Chapter 312: The Extreme Position of Ministers, the Rank of Nine Ministers (4K)

The battle at Dongling shocked the entire cultivation world.

This battle caused the fall of so many Primordial Spirit True Persons.

Even the demonic path Primordial Spirits.

Drew attention from within and outside the cultivation world!

The cultivation world had not seen such a great battle for a long time.

Those were cultivators who had achieved longevity, each one renowned and famous, true old demons.

How many sieges, death calamities, did they endure to achieve longevity?

And now, six of them fell at once.

Next came the emergence of a supreme treasure.

The Golden Man of the King of Wei, whose power shook heaven and earth, caused many renowned ancestors of immortal sects and Dao lineages to nearly die of hatred beneath this treasure.

These various rumors spread, causing more and more cultivation sects to turn their gaze toward this fertile land governed by the State and Dao.

……

Before the city of Dingyuan Commandery, the Northern Chu Grand Tutor's campaign carriage.

After leading troops into Dingyuan Commandery, Tuoba Zhenwu also encountered trouble.

With the aid of three great demon sect masters, he originally planned to seize the opportunity to take Dingyuan Commandery's capital, for which the three great demon sect masters allied with some Northern Chu cultivators to launch a night raid on the commandery governor's mansion, attempting to behead the army's chief commander An Ruming, but were ambushed by two attendants of the Great Qian, severely wounding the Yin No Jiu of the Yin Shadow Magic Palace.

Other cultivators suffered even more deaths and injuries.

After the news returned to Jingzhou City, the campaign carriage's upper and lower ranks were shaken, and Tuoba Zhenwu clearly felt the morale of the Northern Chu side greatly diminished.

Conversely, morale within Dingyuan Commandery on the Great Qian side greatly rose.

"Actually, this lord believes the Grand Tutor need not worry!"

At this moment inside the campaign carriage, the remaining many demon sect cultivators gathered in one hall; the Three Appearance Old Ancestor of the Demonic Fiend Sect had a calm expression, appearing like a middle-aged scholar, looking vigorous and strong, his eyes full of dignity, yet clearly containing an alien pupil within.

Deputy Sect Master of the Demonic Fiend Sect, the Three Appearance Old Ancestor.

This is also a giant who has dominated both realms for over a thousand years.

Seeing this, Tuoba Zhenwu's expression became solemn, he clasped his hands and said: "Please, Three Appearance Ancestor, speak plainly?"

The Three Appearance Old Ancestor did not sit in the center; the central seat was occupied by the Northern Chu Grand Tutor Tuoba Zhenwu.

On the surface, the various transcendent masters still regarded him as their leader!

Northern Chu's dragon aura is profound, and Tuoba Zhenwu bears the Northern Chu Commander's Seal; at this moment, with dragon aura supporting him, his cultivation is not inferior to that of the left-path masters present.

The one seated first on the left is the Blood Sea Holy Lord of the Blood Shadow Demon Sect, the second is another Primordial Spirit True Person of the Blood Shadow Demon Sect, the Crimson Blood Demon Lord.

The first on the right is the Three Appearance Old Ancestor, the second is the Heart Moon Palace Master of the Yin Shadow Demon Sect, a powerful Primordial Spirit True Person whose body is enveloped in misty light gauze.

The Three Appearance Old Ancestor's expression remained unchanged, he smiled slightly facing the crowd.

"Although Qianhai True Person is indeed extremely strong in strength, and holds the Golden Man of the King of Wei in his hand, not something the Northern Chu army can match, yet Qianhai True Person has made countless enemies; would the great sects and Dao lineages simply stand by and allow another ancient holy king to appear upon the Divine Land?"

"Have you all considered what the true appearance of a holy king holding court is like? Not only ordinary humans, but even we outsiders must also submit beneath the holy king's dignity!"

"Would cultivators submit to mundane dynasties like ants?"

His eyes flashed with intense disdain.

Everyone present were demonic path cultivators, most annoyed by all kinds of rules, naturally unwilling to accept the outcome of a holy king holding court.

If a holy king holds court, how would they these who lure souls and seize spirits, how would they refine various demonic magic artifacts, demonic marvelous methods?

Most of the great power demonic magic methods are inseparable from the essence blood, souls of common people, or the essence blood, spirits of demons themselves.

