Chapter 147

"Is this the important area of Haojing?"

On the passenger boat, the one who spoke was a middle-aged scholar dressed in plain cloth, wrapped up like a zongzi.

Zhang Jian glanced at him, seeing his spirit unsettled, and immediately smiled faintly.

This was a poor scholar named Zhan Xiong.

Although he had become a scholar, no matter how poor his origins, he had risen above destitution, merely falling slightly short compared to scholars from great clans, unlike Zhang Jian and Shi Lun, who wore fur coats and could still don fur-lined overcoats to ward off the cold wind.

Zhang Jian looked ahead; the dock outside Haojing City was even livelier than the one at Junxian Ferry, with people coming and going, shoulders brushing and heels rubbing.

At this moment, Zhang Jian also spoke up, proposing: "Gentlemen, do you have lodging arranged? If not, why not travel with us? I have already found a small courtyard in Haojing where we can all stay together; if we have leisure, we can study together and tour the splendid sights of the capital!"

Upon hearing this, many scholars declined Zhang Jian's kindness one after another; as scholar-officials, most of them possessed their own pride and had made preparations.

Before entering the capital, they had already greeted their classmates in the capital beforehand, or obtained invitations from official households in advance, allowing them to stay as guests.

In the capital, those official households actually welcomed young scholars to lodge; if fortunate, they might even be taken as sons-in-law in advance by these households.

Shi Lun also declined Zhang Jian's kindness; the Shi family had prepared lodging for him in the capital.

After a while, only Zhang Jian and his servant remained on the dock.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian felt a sigh rise within him; along this journey, he had seen these scholars—some feigning poverty, some shrewd, some fond of ostentation, some enjoying the pretense of weakness to devour the strong—but in the end, they all revealed their true nature, unwilling to easily submit to others.

Master and servant then proceeded along this water-land dock, passing through the market and entering the outskirts of Haojing City.

Before them, Haojing lay like a great dragon coiled upon the earth, its walls thick and heavy, the dragon and tiger aura vast and intense.

Zhang Jian sealed his spiritual power within his flesh and blood, purely regarding himself as a body-tempering martial artist.

The late stage of Ce Ming is equivalent to the peak of the Heaven-Man realm.

One step further leads to the legendary Immortal-Demon realm.

Being equivalent to the Golden Core realm of cultivators.

The lifespan of cultivators at the Golden Core realm exceeds eight hundred years, approaching one thousand.

Martial artists who tread into the Immortal-Demon realm, although their essence, energy, and spirit suffer some consumption, are still comparable; living several hundred years in the mortal world, they can indeed be called terrestrial Immortals-Demons.

However, in the world, once body-tempering martial artists reach the Immortal-Demon realm, there is almost no path ahead for them.

……

When Zhang Jian entered Haojing, the memorial requesting aid from the Southern Governor Cai Heng had already arrived early on the current emperor's desk.

The current emperor is not ignorant of military affairs, but rather a mentally sound young emperor, who gained the late emperor's favor in his youth and had already undergone years of training in the crown prince's position, possessing a deep and calculating mind.

At this moment, he sat before the imperial desk, although his brows were furrowed, he showed not the slightest change in expression, calm and composed.

"Since the matter concerns the heretical Xuan Du Sect, let the National Preceptor send people to deal with it; in the military, let the old general Yang of Changming County serve as the Pacification Rebel Grand General in place of Cai Heng; as for the earlier-mentioned Marquis Dingnan, who noted that General Qi Wei of Fengyang Commandery, a veteran of many years guarding the borders, is a battle-hardened old general, let him serve as deputy general!"

"Your Majesty is wise!"

Upon hearing this, the several Nine Ministers and senior officials before the imperial desk all nodded in agreement; then the Grand Commandant Wang Yuan added: "But Your Majesty, these two old generals are veterans of a hundred battles, yet their energy is not what it once was; it would be better to send a few young generals to gain experience, which would also serve as mutual complement!"

The emperor opened his eyes and inquired.

