Chapter 291: Who Called Her Foolish?

With the imperial family taking the lead, they jointly consulted with the five sacred lands on matters related to "cultivators entering the capital." Xue Xian, as the imperial family's representative, initially thought the process would involve endless haggling, but he never expected things to go so smoothly.

There was no back-and-forth conflict or mutual buck-passing; without him even needing to speak, each of the five sacred lands presented specific solutions, and most importantly, they perfectly aligned with the duties the emperor wanted the five sacred lands to undertake.

Xue Xian's secretly anxious heart settled. Although the imperial family held the moral high ground on the matter of "cultivators entering the capital," if the five sacred lands were unwilling to cooperate, his position as the lead administrator would have been extremely difficult.

Now, with the people from the five sacred lands being so cooperative, he was truly overjoyed.

Hua Changxi looked at Xue Xian: "Does Lord Xue think our proposal is acceptable?"

Xue Xian smiled: "I find it very good. Let's proceed as everyone suggests. However... the quantity of cultivation resources provided by the four sacred lands—Alchemy, Arrays, Artifacts, and Talismans—must first be determined."

Hua Changxi glanced at Tong Yao and the other two, thought for a moment, then looked back at Xue Xian: "Then I'll trouble Lord Xue to first provide us with a list of soldiers assigned to maintain order in the capital for our review. After that, we'll make a decision."

After all, they couldn't just provide however many resources the imperial family demanded.

Xue Xian knew in his heart that it was nearly impossible to make the four sacred lands bear the full burden, so he immediately agreed: "Alright. Later, I will compile the personnel deployed by the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Five City Military Command, and the Six Fan Office and deliver it to you four."

Seeing that he agreed, Hua Changxi said no more.

Xue Xian then smiled and looked at Chu Junling and the three, Tong Yao: "Does anyone else have any other opinions?"

Chu Junling spoke: "Most of the people in the Five City Military Command and the Six Fan Office are martial artists. Even the few cultivators among them are of very low cultivation."

"Although the Embroidered Uniform Guard has some strong experts, their numbers are clearly insufficient when facing the cultivators pouring in from all over."

"As for the five thousand Demon Suppression Troops I have dispatched—five Nascent Soul cultivators, forty-five Core Formation cultivators, the rest at the Qi Sea realm—overall, their strength barely passes muster. But once they are dispersed across various locations, they will still be easily picked off one by one."

Hearing this, Yan Zhenzhen couldn't hold back: "When outside cultivators come to the capital, conflict may be unavoidable. But General Chu's insinuation just now that some cultivators might deliberately cause trouble—I think you're being overly worried."

Chu Junling glanced at her but did not argue: "I simply wish to prepare for the worst. To us, these are just possibilities, but if commoners encounter them, it would be a disaster."

Jing Liao, whose greatest concern was the safety of the people, nodded: "General Chu's words are reasonable. Does the General have any brilliant suggestions?"

Chu Junling looked around at those present: "The four of you just now dealt with the tiger demon with such superb skill that I was truly amazed. I believe that if the four of you were to take charge in the capital, the safety of the capital's residents would be greatly enhanced."

Hearing this, Hua Changxi immediately grew uneasy and stared at Chu Junling with displeasure: "Are you trying to make us both pay and work?"

Tong Yao and the other two also frowned.

Chu Junling, facing Hua Changxi's blunt accusation, remained composed: "What I meant is that when the four of you have free time, you should make more appearances in the capital to intimidate petty troublemakers."

He paused.

"Of course, I will do the same."

Jing Liao: "General Chu's considerations are thorough." He looked at Hua Changxi, Tong Yao, and Yan Zhenzhen: "The people come first. How about each of us guards a city gate?"

Tong Yao was silent for a moment, then agreed.

Yan Zhenzhen was somewhat reluctant—studying formations consumed a great deal of time and energy, and she didn't want to waste too much on mundane affairs. But seeing that Tong Yao had already agreed, she could only nod reluctantly.

It was Hua Changxi's turn, but she did not express her stance.

Although it was only occasional appearances and wouldn't take much time, she still felt that Chu Junling was pushing his advantage, using them to help the imperial family stabilize the capital.

