The following morning.
Numerous luxuriously decorated spirit boats descended upon the Washing Sword River, carrying the civil and military officials of the Great Shang Dynasty. Most of these spirit boats were, in fact, private treasures of the various princes and dukes. Decades ago, the trend of extravagance had begun to spread in White Emperor City, especially among those in positions of great power. They constantly competed, and the value of their spirit boats often represented their own standing.
Among them, one spirit boat, entirely adorned with golden Qilin patterns, was comparable in scale to a Flood Dragon boat. It stretched a hundred meters long, exuding unparalleled opulence. This was none other than the spirit boat belonging to Prince Jì Nán, Zhao Qǐyáng. He always piloted this vessel when traveling long distances, and his journey to Dong Wu Kingdom a few months prior had been aboard it.
Two figures rose from the ground and landed directly within the spirit boat.
Cao Yīng and Huang Qīngníng stepped into the spirit boat side-by-side, entering a magnificent living room within the cabin. They respectfully said, "Greetings, Your Highness."
"Hmm."
Prince Jì Nán lightly raised his hand, signaling the waiting maids to withdraw. Cao Yīng then delicately tapped her foot, and a small realm belonging to a Twelfth Realm Sword Cultivator instantly manifested within the cabin.
"Speak your mind directly."
Zhao Qǐyáng frowned, "Will tonight's enfeoffment ceremony be completed smoothly?"
"Difficult."
Cao Yīng pursed her red lips and said, "There is a high probability that Lin Zhāo will lead the Upper Fifth Realm cultivators from Snow Domain Heavenly Pond to cause trouble."
"Oh?"
Zhao Qǐyáng smiled slightly, "Excellent. The sooner they come, the better. The enfeoffment of the Washing Sword River's River God is an internal matter for our Great Shang Dynasty. His interference as someone from Snow Domain Heavenly Pond will give us the perfect excuse to act."
"..."
Cao Yīng's expression was solemn, "Your Highness truly intends to kill Lin Zhāo?"
"Cannot?"
Zhao Qǐyáng said calmly, "Cao Yīng, rest assured, I am not foolish enough to send my own men to kill Lin Zhāo. Do not worry, someone else will kill Lin Zhāo. Your task is to hold back Lin Zhāo's subordinates, preferably incapacitate them one by one. Lin Zhāo bringing people to disrupt our Great Shang Dynasty's enfeoffment ceremony is already a grave offense. As long as he is not killed by our Great Shang Dynasty, no one will have any fault to find."
"Your Highness's meaning?"
Huang Qīngníng furrowed her brows.
"Just follow my plan."
Zhao Qǐyáng said, "Cao Yīng, Huang Qīngníng, I order you two to lead the cultivators of the Embroidered Uniform Guard and the Mountain Sea Division to escort and protect the smooth progression of the enfeoffment ceremony. If anyone dares to cause trouble, you are to subdue them. Just do not kill Lin Zhāo, let someone else do it."
"Yes, Your Highness!"
...
Not far away, on a spirit boat inscribed with fiery red Qilin patterns, Wen Hào, the Grand Director of Ceremonial Vessels, emerged from the cabin and leaped directly before a tent on the ground. In front of him stood an elder wearing the official robes of a First Rank civil official, Lord Jù Yáng, Lin Yǎn. Lin Yǎn leaned on a cane; despite being a Twelfth Realm Great Cultivator, he appeared frail and aged, his eyes holding an unfathomable calm.
"Greetings, Lord Jù Yáng."
Wen Hào said in a deep voice.
"Hmm."
Lin Yǎn nodded with a smile, "Commander Wen arrived so early?"
"Yes, I dare not be remiss regarding the enfeoffment ceremony for the Washing Sword River's River God."
"That is good, that is good."
Lin Yǎn smiled, "The enfeoffment ceremony is of utmost importance. His Majesty himself is present, and no mistakes can occur. Commander Wen of the South should indeed come early to make arrangements. How many troops are currently stationed to guard the Washing Sword River?"
"A total of over three hundred thousand."
