Elderly Martial Saint: Sixty Times the Cultivation Speed ​​at the Start

The air in the private room was quiet for a couple of breaths.

Ji Yunzhang's fingers, which were holding the wine cup, froze in mid-air, and Wen Shiheng's cheerful expression also faded somewhat.

The Southern Frontier Witch Kingdom.

These four words are too distant for the people of Suining Prefecture.

According to legend, that place was a wild and desolate land teeming with miasma and poisonous insects, and where witchcraft and sorcery were rampant. Although it shared a border with the Great Yu Dynasty, it was separated from the Great Yu Dynasty by the endless Ten Thousand Demon Mountains, and there had been little contact between them for hundreds of years.

Yi Yang's hand, which was holding the wine glass, paused in mid-air for a moment.

Trade markets, the Southern Frontier Wu Kingdom, and the Imperial Court.

The three words together contain a great deal of information. Although he had not been in contact with the two major forces, he understood from the information he had previously gathered that this was a major event.

He brought the glass to his lips, took a sip, and didn't rush to reply.

Ji Yunzhang and Wen Shiheng remained silent, their gazes simultaneously falling on Lin He's face as they each processed what they had just heard.

Lin He picked up his wine cup, took a sip, and waited for their reaction.

"President Lin," Yi Yang put down his chopsticks and asked in a slow, deliberate manner, "Since the imperial court wants to trade with the Wu Kingdom, this hasn't been going on for just a day or two, has it?"

"Commander Yi is right." Lin He put down his wine cup and leaned forward slightly. "This matter was mentioned in court decades ago. But nothing ever came of it."

"Why?" Wen Shiheng asked.

"The profits are not evenly distributed," Lin He replied crisply. "Qingzhou is located at the southwestern gateway of Dayu. To do business with the Wu Kingdom, you can't bypass Qingzhou. The various forces in Qingzhou are deeply intertwined: aristocratic families, sects, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, and local governments, each with their own agendas. The imperial court wants to get involved, but its subordinates won't allow it. The subordinates want a larger share, but the imperial court is uneasy about that."

"They've been going back and forth for decades, and they still haven't reached an agreement."

Yi Yang picked up the teacup and blew on it.

Things that had been unresolved for decades suddenly made progress.

Either the external environment has changed, or the internal structure has loosened.

Either both have changed.

"Then why is it suddenly being pushed forward now?" Yi Yang asked.

Lin He tapped his fingers lightly on the table twice and said calmly, "Both sides can't hold on anymore."

He lowered his voice and glanced around. Although there were only four of them in the private room, he still had to be careful when saying such things.

"Let's talk about the Witch Kingdom first."

"The Kingdom of Witchcraft was founded on witchcraft and was divided into nine tribes, all of which revered the Great Witch God. But the past two years have been turbulent. The king is old, and his sons are vying for the throne. The leaders of the nine tribes each have their own agendas, some supporting the crown prince, others paving the way for their own retreat. It is said that the witchcraft scare in the capital has already caused several waves of trouble."

Ji Yunzhang frowned and asked in confusion, "Internal strife?"

"Internal strife is only one aspect," Lin He continued, raising his second finger. "The Wu Kingdom is located in the southwest, with many mountains and little land, so its resources are not abundant to begin with. In addition, internal strife and the ban on trade have led to increasingly heavy taxes year after year. Border tribes are frequently in turmoil, bandits roam freely, and trade routes have been almost completely cut off."

"They lack food, iron tools, and spiritual materials."

Lin He put it bluntly: "The Wu Kingdom desperately needs an outlet, to barter and survive."

Yi Yang took a sip of tea, already making plans in his mind.

The situation in the Wu Kingdom sounds like they've been cornered. It's understandable that a country beset by internal and external troubles would want to open up trade routes to survive.

But what about the Dayu side?

A mighty empire shouldn't consider doing business with a barbaric little country a big deal.

Unless the Great Yu Dynasty itself also has problems.

"Let's talk about our Great Yu."

Lin He slowed his speech, becoming more cautious in his wording, and said with deep apprehension, "The three northern prefectures have suffered from severe drought for years, while the two lakes in the south are experiencing floods, and sea monsters are knocking on the eastern coast. The disaster relief funds allocated by the National Government in the past two years have been almost flowing out like water, and the treasury is constantly leaking out."

Ji Yunzhang and Wen Shiheng's expressions darkened. They had heard about these things to some extent. Things were not going well in Suining Prefecture, but they were in high positions and did not feel it very clearly. However, now that it was said by a merchant, the unease they had vaguely sensed before was finally exposed.

"There's one more thing."

