Lord Shenxiu-Chapter 487: Peach Blossom Spring (Additional Update for Monthly Ticket)

Chapter 487: Chapter 487: Peach Blossom Spring (Additional Update for Monthly Ticket)

"How did Young Master Shen Xiu become involved with Lord Qingyuan? My benefactor... could it be that the mysterious cultivator who saved the County Lord that day was him?"

White Cloud Immortal suddenly felt a heart palpitation, as if she had glimpsed a corner of a vast conspiracy.

"Moreover, this person’s actions are mad and unfathomable... Forget it, forget it, I am not a disciple of the Dragon Tiger Sect, nor should I confront the Fourth Prince for their sake."

White Cloud Immortal thought for a moment, then suddenly smiled, "Since he is a friend of the County Lord, I shall take my leave first."

She arrived quickly and left quickly, like a white cloud drifting into the city below.

"So, the benefactor is named Zhong Shenxiu?"

Lord Qingyuan’s big eyes fluttered, and she suddenly smiled, "May I invite you to Daoyuan Pavilion, so that Qingyuan can show a bit of hospitality?"

"That would be nice, I have been in seclusion for many years and am ignorant of the significant affairs of the world; I was just looking for someone to consult."

Zhong Shenxiu laughed heartily.

Speaking of the world’s situation, there should be none more detailed than the imperial court.

"There is no difficulty in that. Let Han Shanggong make a trip to the Mystic Sky Bureau."

Lord Qingyuan smiled cunningly and ordered the green bird chariot to head back.

Han Shanggong wanted to speak, but knowing she could not dissuade this County Lord, who grew more independent by the day, she could only secretly send a signal to inform the Fourth Prince and then followed along.

Daoyuan Pavilion was located in the outskirts of Daze City – surrounded by ten thousand acres of peach forests, brilliant with colors, splendid and dazzling. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com

"This is a fief given to me by my fourth brother; what does Young Master Shen Xiu think?"

The green bird chariot descended, and Lord Qingyuan alighted gracefully, smiling as she asked.

"The scenery is nice, fitting for drinking."

Zhong Shenxiu answered with a smile.

"It seems the Young Master cannot be joyful without wine; fortunately, this place is stocked with overseas immortal wine for your pleasure."

Lord Qingyuan, being a graceful person, immediately ordered an elaborate banquet of eight treasures set under the peach trees.

It was a banquet of the highest standard in the Second Yan Han Empire, featuring bear paws, elephant trunks, camel humps, orangutan lips, deer tails, monkey brains, leopard fetuses, and bird nests – only possible because it was near Changluo in the County Lord’s manor.

Zhong Shenxiu did not refuse the offering and heartily enjoyed the delicacies, the overseas immortal wine in the bronze goblet enhancing his delight.

Lord Qingyuan, smiling cheerfully, watched from the head seat; soon after, Han Shanggong floated in and delivered a stack of documents to Zhong Shenxiu.

"Major events since Chengtian First Year are all listed here."

"Oh?"

Zhong Shenxiu’s eyes brightened as he took them and flipped through, using the documents to complement the wine.

"Since Chengtian First Year, the world has been quite restless..."

He sighed softly, looking at the thick stack, his thoughts suddenly drifting to other issues: "This Lord Qingyuan, still wearing a girl’s hairstyle – is she still unmarried? She must be over twenty, right? Normally in ancient times, marrying and bearing children in the teens was usual. But the Yan Han is an Immortal Dynasty, maybe customs are different?"

Zhong Shenxiu took another sip of wine, casually opened a document which reported on a significant number of independent sects from East Sea entering the Central Plains.

Although these independent cultivation sects were not top-tier, they always had Primordial Spirit experts and Dharma Body experts. The imperial court allowed them to establish sects within Central Earth, also intending to use their power to balance the six paths of the Demon Sect.

However, things did not develop as they had hoped. The significant entry of independent sects from overseas into the Central Plains had escalated conflicts with local sects, leading to frequent clashes.

Beyond this, each state had frequent unusual occurrences, disasters, and pandemics – it all appeared to signify the decline of the dynasty.

"In Luo State, multicolored lotuses have appeared, and those who see them lose their clarity of mind and awaken as believers of the five lotuses..."

