Chapter 48: Do Not Take the Golden Core Lightly

Although Shen Lian did not understand why, he still took the item back, for deep down, he felt a destined connection to this wooden fish. Moreover, with Ling Chongxiao and the man in the blue robe both linked to it, and considering he was a disciple of Qing Xuan, he couldn’t simply watch this object fall into the wrong hands.

Kuhui then said, “Won’t you ask where Ling Chongxiao is now? Is he alive or dead?”

Shen Lian replied, “Master, weren’t you just about to say? Why should I ask further?”

Kuhui’s usually undisturbed Zen mind had wavered more than once today because of Shen Lian. Throughout the Divine Capital, aside from the Empress, only Shen Lian could give him this feeling of absolute openness, without any concealment.

He smiled faintly to ease his inner stirrings and said, “He has truly become a monk now, severing his past attachments. Even the last lingering thoughts of his sect were left to me. But it is more fitting that this item returns to you.”

“Seems he did not take monastic vows in the Divine Capital, or perhaps not even within the Great Zhou territory?” Shen Lian narrowed his eyes. For Ling Chongxiao to abandon his past and genuinely renounce the world, it must be because that place offered him a crucial breakthrough.

Kuhui understood Shen Lian’s speculation, for the Empress was inscrutable, and someone like Ling Chongxiao, who wielded such destructive power over worldly affairs, would either submit or be eliminated.

If neither, then most likely, he was no longer under Great Zhou’s rule.

Shen Lian’s judgment was based purely on his character.

“He went to the Western Wilderness, to a country called Yuetuo, where he became a monk,” Kuhui whispered, finally smiling truly, as Ling Chongxiao had become a monk without even needing to shave his head.

When Shen Lian heard “Western Wilderness” and “Yuetuo,” he quickly recalled information about the region. The Western Wilderness was more than a hundred thousand miles from Great Zhou.

Between lay countless mountains and rivers, innumerable nations large and small, and more terrifyingly, many demon clans dwelling in those desolate lands. Some could transform, rivaling Dan Refining cultivators as demon kings, and a few demon kings were no less formidable than the Immortals of Longevity.

Chen Jianmei’s “View on Killing” was established atop a mountain in the Western Wilderness, where he exterminated an entire mountain’s demon horde, shaking the cultivation world.

Shen Lian had originally planned to travel to the Western Wilderness once his Void Divine Strategy was initially formed, to meet Chen Jianmei in person. As the saying goes, “Half a lifetime of cultivation unnoticed, once enlightened, the world knows.” Zhang Ruoxu’s words were truly not in vain.

Because the journey was perilous, he intended to wait until the eight energies of the Void Divine Strategy had fully entered his body before venturing there. By then, his strength would be comparable to Gu Caiwei, who was no match even for an ordinary Dan Refining elder. The sect leader Chen Jianmei had specially arranged a meditation mat for her—not that she sat on it, out of respect for the senior masters.

The Void Divine Strategy was notoriously difficult to enter and even harder to master, ranking among the top cultivation arts in the world. Within Qing Xuan, it was likely that almost everyone would pursue it.

Zhang Ruoxu had made a significant decision in allowing Shen Lian to try this technique, showing how highly he valued him.

If Shen Lian failed, Zhang Ruoxu would surely feel deeply disappointed.

Yet, even facing today’s hardships, Shen Lian bore no complaints. Zhang Ruoxu had pointed him down this path. Any other skill would not guarantee success in Dan Refining, and the hope of becoming an Immortal of Longevity would be equally slim.

Moreover, after refining the Dan with the Void Divine Strategy, one’s divine abilities would be astonishing, granting access to nearly all places in the world.

Putting these thoughts aside for now, Shen Lian said leisurely, “It seems that is where his fate lies. The path to enlightenment is difficult; none but those destined can understand. I hope he achieves his wish.”

After speaking, Shen Lian struck the wooden fish, and a melodious sound arose. Kuhui felt a gentle breeze caress his face and heard a song ring softly in his ears:

“Hard! Hard! Hard! The way is most profound, do not treat the Golden Elixir lightly.

Without meeting a true master’s secret teaching, empty words only tire the tongue.”

The lingering melody stirred old tears in him.

******

Inside the Hall of Diligent Governance, the Empress wielded her brush with ease—her strokes like a swimming dragon, light as a startled swan. The ink on the snowy paper was vivid, full of grandeur.

Upon closer glance, it was clearly the Daoist poem left by Shen Lian.

Setting down the wolf-hair brush, the Empress said, “Truly a person of the Way, to speak such extraordinary words.”

Below the jade steps, Crown Prince Zhao Xun waited in the hall. Opposite him stood another figure, head held high, handsome and extraordinary, dressed in splendid robes that made him stand out.

This man smiled and said, “There is no greater way in the world than the King’s Way. The King’s Way belongs to the sage; who dares claim the Way before the sage?”

“Sage” was a title for the Son of Heaven.

The Empress smiled faintly and asked the Crown Prince, “Zhao Xun, do you agree with what the Prince of Qi said?”

The Prince of Qi was not from the Zhao family but was the son of the Empress’s elder brother. Both of her elder brothers had long passed, leaving three nephews. The Prince of Qi held a title equal to a king and served as prime minister—a position of great power, ranking just below the Empress herself.

Though Zhao Xun was Crown Prince, his authority was not as great as the Prince of Qi’s.

Perhaps from standing too long, and his poor health, Zhao Xun appeared slightly nervous, beads of sweat forming on his brow. He replied respectfully, “Your humble son has shallow knowledge but believes the Majesty would not err.”

The Prince of Qi sneered at the Crown Prince, seeing him as a timid mouse, lacking any ruler’s bearing. With the Empress’s talent and might, how could she look favorably upon him?

In terms of bravery and decisiveness, within the royal family, only Zhao Xiang showed promise, but he was too young. The last time the Prince of Qi invited him for a lesson, what result could there be?

Moreover, if the Crown Prince died, he did not believe the Empress would not appoint him as successor.

For the things he had done could not be hidden from the Empress, and since she had not stopped him, it was tacit approval.

The Empress sighed softly and said, “Zhao Xun, as my son, you should have your own convictions. You truly disappoint me.”

Hearing this, the Crown Prince knelt, sweat pouring down, saying, “Your humble son is incompetent and has disappointed Your Majesty.”

Since the Empress had changed the era’s name, the Crown Prince could no longer address her as “Mother” or “Father,” but only as “Majesty,” like a subject.

The Prince of Qi cupped his hands and said, “The Crown Prince is magnanimous, a blessing for Great Zhou. Majesty need not blame him. I am willing to be your eagle and hound, to share your burdens and solve difficulties.”

The Empress’s cold expression softened into a smile like spring breeze, and she said softly, “It seems the Prince of Qi is willing to help me with anything.”

Without hesitation, the Prince of Qi replied, “That is only proper.”

The Empress looked at the Crown Prince and said, “Zhao Xun lacks talent for governance, but that can be cultivated over time. I plan to have him assist in state affairs, but this will make the central administration too crowded. Prince of Qi, you shall resign your prime minister post.”

Great Zhou had multiple prime ministers, but the Prince of Qi’s noble status placed him well above the others, his authority second only to the Empress.

ps: Thanks to Xiao N, Still Intoxicating, Yun Qi Wusong, Nai Sheng, and N for their generous support.