"Go..."

Jingtai waved his hand, signaling Cao Zhengxian to withdraw.

"This old subject takes his leave."

Cao Zhengxian bowed and respectfully rolled up the "Myriad Miles of Rivers and Mountains" map on the desk, bending over to leave the imperial study.

Suddenly, Jingtai seemed to remember something and said,

"Wait."

"Does Your Majesty have further instructions?" Cao Zhengxian raised his head.

"Convey my decree that in seven days, Marquis Wu'an, Chen Yuan, is to go to Mount Shu to question them. Why would a rebel like the Dao God Palace be colluding with Mount Shu? Could it be that they intend to betray the court?"

Jingtai said calmly.

A hint of astonishment flickered in Cao Zhengxian's eyes:

"This... what if we force Mount Shu to rebel?"

"The South is no longer under the control of the court. It makes no difference whether they rebel or not. It might be good to let them fall into chaos, so the court can extricate itself and stop dealing with the Southern Border demon clans."

"This..."

Jingtai frowned, looking down at Cao Zhengxian, and said:

"What, do you have objections?"

"What if Marquis Wu'an does not go to Mount Shu?"

"Then strip him of his official position, remove his title, and order him to come to the capital to beg for forgiveness with thorns on his back."

"If that is truly the case, I fear he will not come." Cao Zhengxian frowned slightly and said slowly.

"Whether he comes or not makes no difference. It is just that I do not wish to see him succeed so smoothly. This son of a bitch likely has other thoughts in his heart. The events in the South all point to his intentions. If the world falls into chaos, this son of a bitch will surely seize the opportunity to rebel. Giving him the reputation of a rebellious traitor should offset the renown he gained in the Liangzhou City battle.

He is merely a Refining Spirit cultivator. Without the protection of his reputation, what can he amount to in this chaotic world where heroes rise together? Talent?

Heh... He is nothing if he does not grow up!"

A cold glint flashed in Jingtai's eyes. He had once wanted to tie a rope around Chen Yuan's neck, making him loyal to the Sima family forever, but Chen Yuan refused and deliberately accumulated strength in the South.

Jingtai had seen all of this and had already harbored murderous intentions.

However, Chen Yuan's reputation was too great, and his current power was not low. Taking action against him directly would only dishearten the officials below. It would be better to diminish his reputation.

And let him die in the midst of the chaos.

"Your Majesty is wise!"

"Alright, withdraw. Invite the two Dukes and my uncle to the imperial study."

"Yes."

After Cao Zhengxian left, Jingtai took out a sound transmission talisman from his sleeve and said calmly:

"It can begin!"

......

......

The hurricane of the Mount Shu battle spread quickly, reaching the capital in just a few days, causing a huge shock.

Many court nobles were fearful, afraid that the chaos would disrupt their wealth and glory.

Princess Pingyang and the various princes were all worried, as if they could already see the impending collapse of the dynasty. Even the heated competition for the crown prince position had ceased.

The world was about to descend into chaos, so what was the point of fighting for the position of crown prince? They were truly afraid of angering the emperor.

All they could do was stay put obediently.

After careful consideration, the Fourth Prince, Sima Ke, still sent a letter to the South, to Marquis Wu'an, Chen Yuan. The letter mentioned his current situation and subtly mentioned his mother in the palace. He hoped that Chen Yuan would always remember them and find a way to escape the quagmire in the South, so that they would not be targeted first when the world fell into chaos.

It was not that he was truly worried about Chen Yuan's safety, but he felt that Chen Yuan was now his and his mother's greatest support. If Chen Yuan fell, who would help him ascend the throne?

How could he compete with his older brothers?

With signs of turmoil in the world, the safest place was still Central Province, where the imperial family had the strongest power, and no one could invade. It would be best to return.

However, it was foreseeable that Chen Yuan would not pay attention to him at all.

To Chen Yuan, Sima Ke and Consort Yang were merely pawns. They were basically useless to him now, so how could he still care about them?

Women? Did he lack women?

Adopted son? Did he lack adopted sons?

Night.

The Grand Commander of the Sky Patrol Division, Duke Weiguo, Gu Tianqiong, the Grand Marshal of Military Affairs, Li Kuangxiu, who had regained military power, and Jingtai's uncle, Sima Che, arrived at the imperial study together.

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Greetings, Your Majesty!"

"Greetings..."

The three of them saluted in unison.

Jingtai smiled and gestured for them to sit down.

"I wonder why Your Majesty has summoned us here tonight?" Li Kuangxiu was an impatient man. The fact that Jingtai had summoned all three of them to the imperial study was a clear indication that something was amiss.

