Peng Yongnian steeled himself and stepped forward to salute. "This subordinate, Peng Yongnian, commandant of the imperial guards, pays his respects to Tiger Might General."
Du Dingguang quietly backed away. Li Qiang signaled Zhao Hao with his eyes.
Zhao Hao nodded slightly and appeared before Du Dingguang like a phantom. "Where do you think you're going? Stay here."
Du Dingguang said menacingly, "Don't push me too far. I'm no pushover." Pale green phosphorescence spread over his hands, and he struck as swiftly as thunder. His attack was bizarre: his crossed hands drew out two streaks of green phosphorescence that flashed toward Zhao Hao's chest.
Zhao Hao laughed heartily. "Haha, behold my Cold Spirit Giant Palm!" White light flashed over his palm. This was the unique palm technique he had learned from Hou Pijing. Zhao Hao's cultivation was not yet sufficient to launch the palm imprint outward, but its power was already astonishing. At the slightest contact, Du Dingguang recoiled in alarm, retreating rapidly as he counterattacked from below with his Green Phosphorus Palm.
Before Du Dingguang could exert his strength, five white whip shadows had wound around him. It was already too late to dodge; Mei Jingjing's whip shadows bound him tightly. Zhao Hao could not stop his strike in time either and hurriedly diverted its force. A stream of True Essence Power grazed Du Dingguang's chest at an angle. With a soft hiss, a great slit opened in the front of his clothes. The palm force struck the large blue bricks paving the floor, crushing an area a full ten feet across into a depression.
Du Dingguang cursed furiously.
Zhao Hao gave a soft exclamation. "What's this?" As expected of the head of a jewelry house, he had a truly discerning eye. A fine chain hung against Du Dingguang's exposed chest, its pendant a thumb-sized piece of jade.
Li Qiang saw it too. "Bring it here." Zhao Hao pulled it off, and Du Dingguang's gloomy expression changed drastically.
Peng Yongnian stood awkwardly to one side, not knowing what to say. The four luminous pearls in his hand were like four little fireballs, truly too hot to handle.
Without so much as looking at him, Li Qiang toyed with the pendant. Its shape was peculiar, like a bird in flight, and its material somewhat resembled a Jade Pupil Slip. A thought stirred in Li Qiang's mind, and he sent a thread of true essence into it. To his immense delight, it really was an extremely tiny Jade Pupil Slip.
After briefly examining its contents, Li Qiang put the pendant into his bracelet and said with a grin, "Pardon my discourtesy! Should I call you Boss Du, or Attendant Du? Hehe, an expert Attendant from the Litang Kingdom, running a gambling house in the Gusong Kingdom. What an indignity for you." He turned to Peng Yongnian. "Very nice. With a commandant of our Gusong Kingdom's imperial guards protecting you, security certainly won't be a problem."
Peng Yongnian dropped to his knees with a thud, stammering in panic, "This subordinate absolutely did not... did not..." He could no longer explain what it was he had not done.
Li Qiang asked Cheng Zizhong, "Which government office investigates cases?"
Cheng Zizhong replied, "The Judicial Surveillance Office under the Ministry of Justice handles that. I'll send someone to notify them."
Li Qiang asked the four Attendants to watch the surroundings and sent the soldiers to search and confiscate the gambling house's property. The soldiers were delighted; a gambling house offered plenty of rich pickings. Mei Jingjing walked up to Peng Yongnian with a smile and held out her little hand. "Hand them over. You don't even blush when you lie."
The Attendant on the western side suddenly shouted, "Who's there? Stop!" A black shadow flashed past, his movements as elusive as a wisp of smoke. The Attendant actually failed to stop him.
Several soldiers tried to block him and were immediately sent flying with agonized screams.
Li Qiang swiftly fired a golden eagle. A small sword shadow glowing green flew from the black figure. With a soft pop, both the golden eagle and the little sword shadow vanished without a trace.
"A flying sword!" Zhao Hao exclaimed. He opened his mouth and spat out the Cold Sparrow Sword, sending four silver sword shadows to meet the attack, though his flying sword technique was still very unpracticed. Mei Jingjing's seven whip shadows also wound toward the figure. From four directions, the four Attendants each struck at the black shadow with a Law Treasure.
