[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign":3,"chapter-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-179":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Eternal Green Immortal Sovereign",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2270187,4432,"Chapter 179: It","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-179",179,"\u003Cp>The next morning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A few unknown birds chirped noisily on the tree branches outside the gate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang He practiced swordplay in the courtyard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu trained with a hammer in the back yard.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui opened the door and saw his two disciples so diligent, a look of satisfaction crossed his face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Come drink your porridge.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He called both disciples over.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The five people in the courtyard all came from poor backgrounds, so they didn’t bother with formality; they gathered around a small wooden table, savoring their porridge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After finishing the porridge,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui finally pushed open the door and stepped out of the house.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To reach Benhu Qi, he had to pass by Garrison Commander Gao Zhen’s residence; only after walking far away did he casually glance at the Immortal-Seeking Stone in his sleeve.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No change.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“It seems there’s some hidden method to conceal the Immortal Trace.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A flicker stirred in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Who could it be?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui pondered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Logically, the most likely candidate was Gao Zhen himself, given his noble lineage and deep roots.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But it was also possible some obscure minor figure in Gao’s household had gained a tremendous stroke of fortune.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such things were rare, but not impossible—he had his own miraculous encounter, so others could too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If the one who possessed the Immortal Trace was Gao Zhen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he would abandon it without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No matter how valuable the Immortal Trace, one must have the life to claim it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Zhen was not only a sixth-rank Garrison Commander, but also a sixth-rank Dragon Gate cultivator.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui didn’t believe any plot where Gao Zhen suddenly suffered an accident, bled out, and then stumbled right in front of him to be killed was possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Coveting someone stronger than yourself is a path to death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But if it were someone else, then matters were very different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“First, confirm who it is.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His only advantage right now was the Immortal-Seeking Stone; once that person revealed the Immortal Trace again, the stone would sense it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With enough patience, he could eventually pinpoint the target.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui stopped looking at Gao’s residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He walked straight toward Benhu Qi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he entered the camp,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>he heard Tan Hu’s loud laughter: “So satisfying, damn satisfying!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other members of Benhu Qi also wore joyful expressions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Rui approach, they all grinned and surrounded him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui let out an “Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What good fortune has befallen you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu’s grin stretched ear to ear: “It’s Gao Zhen—his Shen Battalion’s Ma guy was caught smuggling weapons to the northern barbarians. Jiang my lord  personally ordered his immediate execution.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui raised an eyebrow.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian’s influence was impressive—he’d managed to get Jiang Lin to back him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Smuggling weapons was rare, but still existed within the military.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Compared to smuggling salt, smuggling weapons—especially to the northern barbarians—was nearly indistinguishable from treason in the eyes of the imperial court and emperor.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So those who did it were always extremely secretive.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clearly, Ma, the Platoon Leader of Shen Battalion, had bad luck.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian wanted to strike Gao Zhen, and just happened to uncover his crimes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What could have been quietly contained now ended in death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu continued: “That Ma guy had just drunk with Gao Zhen a few days ago—probably trying to show loyalty—and now he’s dead on Jiang my lord ’s orders. So satisfying.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui smiled faintly and reminded him:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hu Zi, in the camp, you must call him Garrison Commander Gao.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t let triumph make you careless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the camp, you follow the camp’s rules.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Those with true resilience fight viciously behind closed doors, but in public, they address each other as “my lord,” and even raise their cups louder during banquets.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course, Li Rui didn’t expect Tan Hu to suddenly become a master of hidden depths.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That wouldn’t suit Tan Hu—he’d lose his greatest advantage if he lost his innocent heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>People are different; their paths differ.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu looked at Li Rui’s impassive face and admired him even more: “Ning Tou’er told me that he convinced Jiang my lord  to act only because of one thing you said.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Oh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What did you say?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Abandon illusions. Prepare for battle.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui fell silent.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tan Hu: “With this lesson, the Gao guy should tone it down.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The other members of Benhu Qi nodded vigorously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Guan’s not even showing his face today.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s lips curled slightly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was exactly the effect he wanted.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One solid punch prevents a hundred more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To gain peace, you must make your opponent understand that if they strike, they’ll pay a terrible price.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He urged Ning Zhongtian to act not only because it was the only solution, but also because someone else could share the pressure.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Ning Zhongtian hadn’t acted, all of Gao Zhen’s moves would have fallen squarely on Li Rui and his men.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With his old bones, even if he could withstand it, it would be brutal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best solution was to find someone taller to stand in front.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian was the perfect choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ning Zhongtian likely thought the same, which was why he repeated Li Rui’s words verbatim to Jiang Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even better.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui had always believed:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The best way to face a storm isn’t sheer willpower—it’s holding an umbrella. Preferably a big one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin’s umbrella was big enough.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Residence.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re saying Ma Feng was killed by Jiang Lin himself?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Zhen narrowed his eyes, staring at Platoon Leader Guan Peng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Peng nodded frantically, face grim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Feng’s death made him feel like a rabbit mourning its kin. Ma Feng had indeed smuggled weapons to the barbarians—he deserved death—but had he himself done nothing that warranted execution under the law?