As for what that was... he guessed it was probably related to the Mount Shu battle.

"How is the Zhenguo Duke's injury?" Jingtai did not speak directly but asked about other matters.

"Thank you for Your Majesty's concern. It is no longer a problem!"

Li Kuangxiu raised his hand in a salute. To him, the regeneration of a severed limb was nothing. After this period of recuperation, he had basically recovered as before.

Perhaps there were still some obstacles, but definitely not many.

"That's good. The Zhenguo Duke is a pillar of the court and must not suffer any damage." Jingtai continued to smile.

"Heh..."

After a few words of small talk, Jingtai changed the subject and sighed:

"I imagine my uncle and the two Dukes already know about the Mount Shu matter, right?"

"Indeed."

"That's right."

The Mount Shu battle had caused such a stir, how could they not know?

If Jingtai hadn't invited them to the palace today, they would have had to meet with the emperor themselves.

"In the Mount Shu battle, seven demon saints and one human True Monarch, a total of eight True Monarch-level experts, descended upon Mount Shu, fighting with immortal weapons. Then, a demon god appeared.

Mount Shu, on the other hand, joined forces with the Dao God Palace, Biyou Palace, and other forces to resist, ultimately forcing the demon saints to retreat and shattering the demon clan's supreme treasure, the Demon Emperor Bell."

Jingtai briefly recounted the events and continued:

"The Southern Border demon clans have accumulated strength for five hundred years, possessing heaven-defying power and capable of entering the Central Plains at any time. Mount Shu, on the other hand, has the combined strength of three major forces, possessing unparalleled power, as well as the Blood Province Demonic Sect, remnants of the previous dynasty, and the uncontrollable Nangong Lie. The South is now like oil on a raging fire, ready to erupt at any moment.

The previous battles have given many ambitious individuals the idea of overthrowing the dynasty. It can be said that the court has reached its most critical moment and could lose the entire country at any time!"

Jingtai's expression was heavy, and as he spoke, the faces of the True Monarchs present also became solemn. They could all see the general trend of the world. The court's power was still too weak in comparison.

"Without someone who can turn the tide, the Great Jin will repeat the disaster of the previous Chu Dynasty."

"Does Your Majesty have a plan?"

Sima Che raised his head to look at Jingtai, while Li Kuangxiu and Gu Tianqiong frowned, not quite understanding the meaning, but also looked up at the emperor.

"I am not a celestial being and cannot suppress the entire world. However, preserving half of the country might still be possible. When the various Jianghu forces are fighting each other, there will still be an opportunity to reclaim the old territories."

A flicker of flame seemed to flash in Jingtai's eyes, and his gaze was calm.

"Does Your Majesty intend to formally abandon the three southern provinces?" Gu Tianqiong frowned. Li Kuangxiu's face was also not very pleasant, but he didn't say much.

For Jingtai, suppressing the entire world was still too much to ask.

Even immortals couldn't do it, let alone a mortal?

"Yes, severing the arm to save the body is the best policy."

After the Liangshan battle, when the three of them returned, Jingtai had said that as long as they could protect the Central, Bing, Yun, Yang, and Si provinces, the court would still have hope.

At that time, it was also a preparation for the three of them, and now they were preparing to truly sever their arm to save the body. Most of the court's forces had already withdrawn to the four provinces.

Letting those forces compete for those territories was not a bad strategy.

"So be it..."

Li Kuangxiu sighed softly.

"What a pity for the ancestral foundation."

Sima Che slowly shook his head, and a hundred emotions arose in his heart.

"You all mustn't be discouraged. Temporary victories and defeats are nothing. Only the final victor is eternal. We are just deliberately giving them up now. We will naturally be able to take them back in the future."

Jingtai said solemnly.

The three people in front of him controlled the three major forces of the court: the military, the Sky Patrol Division, and the imperial family. Their real power was very great. Even if he was the emperor, he had to inform them first.

This was a rule given by imperial power. Even if he was the emperor, he was not the founding emperor and had to abide by this rule.

"How do we take them back?"

Sima Che asked in a calm voice.

Jingtai then stood up and said:

"The court's current strength cannot surpass the Jianghu, and the Grand Ancestor is in secluded cultivation and cannot come out. We are now in urgent need of a truly meaningful expert to preside over the situation."

He did not answer Sima Che's words, but changed the subject and mentioned his purpose.

"What does Your Majesty mean by this?"

"Could it be that Your Majesty has drawn in such an expert?"