The man shouted in a deep voice, "Think you're so impressive? Break!" Brilliant green light flashed from his body. Grabbing Du Dingguang off the floor, he suddenly leaped out of the ring of green light and rammed straight through the roof.
Bricks and splintered wood rained down. The green light left inside the room collided violently with the force of everyone's Law Treasures. A deafening boom erupted, and torn streams of True Essence Power surged everywhere, filling the room with smoke and chaos.
Li Qiang fired seven or eight golden eagles in succession, sending them through the roof in pursuit. The man laughed loudly. "Haha, you dare embarrass yourselves with little toys like these? We'll settle this debt another day!" His voice gradually faded into the distance.
Li Qiang stopped the others from pursuing. He painfully realized how helpless he was before a true cultivation expert. In the mortal world, his strength was already beyond compare, but in the Cultivation Realm, he was merely a newcomer who had just crossed the threshold. If he wanted to return to Earth someday, he had to establish himself in the Cultivation Realm, and without formidable strength, that was utterly impossible.
Only then did Li Qiang truly resolve to cultivate earnestly and strengthen his cultivation as quickly as possible.
The chief official of the Ministry of Justice's Judicial Surveillance Office personally brought a large contingent to the gambling house. After saluting Li Qiang, they began searching and questioning people.
A eunuch arrived at the gambling house, saying the emperor had summoned Li Qiang and Cheng Zizhong to the palace for an audience. An official's life was not his own. With a wry smile, Li Qiang gave Zhao Hao and Niuniu a few instructions, then followed the eunuch into the palace.
The emperor had summoned several ministers to the Water Pavilion Elegant Chamber to discuss negotiations with the Litang Kingdom. Over the past two days, the Litang Kingdom's special envoy had repeatedly pressed them, even threatening that unless talks began soon, the delegation would report to their emperor that negotiations had broken down.
Several ministers had already argued over this for a long time. After hearing Tan Chigong's intelligence analysis, the emperor had been unable to decide, so he summoned the ministers for discussion. Little had he expected each minister to insist on his own reasoning, leaving him even less able to reach a decision.
Li Qiang and Cheng Zizhong arrived at the Water Pavilion Elegant Chamber and greeted the emperor and ministers. Once they had been granted seats, the minister of war said, "This old minister believes we should begin negotiations with the Litang Kingdom's special envoy as soon as possible. Our military preparations are far from sufficient. Troops and provisions are still being mobilized, weapons are still being allocated, and the newly recruited soldiers have not even received the necessary training. If negotiations break down now, I fear it will be very unfavorable for us."
The emperor nodded. "What does the Privy Council think? Let everyone hear your views."
Gradually, Li Qiang understood the focus of the ministers' dispute. They were divided into a pro-war faction and a pro-peace faction, but both wanted negotiations to begin as soon as possible. The pro-war faction wanted to use negotiations to buy time, while the pro-peace faction intended to avoid armed conflict as far as possible. Once war began, the nation would suffer a grievous blow to its vitality, one that could not be recovered from in just a few years.
Watching the ministers argue fiercely, each talking over the others, Li Qiang weighed everything in his mind and formed an idea of his own. Then he sat quietly to one side, listening to them quarrel.
The emperor was also having trouble deciding. After pondering for a long while, he caught sight of Li Qiang sitting calmly to one side and suddenly grew curious. He had appointed Li Qiang not because he valued any genuine talent or learning, but mainly to make use of his background and status. Someone had already reported that the Great Han Kingdom had granted him a noble title. What might Li Qiang be thinking now? He smiled and asked, "Minister Li, you may share any views you have. You are my special envoy for the negotiations, after all."
With a complete plan already in mind, Li Qiang smiled and asked in return, "Can anyone tell me why the Litang Kingdom's special envoy is so eager to begin negotiations?"
That single question immediately left all the ministers speechless. The emperor said softly, "Yes. Why?"
Seeing that the ministers remained silent, Li Qiang said unhurriedly, "Because the Litang Kingdom is even more anxious than we are. If we keep delaying, they won't be able to hold out."
