"Shu Tong!"
Zhao Qiyang reprimanded softly, "As the Eldest Princess assisting in governing the country, how dare you be so disrespectful in court? How can you humiliate the Minister of War, a dignified second-rank minister?"
"Imperial Uncle."
Zhao Shutong looked at the powerful minister standing before the throne with her beautiful eyes and said, "The Panshi Army and the Jihan Legion have marched north. Can Imperial Uncle not see that this is a situation of a lamb entering a tiger's mouth? Why did Imperial Uncle not stop it?"
"This matter is not as simple as it appears."
Zhao Qiyang said calmly, "Shutong, you have been in charge of the grand affairs of the imperial decrees and landscapes in the Northern Region. It is understandable that you are not aware of the situation. The reason for ordering the Panshi Army and the Jihan Legion to march north is a letter from the Northern Region. The letter contained irrefutable evidence of Lin Ruo colluding with the demon lord Shi Jungang. It was precisely because of this letter that I and the esteemed officials were all misled, and even His Majesty was misled."
As he spoke, Zhao Qiyang flicked his sleeve, and a golden armored guard stepped forward holding a golden tray. On the tray was a head with blood still fresh. Zhao Qiyang frowned and said, "It was this traitor who forged the letter of Prince Lin Ruo colluding with Shi Jungang. Before your return, I had already sent people to investigate the cause and had this villain beheaded as a warning!"
Zhao Shutong frowned. This move of sacrificing a pawn to save the king was indeed quick and ruthless!
Zhao Qiyang bowed to the young emperor on the dragon throne and said loudly, "Now, the situation in the Northern Region is completely clear. Prince Lin Ruo, leading 150,000 Panshi Army soldiers, has fought fiercely with the demons and devils for two days and two nights. Although he lost nearly 80,000 Panshi Army warriors, he also killed 330,000 demon troops and 110,000 devil cavalry. Prince Lin Ruo's victory has made his name renowned throughout the land! I request Your Majesty to reward Lin Ruo heavily to comfort the hearts of the three armies!"
He paused and frowned, "The commander of the Jihan Legion, Wang Ling, was afraid of death. After less than an hour of engagement with the devil cavalry, the entire army collapsed. On the way south, he was pursued by the devil cavalry. In the end, less than twenty thousand Jihan Legion soldiers survived and entered Guyao Pass. Wang Ling not only feared death but also committed the serious crimes of instigating the army and disrupting the battle. After Commander Chen Xi arrived at Guyao Pass, Wang Ling had already committed suicide out of fear of punishment. However, this old subject believes that this is too easy for him. I request Your Majesty to issue a decree to confiscate Wang Ling's residences in Baidi City and Lanxi City, and his family members are to be exiled as slaves. Wang Ling's descendants will never be employed by the Great Shang Dynasty. Only then can those disloyal officials and traitors be disheartened and terrified!"
Zhao Shutong squinted her eyes, almost bursting into laughter. The culprit said these words with such righteous indignation and confidence. Zhao Qiyang, this old fox, was truly troublesome.
She sighed. This matter could only be dropped. All clues must have been cut off by Zhao Qiyang, and there was nowhere to investigate.
...
Early morning, the Xueyu Tianchi was bathed in dew.
In the open space in front of Tianran Ju, streams of morning light pierced through the leaves and dripped down. Lin Zhao had set up a desk made of wood from an eleventh-realm pear demon by the bamboo grove. This desk exuded a very elegant floral fragrance all year round, with the effect of refreshing the mind. Since the day's plans start in the morning, Lin Zhao began drawing talismans at Tianran Ju early in the morning while his stamina was full.
Last time he drew talismans and broke through his realm, he comprehended a Heavenly Thunder Talisman. The lethality of the Heavenly Thunder Talisman was indeed terrifying, but the drawback was that both drawing and using talismans consumed too much stamina. It could be used as a powerful weapon, but in normal times, whether for PK or story quests, talismans like the Swift Talisman and the Mirror Sword Talisman were more practical.
After lunch, he started practicing his punches until evening.
After dinner, he drew some military talismans for a while. By then, Lin Zhao's stamina was almost depleted. So he put away the talismans, called Shuangzhi, and they flew on their swords together to Qingliang Sect. It was time to see what Qingliang Sect looked like now. In the starry night, two sword lights carrying two figures slowly descended onto the main peak of Qingliang Sect.
On the main peak stood a Mountain Lord's shrine exuding a majestic aura. Besides a main hall, there were also many courtyards, and it already had some incense. Even at night, many people from the vicinity of Qingliang Mountain were still coming up to pray. This Mountain Lord's shrine was newly built and was said to be very effective, so many people came here with admiration.
Lin Zhao and Shuangzhi landed directly in the backyard of the Mountain Lord's shrine.
"Swish!"
A golden light emerged from the statue of the Mountain Lord and transformed into Xiang Ji, dressed in armor. This golden body had been cast, but the divine power was quite thin. It was just right, a Mountain Lord at the tenth realm, Sea-Crossing Realm. As for how far he could go in the future, it depended on Xiang Ji's fortune. If he worked diligently and benefited the local mountains and waters, the incense would naturally flourish. Qingliang Mountain was not a small place, and it was not difficult to accumulate enough incense to become an Upper Fifth Realm Mountain Lord.
"Subordinate greets Commander Lin."
Xiang Ji respectfully cupped his fists.
"No need to be polite."
Lin Zhao also cupped his fists slightly and said, "Xiang Ji, you are now the Mountain Lord of Qingliang Mountain, and you are no longer my subordinate, Lin Zhao. So there is no need to be so formal every time."
