On the Path to the Great Dao

Above the Imperial Capital, the Western King's Jade Seal hung high like a small mountain, emitting a pure, bright light. Around the jade seal, the topographic maps of the fifty provinces of the Western Ox New Continent appeared.

Those geographic maps were now fully illuminated.

Chen Tang looked up. The Mountains and Rivers Map of the Western Ox New Continent originally had no deities. It was Chen Shi who, during the four years of the catastrophe, traveled the mountains and rivers of both Yin and Yang realms, reviving one Huaxia deity after another. Only then did deities come to guard the provinces and counties.

This was Chen Shi’s greatest contribution to the Western Ox New Continent, and countless lives were saved.

With the Western King's Jade Seal and the Mountains and Rivers Map enshrined here, the world was being told that Xinxiang Imperial Capital was the legitimate seat of power!

Chen Shi of the Imperial Capital was the True King!

Chen Tang withdrew his gaze and walked along. He saw that the various provincial offices—the Six Ministries’ bureaus, the Hanlin Academy, the Court of Judicial Review, the Imperial Medical Office, the Censorate, the Court of Imperial Sacrifices, the Court of Imperial Stables, the Imperial Astronomical Bureau, the Imperial College, and others—had all been constructed. The new Xinxiang Imperial Capital wore a completely new face; buildings had been repaired.

Officials had already begun working in many of the offices.

The hardest-working person was Hu Feifei. Because she had experience managing a county during the catastrophe, she had been appointed Grand Secretary of Wenyuan Pavilion and had been coordinating the duties of the various offices these days to keep things from descending into chaos.

Chen Tang passed by the Stone Ji Your Ladyship Temple. As a guardian deity of the capital region, Stone Ji’s temple was imposing and drew many worshippers.

Stone Ji Your Ladyship’s divine power had recovered. Besides answering prayers, she was primarily responsible for guarding Xinxiang’s coastline against sea monsters attempting to land.

Border troops stationed on coastal walls enshrined stone effigies; incense burned before those stone figures. If a sea monster attacked, the stone figures would awaken and become Stone Ji Your Ladyship’s external bodies, slaying the monsters.

When Chen Tang arrived at the newly rebuilt Wenyuan Pavilion, Chen Shi, Hu Feifei, Yang Bi, Li Tianqing, Yu Tiancheng, Situ Wen, Zhuge Jian, Shao Jing, Du Yiran, Blue Goat, the celestial fox, and others were all gathered. Seeing him arrive, everyone rose and waited for Chen Tang to take his seat.

Shortly after Hu Feifei sat down, she began to doze off—she had been exhausted these past days.

Yet everyone present had red-rimmed eyes from overwork.

Chen Shi resumed the previous topic. “Now that I proclaim myself True King, first I must occupy the legitimate position and win the people’s hearts. But the Twelve Great Clans hold sway over the twelve provinces respectively: the Quanzhou Li Family, the Binhai Gu Family, the Juzhou Zhang Family, the Pangu Gao Family, the Beilai Xia Family, the Lingzhou Xu Family, the Yinzhou Ma Family, the Tingzhou Yang Family, the Tongzhou Zhai Family, the Huzhou Fei Family, the Zhenzhou Cui Family, and the Baozhou Jiang Family. These clans are deeply rooted, and many smaller clans are scattered across the provinces. We currently only control Xinxiang, Qingzhou, Gongzhou, Xianzhou, Meizhou, Honghe, Guizhou, Ju Lake, and the Yangtze and other provinces. We were just discussing that the decisive battle is about to begin. Should we contract the Red Mountain Hall Talisman Master Association’s territory?”

Zhuge Jian said in a low voice, “Your Majesty, if you claim the throne as True King, the other great clans will certainly try to destroy the Red Mountain Hall Talisman Master Association. The major clans produce many masters. Although they may not be able to kill my core followers outright, even wounding ten fingers causes unbearable pain. I advise contracting Red Mountain Hall’s influence, consolidating it into Xin, Qing, Yu, Gong and other provinces.”

