Negotiations were always something that could not be completed quickly. Therefore, the officials from the Divine Capital, the representative from the Infatuation Daoist Temple, as well as delegates from many other sects, spent their days on the Sublime Bright Mountain to discuss various details.
To be honest, rather than calling it a discussion, it was more like quarreling.
Big shots would not quarrel; they were not willing to expend their energy on arguing as well. Each sect had its share of quarrelsome individuals who were more than willing to engage in heated disputes.
So, in such situations, those who were good at quarreling continued to do so. However, when everyone was good at quarreling, it became even harder to reach a consensus on this, leading to more quarrels.
Chen Chao did not have the energy to concern himself with these matters. After his conversation with Yun Jianyue, he returned to the Rainwater Commandery's town. Although the disputes would continue for quite some time, the overall direction was already set. Young cultivators would represent their respective sects and contend on the Sublime Bright Mountain. Since it was the first time, many sects were not only gathering information but also evaluating one aspect: How dangerous was it inside that ancient ruin?
If it was too dangerous and they dispatched their genius disciples, who would take responsibility if something went wrong?
Therefore, this was bound to be a very troublesome process.
This needed time.
Chen Chao also really needed time right now.
After returning from the Sublime Bright Mountain to Rainwater Commandery, he immediately went back to the warden's office. According to the laws of Great Liang, as long as he had no pressing matters, he could not leave this office. Of course, his previous visit to the Sublime Bright Mountain was an exception.
The warden's office had been renovated. The main hall that had suffered fire damage was reconstructed. Except, faint traces of burn marks could still be discerned in some details.
The time was really too short, it was already very amazing to look like it was now.
Standing in the clean and tidy courtyard, Chen Chao furrowed his brows.
In the distance, the constables looked at him, their eyes filled with reverence and admiration.
They were aware of the events that had transpired on the main street.
However, their emotions still made Chen Chao feel that something was amiss.
"What's wrong?"
Hearing this, a constable walked over and said something to Chen Chao.
Chen Chao's brows gradually relaxed. It turned out that before he returned, officials from the imperial court had already been here. They had done several things in Rainwater Commandery, the most crucial of which was dismissing that county chief's official position. Until the new county chief arrived in Rainwater Commandery, everything would be under Chen Chao's authority. The warden faction had always been an existence that was independent of the imperial court official system. According to past practice, wardens were unable to interfere with local government affairs. Although the Lord Warden Commander had arrived in person this time, there were many considerations to be made within the imperial court to accomplish such a thing.
But no matter what, it was already done.
"Your Excellency, do you want to get the high-ranking and low-ranking officials in the commandery to come over and talk about some things?"
The constable looked at Chen Chao, his eyes full of admiration. Although Chen Chao was young, they had seen everything he had done before and held great respect for him.
Chen Chao frowned and said, "It's not like they want me to stay in this place for eight or ten years. What's the point of doing all these things here?"
Upon hearing this, the enthusiasm in the constable's eyes dimmed. The other constables were the same too. Over the years in Rainwater Commandery, there had been constant external threats from demons and internal suffering due to corrupt officials who exploited the common people. They finally saw an upright official who was not afraid of those foreign cultivators. Naturally, they were unwilling to see him leave. So when they heard Chen Chao's words, they were naturally sad.
Chen Chao glanced at them and naturally knew what was on their minds. He furrowed his brow and said, "I've been here for too long, which made things troublesome instead. With everything that has happened here, it's unlikely anyone will dare to cause trouble anymore. Your days will be much better from now on."
This was a certainty. In the future, countless eyes would be watching the Sublime Bright Mountain, and consequently, the entire Rainwater Commandery. Every move and action here would be magnified infinitely. This logic was just like when Chen Chao had insisted on going to the Divine Capital, exposing himself under the sunlight.
The exact same.
The sunlight could not reach every corner of the world, but when you take the initiative to appear under the sunlight, everyone, no matter who, would need to consider that sun.
Yes, no one would care about where you were, they would only care if the sun could see you.
