64: The Death of King Yan (Subscription Request)

Chapter 64: The Passing of the Prince of Yan (Seeking Subscriptions)

Can someone without a Spiritual Root really not Cultivate?

He did not ask this question out loud.

Zheng Yi lacked aptitude, unable to Cultivate.

Although he felt some regret, he was not discouraged.

He had the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror and Innate Yin and Yang Qi; even if he could not Cultivate, he could still reach the realm of longevity.

Even if it took a thousand or ten thousand years, he refused to believe he could not find a method to Cultivate without a Spiritual Root.

Furthermore...

There were still many secrets of the Yin Yang Treasure Mirror that he had not fully uncovered.

For instance, what kind of effect would there be after using ten strands of Pure Yin Qi to give birth to ten girls?

For another instance, what would happen after giving birth to a boy using Pure Yang Qi?

All of these were still waiting for him to explore.

Perhaps, the secret to letting him Cultivate without a Spiritual Root existed right among them!

And...

Yuechan of Nanyue County!

The Baiyue Clan of Nanyue County presented a woman named 'Yuechan', and this woman possessed Cultivation talent.

This talent... was it a Spiritual Root?

"Hoo..."

He let out a long breath, and with a thought, a Blood Moon Gu crawled out from his sleeve.

Zhao Xi Zheng beside him stared straight ahead, wanting it yet not daring to approach, and could only watch Zheng Yi longingly.

Zheng Yi said: "Old Celestial Master Zhao, the final question. If your answer satisfies Us, it will be yours!"

"Fine, ask away!"

"Where on earth is the current Cultivation World?"

Zheng Yi asked solemnly: "And where are Cultivators hiding?"

"The Cultivation World? Out across the ocean~"

Zhao Xi Zheng said indifferently: "More than three thousand years ago, the immortal path was severed. A portion of Cultivators stirred up a murderous tribulation to fight for the final resources, using the power of their peers to make up for their own consumption."

"After all, it is better for a Fellow Daoist to die than for this poor Taoist to suffer, hehehe."

"As for the other part, they brought their Disciples and followers, or set off alone, heading deep into the distant Endless Sea to find islands with Spiritual Qi for temporary residence."

"After a thousand years of development and searching, quite a few Cultivators finally found small islands with thin Spiritual Qi and settled down."

"Yu Country?"

"No, even further than Yu Country."

Zhao Xi Zheng said: "I heard that the group of Cultivators back then possessed flight techniques, yet they flew for a full three years. Your Majesty should not harbor vain thoughts of heading to the Cultivation World."

"The overseas Cultivation World is so far away, let alone this side."

"However, as far as I know, the surrounding environment of these small islands is exceptionally poor, and the Spiritual Qi is becoming increasingly thin. There are hardly any high-grade Cultivators, relying solely on low-grade Cultivators to maintain them."

"Low-grade Cultivators do not even dare to engage in spell battles outside, fearing that once their magic power is exhausted, there will be no Spiritual Qi to replenish it."

Zhao Xi Zheng tore off a chicken leg and said: "The overseas archipelagoes are somewhat better; some uninhabited small islands still harbor a few Spiritual Plants and Spirit Medicines, and it is even possible to find spirit sand."

"But it is hard to say for the mainland side; the Spiritual Qi is thin, and very few Cultivators exist."

"Even if there are any, most of them hide deep within uninhabited famous mountains and great rivers, cultivating in seclusion away from the world."

"Some of them hide within Formations established by their ancestors, barely clinging to life."

"Does the Old Celestial Master know Fire Spirit Master?"

"The Vice Master of Fuyou House, of course I know him. I heard from Zhao Su Ling that he participated in the rebellion and was repelled by Your Majesty?"

"Correct, what is this person's cultivation level?"

"Late Stage Qi Condensation; in today's Cultivation World, he can be considered a colossus on one side."

Zheng Yi suddenly asked: "Is Old Celestial Master Zhao a Cultivator?"

"Does this count as another question?"

"It doesn't, I'm just a bit curious."

Zheng Yi casually threw the Blood Moon Gu to Zhao Xi Zheng, causing him to catch it in a fluster and scramble.

"Old Celestial Master, We only have the sacrificial refining method for this Blood Moon Gu, not the control method, and it was refined using Our essential blood."

Zheng Yi said: "Once you get it, you had better watch it closely; otherwise, if it escapes, it will have nothing to do with Me."

Zhao Xi Zheng produced a strange jade bottle, put it away, and then said with satisfaction:

"Such a tiny spirit insect, how could this old Daoist let it run away?"

