[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl":3,"chapter-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-413":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","The Great Jin's Most Iron Rice Bowl",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1897187,2531,"Chapter 413: Attributing Blame","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-413",413,"\u003Cp>\"Minister Wei, you certainly enjoy taking sides!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi walked up to Wei Zhenjie with a smile that didn't reach her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Just now, had Wei Zhenjie not intervened, Zhao Xi would surely have made Princess Ling Yuan taste the consequences of provoking Danyuan Peak.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi, whose eyes brimmed with dissatisfaction; his face retained its smile, but inside he was cursing wildly: This Hua Changxi really is a dog biting Lu Dongbin, unable to recognize a good heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Had he not stepped in, and someone from Danyuan Peak had truly injured Princess Ling Yuan in public, the royal family, for the sake of face, would not have easily let Zhao Xi off the hook.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that time, would Hua Changxi have dared to expose her true strength and clash head-on with the royal family?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Peak Master Hua, you are as fond as ever... of acting on impulse!\" Acting only to vent emotions, giving no consideration whatsoever to the consequences.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie lightly rebuked Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, the smile faded from Hua Changxi's face; she glanced at Princess Ling Yuan, who was once again surrounded by a crowd of cultivators, and feeling those probing gazes falling upon her, ripples stirred in her heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie's words, though spoken in jest, reminded her of the admonitions given to her by Tong Yao and Jing Liao.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tong Yao had said she did not understand self-restraint...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jing Liao had said she lacked precept-keeping...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the past, Hua Changxi would not have taken such words to heart, even scoffing at them, but today, she suddenly began to understand the meaning of self-restraint and precept-keeping.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She was indeed too easily provoked emotionally!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie watched Hua Changxi, who seemed lost in thought, and a glint of amusement flashed in his eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was good that she could understand advice and reflect upon herself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Body cultivators had a major weakness: they tended to overlook the role of mental state.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Yet cultivation, whether following the path of the flesh or the path of the law, ultimately meant cultivating one's own heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the road of cultivation, the greatest enemy had never been others, but oneself.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This was especially true for Hua Changxi.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He truly did not wish to see Hua Changxi eventually become a brute with developed limbs but a simple mind, ready to fight at the slightest disagreement, swept away only by her emotions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie glossed over the matter of \"stepping in to save Princess Ling Yuan\"; he knew clearly that many people were secretly watching the situation here, so he complied with their wishes and asked about what everyone cared about: \"I hear Peak Master Hua has been in closed-door cultivation breaking through realms these past years?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing him change the subject, Hua Changxi followed along and replied, \"Yes.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie asked again, \"Did you break through?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi sighed, her expression regretful: \"No.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie laughed: \"Presumably, the problem lies with your mental state.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked over and sincerely asked for guidance: \"Minister Wei, do you know how to improve one's mental state?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing her act so informally, Wei Zhenjie laughed heartily twice; he did not answer directly, but merely said, \"For a cultivator, mental state is of paramount importance; if the mental state is unstable, it will damage the Dao foundation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"On such a critical matter, you should not ask an outsider like me; you ought to ask your masters.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi shrugged: \"I have no masters; all along, I have been fumbling and practicing blindly on my own.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, a brief stir arose among the onlookers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hua Changxi truly has no master or lineage?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the second floor of the Spirit Realm Pavilion, Xia Ji looked toward Xia Zhen seeking confirmation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen nodded: \"On this point, indeed, nothing has been found.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Regarding Hua Changxi's alchemy, one could say she inherited some things from the Hua family, but her embarkation on the path of cultivation seems to have been like suddenly opening her aperture.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because the Prince of Shou cultivated ghost clan techniques and created many disappearance cases in the Jingjiao region, and since Hua Changxi and several dozen others had been kidnapped for sacrifice, the royal family, to avoid implicating the Prince of Shou, had destroyed all related records.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Consequently, other factions had been unable to uncover this matter at all.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Xia Ji's thoughts drifted: \"Suddenly opened her aperture...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the western regions of Great Jin, there is also someone who suddenly opened their aperture and rapidly embarked on the path of cultivation.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Xia Zhen's expression shifted slightly: \"Is the Great Elder referring to Li Xiao, who obtained Mount Kunlun and shone brilliantly within the Kunlun Secret Realm?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Ji hummed an affirmation and said nothing more.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Xia Zhen also fell silent; Hua Changxi's family background was already quite unimpressive, yet Li Xiao was even worse off, merely an orphaned wild boy raised on the charity of a hundred families after his parents died.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Fortune...\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivation emphasized fortune, yet at times, the randomness and contingency of this word 'fortune' truly made those from aristocratic families feel despair.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the face of fortune, their years of accumulation appeared utterly insignificant.