As an official, what's wrong with raising a few monsters?

Chapter 400 is not good!
Just as Mingchen reached out and took the bell...

The old man and Mingchen exchanged a glance, and time seemed to stand still at that moment.

The confrontation began in that instant.

The bell trembled slightly, and a terrifying burst of energy erupted.

Unknown magical ripples flowed within the bell, and the energy gradually spread.

However, all the power was controlled perfectly. The power that could destroy an entire state, the power that could move mountains and fill seas, was precisely contained within the palm of his hand, without spreading out at all.

The two seemed to be peacefully exchanging items, as if nothing had happened.

In reality, the covert struggle has already begun.

If you look closely, there is a vacuum between the two of them, the space ripples and the air is sucked away, even the wind has stopped, and fallen leaves that fall between the two turn into fine ash and are scattered by the wind.

Wang Huai's power is the power of resistance; even gods and Buddhas, he dares to raise his head and wield his sword.

Wang Huai's method is a method that can erase all power.

Before Wang Huai, all beings are equal.

Therefore, earlier on the sea, with the help of Wang Huai's magic, Mingchen was able to erase the curse mark that Buddha left on Yu Xia.

The gift from his elder brother before he left gave Mingchen the confidence to face an even more formidable opponent.

Just like now, before accepting gifts from strangers, Mingchen first borrowed Wang Huai's magic.

The old man seemed to be handing over a lit lighter, while Mingchen reached out and expressionlessly extinguished the flame, then slipped the lighter into his pocket.

Both of them had smiles on their faces, seemingly unconcerned about what had happened, as if it were all perfectly normal.

Fuyao seemed to sense something and glared angrily at the old man.

A flash of light appeared in his eyes, and a raging fire appeared out of thin air, trying to burn the old man's Taoist robe.

Mingchen did not stop Fuyao's actions.

This is not considered overstepping the bounds.

A give-and-take approach is what makes it fair.

However, Xuan Yuan did nothing; with a casual glance, he dispelled the phoenix's inextinguishable flames.

Fuyao didn't hold back this time. Although the scene didn't seem as grand and magnificent as the one in front of the execution platform, the magic and energy contained in this small flame were not to be underestimated.

Even so, Xuan Yuan didn't even lift a finger, annihilating it without a trace.

Mingchen proved his strength, and Xuanyuan also proved his rank to Mingchen.

Having taken the bell, the two sides had already engaged in a subtle battle of wits.

"Ding Ding~"

With a soft ringing of a bell, the first round of tentative contact seemed to come to a halt.

Mingchen smiled at Xuanyuan and said, "Thank you, Immortal Elder."

Xuanli lowered his eyebrows and smiled gently, his face full of kindness: "This is what you deserve, there's nothing to thank me for. This item would have just been gathering dust in my hands. Giving it to you is a kind of karmic connection between us."

A bell in exchange for a test—this is indeed what Mingchen deserves.

The power that Xuanli set within the bell was enough to destroy an entire province, turning it into dust.

Those who break the rules deserve more challenges.

If Mingchen couldn't withstand it, then he was too weak and didn't have the right to speak with Xuan Yuan on equal terms.

Once you're dead, you're dead.

The previous indulgence and recklessness came to an end.

Arrogance will ultimately lead to self-destruction.

Mingchen blocked it, which means that his rise to power is unstoppable and that he also has the power to create rules.

That's just how the world is; the road ahead is fraught with difficulties and is bound to encounter countless obstacles and exclusions.

However, once you've risen to the top and are on the same level as everyone else, everything becomes clear.

Mingchen has proven himself, so we should make room for him and give him respect.

The bell naturally belonged to him.

The higher a person rises in rank, the more leeway they will be given by those below, ensuring they don't push themselves to the brink.

Do Mingchen and Xuanyuan have a direct conflict?
At least not on the surface.

Until we are certain of eliminating the other party, we are all friends.

"Ah."

They fought a round of covert battles.

Both sides maintained a warm smile and proper demeanor.

This is also the rule of the game in a high-energy field.

Saving face is more important than life; even if you break your teeth, you have to swallow it.

Mingchen played with the bell in his hand and chuckled softly.

Judging from the person's character, it's highly unlikely they'll use any tricks on the bell; however, the bell might actually be useful to Ling Yu.

However, he couldn't just give this thing to Ling Yu to wear.

He planned to go home and have the old tree check on the situation.

He's come this far, and now he needs an old tree to expose his secrets.

The two sat facing each other again, feeling the cool breeze on their faces and admiring the beautiful scenery.

The atmosphere between the two sides became stagnant, and neither wanted to speak.

