War Erupts Again, One Year Later, a Way to Escape

The earth boiled, ground fire surged skyward, thunderclouds ran rampant, and Heavenly Fire descended upon the world.

Beyond Yang City lay a scene straight out of hell.

The territory around Yang City also experienced varying degrees of upheaval.

The moment Ten Suns in the Sky appeared, high-grade warships deployed from Yang City.

Since even Fifth Grade officials struggled to survive this disaster, the Military Realm prohibited anyone below Fourth Grade from leaving the city to rescue people.

But officials below Fourth Grade were not idle either. Aside from maintaining Yang City's stability, large numbers of Fifth Grade and Sixth Rank Ministers of Agriculture gathered along the city's borders, trying to expand Yang City's safe zone.

Zhao Xing joined them as well.

His fortune level was still fluctuating, but it only jumped between Derivation Three and Evolution Five. It never fell below Derivation Three again.

Beyond the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven, however, everything had erupted into chaos.

The entire Datong Prefecture was alarmed, because the corresponding location of the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven was Five Plate Mountain in Datong Prefecture.

At the garrison outside the grotto-heaven entrance on Five Plate Mountain, everyone aboard the warships was stunned.

The lake at the entrance had completely boiled over, shrinking tenfold in an instant.

The surrounding land split apart, and a scorching aura shot into the sky from the lake's surface.

It even affected the celestial phenomena over Five Plate Mountain in Datong Prefecture.

However, the abnormal phenomena outside were quickly suppressed.

At the same time, news of Ten Suns in the Sky spread rapidly.

"What? Is there some mistake? Ten Suns in the Sky happened inside? Didn't they say it would never happen again after the grotto heaven was upgraded?"

"It's absolutely true. The Military Realm has already issued a warning: even Fifth Grade officials are forbidden from leaving Yang City! There's a high chance of death! Warship barriers below Seventh Order can't withstand the scorching heat of the ten suns!"

"Damn it, I just bought a slot!"

"Quick, refund the slot!"

"It's over. My son just went in..."

"Father! Elder brother..."

Some were shocked and wept bitterly, while others rejoiced in their narrow escape.

"Damn, good thing I didn't manage to get a slot. I'm truly grateful that magistrate for refusing to pull strings for me..."

"I just spent five million on a slot and didn't even have time to enter... Fine. Paying money to avert disaster, paying money to avert disaster..."

"I was only a quarter-hour away. Had I been a quarter-hour later, I'd have gone in. Heaven has blessed me!"

"..."

On August 15, Liu Tianning returned to Yang City, and Zhao Xing finally let out a long breath.

On August 20, the rescue warships began returning one after another.

At the same time, the Military Realm announced that there were no survivors outside Yang City.

The rescue operation had ended. Only the efforts to maintain stability along Yang City's outskirts continued.

At Yang City's border, Zhao Xing looked up at the sky. Though Ten Suns in the Sky still remained, the tenth sun was gradually dimming.

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and entered the dream.

"Compared to my previous life, the power of this Ten Suns in the Sky was much weaker."

"In my previous life, the rescue teams returned after only three days. There was practically no one to save. This time, it took seven days."

"In my previous life, it began at the end of August, and Ten Suns in the Sky lasted until mid-September. Now, before September has even arrived, the tenth sun has already dimmed. By early September, it should weaken into Nine Suns in the Sky."

"Though the greater trend has not changed, the invisible effects have been utterly earth-shattering," Zhao Xing thought.

He could be certain that far fewer people had died in this Ten Suns in the Sky than in his previous life.

Because its weakened power had given the Military Realm more time to carry out rescues! And Liu Tianning had issued an early warning, allowing them to react swiftly.

That was enough time for most people near Yang City to retreat.

Second was the issue of timing.

Ten Suns in the Sky had occurred on August 13 rather than at the end of the month. That difference of more than ten days meant that far fewer people had entered the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven.

"Finally, the division of authority and responsibility has changed," Zhao Xing thought to himself.

"In my previous life, the Profound Heaven Sect's actions were very likely never discovered, and the incident was classified as a natural disaster!"

"Though some officials were still punished, a natural disaster was force majeure. The officials of the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven had reacted promptly, so the consequences were not too severe."

"But now, it is a man-made disaster. Its nature is entirely different, and many people will probably be in trouble."

"But Liu Tianning definitely rendered merit. The Military Realm's Creation Disc will certainly review the outcome. Once it removes Liu Tianning's factor, it will surely discover that the result would have been completely different."

"Old Liu returned on the fifteenth. His Ten Thousand Laws Tower Ship saved more than three thousand seven hundred people!"

"The fates of many people were changed, and that change must be credited to Liu Tianning."

"If Old Liu gains merit, I gain merit too. My objective has been achieved."

The benefit he gained from doing this lay with Liu Tianning.

After all, Liu Tianning was his patron. If his patron became stronger, then he became stronger as well.

If Liu Tianning gained favors, then his standing as Liu Tianning's disciple would rise accordingly.

Especially among the families with high-grade Experts, they would not be able to sleep if they did not repay this favor.

More importantly, Zhao Xing was not involved in the matter. When the Military Realm conducted its later inquiries, the Southern Barbarians and the sects would focus their attention on Liu Tianning and Rahu King.

"The risk I took was small, but the hidden benefits are enormous." Zhao Xing opened his eyes. "Now, I just need to wait for the outcome."

On the night of August 20, after the rescue operation ended.

Heaven Derivation King received the results reconstructed by the Fate Officials.

"The natural disaster in the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven was bound to happen. The demons of the Profound Heaven Sect merely triggered it ahead of time."

"If Liu Tianning had not issued a warning and Rahu King had not disrupted their arrangements, the casualties would have increased tenfold."

A white-haired old man reported to Heaven Derivation King.

"So even without the Profound Heaven demons, Ten Suns in the Sky would still have occurred?" Heaven Derivation King asked.

"According to the Creation Disc's deductions, yes." The white-haired old man nodded. "But how it will be classified depends on the central government and His Majesty's ruling."

"I understand." Heaven Derivation King took the document handed over by the old man, his expression grave.

If it had been purely a natural disaster, the punishment would not have been too severe. But if a man-made calamity had been mixed in, then its nature changed.

Given his cousin's temperament, a large group of officials would definitely suffer. Even he himself might not escape blame.

While waiting for the court's official conclusion, Zhao Xing did not remain idle. He observed how many people he knew had died.

First was Ji Ziyun. He had not died, but he had fallen directly from the peak of Sixth Rank to Seventh Rank.

That already counted as fortunate, because he was a member of Liu Tianning's team. During Old Liu's rescue operation, Ji Ziyun's location had been easier to find.

Thus, he had not endured for long before boarding the Ten Thousand Laws Tower Ship and preserving his life.

Of Yi Rong, Nangong Ye, and Qi Yuan Army, only Nangong Ye survived.

Qi Yuan Army and Yi Rong, two Seventh Rank officials who had shone brilliantly during the first phase of the Pacifying Barbarians War, had not survived.

Of Cai Jin, Feng Qi, and Lu Bang's two disciples, only Feng Qi survived. Cai Jin had died.

Among the martial prodigies Zhao Xing had known during training, Fu Ying was dead, Zhang Jie was dead, Hu Bing was dead. Chen Fang survived.

Shi Yong and Zhuang Ziqing survived. Cao Shuang, Jiang Tianming, Feng Qiu, and Li Feng died.

Helian Lie and Zhuo Li of the Blazing Sun Army died.