Lin He lowered his voice even further and said very carefully, "According to the rumors I heard from Qingzhou, the Martial Saint, the guardian deity of the imperial city, has not made a public appearance for many years."

After these words were spoken, the private room fell silent for three breaths.

Yi Yang rubbed his thumb on the teacup.

The Martial Saint.

The founder of the Sky Patrol Bureau, the pillar of the Great Yu Empire, a powerful entity that has existed for hundreds of years.

In Yi Yang's limited understanding, the reason why the Sky Patrol Bureau could expand from an imperial city institution to all prefectures and counties across the country was because of the Martial Saint's prestige. As long as this person was there, the martial arts order of the entire empire would not collapse.

He hasn't been seen in public for many years.

What does it mean to have not appeared in public for many years?

Is he in seclusion? Or has something else happened?

"According to rumors—" Lin He emphasized the words "rumors," "the Martial Saint's condition may not be very good."

Wen Shiheng gasped in shock and said, "President Lin, you can't just say things like that."

"That's why I only said it was hearsay," Lin He said, shrugging and looking at the three of them innocently.

But what he said next connected the logic of the whole thing.

"The Martial Saint's condition is unknown, various factions in the court are secretly vying for power, and there are also discords among the different branches of the royal family. The high-ranking officials of the Celestial Patrol Bureau in the capital city—the Celestial Patrol Officers—each have their own agendas regarding the Martial Saint. Meanwhile, the civil officials are taking the opportunity to vie for financial and military power."

"At this time, the national treasury was tight again, and everyone was asking for money and manpower. The imperial court needed new sources of revenue."

"And the trade markets of the Southern Frontier Wu Kingdom are exactly a lucrative opportunity."

Yi Yang put down his teacup and leaned back in his chair.

See the picture poorly.

All the groundwork points to the same conclusion—the Great Yu Empire is beset by internal and external troubles, and the imperial court needs money, resources, and a new growth engine to alleviate the pressure. The border trade is that growth engine.

The reason for choosing Qingzhou as the location for the new government office is not complicated.

Qingzhou is the gateway to the southwest, and its geographical location is unavoidable. However, the local forces in Qingzhou are deeply entrenched, and the imperial court does not trust them, yet it cannot completely get rid of them.

Therefore, a new, independent government office needs to be established.

This government office was nominally under the jurisdiction of the imperial court, but in practice it had to rely on local forces.

"President Lin," Yi Yang spoke up, getting straight to the heart of the matter: "Where will this trade fair be held?"

This is the key.

Lin He extended one finger.

"Ten Thousand Demon Mountains"

"The border mountain between Dayu and Wu Kingdom stretches for thousands of miles in the southwest. The mountain is teeming with monsters and shrouded in miasma all year round. Ordinary people would be doomed if they went in. But this mountain range is also the only land route that can be traveled between the two countries."

"The imperial court plans to establish three important towns in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains: Hengyue, Xuanming, and Ten Thousand Demons."

"Hengyue, a crucial town, is located in the east. Xuanming, a crucial town, is located in the center. Wanyao, a crucial town, is located in the west."

"The three important towns are mutually supportive, serving as a defense against monsters in the mountains, ensuring the safety of trade routes, and acting as a fixed trading location between the two countries."

Lin He paused here, "But the most crucial question is who will control the three important towns."

Yi Yang's eyelids twitched.

really.

The distribution of benefits is always the most fundamental contradiction.

"According to the information I gathered in Qingzhou, the imperial court's intention is that the three important towns cannot all be controlled by people from Qingzhou. The imperial court must take control of at least one or two of them before the rest can be handed over to local forces to operate."

Wen Shiheng interjected, "The imperial court will send people from the capital to manage this? That's the southwestern frontier, a long and arduous journey. How many people can they possibly send?"

"That's the problem," Lin He smiled, his smile filled with anticipation. "The imperial court can't possibly transfer a large number of troops from the capital. There are also powerful enemies to guard against in the north, so they can't spare that many people. Therefore, they can only recruit and conscript locally."

Lin He's gaze finally settled on Yi Yang's face, and he said with a meaningful smile:

"The Celestial Patrol Bureau was established by the Martial Saint himself. The imperial court still has some trust in the Celestial Patrol Bureau, but the Celestial Patrol Bureau at the top level in Qingzhou is too deeply involved with the major local forces, so we cannot be completely at ease with it."

"Then we'll have to draw manpower from the various prefectures and counties under Qingzhou's jurisdiction."

Yi Yang picked up the wine cup, but didn't drink it; he just twirled it halfway in his hand.

He understood.

