Confucian and Taoist scholar

Lu Zheng calmly watched the last powerful figure die and disappear before slowly withdrawing his aura.

The terrifying lightning tribulation subsided, but the violent power still lingered in the world.

The Taiping Codex devours and transforms these powers containing the Great Dao, which in turn nourish the Taiping Heavenly Dao and accelerate the growth of the Great Dao.

Lu Zheng stood in the air, deep in thought. Most of the Saint Realm experts who had vehemently opposed him were now dead.

As for the rest, they'll probably keep a low profile.

Eliminating these top-tier experts only removed part of the threat.

If we truly want to change the world and free people from their shackles so they can live like human beings, we must look to the rulers of the world—those who directly exploit the people.

Lu Zheng glanced slightly to the north.

This place is located in the South China Sea, some distance from major dynasties.

However, the fluctuations in the heavens and earth caused by the battle just now still attracted some Saint Realm level figures, most of whom were familiar faces.

Some people thought there was some strange phenomenon in the South China Sea, but when they saw Lu Zheng and sensed the lingering aura in the area, they could roughly guess what was going on.

Some of the sacred realms were originally connected to certain powerful figures who had died, but seeing this scene, they could only sigh in their hearts.

Even within a powerful force, there are people with differing ideologies.

If some people insist on targeting a particular young person, there's nothing you can do to stop them.

Some witnesses even sent telepathic messages saying that this was a personal matter and had nothing to do with other factions, asking Lu Zheng not to escalate the conflict, and expressing their willingness to offer apologies and compensation.

As for whether it was an individual act or a group's multiple choices, Lu Zheng would naturally make his own judgment.

Lu Zheng remained calm as he watched the powerful figures arrive one by one.

He gazed at the Great Peace Codex, still radiating its immense power in the sky, and spoke softly, "The Great Peace Heavenly Way is based on the principles of law and the Great Dao, integrating and encompassing the paths of all races and saints in the world. From now on, all cultivators in the world will be bound by these principles, and their cultivation and advancement will require trials by the Great Dao..."

Lu Zheng gave a brief introduction to the Taiping Heavenly Way.

This surprised everyone.

Although they had all felt the strange changes in the world for a long time, hearing Lu Zheng explain the reasons made them all uneasy.

No one expected that Lu Zheng would be able to completely integrate the great principles of the world.

This is probably only possible because all the saints of heaven and earth agreed and cooperated to forge such a Dao.

"Taipingtiandao..."

Some murmured that this was not really the true way of Heaven, but it was powerful enough to set a set of rules for civilized society for all living beings.

Lu Zheng continued, "I believe that the more powerful a person is, the longer their vision should be and the more they should contribute to the world. However, some people do not think this way and even hinder the progress of world civilization and the times. Therefore, there should be such constraints from the natural order."

What do you guys think?

Lu Zheng looked at the group of powerful figures who had rushed over, covered in dust.

Someone quickly said, "What Sage Lu said is very true. The reason why our human race has been so glorious to this day is because we uphold morality and etiquette..."

Many people spoke up in agreement, and even those who didn't speak didn't express any dissatisfaction.

They knew that Lu Zheng had become so powerful that they couldn't even comprehend it, and that their era was over.

Some people didn't linger and politely took their leave.

After absorbing the remaining Daoist essence of this sea area, Lu Zheng returned north to the Shu Kingdom.

Along the way, he also passed through southern Xinjiang, met some old friends, and then went to Furong City.

Before reaching Furong City, they encountered a small group of Shu troops along the way.

Wang Meng led some of his trusted generals and soldiers back to the capital to report.

Lu Zheng then went to greet them, and a soldier respectfully led him to see Wang Meng.

Wang Meng was somewhat surprised to learn of Lu Zheng's arrival.

When Wang Meng saw Lu Zheng, whose appearance hadn't changed much, his eyes couldn't help but daze for a moment.

Wang Meng couldn't help but ask, "I heard that Mr. Lu has already attained enlightenment and become a saint?"

Lu Zheng smiled and nodded, saying, "I am fortunate to have the help of the sages, which has enabled me to fully embark on this path."

Wang Meng was deeply moved and couldn't help but praise him.

Then, Wang Meng asked, "Mr. Lu, what brings you to Shu?"

Lu Zhengdao said, "Go to Furong City and meet His Majesty and the Empress."

"That's it."

Wang Meng's mind raced, and he roughly understood what Lu Zheng had done in other dynasties.

This trip to Shu is likely to turn the kingdom upside down.

Wang Meng said, "Mr. Lu is already the number one person in the world, with cultivation reaching the heavens. He must be able to foresee the future. I would like to know what will happen to the Great Shu in the future."

Wang Meng didn't actually believe Lu Zheng could predict the future, but he knew that Lu Zheng *was* the future...

Therefore, he wanted an answer from Lu Zheng.

Upon hearing this, Lu Zheng smiled slightly and said, "Of course it will be better. At least it will satisfy the vast majority of people."

Wang Meng's eyes flickered, and he whispered, "Including His Majesty?"

Lu Zheng thought for a moment and said, "His Majesty should be satisfied as well."

"Should be..." Wang Meng blinked. Although he couldn't get a definite answer from Lu Zheng, it at least showed that Lu Zheng's attitude was friendly.

Lu Zheng and Wang Meng discussed some things before heading to Furong City.