Wei Hong, son of Wei Yuan of the Tigron Army, died.

Among the casualty list, Zhao Xing saw many familiar names.

It even included Wen Shaoyang and Yu Ziqi!

"What a pity about Yu Ziqi, that sword cultivator..." Zhao Xing shook his head. The two had obtained slots when the quota was later relaxed somewhat, and he had not even known about it.

Some others had died beyond Zhao Xing's expectations.

"Lu Yuanwei was injured? He entered the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven too?"

"This child of fortune was struck by a Heavenly Fire meteorite and lost an arm."

"Lu Yuanwei is the main commander for the Qinggang Mining Area. Even he was injured..."

"Over at the Midnight Sea, Pei Yuanchang survived, the Thirteenth Prince Ji Chen survived, Liang King's youngest son Ji Dan died, and Ji Ye survived."

"How could Ji Dan have died? With his strength and equipment, he should have survived..."

Zhao Xing was somewhat puzzled, but many Fifth Grade officials had died by now. One Ji Dan was nothing significant.

The two geniuses, Li Fuhan and Yun Yi, had also survived. Yun Yi even sent Zhao Xing a message asking whether he had been injured.

Sword cultivators were people of temperament. Yun Yi lacked the authority to check the casualty list immediately, so he took the initiative to send a message.

After replying, Zhao Xing flew toward a residential district.

Han Bing was fine, but Wang Ji had been injured.

At that moment, Han Bing and Che Shihai were also visiting Wang Ji in his courtyard.

"How is Wang the Engineer?" Zhao Xing asked as he arrived at the entrance.

"Not good." Han Bing said, "Wang Ji fell to early Seventh Rank. He has only stabilized his injuries for now. No one knows when he will fully recover."

"How did this happen?" Che Shihai asked. "Does he lack some precious medicine? I still have some money..."

"It's not a matter of money." Zhao Xing shook his head. "He was injured and fell in rank. The protection of fortune granted by his official position was breached."

"What does that mean?" Che Shihai froze, unable to react at once.

"It concerns the court's fortune hierarchy."

"If a Sixth Rank official is severely injured but does not fall in rank, then the injury is not considered serious."

"But if he falls in rank and becomes a Seventh Rank official, then the injury is considered very severe. Because an official position and cultivation rank must correspond." Zhao Xing said.

"And what happens if they don't correspond?" Che Shihai asked.

"The consequences are serious." Zhao Xing said solemnly. "It means the protection of the fortune system over an official has been breached."

"In the short term, the official cannot cultivate back up through his own efforts. Moreover, most officials attained their advancement through the dynasty's fortune to begin with."

"At that point, the court faces two choices. The first is to spend another portion, or even more, of the dynasty's fortune to help a Sixth Rank official who is effectively only Seventh Rank return to Sixth Rank."

"The second is to let that official retire early. Official positions do not wait for people, and administrative or military affairs cannot wait until you recover."

"Either choice is a major drain on the dynasty's fortune," Zhao Xing said.

"The protection of fortune being breached is that serious?" Che Shihai's expression changed. "Then Wang the Engineer..."

"It depends on the circumstances." Zhao Xing said. "If it happens within Great Zhou's territory, the protection of fortune may be breached and temporarily lost, but it still remains within Great Zhou's overall pool. The dragon veins of the Nineteen Provinces will continue gathering fortune."

"The short-term expenditure may be high, but in the long run, the actual cost is not great. It is like you losing one coin, and me giving you another coin now—you still have one coin. The court has not truly lost much either. That coin will eventually return to the treasury."

"But if you are injured on a battlefield beyond the territory and fall in rank, then the coin the court spent on you is lost forever."

"Moreover, destruction is easy while rebuilding is difficult. Falling in rank due to injury differs from falling in rank due to demotion. Recovery is harder and may require two coins to heal you."

"The higher the rank, the greater the loss!"

"If the enemy eventually occupies that battlefield, then their pool of fortune will grow larger. Once they hold it long enough, they will gradually absorb the fortune of heaven and earth to strengthen themselves."

"There are also extreme circumstances that can cause fortune to be permanently lost even within one's territory."

"That is when one's fortune is naturally thin. If such a person is injured and falls in rank, the recovery required will be greater."

"What if their fortune is naturally strong?"

"It is the same."

"The way of heaven and earth is far too unfair," Che Shihai sighed.

"The fortune of heaven and earth naturally develops from order toward disorder," Zhao Xing said. "Unless..."

"Unless what?" Han Bing asked.

"Never mind. It's nothing." After considering it, Zhao Xing stopped discussing the topic. Knowing too much would do neither of them any good.

Han Bing did not press him and instead changed the subject. "The court will lose a great deal of fortune in this disaster."

"With such a massive natural disaster, who knows how many people will be punished."

Han Bing still did not know about the Profound Heaven Sect demons and believed Ten Suns in the Sky had been a natural disaster.

Yet even so, officials still had to be made scapegoats to quell the fury of the Noble Families and powerful aristocrats.

On August 27, the official decree was issued.

It mentioned both the natural disaster and the man-made calamity.

The punishments were extremely severe.

Yet Zhao Xing had learned the news the previous night, when Liu Tianning brought it up during his visit to the Ten Thousand Laws Palace.

"Ling De King will be dismissed from office. He will fall from proper Third Grade to lower proper Fourth Grade, lose five ranks of merit, and have his nobility title reduced to marquis."

"Heaven Derivation King will resign as Grand Inspector of the Military Realm and no longer hold authority over battlefield inspection. His Second Grade Fate Official position will also be removed, leaving him only the post of Fengtian Internal Secretary. Forty-nine Fate Officials will be demoted and sent home to retire."

"Rahu King will lose two ranks of merit and be fined one hundred thousand shields."

Zhao Xing was stunned. "Why was Ling De King punished so severely?"

Liu Tianning said, "In the tenth year of the Jingxin Calendar, Ling De King was granted the title of Grand Inspector of the Ten Suns Military Realm by His Majesty, while concurrently serving as lord of the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven."

Fearing Zhao Xing did not understand, Liu Tianning added, "In other words, Ling De King was nominally the Person in Charge of the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven. Of the three kings, he was the chief official. Rahu King and Heaven Derivation King were merely specially appointed to assist him in managing the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven."

Zhao Xing was rendered speechless. Why did the Jing Emperor's arrangement sound as though Ling De King had been placed there to take the blame?

Thinking it over carefully, that really did seem to be the case.

When the Jing Emperor dispatched the three kings to inspect the area, they were bound to offend people. Whether it was when the Pacifying Barbarians War began and powerful aristocratic families wanted to stuff people inside, or this time when Grotto Heaven Spiritual Wonder erupted and many people wanted slots.

All three kings had borne tremendous pressure.

Rahu King and Heaven Derivation King were genuinely capable, and the Jing Emperor needed them to handle real work.

If something truly went wrong, then a weaker king like Ling De King was naturally more suitable as the scapegoat.

Zhao Xing asked Old Liu about Ling De King's official history and discovered that this fellow had not been made to take the blame for the first time.

During the Renovation Era Calendar, Ling De King had served as lord of the Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture, Datong Prefecture, Dayuan Prefecture, and Anping Prefecture.

In the two hundredth year of the Renovation Era Calendar, Great Zhou and the Southern Barbarians had been locked in a back-and-forth war, and there were always small Southern Barbarian forces crossing the river to wreak havoc.

Ling De King had shouldered that blame, with every responsibility pushed onto his head.

