Chapter 275: Borrowing Two Heads for a Moment, Grandpa Zhao Strikes with a Heavy Fist

At the moment the heavens and earth trembled and fortune split apart.

"Vroom~ Vroom~"

The treasures carried by Zhao Xing all radiated light.

The spells he cultivated also underwent a certain change.

"The influence has arrived." Zhao Xing realized and immediately returned to his room to check.

At the same time, the panel displayed a series of records.

【Name: Zhao Xing】

【Official Rank: Fifth Rank Upper (Anomaly)】

【Realm: Yuan Soul Realm Perfection】

【Profession: Minister of Agriculture】

【Fortune: Derivation Six (Abnormal Fluctuation)】

【Qi Gathering: Sixty-Ninth Tier】

【Destiny Soul: Third Rank Early Stage】

【Remaining Lifespan: 499 Years (Anomaly)】

"In the twenty-ninth year of the Jingxin Era, my remaining lifespan was 500 years. Now it is the thirty-fifth year of the Jingxin Era, but in between, promotions and titles granted by Mountain Cat, Cang Mao, and Spirit Illusion Goat brought me five years of blessings, so I still have 499 years of life left."

"Now my official rank, fortune, and lifespan have all shown abnormal fluctuations. This is because the Great Zhou's Fortune Dynasty system has split in Pinghaizhou and Lüliangzhou, and I am located in that region."

In the Tianhe Prefecture, within the official residence of the Hundred-Path Fortune Transport Office, Zhao Xing glanced at the panel.

【Jingxin Era, Thirty-Fifth Year, Second Month, Second Day: The Fortune Dynasty 'Zhou' has experienced abnormal turmoil.】

【Affected by the Divine Artifact 'Weishen Luo', your fortune has fluctuated (Affected Area: Pinghaizhou, Lüliangzhou).】

【Affected by the Yin Realm's Destiny Heavenly Palace, your lifespan has fluctuated. The lifespan bestowed by the Fortune Dynasty will undergo abnormal fluctuations,

while the rest remains unaffected. (Affected Area: Pinghaizhou, Lüliangzhou)】

【Affected by the 'Punish Rebels Edict', your official rank has become abnormal. If you comply with the 'Punish Rebels Edict', you will lose your current position but may obtain a higher rank.】

"Three influences. This is one of the foundations of Liang Wang's confidence in rebelling," Zhao Xing thought silently. "Following him in rebellion,

one might gain stronger fortune, a higher official rank, and a longer lifespan."

As for the spells, anomalies appeared there as well.

However, only three spells were affected: first, 【Five Fingers of Heavenly Mandate】, second, 【Tortoise Coin Divination Method】, and third, 【Astronomical Divination Method】.

These three spells were similarly affected.

Behind the spell names, an icon labeled 【Destined by Heaven】 appeared.

"Here comes the scam." Zhao Xing looked at this icon and couldn't help but shake his head.

"Affected by 'Destined by Heaven', if these three spells are cast for divination at this moment, any result will be influenced, and the influence will favor Liang Wang."

"Liang Wang was previously the greatest Destiny Official. If I now calculate 'Will Liang Wang succeed?', then out of ten attempts, nine feedbacks will say he will succeed.

"In reality, this is the influence Liang Wang exerts through destiny spells."

In his past life, Zhao Xing had been deceived by this scammy buff.

It wasn't just him; many high-level players were thoroughly duped.

Believing Liang Wang was truly destined by heaven, they all joined the rebel camp.

As a result, many perished in waves: some dropped in level, some lost treasures, some lost fortune, and their official ranks were reset to zero.

There were also many chuunibyou players who, when interpreting this 【Destined by Heaven】 buff, attributed it to themselves.

Thus, they also raised the banner of rebellion and proclaimed themselves kings, only to die even faster.

"Scammy Liang Wang," Zhao Xing cursed.

The other spells on the panel showed no changes.

Currently, Zhao Xing possesses four top-tier Heavenly Timing spells:

First is the Heavenly Timing Weather-Change Spell 【Kunpeng Transformation: Third Turn】.

This is an internal cultivation weather-change spell that allows one to transform into a Kunpeng and unleash one of the Kunpeng's innate secret techniques.

The Kunpeng has many innate secret techniques. Zhao Xing, upon entering the path (First to Third Turn), comprehended 'Kun Swallows Heaven and Earth'.

Kun Swallows Heaven and Earth: Possesses powerful swallowing capabilities. One can open a giant mouth to inhale vast amounts of heavenly and earthly primal qi, clouds, mist, even water flows and spiritual energy into the abdomen, converting them into one's own strength.

If one breaks through to the Minor Success stage of the Fourth Turn, one can also cultivate the innate secret technique of the Peng state.

Heavenly Timing Thunder Spell: Third Turn, mastering the secret technique 【Heavenly Thunder Finger】.

Heavenly Timing Cloud Spell: Third Turn, Cloud Gate.

Cloud spells are god-tier crowd-control techniques; top-tier spells are no exception. Moreover, the top-tier Cloud Spell 'Cloud Gate' can already significantly enhance other spells, especially Rain spells.

Cloud Gate is part of the Ultimate Spell. Its ultimate goal is to replace the Heavenly Dao. At the top-tier spell stage, it has already begun to evolve the transformations of the Five Elements.

The fourth top-tier Heavenly Timing spell is still a Cloud Spell, namely Li Boqian's supreme art 'A Foot Away, Ten Thousand Miles'.

There are also four top-tier Earthly Advantage spells.

