Chapter 309
Chapter 309
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: [Unknown]
Chapter Title: Farewells and Ambitions
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Chen Tang watched the scene on Qianyang Street where Chen Shi was seeing off a group of successful candidates and new officials, a strange surge of emotions stirring in his heart.
This moment felt natural, unlike the Young Master's deliberate arrangements.
"These people were deliberately scattered by the court, afraid that if they gathered around Little Ten, they would form an uncontrollable force." He mused silently to himself.
However, the court had overlooked one thing: although Tian Yue'e and the others had been dispersed, they were also members of the Red Mountain Hall Talisman Masters Association. As they took up posts across the fifty provinces of Xiniu New Continent, they would undoubtedly establish Red Mountain Hall branches everywhere.
At that time, with Red Mountain Hall Talisman Masters Associations blooming across the land, it would no longer be a minor force confined to one corner but would suddenly expand to an unimaginable degree!
"The Ministry of Revenue has removed me from my position. The personnel I placed there are probably being replaced one by one."
Chen Tang suddenly thought that these officials were all ones he had personally promoted; they shared honor and disgrace with him. Now that he had fallen, they couldn't stay either. It might be better to simply have them join Red Mountain Hall.
Red Mountain Hall's expansion would create many vacancies, perfect for accommodating these people.
"And me too. As the idle Ronglu Doctor, I can go to Red Mountain Hall and do something useful, so I don't irritate Little Ten just by being at home." He thought to himself.
With that in mind, he immediately left the Chen residence and headed to High Mountain County to meet Jade Hall Master Yu Tiancheng, explaining his intentions.
Yu Tiancheng was both surprised and delighted, saying repeatedly, "If Lord Chen is willing to join our Red Mountain Hall, it will bring glory to the entire organization from top to bottom. We welcome you with open arms!"
The two discussed in detail. Chen Tang shared his ideas about bringing in the clerks from the Ministry of Revenue to Red Mountain Hall and establishing branches across the fifty provinces.
Yu Tiancheng's eyes lit up, and they grew more and more in sync as they talked. He couldn't help but say, "It's wonderful that you've come to Red Mountain Hall, old lord! With your help, Red Mountain Hall's future is boundless! May I ask, what is your code name in the Heavenly Court?"
"What?" Chen Tang hadn't heard clearly.
Yu Tiancheng asked, "What is your code name in the Heavenly Court?" Chen Tang was baffled. "What Heavenly Court?"
Only then did Yu Tiancheng realize that Chen Tang knew nothing about the Heavenly Court, so he explained its origins.
Chen Tang was utterly stunned, a pang of sorrow in his heart. He said, "You're saying the Heavenly Court was founded by my father? After his death, it was passed to my son. And neither my father nor my son ever told me about it?"
Yu Tiancheng realized he had made a mistake, thinking to himself, "So the old lord is an outsider..."
Chen Tang composed himself and asked, "What was my father's code name in the Heavenly Court? And my son's?"
Yu Tiancheng replied cautiously, "Your father's code name was Instructor, and your son's is True King." Chen Tang fell silent for a long time before slowly saying, "Extermination of nine clans."
Seeing his emotions stabilize, Yu Tiancheng felt relieved.
Chen Shi returned home but didn't see Chen Tang. At that moment, Guo Daozi and Yulingzi came to visit. The two were disciples of the Taoist holy lands Tianshi Mansion and Taihua Qing Palace respectively. After the metropolitan exam, they did not compete for the top honors, instead receiving the jinshi degree and idle postings in the Dao Records Office.
The two planned to return to their respective Taoist sects for cultivation and had come to bid farewell.
Chen Shi saw them off, feeling a touch of melancholy. This bustling capital would surely grow much quieter with their departure.
At that moment, he spotted a monk standing across from the Chen residence, with a beautiful young girl beside him. She was on tiptoes, blowing air onto the monk's head and wiping dust from his shiny bald scalp with her sleeve.
The monk stood perfectly still. Only after she had polished it did he bow to Chen Shi and say, "Benefactor Chen, my Uncle Ying and I have come to bid you farewell."
Chen Shi looked in surprise at the girl beside Monk Wuchen. Ying Rumei gave him a slight smile, and a swarm of inner demons stirred in his heart before quickly subsiding.
He escorted Monk Wuchen to the post station and asked, "Monk, did you receive any official position in the Monk Records Office this time?"
Monk Wuchen replied, "I was appointed Lecturer of Scriptures, a rank-eight official. From now on, as I travel begging alms and stay in temples everywhere, they won't charge me for incense. I can even advance further at the Great Bao Guo Temple."
He smiled, his expression pure and innocent.
"You've gained something from this trip down the mountain. That's truly good."
Chen Shi's gaze fell on Ying Rumei as he smiled and said, "And the witch? What has the witch gained?"
Ying Rumei laughed. "I came to Xijing drawn by the demonic energy here. Now that the top scholar contest is over, the demonic energy in Xijing has greatly diminished, and it's no longer a sacred ground for my cultivation. But my harvest has been plentiful. My cultivation has advanced greatly, adulthood is just around the corner, and Buddhahood is not far off."
