Chapter 675: Filling the Void

To keep Yunzhou safe, or even to maintain the geothermal heat and the current fertile soil to support thousands upon thousands of commoners, the best method is to not change the original situation, letting the Jinwu Sword replace the Jinwu and sleep forever beneath the ground of Yunzhou.

Never "Clear Clouds to See the Sun," and let the sun continue to warm the land of Yunzhou.

However, this is impossible.

Even if Gaoyuan Marquis and the others were a bit more selfish and ruthless and really did that, it would be impossible to hide it from everyone forever. When the time comes for those powerhouses in the sky to come down and demand the Jinwu Sword, the harm caused would be far greater than the benefits of leaving the Jinwu Sword behind.

Therefore, the Jinwu Sword still needs to find a destination. Tang Zhao, this part-time Dongjun, is merely a transition. Not to mention that he is not a top-tier powerhouse; even if he were strong enough to refuse everyone, he could not rightfully keep an Immortal Sword in his hands as a secondary sword. The Human World still needs more newly grown powerhouses. The Human World and the world rely on all living beings carrying swords, all images being swords, and the masses being of one mind to resist the Heavenly Demons and maintain peace to this day.

Tang Zhao grew up to this point under the protection of his predecessors, and he should also contribute his share to the generational inheritance of Sword Guests.

Therefore, the Jinwu Sword cannot remain in Yunzhou; Tang Zhao will have to resolve this matter sooner or later, and Gaoyuan Marquis is only boldly delaying it for a while.

Tang Zhao pondered and said, "I can use the Jinwu Sword to recharge the underground once. It should be able to last a bit longer, at most for a year or two. But there will certainly be a day of exhaustion."

Gaoyuan Marquis said, "Then I will have to trouble you. Being able to delay for a few months or even years is naturally good. But in the end, the problem must be solved. The problem of a sword can probably only be solved by a sword; if there is a hole, it must be filled. Perhaps a special Sword Technique is needed to fill this void. Let me think, whose sword power could just happen to fill this pit?"

She was knowledgeable and experienced, and she certainly knew more experts than Tang Zhao. But given the level, the power she could borrow would not exceed a Sword Hero. To use a secondary level of power to fill the hole of an Immortal Sword, it must be of a highly targeted kind, using attribute opposition to barely compensate for the lack of power.

Xing Ji had already heated the soup and was putting in freshly ground tofu. At this moment, he followed the brainstorming and said, "There should be more than one way to fill the hole. You could use water, or earth, and magma is also very good, as it can maintain geothermal heat. But the most important thing is to have an attribute that can expand rapidly. Even if it's just a piece of tofu? As long as it can fill the underground of Yunzhou, that's fine."

Gaoyuan Marquis added, "Tofu cannot expand; fried tofu puffs might. No, why did I think of tofu? Remember not to put in coriander." She sighed and said, "It is this infinite expansion while having a physical form that is the hardest. I only know one Sword Immortal; if I pay the price, it might not be impossible to invite him to act. But his sword won't work; neither the Sword Image nor the Sword Momentum is suitable for filling a pit."

Tang Zhao said, "Infinite expansion..."

His heart stirred, as if he had an idea.

"In ancient mythology, there seems to be such a thing. Ancient sages once used it to block the surging floods, and that is..."

"Breathing Earth!"

Thinking of this, Tang Zhao suddenly had a flash of insight and couldn't help but slap the boat hard. With his current strength, the small boat immediately tilted, almost dumping them into the water. Gaoyuan Marquis and Xing Ji rushed up at the same time, pressing down on the other side to level the boat. However, because of this pressure, Xing Ji didn't pay attention to the soup he was stewing, and it immediately tipped over on the boat, with three fish and seven or eight pieces of tofu all falling into the water.

Xing Ji bared his teeth and said angrily, "What are you being so rash for, you brat? The remaining fish aren't even enough for one each."

