Chapter 812: Establishing Authority

"Hmph!"

After picking a Fire Jujube and a pear, refining them in secret using 'Alchemy', and handing them to the Emperor, Aaron politely declined the Emperor's invitation to a banquet, walked out of the palace, and wore a sneer on his face.

Once great power belongs to oneself, why bother caring about these things?

He was not a native Taoist; he was far freer than them.

At this moment, he only felt that it was quite enjoyable to muddle along with the Qi Number every day, so he was reluctantly hanging around in Jingcheng for a while.

The day he felt unhappy, he would just go and stir up the "The Blue Heaven is dead, the Yellow Heaven shall stand" business, and no one would know what to do!

Just as he was pondering, a high-ranking official in red robes walked over: "Greetings to the Spirit-Communicating Profound Wonder Realized Person!"

His face was like jade, and he wore a long beard; by the standards of the people today, he was definitely a handsome man.

Seeing Aaron looking somewhat puzzled, this person said: "This official is Jia Yan..."

Acting against the heavens and offending the heavens! That is the logic of it.

"Brother Tianru was demoted for speaking out righteously to expel the demonic Taoist; his good name will surely be passed down for a thousand years!"

How noble and prestigious is the position of a Censor? To be suddenly beaten down into a corrupt official, who could stand that?

"Get lost!"

"This..."

"Oh? Then I must go and see..."

Aaron lifted the curtain, looked at the scene of the scholars bidding a reluctant farewell on the shore, and suddenly revealed a cold sneer.

"You are quite well-mannered; what is the matter?"

After all, he appeared to be someone who truly possessed supernatural powers, and the Emperor was deeply convinced of this, even going so far as to override all objections during the morning court session, using three imperial bestowals in one day to express his determination.

"Brother Tianru, no, Master Tianru... please leave behind a masterpiece to inspire us."

"In the previous Great Ming Dynasty, the Shizong Emperor obtained the throne as a collateral branch. At first, he was pressured by the Ministers Appointed by the Late Emperor, but he gritted his teeth and held on, waiting for the right opportunity to counterattack. After one round of the Court Cane Punishment, the spines of the scholars were broken... Of course, some also say that from then on, the Imperial Court lost the hearts of the scholars, leading to all sorts of things afterward..."

"Such a punishment, and you call it light?" Zhenzhu widened her eyes.

Aaron thought of something and narrowed his eyes.

In the moat, a small boat slowly sailed past. Aaron sat in the cabin, watching Zhenzhu brewing tea, and suddenly laughed: "Although Lingnan has much Miasma, if this person can survive, he might truly gain some fame..."

Even in Aaron's past life, once rabies broke out, it was incurable, with a 100% fatality rate!

"Kou San, what happened outside?"

"Absolutely not!"

Outside Chenqiao Gate.

Although he had left, his mentors, his peers... the network of relationships was still there!

"He bumped into a vicious dog himself; what does that have to do with this poor Daoist?"

Given the relationship between the Chongming Sect and the Imperial Court, as well as the titles received, the practitioners of the Chongming Sect could still observe the Qi Number without suffering Backlash.

For instance, that demonic Taoist Xulingzi was an 'anomaly' who could actually perform magic before the throne!

This was something many Daoists dreamed of; how on earth did the other party manage it?

Zishi Zhenren, with his purple robes and purple beard, was ascending to a high place to look into the distance, observing the atmosphere of Jingcheng.

After watching for a long time, he sighed softly: "Heavenly Intent... is hard to fathom!"

"Of course."

Having said that, he ignored the middle-aged scholar whose face had turned pale and returned directly to his residence.

Aaron walked out of his room and heard a commotion outside.

Aaron smiled slightly and came outside the mansion, only to see that quite a few people had gathered. Among them, a young man in a green shirt was shouting loudly: "The demonic Taoist has the ability to control tigers; that vicious dog must have been released by him..."