Chen Shi asked puzzledly, "Can a demon become a Buddha? I'm ignorant—may I ask for guidance?"
Ying Rumei said, "Demons can become Buddhas. Don't blame the demons; blame the world. If the world is at peace, how can demons in the mortal realm absorb even a trace of demonic qi or nature to speak of becoming Buddhas? Benefactor Chen, please stop here."
Chen Shi halted and watched them enter the post station.
On his way home, he heard a very respectful voice say, "Little Lord Chen, may we borrow a moment of your time to talk?"
Chen Shi looked over, his heart jolting. He saw Qin Su, Tang Balin, Dou Qi, Fang Tan, and other Fuzheng Pavilion experts who had followed the Young Master standing on the street, waiting for him.
In front of the group was a man in his forties or fifties, dressed in white robes, exceptionally distinguished. It was he who had spoken.
"I am Shui Xuanzhi, formerly the Chief Clerk of Fuzheng Pavilion." The white-robed man approached and bowed.
Chen Shi returned the courtesy. "I've long heard of Chief Clerk Shui's great name. How old are you this year, Chief Clerk Shui?"
Shui Xuanzhi said, "Fifty-one."
Chen Shi was moved. "To reach the Great Vehicle Realm at fifty-one, Chief Clerk Shui has boundless prospects!"
Shui Xuanzhi walked and talked with him, shaking his head. "Little Lord Chen, you are mistaken. For me, reaching the Great Vehicle Realm is the limit. I can make no further progress in this life."
The two headed toward the inner city of Xijing. Chen Shi noticed Qin Su, Dou Qi, and the others following closely behind.
"We harbor no ill intent."
Shui Xuanzhi said, "You killed the Young Master in the palace examination because he was no match for you. Now that the Young Master is dead and Fuzheng Pavilion disbanded, everything of his has collapsed. Even if we had the greatest courage, we wouldn't dare oppose the court. Personal power, against the court, is but a drop in the ocean."
Chen Shi's eyes flickered as he glanced back at Dou Qi and the others, smiling. "Then what is the purpose of you all coming to see me?"
"To seek a new path!"
Shui Xuanzhi stopped, his eyes bright as snow, gazing intently at Chen Shi with utmost sincerity. "Little Lord Chen, we talented individuals were unfortunate and thus joined the Young Master, exhausting ourselves for him. It was all so our skills could be put to use, so talented scholars of the world could have a place to shine! Though Fuzheng Pavilion is gone, our ambitions remain. You killed the Young Master, so you are the Young Master!"
His gaze burned with fervor, even fanaticism. "Little Lord Chen is no mere top scholar. Your ambitions span the world; you have the heart and will to change this age! You are our Young Master! Fuzheng Pavilion may have scattered, but our hearts have not. Nod, and we will wholeheartedly assist you, ensuring your official career soars, reaching the heights of power, even ascending the throne as a matter of course!" Chen Shi asked for guidance. "How to ascend the throne?"
"As long as Little Lord Chen cooperates and claims to be surnamed Zhu, with Lord Chen saying you are his adopted son. We'll build momentum, gain the support of the thirteen great families, ascend the throne, and become the True King. Wouldn't that be perfectly logical?"
Shui Xuanzhi grew excited. "The upheavals of heaven grow ever more intense—this is the perfect time for heroes to rise! Xiniu New Continent hasn't had a True King in over six thousand years; it's time for the True King era to return! In the True King era, everything is more beautiful, the people live in peace and contentment, immortals walk the earth! Great Vehicle is no longer the limit!"
Chen Shi's expression remained calm as he interrupted. "Chief Clerk Shui, do you know why I killed the Young Master?"
Shui Xuanzhi paused slightly. "To ascend the throne, you had to eliminate the Young Master, your rival!"
Chen Shi shook his head in disappointment. "I killed the Young Master because the children he persecuted moved me to empathy, because I saw what you Taiping Gate did, because I witnessed your atrocities in the Tianla Association. I've been to Gongzhou, to Yudu. I know what you've done."
Shui Xuanzhi frowned, speaking earnestly. "For the greater good, for the grand cause, to make life better for the people in the future—free from fear and torment by evils and spirits—we need vast wealth, immense power, and sacrifices! These sacrifices are necessary!"
"Chief Clerk Shui, you are no different from the Young Master, because you are the Young Master."
Chen Shi glanced back at the group. "You are all the Young Master. But I am not. Do you know what terrifies me about you?
"I'm afraid you'll rip out my Divine Embryo and call it the greater good, that I must sacrifice. I'm afraid you'll traffic me, cut off my knees, sever my arms, force me to beg, and say it's a necessary sacrifice!
"I'm afraid you'll cage me and send me to the underworld to steal white lotuses, where ghosts and gods might devour me at any moment! I'm afraid you'll buy girls, force them into brothels, and call it a necessary sacrifice! Do you know, Chief Clerk Shui? I'm the one afraid of you, not you of me! I'm especially afraid—afraid even in my dreams!"
