Chapter 183: Expedition to the Great Sea, Astonishing Fortune

When the gates of Qinian Hall slowly opened, the three disciples, Chen Zhantang, Peng Yidao, and Lin Sheng, were already standing solemnly in wait outside.

Seeing the ethereal figure emerge from behind the doors, they bowed in unison, saying with utmost respect:

"We respectfully welcome the Heavenly Master out of seclusion!"

Lu Yuan, who had been in seclusion in Qinian Hall for nearly a year, scanned the disciples before him with a smile:

"No need for such formalities. Why have you two returned?"

Peng Yidao and Lin Sheng replied:

"The Heavenly Master Mansion's inspection of the various provinces has come to an end. The disciples knew the Heavenly Master might emerge from seclusion soon, so we came specifically to wait and welcome you."

"Over this past year, the Heavenly Master Mansion has investigated and dealt with thousands of corrupt officials. The records of our inspections have all been compiled into volumes, ready for your review at any time."

Lu Yuan nodded and smiled: "Very good, you have worked hard."

The two hurriedly claimed it was nothing, and Chen Zhantang, with a hint of excitement and nervousness, also bowed and said:

"Heavenly Master, this disciple has not failed your expectations; within the time limit you set, I have luckily achieved the Hundred Days Foundation Establishment stage of the Guiding Technique."

After the Hundred Days Foundation Establishment, one's body is clear and pure, visible at a single glance. Lu Yuan looked over with a hint of appreciation:

"Not bad. In the current environment of Heaven and Earth, achieving the Hundred Days Foundation Establishment within a year can be called exceptional talent. However, the subsequent realms—especially the most critical Refining Essence into Qi—are ten or a hundred times harder to cultivate. Do you still wish to continue?"

Although he himself had only spent three months completing the Hundred Days Foundation Establishment, that was with the assistance of the Ingestion Technique. For Chen Zhantang to achieve this stage on his own within a year, his cultivation talent could be described as outstanding and one in ten thousand.

As it stands, Refining Grain into Essence clearly does not stump him, and he is very likely to achieve the most critical Refining Essence into Qi as well.

However, in this world, without the coordination of Ingestion, Medicine, and the Boiling Stone Technique, even the most gifted individual would find reaching the Refining Essence into Qi stage to be their limit. Spending the rest of their life, they would at most cultivate a few wisps of Dharma Power, and without the coordination of Earthly Fiend Arts, their combat prowess would likely be inferior to a Martial Arts Master of the Bao Dan Realm.

Chen Zhantang took a deep breath:

"If one hears the Dao in the morning, one can die without regret in the evening. Although the path of the Dao is vast and distant, this disciple is willing to do his utmost to move forward, and will not regret it even if he dies!"

"Good."

Lu Yuan nodded:

"Since that is the case, once you have perfected Refining Grain into Essence, you may come to find me to be taught the method for Refining Essence into Qi."

Under the envious gazes of Peng Yidao and Lin Sheng, Chen Zhantang knelt on one knee in excitement:

"This disciple will certainly do his utmost and not fail the Heavenly Master's high expectations!"

Lu Yuan flicked his sleeve, and a gentle breeze lifted him up:

"Alright, I have been in seclusion for a year and do not yet know the situation in Tianjing or the rest of the country. Accompany me for a walk outside."

Chen Zhantang and the others naturally could not ask for more. They originally wanted to prepare a carriage, but Lu Yuan used the Wind Riding Technique to lift all three of them up, flying straight into the high sky and out of the Imperial City.

With the Invisibility Technique masking them, in just a few breaths, they were far from the Imperial City and descended into a corner of a bustling market.

The market was crowded with people, exceptionally lively. Lu Yuan completely restrained his aura, appearing like an ordinary young man, and was not recognized by the commoners on the street.

Compared to a year ago, the atmosphere of all of Tianjing had changed drastically. All the commoners had shaved off their long queues. Although the peddlers and laborers were still hardworking, their faces were filled with hope, and the patrolling constables were mostly polite and courteous, not shouting and ordering people about as they did in the past.

Even the beggars that could be seen everywhere on the streets and alleys in the past had basically vanished; one often had to walk for a long time to see one or two.

In the taverns and teahouses, Lu Yuan's name was mentioned from time to time:

"This year, the New Nation's government cut more than half of the exorbitant taxes. Thanks to the Immortal, we can finally have a good New Year at the end of this year."

"Isn't that so? If it weren't for the Immortal and his disciples, could those powerful elites be so well-behaved? A few days ago, the son of the Eastern District's assistant magistrate got drunk and beat someone. Guess what happened? After the victim filed a complaint, the Eastern District assistant magistrate actually sentenced his son to fifty strokes of the rod, two hundred Silver Yuan in compensation, and three years and eight months in prison. How could such a thing happen during the previous dynasty?"

"Haha, I heard about that too! It is said that when the Eastern District assistant magistrate first learned his son had beaten someone into serious injury, he was so scared his face turned pale!"

Lu Yuan strolled along with a rare sense of relaxation, while the three disciples beside him could not help but show pride upon hearing the commoners' discussions.