In two hundred years, he had risen and fallen four times each. More interestingly, he had never fought a proper war, yet he had still been granted the title of county prince.

"No wonder his title is Ling De King. That self-sacrificing spirit of taking the blame really is a great virtue."

Including this time, Ling De King had been stripped of his official rank for the fifth time.

Ling De King himself had only barely been Third Grade. Now, he had fallen all the way to Fourth Grade.

But this time, the Jing Emperor seemed to be serious, because Ling De King had even been stripped of his nobility title!

Nothing like this had happened before. It was unknown whether he could rise again.

As for the Heaven Derivation King, his punishment was severe, but his foundation had not been touched.

Rahu King had merely been punished financially.

The Profound Heaven Sect's arrangements within the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven and the prediction of natural disasters were matters for the Fate Officials and the Ministry of Agriculture. Rahu King's actual responsibilities were only to investigate military misconduct.

Thus, even if this natural disaster had involved human-caused calamity, the blame could not be placed on Rahu King. In the Creation Disc's deductions, Rahu King had actually rendered merit!

It was simply that public resentment was too great at the moment. Naturally, the Jing Emperor could not calculate Rahu King's merits now. Even if he did, he would have to wait a year or two and find some other pretext.

All three kings had been punished, and many subordinates had been penalized as well. The chief administrators of Yang City's Ministry of Agriculture had all been replaced!

Fan Zhaoli, chief administrator of the Earthly Advantage Institute, and Mei Zhiru, chief administrator of the Celestial Timing Academy, had both been suspended from duty. They would basically be transferred out of the Grotto Heaven.

They might not be demoted in grade, but Fourth Grade within a Grotto Heaven was completely different from Fourth Grade outside. Even a lateral transfer was equivalent to a demotion.

Though many had been punished, a small number had been explicitly credited with merit and rewarded.

Liu Tianning said, "By next summer, the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven is expected to recover completely. I should be promoted to a Fourth Grade official rank by then. As for the exact post, it has not yet been decided."

Others who received commendations alongside Liu Tianning included Gong Tiansi, master of the Myriad Forms Underground Palace, Fourth Grade military officer Huang Yi, Fourth Grade Zhang Song, Li Yuanzhen, and others.

All of them had saved people when the disaster struck.

Of course, none of them had saved as many as Liu Tianning!

Furthermore, Liu Tianning had the merit of issuing an early warning. This substantial reward of promotion and advancement, combined with the favors owed by many noble families and powerful figures... Liu Tianning was undoubtedly the greatest beneficiary.

After returning to Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard, Zhao Xing closed his eyes and fell asleep.

"Liu Tianning gained the most. His influence has grown, and as part of the second tier within his faction, I benefit as well. This risk was not taken in vain. Those days of fear and worry were worth it."

"Also, Old Chen's life was saved. That proves the future can be changed to a certain extent, which puts one concern of mine to rest."

"In the future, the example of the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven will give me more reference points for handling matters."

After waking from his dream, Zhao Xing resumed his usual routine, following the general flow to carry out stabilization and repair work.

On August 27, the official documents were released.

Every detail of the natural and human-caused disasters in the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven was made public.

News of Ling De King being stripped of his nobility title and dismissed from office, along with the punishment of officials responsible for the relevant powers and duties, quickly spread.

The official circles of Datong Prefecture, Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture, Anping Prefecture, and Dayuan Prefecture were shrouded in gloom. The other four Great Grotto Heavens also began a new round of meticulous investigations.

Soon, it was not only Great Zhou that knew. Even the Southern Barbarians learned of it.

Unlike Great Zhou's gloomy officialdom, the Four Great Royal Courts of the Southern Barbarians celebrated in high spirits.

The Holy Light Royal Court in particular felt that it had vented its anger.

Because the Profound Heaven Sect was the state religion of the Holy Light Royal Court!

Yet Blood Spirit Venerable, the principal culprit, could not feel happy no matter what.

"Too few people died. The result did not meet expectations. Though it had a deterrent effect, Great Zhou discovered that it was man-made."

"It will be even harder to subvert a Grotto Heaven in the future."

This matter had been handled only passably, and the cost had been far greater than expected.

Blood Spirit Venerable had accomplished the task, but he had not done so beautifully.

Even toward his allies, it was somewhat hard to explain.

According to the original plan, it was supposed to begin at the end of August or the beginning of September. At that time, he would have informed Prince Liang in advance to withdraw some of his people.

But plans could not keep up with changes. There had been no time to notify him, so it could only be an indiscriminate attack.

He wanted to draw Prince Liang in as an ally, yet one of Prince Liang's sons had died in the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven, indirectly at his hands.

Though Prince Liang might not care, opening things by using an ally's son as a sacrifice to the flag was still rather strange.

Besides, if Great Zhou had remained unaware and he had been the one to inform Prince Liang, the impact on Prince Liang would have been greater, and it would have better demonstrated the Profound Heaven Sect's strength.

There was still a deterrent effect now, but it was not as strong as originally anticipated.

"Damn Liu Tianning! How did he discover it?!"

"Could the ant from the previous deduction have been him?"

Blood Spirit Venerable's face was pale as he retrieved an intelligence report concerning Liu Tianning.

After examining it carefully, Blood Spirit Venerable was soon relieved. Liu Tianning's background, personal strength, backing, and flourishing fortune all fit the identity of the person who had broken the deadlock.

Such was the will of heaven. Blood Spirit Venerable also believed in the arrangements of the Primordial Heavenly Dao and did not dwell on it.

But when his gaze fell upon information concerning Liu Tianning's personal disciples, he suddenly frowned.

"Hm?"

"This Zhao Xing..."

Blood Spirit Venerable suddenly recalled what had happened when one of his split souls had acted in Nanyang County.

"After not seeing him for several years, that mere clerk has already reached Sixth Rank and even become Liu Tianning's personal disciple?"

Blood Spirit Venerable immediately prepared to calculate with his fingers.

But before he could form the gesture, he began coughing blood.

"Forget it. A mere Sixth Rank is irrelevant to the greater picture." Blood Spirit Venerable had merely acted on a whim. Now that he was injured and saw that the calculation would exact too great a price, he abandoned the thought in the unseen depths of fate, soon even forgetting Zhao Xing.

He walked beneath the divine temple and descended into the Earth Palace deep underground.

Light flickered within the palace, identical to the Earth Palace in the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven.

However, an additional statue stood within the blood pool here.

"Prince Liang." Blood Spirit Venerable looked at the statue. "Is Prince Liang satisfied with the methods of my Profound Heaven Sect?"

Blood Spirit Venerable's words carried two meanings. He was referring not only to forging an idol of faith for Prince Liang, but also to the matter of the Ten Suns in the Sky.

Prince Liang Ji Mingxian came alive from within the statue. His aura had changed slightly, becoming more concealed and violent.

"Satisfied? Blood Spirit Child, one of my sons was killed by you in the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven!" Ji Mingxian shouted.

"Those who accomplish great things do not concern themselves with trifles. Would Your Highness truly care about one son?" Blood Spirit Child said with a smile. "After this incident, the court's Fate Officials will inevitably be replaced. Those noble families and aristocrats whose blood was drained dry, yet who gained nothing in return, will surely hate Ji Mingjing."

"Your Highness can also take the opportunity to win over the noble families and aristocrats. Many positions are vacant now, and Your Highness can arrange people into them as well."

