51: Chapter 51 A Strong Start but a Weak End

"Whether he should be killed is not for you or me to decide."

"As the Palace Master of Tianxuan Palace in the Song State for the Xuan Sect, even if Liu Dafeng deserves ten thousand deaths, it should be reported to the Xuan Sect and handled by the Law Enforcement Hall."

"Instead of you, True Person Mo, holding a trial here yourself and even taking it upon yourself to use capital punishment."

Liu Yaozhong spoke with such righteousness, as if Zhao Mo truly were in the wrong.

However, when the commoners of the Song State's capital heard that Liu Dafeng was being executed, they broke into cheers.

This made Liu Yaozhong's expression turn extremely sour.

"A bunch of unruly mobs."

Just as Zhao Mo was about to speak, two more flying boats flew in from the distance.

Dozens of Disciples sat on each flying boat.

Before the flying boats even arrived, the people on board were shouting,

"Uncle Yaozhong, has that old king of the Song State been killed?"

"Can we become the royalty now?"

Zhao Mo said, "What?"

"Immortal Master Yaozhong, are you planning to destroy my Song State?"

The person on the flying boat spoke again, "Who are you? How dare you speak to Immortal Master Yaozhong like that?"

"The Zhao clan of the Song State has acted perversely, causing public outrage. They have long been loathed by the Xuan Sect. If we don't change the Dynasty now, when will we?"

Zhao Mo: "The Zhao clan acted perversely? Caused public outrage?"

"Who says? Who can prove it?"

The man replied, "I say so. Liu Dafeng, the Palace Master of Tianxuan Palace in the Song State for the Xuan Sect, can prove it."

Zhao Mo's Iron Shovel was the only answer he received.

"Then you can go find him and bring him back to prove it."

Seeing that the flying boat was about to be attacked by Zhao Mo, Liu Yaozhong finally made his move, unhurriedly.

"True Person Mo, that's enough."

"These are all Disciples at the Foundation Establishment and Qi Refining Stages."

"Scaring them is enough."

Zhao Mo gripped his Iron Shovel. Looking at the crowded masses below, he was somewhat hesitant; if he fought with Liu Yaozhong, the ordinary people below would likely suffer the same fate as those in Wang Town.

"Then what do you suggest we do about this?"

Liu Yaozhong glared at the people on the flying boat.

"Liu Dafeng was careless in his cultivation and died from Qi Deviation."

"The Palace Master of Tianxuan Palace in the Song State shall be nominated by True Person Mo. How does that sound?"

This Liu Yaozhong was truly a sly old fox. With just two simple sentences, he had washed his hands of Liu Dafeng.

At the same time, he gracefully handed over the position of Palace Master of Tianxuan Palace in the Song State.

In truth, both Zhao Mo and Liu Yaozhong knew that since the Song State now had a Golden Core True Person like Zhao Mo, he would never tolerate an outsider holding the position of Palace Master of Tianxuan Palace.

Rather than clashing with Zhao Mo later, it was better to use it as a bargaining chip now.

Tianxuan Palace controlled the cultivation resources of a nation, selected cultivation talents for the Xuan Sect, and supported the royal families of various kingdoms.

Its power was beyond imagination; otherwise, how could Liu Dafeng have harmed so many women in just one short year?

Zhao Mo said, "Fine, we'll do as Immortal Master Yaozhong suggests."

A potential catastrophe had ended in such an anticlimactic way.

Among them, the most shocked were Duke Wu Zhao Dun and Zhao Liner. Forced into marriage a few days ago, nearly beheaded this morning, and suddenly gaining a Golden Core True Person as a relative by noon—what kind of experience was that?

Was it thrilling? Was it a surprise?

"Greetings, Fifth Uncle, Fifth Grandfather..."

Zhao Mo watched the crowd kneeling below, his eyelids twitching. These were all his direct relatives, within three generations.

Although most of them were half-siblings.

Seated at the head, Zhao Qing's face was glowing with health, which Zhao Mo had helped restore using his mystic power after returning.

Otherwise, with the old man's physical condition, he would have passed away the moment he saw Zhao Mo.

Even so, Zhao Mo estimated that this cheap father of his only had one month of life left.

His vitality was depleted; even if a Great Luo Immortal arrived, they couldn't save the current Zhao Qing.

All Zhao Mo could do was ensure he passed away without pain.

Zhao Qing was ninety-eight years old. At such an advanced age, he had forgotten everything about Zhao Mo's childhood. When the two were together, the awkwardness was palpable.

"Ahem, I know my life is coming to an end."

