Chapter 292: The Ghost Gate Opens

The imperial family and the Central Sacred Land provided manpower, while the four sacred lands of Alchemy, Artifacts, Talismans, and Formations provided resources. Additionally, Hua Changxi, Tong Yao, Jing Liao, and Yan Zhenzhen took charge of the four gates—east, south, west, and north. This gave preliminary plans for preventing the potential unrest caused by cultivators entering the capital.

It had been over half a month since the four sacred lands deployed their display spirit artifacts. Now that September had begun, it was estimated that cultivators from various regions wishing to enter the sacred lands would gradually arrive in the capital.

To ensure the capital's stability, the imperial family wanted to finalize all deployments quickly. As of now, only the specific amount of resources to be supplied by the four sacred lands remained undecided.

To push forward progress, Xue Xian wasted no time. He summoned his trusted subordinates and handed over a roster for mobilizing the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the Five City Military Patrols, and the Six Fan Gate. Then, while Hua Changxi, Tong Yao, Jing Liao, and Yan Zhenzhen went to an empty room next door to discuss matters, he sneaked into the palace.

After meeting the emperor, Xue Xian reported in full detail the entire process of how he and the five sacred lands had discussed resolving the issue of cultivators entering the capital.

The five sacred lands cooperated actively, and the emperor was very satisfied.

However, Hua Changxi's proposal to "prohibit cultivators from flying and fighting within the city, and to publicly announce the respective responsibilities of the imperial court and the five sacred lands" left the emperor somewhat silent.

Prohibiting cultivators from flying and fighting in the city would benefit the imperial family's management of the capital.

But publicly announcing each party's scope of responsibilities would put the imperial family in a passive position.

The five sacred lands shared a common bond—if one was in trouble, the other four would not stand idly by. But the imperial family had no strong ties with the five sacred lands. If problems arose on the imperial side, the five sacred lands might not necessarily intervene.

Once something uncontrollable happened, the imperial family would most likely become the first target of the people's blame.

The emperor narrowed his eyes. Prince Shou was indeed excessive in many matters, but his claim that Hua Changxi was a trouble-maker was not wrong.

"As for prohibiting cultivators from flying and fighting in the city, I agree."

"I can also agree to announce the scope of responsibilities for each party. However, if the Embroidered Uniform Guards, the Five City Military Patrols, and the Six Fan Gate encounter problems they cannot solve, the five sacred lands must step in to help."

After hearing this, Xue Xian quickly agreed and returned to the Northern Pacification Office with the emperor's orders.

During this time, Chu Junling also took Wu Liyun back to the Heavenly Department.

On the way, Chu Junling asked Wu Liyun, "What kind of person do you think Hua Changxi is?"

Wu Liyun was silent for a moment. "Hua Changxi is very straightforward. She really isn't someone with deep schemes. Not much beating around the bush."

Chu Junling's eyes flickered. "She doesn't beat around the bush because all her intentions are laid out directly in the open."

Wu Liyun disliked the habit of speaking and acting in roundabout ways. She smiled and said, "I think that's pretty good." Her tone even carried a hint of envy.

Being bold enough to lay everything out in the open was not something just anyone dared to do. It required strength to back it up. She too wished to have the same confidence as Hua Changxi.

Chu Junling frowned. "But once many things are laid out in the open, there's no room for maneuver."

Now he understood why Uncle Prince Shou hated Hua Changxi so much. With Hua Changxi's style of putting everything out in the open, she must have caused Prince Shou to lose face many times.

At that moment, they arrived at the Heavenly Department's assembly building.

Chu Junling said no more and quickly entered the building. Just as he stepped through the door, he saw Chu Junyi walking out from inside. Surprised, he asked, "Why are you back?"

Chu Junyi glanced at him, showing no intention of answering.

But Chu Junling grabbed Chu Junyi's arm and said in a deep voice, "Don't forget your identity."

Chu Junyi shook off Chu Junling's hand and said coldly, "I know very well who I am." With that, he left without looking back.

Seeing this, Chu Junling's expression darkened even further.

Wu Liyun watched this scene and sighed inwardly. The Grand Prince and Chu Junyi were full blood cousins, yet every time they met, it was like swords drawn and bows bent.

Suppressing the anger in his heart, Chu Junling looked at Wu Liyun. "Chu Junyi is back now, which probably means something happened at the Zhongmen Pass. Go and find out what's happening."