He then began analyzing the Litang Kingdom's situation and its purpose in deploying troops, speaking at length for over two hours. As he organized and summarized matters from the inside out, explaining complex issues in simple terms, the entire situation in the Litang Kingdom unfolded clearly before them.
The ministers had only one thought: if this fellow became their superior, their lives would certainly be difficult. He was simply too shrewd. The emperor was even more astonished. This man has the makings of a prime minister. I have truly underestimated him.
Li Qiang laid out the countermeasures he had devised: continue delaying negotiations while launching large-scale recruitment at home to pressure the other side, and send spies to spread rumors.
Most importantly, they should suspend trade with the Litang Kingdom in the immediate future, especially the grain trade.
At this point, Li Qiang remembered what had happened at the Baolai Gambling House and smiled. "Your Majesty, I have something for you. Have the experts of the Attendant Hall transcribe it. Once you read it, you'll understand." He handed the pendant to the emperor.
Once Li Qiang had clearly analyzed the overall situation, the ministers immediately brought their respective abilities into play, and a complete plan soon took shape. The emperor was truly delighted now and immediately wanted to reward Li Qiang generously.
Li Qiang firmly declined, arguing that he had only just become an official in the Gusong Kingdom and should not be promoted too quickly. The emperor could hardly insist too much; after all, he was the imperial grandfather's sworn brother. Finally, Li Qiang asked the emperor for leave, saying he wanted to cultivate in seclusion at the Sacred King's Residence for a while.
Under the ministers' envious gazes, Li Qiang took his leave and returned to the residence.
Upon returning to the Sacred King's Residence, Li Qiang immediately had the steward invite Zhao Hao over.
Zhao Hao asked, "Do you need something, Master?"
Li Qiang pondered for a moment, then suddenly smiled. "I have an idea. Don't find it strange when you hear it. Could you teach me martial arts?"
It would have been strange if Zhao Hao had not found it strange. He could not understand why his master was interested in such trifling skills, but if his master wanted to learn, he would never disobey. He admired this young master from the bottom of his heart.
At the Sacred King's Residence, Li Qiang formally began the initial training of his own physical body.
Zhao Hao marveled inwardly. In just a few days, his master had learned almost everything he knew. As long as he explained and demonstrated something once, his master could immediately perform it, and even better than he could.
Li Qiang himself found it strange. Why were martial arts so easy to learn?
Actually, there was nothing strange about it. Li Qiang had cultivated a Purple Mansion Nascent Soul, and his internal strength was a hundred times greater than that of the martial world's greatest experts. Learning martial techniques was therefore like sailing downstream-simply too easy and convenient.
After exhausting Zhao Hao's stock of knowledge, Li Qiang went searching in the study. The Sacred King's Residence was famous throughout the Gusong Kingdom for its collection of books. Hou Pijing had entered cultivation through martial arts, so the collection was particularly rich in that field. Li Qiang found a great pile of martial arts manuals and studied them furiously for seven or eight days before finally growing bored. There was no challenge at all; he could master almost anything as soon as he tried it. He grew impatient.
Giving up his study of martial arts, Li Qiang began cultivating according to the Primordial Beginning Sect's texts.
First, he made arrangements for Zhao Hao and the others, then set up a defensive formation in the library and began cultivating with the first seated posture. His consciousness sank into his body almost immediately. Looking inward, Li Qiang saw that his Nascent Soul seemed to have grown considerably. It was over two fists tall, and the purple flames flickering over it were brighter.
According to the Primordial Beginning Sect's method, he should drive his true essence to form a rotating Microcosm in his chest and abdomen. For beginners, the hardest part was having to rely entirely on visualization to move their true essence, bit by bit, into fixed positions. If their concentration slackened even slightly, not only would the Microcosm fail to form, but they would also suffer a backlash from their True Essence Power. Nothing could be more dangerous.
Li Qiang sank his consciousness into his Nascent Soul, leaving his physical body in a state of meditation without awareness or sensation. Had anyone been able to see the Nascent Soul at that moment, they would have discovered that it had opened its eyes.