The imperial court was looking for mid- to low-level patrol officers who did not have deep ties with the local forces in Qingzhou.

He, Yi Yang, who came from Yunlin County, had no connection with the upper echelons of Qingzhou from beginning to end. He had a clean background and outstanding military achievements.

The imperial court trusts these kinds of people the most.

Seeing that he didn't speak, Lin He's smile faded, and he leaned forward a little more, speaking sincerely.

"Commander Yi, I returned this time having heard rumors well in advance and wanted to make preparations. If the trade agreement is indeed finalized, it will bring immense wealth."

"The three of you are the backbone of the Prefectural City's Sky Patrol Division. If you have the opportunity to be sent to one of the three major towns in the future—"

He cupped his hands in a fawning manner and said:

"I hope the three of you will take good care of me then. Although I am a businessman, I always need a powerful backer to do business. I would be extremely grateful for your help."

They spoke eloquently and adopted a very humble attitude.

Ji Yunzhang and Wen Shiheng exchanged a glance but did not immediately express their opinions.

Ji Yunzhang chuckled and replied perfunctorily, "President Lin is too kind to us. How could we possibly make such a decision?"

Wen Shiheng chimed in, "That's right, it's still very early stages, let's talk about it some more."

The two of them were talking evasively, but their eyes were simultaneously glancing towards Yi Yang.

They all knew it in their hearts.

Of the four people present, if Lin He's information is true, then the most likely candidate to be promoted is Yi Yang.

With the abbot of Jinyang Temple executed and the nine evil cult elders of the Tongxuan Realm being killed on the spot by the chief inspector, once these matters are reported to the Qingzhou Sky Patrol Division, Yi Yang's name will surely be placed on the desk of some important figures.

He was in his early sixties, with a cultivation level at the late True Qi Realm, outstanding military achievements, and a clean background.

Placed on the chessboard of those important figures, this would be a useful piece.

Yi Yang put down his wine cup, a friendly smile on his face, and said modestly:

"I appreciate Chairman Lin's kindness. However, this is a long way off; it's still far from certain. Let's have a drink first, and we can talk about it later."

Polite and courteous, leaving no room for error.

Lin He was a smart man. Seeing that none of the three people had made any substantial promises, he maintained his smile and raised his wine cup to offer a round of toasts.

After the drinking party ended, Ji Yunzhang, Wen Shiheng, and Yi Yang walked together towards the Sky Patrol Division.

After walking about a hundred steps, Wen Shiheng finally spoke.

"Lord Yi, what do you think?"

Yi Yang did not answer immediately.

He scanned the surroundings with his divine sense, confirming that there was no one else within thirty feet, before slowly speaking.

"If the news is true, then this matter is ten times more complicated than Lin He described."

Ji Yunzhang frowned. "What do you mean?"

"The Ten Thousand Demon Mountains," Yi Yang uttered. "That kind of place is teeming with demonic beasts and shrouded in miasma. Setting up three major towns there to maintain trade routes would be a bottomless pit just for daily defense. To control those places, a large number of True Qi Realm or even Profound Realm experts would be needed to oversee them."

"The imperial court itself doesn't have enough manpower, and the upper echelons of Qingzhou can't be fully trusted. Drawing personnel from various prefectural and county towns—who do you think those people will listen to once they get there?"

The two fell silent.

"The idea of ​​three important towns forming a defensive triangle is a nicer way of putting it," Yi Yang continued walking, his pace slow. "In other words, three forces each occupy one town, keeping each other in check. The imperial court, Qingzhou, and who knows if a third force might emerge?"

"Furthermore, the nine leaders of the Witch Kingdom each have their own ulterior motives, and the monsters in the Ten Thousand Demon Mountains are not to be trifled with either."

Yi Yang stopped and turned to look at the two of them.

"This place, let alone a Transcendent Realm expert, even if you throw an expert of a higher level into it, they would probably have to think twice."

Ji Yunzhang's expression darkened further.

Wen Shiheng stroked his chin, and after a long pause, finally managed to ask, "Are you going or not?"

Yi Yang started walking again.

"We'll see."

He said that, but his mind was racing.

The Ten Thousand Demon Mountains are home to three major towns and trade routes between the two countries.

The power struggle between the imperial court and Qingzhou, the internal strife within the Wu Kingdom, and the uncertain status of the Martial Saint.

Each clue, once picked up, is connected to a web that seems to have no end.

But there was one thing Yi Yang was very clear about.

The bigger the waves, the more expensive the fish.

Although this situation is dangerous, it is advantageous for someone who needs resources, cultivation techniques, and access to higher levels—

These three key towns might just be where he makes his next move.