Wu Liyun nodded in agreement and quickly left.

After she left, Chu Junling took a deep breath, composed himself, and quickly entered the building.

"Back so soon?"

Wei Zhenjie had just met with Chu Junyi and learned that the Ghost Gate had been frequently shaking recently. Guessing that the Ghost Gate might be about to open, he was in a grave mood when he saw Chu Junling stride in.

After respectfully bowing, Chu Junling replied, "The people from the other sacred lands are very cooperative." Then he reported the results of today's discussion between the five sacred lands and the imperial family on resolving the "cultivators entering the capital" issue.

After hearing this, a slight smile appeared on Wei Zhenjie's face. "Very good. Using the resources of the four sacred lands to support the five thousand Demon-Suppressing Troops—we've made a profit this time."

Chu Junling looked at Wei Zhenjie and reminded him, "Minister, the four sacred lands haven't yet decided on the amount of resources to supply."

Wei Zhenjie chuckled. "Maintaining the capital's stability is precisely the duty of the Demon-Suppressing Troops. No matter how many resources the four sacred lands provide, it's all profit."

Chu Junling hesitated for a moment, then asked, "Minister, I just saw Chu Junyi. He is stationed at Jiuyou. If he's back now, has something happened there?"

Wei Zhenjie glanced at him and didn't hide it: "The Ghost Gate might be about to open."

Hearing this, Chu Junling's expression stiffened, then he said urgently, "If the Ghost Gate opens, the demon, ghost, and soul clans of the Nine Netherworlds will be able to go straight through to the Middle Gate."

Wei Zhenjie let out a heavy sigh: "Who says otherwise?"

Chu Junling added, "We haven't fully taken control of the Middle Gate yet. Once the Ghost Gate opens, the Middle Gate is likely to fall into chaos."

"The Middle Gate is crucial to the stability of the Demon Prison. There absolutely can be no mistake. Minister, I am willing to lead the Demon-Suppression Army down to garrison it. Please approve."

After hearing this, Wei Zhenjie smiled at Chu Junling: "Having you and Junyi managing the Demon-Suppression Army saves me a lot of trouble. Let Junyi worry about the Middle Gate matter. You focus on handling the affairs of the mortal world."

Upon hearing this, a look of dejection flickered in Chu Junling's eyes.

He and Chu Junyi were the Left and Right Generals of the Demon-Suppression Army, yet the Minister had only taken Chu Junyi as his disciple.

Toward him, the Minister only showed regard; toward Chu Junyi, the Minister showed both care and guidance.

How unfair!

Wei Zhenjie: "Didn't you say the matter of cultivators entering the capital hasn't been completely finalized yet? Then hurry back to the Northern Pacification Office and keep monitoring it."

Seeing Wei Zhenjie dismissing him, Chu Junling had no choice but to suppress his resentment and withdraw.

As he reached the door, Wei Zhenjie spoke again: "The matter of 'cultivators entering the capital' is no small thing. You must handle it carefully. Remember, you represent the Central Sacred Land, not the imperial house."

Chu Junling frowned even more tightly: "Yes."

By the time Xue Xian and Chu Junling returned to the Northern Pacification Office's meeting hall, Hua Changxi, Tong Yao, Jingliao, and Yan Zhenzhen had also finished discussing the amount of resources they would provide.

Since the matter of 'cultivators entering the capital' arose because the sacred lands were recruiting apprentices, and since cultivators from various regions entering the capital could also promote exchange and development among cultivators, the four of them—Hua Changxi and the others—were quite generous, offering no small amount of resources.

Xue Xian glanced at the resource quantities the four had drafted, and his heart skipped a beat. There was only one voice in his mind: the four great sacred lands truly were rich and powerful!

Chu Junling also glanced at it, feeling a stir in his heart.

Regarding the Divine Wood Secret Realm of the Alchemy Saint Hall, the imperial house still knew a little about it; but as for the other three sacred lands, the imperial house knew absolutely nothing.

Judging by their generosity this time, their resource holdings definitely rival those of the Alchemy Saint Hall!

Having served in the Demon-Suppression Army for many years, Chu Junling clearly knew how many resources the Heavenly Department distributed each year—it was calculated in vast amounts—yet he still hadn't found the source of those resources.

The depth of the sacred lands' foundations was as vast as the ocean!