Xianye

Chapter 423: Time flies by, the world is in decline
Yu State, Yuanliang City.

There are stacked pavilions and magnificent palaces. The main roads are paved with blue slabs and are wide enough for nine carriages to drive side by side. The houses and shops on both sides are also quite neatly arranged. There is a constant stream of traffic, and it is crowded and bustling.

The land east of Panshui is known as fertile land. Not only is it vast, but it is also rich in spiritual resources. It is a place where mountains, rivers and land veins converge. It can accommodate all kinds of spirits and provide comfort for the people. It has always been a good town and a paradise under Yuchen's rule.

As time went by, this realm was divided into sixteen kingdoms and ruled by many Yuchen Dao lineages.

Among these sixteen kingdoms, the one with the greatest national power and the largest territory would be the Yu Kingdom.

However, the atmosphere in Yu State today is not as good as before.

Ordinary people in Yuanliang City may not feel anything unusual.

But inside the palace, the scene was completely different.

The nobles of the sixteen countries who usually looked high and mighty, no matter they were the kings, the abbots of various places or the masters of the Taoist sects, all gathered together, standing with their hands hanging down at the foot of the long white jade steps, holding their breath, and no one dared to make any noise, just quietly waiting for the message.

At this time, in the Golden Palace of Yu State, Chen Heng was sitting in it.

Yu Rui, the king who used to sit in the Golden Palace, was now dressed as a court official, holding a tablet in his hand, looking solemn, and acting as a messenger...

……

"I already know about the frequent occurrence of evil springs in Huaizhou. I will send people to reconcile the turbid Yin in the ground and make the pure air rise. Fengjun, as the ruler of Fengguo, you can sympathize with the people and do not hesitate to sacrifice your cultivation. You are truly a virtuous king."

Chen Heng put down the golden tablet in his hand, laughed and said.

People have been leaving the Golden Palace in waves, and currently two people are standing on the left and right under the steps.

On the left is a strong man with deep purple eyes and strange visions.

Hearing Chen Heng's words, he hurriedly straightened his robe, leaned forward and bowed solemnly, as if he wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth, he suddenly fell silent and just lowered his head respectfully.

As for the one standing on the right, he is a young Taoist with a green crown, a jade-like face and gorgeous clothes.

He didn't know what he was thinking of at this moment, his face suddenly turned pale and his pupils shrank into a line.

Sure enough, the next moment, Chen Heng's gaze suddenly dropped.

The young Taoist shuddered, with a sad look in his eyes. He kowtowed deeply, his hands and feet trembling.

"Mr. Fu, it seems that you already have an idea in your mind, so I won't say any more."

Chen Heng said: "You are the ruler of Fu State, and you have made contributions in governing the people. Although you have made mistakes today, your Fu family's title of king should not be stripped for this reason."

The young Taoist-looking ruler of Fu State was overjoyed upon hearing this, as if he had been pardoned. Without waiting for him to kowtow and thank the emperor, Chen Heng continued:
"But this kind of mistake must be punished. I order you to sever the seven counties of Beichuan and the three large Yingling mines and hand them over to you today."

Upon hearing this, the King of Feng suddenly raised his head, his face full of disbelief.

The seven counties of Beichuan have always been important towns in the north of Fu State, with a special status, a vast territory and a large population. If these seven counties are lost, almost one fourth of the territory of Fu State will be lost, causing great damage to the national strength.

As for the three large crystal mines...

Unlike the stunned King of Feng, after hearing the verdict, the King of Fu was calm and even felt like he had survived a calamity.

He did not say anything much, nor did he dare to bring up his ancestor who served as an elder in the Xuanjiao Temple. He just kowtowed respectfully and nodded repeatedly.

Now, all the sixteen kingdoms are owned by the man in the palace, and all the spiritual power and land are his private property.

It is only natural for him to punish himself, and even the sect cannot interfere.

It was a blessing to be able to save his life without being disliked by the people in the palace, not to mention that he could continue to enjoy the title, which was really unexpected.

"The Immortal's great grace is greater than that of heaven and earth! I am fortunate to be a citizen under the Immortal's rule. How dare I not respect him and repay him with my life!" The King of Fu State paid a grand ceremony to pay homage.

After the two gentlemen left one after another, Chen Heng flipped through the golden book in his hand again, and soon, he shifted his gaze to a name.

"Please come in, Master Huan." he said.

