Chapter 234: War Resumes, One Year Later, A Way to Escape (16,000-Character Mega Chapter)

The earth boiled, subterranean fires raged toward the heavens, thunderclouds ran rampant, and heavenly fire descended upon the world.

Outside Yangcheng, a scene of hell unfolded.

The territory of Yangcheng also experienced disturbances of varying degrees.

The moment the ten suns appeared in the sky, high-rank warships were dispatched from Yangcheng.

Since even Fifth-Rank officials could barely survive this disaster, the Military Realm forbade anyone below Fourth-Rank from leaving the city to save people.

However, officials below Fourth-Rank did not do nothing; besides maintaining stability in Yangcheng, numerous Fifth-Rank and Sixth-Rank Agricultural Bureaus were stationed at the edge of Yangcheng's territory, attempting to expand the city's safe zone.

Zhao Xing joined this effort as well.

At this time, his Fortune level still fluctuated, but it only jumped between Derivation Three and Derivation Five, never dropping below Derivation Three again.

Outside the Ten Sun Grotto-Heaven, however, chaos erupted.

The entire Datong Prefecture was alarmed, because the location corresponding to the Ten Sun Grotto-Heaven was Wapan Mountain in Datong Prefecture.

At this moment, at the garrison outside the grotto-heaven's entrance on Wapan Mountain, everyone on the warships was stunned.

The lake at the entrance boiled completely, shrinking tenfold in an instant.

The surrounding earth cracked, and a scorching aura shot up from the lake's surface toward the sky.

It even affected the celestial phenomena over Wapan Mountain in Datong Prefecture.

However, soon the abnormal celestial phenomena outside were suppressed.

At the same time, news of the ten suns in the sky spread rapidly.

"What? Is there a mistake? Ten suns in the sky happened inside? Wasn't it said that ten suns in the sky would never happen again? The grotto-heaven upgraded!"

"Absolutely true! The Military Realm has already issued a warning: no Fifth-Rank officials may leave Yangcheng! Because there is a high chance of death! The barriers of Seventh-Rank warships and below cannot withstand the scorching of the ten suns!"

"Damn it, I just bought a spot!"

"Quick, quick, cancel the spot!"

"It's over, my son just went in..."

"Wuwu, Father, Elder Brother..."

Some were shocked and weeping, while others were relieved and grateful.

"Hiss, luckily I didn't finalize my spot; I really thank that Assistant Magistrate for refusing to pull strings for me..."

"Just spent five million to buy a spot, didn't have time to go in... well, spending money to avert disaster, spending money to avert disaster..."

"Just a quarter-hour difference; if I had been a quarter-hour later, I would have gone in; Heaven favored me!"

"..."

On the fifteenth day of the eighth month, Liu Tianning returned to Yangcheng, and Zhao Xing breathed a sigh of relief.

On the twentieth day of the eighth month, rescue warships returned one after another.

At the same time, the Military Realm announced that outside Yangcheng, there were no survivors.

The rescue operation ended; only stability maintenance at the edge of Yangcheng continued.

Zhao Xing stood at the boundary of Yangcheng, looked up at the sky; although the ten suns still hung in the sky, the tenth sun had gradually dimmed.

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and entered a dream.

"Compared to the previous life, the power of this ten suns in the sky is much weaker."

"In the previous life, the rescue team returned in just three days; there was nothing to save; this time, however, it took seven days."

"In the previous life, it started at the end of the eighth month and lasted until mid-September; now, before September even arrives, the tenth sun has dimmed; it is expected that by early September, it will weaken to nine suns in the sky."

"Although the general trend remains unchanged, the invisible impact is earth-shattering," Zhao Xing thought.

He could be certain that this ten suns in the sky absolutely did not kill as many people as in the previous life.

Because the weakened power gave the Military Realm more time for rescue! Furthermore, Liu Tianning issued the warning early; this response speed was very fast.

Enough for most people near Yangcheng to withdraw.

Secondly, the timing issue.

The ten suns in the sky occurring on the thirteenth day of the eighth month versus at the end of the month; this gap of over ten days also meant the Ten Sun Grotto-Heaven did not let in as many people.

"Finally, the issue of responsibility has changed," Zhao Xing thought silently.

"In the previous life, the Xuantian Sect's actions were likely not discovered and were defined as a natural disaster!"

"Although officials would still be punished, natural disasters are force majeure; the officials of the Ten Sun Grotto-Heaven responded in time, so the impact was not significant."

"But now, it is a man-made disaster; the nature is different; I fear many people will suffer misfortune."

"But Liu Tianning is absolutely meritorious; the Military Realm's Fortune Wheel will surely review the results; removing Liu Tianning as a factor, they will surely know the outcome would be completely different."

"Old Liu returned on the fifteenth; his Ten Thousand Methods Tower Ship saved over three thousand seven hundred people!"

"Many people's fates have been changed; this change must be credited to Liu Tianning."

"If Old Liu gains merit, it equals me gaining merit; my goal has been achieved."

The benefit of him doing this lies with Liu Tianning.

Because his backer is Liu Tianning; if the backer is strong, he becomes strong as well.

If Liu Tianning gains favor, the status of him, the disciple, will also rise accordingly.

Especially for families with high-rank powerful experts; if they do not repay this favor, they cannot sleep.

More importantly, Zhao Xing is not involved in this matter; when the Military Realm inquires afterward, the Southern Barbarians and the Sects will focus on Liu Tianning and Luo Hou Wang.

"The risk taken is small, but the invisible benefits are huge," Zhao Xing opened his eyes. "Now we just wait for the handling results."

The rescue ended on the twentieth day of the eighth month; that same night.

King Tianyan received the results reviewed by the appointed officials.

"The calamity of the Ten Yang Cave Heaven is bound to occur; the demons of the Xuantian Sect have prematurely triggered this event."

"Had it not been for Liu Tianning's warning and Luo Hou Wang disrupting the arrangements, the casualties would have increased tenfold."

A white-haired old man reported to King Tianyan.

"In other words, even without the Xuantian demons, the Ten Suns would still hover in the sky?" King Tianyan asked.

"According to the calculations of the Cauldron of Creation, yes." The white-haired old man nodded. "But how to define it depends on the Central Authority and Your Majesty's judgment."

"I understand." King Tianyan took the document handed to him by the old man, his expression solemn and heavy.

If it were purely a natural disaster, the punishment would not be too severe, but if human error was mixed in, the nature of the matter would change.

Given his cousin's character, a large number of officials would surely suffer misfortune, and he himself might not escape blame.

…………

While waiting for the imperial court's official conclusion, Zhao Xing was not idle; he was observing how many people he knew well had died.

First was Ji Ji Ziyun; he did not die, but his cultivation fell directly from the peak of the sixth rank to the seventh rank.

This was already considered fortunate, as he was a member of Liu Tianning's group, and during Old Liu's rescue, Ji Ji Ziyun's position was easier to locate.

Thus, he did not hold out long before boarding the Ten Thousand Methods Tower Ship, preserving his life.

Yi Rong, Nangong Ye, and Qi Yuanjun—only Nangong Ye survived among these three.

Qi Yuanjun and Yi Rong, two seventh-rank cultivators who had shone brilliantly in the first stage of the Great Ping Man Campaign, did not survive.

Cai Jin and Feng Qi, two disciples of Lu Bang, saw only Feng Qi survive; Cai Jin perished.

Among the martial arts geniuses Zhao Xing knew well during his training, martial artist Fu Ying died, Zhang Jie died, Hu Bing died, and Chen Fang survived.