Li Qiang opened his eyes curiously. How wondrous-it was as if he stood in an ocean of light, with brilliantly colored clusters of light slowly revolving around him. He tried touching a halo with his hand. It slowly flowed into his body, and soon another halo radiated out of him.
Li Qiang suddenly understood. The Nascent Soul was like a generator inside his body, producing all the energy. As long as he arranged that energy in an orderly fashion, he could create his first Microcosm using the Primordial Beginning Sect's method.
With the Nascent Soul's help, he easily crossed the most difficult step in the Primordial Beginning Sect's cultivation.
Returning his consciousness to his physical body, Li Qiang looked at his Nascent Soul again. It was entirely different now. The halos surrounding it were like brilliant stars, flickering as they slowly flowed. Some were drawn into the Nascent Soul before radiating out anew. This Microcosm was effectively both a catalyst and a protective talisman for the Nascent Soul. With it, the Nascent Soul could cultivate automatically without his conscious control, though relatively slowly.
Cultivating in just one seated posture had produced such remarkable results. It seemed the Primordial Beginning Sect's cultivation methods truly were unparalleled. Without wasting a moment, Li Qiang immediately began cultivating in the reclining posture. He lay down, supporting his head with one hand and resting the other on his knee. The posture reminded him of the reclining Buddhas in temples; the resemblance was astonishing.
The reclining posture was the cultivation method for the Primordial Beginning Sect's unique Shadow Dream Armor. Its method of cultivation was unparalleled in the Cultivation Realm. Unlike the external armor refined by other sects, this armor was composed entirely of true essence. The key to cultivating it was to arrange True Essence Power beneath the skin in an orderly formation called Orbiting Stars. Its greatest feature was its ability to evolve as its owner's cultivation advanced.
Cultivating the Shadow Dream Armor took Li Qiang quite some time. Every stage of its cultivation was tightly linked to the next. Most importantly, the armor's structure had to be completed in one uninterrupted effort. Anyone with insufficient cultivation must never attempt it. If they abandoned the process halfway through, cultivating it again later would be ten times harder. The other fine details could be cultivated gradually.
Li Qiang's cultivation was more than sufficient. After constructing its framework with true essence, he began working on the details. Good heavens, this cultivation session took over thirty whole days.
Coming out of the library, Li Qiang waved back the eunuchs and palace maids crowding toward him and asked the steward, "Has anything happened these past few days?"
The steward replied respectfully, "The Sacred King left word asking you to visit him on Bada Star if you have the chance."
Li Qiang exclaimed, "He's gone?" He thought, Oh no, I wanted to ask him about the Frozen Plain Continent. Now I'll have to feel my way there. He felt a little sad. This was a warmhearted brother he had met on Heavenly Court Star, yet he had not even said goodbye to him. He could not help feeling a sense of loss.
Cheng Zizhong came in excitedly, followed by Zhao Hao and the others, all with excitement written across their faces.
From a distance, Cheng Zizhong called, "Congratulations, my lord! Congratulations!"
Amused, Li Qiang smiled. "Old scholar, I haven't got married. What is there to congratulate me for?" Everyone laughed. Only Mei Jingjing blushed.
Cheng Zizhong also smiled. "If you wish to marry, my lord, that would be very easy. Just name whichever family's daughter catches your eye, and this scholar will send a matchmaker to propose. I guarantee even His Majesty would officiate at your wedding."
For some reason, Mei Jingjing felt a surge of agitation. She wished she could strangle this flatterer.
Thick-skinned as ever, Li Qiang laughed. "Who would fancy a wanderer like me? Besides, I don't even know where to find a beauty. Let's not worry about that. Enough of this-what else is there?"
Cheng Zizhong said, "His Majesty has issued a decree granting you the title of third-rank duke, rewarding you for the successful negotiations with the Litang Kingdom."
"What? What? Negotiations? I never even went! The negotiations ended during these few days I was in seclusion?" Li Qiang asked in bewilderment.