When Yu Rui, who was standing with lowered eyebrows, heard the name, he was startled. After apologizing, he held his head high and walked out of the Golden Palace.

Facing the many complicated gazes of envy, flattery, indifference, and dissatisfaction from the hundreds of people outside the hall, he was too lazy to pay attention and just said in a solemn voice:

"Huai country Yuansushan, headmaster Huan Xuanyi, the Lord has summoned you."

The person whose name was called was a middle-aged Taoist with a handsome figure, wearing a blue star robe.

The Taoist was not surprised when he heard this. He nodded and followed Yu Rui forward. Then he simply knelt down on both knees and prostrated himself on the steps of the palace, with an attitude of respect...

Suddenly.

Most of the day had passed.

After a Taoist master who looked like a young girl bowed and left the hall, Chen Heng did not call her again. He just closed the golden book slightly and placed it on the table.

"The school exam held every thirty years really helped me a lot, but I don't need to spend too much time thinking about it." He smiled: "General Wei."

Wei Yuanzhong, who was guarding the palace gate, heard the words and came into the hall. He stepped forward and bowed, saying, "Master."

"You came to the Sixteen Kingdoms to seek advice on politics and policies under my orders. You have worked hard along the way and I deserve a reward." Chen Heng pointed and said, "From today on, Cailan Mountain in Yu State will be your fief."

Wei Yuanzhong bowed to express his gratitude, then stood up and asked:

"Master, please allow me to report. I wonder how we should deal with those people in prison now?"

As soon as these words were spoken, even with Yu Rui's great Qi-cultivation skills, his face was moved. He quickly turned his head and pricked up his ears.

This time, Wei Yuanzhong was ordered to come to the Sixteen Kingdoms to seek advice on politics, but he brazenly captured several high-ranking and powerful figures and has been imprisoned in prison ever since.

And since those people were able to enjoy high positions of nobility in Donglu under Yuchen's rule, they were naturally related to Yuchen's clan and had close ties with them. It was not easy for ordinary people to offend them.

next moment.

A faint voice sounded in the palace:

"Feeding demons and eating people, making demon sacrifices, worshipping the Yin Temple... Is there anything else to discuss? Kill them all."

Wei Yuanzhong was not surprised to hear this, and responded solemnly, as if he had expected it. He then bowed again and said:
"Also, Lord Yu also made a great contribution to the matter that the master ordered earlier."

"Oh?" Chen Heng's eyes turned.

Yu Rui, who was standing aside, seemed to have not expected that Wei Yuanzhong would be willing to mention his name and share the credit he had gained. He opened his mouth in surprise.

As for what Wei Yuanzhong was ordered to do before, it was actually just to find out some information about Chen Heng's old friends when he was in the Southern Region.

Yu Rui did not know that Wei Yuanzhong would be in charge of this position at first, but he had been in charge of the government of the Yu State for many years and had experienced many ups and downs, so he could be considered an experienced man.

Yu Rui was naturally familiar with the principle that when one person succeeds, the whole family will benefit.

For this reason, when Wei Yuanzhong just left Xiaoming Lake, Yu Rui had already respectfully invited those people from the Southern Region to come to Yu State and treated them as guests of honor.

Facing Chen Heng's gaze at this moment, Yu Rui did not dare to be negligent. After bowing deeply, he told him everything he knew.

After finishing speaking.

There seemed to be a moment of silence in the Golden Palace, and it became quiet...

"Among my old friends, are fellow Taoist Zhou Xingling from Baihe Cave and a few Rong clan members still alive?" Chen Heng shook his head and sighed slightly.

Yu Rui said cautiously:
“My Lord, please allow me to report that back then, the evil man Chen Ying drove the blood demon Shan Ji to cause chaos, turning nearly a hundred small sects in the southern region into scorched earth, leaving thousands of miles of barren land. If it weren’t for Master Hou Wen setting up the altar and asking for the talisman from the elders of the upper sect to destroy the blood demon from a distance, I’m afraid the casualties would have been even greater.

In fact, there were still a few elders of the Rong family who traveled abroad and luckily escaped the disaster, but they lost their homeland and had no choice but to wander around to survive. Today, only a few young people are left. "

"When I was young, I once borrowed the Rong family's Jade Mother Pond, and promised to return it in the future. Now that Rong Tuo and Rong Xuantao have passed away, I will return it to their clan members."

Chen Heng gave an order, pondered for a moment, and then said:
"If Brother Zhou has time, please ask him to come and see me."

