later, we intended to head south, to Yunmeng Province for a living, but unexpectedly Yunmeng Province was experiencing a drought.

We tossed back and forth and returned to the sandbar."

Drought?

Li Xuan was taken aback by the news.

Zuo Hong continued, "Actually, not only this, but the lower reaches of Qing River experienced a huge flooding disaster."

Li Xuan curiously asked, "Floods should start from the upper reaches, right? How can the lower reaches flood while the upper doesn’t?"

Zuo Hong replied, "It’s said that water demons stirred trouble in the river and sea, causing the flood.

Oh, and I heard that the tsunami carried a strange thing ashore over at the State City."

Li Xuan said, "I’m just heading to Cyan Wood Province for the exam this summer; do you know what strange thing it is?"

Zuo Hong lowered her voice, "It’s said to be a statue of a Headless Buddha."

Li Xuan laughed, "There are plenty of statues with heads; what’s strange about a headless one?"

Zuo Hong whispered, "I heard that the statue was carried by that demon across the deep sea, causing a tsunami, and then pushed onto the beach."

While speaking, Su Qiang curled up in the carriage, gently stroking her hair, wondering how she suddenly grew a peacock feather.

And she was clearly a bit fearful, thinking about tonight, if there was a way to make herself dirtier, so filthy that the gods wouldn’t want to tolerate her as a vessel already polluted a thousand or ten thousand times by the Young Master.

...

After a while, the carriage arrived at Yanzi Dock.

The Peach Blossom Pavilion was cold and quiet; last year, it was bustling with young masters and ladies, now it’s a ghost of its former self.

The epidemic completely overturned the Lin family’s foundation, yet Yao Qiu used tactics to better seize control of the River Gang.

Since the epidemic cleared, she’s been discreetly investigating the Twelve Link Docks situation, now openly appearing, having presumably eliminated several disobedient River Gang cadres who sought independence in the chaos.

If it were anyone else, Yao Qiu wouldn’t care or host a feast.

But the visitor is Li Xuan.

This new leader of the River Gang clearly remembers that day, remembers everyone betrayed her, only this young man shielded her from the storm outside with his broad legs, marking the beginning of her life’s slow turn for the better.

"Young Master Li, please." Yao Qiu was still in an ink dress, her hair in a high bun, showing some air of a noblewoman, the previous gloom in her eyes gone, along with her stony demeanor, replaced with a demeanor more grandiose.

Li Xuan sat down with a smile but straightforwardly said, "Gang Leader Yao, today’s visit isn’t for reminiscing."

Yao Qiu, while looking at the dishes, said, "You shielded me that day, there’s a sentiment between us, if there’s something, just speak."

Li Xuan stood up, respectfully said, "Elder Su, please reveal yourself."

As the words faded, from the shadow wall nearby emerged a white-haired elder, none other than the "illusion dummy" Mr. Su. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝒆𝔀𝒆𝙗𝓷𝒐𝙫𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝓶

Yao Qiu, Zuo Hong, and even the silent Lin Jianfeng were startled, simultaneously standing up and greeting the elder, "Greetings, Mr. Su."

Mr. Su waved his hand, sat directly at a feast spot, then smiled and asked, "Still recognize me?"

Yao Qiu promptly said, "My husband and I only had a chance to turn over thanks to what Mr. Su bestowed that day, as before, so it will be in the future."

Mr. Su was silent for a moment.

The air became quietly intimidating.

Yao Qiu felt cold sweat almost forming on her forehead.

Mr. Su suddenly laughed, "Actually, I am an elder of the Li family, henceforth... you shall listen to my descendant, how about it?"

Yao Qiu looked at Li Xuan with shock.

Li Xuan was equally startled, hurriedly saying, "Elder Su, this cannot be."

Mr. Su waved his hand, "Divide and both suffer, unite and benefit, in these times, the Li family and the River Gang should be together."

Yao Qiu replied, "Mr. Su is right, henceforth, River Gang matters, I’ll listen to Young Master Li."

Li Xuan hurriedly refused, saying, "How could this be... this..."

Mr. Su, however, paid no heed to her and directly said, "Yao Qiu, the Li family will not take advantage of you for nothing, and you will see the benefits in the future. And I promise you, if your canal gang encounters problems that cannot be solved, you can seek out Li Xuan, and Li Xuan will inform me."

Li Xuan said, "Elder Su, the canal gang has many matters needing attention now, even if they listen to me, I know nothing about boats, and what can I manage for them? I don’t want to get involved."

Yao Qiu paid no attention to what Li Xuan was saying. After the great epidemic, she was most worried that the canal gang would lose its protector. If someone from above came, they might treat the canal gang like a peach, reaping it all at once.

But now that Mr. Su is unexpectedly not dead and even openly willing to protect the canal gang without directly managing it, is there anything better than this?

Moreover, the intermediary is...

Yao Qiu looked at the young master who was stubbornly arguing with his elder and couldn’t help but find it amusing. Her expression softened, and she persuaded, "Young Master Li, do not refuse. You are originally Yao Qiu’s benefactor, and from now on, my canal gang will follow your orders."

