Wen Zhong Wanted to March North

At that moment, in the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Wen Zhong was troubled by the affairs of the North Sea when an armored soldier suddenly came to report.

"Reporting to Grand Tutor, there is a young man atop the city wall who calls himself Gu Changqing. He says he is an old acquaintance of yours."

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

Wen Zhong frowned slightly and casually dismissed the armored soldier.

The armored soldier muttered, "He truly is a swindler. Perhaps he is a spy. He should be thoroughly interrogated."

A swindler? A spy?

Wen Zhong froze for a moment, then stopped the armored soldier and asked, "What did you say that young man was called?"

"Gu Changqing. He claims to be a Golden Turtle Island cultivator. I think he looks more like a spy."

"Impudent! You look more like a spy!"

Only then did Wen Zhong react. Was Gu Changqing not the Junior Martial Uncle newly accepted by the Patriarch?

The armored soldier was utterly bewildered by the scolding.

"What are you standing around for? Hurry and take me to receive him!"

"Re... receive him?"

The armored soldier was even more confused.

"Idiot! Martial Uncle Changqing is the Shangqing Saint's last disciple. Why haven't you gone to welcome him?"

"Oh, oh, oh!"

The armored soldier hurriedly led Wen Zhong toward the city tower.

Seeing that the armored soldier was moving too slowly, Wen Zhong kicked him straight to the ground, then leaped into the air and landed atop the city 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. Though this Junior Martial Uncle had only recently entered the Intercepting Sect, he was deeply trusted by the Shangqing Saint.

"Wen Zhong? Grand Tutor Wen! A veteran minister of three reigns, yet he never entered the ranks of Heavenly Immortals or Earth Immortals. In civil affairs, he could bring peace to the realm; in war, he could stabilize the nation. Loyal and courageous, he was a model for both civil and military officials."

Gu Changqing spared no praise for Wen Zhong.

"Junior Martial Uncle overpraised me. Wen Zhong is ashamed. I owe everything to my sect's guidance and the Great King's trust."

Wen Zhong bowed to Gu Changqing once more.

Gu Changqing helped Wen Zhong up and said, "You need not be so formal in the future." As he spoke, he took out the Divine Water Mirror and handed it to Wen Zhong. "This is the High-Grade Acquired Spiritual Treasure, the Divine Water Mirror. It may help you avert a calamity in the future."

Wen Zhong was a loyal and righteous man, and Gu Changqing did not wish for him to die in vain.

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle."

A gift from an elder could not be refused. Wen Zhong did not stand on ceremony and accepted the Divine Water Mirror.

Gu Changqing continued, "I see worry on your face. Is something troubling you?"

Wen Zhong replied, "The Seventy-Two Route Lords of the North Sea have rebelled. Chong Houhu has repeatedly failed to suppress them and has repeatedly requested aid from Chaoge. Wen Zhong was entrusted by the late king with the young sovereign and cannot leave Chaoge without authorization."

A rebellion in the north?

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

The demons and monsters running rampant in Chaoge had begun after Wen Zhong set out to campaign against the North Sea.

Gu Changqing said, "There are hidden reasons behind the North Sea rebellion. You must consider matters carefully. If things become impossible, go to Skull Mountain at Chen Tang Pass and seek Shi Ji Niangniang's aid."

"Hidden reasons?" Wen Zhong asked curiously. "Could it be that Junior Martial Uncle knows the karmic ties behind this?"

Gu Changqing replied, "This concerns heavenly secrets, so it would not be convenient to reveal too much. The North Sea rebellion will ultimately be quelled, but it will drag on for a long time. You should prepare yourself."

"Thank you, Junior Martial Uncle."

After hearing Gu Changqing's words, Wen Zhong understood that the situation was grave. It seemed he had no choice but to go to the North Sea.

Though Junior Martial Uncle had not spoken plainly, he had mentioned Martial Uncle Shi Ji. Although Martial Uncle Shi Ji held a lower status in the Intercepting Sect than Wen Zhong's own master, she was still a Da Luo expert.

If a rebellion required a Da Luo expert to suppress it, an immortal sect must have intervened.

Wen Zhong thought to himself that Junior Martial Uncle knew the North Sea matter extremely well. Perhaps he had come to Chaoge at this time to help him as well. The Intercepting Sect and Great Shang were now bound by karmic ties. If Shang flourished, the Intercepting Sect would flourish.

Thinking of this, he added, "If Wen Zhong goes to the North Sea, could Junior Martial Uncle help oversee Chaoge?"

Gu Changqing raised his eyes and looked upon the prosperous human realm, already having made his decision.

Since the Saints treated the common people of the Human Race like straw dogs, then I, a member of the Human Race, would contend with the Saints!

The Human Race must strive for strength. The Human Race must govern itself!

"Congratulations to the host for comprehending your own destiny. Reward: fifty billion merits, one Kongtong Seal, and one Human Emperor Sword."

Upon hearing the system notification, Gu Changqing temporarily abandoned the thought of returning to the new world. He said to Wen Zhong, "Go without worry. While you are away, Chaoge will not fall into chaos, and the Human King will remain unharmed."