【Vast Sea Earth Palace: Third Turn】 【Mysterious Water Earth Palace: Third Turn】

【Earth Spirit Divine Treasury Spell: Third Turn, mastering the secret technique 'Earth Spirit Barrier', a large-scale defensive barrier.】

【Kun Yuan Spell: Third Turn, mastering 'Kun Yuan Rebirth', primarily for repairing soil.】

"Heavenly Timing and Earthly Advantage combined make eight top-tier spells, all at the Third Turn realm of the Main Body. Except for the Kunpeng Transformation, the other seven can be cast by the Clone at the First Turn level."

Zhao Xing looked at these eight secret techniques; this was the result of his five years of cultivation.

"As for the Benwo Sect spells, they are also unaffected."

"The high-tier spell 【Forest Jump】 has reached high-tier perfection. It allows escape by leveraging forest environments and can be applied in different combat scenarios."

"【Every Tree and Blade of Grass is a Soldier】 has not been practiced at all due to lack of time and remains at the Seventh Turn realm."

"However, 【Grass and Trees as Soldiers】 focuses on the ability of plant troops; at this moment, I have no Tier Six plant troops within my body, only some medicinal herbs and clone materials kept in reserve." Zhao Xing thought inwardly.

Currently, the combat power of the Benwo Sect has not yet taken shape; it can bully the weak, but fighting high-level battles still requires time.

Fate-type spells: 【Great Expansion Gazing at Qi Art】, 【Five Fingers of Heavenly Mandate】, 【Divination by Weather Signs】, 【Tortoise Divination Method】.

All three are in an abnormal state, but the Great Expansion Gazing at Qi Art remains unaffected.

This is because the Great Expansion Gazing at Qi Art can only observe, not calculate.

"Fate Soul-type spells are also unaffected."

"Among them, the Sky Eye Method and the Sleepy Worm Method both increase in power with the strength of the Fate Soul; my Fate Soul has reached the High Grade level, so these two spells have also reached the power of Top-Tier Spells."

"The Dream Storage Method constructs a Memory Palace; the Dream Walking Method allows one to kill by leaping through dreams."

"However, like the Benwo Method, the Dream Walking Method has had no time to be cultivated; it can only bully the weak and cannot fight High Grade opponents."

"For dealing with High Grade opponents in terms of the soul, it must be the Tian Yan Wang Secret Art of the Soul-Destroying Bell and the Tier Eight Soul Armor."

"Myriad Laws Dao Body: A Pure Yuan Body condensed from the Dao of the Five Elements, Wind, and Thunder, overlaid with the buff of Tier Four Pure Yuan Soil; the total Yuan Qi is a hundred times that of a normal Fourth Rank Perfection. Even a normal Third Rank might not last as long as I can."

【Treasure: Heavenly Secret Robe (Tier Seven Supreme, Abnormal)】

【Auspicious Almanac (Tier Seven Superior, Abnormal)】

【Mo Shou Jade Pendant (Tier Seven Supreme; after activation, forms a mobile small barrier (can defend against means other than soul/spirit types))】

【Soul-Suppressing Bell (Tier Seven Inferior; defends against soul illusions, warns of qi deviation)】

【Soul Armor: Tier Eight Supreme】

【Yin of the Origin Sacred Classic: Tier Nine Inferior, sixteen pages in total】

【Solar Term Token (Great Liang): Start of Spring, Start of Summer, Start of Autumn, Start of Winter; can increase the realm of the Secret Classic 'Solar Term Token'.】

"The treasures given to me by King Tianyan, the Heavenly Secret Robe and the Auspicious Almanac, have shown abnormalities. I fear King Tianyan did not expect at that time to encounter today's situation."

"Fortunately, the Mo Shou Jade Pendant and the Soul-Suppressing Bell are unaffected." Zhao Xing thought inwardly.

"The 'Solar Term Token'; because the four Liang Dynasty Solar Term Tokens—Start of Spring, Start of Summer, Start of Autumn, and Start of Winter—are all at Fixed Realm Perfection. The rest are at Fixed Realm Six Transitions."

There were also some one-time consumables purchased from the Soldier Realm that did not appear on the panel.

Zhao Xing checked and found that he had not suffered any major effects.

"It seems only Fate-type spells and items have been affected, consistent with what I knew in my past life."

"However, this effect is roughly the same for both sides." Zhao Xing thought inwardly. "If I cannot use them, basically the enemy cannot use them either, so we are still on the same level."

Liang Wang's blockade must be complete, not just a geographical blockade, but also a blockade of the people's hearts.

The effect of 'Heaven's Mandate' is to make officials turn toward his side.

"I recall Liang Wang holds a Divine Artifact named the Heavenly Fortune Hidden Dragon List, recording geniuses and those with abundant fortune across the Nineteen Provinces."

"This is the Xuantian Sect's treasure of the sect, capable of helping Liang Wang recruit or assassinate those talents." Zhao Xing looked up at the sky again.

"When I was a player in my past life, this list could be seen on the panel; I wonder how it will be presented in this life."

Just as Zhao Xing was familiarizing himself with these changes.

"Bang..."

Suddenly, a cold wind blew into the residence of the Hundred Turn Transport Office.

A shadowy figure appeared inside the residence.

Faint Jin Guang emanated from its body, and a golden dragon coiled above its head.

But below its waist, a black dragon was entwined.

"Dai Zong's Yin Spirit split soul body." Zhao Xing looked at the suddenly appearing shadow and frowned. "Fortune has also split on the body of the Yin Spirit, but from what I see now, the black dragon holds the upper hand."

The Si Ming Heavenly Palace of the Yin Realm, which governs part of the Yin Spirit authority, has now begun to influence the Yin Spirits below. Zhao Xing could feel Dai Zong's lack of control; half of his face was cold, the other half struggling.

