BXBX NOVEL Chapter Volume 16 41: Serve, or Die
Even though Zhang Ping’s life or death were currently unknown after Central Continent Guard’s final besiege, under the lock up of information, no concrete information reached the outside world. Not even the many Central Continent Guard high ranking officers who were loyal to Xu Zhenyan and Rong Family knew if Zhang Ping entered Central Continent City and took over True Dragon Mountain. However, a few of them knew that in the end, that armor still seemed to be completely unharmed.
This type of armor that not even sacred level power could destroy seemed invincible. That was why in the world of cultivation, everyone called Zhang Ping’s armor ‘Invincible’.
Regarding Lin Xi forcing Yunqin Emperor to abdicate, the ‘Qilin’ power Yunqin Emperor revealed, his death, as well as the following battle between Zhang Ping and Lin Xi, everyone in Central Continent City, as well as everyone in the world had their own interpretations.
In the eyes of some people, there was no ground for blame in Lin Xi forcing Yunqin Emperor to abdicate. The final actions of Zhang Ping, this former Green Luan Academy student, were merely out of his greed for power.
Some people thought that Lin Xi was unfilial and disgraceful, that Zhang Ping was only helping Changsun Clan eradicate evil.
Some people believed that who was right and who was wrong wasn’t important. It wasn’t even important who became Yunqin Emperor. They believed that the key was who could make the situation more stable, who could allow Yunqin’s people to live better lives.
Under the influence of endless ways of thinking and opinions, Central Continent City and the local regions all became extremely chaotic. In just a few days of time, Central Continent Guard Army and Central Continent Garrison Army already lost a third of their members.
Under this type of disorder, the Imperial Censors and civil officials who previously occupied important positions in the royal court completely lost their advantage. Xu Zhenyan, Leng Family and Rong Family, these three important powers strangely unified, making it so that all of Central Continent City began to enter a state built around Xu Zhenyan, Leng Zhennan and the others.
…
In Mountain Yin Province’s Great Origin City, a discussion that was extremely important for Yunqin Empire was also being carried out.
A larger half of Yunqin Empire’s important trading companies came from Mountain Yin Province.
However, apart from almost all of Mountain Yin Province’s trading company masters, there were also many elders and local righteous individuals gathered in this courtyard that belonged to Great Origin City’s powerful company, the Banyon Manor.
Apart from their prestige, because of some of the kind deeds they had done over a long time in these regions, many people felt like they owed them gratitude. Wealth, prestige, favor, their respective children… These things could even decide some military affiliations in many provinces, to the extent where they could decide if these provinces were going to rebel, oppose the control of some people from Central Continent City.
Within this Banyon Manor courtyard’s garden, none of the drinks on the dozens of tables had even been touched. This debate regarding Yunqin Empire’s shocking changes already continued for close to two hours.
“Gentlemen! Let’s put aside whether Green Luan Academy or his majesty were wrong for now. From what I hear, many of those upright sirs who were good officials to Yunqin, who have shown us great grace, have been killed or thrown into prison! I, Pang, might be a crude person who doesn’t understand much reasoning. I only know that Sir Zheng and Sir Liu have helped me out in many matters, they helped speak on behalf of Yunqin’s common people. However, they were already killed by Xu Zhenyan and Leng Zhennan! I want to get revenge for them, this is what I think.”
Lasting Peace’s Master Pang’s thunderous voice was extremely clear. This crude, bearded man who wasn’t that tall already began to even catch onto the main point after listening to this debate for more than two hours.
Even if it was for the sake of stabilizing the current political situation, killing those officials who opposed the other party was something that crossed these locals’ bottom lines. All of them found it hard to accept.
“This weary old body of mine also wishes to get revenge for Sir Zheng and Sir Liu.”
When the thunderous voice had just seized the advantage, an old voice slowly sounded, making this noisy courtyard become quiet.
The one who spoke was a white bearded elder whose face was covered in wrinkles. He was Yuan Houting. His Prosperous Abundance Company wasn’t especially big in Mountain Yin Province, but several decades ago, when most of the merchants in Mountain Yin Province suffered hard times, it was all because of Prosperous Abundance’s arrangements, their mutual help, that they made it through. That was why this elder possessed unimaginable prestige among Mountain Yin Province’s merchants.
“However, in the end, these shocking developments are still a result of conflict in the world of cultivation. It isn’t difficult for our Mountain Yin Province to move out troops, but even if we could enter Central Continent City and kill Xu Zhenyan and Leng Zhennan, we’ll still have to fight a cultivation world battle. Currently, regardless of whether Green Luan Academy has the ability to cooperate with us or not… the key is that most of us are dissatisfied with Xu Zhenyan and Leng Zhennan’s cabinet, but most of you also hold differing opinions towards Lin Xi’s decision.”
The entire courtyard entered a state of silence.
Half of the people here felt that Lin Xi was trustworthy, but there was a half that thought Lin Xi and Green Luan Academy’s methods were too vicious, so there was no way for them to unify their views. If they couldn’t be of the same opinion, then they wouldn’t be able to accomplish anything.