"The Four Great Royal Courts and the various tribes of the Southern Wilderness will also seize the chance to spread word of Ji Mingjing's brutality and tyranny."

"The Heavenly Dao does not tolerate Ji Mingjing. The lands of the Nineteen Provinces will surely welcome a new master. Why can that person not be Your Highness?!"

"With such paltry tricks, you dare dream of shaking Great Zhou's foundations?" Ji Mingxian sneered. "For me to cooperate with you in rebellion would be no different from seeking my own death!"

Seeing this, Blood Spirit Venerable knew that Ji Mingxian had not made up his mind. The results this time had ultimately fallen somewhat short.

Yet Ji Mingxian's heart had clearly been shaken.

When they had met last time, he had told Blood Spirit Child not to meddle in his family affairs.

Now, upon meeting again, he had begun considering the possibility of rebellion. He had merely concluded that the possibility was very low, but he had truly considered it!

Upon noticing this, Blood Spirit Venerable immediately said, "Your Highness possesses a heavenly mandate and is the Son of Heaven foretold in prophecy! If you do not believe it, you may make a wager with me!"

Ji Mingxian stared at Blood Spirit Venerable, waiting for him to continue.

"In this Pacifying Barbarians War, Ji Mingjing will surely suffer a crushing defeat! And it will not take long. If this sect's prophecy proves inaccurate, I will gift Your Highness three Blood Soul Pills without charge. Even if Your Highness leaves Great Zhou, you will still be able to live freely and at ease!"

"If this sect's prophecy is accurate and Great Zhou is defeated, its fortune will surely decline. Your Highness can rise with the tide then. At that time, not only will my Profound Heaven Sect help Your Highness, but the Southern Barbarians will also give their full support in helping Your Highness seize the lands of the Nineteen Provinces!"

Yang City, Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard.

"My fortune level is fluctuating between Derivation Four and Evolution Five, but it is becoming increasingly stable." Zhao Xing looked at the panel. "The crisis has passed."

"However, hidden dangers still remain."

It was now mid-September of the eighteenth year of the Jingxin Calendar.

The Jing Emperor had carried out large-scale military and political reassignments in the Five Great Grotto Heavens, Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture, Datong Prefecture, Dayuan Prefecture, and Anping Prefecture.

Prince Liang's faction had once again stepped onto the stage of the Pacifying Barbarians War. According to Liu Tianning, even quite a few Fate Officials had ties to Prince Liang.

Zhao Xing closed his eyes and entered the dream.

"Yesterday, the Jing Emperor officially decided to continue military drills. This time, however, earning military merit will become rather difficult. First, the Southern Barbarians' resistance has grown stronger. Second, Prince Liang's faction has become too powerful."

"In another two years, Prince Liang will once again take the stage in the Pacifying Barbarians War, just as he did during the Renovation Era Calendar, taking overall control of the military and political power of Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture."

"On the surface, it looks like the Jing Emperor distrusts the enfeoffed lords and is relying heavily on his own brother. In truth, he is beginning to fish, to see whether his little brother truly intends to rebel..."

"Whether Prince Liang rebels in this life or not, I must extricate myself before the twentieth year of the Jingxin Calendar," Zhao Xing thought.

Whether Prince Liang rebelled or not did not affect the outcome of the Pacifying Barbarians War at all.

Prince Liang only rebelled after seeing Great Zhou suffer defeat.

Even setting aside every unstable factor, the Jing Emperor could not conquer the Southern Wilderness.

Because the timing was wrong.

"The Ten Calamities of Heavenly Witch, Sever Heaven and Earth Connection, and the opening of the Sacred Mountains in the Southern Wilderness are all key factors in the Vitality Tide and Spiritual Qi Resurgence versions. There is simply no way to conquer it during this period..."

Zhao Xing reinforced the seal on his Memory Palace, then withdrew from Entering the Dream.

As his status and fortune gradually grew stronger, he had to seal his memories of his previous life even more tightly.

When an ant dreamed, it was not easy to notice. But if that ant transformed into a dragon, then even its dreams might be sensed by certain great powers.

"I should be more honest in the future," Zhao Xing thought. "I'll earn a bit more merit, then get out."

At the end of September in the eighteenth year of the Jingxin Calendar, after Ling De King was stripped of office, the Heaven Derivation King relinquished many of his duties. His replacements were Xin King Liu Yong and Anning King Ji Anming, while Rahu King's position remained unchanged.

Liu Tianning temporarily assumed the position of Fourth Grade Ten Suns Inspector and concurrently served as Transportation Envoy for two prefectures, also Fourth Grade.

The Ten Suns Inspector was several ranks above his previous Fifth Grade inspector post. His former scope of authority had been relatively limited and could be said to have been unfixed. He only handled whatever tasks Rahu King assigned him.

Now, his authority had expanded to the southern war zone. All troops within the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven fell under Liu Tianning's control. He no longer merely handled economic corruption, overstepping authority, dereliction of duty, and merit assessments. He could manage all of it. His authority was now fixed, and its scope had expanded.

In addition, he concurrently served as Transportation Envoy between Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture and Datong Prefecture, overseeing the transport of military supplies.

This was an outright lucrative post, with great power in hand!

How great was that power?

Back at Fire Dragon Pass, Zhao Xing had met Lu Tingzhi, a Sixth Rank Transportation Envoy. That man had been the backer of his backer in Zhao Xing's previous life, a major corrupt official.

At Fire Dragon Pass, Lu Tingzhi had been Sixth Rank, while Liao Rulong had been regular Sixth Rank.

When Liao Rulong met Lu Tingzhi, he had actually referred to himself as a subordinate official!

Now Liu Tianning was Fourth Grade, the superior of Lu Tingzhi's superior's superior.

Though it was temporary, anyone who had been an official knew that a Fourth Grade official concurrently holding these two lucrative posts would become regular Fourth Grade the moment he was formally confirmed! That was simply how the process worked!

Now, even a regular Fourth Grade military officer like Yang An had to respectfully address Liu Tianning as Lord Liu.

If he delayed the transport of supplies slightly and prioritized other armies, it could determine the life or death of an entire army!

The day before Liu Tianning took office, Youruo Princess and Ji Ziyun departed.

As for Murong Xue, she had already left with her mother, Murong Qing.

Before leaving, Ji Ziyun went to Eighteen Locust Willow Courtyard to bid Zhao Xing farewell.

"Senior Brother, I'm leaving," Ji Ziyun said. "Thank you for taking care of me these days. Ziyun will remember it in her heart."

Zhao Xing looked at Ji Ziyun, his expression calm. "No need to be so polite. You earned this through your own efforts."

Ji Ziyun had indeed earned it. In essence, the opportunities Zhao Xing gave Murong Xue and Ji Ziyun had been the same.

When Old Master Zhao fed the two of them, Ji Ziyun jumped up to snatch the food, while Murong Xue hesitated and fidgeted, only able to pick up scraps at the side.

There was gratitude in Ji Ziyun's eyes. In just a few short months, she felt as though she had experienced several decades, especially after the Ten Suns in the Sky. That feeling had become even stronger.

She was deeply grateful to Zhao Xing, not only because he had helped her find much spiritual essence, but also because she could feel that Zhao Xing was the same kind of person as her.

Zhao Xing appreciated her on the same wavelength, and she had also developed an admiration for strength toward him.

"Senior Brother, take care," Ji Ziyun said. "I will wait at the Azure Water Sect for good news from you."

"Farewell, Junior Sister."

At the beginning of October, the Divine Might Army assigned combat missions.