Seated in the center, Northern Chu Grand Tutor Tuoba Zhenwu took in this scene, his heart slightly sank, his eyes held some complexity.

From the bottom of his heart, he actually hoped for an unparalleled emperor to incarnate in the mundane world as an ancient holy king, to sweep away these monsters and demons, demons and ghosts, turning them all into history.

In ancient times, every time a holy king was born, the human race could welcome a great outbreak period.

But sadly, after these holy kings abdicated, these demons always found opportunities to rise again.

But at least for a time, it was prosperous and flourishing.

No need to worry about survival from morning to evening, nor fear sudden misfortune.

Tuoba Zhenwu quickly suppressed this untimely thought.

Great Qian is currently Northern Chu's mortal enemy; if they wish to accomplish the Dao of an ancient holy king, they will inevitably move against Northern Chu.

He, this Northern Chu Grand Tutor, his fate is tied to Northern Chu's national fortune; whoever runs, he cannot escape.

Therefore, Great Qian must perish!

Tuoba Zhenwu pondered for a moment and said.

"The Ancestor's words hit the vital point; Great Qian wishing to walk the holy king's path is nothing but a path to death!"

"Moreover, those exalted ones of the holy king clans, those ancient cultivators, will likely be even more interested in the Golden Man of the King of Wei……at that time, gods and demons from all heavens will gather, Great Qian's days are already numbered!"

Tuoba Zhenwu said the last words, his expression already bearing a smile.

As his gaze swept over, indeed he saw many Northern Chu cultivators, demonic path cultivators, their solemn expressions relax considerably.

On the main seat, Tuoba Zhenwu's face bore a smile, he loudly raised a toast to the seated cultivators, though his heart still held hidden worries.

Great Qian may indeed be attacked by a crowd.

But this has a time.

And within this time period, Northern Chu is extremely dangerous.

That Qianhai True Person is certainly not a kind one.

He fears that during this time, Qianhai True Person will launch a full-force attack on Northern Chu, first eliminating this 'arch-enemy', then freeing his hands to deal with other threats.

……

Just as Tuoba Zhenwu had guessed.

In Jingzhou City, within the Jingtai Hall.

Many Primordial Spirit True Persons of Great Qian gathered in one hall. Emperor Jingwu, having merged with the Nation's Fortune Dragon Soul, now emanated an inexplicable aura, his eyes bright and spirited, seated upon the main seat.

Within the great hall, the seat of honor was occupied by Qianhai True Lord, followed by Chaomu, Tiangang True Person, Xingji True Person, Yinghuo True Person, and Zhangjian sitting in the middle, his expression calm.

Behind them were several unfamiliar Primordial Spirit True Persons; Zhangjian recognized the Fenglei True Person among them, while the others were either wandering cultivators who had pledged allegiance to the Great Qian imperial family, or allies from another lineage of the Dongguan Observatory.

Meanwhile, the many civil and military officials, the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers, all sat in the lower seats, while a few Daoists of the Dong character generation from the Dongguan Observatory sat within the hall to listen in attendance.

But at this moment, Qianhai True Lord turned his gaze toward the crowd and spoke of the plan to come.

"Great Qian now has enemies on all sides; for the present plan, we must first reestablish the Dragon Vein. Only with a strong Dragon Vein can we protect Great Qian's surroundings from disturbance!"

"But now Great Qian's Dragon Vein is broken; to reshape it, we must swiftly destroy North Chu and seize its Dragon Vein, so that Great Qian may unify the fertile lands of the Eastern Realm, reestablish the Dragon Vein, and then the mountains and rivers, the state and altars, will naturally be secure and untroubled!"

Qianhai True Lord's face was solemn, his eyes sweeping over the crowd, his gaze filled with intense dignity.

Not only does the Great Qian court need Qianhai True Lord, but he likewise needs to borrow Great Qian's Dragon Vein for protection, lest he fall among the lost.

In this vast land, there are countless masters; even one as formidable as he cannot afford to be careless.

Moreover, more importantly, he is linked to Great Qian's fortune; if Great Qian collapses, the cosmic fortune will backlash, and he will inevitably bear the brunt of great evil, possibly unable to protect himself.

