Chapter 292: The Ghost Gate Is About to Open

The imperial house and the Central Sacred Land would provide manpower, while the four great sacred lands of Alchemy, Artifacts, Talismans, and Arrays would supply resources; furthermore, with Hua Changxi, Tong Yao, Jing Liao, and Yan Zhenzhen stationed at the Dongnanxibei city gates respectively, a preliminary plan to prevent potential unrest caused by cultivators entering the capital was finally in place.

More than half a month had passed since the four great sacred lands deployed their spirit-displaying artifacts, and now that September had arrived, cultivators from various regions wishing to join the sacred lands would likely begin arriving in the capital one after another.

To ensure stability in the capital, the imperial house wished to finalize all deployments quickly; at present, the only unsettled matter was the exact quantity of resources the four great sacred lands would supply.

To accelerate progress, Xue Xian did not hesitate; he summoned his trusted confidants and handed over a roster for mobilizing the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Wucheng Military Command, and the Six Doors. Then, while Hua Changxi, Tong Yao, Jing Liao, and Yan Zhenzhen went to an adjacent empty room to deliberate, he secretly entered the palace.

Upon meeting the Emperor, Xue Xian reported in full detail the process of that day's discussions with the five great sacred lands regarding the resolution of the cultivator-entry issue.

The Emperor was highly satisfied with the active cooperation of the five great sacred lands.

However, Hua Changxi's proposals—to prohibit cultivators from flying and fighting within the city, and to publicly announce the respective spheres of responsibility for the imperial court and the five great sacred lands—left the Emperor somewhat silent.

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

Yet publicly announcing the respective spheres of responsibility would place the imperial house in a passive position.

The five great sacred lands were bound by shared breath and branches; if one faced disaster, the other four would certainly not ignore it. However, the imperial house shared no such strong ties with them; should problems arise on the imperial side, the five great sacred lands might not intervene.

Once something uncontrollable occurred, the imperial house would most likely become the primary target of the common people's blame.

The Emperor narrowed his eyes; although the Prince of Shou was indeed somewhat extreme in many matters, his assertion that Hua Changxi was a troublemaker was not incorrect.

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

"Regarding the public announcement of each party's sphere of responsibility, I can also agree, but if the personnel of the Embroidered Uniform Guard, the Wucheng Military Command, or the Six Doors encounter problems they cannot resolve, the five great sacred lands must step in to assist."

Upon hearing this, Xue Xian promptly accepted the command, carried the Emperor's instructions, and returned to the Beizhen Office.

During this period, Chu Junling also took Wu Liyun back to the Heaven Division.

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

Wu Liyun fell silent for a moment before replying, "Hua Changxi is very straightforward; she is indeed not someone deeply scheming, with few twists and turns."

Chu Junling's eyes flashed. "She has few twists and turns because she lays all her plans out in the open."

Wu Liyun, who disliked the practice of beating around the bush in speech and action, smiled and said, "I think this is quite good," her tone carrying a hint of envy.

Daring to lay everything out in the open was not something just anyone could do; it required strength as support, and she too wished to possess the same confidence as Hua Changxi.

Chu Junling frowned. "But once many matters are laid out in the open, there is little room for maneuver."

He now understood why his Uncle, the Prince of Shou, detested Hua Changxi so much; her style of conducting affairs by placing everything in the open must have caused the Prince of Shou to lose face on numerous occasions.

At this moment, they arrived at the deliberation building of the Heaven Division.

Chu Junling said no more and hurried into the building; just as he stepped through the main gate, he saw Chu Junyi walking out from within and exclaimed in surprise, "Why have you returned?"

Chu Junyi glanced at him but showed no intention of answering.

Chu Junling, however, grabbed Chu Junyi's arm and said in a low, heavy voice, "Do not forget your status."

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

Seeing this, Chu Junling's expression grew even uglier.

Watching this scene, Wu Liyun sighed inwardly; the Eldest Prince and Chu Junyi were clearly cousins born of legitimate lines, yet every time they met, the atmosphere was tense as drawn swords.

Suppressing the anger in his heart, Chu Junling turned to Wu Liyun and said, "Chu Junyi's return now suggests that something has happened at Zhongmen Pass; go and investigate."

Wu Liyun nodded in agreement and departed quickly.