"The Realized Person is compassionate, possessing pears and Fire Jujubes to save the common people... Just the other day, even an old prostitute in a brothel was willing to be helped. My friend was bitten by a vicious dog and is in urgent need of Spirit Medicine to save his life. I beg the Realized Person to be compassionate and save him!"

A stray dog seemed to smell the scent of wine and meat, squeezed into the crowd, nudged its way through, and arrived near Qian Tianru.

Zhenzhu did not know why, but her body was trembling slightly; she barely managed to walk out of the cabin...

"Reporting to the Realized Person, many scholars have come to the door..." Kou San said with a difficult expression: "There are even Imperial Academy Students among them..."

"Yes!"

Huoyunzi said unwillingly: "Are we just going to sit and watch? Or... interfere in the succession of the True Dragon?"

Aaron lowered the curtain and said slowly.

"It's more than that, isn't it?"

Zishi Zhenren stroked his beard, seemingly deep in thought.

"This poor Daoist is a person outside the world, so there is no need to talk about these things."

Looking at the screaming Qian Tianru, a chill appeared in the eyes of every scholar...

But at this moment, the True Dragon in the deepest part of the clouds seemed to be covered by a layer of mist, making it impossible to see clearly.

Huoyunzi took the intelligence tied to its leg, read it carefully, and could not help but be shocked: "Uncle-Master... the latest news, that Qian Tianru has actually contracted Hydrophobia!"

The more amiable one is, the more treacherous plots are brewing in one's heart!

Aaron flatly refused, and ignoring Jia Yan's ugly expression, he flicked his sleeves and left.

It is precisely because of this that one needs to establish authority!

How could one of his friends let a dog interrupt Qian Tianru's performance? He immediately kicked out.

The scholar was so angry his face turned red, but he had no evidence. Just as Aaron was thinking about whether to let this person be bitten by a dog too, a middle-aged scholar stood out: "I am Xiahou Ying, greetings to the Daoist!"

Aaron's eyes narrowed slightly; the dog that bites doesn't bark—that is exactly the kind of person this is.

"The show is over, let's go."

However, he was not discouraged; instead, he felt high-spirited: "Many thanks to all my peers and friends for seeing me off!"

Although the Son of Heaven is there, few dare to openly coerce him, but various overt and covert matters are likely unavoidable.

These words, however, seem to be spoken with Aaron's interests in mind.

"Truly... I am unwilling."

In this era, scholars selling their integrity for fame is still quite beneficial.

Aaron performed a salute nonchalantly: "I wonder what important matter Prime Minister Jia has, blocking my path?"

"Wait a moment..."

Aaron smiled and said: "This Daoist has always been narrow-minded. If I repay kindness with kindness, how do I repay injury? This person... I really won't save! But you, sir... be careful on the way home. The Jingshi has been restless lately, with vicious dogs about..."

With the will of the Son of Heaven, this demotion proceeded very quickly, and Qian Tianru soon learned the location of his county administration: it was a place in Lingnan famous for its Miasma!

If the Heavenly Mandate changes, then all the previous arrangements made by one Grandmaster and five True Monarchs in the sect would not only go down the drain, but under the operation of the Heavenly Mandate, there might even be a Backlash!

Huoyunzi gazed at the sky above the capital of Dasong and muttered to himself.

A close friend caught his signal and said loudly.

Zhenzhu was so frightened that she widened her eyes and retreated several steps.

If an alliance could be formed, it would be beneficial to both sides.

The crowd rushed forward, scrambling to drive away the vicious dog, only to find that the beast's movements were extremely agile; it darted into the crowd and disappeared without a trace in a few moments.

The scholar bowed to the ground, his demeanor very sincere.

They even began to share a common hatred!

After all, the Son of Heaven's deep trust in Xulingzi is truly a grave threat to the Imperial Court!

