Inside the spacious grand hall, silence filled the air.
A gust of cold wind blew in from an unknown direction, chilling one to the bone, even forming a thin layer of frost on the floor of the hall.
"Your Majesty has overstated things."
Facing King Qing's inquiry, Zhong Xin remained calm and spoke solemnly, "It is still uncertain who will prevail. How could Your Majesty speak lightly of life and death?"
"… Hahaha."
The next moment, King Qing suddenly burst into laughter, "Beloved Minister Zhong, you are overthinking it. I was merely joking for the moment. Let’s speak of the front lines instead. Which Foundation Establishment cultivators have died?"
Zhong Xin continued, "One was a rogue cultivator from Jiangbei.
Besides that, Fairy Yun He of the Panyun Sect, the ancestor of the Zhao Xia Clan, and the ancestor of the Yuan Chen Clan were all captured alive.
The ones who managed to escape returned with injuries, all looking as if they had been terrified by the Demon Sect.
Given time, I fear Zhalong Pass may no longer be defensible."Zhong Xin gave a detailed explanation of the causes and consequences.
Upon hearing the full account, King Qing immediately showed a furious expression, "Incompetent fools, bringing shame upon the nation!
It seems I must personally step forward!"
"Send the decree! I shall lead the army myself!"
"With my strength, gathering the power of the entire nation on the battlefield, assuming the position of Grand True Person, no demon can stand before me. They are nothing but heads waiting to be severed with a single sword!"
"Your Majesty must not act on impulse."
Seeing this, Zhong Xin quickly stepped forward and said, "Your Majesty is of invaluable worth, the very foundation of the nation, not like ordinary men.
How could you personally set foot in such a dangerous place? This must not be done!"
"Then let it be."
King Qing smoothly sat back down, chuckling to himself.
He was, after all, of imperial blood, different from those lowly peasants.
How could he possibly risk his life battling formidable enemies?
But if not him, then who could take the field?
Thinking of this, he once again grabbed Zhong Xin’s hand, sighing deeply, "Beloved Minister Zhong, if I do not lead the army, who else can shoulder this burden for me?"
"I am willing!"
Zhong Xin did not hesitate in the slightest and solemnly said, "If Your Majesty would bestow upon me the Heavenly Sword and the imperial token, allowing me to assume the position of Grand True Person in your stead, I shall lead the expedition.
This way, even if the battle turns dire and misfortune occurs, it will be I who perishes, while Your Majesty remains safe and may appoint another worthy minister in my place."
"Would this not be too costly for you?"
King Qing spoke with apparent kindness, "With your merit and destiny, temporarily holding the position of Grand True Person will surely consume a great deal of fortune.
The backlash afterward may ruin the rest of your life."
"To share Your Majesty’s burdens, I would gladly endure it as if it were sweet honey."
Hearing these words, King Qing nodded in satisfaction, "Good! Good! Among all the civil and military officials of the court, only you are a truly loyal, virtuous, and capable minister!"
"Your Majesty flatters me."
Zhong Xin shook his head and said, "I am but a forthright minister."
King Qing smiled and then shifted the topic, "Since you are a forthright minister, then tell me plainly, how should we deal with that Chong Guang of the Demon Sect?"
"The Jiangdong Dao Court is unreliable."
"That old fool at the Si Tian Platform even claims that my heavenly mandate has come to an end, that enemies press from without and traitors lurk within.
He suggests surrendering sooner rather than putting up futile resistance."
At this point, King Qing glanced at Zhong Xin again.
Though he spoke with disdain, he actually believed it somewhat, otherwise he wouldn’t have tested Zhong Xin earlier with talk of personally leading the army.
"Your Majesty,"
Zhong Xin continued, "In my humble opinion, the most urgent task is to thoroughly investigate within the nation.
All infants less than one year old must be strictly screened."
"After all, according to the message from the Si Tian Platform, that Chong Guang is a reincarnated individual."
"At present, it is still early. He is but an infant.
Even if he possesses some supernatural abilities, he would be easier to deal with.
The longer we wait, the greater the danger!"
King Qing nodded, "Of course I know this.