Afterwards, they took turns introducing the current situation of the New Nation:

"In this past year, three academies have been established in Tianjing, covering both civil and martial arts. Anyone who graduates within the prescribed time is eligible to participate in the annual government national examination. Those who pass can become low-level clerks to handle basic affairs in the wards and serve the people."

"The Council has a dedicated assessment department. Every two years, they conduct evaluations of the clerks; the excellent are promoted, the mediocre are observed, and the inferior are dismissed. This is the same in all other provinces."

"The beggars in Tianjing City and other places, as long as they have sound limbs, have all been sent to the Industrial Institute and factories. After simple training, they can work to support themselves. Those who are disabled or suffer from serious illnesses are sent to the Welfare Institute for treatment and to do work within their capabilities."

"Such expenses are not small, but fortunately, the Heavenly Master Mansion inspected the whole country this time and confiscated over a hundred million Silver Yuan in assets from corrupt officials. This money has now been fully deposited into the national treasury, which has solved the urgent need."

"Also, regarding the foreign powers, the treaties signed by the Jin Dynasty have long been abolished, and all concessions and ports have been recovered. However, the Northwest Frontier and the Dawan and Ryukyu islands occupied by Russia and Sunlight Country are still under their occupation and have not been recovered."

Lu Yuan raised an eyebrow:

"What, they are unwilling to admit their defeat and intend to put up a desperate resistance?"

Peng Yidao said:

"On one hand, they refuse to yield; on the other hand, the New Nation is in ruins and waiting to be rebuilt, and we are unable to reach them—we temporarily lack the ability to recover them. To say nothing else, previously Sunlight Country destroyed the entire Jin Dynasty fleet; the country currently cannot even find a single warship with a displacement of over five thousand tons, making it impossible to cross the vast ocean to recover the Dawan islands."

"Currently, State Leader Zuo is racking his brains to restore the people's livelihood and national strength, researching and utilizing Western science. He intends to recuperate for three years, gradually expand military armaments, and rebuild the fleet. Once everything is restored, he plans to use force to recover these territories and simultaneously restore the national confidence of the people."

While strolling, they had unknowingly walked through several blocks. Lu Yuan nodded slightly after hearing the general report and gave his assessment:

"Not bad. Reorganizing the country and establishing order in one year—State Leader Zuo Guanglie has done very well. However, there is no need to wait so long to recover the territories occupied by Russia and Sunlight Country. Including the recovery of the Dawan islands, there is actually no need for any warships."

The three disciples' eyes moved in unison, and Peng Yidao said with slight excitement:

"Heavenly Master, do you intend to take action yourself?"

Lu Yuan just smiled faintly:

"I have been in seclusion for too long; I happen to need to stretch my limbs." After nearly a year of bitter cultivation, being able to wantonly mobilize the resources of the entire New Nation, his cultivation and Dharma Power had soared like a rocket. His Dharma Power now exceeded six hundred wisps, double what it was a year ago.

This number also meant he had officially stepped into the ranks of the late stage of Refining Essence into Qi, and even he himself did not know exactly what level his cultivation and strength had reached.

And now, as luck would have it, there were targets that would allow him to stretch his limbs to his heart's content. Why not do it?

The news of Lu Yuan emerging from seclusion quickly spread throughout the Council. Upon learning the news, State Leader Zuo Guanglie and others immediately led the Cabinet ministers to Qinian Hall to pay their respects to Lu Yuan.

Facing Lu Yuan, the Immortal who had established the New Nation single-handedly, they were preparing to report on the important resolutions and policies of the past year, but instead learned that Lu Yuan intended to take action personally again to assist the army in recovering the territories occupied by Russia and Sunlight Country that had not yet been returned. They were all stirred and excited.

Although they knew that by following their established policies to continuously restore and develop national strength, they would have a high degree of certainty of recovering the territories within two or three years at most, facing two foreign powers simultaneously was still quite stressful. If Russia and Sunlight Country were determined not to return them and a great war broke out, the New Army fighting on two fronts might not only lead to huge casualties and losses, but would also severely damage the New Nation's current development strategy, causing the people, whose lives had just begun to improve, to fall back into hardship.

But if the Immortal took action himself, then none of this would be a problem. They might be able to completely recover the ancestral land without paying much of a price!

Just like that, after returning from Lu Yuan, the Cabinet passed the resolution to mobilize troops with the fastest speed in the world, and within a day, notified the several New Army units stationed on the eastern coast and the northwest frontier via the Wireless Telegraph Network that had already been laid across the country.

Upon learning that the national guardian Immortal, the Supreme Heavenly Master, was going to take action, the entire ranks of the several New Army units were stirred. In extreme excitement and anticipation, they mobilized and set out with unprecedented efficiency, heading to Shangdu and the frontier to await orders.

The first target for recovery is the Dawan and Ryukyu island chains; although the Machinery Manufacturing Bureau currently located in Shangdu does not yet have the capability to build ironclad warships over five thousand tons, manufacturing medium and small warships, or even large troop transport ships, is not a problem.