Yu Tiancheng shook his head. “I disagree. Red Mountain Hall is beloved by the people everywhere. Local scholars—xiucai, juren, students, and freeholders—all take pride in joining Red Mountain Hall. If we withdraw from these provinces, we will lose popular support, and it will be very difficult to regain it.”

The celestial fox said, “I think we should first contract Red Mountain Hall’s power, then gnaw at the world step by step. That would be safer.”

Blue Goat shook his head. “Like wind sweeping away clouds, with appetite like a tiger—if we cower and shrink, when will we ever unify the world? Red Mountain Hall’s power in many places is already no weaker than the government. After the catastrophe, local government forces are hollow in name; Red Mountain Hall can easily take their place. If not now, then when?”

“The Twelve Great Clans’ power is not only mortal—there’s ghost-god strength as well!”

Granny Sha said, “The Twelve Great Clans’ amassed ghost-god strength is formidable. Any one of them can rival the forces under the young Yama’s banner! If the Twelve Great Clans unleash their ghost-god forces en masse, destroying Red Mountain Hall would be effortless!”

Her words drew frowns from everyone.

Li Tianqing said, “We also have ghost-god strength. There are provincial deities on the surface, and below there is the young Yama, and Lady Empress of Earth is also seated here. The outcome of this battle is uncertain.”

“Do not underestimate the Twelve Great Clans’ accumulation!” Du Yiran said. “They have produced countless elite practitioners. Over six thousand years they have amassed thousands of ghost-gods at Return to Emptiness and Great Ascension realms. There are countless spirit-refining, Three Corpses, and Body Unification ghost-gods. Each of the Twelve Great Clans has its own Eighteen Hells, collecting ghosts for six thousand years—their power is overwhelming. Any one of their underworld judges can match figures like Long You the Freeholder. Any one of their underworld marshals could challenge me. They also have Underworld Officials, underworld officers, and Tai Ao—their strength must not be taken lightly. If we underestimate them, we will be routed!”

Voices rose and arguments flared.

Chen Shi looked to Chen Tang. “Father, what do you think?”

The room quieted; all eyes turned to Chen Tang.

Chen Tang was startled inwardly and had no ready answer, but he kept a composed expression and said, “There are still a few present who have not spoken. They must already have plans in mind. Why not ask them?”

Everyone’s gaze shifted to Hu Feifei, who was asleep.

They looked to Yu Lingzi next. Yu Lingzi blinked and quickly said, “I’m from the Ministry of Rites. Let me fight or strategize, I am not fit for it.”

Attention settled on Yang Bi.

Yang Bi smiled faintly. “Your Majesty holds the Western King's Jade Seal and the Mountains and Rivers Map, and Lady Empress of Earth is stationed here. The young Yama supports us; the fifty provinces respond. Thus your proclamation as king is legitimate. If the Twelve Great Clans fail to stop your coronation, they will lack justification and be branded rebels. Therefore the Twelve Great Clans will certainly come to attack on the day of your coronation.”

He scanned the room. “Can they break the capital walls?”

“No,” Zhuge Jian said. “Lady Empress of Earth sits here; both Yin and Yang realms are as firm as fortified bronze. Lady Empress of Earth can summon local deities at any time to assist. With the young Yama, the Emperor Father, the five princes, Imperial Tutor Zhu, Jue Yangzi, Daoist Willow, and Your Majesty’s four chief disciples—these are all transcendently powerful people. Even if the Twelve Great Clans produce many masters, they cannot capture the capital.”

Everyone nodded.

The Twelve Great Clans had many elites, but they had many themselves—among them were multiple Great Ascension realm practitioners. In terms of combat strength, they were not inferior.

Yang Bi asked, “Then, could the capital’s masters conquer the other great clans?”

