Chapter 294

The third form of the Chaos Star Sword Technique, Heavenly Circuit Perfected, Zhang Jian deemed sufficient.

Although Zhang Jian felt that if he continued to delve deeper, there was hope to repair and renew the Chaos Star Sword Technique,

but Zhang Jian's current priority is to continue perfecting the Map of Mountains, Rivers, and State, to complete the mandate of state authority, in preparation for the Fifth Yin Spirit Tribulation.

Only by passing the Fifth Yin Spirit Tribulation can one truly transcend life and death, cancel the death register, and attain an immortal body.

This is also the most primordial wish of all cultivators at the beginning.

Zhang Jian stepped into the courtyard, where the trees were sparse, and Zhang Fu was pruning the overly luxuriant branches growing in the garden with the gardener.

Within the blessed land, the overly abundant spiritual energy kept the gardeners in the manor in a constant state of busyness, as they always found the fruit trees and plants in the garden growing rapidly.

At this moment, Zhang Zhao and Zhang Chang'an were playing and roughhousing under the jujube tree; hearing Zhang Jian's footsteps, they couldn't help but turn their gazes toward him.

"Father!"

Zhang Chang'an was the first to call out, quickly running over.

Zhang Chang'an is already seven years old; the little girl wears a light green jacket and skirt, full of vitality.

Zhang Jian and Qi Yuhua both have excellent appearances, and the little girl's features are exceptionally exquisite.

Seeing the sweat on her face, Zhang Jian smiled faintly, casually picked her up, and spun her around once.

The aura of wandering the starry river for billions of years, that ancient cold loneliness, also seemed to drift away in an instant.

Zhang Zhao also ran over; he appeared extremely refined and introverted, gazing at Zhang Chang'an and Zhang Jian, his expression holding a hint of envy.

Seeing him standing aside, Zhang Jian stepped forward and patted his head; Zhang Zhao remained somewhat reserved, for in his memory, his father had always been stern since childhood, or else occupied with checking lessons, and only nighttime was the most joyful, allowing them siblings to play and roughhouse in the courtyard, and enjoy midnight snacks, making various pastries, snacks, barbecue, and so on.

Merely thinking of this, he still felt a bit of longing for his elder brother Zhang Yi.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Zhang Fu saw Zhang Jian and his eyes lit up slightly, and he hurried forward as well.

Seeing Zhang Fu's expression, Zhang Jian knew something must have happened.

Before entering seclusion half a month ago, he had instructed Zhang Fu to pay attention to all kinds of news in Hao Jing City; it seemed that during his seclusion, Hao Jing City had not been peaceful.

"My lord, three days ago, the Second Elder Lord of the Dingyuan Marquisate Manor was found!"

Seeing Zhang Fu's solemn expression, Zhang Jian's gaze shifted.

"Did he meet with misfortune?"

Zhang Fu nodded: "My lord, the Second Elder Lord Song is dead!"

"He died at the hands of the Eldest Young Lord of the Hancheng Marquisate Manor; it is said that during his flight, he was discovered by the guards of the Hancheng Marquisate Manor, and during the arrest, Song Second Elder Lord fiercely resisted and killed several people, and thus..."

Zhang Fu's expression became solemn.

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian frowned, this is a blood feud forged.

The Dingyuan Marquis lost his younger brother; no matter what, he cannot possibly let it rest, otherwise how could he continue to unite the clansmen and unite the wings around him?

If even one's own kin cannot be protected, and justice cannot be sought, how would others submit to you?

Even if both families know, there is likely something fishy about this.

Zhang Jian looked over: "Have the Black-Clothed Guards investigated anything?"

Zhang Fu shook his head.

"My lord, our brothers in the Black-Clothed Guards are almost all on the periphery, unable to uncover any useful information!"

Zhang Jian nodded slightly.

The Zhang family also has its own intelligence organization, but this organization merely operates at the mortal level; once encountering an extraordinary organization like the Black-Clothed Guards, it basically has little effect.

Zhang Jian also does not care much, for such extraordinary organizations cannot be hastily assembled in a moment; unless one uses left-hand path methods or demonic path methods, otherwise it also requires long-term cultivation.

But for Zhang Jian, such a thing holds little meaning.

Facing high-level cultivators, such an intelligence organization is merely a number.

High-level cultivators may perhaps not dare to act against martial artists bearing dragon aura, but against these cultivators, they have few scruples.

Zhang Jian then inquired about several other targets in Hao Jing City that the Zhang family pays attention to.

These targets Zhang Jian has recently sent people to approach, but has not yet controlled them, only secretly observing these martial generals' 'weak points'; if the timing is right, he can smoothly absorb these people into his fold, which is also what Zhang Jian needs to do next.

The time left for him is not much.

Zhang Fu smiled faintly: "My lord, this matter has indeed yielded not a little gain!"

"The Marquis of Fei is profit-driven, and several young military officials in the court mostly focus on their own martial progress; however, the one you instructed to pay attention to recently seems to have encountered trouble..."

"Oh, who is it?"

Zhang Jian's gaze shifted.

"Zhao Qianshan, son of the Zhen'nan General..."

