Returning to Biyou Palace

"Master!"

When Wen Zhong saw Golden Spirit Mother come out in person, warmth welled up in his heart. He greeted her, then bowed again and replied, "At your command, Master, this disciple entered the world to assist Yin Shang. From the reign of Emperor Yi until now, twenty-six years have passed. This disciple has followed your teachings and devoted countless efforts to Yin Shang, all for the people to live in peace and prosperity and for the realm to know peace. Thus, I had no time to attend upon you. I have returned to the palace now because there is something I cannot decide, and I humbly ask for your guidance..."

Then, he recounted all the events that had recently taken place in Chaoge.

He told her how those Daoist Sect members had lost their treasured artifacts and could not find the thief, how they had tested King Zhou several times without success, and how King Zhou had consequently resolved to seek the Dao and wanted to take him as his master.

After listening, Golden Spirit Mother asked in surprise, "So many things have happened in Chaoge? This is rather strange. Wen Zhong, do you have any leads on where those treasures went?"

Wen Zhong flushed and shook his head. "This disciple does not know either. The matter is indeed suspicious. Even Uncle-Master Zhao Gongming and the Three Ladies of the Auspicious Clouds are at a loss."

Golden Spirit Mother sighed softly. "It seems Chaoge will know little peace from now on. You must not agree to take Di Xin as your disciple..."

She hesitated briefly, then continued, "In the past, I sent you down the mountain to assist Yin Shang because it was the rightful dynasty under Heaven. After Emperor Yi's death, Di Xin became extravagant and debauched, cruel and inhumane, and the whole realm condemned him. Yin Shang's fate is nearing its end. The Ji Clan of Xi Qi governs diligently and cares for its people, striving to restore its strength and prosperity. The Ji and Zi clans will eventually fight, and then the realm will change hands. Di Xin's fate is easy to imagine. If Di Xin joins the Interception Sect, how could anyone from the Patriarch on down face the consequences? Still, you may remain in Yin Shang for the time being, for the sake of the people of the realm, and stop Di Xin from acting against the natural order. If the situation becomes impossible, you can return to Biyou Palace."

Wen Zhong was stunned. "Is the Investiture of the Gods truly happening?"

Wen Zhong had heard a little about it, but had never received any reliable information to confirm it. Even Zhao Gongming and the Three Ladies of the Auspicious Clouds had been secretive with him about it.

Golden Spirit Mother nodded slightly. "The signing of the Investiture of the Gods is indeed happening, but there is no list. Who will be included and who will not is up to fate. But do not think being granted godhood is a good thing. You should know that the God-Beating Whip will appear in the future, and it will be in the hands of the Chan Sect. That will not bode well for our sect. As for the rest... it would be improper for me to say more. Do you still remember the warning I gave you when you left the mountain?"

Wen Zhong composed himself and respectfully replied, "This disciple remembers. Master warned me that after I went down the mountain, I must not encounter the character 'Jue.' If I encounter 'Jue,' I will perish; if there is no 'Jue,' I will live."

Golden Spirit Mother nodded slightly. "Good. Since we have met today, I will grant you the High-grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure, the Four Symbols Pagoda, for your protection."

As she spoke, Golden Spirit Mother made a gesture. A small, golden tower appeared in the air before her. In an instant, she severed her Divine Sense connection to it and handed it to Wen Zhong.

Wen Zhong knew this treasure was one of his master's most cherished possessions, yet she was willing to give it to him. Even his senior brother, Yu Yuan the Immortal of One Breath, had never received such treatment!

He accepted the Four Symbols Pagoda and thanked his master. He did not linger at Biyou Palace, but left Penglai Island and headed west, returning directly to Chaoge.

Along the way, Wen Zhong repeatedly pondered his master's words.

He felt that something was not quite right.

His master had said that Yin Shang was doomed to fall and the Ji Clan would take its place.

She had also said that King Zhou acted against the natural order, was cruel and inhumane, and lived in extravagance and debauchery, but that was not entirely true.