"Exactly... the lifespan of a True Dragon is often tied to the fate of the nation... If the Son of Heaven truly extends his life, is this Heavenly Mandate still the Heavenly Mandate? And what of what my Taoism has prepared for it?"

With his cultivation, after opening his Dharma Eye, he could already see the dwindling Qi Number of Dasong, which was truly chilling.

"Then what should we do?"

Zishi Zhenren said coldly: "Civil Officials can plot rebellion, military generals can kill their sovereign... all merits and faults can only be judged after death, once the coffin lid is sealed. After all, they are mere mortals without the ability to sense Heavenly Secrets, so there is no Backlash... But we Daoists are different. As long as we intend to participate, once we fail, the Backlash arrives instantly! Moreover... our Taoism is too deeply bound to the Dragon Qi of Dasong; regardless of success or failure, once involved, it is a great disaster!"

Aaron heard this and just smiled: "What good reputation do I have left in Jingcheng? As for getting a fake one, hehe... don't overestimate the bottom line of certain people. If I were to send one, regardless of whether it's real or fake, do you believe that tomorrow Qian Tianru would die of sudden poisoning, and then I wouldn't be able to explain myself..."

This is also the scene that Qi Gazing masters fear the most.

Zishi Zhenren sighed: "Truly decisive and ruthless! After today, I fear many among the Civil Officials and powerful families in Jingshi will be killing dogs, and the timid ones might not even dare to keep cats..."

"Is Uncle-Master thinking about the Heavenly Mandate of Dasong?"

'I am not a Civil Official, why should I play by the Civil Officials' rules?'

The scholar in green robes, who was burly and not a mere bookworm, said loudly: "Xulingzi... do you dare say that the matter of Lord Tianru has nothing to do with you?"

'Some people just love to use the banner of "doing it for your own good" to force you into their circle and play by their rules... and finally use their familiarity with the rules to trap you to death!'

Although Daoist Zishi spoke in a flat tone, Huoyunzi was breaking out in a cold sweat all over.

"So it is Prime Minister Jia."

After all, being hostile to Buddha and Taoism is the political correctness for these disciples of the Confucian school.

Aaron's pace grew faster and faster, while he sneered inwardly: "As for the Chongming Tao? That is a question of whether I let them off, not whether they let me off... Why should I be the first to bow my head?"

Sure enough, other scholars also praised Qian Tianru's integrity one after another.

"Bring me brush and ink!"

"Uncle-Master."

This had naturally been prepared in advance; having spent the whole night agonizing over a farewell poem, Qian Tianru was not afraid of the stage and said loudly.

"It is actually this seven-day fatal illness?!"

While wielding the brush and ink, he secretly made up his mind that he must never let the matter with that demonic Daoist rest.

Aaron waved his horsetail whisk gracefully: "What are you all talking about?"

'Is this... an attempt at moral kidnapping? Sorry... you've found the wrong person.'

The next day.

"That is exactly so..."

Another scholar advised.

Imperial Academy Students are students of the Imperial Academy, disciples of the Son of Heaven, and naturally possess considerable confidence and combat power.

Even with the abilities of a True Monarch, one cannot necessarily have Insight Into Everything.

Qian Tianru never expected disaster to fall from the sky; he collapsed to the ground, blood gushing from his thigh, screaming repeatedly...

Daoist Zishi smiled: "He doesn't even avoid suspicion!"

At this moment, even Zishi Zhenren was bewildered.

Or is it really just a mortal, a mere trick of the eye?

Jia Yan smiled, seemingly not angry at all, appearing to have excellent self-restraint: "We are all pillars of the Son of Heaven, we should be closer to one another..."

Huoyunzi, dressed in a Daoist robe, looked spirited and walked up holding a fruit platter.

At this thought, Jia Yan felt even more fervent: "... Since you, True Monarch, have just entered the palace, you don't know how many hidden daggers and arrows are concealed in this officialdom. Without someone to help, it is truly difficult to resist... To be honest, I have some friendship with the Chongming Tao and can mediate for you... If we two join forces, not to mention True Monarch, you could even become the Imperial Preceptor!"