Zhao Hao explained, "Master, you were in seclusion for over fifty days. It even drew His Majesty's attention. Later, His Majesty sent Lord Tan Chigong from the Attendant Hall to negotiate according to the plan you left. As a result, the Litang Kingdom not only withdrew its troops but also compensated the Gusong Kingdom for its losses. You could call it victory without battle. His Majesty even praised you, saying you were a pillar of the nation."
Cheng Zizhong interjected, "The jade pendant you gave His Majesty exposed several spies from the Litang Kingdom who had been hiding in our country for years. All of them held fairly high offices in the Gusong Kingdom. His Majesty even said he wanted you to oversee the Ministry of Justice as well."
Li Qiang immediately instructed the servants, "Everyone withdraw. You must not spread word that I've emerged from seclusion. Understood?"
Seeing Zhao Hao and the others' puzzled looks, Li Qiang smiled faintly. "Because I intend to leave the capital today." He thought, I can't stay in the Gusong Kingdom any longer. I've already been granted such high office after just a few days. If this continues, I won't be able to go anywhere. And judging by His Majesty's attitude, there's no chance he'll let me resign now. I might as well imitate the ancients, hang up my official hat, and leave-elegant and carefree. Hehe, if I don't leave now, when will I?
Li Qiang said to Mei Jingjing, "Niuniu, I'll go with you to the Frozen Plain to find your parents. How about it?"
Strangely, Mei Jingjing did not jump and cheer. A warm current flowed through her heart. Li Qiang was even giving up his official position, yet still remembered to help her find her parents. How could she ever repay such kindness?
Her nose stung slightly and her eyes reddened. Lowering her head, she said softly, "Thank you, Brother."
Cheng Zizhong was troubled and stammered, "Well, um, what about His Majesty?"
Li Qiang smiled. "That's easy. I'll just leave a memorial. If you still feel you'll have trouble explaining, then let's do this-" Before Cheng Zizhong could ask what he meant, Li Qiang raised his hand and chopped the back of his neck. Watching him crumple to the floor, he called servants to carry him into a room. Li Qiang smiled. "Now His Majesty won't blame you."
Li Qiang quickly began making arrangements, first having Zhao Hao help him finish writing the memorial. Since they were going to the Frozen Plain and Zheng Peng's cultivation was insufficient, he could only send someone to escort him to the jewelry house to stay for the time being. He also neatly arranged the emperor's gifts in the main hall. However, he accepted the gold Attendant token and a jade token that proved his identity. After all, he had agreed to Hou Pijing's request and would have to look after the Gusong Kingdom if he returned to Heavenly Court Star in the future.
With everything ready, Li Qiang looked full of vigor. "All right, the three of us will slip out through the back gate."
Mei Jingjing could not yet fly long distances, so the three had to travel on foot, hurrying along through wind and dust.
One day, when they reached a mountain ridge, Li Qiang stopped. "Why do I keep feeling uneasy, as if something is waiting for us? Do either of you feel that way?"
Mei Jingjing shook her head in puzzlement. "No. Everything feels normal to Niuniu."
Zhao Hao thought for a moment. "It's hard to say. Sometimes my heart seems to flutter, but the feeling passes in an instant. This disciple can't say for certain either."
Li Qiang asked, "Where have we reached?" After some thought, he added, "If we get separated, we'd better have somewhere to regroup." The three discussed it and settled on a meeting place, putting Li Qiang at ease. Neither he nor Mei Jingjing knew the way; they could only rely on Zhao Hao.
Their route toward the Frozen Plain took them westward from Hanlin City. Once they crossed the Red Rock Petrification Mountain Range, they could enter the Frozen Plain. They were now approaching the Bewilderment Forest. Beyond a detour around the forest lay the Red Rock Petrification Mountain Range.
After traveling a little farther, they reached a mountain hollow. Li Qiang felt increasingly uneasy. He stopped and shouted, "Come out!"
Without any warning, five people wearing black battle armor appeared around them.
"Who are you? State your names!" Zhao Hao shouted.
Mei Jingjing immediately drew her Shadow Pattern Whip, and Li Qiang swiftly readied his weapon. They all knew the newcomers meant no good.
"The people who'll take your lives!" The five laughed brazenly.
Li Qiang immediately understood that retaliation had come.