Zhao Xing headed to the Pacifying Barbarians Battlefield and returned to Soul Offering Pass.

This time, he was upper Sixth Rank. Yang An asked whether he wanted to command an army independently.

But Zhao Xing refused. He chose to handle logistics for Long Xiao, the main general. They took over Wen Shaoyang's troops, while Chen Shijie became Liao Rulong's deputy general.

Compared with last year, everything seemed unchanged, yet everything seemed to have changed.

Long Xiao's forces and Liao Rulong's forces totaled one hundred twenty thousand men, while Xia Jing's troops had surged to one hundred thousand!

These were the invisible benefits brought by the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven.

Jiang Ming of the Sea Pacifying Army had completely become an appendage of those two armies.

Because of Zhao Xing's presence, many armies were willing to come cooperate at Soul Offering Pass, including the original Illusory Nether Army, Primal Glory Army, Red Cloud Army, Tigron Army... but Zhao Xing did not agree.

First, Old Liu had only just taken office, and his position was not yet stable. Prince Liang's faction was still watching Liu Tianning. Some wanted to suppress him, while others wanted to win him over. The situation was complex.

As his disciple, Zhao Xing could not use Old Liu's name to seek profit at such a time, much less allow himself to be used.

Second, after the Ten Suns in the Sky incident, Zhao Xing had become much more restrained and no longer wished to stand out from the crowd.

If he were pushed into a position he should not have, it would be difficult to step down later!

At the end of October, the three armies completed their reorganization and began advancing toward the Qinggang Mining Area, capturing cities and strongholds.

At the end of November, they captured sixteen cities, including Spirit Turtle City and Turtle Marsh City.

When the Pacifying Barbarians Merit List reopened, Zhao Xing had already entered the Sixth Rank rankings.

After November passed, Zhao Xing entered the top ten thousand.

At the beginning of December, the three armies continued advancing, while Zhao Xing remained in a rear supply city, responsible for supplying more than two hundred thousand people and maintaining stability along the supply lines.

Because of the half-year truce, the Fire Demon Tribe's defensive line had been rebuilt.

His old opponent, the Nether Soul Lord, had been dismissed after fleeing from Spirit Turtle City. The newly arrived Lord Fire Feather was a member of the Golden Feather Royal Court's imperial clan.

Xia Jing's unit, Long Xiao's unit, and Liao Rulong's unit advanced to Fire Dance Pass and met fierce resistance.

Both sides began suffering heavy casualties, and the battle entered a stalemate.

December 5.

The Fire Feather Lord personally led ten thousand men in a surprise attack on Zhao Xing's supply city, intending to decide the outcome in one stroke.

December 6. Zhao Xing and Long Xiao, who had long been prepared, launched a counter-ambush.

The Fire Feather Lord was killed by Zhao Xing, and the remaining leaders fled in disarray.

Xia Jing's and Liao Rulong's units at the front seized the opportunity and captured Fire Dance Pass.

Zhao Xing, who had wanted to quietly farm and rake in merit, tearfully accepted 200,000 merit points and entered the top five thousand.

In December, the three armies rested and regrouped.

Another thousand li ahead lay the Qinggang Mining Area.

More than a million troops were stationed ahead. That was not a piece of meat their three armies could chew through.

They needed to wait for Lu Yuanwei on the western line and the Tigron Army, Black Armor Army, and Blazing Sun Army on the northern line to converge and launch a three-pronged assault.

However, history changed at this point.

After being wounded, Lu Yuanwei had still failed to breach Yang Qilin's second line of defense.

Meanwhile, the Tigron Army, Black Armor Army, and Blazing Sun Army on the northern line had advanced like splitting bamboo. Three hundred thousand troops had already rendezvoused at Fire Dance Pass with Xia Jing's, Liao Rulong's, and Long Xiao's units.

"The power of Ten Suns in the Sky weakened, and the timing came earlier. The nine armies originally devastated within the Ten Suns Grotto Heaven retained many mid-ranking backbone officers. Now, the northern army group is actually advancing faster."

"Lu Yuanwei, on the other hand, has slowed down considerably." Zhao Xing pondered.

The Creation Disc had deduced and reviewed the original course of events. He would be fine even if he discussed it openly now, since it was no longer any secret.

Of course, the Ten Suns in the Sky incident had also greatly encouraged the Southern Barbarian tribes. In a sense, it had inspired the Southern Barbarians even more.

After all, they had been losing battle after battle before this. Now that Great Zhou's homeland had been bombarded, how could their spirits not rise?

"Looking at it now, even if Lu Yuanwei breaks through Yang Qilin's defenses, he may not necessarily achieve especially good results."

Zhao Xing looked over the casualty lists from the past few months.

It was not just the Divine Might Army. Across the entire Pacifying Barbarians Battlefield, casualties had surpassed those from the first phase.

Yet the Jing Emperor was determined. Not only had the total number of troops on the battlefield not decreased, it had actually increased.

"With casualties, merit accumulates more slowly, because points have to be deducted."

Even though Zhao Xing was handling logistics, he could clearly feel the Southern Barbarians' resistance intensifying. Even his supply lines were being harassed relentlessly.

Although he had earned quite a bit of merit, there would always be deductions. Earning merit was hard, but deductions could pile up quickly.

In February of the nineteenth year of the Jingxin Calendar, the final territory of the Fire Demon Tribe still had not been taken.

The eastern and western lines had already begun their offensives and were no longer waiting for Lu Yuanwei.

The intensity of the war surged dramatically.

Yang Qilin, the famed Fire Demon Tribe general, used eighty thousand men to tie down Lu Yuanwei's five hundred thousand. This forced the eastern and western lines to face even more enemy troops.

The Divine Might Army and Black Armor Army began suffering heavy casualties.

Every day, wounded soldiers were sent to Zhao Xing's supply city, and the demand for medicinal herbs grew as well.

Some wounds could not be treated, because the injured had lost cultivation levels. Combat attrition gradually increased.

In June of the nineteenth year of the Jingxin Calendar, even Xia Jing and Long Xiao had been wounded several times.

The three armies had suffered more than twenty-seven thousand combat losses!

The grand battlefield surrounding the Fire Demon Tribe's Qinggang Mining Area had turned into a grueling war of attrition.

"Boss, another batch of wounded has arrived!" Che Shihai hurried in. "This time, there are 3,546 men."

"Send them to the wounded soldiers' camp for treatment." Zhao Xing looked at Han Bing beside him. "Are medicinal herbs in short supply?"

"The herb supplies can still hold out," Han Bing said. "But the army doctors cannot."

"Didn't we transfer in a batch of army doctors a month ago?" Zhao Xing asked. "Where is Yuan Yang? Tell him to come report to me!"

By this point in the war, Old Master Zhao's temper had steadily worsened. Amid such a tense battlefield atmosphere, everyone's nerves were stretched taut.

"My lord, Yuan Yang probably cannot report to you." Han Bing gave a bitter smile. "He has not slept for fifteen days. Last night, he collapsed in the wounded soldiers' camp. He is receiving treatment himself."

"The doctors transferred here a month ago lack battlefield experience. The medical camp is already operating at full capacity. You cannot be any harsher on them."

"Haa..." Zhao Xing let out a long breath and rubbed his brow.

Han Bing said, "Actually, we have already done very well. My lord, your standards for yourself are too high. The wounded soldier figures for the Black Armor Army and Tigron Army are far lower than ours."

