Chapter 372: The Giant Radish
Langwolf Island, Great Zhen Dynasty, Xuanying, the Imperial Palace, Zhongshan's Study
Yi Yan stepped into the study.
Inside, Zhongshan was at his desk, writing with a brush, while Bao'er meticulously ground ink beside him.
"Greetings, Your Majesty. Greetings, Empress," Yi Yan said with a bow.
"Hehe, Yi Yan, there's no need for such formality. Inside the court, we are sovereign and subject; outside, we are friends," Zhongshan said with a smile, setting down his brush.
"Yes, regarding matters of the Lunar Dynasty, I need to discuss something with Your Majesty," Yi Yan said, glancing at Bao'er.
Seeing Yi Yan's expression, Zhongshan laughed and said, "Bao'er is my wife. In my absence, she is authorized to make decisions on my behalf."
Hearing Zhongshan's words, Yi Yan was slightly taken aback. He glanced at Bao'er with surprise, then nodded, saying, "Empress, please do not take offense. It's just that the matter I need to report is quite confidential, and thus..."
"No offense taken. You are acting in the best interest of my husband," Bao'er replied with a gentle smile and a shake of her head.
"What have you discovered?" Zhongshan asked.
"The surface strength of the Lunar Dynasty, according to our analysis, has been sufficiently prepared for. Surprisingly, despite its seemingly small size, the Lunar Dynasty possesses formidable power," Yi Yan remarked thoughtfully.
"Is that so?" Zhongshan continued to listen attentively.
"The strength of the Lunar Dynasty is sufficient to contend on the lands of Shenzhou. Yet, it remains in its secluded corner, a testament to the cunning and strategic acumen of its emperor, Liudao. Additionally, after thorough analysis, I've identified three highly covert forces within the Lunar Dynasty," Yi Yan explained.
"Three forces? What are they?" Zhongshan inquired.
"The most enigmatic is 'Mister Corpse.' This individual is shrouded in mystery, with no known background. Even during my extensive time in Shenzhou, I never heard of him or his lineage. His loyalty to the Lunar Dynasty is questionable, and Liudao is constantly working to win him over. His potential influence could prove a significant surprise to us," Yi Yan said, shaking his head with a wry smile.
"Mister Corpse? Hehe, I've had dealings with him. Rest assured, I'll handle him personally. Perhaps, before long, he might even become an official of our Great Zhen Dynasty," Zhongshan mused.
"Oh?" Yi Yan's eyes widened in surprise.
"What about the other two forces?" Bao'er interjected.
"The second force is the Grand Empress of the Lunar Dynasty. She was once Liudao's most beloved wife. However, three hundred years ago, it is rumored that Liudao obtained a fragment of a powerful cultivation technique. Though incomplete, its potency was immense, and unwilling to forgo it, he chose his closest companion to practice it, and thus, bestowed it upon the Grand Empress," Yi Yan explained, his brows furrowing slightly.
"What happened afterward?" Bao'er asked.
"Afterward? The Grand Empress has since been shrouded in a black robe, and Liudao no longer dares to touch her," Yi Yan said.
"Never dares to touch her again?" Bao'er frowned.
"Never again. Nevertheless, her position in the Lunar Dynasty is unassailable. There was once a concubine who sought to usurp her place and slandered the Grand Empress before Liudao. The result? The concubine was immediately thrown into the cold palace and has never emerged since," Yi Yan said with a sigh.
"Are you suggesting that the Grand Empress wields some extraordinary power?" Zhongshan asked, frowning.
"That is a distinct possibility," Yi Yan nodded.
"Then we shall see when the time comes," Zhongshan said thoughtfully.
"Hm. As for the third force, it is the Great Awakening Temple of the Lunar Dynasty," Yi Yan said.
"Golden Light Monk from the Great Awakening Temple?" Zhongshan inquired.
"Yes, this temple's origins are shrouded in mystery. It appears to have emerged simultaneously with the Lunar Dynasty and is located right in the capital, Jinling City. In any other dynasty, it would be unthinkable for a sect to establish itself within the capital. Yet, the Great Awakening Temple has entrenched itself firmly in Jinling City," Yi Yan said, frowning.
"Indeed. I have also had people investigate. The Great Awakening Temple is reputed to be the national temple of the Lunar Dynasty. The head monk, Golden Light, is known only by reputation and hasn't been seen in public for over a century, not since his last sermon," Zhongshan nodded in agreement.
"Those we cannot understand thoroughly are the ones we must be most cautious of," Yi Yan said with a frown.
"Hmm." Zhongshan nodded thoughtfully.
At that moment, Wei Taizhong entered the room.
"Your Majesty, General Yinglan has sent a messenger. He is waiting outside," Wei Taizhong announced.
"Let him in!" Zhongshan ordered with a frown.
Yi Yan stepped to the side, a trace of curiosity flickering in his eyes.
Soon, a general entered the study.
"Greetings, Your Majesty! Greetings, Empress! Greetings, General!" The general bowed deeply.
"What happened with Yinglan? Why were you dispatched back so urgently?" Zhongshan asked.
"Your Majesty, after we raided a mountain sect, we captured someone who claimed to be a disciple of Golden Light Arhat from the Great Awakening Temple, part of the Pure Land. The marshal interrogated him on the spot and, due to the gravity of the situation, sent me back to report to you immediately," the general reported.
