Ming Dynasty: Emperor Wanshou is cultivating immortality!

Chapter 336: Suzaku Ancient Dynasty, Invitation from Ming Palace, Face-to-face Showdown
Daming, Yuxi Palace, Main Hall.

"Master, there have been a lot of rumors among the officials these days..." As Chen Hong spoke, he raised his eyelids, glanced at Jiajing cautiously and said.

Well, Lü Fang was imprisoned in the Qiankun Mirror, and all the kings were placed under house arrest in their respective palaces. Lü Fang's godsons, such as Feng Bao, Yang Jinshui, and Huang Jin, were also detained.

At this time, among the four eunuchs of Silijian, only Shi San and Chen Hong were left to take charge of important affairs.

However, Shi San never interfered in government affairs. He was only responsible for the logistics of the imperial palace and the Western Garden, as well as Jiajing's daily expenses. Therefore, the power of the Silijian naturally fell on Chen Hong.

If the Ming Dynasty had not yet started the interstellar war in the outer universe, given Chen Hong's growth and experience over the years with Chan Shuang, he would certainly not have done anything small.

They will not even think about fighting for power and profit.

But now times have changed, and high-ranking eunuchs like them in the Imperial Household Department are allowed to have their own offspring.

For the sake of their descendants and their families, they will fight for it no matter what is said.

Therefore, seeing that Lu Fang fell from power for unknown reasons and himself was supported to take over, Chen Hong felt that he must take advantage of this opportunity to do something for himself and his descendants.

As for replacing Lu Fang and becoming the master's most intimate servant, Chen Hong was very clear about this.

He knew in his heart that in the entire Ming Dynasty, no eunuch could replace Lu Fang's position in his master's heart.

All he could do was to take advantage of this brief opportunity of being in power to quickly gain as much interest as possible for himself.

Yes, that’s right. In Chen Hong’s view, he is only in power for a short time, and Lu Fang will come back sooner or later.

"What did you say?" Jiajing, who was sitting on the Taoist platform meditating, asked indifferently without even raising his eyelids.

"My Lord, there are rumors that Eunuch Lu has joined forces with the other kings to plot rebellion..." Chen Hong said, his tone becoming more cautious. Seeing that his master did not respond, he continued:
"There are quite a few officials in the six ministries who spread gossip."

"So in your opinion, what should we do?" This time, Jiajing raised his eyes and stared at Chen Hong with calm eyes.

"My Lord," Chen Hong bowed and said, "I think that these people are discussing the prince privately, and there is nothing wrong with the world. It is precisely because of these people's gossip, gossip, and slander of the court that people are in panic. They should be severely punished!"

When Chen Hong spoke, he didn't dare to look up. In fact, he had some thoughts in his mind and he was afraid of being seen through.

Why did he take action against the people of the six ministries? He needed to send a signal to the outside world through this incident, a signal that he, Chen Hong, was in power and he should quickly curry favor with me.

Only in this way could he take advantage of this opportunity to plant some of his own forces in certain places and pave the way for his family.

Of course, there are indeed some officials in the court who are not good at talking and talk too much in private gatherings. However, these things can be big or small, and the key lies in whether the higher-ups are willing to investigate.

It just so happened that Chen Hong wanted to do something for himself, so these recorded gossips would come in handy.

"In that case, then you can handle it yourself." Jiajing said casually.

How could Jiajing not see that Chen Hong wanted to take this opportunity to do something to gain some benefits for himself?

However, this didn't matter to Jiajing.

In the present Ming Dynasty, especially the high-ranking officials, as they do not waste resources on cultivation and their families are growing stronger, they have begun to become slack. This kind of mentality is unacceptable.

It is also necessary to let Chen Hong, this vicious dog, go out and bite people to warn these officials.

He believed that Chen Hong knew what he was doing and would not act recklessly.

The key point is that Chen Hong's move can effectively sound a warning to all officials. After all, if Chen Hong's actions did not benefit himself, he would not dare to do so.

In this way, these officials will know that Chen Hong’s actions are a warning to them.

"Yes, I will definitely find out those who gossip and purge the court and the country." After getting Jiajing's approval, Chen Hong was overjoyed.

After Chen Hong retreated, Jiajing slowly closed his eyes and his consciousness came to the plateau.

"Disciple greets Master, may Master be in good health." After seeing Jiajing, Xu Shixing immediately knelt down and saluted.

Well, as Jiajing’s most trusted disciple, Xu Shixing naturally knew Jiajing’s true identity a long time ago.

He had come into contact with Lu Fang several times, so naturally he was aware of all aspects of the palace's interests.

"Be flat."

After taking a look at Xu Shixing's cultivation level, which had now reached the middle stage of the Golden Elixir, Jiajing showed approval in his eyes.

