Chapter 676: Dao Palace

The capital of the Great Wei.

This is the center of the dynasty, the hub of power in the Human World, the base camp of Qianjin City, the residence of the Son of Heaven, and also the most prosperous and sacred place in the world.

At least it once was.

It is hard to say when it began, but the dynasty's authority began to slip away, the Son of Heaven's crown was no longer as dazzling, and places beyond the reach of the Son of Heaven's radiance began to act as they pleased. All sorts of bad news came from the borderlands and outer regions, and gradually, even news could rarely get in.

The empire's heart has suffered a severe myocardial infarction; no one knows when it might die suddenly.

Yet there is one place that remains shrouded in a sacred halo, as glorious as it was when the dynasty was founded. It is, in fact, even more pivotal.

That is the Nine Heavens Dao Palace on Zijin Mountain outside the capital.

It is there that the dynasty's recognized strongest—the Da Wei National Preceptor—is enshrined!

In truth, the National Preceptor has not appeared in public for years, but his might has never diminished. With a flick of his finger, he can still make the Nine Heavens tremble; with a single word, no one dares to disobey. His Disciples walk the four corners of the earth, still enjoying infinite prestige. No one would dare harbor the slightest disrespect just because they cannot see the National Preceptor's face.

It is only within the imperial family and the central government that there are inevitably some murmurs: the National Preceptor clearly still has the power to suppress the world, yet he only maintains his own authority and refuses to use it to assist in the governance of the court. If he were willing to come forward and awe the court, how could the world have rotted to this extent?

Even the National Preceptor refuses to help the Great Jin; the Great Jin is finished.

At this moment, inside the Nine Heavens Dao Palace, the National Preceptor's eldest Disciple, also revered as the Protector Daoist and the actual manager of the Nine Heavens Dao Palace, Zhongmeng Zhenren, is receiving an envoy.

Just then, the door outside sounded, and a young Daoist walked in.

Zhongmeng Zhenren raised his eyes, looked, and smiled: "Tang Shidi has come at just the right time. Come and meet a guest from your hometown."

That Tang Shidi was none other than Xu Zhongnan, the second Disciple from Zhuoyu Villa, now serving as a Dao-protecting deacon in the Dao Palace, holding the fourth rank. He had been specifically summoned by Zhongmeng Zhenren. Hearing it was someone from his hometown, Xu Zhongnan hurried forward, only to see that the visitor from home was a middle-aged scholar, full of scholarly air, quite like the cabinet ministers in the Imperial Court who had risen through the imperial examinations.

The scholar stood up and said: "Zhang Rong pays his respects to Xu Zhenren."

Xu Zhongnan returned the salute: "I dare not accept the title of Zhenren. So it is Zhang Xiansheng. Although I never met you in Yunzhou, I have long heard of your great name. A pleasure, a pleasure."

After the two exchanged polite pleasantries, Zhongmeng Zhenren finally said: "A good thing has happened in Yunzhou, and Shidi will be happy to hear it. Yunzhou is about to produce a young Marquis; this is a rare occurrence since our dynasty established its capital. I wonder if you recognize the young lord Tang Zhao?"

Xu Zhongnan was dumbfounded and said: "Tang Zhao... Shidi? What enfeoffment as a Marquis? He... he..."

Zhongmeng Zhenren actually already knew that Tang Zhao was Xu Zhongnan's Shidi, and having been surprised just moments ago, he was naturally not surprised now. He said: "So he is your Shidi? Doesn't that make him my Shidi as well? We are all family. Shall you represent the Dao Palace and make the trip for this investiture?"

Xu Zhongnan was very willing to take this errand and said: "How could I refuse?" But in his heart, he was still muttering: Shidi is becoming a Marquis? Did they get it wrong? Is it that easy to become a Marquis? I struggled for so many years just to reach the fourth rank.