Wen Zhong added, "Please come to the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Junior Martial Uncle. Wen Zhong may then seek more guidance from you and do his small part to show filial respect."

"Very well."

Along the way, Gu Changqing said to Wen Zhong, "If you have the opportunity during this campaign to the North Sea, do your best to eliminate Chong Heihu. Though Chong Houhu is loyal and virtuous, Chong Heihu was born with the bones of a rebel."

"Oh?" Wen Zhong asked curiously. "Is Chong Heihu not a disciple of the Intercepting Sect? How could he possess the bones of a rebel?"

Gu Changqing pointed at Chaoge City and said, "Do you think everyone in Chaoge is loyal and virtuous? Or do you think that, as my master's final disciple, I would pick a quarrel with a mere Chong Heihu?"

"This disciple misspoke. I beg Junior Martial Uncle's forgiveness." Though Wen Zhong was loyal and righteous, he was not inflexible.

"It is nothing." Gu Changqing continued, "When the world changes, petty villains will surely emerge. From now on, you must act with utmost caution."

"I shall heed your teachings!"

After the two returned to the Grand Tutor's Mansion, Wen Zhong did not linger long. Instead, he entered the royal palace.

When Di Xin saw Wen Zhong, he said happily, "It is already late. Has the Grand Tutor come to see me because you have devised a strategy to defeat the enemy?"

Wen Zhong shook his head slightly and replied, "Reporting to the Great King, this minister has yet to devise a strategy to defeat the enemy."

Seeing that Wen Zhong had no good plan, disappointment immediately appeared in Di Xin's eyes.

Wen Zhong continued, "In light of the unrest in the North Sea, this minister wishes to personally lead the army north to quell it. This battle may be prolonged. This minister is worried about Chaoge and has come specifically to see the Great King."

"Grand Tutor, go with peace of mind. I have no need for the Grand Tutor to worry about me." Seeing that Wen Zhong had finally resolved to march north, Di Xin was delighted. He added, "For mere petty villains, once the Grand Tutor acts, victory will be swift. It will not take much time."

Wen Zhong replied, "My sect has sent word that the North Sea rebellion is no ordinary uprising, but the work of an immortal sect. This campaign may encounter many setbacks."

"How bold!" Di Xin flew into a rage upon hearing this. "What immortal sect dares bring calamity upon the human realm?"

As he spoke, an imperial majesty surged straight into the clouds.

"Since an immortal sect is causing trouble, I grant the Grand Tutor the Human Emperor Sword. Above, it shall slay demon immortals; below, it shall slay ghosts and evil spirits."

As Di Xin spoke, he removed his own sword and handed it to Wen Zhong.

"Thank you, Great King."

The Human Emperor Sword carried the will of successive Human Emperors. It could slay all beneath Da Luo without incurring karma.

Clearly, Di Xin had been truly enraged upon learning that immortals were secretly instigating trouble.

Wen Zhong did not take the Human Emperor Sword. Instead, he said, "Mere petty villains are unworthy of dying beneath the Human Emperor Sword. This minister already has a plan. I sought an audience with the Great King because there is another important matter."

"Oh?" Di Xin hung the Human Emperor Sword at Wen Zhong's waist and said, "The Grand Tutor was entrusted by my late father with the young sovereign. Speak freely of whatever you need. There is nothing I will not grant."

The Human Emperor Sword was not merely a magical artifact; it was also a symbol of authority.

As Wen Zhong set out on campaign, Di Xin wished to give him the greatest trust and the greatest authority.

Over seven years of rule, Wen Zhong alone had proven most worthy of trust.

Unable to refuse Di Xin, Wen Zhong put away the Human Emperor Sword and said, "Today, this minister's Junior Martial Uncle came to Chaoge."

"The Grand Tutor's Martial Uncle has come?"

"Hahaha... Quickly bring him to see me. I shall hold a banquet to welcome the immortal on the Grand Tutor's behalf."

Wen Zhong replied, "Junior Martial Uncle is a great cultivator who has attained the Dao, so there is no need for such empty formalities. If the Great King trusts this minister, would you be willing to honor Junior Martial Uncle as Imperial Preceptor?"

"Imperial Preceptor?" Di Xin frowned slightly. "In my heart, the Grand Tutor is already my Imperial Preceptor. If the Grand Tutor's Martial Uncle has arrived, I shall simply observe the rites of a disciple."

Hearing Di Xin's tactful refusal, Wen Zhong continued, "The Great King does not know this, but Junior Martial Uncle Gu Changqing entered the sect only a few years ago, yet he now suppressed the Chan Sect Twelve Immortals with a turn of his hand. He possesses countless precious treasures and immeasurable merit."

Di Xin asked curiously, "Is there truly such an extraordinary person in this world?"

Wen Zhong said, "And that is not even the most important part."

Di Xin was curious once more. "Could it be that this immortal has some even more remarkable achievement?"

Wen Zhong said, "Among the Shangqing Saint's nine direct disciples, Junior Martial Uncle is the only one from the Human Race!"

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

"I will observe the rites of a disciple for life."

Di Xin was moved.