After all, he had already replaced Xu Shixing's destiny with a better one, and also placed his destiny on the plateau.

With the continuous feedback of his cultivation and Xu Shixing's own hard work, he naturally made a breakthrough.

Today, he can be said to be the leader of the entire Daming Immortal Sect, and his cultivation has reached the true first-tier level.

Of course, the other disciples are also about to reach the Golden Core stage.

As for people like Song Xinchai, if the world of immortal cultivation had not been plunged into war, he would have probably already gone into seclusion to strive for the Nascent Soul stage.

"Master, the three overlord-level giant forces behind the Purple Sun Sect, Zhenwu Heaven, and Lingxiao Sect that attacked our sect have joined forces to put pressure on the White Horse Academy and demanded that the Li family of the academy be handed over."

After Xu Shixing stood up, he saw Jiajing walking on the plateau, and immediately followed him to report the situation in the world of immortal cultivation.

"Hand over the Li family?" After hearing Xu Shixing's report, Jiajing was only slightly surprised and shook his head and said, "It seems that these overlord-level giant forces are determined to go to war with the academy."

"Master, what you said is correct," Xu Shishi nodded, and then echoed: "In fact, even if they demanded that Li Changqing be handed over, I don't think the academy would agree."

"After all, everyone knows that these three dominant giant forces want to force the academy to take action."

"For the academy, there is no difference between handing over Li Changqing and handing over the entire Li family."

"The current cultivation world in the southern continent is just a few dominant giants fighting each other, but they are just small fights. You take my city and I destroy your sect."

"No household has really been hurt."

"Now everyone is waiting for a force to take the lead in attacking the academy, and then everyone will rush in..."

"I think it will be in these few days!" After saying that, Xu Shixing paused and said to Jiajing, "Master, the situation in the Great Wilderness has also changed. Many families want to merge into the Dugu family."

"There are also many independent cultivators who openly create their own forces."

"Disciple would like to ask Master for your advice, whether our Great Ming Immortal Sect should also appropriately expand its territory?" Xu Shixing looked at Jiajing.

Hearing this, Jiajing paused for a moment, glanced at his eldest disciple, and said with a slightly relaxed expression:

"Tell me what you think."

"Yes," Xu Shixing knew that his master was going to test him again, so he took a deep breath and said, "Disciple believes that our Great Ming Immortal Sect should take this opportunity to unify the surrounding areas of Sifang City."

Xu Shixing first expressed his point of view, then paused, and then began to explain.

"I believe that this war that has engulfed the entire world of immortal cultivation has only burned the world of Arcturus, and has not even reached the surrounding star group worlds."

"Not to mention, looking at the entire world of cultivation."

"Once this war really begins, the White Horse Academy will inevitably be attacked by the overlord-level giant forces in the Central Plains. It is still unknown who will be the winner in the end." "But for large sects like us, this is the time to take advantage of it to expand our territory and gather resources!"

"After all, there is no need for us to participate in the high-level battlefield. Once this war is over and the power of the entire Xiuxian world is reshuffled, all order will be rebuilt."

"By then, the dust will have settled. With the presence of a Mahayana cultivator like you, our Master, the resources we have seized during the war will not be easily taken away in the future."

"Considering that you are a Mahayana cultivator, the overlord who wins in the end will definitely not turn against you, and may even try to win you over."

"So, I think this is an opportunity!"

It has to be said that Xu Shixing has made great progress in recent years. He has a broad strategic vision and a mature grasp of opportunities.

"If you want, just go for it." Jiajing said, patting his eldest disciple on the shoulder.

Since his disciple was so motivated and wanted to expand the territory, Jiajing was happy to give him this opportunity to train.

After all, by the time the flames of war spread throughout the world of immortal cultivation and the innate weapons swept across the entire world of immortal cultivation, it would probably take a very long time before everything settled.

It would also be beneficial to let Xu Shixing and several other disciples take this opportunity to be baptized by war.

"Yes, disciple, I will obey your command!" Xu Shixing's eyes flashed with excitement at the thought of leading the entire sect to expand its territory.

"Buzz." At this moment, the photo stone in Xu Shixing's arms suddenly made a buzzing sound.

Xu Shixing was puzzled. He took out the photo stone and looked at it. Then he looked at Jiajing and said, "Second Junior Brother sent a message saying that Li Changqing wants to see Master. He also said that he is representing the Suzaku Dynasty and the Ming Palace invited him."

"The time is set for three days from now, and the location is Mingque Lane, Baidi Market, Youzhou."

On behalf of the Suzaku Dynasty, the Ming Palace invited you?

After hearing Xu Shixing's words, Jiajing thought about it for a moment and then suddenly realized.

