CHAPTER 394: CHAPTER 166 ENFEOFFMENT (ADDITIONAL UPDATE FOR 24,800 MONTHLY VOTES)

Inside the Imperial Palace.

Dongfang Zhao easily gained entry and directly met with Gu Xuanji.

"Your servant Dongfang Zhao pays homage to Your Majesty!"

He bowed deeply as a sign of respect. In the rear garden, Gu Xuanji spoke indifferently, "Defender Dongfang, you may dispense with the formalities."

"Thank Your Majesty!"

Only then did Dongfang Zhao rise.

Gu Xuanji’s eyes signaled for the other party to sit, and then with a smile at the corner of his mouth, he said, "Defender Dongfang usually does not come unless there is something of importance. Do you perhaps have some matters to report at this time?"

"Your servant is indeed here to report several matters."

Dongfang Zhao clasped his fists, and under the watchful gaze of Gu Xuanji, he relayed the news he had received, one by one. Across from him, the expression on Gu Xuanji’s face gradually shifted from calm to joyous, and then to as dark and heavy as water. Finally, he slammed his palm onto the table in front of him with such fearsome power that the whole table disintegrated into dust.

"Audacious!"

"Even the Myriad Buddhas Sect dares to dream of undermining the foundation of our Great Qin!"

Anger flared in Gu Xuanji’s eyes, and his formidable aura rose from his being, causing the surrounding maids and eunuchs to kneel trembling on the ground, shaking uncontrollably.

In the rear garden, the only person who could maintain their composure was Dongfang Zhao.

The fury lasted for a while. Only then did Gu Xuanji’s face show a slight reduction in anger, but his eyes remained icy cold.

"Defender Dongfang, how do you think I should best handle this matter?"

"Your Majesty’s decisions are beyond what your servant is qualified to debate. However, regarding the matter of South Nether Prefecture, your servant does have some thoughts of his own."

"Speak."

"Your Majesty must be aware of why the Myriad Buddhas Sect dared to rebel and why the sects of South Nether Prefecture dared to follow them. It is largely due to the presence of Shimohe. That powerhouse from eight hundred years ago has given them the confidence to overthrow Great Qin. The moment Shimohe is subdued, the so-called Heaven Alliance will crumble of its own accord."

Dongfang Zhao’s expression was calm, his voice steady and unhurried. As he reached this point, Gu Xuanji gazed at him intently, "Shimohe is a contemporary Great Grandmaster. It is said that several King Rank Defender Envoys of South Nether Prefecture combined were no match for him. Whom do you think could subdue him? Or are you suggesting that you intend to take action personally?"

In his view, the only person within the Demon-Subduing Division capable of subduing Shimohe was Dongfang Zhao.

Hearing this, Dongfang Zhao shook his head, "Within the Capital Demon Suppression Division, both the Demon Sealing Tower and the Demon-Subduing Prison are of utmost importance. If I were to take action, there’s no guarantee that Demon Evil wouldn’t take advantage of the situation. Unless absolutely necessary, your servant cannot lightly leave the Capital City. Yet, within the Demon-Subduing Division, aside from your servant, there seems to be another who could deal with Shimohe."

Another person?

Gu Xuanji’s complexion subtly shifted, and he then seemed to realize something.

"Are you referring to Shen Changqing?"

"Exactly."

Dongfang Zhao nodded. "Shen Changqing is already a Great Grandmaster. Judging by his strength in defeating the Eternal Alliance Master and slaying four mid-rank Demon Evils, even if he is not Shimohe’s equal, the gap should not be too vast. If he were in South Nether Prefecture, then it would not be Heaven Alliance’s turn to be unrestrained."

Gu Xuanji fell silent, appearing to ponder something.

Dongfang Zhao continued, "But Your Majesty is also aware that anything must have a cause. Although Shen Changqing hails from the Demon-Subduing Division, he has only been there for a few years. His current achievements are all due to other fortunes. Our Demon-Subduing Division’s control over such powerful individuals has always been less than absolute."

"Therefore—"

"Your servant believes that to have Shen Changqing preside over South Nether Prefecture, there must at least be a title involved. A mighty one seeks either fame or benefit. Even those with a heart for the people of the world have their own obsessions. If the remedy corresponds to the problem, then the issue should not be too great."

Dongfang Zhao spoke calmly. In his view, forcefully ordering Shen Changqing to deal with Shimohe would be a joke.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xuanji’s expression was unreadable, "What does Defender Dongfang think would convince Shen Changqing to take on Shimohe?"

"It’s quite simple," Dongfang Zhao declared. "Your servant believes that by bestowing upon Shen Changqing the title of Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture, it is unlikely he would refuse."

Now, he truly got to the heart of the matter.

An uncharacteristic smile flickered across Gu Xuanji’s indifferent face.

"You have been waiting for me to propose this, haven’t you?"

"Your Majesty, please do not misunderstand. Your servant’s loyalty to Great Qin is unwavering. Whatever I say or contemplate is for the benefit of Great Qin. The title of Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture is a small price to pay for the alliance of a Grandmaster Realm powerhouse. Moreover, your servant has some understanding of him. This individual holds no disloyal intentions. If he were there, many of the problems in South Nether Prefecture would be alleviated."

Having said this, Dongfang Zhao fell silent. He had said what he could; the rest was up to Gu Xuanji to decide.