Upon seeing this, Wei Yuanzhong and Yu Rui hurriedly bowed.

The two looked at each other, and finally Yu Rui nodded gratefully, left the Golden Palace, and hurriedly headed towards Zhou Xingling's residence with his escape light...

And at the same moment.

In a nice and spacious room.

Zhou Xingling, with a head full of white hair and an old face, stood leaning against the railing.

He looked at the Fengxuan Waterside Pavilion and the Yuewu Flower Bed not far away, with a trace of confusion in his eyes. During the Blood Demon Rebellion decades ago, he was one of the few monks who survived in the White Crane Cave.

Because the sect was destroyed overnight and all his teachers, friends and fellow disciples were killed, Zhou Xingling naturally became one of the countless independent cultivators, working hard to make a living and seek the truth, no longer having the comfort of the past.

However, the pressures of the world over the years had long since worn away his youthful spirit and extinguished his desire to seek immortality. Being able to live a peaceful life with his wife and children, free from disasters and calamities, was his greatest wish in life.

Unexpectedly, in such a situation, he and his family would be inexplicably invited by a group of great monks to enter the land of the Eastern Region.

Live in a superior abode, enjoy wonderful fruits and delicacies every day, and there are also immortal spiritual veins for practice.

Compared with the poverty of the past, this place is undoubtedly a paradise, making people reluctant to leave and linger.

"Could it be that person..."

Looking at the rich and magnificent scene before him, Zhou Xingling suddenly had a guess in his mind, but he found it funny and shook his head quickly.

To this day, that person's status is extremely noble and great. In comparison, I am probably just a speck of dust and an ant, and it is difficult to attract any attention.

What's more, he and I are just casual acquaintances, so why should he take so much trouble?

In fact, when Zhou Xingling heard the message from that person for the first time, he stood there in a daze as if he had been struck by thunder. He felt his hands and feet going numb and he couldn't speak for a long time.

It was not until several days later that I came to my senses, but I was still in a dream, with my consciousness hazy...

At this moment, when Zhou Xingling was lost in thought, a servant came in hurriedly to report.

Upon hearing this, he immediately followed him out the door. After taking a few steps, he saw Yu Rui coming towards him.

"The Lord..."

Zhou Xingling knew Yu Rui's identity and was about to salute, but Yu Rui quickly held him back.

"Brother Zhou, this is great news, great news!" Yu Rui's face was flushed with joy, and he said, "The Lord really wants to see you. Let's go! Haven't you always been curious about why you were invited to the East Region? You will know when we meet later!"

Zhou Xingling wanted to ask more questions, but Yu Rui grabbed his arm and sent him soaring into the sky, so he had to swallow his words.

Not long after, when he descended from the clouds, Zhou Xingling realized that he had arrived outside an extremely magnificent and towering palace.

The sight is of golden beams and towering platforms, which are exquisitely crafted and magnificent.

Standing on both sides of the imperial road with their hands hanging down were either kings of various countries wearing royal crowns and pendants, or leaders who controlled the wind, rain, water and fog.

Seeing these famous people with supernatural powers gathered together, just like clerks waiting to be summoned by the emperor, Zhou Xingling was really shocked and didn't know what to say.

"Please." Yu Rui smiled and stretched out his hand to invite him.

"Yes, yes..." Zhou Xingling responded quickly.

The jade steps under your feet seem to be made of clear water, and seem to reach straight to the sky.

With every step Zhou Xingling took, his heartbeat became inexplicably more intense. At the same time, the guess in his mind kept popping up, leaving him at a loss.

After an unknown amount of time, Zhou Xingling suddenly came back to his senses when Yu Rui beside him quietly pulled his sleeve.

He looked up and found himself in the palace. Huge golden and wooden pillars were gleaming, carved with images of cranes, unicorns, etc., the ground was covered with brocade, and precious candles were shining brightly.

With just a laugh, the figure on the throne came down the steps to greet him.

When he saw the figure clearly, Zhou Xingling was shocked all over, he felt as if there was thunder in his ears, and his mind went blank.

After a moment of distraction, he was about to bend down and kowtow without thinking, but he was suddenly held up by a soft force and could no longer kowtow.

"Brother Zhou, long time no see." Chen Heng said with a smile.

……

……

In the side hall, Chen Heng and Zhou Xingling sat across from each other at a table.