Tang Zhao laughed sheepishly and said, "Sorry, sorry, that... I thought of an important matter and forgot myself for a moment."

Xing Ji said huffily, "Be steady. You're such a big Sword Hero, and you still haven't learned to pretend... to have thunder in your heart while your face is like a calm lake. It's fine in front of us, but do you do this in front of others too?"

Tang Zhao said, "Of course I don't do this in front of others."

Gaoyuan Marquis asked urgently, "You thought of it?"

Tang Zhao said, "I thought of it. It's the Kun Sword! It's that sword from Jianzhou!"

Isn't the Sword Image of the Kun Sword Breathing Earth? And its specialty is creating land, mountains, and islands; isn't this a match made in heaven for filling a pit?

Tang Zhao's trip to Jianzhou was a matter for the Sword Smith world; Gaoyuan Marquis and Xing Ji were not very clear about it, and Xing Ji had never even heard of the great name of the Kun Sword. Gaoyuan Marquis only had a slight impression and asked, "The Kun Sword is also an Immortal Sword, right? Then how can it be invited out?"

Tang Zhao said, "It is the Saint Sword of a senior. But it doesn't matter, I can... borrow it."

Borrowing, that is, using the Sword Manual to borrow it, the kind that doesn't need the owner's consent.

Of course, based on the level he displayed when he wielded the Saint Sword last time, it was probably not enough to cover Yunzhou, but the situation is different now; he has grown. He is willing to try with all his might.

If that really doesn't work, he can just borrow some power from the Jinwu Sword again.

He spoke with both confidence and ease, looking as if he had a plan in mind at a glance, which stunned both Gaoyuan Marquis and Xing Ji.

A Sword Saint, that really can't even be called a legend; it must be a figure found in mythology. Is such an existence that close to you?

Even as top-tier Sword Heroes in the Human World, Xing Ji and Gaoyuan Marquis were both somewhat awestruck by Tang Zhao.

In the blink of an eye, has this young man already grown so tall?

Although amazed, Gaoyuan Marquis felt half of her hanging heart drop now that Tang Zhao said he could solve it. She said, "It's best that there is a direction for this matter, then I will have to trouble you. Next is the Turtle Pirates. You were right not to bring back so many Turtle Pirate High Officials all at once; our Yunzhou cannot swallow this big fish. However, they can be sold."

Tang Zhao asked in confusion, "Sold..."

Gaoyuan Marquis said, "Sell them to those who have long wanted to find trouble with the Turtle Pirates. The Turtle Pirates have run rampant for many years; although they are not without backers, there are always big shots who truly find them an eyesore. I have channels, and I should be able to sell them for a good price. It's good for everyone, for example... do you want a title?"

Tang Zhao was stunned and said, "A title... the kind you have, Marquis?"

Gaoyuan Marquis laughed and said, "Exactly, do you want to be a Marquis?"

Tang Zhao was dumbfounded for a moment. Gaoyuan Marquis said, "You captured the Turtle Pirates. Although I am thick-skinned and want to use your spoils of war to exchange for some practical benefits for Yunzhou, I can't leave you behind. You were already the Deputy Commander of the Land Inspection Division before, which is not small in Yunzhou. To go one step further, there is only the main position."

Tang Zhao hurriedly waved his hand and said, "I can't do the job of a Commander."

Gaoyuan Marquis said, "Your strength is enough, but your seniority is ultimately too shallow. To sit firmly, you need to solve many troubles. You may not have the time to deal with these." Seeing Tang Zhao nodding repeatedly, she smiled slightly and said, "And the Qilin Sword is doing well too. I can't just change people. At your age, you are in the stage of advancing rapidly on the path of Sword Dao; there is no need to do too many administrative chores. It is better to raise your title first; this is a qualification. When you are free in the future and your strength is sufficient, and your seniority is enough, you can be qualified for any position at any time."

Xing Ji suddenly said at this time, "Are you going to let Azhao directly receive a title from Jingcheng?"

