In front of the Xie Family's ancestral hall, there were actually some people who came. But they came and went without anyone being able to stay here for long.
After the last person who came left too, the Xie Family ancestor walked out of that room. Looking at the old man sitting in front of the ancestral hall, he said with a slight smile, "It's difficult to obtain news from the palace. I really admire His Majesty. He accomplished what the previous dynasty failed to."
The other old man chuckled and said, "The current emperor spent several years snatching the world from his own nephew. Such resolve and cunningness, even throughout a millennium, I'm afraid not a single past emperor could match up to His Majesty."
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"Emperor Taizong of that dynasty was rather similar to His Majesty. Except, he signed a treaty with the enemy who reached the city walls. He didn't possess the same backbone as His Majesty. In comparison, he falls short."
The Xie Family ancestor lamented, "His Majesty ascended the throne in an unorthodox manner and was afraid of the criticism of the people, afraid that Emperor Lingzong would admonish him, afraid that the deceased Crown Prince would reproach him. That's why he has been diligent and cautious all these years. Who can find a single fault with His Majesty?"
"With His Majesty's achievements today, it's actually difficult for those emperors throughout the history of the Great Liang Dynasty to match up to him. However, no matter how much one accomplishes, future generations will always bring up certain things. There's simply no way to change it."
The old man said softly, "But His Majesty still has a sore point. Did the massive fire on that day truly burn everything clean?"
The Xie Family ancestor smiled and replied, "Everyone said that it was clean, but if it truly was, how could there be a young man who journeyed all the way from Wei River to the Divine Capital?"
Chen Chao came from Tianqing County to the Divine Capital. Along the way, it seemed that there were reasons that could be investigated. However, to these prominent figures, they were unwilling to believe in the so-called reasons. They only believed in their own judgment.
The old man said, "The progeny of that deposed emperor is unlikely to be so old. Who is he exactly?"
The Xie Family ancestor glanced at the old man and said with a slight smile, "It's naturally impossible that he's of this identity."
The old man was somewhat puzzled.
If he was not who they thought he was, then he could not think of any other possible identity.
Xie Family's ancestor shook his head and said, "There's too little information. Even if I wanted to know, it would take too much time. Besides, in the current imperial city, any leaked information is instigated by His Majesty. If he's unwilling, no matter how much skygold currency you offer, it's useless."
"I misspoke earlier. It's not just the imperial city; even the Divine Capital is the same."
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The Xie Family ancestor lamented, "Could the deposed emperor have such means? Could Emperor Lingzong have such means?"
The old man was silent.
He stayed silent for a long time before slowly asking, "That young man entered the palace twice, did he meet Her Majesty both times?"
Although it seemed like he was inquiring, in reality, he was searching for a breakthrough.
The Xie Family ancestor frowned and said, "Quickly have someone investigate the relationship between the Empress and that deposed emperor."
While he seemed to be addressing the old man, when he spoke, someone nearby departed. It was precisely to look for those things.
The old man lamented, "I presume it would be difficult to find. The Empress has been married into the imperial family for so many years; those matters have long been tampered with. How could they be so easy to find?"
"Start with that Duke."
Although the Empress' father was posthumously awarded the title of King Zhongshan, these old men were accustomed to referring to that former Great General of the Northern Frontier as Duke.
It was the title that Great General held when he was still alive.
"Those few princes haven't been able to enter the palace until now. It looks like Her Majesty's illness isn't that severe."
The old man said with vicissitudes of emotion, "She is a virtuous empress of her generation. If she were to pass away like this, it would be a loss for our Great Liang Dynasty."
"His Majesty has always cared for the Empress. If Her Majesty is gone, it will undoubtedly have a significant impact."
"It won't, His Majesty is an extraordinary rule. These matters of love and sentiment won't affect His Majesty no matter what."
"Let's hope so."
……
……
In the depths of a long street far away from the Xie Family, there was another behemoth of the Great Liang Dynasty, the Wei Family.