Wang Meng had originally wanted to persuade Lu Zheng to stay and return to Furong City together, but after thinking about it, he decided against it and let Lu Zheng go to Furong City first, so he wouldn't rush to get involved. Wang Meng murmured to himself, "For some people, their good days are completely over."

I've heard that in recent years, influenced by Lu Zheng's side, the political situation in the court has changed significantly, and some people have been purged, but the purge hasn't been thorough enough.

This time, some high-rise buildings are going to collapse completely.

……

Lu Zheng quickly arrived in Furong City and went directly to the palace to visit the Shu Emperor and Empress Furong.

The soldiers guarding the palace gate were startled when they saw Lu Zheng and hurriedly ran to report to him.

Before long, the news reached the ears of the powerful ministers in the capital.

Some powerful and influential people were even terrified.

On the contrary, the Shu Emperor learned of the matter and happily received Lu Zheng in a garden with Empress Furong.

Upon seeing Lu Zheng, the Shu Emperor remarked, "Young people are indeed quick to act; you've arrived here so soon..."

Compared to other emperors, the Shu emperor appeared more carefree in his presence with Lu Zheng, likely due to his long-term practice of Taoism, which shaped his personality.

Lu Zheng smiled and said, "Is Your Majesty looking forward to my arrival?"

The Shu Emperor chuckled and said, "The sacred deeds of the Five Emperors and Three Sovereigns have deceived countless travelers. I am tired of sitting in this position, and I am not comfortable with it... You are more capable than the heavens. The Empress believes in you, and I believe in you too. There is no problem entrusting the affairs of the world to you."

The Shu Emperor narrowed his eyes and said, "However, the flowers in Hibiscus City are in full bloom, so be careful."

The Shu Emperor raised his hand, and a palace servant beside him quickly walked towards Lu Zheng and took out a heavy box.

The box was opened, revealing the Imperial Seal of the State and a storage bag.

Inside the storage bag were thick files.

The Shu Emperor said, "I can't control them. Your arrival is just in time. You can deal with them however you want."

They were naturally referring to the various Taoist sects, nobles, and local forces in the Shu Kingdom.

Even with the court's deliberate suppression over the years, it has been unable to completely eradicate many of the problems.

Even a monarch cannot do so; he does not have the power to suppress the entire country.

Lu Zheng glanced at it and roughly understood the situation.

He couldn't help but laugh and said, "Is Your Majesty waiting for me to solve this problem?"

The Shu Emperor chuckled and said, "Didn't you say that with great responsibility comes great ability? I don't have your abilities. If you have any other conditions, you can mention them..."

Lu Zheng thought for a moment. The Shu Emperor had already brought the Imperial Seal, so it seemed that he didn't need anything else for the time being.

He took the box, stood up, and said, "Then I'll go and get back to work."

"Go."

The Shu Emperor said, "When we have more free time in the future, the Empress and I will travel to the New Kingdom. You must show us around properly then."

Lu Zheng nodded and said, "Definitely."

Lu Zheng turned and left the garden, followed closely by a group of palace servants who obeyed his orders.

Seeing this, the Shu Emperor calmly sat down, one arm around Empress Furong, looking relaxed and content.

"Suddenly, I feel like all the burdens on my shoulders have been lifted off my shoulders. It feels so good..."

The Shu emperor felt that he no longer needed to worry about the affairs of the Shu kingdom.

As for the consequences of handing the imperial seal over to Lu Zheng, he didn't care too much.

He cared more about himself and the beautiful woman beside him than about the country.

……

Upon receiving the summons, Yun Xiao rushed into the palace. When he saw Lu Zheng and the jade seal in Lu Zheng's hand, his eyes widened in surprise.

"You deposed His Majesty?"

Yun Xiao's expression was quite interesting.

Lu Zhengdao: "No, that's not it... I'm just acting as the emperor's representative."

The process of deposing the emperor and reforming the system will take time. Lu Zheng's influence in Shu is not that great yet, at least not among the ruling class.

"Oh, I thought..."

Yun Xiao breathed a sigh of relief. Even though he knew Lu Zheng was bold, he couldn't imagine what would happen if the Shu Kingdom suddenly lost its emperor.

Lu Zheng added, "I plan to complete the Taiping Jing."

Yun Xiao was taken aback upon hearing this, but his eyes lit up with joy, though he quickly regained his composure.

Yun Xiao stroked his chin. "So kind of you. What do you want?"

He didn't think Lu Zheng would come without any conditions.

Lu Zheng slowly said, "I hope everyone can cooperate with my work. Money, power, fame, and life are all at stake. Some people can only keep one of them. Daoist Master should understand what I mean."

Yun Xiao couldn't help but swallow hard. He knew that Lu Zheng himself was not as easy to talk to as the others when he came to Shu.

Yun Xiao said, "Well, I fully support you!"

Just kidding. Putting aside his past relationship with Lu Zheng, even the Emperor's Imperial Seal is in Lu Zheng's hands. What can he possibly object to?
He would never do anything reckless.

Lu Zheng continued, "I have already summoned all the officials and representatives of the Taoist sects and powerful figures in Furong City to discuss this matter. I will observe their true feelings... This concerns the people's livelihood, and I will not allow the slightest opposition."

Yun Xiao felt a chill run down his spine, thinking to himself that the Shu Kingdom was about to undergo a major upheaval, and certain Taoist sects and powerful figures were about to fall to their lowest point.

Moreover, their Qingyang Palace would also have to pay a considerable price, but for the sake of the country and its people, there was nothing to complain about, or rather, they couldn't complain... (End of Chapter)