With Zuo Guanglie taking precautions, the Manufacturing Bureau has already built two medium warships, five small warships, and several transport ships over the past year, which are now just in time to be put to use.

The ninth day since Lu Yuan emerged from seclusion.

Shangdu, the military port on the Neijiang riverbank.

At this moment, the military port is filled with banners like a forest, and an entire fleet composed of medium and small warships and transport ships is ready to set sail; on the shore, ten thousand fully armed New Army soldiers stand proudly under the leadership of Commandant He Yuanzhang, and a murderous aura shoots straight into the sky.

One could see every soldier gazing into the distance, their faces wearing expressions of excitement and immense anticipation; not long after, a beam of light as bright as a meteor streaked across the sky and stopped above the shore.

After a year, seeing this figure wreathed in immortal light and walking on the wind again, even He Yuanzhang, acting as Commandant, was incredibly moved and immediately bowed in salute:

"We pay our respects to the Immortal—!"

Following his lead, the ten thousand soldiers were also unable to contain their excitement and followed suit, bowing and shouting in unison, forming a massive wave of sound that swept across the sky.

"All soldiers, stand at ease."

Lu Yuan stood in the air and said indifferently:

"If you are prepared, then let us depart."

"Yes!"

He Yuanzhang did not drag his feet at all; after acknowledging the order, he faced all the soldiers standing by and roared at the top of his lungs:

"All brothers of the Shangdu Army, today we shall follow the Heavenly Master to set out on the sea, slaughter the Japanese thieves, recover our lost territory, and establish immortal merits."

"The Japanese thieves once slaughtered tens of thousands of our soldiers and civilians, and the blood debt is heavy; this opportunity for revenge is rare in a century, and it is a great fortune for you, as well as for me, He Yuanzhang. This battle must be won, not lost; the Immortal will help us land directly without suffering the strikes of the Japanese thieves' warships. I hope that all soldiers will fight bravely, drink the blood of the Japanese thieves, and avenge our fellow soldiers and civilians who died under the blades, guns, and artillery of the Japanese thieves!"

As his voice fell, the tens of thousands of New Army soldiers on the shore were flushed with red faces and let out hoarse, desperate roars:

"Kill, kill, kill!"

"This battle will be won, will be won, will be won!"

The rolling shouts of battle echoed, hot blood surging to the heavens and cleansing the sky; immediately, He Yuanzhang gave the order, and the ten thousand soldiers began to board the ships one by one.

The only two medium warships have a displacement of four thousand tons, each capable of holding about a thousand New Army soldiers, while the five small warships can only hold between three hundred and five hundred soldiers each; combined, they can carry less than five thousand people.

Fortunately, in addition to the warships, there are eight transport ships that can each hold eight hundred people, just enough to accommodate this entire Shangdu New Army; once all the soldiers had boarded, the command flag fluttered on the lead warship, and the fleet began to set sail accompanied by the sound of piercing steam whistles.

Along the shore, one could clearly see many Shangdu commoners who had discovered this scene, waving their arms and shouting something loudly, as if they were seeing the fleet off.

A gentle breeze blew, the waves were vast, and the fleet soon sailed out of the Neijiang and into the open sea; Lu Yuan stood alone on the deck of the lead warship, gazing into the distance, when He Yuanzhang walked over with his men from behind and said with utmost respect:

"Heavenly Master, Shangdu is fifteen hundred li away from Dawan Island; according to the fleet's speed, it will take a full day to arrive. This subordinate has already prepared a room for you on the ship, what do you think—"

"No need."

Lu Yuan just waved his hand casually:

"I have been in seclusion for a long time; it is just right to look at the scenery along the way. No need to worry about me."

He Yuanzhang acknowledged:

"Understood. If the Immortal Master has any orders, you may summon this subordinate at any time."

Having said this, he respectfully retreated with his men, leaving Lu Yuan alone on the deck, standing by the railing.

On the surface, he was admiring the seascape, but in reality, he was communicating with the Heavenly Book to receive feedback:

【Supernatural Power Master】: Lu Yuan

【Mastered Arts】: -

Ingestion (Earth: 31%); - Guidance (Earth: 29%); - Invisibility (Earth: 7%); -

Staff Grafting (Earth: 8%); - Medicine (Earth: 23%); - Earth Travel (Earth: 10%); -

Generating Light (Earth: 11%); - Sword Technique (Earth: 9%); - Stone Boiling (Earth: 17%); -

Pot Heaven (Earth: 3%); - Great Strength (Earth: 2%); - Sprouting Head (Earth: 7%); -

Wind Control (Earth: 7%); - Obstacle Clothing (Earth: 3%); - Dream Grafting (Earth: 1%); -

Body Immobilization (Earth: 3%); - Nightmare Prayer (Earth: 3%); - False Form (Earth: 1%): -

Cloning (Earth: 1%)

【Luck Power】: 81,200 units

Eighty thousand.

After one year of seclusion, under the feedback of the Heavenly Book, the Luck Power had surged by a large margin again, already reaching an incredibly astonishing number!