This sentence was somewhat meaningful upon careful consideration. Gaoyuan Marquis gave him a subtle look, signaling him to be cautious with his words, and said, "Of course, only a title bestowed by Jingcheng is orthodox; otherwise, wouldn't it be a laughingstock to close the door and call oneself a Marquis? Fame should be sought early, and rising to power should also be early. I will request a title for Azhao and see if I can get a Feudal Marquis for him to play with."

Tang Zhao blinked. He was a young man after all; it would be decades too early to say he was indifferent to fame and wealth. He just didn't particularly pursue worldly fame and fortune, but he would also be very happy to pick one up for free.

Gaoyuan Marquis said, "Then you should rest for a while before dealing with the affairs of Yunzhou. Or first evaluate whether you need to borrow external forces. If you need to, I will try my best to raise them. If I can't raise enough, I will include these conditions in the price of selling the Turtle Pirates; I will always be able to raise them."

Tang Zhao said, "Okay." He had the Jinwu Sword in hand and was full of confidence, determined to experiment first. If he could succeed now, he would resolve the hidden danger early. If he was still lacking, he would go into seclusion for ten days or half a month to comprehend the second Sword Intent. By then, he would be comparable to a proper Sword Immortal. Could he not do what the Jinwu could do?

The current Tang Zhao is just this confident. To say he is a bit carried away, that is a little, but at his age and with these achievements, isn't it normal to be a bit carried away?

He is still holding back.

Now that a few serious topics had been discussed, the remaining topics were not urgent. After the great battle, Tang Zhao felt tired from rushing back overnight without rest. Gaoyuan Marquis stopped the conversation at the right time.

At this time, the small boat drifted quietly into a tributary; the water was narrow, barely enough for a boat to pass. The forests on both sides were dense and deep, as if it were a Secret Realm.

They saw a building deep in the trees, a detached small courtyard, quite elegant amidst the green trees. Gaoyuan Marquis said, "This is a temporary place for you to rest, with everything you need. You stay here for now, and you can go back after Xing Ji has cleared up the camp."

Tang Zhao's security clearance had suddenly doubled upon his return this time; even many of the old subordinates in Zhaoyang Camp were not qualified to come into contact with him, so of course, it had to be screened carefully again.

Tang Zhao agreed and went ashore. There was a young boy in green clothes on the shore to meet him and lead him to settle down.

After Tang Zhao left, Xing Ji still spoke his mind about what had not been finished: "Marquis, why do you have to let Azhao receive a title from the Imperial Court? To eat the ruler's salary is to be loyal to the ruler's affairs. Wouldn't that create an obligation to the Imperial Court? What does the Imperial Court have that is worth Azhao's service? If the State Preceptor requests the title, it will be even more troublesome; who knows what kind of follow-up moves there might be. Although it is said that the sea is wide for fish to leap and the sky is free for birds to fly, there is no need to swim into a quagmire or fly into the haze, right?"

Gaoyuan Marquis said leisurely, "What is wrong with having a title? At least there is a name for it. In the future, when you all go to defect, won't there be a justification?"

Xing Ji's eyebrows stood up, and he said with some anger, "Marquis!"

Gaoyuan Marquis said, "You should know that I am not joking. My Sword Intent is destined not to last long, and I may lose more lifespan at any time. Who will Yunzhou be handed over to then? We cannot abandon the cause we built together halfway. Time is too rushed; none of you can smoothly take over from me. If we cannot find someone whose prestige can convince the masses, then at least we must find someone whose strength can convince the masses. If we are lucky, and Azhao reaches that realm in the future, standing firmly above everyone else, why not be the master of Yunzhou? You can also continue to display your talents, which would be best." She saw Xing Ji's expression and said, "The sun and moon alternate, the old is replaced by the new; this is the Heavenly Dao. Where in the world is there an immortal person? Why must you act like a young girl?"