Chapter 342: New Emperor (4k)

Liu Xin stared blankly at the interior of the Eastern Emperor's Treasure Mirror.

Seeing her expression, the Golden Light Holy Mother comforted her: "Disciple, your aptitude is excellent—whether it be opportunity, wisdom, comprehension, or perseverance, you are outstanding. Everyone has their own opportunities; you need not force comparisons."

"Moreover, as your master, I have seen too many who were dazzlingly talented in the early stages, only to grow weak and exhausted later, their foundations collapsing, ultimately wasting their years and being surpassed by those who came after."

"Longevity is a contest of time—you strive, I advance; you need not worry about temporary gains or losses."

"What you need to do now is simply to pause appropriately, solidify your foundation, and when the time is sufficient, your own opportunity will naturally arise."

Liu Xin's expression shifted—she was exceptionally intelligent; how could she fail to grasp the Golden Light Holy Mother's implied meaning?

"Is Master asking Disciple to abandon the Zheng Prince?"

Liu Xin's expression changed.

Seeing that Liu Xin understood her meaning, the Golden Light Holy Mother simply waited for Liu Xin's decision.

In truth, if possible, the Golden Light Holy Mother would also wish to help Liu Xin seize the hundreds of thousands of elite troops of the Gan Dynasty, but if she intervened, it would inevitably draw the attention of the Slaying Demon True Lord and other powerful figures of the Tongshan Dao lineage.

Meanwhile, other members of the Golden Daughter Sect facing Zhang Jian would have little chance of victory.

The Golden Daughter Sect does possess some treasures that could pose a threat to the enemy, but the Golden Light Holy Mother is unwilling to burn her boats.

The world is vast, and the fertile lands of Dongzhou are merely one region; she has no need to risk the total destruction of her foundation in a death struggle against them.

……

Within the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation, Zhang Jian's vast primordial spirit minutely controlled countless strands of sword qi, dispersing and recombining, the dense sword light constantly shuttling and intertwining around the Three-Phase Old Ancestor.

After Zhang Jian attained his primordial spirit, he had not yet had the chance to carefully study the higher applications of the Luan Xing Sword Decree; now, however, he had an opportunity to put it into practice.

The Three-Phase Old Ancestor held the Evil God Banner, and around him formed strands of Evil God Misfortune Clouds, like countless fine threads probing into the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation within, as countless black vapors struggled to pollute every node of the formation; he sought thereby to comprehend the profundities of the sword formation and break it open.

His direction was correct.

Essentially, the Zhou Tian Xing Dou Great Formation is merely of the Pure Yang level.

But he encountered Zhang Jian, this anomaly.

When the great formation was on the verge of being torn apart, Zhang Jian could always rely on his ocean-like primordial spirit and spiritual awareness to control even more strands of Zhou Tian Xing Dou sword qi to fill the sword formation, suppressing the Three-Phase Old Ancestor back.

Secondly, the Purple Micro Emperor's Qi is vast and magnificent, destroying all laws, causing great trouble for the Three-Phase Old Ancestor.

The Purple Micro sword light is sharp and piercing; once it strikes, it will rend protective mana and directly slash the primordial spirit.

"Unfortunately, my use of Dragon Qi and Emperor's Qi is still crude; many places lack practical data support, and I am somewhat overly presumptuous..."

Zhang Jian harbored this thought in secret.

At this moment, he found himself increasingly covetous of the methods within the Sovereign King Golden Person that could drive and circulate Dragon Qi and Emperor's Qi.

If he could master such profound inheritance, his combat power would still be greatly enhanced.

The upper limit of the State and Altar Emperor's primordial spirit is far beyond this.

His current state is still far from the limit of the State and Altar Emperor's primordial spirit!

Zhang Jian still had part of his energy to manipulate the Eastern Emperor's Treasure Mirror; unexpectedly, the Northern Chu Great True Person within the Guangyuan City Imperial Palace chose to stand by with folded sleeves and did not act.

……

With Zhang Jian's cover, the retreat of the expeditionary army proceeded very smoothly.