Shi Yong and Zhuang Ziqing survived; Cao Shuang, Jiang Tianming, Feng Qiu, and Li Feng died.

Heliang Lie and Zhuo Yue of the Fierce Yang Army died.

Wei Hong, the son of Wei Yuan of the Tiger and Crocodile Army, died.

……

In the casualty list, Zhao Xing saw many familiar names.

Including Wen Shaoyang and Yu Yu Ziqi!

"Yu Yu Ziqi, this sword cultivator, is a pity..." Zhao Xing shook his head. These two had secured spots when the quotas were later relaxed, and he hadn't even known about it.

There were also some people who were unexpected to Zhao Xing.

"Lu Yuanwei is injured? He also entered the Ten Yang Cave Heaven?"

"This child of fortune was struck by a heavenly fire meteorite and lost an arm."

"Lu Yuanwei was the main commander of the Qing Gang Mining District; to think he was injured..."

"On the Extreme Night Sea side, Pei Pei Yuanchang is alive, the thirteenth prince Ji Chen is alive, Liang Wang's youngest son Ji Dan died, and Ji Ye is alive."

"How could Ji Dan die? With his strength and equipment, he should have survived..."

Zhao Xing found this puzzling, but at this time, many fifth-rank cultivators had also died, so a mere Ji Dan counted for little.

Li Fuhan and Yun Yi, these two geniuses, also survived; among them, Yun Yi even sent a message inquiring if Zhao Xing was injured.

Sword cultivators are people of emotion, and since Yun Yi had no permission to check the death list immediately, he took the initiative to send a message.

Zhao Xing replied with a single sentence, then flew to a residential district.

Han Bing was fine, but Wang Ji had been injured.

At this moment, in Wang Ji's courtyard, both Han Bing and Che Shihai had come to visit Wang Ji.

"How is Wang Gong?" Zhao Xing asked at the door.

"Not good." Han Bing said. "Wang Ji has fallen to the early stage of the seventh rank; his injuries are merely stabilized now, and it is unknown when he will fully recover."

"How could this happen?" Che Shihai said. "Is it a lack of precious medicines? I still have some money..."

"It is not a matter of money." Zhao Xing shook his head. "He fell in cultivation realm due to injury; the fortune protection of his official position has been pierced."

"What does that mean?" Che Shihai was stunned; he did not react immediately.

"This involves the issue of the imperial court's fortune status."

"If a sixth-rank official bears great weight of injury but does not fall in cultivation realm, the injury is not serious."

"If he falls in cultivation realm and becomes a seventh-rank official, then the injury is considered very serious, because the official position and the cultivation realm must match." Zhao Xing said.

"What happens if they do not match?" Che Shihai asked.

"The consequences are severe." Zhao Xing said solemnly. "It means the protection of the fortune system on the official has been pierced."

"In the short term, an official cannot cultivate back up on their own. Moreover, most officials achieved their promotion relying on the nation's fortune in the first place."

"At this time, the imperial court faces two choices: first, to consume one or even more portions of the nation's fortune to help this sixth-rank official, who actually possesses only seventh-rank cultivation, recover back to the sixth rank."

"Second, to force this official into early retirement, because the official position does not wait for anyone; political and military affairs cannot wait for you to recover before being handled."

"Whichever the case, it is a great loss to the nation's fortune." Zhao Xing said.

"The fortune protection being broken is this serious?" Che Shihai's expression changed. "Then Wang Gong..."

"It depends on the situation." Zhao Xing said. "If it happens within the native territory of Great Zhou, although the fortune protection is lost in the short term, it remains within the Great Zhou pool overall; the dragon veins of the Nineteen Provinces will continue to gather fortune."

"Although the expenditure is large in the short term, in the long run, the actual cost is not great. It is as if you lost a coin, and I give you another coin now; you still possess one coin. As for the court, there is actually not much loss; that coin will eventually return to the national treasury."

"If injured and falling in cultivation realm on a battlefield outside the territory, the coin the court spent on you is lost permanently."

"Moreover, destruction is easy but reconstruction is hard; falling in cultivation realm due to injury is different from falling due to demotion, and recovery is even harder, perhaps requiring two coins to cure you."

"The higher the cultivation realm, the greater this loss!"

"If this battlefield is eventually occupied by the enemy, then the enemy's fortune pool will grow, because the longer they occupy it, the more they will slowly absorb the fortune between heaven and earth to strengthen themselves."

"There are also some extreme situations that can lead to the permanent loss of fortune within the territory."

"That is, if the fortune itself is thin, then falling in cultivation realm due to injury requires even greater recovery."

"What if the fortune itself is good?"

"It's the same."

"The Way of Heaven and Earth is far too unfair," Che Shihai sighed.

"Heavenly and Earthly fortune is inherently developing from order toward chaos," Zhao Xing said, "Unless..."

"Unless what?" Han Bing asked.

"Never mind, it's nothing," Zhao Xing thought for a moment, then stopped discussing the topic, knowing that knowing more would bring no benefit to these two.

Han Bing did not press further, instead shifting the topic along Zhao Xing's line: "This time, the imperial court will lose a large amount of fortune."

"With such a great natural disaster, I wonder how many people will be punished."

Han Bing still did not know about the Xuantian Sect demons; he still believed it was the Ten Suns in the Sky natural disaster.

But even so, officials still needed to step forward and take the blame to quell the anger of the noble families and the powerful.

On the twenty-seventh day of the eighth month, the official edict was issued.

It mentioned both the natural disaster and the human-caused disaster.

The punishment results were extremely severe.

And the night before, Zhao Xing had already learned the news; it was Liu Tianning who brought it up when he went to the Palace of Ten Thousand Dharma.

"Ling De Wang will be dismissed from office, dropped from Third Rank to Fourth Rank Lower, his merit rank reduced by five steps, and his title stripped down to Marquis."

"King Tianyan has resigned from the post of Grand Inspector of the Martial Realm, no longer exercising battlefield inspection authority; his Second Rank imperial official post has also been removed, retaining only the position of Imperial Steward of Fengtian. Forty-nine imperial officials were demoted together and sent back to their hometowns to retire."

"Luo Hou Wang has been demoted by two merit steps and fined one hundred thousand shields."

Zhao Xing was stunned: "Why is Ling De Wang punished so heavily?"

Liu Tianning said, "In the tenth year of the Jingxin Era, Ling De Wang was granted by Your Majesty the title of Grand Inspector of the Ten Yang Martial Realm, concurrently serving as Governor of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven."

Fearing Zhao Xing might not understand, Liu Tianning added: "That is to say, nominally, the person in charge of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven is Ling De Wang. Among the Three Kings, he is the principal official; Luo Hou Wang and King Tianyan are actually merely special envoys sent to assist him in managing the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven."

Zhao Xing could not help but be speechless; this arrangement by Emperor Jing sounded as if Ling De Wang was simply meant to take the fall.

On closer thought, it really did seem to have that meaning.

Emperor Jing sent the Three Kings to inspect, which would inevitably offend people, whether it was when the Great War against the Southern Barbarians began and the powerful families and nobles wanted to insert their own people, or this time when the Grotto-Heaven's spiritual brilliance erupted and many people wanted to obtain quotas.

The Three Kings all bore immense pressure.

Luo Hou Wang and King Tianyan both possessed true capability; Emperor Jing needed them to get real work done.

If something truly went wrong, naturally someone like Ling De Wang, with weaker strength, would be suitable to take the fall.

Zhao Xing asked Old Liu about Ling De Wang's career history and discovered that this old fellow was not even taking the fall for the first time.