"As the Qilin of our Zhao clan, the throne should have been passed to you, but you have already succeeded in your cultivation, and I doubt you would care for this throne."

"Besides you, I have thirty-five other sons. Excluding those who died young or passed away prematurely, ten are still alive."

"Furthermore, I have one hundred and seven grandchildren, and even more great-grandchildren. But I can't possibly pass the throne to a great-grandchild, can I? That would be ridiculous."

"Therefore, among these ten sons and one hundred and seven grandsons, which one is suitable to inherit the throne? You shall decide."

Zhao Mo looked at the old man.

If he hadn't seen that the man was on his deathbed, he would have really wanted to just walk away.

Who the throne went to was really up to the king's word; with Zhao Mo around, who would dare harbor other ideas?

What was the point of dragging him into this mess now?

In truth, Zhao Qing was also quite helpless. If he could live a bit longer, he might have had the chance to let Zhao Mo and the others get to know each other, but his body was failing.

It was also a blessing for the Great Song that Zhao Mo had actually achieved the Golden Core while he was still alive; if it had been a few years later, he feared this connection would have been even weaker.

The reason for letting Zhao Mo choose the successor was simply to ensure the new king clung tightly to Zhao Mo's support.

That night, a grand banquet was held in the palace.

They ate the hybrid spiritual rice Zhao Mo brought back and drank the diluted enlightenment spirit wine.

"Thank you, Fifth Uncle, for saving my life."

While most nephews and nieces were afraid to speak to Zhao Mo, Zhao Liner held her wine cup and toasted him with poise.

Someone who had walked the line between life and death truly had a different mindset.

"Don't mention it; we're all family."

"Come, sit."

The young girl, with her bright eyes, white teeth, and ponytail, left this 'old uncle' Zhao Mo with no defenses.

"I wouldn't dare sit with Fifth Uncle, or I'll be scolded when I get back."

"Fifth Uncle, let me pour you some wine."

The young girl busied herself, pouring wine for Zhao Mo one moment and serving him food the next.

But the Song State was, after all, just a secular Dynasty; no matter how good the food was, it couldn't tempt Zhao Mo's appetite.

After eating a little, Zhao Mo left the banquet.

As soon as Zhao Mo left, Zhao Liner followed close behind.

"Speak up. What is it you want from me?"

The young girl's attempts to please him with wine and food had made her intentions obvious to Zhao Mo.

"Fifth Uncle, please take me as your Disciple. I want to Cultivate."

Zhao Mo sighed; he knew it would be this.

"You are not suited for cultivation."

"Why?" Zhao Liner asked.

"Without a Spiritual Root, you cannot sense the Heaven and Earth Spiritual Qi. How can you Cultivate?" Zhao Mo said.

Within the Xuan Sect's domain, there were hundreds of human kingdoms and billions of people, yet those with Spiritual Roots were one in ten thousand.

If even someone like Zhao Mo, with a five-element mixed Spiritual Root, could enter the Xuan Sect to Cultivate, one could imagine how difficult it was for a Spiritual Root to manifest.

Seeing Zhao Liner's disappointed look, Zhao Mo casually tossed a book to her.

"I found this by chance in the Xuan Sect's Scripture Pavilion. I thought it was interesting, so I made a copy."

"Practicing this doesn't require Spiritual Qi. Try it out."

The moonlight shone on the book, and the words 'Body Refining Technique' were faintly visible.

For the following period, Zhao Mo stayed by Zhao Qing's side.

He rode the clouds and mist, taking the old man to wander everywhere.

On the sixth day of the first lunar month, Zhao Qing officially issued an imperial decree, titling Zhao Dun as the Prince of Wu Commandery.

Once the decree was issued, the successor of the Song State became clear.

Most importantly, no one in the entire royal clan dared to object.

After all, as long as one wasn't a fool, everyone knew why Zhao Dun was chosen; it was clearly Zhao Mo's intention.

Would you offend a Golden Core True Person with a lifespan of eight hundred years just for a throne?

On the first day of the second lunar month, Zhao Qing passed away peacefully.

The following day, Zhao Dun succeeded to the throne of the Song State, ensuring a smooth succession for the kingdom.

Only after burying Zhao Qing did Zhao Mo go to Tianxuan Palace to handle the Xuan Sect's affairs in the Song State.

Clang, clang, clang.

The Tianxuan Bell, which had not rung for a long time within Tianxuan Palace, resounded once more.

Xuan Sect Disciples from all over the Song State returned to Tianxuan Palace after hearing the sound.

"Hmm?"

"Who are you?"

"Do I know you?"

Zhao Mo asked, staring at a female Cultivator who was quietly backing away.