"Zhao Xing, receive the decree!"

Dai Zong spoke coldly.

Zhao Xing stared at him coldly.

Dai Zong paid no attention to Zhao Xing's actions, simply taking out a black dragon edict on his own and beginning to read it.

"Marquis Yuan Zhao Xing, your Wang Jue is raised by two grades, advanced to Marquis Xinyang (Five Virtues Title: Strict, Brave, Martial, Wise, Trustworthy), and given command of the Tianhe Xinyang Army."

"Your official rank is raised by three grades, your lifespan increased by fifty years, appointed as the Nine Turn Transport Commissioner of Tianhe Prefecture, and added the title of Guanglu Physician."

"Effective immediately!"

"Zhao Xing, why do you not kneel to receive the decree?" Dai Zong shouted.

Hearing this headless and tailless 'decree', Zhao Xing could not help but sneer: "Whose decree are you delivering?"

"It is Liang Wang's edict," Dai Zong said.

Decrees issued by the Emperor are called Shengzhi; those issued by the Empress Dowager are called Yizhi; Princes, Empress Consorts, and Princesses are collectively referred to as Yuzhi.

"Absurd!" Zhao Xing swept his sleeve and spoke with righteous severity: "This Marquis is not his Scholar Feng Chen; how could I accept an edict from a Wang Jue like him?"

"Dai Zong, are you following him to rebel?!"

With every sentence Zhao Xing spoke, he took a step forward, his voice like thunder, constantly exploding around Dai Zong's split soul body.

The black dragon fortune on Dai Zong's body, in the struggle against the golden dragon fortune, immediately fell to a disadvantage.

Dai Zong suddenly came to his senses; he said fearfully: "Marquis Yuan, this deity is also unable to control himself—this edict was sent specifically for you; you must absolutely not accept it!"

"You must quickly leave Tianhe Prefecture, no, quickly leave Ping—"

Buzz~ Before Dai Zong could finish speaking, the aura emitted by the black dragon washed over his entire body again.

"Zhao Xing, do you intend to defy the decree?!" Dai Zong stared coldly at Zhao Xing.

Clang~

A bell sound came from within Zhao Xing's body.

The Soul-Destroying Bell immediately activated.

He helped Dai Zong suppress the black qi once more.

"Dai Zong, your soul is currently unclear; I can only destroy this fragment of your soul." Zhao Xing looked at the lucid Dai Zong. "Do not blame me."

Dai Zong stiffly clasped his fists in a salute: "Th-thank you, Yuan Hou."

Zhao Xing activated the Soul-Destroying Bell again.

Clang!

An invisible soul force spread outward, and Dai Zong's fragment soul instantly turned to powder.

Whoosh~

The golden flying dragon shot skyward, returning to the heavens.

But the black dragon, holding the edict, lunged fiercely at Zhao Xing.

Soft tactics failed, so they turned to hard ones; this was an attempt to forcibly confer status upon Zhao Xing, turning him into Liang Wang's vassal.

Once successful, he would be on Liang Wang's war chariot, making it difficult to step down later.

Even if he did step down, he would bear a stain.

He could forget about becoming the Grand Minister of Agriculture; even a Third Rank official post was doubtful.

In an instant, the Soul-Suppressing Bell on Zhao Xing's person rang out.

The holy edict held by the black dragon was as if it had entered a quagmire, unable to approach Zhao Xing.

"Hmph, a fragment soul dares to confer status upon me?"

"Break!"

Without Dai Zong as a vessel, the black dragon and holy edict were merely a common soul attack method.

It was simply an attempt to tempt Zhao Xing into accepting the conferment and obeying Liang Wang.

Zhao Xing waved his hand casually and easily shattered it.

Plop~

The edict, having lost its power, fell to the ground, its luster gone.

The black dragon immediately shot upward toward the sky, returning to its massive true form.

"Without a fortune-type technique, I cannot sever this small fortune black dragon," Zhao Xing thought inwardly.

Liang Wang's blocking of fate-type techniques has its benefits here; except for a Second Rank 'Heavenly Fortune Realm' expert, no one can sever the fortune black dragons he dispatches for conferment.

Of course, one can absorb them.

But that is exactly what Liang Wang wants.

"If you absorb it, it is equivalent to accepting the conferment; you become my vassal, standing in the same camp as me. I wonder how many people cannot withstand the temptation and deception, getting pulled into the rebel camp by Liang Wang's opening move." Zhao Xing watched the fortune black dragon fly away and thought inwardly.

An official rank increase of three levels, a noble title elevation of two grades, plus a scattered rank.

And an extension of fifty years of life!

What a huge temptation!

Under normal promotion, enduring a century might not even see one rise from Fifth Rank to Fourth Rank.

Like Sun Shizhao, who partnered with him on Twin Island back then; he is still a Regular Fifth Rank Upper official, still grinding for seniority there.

Of course, Zhao Xing's treatment was just a bit better; for someone like Sun Shizhao at Fifth Rank, a noble title was out of the question, and life extension wouldn't be that much.

However, what treatment matches what strength.

Zhao Xing looked down on this small sweetener, but for other officials, it was a tremendous attraction!

"Since returning from the Ten Thousand Beasts Competition, I have never displayed my strength. Going to the two great academies, I only wrote a treatise on the Theory of Succession. Practicing the Divine Expansion Art in the Star Palace was all conducted in secret."

"So my publicly known strength is merely that of a Regular Fifth Rank Upper official who knows high-level Ten Thousand Methods Divisions; I am a genius, but not of the peerless genius level."