During the Dingxin Era, Ling De Wang had served as Governor of four places: the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, the Datong Prefecture, the Dayuan Prefecture, and the Anping Prefecture.

In the two hundred years of the Dingxin Era, the wars with the Southern Barbarians were evenly matched; there were always small groups of Southern Barbarians crossing the river to cause havoc.

Ling De Wang then took on this big blame, with responsibility pushed onto his head.

In those two hundred years, he was promoted and demoted four times; more interestingly, although he had never participated in any proper warfare, he was still ennobled as a Commandery Prince.

"No wonder his title is Ling De; this spirit of self-sacrifice in taking the fall truly shows great virtue."

Counting this time, Ling De Wang has been stripped of his official post for the fifth time.

Ling De Wang himself was barely Third Rank, and now he has been directly dropped to Fourth Rank.

However, this time Emperor Jing seems to have acted in earnest, because this time Ling De Wang even had his title stripped!

Such a thing had never happened before; no one knows if he can be reinstated.

As for King Tianyan, although the punishment was severe, his foundation was not touched.

Luo Hou Wang was punished only economically.

The arrangements left by the Xuantian Sect in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven and the prediction of the natural disaster were matters for the imperial officials and the Agriculture Supervision Bureau; Luo Hou Wang's actual scope of responsibility was merely to investigate illegal acts by the army.

Therefore, even if this natural disaster involved human-caused disaster, it could not be blamed on Luo Hou Wang; in the calculations of the Creation Disc, Luo Hou Wang actually had merit!

It's just that at this time the resentment was too great; naturally, Emperor Jing could not credit Luo Hou Wang with merit yet. If merit is to be calculated, it must wait a year or two, and find another excuse then.

All Three Kings were punished, and many people below them were also punished; the Grand Supervisors of the Yangcheng Agriculture Supervision Bureau were all replaced!

Fan Zhaoli, the Supervisor of the Earthly Advantage Institute, and Mei Zhiru, the Supervisor of the Heavenly Timing Institute, were both suspended from duty and would basically be transferred out of the Grotto-Heaven.

Perhaps their rank would not be lowered, but a Fourth Rank within the Grotto-Heaven is completely different from a Fourth Rank outside; even a lateral transfer would amount to a demotion.

Although many were punished, a small number of people were explicitly credited with merit and received rewards.

Liu Tianning said, "Next summer, the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven is expected to recover to its original state. I should be promoted to a Fourth Rank official post at that time; as for the specific position, it has not yet been determined."

Along with Liu Tianning, those who received commendation included Gong Tiansi, master of the Myriad Forms Earth Palace; Huang Yi, a military officer of Fourth Rank Lower; and Zhang Song, Li Yuanzhen, and others of Fourth Rank Lower.

These people all went to save lives when the disaster occurred.

Of course, no one saved more people than Liu Tianning!

Additionally, Liu Tianning had merit for issuing the warning; this wave of substantial promotion and rank advancement rewards, plus the favors of many noble families and the powerful... Liu Tianning was undoubtedly the one who benefited the most.

Returning to the Eighteen Locusts Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing closed his eyes and fell into deep sleep.

"Liu Tianning gained the most; his power has grown. As the second tier within his faction, I benefit as well. This dangerous journey was not in vain; all those days of fear and anxiety were not wasted."

"Furthermore, Old Chen's life was saved, proving that the future can be altered to some extent, which relieves one of my worries."

"From now on, in our actions, we have the precedent of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven and more references."

Waking from his dream, Zhao Xing remained as usual, beginning to follow the general trend to carry out some stability-maintenance and repair work.

On the twenty-seventh day of the eighth month, the official edict was issued.

The natural disaster and human-caused disaster of the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven were all made public in every detail.

The news that Ling De Wang had his title stripped, was dismissed from office, and that corresponding responsible officials were punished spread rapidly.

The officialdom of the Datong Prefecture, the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, the Anping Prefecture, and the Dayuan Prefecture was filled with gloom; the other four Grotto-Heavens also began a new round of detailed investigations.

Soon, it was not only the Great Zhou that knew, but even the Southern Barbarians had heard.

Unlike the gloomy and desolate atmosphere in the Great Zhou officialdom, the four Wang Ting of the Southern Barbarians were celebrating.

Especially the Holy Light Wang Ting, which felt it had vented its anger.

For the Xuantian Sect was the state religion of the Holy Light Wang Ting!

Yet the Blood Spirit Venerable, the true mastermind, could not feel happy at all.

"Fewer people died; the expected effect was not achieved. Although it served as a deterrent, the Great Zhou discovered it was man-made."

"In the future, attempting to subvert the Grotto-Heavens will likely be even more difficult."

The matter was handled passably, but the cost was far greater than expected.

The Blood Spirit Venerable had accomplished this task, but not brilliantly.

As for the allies, it would be somewhat difficult to explain.

? ￠o

Originally, according to the plan, the attack was to be launched at the end of August or the beginning of September. At that time, he would have notified Liang Wang in advance to withdraw some of his men.

But plans could not keep up with changes; there was simply no time to notify, so it had to be an indiscriminate attack.

He wanted to recruit Liang Wang as an ally, yet Liang Wang's son had died in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, indirectly killed by his own hand.

Although Liang Wang might not care, starting by sacrificing an ally's son as a banner was, all in all, rather strange.

Furthermore, if the Great Zhou was unaware and he informed them, the impact on Liang Wang would be greater, and it would better prove the strength of the Xuantian Sect.

Now, although there was still a deterrent effect, it was not as strong as initially envisioned.

"Damn Liu Tianning, how did he find out?!"

"Could the ant we predicted earlier be him?"

The Blood Spirit Venerable's face turned pale. He retrieved a report; this was intelligence concerning Liu Tianning.

After examining it carefully, the Blood Spirit Venerable immediately felt relieved. Liu Tianning's background, personal strength, backing forces, and flourishing luck all fit the identity of this game-breaker.

It was the will of Heaven; the Blood Spirit Venerable also believed in the arrangement of the Primordial Heavenly Dao and did not overthink it.

But when his gaze fell on the intelligence regarding Liu Tianning's direct disciple, he suddenly frowned.

"Hmm?"

"This Zhao Xing..."

The Blood Spirit Venerable suddenly recalled the situation regarding one of his divided souls during its operations in Nanyang Commandery.

"It has been several years; how has this petty clerk risen to the sixth rank and become Liu Tianning's direct disciple?"

The Blood Spirit Venerable immediately prepared to calculate with his fingers.

But before he could make the gesture, he began coughing up blood.

"Enough. A petty sixth-ranker has nothing to do with the grand scheme." The Blood Spirit Venerable had acted on a whim; now injured and seeing the high cost of calculation, in the unseen realm, he abandoned the idea and soon forgot Zhao Xing entirely.

He walked beneath the temple to the underground palace deep in the earth.

Inside the palace, light flickered, no different from the underground palace in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven.

However, in the blood pool here, there was an additional statue.

"Liang Wang." The Blood Spirit Venerable looked at the statue. "Are you satisfied with the methods of our Xuantian Sect?"

The Blood Spirit Venerable spoke with a double meaning: he referred not only to creating a faith statue for Liang Wang, but also to the incident of the Ten Suns hanging in the sky.

Liang Wang, Ji Mingxian, rose alive from the statue. At this moment, his aura had changed slightly, becoming more obscure and violent.

"Satisfied? Blood Spirit Zi, your son was killed by you in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven!" Ji Mingxian shouted.

