Wen Zhong Desires a Northern Expedition

At this time, in the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Wen Zhong was troubled by the situation in the North Sea when a soldier suddenly reported.

"Reporting, Grand Tutor! There's a young man on the city wall calling himself Gu Changqing, claiming to be an old acquaintance of yours."

"A young man? Just give him some gold and send him home."

Wen Zhong frowned slightly and casually dismissed the soldier.

The soldier muttered, "He's clearly a swindler, perhaps even a spy. We should interrogate him thoroughly."

A swindler? A spy?

Wen Zhong paused, then called the soldier back, asking, "What did you say that young man's name was?"

"Gu Changqing. He claims to be a Qi cultivator from Golden Turtle Island, but he looks more like a spy to me."

"Nonsense! You're the one who looks more like a spy!"

It was then that Wen Zhong realized: Gu Changqing was none other than the Junior Martial Uncle, the new disciple his patriarch had taken in!

The soldier was utterly bewildered.

"What are you standing there for? Aren't you going to take me to greet him?!"

"Greet... greet whom?"

The soldier was even more confused.

"Fool! Junior Martial Uncle Changqing is the Shangqing Saint's youngest disciple! Go and welcome him!"

"Oh, oh, oh!"

The soldier hurriedly led Wen Zhong towards the city wall.

Seeing the soldier walking too slowly, Wen Zhong directly kicked him to the ground, then leaped up to the top of the wall.

"Wen Zhong pays his respects to Junior Martial Uncle."

Although Wen Zhong had never met Gu Changqing in person, he had seen his portrait. This Junior Martial Uncle, though new to the Intercepting Sect, was deeply trusted and esteemed by the Shangqing Saint.

"Wen Zhong? Grand Tutor Wen! A veteran of three dynasties, not quite a Heavenly Immortal, but a top-tier Earth Immortal. Capable of stabilizing the nation with his wisdom and securing it with his might, loyal and righteous—a paragon among civil and military officials."

Gu Changqing spared no praise for Wen Zhong.

"Junior Martial Uncle, you flatter me. Wen Zhong is ashamed; it is all thanks to the cultivation of my sect and the trust of His Majesty."

Wen Zhong bowed again to Gu Changqing.

Gu Changqing helped Wen Zhong up and said, "There's no need for such formality in the future." As he spoke, he took out the Divine Water Mirror and handed it to Wen Zhong, adding, "This is a High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure, the Divine Water Mirror. It can help you avert a calamity in the future."

Wen Zhong was a loyal and brave man, and Gu Changqing didn't want him to die unjustly.

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle."

When an elder bestows a gift, one should not refuse. Wen Zhong did not demur and accepted the Divine Water Mirror.

Gu Changqing then asked, "You seem troubled. Is there something on your mind?"

Wen Zhong replied, "The Seventy-Two Route Lords of the North Sea have rebelled, and Chong Houhu has repeatedly failed to suppress the rebellion, constantly requesting aid from Chaoge. Wen Zhong was entrusted with the care of the kingdom by the late emperor and dares not leave Chaoge."

Rebellion in the North?

Gu Changqing frowned slightly. It seemed the Western Sect had already made its move.

The chaos in Chaoge began after Wen Zhong departed for the North Sea.

Gu Changqing continued, "There's another hidden reason behind the North Sea rebellion. You must consider it carefully. If things become unmanageable, you can go to Skull Mountain at Chen Tang Pass and seek assistance from Shi Ji Niangniang."

"Another hidden reason?" Wen Zhong wondered, "Does Junior Martial Uncle know the cause and effect of this?"

Gu Changqing replied, "This is a heavenly secret, and it's not convenient to reveal too much. The North Sea rebellion will eventually be quelled, but it will be a protracted affair, so you must be mentally prepared."

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle."

Upon hearing Gu Changqing's words, Wen Zhong realized the seriousness of the situation. It seemed he couldn't avoid going to the North Sea.

Although Junior Martial Uncle didn't explicitly say so, he mentioned Martial Aunt Shi Ji. While Martial Aunt Shi Ji's status in the Intercepting Sect was not as high as his own master's, she was still a Grand Unity expert.

A rebellion that required a Grand Unity expert to quell must involve interference from immortal sects.

Wen Zhong thought, Junior Martial Uncle is very knowledgeable about the North Sea affair. His arrival in Chaoge at this time might also be to help me. Currently, the Intercepting Sect and Great Shang are intertwined. If the Shang Dynasty prospers, so will the Intercepting Sect.

With this in mind, he added, "If Wen Zhong goes to the North Sea, I wonder if Junior Martial Uncle could help oversee Chaoge?"

Gu Changqing looked up at the flourishing human world, his mind already made up.

Since the Saints treat the Human Race like straw dogs, then I, a member of the Human Race, will contend with them!

The Human Race must strive for self-improvement; the Human Race must govern itself!

Congratulations, Host, for realizing your destiny. Rewarding 50 billion Merits, one Kongtong Seal, and one Human Emperor Sword.