Zhang Jian's gaze shifted; Zhao Qianshan is not unfamiliar to him.

Back when the rebellion in Sanyang Commandery occurred, Zhao Qianshan participated in suppressing the rebellion alongside Qi Yi, but afterward this son of the Zhen'nan General became entangled in a jealousy incident with a prince of the imperial clan, and subsequently suffered cold treatment.

Currently, he is still merely a commander in the Imperial Guard, holding command over three or five thousand Imperial Guards, but such authority in the so-called two-hundred-thousand-strong Imperial Guard is utterly insignificant.

Zhang Jian nodded in approval.

"You have done well!"

Zhang Fu bowed slightly.

But Zhang Jian had only just appeared not long ago when the Daoist Jingming hurried over.

Gazing at the many disciples behind Daoist Jingming, with disciples holding gifts in their hands, Zhang Jian's mouth twitched; seeing Daoist Jingming's posture, it was obvious he had encountered another major trouble.

As Zhang Jian had anticipated, Daoist Jingming at this moment ordered the Daoists to leave their gifts behind and depart first from the hall, only then turning to Zhang Jian.

"Master Zhang, your sudden visit is indeed somewhat rash!"

"..."

Zhang Jian glanced at Daoist Jingming, his eyes flickering; the Cave God Observatory has already owed him many favors, and to owe more would be to have to compensate the entire Cave God Observatory to him, which might still not be enough.

However, Zhang Zhao has already entered the门下 of the Cave God Observatory; although he has not formally taken a master, he has already entered the lower courtyard of the Cave God Observatory for cultivation; not looking at the monk's face but at the Buddha's face, he still extends some favor.

"National Preceptor, if you have something to say, just speak plainly!"

Zhang Jian slightly smiled.

Upon hearing this, Daoist Jingming relaxed his expression, and he also felt a wry smile in his heart.

Actually, coming here repeatedly to seek Zhang Jian for help, he also felt somewhat indebted.

But the matter at hand indeed requires Zhang Jian's assistance.

He sighed.

"I don't know if Scholar Zhang noticed the omen half a month ago?"

Zhang Jian slightly nodded: "Heavenly omens have appeared; since ancient times, there cannot be two suns in the sky. I fear the fate of the Great Qian state is unstable—could it be that the Void Spirit Observatory has already found the whereabouts of another 'rebel' bearing the fate of the Purple Micro Star?"

Daoist Jingming slightly shook his head.

"That is not the case. Before the Hidden Dragon manifests, it is extremely difficult to pinpoint; even our Void Spirit Observatory is powerless!"

He glanced at Zhang Jian, pondered slightly, then after a moment performed a hand seal, suddenly sealing this great hall, with an invisible barrier enveloping it.

Seeing his caution, Zhang Jian's eyes moved.

"Scholar Zhang should have received news from the 'Five Daoists' predecessors—does our Great Qian dragon vein harbor another secret?"

Zhang Jian shook his head and said: "That is not the case!"

Before the 'Five Daoists' took action, they had a formal contract with the Void Spirit Observatory; the 'Five Daoists' could not disseminate what they saw and heard in the dragon vein.

However, this matter he personally experienced, so he naturally knows the truth and falsehood within.

Upon hearing this, Daoist Jingming smiled slightly and said: "The 'Five Daoists' predecessor is indeed a trustworthy person, but informing Scholar Zhang of this is also not inappropriate!"

Seeing Daoist Jingming's expression, Zhang Jian felt a stir in his heart; it seemed Daoist Jingming clearly regarded him as the Void Spirit Observatory's most 'intimate' ally. If so, perhaps he could probe from this National Preceptor the truth and falsehood of that treasure deep in the dragon vein!

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian shook his head and said: "Since this matter concerns the Great Qian royal family's secrets, I am merely an outsider; as a subject, it is inconvenient for me to inquire into royal secrets!"

Daoist Jingming laughed.

"Scholar Zhang is a pillar of the court, moreover a friend of Jingming, and has a close relationship with His Majesty, yet is not an outsider!"

His countenance was clear and serene.

"..."

Zhang Jian felt that he was clearly a future rebel, yet had already infiltrated the core of the opposing organization, and in the future would surely rise higher in position.

But no matter how high one climbs in position, it is of no use.

He has no intention of boarding that broken ship of the Great Qian court.

Especially after realizing the Great Qian royal family has been siphoning heavenly and earthly qi, refining dragon qi into treasures for themselves, he has even less intention of binding himself to them.

However, Daoist Jingming's words have reached this extent, and this secret he truly must hear.

Zhang Jian then assumed an attentive posture.

"Scholar Zhang should also have heard that our Great Qian's founding emperor was a mighty sovereign, leading countless dust and smoke, sweeping across the six directions, victorious in battle after battle, six pacifications and six decisions, ultimately defeating the 300,000 elite troops of the Shu Ailing Emperor, in one strike destroying the last resistance of Former Shu!"

"But no one knows that the defeat of Former Shu was not actually due to Emperor Ailing's foolishness!"

At this moment, Daoist Jingming's eyes shimmered with ripples.

Zhang Jian's pupils flickered slightly.