Although subsequently they encountered several obstructions from the local armies of various Northern Chu prefectures, how could the local armies of those prefectures possibly resist the expeditionary army, fierce as wolves and tigers?

Moreover, the army still had three primordial spirit true persons holding the fort.

Half a month later, the expeditionary army retreated to Shuangyuan Prefecture City, which borders the Dingyuan Prefecture of the Great Qian, and all around are the border troops of the Great Qian.

Upon reaching this place, the expeditionary army could be considered completely safe.

After arriving at the destination, Fenglei True Person could no longer restrain himself; he found an opportunity to bid farewell and depart from Huanghe True Person.

Huanghe True Person also understood this; Fenglei True Person being able to persist until now is already the utmost in benevolence and righteousness.

On the hillside, An Rongming gazed back at Guangyuan City and could not help but sigh.

"Master Zhang truly is a divine person—he single-handedly held back hundreds of thousands of Northern Chu troops within Guangyuan City; such Daoist arts and supernatural powers can be called mythical!"

An Rongming admired him immensely.

Beside him, Huanghe True Person and Yinghuo True Person slightly nodded.

Thanks to this Master Zhang holding back the Three-Phase Old Ancestor and the Northern Chu cultivators, otherwise Guangyuan City would have been the burial ground of these hundreds of thousands of Great Qian elites.

"I just don't know where the Sect Ancestor is now?"

Upon hearing this, Huanghe True Person and Yinghuo True Person felt the joy of having survived the catastrophe gradually fade away.

Although aided by Zhang Jian to avoid the fate of being dumplings in a pot, they still must face the fierce backlash of the Great Qian's fortune.

Earlier, the spectators of the Dongshen Observatory had benefited greatly from leveraging the Great Qian Dragon Vein; today, they must bear the corresponding backlash!

The longer the contact with Great Qian Dragon Qi and Great Qian's national fortune, the greater the backlash will be.

This is merely the beginning; when the Great Qian's collapsing fortune fully backlashes, relying on their two strengths, they fear they cannot withstand it.

Not to mention that at that time, they will also have to face other cultivators casting stones into the abyss.

Yinghuo True Person could not help but sigh: "May the Sect Ancestor overcome this tribulation and return anew!"

Meanwhile, as they returned to the Great Qian, various pieces of news within the Great Qian gradually came under the control of An Rongming and others.

Now the interior of the Great Qian has already fallen into chaos like a pot of porridge.

Since the news of the emperor's death and the fall of the imperial city spread, various feudal kings have successively risen in arms and marched toward Haojing City, naturally not for anything else, but to seize the throne.

The main body of the expeditionary army is the Shen Ce Army; the Shen Ce Army was originally the imperial guard, and at this time whether to return to Haojing City has become the decision An Rongming is about to face.

Within the military camp, on the seat of the commander, An Rongming's expression was thoughtful—he naturally knew this was a good opportunity to enter the central authority.

If he led this hundred-battle army under his command to return early to Haojing City and support the new emperor's ascension, he could not possibly fail to attain the position of one below ten thousand.

For An Rongming, this is also a great temptation.

If he had not personally participated in the Chu-subduing war, An Rongming would certainly have done so; but having experienced the Chu-subduing war and witnessed firsthand many masters clashing in combat, An Rongming is very clear.

The changing of power does not merely rely on the elite troops in one's hands; it also requires the support of transcendent power on one side, otherwise it will still be like drawing water with a bamboo basket.

Although he would not easily give up his life, he naturally turned his gaze to Zhenren Huanghe and Zhenren Yinghuo.

Having traveled together for several months and knowing each other well, he perhaps could start from these two Yuanshen Zhenren.

After prolonged dealings with cultivators, An Ruming also clearly understood that although these cultivators mostly had unfathomable thoughts, they also had their own desires.

Even their desires might be greater than those of ordinary people.

"General An, what are you thinking? Are you thinking of your beautiful wife at home?!"