For foreign cultivators, Rainwater Commandery had initially been in the shadows, allowing the Sublime Bright Sect to act recklessly. But once Rainwater Commandery stepped into the sunlight, countless people would have to consider whether they would need to pay a greater price to do those deeds. So, the future of Rainwater Commandery might not necessarily be great, but it would at least be better than now.
The constables did not know what to say, but their eyes filled with tears.
Being able to live a good life was all they asked for.
Chen Chao waved his hand, paying no further attention to them, and just turned to walk into the courtyard.
He had no experience in governing a town. However, since he lacked experience, he decided not to attempt such things. Everything should continue as usual.
The county chief had been dismissed from his position and sent to the Divine Capital for trial. The remaining officials, although not yet convicted, were trembling with fear and trepidation. How could they not work diligently to make amendments for their previous mistakes?
So, in the coming days, there would certainly be peaceful days.
Chen Chao arrived in the backyard where everything had long been prepared.
He took out the spirit medicines he carried with him, many of which were found by the Sublime Bright Sect. These items were considered valuable in the sect. Upon careful consideration, Chen Chao realized it had been a long time since he had tempered his body.
Since leaving the Divine Capital and heading all the way south, at least three months had passed since he had tempering his body properly.
Now, he needed to catch up on what he had missed. Especially after stepping into the Bitter Sea Realm, everything had to start anew. He needed to ensure that his body was tough enough in the Bitter Sea Realm. That required a great deal of hard work.
This was the foundation of him to establish himself.
……
……
The Dean had originally planned to have a bowl of sorghum wine in Rainwater Commandery, meet the white-browed old monk, and then immediately return to the Divine Capital. However, after taking a step, he encountered the white-browed old monk halfway. The pure white lotus in the sky dissipated, and the white-browed old monk descended.
There just so happened to be a pavilion in front of them, so the Dean walked in without hesitation, silently looking at the scenery before him.
The white-browed old monk followed closely behind and got straight to the point, "I have met that young man, but it has only deepened my confusion."
The Dean furrowed his brows, "He's just a decent kid. What's so confusing about him?"
"There is something abnormal within his body. What lies ahead is completely obscure, I can't see the future at all."
The white-browed old monk's white brows floated up, looking like two long white threads.
The Dean glanced at him and furrowed his brow as he said. "You can't see either?"
The Dean was a scholar who knew many things. He naturally knew that the Deercry Monastery had existed for a longer time than many cultivation sects in the current era. The eminent monks in that monastery had always had the ability to know someone by reading their palm. Although they might not be able to see the past life and present life clearly, they were naturally able to see glimpses of the past and future.
The Dean asked, "What's so peculiar about it?"
The white-browed old monk shook his head and replied, "I don't know."
If he knew, he might not have said something like this.
The Dean thought about his encounter with Chen Chao in the Divine Capital a while back. After thinking for a long time, he said, "Actually, he's not a particularly special young man. He's just a bit stubborn."
The white-browed old monk looked at the Dean and said, "We've been acquainted for so many years. Can't you tell me some things?"
The white-browed old monk said, "I invited him to visit the monastery. I'll ask a senior to take a look again then."
The Dean furrowed his brows, somewhat surprised as he said "That old monk is still alive?"
Hearing this, the white-browed old monk's expression became somewhat ugly. Even though he was on pretty close terms with the Dean, he was very upset with how he referred to that old monk.
The Dean lamented, "I heard a few years ago that the old... monk was about to pass away. Is it all untrue?"
"Senior's understanding of Buddhism is profound, so he can naturally live longer." The white-browed old monk's eyes showed great admiration when mentioning that senior monk. He gently reminded, "You should be more polite. After all, Senior once gave pointers to Senior Brother. Otherwise, those things wouldn't have happened."
Listening to this, the Dean did not say anything. That Great Liang Dynasty's Nation Teacher had already passed away and had always been called 'Demon Monk.' Despite the close relationship between the Deercry Monastery and the Great Liang Dynasty, this matter had always been ambiguous. Not too many people knew about his lineage.
However, according to the white-browed old monk's statement, that was the senior brother he was talking about. Although he had a master in name, in reality, he was the disciple of that senior mentioned earlier. Whether it was his buddhist spells, his cultivation, or other aspects, it was all inherited from that senior.