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the Qihuang Pavilion, Shen Qianfan looked at Chu Tianxun, whose face was gloomy, and summoned the courage to say, \"Hua Changxi has no sect; relying solely on herself, it is nearly impossible for her to cultivate to the level of the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was projecting his own experience onto others; he knew all too well how difficult it was to accumulate cultivation resources entirely on one's own.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Hall Master of Lingguang Hall killed Spirit Realm cultivators like chickens; their cultivation base was at least above the Spirit Condensation Realm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To cultivate to such a level required resources counted in vast seas.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Such enormous resources, let alone an individual, even noble aristocratic families might not be able to produce.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, Chu Tianxun rarely failed to give Shen Qianfan a dirty look.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>For no other reason than that, as the Retired Emperor's younger brother, he knew something about the process by which the royal family accumulated resources; moreover, he had participated in some struggles over ancient ruins and knew just how difficult it was.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>On the plaza, Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi and suddenly asked, \"Have you ever considered taking on a master or joining a sect?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled at him: \"I am not very familiar with the various sects; Minister Wei, who do you think I should take as a master?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There was an element of probing in these words; the San Cha Medicine Valley had been taken over by the Demon-Suppressing Army, and she knew Wei Zhenjie must be aware of some details regarding her situation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was just that she was not yet certain exactly how far his investigations had gone.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Did he already know she was the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, or was he still in the stage of suspicion?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie raised an eyebrow, understanding that Hua Changxi was asking him—who was qualified to be her master?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Indeed, this fellow had already touched the threshold of the path of the flesh; apart from those few old fellows guarding the Realm Gate, there truly was no one capable of being her master.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie smiled and said, \"Taking a master is a private matter; how could I presume to comment? However, I do know some news I can tell you in advance.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi, giving him face, asked, \"What news?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie replied, \"Once Xuanyuan City reappears, the Xuanyuan Prefecture will open the Hall of Dao Transmission. At that time, seniors proficient in various Daoist methods will be present to transmit the Dao and resolve doubts. Simultaneously, the Hall of Broadening the Dao will open, containing all cultivation techniques and ancient texts the Xuanyuan Prefecture has managed to collect.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi's eyes truly lit up. She would set aside the Dao transmission for now, but she was genuinely lacking in various cultivation techniques and ancient texts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After all, she still did not even know the Sound Transmission Technique!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As for Danyuan Peak, Lingguang Hall, and the Five Elements Sect, the number of cultivation techniques and spell methods available for disciples to choose from was pitifully small.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that true?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"When can we enter the Hall of Broadening the Dao?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Can the cultivation techniques and ancient texts inside be borrowed or copied?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hua Changxi's urgency, Wei Zhenjie found it somewhat amusing: \"As I said, it can only happen after Xuanyuan City reappears.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi's face immediately fell: \"Then there will be quite a wait.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie did not respond to this, but the cultivators around them, who were straining their ears to listen, were itching with anxiety; they too wished to participate in the Dao transmission and broadening hosted by the Xuanyuan Prefecture.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Improving one's state of mind is no small matter; you must absolutely not take it lightly.\" Wei Zhenjie pulled the topic back to the state of mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi nodded noncommittally while secretly guessing his intention in saying this.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie looked at her and said, \"Although it is not proper for me to discuss the specifics of your state of mind with you, I can tell you about an insight regarding the improvement of the state of mind that I read in an ancient text, attributed to a deity.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"That deity said that the process of improving one's state of mind is the process of a person seeking themselves.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Those whose hearts are not upright or stable cannot break through the predicaments of the heart.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi detected the implication in Wei Zhenjie's words. Just as she was about to ask him to be more explicit, he continued, \"Those whose state of mind fails to break through for a long time are people with chaotic hearts. Your heart must be very chaotic during this period, correct?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This statement immediately shifted Hua Changxi's attention: \"Minister Wei, please explain, how is my heart chaotic?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie looked at her and said, \"The rumors spreading like boiling water in the outside world during this time—have they not stirred great chaos in your heart?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as these words were spoken, a brief silence fell over the square, and everyone pricked up their ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi narrowed her eyes slightly. When Princess Lingyuan forcibly broke into Danyuan Peak, Wei Zhenjie had happened to arrive at the Medical Bureau as well. If one claimed this was a coincidence, she did not believe it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the Demon-Suppressing Army took over Sancha Medicine Valley, she had thought Wei Zhenjie was helping her. But now, with him actively bringing up the matter of rumors, she could no longer gauge what he intended to do.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Only fools readily believe rumors.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As soon as Hua Changxi gave this answer, the surrounding cultivators began whispering among themselves.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie, however, continued to press: \"So, you are saying the rumors are false, and that you are not the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi looked at him, a cold glint flashing briefly in her eyes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She could not deny that she was not the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, because she indeed was. If she denied it now and her identity was exposed later, she would definitely be slapped in the face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, Hua Changxi soon broke into a smile: \"Does Minister Wei think I am?