At this moment, a voice suddenly sounded beside An Ruming, instantly changing his expression, but upon seeing the person, his expression slightly relaxed, and he hurriedly stood up and said.

"It turns out to be Scholar Zhang, Scholar Zhang has returned?!"

At this time, his face was filled with joy, and he immediately prepared to summon his personal guards, preparing to hold a welcoming feast for Zhang Jian.

Zhang Jian waved his hand and refused.

At this time, he had returned to the army, not to celebrate with everyone.

Now the hundreds of thousands of elite troops of the Great Qian have finally been brought back, and next is the time to lay all cards on the table with An Ruming.

Zhang Jian's gaze fell upon An Ruming, and under his deep look, An Ruming suddenly felt a chill all over his body, involuntarily calming down, yet he heard Zhang Jian laugh and say.

"Speaking of which, I actually have a deep affinity with General An!"

An Ruming was slightly surprised, but hearing Zhang Jian smile slightly, he continued.

"Has General An ever heard of a place called Xishan Guan?"

"Xishan Guan? This humble general knows of it; it is a place of prosperous incense outside the suburbs of Haojing City!"

An Ruming's expression suddenly changed, he looked toward Zhang Jian, and could not help but ask.

"Scholar Zhang, why did you suddenly mention this Xishan Guan?"

An Ruming's smile completely faded, his gaze calm, only a hint of gloom flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Zhang Jian spoke calmly.

"It turns out General An has not forgotten, so General An should still remember Consort Song!"

Zhang Jian stood with his hands behind his back, merely his Yuanshen divine sense enveloping An Ruming, a strand of the power of the Ziwei Emperor's destiny activated, enveloping An Ruming, suppressing his Tanlang destiny.

An Ruming immediately felt a pressure like a mountain suddenly appear upon him.

For the master of the Tanlang destiny, Zhang Jian's attitude has always been one of combining kindness and power.

Primarily through intimidation.

The master of the Tanlang destiny is by nature extremely selfish, fearing power but not virtue; only strength can make him submit.

Previously he had always held An Ruming's lifeline, able to control him!

But now, with the handle of colluding with the palace concubines gone with the demise of Emperor Jingwu and the collapse of Great Qian, he probably can no longer control An Ruming.

And now he needs to test An Ruming anew.

With a wave of Zhang Jian's hand, a blue lotus flower condensed from countless pure and holy lights formed in An Ruming's eyes.

This instantly made An Ruming's expression grim; he never expected that the 'worldly sage' before him, the great savior of the expeditionary army, would actually coincide with that nightmare-like figure, and indeed be one person.

Recalling the performance of this 'Qinglian Tianzun' who single-handedly blocked ten thousand troops, An Ruming's expression changed drastically.

Shortly after, he came down from the commander's seat, bowed his head, and said.

"An Mou wishes only to follow the Tianzun's intent, with the horse's head as the guide!"

Zhang Jian's gaze shifted, the corners of his mouth slightly curled, and he nodded.

"Excellent! This venerable one still thought that after General An's wings were full, he might forget this venerable one's teachings!"

An Ruming hurriedly clasped his fists: "An Ruming dares not!"

"Not daring is good, this venerable one could travel a thousand miles to come to Great Qian to save you, naturally he could also take away everything you have at any time!"

An Ruming lowered his head.

Zhang Jian's expression remained calm, and then he spoke again.

"This journey, this venerable one's appearance, is to give you a task; this venerable one wants you to lead these hundreds of thousands of elite soldiers to quickly return to Haojing City to suppress the rebellion, eliminate those rebellious vassal kings, and assist this venerable one in stabilizing the situation!"

An Ruming clasped his fists and immediately said in a deep voice: "I respectfully follow the Tianzun's command!"

"Very good!"

Zhang Jian smiled slightly.

Since An Ruming is obedient, he also did not again activate the spell hidden deep in An Ruming's soul.

His figure stepped out of the tent with a step.

He did not choose to return to the capital with the various armies from Shuangyuan Commandery City, but prepared to first return to Haojing City to preside over the situation.