The Xie and Wei families had fought for so many years and both families had always been evenly matched. It was sufficient to demonstrate the Wei Family's deep foundation.
Unlike the Xie Family, the current ancestor of the Wei Family did not reside near the ancestral hall. Instead, he sat inside a dry well.
Yes, sat.
The dried-up well had existed for a long time. It was said to have been dug during the construction of the Divine Capital. After a hundred years, the water in that well dried up and it became a dry well.
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However, the Wei Family chose not to remove the well but kept it intact.
Perhaps in the eyes of the Wei Family, this dry well represented many things.
"Ancestor, Li Heng did not leave the palace. Another chief eunuch went to the lakeside, while Li Heng remained in the palace."
Someone spoke near the well, their voice filled with respect.
There was silence at the bottom of the well for a long time.
After an unknown period of time, a voice finally emerged.
"Get ready, a truly major event is about to unfold in the Great Liang Dynasty."
That voice was distant and ancient, carrying significant meaning.
……
……
"To be honest, I really never thought that you guys would be so shameless."
Chen Chao looked at Song Changxi with obvious scorn in his eyes, without any concealment.
He did not have a good attitude towards this genius daoist cultivator.
Song Changxi replied, "The so-called shamelessness is actually just an excuse of the weak. If you were strong, it wouldn't matter what we did because you would have the ability to resolve those issues."
Chen Chao looked at him and pondered for a moment before saying, "I think you make some sense, but it's still very disgusting. Weak or strong, can you really convince yourselves with such justifications for your actions?"
The notion that the strong were not afraid of any problems and only the weak would consider these things, how could it be something Chen Chao would ever believe in?
If the strong could humiliate and bully the weak for no reason, and then speak such words, who would agree with them?
Song Changxi said calmly, "The demon race occupies the North. The desolate north of 30 thousand miles used to be the homeland of the human race. But now, it's still the paradise of the demon race. We can't do anything about it because we are too weak. What more is there to say?"
In that great war, the demon race nearly annihilated the human race, resulting in years of humiliation for humanity.
Because of their weakness, the human race was unable to change anything now. It seemed to be the truth too.
Chen Chao shook his head and said, "But what you're telling me is that if the weak are bullied and humiliated, they can only accept it and strive to become stronger to resolve it. Yet, isn't there still the concept of justice in this world? "Isn't there anyone among the foreign cultivators who believe in the word justice?"
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Song Changxi shook his head and said, "The human race is weaker than the demon race, so we cannpt reclaim the desolate north. The Great Liang Dynasty is weaker than the foreign lands, so it is subjected to humiliation. There's nothing more to say."
"Just like now, you're weaker than me, so you can only die."
Song Changxi looked at Chen Chao and said with some regret, "The only thing that makes me feel some regret is that I didn't chase until here. Otherwise, Fellow Daoist Jiang wouldn't have fallen to your murderous hands."
"Since that woman wanted to kill me, I won't be in the wrong for killing her."
Song Changxi looked at Chen Chao and said, "You're wrong because you can't bear the consequences."
Chen Chao gripped his saber and looked at Song Changxi, saying, "There is nothing I can't bear, because you can't kill me."
"Bitter Sea and Divine Trove is a heavenly chasm."
Song Changxi said, "Since that's the case, how can you defeat me?"
As he spoke, thunder rumbled behind him, and a gathering of thunderclouds formed in the sky. Golden lightning appeared within the sea of clouds, resembling molten gold flowing across the sky like a divine kingdom.
At this moment, this daoist genius no longer wished to engage in nonsense. When he wanted to take action, his power was incredible.
"Why can't I beat you?"
Chen Chao looked at Song Changxi and sneered, "Is it just because you're better looking than me?"
"Where were you when Your Father was killing demons in the mountains?" "When Your Father was hovering between life and death countless times, you probably don't even know what's called a fight."
Chen Chao spoke with a thick sense of mockery, his voice filled with provocation.
"That's meaningless."