Seeing that Hua Changxi was silent, Jing Liao said: "Lady Hua, this is also a form of cultivation."

Tong Yao followed with a smile: "When you have abundance, help the world; when you have little, cultivate yourself. What do we cultivate for? What do we gain great power for?"

Hua Changxi looked at the two of them: "Fine. The Medical Bureau is in the east of the city, so I'll make more trips to the East Gate."

Tong Yao: "Then I'll take charge of the South Gate."

Jing Liao: "I will be responsible for the West Gate."

Yan Zhenzhen: "I'll take the North Gate."

Chu Junling watched the interaction among the four, and his gaze darkened. Hua Changxi was not only familiar with the successor of the Array Saint Sect but also acquainted with people from the Talisman Saint Pavilion and Artifact Saint Palace.

Seeing that Chu Junling's lips curled up as his goal was achieved, Hua Changxi's eyes darted: "I think we should take this opportunity of 'cultivators entering the capital' to reform the previous unhealthy trends in the capital."

Hmm?

This remark successfully caught everyone's attention.

Hua Changxi: "Whether it's the Demon Suppression Troops' patrols or the deterrent presence of high-level cultivators, both can only serve as precautionary measures. If we truly want to ensure the capital's stability, I think we should directly establish rules: henceforth, cultivators are forbidden from fighting or flying within the city."

"If any cultivator violates this rule, regardless of who they are or their status, the penalty will range from expulsion from the capital at the light end, to having their cultivation stripped at the heavy end."

Upon hearing this, the faces of everyone present changed.

In the capital, there were many cultivators, and fights sparked by conflicts and disputes were not uncommon; such incidents often involved the children of the powerful and noble.

The situation of flying through the sky within the city was even more serious—only near the imperial palace and around the Heavenly Department did cultivators show some restraint; in other areas of the capital, many cultivators came and went as if strolling through their own back gardens, without any scruples.

Among them, the most domineering were undoubtedly the imperial clan's children.

Chu Junling looked at Hua Changxi, his eyes narrowing, clearly sensing that Hua Changxi’s words were aimed at him.

Hua Changxi felt Chu Junling’s gaze but ignored it and continued, “Of course, cultivators pursue a smooth flow of thoughts in their practice. If someone really can’t get over a conflict or dispute and finds it unbearable, it’s not right to forbid them from venting.”

“How about this: build a few more arenas in the city. Those who want to fight can go up into the arena directly.”

Jingliao was again the first to respond: “This humble monk thinks Benefactor Hua’s idea is excellent. The capital has been following the old rules for too long—they really are somewhat outdated. It’s time to establish new rules to restrain cultivators.”

Tong Yao and Yan Zhenzhen also showed expressions of agreement.

Xue Xian looked at the four—Hua Changxi, Tong Yao, Yan Zhenzhen, and Jingliao—and then at Chu Junling. He noticed that the people from the four sacred lands of alchemy, artifacts, talismans, and arrays seemed to be banding together, while the Great Prince of the Central Sacred Land appeared to be ostracized by them.

“The suggestions from you all, I will report to the Emperor.”

Hua Changxi: “I’m not finished yet.”

Hearing this, Xue Xian’s eyelids couldn’t help twitching.

Hua Changxi: “When cultivators enter the capital, each of us has matters to oversee. To clarify the scope of responsibilities, I think we should make these public. That way, we won’t have to worry about confusing who bears which duty.”

Everyone understood what Hua Changxi meant, and their expressions flickered.

Wu Liyun couldn’t help but glance at Hua Changxi. Who was it that said Hua Changxi was a muddled person who wore his emotions on his sleeve and couldn’t grasp the situation?

As she saw it, this person was clearly very shrewd—every word he spoke carried a clear purpose.

Making the scope of responsibilities public was clearly to avoid being jointly blamed for negligence caused by others.

Among the imperial clan and the five sacred lands, the one most prone to mistakes was undoubtedly the imperial side. Once patrols were improper and cultivators endangered the common people, the imperial clan would surely suffer criticism and blame from the populace.

Hua Changxi’s move was clearly to shake off the imperial clan, so as not to let it affect her and the other three sacred lands.