"Those who achieve great deeds do not dwell on trifles. Does Your Highness care about a single son?" Blood Spirit Zi smiled. "After this incident, the imperial court's appointed officials will surely undergo a bloodletting. Those noble families who were drained of blood yet gained nothing will surely hate Ji Mingjing."

"Your Highness can also take this opportunity to win over the noble families. Many positions are now vacant, which Your Highness can fill in due course."

"The four Wang Ting and the various tribes of the Southern Wasteland will also take this opportunity to spread propaganda about Ji Mingjing's cruelty and lack of virtue."

"The Heavenly Dao does not tolerate Ji Mingjing. The nineteen provinces will surely welcome a new master. Why cannot this person be you, Your Highness?!"

"With such petty tricks, you dare to attempt to shake the foundation of the Great Zhou?" Ji Mingxian sneered. "For Your Highness to cooperate with you in rebellion is no different from seeking death!"

Seeing this, the Blood Spirit Venerable knew Ji Mingxian had not yet made up his mind; the effect of this attempt was, after all, slightly lacking.

But Ji Mingxian's heart was clearly wavering.

During their last meeting, he had told Blood Spirit Zi not to meddle in his family affairs.

This time they met, he was already considering the possibility of rebellion; the probability he derived was very low, but he had indeed considered it!

Perceiving this, the Blood Spirit Venerable immediately said: "Your Highness possesses the Mandate of Heaven and is the Son of Heaven foretold in prophecy! If you do not believe, make a wager with me!"

Ji Mingxian stared at the Blood Spirit Venerable, waiting for his next words.

"In this campaign to pacify the barbarians, Ji Mingjing will surely suffer a great defeat! Moreover, it will not drag on too long. If this Sect's prophecy is inaccurate, I will gift Your Highness three Blood Soul Pills without charge. Even if Your Highness breaks away from the Great Zhou, you will still be free and at ease!"

"If this Sect's prophecy is accurate, the Great Zhou will be defeated, and its luck will surely decline. Your Highness can rise with the tide. At that time, not only will our Xuantian Sect, but the Southern Barbarians as well, fully assist Your Highness in seizing the nineteen provinces!"

…………

Yangcheng, Eighteen Huai and Willow Courtyard.

"The luck level is fluctuating between Yan Four and Yan Five, becoming increasingly stable." Zhao Xing looked at the panel. "The crisis has passed."

"However, the lurking crisis remains."

It is now mid-September of the eighteenth year of the Jingxin Era.

The Jing Emperor carried out large-scale military and political adjustments regarding the five Grotto-Heavens, the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, Datong Prefecture, Dayuan Prefecture, and Anping Prefecture.

The Liang Wang Sect faction has once again ascended to the stage of the campaign to pacify the barbarians; according to Liu, even many appointed officials have connections with Liang Wang.

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and entered a dream.

"Yesterday, the Jing Emperor officially decided to continue the military training. This time, gaining merit from battle will be more difficult: first, the resistance of the Southern Barbarians has increased; second, the Liang Wang Sect faction has grown too powerful."

"In another two years, Liang Wang will, just as during the Hedingxin Era, once again ascend to the stage of the campaign to pacify the barbarians, taking overall command of the military and political power of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture."

"It seems the Jing Emperor distrusts the enfeoffed lords and favors his own brothers, but in truth, he is beginning to fish, to see if the little brother truly intends to rebel..."

"Regardless of whether Liang Wang rebels in this life, I must extricate myself before the twentieth year of the Jingxin Era," Zhao Xing thought silently.

Whether Liang Wang rebels or not does not affect the outcome of the Great Campaign against the Man barbarians.

Liang Wang rebelled only after seeing the Great Zhou defeated.

Even setting aside all unstable factors, the Jing Emperor could not have conquered the Southern Wasteland.

Because the timing was wrong.

"The Ten Calamities of the Heavenly Witches, the severing of communication between Heaven and Earth, and the opening of the Divine Mountain in the Southern Wasteland are key factors of the Yuan Qi Tide version, the Spirit Qi Resurgence version. It is simply impossible to conquer it during this period..."

Zhao Xing reinforced the seal of his Memory Palace, then withdrew from the dream.

As his status and luck slowly strengthened, he had to seal the memories of his past life even more tightly.

Ants dreaming are hard to notice, but if this ant transforms into a dragon, even its dreams might be sensed by certain great powers.

"I should be more honest from now on," Zhao Xing thought silently. "I will gather a bit more merit before making my escape."

At the end of the ninth month of the eighteenth year of the Jingxin Era, after Ling De Wang was dismissed, King Tianyan cancelled numerous positions. The successors were 'Prince Xin' Liu Yong and Prince Anning Huang Jian; the position of Luo Hou Wang remained unchanged.

Liu Tianning temporarily assumed the role of 'Ten Yang Inspector' of the Fourth Rank (Junior), concurrently serving as Transport Commissioner for the Two Prefectures (Fourth Rank, Junior).

The Ten Yang Inspector ranks several levels higher than the previous Fifth Rank Censor. Previously, his jurisdiction was relatively small and could be described as unstable; he simply did whatever tasks Luo Hou Wang assigned him.

Now his authority has expanded to the Southern War Zone. All armies within the Ten Yang Cave Heaven are under Liu Tianning's command. He no longer handles only economic corruption, overstepping authority, unauthorized absence, merit calculation, and so on; he can manage all of these. His jurisdiction is now fixed and has expanded.

Additionally, he concurrently serves as Transport Commissioner for the Two Prefectures, handling military supplies transport between the Nine Heavens Ying Yuan Prefecture and the Datong Prefecture.

This is a truly lucrative post, holding great power!

How great is this power?

Previously at Huolong Pass, Zhao Xing had seen Lu Tingzhi, a Transport Commissioner of the Sixth Rank. That was the patron of Zhao Xing's patron in his past life, a great corrupt official.

At that time at Huolong Pass, Lu Tingzhi was of the Sixth Rank (Junior), while Liao Rulong was of the Sixth Rank (Senior).

When he saw Lu Tingzhi, he actually referred to himself as a subordinate!

Now Liu Tianning is of the Fourth Rank (Junior), making him the superior of Lu Tingzhi's superior's superior.

Although it is temporary, anyone who has served as an official knows that a Fourth Rank (Junior) official concurrently holding these two lucrative posts, once confirmed in the permanent position, will directly become Fourth Rank (Senior)! That is how the process works!

Now, even Yang An, a Fourth Rank (Senior) military general, must respectfully address Liu Tianning as 'My Lord Liu' upon meeting him.

If he merely shifts the timing slightly, prioritizing supply transport for other armies, he could decide the life or death of an entire army!

On the day before Liu Tianning took office, Princess Youruo and Ji Ji Zixuan departed.

As for Murong Xue, she had already left with her mother, Miss Murong Qing.

Before parting, Ji Ji Zixuan ran to the Eighteen Locust and Willow Courtyard to bid farewell to Zhao Xing.

"Senior Brother, I am leaving," Ji Ji Zixuan said. "Thank you for your care these past days; Zixuan will keep it in her heart."

Zhao Xing looked at Ji Ji Zixuan with a calm expression: "No need for courtesy; this is something you fought hard to achieve yourself."

Indeed, it was something Ji Ji Zixuan fought for. In essence, Zhao Xing gave Murong Xue and Ji Ji Zixuan the same opportunity.

Old Master Zhao fed both of them; Ji Ji Zixuan jumped up to snatch the food, while Murong Xue was shy and hesitant, able only to pick up scraps on the side.