I have already gathered many capable men and hidden talents among the people, determined to find his reincarnated self."
"Forgive my frankness, but this approach is unlikely to yield results."
Zhong Xin shook his head, "That Chong Guang True Person is said to be a Grand True Person of the Demon Sect, backed by a True Lord.
Finding him would be exceedingly difficult."
At this point, Zhong Xin’s tone suddenly turned cold and murderous, "So instead of wasting time searching, it would be better to simply issue an order—drown all newborn infants!
No matter how powerful that True Person may be, even the cleverest housewife cannot cook without rice!"
"Drown all newborns…"
As the words fell, King Qing narrowed his eyes.
He was no fool and had considered this cruel strategy himself, yet he could not act on it.
Because it would make him universally hated.
Moreover, drowning newborns would undermine the foundation of the Dao Court’s system.
Without newborns, the population would dwindle year after year—what rule would there be to speak of then?
However, if a minister proposed it, that would be another matter.
Thinking of this, King Qing could not help but smile, "Beloved Minister, this suggestion is excellent, but it must be carried out by someone loyal, reliable, and meticulous."
"Why not have you do it? What do you say?"
Without hesitation, Zhong Xin bowed and said, "I accept the command!"
"Very good."
King Qing nodded, "During this period, I shall feign illness and remain in the palace, ignoring all external affairs.
I leave this matter entirely in your hands, Beloved Minister Zhong.
I trust you will not disappoint me."
As his voice fell, King Qing sighed inwardly.
Such a useful talent, but he knew he could not keep him afterward.
Feigning illness was also to avoid being implicated in the drowning of infants.
Once Chong Guang was eliminated, he would "recover" and emerge to set things right.
At that time, he would still be the wise and heroic ruler.
As for Zhong Xin, he would become the great traitorous minister who had abused the trust placed in him, bringing chaos to governance and harming the people.
His value as a talent would have reached its end.
However, just then…
[Latest novel first released at !]
"Report!"
Suddenly, a report came from outside the palace.
A fully armored soldier rushed in, holding a memorial in his hands, his expression panicked, "Your Majesty… they have found it!"
"Found what?"
King Qing raised his eyebrows slightly, then swiftly snatched the memorial from the soldier’s hands.
Upon reading it, he stood frozen in place, then looked at Zhong Xin in confusion.
Seeing this, Zhong Xin also showed a curious expression, "Your Majesty?"
"… Hahaha! Found it!"
The next moment, King Qing burst into laughter, his face filled with ecstasy, "The people I sent have returned with news—they have found that reincarnated Chong Guang True Person!"
Sky-reaching Sea of Clouds, Sacred Fire Cliff.
On a gauze-draped canopy bed, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue lay reclining, twirling strands of hair around her fingers, casually gazing below.
There lay a map.
A great river divided east, west, south, and north.
Bright stars were scattered across the map, one of which was positioned right over 【Qing Kingdom】.
However, up until now, this star remained extremely dim.
At this moment, a clear and melodious voice suddenly rang out, "If Chong Guang breaks through and joins forces with the three of us, there may be hope in the later stages."
"Actually, 【City Head Earth】 could work too."
True Lord Qingcheng Feixue smiled and looked at the map, "That young man called Yuan Tu, I quite like him.
He carries the demeanor of an ancestral master in his conduct."
"Better forget it."
"【City Head Earth】 is in the Pure Land.
Just the three of us cannot bring it out.
Over there, they treat it as a treasure, waiting to establish a Buddhist Kingdom on Earth."
Hearing this, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue also snorted coldly, "Just that bunch of bald donkeys?"
"A Buddhist Kingdom on Earth, and they dare to covet the position of Dao Lord!"
Just then, the dim star on the map gradually began to emit a faint glow.
Though it was far less bright than the other stars, it finally began to shine.
"… It has finally begun!"
Seeing this, True Lord Qingcheng Feixue stopped speaking, her face showing anticipation.
Her red lips parted, and a voice directly reached Jiangbei.
It entered Lü Yang’s ears as he was in seclusion on Gai Bamboo Mountain.
The message contained only four words:
"Immediate departure to the south."