"I might as well tell you, this old Daoist am one hundred and fifty-seven years old this year, at the Late Stage of Qi Condensation."

Zhao Xi Zheng sighed with emotion: "In this life... Foundation Establishment is hopeless!"

Zheng Yi's eyes flashed as he said: "Why doesn't the Old Celestial Master descend the mountain to assist Us? We are willing to bestow the position of Imperial Preceptor upon you."

Zhao Xi Zheng rolled his eyes at him and said: "Don't, this old Daoist still wants to live a few more days."

"My Daoist sect loves tranquility and freedom the most."

"Descending the mountain to enter officialdom will inevitably taint one with mortal aura, which is disadvantageous to cultivation. Little Emperor, you should look for someone else."

Taking advantage of the situation, Zheng Yi said: "Then why doesn't the Old Celestial Master introduce a few Cultivators to enter the court as officials?"

"We imagine that after so many years, quite a few Cultivators must have grown tired of this kind of life. Why not come to Us? We guarantee them endless glory, wealth, and enjoyment!"

"Once one masters civil and military arts, they sell themselves to the Emperor's family!"

"We think no matter how aloof Cultivators are, they still need to eat, drink, shit, and enjoy themselves. As long as it exists in the mortal world, We can provide it. How about it?"

"This..."

Zhao Xi Zheng hesitated for a moment, but still shook his head and said: "This matter is inappropriate. Cultivators have different preferences and temperaments. In case they do something breaking the law and discipline, and harm Your Majesty..."

"Then please have the Old Celestial Master introduce some people with mild temperaments who are not good at fighting."

Zheng Yi pressed on: "As long as the Old Celestial Master can introduce even one, We are willing to gift a Blood Moon Gu in return!"

As for ordinary Blood Moon Gu, as long as he had infinite lifespan, he could refine them infinitely, which wasn't a big deal.

But if it could attract one or two Cultivators, that would still be a good thing.

Moreover, what he requested were people with mild temperaments, good Heart-Nature, and who were not adept at fighting, so they wouldn't cause big trouble.

Besides, according to what Zhao Xi Zheng said, the mainland Cultivation World today consisted entirely of low-grade Cultivators. Assuming Fire Spirit Master was already one of the outstanding figures among them, he was still defeated by Xu Mujun.

Right now, there were two Innate Realm Martial Artists in his palace, coupled with the existence of five strands of Pure Yin Qi, more Innate Realm Martial Artists were bound to appear in the later stage.

For instance, Zhao Su Ling.

Consort Duan Xu Qingluan!

Coupled with the advantage of gunpowder, even if Fire Spirit Master arrived in person by then, he would be made to suffer greatly!

"Blood Moon Gu..."

Old Celestial Master Zhao scratched his head and said: "What do I want so many Blood Moon Gu for... to fight crickets?"

"Forget it, forget it. I'll write letters to a few old friends to ask."

"However, whether they go or not is not something this old Daoist can control."

Zheng Yi immediately said: "Many thanks, Old Celestial Master."

"Regardless of whether this matter succeeds or not, We will consider it owing a favor to the Old Celestial Master."

"Whatever requests Taiyi Sect has, We will naturally agree."

"Forget it, this old Daoist still wants to have peace and quiet for a while~"

Zhao Xi Zheng shook his head, rejecting Zheng Yi's kind intentions.

"It is getting late, Your Majesty should descend the mountain."

Zheng Yi stood up, cupped his hands, and said: "Then I will trouble the Old Celestial Master. We shall take Our leave now."

"Don't be in such a rush to leave~"

The Old Celestial Master chuckled mischievously and said: "Stay a few more days and let me study your Blood Moon Gu properly."

"If this old Daoist is not mistaken, this Gu-refining technique should be a Legacy of the Fu You Sect."

"I wonder what method Your Majesty used to successfully sacrifice and refine it before even entering the Innate Realm."

"It's just that this worm is a bit strange; this old Daoist has never seen it before..."

"Worm?"

Zheng Yi immediately said: "This worm is the Moonlight Gu presented by the Baiyue Clan."

"Moonlight Gu, no wonder. Those Yue people in Nanyue County used to be insect servants dedicated to raising spirit insects for Fu You Sect Disciples. There are quite a few good things in their clan~"

The Old Celestial Master said: "You used essential blood to sacrifice and refine the Moonlight Gu, resulting in damaged Physique and thin Qi and blood. Even if you make up for it with precious medicines, you are too weak to absorb them."