"Granting me a three-level official promotion, elevating my title to Second Rank Wu Hou, and giving me actual power—Liang Wang is already showing me respect."

Zhao Xing thought inwardly.

"However, he does not know that I have already learned numerous top-tier techniques and cultivated the first layer of the Divine Expansion Art."

"In this life, how could I get on his broken chariot?"

Dai Zong's status was not high, and his fragment soul possessed only the strength of a Sixth Rank Yin Soul.

A Sixth Rank Yin Soul only knows simple soul-type techniques and mid-to-low level techniques and Wu Ji; however, if it were a high-level Yin Spirit, summoning a deity to possess a body would be different.

Dai Zong's true body was merely a Third Rank Yin Spirit; he has always done the work of delivering messages, so it was not difficult for Zhao Xing to destroy his fragment soul.

"For the weak, forceful conferment; for the strong, threats and inducements."

"The chaos will likely begin very soon. Tianhe Prefecture's Xinyang Army? The Marquis of Xinyang is probably dead," Zhao Xing thought inwardly.

Liang Wang conferred upon him the title of Second Rank Wu Hou. A Wu Hou must hold actual power, and it is held until death; if one retires, the actual power position attached to the Wu Hou title is lost, of course, though one still enjoys the salary and land of a Second Rank Hou Jue.

Now that Liang Wang has conferred upon him the title of "Marquis of Xinyang," controlling the Xinyang Army of Tianhe Prefecture, it signifies that this position has become vacant.

Therefore, the original Marquis of Xinyang is either dead or has been honorably retired.

"The process of honorable retirement is quite troublesome; one must strip away the fortune protection without harming the person, allowing them to enjoy their remaining years in peace. Liang Wang has no such patience; if they do not obey, they are definitely dead."

"There are a total of eleven standing armies stationed in Tianhe Prefecture; I do not know how many have rebelled, how many have died, and how many are resisting," Zhao Xing thought inwardly.

"Liang Wang is originally the Governor of Haizhou, a First Rank Prince, the Commander of the Barbarian Pacification, and also holds multiple divine artifacts. He must control military power."

"However, at this time, the local armies are only sending small soldiers and minor generals to seize power; his main focus is still on those seven strong armies."

When Emperor Jing initiated the mid-to-high grade great war, he entrusted the seven great cave-heaven strong armies of Tongyou, Jiuxiao, Huang Quan, Xuanming, Tiancang, Taixu, and Wu Yao to Liang Wang for command.

But these seven strong armies would absolutely not easily follow Liang Wang into rebellion; even though Liang Wang's current pretext is purging the emperor's side and executing Liu Si, and sufficient groundwork has been laid, many clear-headed people will still not join him in the water.

Zhao Xing soon had no heart to think about the affairs of the Nine Heavens Ying Yuan Mansion.

Because his Earth Mirror was buzzing wildly.

【Zhao Xing, come quickly to the Tianhe Prefecture Transport Office to receive orders! — Zhang Ping】

【Zhao Xing, proceed immediately to the 'Lishui Waterway' among the Hundred Waterways to maintain stability — Zhou Huai】

"Order all Agriculture Bureau officials of the fifth rank and above to immediately proceed to Fucheng, within the city and the four surrounding prefectures, to act jointly with the Patrol Bureau in defending Fucheng — He Zhengchen."

"Urgent transfer order from the Agriculture Bureau ———"

More than a dozen orders appeared inside the Earth Mirror, all sent by superiors and officials of the Tianhe Prefecture.

Some of the orders even contradicted one another.

For instance, within the Internal Transport Bureau of Fucheng, his direct superior Zhang Ping ordered him to report to the Transport Bureau for instructions.

Yet the Vice Director immediately ordered him to guard the Li Shui Waterway.

He also received a mass transfer order from Ye Zijian, the Grand Agriculture Commissioner of the Tianhe Prefecture Agriculture Bureau, as well as an order from Prefect He Zhengchen.

There were even transfer orders from the three garrisons stationed in Fucheng.

This was because the Transport Bureau was a dual military and civil institution!

In other words, all of these were superior departments!

Only the 'Inspector' identity directly managed by Liu Tianning had not issued any orders; the Tianhe Prefecture's Inspection Platform, Bureaus, and Waterways had sent nothing.

"Every transfer order is reasonable, but at this moment, the orders are chaotic; one cannot tell whether the ones behind them are men or ghosts."

"However, the Earth Mirror is at least usable now," Zhao Xing thought silently. "Let me first ask about the situation with Long Xiao and the Princess's residence."

"What? Bai Zhengyang is still dead?" Zhao Xing was stunned.

"I warned my Seventh Uncle," Long Xiao sighed. "But he did not believe the Hong family would rebel or come to kill him; he even laughed at me for being cowardly."

"Do not blame yourself," Zhao Xing said calmly. "Everyone has their own fate. Since he did not believe it, then this is his fate."

"He is a general; you are merely a commander of the Fenglong Guards. You cannot order him."

"With great turmoil at hand, all we can do is protect those around us."

Old Master Zhao felt nothing regarding Bai Zhengyang's death.

He warned him, but he did not believe; who could be blamed for his death?

Was Long Xiao supposed to kneel and beg him not to go to his doom?

Since Zhao Xing had shouldered Old Chen's fate in the Ten Yang Grotto-Heaven, he knew the price of altering fate was too great.

For someone like Bai Zhengyang, one could only respect another's destiny.

"Where is your father-in-law?" Zhao Xing asked. "Bai Mingchuan is fine, right?"

"He is fine," Long Xiao said. "However, Hong Hong Yuanba and Hong Hong Yuan Shou, these two brothers, have already responded to Liang Wang's call, mobilized a million water-tribe troops, and are advancing toward Chongming Prefecture."