A low wounded soldier count meant that many had not been saved, which was why there were fewer wounded.

A truly outstanding logistics medical camp would have a very high wounded soldier count.

"Take me to the wounded soldiers' camp." Zhao Xing was just about to visit it.

However, at that moment, his Earth Mirror trembled.

Xia Jing's excited voice came through it.

"Good news! The western line has made a major breakthrough!"

"Lu Yuanwei killed Yang Qilin and has already driven straight in. Little Prince Yan Da has split his forces westward. Brother Zhao, we're about to win!"

Zhao Xing swiftly took out the Military Realm battle report to check.

Sure enough, there was a report about Lu Yuanwei's breakthrough on the western line, Yang Qilin's death, and the killing of over fifty thousand enemies.

"So Lu Yuanwei really did punch through the western line. That title of number one commander on the Middle-grade Battlefield in my previous life was no exaggeration." Zhao Xing looked at the news, and the worry hanging over his heart finally eased.

At the end of June in the nineteenth year of the Jingxin Calendar, the Divine Might Army, Black Armor Army, Tigron Army, Blazing Sun Army, Divine Thunder Army, Primal Glory Army, Illusory Nether Army, Red Cloud Army, Black Dragon Army... a total of 143 armies across three major army groups completed their encirclement of the Azuresteel War Zone from the east, north, and west.

In August of the same year, Little Prince Yan Da, the western line's commanding general, was killed. Eight hundred thousand troops were annihilated, cementing Lu Yuanwei's title as the number one commander on the Middle-grade Battlefield.

The army groups on the eastern and northern lines also made major progress.

At the beginning of September, the Golden Feather Royal Court ordered the abandonment of the Azuresteel War Zone.

In October, the last territory of the Fire Demon Tribe, which was also a rich prize, was occupied by Great Zhou.

Thus, the entire Fire Demon Tribe fell.

Above the Lan River, waves rose a hundred zhang high. Above them, azure gangwinds were as tangible as solid matter.

Zhao Xing stood atop a reef, gazing silently at the obstruction stretching across the horizon.

"Damn it, this is the worst part about fighting in the Southern Wilderness." Xia Jing rode a Flying Dragon and cursed. "Natural barriers and favorable terrain come one after another. Cross one towering mountain, and there's another great river."

"Once the Minister of Agriculture and the spellcasters slowly tame this branch of the Lan River, then coordinate with naval transport ships, we'll be able to continue chasing down the Golden Feather Royal Court in less than three months!"

"Brother Zhao, we have arrived in a great age. You and I can establish immortal achievements. What a joy in life!" Xia Jing was brimming with vigor.

"Brother Xia." Zhao Xing looked toward the horizon and suddenly spoke. "Have you ever considered stopping here?"

Xia Jing glanced at Zhao Xing. "No. We just won a battle. We should press our advantage!"

Seeing Zhao Xing remain silent, Xia Jing asked with concern, "Brother Zhao, have you been a little tired lately?"

"You have been working nonstop for a long time. You should rest properly for a while."

"Don't worry. We still have three months before we can cross the river. Rest well, and leave military affairs to the deputy generals."

"Mm." Zhao Xing collected his thoughts and returned to the military camp.

Pacifying Barbarians Merit List

Name: Zhao Xing

Army: Divine Might Army

Position: Army Protector Commandant (Senior Sixth Rank)

Merit: 3702154

Rank: 1521

Looking at his ranking on the Pacifying Barbarians Merit List and his more than three million merit points, Zhao Xing could not help feeling somewhat helpless.

Even though he had followed the proper steps throughout this campaign, after conquering the Azuresteel War Zone, his merit had still risen from zero to more than 3.7 million!

Evolution Five's fortune on the battlefield made enemies seem like they were being delivered right to him to be killed.

This amount of merit could not make him a Martial Marquis, but attaining Fifth Grade was already certain.

His loose rank and merit rank could also rise another notch.

"I've already kept a low enough profile, but my ability is too strong and my fortune too high. I was staying in the supply city, yet the Fire Feather Lord insisted on delivering himself to me to be killed. This is ridiculous..."

"And that incident in March. I never even ordered what herbs to plant, yet my subordinates found seven rare sixth-tier medicinal herbs in Spirit Turtle City, along with a treasure land suitable for cultivation."

"As if by coincidence, the Military Realm then issued advanced missions for those seven herbs."

"I did nothing at all and just lay there while collecting 500,000 merit points."

"If the earlier events were merely good luck, then what happened afterward was a little strange." Zhao Xing pondered.

"It was as though someone were deliberately elevating me and tailoring missions specifically for me."

"Whatever I happened to possess, an advanced merit mission for it would conveniently be issued."

"Whenever I encountered danger, the Military Realm's intelligence would immediately update, and spies would even come forward on their own to report it."

Zhao Xing felt that this war was unusual in every respect.

The battlefield's overall progress had not actually been fast, and the fighting had been rather difficult.

As a logistics Minister of Agriculture, his performance had been ordinary, yet some invisible force had forcibly pushed him into the top thousand.

Zhao Xing asked Liu Tianning, who stated that he had absolutely never done such a thing and had not spoken to anyone about it.

"Then who exactly is trying to elevate me only to destroy me?"

The answer was actually easy to guess: the Liang King faction.

Only Liang King had enough authority to influence the creation of advanced missions like these.

"Whether it is Liang King or not, my current situation is dangerous." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Even if I do nothing from now on, by the twentieth year of the Jingxin Calendar, I will still be promoted to Fifth Grade.

"This is not a good thing." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

First, he had not yet prepared to break through. If he were granted a title by the imperial court, that would mean using the Great Zhou's fortune to advance. It would not be cultivation earned by himself, and there would inevitably be hidden danger.

Second, once he became Fifth Grade, there was no way he could withdraw from the later battlefields. Sixth Rank was still manageable, since they were merely cannon fodder on the Middle-grade Battlefield.

How could he get away?

He still had to build up some reputation with Liang King.

"Whether you are trying to elevate me only to destroy me or not, I'll treat it as though you are. You were going to rebel anyway, so you might as well help me out." Zhao Xing thought to himself.

Using Liang King to get away had long been his plan.

Building reputation through Liang King would take effect the fastest and be the safest route.

Nothing else would work. Embezzlement? Murder? Those would leave stains on his record. Old Liu would not permit him to do that either.

But if he pointed at Liang King's nose and cursed him out, that would be another matter entirely.

Zhao Xing's plan could be summed up in eight words: denounce Liang King, sell integrity for fame.

If he cursed Liang King until he lost his temper and retaliated against him, Zhao Xing could use the opportunity to get away.

Even if he were temporarily dismissed from office or demoted by one rank, it would not matter. He had enough merit to be deducted.

As long as his nobility title was not stripped and his merit rank was not reduced, he would be fine. Only the Jing Emperor had the authority to strip titles and reduce merit ranks.

Even for a mere baronial title, the Jing Emperor had to approve it before the central government could affix its seal and revoke the title. The authority to reclaim and grant nobility titles had to remain in the Jing Emperor's hands.

He actually had other ways to leave, such as speaking with Liu Tianning and telling him he wanted to withdraw.

He really could withdraw, but would that not make him a deserter?

If the later campaign against the barbarians went poorly, people would make a great issue of it: Look, Liu Tianning arranged for his own disciple to withdraw first. He enjoyed the blessings but suffered none of the hardship.

That would become a stain.

But if he were expelled from the Pacifying Barbarians Battlefield for impeaching Liang King, then no one could say much.