Now the entire situation of Great Qian is in his grasp; if smooth, the Zhang family will soon be able to complete their initial layout.

At this time inside the tent, An Ruming's expression instantly turned gloomy, he tightly clenched his five fingers, but after a moment he felt a hint of powerlessness.

With Zhang Jian's strength and Dao revealed in North Chu, he is fundamentally not someone he can challenge.

An Ruming's expression changed, after a moment his five fingers slightly relaxed, there was some darkness in his eyes.

……

Inside Haojing City, the Zhang family residence has had a constant stream of guests during this period.

Especially after learning that many vassal kings are rushing to Haojing City, the number of guests has increased further, but Zhang Jian has never appeared, causing many civil and military officials to feel anxious and angry.

Fortunately, half a month later, Zhang Jian finally appeared.

Inside the Zhang family hall, at this time many civil and military officials gathered together, this place seemed to have become a small imperial court.

Officials assembled, stars shining!

Among the Three Dukes, only the Grand Commandant Wang Huan remained, sitting at Zhang Jian's lower seat; next was the Minister of Justice Wang Yan, the Clan Elder Prince Wei Xi of Wu, and several of the Nine Ministers including the Minister of Defense and the Minister of Sacrifices; next were many officials wearing crimson and purple.

Including the leaders of several other military aristocratic factions in the army: Marquis Hancheng Gu Chen, Marquis Dingyuan Song Shang, Marquis Yunan, Marquis Feicheng, etc.

Wang Huan did not beat around the bush, but directly asked the question he most wanted to ask.

"Zhang Xueshi, Old Man wants to know, where are the two princes and Her Majesty the Empress currently?"

Zhang Jian looked toward the crowd, and as the situation changed, he knew the civil and military officials were already somewhat unable to sit still.

At this time, he should indeed show his attitude!

He smiled and said.

"Her Majesty the Empress and the two princes are currently in Fengyang Commandery; later, this official will bring the two princes back into Haojing City!"

The eyes of this old Grand Commandant lit up, and he could not help but ask again: "Zhang Xueshi, which prince do you think can inherit the great mandate?"

This is also the issue everyone is most concerned about.

Zhang Jian looked toward the crowd, inwardly sighing slightly; he realized that from beginning to end, these court officials had never doubted that he wanted to take their place.

More so, they thought he wanted to become a chief minister.

But this is even better!

Zhang Jian's eyes flickered, he pondered briefly, then said.

"Although Her Majesty the Empress is currently pregnant, she has no sons; whether the fetus in her womb can grow smoothly remains to be discussed. The two remaining princes are not born of the central palace. According to your opinions, what should be done?"

Beside him, Wang Yan smiled and clasped his hands: "This matter still needs the Grand Scholar's decision. The Grand Scholar is a sage of our dynasty, and moreover the only true person who pacifies the state in the court. Only with the Grand Scholar's approval can the two princes awe the state and suppress the many rebels!"

"Exactly, we all listen to the Grand Scholar!"

Beside him, several noble families also hurriedly spoke to show goodwill.

Everyone turned their gaze toward him; Zhang Jian thought for a moment and said: "The eldest prince, Wei Yuan, is the eldest among the princes, a youth of outstanding talent and wisdom surpassing others, capable of being the Son of Heaven!"

Zhang Jian's eyes slightly revealed a hint of a smile.

Actually, neither of the two princes is a true sage ruler; after a month of observation, he would not be mistaken. The eldest prince, though older in age, was born of a palace maid and has been intentionally or unintentionally excluded by the consorts in the inner court; he is timid and suspicious, lacking in independent judgment.

The third prince, Wei Cheng, is born of Consort Lan De; this son is tyrannical and domineering; if he were to inherit the great mandate, it would also not be a blessing for the state.

Actually, pushing anyone would do!

Anyway, we only need a tool person to sit in that position now!

But then a voice sounded at this moment: "The eldest prince is weak and lacking in awe, his regal bearing is improper, fearing he cannot be a wise ruler!"