Chapter 483 484: The Heroes of the World Are Truly as Numerous as Fish in a River!
Chapter 484: The Heroes of This World Are Truly as Numerous as Fish in a River!
Although Lü Yang had anticipated that Uncle Chongguang would soon begin seeking the Golden Seat after Daoist Hong Yun entered the banner, he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
Moreover—
'Something's off!'
Lü Yang's expression remained unchanged, but doubts arose in his heart: 'Shouldn't Uncle Chongguang first reincarnate secretly, develop for decades, and then seek the Golden Seat?'
Had history been altered?
How was that possible?
Lü Yang was no stranger to altering established history. He knew that sometimes even his unintentional actions could change the course of events.
For example, at the beginning of this life's restart, he discarded the 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》 from his body. This directly led to Zhao Xuhe cultivating the 《Nine Transforming Dragon Art》 before the Substitute Death Yin Puppet incident, and ultimately, through a series of coincidences, the art even fell into the hands of the Dao Court.
So the question was:
What had he done this time? Over the past month, he had been in the Dao Court, completely unrelated to Jiangbei. How could his actions have had any influence there?
Despite the lingering doubts in his heart, Lü Yang suppressed his thoughts and looked up at Emperor Jiayou, speaking softly: "Your Majesty... this fluctuation of karma seems to be coming from Jiangbei?"
"Correct."
Emperor Jiayou nodded, his jade-green eyes piercing through mountains and rivers across millions of miles as he frowned deeply. "The acting sect master of the Demon Sect—that reincarnated immortal—is seeking the Golden Seat."
"Seeking the Golden Seat!?"
Lü Yang feigned shock and continued, "To think someone in this era could still seek the Golden Seat! I wonder what ritual this person will perform and whether they can attain the supreme Golden Seat..."
As he spoke, a trace of envy surfaced in his expression.
Emperor Jiayou glanced at Lü Yang upon hearing this but wasn't surprised. After all, seeking the Golden Seat was the ultimate dream of every Foundation Establishment True Person, so envy was only natural.
However, his expression soon turned grave:
"Something's not right... That reincarnated immortal has gone to the [Kingdom of Qing]. What does he intend to do? Is he planning to use our Dao Court's Wonder as part of his Golden Seat ritual?"
The moment this thought crossed his mind, Emperor Jiayou abruptly stood up.
But at that very instant, a majestic aura erupted from Jiangbei like a tidal wave crashing against a mountain, isolating most of the region in an instant!
[True Lord Qingcheng Feixue]!
Within just a month, this widely known madwoman had taken action again, making it clear to the world that she would not allow any True Lord to interfere with Chongguang's pursuit of the Golden Seat!
'Fine, you win!'
Emperor Jiayou sat back down.
Not out of cowardice, of course—it was simply that the life of an emperor was too precious to risk over such trivial matters. There was no need to confront True Lord Qingcheng Feixue head-on for something so insignificant.
'To put it bluntly, the officials below, even the Three Dukes, are probably hoping I'll fight that madwoman... Just like how I once hoped the Grand Preceptor would do the same... No, I can't give them that opportunity. Losing one Wonder is acceptable... But I can't appear too weak either.'
With this in mind, Emperor Jiayou shifted his gaze.
He looked at Lü Yang:
"...Minister Du, your investigation into the corruption within the Dutian Bureau was commendable. Coincidentally, I have an even more important task for you."
Lü Yang immediately bowed. "At Your Majesty's command."
"Go to Jiangbei."
Emperor Jiayou spoke bluntly. "Take the Imperial City Bureau with you and develop the Incense Qi Divine Path in the [Kingdom of Qing]. Keep that acting sect master of the Demon Sect out of the [Kingdom of Qing]."
Huh? Me?
Lü Yang lowered his head. "The Demon Sect in Jiangbei boasts cultivators whose strength and combat prowess are unparalleled among their peers. With my meager abilities, even if I were willing, I fear I lack the power to succeed."
At these words, Emperor Jiayou's eyebrows rose slightly.
'Asking for rewards?'
'Obviously!'
Lü Yang remained silent, but inwardly he cursed. This Emperor Jiayou was truly stingy. He and the Imperial City Bureau had helped uncover corruption for him.
And what was the result? A mere title of Gallant Cavalry General—a hollow position with no real authority, no official rank, and none of the divine abilities or cultivation depth he needed... As the saying goes, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. Seizing this rare opportunity, Lü Yang had no choice but to speak plainly.