The Dean said, "Looks like I still need to make a trip to another place."
The white-browed old monk looked at him and did not speak.
But his eyes held many questions.
The Dean said, "He's of royal bloodline."
This secret was told to him by the Great Liang Emperor, he had not told anyone.
The white-browed old monk furrowed his brow, only now recalling that when he saw that young man earlier, it was no wonder that he found that he bore some resemblance to the Emperor.
"The deceased Crown Prince's bloodline?"
The old people who had experienced that time period often would not mention that deposed emperor, but that deposed emperor's father. The deceased Crown Prince who had never been the Great Liang's Emperor, he was Emperor Lingzong's most beloved son. If he had not died prematurely, this world would not be the current Emperor's.
"Did that deposed emperor had a way to escape the great fire back then?"
The white-browed old monk quickly shook his head and retorted, "Since Senior Brother was present at the time, such a thing couldn't possibly have happened."
Regardless of how others viewed the Great Liang Dynasty's Nation Teacher, to the white-browed old monk, that senior brother had always been the person he admired most, and he trusted him unconditionally.
"It's another one, an illegitimate son."
The Dean shook his head. After saying this sentence, he did not intend to say more.
The white-browed old monk said worriedly, "I'm afraid this matter cannot be kept hidden."
Although very few people know about this matter now, it was obvious that these things could not be hidden. Once this matter became widely known, problems would definitely appear.
"The Great Liang Dynasty still has many issues. Even the largest ship can rock in a storm."
The white-browed old monk's expression turned somewhat ugly. He was not concerned about the Great Liang Dynasty's problems, he was just reminded of his senior brother and the things he had done for the Great Liang Dynasty, which left him feeling troubled.
The Dean let out a cold laugh and said, "Why trouble yourself?"
"How things will unfold in the future, we can find out when we get there."
The dean shook his head and left the pavilion but did not head North.
He continued his journey South.
You might not worry about some things when speaking of them, but how could you not worry in your heart?
Negotiations were always something that could not be completed quickly. Therefore, the officials from the Divine Capital, the representative from the Infatuation Daoist Temple, as well as delegates from many other sects, spent their days on the Sublime Bright Mountain to discuss various details.
To be honest, rather than calling it a discussion, it was more like quarreling.
Big shots would not quarrel; they were not willing to expend their energy on arguing as well. Each sect had its share of quarrelsome individuals who were more than willing to engage in heated disputes.
So, in such situations, those who were good at quarreling continued to do so. However, when everyone was good at quarreling, it became even harder to reach a consensus on this, leading to more quarrels.
Chen Chao did not have the energy to concern himself with these matters. After his conversation with Yun Jianyue, he returned to the Rainwater Commandery's town. Although the disputes would continue for quite some time, the overall direction was already set. Young cultivators would represent their respective sects and contend on the Sublime Bright Mountain. Since it was the first time, many sects were not only gathering information but also evaluating one aspect: How dangerous was it inside that ancient ruin?
If it was too dangerous and they dispatched their genius disciples, who would take responsibility if something went wrong?
Therefore, this was bound to be a very troublesome process.
This needed time.
Chen Chao also really needed time right now.
After returning from the Sublime Bright Mountain to Rainwater Commandery, he immediately went back to the warden's office. According to the laws of Great Liang, as long as he had no pressing matters, he could not leave this office. Of course, his previous visit to the Sublime Bright Mountain was an exception.
The warden's office had been renovated. The main hall that had suffered fire damage was reconstructed. Except, faint traces of burn marks could still be discerned in some details.
The time was really too short, it was already very amazing to look like it was now.
Standing in the clean and tidy courtyard, Chen Chao furrowed his brows.
In the distance, the constables looked at him, their eyes filled with reverence and admiration.
They were aware of the events that had transpired on the main street.
However, their emotions still made Chen Chao feel that something was amiss.
"What's wrong?"
Hearing this, a constable walked over and said something to Chen Chao.