"I am now a Commandery Councillor. I cannot write directly to the emperor, but I can write to prefecture-level authorities."

Writing to prefecture-level government offices with proposals and participating in policy recommendations for commandery government offices were among a Commandery Councillor's powers. It was equivalent to being a pure-stream censor.

Of course, this loose official rank was only equivalent, because there was also the office of censor, which was a legitimate Civil Official position that could only be held by Ritual Cultivators.

"Since I am going to curse someone, I need some logic, but I cannot be completely logical." Zhao Xing picked up his brush and unfolded the paper.

I cannot directly accuse Liang King of any crime, nor can I truly fabricate evidence. Besides, I have none. If it really becomes an accusation from below against above, then whatever crime I accuse him of will become my crime if the accusation fails.

He had to strike the right balance.

"Learn from Yang An's old precedent. First oppose his attempt to monopolize military authority."

After pondering for a moment, Zhao Xing picked up his brush and wrote the first line of his draft:

This subordinate, Zhao Xing, kowtows and respectfully submits to Lord Prefect Wang:

Liang King Ji Mingxian, honored as an imperial prince, seeks to seize the vital authority of military affairs and monopolize legal and governmental power. His authority is overwhelming, intolerable to any subject...

His vassals and disciples hold many important positions, such as inspector and Transportation Envoy...

Liang King fails to govern his subordinates strictly. Previously, Shao Wanjie of Cloud City, former commander of the Black Dragon Army, embezzled, broke the law, murdered, committed evil, colluded with barbarians, and betrayed the nation. Prefect Liu Junliang sheltered him and sought profit, causing the key offices of Cloud City to remain paralyzed for more than a century.

Later, Qian Shougang defied law and discipline, ran rampant through the war zone, severely wounded the city commander, and seized supplies from allied troops. How was this any different from acting like barbarian enemies?

The ancients said, "What those above favor, those below will emulate." By observing how he controls his subordinates, can one not glimpse what lies above?

If Liang King monopolizes military, governmental, and legal authority, then across ten thousand li of territory, the people will be unable to live, and the army will lose all will to fight...

After writing a long piece, he ended with a final sentence:

This subordinate, Zhao Xing, kowtows twice more and respectfully submits to Your Excellency Lord Prefect Wang.

After finishing it, Zhao Xing made further deletions and revisions, then copied it onto an official document and stamped it with his Civil Official seal. Commandery Councillors had their own special seals.

He did not write just one copy, but many.

He then went to the Marching Hall, found the statue of Swift Travel Dai Zong, and lit a stick of incense.

"True Lord, urgent military dispatch."

Dai Zong's statue opened its eyes. "To whom do you want this lord to deliver it?"

"Prefect Wang Shiyong of Nine Heavens Responding Origin Prefecture. Chief Censor Zhang Qing. Guangyi Councillor Tantai Ming..."

"Prefect Cui Zhe of Anping Prefecture. Chief Censor Ji Guanghe, Heaven-Serving Councillor Xiao Wenshan..."

"Prefect Xie Zhengwen of Datong Prefecture. Chief Censor Zhao Wen."

Dai Zong felt that something was off as he listened. Why were all the recipients of this kid's letters civil officials?

And they were all Fourth Grade officials. The official ranks involved shared one thing in common: they all had the right to submit memorials to the Jing Emperor.

"All right, please throw them into the incense burner." Dai Zong unconsciously used the word "please."

"Whew~" One document after another was tossed into the incense burner, then dispatched to government offices and agencies all over.

After finishing all this, Zhao Xing clapped his hands.

"What are you doing? Burning so many documents." Xia Jing, Long Xiao, Liao Rulong, and Pu Zhong walked into the Marching Hall.

"Nothing much. I just planned to impeach the Liang King."

"Oh." Xia Jing nodded, then suddenly jerked his head up. "Who? Who did you say you were impeaching?"

"The Liang King, Ji Mingxian." Zhao Xing said. "Wasn't I clear enough?"

"Big Brother, what are you doing?" Xia Jing was stunned. "Why are you impeaching the Liang King for no reason?"

"Isn't he going to become the Commander-in-Chief for Pacifying the Barbarians and concurrently serve as Lord of the Four Directions?" Zhao Xing said. "I heard an edict will be issued in the twentieth year of the Jingxin Calendar."

"The rumor is true, but... what does that have to do with you?" Xia Jing said. "Have you eaten too much and got nothing better to do? Aren't you just making trouble for yourself?"

"Why are you being stupid? Have you forgotten what happened to Yang An?"

"Xia Jing, what are you saying?!" Long Xiao was displeased and shoved him. "Who are you calling stupid?"

Liao Rulong also glared at Xia Jing with an unfriendly expression.

"Sorry, I misspoke." Xia Jing was anxious too. Wasn't Zhao Xing ruining his own future?

If the Liang King did not take offense, then so be it. But if he truly did, Zhao Xing's battles this year might have been fought for nothing!

He genuinely cared about his good brother.

"How can the Liang King, as a subject, hold such immense power?" Zhao Xing said righteously. "As a Commandery Councillor and a soldier on the front lines, I should speak frankly and uprightly. Otherwise, how can I fight with peace of mind?!"

"..." Xia Jing felt that something about those words was wrong, yet he could not find any fault with them.

What Zhao Xing said was correct in principle, but that was not how the actual officialdom worked.

"Forget it, you've already sent them." Xia Jing said. "I reckon no one will pay attention to you anyway."

Who would dare pay attention? The Liang King was about to take power. Only an idiot would pay attention to Zhao Xing's memorial at a time like this.

"Well done!" Long Xiao chuckled. "Zhao Xing, how did you write it? I have the title of Commandery Councillor too now, but I don't know how to write one. Teach me. I'll impeach him too."

"You're joining in as well?" Xia Jing froze. "Are we still fighting this war or not?"

"If the Liang King takes power, fight my ass?" Long Xiao snorted. "I'm afraid people from his Black Dragon Army will stab us in the back."

Xia Jing pointed at himself, then at Zhao Xing. "My father is Xia Hou, his teacher is Liu Tianning. Who would dare stab us in the back?"

"I don't care about that." Long Xiao said. "Zhao Xing has already submitted his memorial, so I have to show some support too. Liao Rulong, are you a brother or not?"

"Hahaha, Long Xiao is right. If we're submitting memorials, then we submit them together." Liao Rulong laughed heartily and waved his hand. "Military Advisor, prepare pen and ink!"

Long Xiao gave Xia Jing a sideways look, as if asking whether he was enough of a brother.

Xia Jing said helplessly, "Fine, I'll submit one."

Zhao Xing said, "Don't force yourself."

Xia Jing pointed at Long Xiao and laughed. "Fatty Long has already said that much. If I still don't submit one, we won't be brothers anymore. Come on, how did you write it? Make a copy for me, and I'll just stamp it."

"Why is it so lively here?" At that moment, Chen Shijie walked in. "I think I just heard you mention the Liang King and impeachment... What happened?"

Long Xiao chuckled. "Old Chen, you came at the right time. We're going to impeach the Liang King. Hehe, I've wanted to do this for a long time!"

Chen Shijie was more steady. "Does the Marquis know about this? Does Lord Liu know? Does Xia Hou know?"

"I've already told my teacher." Zhao Xing said calmly. "He neither opposes nor supports it, nor did he ask me why."

"I haven't said anything either." Xia Jing rubbed his chin. "It's no big deal. It's just submitting a memorial based on hearsay."

