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Chapter 403: The Heavenly Palace's Old Subordinates (Part 2)
Chapter 403: The Heavenly Palace's Old Subordinates (Part 2)
Instead, they drew closer to Liang Zhuo and other Confucian scholars, banding together for mutual support.
As for the current leader of the Pure Yang Palace, Li Hang, despite his seclusion overseas, had not submitted to the foreign powers. Thus, in the eyes of the Song remnants, he remained an accomplished immortal.
"It turns out that he has developed different intentions." Zhu Junjie shook his head, "No, it should be said that he has harbored such thoughts for a long time."
Li Hang, or the Emperor of the Human Daoist Country of the Great Song as he was known, may have initially intended to fish in troubled waters and profit from the struggles of others.
However, the dominance of the Golden Khanate far exceeded his expectations and those of many in the Song Dynasty.
Nevertheless, Li Hang had not entirely abandoned his hopes.
"Is there already tension between the Golden Khanate and the White Deer Khanate, with swords drawn and bows strung?" Lei Jun inquired.
Having just dealt with Bai Ma Shangren, Liang Zhuo, and the others, he had not taken the time to interrogate them. However, he had obtained some correspondence from them, which piqued his interest.
Zhu Junjie nodded, "The latest news from the north confirms this. Many high-level practitioners from the Golden Khanate, including the leader of the Sumeru Lotus Ministry, Grand Monk Zong Ga, have indeed headed north."
When it came to dealing with the Song remnants, the task primarily fell on the shoulders of Liang Zhuo and his group.
If it weren't for the need to capture a peak realm expert like yourself, the Golden Khanate wouldn't have dispatched three major experts—Sa Le Heng, Bai Ma Shangren, and Liang Zhuo—together.
However, an unexpected incident occurred in the Lightless Realm, as Li Yuanheng established a connection between the underworld and the human realm, leading to the pursuit of Tang Xiaotang and Lei Jun.
Li Yuanheng himself had the opportunity to fake his death and make a strategic retreat.
But for Bai Ma Shangren and Sa Le Heng, they had truly struck a ironclad.
As for the Southern Red Emperor, Li Hang, the rekindled conflict between the three khanates presented a heaven-sent opportunity for him and the Human Daoist Country.
However, exposing his whereabouts to Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang was an entirely different matter.
The resurgence of conflict between the three khanates also presented an opportunity for Zhu Junjie and the Song remnants.
Yet, Zhu Junjie was not blindly optimistic.
"Although the top experts of the Lotus Ministry like Grand Monk Zong Ga have headed north or west, and the White Deer Khan and the Gray Wolf Khan are personally leading their forces from the east, the Golden Khan..."
Zhu Junjie's expression turned solemn, "...has shown no signs of movement."
Mentioning this foremost martial artist among the foreign powers made Zhu Junjie's expression grow complex. "During the great battle, we failed to inflict severe damage on him, and instead, he trampled over our lands, possibly gaining great benefits from it."
The Golden Khan, the foremost martial artist among the foreign powers, surpassing even the mighty Ha Ri Geer of the Lone Eagle Khanate.
Or perhaps it would be more fitting to say that he was the foremost martial artist in this realm.
Having brought about a true heaven-shattering calamity, crushing the Song Dynasty and even causing ruptures in the mortal realm... Lei Jun's thoughts wandered.
He posed a question to Zhu Junjie, "So, this immortal warrior of the foreign path is currently inactive as he is in seclusion, attempting to break through to an even higher realm of cultivation?"
To a realm beyond the ninth heaven of martial arts.
Zhu Junjie's expression grew extremely solemn, "I, Zhu, dare not speculate, but..."
With the Gray Wolf Khan and the White Deer Khan taking the initiative to form an alliance against the Golden Khanate, was it because they also sensed this possibility?
Although the three khanates shared a common origin, their current relationship was akin to that of strangers.
The Golden Khan had gone even further, and the Gray Wolf Khan and the White Deer Khan would not feel proud of this connection. Instead, they would only feel an unprecedentedly immense threat.
If the Lone Eagle Khan, Ha Ri Geer, were still alive, upon hearing this news, his reaction would likely be similar.
In most cases, knowing that the Golden Khan might advance further, a figure like Ha Ri Geer would not immediately submit.
Instead, their first instinct would be to try and eradicate the threat at its source.
Even if they were to regret their actions later, it would be because they acted too late, allowing the Golden Khan to achieve consecutive victories and establish their dominance.
