Chapter 833: Chapter 36: Borrowing Your Heads for a Moment—Mr. Zhao Strikes with Full Force! (Da Zhang)
Clang!
An invisible force of the soul spread around, and Dai Zong’s split soul body instantly turned to powder.
"Whoosh~"
A golden flying dragon soared into the sky, returning to the heavens.
But the black dragon, clutching the decree, fiercely pounced towards Zhao Xing.
When persuasion fails, force is used; this was an attempt to forcibly enfeoff Zhao Xing, turning him into a vassal of Prince Liang.
If successful, he would be tied to Prince Liang’s war chariot, with no easy way to get off.
Even if he leaves, there would be a stain.
Forget about becoming the Grand Minister of Agriculture, even being a third-rank official would be unlikely.
For a moment, the Soul Suppressing Bell on Zhao Xing’s body rang.
The imperial decree held by the black dragon was as if stuck in a quagmire, unable to approach Zhao Xing.
"Hmph, the power of a split soul body dares to enfeoff me?"
"Break!"
Without Dai Zong’s support, the Black Dragon Decree was merely an ordinary soul attack method.
It was only meant to tempt Zhao Xing to accept the honors and obey Prince Liang.
Zhao Xing casually waved his hand and easily broke it.
"Pat~"
The decree, having lost its power, fell to the ground, losing its luster.
The black dragon immediately rushed skyward, returning to its huge black dragon form.
"Without qi fortune-type spells, it’s impossible to sever this little qi fortune black dragon." Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Prince Liang blocks fate-type spells, which is advantageous; besides the second-grade ’Heavenly Fortune Realm’, no one can cut the enfeoffment qi fortune black dragon he issues.
Of course, it can be absorbed.
But this is exactly what Prince Liang wants.
If you absorb it, it means you’ve accepted the honors, which makes you his vassal, standing in the same camp as him.
"I don’t know how many people couldn’t resist the temptation and deception, being pulled into the rebel camp by Prince Liang’s opening move." Zhao Xing thought as he watched the qi fortune black dragon fly away.
Promotion by three ranks, nobility by two ranks, and additional allowances.
Even with an increase in lifespan by fifty years!
How tempting is that?
Under normal circumstances, it would take a century of endurance to possibly rise from fifth rank to fourth rank.
Like Sun Shizhao, who partnered on the Twin Islands, he is still at a standard fifth rank, enduring to gain seniority there.
Of course, Zhao Xing’s treatment is slightly better, but for someone like Sun Shizhao at fifth rank, attaining nobility is out of the question, and he wouldn’t gain that much lifespan either.
However, what kind of strength aligns with what kind of treatment.
Zhao Xing looks down on these small benefits, but for other officials, it’s an enormous attraction!
"After returning from the Ten Thousand Beasts Tournament, I never showcased my strength. Even when I went to the two Academic Palaces, I only wrote a thesis on Transformation. My practice of the Derivation God Decision in the Star Palace was conducted in secret."
"So my apparent strength is merely that of a standard fifth-rank official, capable of high-level Ten Thousand Skill Avatar—talented, but not to the level of a supreme genius."
"Giving me a promotion by three ranks, nobility ascending to a second-class marquis, and real power, Prince Liang is already showing me regard." Zhao Xing thought to himself.
"However, he doesn’t know that I’ve already learned many top-level skills and have even mastered the first level of the Derivation God Decision."
"In this life, why would I ride his broken chariot?"
Dai Zong’s rank was not high, and his split soul body had only the strength of a sixth-rank ghost.
A sixth-rank ghost only knows simple soul spells and mid-to-low-level martial skills, though if it were a high-level Yin God, inviting God possession would be different.
Dai Zong’s main body was only a third-grade Yin God, and it had always been tasked with delivering messages. It wasn’t difficult for Zhao Xing to destroy his split soul body.
"Forcible enfeoffment for the weak, and coercion and temptation for the strong."
"The rebellion is likely to begin soon, the Xinyang Army of Tianhe Prefecture? Marquis Xinyang is probably dead." Zhao Xing thought to himself.
Prince Liang conferred him the title of a second-class marquis, which must wield real power, and it would last until death. If retired, the real power position accompanying the marquis title would be lost, though he would still enjoy the stipend and lands of a second-rank marquis.
Now Prince Liang conferred him the title ’Marquis Xinyang’, in charge of the Xinyang Army of Tianhe Prefecture, indicating that this position has become vacant.
Thus, the original Marquis Xinyang is either dead or honorably retired.
"The process of honorary retirement is more troublesome; to delicately strip away the qi fortune protection without harming the person, allowing them to enjoy a peaceful old age. Prince Liang doesn’t have the patience for that—if they don’t listen, they’re definitely dead."
"There are a total of eleven standing armies stationed in Tianhe Prefecture. I wonder how many have defected, how many have died, and how many are resisting." Zhao Xing thought to himself.
"Prince Liang was already the State Lord of Pinghai State, a first-rank prince, Commander of Pacifying Barbarians, and wielding multiple divine artifacts. He must control military power."
"However, at this moment, the local troops are just sending small soldiers to seize power; his main focus is still on those seven strong armies."
Emperor Jing, when initiating a high-grade battle, handed the commanding of the seven strong armies of Tongyou, Jiuxiao, Yellow Spring, Xuanming, Heavenly Storage, Taixu, and Wu Yao to Prince Liang.
However, these seven strong armies would never easily follow Prince Liang into rebellion, even if Prince Liang’s current excuse is to ’clean the royal side and eliminate Liu Si.’ Even after sufficient groundwork, many clear-minded people would not join him in his endeavors.
Zhao Xing quickly put aside thoughts about affairs at the Jiutian Yingyuan Mansion.
Because his Earth Mirror was buzzing frantically.
[Zhao Xing, quickly come to the Transportation Department of Tianhe Prefecture to take orders! — Zhang Ping]
[Zhao Xing, immediately go to ’Lishui Road’ of Baishui Road, maintaining stability — Zhou Huai]
[Instruct all Minister of Agriculture Officials above fifth rank to immediately head to the Prefecture City from within and surrounding four counties, and act together with the Inspection Bureau to safeguard the Prefecture City — He Zhengchen]
[Urgent orders from the Agricultural Supervision...]
The Earth Mirror displayed over a dozen orders, all issued by higher departments and officials of Tianhe Prefecture.
Some orders even contradicted each other.
For instance, within the Transportation Department of the Prefecture City, his direct superior Zhang Ping instructed him to report to the department for orders.