"Better not to tell them." Chen Shijie said. There would still be room to maneuver if they did not know. It would merely be the youngsters fooling around.

But Zhao Xing said sternly, "Don't think this is a joke."

"I truly intend to impeach the Liang King, and I intend to get results."

"Xia Jing, if you still want to command troops, don't submit one."

"Long Xiao, Old Chen, you need to consider whether you're prepared to be dismissed or demoted."

Zhao Xing had to make the stakes clear.

If they continued fighting, Xia Jing might not necessarily suffer anything. As for Old Chen and Long Xiao, Zhao Xing hoped they could follow him and withdraw at the height of the tide this time.

If they impeached the Liang King, then even if they were dismissed or demoted, it would only be temporary. Once the Liang King rebelled, all of them would definitely be cleared of their charges.

With the Liang King about to take power, this was the best window to leave the Southern Barbarians battlefield.

If they wanted to leave later, the cost would be much greater.

But Zhao Xing also respected others' destinies. If they truly wanted to stay on the battlefield and earn merit, he would not force them.

Without him, Long Xiao would still become the Divine Firmament Marquis Long Xiao.

Old Chen would not die in Ten Suns Grotto Heaven, and Xia Jing would still inherit his father's nobility title.

Therefore, whether they were willing to advance and retreat with him in this matter was entirely their own choice.

"I'd rather wait until the Liang King dies of old age before returning to service than fight under him." Long Xiao sneered. "With someone like him as the Commander-in-Chief for Pacifying the Barbarians, the Southern Barbarians will win sooner or later."

Zhao Xing looked at Long Xiao in surprise. He had not expected Long Xiao to think this way, but Long Xiao had actually guessed right. The Southern Barbarians would win sooner or later.

"The Liang King has no authority to strip me of my nobility title." Chen Shijie said. "At most, he can dismiss me from office. I still have my title, so I'll just go home and retire."

"If you're all preparing for that, then why the hell am I still fighting?" Xia Jing said. "Let's impeach him. We have nothing to do for the next three months anyway. I don't believe writing a memorial can do anything to me."

Only Liao Rulong decided to ask Yang An for instructions. The other three wrote their impeachment documents on the spot and submitted them.

On the seventh day of the tenth month in the nineteenth year of the Jingxin Calendar, the impeachment documents from Zhao Xing and the other three vanished without a trace.

Only Tantai Ming came to ask Zhao Xing what exactly he meant.

Zhao Xing still gave the same righteous explanation.

Even an old hand like Tantai Ming did not suspect Zhao Xing's motives.

Because during his training in Cloud City, Zhao Xing had witnessed Shao Wanjie's corruption and crimes.

He had also experienced having supplies stolen in the war zone, then killed Qian Shougang in fury.

During the journey to the Midnight Sea, he had been pursued by the Liang King's Fifth Grade vassal...

And his teacher was Liu Tianning.

What kind of person was Liu Tianning?

He was not exactly upright and incorruptible or one who hated evil as an enemy, but the current Liu Tianning was at least fairly "just." Otherwise, he would not have become an Inspector and Transportation Envoy.

Thus, Zhao Xing had entirely sufficient grounds to impeach the Liang King, and emotionally, it made perfect sense as well.

On the eighth day of the tenth month, Zhao Xing submitted another memorial. There was still no news, and it caused no stir.

On the ninth day of the tenth month, Zhao Xing's wording became even more intense. He began mixing in strong personal feelings and even started cursing people. Of course, not the kind that cursed someone's mother. He did not have ten thousand times the guts to insult the Liang King's relatives, or would that not mean insulting the Jing Emperor?

On the eleventh day of the tenth month, the impeachment vanished without a trace.

On the twelfth day of the tenth month, the impeachment of the Liang King received no response.

After that, Zhao Xing began impeaching him every day and expanded the scope of his submissions. No matter who they were, as long as they were qualified to write to the Jing Emperor, Zhao Xing sent them one.

He even sent one to Ji Chen.

When Ji Chen received the letter, it felt as though ten thousand horses were stampeding through his heart.

"Has this Yuan Rang Marquis gone mad?!"

"He actually sent the document impeaching my father to me!"

"Look at what he wrote. He even urged me, his son, to place righteousness above family and report my own father..."

Ji Chen was so angry that he laughed.

No matter how good his self-restraint was, he could not endure it now.

"Military Advisor, pressure the military department and make this man quiet down!"

"Send letters to Yang An and Liu Tianning as well. Make them control this Yuan Rang Marquis!"

Ji Chen was furious.

This was the first time he had encountered such absurd maneuvering.

The military advisor was equally puzzled. "Earlier, I had an intermediary inquire about it. Yang An apparently does not know about it, while Liu Tianning does not wish to interfere. I do not know whether he is unaware, wants to let it continue, or simply cannot control him."

"Cannot control him? Unaware?" Ji Chen said. "Then let someone else help them control him!"

"How can Father's heavenly might permit such offense?"

The strategist pondered. "The residence indeed had some grievances with him before. He is only twenty-three or twenty-four now, so it is normal for him to be somewhat hot-blooded."

"What do you mean, sir?"

"I have three strategies—high, middle, and low—for Young Master to choose from." The strategist smiled.

"I would like to hear the details."

"The best strategy is to speak with the Yuan Rang Marquis and see whether he wants some benefits. Perhaps we can use this opportunity to clear away past grievances and win him over."

"Given his potential and Liu Tianning's backing, we can afford to pay some price."

"Turning an enemy into a friend is the best strategy."

Ji Chen pondered. "What about the middle strategy?"

"Sometimes impeachment does not necessarily mean opposition. The Prince is about to take great power, and some voices of impeachment may not necessarily be a bad thing."

"Ignore it. Do nothing. Do not let anyone from the residence's faction take action. Let him do as he pleases. That is the middle strategy."

"Then the worst strategy is what I just said?" Ji Chen felt somewhat depressed. "Suppress him and target him. Is that the worst strategy in your eyes, sir?"

The strategist smiled without answering. "Young Master's understanding has improved."

"Ah, forget it." Ji Chen said. "Then I'll listen to you, sir."

Inside the military camp.

When Zhao Xing saw Ji Chen's reply, it felt as though ten thousand horses were stampeding through his heart as well.

"He's too damn patient."

"I've practically cursed the son while insulting the father, yet he can still be so well-mannered and calmly ask me what can be done to resolve this peacefully."

"The people of the Liang King's Residence may be bad, but they definitely aren't stupid." Zhao Xing could not help sighing.

It was unexpectedly proving somewhat difficult for him to get away now.

Because of Liu Tianning and the Rahu King, the Liang King's Residence was inclined toward reconciliation in its treatment of him.

At worst, they would ignore him.

Old Master Zhao was speechless.

"I'm starting to feel a little guilty toward Ji Chen."

But how could he show mercy in a matter like this?

Zhao Xing only hesitated slightly before deciding to carry on with the original plan unchanged.

Otherwise, he could only deliberately throw himself into battle and get himself seriously wounded before withdrawing.

But that would be detrimental to his cultivation.

The spiritual beauty he had painstakingly sought out and risked his life to obtain in the Grotto Heaven would be wasted if his realm were damaged, would it not?

"I still need to use stronger medicine." Zhao Xing sat down at the table.

Fifteen thousand eight hundred fifty-seven. But that was practically sixteen thousand already. Tomorrow, I'll write two hundred more words as thanks!

Also, this volume will end tomorrow, but the update amount will not be small.