"Have the Bai family's troops been mobilized?" Zhao Xing asked.

"Chaos has erupted within the Green Dragon Army. Ling'er's grandfather is purging internal rebellion and has only dispatched a force of two hundred thousand troops to monitor the Hong brothers' army."

"It will take at least two more days before troop deployment is complete and pursuit can begin."

Zhao Xing nodded; this was the difference between acting first and reacting later.

The Hong clan members already had a weak sense of belonging to the imperial court and had prepared long ago.

Responding to Liang Wang's order made them stronger.

With ample preparation and such benefits, they naturally moved quickly.

Conversely, for the Bai family to mobilize, it would be much slower.

"How are the two water-tribe local chieftain families, the Ao and the Tang?" Zhao Xing asked.

"I am not sure," Long Xiao scratched his head. "You know my political sense is not sharp; I do not know what the two families are thinking."

"Just tell me whether they have taken military action, and who that action is directed against," Zhao Xing asked.

"Yes. Tang Yinglong and Ao Tian, these two enfeoffed kings, immediately dispatched troops to pursue the Hong brothers' army. The numbers are smaller; combined, they total no more than one hundred fifty thousand."

"There is no way around it," Zhao Xing said. "Hong Hong Yuanba is the commander of the Eastern Sea; while in office, he naturally has greater ease in deploying troops."

"How are you and Old Chen now? And what should I do now?" Long Xiao asked.

"Old Chen is fine; he is staying at the Princess's residence," Zhao Xing said. "I am in Tianhe Prefecture. It is not obviously chaotic yet, but I fear it will soon become so."

"You should follow the original plan: first pursue and kill the Hong brothers' army to suppress the rebellion, while also guarding your Bai family's coastal defense zone."

"But you must not go ashore; pursuing them to the shore is enough. I suspect the Hong brothers will not go ashore that quickly." "Good." Long Xiao clenched his fist. "I have heard that Liang Wang's heir is also in the Eastern Sea Legion. This time, I will surely kill him!"

"Do not force it," Zhao Xing warned. "There will be plenty of opportunities for revenge."

Zhao Xing estimated that the Earth Mirror's effects would worsen afterward, so he added a few more words: "Remember this: even if your Bai family does nothing at all, as long as you prevent the troops under your command from rebelling and defend against those foreign water armies, you will gain no merit, but you will not be punished."

"As for the Hong brothers, although the four water-tribe local chieftain families have the duty to monitor one another, this is merely a minor offense."

"Before the imperial court orders you to suppress the rebellion, the small force you have dispatched now is sufficient. Remember, remember: do not go ashore without an imperial decree."

"Good, I have remembered," Long Xiao repeated. "Without an imperial decree, I will absolutely not pursue them ashore."

"You must take good care of yourself."

"You too."

After finishing communication with Long Xiao, Zhao Xing heard several voices appear above Fucheng.

"In the application of ritual, harmony is most precious!"

"Heaven's mandate is solely martial; to stop war through war, killing is permissible!"

"Yu Yu Tianhai, Wang Wang Chengsi, do you intend to rebel?"

"We obey the King's command and carry out the Heavenly Dao; where is the rebellion? He Zhengchen, you were appointed by Prime Minister Liu Si; you are a traitor to the state! Quickly resign your office and return your seal to the court!"

"You are rebels! Rebels!!"

The voices in the sky were like thunder; these voices influenced Zhao Xing's mind, making him at one moment want to slaughter in all directions, and at the next want to stay quietly at home without moving.

"The Ritual Cultivators have already begun fighting. He Zhengchen is the Prefect; the other two are Vice Prefects. This is an open rupture."

Zhao Xing's Seven-Star Fate Soul trembled slightly, repelling the spells of the Ritual Cultivators.

In the next instant, another change appeared.

"On land that has a master, do not enter without invitation!"

"In my name, with a heart of jade and blood, I beseech the Earth Emperor to register!"

"People of Tianhe, return home swiftly!"

Hum~

Suddenly, a golden-yellow register book shimmering with Jin Guang appeared in the sky, floating above Fucheng.

At the same time, every ward market and residential house lit up with a beam of light.

People began rushing back to their homes.

"Wang Zijun, do you not value your life? Stop immediately!"

"Earth Officer Wang Situ, you are truly ruthless; you would rather die than protect these foolish commoners?"

"Hmph, a fool; it is fitting that he dies!"

"It is merely a struggle for two days; daring to resist the King's decree, this is the result!"

Zhao Xing heard these voices; now that his Heaven Eye Technique could both hear and see, he witnessed the ritual combat of these Liturgy Cultivators with his own eyes.

Boom~

Thunder began to roll in the sky, and the clouds started to shift violently.

A clear sky stretching ten thousand li suddenly became covered in dark clouds.

Nine great suns rose.

Wild winds constantly battered the defensive formation of Fucheng.

"The Solar Term Order, Cloud Law—this means the Agriculture Supervision Bureau has also joined the fight."

Zhao Xing did not act immediately.

This was because his Earth Mirror rang out again.

This time, without Zhao Xing's consent, the Earth Mirror activated automatically, projecting a figure.

Seeing this, Zhao Xing immediately bowed: "Your subordinate pays respects to Luo Wang."

Luo Wang was precisely the highest official of the Military Realm's Inspection Department; even Old Liu was merely Luo Wang's subordinate.

His authority was of the highest level, enabling him to activate the Earth Mirror directly and locate his position through it.

"Zhao Xing, have you accepted Liang Wang's forged edict?" Luo Wang's gaze was severe.