The Golden Khan's gains from conquering the Song lands far exceeded the expectations of the other three khanates.
In a sense, the Gray Wolf Khan and the White Deer Khan were now trying to rectify their previous oversights.
But would they still be in time?
"Please forgive my bold question..." Lei Jun asked, turning to Zhu Junjie, "...how many like Liang Zhuo are there?"
Zhu Junjie's expression turned grave, and after a brief silence, he began to answer, "The number is not insignificant. Although the Golden Khan employs extreme methods and oppresses mercilessly, they have abolished the traditional custom of dividing their conquered lands and populations into hierarchical categories."
Lei Jun's expression remained calm, as if he were unaffected by the revelations, "Equalitarian brutality."
Zhu Junjie continued, "The marauders hold overwhelming power, and I, Zhu, am but a humble scholar. Yet, I will continue to strive for the welfare of the people and the nation."
Lei Jun asked, "I observed your cultivation method, and it seems to differ from both the Confucian traditions of the Scholars and the Chanters, as well as the martial arts of the Archers and the Chanters?"
Zhu Junjie smiled, "What I cultivate is still the teachings of the scholars, but compared to the classics of history, myself and some of my literary predecessors place a greater emphasis on the arts of governing and benefiting the people."
Lei Jun inquired, "Oh?"
Zhu Junjie explained, "In the current age, there are too many who indulge in empty discussions, which may cultivate the self, but fail to govern the nation.
Fortunately, the sages of old have left us guidance, stating that 'when virtue is achieved, it is called morality; when affairs are handled, it is called reason'.
In this world of martial arts and fantasy, the story of Chapter 403 unfolds around Liang Zhuo, a cultivator from the Confucian Chant faction. The Chant faction emphasizes spiritual cultivation and communion with nature.
Liang Zhuo was suddenly cut down by a sword strike from Guang Mo, and though his physical body was destroyed, his spiritual soul flew out. However, it was immediately consumed by the fierce lightning raging on the sword. Amid this, more sword lights flashed, and Liang Zhuo perished on the spot.
Before losing consciousness, he questioned the whereabouts of Master White Horse and the fellow monks from the Sumeru Lotus Sect. He also contemplated the destiny of Sa Le Heng and others. Moreover, he puzzled over the identity of the Daoist grandmaster from the Cauldron Division who had attempted to take the Heavenly Master's Seal.
Translation:
"We scholar-officials should prioritize practical actions over empty talk to benefit the country and its people."
Lei Jun heard these words and refrained from commenting, only asking out of curiosity: "Then how do you cultivate in your daily lives?"
Zhu Junjie replied, "If one's words are not tested in practice, they are discordant; if one's way is not examined through instruments, it cannot be transformed. We should pursue practical applications that unite righteousness and profit, and a gentleman need not be ashamed to speak of profit."
Lei Jun said, "In the current situation of the mortal realm, your cultivation journey must be challenging."
Zhu Junjie sighed, "To act diligently but without aligning with the greater good is futile, even if one reaches great heights. To aspire without a heart that worries for the world is fruitless, even if one is benevolent. Zhu has often examined his own heart and dares not speak lightly of righting the heavens. In all things, I only strive to be true to myself and my conscience."
He was indeed such a person.
Others might not be.
Lei Jun made no comment on this.
Zhu Junjie then bowed to Lei Jun and said, "Today, many masters from the Golden Khanate were slain by Heavenly Master Lei and Real Man Tang. For us, this is an unexpected joy, and our situation has improved greatly. Zhu is endlessly grateful."
A large number of masters from the Golden Khanate and the Sumeru Lotus Sect had headed northwest to face Cang Lang and Bai Lu.
Those who remained in the Central Plains were inevitably limited.
If they had succeeded in eliminating Zhu Junjie, the former Song territories would have been worry-free for a while.
But now, with the deaths of Sa Le Heng and Liang Zhuo, the dynamics had shifted significantly.
The Golden Khanate now found themselves in a vulnerable position in the former Song territories.
Of course, as long as the number one master of the mortal realm, the Golden Khan, remained, the river and mountains would not change hands so easily.
Zhu Junjie did not indulge in fantasies of overthrowing his opponent.
But if he could disrupt and delay the other's progress, that would be a success in itself.
Moreover, stepping back, Zhu Junjie was a Grand Scholar of the Nine Heavens' 'Pacify the World'. Without a sufficient number of formidable opponents, the destructive potential of his disruptive campaigns would be terrifying...