Chen Chao's brows gradually relaxed. It turned out that before he returned, officials from the imperial court had already been here. They had done several things in Rainwater Commandery, the most crucial of which was dismissing that county chief's official position. Until the new county chief arrived in Rainwater Commandery, everything would be under Chen Chao's authority. The warden faction had always been an existence that was independent of the imperial court official system. According to past practice, wardens were unable to interfere with local government affairs. Although the Lord Warden Commander had arrived in person this time, there were many considerations to be made within the imperial court to accomplish such a thing.
But no matter what, it was already done.
"Your Excellency, do you want to get the high-ranking and low-ranking officials in the commandery to come over and talk about some things?"
The constable looked at Chen Chao, his eyes full of admiration. Although Chen Chao was young, they had seen everything he had done before and held great respect for him.
Chen Chao frowned and said, "It's not like they want me to stay in this place for eight or ten years. What's the point of doing all these things here?"
Upon hearing this, the enthusiasm in the constable's eyes dimmed. The other constables were the same too. Over the years in Rainwater Commandery, there had been constant external threats from demons and internal suffering due to corrupt officials who exploited the common people. They finally saw an upright official who was not afraid of those foreign cultivators. Naturally, they were unwilling to see him leave. So when they heard Chen Chao's words, they were naturally sad.
Chen Chao glanced at them and naturally knew what was on their minds. He furrowed his brow and said, "I've been here for too long, which made things troublesome instead. With everything that has happened here, it's unlikely anyone will dare to cause trouble anymore. Your days will be much better from now on."
This was a certainty. In the future, countless eyes would be watching the Sublime Bright Mountain, and consequently, the entire Rainwater Commandery. Every move and action here would be magnified infinitely. This logic was just like when Chen Chao had insisted on going to the Divine Capital, exposing himself under the sunlight.
The exact same.
The sunlight could not reach every corner of the world, but when you take the initiative to appear under the sunlight, everyone, no matter who, would need to consider that sun.
Yes, no one would care about where you were, they would only care if the sun could see you.
For foreign cultivators, Rainwater Commandery had initially been in the shadows, allowing the Sublime Bright Sect to act recklessly. But once Rainwater Commandery stepped into the sunlight, countless people would have to consider whether they would need to pay a greater price to do those deeds. So, the future of Rainwater Commandery might not necessarily be great, but it would at least be better than now.
The constables did not know what to say, but their eyes filled with tears.
Being able to live a good life was all they asked for.
Chen Chao waved his hand, paying no further attention to them, and just turned to walk into the courtyard.
He had no experience in governing a town. However, since he lacked experience, he decided not to attempt such things. Everything should continue as usual.
The county chief had been dismissed from his position and sent to the Divine Capital for trial. The remaining officials, although not yet convicted, were trembling with fear and trepidation. How could they not work diligently to make amendments for their previous mistakes?
So, in the coming days, there would certainly be peaceful days.
Chen Chao arrived in the backyard where everything had long been prepared.
He took out the spirit medicines he carried with him, many of which were found by the Sublime Bright Sect. These items were considered valuable in the sect. Upon careful consideration, Chen Chao realized it had been a long time since he had tempered his body.
Since leaving the Divine Capital and heading all the way south, at least three months had passed since he had tempering his body properly.
Now, he needed to catch up on what he had missed. Especially after stepping into the Bitter Sea Realm, everything had to start anew. He needed to ensure that his body was tough enough in the Bitter Sea Realm. That required a great deal of hard work.
This was the foundation of him to establish himself.
……
……
The Dean had originally planned to have a bowl of sorghum wine in Rainwater Commandery, meet the white-browed old monk, and then immediately return to the Divine Capital. However, after taking a step, he encountered the white-browed old monk halfway. The pure white lotus in the sky dissipated, and the white-browed old monk descended.
There just so happened to be a pavilion in front of them, so the Dean walked in without hesitation, silently looking at the scenery before him.
The white-browed old monk followed closely behind and got straight to the point, "I have met that young man, but it has only deepened my confusion."
The Dean furrowed his brows, "He's just a decent kid. What's so confusing about him?"
"There is something abnormal within his body. What lies ahead is completely obscure, I can't see the future at all."