"Over these next few days, this old Daoist will teach you some self-cultivation methods, which can also help you recover your Qi and blood."

Zheng Yi's heart stirred, and he immediately said: "Many thanks, Old Celestial Master. In that case, We shall stay in Taiyi Sect for a few more days."

Over the following days, Zheng Yi stayed behind in Taiyi Sect to discourse on the Dao with Old Celestial Master Zhao Xi Zheng.

Don't look at Old Celestial Master Zhao Xi Zheng as improper on the outside; he possessed astonishing insights into the path of the Dao.

Especially when it came to the methods of self-cultivation, he was even more proficient.

Even the Cultivation Technique he practiced himself, the Chaoyang Zixia Skill, was briefly explained to Zheng Yi by Old Celestial Master Zhao Xi Zheng.

The Chaoyang Zixia Skill was a true Cultivation Technique.

Getting up every day at the Yin hour (3-5 AM), taking advantage of the moment the great sun rose in the east to absorb a trace of purple Qi from the morning sun into the body, surging with pure Spiritual Qi, and then refining it into magic power to store within oneself.

The pity was that, according to old man Zhao Xi Zheng, even the Spiritual Qi on Daizong Mountain was extremely thin nowadays.

The purple Qi he absorbed every day could only be refined into a tiny trace, which was better than nothing.

If it was like this even on Daizong Mountain, let alone other places.

In the mortal world, it was hard for Spiritual Qi to be generated.

Let alone the capital, which was heavily laden with mortal vulgarity; there was almost not a trace of Spiritual Qi there, and very few Cultivators went to live there.

Even so, Zheng Yi watched as Zhao Xi Zheng wrote three letters, handing them to the Taiyi Sect Disciples and Jinyi Guard. In groups of five, they escorted these three letters to various places in Great Yu.

These three letters represented the secluded residences of three Cultivators!

During these few days, Zheng Yi also asked a question.

Within Taiyi Sect, besides Zhao Xi Zheng, were there any other Cultivators?

"Other Cultivators? Of course there are."

Zhao Xi Zheng shrugged and said: "How could my Chaoyang Zixia Skill ever have its Legacy broken? I have long since found a suitable Disciple within Taiyi Sect to pass it down to."

As for who it was, Zheng Yi couldn't get it out of him no matter how hard he asked.

Left with no other choice, after residing there for half a month, he packed up and returned home.

After the large group descended Daizong Mountain, Zheng Yi ran into the Jinyi Guard who had been waiting anxiously for several days.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

This Jinyi Guard looked extremely nervous, and upon seeing Zheng Yi, immediately knelt on the ground.

"What is the matter?"

"Replying to Your Majesty..."

Holding his breath, this Jinyi Guard said word by word: "The Prince of Yan was assassinated by an assassin and has passed away!"

"What?!"

Zheng Yi was shocked in his heart and immediately said: "Return to the palace at maximum speed!"

"Understood!"

The Prince of Yan was dead?

"Did Chen Liancang and Little Gui Zi do this?"

"Doesn't that mean... the Prince of Yan truly harbors rebellious intentions!"

"This matter must be thoroughly clarified with Chen Liancang and the others!"

"..."

Time rewinds to a month ago.

Yan City.

This was the place where the Prince of Yan resided, and also the dwelling in Youzhou of the northern border.

As the sky was just brightening, the gates of Yan City were wide open. Seven figures blended into the crowd like fish and sneaked into Youzhou.

The travel permits in their hands had no issues at all, so the on-duty city gate guard paid them no mind.

After entering the city, the seven quickly gathered at the Yuelai Inn in the northern part of the city.

"This subordinate pays respects to Father-in-law Gui, Lord Ding!"

Father-in-law Gui was Little Gui Zi.

As for Lord Ding, he was a Commander of the Jinyi Guard named Ding Chang, a Second Grade Realm Martial Artist.

He was an old acquaintance of Father-in-law Gui, and was specially transferred for this mission.

"I don't wish to say any superfluous words. Just remember, once this mission is completed, you will be people of my Eastern Depot!"

"Glory and wealth, gold and jade, pretty women—whatever you want, I will give it to you. Do you understand?"

"Understood!"

"We subordinates will certainly give our all!"

The four knelt down and immediately expressed their loyalty.

"Very good. Lord Ding, leave the rest of the matters to you."

Father-in-law Gui patted Ding Chang on the shoulder, and Ding Chang immediately straightened his body.

"Everyone, this mission is to investigate the rebellion of the Prince of Yan!"

As soon as those words fell, the expressions of the four all changed, immediately followed by wild joy.