"Oh? Golden Light Arhat?" Zhongshan asked, intrigued.
"Yes, according to the interrogation, Liudao of the Lunar Dynasty was originally from the Pure Land. He abandoned the path of accumulating yin virtues and turned to the pursuit of fame and power, founding the Lunar Dynasty. Because Liudao was originally from the Pure Land, they dispatched Golden Light Arhat to assist him. Within the Great Awakening Temple, Golden Light Arhat has trained 108 late-stage Golden Core experts who can form a 'Arhat Great Formation,' reputed to possess immense power," the general explained.
"Is there anything else?" Zhongshan asked, his brow slightly furrowed.
"No, that's all," the general replied.
"Very well. Return to General Yinglan and inform her that I am aware. This information is very useful to me," Zhongshan instructed.
"Yes, Your Majesty!" The general saluted and left the room.
"Pure Land? Again with the Pure Land," Yi Yan muttered, frowning.
"Oh? Again? What do you mean, again?" Zhongshan asked.
"In the past millennium, among the four sacred lands, the Pure Land has been extremely domineering. Its influence has grown steadily among sects and even extended into dynasties. Though not part of the same system, having the support of a dynasty makes it easier for them to accumulate virtues. Many dynasties in Shenzhou already bear the mark of the Pure Land. However, they struggle to infiltrate empires because each emperor is fiercely independent and intolerant of sect interference. As for heavenly empires, there is no chance at all, which is why you don't see the influence of the Pure Land in the Great Luo Heavenly Empire. In the past, the Pure Land tried to infiltrate the Great Yu Empire and even poisoned me while I was in seclusion," Yi Yan explained thoughtfully.
"Do you think Liudao would allow Golden Light Arhat to interfere?" Zhongshan pondered.
"Not necessarily. But regardless, we now know a bit more about Golden Light Arhat. The Arhat Great Formation is a battle formation, and I've heard of its power. When formed by 108 true arhats, it can even trap a Bodhisattva," Yi Yan said.
"But they aren't true arhats, merely late-stage Golden Core cultivators," Zhongshan remarked disdainfully.
"Indeed!" Yi Yan laughed.
The Fourth Month of the Imperial Campaign, Outside Xuanying
Zhongshan, accompanied by an anxious Qian You, was flying slowly towards the capital. Hao Meili, riding a golden dragon, flew ahead, oblivious to the awe-struck and prostrate commoners below.
"Zhongshan, So This Is Your Place? A Self-Proclaimed Emperor?" Hao Meili Asked Curiously as She Looked Toward the Distant Palace.
The golden dragon circled Xuanying, a sign of great auspice. However, there seemed to be someone riding on its head? For a moment, aside from those who knelt in reverence, everyone in the city strained their eyes to get a better look. Eventually, the majestic golden dragon descended into the imperial palace.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
It was unclear who started shouting first, but soon, the entire city of Xuanying echoed with countless voices of reverence.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
"Long live the Emperor! Long live the Emperor!"
Amidst the continuous cries of devotion, Zhongshan and his entourage arrived in front of the Hall of Eternal Life.
Today's morning court session had been canceled, and the palace was heavily guarded, allowing no one to enter or leave. Before the Hall of Eternal Life, Bao'er, Yinglan, Lin Xiao, Wei Taizhong, and Yi Yan waited patiently.
Seeing Hao Meili ride in on a dragon, the crowd was only slightly surprised. However, when they saw Zhongshan descending from the clouds with Princess Qianyou, everyone except Bao'er widened their eyes in shock. Hearing was one thing, but seeing was far more astonishing. They all knew the emperor was sitting on the throne in the Hall of Eternal Life. Who was this person arriving from the sky?
The crowd turned to look at the Hall of Eternal Life, only to find that the Zhongshan seated inside had vanished.
"G-Great Uncle?" Yinglan called out uncertainly.
Zhongshan smiled gently, "What's the matter? Weren't you just clamoring to lead troops to the northern battlefield? And now you don't recognize me?"
"Ah, it really is Great Uncle! But, weren't you just in the hall?" Yinglan's mind seemed to be in a jumble.
"Hahaha!" Zhongshan laughed heartily.
Seeing Princess Qianyou, Yi Yan's eyes were filled with suspicion. Princess Qianyou? How did she end up here? Why did His Majesty bring her back?
Qianyou glanced at the assembled group, her eyes pausing on the now younger-looking Yi Yan. She shot Zhongshan a glare, evidently annoyed that he had recruited Yi Yan without informing her.
However, Qianyou didn't linger on Yi Yan, instead focusing her gaze on another luxurious and extraordinarily beautiful woman. Approaching, Qianyou gave a slight bow, "Qianyou greets you, Sister."
Off to the side, Yi Yan's mouth dropped open wide enough to fit an egg. Yinglan looked at Qianyou with a hint of jealousy, pouting in displeasure.
"Qianyou? No need for such formalities, sister. Let the men talk. I'll take you for a tour of the harem," Bao'er said, giving Zhongshan a sideways glance. She warmly took Qianyou by the wrist and led her away.
Qianyou hesitated but eventually followed Bao'er.
"Zhongshan, don't tell me that woman is also your wife?" Hao Meili asked, watching Bao'er leave.
"Yes, she is," Zhongshan replied.
"Men are all the same, always womanizers, just a bunch of shameless rakes!" Hao Meili scoffed disdainfully.