A purple copper animal-head incense burner slowly spewed smoke into the air, emitting waves of calming and refreshing fragrance that swirled around and around like a canopy covering the head.

"After being slashed by a sword at Wuqi Cliff, I realized that I was short-sighted and gave up the idea of ​​competing with others. I just made some pills and sold some talisman water. Fortunately, my wife also knows a little bit about the art of alchemy. With her help, business is not too difficult..."

After carefully saying the last sentence, Zhou Xingling glanced at Chen Heng, picked up the teacup on the table, and lightly touched his lips.

Chen Heng saw through his cautious flattery and wanted to say something, but in the end he just smiled and said:
"Brother Zhou, do you have children now?"

"Master Taihe, I have a daughter now." Zhou Xingling smiled as he said this: "She studies Taoist scriptures every day and has recently reached the foundation-building stage. She cultivates the Moon Mi True Qi from the White Crane Cave. Her talent is better than mine."

Chen Heng nodded: "Since your daughter has a heart to seek the truth, how about letting her enter Xianyang Temple to practice?"

Zhou Xingling was quite surprised. Chen Heng looked at him and said sincerely:
"Brother Zhou, don't be surprised. When I was still practicing in Xuanzhen Sect, Elder Gu Jun of the sect once said that your master, Master Jiang Gulian, wanted to take me in as his disciple and was willing to protect my path. Brother Zhou also made a great contribution to this."

“……” Zhou Xingling was speechless.

"But isn't it a predestined thing?" Chen Heng said with a smile, "Please don't refuse this matter. Allow me to express my gratitude."

Xianyang Temple is the main sect under Yuchen's rule, with a very profound foundation. Just by looking at the presence of True Lord Fanxu in the temple, one can tell that this sect has a great background.

As for such a lofty immortal sect, not to mention Baihe Cave, it has already been destroyed.

Even when his sect was still in existence, it was not easy for Zhou Xingling to enter the gate of Xianyang Temple to pay homage.

But now...

"Master?" Zhou Xingling hesitated to speak.

"I have a friend named Xue Jing, who is very close to the abbot of Xianyang Temple. It is not difficult to send someone to learn Taoism." Chen Heng shook his head: "Even if there is no such relationship, it is just a letter."

"Thank you...thank you so much, Master!"

Zhou Xingling relaxed all over, raised his sleeves to cover his face, and after a long while he bowed solemnly.

After experiencing this incident, Zhou Xingling was no longer as cautious as before and gradually relaxed.

After talking about some old times, he stood up to say goodbye.

Zhou Xingling seemed to remember something, paused, and said:
"I suddenly remembered something. Do you still remember Fu Yubo?"

"Of course." Chen Heng said.

"Since the Immortal Master revealed the plot of the Lord of Huaiwu Cave, Fuyu Lake enjoyed a period of peace after the evil demon, Yin Sheng, was eliminated. Unfortunately, the bloody demon Shan Ji suddenly started a rebellion, killing people all over the land. Nine out of ten people in Fuyu Lake were killed. Not long after that, two independent cultivators had a fierce fight on Fuyu Lake, and their magic weapons exploded, and both died..."

Zhou Xingling sighed: "Now, even the water vein under the ground of Fuyubo has dried up. It has become a wasteland and no one can live here. Thinking back to those lantern ceremonies in the past, I am afraid that I will never see them again in this lifetime.

I can only sigh that time flies by, and the world has been in decline for a long time! "

The scene seemed to be silent for a moment, and there was no sound.

A gust of wind blew over, slightly lifting a corner of the hanging curtain, and then quietly let it fall down.

After a moment, Chen Heng's voice sounded faintly:

"Pity."

……

After sending Zhou Xingling out of the side hall, it was almost noon.

Outside the window, the sun is shining like smoke, and the sky is filled with purple mist. It is a beautiful scene with clear skies and green everywhere.

"I can only sigh that time flies by, and the world has been in decline for a long time?"

Chen Heng stopped for a moment, retracted his gaze, shook his head, and suddenly turned into a sword light, following the energy, and went straight to Cui Jingzhong's residence in the city.

He and Cui Jingzhong have known each other for many years and they often exchange letters, so they are not polite to each other.

After a few pleasantries, Cui Jingzhong simply invited him into the quiet room, then solemnly took out a jade talisman from his sleeve and handed it to Chen Heng.

"This is something that the True Lord specifically ordered me to bring before I left. Junior brother, please unban me."

(End of this chapter)