Everyone's eyes lit up. If there could be a truly meaningful expert, the court would naturally be as stable as Mount Tai, and there would still be an opportunity to reclaim the territories in the future.

"It is better to rely on oneself than to rely on others. I have read through ancient and modern books and found a way to use the power of the country's destiny to bless the emperor, thereby possessing the power to match the Sixth Realm."

Jingtai said in a deep voice.

And his words were like a heavy hammer, hitting the hearts of everyone present hard.

A hint of joy flashed in the eyes of Li Kuangxiu and Gu Tianqiong. They seemed surprised that this was possible. If the emperor could match the Sixth Realm immortal, that would naturally be the best.

If the Grand Ancestor was also included, it was likely that no one would dare to enter the capital.

But Sima Che frowned deeply. As a member of the imperial family and one of the Grand Ancestor's four sons, he knew and had seen more than Jingtai. He had never heard of such a strange thing. If it were true, why didn't Emperor Ling of the previous dynasty use such power?

Therefore, he had deep doubts in his heart. Looking at Jingtai, he asked in a deep voice:

"I have never heard of such a thing. Your Majesty might as well speak frankly."

As soon as he spoke, Li Kuangxiu and Gu Tianqiong also restrained their smiles and looked at Jingtai with solemn expressions.

It was common knowledge that the emperor had the protection of the country's destiny, but that was only below the Yang Spirit realm, and it did not have the power to match the Sixth Realm.

"Please speak frankly, Your Majesty."

Seeing the increasingly solemn look in Jingtai's eyes, Sima Che vaguely had a bad feeling.

"This is not an unprecedented matter. The Grand Ancestor of the previous Chu Dynasty also used the power of the country's destiny. As for why I cannot reach his realm, it is because I can use external force."

"Please speak frankly, Your Majesty."

"Blood sacrifice a million living beings, relying on a strange treasure, so that the power of the country's destiny can be added to my body. Although I cannot achieve longevity, for the sake of the eternal stability of the Great Jin, I am willing to abandon everything!"

"A million living beings!!!"

As soon as these words came out, the imperial study fell into silence, and a pin could be heard dropping.

A million living beings were not a million livestock, but living, breathing lives. This would be against the will of the heavens. Once it spread out, the reputation of the Great Jin Dynasty would be completely ruined!

"Your Majesty, please think twice!" Li Kuangxiu frowned tightly.

"Apart from this method, can the Grand Marshal teach me how to turn the tide? Those living beings are all citizens of the Great Jin, and my heart is also extremely saddened, but..."

Jingtai raised his head, and his eyes seemed to be filled with sorrow.

"Alright, let's follow this method!"

Sima Che took a deep breath. In any case, he could not allow the Great Jin Dynasty to be in danger of collapse. It was just some lowly people. Moreover, it was only a million people, which was just a drop in the bucket compared to the hundreds of millions of people in the world.

At most, they would naturally reproduce and return within a hundred years.

Compared to the Sima family's country, the people... would just die.

Gu Tianqiong frowned, but he didn't say much. He even stopped Li Kuangxiu, who wanted to continue persuading him, and shook his head at him.

Li Kuangxiu let out a long breath and said nothing more.

"The reason I invited the three of you here today is for that strange treasure. This treasure is still in Shu, and it is the family heirloom of the Painting Saint Wu Daozi. I hope you can escort it back to the capital."

"Understood."

Sima Che nodded expressionlessly.

"Thank you, Uncle."

"Does Your Majesty have anything else? This old subject is feeling unwell." Li Kuangxiu said softly.

Jingtai narrowed his eyes, his mind racing, and smiled:

"There are no other matters, but I would like to discuss one more thing with Duke Li."

"What is it?"

Jingtai smiled without saying a word, turning his gaze to Gu Tianqiong and Sima Che. They naturally understood, realizing that the emperor wanted to eliminate the emotions in Li Kuangxiu's heart.

Then, they got up and took their leave.

After the two of them left, Jingtai left the desk and walked to Li Kuangxiu's side.

"Does Your Majesty have any further instructions?"

Li Kuangxiu was somewhat puzzled.

"Duke Li, I have heard that your youngest daughter has been cultivating in a Taoist temple for many years and possesses an extraordinary temperament. Now, the world is turbulent, the court is in turmoil, and the harem is also unstable.

I hope to seek a marriage with Duke Li and marry Hongshuang as a Consort, bestowing upon her the title of Imperial Concubine. What does Duke Li think?"

The two pillars of the court were basically loyal and devoted. Gu Tianqiong was a given, being a former general of the Grand Ancestor, his loyalty was unshakable. Only Grand Marshal Li Kuangxiu made him uneasy.