Song Changxi looked at Chen Chao, levitating slightly in the air, with lightning flashing around him.
Among the numerous magic spells in daoism, lightning spells had the greatest power. There were countless magic spells that could be called lightning attribute and Song Changxi had studied many lightning techniques. Now, having achieved mastery through comprehensive study of the subject, he already displayed a unique aura that was far from ordinary.
Ad
His mastery of lightning spells had already reached a high level. Even the formidable Twin Pillars of daoism would find it difficult to compare themselves to him in terms of lightning techniques!
Chen Chao looked at Song Changxi who appeared like a thunder god and cursed, "Pretending to be a god!"
Song Changxi remained expressionless and just raised his hand, there was naturally a bolt of heavenly lightning as thick as an arm that descended from the thunderclouds in the sky. Chen Chao leaped forward, narrowly avoiding the lightning. But a deep pit had appeared in the spot where he had been standing. This demonstrated the immense power of this lightning technique.
Chen Chao sensed an extremely terrifying aura and looked up, only to discover that countless thunderbolts were currently gathering in the sky, yet remaining suspended and not striking down.
Song Changxi looked down at Chen Chao from a higher position and said with a smile, "Your saber is even broken. What do you have to compare with me?"
Chen Chao ignored him. The origin of the broken saber in his hand was very mysterious. Even he himself was unsure. He just knew that this broken saber was tougher than the majority of people's magic artifacts. It could likely even rival the so-called Hundred-Year Sword of the Sword Qi Mountain.
"There isn't much fairness in the world. I know that the so-called justice only exists in very, very trivial matters. You foreign cultivators look down on us martial artists, so you have no reason to want to kill us."
Chen Chao sneered, "Actually, I'm similar to you. I also look down on you. You want to kill me, I also want to kill you. Whether it can be done or not, we'll have to give it a try."
Chen Chao tore off the black shirt he was wearing and looked at Song Changxi as he roared, "Bring it on! It's just one cultivation realm! Whether I'll die or not, remains to be seen!"
In front of the Xie Family's ancestral hall, there were actually some people who came. But they came and went without anyone being able to stay here for long.
After the last person who came left too, the Xie Family ancestor walked out of that room. Looking at the old man sitting in front of the ancestral hall, he said with a slight smile, "It's difficult to obtain news from the palace. I really admire His Majesty. He accomplished what the previous dynasty failed to."
The other old man chuckled and said, "The current emperor spent several years snatching the world from his own nephew. Such resolve and cunningness, even throughout a millennium, I'm afraid not a single past emperor could match up to His Majesty."
Ad
"Emperor Taizong of that dynasty was rather similar to His Majesty. Except, he signed a treaty with the enemy who reached the city walls. He didn't possess the same backbone as His Majesty. In comparison, he falls short."
The Xie Family ancestor lamented, "His Majesty ascended the throne in an unorthodox manner and was afraid of the criticism of the people, afraid that Emperor Lingzong would admonish him, afraid that the deceased Crown Prince would reproach him. That's why he has been diligent and cautious all these years. Who can find a single fault with His Majesty?"
"With His Majesty's achievements today, it's actually difficult for those emperors throughout the history of the Great Liang Dynasty to match up to him. However, no matter how much one accomplishes, future generations will always bring up certain things. There's simply no way to change it."
The old man said softly, "But His Majesty still has a sore point. Did the massive fire on that day truly burn everything clean?"
The Xie Family ancestor smiled and replied, "Everyone said that it was clean, but if it truly was, how could there be a young man who journeyed all the way from Wei River to the Divine Capital?"
Chen Chao came from Tianqing County to the Divine Capital. Along the way, it seemed that there were reasons that could be investigated. However, to these prominent figures, they were unwilling to believe in the so-called reasons. They only believed in their own judgment.
The old man said, "The progeny of that deposed emperor is unlikely to be so old. Who is he exactly?"
The Xie Family ancestor glanced at the old man and said with a slight smile, "It's naturally impossible that he's of this identity."