He was fully armed at this moment, carrying the Divine Bow Jidu Luo Instant Prison Arrow on his back and wearing the Ninth-Rank Supreme Grade Sunset Heavenly King Armor; as the Ruling King of the Military Realm, Luo Wang's equipment was all exclusive, crafted as a unique set.

"No," Zhao Xing stated firmly, "Liang Wang is a rebel; how could I become his Scholar Feng Chen? I swear on my three souls that if I have the ability, I will surely kill him!"

Luo Wang breathed a sigh of relief; he had naturally been monitoring Zhao Xing's situation, fearing he might stray onto the wrong path.

Now that he had cultivated the first layer of the Great Expansion Divine Art, swearing on his three souls was absolutely impossible to fake.

However, to strengthen Zhao Xing's Dao heart, Luo Wang added a few more words:

"You must remain steadfast in your mind; this King will tell you, Your Majesty made preparations long ago."

"This King has, together with the other three Ruling Kings, immediately taken control of the top ten elite armies of Nine Heavens, Yellow Springs, and Tong You!" Luo Wang spoke coldly, "In the north of Haizhou, there are seven military garrisons; the original Ruling Kings commanding the ten great elite armies have led nearly ten thousand high-rank arrivals to the border markers to await orders; Ji Mingxian cannot stir up any waves!"

"Yes." Zhao Xing clasped his fists.

Of the ten great legions of Great Zhou, the seven legions previously dispatched here had not all been deployed.

Only seventy percent had been handed to Liang Wang, and the original commanders of the ten great legions had not gone with them.

Therefore, as long as these original high-ranking legion officials could enter Pinghaizhou, Liang Wang would be unable to fully utilize these seven elite armies.

"Your subordinate is currently in Tianhe Prefecture; how should I proceed? If I encounter powerful figures such as the Inspection and Surveillance Divisions of the various armies, whom should I trust?" Zhao Xing asked.

Luo Wang drew the golden sword from his waist and held the jade seal: "Zhao Xing, listen to the order!"

"Your subject is here." Seeing this, Zhao Xing immediately knelt, because Luo Wang held the Emperor's Command Sword and the private seal of Emperor Jing.

"By order of Your Majesty, this King temporarily appoints you as the Third-Rank Inspector for the Eastern Five Prefectures of Pinghaizhou, with authority over all civil and military officials of Third Rank and below in the Eastern Five Prefectures of Pinghaizhou; if there is treachery, you may execute first and report later!"

"Additionally, I grant you Tier One Heaven-Rank authority for the Earth Mirror."

"I obey the decree." Zhao Xing kowtowed.

This time, his faction was confirmed.

Because he had passed the first test by not accepting Liang Wang's imperial appointment.

Therefore, this inspector position and its authority were higher than before.

"I give you a list: High-Rank Inspectors, Inspectors, Army Supervisors, Imperial Guard Commanders, civil officials—these people on the list will absolutely not follow the rebellion."

"I have changed your Earth Mirror authority; this list will not be leaked. You do not necessarily have to obey their orders, but if you encounter danger, you will know who are your own people," Luo Wang said.

"As for whether to first fulfill your duties as the Transport Commissioner or first execute the military inspection duties, handle it at your discretion."

"Yes, your subordinate understands." Zhao Xing nodded.

Hum~

Luo Wang arrived quickly and left quickly.

And just after he disappeared, Zhao Xing's Earth Mirror fell silent.

There were only three messages:

【Your Earth Mirror authority has been upgraded to 'Tier One Heaven-Rank' (temporary); higher authority requires replacing the Earth Mirror.】

【You have been appointed by 'Luo Wang' as the Third-Rank Inspector for the Eastern Five Prefectures of Pinghaizhou (temporary).】

【You have obtained a confidential list.】

At the same time, Zhao Xing's panel underwent changes once again.

His official rank was upgraded to temporary 'Fourth Rank, Upper Grade, Lower Sub-grade', and the word 'abnormal' was no longer present after the rank.

His lifespan no longer fluctuated.

The panel record showed he was influenced by the "Heavenly Emperor's Command Sword" and the "Palace of Heavenly Fate".

"Luo Wang appointed me through the Earth Mirror; currently, I am only a temporary Fourth Rank, Upper Grade, Lower Sub-grade. He probably does not know my full strength and did not let me command Third-Rank civil and military officials," Zhao Xing thought silently.

"He does not have the authority to confer Third Rank, not even temporarily, unless there is another preparation."

"The twelve prefectures of the East, including the five subordinate prefectures, are already large enough."

"I must act swiftly; I cannot let Tianhe Prefecture fall into chaos, otherwise, forget the five subordinate prefectures, even the current foundation cannot be preserved." Zhao Xing immediately hoisted the box and flew away from the official residence.

"Four hours have already passed; Marquis Xinyang has been killed—whether in terms of personal martial preparation,"

"or official procedures, everything is now fully in place."

"Next, it is time to slaughter on all sides. Anyone who has accepted the Black Dragon Fortune or obeyed Liang Wang's edict is a rebel; no questions asked, just kill them directly!"

"Before Liang Wang rebelled, I was submissive; after he rebelled, I strike with heavy fists!"

As for how to distinguish them? The Great Expansion Gaze Art reveals it at a glance.

Inside the prefectural city of Tianhe Prefecture, shadows on the streets were sparse, and every household kept its doors and windows tightly shut.

Noon should have been a bustling time, but now it was eerily quiet; all market districts had already closed.

The city was so quiet that not even a breeze blew, yet above the city, wild winds raged and dark clouds gathered, spreading toward the four surrounding commanderies.