"Sha State suffered an outbreak of the Plague of Beast Transformation, presenting as wolves, tigers, cows, and other beasts. Those bitten and not deceased within three days would transform into half-beast forms and attack others. Several counties have already fallen... It is suspected that the Demon Sect is involved, training battle beasts..."

"Si Province... Nine Palace Cave Heaven has fallen, transformed into the Demon Realm, with numerous strange occurrences emerging in the surrounding area, fortunately contained... Proposal to seal it off is suggested."

...

"These incidences are significant events that have shaken the court. Certain smaller-scale catastrophic outbreaks probably don’t even qualify to be reported..."

Zhong Shenxiu was somewhat shaken, then immediately turned his attention to the content he was more interested in concerning the Supreme Dragon and Tiger Sect.

’In the battle of Nine Palace, Master Jiu Ru perished, Primordial Spirit Cultivator Yu Longzi and Master Ming Xue managed to escape, disciples of the Dragon Tiger Sect suffered heavy casualties, the Demon Immortal broke out of the seal, creating a thousand miles of barren land, spawning numerous oddities...’

’Poor Sima Shu, Lan Ying’er, and others, didn’t even have the privilege to leave their names behind...’

Zhong Shenxiu continued to read and found out that after the battle of Nine Palace Cave Heaven, the Supreme Dragon Tiger Sect shifted to a defensive strategy, most disciples retreated to Jade State, while Dharma Body Master Qingwei Dao Miao Zhenjun stayed in Changluo, preparing to preside over the Heaven Sacrifice ceremony.

More crucially, after several years, the old emperor’s health was deteriorating significantly.

And the Heaven Sacrifice ceremony was imminent!

This was not recorded in the documents, but with various clues, Zhong Shenxiu could deduce the answer through simple speculation!

He slid his finger across a document, leaving an imprint.

"In August, Imperial Censor Tian Zhongwen submitted a proposal to change the title of the ’State Preceptor’ to ’Heavenly Master,’ and to reclaim the titles of all Mystic and Real Heavenly Masters..."

"In the Second Yan Han Empire, Primordial Pill Cultivators could assume the role of Five Talismans Spirit Officer.

Above the Five Talismans Spirit Officers, Primordial Spirit and Dharma Body Cultivators could hold various Heavenly Master official positions, aiding the court in managing matters of the Immortal Dao.

And the State Preceptor is the pinnacle of the ranks of Immortal Officials in the Second Yan Han Empire, traditionally a position only a liberated immortal could fulfill.

Because the Second Yan Han Empire self-identifies as the ’Immortal Dynasty,’ the national preceptor, naturally ranks above the Heavenly Masters!

Now, the court wants to change the title and name of the official position, elevating the Heavenly Master to a super-grade, ranking above the State Preceptor.

It may appear to be just a change in titles, but it actually signifies a major redirection in national policy under the heavens, and allegiance to the Heavenly Dao of this domain!

This is paving the way for the Heaven Sacrifice and is also a declaration of the commencement of war!

’Only titles and vessels, which must not be falsified... It may seem like just a change in official titles, but truly, it is a significant shift in state governance, big troubles are brewing!’

’This trip to Changluo, might have come at just the right time.’

Zhong Shenxiu thought to himself.

The Second Yan Han Empire itself already has many cultivators, and for now, the Supreme Dragon Tiger Sect along with the East Sea fringe sectors are likely on this side.

While the positions of the Buddhist Sect, Taiping Sect, and Miao Ji Zhen Sect are unclear, mostly neutral for now, merely following the righteousness of the Yan Han Empire out of inertia.

What the Demon Sect intends, however, is also difficult to say.

’The Supreme Dragon Tiger Sect is too closely involved with the court, if something happens, they might be dragged down into the abyss...’

Zhong Shenxiu drained the fine wine from the bronze wine jug in one gulp, his gaze suddenly shifting towards a particular spot.

There, a young man clad in a Jiao Long Robe, moving with a dragon’s stride and a tiger’s steps, his face conveying immense nobility, was slowly approaching, surrounded by numerous servants.

"Fourth Brother has arrived!"

Lord Qingyuan stood up to welcome him and introduced Zhong Shenxiu, "This is the benefactor I’ve told you about!"

"So you are Young Master Shen Xiu, thanks are inexpressible for your help to my little sister in the past."

The Fourth Prince smiled as he spoke, without the slightest trace of arrogance. Every word and deed seemed to have been meticulously cultivated to make one feel refreshed.

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