There was some gratitude in Ji Ji Zixuan's eyes. In just a few short months, she felt she had experienced decades, especially after the Ten Suns Hovering in the Sky incident, where this feeling became even stronger.

Regarding Zhao Xing, she was deeply grateful, not only because Zhao Xing helped her find many spiritual treasures, but also because she felt that Zhao Xing and she were of the same kind.

Zhao Xing appreciated her with a resonant understanding, and she developed a psychology of admiring strength toward Zhao Xing.

"Senior Brother, take care," Ji Ji Zixuan said. "I will wait at Bishui Sect for your good news."

"Farewell, Junior Sister."

In the first month of October, the Divine Might Army distributed combat missions.

Zhao Xing rushed to the Pingman battlefield and arrived at Jihun Pass once again.

This time, he was of the Sixth Rank (Senior). Yang An asked him if he wanted to command an army independently.

But Zhao Xing refused; he chose to serve as logistics for the main general Long Xiao. They received the troops of Wen Shaoyang's unit, and Chen Shijie became Liao Rulong's Assistant Regional Commander.

Compared to last year, everything seemed unchanged, yet everything seemed to have changed.

Long Xiao's unit and Liao Rulong's unit totaled 120,000 men, while Xia Jing's forces had surged to 100,000!

This was the hidden benefit brought by being within the Ten Yang Cave Heaven.

Jiang Ming of the Zhenhai Army had completely become a vassal to these two armies.

Due to Zhao Xing's presence, many armies were willing to cooperate at Jihun Pass, including the original Huan You Army, Yuan Hua Army, Danxia Army, and Hu Jiao Army... However, Zhao Xing did not agree.

First, Old Liu had just taken office, and his position was not yet stable. The Liang Wang Sect faction was still watching Liu Tianning; some wanted to suppress him, while others wanted to win him over; the situation was complex.

As his disciple, one must not use Old Liu's name to seek profit at this time, nor be used by others.

Second, after the Ten Suns Hovering in the Sky incident, Zhao Xing had become much more honest and was unwilling to stand out like a crane among chickens again.

If pushed into a position one should not occupy, it would be difficult to come down later!

At the end of October, the three armies, having completed their reorganization, began advancing toward the Qinggang Mining District to capture cities and strongholds.

At the end of November, they captured Linggui City, Guize City, and sixteen other cities.

The Pingman Merit List was reopened; Zhao Xing had already entered the Sixth Rank list.

After November, Zhao Xing entered the top ten thousand.

In early December, the three armies continued their advance, while Zhao Xing was responsible for logistics for over 200,000 people and stabilizing the supply lines at the rear supply city.

Because of the ceasefire lasting most of half a year, the Fire Demon Clan's defensive line was able to be re-established.

The old rival, Lord of the Nether Soul, was dismissed after fleeing the Ruined Spirit Turtle City; the newly arrived 'Fire Feather' Lord is a clan member of the Wang Ting.

The Xia Jing Division, the Long Xiao Division, and the Liao Ru Long Division advanced to the Fire Dance Pass but met fierce resistance.

Both sides began suffering heavy casualties, and the situation entered a stalemate.

December 5.

The Fire Feather Lord personally led ten thousand men to ambush Zhao Xing's supply city, hoping to decide the outcome in one blow.

On December 6, Zhao Xing and Long Xiao, who had been prepared, launched a counter-ambush.

The Fire Feather Lord was killed by Zhao Xing, and the remaining leaders fled in disarray.

The Xia Jing and Liao Ru Long divisions ahead took advantage of the situation to capture the Fire Dance Pass.

Zhao Xing, who had originally intended to keep a low profile, farm, and earn military merit, tearfully accepted 200,000 merit points, entering the top five thousand.

…………

December: the three armies rested.

For just a thousand li ahead lay the Qinggang Mining District.

There were over a million garrison troops ahead; this was not meat their three armies could chew through.

They needed to wait for Lu Yuanwei on the Western Front, and for the Tiger Crocodile Army, the Black Armor Army, and the Blazing Sun Army on the Northern Front to converge for a three-pronged pincer attack.

However, history changed at this moment.

Injured, Lu Yuanwei failed to break Yang Qilin's second defensive line for a long time.

Instead, the Tiger Crocodile Army, the Black Armor Army, and the Blazing Sun Army on the Northern Front advanced like a storm breaking bamboo; three hundred thousand troops had already converged with the Xia Jing, Liao Ru Long, and Long Xiao divisions at the Fire Dance Pass.

"The power of Ten Suns Hanging in the Sky has weakened, and it occurred earlier, allowing the nine armies originally heavily damaged in the Nine Yang Cave Heaven to retain many mid-level backbone generals; now the Northern Front army is pushing faster."

"Lu Yuanwei has actually slowed down significantly," Zhao Xing pondered.

The Creation Disk had simulated and replayed the original course of events; he could now discuss it openly, as it was no secret.

Of course, the Ten Suns Hanging in the Sky incident also greatly encouraged the various tribes of the Southern Barbarians; in fact, it encouraged them even more.

After all, they had been suffering defeats continuously before; now the Great Zhou's homeland had been bombed once, how could their spirits not be lifted?

"Looking at it now, even if Lu Yuanwei breaks Yang Qilin's defensive line, it may not necessarily produce particularly good results."

Zhao Xing looked at the casualty lists from the recent months.

It was not just the Shenwei Army; across the entire Pingman Battlefield, casualties exceeded those of the first phase.

But the Jing Emperor's resolve was great; the total number of troops on the battlefield had not decreased but had actually increased.

"With casualties, the speed of accumulating merit slows down because points are deducted."

Even Zhao Xing, handling logistics, clearly felt the Southern Barbarians' resistance had increased greatly; even his supply lines were being frantically harassed.

Although he had gained quite a bit of merit, there were always times when points were deducted; earning merit was hard, but deducting it was easy.

In the second month of the nineteenth year of the Jingxin Era, the last territory of the Fire Demon Clan's domain still had not been captured.

The Eastern and Western Fronts had already begun their offensive, no longer waiting for Lu Yuanwei.

The intensity of the war surged.

Yang Qilin, this famous general of the Fire Demon Clan, held down Lu Yuanwei's five hundred thousand men with eighty thousand, causing the Eastern and Western Fronts to face even more troops.

The Shenwei Army and the Black Armor Army began suffering heavy casualties.

Every day, wounded soldiers were transported to Zhao Xing's supply city, and the demand for medicinal herbs increased.

Some injuries could not be treated because the cultivators had lost their realm; combat attrition gradually increased.

In the sixth month of the nineteenth year of the Jingxin Era, even Xia Jing and Long Xiao had been wounded multiple times.

The three armies' combat attrition reached over twenty-seven thousand people!

The great battlefield surrounding the Fire Demon Clan's Qinggang Mining District had turned into a grueling struggle.

"Boss, a batch of wounded has arrived!" Che Shihai rushed in, "This time it is three thousand five hundred and forty-six people."

"Send them to the wounded camp for treatment," Zhao Xing said, looking at Han Bing beside him, "Is there a shortage of medicinal herbs?"

"The supply of medicinal herbs can still hold," Han Bing said, "but the military doctors cannot."

"Didn't a batch of military doctors transfer here a month ago?" Zhao Xing asked, "Where is Yuan Yang? Call him over to report!"

Fighting until now, Old Master Zhao's temper had grown day by day; in such a tense battlefield atmosphere, everyone's nerves were taut.

"My lord, Yuan Yang is unable to report," Han Bing said bitterly, "He has not slept for fifteen days; last night, he fainted in the wounded camp and is receiving treatment himself."