"Someone is stabilizing the celestial phenomena, while another is disturbing them."

"The two mountain peaks outside the prefectural city are shifting; could someone have gone out to cast the Volcano Method?"

"The Great Ancestor's grand vow 'None may enter without invitation' is in effect. The Yellow Registers of the prefecture level have now strengthened this rule: 'The Earth Official Wang Situ of the Prefectural City sacrificed his remaining lifespan.'"

"But it will not hold for long; the direction of the Temple is also surrounded by sinister winds; both sides are engaged in magical combat."

Zhao Xing could feel that several terrifying Yin Spirits were colliding within the prefectural city temple.

The Five Elements forces in the surroundings, influenced by this power, had all turned into Yin Five Elements!

At this moment, even a Fourth Rank entering that area would have their soul weakened by the chaotic Yin winds.

Zhao Xing activated the Heavenly Eye Method for a glance and discovered a crack had opened there.

He also saw a figure with hair as white as a hundred years old drilling into this black fissure.

"A priest's Yuan Soul has left the body and entered the Yin Realm."

"Is this an attempt to enter the Yin Realm to report to the Yin Spirits and call for reinforcements?"

"I do not know if he will survive to come out."

Zhao Xing shook his head; the Yin Realm was likely chaotic at this time, and Yin Spirits of all sizes did not know whom to obey.

Whoosh~

Zhao Xing instantly appeared outside the government office of the Prefectural Transport Bureau.

At this moment, a group of soldiers had already surrounded the area, with at least seven factions facing off.

There were seventy or eighty corpses on the ground, but most were wearing Taoist robes or strange attire.

"Outsiders and demonic Taoists lurking within the prefectural city." Zhao Xing knew at a glance that the dead were those extreme fanatics, no different from fools.

At this time, before true chaos erupted, whether the Liang Wang Sect or the imperial court faction, they would first kill the outsiders and demonic Taoists.

Because the officials obeying Liang Wang's orders had not yet fallen so quickly; they still considered themselves people of Great Zhou and viewed the outsiders and demonic Taoists as enemies.

Now that these outsiders and demonic Taoists appeared in the prefectural city, they were purely seeking death; at best, they could only create minor chaos in the county towns.

Only when the internal collapse of Haizhou reached a certain extent could they become effective.

Appearing now only serves to drag Liang Wang down.

Perhaps they would stop fighting each other first and deal with the outsiders and demonic Taoists.

"Halt! Who goes there!"

A Fourth Rank martial artist holding a Tiger-Head Great Blade saw Zhao Xing appear and immediately shouted.

"Zhao Xing, Transport Commissioner of the Hundred Routes, obeying the order of my lord Zhang, here to receive instructions," Zhao Xing said.

"My lord Zhou Huai sent you to Lishui, yet you come to the government office; you are a thief! Seize him!" This Fourth Rank martial artist immediately attacked.

"Zeng Wu, how dare you!" Another Fourth Rank martial artist holding a White Feather Spear instantly transformed into a streak of light and blocked the way.

One sought to capture Zhao Xing; the other sought to protect Zhao Xing.

The other two formations of martial artists did not know what to do at all; they merely guarded the entrance to the Transport Bureau government office.

Because they could not judge others' stances; they lacked the Gaze Art and could not figure out who had received Liang Wang's edict, and the orders from above were chaotic.

They had also come under the guise of protecting the Transport Bureau, because outsiders and demonic Taoists had appeared there.

At this moment, inside the Transport Bureau, various Middle Rank officials were also gathered together.

Before them, three lightning bolts were entangled.

The chief official Zhang Ping, and the deputy officials Zhou Huai and Lei Guangming, three Agricultural Commissioners, were dueling!

In a place they could not see, the Yuan Souls of the three had left their bodies, engaging in a decisive battle on a second battlefield.

And Zhang Ping, the chief official, under the combined assault of Zhou Huai and Lei Guangming, had already fallen to a disadvantage.

"Slow, too slow." Zhao Xing's Heavenly Eye Method simultaneously observed the two battlefields, inside and outside.

Whether Zhang Ping, Zhou Huai, or Lei Guangming, in his eyes, their spellcasting speeds were very slow.

As for the two Fourth Rank martial artists attacking from outside, they were even like they were in slow motion.

"Zeng Wu possesses the Black Dragon Fortune, but this one named Li Gan does not."

"Zhang Ping has not rebelled, but the other two deputy officials have defected."

Using the Great Expansion Gaze Art to observe, Zhao Xing instantly saw the composition of the fortune light pillars on everyone.

"Die!"

Zhao Xing, with a calm demeanor, pointed a finger at Zeng Wu.

The Heavenly Thunder Finger technique immediately activated.

A black vortex flashed at his fingertip; lightning surrounded the edge of the black hole, which rapidly pierced through Zeng Wu's head.

It looked as if a bolt of lightning had pierced through his head.

"Plop!"

Zeng Wu smashed onto the ground at an even faster speed.

And the general Li Gan, who had rushed to intercept Zeng Wu, also missed.

"What?!" Li Gan was instantly shocked. "He, a fifth-rank Agricultural Official, easily killed Zeng Wu."

Li Gan was quite shocked, because he hadn't fully figured out what happened; even if given the chance, he wouldn't dare kill Zeng Wu.

From his perspective, this was nothing more than some confusion in command among the various departments, resulting in a few disputes; he didn't even know about Liang Wang's edict against rebels, nor had he heard Liuxiu's voice.

Furthermore, he was shocked by Zhao Xing's strength.

"You, you——" Li Gan was still in shock when Zhao Xing's Heaven Thunder Finger, its momentum undiminished, bent like light refracting and accurately killed the thirty-one men behind Zeng Wu.