After talking for a while, Zhang Rong rose to take his leave. Zhongmeng Zhenren saw him to the door, and upon returning, he sought out Xu Zhongnan again: "On this trip to Yunzhou, you must be careful."

Xu Zhongnan felt a chill, sensing the unusual nature of this statement, and said: "Please instruct me, Senior Brother."

Zhongmeng Zhenren said: "First, the Dao Palace is sending a shipment of supplies and treasures to Yunzhou, a significant amount. You will be responsible for the escort. The mountains are high and the roads are long; be careful of others coveting them."

Xu Zhongnan was secretly surprised: It has always been the outer regions offering tribute to the Dao Palace; when has the Dao Palace ever paid out money? And such a large amount? Yunzhou's face is truly not small.

"This is fine, as Yunzhou has also sent experts to guard the shipment, and your strength may not necessarily be greater than theirs, so just sit in command and do not force yourself to the front. But when you arrive in Yunzhou, you must be especially careful and observant. The first thing is to observe the Gaoyuan Marquis and see how her body is—are there signs of her lifespan coming to an end?"

Xu Zhongnan gasped and said: "This... has it reached this point? I remember the Gaoyuan Marquis is not yet two cycles of sixty years? It shouldn't be that bad, right?"

One hundred and twenty years old is, for an ordinary person, practically a longevity star reborn, but for a Sword Hero, it is merely reaching middle age, far from the end of one's life.

Zhongmeng Zhenren said: "No, I fear the Gaoyuan Marquis does not have much time left. This is what Master said. He once said that the Gaoyuan Marquis's Sword Intent was not originally suited for battle, but she blazed a new trail and developed a powerful Sword Technique that dominated for a time, only the price was immense. She can no longer live a long life, and it seems she is already preparing for the aftermath."

Xu Zhongnan murmured: "If the Gaoyuan Marquis passes, what will become of Yunzhou?"

Although he is now an official in the capital, he still holds his hometown dear. The northern border of Yunzhou was chaotic and barren back then. It wasn't until the Gaoyuan Marquis rode north alone, suppressed the entire region, and stabilized the situation that it began to flourish. He felt great respect and gratitude toward the Gaoyuan Marquis.

Yet, in the blink of an eye, the Gaoyuan Marquis is going to die? Then what about Yunzhou?

Is it also going to become like most of the other provinces in the world?

Zhongmeng Zhenren said: "The Gaoyuan Marquis is also uneasy; she is likely arranging her affairs. When you go to Yunzhou, the second thing you must observe is her successor, Tang Zhao."

Xu Zhongnan felt his hair stand on end and stammered: "No... how did Tang Shidi become the successor? How is this possible? He... he is my Shidi."

By saying he is his Shidi, he meant that Tang Zhao came from Zhuoyu Villa, not a direct line that had followed the Gaoyuan Marquis for years. He hadn't made many contributions, his seniority was even shallower, so how could he convince the masses by suddenly ascending? There were so many veteran experts ahead of him; how could it ever be his turn?

Not to mention a young outsider like Tang Zhao, even the Gaoyuan Marquis's own son would not be old enough to establish a foothold in a place that looks like a chaotic world. Only a veteran general with prestige and sufficient strength would be enough to suppress such a vast force.

Zhongmeng Zhenren said: "I also find it inconceivable. But there are signs of this happening. The Gaoyuan Marquis specifically used the position of Marquis as a bargaining chip, almost offsetting half of the resources Yunzhou requested. Why go to such great lengths? Just now, that Zhang Rong mentioned Tang Zhao's name repeatedly in front of me, praising him incessantly; this is open promotion. He even wanted to invite me to Yunzhou to attend the ceremony. I naturally have no time and can only send you; this is to stand in for the Dao Palace. He also mentioned that in a couple of days, he will visit the various nobles in the capital. Let's see if he invites them to Yunzhou to attend the investiture ceremony. If he asks them all, that is building momentum. With one link after another, if this isn't a successor, what is?"