"The batch of doctors transferred a month ago lacks battlefield experience; the current medical camp is already operating at full capacity; you cannot be too harsh on them."

"Huff~" Zhao Xing let out a long breath, rubbing his brow.

Han Bing said, "Actually, we have done very well; my lord's demands on himself are too high. The wounded survival rate in the Black Armor Army and the Tiger Crocodile Army is much lower than ours."

A low wounded survival rate meant many could not be saved, which is why the wounded count was low.

A truly outstanding logistics medical camp has a very high wounded survival rate.

"Take me to see the wounded camp," Zhao Xing was just planning to visit the wounded camp.

However, just then, his Earth Mirror trembled.

Xia Jing's excited voice came through it.

"Good news! The Western Front has made a major breakthrough!"

"Lu Yuanwei has killed Yang Qilin and advanced deep into enemy territory. The young prince Yanda has split his forces westward. Brother Zhao, we are about to win!"

Zhao Xing quickly took out the Military Realm battle report to read.

Indeed, there was news on it about the Western Front breakthrough by Lu Yuanwei, the killing of Yang Qilin, and the slaying of over fifty thousand enemies.

"So Lu Yuanwei did pierce the Western Front. In the previous life's Mid-Grade Battlefield, the title of the number one commander was no empty boast," Zhao Xing said, looking at the news, his hanging heart finally settling.

…………

At the end of the sixth month of the nineteenth year of the Jingxin Era, the Shenwei Army, the Black Armor Army, the Tiger Crocodile Army, the Blazing Sun Army, the Divine Thunder Army, the Yuanhua Army, the Phantom Nether Army, the Red Cloud Army, the Black Dragon Army... a total of one hundred and forty-three armies and three major army groups completed the encirclement of the Qinggang War Zone from the east, north, and west.

In the same year, during the eighth month, the Western Front's main commander, the Little Prince Yanda, was killed, and eight hundred thousand troops were annihilated, cementing Lu Yuanwei's status as the number one mid-tier battlefield commander.

The Eastern and Northern Front armies also made significant progress.

In early September, the Jin Yu Wang Ting ordered the abandonment of the Qinggang War Zone.

In October, the Fire Demon Clan's last territory, also the fattest piece of meat, was occupied by Great Zhou.

Thus, the entire Fire Demon Clan territory fell.

…………

Upon the Lan River, waves rose a hundred zhang; above those hundred zhang, the green gale wind was as substantial as solid matter.

Zhao Xing stood atop a reef, gazing at the barrier stretching across the horizon, silent and speechless.

"Damn it, this is the only downside to fighting in the Southern Wasteland," Xia Jing cursed while riding a flying dragon, "One natural barrier after another; just crossed a towering mountain, and there's a great river again."

"Once the Ministry of Agriculture and the shamans slowly finish governing this Lan River branch, and with the navy's ships transporting supplies across, within three months we can continue chasing the Jin Yu Wang Ting!"

"Brother Zhao, we are in a great era; you and I establishing unparalleled merit is simply a joy of a lifetime!" Xia Jing spoke with high spirits.

"Brother Xia," Zhao Xing looked toward the horizon and suddenly spoke, "Have you ever thought of stopping here?"

Xia Jing glanced at Zhao Xing: "Never thought of it; we just won a battle, we should pursue the victory!"

Seeing Zhao Xing remain silent, Xia Jing asked with concern, "Brother Zhao, have you been a bit tired lately?"

"You have been working non-stop for a long time; you should rest properly for some time."

"Rest assured, it will be three months before we cross the river; you just rest well, and leave military affairs to the Assistant Regional Commander."

"Hmm." Zhao Xing gathered his mind and returned to the military camp.

…………

【Pingman Merit List】

【Name: Zhao Xing】

【Army: Shenwei Army】

【Position: Protecting Army Commandant (Junior Sixth Rank, Upper)】

【War Merit: 3,702,154】

【Rank: 1521】

Looking at the rank on the Pingman Merit List and the over three million war merit, Zhao Xing couldn't help but feel somewhat helpless.

Even though his participation this time was entirely by the book, after finishing the Qinggang War Zone, his war merit still rose from zero to over three million seven hundred thousand!

With Yan Wu's luck placed on the battlefield, enemies were practically delivered to him to kill.

This war merit won't secure a Wu Hou title, but the Fifth Rank is a sure thing.

The scattered rank and merit rank can also be raised by a notch.

"I have been low-key enough; helplessly, my ability is too strong and my luck too high. I was just staying in the Supply City, yet the Fire Feather Lord insisted on delivering enemies for me to kill; it's just..."

"And that battle in March; I didn't even instruct what medicinal herbs to plant, yet my subordinates found seven rare Sixth-Grade medicinal herbs in Linggui City, and also found a precious land suitable for farming."

"Coincidentally, the Soldier Realm released advanced missions for these seven medicinal herbs."

"I did nothing, just lay there and harvested 500,000 war merit."

"If the former was just good luck, then the latter events are a bit eerie," Zhao Xing pondered.

"It feels as if someone is deliberately boosting me, crafting missions tailored specifically for me."

"Just as I acquire something, the advanced war merit mission is released."

"Whenever I encounter danger, the Soldier Realm's intelligence updates immediately, and spies come to report voluntarily."

Zhao Xing felt that this war was permeated with abnormalities everywhere.

The progress of the entire battlefield was actually not fast, and the fighting was quite tortuous.

He, this logistics minister, performed in a standard, unremarkable way, yet was forcibly lifted to over a thousandth place by an invisible force.

Zhao Xing asked Liu Tianning, who stated he absolutely never did such a thing, nor spoke to anyone about it.

"Then who is boosting me to kill me?"

The answer is actually easy to guess: the Liang Wang Sect faction.

Only Liang Wang holds such great power to influence the customization of these advanced missions.

"Regardless of whether it is Liang Wang, my current situation is quite dangerous," Zhao Xing thought silently.

"If I do nothing next, by the twentieth year of the Jingxin Era, I will still be promoted to the Fifth Rank."

"This is not a good thing," Zhao Xing thought silently.

First, he is not yet prepared for a breakthrough; if the imperial court bestows a title, it would be equivalent to upgrading by borrowing the power of the nation's luck, which was not cultivated by himself, so there will inevitably be hidden dangers.

Second, once becoming Fifth Rank, it will be absolutely impossible to withdraw from the subsequent battlefields. Sixth Rank is still okay to discuss, after all, it is just cannon fodder on a mid-tier battlefield.

How to extricate oneself?

Still need to find Liang Wang to build up reputation.

"Whether or not you are boosting me to kill me, I will just assume you are. Anyway, you are going to rebel anyway, so you might as well fulfill this wish for me," Zhao Xing thought silently.

To extricate oneself, to build up Liang Wang; this was a plan he had set long ago.

Building up Liang Wang is the fastest and most secure method.

Doing anything else won't work; embezzlement? Murder? Those would leave stains on oneself. Old Liu would not allow him to do so either.

But if one points directly at Liang Wang's nose and scolds him severely, then it doesn't matter.

Zhao Xing's plan, summarized, is eight characters: Scold Liang Wang severely, sell integrity to gain fame.

Scold Liang Wang until he is angry and suppresses himself, then one can extricate oneself seamlessly.

Even if temporarily dismissed from office, or demoted one rank, it doesn't matter; his war merit is enough to deduct.

As long as the title is not stripped and the merit rank is not lowered, it is fine; and the power to strip titles and lower merit ranks belongs only to Emperor Jing.