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie smiled along with her: \"This Minister thinks... you are.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At these words, a brief stir arose among the watching cultivators again, and many nodded in agreement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi laughed 'haha', seeming very pleased: \"Does Minister Wei think so highly of me?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie made no denial: \"Yes, I have always thought highly of you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi smiled even more brilliantly: \"To live up to Minister Wei's high regard, I feel... I must be the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall. Otherwise, I would be letting you down.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>She paused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Since Minister Wei says I am the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, I have no choice but to represent the Zhu Que Army and ask Minister Wei a question.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie raised his eyebrows high; the hostility in Hua Changxi's tone was considerable. Was she dissatisfied with him?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What do you wish to ask?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The smile vanished from Hua Changxi's face as if she truly had become the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall: \"After the Wutong Forest appeared in the world, demons of the Phoenix Clan invaded Nanxiang County. Why did the Demon-Suppressing Army sit idly by and do nothing?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Furthermore, when humans secretly attacked the Zhu Que Army, the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army just stood by and watched. Is that not somewhat unacceptable?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If Hua Changxi's earlier ambiguous answers had made various parties feel she was confusing the issue, now, hearing her interrogation of Wei Zhenjie, many who had previously leaned toward believing she was the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall began to waver.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The various actions of the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall all indicated a low-profile person. If Hua Changxi truly were the Hall Master, she would absolutely not publicly interrogate Wei Zhenjie in this manner.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I always thought Hua Changxi was quite straightforward; I didn't expect her to be so slick as well.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Yufeng shook his head with a sigh. Hua Changxi's self-righteous interrogation of Minister Wei was clearly an attempt to make everyone believe she was the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, so she could then use that identity to borrow power and intimidate others.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Gu Jinfan glanced at Tang Yufeng, who was complacent and believed he had pierced through the truth, and rolled her eyes speechlessly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>However, she had to admit that Hua Changxi's move of openly admitting she was the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall was indeed quite capable of deceiving some 'smart people'.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie looked at Hua Changxi in surprise: \"That you would ask such a question truly makes me...\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Why do you so naturally assume that the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army ought to support the Zhu Que Army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Xuanyuan Army has the responsibilities of the Xuanyuan Army, and the Demon-Suppressing Army has the duties of the Demon-Suppressing Army. Do you think only Nanxiang County has been invaded by demons?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"In the Hundred Thousand Great Mountains to the west, demons occasionally run out to harm the surrounding commoners. Who do you think is resisting those demons? Do you know that the casualties suffered by the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army are far more severe than those of the Zhu Que Army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi was stunned. She had truly never considered these matters. At the same time, she detected that Wei Zhenjie was angry about her previous question.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie continued: \"Why did you develop the notion that the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army should prioritize the Zhu Que Army?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi replied, \"I did not ask the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army to prioritize the Zhu Que Army. I simply felt that since everyone is working for the peace of the human race, we should at least watch out for and help one another.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie frowned: \"Do you know what 'each performing its own duty' means?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Xuanyuan Army must balance the various forces of the entire human race, while the Demon-Suppressing Army resists all demons invading human territory.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"How large is Nanxiang County?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you cannot even handle unrest within such a small scope, should the Zhu Que Army not first look for the reasons within itself?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Speaking to this point, Wei Zhenjie stopped and shook his head in disappointment: \"I take back what I said earlier. You are not the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If you were the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall, then both the Demon-Suppressing Army and the Xuanyuan Army would become criminals.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hearing this, Hua Changxi felt somewhat angry. However, thinking that these words could blur some people's investigation into her identity, her mood calmed down again. She merely feigned anger and said, \"You look down on me? How am I not the Hall Master of Lingguang Hall?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Wei Zhenjie seemed to have lost all interest in speaking; shaking his head, he walked away, but after a few steps, he turned back to look at Hua Changxi: \"Hua Changxi, not only is your perspective narrow, but your heart is petty as well. You must understand that the world has no obligation to operate according to your expectations!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Having said this, he left without looking back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hua Changxi felt her anger stirred once more; watching Wei Zhenjie's retreating figure, her face was filled with indignation, yet deep within her eyes, waves churned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite everything, Wei Zhenjie's words had finally reached her ears.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Zhu Que army had suffered heavy casualties; before this, she had indeed harbored some resentment toward Wei Zhenjie and the five generals of Xuanyuan.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But now, upon reflection, it seemed she had indeed been considering matters solely from her own standpoint...\u003C\u002Fp>",2846,"2026-06-12T02:51:24.126Z",1,"Qwen3.5 397B","32761de07d6ad7d1c6a42a3ca353a39cf1213958501ea0c59516b83260b289e0","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-414","the-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-chapter-412",558,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-great-jin-s-most-iron-rice-bowl-cover.jpg"]