The white-browed old monk's white brows floated up, looking like two long white threads.
The Dean glanced at him and furrowed his brow as he said. "You can't see either?"
The Dean was a scholar who knew many things. He naturally knew that the Deercry Monastery had existed for a longer time than many cultivation sects in the current era. The eminent monks in that monastery had always had the ability to know someone by reading their palm. Although they might not be able to see the past life and present life clearly, they were naturally able to see glimpses of the past and future.
The Dean asked, "What's so peculiar about it?"
The white-browed old monk shook his head and replied, "I don't know."
If he knew, he might not have said something like this.
The Dean thought about his encounter with Chen Chao in the Divine Capital a while back. After thinking for a long time, he said, "Actually, he's not a particularly special young man. He's just a bit stubborn."
The white-browed old monk looked at the Dean and said, "We've been acquainted for so many years. Can't you tell me some things?"
The white-browed old monk said, "I invited him to visit the monastery. I'll ask a senior to take a look again then."
The Dean furrowed his brows, somewhat surprised as he said "That old monk is still alive?"
Hearing this, the white-browed old monk's expression became somewhat ugly. Even though he was on pretty close terms with the Dean, he was very upset with how he referred to that old monk.
The Dean lamented, "I heard a few years ago that the old... monk was about to pass away. Is it all untrue?"
"Senior's understanding of Buddhism is profound, so he can naturally live longer." The white-browed old monk's eyes showed great admiration when mentioning that senior monk. He gently reminded, "You should be more polite. After all, Senior once gave pointers to Senior Brother. Otherwise, those things wouldn't have happened."
Listening to this, the Dean did not say anything. That Great Liang Dynasty's Nation Teacher had already passed away and had always been called 'Demon Monk.' Despite the close relationship between the Deercry Monastery and the Great Liang Dynasty, this matter had always been ambiguous. Not too many people knew about his lineage.
However, according to the white-browed old monk's statement, that was the senior brother he was talking about. Although he had a master in name, in reality, he was the disciple of that senior mentioned earlier. Whether it was his buddhist spells, his cultivation, or other aspects, it was all inherited from that senior.
The Dean said, "Looks like I still need to make a trip to another place."
The white-browed old monk looked at him and did not speak.
But his eyes held many questions.
The Dean said, "He's of royal bloodline."
This secret was told to him by the Great Liang Emperor, he had not told anyone.
The white-browed old monk furrowed his brow, only now recalling that when he saw that young man earlier, it was no wonder that he found that he bore some resemblance to the Emperor.
"The deceased Crown Prince's bloodline?"
The old people who had experienced that time period often would not mention that deposed emperor, but that deposed emperor's father. The deceased Crown Prince who had never been the Great Liang's Emperor, he was Emperor Lingzong's most beloved son. If he had not died prematurely, this world would not be the current Emperor's.
"Did that deposed emperor had a way to escape the great fire back then?"
The white-browed old monk quickly shook his head and retorted, "Since Senior Brother was present at the time, such a thing couldn't possibly have happened."
Regardless of how others viewed the Great Liang Dynasty's Nation Teacher, to the white-browed old monk, that senior brother had always been the person he admired most, and he trusted him unconditionally.
"It's another one, an illegitimate son."
The Dean shook his head. After saying this sentence, he did not intend to say more.
The white-browed old monk said worriedly, "I'm afraid this matter cannot be kept hidden."
Although very few people know about this matter now, it was obvious that these things could not be hidden. Once this matter became widely known, problems would definitely appear.
"The Great Liang Dynasty still has many issues. Even the largest ship can rock in a storm."
The white-browed old monk's expression turned somewhat ugly. He was not concerned about the Great Liang Dynasty's problems, he was just reminded of his senior brother and the things he had done for the Great Liang Dynasty, which left him feeling troubled.
The Dean let out a cold laugh and said, "Why trouble yourself?"
"How things will unfold in the future, we can find out when we get there."
The dean shook his head and left the pavilion but did not head North.
He continued his journey South.
You might not worry about some things when speaking of them, but how could you not worry in your heart?