A vassal king rebelling!

This was a major case indeed.

Once confirmed, their rewards would definitely not be few.

Glory and wealth were within easy reach!

They immediately said with excitement, "Head Ding, give your orders. All the brothers will listen to you!"

"Right, right, right, Head Ding, the brothers trust you!"

"What should we do first?"

Ding Chang nodded in satisfaction. Doing this was also to build up some favorable impression and display his strength in front of Father-in-law Gui.

He heard that Your Majesty was going to establish the Eastern Depot, which would hold immense power. If he had the opportunity...

"Cough, cough, cough..."

He dry-coughed a few times and immediately said, "Dongzi, go wander around places like the grain shops and butcher shops in Yan City, and see if the salt prices, grain prices, and meat prices in Yan City have gone up."

"Understood, Head Ding!"

"Xiaocheng, go check the blacksmith shops and see if ironware prices have risen."

"No problem!"

If the Prince of Yan truly wanted to rebel, he would inevitably have to gather provisions and military equipment.

These few things would certainly rise in price along with their procurement.

By only checking these places, they could ascertain from the side whether there were any movements of massive material flows under the command of the Prince of Yan.

"Chen Feng, you are the most handsome among us few. Go check out the brothels~"

"Hehehe..."

The pretty boy named Chen Feng chuckled and said, "Rest assured, Head Ding, I, your brother, will definitely handle this matter splendidly~!"

"Zhang Chao, go check the military horses in the city and report any matters at any time!"

"Move out!"

"Understood!"

The several people got up, bowed to Little Gui Zi one by one, and then walked out in quick strides.

After they left, Little Gui Zi turned back and respectfully said, "Old Ancestor, this matter has already been arranged. Look..."

In the darkness, the figure of Chen Liancang slowly appeared with an indifferent gaze.

"Well done. These few people are also capable men."

"Hehehe... Of course. These people were carefully selected by this villain, and they will be the backbone of the Eastern Depot in the future."

"Mn."

Chen Liancang nodded slowly and said, "Let them investigate clearly first. Leave the rest of the matters to me."

"Understood!"

The several people were capable personnel in the Jinyi Guard, and they quickly disguised themselves, hid their identities, and sneaked into Yan City.

Yan City's grain prices, salt prices, meat prices, iron prices, and so on were easily investigated clearly by them.

In these past few days, a piece of news also circulated in Yan City.

A nouveau riche came to Qianle Workshop, the largest brothel in Yan City. Throwing away a thousand gold pieces, he reserved three top courtesans of Qianle Workshop for three days, splashing out a thousand taels of silver. It was unknown how many people envied him.

Three days later, the several people returned to the Yuelai Inn once more, their expressions all extremely excited.

Dongzi took the lead and said, "Head Ding, the two Fathers-in-law, it has been investigated clearly."

"Half a year ago, the grain price in Yan City was still four hundred wen per dan. However, afterwards, the price suddenly skyrocketed to seven hundred wen, eight hundred wen, and now it has risen to fifteen hundred wen per dan, quadrupling fully!"

"The salt price is even more so. Official salt is three hundred wen per jin, but not many people buy it."

"The price of illicit salt went straight up to eight hundred wen per jin, and it's all sea salt of the lowest quality..."

Ding Chang nodded. "Xiaocheng, what about you?"

Xiaocheng also said, "Head Ding, there is no meat!"

"No meat... What do you mean?"

"I walked through all seventy-one large and small streets of Yan City, yet I didn't see a single person selling meat!"

"Yesterday morning, I deliberately squatted at the North Gate and discovered that the mountain folks and hunters entering the city to sell mountain goods were all blocked outside the city. All the meat they hunted was bought up by the garrison troops of Yan City."

"Meat has actually been consumed in such massive amounts?"

Little Gui Zi was also surprised and hurriedly asked, "What about other intelligence?"

Chen Feng took the lead in saying, "Reporting to Father-in-law, this subordinate learned from the mouths of several top courtesans in Qianle Workshop over these past few days that they have received quite a few external soldiers and generals in the past half year."

"I heard there was also a batch of suspicious-looking big men. Crawling on top of them was just like wild dogs seeing meat, wriggling all night long."

"All night..."

"Rebels!"

"They must be rebels! Only these mud-legged fellows who never see women all day long would visit brothels like this!"

"The Prince of Yan actually colluded with rebels?"

"Not necessarily, perhaps it is to utilize the rebels!"

At this time, Zhang Chao also said, "Head Ding, the two Fathers-in-law, this subordinate also has a discovery here."