The old man was somewhat puzzled.
If he was not who they thought he was, then he could not think of any other possible identity.
Xie Family's ancestor shook his head and said, "There's too little information. Even if I wanted to know, it would take too much time. Besides, in the current imperial city, any leaked information is instigated by His Majesty. If he's unwilling, no matter how much skygold currency you offer, it's useless."
"I misspoke earlier. It's not just the imperial city; even the Divine Capital is the same."
Ad
The Xie Family ancestor lamented, "Could the deposed emperor have such means? Could Emperor Lingzong have such means?"
The old man was silent.
He stayed silent for a long time before slowly asking, "That young man entered the palace twice, did he meet Her Majesty both times?"
Although it seemed like he was inquiring, in reality, he was searching for a breakthrough.
The Xie Family ancestor frowned and said, "Quickly have someone investigate the relationship between the Empress and that deposed emperor."
While he seemed to be addressing the old man, when he spoke, someone nearby departed. It was precisely to look for those things.
The old man lamented, "I presume it would be difficult to find. The Empress has been married into the imperial family for so many years; those matters have long been tampered with. How could they be so easy to find?"
"Start with that Duke."
Although the Empress' father was posthumously awarded the title of King Zhongshan, these old men were accustomed to referring to that former Great General of the Northern Frontier as Duke.
It was the title that Great General held when he was still alive.
"Those few princes haven't been able to enter the palace until now. It looks like Her Majesty's illness isn't that severe."
The old man said with vicissitudes of emotion, "She is a virtuous empress of her generation. If she were to pass away like this, it would be a loss for our Great Liang Dynasty."
"His Majesty has always cared for the Empress. If Her Majesty is gone, it will undoubtedly have a significant impact."
"It won't, His Majesty is an extraordinary rule. These matters of love and sentiment won't affect His Majesty no matter what."
"Let's hope so."
……
……
In the depths of a long street far away from the Xie Family, there was another behemoth of the Great Liang Dynasty, the Wei Family.
The Xie and Wei families had fought for so many years and both families had always been evenly matched. It was sufficient to demonstrate the Wei Family's deep foundation.
Unlike the Xie Family, the current ancestor of the Wei Family did not reside near the ancestral hall. Instead, he sat inside a dry well.
Yes, sat.
The dried-up well had existed for a long time. It was said to have been dug during the construction of the Divine Capital. After a hundred years, the water in that well dried up and it became a dry well.
Ad
However, the Wei Family chose not to remove the well but kept it intact.
Perhaps in the eyes of the Wei Family, this dry well represented many things.
"Ancestor, Li Heng did not leave the palace. Another chief eunuch went to the lakeside, while Li Heng remained in the palace."
Someone spoke near the well, their voice filled with respect.
There was silence at the bottom of the well for a long time.
After an unknown period of time, a voice finally emerged.
"Get ready, a truly major event is about to unfold in the Great Liang Dynasty."
That voice was distant and ancient, carrying significant meaning.
……
……
"To be honest, I really never thought that you guys would be so shameless."
Chen Chao looked at Song Changxi with obvious scorn in his eyes, without any concealment.
He did not have a good attitude towards this genius daoist cultivator.
Song Changxi replied, "The so-called shamelessness is actually just an excuse of the weak. If you were strong, it wouldn't matter what we did because you would have the ability to resolve those issues."
Chen Chao looked at him and pondered for a moment before saying, "I think you make some sense, but it's still very disgusting. Weak or strong, can you really convince yourselves with such justifications for your actions?"
The notion that the strong were not afraid of any problems and only the weak would consider these things, how could it be something Chen Chao would ever believe in?
If the strong could humiliate and bully the weak for no reason, and then speak such words, who would agree with them?
Song Changxi said calmly, "The demon race occupies the North. The desolate north of 30 thousand miles used to be the homeland of the human race. But now, it's still the paradise of the demon race. We can't do anything about it because we are too weak. What more is there to say?"