Facing Zhang Jian's speculative gaze, Daoist Jingming said: "The fall of Shu State was due to greed; if not for the rulers of Shu throughout history coveting heavenly mandate, intending to unify mountains and rivers, and achieve the undertaking of the ancient sage kings, Shu State might not have perished!

For this, they once refined in the dragon vein a primordial ferocious object; if completed, it could indeed rely on this to redraw mountains and rivers, and accomplish the undertaking of the sage king!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's eyes fluctuated.

"Could it be..."

Zhang Jian's heart arose with a sense of absurdity.

Seeing Zhang Jian's expression, Daoist Jingming slightly drew a deep breath, then softly sighed.

"What Scholar Zhang speculated is not off the mark; after Shu State's defeat, that wondrous object fell into the hands of Great Qian's founding emperor and was not destroyed. The founding emperor was wise and martial in youth, decisive in middle age, but in old age he eventually harbored thoughts, leaving his final command to have my master, together with several other predecessors, assist Great Qian, accomplish this undertaking, so that later generations would not leave regrets!"

"Thus, is it also that wondrous object causing the early decline of the dragon vein, with heavenly disasters and human calamities continuing without end?"

Zhang Jian's expression remained calm.

This is the dragon-slayer who has finally become the evil dragon!

Daoist Jingming silently nodded.

Zhang Jian's eyes fluctuated, and he softly sighed.

"One general's success is built on ten thousand bones; if using the plunder of human destiny as the price to let the sage king hold court, it is ultimately not the right path; this method must have immense backlash, Great Qian dynasty, perilous!"

This is not Zhang Jian making excuses.

When the ancient sage king descends into the world, which one does not rely on great human virtue and merit, gaining the approval of countless common people, even cultivators?

They are not merely sovereigns, but also possess the bodies of sages and worthies.

Relying on a single magical artifact to call oneself king and hegemon, can one become an ancient sage king?

Zhang Jian harbored doubts?

This is also not the way of sage virtue.

Rather, it resembles heterodox and left-handed paths.

Zhang Jian's eyes fluctuated, and he asked: "Then, National Preceptor, do you know what this treasure is?"

A hint of speculation flickered in his eyes; that day, merely touching the depths of the dragon vein, he sensed this object's ferocity was extraordinary, more terrifying than the Slaying Demon True Lord's Slaying Demon and Slaying Immortal Sword.

Perhaps its origin is astonishing.

Daoist Jingming shook his head and said: "As for what specific object was refined in the dragon vein, I, the poor Daoist, am not very clear; its fundamental nature is known only to my master and several predecessors..."

Zhang Jian glanced over, not knowing whether Daoist Jingming's words were true or false, and asked again.

"Then, has this object already been refined?"

Daoist Jingming showed no suspicion, and spoke in a deep voice.

This is precisely why I, a humble Daoist, came to seek Master Zhang; the dragon vein within is nearing completion, but now malevolent qi is leaking outward, and if such baleful qi spreads throughout the imperial capital for long, it may well bring about heavenly calamity!

He paused slightly, then continued.

It may also provoke civil unrest!

Zhang Jian glanced at Daoist Jingming, gesturing for him to continue.

Daoist Jingming said: "For now, the only plan is to swiftly forge the supreme treasure; only then can we avert this great disaster. However, this treasure still lacks one final primary ingredient—transforming baleful qi into harmony—before it can be completed!"

He spoke solemnly: "We have already ascertained the treasure's location, though that primary ingredient resides within a peculiar ruin, its interior filled with countless baleful qi. We wish to borrow Master Zhang's strength to accomplish the final achievement!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's gaze flickered as he asked: "I do not know where this ruin lies, nor how dangerous it is?"

Seeing that Zhang Jian did not seem to oppose this matter, Daoist Jingming felt a surge of joy—at least Zhang Jian's current attitude was not a direct refusal.

He smiled and said: "This is a special ruin located within the Void Dharma Realm, its danger level not high. I have had the Dongshen Guan investigate it for some time, yet within lie several restrictions teeming with remnants of god and demon souls, as well as heavenly demon curses—thus requiring Master Zhang's intervention!"

At this moment, he produced a jade slip from his hand and handed it to Zhang Jian, saying:

"This is the ruin's floor plan. After you have examined it, you may destroy it directly!"

Zhang Jian took it casually, his vast Yang Spirit divine sense sweeping over it, and his pupils immediately flickered slightly.

"Ah, so that is how it is!"

He crushed the jade slip in his hand, pondered for a moment, then said:

"Since it is the State Preceptor's request, I will give it serious consideration!"

Zhang Jian did not immediately agree.

Seeing this, Daoist Jingming was not surprised, merely saying: "If Master Zhang is willing to go, you may also set conditions; if the Dongshen Guan can fulfill them, I shall certainly agree!"

Having spoken, he bowed slightly, then led his disciples away slowly from Zhang's residence.

Watching Daoist Jingming's departing figure, Zhang Jian's mind flashed with a strange thought.

Observing Daoist Jingming's attitude, he might in the future use him as a stepping stone to directly bring the entire Dongshen Guan under his influence.

Perhaps this time he could test Daoist Jingming's stance!