A wave of rushed footsteps shattered the silence.
A long bearded shopkeeper dressed in purple embroidered robes quickly walked into this meeting place, nervously and urgently reporting, “Everyone, Auspicious Virtue’s Great Shopkeeper Chen has arrived.”
When everyone here heard this, their entire bodies couldn’t help but tremble.
Even though Auspicious Virtue came from East Forest Province, because of their relationship with Flourishing Heights, they were already seen as part of them by the merchant companies of Mountain Yin Province. Moreover, Auspicious Virtue was completely a miracle in the world of business, now even vaguely becoming the number one company in Yunqin. That was why the name Chen Feirong, this great shopkeeper who single-handedly brought up Auspicious Virtue, already possessed an unimaginable reputation in the world of business.
As such, even though most of the merchant companies in Mountain Yin Province decided to invite Auspicious Virtue after discussing things with Flourishing Heights, none of them knew if Chen Feirong would make an appearance.
Under most people’s fervent and expectant eyes, the curtains leading into this gathering were parted. Dressed in an arctic fox coat, Chen Feirong walked into this meeting place.
Chen Feirong’s mysteriousness and legends in the world of business already made this entire place become completely silent.
Cheng Manying and several Flourishing Heights people took the initiative to greet her. While guiding her to her seat, they introduced the other great merchant companies’ masters in formality.
After a simple exchange of greetings, the respectable Yuan Houting spoke, saying formally, “Great Shopkeeper Chen has already unknowingly become the leader of the business world. Your righteous actions in the southern provinces have even further raised your prestige among the people to a level none others can compare with. Great Shopkeeper Chen’s opinion is naturally extremely important to all of us.”
This place became quiet again.
Chen Feirong also entered a momentary state of silence.
During the past few days, her attention had naturally been focused on Central Continent City’s changes as well. After Zhang Ping and Lin Xi’s great battle, she understood Green Luan Academy’s heavy wounded state better than anyone here. After all, not even she knew if Lin Xi was still alive or if he was already deceased.
Out of worry for Lin Xi’s safety, there were even small sores around the corners of her mouth.
No one here knew that Auspicious Virtue was Lin Xi’s property. In a situation where there weren’t any news or instructions from Lin Xi, this current situation became even more difficult.
“Lin Xi, what should I do?”
She thought with a slightly bitter expression, her long eyelashes continuously fluttering.
“If you were in my position, what would you do?”
Chen Feirong breathed slowly. She began to wonder what Lin Xi would do if he was in her position. Then, she raised her head to look at all of these Mountain Yin Province influential figures who were important to the future of Yunqin Empire, slowly saying, “Right now, there is only one most important thing. Just whose hands are we placing Yunqin Empire into through our actions?”
“Even if we can kill Xu Zhenyan, Leng Zhennan, and even that legendary devil king, whose hands will Yunqin Empire be placed into?”
Chen Feirong’s words made all of those present who were still silently persisting with what they believed in look at her, starting to think to themselves.
“I know that most of you aren’t willing to trust Lin Xi right now, even if he has brought Yunqin Empire much glory. However, I believe that he has also thought about this, which is why when he forced his majesty to abdicate, he already expressed that he wanted the Imperial Princess to succeed the throne.”
“The Imperial Princess is wise and capable, which is why if I had a choice, in a situation where no one can be trusted, she is currently the only choice.”
“That is why I believe the most important part of our following actions is finding out whether or not she is still alive. We have to find her and allow her to truly manage the royal court.”
After saying these words, Chen Feirong entered a state of silence again.
Yuan Houyuan also became momentarily silent. Then, he showed Chen Feirong a deep bow.
“A master definitely has a reason for his status. I agree with Great Shopkeeper Chen’s opinion. Instead of setting out troops to make Yunqin even more chaotic, we should instead focus on doing what we can do.”
…
While Mountain Yin Province’s important people were gathered to decide what they should do during their country’s turmoil, a red robed individual entered Sunrise Roost Province’s White Dew Academy. However, the Purgatory Mountain Divine Adjudicator who walked in wasn’t covered in flame runes, but rather patterns of eight armed devil kings.
This middle-aged Purgatory Mountain Divine Adjudicator followed the mountain path into White Dew Academy’s opened gates, entering the courtyard within.
A tall and slender man dressed in a long gown stood under a parasol tree that already lost all of its leaves, looking at this Purgatory Mountain white faced Divine Adjudicator.
“You are clearly someone from Purgatory Mountain. Why did you feel a need to change into something like this?” He asked indifferently.
“Deities can change into many different incarnations, this is also true for devils.” This Purgatory Mountain middle-aged Divine Adjudicator said calmly. “In Yunqin, we need these types of incarnations. We are Purgatory Mountain Divine Adjudicators.”
The tall and slender man gave this Purgatory Mountain Divine Adjudicator a cold look. He didn’t refute him, only asking, “I want to know your purpose for coming here.”
“Serve, or die.” This Purgatory Mountain middle-aged Divine Adjudicator explained with a calm voice.