The scene fell quiet. Gu Xuanji too was weighing the pros and cons of the matter. After a long while, he nodded in agreement, "Very well, let him become the Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture. He shall have full decision-making authority there, but one condition from me must be met—that the Heaven Alliance must be annihilated!"

The position of Defender Envoy of South Nether Prefecture was granted. By comparison, the Heaven Alliance was the real issue at hand. Should the Heaven Alliance be allowed to grow and gain strength, it could easily shake the foundations of Great Qin. Sometimes, internal strife is often a greater threat than external enemies.

Dongfang Zhao clasped his fists, "Your Majesty, rest assured, I shall send a message to South Nether Prefecture right away."

"By the way, is there anything you want to say about the Martial Emperor being the Eternal Alliance Master?"

Gu Xuanji’s smile faded slightly from his face, fully demonstrating the capricious nature of an emperor’s joy and rage.

In this regard, Dongfang Zhao’s demeanor remained unchanged, "The Martial Emperor betrayed the Demon-Subduing Division; that was his personal choice. I have already ordered his expulsion. Henceforth, he is an enemy of the Demon-Subduing Division. We will surely execute him without mercy."

"Then that’s for the best." Gu Xuanji’s tone was enigmatic. "I do not wish for those who have betrayed Great Qin to still wander freely. No matter their status, once they betray, they must be completely eradicated."

"I understand!" Dongfang Zhao nodded.

Seeing this, Gu Xuanji’s expression softened slightly.

"There are no problems within the Demon-Subduing Division at the moment, right?"

"Not at the moment."

"The matter of the Heaven Alliance in South Nether Prefecture—even though you mentioned Shimohe is the main cause, besides him, other sects within the Heaven Alliance are also a considerable nuisance."

"Your Majesty, rest assured. As long as we can withstand Shimohe’s momentum, I believe the combined forces gathered by the Heaven Alliance will not pose any problems, given the existing military strength of South Nether Prefecture," Dongfang Zhao said in a deep voice. With the Heavenly Inspection Guard present, he was quite aware of his control over South Nether Prefecture.

Upon hearing this, Gu Xuanji smiled slightly, "With you there, I truly feel much relieved. There are some matters that I cannot control well in the Capital City, and I am grateful for your assistance."

"Your Majesty is too kind!" Dongfang Zhao’s expression didn’t change, and then he stood up. "I entered the palace mainly to report this matter; if there is nothing else, then I shall take my leave now."

"Hmm, you may go." Gu Xuanji waved his hand.

Seeing this, Dongfang Zhao bowed deeply, then turned and left.

Watching his retreating figure, Gu Xuanji’s smile disappeared bit by bit, returning to his usual indifference. Surrounding him were the kneeling palace maids and eunuchs, none of whom dared to raise their heads.

----

「South Nether Prefecture.」

Baiyue City.

Nowadays, Baiyue City had fallen into the flames of war.

With Shimohe at the forefront, the Heaven Alliance, in collaboration with various sects, had formed an army exceeding a hundred thousand, which bore down on Baiyue City.

Within any given sect, the number of disciples recruited would be at least several hundred to a thousand. Some powerful sects boasted thousands of disciples. The sects that joined the Heaven Alliance numbered no less than a hundred; their combined forces alone, just in terms of disciples, easily surpassed one hundred thousand. And then, there were the sect experts and Shimohe himself, the current number one Great Grandmaster leading the charge, making the assembled army overwhelmingly powerful.

During this period, even though South Nether Prefecture had organized an army to counter, they were utterly powerless to resist. Several of their generals were assassinated by the Heaven Alliance experts almost before they could react. One thing led to another, and the crumbling of the great army became an expected outcome. In just a few days’ time, the Heaven Alliance’s army had already reached the outskirts of Baiyue City.

By now, although Baiyue City had not fallen, Heaven Alliance experts had already bypassed the city walls and ignited fires of war within the city.

"Shimohe, do you truly wish to rebel!"

In the sky, against a backdrop of black energy, Yuan Ji was like the reincarnation of a Demon God, his face utterly stern. In front of him stood Shimohe, in a white monk’s robe and barefoot, floating in the void like a reincarnated Buddha. A mist of golden light radiated from him, directly opposing the black energy. At a glance, it was as if darkness was in conflict with light.

Shimohe smiled while twirling a flower, "Great Qin is tyrannical, the Demon-Subduing Division cruel and merciless. Today, I shall act as heaven’s agent. Considering your strength is not bad, rather than perishing here, why not join the Heaven Alliance?"

"Rebel and traitor!" Yuan Ji’s eyes were ice cold.

In an instant, he unleashed a punch directly, the black energy roaring as it surged like a tide from the void.

Seeing this, Shimohe’s face showed regret.

"Obstinacy will lead to your demise!"

With his hand as smooth as white jade extended gently forward, as the golden light surged, he effortlessly caught Yuan Ji’s earth-shattering punch.

Power erupted.

The black energy shattered.

Yuan Ji’s body shuddered, and he plummeted towards the earth below.

Shimohe also took a step, descending. One hand formed a flower gesture before his chest, while the other palm struck out flatly.

A Swastika Buddhist sigil manifested directly before everyone.

Yuan Ji’s expression was grave. He threw a punch with all his might. Terrifying power unleashed, forcibly shattering the Swastika sigil.

However, in doing so, he also suffered the force of the backlash.

Shimohe then took another step, and his figure abruptly vanished from its original spot.

The next instant, Yuan Ji heard a Buddhist chant by his ear.

"Amitabha Buddha!"