Hearing the system prompt, Gu Changqing temporarily abandoned the idea of returning to his old world. He said to Wen Zhong, "Go assured. While you are away, Chaoge will not fall into chaos, and the Human Emperor will not be harmed."

Wen Zhong then said, "Please, Junior Martial Uncle, move to the Grand Tutor's Mansion. Wen Zhong can then ask you for more guidance and also show some filial piety."

"Alright."

Along the way, Gu Changqing said to Wen Zhong, "When you go to the North Sea, if you get the chance, try to eliminate Chong Heihu. Although Chong Houhu is a loyal man, Chong Heihu is naturally rebellious."

"Oh?" Wen Zhong asked curiously, "Isn't Chong Heihu a disciple of the Intercepting Sect? How could he have a rebellious streak?"

Gu Changqing pointed at Chaoge City and said, "Do you think everyone in Chaoge City is loyal? Or do you think that as the Grand Tutor's closed-door disciple, I'd have a problem with a mere Chong Heihu?"

"Your disciple spoke out of turn. Please forgive me, Junior Martial Uncle." Although Wen Zhong was a loyal man, he wasn't rigid.

"No matter," Gu Changqing said. "When the world changes, there will always be scoundrels. You must be cautious in your future actions."

"I will heed your teachings!"

After the two returned to the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Wen Zhong didn't linger but instead went to the royal palace.

When Di Xin saw Wen Zhong, he happily said, "It's late. Grand Tutor, you've come to see me. Do you have a plan to defeat the enemy already?"

Wen Zhong shook his head slightly and replied, "Reporting to Your Majesty, your humble servant currently has no plan to defeat the enemy."

Seeing that Wen Zhong had no good strategy, Di Xin's eyes immediately showed disappointment.

Wen Zhong then said, "Given the unrest in the North Sea, your humble servant wishes to personally lead troops for a northern expedition. This battle might be protracted, and your humble servant is worried about Chaoge, so I specifically came to see Your Majesty."

"Grand Tutor, go in peace. You don't need to worry about me." Di Xin was pleased when he saw Wen Zhong finally determined to go on the northern expedition, and he added, "Just a few scoundrels. With the Grand Tutor's intervention, success is assured and won't take long."

Wen Zhong replied, "A message from my sect says that the North Sea rebellion is not an ordinary uprising, but rather caused by an immortal sect. This suppression of the rebellion will likely be fraught with difficulties."

"How audacious!" Di Xin was enraged upon hearing this. "Which immortal sect dares to cause chaos among mortals?"

As he spoke, an imperial aura shot straight into the sky.

"Since an immortal sect is causing trouble, I bestow upon the Grand Tutor the Human Emperor Sword, to slay demon immortals above and evil spirits below."

Di Xin said, unbuckling his own sword and handing it to Wen Zhong.

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

The Human Emperor Sword carried the will of past human kings. It could slay anyone below Grand Unity and was free of karma.

Clearly, Di Xin was truly angered upon hearing that immortals were secretly instigating trouble.

Wen Zhong did not take the Human Emperor Sword and said, "A few scoundrels are not worthy of dying by the Human Emperor Sword. Your humble servant already has a plan. I came to see Your Majesty for another important matter."

"Oh?" Di Xin hung the Human Emperor Sword at Wen Zhong's waist and said, "The Grand Tutor is a minister entrusted by the late king. Speak freely about anything you need; I will grant it all."

The Human Emperor Sword was not just a magical item but also a symbol of power.

For Wen Zhong's expedition, he wanted to grant him the utmost trust and power.

In his seven years of rule, only Wen Zhong was truly trustworthy.

Wen Zhong couldn't refuse Di Xin, so he put away the Human Emperor Sword and said, "Today, my junior martial uncle arrived in Chaoge."

"The Grand Tutor's martial uncle has arrived?"

"Hahaha... quickly, introduce him to me! I wish to host a welcoming banquet for the True Immortal on the Grand Tutor's behalf."

Wen Zhong replied, "Junior Martial Uncle is an enlightened master; these elaborate formalities are unnecessary. If Your Majesty trusts your humble servant, would you be willing to appoint Junior Martial Uncle as Imperial Preceptor?"

"Imperial Preceptor?" Di Xin frowned slightly. "In my heart, the Grand Tutor is the Imperial Preceptor. If the Grand Tutor's martial uncle has come, I shall simply treat him with the etiquette due a disciple."

Wen Zhong heard Di Xin's polite refusal and said, "Your Majesty might not know, but Junior Martial Uncle Gu Changqing entered the sect only a few years ago, and now he can effortlessly suppress the Chan Sect Twelve Immortals. He possesses countless precious treasures and immeasurable Merits."

Di Xin asked in surprise, "Is there truly such an extraordinary person in the world?"

Wen Zhong added, "And that's not even the most important part."

Di Xin again asked in surprise, "Does that True Immortal have even more remarkable achievements?"

Wen Zhong continued, "Among the Shangqing Saint's nine direct disciples, Junior Martial Uncle is the only member of the Human Race!"

"I am willing to venerate him as Imperial Preceptor!"

"And forever treat him with the etiquette due a disciple."

Di Xin was moved.