Even if it is only a viscount, the Jing Emperor's nod is required; only the central authority can then affix the seal to strip the title. The system of reclaiming and granting titles must have its authority firmly in the Jing Emperor's hands.

Actually, he had other ways to extricate himself, such as finding Liu and asking to withdraw on his own.

He could indeed withdraw, but would that not make him a deserter?

If the later campaign against the Man proves unfavorable, people will seize upon this: Look, Liu Tianning arranged for his own disciple to withdraw first; he enjoyed the benefits but suffered no hardship.

Such a thing would become a stain.

But if he impeaches Liang Wang and gets him cleared from the Man-pacification battlefield, then there is nothing more to say.

"I am currently a District Council Physician and cannot write directly to the Emperor, but I can write to the Prefecture level."

Writing suggestions to Prefecture-level government bodies and participating in policy recommendations for the Juncheng government is the authority of a District Council Physician, equivalent to a Pure Stream Censor.

Of course, this scattered official rank is only equivalent, because there is also the Censor position, which is a proper civil official post that only a Li Xiu can hold.

"Since it is an attack on someone, it must have some logic, yet cannot be entirely logical." Zhao Xing picked up his brush and opened a sheet of Xuan paper.

"I cannot directly accuse Liang Wang of specific crimes, nor can I truly produce evidence, especially since I have none. If it truly becomes an indictment, a subordinate accusing a superior, what crime would I charge? If the accusation fails, what crime would I bear?"

The scale must be grasped correctly.

"Learn from the old matter of Yang An; first oppose his monopolization of military affairs and great power."

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Xing picked up his brush and wrote the first line of the draft:

"Your subordinate Zhao Xing bows his head, respectfully reporting to Prefect Wang:"

"Liang Wang, Ji Mingxian, noble as a Prince, plots to grasp the key of military affairs, seizing the great powers of law and governance. His authority is overwhelming, something a subject cannot tolerate..."

"His vassals and students under him mostly hold key posts such as Surveillance Commissioners and Transport Commissioners..."

"Under Liang Wang's rule, discipline is lax. Previously, in Yuncheng, Shao Wanjie, former commander of the Black Dragon Army, was corrupt, broke the law, committed murder and evil, and colluded with the Man to betray the country. Prefect Liu Junliang shielded him, seeking profit, causing the various military and administrative organs of Yuncheng to be paralyzed for over a hundred years."

"Later, Qian Shougang despised the law and discipline, ran amok in the war zone, severely injured the city general, and seized supplies from friendly forces. How is this action different from that of the Man enemy?"

"The ancients said: If the superior has a preference, the inferior will surely imitate it. Observing how he controls his subordinates, can one not glimpse the nature of his superiors?"

"If Liang Wang consolidates the three powers of military, governance, and law, then across ten thousand miles of territory, the people will have no means of livelihood, and the army will have no fighting spirit..."

After writing a long piece, he ended with a single sentence:

"Your subordinate Zhao Xing bows his head again and pays respect, presenting this to Prefect Wang."

After finishing, Zhao Xing edited and trimmed it, then transcribed it onto an official document and affixed his civil official seal (a District Council Physician has a dedicated seal).

He did not write just one copy, but many.

Then he went to the Marching Hall, found the statue of Shenxingdai Sect, and lit a stick of incense.

"True Lord, urgent marching order."

The statue of Dai Zong opened its eyes: "Who do you want this Lord to deliver it to?"

"The Prefect of the Nine Heavens Yingyuan Prefecture, Wang Wang Shiyong. The Grand Physician Zhang Qing. The Light Council Physician Tantai Ming..."

"The Prefect of Anping Prefecture, Cui Zhe. The Grand Physician Ji Guanghe, the Fengtian Physician Xiao Wenshan..."

"The Prefect of Datong Prefecture, Xie Zhengwen. The Grand Physician Zhao Wen."

"..."

Even Dai Zong felt something was wrong listening to this; why were all the recipients of this young man's letters civil officials?

Moreover, they were all fourth-rank officials, and the positions involved shared one common point: they all had the right to memorialize the Jing Emperor.

"Very well, please throw them into the incense burner." Dai Zong unconsciously used the word "please."

"Huff~" One by one, the documents were thrown into the incense burner, and then dispatched to various government agencies.

After doing all this, Zhao Xing clapped his hands.

"What are you doing? Burning so many documents." Xia Jing, Long Xiao, Liao Rulong, and Pu Zhong walked into the Marching Hall.

"Nothing much, just planning to impeach Liang Wang."

"Oh." Xia Jing nodded, then suddenly jerked his head up: "Who? Who did you say you are impeaching?"

"Liang Wang, Ji Mingxian." Zhao Xing said, "Was I not clear enough?"

"Big brother, what are you doing?" Xia Jing was stunned. "Why on earth would you impeach Liang Wang?"

"Doesn't he want to become the Supreme Commander of the Man-pacification campaign, concurrently holding the title of Prefect of the Four Directions?" Zhao Xing said. "It is said that an imperial decree will come in the twentieth year of the Jingxin Era."

"The rumor is true, but... what does that have to do with you?" Xia Jing said. "Are you bored and looking for trouble? Isn't this just adding trouble to yourself?"

"Why are you being foolish? Have you forgotten the old matter of Yang An?"

"Xia Jing, what are you saying!" Long Xiao was displeased and shoved him. "Who are you calling foolish?"

Liao Rulong also stared at Xia Jing with an unfriendly expression.

"Apologies, I spoke out of turn." Xia Jing was also anxious; wasn't Zhao Xing destroying his own future?

If Liang Wang did not care, it would be fine, but if he truly took offense, Zhao Xing's battles this year might have been fought in vain!

He truly cared for his good brother.

"Liang Wang, as a subject, how can he possess such great power?" Zhao Xing said solemnly and righteously. "As a District Council Physician and a frontline soldier, I must speak straight and forthright; otherwise, how can I fight with peace of mind?!"

"..." Xia Jing felt something was wrong with these words, yet could find no fault in them.

Zhao Xing was speaking great principles, which was correct, but in the actual court, things were not quite like that.

"Forget it, you have already sent them." Xia Jing said. "I reckon no one will pay attention to you."

Who would dare pay attention? Liang Wang is about to take power; only a fool would pay attention to Zhao Xing's memorial at this time.

"Well done!" Long Xiao chuckled. "Zhao Xing, how did you write it? I have the title of District Council Physician too, but I don't know how to write. Teach me, and I will also impeach him."

"Are you joining the fun too?" Xia Jing was stunned. "Are we still going to fight this battle?"

"If Liang Wang takes power, what is there to fight?" Long Xiao snorted. "I am afraid of the Black Dragon Army people stabbing us in the back."

Xia Jing pointed at himself, then pointed at Zhao Xing: "My father is Xia Hou, my respected master is Liu Tianning. Who dares to stab us in the back?"

"I don't care about all that." Long Xiao said. "Anyway, since Zhao Xing has already sent them, I must help out. Liao Rulong, are you a brother or not?"

"Hahaha, Long Xiao is right—we should submit our memorial together!" Liao Ru laughed heartily and waved his hand. "Military Advisor, prepare ink and brush!"

Long Xiao glanced sideways at Xia Jing, as if asking: Are you really my brother?

Xia Jing sighed. "Fine, I'll sign."

Zhao Xing spoke up: "Don't force yourself."

Xia Jing pointed at Long Xiao and laughed. "Long Fat has already said it— if I don't sign now, we're no longer brothers. Come on, how did you write it? I'll copy yours—you just need to seal it."