"Grand Commandant, do you have any suitable candidates to recommend?"

"Your Majesty is not actively establishing a new army and promoting many young generals forged from aristocratic and prestigious families; this time, why not send a few of them out to gain experience?"

"Excellent, then let us appoint Song Yue, Zhao Qingshan, Zhao Man……hmm, and also add the palace guard side general Qi Yuanwu!"

Upon hearing the emperor's final mention of Qi Yuanwu, several senior officials in the hall shifted their gazes slightly, clearly indicating the emperor was promoting this palace guard general Qi Yuanwu.

Since receiving the favor of Princess Qingfeng, Qi Yuanwu has risen rapidly.

They also know that the last time the emperor refused Princess Qingfeng's plea, this time promoting the palace guard general Qi Yuanwu is likely also to make amends for this elder sister.

At present, there is no objection!

……

After Zhang Jian entered the capital, he first found lodging, then went to see his maternal uncle Qi Yuanwu.

Qi Yuanwu was not surprised by Zhang Jian's arrival.

Upon Zhang Jian's arrival, he had just returned from duty wearing his full armor.

"A Yu, I have received my father's letter, and Yu Xian has also sent several letters, mentioning your deeds in Fengyang Commandery; frankly speaking, uncle is also startled, that you managed to turn Yu Tongguang and Yu You around; however, it would be best if these actions did not reach the emperor's ears, otherwise it might affect your future!"

On Qi Yuanwu's sharply angled face lay an expression of admonition.

Zhang Jian adopted a respectful, receptive expression.

In truth, he naturally is not foolish and would not flaunt his secrets everywhere.

Otherwise, would he not leave in the emperor's impression the mark of a born rebel, a natural traitor?

He should now be a 'loyal subject,' a 'meritorious subject'!

"You two are also fortunate this time, able to arrive early in Haojing; now, most of Jixian Commandery and Sanyang Commandery are already under martial law……"

Zhang Jian's gaze fluctuated.

He had already heard that the southern commanderies' reinforcements had been almost entirely wiped out by the Xuan Du Sect on the canal.

To speak frankly, hearing this also greatly surprised him.

This matter can be said to have pierced the heavens.

The impact is enormous.

Furthermore, Zhang Jian has recently been gathering news about Jixian Commandery; after a sweep, Jixian Commandery has actually cleared out many hidden agents of the Xuan Du Sect in advance, and for now shows no signs of collapse.

Zhang Jian actually wishes to ask Qi Yuanwu about the court's attitude toward the southern commanderies, to see if there is an opportunity for the Zhang family.

In times of war, for ordinary commoners, it is a heavenly disaster; but for prominent clans, it is not so; if fortune favors them, they can leap over decades of painstaking effort and achieve success in one step.

But unfortunately, Zhang Jian ultimately could not obtain more information from Qi Yuanwu's mouth.

Later, Qi Yuanwu had Zhang Jian stay for a meal in his residence.

At this time, visitors arrived outside the residence.

Zhang Jian vaguely heard that it was an official from a princess's mansion coming to invite him; he felt something strange in his heart, but also did not act inappropriately by continuing to stay for the meal; finding an excuse, he immediately rose and left.

Just before leaving, Zhang Jian glanced at Qi Yuanwu and warned him.

"Your maternal uncle's qi and blood have been weak lately; in some situations, you still need to restrain yourself a bit!"

Upon hearing this, Qi Yuanwu's old face visibly flushed.

Zhang Jian didn't give this maternal uncle a chance to get angry, and immediately left in a hurry.

But just as he had stepped out, Zhang Jian noticed another large group entering the mansion, led by several eunuchs with sinister and effeminate appearances.

"Eunuch?"

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered.

Various thoughts flashed through his mind; he knew something major was likely happening at Qi Yuanwu's mansion today, but he didn't turn back to inquire, knowing that if there were a major event, Qi Yuanwu would soon send someone to find him.

And not long after leaving the Qi residence, Zhang Jian suddenly stumbled, halting his steps before a grand manor.