Li Tianqing said, “One-on-one, it is not difficult. No single clan can resist the capital’s experts and Red Mountain Hall’s elite. But since the Yan Family’s destruction, the Twelve Great Clans are on high alert. We can create minor heavens for easier travel, and they can create Upper Realm as well, enabling easy movement. We have immortal implements, and they have immortal implements! So if we attack any one clan, we attack all twelve. Even if we win, it will be a Pyrrhic victory with grievous losses!”

By “grievous victory,” he counted in the Heavenly Pool Kingdom’s strength.

Only with the Heavenly Pool Kingdom’s masters could they simultaneously confront the Twelve Great Clans!

Du Yiran nodded slightly. “The power of immortal implements can sweep the battlefield; everything will be reduced to ash.”

Yang Bi continued, “What if, when the Twelve Great Clans attack the capital, we strike at the clans instead? Could we prevail?”

Everyone fell silent and gradually understood his meaning.

Yang Bi said, “Your Majesty stays here to be crowned as before, leaving Lady Empress of Earth and the young Yama to guard the capital. The others will be under my command to strike. The day you take the throne will be the day to level the Twelve Great Clans.”

The celestial fox hesitated. “What if the Twelve Great Clans are determined to kill Your Majesty? Can Lady Empress of Earth and the young Yama hold them off?”

Yang Bi smiled faintly. “Maybe not. Perhaps Your Majesty and Lady Empress of Earth might fall beneath their siege. But once the clans receive news that they themselves are being attacked, they will scatter—some will continue pressing the capital, others will rush back to aid their homes.”

His smile had a bitter edge. “I used to command them and know their ways. Even with my directives, they often disobeyed. How much worse if I am not there?”

People hesitated. Chen Shi suddenly laughed. “Good! Then we shall follow Yang Bi’s plan. I will be the bait!”

“Long live the sage king.” Yang Bi bowed.

Chen Shi’s gaze slowly swept over each face, and he said gravely, “Back when Yang Bi managed the Upper Realm, the elders of the Thirteen Great Clans entrusted him with the power to mobilize all forces in Upper Realm against Despair Slope. Yang Bi did well; he nearly killed Zhong Wuwang. It was because one elder acted without hearing him that Zhong Wuwang used the Heaven's Listeners to locate Upper Realm and defeated us utterly. Upper Realm fell apart and the six-thousand-year plan was ruined.”

His voice carried killing intent. “Now I transfer to Yang Bi the authority to mobilize all forces. Everyone must obey Yang Bi’s orders. Any person who disobeys his command, even my father, shall be executed! Remember this, everyone: unite and march together!”

Everyone pledged their agreement.

Only Chen Tang grudgingly scratched his nose.

Chen Shi rose. “Prepare yourselves. Yang Bi, come with me.”

Yang Bi followed him out of Wenyuan Pavilion, purposely keeping a step behind.

Chen Shi turned and smiled. “I have not yet proclaimed myself emperor, so why be so cautious? Even after I take the throne, I do not think myself above others. Speak normally.”

Yang Bi stepped forward and smiled. “Thank you.”

Chen Shi gave him a glance. “Thank me for what?”

“For Your Majesty’s trust,” Yang Bi said. “After all, I am a commander who once lost a campaign. The six-thousand-year layout of Upper Realm collapsed under my watch; I was defeated by Zhong Wuwang. Yet Your Majesty still trusts me and entrusts your life and authority to me—that is a rare favor. For that, I thank you.”

They walked side by side. Chen Shi looked at workers planting trees by the road and said, “You should thank me, but not for that.”

Yang Bi paused, puzzled.

Chen Shi continued, “Weren’t you the one advising me not to wipe out the Twelve Great Clans? Now I hand you the great power—who among the Twelve Great Clans lives or dies will be your decision.”

Yang Bi’s body trembled. A hundred feelings surged within him. Only after Chen Shi walked ahead did he come to his senses and hurried to catch up.

“Minister Yang Bi thanks Your Majesty for granting it!” he bowed.