I don't know how much time passed, but the tea gradually cooled down.

Xuan Yuan looked down at Ming Chen and asked, "Master, is this place beautiful?"

It's unclear whether he was asking about the scenery before him or about the more distant and ethereal world beyond.

Mingchen smiled and simply said, "How beautiful! The world is magnificent, heroes vie for supremacy, how beautiful!"

"The lay Buddhist has already established an immortal reputation and made earth-shattering achievements, which can be recorded in history and passed down to the world."

Xuan Yuan remained calm, as if he were a recluse observing the chaotic world, and asked Ming Chen, "What does the recluse desire? What does he wish to do?"

This is the main purpose of this meeting.

He came to probe Mingchen's purpose and bottom line, hoping to reach a compromise and reconciliation on common ground.

Sending a bell?
That was just an excuse to test the waters, a pretext for meeting.

They are not related by blood, and there is even a hint of mutual hostility between them. Who would be so kind as to send a gift?

Mingchen looked at the man with great interest: "What do you want? What do you want to do?"

Sure enough, this was the person Mingchen had been waiting to communicate with all this time.

Mingchen's current energy level is already somewhat beyond the norm.

The pieces that Bei Lie left behind could not deal with him.

If he is allowed to act arbitrarily, this huge chessboard will become a one-man show for Mingchen, and this history will be monopolized by Mingchen alone.

The script was ruined.

Therefore, the person who weaves destiny behind the scenes needs to have a conversation with Mingchen. The world is in chaos, the people are suffering, soldiers are fighting bravely on the battlefield, while the common people are displaced and living in misery.

Their fate was in the hands of the ruler and the officials.

The clash of wills between the rulers sparked a war that swept the land.

Going further up the hierarchy, behind the monarch, there might also be someone secretly manipulating and guiding destiny.

Turn the world's affairs into a script.

Soldiers must fight to the death, and the people must pray... Only by fighting to the death can one gain benefits.

But the higher you go, the less people at the top can afford to lose.

The soldiers and civilians lost, perhaps only losing their lives, leaving no trace in the vast historical record.

If the ruler loses, the country perishes.

If those at a higher level lose, it might lead to a tragedy where the world is turned upside down, faith collapses, and humanity is destroyed.

If you can't afford to lose, then you need to communicate.

When unforeseen circumstances arise, negotiation, concessions, and the proper allocation and control of all matters must be undertaken to keep everything within acceptable limits.

To avoid investing more resources and causing greater disasters and disputes, to the point that there is no way to recover or turn back.

Now, Mingchen is that variable.

He has stepped out of the chessboard, becoming unpredictable and uncontrollable.

What is he thinking? What does he want...?

All of this requires communication and balancing.

Both sides make certain concessions to reach a consensus on their objectives in order to resolve the dispute.

Now, Xuan Yuan appeared before Ming Chen to address this question.

It seems that the stalemate between Bei Lie and Qian Yuan continues.

In fact, this dialogue essentially determined the final outcome for both countries.

Mingchen smiled at him and said, "I want to be an official, bully men and women, be a little greedy, and have everyone fawn over me and give me gifts to curry favor."

Never forget our original aspiration!

Xuanyuan:?
That's it?

That's it?

Why don't you take a look at what you've done?
Did they grind the entire mountain into stone flakes just to skip a stone across the water?
Millions of years have passed, and emotions seem to have been worn away by the passage of time.

What remains is pure calculation, tending towards rule-making.

Xuan Yuan was like a sophisticated calculating machine; he didn't quite understand Ming Chen's humor.

Xuan Yuan shook his head: "Please don't joke, layman."

Mingchen shrugged: "Since ancient times, the world has always been the same: after a long period of division, there will be unity, and after a long period of unity, there will be division. I just want the world to be unified and peaceful, so that I can have the opportunity to be a corrupt official freely."

Why doesn't the lay Buddhist join the Northern Liberation Army?

"Now the Qian Yuan dynasty's destiny has run out. After a great war, the country is in ruins and the people are suffering."

Xuan Yuan took a sip of tea and said to Ming Chen in a consoling tone, "The ruler of Bei Lie is a wise and powerful man, blessed by Heaven, and possesses great talent and ambition. He is a rare and outstanding ruler, unparalleled in thousands of years. He will surely disregard past grievances and give you an important position. With your talent, you can become the prime minister. Working together, you can create an immortal legend that will be passed down through the ages, and you will even receive the imperial sacrifice after your death."

Mingchen held his teacup, shook his head, and gently exhaled the steam from the teacup: "What the Immortal Elder said about the valiant ruler of Beilie is indeed true, and I agree."