He paused, then continued. "So, Chief Clerk Shui, I must kill you all. Right now, I can't beat you, can't beat any of you, so I'm speaking calmly. But in the future, I will kill you all. You should hide, while I'm still not strong enough—hide as far as you can."
Killing intent seeped into his words. "But rest assured, if you hide in the countryside, I'll track you to the countryside and kill you.
"If you hide in a noble's home, I'll storm the noble's home and finish you.
"If you hide in a latrine, I'll dunk your heads in the shit and kill you. If you hide in a rat hole, I'll find the rat hole, kill you, and let the rats devour your flesh and blood."
Shui Xuanzhi clenched his fists, a faint killing aura leaking out.
Chen Shi paid it no mind, saying leisurely, "Chief Clerk Shui, you've committed too many evils under the guise of righteousness, brave in sacrificing others but not yourselves."
Shui Xuanzhi's eye twitched, his voice hoarse. "Do you know I'm at the Great Vehicle Realm? Killing you takes but a thought!"
Chen Shi replied indifferently, "Killing the golden top scholar and defying the court? If you have the guts, do it now. You're no different from the Young Master's scheming, dogged ilk. Hide away like rats until I find you and kill you."
Shui Xuanzhi's hands trembled, his face alternating between pale and flushed.
At that moment, Libu Langzhong Xiang Yunfei passed by with his attendants, spotted them, frowned, and barked, "Fuzheng Pavilion disbanded long ago, the Young Master is dead—why are you still gathered here? Disperse! All of you, disperse!"
He strode forward, berating Shui Xuanzhi.
Seeing the official robes, Shui Xuanzhi bowed slightly and retreated.
Xiang Yunfei grabbed Chen Shi's wrist and pulled him toward the inner city, whispering, "What are you doing talking to these desperate outlaws? Are you tired of living?"
Chen Shi glanced back at Shui Xuanzhi and the Fuzheng Pavilion members, smiling. "They scheme for great deeds yet cling to life, chase petty gains and forget righteousness, fancy themselves heroes but are ambitious fools, utter incompetents. Like the Young Master, they can't achieve anything. They won't harm me."
Xiang Yunfei snapped angrily, "Even so, there's no guarantee! What if some hothead acts? They're disposable scum—you can't gamble with your life! Avoid this sort of thing in the future."
He dragged Chen Shi into the inner city before releasing his hand, sighing in relief. "You ruined the plans of countless people by killing the Young Master—many want you dead! Stay out of sight these days! I'll escort you back to the Chen residence!"
They walked side by side when a soft, timid voice came from behind.
"Old Xiang, I've found our son."
Xiang Yunfei's body shuddered; he stopped stiffly in place.
The voice continued from behind. "Old Xiang, I've found Tianyu. Turn around and look."
Xiang Yunfei turned, eyes brimming with tears.
His beloved Sha Qiutong held their son Xiang Tianyu's hand, standing on Qianyang Street. Sha Qiutong looked as youthful as she had thirty years ago.
Xiang Tianyu seemed unchanged too, still a child's appearance. "Dad, I'm home."
The child said timidly, "I got lost in the underworld. These years, I've missed you and Mom so much..."
Tears streamed down Xiang Yunfei's face like beads from a broken string. He staggered toward them, embracing Granny Sha with one arm and Xiang Tianyu with the other, grief overwhelming him as he wailed loudly.
Chen Shi watched the scene, as if time had fractured thirty years. This family had endured life and death separation, only to reunite once more.
He knew this reunion was only temporary.
Granny Sha and Lord Xiang could never return to thirty years ago.
In the Hanlin Academy, Zhang You served as a compiler, a seventh-rank official, slightly lower than Chen Shi.
That day, he welcomed a guest.
Hearing of the visitor, Zhang You hurried out to greet him.
The visitor was a handsome young man about his age, in his early twenties, dressed simply in plain yellow robes without embroidery or patterns, the collar matching the fabric. No golden crown adorned his head; only a silk ribbon bound his hair.
"Zhang You, no need for formalities. I heard you were an official here and came to see you and the Young Master."
The yellow-robed youth said, "I just arrived in Xijing and learned the Young Master has passed, which fills me with regret."
Zhang You bowed. "The Young Master has indeed perished. Brother Wugu, I'll take you to his grave to pay respects."
The yellow-robed youth nodded lightly. "Thank you for the trouble."
Zhang You led the way ahead. "Brother Wugu, you rarely leave the mountain—what brought you out of Despair Slope this time? Surely not just to visit me and the Young Master."
The yellow-robed youth said, "The treasure in Xijing's underworld has ripened and is ready to emerge, so I've come to claim it."
They arrived at the Young Master's grave. The yellow-robed youth lit incense, poured wine, and paid respects, sighing, "Who killed the Young Master?"
"The new top scholar, Chen Shi."
The yellow-robed youth was astonished. "Chen Shi, the child prodigy scholar from eleven years ago? He lost his Congenital Dao Embryo—how did he revive and kill the Young Master? How does his strength compare to yours?"
Zhang You said, "No weaker, only stronger."
The yellow-robed youth pondered for a moment. "I should meet him."