After she left, Chu Junling took a deep breath, composed his mood, and hurried into the building.

"You've returned so quickly?"

Wei Zhenjie had just met with Chu Junyi and learned that the Ghost Gate had been trembling frequently recently; guessing that the Ghost Gate might soon open, his mood was grave when he saw Chu Junling stride in.

After respectfully performing the rites, Chu Junling replied, "The people from the other sacred lands were very cooperative." He then recounted the outcome of that day's discussions between the five great sacred lands and the imperial house regarding the resolution of the 'cultivators entering the capital' issue.

Upon hearing this, a slight smile appeared on Wei Zhenjie's face. "Excellent; using the resources of the four great sacred lands to sustain five thousand Demon-Suppressing Soldiers means we have made a profit this time."

Chu Junling looked at Wei Zhenjie and reminded him, "Minister, the four great sacred lands have not yet finalized the quantity of resources to be supplied."

Wei Zhenjie smiled. "Maintaining stability in the capital is inherently the duty of the Demon-Suppressing Soldiers; regardless of how many resources the four great sacred lands provide, it is still a profit."

Chu Junling hesitated for a moment before asking, "Minister, I just saw Chu Junyi; he is stationed at Jiuyou. Has something happened there to bring him back?"

Wei Zhenjie glanced at him and did not conceal the truth. "The Ghost Gate may be about to open."

Hearing this, Chu Junling was visibly shaken, then urgently said, "If the Ghost Gate opens, the demon clans, ghost clans, and soul clans of Jiuyou will have direct access to Zhongmen Pass."

Wei Zhenjie let out a heavy sigh. "Who can deny that?"

Chu Junling added, "We have not yet fully secured control over Zhongmen Pass; once the Ghost Gate opens, Zhongmen Pass is likely to descend into chaos."

"Zhongmen Pass is crucial to the stability of the Demon-Ghost Prison and absolutely cannot be lost. Minister, I am willing to lead the Demon-Suppressing Soldiers down to station there; please grant your approval."

Hearing this, Wei Zhenjie looked at Chu Junling with a smile. "With you and Junyi managing the Demon-Suppressing Soldiers, I am saved much trouble. Let Junyi worry about the affairs of Zhongmen Pass; as for you, just focus on handling matters in the human realm."

Upon hearing this, a trace of depression flashed through Chu Junling's eyes.

Although he and Chu Junyi served as the Left and Right Generals of the Demon-Suppressing Soldiers respectively, the Minister had only taken Chu Junyi as his disciple.

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

How unjust!

Wei Zhenjie said, "Did you not say that the matter of cultivators entering the capital was not yet fully settled? Then hurry back to the Beizhen Office and continue monitoring it."

Seeing Wei Zhenjie dismissing him, Chu Junling could only suppress his dissatisfaction and withdraw.

As he retreated to the doorway, Wei Zhenjie spoke again: "The matter of 'cultivators entering the capital' is no small affair; you must handle it carefully. Remember, you represent the Central Sacred Land, not the imperial house."

Chu Junling's brows knitted even tighter. "Yes."

By the time Xue Xian and Chu Junling had both returned to the deliberation hall of the Beizhen Office, Hua Changxi, Tong Yao, Jing Liao, and Yan Zhenzhen had also finalized the quantities of resources to be provided.

Operating on the principle that the issue of 'cultivators entering the capital' arose from the sacred lands recruiting apprentices, and that the influx of cultivators from various regions could also promote exchange and development among cultivators, Hua Changxi and the other three were very generous, offering no small amount of resources.

When Xue Xian saw the resource quantities drafted by the four, his heart skipped a beat; the only thought in his mind was that the four great sacred lands were truly wealthy and powerful!

Chu Junling also took a glance, and his heart stirred as well.

The imperial house still knew something about the situation regarding the Divine Wood Secret Realm of the Alchemy Sacred Hall, but regarding the situations of the other three great sacred lands, the imperial house knew absolutely nothing.

Judging by their display this time, their resource holdings were definitely no less than those of the Alchemy Sacred Hall!

Chu Junling had served in the Demon-Suppressing Army for many years and knew clearly just how many resources the Heaven Division distributed annually; the quantities were calculated in vast seas, yet to this day he had never discovered their source.

The foundation of the Sacred Land was so profound it resembled a boundless ocean!