"But who says that there can only be one wise ruler in the world?"

"How could it be that my Emperor Qian turned the tide, saved the collapsing empire, ascended the throne as a refugee, returned to the old capital, restored the shattered land, and allowed the people to live in peace and prosperity? For ten years, he worked diligently and never dared to slacken for a moment... How could it be that my Emperor Qian is not a wise ruler? On the contrary, the Northern Lie... are warlike and aggressive. Although the people are fervently devoted to their king, if you look closely at their lives, are they really living well?"

"The immortal keeps saying that Qian Yuan's fate has come to an end, and that the mandate of heaven belongs to the Northern Emperor. Isn't this a bit unfair to His Majesty, who is so diligent and hardworking?"

No one is born predetermined to be a winner or a loser in history.

Xuan Yuan shook his head: "The Emperor Qian has been able to reach this point entirely thanks to the help of the layman."

"Ah."

"The immortal thinks highly of me, Ming."

Upon hearing this, Mingchen scoffed, "Wrong, wrong, Immortal Elder, you are mistaken."

“No matter how shameless I am, I cannot accept this honor. My heart is too small to contain the world, and my existence can be replaced. There is a woman of exceptional talent in our court named Yun Zheng. She is only twenty years old, but she is well-versed in history and has outstanding talent. With her assistance, His Majesty can still accomplish great things. She has great vision and lofty ideals, and naturally she can attract talented people to follow and help her.”

Xuan Yuan sighed, "Why must you defy the heavens and take that rugged and difficult path, layman?"

In his view, Mingchen's actions were meaningless.

Mingchen doesn't necessarily have to stand against Bei Lie.

Xiao Xinyue doesn't have any powerful connections.

Mingchen's act of helping Xiao Xinyue was a thankless task.

A powerful alliance with Qinlou would benefit everyone; wouldn't that be great?
Mingchen laughed and said, "I am born rebellious and I like to do challenging things."

Upon hearing this, Xuan Yuan couldn't help but give Ming Chen a deep look: "Master, your destiny is mysterious and unpredictable; I cannot see through you."

Unfortunately, the underworld is not under his jurisdiction.

He had no way of knowing where Mingchen's origins lay.

This person's abilities are simply unbelievable, possessing extraordinary talent.

Suddenly, it broke the original rules and track, soaring straight into the sky, unstoppable.

Before anyone could react, he had already reached a difficult position, transcending the ranks of a chess piece.

Therefore, the only option is to appear and negotiate with them as they are now.

Mingchen shrugged, neither confirming nor denying.

It seems that the most powerful beings in this world are just so-so, without extraordinary abilities such as mind reading or seeing through the past and future.

"And what about the immortal?"

Mingchen countered, "Having said so much, Immortal Elder, may I ask what you intend to do? What is your purpose?"

Xuan Yuan paused for a moment, then replied, “Layman, there are five Venerables and nine Emperors in Heaven and Earth who govern all things, the cycle of life and death, and are worshipped by humans. Nine represents the extreme, and ten represents perfection, yet one more Emperor is still lacking. Now, the new King of the North is born with the Mandate of Heaven, his roar shaking the heavens and earth. He has endured many hardships, ended the chaos, unified Heaven and Earth, and restored peace to the world. He uses the mountains, rivers, sun, and moon as the seal of the King, establishing immortal achievements that will be passed down for ten thousand generations. Afterward, he will open the gate to Heaven, ascend to immortality, and achieve the position of God-Emperor, receiving the incense offerings of the people for countless years. What do you think, Layman?”

Translate the message conveyed in this passage.

The Qian Yuan and Bei Lie have been divided for a long time, and this period has been a chaotic one, with the country broken and wars frequent.

As chaos descended and the people suffered greatly, the desire for peace and unification grew stronger among all.

This is your chance to become famous.

If, at this time, a divinely ordained ruler were to be born, unify the world, establish unprecedented achievements, and restore peace to the people, he would surely receive countless praises for his merits and leave a significant mark on the transmission of civilization.

Xuan Yuan was actually telling Ming Chen that he was the background of the Northern Emperor.

Everything he said was part of the script he had prepared for Qin Lou's fate.

Following this path, Qin Lou, by fulfilling the so-called "destiny," accomplished the monumental task of unifying the land, and in the end, it was only natural that the position of the last master could be arranged for him at the top of the sky.

Whether in the human world or in the world of immortals and gods, everything is as it should be.

Upon hearing this, Mingchen remained calm, simply looking quietly into the old man's eyes: "Nothing much!"

(End of this chapter)