"Pfft Pfft Pfft~"

Immediately after, he also killed five men in the formation behind Li Gan.

All killed in a single strike!

"What are you doing!" Li Gan was both shocked and furious.

"They are all rebels." Zhao Xing waved his hand, instantly tearing open their bellies and chests while cutting off pieces of their skin.

"Huff~" A gust of wind arrived.

Zhao Xing pointed at those skins and the items dug out.

"Liang Wang's forged edict, and the aftereffects left after they were bathed in abnormal fortune."

"A black dragon mark will appear on their chests or abdomens," Zhao Xing said. "These people have all rebelled; is that clear enough?"

"This, this——" Li Gan and the crowd were instantly stunned.

They really rebelled?!

Before he could react, he heard a low shout in his ear.

"Li Gan, listen to the order!"

"This general obeys!" Li Gan instinctively snapped to attention; this was because Zhao Xing had activated the 【Myriad Beasts True Speech Art】.

Using the Seven-Star Fate Soul of the first layer of the Great Expansion Art to activate the Myriad Beasts True Speech Art was also excellent for commanding people.

"This Marquis orders you to guard the gate and allow no one to approach; simultaneously, I order you to transmit orders to the four departments of the Fucheng Military Office; anyone you can command must not act rashly."

"Yes!" Li Gan puffed out his chest again.

Only after Zhao Xing entered did he wonder immensely how he had suddenly become so obedient.

But when he turned his head, a chill ran down his spine again.

Because this young man had entered the Transport Office headquarters so easily.

"Could this be a fifth-rank official?" Li Gan muttered to himself. "What major event has happened——"

"Zzzzz~"

The interior of the Transport Office was vast, as it handled massive amounts of supplies and had places for stopping warships and flying boats.

Therefore, the Transport Office of the Tianhe Fucheng was the largest office by area.

Among the institutions of the Tianhe Prefecture, the Transport Office was the largest; even the Prefect could not issue orders at will.

Because it was originally a new prefecture established for war.

In name, it was under dual military and civil administration, but in reality, military orders took priority over civil orders.

The military Agricultural Officials capable of fighting were basically all in the Transport Office.

Zhao Xing first had to solve the internal problems of the Tianhe Prefecture's Transport Office; as for the other departments of the Agricultural Supervision, the pressure brought by the civil Agricultural Officials was not great.

"Hmm? Someone entered?"

When Zhao Xing entered, Lei Guangming, who was in the midst of a fierce battle, suddenly turned his head to look.

As for the other fifth-rank and fourth-rank Agricultural Officials, no one could detect Zhao Xing's sudden intrusion.

"Liu Wanfa's disciple already possesses the strength of a fourth-rank realm perfection," Zhou Huai also glanced over in a spare moment, his expression cold.

"I do not wish to offend Liu Tianning; I had already issued an order for this Zhao Xing to leave Fucheng and guard the Li Shui Road,"

"yet he still came."

Zhou Huai's strength had increased greatly now, but he could still distinguish the big from the small.

Even if his strength increased tenfold, he definitely could not defeat Liu Tianning.

As military Agricultural Officials, they knew very well how much Liu Tianning valued this disciple.

Liu Tianning was fair and just in all other aspects, beyond reproach, but he gave extra care to this disciple of his.

"Go kill him." Lei Guangming, not knowing the weight of the situation, immediately ordered the three fourth-rank military Agricultural Officials beside him.

"Impossible! Are you crazy?!" Zhou Huai said. "Killing Zhang Ping might not attract Liu Tianning's attention, but if you kill Zhao Xing, he will absolutely come running from Dayuan Prefecture!"

"Hmph, then what do you suggest?" Lei Guangming was still quite afraid of the name Liu Tianning.

"Just capture him; after dealing with Zhang Ping, let him go," Zhou Huai said.

Hearing this, Zhang Ping couldn't help but feel bitter in his heart; these people did not fear him, their superior, but feared Liu Tianning, who was far away, like a tiger.

In the end, it was because his own strength was too weak.

"Do the two of you wish to capture me?" Zhao Xing's voice abruptly interrupted the conversation between Zhou Huai and Lei Guangming.

"Hmm?" Zhou Huai and Lei Guangming were stunned for a moment; their momentary lapse in focus allowed Zhang Ping's Yuan Soul to return to his physical body.

"Our Yuan Souls have left our bodies to fight; he can not only see but also hear?"

Zhou Huai and Lei Guangming also returned to their physical bodies.

"Zhao Xing," Zhang Ping shouted. "Leave quickly; these two rebels have already submitted to Liang Wang!"

"Zhao Xing, you may leave," Zhou Huai said calmly. "We do not wish to kill you."

Zhao Xing? Lu Tingzhi, standing nearby, couldn't help but be stunned; when had he arrived?

"Zhao Xing, do not be ungrateful." Seeing Zhao Xing remain still, Lei Guang immediately threatened in a low voice, "Why do you not depart at once?"

"I can leave," Zhao Xing said with a bow of his hands, "but I wish to borrow one thing from you two, my lords."

"Borrow what?" Zhou Huai asked, frowning.

"I wish to borrow the heads from your two necks!" Zhao Xing's smile vanished, his gaze turning icy.

A shadow, at some unknown moment, had enveloped the earth.

From within the shadow, ninety-seven clones suddenly stepped forth.

"Die!"

The ninety-seven clones of the Ten Thousand Arts pointed simultaneously at Zhou Huai and Lei Guang.

Ninety-seven Heavenly Thunder Fingers!

They instantly blasted toward Zhou Huai and Lei Guang.