"Oh, what discovery?"

"Military camps!"

Zhang Chao said, "This subordinate disguised as a nightsoil collector and discovered that in the valley thirty miles outside the north of the city, more than thirty military camps have popped up, housing at least over fifty thousand people!"

"The Prince of Yan... is truly planning a rebellion!"

"This, this is monumental intelligence!"

"What should the likes of us do?"

"Head Ding?"

"Father-in-law Gui?"

The tones of the four all became hurried, their gazes burning.

"Father-in-law Gui, this..."

Head Ding also looked at Little Gui Zi with a mix of fear and excitement.

What excited him was discovering the major case of a vassal king's rebellion, but what frightened him was that once this matter was leaked out, it would be a colossal case!

Little Gui Zi's mouth was also a bit dry. Just as he wanted to say something, Chen Liancang stood up.

"The few of you have investigated enough. Pack your luggage, leave the city in batches, and wait for me at Laoya Ridge fifteen miles south of the city."

"Old Ancestor, what are you..."

Chen Liancang said indifferently, "I will personally sneak into the Prince of Yan's Estate to check. You all leave quickly."

"Tomorrow at noon, I will naturally go find you."

"If I have not arrived by noon, you are to quickly return to the capital, understand?"

"Understood!"

The several people departed one after another, disguised themselves, and walked out of Yan City in batches.

As for Chen Liancang, taking advantage of the night, he sneaked into the Prince of Yan's Estate!

The Prince of Yan's Estate was located in the south of Yan City, covering an extremely large area with clusters of halls and guards like rain.

Even so, it could not stop Chen Liancang, who was an Innate Realm Martial Artist!

His figure wandered inside the Prince of Yan's Estate like a ghost, yet not a single person detected his form.

"Inside the Prince of Yan's Estate, there are no Innate Realm Martial Artists."

"First Grade Realm Martial Artists, one, two... five, six of them!"

"The Prince of Yan has actually roped in six First Grade Realm Martial Artists?"

"What a pity..."

His figure was swift. Soon he discovered the figure of the Prince of Yan, who was actually discussing troop deployments and matters of contacting rebels with his advisors.

Chen Liancang did not act impulsively. Instead, after the early hours of the morning, taking advantage of the Prince of Yan's deep slumber, he quietly sneaked in.

After verifying his true identity, he killed him with a single blow!

Tonight, throughout the entire Prince of Yan's Estate, not a single person knew about the assassination of the Prince of Yan.

After finishing all this, Chen Liancang floated out of the city. Just as the sky was brightening, he had already rushed to Laoya Ridge where he had arranged to meet Little Gui Zi, Ding Chang, and the others.

"Old Ancestor!"

"Father-in-law?"

Seeing Chen Liancang appear, the several people hurriedly walked out.

Chen Liancang nodded and said, "It's nothing. I have already obtained the evidence of the Prince of Yan's rebellion. Let's return to the capital."

"Understood!"

The several people turned back to pack their luggage, only Little Gui Zi had a somewhat strange look in his eyes: "Old Ancestor, wasn't Your Majesty's order that after investigating the rebellion of the Prince of Yan, we should..."

"Puff!"

Before his words finished falling, he saw Chen Liancang's figure swoop toward Ding Chang and the others like a ghost.

Ghostly palms filled the sky, immediately shrouding Ding Chang and the others within them. With a few miserable screams, they perished one after another.

"Father-in-law, why?!"

"The likes of us..."

"Run quickly..."

"Ah!"

A few breaths later, all five were killed, leaving only Little Gui Zi, whose entire body was violently shaking.

"Old... Old Ancestor, wh-why kill them?"

"They were working for Your Majesty after all..."

"The Prince of Yan rebelled, yet Your Majesty gave the order to assassinate him. Once this matter spreads, it will be extremely disadvantageous to Your Majesty."

Chen Liancang said indifferently, "Thinking for Your Majesty, I can only send them on their way."

"Th-Then what about me..."

"Close your eyes. I will use a bit of strength and won't let you feel any pain."

"No...!"

Little Gui Zi suddenly roared, "I am utterly loyal to Your Majesty! Your Majesty would never kill me!"

"What you said is not wrong. Your Majesty did not order these few people to be killed."

Chen Liancang said without hesitation, "Killing you all is my own idea."

"Considering your loyalty to Your Majesty, I will take good care of your family. Rest in peace on your journey."

As soon as his voice fell, Chen Liancang floated forward like a ghost.

"No..."

"Puff!"