Chapter 281: Purple Star's Subtle Shift

Southwest region, Nine Links Prefecture

The Zheng Prince's fiefdom lies within Nine Links Prefecture.

The Great Qian dynasty inherited the old system from the previous dynasty in this regard, extensively enfeoffing the imperial clan and greatly expanding feudalism, hoping that the feudal princes would safeguard the ancestral altars, which is the universal consensus for all generations under heaven.

However, to prevent the feudal princes from rebelling, a comprehensive supervisory system is also in place.

Most feudal princes have had their military command authority revoked, retaining only control over a few guard units to administer their regions and prevent non-surname officials from becoming arrogant.

Besides this, they also engage in city-building and garrison farming.

But there are always exceptions; some feudal princes in the border prefectures obviously wield greater power, and they have been granted military command authority to guard the frontiers.

Zheng Prince Wei Chi was previously confined to Haojing City due to the Emperor Jingwu's wariness, until six years ago when Empress Dowager Li interceded, after which he was sent to his fief.

As a key target of Emperor Jingwu's surveillance, even though he resides in Nine Links Prefecture, a border region, Zheng Prince has never been able to possess military command authority, and can only command a guard force of about one thousand.

Moreover, a frontier general has been assigned to closely monitor him, leaving him unable to move freely.

At this moment within the Zheng Prince's mansion, a slender figure gazes far into the azure sky, and in her sight can be seen a purple great star above the firmament whose luster is now dim and dull.

"The killing aura violates the taboo, the Purple Star is stained with blood; it seems there is another disturbance in Haojing City, only regrettable that Nine Links Prefecture is too far from Haojing to obtain firsthand news!"

The beautiful woman wears palace attire, her face like a hibiscus blossom, her eyes like stars.

She is Liu Xin, the Holy Maiden of the Golden Maiden Sect.

She has now become the Zheng Prince's consort.

"The Purple Star has shown its first anomaly; it seems we must intensify infiltration of Nine Links Prefecture and soon resolve the tiger that is Yang Kaisan!"

Yang Kaisan is precisely the great general garrisoning Nine Links Prefecture!

……

And at this moment when the Purple Star undergoes anomaly, it is also observed by many profound cultivators surrounding the Great Qian.

This change is very intuitive.

The Purple Star is the natal star of Emperor Jingwu, its fate manifested; once it shows problems, it is hard to conceal, unless a cultivator of extremely profound Dao performs a concealment.

Many concerned parties have turned their gazes toward the direction of Haojing City.

At this moment, within the borders of Northern Chu, there are also several figures gazing far toward the direction of Haojing City.

Leading them is a figure who is the Grand Preceptor of Northern Chu, a cultivator of towering and stalwart stature, his entire body suffused with intense, heavy killing aura.

The Grand Preceptor of Northern Chu is Tuoba Zhenwu.

"Before us is indeed a rare opportunity spanning a thousand years; the dragon qi of the Qian dynasty is faint and weak, let the spies of Northern Chu quickly ascertain the Qian dynasty's virtual and real conditions—such a fine opportunity must not be missed!"

He waves his hand, ordering a disciple beside him to transmit a secret command.

"Moreover, taking this opportunity, we may perhaps probe the changes deep within the dragon veins of Haojing City..."

Those who know you best are often your enemies.

Since Northern Chu established its state, it has been in open and covert struggle with Great Qian; in this vast fertile land, none can be content with merely sharing the autumn hues equally, all striving to unify the eastern Shen Province, to accomplish this world-shaking feat.

The Grand Preceptor of Northern Chu, Tuoba Zhenwu, early on sensed the secret hidden within the dragon veins of Haojing City, and had probed several times before, but each time he paid a considerable price yet gained nothing.

In his view, the present moment is precisely a rare opportunity spanning a thousand years.

Several True Persons of the Primordial Spirit of the Qian dynasty are absent from the central authority, the dragon veins are faint and weak, the Purple Star imperial qi is now sufficient to shock the central authority—this is exactly the time to try.

……

Inside and outside Haojing City, as the imperial capital is placed under lockdown, the emperor lies in coma amidst turbulent undercurrents.

The Pure Bright Daoist, however, has hurriedly come to outside Eastern Mausoleum, knocking to request an audience with the Heavenly Gang True Person.

Within Eastern Mausoleum, Heavenly Gang True Person Yuan Geng opens his eyes, he glances at the stellar changes above the firmament; the imperial capital's upheaval—how could he not know?