Seated upon the imperial throne, Emperor Jingwu silently nodded, and upon hearing this, he spoke as well.

"O ministers, you are all the pillars of Great Qian; at this time, we must unite as one and crush North Chu!"

"When Great Qian unifies the Divine Land, you shall all be ennobled as marquises and appointed as chancellors, and even all manner of rare treasures, longevity and eternal vision, shall be within easy reach!"

At this moment, Emperor Jingwu was also filled with high spirits.

Having obtained the Dragon Soul, he also learned from Qianhai True Lord that he himself could now cultivate; if Great Qian could stabilize the situation and unify the Divine Land, he said he might hope to fulfill the dream of Great Qian's past emperors—the Sage King holding court.

For an emperor who longs for longevity, this is the greatest motivation.

Zhangjian sat among the Primordial Spirit True Persons, his expression unchanged.

He could sense that above the Jingtai Hall, Great Qian's dragon qi was swelling in the palm of one's hand, and the Dragon Soul behind Emperor Jingwu bared its fangs and brandished its claws.

This battle will inevitably be the decisive battle for Great Qian's fate.

If victorious, Great Qian may yet find a glimmer of life in nirvana.

If defeated, the consequences need not be elaborated.

The entirety of Great Qian will surely fragment and split apart.

As the Slaying Demon True Lord said, his opportunity has come.

But Zhangjian has not tried to hinder Great Qian at this critical juncture.

Emperor Jingwu's kindness in recognizing him, he naturally will not forget; yet if Great Qian truly collapses because of this, that too would mean it is heaven's will, heaven's will letting him reclaim the mountains and rivers.

At that time, when he steps forward again to restore the mountains and rivers, he could also gather Great Qian's foundation to the greatest extent for himself, without bearing any stigma.

If Emperor Jingwu truly survives this trial, then he will continue to restrain himself, waiting for the opportunity to arrive.

As a cultivator, what he lacks least is time.

To speak frankly, Zhangjian does not hold high hopes for Great Qian.

Even if they pass this immediate obstacle, the future may not sustain them, and truly welcoming the Sage King holding court is uncertain.

Zhangjian thought this, but in fact he had not lacked the idea of the snipe and clam contending, with the fisherman reaping the benefit.

He still needs time to continue growing.

After passing the fifth calamity of the Yin Spirit, attaining the title of State and Altar Emperor, only then will be his true time to step forward.

……

Next, Qianhai True Lord mobilized troops and deployed generals, arranging the battle situation; the many Primordial Spirit True Persons each had their assignments.

Zhangjian held the dual title of Minister of the Grand Agriculture Temple, and was currently working to improve the seeds of mixed grains, while also possessing the Eastern Emperor's Treasure Mirror; Qianhai True Lord thus requested Zhangjian and Tiangang True Person remain in Haojing City, to assist the Daoist Jingming in guarding the central hub, while he himself prepared to lead the Primordial Spirit True Persons to Dingyuan Commandery to do battle with North Chu's million-strong army.

Qianhai True Lord also knew.

The longer the delay, the worse it is for Great Qian and for him.

Qianhai True Lord hopes this one battle can decide victory or defeat.

……

And before Qianhai True Lord set out on campaign, as expected, Zhangjian was again "promoted."

Emperor Jingwu ennobled him as Left Attendant of the Remonstrance Bureau, overseeing internal and external affairs, remonstrating against impropriety, and presiding over government affairs; this is the rank of Senior Third Rank.

Promoted from Senior Fourth Rank to Senior Third Rank, Zhangjian directly leapt up a rank beyond convention, which naturally sparked discussion in the court.

And not long after, the emperor personally had Zhangjian assume office, removing the title of Assistant Minister of the Lesser Treasury and directly bestowing upon him the title of Minister of the Lesser Treasury; meanwhile, the former Minister of the Lesser Treasury, Huang Liangzhong, was made to "yield position to the virtuous," returning to the Literary and Art Institute to oversee this pure and noble office, while also temporarily serving as chief examiner for the current civil service examination.

The Minister of the Lesser Treasury is already one of the Nine Ministers, holding high position and great authority, overseeing a complete department.

The Lesser Treasury oversees taxes on seas, rivers, lakes, and marshes, as well as state-run handicrafts; it can be said to hold extremely heavy authority.