Xu Zhongnan murmured: "Could it be true... that is just too incredible?" He found it truly hard to believe, but it was difficult to question the Senior Brother's judgment. The Senior Brother might not be the most powerful, but he is definitely the most astute. Acting with measure in a place like the capital, being adept at social maneuvering—he is truly a master among masters, and such a judgment is very credible.

Zhongmeng Zhenren said: "Let us not discuss the issue of a border official passing power privately for now; we cannot manage that much anyway. It is just that Yunzhou is a vital border stronghold. With Liangzhou and Lingzhou already in such chaos, is Yunzhou to follow in their footsteps? If the succession is not handled well, even the best foundation will be shattered. Has the wise Gaoyuan Marquis become senile in her old age?"

"However, even if she has lost her mind, the person who just came is an old acquaintance of mine, the Zhuangyuan of that year, a historian of the Hanlin Academy. I know well that he is learned in both ancient and modern times and possesses great strategy; he is not someone who would accompany his lord in making a fool of himself. That he is willing to come in person clearly means there must be a reason. When you return, you must observe this Shidi well and see how this crucial decision of the Gaoyuan Marquis was actually made."

Xu Zhongnan's head throbbed. He agreed with his mouth, but in his heart, he only thought: Tang Shidi, I saw him just last year. Although his natural talent and brilliance were top-tier, he was just a young man with a promising future. He hasn't even done anything yet; how is he already being made a Marquis and about to become a regional lord?

In fact, it hasn't even been a year since he last parted with Tang Zhao, but when he left, Tang Zhao was someone who had just become a Sword Guest, forged his first sword, had a handful of Sword Techniques, and was following a Sword Hero like Xing Ji to fight minor monsters. In just a few short months, Tang Zhao is already a powerhouse among Sword Heroes, the keeper of the Jinwu Sword, the successor of Dongjun, and a prospective Sword Immortal in the making.

This speed can only be described as ghostly.

Seeing that Xu Zhongnan was still digesting this, Zhongmeng Zhenren added one more instruction: "When you arrive in Yunzhou, as long as it does not concern the vital interests of our Nine Heavens Dao Palace, you might as well support the Gaoyuan Marquis. Our Dao Palace and the Hou Mansion have always had a good relationship. Your status makes it logical to support her. Do not be afraid of offending anyone; they should be afraid of offending us."

Just as Xu Zhongnan was doubting reality, as Zhang Rong launched a series of diplomatic efforts for Yunzhou and brought out the turtle-bandits to sell them off, the news that Yunzhou was to have a new Marquis gradually spread in the capital.

Logically speaking, this was not particularly shocking news. The rank of Marquis was a top-tier title at the founding of the dynasty, but following several palace coups in the Great Jin, plus the creative additions by several powerful ministers, titles have become more and more numerous and stacked higher and higher. Not to mention Dukes, several kings of different surnames have already been enfeoffed. The title of Marquis is not worth much anymore.

Not to mention that after the local regions gradually lost control, they began to create their own titles, and by bribing unscrupulous authorities, they could get them certified. All sorts of strange and bizarre official titles emerged one after another. Some people who are not themselves Marquises can even enfeoff their subordinates as Marquises.

But the Gaoyuan Marquis herself is worthy of attention, not only because she is one of the few powerful regional lords, but also because she is actually considered a "Royalist," having deep ties with the National Preceptor and the current Emperor. Although she holds absolute power in one province, she has always respected the central government and has not committed any acts of rebellion. This person can even be considered a ballast for the Imperial Court in the regions. She now seems to be making a decision about the future, which might change the trend of the world in a few years.

Yunzhou is worth a visit.

"Then let us go and see."

More than one noble is either going themselves or has given instructions to their confidants and nephews. Although their positions differ, their focus is not much different from Zhongmeng Zhenren's. There are too many smart people in the capital.

For a time, the winds and clouds rose again in Yunzhou.