Chapter 985: Power Over the Court

Xiang Weiyuan brought out the Zhao Guo sand table map, placed it on the flying vessel, then launched the vessel directly toward the Jin capital. Along the way, Xiang Weiyuan gazed at the sand table, refining one plan after another amidst the smoke and fire of the mortal world.

At this moment, in Qingming’s Yong’an City, several Dao Foundation cultivators in the Government Office suddenly returned to their seats and began writing furiously; one order after another was completed and gathered at the main building of the Government Office.

Xiang Xiaoyu sat behind a wide desk, carefully reviewing each order, cross-referencing it with the overall plan from the smoke-fire network, and stamping those confirmed as correct. Immediately, cultivators took the orders away and sorted them for delivery to their respective departments. Many orders were relayed again through the smoke-fire network, sent directly to other cities beyond.

At this moment, Qingming’s eastern, western, southern, and northern extents all exceeded six thousand li; even Dao Foundation cultivators flying to deliver messages would require half a day. But through the smoke-fire relay, delivery was instantaneous.

Only one hour after Xiang Weiyuan departed, Qingming had already begun to stir.

Rows of Dao Foundation cultivators pushed open warehouse doors weighing tens of thousands of jin; carts already stood at the warehouse entrances, with more arriving in succession. The cultivators loaded boxes of sealed military rations and meat onto the carts, preparing to transport them to Zhao Guo.

Chuhe True Person moved continuously from one pasture to the next; upon arriving at each pasture, large numbers of mature guinea pigs automatically entered the processing halls and became meat. Due to the sheer volume, previously idle breeding rats now grew busy.

Large numbers of unfinished floating airships ascended directly into the sky, flying toward designated locations. Inside the airships, internal structures were exposed, packaging unfinished; each Yun Tian Chizha guest brought his own stool, boarded the airship, and began this round of urgent missions.

Half a day later, Qingming’s first cart convoy, fully loaded with grain, set out for Zhao Guo.

Xiang Weiyuan landed outside Yingdu City and entered the Vajra Zen Courtyard.

Upon entering the courtyard gate, Xiang Weiyuan saw the green-eyed woman, face bare and dressed in plain cloth, sweeping the grounds. The weather was bitterly cold; several plum trees in the courtyard bloomed beautifully, petals scattered across the ground. The green-eyed woman swept the fallen blossoms into a pile; beneath that pile, something had been planted—now a faint green shoot emerged.

The green-eyed woman swept the fallen petals to herself, saying: “The Prince of Jin is in the side hall. Go there yourself.”

Xiang Weiyuan nodded and walked deeper into the courtyard, when suddenly he noticed the Merit Lotus Pond now held half a pond of green water, with three or five lotus leaves floating, and a tiny lotus bud.

Xiang Weiyuan glanced again at the lotus bud, when suddenly a bell rang, echoing through the ancient temple’s courtyard, layer upon layer, as if washing away much of the world’s dust.

The lotus bud suddenly opened and bloomed, transforming into a small white lotus.

Xiang Weiyuan pondered, feeling he understood something, yet also felt he understood nothing at all.

Xiang Weiyuan continued forward, looking up at the main hall ahead. The hall had grown even more dilapidated and decayed; wild vines had sprouted on its walls, climbing relentlessly against the cold.

Xiang Weiyuan turned and walked down a side path, then entered the side hall. A single lamp burned dimly within; the lotus platform stood empty. The Prince of Jin sat cross-legged before the Buddha niche, wrapped in a thick wool blanket, his head nodding slowly, half-asleep.

The green lamp sat before him, illuminating only three feet around; beyond the light lay darkness, within which seemed countless gnashing, clawing things.

Xiang Weiyuan walked to the Prince of Jin’s side and sat on a nearby cushion. The Prince heard footsteps, opened his eyes, stared for a moment, then recognized Xiang Weiyuan, and a spark of energy returned. “You’ve come,” he said.

The Prince of Jin, though still ten years from death, had aged grotesquely—compared to their last meeting, he had aged at least a hundred years.

Xiang Weiyuan suspected there must be a reason, but since the green-eyed woman was by the Prince’s side, such matters did not require his concern.

Xiang Weiyuan took out a medicine box and placed it before the Prince of Jin. “I happened upon something fine. I’ve brought it specially to offer to Your Highness.”

The Prince of Jin stared at the box, then after a moment opened it, revealing a single pill, crimson as blood, with what seemed to be flames burning within.

The Prince was no stranger to this medicine; upon smelling its aura, he knew it was a longevity elixir—and of higher quality than the last.

Yet the Prince wore a complex expression, sighed heavily, his breath thick with phlegm. He suddenly burst into violent coughing, and after a moment calmed, sighed: “I had planned to abdicate this year, pass the throne to the Prince of Chu, and live out my remaining years in peace. But you come now. This pill… it will be hard to swallow.”