'Hmm... Very well.'
Fortunately, Emperor Jiayou himself felt somewhat guilty about shortchanging Lü Yang. Combined with how Lü Yang's earlier flattery had pleased him, he relented:
"Appoint the True Dragon Du Huan as [Commander of the Nine Gates Infantry and Five Patrol Battalions]."
"Boom!"
In an instant, Lü Yang felt an unprecedented surge of power descend from the [Immortal Nation's Dao Statutes], as if igniting a blazing fire within him.
Commander of the Nine Gates—a first-rank official position!
This role was responsible for guarding the nine gates surrounding the imperial palace where the Tianwu Hall was located. In a way, its duties overlapped with those of the current [Imperial City Bureau].
But more importantly, this was a first-rank official position derived from [Roadside Earth], containing four corresponding Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiends: [Geng Metal], [Noon Fire], [Xin Metal], and [Unripe Earth]... Among them, [Noon Fire] and [Unripe Earth] also corresponded to [Heavenly Fire Above]!
For a moment, Lü Yang was ecstatic.
But he quickly regained his composure: 'No... [Unripe Earth] comes after [Ji Earth]. This Heavenly Gang and Earthly Fiend is useless to me for now.'
[Heavenly Fire Above] was built upon the foundations of [Wu Earth], [Noon Fire], [Ji Earth], and [Unripe Earth].
Currently, Lü Yang had already refined [Wu Earth] and [Noon Fire]. The next step should have been [Ji Earth]—he couldn't skip ahead to refine [Unripe Earth] prematurely.
'Emperor Jiayou probably did this on purpose. Anyone with eyes could see I'm pursuing [Heavenly Fire Above] and need the corresponding cultivation depth. He's trying to control me by doling out rewards piecemeal, giving me the illusion that I'm just one step away from success.'
In other words... he's manipulating me!
Lü Yang inwardly grumbled, but outwardly, he put on an expression of overwhelming excitement. He promptly accepted the decree with gratitude, then strode out of the Tianwu Hall.
Upon returning to the Imperial City Bureau's office, Lü Yang immediately sat cross-legged to meditate.
His consciousness traversed thousands of miles, quickly settling into the immortal embryo doppelgänger he had left behind in Jiangbei. Opening his eyes, he looked toward the direction of the Saint Sect.
'Uncle Chongguang... Why?'
What could have happened to make Chongguang abandon his original plan of secretly reincarnating in the [Kingdom of Qing] and instead launch a direct assault?
Lü Yang was utterly perplexed.
Holding this question in mind, Lü Yang stepped out from the hiding place of his doppelgänger, intending to investigate. But the next moment... he froze in place.
His doppelgänger had been concealed in a remote mountain forest.
Upon emerging, he faced a cliff—a place where birds and beasts should have been absent. Yet now, a figure stood there with hands clasped behind his back.
"Fellow Daoist, this doppelgänger of yours gave me quite the chase."
The figure turned around, revealing a face that wasn't particularly handsome but carried an indomitable sharpness between the brows, his gaze fixed intently on Lü Yang.
—Chongguang!
For the first time since restarting this life, Lü Yang felt genuine tension... Only this situation had completely spiraled beyond his control.
'How did he do it?'
Lü Yang was certain he had been far more meticulous in covering his tracks this time compared to his previous life. In that life, Uncle Chongguang hadn't been able to find him—so why had he succeeded now?
It made no sense!
As Lü Yang's thoughts raced, Chongguang spoke:
"Fellow Daoist, there's no need to overthink it."
"I found your doppelgänger because of Hong Ju... When your doppelgänger fought Hong Yun, he left an imprint on it. Hong Ju passed the sensing technique to me, which allowed me to locate this doppelgänger of yours."
"Moreover, I've learned quite a few things."
"Chen Earth... Very interesting."
Chongguang spoke casually, exuding the calm of someone unshaken even if Mount Tai collapsed before him. "Fellow Daoist must know more. Care to enlighten me?"
"...Interesting." Lü Yang smiled.
Hong Ju—the guardian enlightened by Hong Yun's Metal Essence, mentally linked to Hong Yun. He had completely forgotten about this contingency!
The heroes of this world are truly as numerous as fish in a river... Hong Yun, I underestimated you!