Wen Hào replied respectfully, "Half of them are from the six Great Hall Divisions, and the rest are from the three northern prefectures. The six southern prefectures are too far, only sending some Middle Fifth Realm and Upper Fifth Realm cultivators."
"That is also good," Lin Yǎn nodded with a smile.
"Your Grace."
Wen Hào furrowed his brows and looked towards the north bank. "Lin Ruò is stationed to the north with fifty thousand armored soldiers of the Rock Army. Should we... go and see him? You haven't seen each other for several years."
"What is there to see?"
Lin Yǎn frowned, "That brat has grown wings and doesn't even listen to his grandfather's words anymore. If we meet, we will only end up arguing and parting on bad terms. Instead of me going to see him, it's better if he comes to see me when he finally understands. This Lin family's vast foundation, if not him, then who will inherit it? Should this old man guard it for another century?"
Wen Hào smiled, "It's hard for an honest official to judge family matters, so I won't interfere."
"Commander Wen."
Lin Yǎn looked at him and smiled meaningfully, "That person is in Snow Domain Heavenly Pond, and he might even personally appear today. Do you really not plan to see him? To clarify things?"
"How should I clarify?"
Wen Hào gritted his teeth, "He must have been thoroughly disappointed in me long ago. Even Xiao Jiǔ'er has returned to Snow Domain Heavenly Pond several times, yet I lack the courage to acknowledge her. Furthermore, the mistake has already been made. Even if I were to kneel and beg for forgiveness, would it be of any use? Wouldn't it just be humiliating myself and becoming a laughingstock?"
"Lin Xīngchǔ is Lin Zhāo's aunt. Lin Zhāo might come today. What do you plan to do, avoid him?"
"If he truly comes, I suppose I will have no choice but to avoid him."
"Alas, your temperament..."
Lin Yǎn sighed, "You need to temper yourself further. In terms of character, you, Shi Hú, are truly far inferior to Lin Zhāo. Perhaps if you hadn't followed Wen Shuòyáng back then, and hadn't trained in the youth camp, but had stayed with Lin Zhāo to cultivate, you wouldn't be like this now."
Wen Hào frowned, "If I had always followed behind him, I would have remained a mere follower. Is there any possibility of surpassing him in this lifetime?"
"..."
Lin Yǎn chuckled, "I'm getting old. I'll return to my tent for some tea. Commander Wen, please make yourself at home."
Wen Hào bowed his clasped hands and retreated.
Lin Yǎn turned and stepped into the large tent. The moment he turned, a flicker of disgust flashed in his eyes.
...
Noon.
A golden dragon boat descended from the sky. The officials knelt in welcome. Emperor Zhao Jǐnghéng had arrived.
After greeting the officials, Zhao Jǐnghéng returned to the dragon boat. Zhao Qǐyáng came to pay his respects to the Emperor. As soon as he sat down, he adopted an elder's demeanor and said with a smile, "Jǐnghé, although this is the first time we are enfeoffing the Washing Sword River's River God, it is not a monumental event. Do not be overly rigid or nervous. Simply read the imperial decree with Minister of Rites, Vice Minister Wáng, and proceed according to the rituals. Rest assured, Vice Minister Wáng will constantly guide you on what to do and what not to do."
"Mm."
Zhao Jǐnghéng nodded with a smile, "Actually, I only came to show my face. My Imperial Uncle has been planning and building this River God Shrine for a long time. He has truly labored tirelessly. Imperial Uncle has worked hard."
"It is not much hardship."
Zhao Qǐyáng picked a grape from the fruit plate and popped it into his mouth, smiling, "This human realm belongs to our Zhao family. Enfeoffing the Washing Sword River's River God is also for the longevity of the Zhao family's reign. What is a little hardship in comparison?"
Zhao Jǐnghéng nodded with a smile.
"Alright."
Zhao Qǐyáng stood up, patting his rather portly stomach, and said with a smile, "I will go and inspect if there are any unfinished matters. Jǐnghé, you may rest well on the boat. As the ruler of the nation, you do not need to personally attend to everything, nor do you need to expose yourself frequently. After all, this is the Northern Territory, very close to Mount Pán Yún of the Demon Race, where great demons reside."
