Chapter 485
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: Ace
Chapter: 485
Chapter Title: There Are Indeed Heroes Throughout the World, Like Carp Crossing the River!
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Although Lu Yang had anticipated that after Hongyun entered the banner, Uncle-Master Heavy Light would soon begin seeking the golden position, he hadn't expected it to happen quite so quickly.
And moreover—
‘Something's off!’
Lu Yang kept his expression unchanged, but doubts stirred in his heart: ‘Shouldn't Uncle-Master Heavy Light have first reincarnated in secret, developed for a few decades, and only then sought the golden position?’
Had history been altered?
How could that be?
Lu Yang had experience with changing established history and knew that sometimes even his inadvertent actions could alter the course of events.
For instance, right after restarting this life, he had crippled the Nine Transformations Dragon Art in his body, which directly led to Zhao Xuhe cultivating the Nine Transformations Dragon Art even before the Death-Substituting Yin Puppet incident. In the end, through a twist of fate, it had even fallen into the hands of the Dao Court.
So the question was.
What had he done this time? Over the past month, he'd been in the Dao Court, eight poles unable to touch the Jiangbei region—how could he have had any influence?
Despite the many lingering doubts in his mind.
Lu Yang reined in his thoughts and took the initiative to look up at Emperor Jiayou, lowering his voice: “Your Majesty... this karmic fluctuation seems to be coming from Jiangbei?”
“Indeed.”
Emperor Jiayou nodded, his pair of jade-green eyes piercing through billions of miles of mountains and rivers, brows furrowed tight: “It's that reincarnated immortal spirit, the acting sect master of the Demon Sect, seeking the golden position.”
“Seeking the golden position!?”
Lu Yang feigned shock and continued: “To think someone in this era can actually seek the golden position. I wonder what ritual this person is performing and whether they can truly attain the supreme golden seat.”
As he spoke, he even revealed a hint of envious color.
Emperor Jiayou glanced at Lu Yang upon hearing this, not surprised at all—for seeking the golden position was the ultimate dream of every Foundation Establishment True Person, so envy was only natural.
But soon, his expression turned grave:
“Something's not right. That reincarnated immortal spirit is heading to the [State of Qing]. What does he intend? For the ritual of seeking gold, could he be aiming to strike at my Dao Court's wonders?”
With this thought, Emperor Jiayou immediately rose to his feet.
Yet at that very moment, a majestic aura erupted from Jiangbei with a thunderous boom, like mountain-ringed waves and surging snow cascades, sealing off more than half of Jiangbei entirely!
[True Lord Clear and Pure Flying Snow]!
In just a single month, this notorious madwoman had struck again, openly declaring to the world that she would not allow any True Lords to interfere with Heavy Light's pursuit of the golden position!
‘You win this one!’
Emperor Jiayou sat back down.
It wasn't cowardice—mainly, a man of a thousand gold pieces doesn't sit beneath the hall. There was no need to clash head-on with True Lord Clear and Pure Flying Snow over such a trivial matter; it simply wasn't worth it.
‘To put it bluntly, those officials below, even the Three Dukes, are probably all hoping I'll go pick a fight with that madwoman! Just like how I hoped the Grand Preceptor would back then... No, I can't give them that chance. One wonder can be abandoned, but I can't appear too weak.’
With this in mind, Emperor Jiayou's gaze shifted.
He looked toward Lu Yang:
“...Minister Ai, you've done well investigating the corruption in the Capital Heaven Department. Now, I have an even more important task for you.”
Lu Yang bowed at once: “At Your Majesty's command.”
“Go to Jiangbei.”
Emperor Jiayou said bluntly: “Take the Imperial City Division people with you and develop the incense fire divine path in the [State of Qing] to block that Demon Sect acting sect master from entering the [State of Qing].”
Eh? Me?
Lu Yang lowered his head: “The Jiangbei Demon Sect—its cultivation and combat prowess are top among peers. This humble minister's meager strength, even with the best intentions, fears it will be insufficient.”
At these words, Emperor Jiayou's brows arched slightly.
‘Wants rewards?’
‘Of course!’
Lu Yang kept his head down in silence, but inwardly he cursed—the Emperor Jiayou was truly stingy as hell. He and the Imperial City Division had helped him root out corruption.