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Of course not. If discovered, he might meet the same fate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Gao Tou’er, maybe we should hold off for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Peng ventured cautiously.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If it were only Ning Zhongtian, he might still dare provoke him—but Jiang Lin personally intervening changed everything. He wouldn’t dare lift a finger again, even if given a hundred lives.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What surprised him was:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For the first time, Gao Zhen showed unexpected understanding and nodded:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Alright, we’ll pause for now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Peng’s face lit up:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes, yes, Gao Tou’er!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Losing a subordinate left Gao Zhen’s mood unchanged; he waved his hand dismissively: “Leave.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>=9+ Shu _ Ba\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Guan Peng exited the room.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only then did Gao Zhen’s lips curl slightly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ning Zhongtian, I underestimated you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected Ning Zhongtian to summon Jiang Lin’s intervention.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Looks like I’ll need another plan.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With Jiang Lin as a giant looming overhead, all his tricks would be useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiang Lin, originally a military officer, oversaw the discipline and military law of the Anning Garrison; by regulation, even Cao Wei needed Jiang Lin’s approval to punish any soldier of the Anning Garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Gao Zhen acted rashly, he would surely face punishment from Jiang Lin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew he couldn’t withstand it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even with Cao Wei’s backing, it would be the same.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was the brilliance of the imperial court’s system of checks and balances: one held command of troops, the other held authority over punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without Cao Wei’s orders, Jiang Lin could not command a single soldier of the Anning Garrison, yet he controlled the power of reward and punishment.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Wei was the same: without Jiang Lin’s written authorization, punishing Anning Garrison soldiers privately was a grave offense, yet he held command of the troops.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mutual checks ensured neither could fully control the Anning Garrison.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Jiang Lin insisted on executing Gao Zhen,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cao Wei truly couldn’t stop him—he could only wait until Gao Zhen was dead, then use his command authority to send Jiang Lin’s officers to the most dangerous posts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just mutual harm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Zhen wanted to use the situation to kill the person assigned by the Blood Shadow Ancestor, not to get dragged into a power vortex and destroy himself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So he clearly understood it was time to stop.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had intended to test Jiang Lin’s limits, but his first Shitan  met with Jiang Lin’s thunderous retaliation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Kill Ma Feng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One reason was to enforce military discipline; more importantly, it was to intimidate Gao Zhen—and even Cao Wei.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Zhen smiled faintly, utterly unconcerned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If this path wouldn’t work, he’d take another.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, the dead were all Anning Garrison soldiers—he didn’t care a bit.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Moreover, aside from Ning Zhongtian, the others on the list weren’t hard to kill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He felt confident about it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>a gray pigeon flew in through the window and landed neatly on the table’s edge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A slip of paper was tied to its right leg—it was a message pigeon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In this world, no one had invented mobile phones or telephones; the only ways to transmit information were the relay stations and pigeon post.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Zhen’s smile widened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He removed the paper from the pigeon’s leg.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It bore a few crooked characters, unintelligible to ordinary people.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was the secret script of the Ghost Ming  Sect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Only those who knew the decryption technique could read its meaning.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gao Zhen squinted at the characters on the paper:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother has come to Qinghe?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother, what do you think of this blade?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the courtyard,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu and Liang He had their heads close together, studying the long blade in Liu Tiezhu’s hand, glowing with a faint cold light.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Excellent!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liang He’s eyes lit up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew his junior brother excelled at forging weapons, so he’d asked Liu Tiezhu to forge him a suitable weapon.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He hadn’t expected Liu Tiezhu’s skill to be even better than he’d imagined.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing Liang He’s praise, Liu Tiezhu was overjoyed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back in the blacksmith shop, forging iron was just completing a task—though he took it seriously, it lacked soul.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This blade in his hands, however, was infused with immense effort; no previous weapon he’d made could compare.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Master’s blade excels in material, but in craftsmanship, Brother’s blade surpasses it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was also tied to his entry into the realm—he now possessed greatly increased strength.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With sufficient qi, forging became effortless, turning theory into reality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as he finished speaking,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui’s mocking voice came from behind: “Good lad, trying to give your master inferior goods, eh?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Liu Tiezhu turned his head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He knew Li Rui was teasing, but replied seriously: “I was afraid my hands were rusty, so I used Brother’s blade to practice first, then I’ll reforge a new one for Master.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s thoughtful.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His disciple’s sincerity, as a master, he accepted without hesitation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Taking Liu Tiezhu on not only gained him a gifted disciple, but also saved him the cost of forging weapons.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two benefits in one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Skilled weapon-smiths were far rarer than warriors; one needed not only exceptional forging skill but also solid martial cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With both requirements combined, their numbers were even fewer.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I heard Wang Zhao is also performing well in the Horse Supervision Hall.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Perhaps in a few years, the household will gain another Horse Master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Truly, talent abounds.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Rui was very satisfied with his disciples—all of them had good character.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was about to tease them again,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>when his expression suddenly hardened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The red mist of his Wisdom Eye grew deeper.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1874,"2026-06-19T22:01:09.077Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","1bc9713f1fa4d51ebd180fea1eb395499a8e3416a545504f9991c2987b72043d","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-180","eternal-green-immortal-sovereign-chapter-178",866,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Feternal-green-immortal-sovereign-cover.jpg"]