It has under its jurisdiction the Grand Agriculture Temple and the Household Department, two special bureaus.

Having already reached the rank of Supreme Minister of the People, the next step would be the Three Dukes.

Zhangjian, at this time not yet of the age of establishment, had already attained the high rank of the Nine Ministers, his favor unmatched for a time.

Many civil and military officials of the court also could not make sense of it, merely thinking Zhangjian had merit in improving crops at the Grand Agriculture Temple, and was simply favored by the emperor.

All were envious of Zhangjian's situation.

However, the senior officials among the Three Dukes and Nine Ministers were clear-eyed: this Zhang Xueshi indeed possessed Daoist cultivation, and having saved the imperial consorts in the rear court during the Eastern Ling battle, he was thus relied upon by Emperor Jingwu.

Moreover, more importantly, with chaotic times approaching, Emperor Jingwu needed to win over this great scholar, and thus broke convention; were it not for this Zhang Xueshi's deeds being unsuitable to proclaim to the world, Emperor Jingwu even had the intention to enfeoff him as a marquis.

……

"Enfeoffing as marquis is not my intention, but I wish the sea waves to be calm!"

In the Zhang family residence, Zhangjian received the edict; Chaomu, upon hearing it, had a hint of a smile in his expression.

"Master Zhang Xueshi is indifferent to fame and profit, his Daoist mind lofty, inspiring envy!"

At this moment, he felt some emotion; he too would follow Qianhai True Lord to Dingyuan Commandery to participate in this great decisive battle.

Before this battle, the future is uncertain; this Primordial Spirit True Person inevitably also feels some emotion.

After thinking, he looked toward Mu and said to Zhang Jian.

"Master Zhang, I personally requested His Majesty to come and announce the decree for this trip; in fact, I also have a personal request."

"As we are about to part, I wish to ask Master Zhang for a piece of calligraphy, which would also be considered auspicious!"

"I wonder if Master Zhang would be willing to grant me a piece of calligraphy?"

After speaking, he took out an object from his sleeve and handed it to Zhang Jian with a smile.

"This is the inkstone fee; please, Master Zhang, you must accept it!"

What he handed over was also a piece of jade marrow, but this jade marrow resembled flames, and within it lay a small spirit pearl, filled with a strong innate spiritual essence; it is also a rare treasure.

This is a thousand-year fire marrow, and the thousand-year jade marrow that nurtured the fire marrow pearl is even rarer.

This item is warm in nature and excellent for preparing foundation-establishing bone-strengthening elixirs.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian's eyes flickered; this item would be excellent whether given to Zhang Zhao or Zhang Chang'an for foundation establishment.

Especially since Zhang Chang'an possesses a fire-attribute constitution, the effect would be even better.

Unable to refuse such kindness, Zhang Jian thought for a moment and then said.

"Brother Chao, this fine piece is rare; I currently have no fine piece in my possession, but I do have an ancient poem, composed by an ancient emperor, which I now present to you, dear friend, hoping you may achieve victory at the first banner!"

After speaking, Zhang Jian casually picked up the brush and ink; Qi Yuhua, seeing this, smiled and stepped forward to grind ink for Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian remained calm; after the ink was ground, he dipped the brush and wrote, a grand and righteous spirit leaping onto the paper, yet within it lay a hidden intense killing intent; as he finished writing the line of poetry, Chao Mu, upon seeing it, could not help but change expression.

He stared deeply at Zhang Jian for a moment, then took the paper, accompanied by several Yellow Gate attendants, and departed directly.

After leaving the Zhang residence, Chao Mu still could not help but take out the scroll; what met his eyes was a poem that made one's blood surge.

Chao Mu's gaze swept over it, and he still could not help but feel astonished.

"Slaying a million Jiangnan soldiers, the sword at my waist still bloody. The mountain monk knows not the hero's lord, only asking for names at dawn and dusk!"

This poem's heroic spirit pierces the clouds, making one's blood boil, bearing the aura of an emperor!

This is a war poem, and also an emperor's poem.

Such a bloody life is rarely seen.

Had I not known Zhang Jian possessed grand righteousness, I would almost have thought it was Zhang Jian who composed it.

However, the poem's omen is extremely auspicious, and it also suits Chao Mu's taste perfectly!