But what was the result? A mere so-called Valiant Cavalry General to brush him off—a complete sinecure, just an empty title, no actual rank, and certainly none of the divine abilities and paths he needed... As the saying goes, the crying child gets the milk. This was a rare opportunity, so Lu Yang had no choice but to spell it out.
‘Fine then.’
Fortunately, Emperor Jiayou himself felt a bit guilty toward Lu Yang, and with how well Lu Yang had flattered him earlier, he simply relented:
“By decree of the True Dragon Duchang, appoint [Commander Supervising the Nine Gates Infantry Patrol of the Five Camps].”
“Boom!”
In an instant, Lu Yang felt an unprecedented mighty force descend from the [Immortal Kingdom Dao Laws], like igniting a blaze of brilliant flame upon his body.
Nine Gates Commander—a first-rank official!
The office oversaw the guards and gates around the palace where the Tianwu Hall resided, the nine portals—in a sense, its duties overlapped somewhat with the current [Imperial City Division].
But more importantly, this was a first-rank position originating from [Roadside Earth], replete with the four heavenly gang earthly fiends corresponding to [Roadside Earth]: [Geng Metal], [Wu Fire], [Xin Metal], [Wei Earth]. Among them, the [Wu Fire] and [Wei Earth] perfectly corresponded to [Heavenly Fire]!
In that moment, wild joy surged in Lu Yang's heart.
But soon, he calmed down: ‘No... [Wei Earth] comes after [Ji Earth]; this heavenly gang earthly fiend is temporarily useless to me.’
[Heavenly Fire] was based on [Wu Earth], [Wu Fire], [Ji Earth], and [Wei Earth].
Lu Yang had already refined [Wu Earth] and [Wu Fire]; the next step should logically be [Ji Earth]—he couldn't skip ahead to [Wei Earth].
‘Emperor Jiayou did this on purpose, no doubt. Anyone with eyes can see I'm pursuing [Heavenly Fire] and desperately need the corresponding paths. He's toying with me, dangling it just out of reach to give the illusion that one more push and it's mine.’
In other words... he's gaslighting me!
Lu Yang grumbled inwardly, but on his face, he showed an expression of utter exhilaration. He promptly received the decree, gave thanks, and strode out of Tianwu Hall.
Back at the Imperial City Division yamen, Lu Yang immediately sat in meditation and circulated his energy.
His consciousness crossed thousands of mountains and rivers, soon landing on the immortal fetus avatar left in Jiangbei. He then opened his eyes and looked toward the direction of the Primal Saint Sect.
‘Uncle-Master Heavy Light... why?’
What exactly had happened to make Heavy Light abandon his original plan—no longer reincarnating secretly in the [State of Qing], but instead launching a direct frontal assault?
Lu Yang racked his brains but couldn't figure it out.
Harboring this doubt, Lu Yang paced out from the hidden spot for his avatar, intending to investigate. But the next second... he froze in place.
The place where he hid his avatar was a remote mountain forest.
Emerging from the hiding spot, he faced a sheer cliff that should have been devoid of birds or beasts. Yet now, an additional figure stood there, hands behind back.
“Fellow Daoist, this avatar of yours was quite the hunt to find.”
The newcomer turned, revealing a face not particularly handsome but brimming with a soaring sharp aura between his brows, staring straight at Lu Yang.
—Heavy Light!
For the first time since restarting this life, Lu Yang felt a twinge of tension. Only this event unfolding now was completely beyond his control.
‘How did he do it?’
Lu Yang was certain he'd been even more flawless than in the previous life. Uncle-Master Heavy Light hadn't found him then—so why now?
This didn't make sense!
As Lu Yang's mind raced, Heavy Light spoke:
“No need for Fellow Daoist to overthink.”
“I could locate this avatar of yours because of Hong Ju. When your avatar clashed with Hongyun, Hongyun left a mark on it. Hong Ju passed the sensing method to me, allowing me to track this avatar's location.”
“Moreover, I've learned quite a few other things.”
“Chen Earth, eh? Most intriguing.”
Heavy Light said lightly, exuding a steadiness like Mount Tai collapsing before him without a flicker of expression: “Fellow Daoist must know more. Care to share?”
“...Interesting.” Lu Yang smiled.
Hong Ju, the protector enlightened by Hongyun's metal nature, linked heart and soul with Hongyun—this backhand, he'd actually overlooked!
There are indeed heroes throughout the world, like carp crossing the river. He'd underestimated Hongyun!
(End of chapter)