"It seems that the third son of the Li family, who claims to be in control of everything, has already known that I am not from the Ming Palace. Otherwise, he would not have said that he invited me on behalf of the Ming Palace."

Thinking of this, Jiajing did not refuse, but said to Xu Shixing: "Let Fengsheng reply to him, I will be there on time in three days."

"Yes." Xu Shixing immediately replied to Feng Sheng.

"Master, Li Changqing is from the academy after all. You'd better be careful to avoid being tied up by him and taken to the battlefield." Xu Shixing said again.

……

The world of immortal cultivation, Youzhou.

In the Baidi Market, Mingque Lane, in the secret place of the Ming Palace, on the top floor of the town’s attic.

"Buzz." As a faint light flashed through the storage ring on his hand, Li Changqing, who was drinking tea, raised his eyes and looked across at Princess Fuguang, who had been looking out the window in a trance. He said:
"Princess, Mr. Zhu Cong agreed."

"It seems that he has no psychological burden about deceiving you. Not only that, this Mr. Zhu Cong, borrowing the banner of my Ming Palace, dared to keep the appointment..." As he spoke, Fu Guang's eyes flashed with curiosity, and said:

"He's an interesting guy."

"I hope he won't let the princess down." Li Changqing now lowered his posture very low, looking like a loyal subject.

"I heard that," Princess Fuguang smiled noncommittally at Li Changqing's words, and then changed the subject and said, "The three overlord-level giant forces under your Li family are now putting pressure on the entire academy, demanding the handover of the entire Li family."

"What do you think about this, Mr. Li?"

As Princess Fuguang spoke, her bright eyes sparkled with curiosity.

Well, she was simply curious. She didn't care about the affairs of this world at all. The reason why she stayed here was mainly to wait for the order from the palace.

Although the Ming Palace has already achieved what it wants in this world, anyone with a discerning eye can see that the center of the next war in the entire world of immortal cultivation will inevitably start from Arcturus.

In the future, the entire world of immortal cultivation may be engulfed in war, and the Ming Palace and even the entire Suzaku Dynasty may not be spared.

Since they cannot be spared and know that they will be involved in this war sooner or later, they can at least decide to seize the initiative in this war and take the opportunity to get a piece of the pie.

With Li Changqing as an insider in the academy, it would be much easier for the Ming Palace to gain benefits.

As for the request to meet this so-called Mr. "Zhu Cong" who took advantage of the power of the Ming Palace to make money, there are two reasons.

First of all, the other party did make her curious.

After all, it takes no more than a hundred years for a mortal to cultivate to the Mahayana stage, so this person must have a heaven-defying opportunity.

Secondly, he is at least a fighter in the Mahayana period.

The cultivator in the Mahayana stage has now stood at the top of the entire world of immortal cultivation. Not to mention his Mingwang Palace, even the entire Suzaku Dynasty cannot ignore such a powerful cultivator.

After all, the number of ministers and cultivators in the entire Ming Palace is less than the number of their hands.

More than half of them who were in the Mahayana stage had already gone to a starry world outside the domain to go into seclusion in preparation for ascending to the fairyland.

At least half of the remaining Mahayana cultivators must stay behind to guard the entire palace and retain their strength.

In other words, in the entire Mingwang Palace, there are only two or three Mahayana monks who can be mobilized and used as combat forces to participate in the war.

If the war engulfs the entire world of immortal cultivation, then these two or three Mahayana cultivators will have to be separated and used.

If we can win over Mr. Zhu Cong, he will play a decisive role in this war.

After all, if a Mahayana cultivator joins the war, unless the other side uses the combat power of the Immortal level, one Mahayana cultivator is enough to influence the victory of a local war.

"From the moment I decided to join the Suzaku Dynasty, the academy and the entire Li family have nothing to do with me." Li Changqing spoke in a very calm tone and his expression was even more calm.

The atmosphere fell silent for a moment.

Princess Fuguang stared at Li Changqing for a moment, then smiled and said, "Mr. Li, you are truly a pure person."

"Pure, not like someone from a Confucian or Taoist family, more like a businessman who weighs the pros and cons. He places great importance on profit. He is even willing to give up everything for the sake of profit."

"Thank you, Princess." Li Changqing calmly accepted Princess Fuguang's words, which seemed to be a compliment but were actually sarcasm.

Three days passed quickly, and Jiajing arrived at Baidi Market and Mingque Lane on time to keep his appointment.

"Om."

In the alley, the barrier was rippled, and Li Changqing, dressed in green and holding a black cat, appeared.

"Sir, long time no see." Li Changqing, who looked bookish, had a warm smile on his face.

When he saw Jiajing, he was even more calm, without any sign of anger at being deceived.

"..."

(End of this chapter)