In that great war, the demon race nearly annihilated the human race, resulting in years of humiliation for humanity.
Because of their weakness, the human race was unable to change anything now. It seemed to be the truth too.
Chen Chao shook his head and said, "But what you're telling me is that if the weak are bullied and humiliated, they can only accept it and strive to become stronger to resolve it. Yet, isn't there still the concept of justice in this world? "Isn't there anyone among the foreign cultivators who believe in the word justice?"
Ad
Song Changxi shook his head and said, "The human race is weaker than the demon race, so we cannpt reclaim the desolate north. The Great Liang Dynasty is weaker than the foreign lands, so it is subjected to humiliation. There's nothing more to say."
"Just like now, you're weaker than me, so you can only die."
Song Changxi looked at Chen Chao and said with some regret, "The only thing that makes me feel some regret is that I didn't chase until here. Otherwise, Fellow Daoist Jiang wouldn't have fallen to your murderous hands."
"Since that woman wanted to kill me, I won't be in the wrong for killing her."
Song Changxi looked at Chen Chao and said, "You're wrong because you can't bear the consequences."
Chen Chao gripped his saber and looked at Song Changxi, saying, "There is nothing I can't bear, because you can't kill me."
"Bitter Sea and Divine Trove is a heavenly chasm."
Song Changxi said, "Since that's the case, how can you defeat me?"
As he spoke, thunder rumbled behind him, and a gathering of thunderclouds formed in the sky. Golden lightning appeared within the sea of clouds, resembling molten gold flowing across the sky like a divine kingdom.
At this moment, this daoist genius no longer wished to engage in nonsense. When he wanted to take action, his power was incredible.
"Why can't I beat you?"
Chen Chao looked at Song Changxi and sneered, "Is it just because you're better looking than me?"
"Where were you when Your Father was killing demons in the mountains?" "When Your Father was hovering between life and death countless times, you probably don't even know what's called a fight."
Chen Chao spoke with a thick sense of mockery, his voice filled with provocation.
"That's meaningless."
Song Changxi looked at Chen Chao, levitating slightly in the air, with lightning flashing around him.
Among the numerous magic spells in daoism, lightning spells had the greatest power. There were countless magic spells that could be called lightning attribute and Song Changxi had studied many lightning techniques. Now, having achieved mastery through comprehensive study of the subject, he already displayed a unique aura that was far from ordinary.
Ad
His mastery of lightning spells had already reached a high level. Even the formidable Twin Pillars of daoism would find it difficult to compare themselves to him in terms of lightning techniques!
Chen Chao looked at Song Changxi who appeared like a thunder god and cursed, "Pretending to be a god!"
Song Changxi remained expressionless and just raised his hand, there was naturally a bolt of heavenly lightning as thick as an arm that descended from the thunderclouds in the sky. Chen Chao leaped forward, narrowly avoiding the lightning. But a deep pit had appeared in the spot where he had been standing. This demonstrated the immense power of this lightning technique.
Chen Chao sensed an extremely terrifying aura and looked up, only to discover that countless thunderbolts were currently gathering in the sky, yet remaining suspended and not striking down.
Song Changxi looked down at Chen Chao from a higher position and said with a smile, "Your saber is even broken. What do you have to compare with me?"
Chen Chao ignored him. The origin of the broken saber in his hand was very mysterious. Even he himself was unsure. He just knew that this broken saber was tougher than the majority of people's magic artifacts. It could likely even rival the so-called Hundred-Year Sword of the Sword Qi Mountain.
"There isn't much fairness in the world. I know that the so-called justice only exists in very, very trivial matters. You foreign cultivators look down on us martial artists, so you have no reason to want to kill us."
Chen Chao sneered, "Actually, I'm similar to you. I also look down on you. You want to kill me, I also want to kill you. Whether it can be done or not, we'll have to give it a try."
Chen Chao tore off the black shirt he was wearing and looked at Song Changxi as he roared, "Bring it on! It's just one cultivation realm! Whether I'll die or not, remains to be seen!"