Chen Shi laughed. “You just called us comrades on the Dao; now you call me Your Majesty again. I do not relish this title. When you talk to someone and call them my subject, it puts them a rank below you—that’s unpleasant.”

Yang Bi straightened. “When Your Majesty gains, you must also lose.”

Chen Shi said, “When I was a child I wanted to be emperor more than anything. If I found a big cannon in a mountain hollow, I’d drag it home, dreaming of conquering cities and storming the Western Capital to declare myself king. But after growing up, I realized being True King isn’t necessarily joyful—you’ll lose many Dao comrades.”

Yang Bi smiled. “Countless people yearn for this position but do not attain it. Your Majesty, in your early teens, swept the world with Red Mountain Hall, gathering heroes and champions. You have great ambition. If you do not become True King, who will?”

Chen Shi shook his head. “It is not that I possess extraordinary talent; the times simply make people yearn for change. I merely follow the tide. The Twelve Great Clans are not the hardest to handle—the real threat is Despair Slope.”

Yang Bi hesitated. “In my view, Despair Slope itself is not the hardest; the hardest is the Celestial Venerable. His power approaches that of a Tai Yi Golden Immortal. If he acts, everything could turn to ashes.”

Chen Shi looked up at the sky, watching the two suns overhead. “The Celestial Venerable knows how to wield True God. A Celestial True God is, to him, like a weapon under his control. He is extremely dangerous. With our power, can we truly contend with the Celestial Venerable?”

Yang Bi’s expression grew grave.

Against the Twelve Great Clans, he could marshal cunning plans and propose a one-stroke destruction. But against the Celestial Venerable, he had no answer.

After parting ways with Yang Bi, Chen Shi came to Jiaotai Hall. In the hall sat a large bronze cauldron, misted with immortal qi. A skeleton soaked in the cauldron was none other than Wu Qi.

At this moment, Wu Qi’s bone surfaces showed the shamanic ritual markings of the Immortal Art of Immortality becoming clearer; tendon membranes were gradually forming on the bones’ exterior. Between those membranes, tiny capillaries could be faintly seen.

Little Duan Immortal inspected Wu Qi’s revival. Seeing Chen Shi, she said, “The Immortal Art of Immortality is remarkable. Even in death, one can be reborn.”

“But it’s too slow,” Chen Shi observed as he examined Wu Qi. “He is the only one who can deal with the Celestial Venerable. I have a sense that the Celestial Venerable will not give us much time. He growing impatient and will try to strike us down. I have never encountered such a powerful existence…”

Little Duan Immortal looked at him and saw worry in his eyes.

She knew how great the pressure the Celestial Venerable placed on Chen Shi was.

This battle must be a victory—no defeat could be tolerated.

If they lost, there would be no more hope.

The Grand Sacrificial Officer led a child to the imperial city to petition Chen Shi. Chen Shi received them with a smile. “Grand Sacrificial Officer, there is no need for formality.”

The Grand Sacrificial Officer said, “Your Majesty is the Divine Emperor; I am a subject. A subject paying respects to the emperor must observe ancient rites.”

He paused, then said, “Your Majesty, please examine this child’s root bones.”

Chen Shi’s gaze fell on the child. He stepped forward and touched the boy’s bones. “Good root bones. What is your name?”

“Chu Feng,” the child replied.

Chen Shi smiled. “A good name.”

The Grand Sacrificial Officer said, “I came to inform Your Majesty that Chu Feng cultivates the Profound Yin Nine Heaven Art and is about to obtain a Divine Embryo.”

Chen Shi looked intently at Chu Feng. “Once he reaches the Divine Descent realm, he will be able to use demonic corruption to contaminate a True God!”

The Grand Sacrificial Officer smiled. “When that time comes, the whole Western Ox New Continent will be transformed into a demonic domain; then there will be no need to fear demonic energy invasion. Your Majesty, please await good news.”

Chen Shi watched them leave, leading Chu Feng away.

Jiajing year 6648, tenth month, third day—an auspicious day for the coronation.

Avoid raising arms.

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