Mr. Su stroked his beard and laughed, suddenly disappearing into the air.

Such a feat left everyone present in shock.

After a while, it was still Li Xuan who reacted first. He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "I didn’t know Elder Su intended this. I... I still have to rush to take the exams in the State City; how could I manage the canal gang? Even if I were to manage it, I have never done so before."

Yao Qiu looked more and more favorably and smiled, "Then, young master, go take the exams. My husband and I will watch over the canal gang.

Before, we promised Mr. Su to give away all the Dan fish. It will still be the same in the future.

If there is a catch, I will have them sent to the Li family in Xiongshan County.

The young mistress should be about to give birth, right? A few Dan fish just right to nourish the child."

Li Xuan smiled helplessly and said, "My wife does resemble Gang Leader Yao a bit."

"Resemble me?"

Yao Qiu’s eyes widened in astonishment.

Beside them, Lin Jianfeng also looked up in surprise, with no trace of his previous daze in his eyes.

Li Xuan quickly waved his hand, saying, "Brother Lin, it’s a misunderstanding, I meant that my wife and Gang Leader Yao are alike in their dedication to their work and not interested in child-rearing."

Yao Qiu gave a bitter smile but said nothing.

After such a conversation, the people felt more harmonious with each other.

As Li Xuan chatted, the topic drifted to fish nests and treasures like Dan fish.

Since the Prime Minister’s residence possesses a "Bone Marrow Cleansing Pill" for altering muscles and bones, could there be similar treasure fish in this great river?

Yao Qiu did not brush him off, given that she was genuinely making friends.

She pondered for a moment and said, "Dan fish are rare, but not entirely absent. Besides Dan fish, treasure fish, actually... I’ve always suspected there are others.

This flood, in a way, has changed the habitat of the fish and shrimp in these waters. My canal gang will try to find them as much as possible and inform you once we do."

Lin Jianfeng suddenly said, "Brother Li, in recent days, my wife and I have heard that the bandit forces in the Hundred Flowers Mansion are growing increasingly fierce and ruthless.

Our canal gang must recruit new disciples to defend the sect and train hard to avoid being wiped out by bandit sieges.

Therefore, the search for treasure fish will be slightly delayed. We sincerely apologize for that."

Li Xuan said, "Of course, of course..."

...

...

A few days later.

Near Hanshui County, west of Xiongshan County.

A bandit hideout.

Guan Wu was leading his men in sharing the spoils when suddenly the sound of whooshing steps came from afar.

Guan Wu bundled up his loot, grabbed his knife, and cursed, "Who’s blind?!"

When he sent someone to the mountain gate and looked outside, he was taken aback.

"Eagle Boss, Qu Er, when did you two team up?"

He still wanted to say more, but that demon-like man waved his hand and shouted, "Kill."

Guan Wu yelled, "Why?"

Liu Yingyi said coldly, "A mountain can’t accommodate two tigers; the Hundred Flowers Mansion only needs one Eagle Bandit!"

Guan Wu snorted, "You think you’re something for taking in Qu Er? Wait till I fix you!"

He waved his hand and shouted, "Brothers, kill!"

The bandit groups clashed and started to fight fiercely again.

...

...

Another few days passed.

Outside the Hundred Flowers Mansion, in a secluded Xiaolin, lay a hundred corpses.

Liu Yingyi knelt on the ground, watching his master turn all these hundred corpses, including Guan Wu, into their kind.

"Go now, if you encounter bandits, devour them.

If you come across anyone intending to harm the Li family, kill them all.

Occasionally rob some wealth; otherwise... how would you be bandits?

But remember, do not rob those who can’t survive, and don’t kill indiscriminately."

Li Xuan withdrew his tentacles, giving instructions one by one.

Liu Yingyi, Qu Er, and Guan Wu repeatedly acknowledged.

Suddenly, Guan Wu said, "Reporting to the master, not all of my men were killed that day but were scattered. I want to regroup them and pretend to oppose Eagle Boss on the surface.

In this way... if someone wants to deal with Eagle Boss, they might come to me.

Similarly, if someone wants to deal with me, they would first go to Eagle Boss.

When soldiers come to suppress bandits, seeing that we are not united, they would think about playing one against the other, allowing us to get the news in advance."

Li Xuan looked at this new generation of demon bandit and, to his surprise, found some cunning ideas, thus nodding and saying, "Do as you said, but don’t get discovered."

Guan Wu chuckled and said, "The ones who can fight are all our own. Even if some brat finds out, just kill them."

The ghostly bandits behind him laughed eerily.

Li Xuan waved them away.

The group of ghost bandits retreated.

Thus, the vicious bandits of the Hundred Flowers Mansion... united.

And because of the continuous disasters, the court couldn’t provide corresponding disaster relief supplies, while the court itself also seemed to have troubles to solve. As such, the fallen bandits will only become more... more numerous.