"Yes, I respectfully see off Imperial Uncle!"
Zhao Jǐnghéng stood up and watched Zhao Qǐyáng depart.
Shortly after, a beautiful woman in palace attire and a blood-red robe entered the cabin. Zhao Jǐnghéng's face immediately lost its constrained expression, and he stepped forward with a smiling face, "Sister, you're back? I've asked the imperial chef to simmer some soup. You can have some later. You arrived yesterday, you must be tired too."
"Jǐnghé."
Zhao Shūtóng sat opposite the Emperor, her delicate brows furrowed. "At today's enfeoffment ceremony, you might truly get to see Lin Baiyī of Snow Domain Heavenly Pond as you wished. Moreover, there is a high probability that he is here this time to smash the River God Shrine we just built."
"Ah?"
Zhao Jǐnghéng frowned, then revealed a look of understanding. "Lin Xīngchǔ is his aunt. We disregarded righteousness and abandoned the missing Lin Xīngchǔ to enfeoff a new River God. It is natural for him to come forward and obstruct."
"Then what should we do?"
Zhao Shūtóng asked softly, "Have you considered how to deal with it if he truly comes?"
"I haven't considered it."
Zhao Jǐnghéng gritted his teeth, "But if my enfeoffment ceremony is destroyed by him, I will do so willingly and without regret!"
"..."
Zhao Shūtóng sighed. It was truly a tangled mess.
...
As night fell, drums and horns sounded in unison, and the area around the Washing Sword River's River God Shrine was as bright as day, exceptionally lively.
The civil and military officials bathed and fasted, while Emperor Zhao Jǐnghéng also changed into dragon robes. In his hands, he held a Longquán treasured sword recently crafted by imperial artisans. This sword would soon become the River God Sword for the new River God.
Shortly after, the enfeoffment ceremony began.
Amidst the sounds of drums and music, Zhao Jǐnghéng, accompanied by a Vice Minister of Rites, slowly ascended the enfeoffment platform. The platform had ninety-nine steps. Zhao Jǐnghéng paused for several seconds on each step. In the distance, drums rumbled, the officials knelt, and shouted praises of "Long live!" Although the sky appeared clear, there were many cultivators in the Star River Realm, even the Eleventh Realm, and even Twelfth Realm experts hidden in various corners.
When Zhao Jǐnghéng, holding the River God Sword, reached the top of the enfeoffment platform, the officials all rose. The Vice Minister of Rites unfurled a scroll containing the imperial decree. Directly in front, a blurry figure descended onto the enfeoffment platform. This was Chǔ Jùn, the Minister of Rites from a hundred years ago. His lingering spirit had been enshrined in his ancestral hall and had not dissipated for a century. Now, he had finally waited for an opportunity to achieve fruition.
He slowly knelt, trembling all over.
Zhao Jǐnghéng held the sword in his left hand and the imperial decree in his right, about to read it.
...
Just then, streaks of golden thunder rumbled faintly in the clouds to the north. Under a golden shroud, a sword cultivator in white robes and silver armor, carrying two long swords on his back, stepped on a fiery red sword light and descended from the north. He stopped in the air above the north bank, clasped his hands slightly, and his voice resounded across the land, saying in a deep tone, "Lin Zhāo, descendant of the Great Chen Dynasty, I dare to ask the Great Shang Dynasty: What is righteousness? What is the world?"
Zhao Jǐnghéng turned, his eyes blazing with fervor. He had truly come.
"Guards!"
Huang Qīngníng raised her palm and said sternly, "No one shall disrupt the enfeoffment ceremony!"
In the air, figures moved towards the north.
Lin Zhāo smiled slightly.
Behind him, with a "boom," a golden sword light shot up into the sky. A woman in snow-white robes, with one empty sleeve, her entire being exuding sword qi, stood beside Lin Zhāo. Before everyone's eyes, she broke through to the Twelfth Realm, becoming a Sword Immortal on the spot. The moment Xuán Zhī entered the Twelfth Realm, she was already considered a peak Twelfth Realm Sword Immortal!