Xiang Ji said softly, "Commander Lin's kindness, Xiang Ji dares not forget. As long as Xiang Ji is still alive, Commander Lin is Xiang Ji's master. This is undeniable."
"Alright."
Lin Zhao could not be bothered to say more to him. "How does it feel to be a Mountain Lord now?"
"At first, I wasn't used to this golden body, but now I've finally adapted."
Xiang Ji scratched his head and smiled. "Every day, I sit in the Mountain Lord's shrine, listening to the prayers of the people, or resting on Qingliang Mountain, repairing the mountain roots and water transport in the surrounding area. I do as much as I can. As for the people's prayers, I will do what I can to make the people in the surrounding area prosperous."
"Good!"
Lin Zhao nodded and smiled. "As a Mountain Lord, it is only right. Now I can finally rest assured. You stay here and do your job as Mountain Lord. By the way, how is Qingliang Sect? Although you are at the Sea-Crossing Realm and reside in Qingliang Mountain, your strength within Qingliang Mountain is comparable to an eleventh-realm martial artist. Except for Zhao Suiguang, who cannot suppress you, everything else is fine. Keep an eye on Qingliang Sect and don't let them do evil again."
"Yes!"
Xiang Ji said, "Qingliang Sect has been very stable recently. Zhao Suiguang is rectifying the sect's discipline and has rewritten a set of sect rules for Qingliang Sect. I am ignorant, but I think Qingliang Sect is on the rise. If this continues, it will become a righteous sect in the Northern Region of the human race."
"That's good."
Lin Zhao smiled and nodded. "Alright, you stay here and be your Mountain Lord. Shuangzhi and I will go and see Qingliang Sect."
"Yes, subordinate respectfully bids farewell to Commander Lin!"
...
The secondary peak of Qingliang Mountain, the new site of Qingliang Sect. Buildings were connected. To rebuild Qingliang Sect, Lin Zhao spent as much as 200 Jin Zizhi coins. Of course, when the Qingliang Sect's treasury was looted, there were over eight thousand Jin Zizhi coins alone. In this regard, Lin Zhao was certainly not making a losing business. Moreover, how many of Qingliang Sect's Jin Zizhi coins were clean? Lin Zhao accepted them with peace of mind.
In the main hall of Qingliang Sect.
At night, Sect Master Zhao Suiguang was meditating and cultivating. In front of him were more than ten of his direct disciples, all of whom were relatively high-cultivation disciples in Qingliang Sect. Of course, these disciples were also relatively pure-hearted. Under Qingliang Sect's previous sect style, none of these disciples had killed anyone, nor had they done anything too unconscionable. Their natures were all simple and unblemished.
Lin Zhao and Shuangzhi floated onto the roof beams under the moonlight.
Only Zhao Suiguang sensed them. He looked up and was about to rise to pay his respects. Lin Zhao raised his hand and pressed down, speaking mentally, "No need for formalities, I'm just looking."
"Yes, Mountain Lord."
Zhao Suiguang nodded, understanding in his heart. The current Qingliang Sect was not a true sect in the real sense. Not only was there Mountain Lord Xiang Ji on the main peak watching them, but there was also a mountain-top villa above. To put it bluntly, before Lin Baiyi at Xueyu Tianchi was willing to let go, Qingliang Sect was just a subordinate sect of the mountain-top villa.
However, Zhao Suiguang was also at ease. He could understand why Lin Zhao did this. Was Lin Baiyi a bad person? Obviously not. How bad could a person who self-immolated their War God's heart to protect the human realm be? Moreover, what was the sect style of Qingliang Sect before? The disciples fawning over their masters, while also attacking and plundering cultivation resources from each other. Even their beloved female disciples were snatched by their fathers to be cultivation cauldrons. At that time, he dared not speak despite his anger. Now, Lin Zhao was rectifying the sect's style, which was reasonable and a good thing. If he, Zhao Suiguang, still opposed it, what difference would he have from his thirteenth-realm father, who was reviled by the human realm?
Under the moonlight, next to the main hall, there were stone tablets inscribed with the new sect rules of Qingliang Sect.
Lin Zhao squinted his eyes and read with interest. The first sect rule was to prohibit collusion with the four northern tribes, punishable by death. The second rule was not to bully the weak and kill the innocent. The subsequent clauses were basically the regulations of the famous sects on the human race's mountains, just like Lin Wanhua's Fusu Great Wall, and Xiao Jiu'er's Changming Mountain. They were the same mountain sects, but the rules were clear. Things that violated righteousness could not be touched. This was the bottom line of a righteous sect.
"Let's go."
Lin Zhao nodded slightly at Zhao Suiguang, did not disturb him, and took Shuangzhi away on their swords.
Zhao Suiguang looked up at the Mountain Lord, his heart filled with mixed emotions. He was still worried about Qingliang Sect. It was a good thing, but not entirely a good thing.
...
In the Neon Attire World, Qingqu Mountain, the location of the Silver Dragon Sword Sect.
Late at night, wisps of northern aurora rippled on the peaks of Qingqu Mountain. Beneath one of these ripples, a grey figure silently landed on a peak. It was an old Taoist priest wearing a patched grey robe, leaning on a travel staff full of mottled marks. A green gourd hung from his waist, and when he landed on the mountaintop, he swayed precariously, almost losing his balance.
"Oh my..."
He adjusted the Taoist crown on his head, turned to look south, and smiled. "It's been a long time since I returned to the mortal world~~~ Alas, if there is a calamity in the mortal world, this Taoist priest should descend the mountain!"