He had heard that Li Hongshuang had a friendship with Chen Yuan and had even been somewhat related to Jiang He, the Jin envoy from Qing Province. If someone were to use this connection to win over Li Kuangxiu, it would be bad news.

But forming a marriage alliance would eliminate these hidden dangers.

After his years of suppression, the Li family's influence in the military had declined a lot, but they still had disciples and former officials all over the world. Now that Li Kuangxiu had regained control of the world's military affairs, he was really uneasy.

"This..." Li Kuangxiu instantly understood Jingtai's meaning, and his brows furrowed involuntarily. He wanted to refuse, but looking at Jingtai's faint smile, he couldn't bring himself to say it.

"What, does Duke Li perhaps think that I am not worthy of Hongshuang?"

Jingtai asked with a smile.

"Of course not. This old subject is just worried that my youngest daughter has a bad temper and is too willful, and might offend Your Majesty. It would be better if..." Li Kuangxiu wanted to refuse, but before he could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Jingtai.

"It doesn't matter. I have a good temper and can tolerate everything. Whether Hongshuang wants to cultivate or do other things, I will agree to it. Furthermore, I believe that Duke Li's daughter is naturally virtuous and virtuous!"

Jingtai said calmly.

"This... Your Majesty..."

"Alright, let's settle this matter for now. Tomorrow, I will send a betrothal gift and choose an auspicious day to welcome Hongshuang into the palace. At that time, Duke Li will be my father-in-law."

Jingtai smiled.

Li Kuangxiu's furrowed brows slowly relaxed. Looking at Jingtai's expression, he hesitated for a moment, raised his hand in a salute, and said:

"This subject... obeys the decree!"

......

......

Chen Yuan and Jiang He naturally did not know about the events in the imperial study, nor did they know that Jiang He's fiancee had been targeted by Jingtai in order to win over Li Kuangxiu.

However, they had many guesses about Jingtai's reaction.

According to what Chen Yuan had learned, the court was now fully consolidating its strength, and was probably preparing to abandon half of the country and hold on to the four provinces of the Central Plains, waiting for the opportune moment.

Perhaps there would be some other small tricks, but they were not omniscient and could not predict them. They could only judge them after Jingtai made his move.

What they were concerned with now were their recent circumstances.

Yes, the Supreme Heavenly Rankings had changed, and the changes were not small.

In the Mount Shu battle, Chen Yuan and Jiang He had shone brightly, causing quite a stir. In addition, they were constantly accumulating strength in secret, so the impact was naturally even greater.

The Palace Master of Biyou Palace, Zhao Danqing, had not been able to defeat that human traitor even with an immortal weapon, so his strength could not be accurately assessed by the Ascension Tower.

After careful consideration, they decided to leave him as he was, still ranked eleventh on the Supreme Heavenly Rankings.

The Shu Mountain Sect Master, True Monarch Lingxu, was fighting fiercely with the demon saint. Because he was already in the top ten of the Supreme Rankings, there was no change, and he was still ranked eighth.

True Monarch Qingxu had not killed a demon saint, so it was difficult to assess him. He was only ranked thirtieth. Similarly, the former Sword Pavilion Master, the current Chongxu Taoist, was also ranked in the thirties.

Basically, there was not much change.

As for those demon clan experts, they were not human, so they would not be included in the Heavenly Rankings. The black-robed True Monarch, whose identity was unknown, had the strength to fight Zhao Danqing and his immortal weapon without being defeated, but was only suppressed.

His strength should also be in the top fifteen, but his influence was too bad, and he was condemned by the Jianghu. Moreover, it was impossible to determine whether he was human or demon under his black robe, so the Ascension Tower still did not include him.

Once it was confirmed that he was indeed human, he would still be added.

After all, the Ascension Tower looked at battle records, not other things.

As for Jiang He, who was disguised as True Monarch Heavenly Sword, he was ranked eighteenth by the Ascension Tower for suppressing the Great Saint of the Heavenly Green Devil Bull clan and repelling the Demon Emperor Bell with a single sword, surpassing Lu Guangsheng.

As for Chen Yuan, he had made even greater progress.

He fought two against one, killing a demon saint, and then seriously injured another demon saint. His battle record was amazing, and his ranking soared directly, surpassing the National Preceptor Puxian and Divine Martial True Monarch Li Kuangxiu, and taking the ranking of Phoenix Jiuge, the former Palace Master of the Goddess Palace.

He was ranked twelfth on the Heavenly Rankings, and his fame was unparalleled!

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