At this time, he needs a faction to promote his reputation.

"Hehe... the Son of Heaven punished him too lightly."

But the news from the palace that the Son of Heaven's health had improved could not be fake.

Moreover, it acts extremely quickly, usually killing the victim in six or seven days.

Aaron rolled his eyes.

If it could be said that traffic in his past life could be quickly converted into cash, then the fame of this era could even be directly converted into official positions!

For example, Wang Anshi...

This Jia Yan, while appearing to have a very good attitude, was actually still bullying him!

And there is no need to even mention the Chongming Dao; they might even be eyeing Aaron's Daoism!

"These people... do they just see this poor Daoist as weak and easy to bully?"

Hydrophobia!

That is, rabies; the patient is extremely thirsty yet fears drinking water, and even hearing the sound of water can cause spasms!

That stray dog, having been kicked, actually bared its teeth and growled a few times, then pounced with incredible speed and bit down hard on Qian Tianru's thigh!

"Ah!"

Huoyunzi thought for a moment and said.

Zhenzhu came over to serve clear tea, her expression filled with worry: "Why must the Daoist Master lower himself to the level of those people... If today's events spread, I fear it will be detrimental to your reputation. In my humble opinion, it would be better to just give him a fake jujube and say he lacked the affinity for it..."

Several days later.

"Oh?"

Regarding this Daoist, he indeed had the intention to win him over.

And... he could also share in some of the Jiao Pears and Fire Jujubes; wouldn't it be wonderful to prolong his life and be free from all illnesses?

To attain Changsheng, become an immortal, and be an ancestor—who would not desire that?

Indeed, after he exposed the Jiao Pears and Fire Jujubes, his deterrent power was somewhat insufficient.

Once one cannot see clearly, it is as if a normal person has suddenly become blind!

Suddenly, a carrier pigeon flapped its wings and landed beside Huoyunzi.

When he set down the fruit platter, he whispered: "I have already inquired clearly... Because Qian Tianru mocked Xulingzi, Xulingzi slandered him, and he was demoted... But he had already colluded in private, preparing to mobilize the Censorate to Can that Xulingzi... and then, just as he was about to depart, he was bitten by a dog!"

Five Dragons Temple.

Qian Tianru, having taken a blow in his official career, already knew that it would be difficult for him to be promoted smoothly, so he wanted to try another route, such as becoming an opinion leader.

Aaron sipped his tea: "If it were me, I would order them all to be beaten to death, leaving not a single one, and forbid their descendants for three generations from taking the Civil Service Examination... Want a reputation? Then take that good reputation into the coffin with you!"

A group of scholars gathered, seeing Qian Tianru off.

Just as he finished speaking, an unexpected change occurred on the shore!

"Senior Martial Uncle is absolutely right," Huoyunzi said, bowing. "In Jingcheng, who doesn't know that Xulingzi has the ability to tame beasts? Since he can raise tigers, training a dog to bite someone is even simpler... This person's conduct is truly too arrogant and domineering!"

This kind of thing, naturally, can only be done, not spoken of.

"In fact, the reason why the subsequent Emperors were overshadowed by the Civil Officials is, at the end of the day, because they lacked the backbone and dared not kill... The Court Cane Punishment rarely killed anyone, so it became a joke, leading to people specifically trying to get the Court Cane Punishment... One session of the Court Cane Punishment, and the whole world knows of your pure reputation, heh..."

Aaron yawned and asked the steward.

"Who knows?"

Aaron rubbed his chin, suddenly feeling some regret: "Actually, your suggestion wasn't bad... If I had known, I should have sent that man a poisonous jujube and watched to see which literary giant would suddenly drop dead tomorrow; that would have been quite interesting..."

(End of this chapter)