"What's all this commotion?" At that moment, Chen Shijie walked in. "I just heard you mention Liang Wang and impeachment... What's going on?"

Long Xiao chuckled. "Old Chen, you're just in time. We're impeaching Liang Wang—hah, I've wanted to do this for ages!"

Chen Shijie was more measured: "Has the Marquis heard? Does Madam Liu know? Does Xia Hou know?"

"I've already told my teacher," Zhao Xing said calmly. "He neither opposes nor supports me, and doesn't ask why."

"I haven't told him yet," Xia Jing said, stroking his chin. "No big deal—it's just hearsay reporting."

"Better not to tell him," Chen Shijie said. Not telling leaves room to retreat—it's just the antics of younglings.

But then Zhao Xing grew serious: "Don't think this is a joke."

"I truly intend to impeach Liang Wang—and I intend to get results."

"Xia Jing, if you still want to command troops, don't sign."

"Long Xiao, Old Chen—you must also consider: are you ready for dismissal and demotion?"

Zhao Xing had to make the stakes clear.

If they pressed on, Xia Jing might escape unscathed; but Chen Shijie and Long Xiao—Zhao Xing hoped they would follow him and retreat swiftly from this current.

Impeaching Liang Wang—even if dismissed or demoted—is only temporary. When Liang Wang rebels, we will all be exonerated.

Now that Liang Wang is about to take power, this is the best window to escape the Southern Barbarian front.

After this, if you try to leave, the cost will be greater.

But Zhao Xing respected others' fates—if they truly wished to stay and earn merit on the battlefield, he wouldn't force them.

Without me, Long Xiao has already become the Shenxiao Marquis.

Old Chen didn't die in the Ten Yang Cave Heaven—Xia Jing can inherit his father's marquisate.

So whether they choose to stand with me or not, it's their decision.

"I'd rather wait until Liang Wang dies of old age before returning to service than fight under him," Long Xiao sneered. "If this man leads the Southern Barbarian campaign, the Southern Barbarians will win eventually."

Zhao Xing stared at Long Xiao in surprise—he hadn't expected such thoughts from him. But Long Xiao was right: the Southern Barbarians would win eventually.

"Liang Wang has no authority to strip titles," Chen Shijie said. "At most, he can dismiss me—I still hold my marquisate. I'll just return home and retire."

"If you're all prepared for this, what's the point of me fighting?" Xia Jing said. "Impeach him. I've had nothing to do these past three months anyway. I don't believe submitting a memorial can hurt me."

Only Liao Ru decided to seek Yang An's approval; the other three immediately wrote and submitted their impeachment memorials.

………

In the nineteenth year of Jingxin, the seventh day of the tenth month, Zhao Xing's four memorials sank like stones into the sea.

Only Dan Tai Ming came to ask Zhao Xing what this meant.

Zhao Xing gave the same righteous, solemn explanation as before.

Even the seasoned Dan Tai Ming did not doubt Zhao Xing's motives.

Because during his internship in Yun City, Zhao Xing had witnessed Shao Wanjie's corruption and evil.

He had also experienced supply lines being seized in the war zone, and killed Qian Shougang in rage.

During his journey to the Eternal Night Sea, he was hunted by Liang Wang's Fifth-Rank Scholar Feng Chen...

And he had taken Liu Tianning as his teacher.

Who was Liu Tianning?

He wasn't known for rigid integrity or hatred of evil—but now, Liu Tianning was at least relatively "fair." Otherwise, he wouldn't have been appointed Inspector and Transport Commissioner.

Thus, Zhao Xing's impeachment of Liang Wang had ample grounds, and emotionally, it made sense.

……

On the eighth day of the tenth month, Zhao Xing submitted another memorial—still no response, no ripple.

On the ninth day, Zhao Xing's language grew fiercer, laced with intense personal emotion, even beginning to curse—though not vulgar curses. He wouldn't dare insult Liang Wang's relatives; that would be insulting Emperor Jing.

On the eleventh day, impeachment—sank like stones into the sea.

On the twelfth day, impeachment of Liang Wang—no reply.

……

After that, Zhao Xing submitted memorials daily, expanding his range: whoever had the authority to write to Emperor Jing, Zhao Xing sent his memorial to them.

He even sent one to Ji Chen.

Ji Chen, upon receiving this letter, felt ten thousand horses galloping through his mind.

"This Yuanrang Marquis must have lost his mind!"

"He sent his impeachment of my father straight to me!"

"Look what he wrote—he's urging me, his own son, to uphold justice and denounce my father..."

Ji Chen laughed bitterly.

Even with his best restraint, he could no longer endure.

"Military Advisor, pressure the Ministry of War—make this man stop!"

"Send word to Yang An and Liu Tianning—make them rein in this Yuanrang Marquis!"

Ji Chen was furious.

He had never encountered such a bizarre maneuver.

The Military Advisor was equally baffled: "I previously sent a go-between to inquire—Yang An seems unaware, and Liu Tianning doesn't wish to intervene. I don't know whether he's unaware, deliberately letting it slide, or simply powerless to stop it."

"Can't control them? Don't know what's going on?" Ji Chen said. "Then let someone else step in and control them!"

"How could the Father King's heavenly authority tolerate such disrespect?"

The strategist mused, "The Wang Fu did have some past grievances with him. He's only about twenty-three or twenty-four—some youthful arrogance is normal."

"What do you mean, Mr.?"

"I have three strategies—upper, middle, and lower," the strategist smiled.

"I'd like to hear them in detail."

"The upper strategy: go speak with Yuan Rang Hou. See if he wants any concessions—perhaps this can be an opportunity to bury the hatchet and bring him over to our side."

"Given his potential and Liu Tianning's background, paying some price is worth it."

"Turning an enemy into a friend—that is the upper strategy."

Ji Chen pondered: "What's the middle strategy?"

"Sometimes impeachment isn't necessarily opposition. The Prince is about to seize great power—some impeachment voices aren't necessarily bad."

"Do nothing. Ignore him. Let the Wang Fu exert no influence—let him be. That is the middle strategy."

"So the lower strategy is what I just said?" Ji Chen frowned. "Crush him, target him—is that really the lower strategy in your eyes, Mr.?"

The strategist smiled but said nothing. "Your insight has improved."

"Ah, fine," Ji Chen said. "Then I'll follow your advice."

…………

In the military camp.

Zhao Xing saw Ji Chen's reply and felt a thousand horses galloping through his mind.

"This guy's too patient."

"I've insulted his father, and yet he still has the composure to calmly ask me how we can resolve this peacefully."

"The Liang Wang Fu may be evil, but they're certainly not foolish," Zhao Xing couldn't help but sigh.

He now found it somewhat difficult to extricate himself.

Because of Liu Tianning and Luo Hou Wang, the Liang Wang Fu had adopted a conciliatory stance toward him.

At worst, they'd ignore him.

Old Master Zhao was utterly exasperated.

"It's making me feel almost guilty toward Ji Chen."

But such matters never involve mercy.

Zhao Xing hesitated only briefly, then decided to stick with his original plan.

Otherwise, he'd have to deliberately rush into battle, get himself severely wounded, and withdraw.

But that would harm his cultivation.

The spiritual essence he'd risked everything to obtain in the Cave Heaven—if he broke through now, wouldn't it all vanish?

"I still need to use some strong medicine," Zhao Xing sat down at the table.

Fifteen thousand eight hundred and fifty-seven—close enough to sixteen thousand. Tomorrow, thank you for writing two hundred more characters!

Also, tomorrow this volume will end, but the update volume won't decrease.