"Take care, fellow scholar." Lei Jun returned the courtesy.
Zhu Junjie took out an empty envelope and presented it with both hands to Lei Jun, saying, "If the Heavenly Master ever needs assistance here, please send a letter to Zhu.
I hope that one day, peace will reign, and there will be an opportunity to visit the other mortal realm and pay respects at Dragon-Tiger Mountain."
"You're too kind, fellow scholar." Lei Jun accepted the empty envelope, which carried the implication of 'this letter is as good as seeing me in person', and bid farewell to Zhu Junjie, seeing him off.
The young Grand Scholar was still injured, but this rare respite presented a precious opportunity—how he chose to spend it would be up to him.
Lei Jun, for his part, first returned to the Underground Sea with the Heavenly Master's Seal.
Though Tang Xiaotang was unfamiliar with the terrain, the ongoing war between the three foreign khanates meant that her pursuit of Li Yuanheng would not face major obstacles.
Lei Jun also planned to leave the void passage connecting the mortal realm to the Underground Sea open for now.
As for Li Yuanheng himself, though he was severely weakened, Lei Jun had some suspicions regarding the Underground Sea's Nine Li, so he intended to return and investigate first.
……………………
In one of the Nine Heavens, Penglai, which had been chaotic before, now exuded an air of immortal charm once more after these years of recuperation.
A middle-aged Daoist priest, clad in the customary attire of the Pure Yang Palace, was seated cross-legged next to an immortal pool, sitting in silence while slowly breathing in and out. He was cultivating his primordial spirit and ethereal soul, using his body’s heat to nourish them.
As a grand Daoist of the Dan Ding Faction who had reached the fourth level of the Nine Heavens, the 'Four Qi Converging with the Yuan', Li Hang's primordial infant and ethereal soul were exceptionally robust.
Cultivating the Pure Soul Qi, his soul reached a state of 'serene emptiness', able to resist threats from mental energies and secret arts.
His already sturdy physique and primordial infant further improved his defense against enemies' soul secret arts and their attacks.
However, that nine-sectioned bamboo staff flickering with purple and golden radiance was truly bizarre.
With Li Hang's abilities, he still felt dizzy from that single strike.
He had no doubt that if he hadn't been bolstered by the Pure Soul Qi and his soul's 'serene emptiness', he would have suffered injuries to his primordial infant and ethereal soul from that single blow.
Aside from Xu Yuanzhen, there was more than one powerful master in the Grand Master's Mansion of the Great Tang. No wonder Huang Xuanpu had fallen there.
It was just a pity that they had missed the chance to seize the Heavenly Master's Seal, and it would likely be even harder to find another opportunity in the future.
As for the Wanfa Zongtan of the Great Tang mortal realm, there was no need to even mention it.
Time waits for no one... Having concluded his rest, Li Hang opened his eyes, gazing into the distance.
Soon, a clear light appeared before him, automatically sketching out a talisman edict.
After perusing the edict, Li Hang's brows furrowed, but they soon relaxed, and he put away the edict, rising to his feet.
He arrived at Immortal Mountain.
At the summit, a person was already waiting.
It was a woman dressed in plain cloth and hemp shoes.
She was none other than the former Grand Master of the Great Ming's Shu Mountain Faction, now the Western White Emperor of the Human Dao Nation, Han Qingtao.
Without Mu Chunyang, she had finally shaken off her pursuers and returned to Penglai.
However, her legacy in the Great Ming mortal realm had crumbled.
Li Hang did not mean to mock her.
In the Great Song mortal realm, he had sought fortune amidst danger, and it wasn't entirely risk-free.
Though he had escaped safely, if Lei Jun and Tang Xiaotang were to chat with Zhu Junjie, they would likely be able to connect Li Hang with the Southern Red Emperor of the Human Dao Nation.
His foundation in the Great Song mortal realm would also face turbulence.
Li Hang had been psychologically prepared before taking action, so he remained calm at this moment.
"Fellow Daoist Li," Han Qingtao nodded slightly.
Li Hang returned the greeting, "How is it over on your side? Do you need any assistance?"
"It's rare to see Fellow Daoist Han propose the 'Alliance of the Five Directions'."
Han Qingtao said, "I've disturbed you this time because the matter is of great importance."
Li Hang's gaze fell on her face.
Han Qingtao said, "The Jade Emperor's Realm may be stirring."
Li Hang asked slowly, "The Heaven Palace's old associates?"
(End of Chapter)
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