Seated at the center of the dragon veins, he can clearly sense that, even though he has attempted to seal the dragon veins, the dragon vein qi is still gradually declining year by year; first, due to damage to the dragon veins, second, because that supreme treasure is further refining and now begins to inhale and exhale the dragon vein qi, to accelerate its formation.

The decline of the dragon vein qi naturally brings about a backlash.

"The Daoist friend you seek is too defiant of heaven, its influence too widespread; suffering among living beings is inevitable!"

Heavenly Gang True Person sighed, but no matter what, Great Qian cannot afford any problems.

Otherwise, not only would our efforts fall short, but this great dragon vein backlash would likely force us few Primordial Spirit True Persons to drink a cup of bitterness.

Emperor Jingwu is wise and decisive, and is also the key to stabilizing Great Qian; he must not encounter problems.

"Please come in!"

Heavenly Gang True Person summoned the Pure Bright Daoist inside.

"I pay my respects, Heavenly Gang Martial Uncle!"

Within Eastern Mausoleum, gazing at the surrounding feng shui grand formation, the Pure Bright Daoist's countenance slightly changed; he immediately hurriedly performed the great ritual.

"Martial Uncle, how could the interior of the dragon veins be like this..."

His gaze fell upon, and he saw within the deep walls of Eastern Mausoleum, in many places faint threads of cracks emerging, appearing shocking to behold.

Heavenly Gang Daoist spoke calmly.

"As you see, the dragon veins have already encountered problems; years ago, the previous dynasty's dragon veins backlashed, but not as you see; although most resentful spirits were purified, a portion still merged with the previous dynasty's dragon qi into the dragon veins, and now indistinguishable from the dragon veins, they are fiercely devouring the dragon qi within the dragon veins to grow strong—this is the fundamental cause of the emperor's grave illness!"

Yuan Geng did not mention the supreme treasure beneath the dragon veins, for it is not something the Pure Bright Daoist can resolve.

The Pure Bright Daoist hurriedly said: "Martial Uncle, I do not know how to resolve this calamity!"

Heavenly Gang Daoist's gaze fluctuated, and he said.

"To say it is simple is simple; to say it is not easy is indeed very difficult; you only need to find the direct descendants of the Previous Shu Mourning Emperor, obtain their 'understanding,' and borrow a few drops of their essence blood to perform a rite, and you can dispel the malevolent thoughts within the dragon veins!"

"Descendants of the Previous Shu?"

Upon hearing this, the Pure Bright Daoist's countenance changed; this Previous Shu Mourning Emperor fell over four hundred years ago; when the Shu imperial palace was breached that year, most of the Shu royal lineage died in battle, although a few were taken away by cultivators, but who knows where they are now.

Heavenly Gang True Person, however, does not mind, he said calmly.

"Earlier, Dao Brother had already taken a drop of that demoness's heart's blood, and has been searching during this time; surely he should have found a clue by now!"

Upon hearing this, the Pure Bright Daoist's gaze startled, then he relaxed his breath.

"It turns out the two True Persons had already prepared in advance—my junior's worries were unnecessary!"

The Tian Gang True Person heard this and smiled faintly.

"You didn't overthink it; Brother Chao Dao might not necessarily find the descendants of the Shu Ai Emperor. You should consider other methods—preferably find another dragon vein. If you could obtain the power of another dragon vein, extend the great fortune of the dragon vein, perhaps you could still suppress the illness upon His Majesty..."

"Master Uncle, where would one so easily find a dragon vein..."

Jing Ming Dao Ren gave a wry smile, but in an instant his eyes shifted.

"Unless..."

Tian Gang True Person saw Jing Ming Dao Ren's enlightenment, and a hint of approval appeared in his eyes: "Exactly—doesn't Northern Chu already have a ready-made one?"

Upon hearing this, Jing Ming Dao Ren's mouth twitched.

The Northern Chu dragon vein is indeed powerful, but how could it possibly be easily stolen?

Moreover, the Northern Chu imperial family is tyrannical, and they maintain close ties with numerous demonic sects from the two realms' border regions—who knows how many powerful experts lie hidden within?

To rob the Northern Chu dragon vein seems like a fantasy.

Seeing Tian Gang Dao Ren teasing him, Jing Ming Dao Ren felt helpless and decided to contact one or two ancestors of the Dong Shen Sect after returning, to see if a solution could be found!

……

Zhuang Yuan Fu Di.

Now, within the imperial city, news has been sealed off; Zhang Jian can only watch and wait.

At this moment he turns his attention to the newly purchased *Huang Ting Fu Di Da Fa*.

The final thread of Heaven and Earth True Intent contained within it, Zhang Jian feels his accumulation is nearly complete.