At least during the time he had been campaigning in the North Sea, although the Great King had rarely held court, he had accomplished something momentous by reducing the annual taxes throughout the realm. He had also shown great magnanimity by ordering a halt to the campaign against Yuan Futong in the North Sea.

That was a great merit!

One had to understand that Yin Shang had eight hundred vassal states. Each state paid tribute to Chaoge every year according to the annual tax rate set by the court. The higher the tax, the more tribute they paid, and the lower the tax, the less they paid.

The Great King had reduced the annual taxes by thirty percent across the realm, which meant a corresponding thirty-percent reduction in tribute. He had effectively cut off his own lifeline.

One had to understand that thirty percent of the annual taxes was no small amount.

Originally, each vassal state could set its own tax rate according to its circumstances, as long as it paid tribute in proportion to the annual tax rate set by the court.

Now that the Great King had lowered the taxes, the vassal states would certainly have to lower theirs accordingly. Otherwise, their domestic affairs would fall into disorder and the people would rise up. Those lords might not even be able to hold on to their titles.

Take Marquis of Xi, Ji Fa, for example. His annual tax rate was the lowest, but it was still only twenty percent below the rate the Great King had set before.

That meant Marquis of Xi had shown consideration for the people by taking less for himself while still paying the full amount in tribute. In doing so, he had won the people's favor.

But now that the tax reduction order had been issued, the two hundred vassal states under Marquis of Xi would likely have to lower their taxes again. Otherwise, the Great King would win the people's praise, while the good name Marquis of Xi had worked so hard to earn would be ruined overnight.

If Marquis of Xi lowered taxes by thirty percent, the people would surely thank the Great King as well.

He would have to lower them by more than thirty percent to keep winning public support.

Meanwhile, the people of Xi Qi would also be grateful to the Great King.

No matter what, the Great King stood to gain without losing anything.

And if Marquis of Xi truly lowered the annual taxes by more than thirty percent, his finances would shrink considerably. With two hundred vassal states, he had no hope of standing against the Great King's more than five hundred.

He had forgotten to ask Master whether she knew about this.

In any case, the more Wen Zhong thought about it, the more he felt the Great King's decision to reduce the annual taxes had been brilliant.

And ordering a halt to the campaign against Yuan Futong had been an equally shrewd move.

It would not only save a great deal of money and manpower, but also directly undermine the support of the people in the seventy-two vassal states.

If Yuan Futong and the others followed the Great King's decree and lowered their taxes, it would show that they still recognized Yin Shang as their sovereign. Their rebellion against Yin Shang would then lose its moral standing.

If they did not follow the Great King's decree and lower their taxes, how could the people of the seventy-two vassal states continue to support them wholeheartedly?

Such a brilliant move could benefit so many people. How could anyone say Yin Shang's fate was nearing its end?

Moreover, since he had gone off to war, the treacherous ministers Fei Zhong, Fei Lian, E Lai, and the others had all been executed. The people of Chaoge had cheered in delight.

Was that what it meant to lose the people's support?

And as for the supposed extravagance and debauchery, he had seen no sign of that this time either.

The Great King knew his past mistakes and had gone to the Ancestral Temple to repent. Did that mean fate itself could not be changed?

Wen Zhong put himself in the Great King's place. If he were the one making the decisions, he might not have done any better.

After thinking it over, he shook his head with a wry smile. His master had spent so long in Biyou Palace that she might not know about these things.

She did not even know about something as serious as his fellow disciples losing their treasures, let alone anything else.

Upon returning to Chaoge, Wen Zhong went straight to the Royal Palace to pay his respects to the Great King.

"How did it go?"

When he heard Wen Zhong had come to see him, Di Xin hurried out of Shouxian Palace.

After Wen Zhong paid his respects, he said, "This humble official met with my master and told her about Your Majesty's situation. She said that Your Majesty is the ruler of Yin Shang, with the fortune of the Human Emperor upon you. Ordinary Daoist Sect members like me are entirely unqualified to be your master. If you insist on going against Heaven's will, your lifespan will be greatly shortened. Your Majesty should not bring it up again. If you have any questions, this humble official will do his utmost to answer them."